~Entering the Unknown~

Naruto Shippuuden #134:

As Pain stated his preparation to seek out for Kyuubi Junchuriki aka Naruto, Zetsu stated that he was going to check out the battle between Itachi and Sasuke.

Other place, Sasuke destroyed a clone of Itachi's who told him to meet him at the Uchiha basement for duel. Sasuke met up with Karin, Sugetsu and Juugo and made their way towards that location. Along the way, they ran into one of Naruto's clones and Sasuke hit him vanished. Naruto detected Sasuke's location and together with Kakashi and others, they made their way there.

There, Naruto and others were obstructed by Madara who messed about their battle formation. Same time, Kisame distracted Sugetsu, Karin and Juugo while Sasuke set off to find Itachi. Suigetsu fought Kisame.

Inuyasha – Final Act #05:

In the woods, Kohaku approached Kikyou and told her his willingness to sacrifice his life to destroy Naraku. With that, he followed her from then on. Other place, Naraku’s ‘heart’ managed to absorb the twin youkai brothers to increase his bond between his body and armor. Sesshoumaru tried to attack him but Byakuya diverted his attention and aided the ‘heart’s escape. Meanwhile, Toutousai told Inuyasha that Inuyasha was hurt by Tessaiga because of his hanyou form that could not withstand the absorption of demonic power by the sword made from fang of his youkai father. To amend this problem, Inuyasha was to seek for help from demon hermit.


When Inuyasha and others reached there, the hermit told them that his gut was stolen by a demon and this caused the villagers around him looking like demons. Inuyasha tried to identify the demon vortex from the demons while chains bound his sword and finally located the correct one, hence, the chains were released from his sword and Inuyasha passed the hermit’s test. Inuyasha was told that his sword was not meant to absorb demon ki but to cut. With the passing of the hermit’s test, Inuyasha’s Tessaiga glowed golden and became stronger.

Bleach #244:

Kenpachi defeated Kira’s Zanpakutou with a blow and blasted the others away. Encouraged by his captain’s power, Ikkaku’s comrade fought his Zanpakutou and defeated him based on will power alone. Byakuya fought Kenpachi while Byakuya’s Zanpakutou fought Ichigo. Sai Fon faced off her Zanpakutou. Rukia pulled Renji out of the debris and watched the battles around them.

FMA – Brotherhood OVA 1:

Ed and Al heard rumors about an alchemist – Judau who succeeded in human transmutation. They visited him and he told Ed how he managed to resurrect Rosalie – his master’s daughter in exchange for his eyes. Meanwhile, Al was pulled by Rosalie to the real Rosalie in a room.

Al was shocked to see the real Rosalie a shrunken form of the original body and the fake Rosalie (whose real name was Amy) told Al that she was adopted from Orphanage because of her resemblance to the real Rosalie by Rosalie’s family so that they could lie Judau to ensure his happiness. Ed learned the fact and knew even though everyone was happy with the lie; no one was actually saved and Judau’s human transmutation was never successful in the first place at all.

One Piece Issue #563: One Heart, One Man

Everyone - both pirates and Marine people were shocked to see that the one who stabbed Whitebeard was his next commander. The pirate was upset because he felt betrayed that Ace was the son of Roger who had killed his comrades before and Whitebeard had been planning to groom Ace as the next pirate king. His words shook the morale and thinking of other pirates who felt everything was a trap to get themselves killed for Whitebeard's aim to save Ace. However, Whitebeard had no grudge against him and he hugged him and told others that everyone was his family and he would protect everyone at all cost. With that, the morale resumed and they prepared to fight for Whitebeard.

Bleach Issue #381: Words Just don't like you

Mayuri and Nemu sent Ichigo, 4th squad captain and her vice captain back to the human world. Mayuri was not happy with Ichigo's comparing him with Urahara and planned to give Ichigo real terror once the battle was over. While they were running, the 4th squad captain told Ichigo that despite Aizen's ridiculous strong ability, the only one who could stand against him was Ichigo. Meanwhile, Yammy was fighting Kenpachi who sliced his fingers. Same time, Byakuya asked Mayuri's intention to stay behind and he told him that he wanted to collect data from the corpses there. Just then, he received a message and was in shock.

Meanwhile, 4th squad captain told Ichigo that the reason of his strength was that he was the only one who could not see Aizen's shikai. As such, to him, every battle was as good as lost. Therefore, she advised him never to see Aizen's shikai. Other place, Mayuri was not happy when Byakuya stated Mayuri had sent Ichigo to human world because he believed that Ichigo was the only one who could end the war. He stated that Byakuya had the same thought as him. Same time, Ichigo thanked the 4th squad captain and decided that he would be the one to stop Aizen.

Naruto Issue #470: Killer Bee Vs Kisame

Naruto knew Sakura was not truthful to herself as he understood there was no way that she came all the way just to confess her love to him. Sakura retorted that she wanted Naruto to go back to Konoha with them as she did not want Naruto to put himself into danger for Sasuke especially so because Naruto was the Kyuubi Junchuriki that Akatsuki was after. She also told Naruto that she was no longer in love with Sasuke who was a criminal. Naruto told her that he had finally understood Sasuke's hatred and thirst for revenge and was about to voice Madara's words when Kakashi stopped him. Sakura at the same time also refused Kiba's suggestion to tell Naruto the truth and stomped off, telling Kiba, Sai and Lee to go with her. As she walked off, she silently apologised to Naruto in tears. Sai created a clone to go with Sakura, Kiba and Lee while his original stayed behind to spy on Naruto, Kakashi and Yamato. Same time, Sakura asked Kiba to help her to track Sasuke down.

Other place, the four kages and their escorts were on their moves. Tsukikage's escort suggested killing Kyuubi and Hanabi Junchuriki to stop Madara's plan but was rejected as Tsukikage thought of Gaara's words that reminded him how stubborn he used to be in the past.

Meanwhile, Ponta collapsed and Kisame faced off Killer Bee. Sab interfered with his axe while Killer bee threw pencil at Kisame that aided Killer Bee's attack. But his stab could not pierce through Kisame's sword. Sab was shocked. Killer Bee evolved with Hachibi cloak and attacked Kisame. But Kisame's sword absorbed Killer Bee's chakra diluting his attacks on him. Kisame commented that Killer Bee would be dead soon and his sword evolved before them with many spikes.

