Toki Reads Shonen Jump 2026, Issue#29: Blushing Week
Alternate Title: How Are You Alive Week
21. Sakamoto Days ch.263 (-5, Appreciated): With only Uzuki left, Gaku awakens to find himself patched up by Kashima, and realizes that Uzuki has taken on Takamura's personality. Nagumo brings Shishiba to a safehouse while re-arming himself for battle with Uzuki
Hm. Don't know how I feel about Gaku still being alive. I did feel like his death was a little too sudden for how much he'd been built up, but I also don't recall there being any indication that he had anything left to contribute to the story. I guess we still haven't really had a good opportunity to delve into Uzuki's past with the Al-Kamar kids, so I'll take it as a net positive for now
I was also beginning to wonder what Suzuki would do to make the final battle a bit more climactic than just Sakamoto vs Uzuki, so I guess bringing the heaviest hitters together is as good a way to do that as any
20. Animal Signal ch.2 (-13, Appreciated): Kokone and Tsubasa investigate a ghost sighting in Kokone's school, only for Kokone to run off in fear. Thanks to her mind-reading though, Kokone hears Tsubasa figure out that it's just a cat Anima teacher's eyes reflecting light as he walks the halls. To thank him, Kokone gets Tsubasa enrolled in the school
Again, it's cute, but they aren't...solving anything? Tsubasa is deducing answers, but they're not stopping threats or accomplishing anything. I guess that's fine for a gag series, but I'd like it if they don't wait too many chapters to start showing any level of real competence
19. Kinato's Magic ch.19 (-4, Appreciated): Surrounded by Majo, Kinato disarms them by relaxing their stiff bodies with seitai. Meanwhile, Jien saves a wounded Majo and learns that Sazaku has taken a forbidden medicine to boost her power in a bid to usurp Terasu's leadership
Okay, yeah, that makes more sense than Kinato being able to actually take them in a fight, I can get behind that, even if it's not going to be a practical solution in real life-or-death combat scenarios (as we're probably about to see)
I also said I expected a faction war, which I feel like I misworded - I knew we were going to Sazaku's rebellion here either way, I just kind of guessed that it would end up being the anti-Kinato and pro-Kinato factions setting aside their differences to fight the anti-Terasu faction to reunify the entirety of the Majo. Guess I was just overcomplicating it
18. Witch Watch ch.251 (-7, Appreciated): Miharu successfully swaps out Ban for Momochi, who he can share strategic codes with to even the score. Meanwhile, thanks to Ban's flight, Kanshi is able to take the fight to the top of the giant puppet
Classic good news phase, though honestly I barely remember Kanshi and Ban having a falling out in the first place, so I'm not particularly moved by their reconciliation. Still, I like the way that Kanshi's battle is resolved by both Ban and Miharu's skills making up for the vestigial Tengu traits that Kanshi lost, it really drives home the Friendship angle
17. Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz ch.8 (-4, Appreciated): To seek out the help of the Fallen Hero Mogura in the labyrinth beneath the school, Valaris and Surume hold tryouts to recruit explorers, only to learn that all of the best candidates have already been sniped by Saigo, a delinquent trying to take charge of the school
I appreciate the exposition for the power system, with the sigil abilities being derived from the darkness in the user's hearts, a classic narrative choice to explore the characters through their powers that works surprisingly well for Sorachi's sense of humor, but again, this chapter just hammers home that we're still sitting in the prologue. We're only just alluding to the idea that Class 2-B is taking charge to fight the heroes, but how far off are we from getting the Hero Destroyerz name? One more chapter? Two? Ten??
