this post is insanely tl;dr
Haven't had one of these in a long time. Animanga ramblings is go!
DC to chapter 688
Pffft Kansuke and Koumei's story sounds like Phoenix and Edgeworth of AA fame. But then again, maybe I'm just reading into it, with the whole rivalry and knowing each other since children...wanting to prove himself to the other...
The whole color thing reminds me of Clue! went way over my head, although I figured out the burglar case from a few chapters previous - isn't there a movie where the burglars ditch their disguises and blend in with the hostages? - felt pretty smart about that :B
Oh holy balls, it's the prosecutor's badge eeeeeeeeee. And let me snerk yet again over kids being ridiculous law dorks. Ai, why you gotta be the downer? It's love, man, love!
Can't believe Shuu's alive. If it's him. Who else could it be, though? Arghlgdsks; is he faking so he helps protect the other agent, the one who was supposed to kill him? Stop teasing us with these little details about the main plot, Aoyama! I want moar Black Ops!
While on the subject of Conan,
Detective, so tiny
Ran's willingness to help out her body double really gets her into a lot of trouble, eh? Her mini-daydream about being princess was fantastically goofy. Conan calling Jigen "Papa" is just as giggle-worthy and I think if Jigen knew how old Conan reeeeeally is, the kid would get shot XD
Mouri and Conan freaking out at the airport made me wibble. Especially Kogoro. Don't take his baby girl away from hiiiiiiiim ;_;
BUT THEN ZENIGATA COMES IN AND EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT WITH THE WORLD. EEEEEE ZENIGATA. ♥♥♥♥
And Mouri pretending to work under Zenigata, and running off "looking for Lupin" when they get to the castle. Eeeeeeeee there are so many great goofy duos in this I don't know who's my favorite but these two are pretty close to number one. Although Jigen and Conan tag-teaming the crime scene is also pretty damn awesome. AND THE JOINT TALKING-TO AT THE TABLE BETWEEN JIGEN AND LUPIN, AND MOURI AND CONAN. PFFFFFT, THAT'S RIGHT, YOU LECTURE THOSE MAIN CHARACTERS.
Oh man, I love Ran and her dad normally, but him looking for her, and her knowing exactly who the maid's talking about, omgggggg. AND WTF SUPER-SPEED EXPLANATION. Getting someone "up to speed" has never been so...literal, I think.
AND THE FUJIKO EXPLOSIVE BOBBLE-HEAD. NOT ONLY HAVE YOU BEEN BEATEN TO THE PRIZE, BUT ALSO YOU'RE GONNA GET FRAMED FOR IT. DOUBLE BURN. Oh Fujiko, never stop being a total back-stabbing bitch. GOEMON TO THE RESCUE. AGAIN. Them going through the different floors, why do I get the image of one of the maids just walking down the hall, and all of a sudden there's two men holding onto a rope through a brand-new hole in the floor. They wave as they're pulled up and then...gone through the ceiling.
AHAHA ZENIGATA'S GOT +10 IMMUNITY TO SLEEPING DARTS. Or his metabolism's higher or something. AND CONAN, YOU'VE BEEN (SORTA. KINDA.) OUTSMARTED BY A MASTER OF DISGUISE EEEEEEEEEE GO LUPIN. My bias, let me show you it. Crazy ass poses ftw, and they keep fumbling working together, pfffffft. I love how, true to DC manga, there's no lip movement too XD
ZENIGATA'S NO FOOL, THOUGH. Although he seems less...spazzy, in this, than usual. It's odd, but there isn't really a lot for him to do, really, except pay attention to who's Lupin. THEN AGAIN, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY BY CALLING HIM POPS, LUPIN, YOU HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT YOURSELF. And poor Ran's like I'm never leaving home again. Ever.
Oh wait, in the credits. Theeeeere's the spazzy Zenigata we know and love. AND THE LUPIN CREW KIDNAPPING TAKING CONAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY, PFFFT, Bike-no-Neesan and Papa~!
How the hell did they figure out he's Kudo? ...but I think the little movie-at-the-end is probably the most awesome part. If only for the complete opposites - the detective surrounded by thieves XD
...does Fujiko molest kidnap him at the end? o.O
But the best part, the best part has to be about 40-50 minutes in, with Lupin and Jigen leaving the mine. They're attacked by, I'm guessing here, men who Jigen has trained in how to use excessive force - hard boiled tactics? (and on that note, the adoring gazes of the class combined with how nonchalant Jigen is, sitting by the chalkboard? Oh man) - and how to aim...well, not as well as Jigen because they can't hit the two of them for shit. BUT THEY BLOW UP THE CAAAAARS. EVEN THE REALLY NICE ONE. And Lupin's reactions, and Jigen's shit-eating grin, and the huddled together running oh man XDDDD It never gets old for me.
The downside, I am somewhat confused at the ending. Totally thought Keith was evil - knew green jacket guy was too, he was suspicious from the start - but was wrong. And Lupin knew the queen? Is there any female royalty member he hasn't tried to mack it with? Wait, it's Lupin. Castle of Cagliostro flashbacks aside, it's a fun special. Not so much Lupin actually being opposed by Conan (was expecting more of a fight like with Kid, but then again, Lupin's got decades of experience on Conan and his own special detective to track him) and this was more "working together and independently to once again stop a greater threat". But I am perfectly okay with that, too.
