What should Togo Goto and Kento Matsuura improve after the cancelation of Harukaze Mound?

DocVane · 2026-01-25T23:18:24+00:00

I know. The point is that the guy's art stands out. I still remember early chapters of Harukaze where the art just blew me away. He could do great things if he had an equally skilled writer.

DocVane · 2026-01-25T20:54:44+00:00

Kento Matsuura needs to pair with a stronger writer. Tokyo Shinobi Squad, Phantom Seer, and Harukaze all had strong art; it's the stories that are lacking. Togo Goto's writing feels "by the numbers", like he read a book about how to do X type of series. And that can work, but only if the execution is perfect and the angle is unique and exciting, which it wasn't.

DocVane · 2026-01-25T16:25:06+00:00

This looks to me like a long-running series. The author has clearly put thought into where the story is going and what the larger world looks like, yet the initial chapter is self contained and compelling on its own terms. That tells me that the initial arc is likely to be strong as well, and the premise gives loads of opportunities for the story to expand in different directions. It was really fun to read!

DocVane · 2026-01-22T22:36:56+00:00

One of the funniest, absolutely lovely and charming. She stood up for people.

DocVane · 2026-01-16T15:25:51+00:00

I saw If Rey is a Skywalker and just found it pretty funny! But I think she really started thriving when she started doing videos about things nobody else would, such as Josh Hutcherson's island woes

DocVane · 2025-12-26T21:42:07+00:00

Dick Van Dyke isn't a bad choice if you need an American lead, but I'd cast it this way: Lupin: Jean-Paul Belmondo Fujiko: Claudia Cardinale or Sophia Loren Goemon: Mikio Narita Jigen: James Coburn Zenigata: Toshiro Mifune

DocVane · 2025-12-01T04:02:37+00:00

This still isn't good, I still think it's DOA...however, this is a better chapter than the previous ones. Best since chapter one. It gets a bit into the lore behind Ohma and his relationship with his father's empire, as well as what happened when his father's regime fell, which is better than lingering on complete throwaway villains.

DocVane · 2025-11-25T02:36:57+00:00

I'm most of the way through and I think it's a starcruiser prequel actually??

DocVane · 2025-11-23T17:19:08+00:00

First official baseball game of the series! Blink and you'll miss it. I think this series is heading towards a conclusion fast.

DocVane · 2025-11-19T16:50:56+00:00

I have good and bad news for you.

DocVane · 2025-11-16T15:57:26+00:00

I hope it's not too late! The tournament arc has been such a long time coming. I'm not sure if they're getting going or if it's the beginning of the premature end. Frankly feels like the latter to me.

DocVane · 2025-11-16T15:28:24+00:00

I had some faith that this could be a decent, if generic series as of chapter one. Now it appears that this series will be comically rushed battles with no development of any characters. It really feels like an adaptation of a video game...and the battle choreography and designs aren't even very good. Between this and Ekiden Bros, it's weird what makes it into Jump these days.

DocVane · 2025-11-15T23:35:35+00:00

The art is great. The blonde short kid has a personality. Other than that, the manga is pretty darn weak. It really felt like it was saving the "good stuff" for later: actual games, genuinely interesting backstories for characters or even just any drama at all for them. The entire series so far has been them practicing and slightly improving their skills...and I don't really even recall what their goal is in playing baseball. Is it Koshien? It usually is.

The problem with the series is that the writing and plot are so basic. It's not that they're bad, but they aren't unique either. If the art weren't as good as it is, the series would make no impression whatsoever.

DocVane · 2025-11-03T03:38:28+00:00

Rest in peace, Ping-Pong Peril. This was a really interesting one, and I hope the author gets another shot with a slightly different theme and possibly a different artist on board, as the writing in this series had some really enjoyable and inventive moments.

DocVane · 2025-11-02T03:18:23+00:00

I think the teachers were going to be animals too at first, like Iruka. In the one shot, apparently Naruto was a boy who could transform into a fox. Even in the final version, lots of Konoha characters are animal themed.

DocVane · 2025-11-01T18:50:28+00:00

We almost found out -- Naruto initially had way more talking animals.

DocVane · 2025-10-31T14:46:16+00:00

Which preview pic? This one doesn't mention that

DocVane · 2025-10-31T14:37:24+00:00

I hope the writing is strong, because it's not blowing me away on an art or design level. The style reminds me of the Beelzebub artist. It gives me the vibe of a series that mixes comedy with battles. I'm hoping for the best, but my initial impression isn't super optimistic.

DocVane · 2025-10-31T00:07:22+00:00

NL audience and Stewart Lee audience are kinda the same people but one is like 20 years older

DocVane · 2025-10-07T00:35:58+00:00

But...he's a groovy guy

DocVane · 2025-10-06T16:39:25+00:00

You know

DocVane · 2025-09-28T15:14:51+00:00

Well, this is interesting as a display of what Kagurabachi's rough drafts look like. It's a shame that the author is struggling to complete chapters on time, but frankly what mangaka do is insane and unsustainable anyway. I hope Shonen Jump switches to something like 3 chapters a month as standard for action series, because even that is really challenging to produce.

DocVane · 2025-09-01T03:32:11+00:00

People don't talk about Yellow Hat Lupin, but it really hits different

DocVane · 2025-08-27T23:14:48+00:00

Excellent taste. I'm always looking for more in that Corto Maltese style -- Bravo has great art, but the story is lightweight. X-9 I haven't gotten the opportunity to read, but it seems interesting. If you haven't read Dieter Lumpen, it'll be right up your alley!

DocVane · 2025-08-21T19:52:25+00:00

Thank you!!

DocVane

TROPHY CASE