Cover
art by Eiichiro Oda

By the powers vested in me, as the guy who normally reviews every Weekly Shonen Jump issue, I hereby declare this cover to be...cute. Super cute! I have a thing for monkeys. I accidentally started collecting them, then people started giving them to me, then I realized I actually was a monkey. I recently traveled to Japan's Arashiyama area near Kyoto and went to the famous monkey mountain. The monkeys were really cute, and also a bit scary. You can't stare them in the eye, or they'll go bananas and attack you! If you go to Kyoto, I highly recommend it! By the way, there are four monkeys on the cover. If you think about it. 

One Piece
by Eiichiro Oda

Did you want a bunch of super-funny, crazy-looking new characters for Christmas? Well, this chapter has got you covered! Oda Sensei proves again he's a limitless source of creative energy by introducing a whole slew of hilarious characters in this new arc! And they're all cool animal people! It's like one of his amazing color spreads with tons of funny animals has become an arc! 

Blue Exorcist
by Kazue Kato

Rin and Yukio go on a trip to track down a missing exorcist. With Yukio carrying the burden of a very, very heavy secret, this trip might just be what he needs to help deal with the situation. Then again, based on the two brothers' tumultuous relationship in the past, it may not be that easy. 

Bleach
by Tite Kubo

I have to say, this bad bird guy, or bird bad guy, or bird guy baddie has been one tough mother clucker. And possibly the weirdest enemy Kubo Sensei has every cooked up, and that is really saying something. But it looks like thanks to Nanao Ise, this goose is cooked. What new enemy possibly waits them?! If you can't tell, I really like this crazy bird guy, I hope the anime continues just so I can buy the figure! 

My Hero Academia 
by Kohei Horikoshi

After last week's terrifying trip to the mall, this week's chapter has a bit more levity. Levity in the form a brand new super hero group! And now that the enemy's revealed themselves, the class gets their training seriously ramped up! 

Nisekoi
by Naoshi Komi

It's time for another "fake" date between Raku and Chitoge! Of course, it's not fake on her end, only to Raku. Who may or may not have feelings for her, depending on what day of the week it is. Actually, he definitely cares about her, but does he "like her, like her?" Can she get him to "like her, like her"? I don't know about you, but I'm rooting for her! Go, Chitoge! 

Toriko
by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro

I am a huge fan of monsters. Ever since I was a little kid, I loved monsters of any kind. And the grosser the better! This chapter has a spread that I could stare at all day. A whole horde of nasty creations by Shimabukuro Sensei, who in my mind, is one of the best monster artists working in the manga industry today! 

Black Clover
by Yûki Tabata

Asta's been quite busy since he became a member of the Black Bulls. It's been one thing after another and now its up to him and a nun and a guy with a foul temper to save a bunch of kidnapped children. One thing's for sure, in a very short amount of time, he's got a lot of battle experience under his belt! 

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma
story by Yuto Tsukuda, art by Shun Saeki, contributor Yuki Morisaki

The Shokugeki continues! Soma is cooking up something that's so intriguing, his foe and the bought off judges are trying their best not to be interested. Will his pot stickers blow the lid off of Eizan's dastardly plan? Can they stand the fire?! 

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign
story by Takaya Kagami, art by Yamoto Yamamoto, storyboards by Daisuke Furuya

When the blood hits the fan in this manga, it splatters everywhere. This seems to be one of those pivotal chapters that will change everything. I won't ruin any of the surprises, but you may want to have a grief councilor nearby to discuss your feelings. 

YuYu Hakusho
by Yoshihiro Togashi 

Here's a JUMP BACK that's very near and dear to my heart. I was the U.S. editor of the manga and didn't know much about the series, but when I started reading it, I fell in love instantly. And after editing this and Hunter x Hunter, Yoshihiro Togashi became my favorite mangaka. His manga is utterly unpredictable and filled with hilarious characters and amazing art. And it's super wacky! And sometimes sad. It can get deep as well. Simple, but at other times very complex. It's many things and that's why I love it the most, you just never know which way it will go. But one this is always consistent—it's very entertaining. Not trying to oversell it, but this is a great first chapter of a manga. Enjoy! 

Extras: Bundles Bonanza, Boruto's Back on the Big Screen, The Last: Naruto the Movie, Nihongo Lesson, Author Comments. 

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by Urian Brown