Full Metal Panic #12:

Sosuke and his comrade - Weber Kurz picked up Chidori and Major Testarossa on their pick-up and drove away from the advancing AS robot. The general managed to survive when the enemy saved him instead. The AS robot crushed Melissa's robot but she managed to survive the crush and went to meet the general. Meanwhile, Testarossa authorised the delivery of Sosuke's AS robot to Sosuke. Sosuke and the opponent AS robot fought. Chidori's hint aided him to defeat the robot. The enemy driver finally died with a smile in Testarossa's arms. Testarossa told Chidori that she had fallen in love with Sosuke and would be competing with her over him.

Full Metal Panic #13:

Major Testarossa and Melissa had a quarrel. Melissa challenged her for a duel using AS robot. Testarossa agreed and ordered Sosuke to train her. She finally won Melissa in the duel and also their disagreement was resolved.

Fairy Tail #04:

Natsu and Lucy defeated the villian and handed the book to the client, disclosing the truth behind the book. The client was the son of the author who had been imprisoned by the villian for three years to write it. The author casted a magic on the book with hidden message for his son. The son decided to keep the book and Natsu refused any reward for he had smelt the client was actually poor in reality.

Natsu, Lucy and Happy entered the forest and ran into their fellow Fairy Tail comrade - Gray. Gray told them that the most powerful female magician - Erza was on her way back and they shivered. Suddenly, Happy was kidnapped by other wizards. Gray and Natsu defeated them but the wizards were taken away by a shadow known as Lullaby. Meanwhile, a female wizard was on her way into the town.

Full Metal Panic #08:

Sosuke managed to stop a schoolmate from pestering (wooing) Chidori. A girl who was interested with the schoolmate was openly rejected by the latter and forced Sosuke to pretend to be her boyfriend in front of her friends. Chidori tagged along. After her lies was exposed, she ran away in tears and her friends ran after her. Chidori realised that she liked Sosuke.

Full Metal Panic #09:

In a country, Sosuke and his two comrades attacked a suspected base for A1 terrorist hideout and found the information inaccurate. Sosuke remembered that he forgot his appointment with Chidori the day before and hurried back to school where she beat him in the baseball field. He later gave her a gift that was practical in defence use. At the airport in Japan, a boy was arrested for attacking the airport officer and he was found to be injected with drug that synchronized him with the special driver within AS robot. In the detention building, Major Tasa and general went to visit the boy to verify the drug but the base was attacked by A1 terrorists. Tasa took the boy away while her general was captured by the terrorists. From school on their way home, Chidori scolded Sosuke for his bad way of apology and later regretted about it. Sosuke returned home to see Tasa and the boy in his house.

Full Metal Panic #10:

Chidori visited Sosuke with leftover food and almost got the wrong idea until they explained. Sosuke noticed the tracker on the boy and Chidori destroyed it using microwave oven. They sought refuge in school that night. The boy stole Chidori’s phone and used it to send information of his whereout to his comrades. Meanwhile, the boy’s sister was interrogating the general information on the special device. When Chidori and Tasa were in the washroom, they were abducted and Sosuke was being commanded to take the boy to the compound where his comrades held the girls hostage. Sosuke tried to get the girls to escape but his hiding was bombed and the girls were captured again.

Full Metal Panic #11:

The girls were taken to the ship where the A1 terrorists were hiding. Meanwhile, Sosuke’s comrades arrived in school with the AS robot to find Sosuke without the girls. Sosuke had managed to seek refuge within the building before the explosion and told them that they were 10 minutes late. They set off. In the terrorist base, the general and Tasa managed to free themselves and together with Chidori, they reached the basement where the boy commenced the operation of his special AS robot.

Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood #30:

Flashback, Roy told his teacher that he was joining the military and he disapproved Roy’s decision even at his deathbed. Before he passed away, he told Roy that his research was craved onto his daughter – Riza. At his tombstone, Roy told Riza of his decision to military and she supported him. Back to present, Riza was bathing and there was an alchemy craving on her back. Just then, Ed arrived and was hit by her dog. He and Riza had a talk and she told him about her participation of the war in Ishbal. In the subway, Scar was being told of Maroh’s involvement to turn his people’s souls into Philosopher’s Stone. He was angry.

Flashback, the Ishbal civil war was triggered when Envy who disguised as an Amestria soldier shot an Ishbal child. Armstrong, Roy, Hughes and the recently joined Riza were involved into the elimination of Ishbal people due to Bradley’s documental approval. After the war, Riza was officially appointed by Roy personally as his lieutenant to watch his back, making sure he did not go astray. Back to present, Al told Chang Mei his real appearance and she had wild imagination that he was handsome like a prince. Meanwhile, Envy visited Maroh to see his headless body lay bloody against the wall.

Dragon Ball Kai #30:

Raikoom fought and defeated Vegeta, Gohan and Kirin with ease. Freeza received the dragon balls but did not know how to activate them. He set off to find the surviving Nemekjins. As Gohan fell, Goku arrived on his spaceship.

Full Metal Panic #06:

While Sosuke told Chidori of his real identity as an anti terrorist military officer, they found Sosuke's comrade. Chidori was upset over Sosuke's determination to sacrifice himself for her safety and suggested burning woods to get help. This suggestion was agreed by Sosuke's comrade. Sosuke went to burn woods to get signal from the satellite in space. Just then, the enemy drew near and together, the three of them tried to counteract the pursuing troop. Meanwhile, Sosuke's direct superior pleaded for the turning back to rescue the three of them and was approved.

In the woods, Sosuke received a robot from his organisation. Nine Dragon appeared and fought him.

Full Metal Panic #07:

Chidori recalled many codes she had knew even before her birth and guided Sosuke through cell phone in controlling the robot that was equipped with special driver. Sosuke's comrade was surprised of her knowledge. Sosuke managed to destroy Nine Dragon's robot and took his comrade and Chidori to their organisation's meeting place where they were picked up and sent back to safety. Sosuke was told that he would be engaged in another mission. Meanwhile, Chidori woke in hospital and was pleasantly glad to see Sosuke being assigned to protect her, meaning they could be together again.

