Naruto 598 & Bleach 504 *SPOILERS*

This post contains spoilers.  Lots and lots of spoilers.  You have been warned.  

Naruto Ch. 598

Ok, with a last page like this, if Kishimoto-sensei doesn't finish out this reveal in the next chapter, I'ma fly all the way to Japan to administer a good old-fashioned ass-whoopin'.  For a while now, my number one suspect for Tobi's true identity has been Izuna Uchiha (that's Madara's bro if you have lost track of the names), so all this hinting that he might actually be Obito... Hmm... a girl has to think on this.

Ok, so here's the criteria that I used when coming up with my guess for Izuna.  Oh, and I'm sure that people have been discussing this in forums all over the interwebs, but I cbf to look them up, so sorry if I'm just rehashing things that have been talked about a zillion times.

1.  Tobi must be someone who has had some sort of mention in the story.  I mean, that would be some pretty shitty writing if Tobi loses the mask, and he's all, "Oh hey!  I'm Bob.  Konnichiwa, bitches!"  So, it has to be someone we've heard of.  Otherwise, the reveal has no impact.

2.  Tobi is someone who is presumed dead.  I think the characters in the story would have noticed someone mysteriously disappearing every time Tobi shows up to wreak some havoc.  Also, again we have the impact factor.

3.  Tobi was alive when the real Madara was.  I based this one on the fact that he knew so much about Madara's life.  Maybe that one was a bit of a stretch, but I couldn't really discard it since it pointed to Izuna, which seemed likely enough.  I guess this one isn't an absolute must though.

So anyway, Kishimoto-sensei seems to be pointing the finger at Obito Uchiha now.  Of course, this could be misdirection.  I suppose we'll find out soon enough.  If Tobi is Obito, I think I kinda like that.  It could open some new doors.  It would be an interesting development for Kakashi.  Not to mention that I'm curious as to what could make Obito go all "down with existence."  Hopefully, this next chapter will answer a lot of questions.  Though I wonder...maybe he'll putz around with the next chapter and save the reveal for the big 600.  Ya think?


Bleach Ch. 504

Ah, so finally we see a little bit of Yamamoto's and Sasakibe's pasts.  Well, you know what?  Too effin' late, Kubo-sensei!  Sasakibe is dead, and I can't say that I gave two shits when he died.  This would have been so much more meaningful a couple hundred chapters ago.  Sasakibe was probably the most under-developed character in the whole series.  Hell, I don't even remember his name actually being said in the manga until he friggin' died.  Stupid... Anyway, I guess it was interesting to see this stuff, even if it was horribly late.

I'm so ready for Bleach to get on with it.  I mean, the arc with Ginjou and the Execution was promising.  I thought we were about to find out all about Isshin.  Now, all that has been left in the dust in exchange for... Quincies?  That miraculously survived the purge?  For centuries?  Undetected?  That are worlds above even Captain-level shinigami?  Kind of a stretch, don't you think?  Granted, Kubo-sensei didn't plan this stuff from the start.  I remember hearing somewhere that he wanted the series to end with Aizen's death after the great battle at Karakura Town, but like Akira Toriyama with Dragon Ball, he was pressured into continuing the series.  Which brings me to another point.  He intended for Aizen to die at the end of that battle, not be locked up for 20,000 years.  I think the fact that Kubo-sensei left Aizen alive is significant.  He has to have a hand in all this, doesn't he?

Anyway, I've rambled enough.  Tune in next week for more inane blabber!

Cage of Eden 155 + Silver Spoon 41

Cage of Eden Ch. 155

Not much happened in this chapter.  If you take a peek at my review, you'll see that I don't think much of this series.  So why do I read it?  Well...it's no skin off my back to see how it ends, so I go ahead and read the new releases.

Oomori-san really needs to open her mouth about the writing on the tower.  Everyone is trying to figure out "the mysteries of the island."  I don't really get why she hasn't mentioned the inscription to anyone.  You know, that is a rather curious piece of information.  Granted, it was revealed a chapter or two ago, so nothing new was really introduced here, but still, it does make one wonder.  I don't spend too much time theorizing about Cage of Eden, but let's look at what info we have.  The only thing relatively interesting in this chapter was the discussion about when the facilities on the island were built.  If everything was built during WWII, then was the tower inscribed at that time?  If Miina died in 1940s, then who is this Miina?  Perhaps she's not the first Miina Isaragi.  Maybe her family funded the operation and a grandmother of hers or something that shared the same name died there.  That seems too simple though.  So let's assume that the "R.I.P. Miina Isaragi" actually refers to the Miina with the group.  Perhaps she died, and her family has spent all this time trying to use the research gathered on that island to try to recreate her?  That would explain why Miina has no memories and why she knows so much about the indigenous species.  Was she actually on the plane that crashed?  I can't remember.  Fake Miina said that he was hired to dress like her for security reasons, right?  It's been a while since I read it, and I wasn't immersed enough in the world for it to stick, so some of my facts could be skewed.  Did he say that the real Miina was on the plane?  If so, did he meet her?  I guess I could look these things up, but I just don't really care to.  Damn you, Cage of Eden, for not being interesting enough!

I can't really see how they're gonna force Nishikiori to perform an impromptu surgery on Kurusu-sensei.  He's clearly got a few screws loose.  Maybe they'll strike another deal with him, much like Yarai originally did.  Don't know.  Not sure that I care.  Moving on!


