Saki Volume 1

The series is at its best when it is serious and the characters are engaging in high tension mahjong duels. The most detracting aspect is by far the fan service as the characters, paneling, writing, to name a few aspects make this a thoroughly enjoyable read despite that.

Fairy Tail #476

Like the rest, this fight felt obligatory rather than essential, a way to show off some fan-favorites and play with some crazy ideas before the series ends. Which is fine and dandy, but it’d be nice if there was something more substantial to go along with it.

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches #195

This was a lightly amusing chapter, mostly for the cultural misunderstandings making for some fun unintentional humor. It’s purpose was ostensibly to reintroduce Odagiri into the story and develop the plot with Takuma’s witches further, and on that front, it’s effective, though not much more.

Fairy Tail #474

This was a rushed, overstuffed chapter, featuring many good ideas ruined by unsatisfying execution. There’s not a whole lot to look forward to with the DiMaria fight now that the focus has shifted to a character with a problematic history in the story, and features a villain who is less believable as a threat than even the least credible villains in Dragon Ball Z.