New arrivals for Mikadono and Red Blue in a calm week before the storm.
TOC Weekly Shonen Sunday #51 (13/11/2024)
Capa: Teresa Ikeda (Idol)
MAO c252 (Lead Color Page)
02 – Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi c138
03 – Utsuranin desu c31
04 – Ryuu to Ichigo c216
05 – Tonikaku Kawaii c294
06 – Kaihen no Mahoutsukai c10
07 – Komi-san wa, Komyushou desu c489
Minasoko (One-shot do Kotoyama – END)
Momose Akira no Hatsukoi Hatanchuu c15 (Color Page)
10 – Tatari c72
11 – Shite no Hana – Nougakushi Haga Kotarou no Sakikata c05
12 – Red Blue c130
13 – Kaiten no Albus c26
14 – Strand c11
15 – Aozakura: Bouei Daigakukou Monogatari c364
16 – Maou-jou de Oyasumi c382
17 – Himeru Kokoro no zen himitsu c25
18 – Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san c319
19 – Hello Work Monsters c27
20 – Rock a Rock c31
21 – Tokachi Hitoribocchi Nōen c331
Absent: Sousou no Frieren, Major 2nd, Ogami Tsumiki to Kinichijou, Mizuporo, Ichika Bachika, Te no Geka, Shibuya Near Family, Detective Conan (Hiatus), Magic Kaito (Hiatus), Ad Astra Per Aspera (Hiatus).
Greetings, dear readers, we’re back for another elegant, sophisticated, and eye-catching edition of Weekly Shonen Sunday. I’ve grown so used to the chaotic rhythm of 25 stories per issue that a “mere” week with 21 manga feels so empty, almost strange. What’s left to talk about in such a slow week with so many absences? We’ll only find out by reading, so let’s dive into the TOC!
In the magazine’s top position, after the gorgeous cover illustrated by Idol Teresa Ikeda – there’s no way I wouldn’t mention it – we have another beautiful lady, our little Nanoka, looking all elegant, taking photos for her Insta. When the magazine is low on new content, Takahashi always comes to the rescue, drawing a color page with no complaints, our favorite grandma with zero issues. 67 years of pure vitality, managing to publish MAO, the manga with the most regularity and the highest number of color pages each year.
It’s too easy for some smart aleck to criticize the “simplified” art of the author and use it as an excuse for Takahashi’s regularity, but it’s always worth remembering: more than 40 years of career, almost uninterrupted, and for most of that time, with a small team of assistants. Rumiko Takahashi is living proof that your favorite mangaka is lazy, and she isn’t!
In the second position, we have Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi, which should drop more anime info next week. Maybe a little trailer? In third place, earning well-deserved attention, is Utsuranin desu, on the verge of the release of its second volume. The magazine highlighted some pages to promote this, along with a color page for the manga in the next edition.
The message is clear: we expect great things from you, Utsuranin. Will it deliver? We’ll know next week. The same goes for Ryuu to Ichigo, but with lower expectations, since we know the manga’s ceiling. It’s unlikely to sell less than it does or more than it already has.
In fifth and sixth place, we have an unconventional pair, the draggers Tonikaku Kawaii and Kaihen no Mahoutsukai. You’ll hardly hear me complaining about these two, even during a slow week like this. I still find solace in their reliable quality. Want a good romance that drags on more than it should? Tonikaku is the right pick. Want a solid action-adventure story that takes too long with conversations and mystery building? Kaihen is your guy.
Who else but Komi-san wa, Komyushou desu could be in the dragging circuit? But at least this one announced it’s packing up to say goodbye. I loved the chapter with Komi and Manbagi getting their driver’s licenses; the girls are growing up…
Next is the finale of Minasoko, which I won’t comment on since I was waiting for a translation that never came. I’ll keep faith in the good taste of translators worldwide; if – and when – a translation for the one-shot appears, I’ll be back to discuss it, even outside of this issue.
I consider Kotoyama a genuine super talent of the new generation. With a simple flip through the pages, I felt compelled to read the entire one-shot, fantastic paneling, and character designs. The problem is that his storytelling is equally impeccable, so there’s no way to just skim through it; I’d miss too much and feel even more frustrated. Anyway, no translation, no comments, no joy.
Right in the magazine’s middle, we have Momose Akira no Hatsukoi Hatanchuu, a.k.a. the biggest hit from the latest Batch. I’ve mentioned in some editions how Momose is the audience’s darling, drawing the most attention, comments, and likes. It would be irrational to think the magazine’s editorial staff would keep ignoring that. It’s certain that this manga will keep getting more color pages, both for its popularity and because the artist has some of the best artwork in the magazine. It’s a win-win.
In the tenth position, we have the un-Axable Tatari, utterly lost, doing what it does best: playing with us. Next, Shite no Hana – Nougakushi Haga Kotarou no Sakikata, sitting low for a manga with only five chapters, but far from a red flag. The series has its own pace, deliberate and slow, setting up its story and thoroughly explaining the intricacies of Noh theater.
In the next spot is Red Blue, which has been rather dull in recent weeks. Next week, the tables turn completely, as it gets the cover and a color page to celebrate and promote its live-action adaptation, slated for December 17th.
Not much to highlight this week for Kaiten no Albus and Strand. They’re not doing poorly, but they’re not thriving either. The same goes for Aozakura: Bouei Daigakukou Monogatari and Maou-jou de Oyasumi, which have less and less to discuss. None of this bunch risk Axe, except maybe Maou-jou, which occasionally teases a possible end, but nothing certain yet.
In the seventeenth position is Himeru Kokoro no zen himitsu. It managed to climb slightly out of the absolute bottom, unlike Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san, which sits as the dividing line between what can be saved and what is beyond saving.
Those latter cases are Hello Work Monsters and Rock a Rock, just waiting for the new Batch to announce their extradition. And that’s it! We successfully wrap up another week, and this time it was quick. I’ll be waiting for you in the next edition, which will make up for this short week with a much fuller one.
We’ll have the return of the king and the return of the queen, along with a larger supporting cast, all to give me more work and further wear out my faulty keyboard. Anyway, I look forward to seeing you again to follow a new Detective Conan case and our favorite elf’s antics in Sousou no Frieren.