16. Nue's Exorcist ch.149 (-2, Appreciated): Returning to his old home, Gakuro meets his father's ghost, who explains that Gakuro was supposed to be raised to become Nue's contractor, but he sealed his Command Energy and memories so he'd be free of that burden. Now an adult, Gakuro is able to make the choice to fight of his own volition and reawakens his own power
Well...that was easy. I don't love how quick that turnaround was, or the fact that his dad took literally no convincing, but...I don't hate it, either
Basically Gakuro was supposed to have the same core backstory as Natsuki or Shiroha, being raised as a weapon with zero autonomy, but ended up back at exactly the point he was always meant to reach while also being free to find his own happiness. It's a direct rejection of the methodologies surrounding the rest of the cast, proof that you can have your cake and eat it too. The presentation may not be the most elegant, but I want to focus on the taste of the meat rather than the fork here
I'm also fond of the return to basics here; I don't adore Gakuro's original outfit, but if it means that he'll get a simpler ability devoid of all of the nonsense he kept getting from Nue, then I'm on board
15. Hal Formula ch.1 (NEW, Appreciated): WF4 racer Miharu, despite the admiration of his little brother Haruka, can't find the courage to take risks during his races until his constant poor performance threatens his career. In what may be his final race, Miharu accelerates through a crash when everyone else brakes, winning him the race
@wickedsick is right, this feels like a one-shot
I truly thought Miharu was going to die and Haruka would become the protagonist Akane-banashi style, but I feel like that would have defeated the purpose of the message - that sometimes in life, you have to take a risk
This kind of falls apart a bit when the commentator explicitly notes that Miharu's actions weren't actually commendable, they were suicidal, so it feels like the narrative is both congratulating and admonishing him for the character growth he literally needed to undergo
Still, the core of this chapter is the relationship between Miharu and Haruka, and in that regard I think it resonates quite well. If Terasaka can find the balance between taking risks and playing it safe, living free without throwing away that life, I think this series might well be able to go the distance
14. Hima-Ten! ch.94 (-11, Liked): Seeing Honoka nervous that Tenichi might choose Himari because of their closer relationship, Himeno advises her that the "strongest" girl doesn't always win the boy. We then get a flashback of Honoka's perspective on the start of their relationship
This chapter still doesn't elevate Honoka from the lowest Best Girl for me, but I do find the way her middle school self fantasized about getting married to be quite sweet and endearing
Also appropriate that Himeno's advice basically comes down to "just because you're not Best Girl doesn't mean you won't win;" in fiction and in life, romance is not about making the "objective best choice," it's about following your heart. Sometimes people who are closer just work better as friends, or one simply doesn't think of the other that way, There's so much nuance here, you really can't put a quantifiable measure on it
...That said, if literally EVERYONE involved actively has romantic feelings for each other, there's NO REASON for anyone to *lose* in the first place...
13. Me & Roboco ch.285 (+4, Liked): The boys build a secret base in the woods, but day by day compete for majority ownership with increasingly elaborate additions
I think this might be my favorite style of gag in this series, seeing these boys weaponizing their friendship with each other in a way that just ends up making them closer friends
12. Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi ch.96 (-4, Liked): To cram for finals, Kiyoshi invites a study group to the Gates of Hell, and manages to pass!
Nothing really all that special about this chapter, but it was sweet! I especially liked that when Akari asked which of his classmates Kiyoshi was interested in, no attention was paid to that girl from the bowling chapter, and then Oka showed up almost immediately! ...Which could mean nothing...
11. Blue Box ch.246 (-6, Liked): As Taiki defeats Yusa and earns his place at Nationals, his promise anklet finally snaps. At the awards ceremony, Chinatsu advises Iozaki that when his efforts fall short, he just needs to have friends he can rely on
Nice little summary of this arc's thesis, I believe basically exactly what I said last week. As I asked previously, though - where the hell can we go from here? Yusa vowed to defeat Taiki at Nationals, but are we going to see him try? It feels kind of redundant, since he's the only character we know who would even be there
It also looked like that reporter said Nationals already happened, so did we jump forward? Chinatsu's birthday is in late August, so it would make sense I guess, but I don't know the schedule for Japanese high school badminton. If we are skipping Nationals entirely, we've gotta be getting close to the ending, so I imagine that we're going to have X number of chapters just dedicated to discussing their relationship and their futures?
