Fairy Tail Chapter 444-445 – Emperor Zeref

Will be interesting to see if the Spriggan Twelve can even match up to Acnologia

What an unexpected development yet one which holds a very logical basis behind it. The reason behind the Alvarez Empire desiring Lumen Histoire is all connected to Zeref and his currently unrevealed reason or reasons for desiring it. Zeref is currently the Emperor of Alvarez, an Empire which he created solely for the purpose of countering Acnologia. Since the Empires conception, Zeref has been preparing for the Dragon King Festival, a festival where Humans, the Dragon King and himself engage in battle to see who will be the ultimate victor. Within that festival of survival, I assume Zeref too plans for the whole situation to further pull Natsu towards his role as E.N.D. Ultimately, what Zeref desires is to be killed by E.N.D.

Bleach Chapter 636 – Zaraki and Mayuri VS Pernida

What else does the mysterious Sternritter have hidden beneath their twisted form?

The contrasting tactics of Zaraki and Mayuri against a mysterious foe with an unknown power really does create an interesting illustration of two captains personalities and the strengths the each possess. Zaraki via brute force and insane endurance and Mayuri through observation and the madness he possesses. One could argue that the two compliment each other and through Zaraki, Mayuri was able to deduce the enemy’s ability and possibly through Mayrui, Zaraki will have an opening to exploit to deal the finishing blow. Should be exciting to see what else Pernida has in store for the two captains and whether s/he can overcome the countermeasures Mayuri has for his/her ability.

One Piece Chapter 794 – Sabo’s Struggles

Will Sabo be meeting the rest of Luffy’s crew soon?

I had suspected that there was a genuine reason for Sabo not being at Ace’s execution trying to save him, but for him to have become amnesic after the explosion of his ship when he left the Goa King, I can’t help but see the convenience in that twist. Sure it is to be expected that an explosion and shock can cause a person to suffer memory loss, but in this case, it does feel a little too convenient that Sabo only managed to regain his memory after Ace had died. It is not a terribly illogical development, as the possibility had crossed my mind, but I was expecting something much more…surprising.

Bleach Chapter 635 – The Sternritter Elite Four

With Yhwach asleep, Jugram gains the Almighty power of foresight

Finally we get to see Yhwach’s Elite Force in action targetting the Shinigami. With the four members splitting up and encountering different opponents, it will be interesting to find who the final opponent they will each fight will be. Will Grimmjow be able to take out Askin or will it take a combined effort with Ichigo and Co. to take him down. As for the other Elite Force Sternritter, they are beginning to show just why they were able to take out the Zero Division earlier in the arc. As for Jugram, looks like he has woken up with Yhwach going to sleep. I wonder what “future” Jugram saw…

Fairy Tail Chapter 443 – Brandish μ

What a display of sheer power…

What a spectacular display of overwhelming power. With just a stamp, wave and stare, she utterly silenced any doubt in Alvarez’s military might and to top it all off she sunk a whole Island, albeit a small one, but still she sunk an Island! Exhibiting characteristics that border the extremes of severe and indifferent, one can’t help but be charmed by her apparent inconsistent and obscure approach to duty. At the same time as being unconcerned about what Fairy Tail does (leaving them alone to their own devices), she wholeheartedly conveyed the terror awaiting them down the path of their current destination they are traveling. It is a peculiar personality Brandish has, one which boldly stamps its identity within the manga over just one chapter. I look forward to seeing the types of personalities the other Spriggan Twelve have.

One Piece Chapter 793 – Isshou’s Gamble

The reason behind Isshou’s restraint in stopping Doflamingo is revealed

It is starting to make complete sense now, the reason for Isshou’s restraint in dealing with Doflamingo directly despite the Dressrosa citizens being in danger and the belief Isshou placed within the Straw Hat Pirates to see his gamble fulfilled. In order to perpetuate a change, Isshou needed the world to see in its uncensored truth just how corrupt and dangerous the sanctioned Shichibukai system is and the inability of the Marines to actually do anything to prevent the Shichibukai from exploiting their power to subjugate nations and from continuing to exploit it. By bringing to light the destruction and chaos caused by Doflamingo, Isshou is opening the eyes of everyone to the disadvantages of the Shichibukai and has in essence begun the ultimate end of such a power.

Bleach Chapter 634 – Goodbye My Friend

We have really come to care about these two characters and the friendship they share…

The way the past of Jugram and Bazz are intertwined into the climax of their fight to reflect their pathing beliefs once entering the Sternritter completely heightens the meaning and significance of the fight. We have come to care about the relationship Bazz and Jugram share over the last few chapters and even though we had known that this fight can only end one way, we have still come to open ourselves to the hard decision Jugram had to make in the end. The two may have been on opposite ends for this fight, but in the end, despite the result, they were still friends…

Fairy Tail Chapter 442 – The Threat Of Alvarez

I feel like some mango gelato now…

Well that didn’t take long, a Spriggan Twelve member appears! And here I was wondering if we would have to wait until Alakitasia for the serious Alvarez Empire mages to show up. Looks like there is more substance to the threat the Alvarez Empire poses than I had initially surmised. I doubt Natsu and Co. will end up defeating a Spriggan Twelve member so soon in this arc, so I am curious to see what Erza and Co. will do once they find a way to escape from Marin’s space magic – surely the threat the Spriggan Twelve members represent for Fairy Tail in this arc is an element central to its story. Once Marin is defeated, I can see Erza and Co. escaping Brandish.

One Piece Chapter 792 – The Rightful King

Despite his lack of action during the arc, Isshou desperately wanted to help stop Doflamingo

What a surprising gesture by Isshou and the Marines towards King Riku and the whole of Dressrosa whom have suffered because of the World Governments lack of control over the Shichibukai. Doflamingo was able to exploit the Shichibukai system and blackmail the World Government to turn a blind eye to the dealings and shady activities he had going on. It was because of that power that the people of Dressrosa have suffered so greatly for the past ten years. Isshou realises this and through his actions of expressing his sincere regret and sorrow, he is attempting to mend the relationship between the rightful king of Dressrosa, King Riku Dold, and the World Government.

Bleach Chapter 633 – Jugram Haschwalth

Interesting, so Yhwach’s existence is a state a Quincy can be born as

It is starting to make much more sense now, the relationship between Jugram and Yhwach and the understanding the two share. It may be due to the uniqueness of Jugram that he found himself unable to fully connect with another person and as a result always found himself out-of-place despite being with a friend. However, the moment Yhwach appeared and expressed an understanding of what Jugram was going through and felt, Jugram found himself instantly drawn to that understanding and connection. Through the similarity of the uniqueness they share, they have come to understand each other, and in particular for Jugram, he has found a place to exist – next to Yhwach.