One Piece #424:

Buggy was shocked to see Luffy getting stronger as he defeated all 5 jailers by himself and told Luffy that Ace was more polite than Luffy. Flashback, Ace appeared on Buggy's ship eating his food without Buggy's awareness and since then they became beer buddies. Back to present, Buggy planned to escape without Luffy when he saw the bracelet on Luffy's arm that he had been searching for as it contained Captain John's treasure map. Luffy agreed to give it to him in return for his guiding of him to Ace's location eventhough he knew what it was.

Mistaking Buggy's words, Luffy crushed through the walls down to Level 1 Impel Down. Through the spricky crimson forest, they reached a hole that would lead them to level 2. Without thinking, Luffy leaped into it. Buggy planned to leave without him but a jailer's axe sent his feet down the hole, and as a result, his head was forced down the hole along with his rest of body and feet and Luffy.

Meanwhile, Hancock was still thinking of Luffy while a prisoner was pondering in level 2 where dangerous beasts roamed.

Full Metal Panic #03:

Somewhere, Mithril managed to bomb a terrorist base that stored data on Whisperers but was misled as the information was held by a dangerous terrorist - Nine Dragon.

Sousuke annoyed Chidori again when he mistook a masked fellow classmate within her unit as a dangerous intruder and ended up chatting with the classmate on the planter area about their interests in new weapons while a panty was within his hand. Chidori awarded him a punch. Same night, Sousuke and his two team members were informed that their organisation - Mithril had managed to destroy the terrorist quarter and that their mission to protect Chidori was no longer required. Nevertheless, Sousuke had already paid for the school field trip using organisation fund and had to go for it.

On the day of school trip on plane, Chidori refused to talk to him. Unknowingly, the terrorist and his clients had already invaded the plane.

Full Metal Panic #04:

The terrorists forced the pilot to divert the plane to a military country and forced Chidori to go to the lab with them. Sousuke sneaked from the plane, discovered a bomb planted to it and reported the matter to Mithril. He and his superior were concerned that Nine Dragon was still alive as Sousuke was the one who shot his forehead years ago in other mission. Rescue operation was planned and executed. Worried for Chidori who was trapped in a mind reading device, he sneaked to the lab and got her out of it, using any weapons he could get his hands on.

Full Metal Panic #05:

Meantime, rescue robots and planes landed on the country and cross fire erupted. Sousuke's comrade ripped the bomb from the plane and tossed it into the sky where it exploded. Sousuke piloted an enemy robot and got Chidori out of the area but were pursued by Nine Dragon. Another Sousuke's comrade appeared and fought Nine Dragon. Meanwhile, all other passengers including Chidori's teacher and classmates were safely taken out of the country. Stuck with the battle against the crafty Nine Dragon, Sosuke, Chidori and Sousuke's comrade were unable to get out of the country with them.

D.Gray Man Issue #188: Sacred War Blood

The researchers were shown Alma - the first experimental subject created to fight akuma before Kanda Yuu. Alma had been sealed since he went on rampage and killed his creator years ago after he was being forced to fight Kanda. Suddenly, the Earl and his Noah attacked Black Order base and mind controlled the people's movement to the area where they had Kanda placed next to the sealed Alma. As they were about to begin their operation, Allen Walker made use of the Ark and stormed at the enemy.

Darker than Black - Ryūsei no Gemini #04: The Ark Rocks on the Lake...
Suou was watching the scenery as she, Hei and July travelled on train to Sapporo, wondering why she could no longer feel any emotion she used to have before she became a contactor. When they arrived, Hei ran into a transexual who used to be his neighbour when he pretended as a foreign student while he was working for CIA. Hei lied that July and Suou were his younger siblings and in his undertone, told them to act like a normal human being so as not to blow their contactor identity.

Meanwhile, Kirahara Misaki was recruited into MIAC's black ops division Section 35 and was given the alias of Yayoi Ichinose. She tried to communicate with her ex subordinate in CIA for Hei's whereout but was discovered by her new comrade. Misaki stormed off angrily after being warned verbally. Meanwhile, Hei reminded Suou that while they were on their way to Tokyo, she had to listen to his order and he trained her in fighting. Knowing she had to find Shion, she bit down her dislike with him and went along.

While on her way to buy food with July, a young punk got interested with her and tried to woo her but was temporary frightened off by her contactor identity when she summoned her rifle before his eyes. Later in a bar with Hei's former neighbour, the young punk tried to befriend her again. Suou found the young punk's attitude reminding her of Nicke. Meanwhile, Misaki heads to the now abandoned National Observatory when she was confronted alone by Madam Orielle, who knows of her real name aside from her alias.

Shakugan no Shana S OVA:

Shana and Yuji were trying to find an item to destroy among large pile of items when Yuji came across a telescope. He looked through it at Shana and unfortunately got their souls swapped in each other's bodies. After a day of embarrassment, trying to hide their swapped identities from their friends, they learned of each other's difficulty in their own bodies. By the end of the day in Yuji's room, they finally swapped their souls back.

Naruto Shippuuden #133:

In Konoha, Tsunade was commenting on the continuous rain and Shizune tried to reassure her that Jiraiya would return safe and sound. Tsunade betted using her past experience of poor luck that Jiraiya would not return. She thought of the words Jiraiya last spoke to her about her duping him and could not resist a smile. She prepared to give him a beating back to his old self when he returned.

In the Country of Rain, Jiraiya was shocked to see Yahiko having Nagato's Rinnegan eyes as well as five other people. Pain told him that together, the six of them were Pain. Jiraiya had difficulty fending them off and managed to drag one of them within a toad's body. Within the toad's boundary, Jiraiya managed to hit the opponent with rasengan but was accidentially stabbed by his strange rod that disrupted his Chakra flow. At closer distance, he was shocked to see the opponent a past enemy met during his trip in his younger days for ideas to his novel. Despite the two elderly toads' warning, he decided to check the real identity of the other four Pains. Jiraiya called Ma toad to escape as he went into the open. Pa toad promised to return home for dinner with Jiraiya.