Kekkaishi Chpts 206-218
Random observation #1: I love the monsters Tanabe creates. The eyes-worm-thing in the Interrogation Room is damn awesome, as is the boat that's got six legs and a tail.
Huzzah! Yuugami (who seemed an interesting character once it stopped looking like he was only out for revenge for his sister) is alive and...somewhat okay! But yay! Still alive.
Pfffft Gorgeous Prince of the Prosecution Office
Random observation #2: Yoshi takes his backpack everywhere.
I love how Sen has effectively become Yoshimori's handler XD Also, Yuukami's ability is pretty cool, if only because the blood manifests itself as a tie, of all things XD
...Yuugami is actually quickly becoming a favorite. He's just...I don't know. Shady and underhanded but also kind of dorky-cool. Kind of. Like when he just busts into the random prisoner's cell and exposes all of his secrets and the guy's all "OI" XD
Tokine ;____; I love that she kills the god with such a calm face, then smiles about it, and only now, after running around the island does she even consider how much her decision to sacrifice herself for the greater good will affect others. Up until that moment, there's no angsting, no long drawn-out pages of her isolated and trapped, and I think that's one of the reasons why I love Kekkaishi. You can still feel the emotion, but it's...subtler? In a way?
And I also love that this is effectively a similar talk to the one Sen gave Yoshi back when the god showed up. Yoshi needs to rely on others, Tokine needs to rely on others, and they find such fun mentors to talk some sense into them. ^^;
And then Yuugami blows up the tunnel. A ROOM FOR A ROOM AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AMIRITE?
Aaaaaand just when you need more power, here! Have the kid who's still working on controlling his insane strength and has limited finesse! XD Yoshi mimics her smile I think.
Yuugami's all Dammit, a Wild Rival appears, and I'm all out of Pokeballs.
The black cranes are...actually, really creepy. And I thought this before Sen's helpful little "Know Your Creepy Mind-Attacking Feathered Friends". That they can't even see them makes them worse.
Ahhhh Sen and Hatori are going to have a lovely fall (pfffft Love that that's the first thing you think of as you're beginning to plummet, Sen XD).
...waitaminute. Yashiro...was female? Missed that one.
TOKINE DON'T YOU SEE I RUV YEW Aaaand he goes right back to the kid we know, all youthful abandonment issues and w00bley eyes XD AND THEN HE BLOWS IT IN THE FINAL QUARTER. Game set and match XD
Yoshi uses NEW WINDOW CLEANSING HEART. It's super effective! Rival Yuugami uses ROMANTIC ADVICE! Yoshi becomes confused! Ultimately, though, Sen wins.
Chpts 219-242
Oh god, Yoshi, why are you actually taking what Yuukami said to heart? *facepalm* Although there is nothing about that first panel that I don't like.
....how can she say she's the weakest when she does shit like this? I'd love to see Yoshi try XD I mean, I guess in terms of physical power she's weaker, but that kind of control's a power in and of itself, I would think.
Pffft Madarao can't win against teen hormones XD And Sen knows, because he got genderbent XD
SUPER EFFECTIVE. Again, nothing in the first panel I don't like XD Pfffft Tokine, I'm not sure you want to learn how to make candy castles. Although a return of those wouldn't be amiss XD
Confused!Yoshi continues to be adorable. Bouncy!Sen is also quite adorable. Add Hiura to the mix, and lordy lordy we've got ourselves a rather nice little subtext-y BL thing going on here XD I love the panel where Yoshi's about to flick him, though XD
Oh man, and Yoshi's talk with Hiura in the woods XD I kept reading Hiura's responses as "That's classified". YOSHI, WHY ARE YOU TEACHING HIM TO LIE. I do love how freaked out Yoshimori gets when he finally understands why Hiura is acting the way he is. HE IS JUST AS CONFUSED BY YOU AS YOU ARE BY HIM, EHEHEHE. Part of me thinks Hiura's going to prove to be a bad guy by the time I catch up, and that makes me sad. But right now, in chapter 229, I think he's rather adorably confused.
The whole basically-being-a-puppet-with-no-will is creepy as hell, especially since there really is no understanding that this is not how things are supposed to be. It's almost like explaining to a robot - or, well, a computer. Something that has been programmed and cannot be changed. I've read too many stories with robots-with-humanity/morality issues to feel comfortable using the term orz orz - something against his programming. Does not compute, and all that. But he's adorably confused while being creepy as hell. Also glad Yoshi makes the connection between the guy who attacked him and Hiura, although I'm rather amused that he no longer seems too upset by the fact that Hiura tried to kill him XD
Okay, so Hiura is a double-agent, but the bird-snake-thing is damn cool. Stealth!Sen is so spy-like. I can almost hear the Bond soundtrack XD He's trying so hard to make sure the prophecy doesn't come true, and all I can think is that he's probably unwittingly helping it along ;_;
SEN, WHY SO LONG-SUFFERING?. Pfffft I do love the weird friendship Sen and Yoshi have. And the hell, the discussion on smiling? Srsly guys, stop turning this into a BL manga! Drive-by Madarao panel-love. Puppy! ♥
YOSHI WANTS YOU TO BE A TEAM PLAYER, HIURA! Too bad you're playing for the other team bad guys. OH LORDY HE BAKED HIM A CAKE Pffffffft Yoshimori why so cute. Although I doubt baked goods will win everyone over to the side of good and shiny, but it's worth a try. And Sen is jealous that he doesn't get cake upset that Yoshi is too trusting for his own good.