Silver Spoon Ch. 41

Ya know, with each chapter, I like this series a little more.  It might bore action fans, but I think it delivers in other ways.  Arakawa-sensei has demonstrated (with Fullmetal Alchemist) that she understands how to write believable characters.  I'm growing rather attached to Hachiken.  I never really would have expected myself to enjoy a manga about life at an agricultural high school, but I guess it's not really about that, is it?  It's about a kid learning who he is and learning to embrace different cultures.  I like how that is reflected in his relationship with Chestnut.  That was the main idea of today's chapter.  Your horse isn't a tool, it's your partner, and you need to think of yourself as part of a team.  There isn't much to discuss about this chapter.  It's pretty simply stated.  In the next chapter, will Hachiken strengthen his bond with Chestnut and finally clear the jump?  As exciting as it doesn't sound, I'm actually looking forward to it.  :)

Naruto 588 vs. Bleach 494 *SPOILERS*

I'll get back on the reviews shortly.  I've been absorbed lately, in various things.  I'm almost finished with Kekkaishi!  I only have five more chapters left.  So why am I typing this instead of wrapping up those last five chapters?  Because I have satellite internet, and it's rainy and stormy outside.  My attempts to try to finish the series were foiled by internet outages.  So, here I am, typing at my word processor instead.

I've decided that I wanna discuss the new releases of the manga that I'm reading.  It's not like I have any readers.  I guess it's more just for my own amusement.

I suppose I'll start with yesterday's releases.  It was Shounen Jump day, and unfortunately, the only Jump series that I've read (thus far) are Bleach and Naruto.  So, onto the new chapters!  SPOILERS AHEAD.  LOTS AND LOTS OF SPOILERS.  IF YOU AREN'T UP TO DATE ON THESE TITLES, THEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE A WHOOOOOOOLE LOTTA SHIT THAT YOU AREN'T READY FOR.

Okay, that being said, let's begin with Naruto!

Naruto Ch. 588

I'm glad to see that we're finally ending the Itachi and Sasuke vs. Kabuto battle.  I was interested in it at first because I kinda like Kabuto, and I was glad to see Itachi and Sasuke able to fight side by side.  I liked finally seeing Kabuto's history.  However, the battle was getting a little long.  One side would whip out an ultimate technique, then the other would do the same.  The battle itself just didn't have the magic and intensity of other fights in the series.  Therefore, it's nice to see it end, especially with an ending that leaves it open for a Kabuto redemption.  I am a little disappointed in how it's ending for Itachi and Sasuke though.  I was really looking forward to them finally being able to have a heartfelt talk with no more lies and airs.  But instead Itachi's just like, "Hey, I'm gonna end the Edo-Tensei now, so I'm gonna go back to being dead.  Have a nice life, bro!"  Hey, wait a minute... I feel gipped.  Really, I do understand why Kishimoto-sensei is doing this.  He's setting this up to be a big Naruto vs. Sasuke fight and during that fight, Naruto will finally get through to Sasuke, who will finally redeem himself (hopefully by dying).  I think if Sasuke and Itachi were to actually sit down and talk, Itachi would sway Sasuke a little bit, which would lessen the impact of Naruto's breakthrough later.  Sasuke's already being pretty dumb though.  Can't he see that yet again his brother has proudly given his all to protect Konoha?  Yet he remains unwavering in his desire to destroy the village.  Hmm...I still kinda like him though...

I'm glad that we got back to the Kages vs. Madara.  Oh, Gaara, how I've missed you.  He's one of my favorite characters, and I'm glad to get back to his fight.  Of course, this battle is already going to be fraught with the same problem as the previous battle.  Madara's already bringing out the big guns.  "Oh, Susano'o ain't enough for ya?  Ok, let's try the ULTIMATE Susano'o.  Yeaaaaahh, booooooyyy!"  Ok, I may have dumbed that down a little.  I realize that I can't complain too much.  This is a shounen manga.  Ridiculous strengths and abilities have been a part of the genre for a long time.  So, I can't be too picky.  For the record, I'm ready for the plot to move forward.

Bleach Ch. 494

I'm really not invested in this whole Quincy arc.  C'mon, Kubo-sensei!  This is the FINAL ARC for Bleach!  It needs to be epic and kick the shit out of everything that has happened already!  The substitute shinigami arc was pretty good and seemed to promise that several reveals were in store.  So far, I just don't see how those are gonna be worked in.  What went down with Ginjou back then?  What were the circumstances that led to Isshin losing his powers and leaving the Soul Society?  THOSE are the things I wanna dig into.  I really don't get the whole Quincy thing anyway.  So the Soul Reapers wiped them out two hundred years ago, yet hordes of them managed to survive and build a super-powerful army that is capable of subduing Espada-level arrancars and killing thousands of Soul Reapers within only minutes of the invasion?  I don't have a problem with having to suspend belief a little bit when it comes to manga, but this is starting to get a little ridiculous.  Not to mention that I don't care about these villains at all.  They have no history, no background.  I've always thought that it was vital for a series to have a good villain.  So far, none of these characters are developed at all.

I suppose the highlight of this chapter is the fate of Izuru Kira.

That's a pretty tough blow, and Akon remarks that Izuru's reiatsu can no longer be detected.  Is he dead?  Is he alive?  Part of me hopes he's alive because I really like him.  The other part of me thinks that Bleach needs another good death.  The Division 1 lieutenant's death had little impact.

As ridiculous as I'm claiming it to be, I'm certainly not gonna give up on the series.  Of course, I'll keep reading.  He simply has to work in the whole Isshin thing, and I can't wait to see what will happen there.  Also, I'm eagerly awaiting the return of one of my absolute favorite characters:  Grimmjow.  He's gonna come back.  He has to.  I can feel it!

So for this week's releases, I think Bleach wins the battle.  What edged it out?  Probably Izuru's injury.  It was an interesting read and leaves one wondering what will happen next.  I'm kinda guessing that Orihime will scurry over and fix him, though.  I'll be surprised if that's the end of Izuru.