Out in the open, Jiraiya was attacked by all the Pains and he was aghast to see all of them (excluding Yahiko) people he had met during his younger days' journey. His throat was crushed and his body stabbed by all Pains. He thought of his past failures of being rejected by Tsunade, failure to save Sandaime and Minato, failure to outshine his life and suddenly recalled Minato commenting Jiraiya's gallant novel and life. He also thought of Naruto who never gave up.

With a sudden surge of energy, he wrote his last words on Pa toad's back. As Pain dashed to crush them, Jiraiya fell into the water and Pa toad managed to escape. In the water, Jiraiya decided to name his last novel - Uzumaki Naruto scroll and finally understood that Naruto was the Child of Destiny.

In the woods, Naruto was leaping from tree to tree when he sensed Jiraiya touching his shoulder but when he turned around, there was no one behind him. In Konoha, Tsunade thought she saw a toad looking at her as she looked out the lake. Out in the sea, a toad was floating towards a direction.

COMMENT: I cannot resist my tears and sadness especially the part when Jiraiya thought of his failure in life during his last moments. Cannot imagine how much I'll cry when Naruto learn of Jiraiya's death.

Bleach #243:

Mayuri's Zanpakutou attacked Iba and 4th squad vice captain with his poison but they managed to duck. However, Hinamori and Matsumoto's Zanpakutous appeared and attacked them. 4th squad vice captain's leg was paralysed by Mayuri's Zanpakutou's poison. Matsumoto and Hinamori appeared and fought them Zanpakutou. Mayuri's Zanpakutou attacked them with his poison again.

Other place, Kiba defeated Hisagi's Zanpakutou but was attacked and pinned to the ground by his own Zanpakutou. Ikkaku and his comrade were also not in good position. Sai Fon was also attacked by her small Zanpakutou. Byakuya defeated Renji and his Zanpakutou. Ichigo was anxious as he fought Byakuya's Zanpakutou. Suddenly, Kenpachi broke out of a hut, surging with power and laughing insanely.

COMMENT:

New opening and ending. The new opening is cooler than Shoujo S.

Dragon Ball Kai #29:

Freeza's men confronted Gohan, Kiririn and Vegeta. The leader took the seven dragon balls away to pass them to Freeza. The remaining four faced Gohan, Kiririn and Vegeta. One of them who could freeze time was the first to fight Kiririn and Gohan. As he was held off restricting Gohan and Kiririn's movement, Vegeta sliced his head off. Gohan and Kiririn were surprised that their lives were saved by Vegeta. The remaining three debated whom to fight them next. Vegeta stated that their hell was about to begin as he knew their opponents were much powerful than them.

In space, Goku was informed by the system that he was reaching his destination in 20 minutes.

Naruto Issue #469: Sakura's Confession

Kisame faced off Killer Bee. Ponta the bear hound attacked Kisame who turned at it instead.

Out in the field, Ao fell into Fuu's trap when Fuu's possessed puppet trapped Ao's soul within it so that he could take Ao's Byakugan eye. Nearby, Torune who was carrying Fuu's physical body, was informed by Danzou that once Fuu returned, he would tell them his next move.

In the Summit, Mifune appointed Raikage the commander of the Kages. The other three agreed with smiles. They would inform the Daimiyos of all lands about their plan.

In the snow, Naruto was surprised and asked Sakura to repeat her words again. Sakura confessed her love for Naruto but her eyes were not looking at him. Kiba thought of the time back in Konoha when Sakura told others not to tell Naruto about their plan and to let her handle it herself first. Back to present, Sakura hugged Naruto. She brought out bad points of Sasuke as an outcast and good points of Naruto who was a village hero and had been by her side all the times and stated that there was no way that she could still like Sasuke. Naruto recalled the times of Sakura's expressions when she mentioned or looked at Sasuke and stated that she was lying. He told her that he desprised people who lied to themselves.

Bleach Issue #380: Devil, Devil, Devil, Devil

Ichigo was surprised to see Byakuya and Kenpachi before him. Kenpachi dashed at Ichigo to attack Yammy. They told him to return back to his town to protect it as his duty. Mayuri commented that Ichigo was a good test subject and ordered Nemu to send Ichigo back to the human world. Squad 4 captain agreed to follow Ichigo with her vice captain as well. With that, the sky opened, leading Ichigo back to his hometown to protect it from Aizen.

One Piece Issue #562: Pirate Vortex Spider Squardo

The battle went on in the execution ground. The clones of Kuma went on rampage against the pirates. Luffy tried to save Ace. Buggy interrupted the surveillance televisions. Whitebeard was stabbed in his stomach by one of the admirals.

Samurai Champloo #24 - #26 (FINALE):

In the government place, a man was assigned to kill the remains of the rebels. Other place, Fuu asked Mugen and Jin of their personal matters over the fire at night as they neared Nagasaki. Next day, Fuu lured Jin and Mugen away and left by herself to the island where her father was heard last seen. She treated them with cake as she left them without a word but a note. The assassin appeared and fought Mugen and Jin, telling them that other assassins were on their way to kill Fuu who was the daughter of the last rebel. Jin held the man off so that Mugen could go and save Fuu. Meanwhile on the island, Fuu was being told that her father was in a hut on the furthest end of the island. In the midst of the sunflower field, she was attacked by three assassin brothers.

At the harbour, the man told Jin of his interference to influence Jin's teacher to fight Jin, resulting to Jin's killing of his own teacher. On Mugen's way to the island, Mugen was attacked by one of the assassin brothers. He managed to kill him and made his way to the island where the remaining brothers had tied Fuu to a cross as hostage. They had grudge against Mugen because of his crippling of the eldest of the brother during his piracy act in the past, resulting to their loss of position in government organisation. At the harbour, the man defeated Jin who fell into the sea.

On the island, Mugen sliced Fuu free from her bound and commanded her to go to her sunflower samurai and reassured that he would live. She ran to the hut and finally met her father who was blind and crippled on bed. Seeing his sorry condition, she could not bring herself to scold him for abandoning her mother. She bided him farewell and her father's elderly caretaker told her that he had never stop thinking of her and her mother throughout the years. Just then, the assassin man appeared and stabbed her father to death after her father apologised to Fuu. He pushed the elderly care taker away and proceeded to attack Fuu. In the cave, Mugen managed to kill the second brother but was shot by the crippled eldest brother who prepared to kill Mugen with his bombs. On top of the cliff, Fuu was cornered but Jin appeared, preparing to fight not for himself but for others. He allowed himself to be stabbed so that he could kill the man and succeeded. Meanwhile, the eldest assassin brother blew himself up planning to kill himself and Mugen but Mugen managed to escape in time. Fuu sent Mugen and Jin to recover their injuries.