Yoshi wanting to discuss tactics and getting his game face on is pretty awesome. But still fantastically made of fail (I love the "It's only been an hour!" XD).
I really do love the focus on controlling powers here. I know a lot of shonen mangas and animes always focus on power - gaining more of it, controlling what you have, developing stronger techniques - but with the kekkai, it feels like the true strength of a Kekkaishi is their control. And I like the idea - even if it is somewhat cliche - of the calm state of mind being stronger. I don't know, this just keeps reminding of me of Luffy and how this would never work for him. He just doesn't have (and I think it can be argued doesn't necessarily need) this kind of control (or forethought) in a fight situation.
I keep trying to understand the Kekkaishi fighting style (if it can be called that) in relation to other shonen mangas really, it's more why does Kekkaishi feel so different from other mangas when essentially they share a lot of characteristics, even in the training/fighting aspects - and I don't know why, but it almost feels more defensive than offensive. Which is ridiculous, given how at its core, the kekkai use is trap/ensare-and-kill-enemies. But I guess I get the defensive-strategy vibe more from the sense of Karasumori - the need to protect it and the school that's on it. Protect Karasumori because it's their obligation and protect the school because dammit, they don't want to spend all night rebuilding XD And I guess that equals a somewhat more defensive strategy in my head than what I'm used to seeing - go into a place, break a few heads, rampage around, destroy some islands, move on. But maybe it's just me?
For some reason, I quite like Somegi. Probably the tattoos (but 17 years old? For real?). Although the blush reaction is totally vindicated by Yoshi's inexperience around blushing girls (pffffft) and "Let me see your eyebrows!" (brb dying along with the Yukimuras' dog-spirit-whose-name-I've-forgotten D: Hakubi!).
Amaterasu, eat your heart out.
Oh man, a return of Karasumori's powers. I would love to see Yoshi's emphatic bond with Karasumori developed more (probably won't happen until the end of the series though), especially with this zoning-out thing he does, like he's possessed. I'm such a sucker for good guys getting suckered into bad situations by forces that aren't necessarily good and pure. I also keep forgetting that while they're protecting Karasumori, it's not like the power that resides there is necessarily on the Kekkaishis' side.
Sucks about the Ayakashi-users. Shuu going completely vampire feral is actually....kinda fun because definitely didn't occur to me that he would go vampire (although, really, should have seen it) and because he's such a goof normally that a violent reaction isn't something I'd necessarily expect. But in hindsight, really, it's always the nice ones that go psycho....
AND HIURA, YOU NEED TO LEARN SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCTS. I love how it's supposed to be "Yay, he's learning some form of control and is keeping his promises" but all I can think is that this is no better than his following orders blindly! He's doing the same thing with what Yoshi tells him as he does with his orders from the other masters; the only real difference is that he "promised" Yoshi. The problem I have with that is Hiura doesn't exactly seem to understand the concept of a promise. He still refers to Yoshi's words as if they were an order - even though Yoshimori doesn't mean them as such, Hiura to me feels like he's still following them like orders. So, I dunno. Maybe it's progress, maybe it's the same old thing, maybe he really should just learn to value his own existence XD Chapter 235, I like the kid, I really do, buuuuut...still think he's kinda evil also, a virgin who can be a stand-in for a girl XD XD XD XD *is mentally a five-year-old*
Sen continues to make some of the best confused/unhappy faces ever. Also, insert your own joke about vampires/sparkle-spires/Twilight here. Sen, you really know how to make a vamp happy XD
...Masamori, why you gotta be so ominous and malevolent? I would love to think that you don't want Yoshi to fail, but then you pull all those creepy expressions and I worry ;_;
Sleeping Yoshi, so cute. Also, I love these little training stories if only because we get more Grandpa 8Db
Bad guys' underling's got the same earring as Hiura. Knew he was evil, in a sad, puppet-controlled kind of way.
BLANK ROOM, WHY SO AWESOME? I think the frog is the most awesome one, although the monkey-and-steam-bath and the fish are also awesome hallucination/charm effects XDDD The lord was certainly an imaginative fellow XD Pffft, Gramps, I didn't need to know you miss the pervy girls T_T ...also, why do I think that Grandpa didn't put the box back together - he's just got a whole bag of those blank boxes.
OH HELL. CEILING CAT KARASUMORI CAT IS WATCHING YOU TRAIN. Okay, so he's really the Blank Room cat, but still. His expressions remind me of Sen, the fuck, but with Madarao's attitude. Sneeeerk special training = electric shock therapy XDDD
Huzzah! We got to Yoshi vs Karasumori a lot sooner than I thought! But I guess we're not going to get to see Karasumori running amok in Yoshi, since he's already in training to learn how to control it. Woe.
I still love just how dead his glare can be. Masamori really does get the best "don't fucking kid me" expressions.
I think I love this kind of training, pffffft omgggg. The electrocution's the reward, Yoshimori, don't you see? And now I'm wondering if the Yukimuras have some kind of secret, underground training room - and what kind of animal lives there...and what kind of fun time "reward" does he give. Or if this is just a special kind of hell reserved for the male successors. Heee.
