Welcome to This Week in Shonen Jump, our weekly check in on Viz’s various Shonen Jump series. Viz has recently changed their release format, but our format will mostly remain the same. We will still review the newest chapters of two titles a week, now with even more options at our disposal. The big change for our readers is that, even without a Shonen Jump subscription, you can read these most recent chapters for free at Viz.com or using their app.
This week, Robbie and Ken are checking in on “Dr. Stone” and “Bone Collection.” If you have thoughts on this or any other current Shonen Jump titles, please let us know in the comments!
Bone Collection Ch. 6
Written & Illustrated by Jun Kirarazaka
Reviewed by Ken Godberson III
Alright, I have a proposal. Weekly Shonen Jump, why don’t you just put a moratorium on exorcist stories? For the next ten years you just don’t do them? At this point, it feels like every other new-ish series I’ve had to review is an exorcist-esque action or action-comedy series. I just feel like the well has run a bit dry here. You would have to be thinking way out of the box to really pull off a series that would grip you even in the early stages.
And that’s the thing with “Bone Collection:” it’s just very safe.
When I say “safe” to describe the series, it’s not just in concept. As we go through this chapter -of Kazami and co. searching for an S-Rank yokai (another concept that is overused: vaguely defined rankings of enemies), the Shutendoji. It’s simple enough, with a bit of a twist that Paira is friends with the Shutendoji, so she’d rather talk than fight. The thing is that we never get a sense of that and as mentioned in previous reviews, the characters of Kazami, Paira, e.t.c. feel very stock. Kazami is earnest if insecure, Paira is brash which can veer into obnoxiousness and so on.
Then we come to the humor. Now there are some factors that should be acknowledged when talking about this, such as humor being subjective, whether some aspects translate over from the original japanese, but when I’m seeing Paira demanding Kazami to grab her breasts (it makes sense in the context of Kazami using her bone as a weapon…trust me that makes sense too) I just wanted to be done with the book. The comedy is not helped by the art style. It’s all very competently drawn and laid out, but there is nothing that makes it really distinct or even energetic, so it can’t even rely on visual quirkiness to do any heavy lifting.
“Bone Collection” really needs to make itself distinct. As discussed earlier, there has been a plethora of exorcist action/action-comedy series over the last several years and if that’s all that is being brought to the table, that’s not enough. Maybe it can eventually, but as it stands, there are much better manga in this magazine that warrants your attention.
Final Score: 4.3 – A book that really needs to hurry to find its identity.
Dr. Stone Ch. 153
Written by Riichiro Inagaki
Illustrated by Boichi
Reviewed by Robbie Pleasant
The war games begin. And when I say “games,” I mean so in a more literal sense than usual, given their war map is basically a massive “Catan” map. While that does connect to one of my hobbies, that’s not the main focus of this chapter.
“Dr. Stone” is a smart series, which often means there are chapters where the characters stand around discussing plans and strategies. In fact, that’s what they do this entire chapter. How does it remain engaging and entertaining when it’s all discourse and planning? With the amazing artwork and character-filled voices.
I’ve often praised Boichi’s artwork, but it feels like it’s been getting better and better as the series goes on. We get amazing expressions and reactions from characters like Magma and Ryusui, as well as wonderfully ominous frames of the newly-introduced American characters, Dr. Xeno and Stan. Outside of the character art, shots like the Perseus getting modified into an aircraft carrier add to the energy and style of the series with beautiful detail and designs.
Continued belowBoichi’s artwork is one half of the equation, the other being Riichiro Inagaki’s storytelling and character work. Not only do the characters’ have distinct and well-established drives and personalities, they’re used to further the plot and flesh out the plans. Between Senku’s scientific mind, Ryusui’s captain’s instincts, and even Magma’s reckless bullheadedness, there’s plenty of character work to go around that brings you in to every aspect of the planning. Not only is it entertaining, and the characters keep the story moving at a fast-pace, but they add to the layers of strategy that will go into play moving forward.
We also get a little more from Dr. Xeno and his team. It’s not too much, but it tells us more about how they think, how much they trust each other, and what kind of tactics they use. It helps build them up as worthy enemies for Senku and his Kingdom of Science, making their inevitable clash all the more exciting.
“Dr. Stone” has continued to be an engaging series, with fantastic character work, story progression and artwork. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, and Boichi’s artwork continues to impress at every turn.
Final Verdict: 8.8 – A series that continues to remain engaging, whether characters are talking, taking action, or putting their scientific skills to use. There’s nothing not to like about this manga.