Mugen and Jin did not want to fight each other anymore after long periods of fighting alongside. After weeks of recuperation, they prepared to go on separate ways. Before they left, Fuu told them that she had tricked them with the coin result before they had went on the journey together. But Jin and Mugen did not mind.

THE END

COMMENT:

Style - 7/10; unique, mixture of modern rap and detailed analysis of the origin of modern culture like graffiti and baseball with traditional Japanese music and songs. Even ghost and scientific contents are tossed into the plots. Extremely unusual.

Humor/Seriousness - 7/10; Can be both hilarious and deep thought plots in different episodes.

Music - 6/10; Mixture of modern raps and traditional Jap music

Overall - 7/10; Worth rewatching again but not at this moment.

Fairy Tail #03:

Natsu and Happy went to visit Lucy who demonstrated how she made contracts with her magic keys. Natsu and Happy asked Lucy to join them as a team so as to get a mission. He also showed her his grabbed mission to destroy a book 'Daybreak' in a man's mansion under disguise of maid. Later when they met the client, he told them that the reward had increased by 10 times. Lucy tried to join in disguise of a maid but was rejected because the mansion owner preferred ugly people. Lucy, Happy and Natsu went for plan T and sneaked into the mansion. After fighting off the ugly maids, they reached the library and obtained the book.

However, Lucy was attracted to the book that was written by her favourite author and refused to get it destroyed before she finished it. The man and his recruited magicians - the Wolves brothers from other Guild attacked them. Lucy ran off, telling Natsu to hold them off as she discovered there was a secret in the book. The man ran after her while Natsu called Happy to protect Lucy. While Natsu defeated the brothers, Lucy was being confronted by the man in other place.

Inuyasha – Final Act #04:

While Sesshoumaru practiced his new sword technique, Inuyasha sought consultant with Toutousai on his sword condition. He advised Inuyasha to get his sword to absorb Dakki. Later, Inuyasha and others came to a village where a demon was killed by a human sword forger. But the sword forger was taken control by the demon aura as he used the demonic sword. After some effect, the human forger who refused to listen Inuyasha's advice, was killed by his own sword. Inuyasha's sword absorbed the Dakki to possess dragon scale form.

Other place, Byakuya manipulated a wolf clan child to fight Kouga using his younger brother as hostage. Kouga tried to aid the child and faced off Naraku's other body. Inuyasha and others arrived.

Sango saved the child's younger brother. After some quarrelling, Kouga and Inuyasha joined forces against Naraku's other body. Inuyasha's new sword technique drove the demon away but Inuyasha was injured by his own sword. Byakuya reported his finding to Naraku who continued to monitor the situation.

Fullmetal Alchemist - Brotherhood #29:

Envy, in form of a soldier led Ed and Al into military building via an elevator that linked the subway to the building. The brothers were shocked of the close connection between Homuncli and the military. Later at bath, Ed told Al of his finding of Al's physical body condition. Al was relieved. Al told Ed that Chang Mei was hiding in his armor. Envy sent the brothers to the office where Bradley and Roy were waiting. Roy told Ed that all his subordinates had been deployed to different divisions in other areas and that both of them were in the same shoe. Bradley threatened them not to resign using Riza and Winry's lives.

Later, Ed called Winry to check on her condition and she reassured him that she was fine at her place. When they hung up the phone, Greed turned up and told Ed and Al to pass Ling's message to Ran Fan. In the doctor's house, Ran Fan received the cloth message and told Al that Ling had obtained the Philosopher's Stone. She was aghast to learn the Ling did not return with them. Meanwhile, Roy met Riza and Armstrong and told them of the military's true intention. Armstrong refused to back down despite his mental ability to handle the stress. Roy found the situation a challenge to him as an ordinary human being.

Other place, Scar ran into Marcoh who told him his involvement in the Ishbal war. Scar was shocked and angry, slamming Marcoh's face to the ground. In the doctor's house, Ran Fan and Chang Mei faced off as opponents in Xing Country until the doctor stopped them. Later, Al helped the doctor cleared his mess and saw the doctor's family photo which he did not care as he and his wife had already divorced.

One Piece #423:

Hancock turned the CCTV snail and the inspector into stone so that Luffy could sneak into hiding before she reverted them back to normal. As she exchanged glances with Luffy before she left with the jailers, she mistook him for saying 'I love you' instead of 'Thank you'.


Within the elevator, the jailers explained to her that the prison was made up of level 1 - 4, the higher the number, the lower it was located and the more terrible it was for prisoners. Within the prison level 4, Buggy managed to sneak out of his cell and escaped to level 1 but was detected and pursued by the jailers. He ran into Luffy and together, both of them fought the jailers.

Samurai Champloo #18: War of the Words

Mugen, Jin and Fuu were having dinner at an open air stall when Fuu realised Mugen could not read words. She and Jin joked about it. Mugen was protesting when a drunken man dragged Mugen aside, lecturing him for the importance of languages and downed him with sake. He collapsed drunk. With insufficient money, Jin, Fuu and Mugen left the remaining debt for the drunken man to clear. Along the way, Jin told the other two that he was planning to visit someone and parted for a short while. Fuu tried to teach Mugen how to read some graffi on the wall when the earlier drunken man turned up and dragged Mugen away. Fuu was left all alone. In a hut, the man forced Mugen to learn words from him. On the street, two young men quarrelled over something and seemed attracted to Fuu, trying to compete each other over her. Jin turned up and Fuu was surprised to learn that he was looking for them both. It turned out that he had promised a kudo master to take care of his sons after his death and the two young men were the sons. Fuu suggested them competing by writing graffi on the most dangerous places. That night, Mugen returned to the inn where he told Fuu that he was learning to write. She told him of the graffi competition and he was interested. Since that night, many guards were rushing around in panic as graffi appeared in the most secured part of walls. The two brothers tried to write graffi on the top of a castle but Mugen got there before them. Before they parted, the brothers turned out to like the squrrel on Fuu and not Fuu herself. Jin told her that their father died when he committed suicide to secure his dojo.