Oh dammit, Hiura, you just have to be all kinds of ridiculous cute now even when I think you're kind of evil. Wait to guilt-trip me. Although I kind of share the same fascination. I can't help it, I-I kind of love mechanical pencils >.>;
MASAMORI COMES HOME, OMG YAY. PAPA-SUKIMURA SO HAPPY. HIS LEFTOVERS EVEN SPARKLE. Oh balls in hell, now that you've thought that, he is most likely going to die ;______;
The kids are back!
Shit, oh man. If I was more awake and had more information, I'd love to examine the way the brother-pairs are represented in this. I may have to come back to this, especially if/when the later chapters develop this more. But I like the continued suggestion of parallels, especially since both encounters are in the same chapter, and doubly so after Rokurou's discussion with Masamori about how similar they are.
I do feel really bad for Rokurou. I can't help feeling he's going to end up destroyed again. Oh man, oh man.
TMD 43-46
Oh man, Ijyuuin, you are such a damn woobie. I love how each chapter there's a new eye opening experience just laying in wait ready to give him a heart attack. But I really like the way the manga's portrayed Arashi's story and Ijyuuin's reaction to him. I think it speaks volumes about the doctor Ijyuuin's instincts direct him to be - yet is afraid and/or not confident enough to be, if he ever will be - that he's so quick to scorn the study and those involved with it. Yet he's also somewhat narrow-minded in his righteousness and sees Arashi's destructive behaviors as callousness and indifference, when really it's anything but.
I think Asada got it right away - not the backstory or the destructive behavior and the reason why, but the...sense of disillusionment with the system? I don't know how to explain it. It's like Asada knew the measure of the guy - knew there's more to Arashi than what Ijyuuin saw at first, without knowing or caring as to what that reason is. Or something. I don't know how I feel about the "better corrupted by money than the system" though. I mean, I guess money is better in a less limiting sense - Arashi is more likely to join the Batista team because he's not interested in playing by the system's rules, or by what the higher ups think of Asada and his team. But still, corrupted by money, in a broad sense and not necessarily just how it applies to Arashi's character, is pretty despicable.
There's a lot of Arashi that is despicable, and yet, like all of the characters in this, he's so damn human that it's painful and humbling at the same time. And reading Ijyuuin's changing perspectives as he tries to balance a person's humanity and a doctor's role and obligation to his or her patients is fascinating. I do like that Ijyuuin effectively just wants to stop thinking or dealing with Arashi, because that also feels very human.
The internal waffling Ijyuuin continues to do whenever a crisis comes up - like the whole "The EMTs are coming, no one knows I'm a doctor, yadda yadda" - is probably annoying to most people, but I actually enjoy it. Mostly because it feels like this is a constant struggle for him, figuring out just where the doctor part of him ends and the human, private part begins. There's a part of me that does get frustrated, because I'm so used to this idea that once you become a doctor, especially one that works in a hospital, you do largely give up a lot of your own personal time to deal with the crises that arise. (Probably a gross generalization on my part, but this is why it's a good thing I'm not in the medical field.) But it's this wavering that makes Ijyuuin so human; there are times where we don't want to deal with the problems, where we want someone else to take that responsibility. But it's this slow evolution from the follow-the-status-quo guy we first met to this guy who's reluctant to help but just as reluctant to leave that makes me so happy. You can see him learning and becoming and shifting into who he would be as a doctor, and I love these parts so much.
It was so horrible, but that "....oh shit" moment where I (and Ijyuuin himself) realized he had only a basic knowledge of how to treat the wounds made me laugh in an oh god that's horrible and horrifying kind of way. Wanting to help and having no real idea how...man, Asada would have kicked him around for that. Totally knew Arashi was going to jump in. I hope this doesn't completely redeem him in Ijyuuin's eyes, because I like the asshole Arashi just as much as the tormented one.
Man, I wish I could read the raws, or figure out a way to get scans faster or I could just, you know, watch the TV show. I'm sure it's got to be somewhere online... because I want the next chapter, daaaaammit.
Vinland Saga 49-53
IF EVER AN AW WAS TO BE UTTERED, OH MAN OH MAN. Leif such a woobie. I know it's going to go horrible, because there's no way Thorfinn will just walk away, but man, the relief and tears on his face ;_;
Askeladd is so damn crafty although I totally thought for a good bit that Canute really was a woman orz. I love all the espionage and power struggles and such going on, and Thorkell continues to amuse so much, he's such a laid-back guy compared to the others. Just give him his feast, let him kill a few strong guys and he's happy. XD
...
...
. . .
. . .
ASKELAAAAAADD ;_____________________________; OH DAMN NO
I MEAN, I SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING AS SOON AS HE LOOKED AT CANUTE, BUT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT HE'S MY FAVORITE THE CRAFTY, MANIPULATE ASSHOLE AND NOW HE'S GONNA DIE. THORFINN'S FACE PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP MY REACTION WHEN I REALIZED WHAT ASKELADD WAS DOING. AND THORFINN WILL MOST LIKELY FLIP HIS SHIT BECAUSE HE WON'T UNDERSTAND AND WILL PROBABLY GO ROGUE OR ATTEMPT TO KILL CANUTE. BALLS BALLS BALLS.
AND THE HELL, THAT'S THE LATEST CHAPTER. OH DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT.
Do love Thorkell's effective "Do it yourself" response, though. If you're going to be king over such a bloody group, have to follow the old warrior code, kid.