10. Under Doctor ch.20 (-2, Liked): Upon learning of Kusumi's unhealthy eating habits, Haiji takes it upon himself to make him a balanced home-cooked meal. After the meal, Kusumi informs Haiji of a rumor he heard about someone impersonating him
As interested as I am in the impersonator, I'm way more engaged with how sweet that little vignette was of Kusumi watching everyone eat. His obsession with taking photos of people has generally been depicted as perverse, but this made him feel like part of a family, and I really enjoyed that
9. Roku's House of Oddities ch.10 (+4, Liked): Roku invites Altra out to play to get to know her better and learns that she was sealed in a dark room for 300 years. Because she's just a doll, she doesn't know anything about the world or what she wants, so Roku, inspired by a skink coming out of hibernation, tells her that she isn't lifeless, but instead has the opportunity to discover what kind of life she wants to lead
DAT'S MY FREAKIN' DAWTUH!!! ;0;
Not only is Altra incredibly cute and endearing, but this was a really good moment for Roku too - we got to both learn a bit more about his interests in science (specifically biology) and see how it ties into his own worldview, making him a much more interesting lead and focal point for exploring the rest of the cast
8. Ruri Dragon ch.47 (-5, Liked): As Ruri runs away from the rampaging dragon, she realizes she can fight back with her own powers, though they hurt more to use than she would have thought. A stranger appears to explain the dragon is going through a spurt, and Ruri resolves to fight it until it calms down
I'm a tad conflicted about Ruri getting into a more traditional shonen battle when this whole series has basically been "what if a shonen battle protagonist was in a slice of life instead," but damn if this chapter didn't look cool enough to get me hyped for what's coming next
7. Shinobi Undercover ch.85 (+3, Liked): Yodaka's arguments manage to get Fukuro to admit some oversight on the Great Family's parts, but she remains resolute that allowing Kasasagi to remain head of the Uzen would spark unrest. When Yodaka objects to placing politics over the core mission, Fukuro dismisses him because he doesn't have any ties to the Great Families...until Mimizuku reveals that Yodaka is set to marry into a former Great Family through Aoi
Oh boy, guess we're really leaning into the romance angle now, huh? This should be...hard to watch, haha...Still, I'm excited to see where this goes, and the flow of the discussion made enough logical sense that I was pretty *engaged* the entire time!
...Oh god, how's Kasasagi gonna react to this?
6. One Piece ch.1845 (+2, Liked): Brook recounts the events leading up to Shuri's birth, where Candelle mysteriously fell ill after Esperia was visited by the Celestial Dragons. Sometime later, Esperia is beset by a mist that corrodes their instruments and eventually claims Candelle; in financial ruin, Esperia cannot pay the Celestial Tribute, and is soon besieged by the World Government. Brook rushes to the throne room to find that, under the effects of Domi Reversi, Shuri has killed Leuven
So it seems pretty obvious that Candelle was impregnated during the CD's initial visit and Oda just wants to be judicious about how he broaches that subject. I imagine that this has something to do with the corrosive mist as well, likely part of a bigger play by Imu to get Shuri since she's apparently pretty important to him
There's a lot of mystery and intrigue going on that I'm not confident we'll have resolved by the end of this flashback, as it's clear that Brook being consistently out of the loop is a major factor. Hopefully he'll get closure by the end of Elbaph, it's tragic to think that Brook has been holding on to so many misunderstandings for the better part of a century
5. Kagurabachi ch.124 (+8, Loved): Upon hearing the decision to sacrifice Chiaki, Akemura approaches the new head of the Soga Clan with intent to kill, but is reeled in by Chiaki. Meanwhile, Hasumi loses his job helping to steal the Datenseki for Kunishige...and the Enchanted Blade Project begins
The artistry of this chapter was really solid - the forge being lit at the end was obviously a technical highlight, but a more subtle detail that I really enjoy is the sheer range of expressions we see from Akemura, ranging from sopping wet tears to searing bloodlust
Giyu offhandedly telling Akemura that he could save Chiaki by killing the Mikaboshi also clearly sets off the dominoes of the entire rest of the series, which neatly lines up with him becoming the first Swordbearer after Kunishige's half of this chapter. This even creates a fun contrast with Giyu's approach as new head of the Soga, as his first words are of him anticipating manifesting the Kurotsuchi sorcery, while Akemura will inevitably eschew that same sorcery in favor of Magatsumi
4. Ichi the Witch ch.86 (+2, Loved): Having been freed by Tricaputo, Desscaras works on restraining the rest of the group under Fujimine's control. However, her shirt gets torn, and Fujimine notices the seal for her blood contract...getting her a stab right in the neck when she directs killing intent towards Ichi
It would be really easy to just put everything on any one character's shoulders in situations like this, but Nishi has thus far proven pretty good at dividing up the labor and making everyone feel like an active participant. It's almost never just "Ichi fights the villain" or "Desscaras is strong enough to handle everything alone;" it's pretty always a team battle, where everyone falls into distinct roles, direct or supportive, and giving Ichi a way to do that while he's still under mind control demonstrates that strength excellently