Samurai Champloo #19: Unholy Union

Fuu was resting in an abandoned hut, waiting for Jin and Mugen when a woman rushed into it, pleading for refuge. She agreed and took her in. Shortly, two men stormed in, demanding for the woman. Fuu managed to persuade them to leave. Other place, Jin and Mugen were walking when they noticed an old woman who drew a cross against her chest being dragged away by officers and then a man with foreign accent who addressed himself as Xavier III and a messager for God turning up on a horse, interrupting Mugen's fight with the officers. He shot the officers with his rifle and rode away. Meanwhile in the hut, the woman got out of her hiding, she introduced herself as Yuri. Fuu told her of her plan to find a samurai with sunflower aroma and showed her the little skull. Yuri asked her to look into the eye of the skull and she saw a cross. As Yuri told her that the samurai with sunflower aroma was probably a man who had worked with her and her father on an island devoted to Christianity, Fuu told her that the samurai with sunflower aroma was actually her father who abandoned her mother. Suddenly, the two men returned and dragged her away. Fuu woke to find Mugen and Jin looking down at her and she told them everything. They continued their journey into a heavily guarded village where they were allowed to stay for a night.

That night, Fuu woke with a start to see a long row of people moving in the dark. She followed them to a hall to see Xavier III trying to brainwash people with using guns to reach God. She was caught and imprisoned where she met Yuri again. Yuri had been forced by Xavier III to become his wife. He also threatened to kill her like what he had done to her father. Fuu sent a help message using her squirrel. Jin and Mugen received the message shortly. When Fuu and Yuri were taken to the hall, Jin and Mugen stormed into the place, defeating Xavier III and disclosing him as a liar. The crowd were also shocked to see that Xavier III was actually a Japanese.

Next day, when everything was over, Yuri parted with others. Fuu told Jin and Mugen that the samurai with sunflower aroma was her father and she could not forgive him.

Samurai Champloo #20: Elegy of Entrapment (Verse 1)

It was a raining when Fuu sought refuge from the rain outside a restaurant. The owner invited her to enter for food and shelter even though she had no money. Jin and Mugen immediately accepted the offer. In the restaurant, a blind singer was playing her instrument and singing sad songs about missing her child. Later, she sat with Jin, Fuu and Mugen where she was harrassed by two thugs. Mugen and Jin hit them away. When knowing their intention to travel to Nagasaki, she tagged along to thank them with her singing. With her street performance along the way, the group was able to get more money for decent meals and shelter. At an inn where Mugen intentionally popped into the hot spring with the blind singer - Sara, he later told Jin that Sara was a cautious woman. Sara asked Fuu to allow either Jin or Mugen to accompany her in the rest of her journey after they were to part. Fuu felt it hard to decide. At a Matsuri fair, Sara told the others that she had a child who was a boy but not with her because of her blindness causing her unable to take care of him. On the day of parting, Fuu asked Jin to take care of Sara and wept when they parted with Jin agreeing without hesitation. On a bridge, Sara suddenly attacked Jin.

Samurai Champloo #21: Elegy of Entrapment (Verse 2)

Jin and Sara fought and he was shocked of how skilled she was. To save himself, he was forced to slash the bridge into half, letting him and Sara fall into the river below.

Next morning, Mugen and Fuu learned of the broken bridge from the locals. Concerned as it was along Jin and Sara's route, they went to investigate and found Sara unconscious. Mugen found Jin's glasses. In a hut, Sara regained back to conscious while Mugen searched for Jin but no success. He found Sara's weapon instead and returned to the hut. Fuu took over. When Mugen and Sara were alone, Mugen made known his awareness of her possible in hand for Jin's disappearance. They went to a riverside and fought. Mugen was shocked to see her being a difficult opponent. She told him that she was doing this to save her child. Fuu arrived to see their fight and shielded Mugen with her body before Sara could kill him. Sara could not bring herself to kill them and left.

Other place, Jin woke and his saviour guided him with hidden phrases. He thanked him and left to reunite with Mugen and Fuu. Mugen and Jin agreed that someone powerful must have sent Sara as an assassin after them and were sure that she would come again. Mugen went out of the hut and faced off Sara again. Even though she gained advantage edge, she allowed herself to be killed under Mugen's katana as she was certain that her boy was already dead. Before she died, she told Mugen that the government had sent her to assassin them. Mugen screamed into the night air.

COMMENT: I think I'm liking the style of this anime with mixture of raps, traditional Japanese songs, music, humor and seriousness, plus lots of battles.

Samurai Champloo #22:

This episode is more like a ghost story than a samurai one. Narrator talked about shooting stars. Back to story, Fuu saw a shooting star in the sky and wished for finding samurai with sunflower aroma quickly. Mugen noticed a mushroom on the ground and devoured it instantly. He and Jin began to pluck the mushrooms around them despite Fuu's protest. After they finished their mushrooms, Fuu told them that fortune book stated the day was not suitable to eat mushrooms. As Mugen protested, all of them fell into a hole. When they came to, they were led out of the place by two men who felt like corpses to Fuu. Outside, they saw a few men digging the ground under instruction from a man who claimed he was the inheritor of the gold buried within the soil and made the trio digging for gold. Fuu found the incident suspicious and witnessed the man summoning all helpers from the soil. Apparently, all people were already dead. Same time, Jin discovered that the man was not the descendent of the clan he had claimed to be. Mugen tried to fight off the zombie attackers but in vain while Jin disclosed the man's no relation to the clan. The man was disappointed but insisted on continuing the work but he agreed not to attack them anymore. Meanwhile, a shooting star fell to earth, causing a giant explosion with mushroom like smoke from afar.

Samurai Champloo #23:

The narrator introduced baseball - a game from America. Back to story, a man - Manzou was looking out to sea from a cliff. Meanwhile, Fuu, Jin and Mugen were waiting for their food when plates of food not ordered from them came to their table. Mugen, ignoring Fuu's protest, began to eat the food. Fuu followed suit. Knowing they had not enough money for the food, Mugen ran away but was hit back by a baseball tossed by a man. Mugen was tied together with Fuu and Jin. All three of them were forced to play a game of baseball with the man who told them that it concerned the fate of the country.