Fucking hell I wish I was good at coloring blood because these chapters are just so damn awesome, and everyone's expressions, especially Askeladd not biased because he looks so unconcerned askfdld
DDDDDD:
DC to chapter 688
Pffft Kansuke and Koumei's story sounds like Phoenix and Edgeworth of AA fame. But then again, maybe I'm just reading into it, with the whole rivalry and knowing each other since children...wanting to prove himself to the other...
The whole color thing reminds me of Clue! went way over my head, although I figured out the burglar case from a few chapters previous - isn't there a movie where the burglars ditch their disguises and blend in with the hostages? - felt pretty smart about that :B
Oh holy balls, it's the prosecutor's badge eeeeeeeeee. And let me snerk yet again over kids being ridiculous law dorks. Ai, why you gotta be the downer? It's love, man, love!
Can't believe Shuu's alive. If it's him. Who else could it be, though? Arghlgdsks; is he faking so he helps protect the other agent, the one who was supposed to kill him? Stop teasing us with these little details about the main plot, Aoyama! I want moar Black Ops!
While on the subject of Conan,
Detective, so tiny
Ran's willingness to help out her body double really gets her into a lot of trouble, eh? Her mini-daydream about being princess was fantastically goofy. Conan calling Jigen "Papa" is just as giggle-worthy and I think if Jigen knew how old Conan reeeeeally is, the kid would get shot XD
Mouri and Conan freaking out at the airport made me wibble. Especially Kogoro. Don't take his baby girl away from hiiiiiiiim ;_;
BUT THEN ZENIGATA COMES IN AND EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT WITH THE WORLD. EEEEEE ZENIGATA. ♥♥♥♥
And Mouri pretending to work under Zenigata, and running off "looking for Lupin" when they get to the castle. Eeeeeeeee there are so many great goofy duos in this I don't know who's my favorite but these two are pretty close to number one. Although Jigen and Conan tag-teaming the crime scene is also pretty damn awesome. AND THE JOINT TALKING-TO AT THE TABLE BETWEEN JIGEN AND LUPIN, AND MOURI AND CONAN. PFFFFFT, THAT'S RIGHT, YOU LECTURE THOSE MAIN CHARACTERS.
Oh man, I love Ran and her dad normally, but him looking for her, and her knowing exactly who the maid's talking about, omgggggg. AND WTF SUPER-SPEED EXPLANATION. Getting someone "up to speed" has never been so...literal, I think.
AND THE FUJIKO EXPLOSIVE BOBBLE-HEAD. NOT ONLY HAVE YOU BEEN BEATEN TO THE PRIZE, BUT ALSO YOU'RE GONNA GET FRAMED FOR IT. DOUBLE BURN. Oh Fujiko, never stop being a total back-stabbing bitch. GOEMON TO THE RESCUE. AGAIN. Them going through the different floors, why do I get the image of one of the maids just walking down the hall, and all of a sudden there's two men holding onto a rope through a brand-new hole in the floor. They wave as they're pulled up and then...gone through the ceiling.
AHAHA ZENIGATA'S GOT +10 IMMUNITY TO SLEEPING DARTS. Or his metabolism's higher or something. AND CONAN, YOU'VE BEEN (SORTA. KINDA.) OUTSMARTED BY A MASTER OF DISGUISE EEEEEEEEEE GO LUPIN. My bias, let me show you it. Crazy ass poses ftw, and they keep fumbling working together, pfffffft. I love how, true to DC manga, there's no lip movement too XD
ZENIGATA'S NO FOOL, THOUGH. Although he seems less...spazzy, in this, than usual. It's odd, but there isn't really a lot for him to do, really, except pay attention to who's Lupin. THEN AGAIN, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE IT AWAY BY CALLING HIM POPS, LUPIN, YOU HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT YOURSELF. And poor Ran's like I'm never leaving home again. Ever.
Oh wait, in the credits. Theeeeere's the spazzy Zenigata we know and love. AND THE LUPIN CREW KIDNAPPING TAKING CONAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY, PFFFT, Bike-no-Neesan and Papa~!
How the hell did they figure out he's Kudo? ...but I think the little movie-at-the-end is probably the most awesome part. If only for the complete opposites - the detective surrounded by thieves XD
...does Fujiko molest kidnap him at the end? o.O
But the best part, the best part has to be about 40-50 minutes in, with Lupin and Jigen leaving the mine. They're attacked by, I'm guessing here, men who Jigen has trained in how to use excessive force - hard boiled tactics? (and on that note, the adoring gazes of the class combined with how nonchalant Jigen is, sitting by the chalkboard? Oh man) - and how to aim...well, not as well as Jigen because they can't hit the two of them for shit. BUT THEY BLOW UP THE CAAAAARS. EVEN THE REALLY NICE ONE. And Lupin's reactions, and Jigen's shit-eating grin, and the huddled together running oh man XDDDD It never gets old for me.
The downside, I am somewhat confused at the ending. Totally thought Keith was evil - knew green jacket guy was too, he was suspicious from the start - but was wrong. And Lupin knew the queen? Is there any female royalty member he hasn't tried to mack it with? Wait, it's Lupin. Castle of Cagliostro flashbacks aside, it's a fun special. Not so much Lupin actually being opposed by Conan (was expecting more of a fight like with Kid, but then again, Lupin's got decades of experience on Conan and his own special detective to track him) and this was more "working together and independently to once again stop a greater threat". But I am perfectly okay with that, too.
