Greetings and Salutations to the first article in our new section called "The Cove". In the Cove, we will be discussing niche topics like Anime/Manga/Video Games/etc. It is similar to what is in the typical man cave. For those who happen to be new to Mangas, here is a quick definition of what they are. A manga is a Japanese comic or graphic novel and came into being around the late 18th Century. It has grown in popularity since the 1950s and has crossed over to public culture around the 1980s. Now that I gave you a recap, let's fast forward to what this series is about!
Every week, we will have articles doing a summary of the books in my rotation's to see what is good to read and what you can let sit a bit before consuming. Enjoy and let's head over to the first Shonen Jump Recap!
Dr. Stone
Image from Shonen Jump
Dr. Stone is a Shonen manga based around the character Senku Ishigami who is an 18 year old genius and his mission to bring the earth back to Modern civilizations. The world has suddenly been petrified for about 3,700 years. We follow Senku as he attains allies and fights against people who want to be stuck in remedial times. I love this manga due to relying more on the smarts of the characters and not the typical high octane fight scenes.
Currently in the America arc and they are facing off with Senku's mentor growing up. It is a race against time to get away from the opponents while they are looking for the machine that petrified the world years ago. It is just under 200 chapters and is an easy read to catch up. I said this chapter was a 5 Star (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and it has tons of moments where I go if only this came out when I was in school. I might have done better in all of my science classes 😅.
Rating for the week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Black Clover
Image from Shonen Jump
Black Clover is a shonen manga centers around Asta, who is a person with no magic aptitude. This is a rare sighting in this world he lives in. He has a dream to become the Wizard King which is the strongest magician of the land. I will be honest and say this isn't one of my favorite mangas within the Shonen Jump lineup but it does solid work from time to time. I try not to be too harsh with my critiques but at times this feels like a Naruto x Fairy Tail mashup. If you are new to reading, I wouldn't tell you to read this from the jump. It takes some time to get going but when it does, it is zooming off into the distance.
Currently, we are in a retrieval arc where are heroes are in a race against time to save their comrades from imminent doom. The fight scene in this chapter was concise and to the point. Something that I love and hate about it is the suspense is gone at times. I wish the stakes felt as high as they should be. Nonetheless, I gave this 4 stars due to pacing while keeping the story going.
Rating for the week: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Sakamoto Days
Image from Shonen Jump
Sakamoto Days is a new addition to the Shonen Jump lineup from late 2020. Our main character is Taro Sakamoto who was the number one assassin. He struck fear in villains and was admired by all hitmen. He quietly retired after falling in love and starting a family. I love stories like this because it is part action and part gag which gives me the best of both worlds.
From the start, every chapter has been a five star classic. The pacing is great and the animation gives you the space to take in the action + comedic antics. I strongly suggest you start reading this one since it is early it's journey.
Rating for the week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Jujutsu Kaisen
Image from Shonen Jump
Jujutsu Kaisen has us follow Yuji Itadori, who is an exceptionally fit high school student living with his grandfather. Yuji avoids sports to spend as much time with his granddad after school. He joins an Occult Research Club to ensure he leaves the school grounds at 5pm. While his grandfather was on his deathbed, Yuji was told two messages. "Always help people" and "die surrounded by people". These two messages led Yuji to believe everyone deserves "a proper death". Fast forward, his club members unseal a talisman which was a rotting finger and it attracts a large amount of curses to the school. To save his friends, Yuji swallows the finger and becomes possessed by Sukuna. The story proceed with Yuji going to a new school to learn how to be a sorcerer while dealing with a "death sentence".
Before Sakamoto Days, Jujutsu Kaisen was my surefire favorite manga to read in 2020. It was a refreshing take using common used entities of Japanese culture. The current saga has Yuji fighting with a major villain who has stolen the powers from another one. Yes. We are feeling the tension because that previous villain was a handful himseIf. I am excited to see where this story goes for the rest of 2021. Five star classic for this week.
Rating for the week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The Promised Neverland
Image from Shonen Jump
The Promised Neverland is based in the year 2045, we are focused on a group of orphans in the Grace Field House. Our main protagonist is Emma who is one of the top 3 orphans from the home. We follow them realizing the home they are growing up in isn't a home at all. It was moreso a place to raise food for demons. It is now a race against time to escape the facilities to get to the real world.