Also Fujimine getting that big blushy smile as she puts together Desscaras' weak point gives strong Toga-vibes, I love her
3. Drawn to the Fire ch.9 (+1, Loved): After Keiki goads Higurashi into a bet to join the basketball team, Akane seems rather down. During the game, Higurashi proves himself a solid small forward, but has trouble keeping up with Keiki's deceptive style, prompting him to reflect on how he failed to receive Keiki's passes in their final middle school game
Ah, the classic self-blame game; both Keiki and Higurashi think that they're the ones in the wrong, and unfortunately Keiki's vocalization of that ended up funneling Higurashi's internalized insecurities into anger directed at Keiki. "Why *don't you* blame me? Why *aren't you* mad at me? Who said you needed to apologize?" Higurashi is self-aware, but he lacks the emotional maturity to actually take responsibility in any meaningful way other than lashing out when someone else tries to do it in his place. I suppose this could be another application of the light imagery if played right - that ironically by Keiki directing the light of blame on himself, Higurashi's own darkness is left to fester
I think this is also what's going on with Akane, as Higurashi being a small forward puts them in direct comparison; where Akane was able to keep up with Keiki, Higurashi wasn't, and yet for as desperately as Keiki didn't want to play with Akane, he *does* with Higurashi. Akane and Higurashi both see Keiki struggling to be with someone incompatible with him, and they're both jealous of the other because of it
2. Akane-banashi ch.210 (=, Loved): As he did for his mother when she was struggling, Kaisei uses good humor and childlike joy to relax the audience after Akane's high-tension performance. With the crowd back on board, Kaisei uses his story's magic words to dispel their concept of Akane's God of Death
Damn, that's clever! I almost feel silly spelling it out, but using the story being told to diegetically target Akane's version of the same character is such an inspired way to convey the narrative! I'm also once again impressed about how clever it was for Kaisei to turn his story into a sequel - it's such a natural way to revisit the same core ideas without feeling like a rehash, and in fact capitalizes on the fact that the audience just experienced it. I'm with Kaichi on this one, I really don't want to see either Kaisei or Akane lose, I just want to see them both succeed at this point!
1. Someone Hertz ch.37 (=, Loved): Once again worried that his classmates will think they're dating, Mimei tries to keep some distance from Kurage, only to end up seated behind her in class. When Kurage's friends point out that her ears are red from how happy she is about it, she starts covering them with her hair
STOP! TEASING ME! GET TOGETHER!!! YOU'RE PRACTICALLY CONFESSING TO EACH OTHER EVERY TIME YOU TALK ABOUT OWL-WOODS SURPASSING EEL POTATO, JUST DO IT ALREADY!!!
It's gonna be at a seemingly random time, I know it. Yamano's probably not even going to do it when Mimei wins the Listener Koshien, he's gonna either do it right before or some time waaay after. The tension is gonna get wound so tight that it's gonna seem like it'll never come undone and then Yamano's just gonna snap it out of nowhere, and I won't know what to do any better than Kurage will!
Animal Signal Chap.4: as if the author heard @tokiro07 's pleas personally, Kokone solved the case! I really did think the top researcher guy was gonna be poisoned by her cooking though, I won't even lie. I thought Tsubasa defeating the snake chef with the terrible omirice was a little bit out of nowhere, but it wasn't unbelievable. I'm really enjoying the manga so far! It balances information and comedy in a very cute bundle, even if I wished the animas looked a little more animalistic.
Someone Hertz Chap.39: THAT WAS CUTE~ I generally think that about Hertz every week. I love to see the station staff remembering them both! Maybe in future we will get to properly meet and interact with them!
Ichi the Witch Chap.88: Kumugi bouta have her arc, mark my word. She's being set up. She's about to go ape shit. HER MAGIC WILL BE UNLEASHED!! How often can we establish how hard she works on improving her magic and control before it becomes apparent that she is going to wipe the floor when her mental blocks are removed?
Shinobi Undercover Chap.87: why is it writing this that I realised Shinobi and Ichi are both from the same serialisation period. How excellent for them both to do so well! Anyway the chap was good, setting up the next arc. Not sure I like the growing implications of Hibari has feelings for Yodaka too. I thought she had decent chemistry with Umineko honestly, (albeit at the risk of pairing everyone off as if they need a partner, which they dont). Anyway I'm not sure I like the development of Yodaka needing to marry Aoi, when we have no idea how she feels(even tho we know how stories like this run, obviously she will end up/is already crushing on him). They're highschoolers! I know its a common trope but it always rubs me the wrong way, and I dropped Yozakura Family immediately for exactly the same reason. I won't drop Shinobi over this development because obviously we have a lot of work to go before reaching that point, but I am cautious.