Kekkaishi Chpts 206-218
Random observation #1: I love the monsters Tanabe creates. The eyes-worm-thing in the Interrogation Room is damn awesome, as is the boat that's got six legs and a tail.
Huzzah! Yuugami (who seemed an interesting character once it stopped looking like he was only out for revenge for his sister) is alive and...somewhat okay! But yay! Still alive.
Pfffft Gorgeous Prince of the Prosecution Office
Random observation #2: Yoshi takes his backpack everywhere.
I love how Sen has effectively become Yoshimori's handler XD Also, Yuukami's ability is pretty cool, if only because the blood manifests itself as a tie, of all things XD
...Yuugami is actually quickly becoming a favorite. He's just...I don't know. Shady and underhanded but also kind of dorky-cool. Kind of. Like when he just busts into the random prisoner's cell and exposes all of his secrets and the guy's all "OI" XD
Tokine ;____; I love that she kills the god with such a calm face, then smiles about it, and only now, after running around the island does she even consider how much her decision to sacrifice herself for the greater good will affect others. Up until that moment, there's no angsting, no long drawn-out pages of her isolated and trapped, and I think that's one of the reasons why I love Kekkaishi. You can still feel the emotion, but it's...subtler? In a way?
And I also love that this is effectively a similar talk to the one Sen gave Yoshi back when the god showed up. Yoshi needs to rely on others, Tokine needs to rely on others, and they find such fun mentors to talk some sense into them. ^^;
And then Yuugami blows up the tunnel. A ROOM FOR A ROOM AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AMIRITE?
Aaaaaand just when you need more power, here! Have the kid who's still working on controlling his insane strength and has limited finesse! XD Yoshi mimics her smile I think.
Yuugami's all Dammit, a Wild Rival appears, and I'm all out of Pokeballs.
The black cranes are...actually, really creepy. And I thought this before Sen's helpful little "Know Your Creepy Mind-Attacking Feathered Friends". That they can't even see them makes them worse.
Ahhhh Sen and Hatori are going to have a lovely fall (pfffft Love that that's the first thing you think of as you're beginning to plummet, Sen XD).
...waitaminute. Yashiro...was female? Missed that one.
TOKINE DON'T YOU SEE I RUV YEW Aaaand he goes right back to the kid we know, all youthful abandonment issues and w00bley eyes XD AND THEN HE BLOWS IT IN THE FINAL QUARTER. Game set and match XD
Yoshi uses NEW WINDOW CLEANSING HEART. It's super effective! Rival Yuugami uses ROMANTIC ADVICE! Yoshi becomes confused! Ultimately, though, Sen wins.
Chpts 219-242
Oh god, Yoshi, why are you actually taking what Yuukami said to heart? *facepalm* Although there is nothing about that first panel that I don't like.
....how can she say she's the weakest when she does shit like this? I'd love to see Yoshi try XD I mean, I guess in terms of physical power she's weaker, but that kind of control's a power in and of itself, I would think.
Pffft Madarao can't win against teen hormones XD And Sen knows, because he got genderbent XD
SUPER EFFECTIVE. Again, nothing in the first panel I don't like XD Pfffft Tokine, I'm not sure you want to learn how to make candy castles. Although a return of those wouldn't be amiss XD
Confused!Yoshi continues to be adorable. Bouncy!Sen is also quite adorable. Add Hiura to the mix, and lordy lordy we've got ourselves a rather nice little subtext-y BL thing going on here XD I love the panel where Yoshi's about to flick him, though XD
Oh man, and Yoshi's talk with Hiura in the woods XD I kept reading Hiura's responses as "That's classified". YOSHI, WHY ARE YOU TEACHING HIM TO LIE. I do love how freaked out Yoshimori gets when he finally understands why Hiura is acting the way he is. HE IS JUST AS CONFUSED BY YOU AS YOU ARE BY HIM, EHEHEHE. Part of me thinks Hiura's going to prove to be a bad guy by the time I catch up, and that makes me sad. But right now, in chapter 229, I think he's rather adorably confused.
The whole basically-being-a-puppet-with-no-will is creepy as hell, especially since there really is no understanding that this is not how things are supposed to be. It's almost like explaining to a robot - or, well, a computer. Something that has been programmed and cannot be changed. I've read too many stories with robots-with-humanity/morality issues to feel comfortable using the term orz orz - something against his programming. Does not compute, and all that. But he's adorably confused while being creepy as hell. Also glad Yoshi makes the connection between the guy who attacked him and Hiura, although I'm rather amused that he no longer seems too upset by the fact that Hiura tried to kill him XD
Okay, so Hiura is a double-agent, but the bird-snake-thing is damn cool. Stealth!Sen is so spy-like. I can almost hear the Bond soundtrack XD He's trying so hard to make sure the prophecy doesn't come true, and all I can think is that he's probably unwittingly helping it along ;_;
SEN, WHY SO LONG-SUFFERING?. Pfffft I do love the weird friendship Sen and Yoshi have. And the hell, the discussion on smiling? Srsly guys, stop turning this into a BL manga! Drive-by Madarao panel-love. Puppy! ♥
YOSHI WANTS YOU TO BE A TEAM PLAYER, HIURA! Too bad you're playing for the other team bad guys. OH LORDY HE BAKED HIM A CAKE Pffffffft Yoshimori why so cute. Although I doubt baked goods will win everyone over to the side of good and shiny, but it's worth a try. And Sen is jealous that he doesn't get cake upset that Yoshi is too trusting for his own good.