This story actually finished in June 2020 but has been releasing bonus chapters to make sense of some plot points the main story didn't answer. I have never experienced a manga create more chapters once completed to add more clarity to the story. It is a short story (under 200 chapters) but makes you question your own morality/values in relation to the world. Definitely worth a read.
Rating for the week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
My Hero Academia
Image from Shonen Jump
My Hero Academia is based in a world where a majority of the human population has gained abilities that are labeled "quirks". It is estimated that 80% of the world population has a quirk. This leans to two categories of people being created: heroes and villains. Our main character is Izuku Midoriya with dreams of becoming a hero even though he doesn't have a quirk. We eventually see him interact with his idol All Might and receive his powers due to unforeseen circumstances.
This manga is part of the new big 3. As Naruto and Bleach ended, there was a gap that MHA filled. We get consistent heat every week from this manga all 2020. This chapter we are near the end of the War arc. Losses have occurred on both sides. The villains are escaping to recover their leader who is locked in a highly secure prison. Heroes are now at serious intersection. This is how we start 2021. It feels like a rebirth in a way and man the sky is the limit for this story. We have more to see as the ramifications from the heroes decisions will come home to the surface. You know I am here for all of the action. My Hero Academia is going to be here for some time to come.
Rating for the week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
One Piece
Image from Shonen Jump
One Piece is on the longstanding members of the Shonen Jump family. It has been around 1997 and it is still kicking. They have reached chapter 1000 and I feel we have finally reached a turning point (finally 😅). Luffy has been the captain of the strawhats for 23 years. Not sure when this story is going to finish but I am along for the ride.
Right now, we are in the Wano arc. Luffy's team is paving the way to the final fight. It is going to be a five vs two battle for the fight of a century. It is old school vs new school. Luffy's development in this arc mirrors all of the ones that have preceded it. He made a connection with the land and vows to avenge the people. Luffy is the bringer of destruction and justice (we love to see it 💪🏾). I have been waiting for this fight for half of 2020 and in 2021 it is going down. You better catch up before folks spoil it for you!
Rating for the week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Blue Exorcist
Image from Shonen Jump
Blue Exorcist is around two twin brothers (Rin and Yukio Okumura) who were raised by Father Shiro Fujimoto and is an exorcist. These two boys happened to be sons of Satan their lives change forever after their caretaker's death. Our protagonists enroll in True Cross academy to gain strength to defeat Satan and other demons like him.
In the current portion of the adventure, we are at the end of the brothers fighting to the point of exhausting. They are down for the count and their comrades come to retrieve them. Someone makes a surprise appearance and it is a shocker. I had to pause while I read it. This story has its ups and downs but it is worth it. Reminds me of Fullmetal Alchemist for the love these brothers have for each other. I do love siblings fighting for each other and alongside for the world. The family that fights together stays together.
Ratings for this week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Kaiju No. 8
Image from Shonen Jump
Kaiju No. 8 is set in a world where monsters known as kaiju attack on the regular. After their town was destroyed by a kaiju when they were children, childhood friends Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro vowed to become members of the Defense Force. Mina has fulfilled her promise while Kafka missed out.
Another new manga that started in 2020 and it is chef's kiss. Action and comedy is my thing. This is great to have when you have other works that are so serious in storytelling. We are getting to the point that Kafka is getting closer to standing next to Mina again. 2021 has so many good things in store for this one. Catch up on this one pronto!
Rating for this week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
Image from Shonen Jump
My Hero Academia has a few spinoffs but Vigilantes is surely the one you have to read. It brings extra information to the main story that adds to the experience. We follow Koichi Haimawari who wanted to become a hero and didn't get into the school. He now operates as a Vigilantes and seeing this side of the world of justice is amazing. It is darker and grittier than the main story. If you are all caught up on MHA, please head over to MHAV to get some more details
Current arc follows Knuckleduster (former Hero O'Clock) and how he lost his quirk. I love a flashback arc because it means when we return major changes will occur. Seeing how he was as a hero and how he is as a vigilante is a striking difference. Also, prime All Might and young Mirko is so cool to see. Not sure how long the run MHAV will be but please tap into this when you can!
Rating for this week: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
And that is all folks! We will see you next week for the return of the mangas from their break. Until then, get to reading and tell me your favorites on Twitter via @SkipFromBk.