Hima-Ten Chap.96 END: oh boy. The reason I'm writing all of this. Here we go.
I always had mixed feelings about Hima-ten. I never liked the sexualisation of the teens as pin-up models. I thought Himari was way too relaxed and well-rested for a model/ceo/highschooler (but im willing to suspend disbelief). I didn't like how Kanna was dropped from the story as soon as Iemori rejected her. I thought some choices were idealised outcomes that would never have worked in life. However, I liked the way Iemori tried to genuinely consider all of his romantic interests, and I liked how much time and appreciation he gave them all. He really worked to know them and acknowledge them. I liked that the story stayed within its premise and never became anything bigger or more complicated, because it didn't need to do that. The art is charming and I can see this becoming a decent anime eventually.
I am a little disappointed by the ending. I liked Honoka just fine, and I liked how Iemori rationalised his own feelings, but it felt like a safe ending. The series is called Hima-Ten, not Hono-Ten! I get Himari and Iemori had a profound connection as friends and growing as people, but it still kind of feels like they're not that much different from where they began. They said a lot of words for not a lot of changes.
I'm not sure what I would have done differently. I almost dropped the series several times along the way, and now it's over, I don't feel better or worse for following it to the end. It just feels like a very safe story that doesn't inspire me to make art for it or in spite of it. It isn't a bad story by any means, and as far as shonen jump endings, we have certainly had worse from long-running series recently. I'm glad it wrapped up quickly after Iemori asked Honoka out and didn't make drama between them for drama's sake, and it respects the characters enough to see their choices as final. I'm glad the characters respect each other enough for that. I have always appreciated how Ono-sensei gave the girls agency over their own decisions and had them take charge of their lives and relationships, instead of waiting for Iemori to come to them. I just wish he had sexualised them (KANNA) a little less.
That's all for today. Thanks for reading! I miss my darling Kagurabachi already... rest up, Hokazono...
sorry Otr and Taira. You didn't fit. and also don't have enough chapters. Sorry Kou, same thing but also you haven't interacted with much characters. Sorry Nagiharu, the team dynamics are still being set up (great set up though). Sorry Luffy you have popularity. I mean so do a few of these but also you have 900+ chapters that could be used as examples soooo.
The 4 newest and the oldest running WSJ publications are sitting this one out. Also Juzo Ogami is out because his manga ended. (he beat the allegations). Also because there's only 12 slots on a Tumblr poll
why not rank their relative rizz as well. add other ended/cancelled Jump protagonists to your rankings too. It's interesting data.
I got real chills from this. This is the sort of moment that makes me excited for an anime - I wanna hear him scream.
One Piece wins "oh shit."
Mu is terrifying and awesome. Loki, if you were gonna do anything, I'd say now is the time.
Kagurabachi wins "huh?"
Okay, this is weird. Eternal Contracts seem to say this is impossible, but there's evidently some fuckery going on. And what was with the "centipede"? Current theory is that this is the Sword Master, manipulating Uruha's corpse with the Shinuchi to trick Hakuri into freeing him.
Sakamoto Days wins "best spread"
Holy shit that's good. The bodies falling into the tunnel, the water turning bloody as it surrounds Shin... Did everyone at Jump just decide to lock in this week?
Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi wins "best character development"
Alright, I like Hitsugi now. The lock-in streak continues.
Shinobi Undercover wins "showing off"
This chapter was basically just here to show how insane the single-digit squads are compared to anyone else, but it was a good time.
I was physically incapable of reading Witch Watch this week. Secondhand embarrassment was too much.
Hima-Ten wins "best side characters"
Rom-coms always have pretty fun side characters. I like this little sister, she's manipulative.
Otr of the Flame wins "best quick gags"
Sixteen is funny. I like his little non-contributions to the conversation.
Akane-Banashi wins "best thematic musing"
I have a fondness for the selfish and greedy characters, especially when that selfishness and greed can become something positive. Dr. Stone's Ryusui, FMA's Greed, and all of the Akane-Banashi characters - they're greedy in the best ways.