Yoshi wanting to discuss tactics and getting his game face on is pretty awesome. But still fantastically made of fail (I love the "It's only been an hour!" XD).
I really do love the focus on controlling powers here. I know a lot of shonen mangas and animes always focus on power - gaining more of it, controlling what you have, developing stronger techniques - but with the kekkai, it feels like the true strength of a Kekkaishi is their control. And I like the idea - even if it is somewhat cliche - of the calm state of mind being stronger. I don't know, this just keeps reminding of me of Luffy and how this would never work for him. He just doesn't have (and I think it can be argued doesn't necessarily need) this kind of control (or forethought) in a fight situation.
I keep trying to understand the Kekkaishi fighting style (if it can be called that) in relation to other shonen mangas really, it's more why does Kekkaishi feel so different from other mangas when essentially they share a lot of characteristics, even in the training/fighting aspects - and I don't know why, but it almost feels more defensive than offensive. Which is ridiculous, given how at its core, the kekkai use is trap/ensare-and-kill-enemies. But I guess I get the defensive-strategy vibe more from the sense of Karasumori - the need to protect it and the school that's on it. Protect Karasumori because it's their obligation and protect the school because dammit, they don't want to spend all night rebuilding XD And I guess that equals a somewhat more defensive strategy in my head than what I'm used to seeing - go into a place, break a few heads, rampage around, destroy some islands, move on. But maybe it's just me?
For some reason, I quite like Somegi. Probably the tattoos (but 17 years old? For real?). Although the blush reaction is totally vindicated by Yoshi's inexperience around blushing girls (pffffft) and "Let me see your eyebrows!" (brb dying along with the Yukimuras' dog-spirit-whose-name-I've-forgotten D: Hakubi!).
Amaterasu, eat your heart out.
Oh man, a return of Karasumori's powers. I would love to see Yoshi's emphatic bond with Karasumori developed more (probably won't happen until the end of the series though), especially with this zoning-out thing he does, like he's possessed. I'm such a sucker for good guys getting suckered into bad situations by forces that aren't necessarily good and pure. I also keep forgetting that while they're protecting Karasumori, it's not like the power that resides there is necessarily on the Kekkaishis' side.
Sucks about the Ayakashi-users. Shuu going completely vampire feral is actually....kinda fun because definitely didn't occur to me that he would go vampire (although, really, should have seen it) and because he's such a goof normally that a violent reaction isn't something I'd necessarily expect. But in hindsight, really, it's always the nice ones that go psycho....
AND HIURA, YOU NEED TO LEARN SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCTS. I love how it's supposed to be "Yay, he's learning some form of control and is keeping his promises" but all I can think is that this is no better than his following orders blindly! He's doing the same thing with what Yoshi tells him as he does with his orders from the other masters; the only real difference is that he "promised" Yoshi. The problem I have with that is Hiura doesn't exactly seem to understand the concept of a promise. He still refers to Yoshi's words as if they were an order - even though Yoshimori doesn't mean them as such, Hiura to me feels like he's still following them like orders. So, I dunno. Maybe it's progress, maybe it's the same old thing, maybe he really should just learn to value his own existence XD Chapter 235, I like the kid, I really do, buuuuut...still think he's kinda evil also, a virgin who can be a stand-in for a girl XD XD XD XD *is mentally a five-year-old*
Sen continues to make some of the best confused/unhappy faces ever. Also, insert your own joke about vampires/sparkle-spires/Twilight here. Sen, you really know how to make a vamp happy XD
...Masamori, why you gotta be so ominous and malevolent? I would love to think that you don't want Yoshi to fail, but then you pull all those creepy expressions and I worry ;_;
Sleeping Yoshi, so cute. Also, I love these little training stories if only because we get more Grandpa 8Db
Bad guys' underling's got the same earring as Hiura. Knew he was evil, in a sad, puppet-controlled kind of way.
BLANK ROOM, WHY SO AWESOME? I think the frog is the most awesome one, although the monkey-and-steam-bath and the fish are also awesome hallucination/charm effects XDDD The lord was certainly an imaginative fellow XD Pffft, Gramps, I didn't need to know you miss the pervy girls T_T ...also, why do I think that Grandpa didn't put the box back together - he's just got a whole bag of those blank boxes.
OH HELL. CEILING CAT KARASUMORI CAT IS WATCHING YOU TRAIN. Okay, so he's really the Blank Room cat, but still. His expressions remind me of Sen, the fuck, but with Madarao's attitude. Sneeeerk special training = electric shock therapy XDDD
Huzzah! We got to Yoshi vs Karasumori a lot sooner than I thought! But I guess we're not going to get to see Karasumori running amok in Yoshi, since he's already in training to learn how to control it. Woe.
I still love just how dead his glare can be. Masamori really does get the best "don't fucking kid me" expressions.
I think I love this kind of training, pffffft omgggg. The electrocution's the reward, Yoshimori, don't you see? And now I'm wondering if the Yukimuras have some kind of secret, underground training room - and what kind of animal lives there...and what kind of fun time "reward" does he give. Or if this is just a special kind of hell reserved for the male successors. Heee.
