Cover
Wow! This is one of the most diabolical-looking Luffy covers I’ve ever seen! The black fist of fire, the super buff pecks, and that smile make him look downright sadistic. Which is funny, because he’s actually a pretty nice guy, until you cross him…

One Piece
by Eiichiro Oda
Another mind-blowing color spread by Oda Sensei. The whole crew is decked out in medieval costumes complete with Luffy as king and a freshly slayed dragon. Having seen a zillion amazing color spreads by Oda, it just blows my mind that he’s still coming up with new ones! So much creativity! As for the chapter…very interesting! It would seem the lines of power in the pirate world are shifting!

Toriko
by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro
The battle of the top chefs in the world and the insidious Gourmet Corp. has taken a turn for the worse! Until now, the world’s greatest chefs had the battle in hand, but the Gourmet Corp. has released more terrifying monsters! This battle is amazing to read. There are many cool chefs with funny cooking powers and freaky monsters. Shimabukuro Sensei is serving up some tasty pages!

Naruto
by Masashi Kishimoto
Another great chapter of Naruto! The flashback to the battle between Madara and First Hokage Hashirama continues! Lately, reading Naruto has been like watching the Ninja History Channel! And in the best possible way! I’m a big fan of the history and lore of this manga, so this is right up my alley. Oh, and some frickin’ amazing art in here as well!

Nisekoi
by Naoshi Komi
It’s Christmas morning in Nisekoi! But luckily, Chitoge and Raku thought they missed the party last night, but their friends (and crushes) rescheduled it just for them. BUT they all think Raku gave Chitoge “a special present” for Christmas, and they’re freaked out! Can they assuage their fears?

Bleach
by Tite Kubo
The battle between Kenpachi and Retsu comes to conclusion. And let's just say, they'll be a lot of chatter in fandom over this! Plus, Renji and Ichigo have finished their training with Oh-Etsu! Find out the results!

World Trigger
by Daisuke Ashihara
It looks like the story in World Trigger is beginning to firm up. Bits and pieces of exposition are beginning to be interspersed into the dialogue. And all in a very natural way or humorous way, which is the sign of a good storyteller. I’m also a fan of the alien design of the Neighbors. Kind of reminds me of some of the early Hollows in Bleach.

Cross Manage
by Kaito
This manga is really working its way into my heart, lately. While this chapter starts as a “study girls’ group gone wild” chapter, it turns into something far more endearing. It’s kind of making me want to manage a girl’s Lacrosse team. In a non-pervy heartfelt kind of way, naturally.

One-Punch Man
story by One, art by Yusuke Murata
While the mysterious cyborg and the evil Mosquito Girl take turns dismembering each other, Saitama finally arrives on the battle scene. Having thought he was alone in his fight against evil, he’s more than thrilled to find someone on his side. Now, if he could just find someone strong enough to be a challenge! And some clothes!

Dragon Ball
by Akira Toriyama
A bit of a talky chapter of Dragon Ball, but one that is of special significance—it’s when Goku and Piccolo start to become allies! I mean, they still don’t trust each other, but as you know in time they will. A very pivotal moment!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal
Original Concept by Kazuki Takahashi
Story by Shin Yoshida, Art by Naohito Miyoshi
Production Support: STUDIO DICE 
Ohhhh! Good ending to the duel between Kaito and Hishakaku! While writing this, I was talking over the duel with fellow SJ editor Alexis Kirsch, and we both agree it was a pretty tense duel with a clever resolution! Actually, he just said that, and I agreed. But I do agree! And as usual, great art! I’m still totally into this manga! 

Extras: Author's comments, because you asked for it! Seriously, we got a lot of requests to put the author's comments in before each chapter, and so we did! See, we listen! Also, a Yu-Gi-Oh! card article focusing on the Noble Knights from the Cosmo Blazer booster packs! 

What did YOU think of this issue? Are any manga working their way into your heart, like Cross Manage is into mine? And what do you think about Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal? Be honest! But maybe not too honest. Heh-heh. As always, leave your comments below! We eat 'em up like candy on Monday!

Urian Brown