Flashback, an American ship reached the Japanese shore, forcing the settlement to open up trade with them. The man interfered with challenge of baseball. If they won, the American had to leave, if they lost, they would agree to the American's terms. After some times of training, the trio together with the man, Manzou and the settlement head (an old man) plus a dog and Fuu's squirrel, they played the game against the American team. After times of victory from Japanese side, the American team began to play dirty, forcing Jin and others out of the game. Mugen played dirty back at them and won the competition. As a result, the American left.

Darker than Black - Ryuusei no Gemini #03:

Hei dreamed of Yin as she bided farewell to him with tears running down her eyes. When he woke, he found himself lying in a hut with Suou. He pinned Suou down. Later, the tied Suou demanded to know why Hei killed her father and tried to pursue her younger brother - Shion. Other place, three people were discussing of their mission that they had to succeed. Meanwhile, an organization was observing Nika and sent Tanya to extract information from him. In the hut, Suou’s mobile phone rang. Hei crushed it and pulled Suou into hiding after slicing her free. From some delivery, they knew Shion was currently in Japan.

At the train station, Hei tried to hold Tanya off so that Suou was to hide inside a train that would take off in 5 minutes’ time. He commanded Mao to protect and to watch over Suou. Suou was shocked to see Mao in the form of her pet squirrel. She saw Nika gravely injured and Tanya not hesitating to kill him and to capture her in order to gain position in her organization. Aghast and angry, Suou thought of her father’s death, April’s death and of her brother, the hidden power within Suou and her necklace began to activate. A long rifle appeared and she started to fire contactors according to directions issued by July. Afar, some people knew the end was beginning. From the train, Suou started shooting the pursuers including Tanya until Hei stopped her. Her activation paused and she passed out. Hei carried Suou and motioned July and Mao to leave with him.

In a building, Kirihara discussed with someone over the disappearance of BK-201’s star and subsequently communicated with her ex subordinate to extract information of Hei. Her subordinate warned her of section 35. Just then, an officer interrupted her time and wanted her to leave with him under section 35 that was to eliminate witnesses of contactors.

Samurai Champloo #16:

Mugen watched as a man fell from a cliff, enveloped in fire. Flashback, Mugen, Jin and Fuu were on their way to Nagasaki. Mugen asked Fuu her reason to pursue the samurai with sunflower aroma. When she refused to answer, he left her. Angered, Fuu decided to find the samurai alone. Concerned for Fuu, Jin followed her but was attacked by his foster brother who used to practice with him under the same teacher whom he had slain. Fuu was distracted by Mugen and Jin’s departure and in her pursue of her pet squirrel, she tripped and fell down a cliff into a lake. Other place, Jin told his foster brother – Yukimaru that he could tell the world that he had killed him if he wanted fame that much. With that, he jumped down the cliff. Other place, Mugen was attacked by a strangely dressed man who mistook him for his pursuers. When he realised his mistake, he left. Mugen went to rest by a bank and was attacked by the man’s pursuers.

Samurai Champloo #17:

Fuu woke to find herself in a cave where a man, who had earlier mistakenly attacked Mugen, had rescued and tended to her. He told her that he was travelling to the west and that his wife and child would always be beside him. Fuu asked him to let her tag along as she was going to the west as well. Other place, Mugen told the others that they had mistook him for someone else and got into a fight. After they realised their mistake, they tried to leave but Mugen threatened one of them with his katana and demanded to know the man’s crime. He was told that the man had killed everyone in his village and daimyo’s wife. Other place, Jin passed by and eavesdropped from the officers that they would kill Mugen if he interrupted their mission. Meanwhile, Mugen told the pursuers not to interrupt his finding of the man, as he wanted to fight him. Meanwhile, Fuu woke in the middle of the night to find the man missing. She ran into Jin who told her that he had been concerned of her well-being. In the woods, Mugen ran into the man who told him that the officers had massacred his people in the village with excuse to curb an infectious disease. He had returned to the village too late to see his family dead and his village burning. Mugen and the man dueled only to be interrupted by the officers who intended to kill both of them using burning arrows. When the man gave in, the officers shot him. Fuu and Jin arrived to see the burning man managing to kill some officers before leaping down the cliff to his death. Mugen witnessed his fall.

Another new day, Jin, Mugen and Fuu were on their way to Nagasaki. Mugen asked Fuu her intention to find the sunflower aroma samurai and she told him that she was seeking revenge on him for her mother’s death. The three of them went on their way.

Bleach #242:

After surrounding Byakuya and the Zanpakutous, the shinigamis faced off them respectively. Sai Fon faced off two Zanpakutous. Ichigo fought Bayakuya's Zanpakutou. Renji fought Bayakuya. Ikkaku fought and finally defeated his own Zanpakutou. His partner and his own Zanpakutou had a quarrel over their own images. Close to end of episode, Mayuri's Zanpakutou sneaked into the shinigami's quarters.

Bleach Issue #379: Beneath the Light of the Moon

Rukia noticed Ichigo's Hollow mask marking looking different from afar as Ichigo duelled Yammy. Meanwhile, Ichigo sensed his transformation was different as his mask seemed somehow heavier. Just then, Yammy crushed behind him. Ichigo was shocked to see Yammy not being affected by his Getsuga Tenshou. Yammy told Ichigo of his number - zero on his body. He stated he was stronger than any Espada in the world. Yammy sent his bala at Ichigo. Ichigo stated that if Yammy was an enemy he had to defeat, he would. Ichigo had vision of Orihime in pain as Yammy attacked him. Ichigo tried to don his mask but failed. Yammy grabbed him. Suddenly, someone attacked Yammy, slashing his arm. Byakuya and Kenpachi emerged from the smoke.

One Piece Issue #561: Luffy Vs Mihawk

Luffy rushed to fight Mihawk so that he could get closer to Ace. Two pirates went to Luffy's aid. Mihawk slashed them easily. Angered, Luffy attacked Mihawk with his rubber Gomu Gomu kicks. Suddenly, there was a glacier against the ships. Mihawk cut Buggy who was not much affected. Buggy was being exploded in the air and Luffy yelled that he would never forget him. Behind the glacier was many Kuma, ready to attack the pirates. Iva and Luffy were shocked.