Oh dammit, Hiura, you just have to be all kinds of ridiculous cute now even when I think you're kind of evil. Wait to guilt-trip me. Although I kind of share the same fascination. I can't help it, I-I kind of love mechanical pencils >.>;
MASAMORI COMES HOME, OMG YAY. PAPA-SUKIMURA SO HAPPY. HIS LEFTOVERS EVEN SPARKLE. Oh balls in hell, now that you've thought that, he is most likely going to die ;______;
The kids are back!
Shit, oh man. If I was more awake and had more information, I'd love to examine the way the brother-pairs are represented in this. I may have to come back to this, especially if/when the later chapters develop this more. But I like the continued suggestion of parallels, especially since both encounters are in the same chapter, and doubly so after Rokurou's discussion with Masamori about how similar they are.
I do feel really bad for Rokurou. I can't help feeling he's going to end up destroyed again. Oh man, oh man.
TMD 43-46
Oh man, Ijyuuin, you are such a damn woobie. I love how each chapter there's a new eye opening experience just laying in wait ready to give him a heart attack. But I really like the way the manga's portrayed Arashi's story and Ijyuuin's reaction to him. I think it speaks volumes about the doctor Ijyuuin's instincts direct him to be - yet is afraid and/or not confident enough to be, if he ever will be - that he's so quick to scorn the study and those involved with it. Yet he's also somewhat narrow-minded in his righteousness and sees Arashi's destructive behaviors as callousness and indifference, when really it's anything but.
I think Asada got it right away - not the backstory or the destructive behavior and the reason why, but the...sense of disillusionment with the system? I don't know how to explain it. It's like Asada knew the measure of the guy - knew there's more to Arashi than what Ijyuuin saw at first, without knowing or caring as to what that reason is. Or something. I don't know how I feel about the "better corrupted by money than the system" though. I mean, I guess money is better in a less limiting sense - Arashi is more likely to join the Batista team because he's not interested in playing by the system's rules, or by what the higher ups think of Asada and his team. But still, corrupted by money, in a broad sense and not necessarily just how it applies to Arashi's character, is pretty despicable.
There's a lot of Arashi that is despicable, and yet, like all of the characters in this, he's so damn human that it's painful and humbling at the same time. And reading Ijyuuin's changing perspectives as he tries to balance a person's humanity and a doctor's role and obligation to his or her patients is fascinating. I do like that Ijyuuin effectively just wants to stop thinking or dealing with Arashi, because that also feels very human.
The internal waffling Ijyuuin continues to do whenever a crisis comes up - like the whole "The EMTs are coming, no one knows I'm a doctor, yadda yadda" - is probably annoying to most people, but I actually enjoy it. Mostly because it feels like this is a constant struggle for him, figuring out just where the doctor part of him ends and the human, private part begins. There's a part of me that does get frustrated, because I'm so used to this idea that once you become a doctor, especially one that works in a hospital, you do largely give up a lot of your own personal time to deal with the crises that arise. (Probably a gross generalization on my part, but this is why it's a good thing I'm not in the medical field.) But it's this wavering that makes Ijyuuin so human; there are times where we don't want to deal with the problems, where we want someone else to take that responsibility. But it's this slow evolution from the follow-the-status-quo guy we first met to this guy who's reluctant to help but just as reluctant to leave that makes me so happy. You can see him learning and becoming and shifting into who he would be as a doctor, and I love these parts so much.
It was so horrible, but that "....oh shit" moment where I (and Ijyuuin himself) realized he had only a basic knowledge of how to treat the wounds made me laugh in an oh god that's horrible and horrifying kind of way. Wanting to help and having no real idea how...man, Asada would have kicked him around for that. Totally knew Arashi was going to jump in. I hope this doesn't completely redeem him in Ijyuuin's eyes, because I like the asshole Arashi just as much as the tormented one.
Man, I wish I could read the raws, or figure out a way to get scans faster or I could just, you know, watch the TV show. I'm sure it's got to be somewhere online... because I want the next chapter, daaaaammit.
Vinland Saga 49-53
IF EVER AN AW WAS TO BE UTTERED, OH MAN OH MAN. Leif such a woobie. I know it's going to go horrible, because there's no way Thorfinn will just walk away, but man, the relief and tears on his face ;_;
Askeladd is so damn crafty although I totally thought for a good bit that Canute really was a woman orz. I love all the espionage and power struggles and such going on, and Thorkell continues to amuse so much, he's such a laid-back guy compared to the others. Just give him his feast, let him kill a few strong guys and he's happy. XD
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ASKELAAAAAADD ;_____________________________; OH DAMN NO
I MEAN, I SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING AS SOON AS HE LOOKED AT CANUTE, BUT DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT HE'S MY FAVORITE THE CRAFTY, MANIPULATE ASSHOLE AND NOW HE'S GONNA DIE. THORFINN'S FACE PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP MY REACTION WHEN I REALIZED WHAT ASKELADD WAS DOING. AND THORFINN WILL MOST LIKELY FLIP HIS SHIT BECAUSE HE WON'T UNDERSTAND AND WILL PROBABLY GO ROGUE OR ATTEMPT TO KILL CANUTE. BALLS BALLS BALLS.
AND THE HELL, THAT'S THE LATEST CHAPTER. OH DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT.
Do love Thorkell's effective "Do it yourself" response, though. If you're going to be king over such a bloody group, have to follow the old warrior code, kid.
Fucking hell I wish I was good at coloring blood because these chapters are just so damn awesome, and everyone's expressions, especially Askeladd not biased because he looks so unconcerned askfdld
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