Summer’s winding down, but the anime and merch output from VIZ is not letting up! This month’s drop is pretty shonen-heavy: we’re talking about Bleach, again, as well as some newer series and old favorites. Let’s get started!
VIZ Interviews Junji Ito
Horror manga legend Junji Ito sits down with VIZ for a short discussion of his work and career, answering questions about how he’s changed as an artist since his debut in the ’80s, which of his many short stories is his favorite, and what the secret to creating truly scary horror content is. Check out the interview here!
Chainsaw Man is back
And there was much rejoicing! From me. I am rejoicing. Part 2 of Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto appeared on Digital Shonen Jump on July 12, starting with chapter 98. The new arc takes place shortly after part 1, but focuses on an entirely new character and her unlikely allegiance with the War Devil. Just like part 1, part 2 walks a tightrope balance between intense gore and surprising absurdity, tightly paced and with carefully selected details that build a fuller world for its messy, complicated characters. If you forgot Chainsaw Man was coming back, here’s your reminder to pick it back up!
Rumor that the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime has been acquired by Disney Plus
Someone leaked on Twitter that, allegedly, Disney+ and Crunchyroll were in a bidding war for the new anime, and Disney won. There has yet to be an official announcement to confirm one way or the other, but the very idea of Ichigo Kurasaki rolling up in mouse ears filled Twitter with memes for a hilarious day. One step closer to Ichigo in Kingdom Hearts! As far as confirmed Bleach anime news goes, though, a new key visual from the show just dropped and it looks gorgeous!
Speaking of Bleach, it’s time to take a look at…
What I’m Reading
Bleach 20th Anniversary Edition, Vol. 1
Tite Kubo
August 2, 2022
That’s right, I’m finally writing something Bleach related from a place of KNOWLEDGE. I hope you’re excited to hear my first impressions of this comic 20 full years after it came out. Honestly, I was surprised by two things: how rough the art is, especially in this first volume, and how blatant the influence Bleach had on Jujutsu Kaisen really is in the latter. It doesn’t look like any of the interior art or lettering was retouched for the anniversary edition, as the font choices have that early-2000s manga translation feel to them and the art is a bit off in some places. I’ve seen Burn the Witch so I know Kubo improves a lot in the future, I just wasn’t expecting it to start the way it did. Ichigo was a lot more likeable than I thought he would be from how I’ve seen people talk about this comic. I was expecting him to be more of an edgy loner. Chad is barely in this first volume but I already love him. I’m not sure if I would’ve picked this comic up if I wasn’t doing this Pubwatch and I don’t know if I’ll keep reading Bleach now, but I’m glad I learned what it’s all about.
Orochi: The Perfect Edition, Vol. 2
Kazuo Umezz
July 19, 2022
The story of the mysterious yet compassionate observer of humanity Orochi continues with 3 short stories in volume 2! In “Prodigy,” Orochi watches as a baby survives a tragic incident only to grow into a deeply troubled young man. In “Home,” a village struck by a meteor long ago experiences a series of strange events when a man returns to it after a decade in the city. “Key” is about a pathological lying child who accidentally witnessed a real crime, but found himself branded as the boy who cried wolf. Honestly, “Home” and “Key” didn’t strike me as super original ideas— I got “Children of the Corn” vibes from “Home” and like I said “Key” was pretty much just The Boy Who Cried Wolf— but Umezz’s pacing and execution made it hard to put the book down. Especially in “Key,” the thrilling chase sequence where five-year-old Liar tries to escape the murdering neighbors made me really worried for him. I didn’t click with “Prodigy” because I found it hard to understand the characters’ motivations, even after the final reveal. Orochi is an interesting viewpoint character, sweet and compassionate, but occasionally making mistakes since she doesn’t always have all the information.
Rooster Fighter, Vol. 1
Shu Sakuratani
August 16, 2022
Your average story of a lone wolf fighting giant monsters to defend the human race… Except the lone wolf in this one is literally a rooster. That’s it, that’s the gimmick. It works by really leaning into the rooster thing, though. Keiji the rooster’s primary motivations in wandering the world are finding good food (he discovers sea urchin on a beach and becomes obsessed with it) and avenging his sister’s death by a demon, as one does. When he does fight demons, he uses rooster abilities to do so: squawking loudly, stabbing the monster’s eyes with his sharp claws or pecking at it. The comic also uses the perspective of a rooster to look at humans from a different angle, as various humans Keiji runs into are either kind or cruel to him because he is a small animal that can be easily picked up and carried even by children. I’m not sure how long a series like this can run without getting tired of its own premise, but I enjoyed this first volume and I might read more of it in the future.
That’s all I’ve got for you this month! See you later with more news and reviews!