Samurai Champloo #13:

Fuu, Jin and Mugen came to the seaside where Mugen met his old friends who had lived with him in the island where criminals were deported and grown roots there. His female friend was delighted to see him but his foster brother was not. After some arguments, his foster brother got Mugen to help him to attack a government ship for gold. Mugen told Fuu that if he did not return, she and Jin would have to proceed Nagasaki without him. Fuu was not happy. Later, the female friend rushed to tell Fuu and Jin that Mugen’s foster brother had meant to betray Mugen again in the mission.

On the sea, Mugen’s foster brother deserted Mugen on the government ship which he shortly blew up. On the shore, the female friend, Jin and Fuu saw the explosion. Fuu was aghast.

Samurai Champloo #14:

As Mugen sank into the sea, he thought of the past when his foster brother had betrayed him before resulting to Mugen being arrested by the government and to be executed at the edge of the cliff. Mugen leaped into the sea before the officers opened fire at him. Another flash, he recalled his meeting with the female friend who had been concerned of him.

Next day, Fuu was searching the shore when she found Mugen being washed ashore. She took him back and nursed him back to health. In a cave, Mugen’s foster brother disclosed the location of the stolen gold to a young man. Meanwhile, Jin and the female friend confronted Mugen’s foster brother who told the female friend to enter a hut to meet the young man. Jin killed Mugen’s foster brother who realised both of them had been tricked by the female friend and the young man. Mugen left Fuu to find his foster brother and met Jin who told him of the female friend’s betrayal. Mugen confronted and killed the young man, leaving the female friend who still did not know location of the gold, aghast and ashamed.

Samurai Champloo #15:

Jin found a small bag of gold in a lake. Together with Mugen and Fuu, they enjoyed themselves in a town. Jin and Mugen sneaked off to a prostitute lair. The only pretty prostitute was a spy to the owner of the lair who was actually running an illegal operation beneath the building. The organisation was suspecting the female spy and also planning to kill Mugen, Jin and Fuu for finding the illegal gold. The female spy lured Mugen into cracking the illegal operation and eliminated the organization. Next day, she left off with her comrade who was rescued from the lair, leaving Mugen still unconscious under the tree. Other place, Fuu was still looking for Jin and Mugen while Jin was suffering from back ache.

Naruto Shippuuden #132: Enter - The Six Path of Pain

Jiraiya managed to stop Ma and Pa toads from bickering and concentrated fighting the three Pains. After analysing, he noticed that one of them could summon creatures while another one could absorb Chakra. He also observed that the three men possessed the same Rinnegan and suspected the real Pain was among them. Suspecting that their close coordination was due to common sharing of their views through Rinnegan, Jiraiya was forced to hide in a piping.


Within the piping, Toad Ma and Pa gathered Chakra and forced their genjutsu song to trap the three Pains while Jiraiya stabbed them. Feeling sure that Pain was dead, Jiraiya walked towards the exit only to be hit out by one of the Pains. Out in the open, six Pains leaped out to confront the injured Jiraiya who identified one of them.

OMAKE:

Naruto invited Jiraiya on Air and asked embarrassing questions like when his Icha-Icha book was coming out as well as his payment of debts. Jiraiya silently apologised to Minato for not bringing his son - Naruto up well.

Samurai Champloo #12:

This episode is more of a flashback to the previous 11 episodes.

While Fuu was enjoying her hot spring, Mugen and Jin peeked her diary. They were pissed off when she had excluded her real reason for the journey and had kept her entries short and brief because she knew they would peek her diary when she was not around.

Fairy Tail #02:

Natsu led Lucy to Fairy Tail Guild, other place, the Magic Council was bemused over Fairy Tail wizard's creation of trouble again. In Fairy Tail Guild, Lucy was dumbfound to see all wizards into beers and fights until the Guild master interrupted them with a blast. The giantic looking Guild master turned out to be a tiny old man who encouraged the Guild wizards to fight for their belief despite complaints received from the magic Council. Lucy was accepted as part of Fairy Tail Guild.

While Natsu was looking on the board for offered jobs to wizards' missions, a little boy - Romeo stormed at Guild master, asking for his father who had not return since the last mission. Overhearing Romeo's anxiety and Guild master's inability to help, Natsu left off to look for Romeo's father - Macros. Lucy and Happy tagged along. In the snowy route, Natsu told Lucy that Macros' last seen mission was to fight Vulcans. Lucy recalled a fellow Guild member's saying that Natsu was brought up by a dragon - Leneel and was separated when it vanished one day. That was why Natsu could feel the same.

Along the way, Lucy was kidnapped by Vulcan. Natsu ran after it, demanding Macros' whereout. Lucy summoned a key ox but it was defeated by Natsu who mistook it for Vulcan. Natsu moved on and defeated Vulcan who reverted back to Macros. Macros told them that Vulcan took over human bodies into their forms. Macros had defeated 19 of them but was taken over by the 20th one. Macros reunited with the delighted Romeo who thanked Natsu, Happy and Lucy. Lucy began to like Fairy Tail Guild.

Dragon Ball Kai #28:

Vegeta tracked down Gohan and Karirin when the latters increased their speed to the elderly's place. Gohan moved ahead so that the elderly could wake his unawakened power while Karirin tried to block him off. In space, Goku got showered and meals after his training and went to take a nap. Other place, Vegeta sped beyond Karirin and Niel faced him. Vegeta sensed Gohan's increased power. The elderly told Denden that there were outside powers on their way here. Denden reverted the information to Niel, Gohan, Kiririn and Vegeta. Vegeta sensed 6 forces moving towards the planet and told them that Freeza was getting his 5 Ginyo special forces on the way. Niel told them that 5 of the forces were weaker. Niel told them that the dragon balls could grant 3 wishes. Gohan, Kiririn and Vegeta decided to work together against Freeza and flew off together to unite the 7 dragon balls. The elderly told Niel to go with them and he did.

Meanwhile, the 5 Ginyo special forces arrived and Freeza welcomed them. Bulma was shocked to see Kiririn and Gohan working together with Freeza.