Random manga chatter

[Empyrean]

A friend linked this to me:

http://mangafox.me/manga/gokicha/v01/c001/1.html

A 4koma about the world's most laudable cockroach.  It's strangely compelling.

I started reading that too. It's cute.

[Grahf]

For those still even following the ongoing trainwreck that is Naruto:

Spoiler: ShowHide

Talk-no-jutsu manages to defeat yet another boss. I assume that in the next couple of chapters everyone will celebrate briefly, then remember that Madara is still around.

[Dracos]

I think Bleach is actually more of a trainwreck right now.  Both are pretty ridiculous.

On one, we have the entirety of ninja kind struggling against one person, who is magically only vulnerable to talk-down, despite the fact he was always a halfass ninja.

On the other, we just have non-ending BS from every side.

[Grahf]

For some reason the ridiculousness in Bleach wraps all the way back around into enjoyment for me. Granted, I'm aware that I could be in a minority here.

[Empyrean]

I started reading Plug-In Girl: http://www.batoto.net/comic/_/comics/yuusen-shoujo-plug-in-girl-r8559

It's about cyborgs and powerful feuding clans and a cheerful guy with some unknown tech and a hero complex who suplexes a mecha to test out its balance systems, and the eponymous girl who is apparently some sort of proprietary tech that an opposing clan wants to get their hands on. Only 8 chapters out so far, so I read the whole thing in one sitting, but I like it. The characters are likeable, the worldbuilding is happening at a steady pace and hints at a lot more to come, and the art is passably decent. Recommended.

[Empyrean]

http://www.batoto.net/comic/_/comics/shinonome-yuuko-wa-tanpen-shousetsu-o-aishite-iru-r9127

This one's short and sweet, complete after only ten chapters. The main characters are each awkward in their own way, and it makes for a slow paced romance, despite the overall short length of the story itself. Only complaint is that Yuuko basically does not emote. She's get this perpetually concerned/surprised look that makes her really hard to read.

[Arakawa]

This one's short and sweet, complete after only ten chapters. The main characters are each awkward in their own way, and it makes for a slow paced romance, despite the overall short length of the story itself.

Enjoyed it. My reaction throughout, though, really matched the description: "What strange, awkward people...."

[Merc]

I read through it, but I didn't really care much for it. There's some sweetness, but yeah, it didn't really do much overall for me.

There is another story where there's a hard-to-read girl author looking for a fake boyfriend for love experience to write stuff (Watashi ni XX Shinasai) that I thought tended to be a bit more interesting, since the girl clearly has other emotions, and the guy's frustration is more visible, whereas here, both characters were just so very awkward and had nothing really interesting to them.

[Brian]

http://www.batoto.net/comic/_/comics/waratte-sotomura-san-r4333

A cute 4koma series about a girl that has trouble communicating and comes off the wrong way ... so most people think she's actually a delinquent.  I found it amusing.

Edit: Credit to Pax for sharing the link.

[Empyrean]

It starts developing the story at an admittedly glacial pace later on. Introduces a few more characters and develops a couple of relationships a bit. Still cute.

Another series I've started is Magdala de Nemure. It's by the guy who wrote Spice and Wolf: http://www.batoto.net/comic/_/comics/magdala-de-nemure-r9096

Medieval fantasy setting, heavy on intrigue. Only five chapters out so far and seems to be a monthly release, but I'm already hooked. Big surprise in chapters 4 and 5.

[Grahf]

After a good long while another chapter of Maoyuu has finally shown up.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Looks like things are about to go very, very sideways.

[Empyrean]

I wonder if they'll release a few chapters in a row to get caught back up?

Spoiler: ShowHide

I doubt Maou is in any real danger. She's too important to the story, and she's got the backup healer from a squad of legendary heroes standing three feet away from her.

[Empyrean]

New chapter of Magdala de Namure. Things got so real I thought I was on a boat.

[Empyrean]

Also, Omamori Himari has concluded. Good story, strong finish. I like it quite a lot.

[Dracos]

Caught up on Maou.  Mmm, more okay with where it is at the moment.

Fairy tail has been going to an odd place, and kind of is skipping over things too.  How certain characters got free isn't quite clear.  The demons feel like their ridiculous competence suddenly vanished.  Zeraf continues to sort of show up without really clear motives or sense of presence in the world.

Hajime got some updates, and then gutted out again quietly.  I'm okay with the fight as it's going though.  It seems like it's shaping up for an Ippo win based on built up training over the manga, as opposed to bullshit 'I just that much tougher'.

One Piece is going super slowly as the crew deals with Joker's powerful team.   The sniper is being particularly lame lately, but maybe he'll wise up as Sugar wipes out more of the crowd of allies around him.  And then hopefully ceases to exist because Wipe Everyone's Memories is a really nasty/weird power.

Reading that gourmet manga, which is more of a guilty read.  It's way more acceptable than either Bleach or Naruto these days.

One Punch is continuing to be pretty awesome, if slow.