Eyeshield 21 15
November 21, 2007
I’m a bit behind on this series, which is sad because it’s still really good, unlike other, more popular Shounen Jump series which sucked after they’d run this long. Really, this could be a veiled reference to many series, but since Bleach pissed me off lately and hasn’t been good in a long time, I’m thinking of that one in particular.
We get the end of the game with the Poseidons, which is predictably epic. I had forgotten about the rivalry between two of the players, and I was really pleased that it wound up being the deciding factor in the game, especially since it was a Devil Bat who is often overlooked.
Things are wound up for the next game when a character for Sena’s past is introduced and just happens to play on the Football team of the school Deimon’s up against next. This is the kid who taught Sena how to run, so they’re going to have a little run-off. We’ll see how that goes.
One of the more notable things in this volume, though, is the field day event which Hiruma exploits as a training session for the football team. Hiruma, Baldy, and Manager wind up on the team against everyone else on the football team, and somehow Hiruma convinces the two mild-mannered characters to be totally scary for the duration of the field day. It was one of those hilarious character situations which so few authors can pull off well, and just goes to prove once again that this series not only has great characters, but an awesome sense of humor. Well, for the most part. I… wish it were more sympathetic sometimes. Especially… you know. It’s really bad at some things.
At the very end, we get more Musashi stuff. I hope he’s finally drug into things after 15 volumes.
November 21, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Around where does Bleach start to suck for you? I’ve just finished volume 13, which I thought was very good.
Keep in mind, I know nothing about what’s coming up, so try not to spoil me. :)
November 22, 2007 at 12:01 am
Where would you say Bleach goes bad? I just finished volume 13, and it was pretty awesome.
November 22, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I just really got bored of the Soul Society bits. I had trouble keeping track of all the different characters that kept popping in and out in bit parts, and I just could not get into all their dramatic fights. I would have been fine with it, except it went on for way too long (I think it just wrapped up in volume 20), and the explanation for everything kind of came out of nowhere and ran contrary to what had been set up along the way.
I was ready to like it again when I read volume 21 and a new story arc started, because the series is very cool, but there was just… the most insane… minor character upgrade I’ve ever seen in manga. I could not deal with it. I’ll still read it, mind you, but I’m pretty disgusted with it at this point.
November 23, 2007 at 3:35 am
I’ve been marathoning it from the library, so maybe that makes a difference. I’m not having to wait two months between volumes, so keeping track of all the SS folks isn’t so bad. Plus, I kinda made a chart. :)
November 23, 2007 at 5:22 am
I think a chart would have definitely helped me ^_^;
December 7, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Augh! Nooo! So behind! Well…then again…what are the english volumes up to? Uh..and without blatantly spoiling anything, I can say, it only gets better and better :D..and better..and better..and…lol
December 8, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Bleach or Eyeshield? Woah, I was gonna say the English release wasn’t too far behind the Japanese release for Eyeshield, but it looks like there is about a 10 volume margin at this point. I’m pumped about Eyeshield, but less so about Bleach. I’m willing to believe I’ll like it again after reading the ten volumes between where the Japanese release is right now, though. I’m not sure how they’re going to pull off the Isshin thing so that I come around, but maybe they will. I want to like that series.
December 12, 2007 at 10:26 am
I meant Eyeshield. And…sigh, I hate to break it to you, but if the whole Isshin thing bugged you in Bleach, I do not predict good things in your future with the series :D.
December 14, 2007 at 5:07 am
Bah. I’ve been wavering on Bleach for quite some time. I don’t think I have it in me to drop it straight out unless it gets way worse, but I’ll probably keep reading and complaining ^_^;