Welcome to This Week in Shonen Jump, in which a rotating duo of Multiversity staffers take a look at two stories contained in each installment of Viz Media’s Weekly Shonen Jump. For the uninitiated, Weekly Shonen Jump is an anthology that delivers more than 200 pages of manga of all varieties. We hope that you’ll join us in exploring the world of Weekly Shonen Jump each week. If you are unfamiliar, you can read sample chapters and subscribe at Viz.com.
This week, Ken and Robbie – who knew each other prior to joining Multiversity, coincidentally – dive into two stories, one brand new, and one quite old. If you have any thoughts on the two titles discussed this week, or thoughts on “My Hero Academia,” “We Never Learn,” “The Promised Neverland,” “Black Clover,” “Food Wars,” or “Rwby,” let us know in the comments!
U19 Chapter 1
Written & Illustrated by Yuji Kimura
Review by Ken Godberson III
School is a horror show. There’s a lot of pressure put on students that they need to be Absolutely Successful at school to be considered anything worthwhile and it seems to be very much an intercultural aspect. With that in mind: “U19” (Under 19). In the year 2036, Japan is under the government of the “Grown-Up Party” and has completely revolutionized the education system. This system? Well it’s a kind of ranking system that will determine the kinds of job opportunities and outright privileges you can have once you reach 20. Those that don’t make the cut are considered “No-Good Grownups”. According to this “regimine” such things like being able to write down notes quickly or being right-handed can contribute to being “a Responsible Adult”. On top of that, teachers are fully allowed to utilize corporal punishment (one example is a sadistic teacher shaving a girl’s head because having hair below your shoulders can make you a “No-Good Grown-Up”).
Enter Eiji Kudo, our protagonist. A pacifist by nature, but has a clear grudge against the system, considering the notion that him being a boy that likes sewing is the first step to being a No-Good Grown-Up. He tries to find stability among his friends even as the continuing pressures build up. We see that he comes from a less-than-well meaning family, but seemingly buy into the Grown-Up Party’s nonsense. It’s very reminiscent of…well let’s face it… going ons today. Of people that are unwilling to think critically or just use basic common sense.
This book reminds me a bit of “Assassination Classroom” but from a different perspective. Both manga take a look at education systems, the pressures put on children, and how people perceive students of different academic ability. But there is a difference. Bear in mind I’m comparing one chapter here with the seven volumes of the other that I’ve read, but “Assassination Classroom” is from a more micro perspective, the relationship between teacher and student and how it has to adapt and change depending on the student. “U19” is more macro, looking at the system and society’s perspective, and in some cases, contempt about “bad” students.
Kimura’s artwork is for the most part pretty good. There is a bit of “One Piece” in some cases, with incredibly emotional expressions, whether for comedy or for the incredibly sinister when it comes to members of the Grown-Up Party. Likewise, panels structure works as well, if basic. The art also isn’t afraid to be explicit about what it’s talking about, the big example being a representative of the GUP wearing an armband very reminiscent of those old Goose-Stepping Shitheads that are creeping up again. And unlike last week’s premiere, this book doesn’t indulge in creepy ecchi bullshit, which makes it automatically better.
Final Verdict: 6.8 – A decent introduction to a story that has load of potential to talk about some important issues.
One Piece Chapter 855
Written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda
Reviewed by Robbie Pleasant
855… that’s a big number for any series, especially one that comes out on a weekly basis. But “One Piece” has managed to keep its momentum going through all those hundreds of chapters thanks to its combination of character, heart, humor, and action, set in a well-developed and constantly expanding world.
Continued belowAt the same time, however, it’s still quite possible for a series this long to drag on now and then, and the last few arcs have had such a problem, and it seemed for a time like this would do the same. Fortunately, the past few chapters have had plenty of nice twists and solid character moments, if sometime of a cluttered pace.
First and foremost, Oda does an amazing job with all the unique character designs, even just for the random minions of Big Mama. There are characters of all shapes and sizes, and I mean that quite literally; exaggerated physical features are commonplace, but they all add flavor and personality to each character design. Everyone is insanely expressive, both for comic effect and adding the proper emotion and intensity to the moments that are meant to be surprising.
At the same time, the scenes can seem rather cluttered at times. With so many characters acting and reacting, along with sound effects, action lines, and text boxes, the panels can be absolutely filled, and several pages have small panels crammed of detail and dialogue stuck together. As such, even the scenes that are meant to have more of a slow pace still seem hectic and rushed, although they all still flow together quite well.
But what makes “One Piece” really special is its heart, and that comes through in the scenes with Sanji. Now, this isn’t the first “character has to leave the crew because of personal problems and everyone else has to save them” arc the series has done, and it probably won’t be the last either. But it’s done a fine job building up the stakes, Sanji’s reasons to stay or go, and Luffy’s intense determination to bring him back. As such, it’s intensely satisfying to see it take a big step towards resolution, as the final panel shows a quiet but intense image, highlighting Luffy’s dedication to his word and to his crew.
Even the slapstick scenes that make up half the issue have a payoff, delivered in a deliciously casual manner. There’s no major buildup or drama to reveal major results, it’s treated as a simple aside, and the exaggerated reactions of the other characters makes the moment all the more entertaining. Once more, Oda’s artwork is employed to great effect in the reaction scenes, putting his great expressions to use.
While the issue jumps back and forth between the emotional and the comedic, neither feels out of place to the story. Everything is tying together, with the characters each carrying out their roles in the story, and it’s all building up to what’s bound to be an intense showdown and emotional reunion.
Final Verdict: 7.8 – a solid chapter, advancing the plot in multiple fronts and filled with all of Oda’s signature style in both story and art. Good balance of emotion and comedy, although sometimes a tad cluttered.
