Assassination Classroom, Vol. 19 | By Yusei Matsui | Viz Media – The first half of this book shows us that our heroes are still high school students, and thus powerless to a degree—they’re captured with astonishing ease. Of course, once we get them out of holding and back on the mountain (kudos to Irina, who shows off a few things I’m surprised Jump let her get away with—not least of which wanting to do Karasuma ten times a day) they’re in their element, and even the hardened trained assassins find that environment plays a key role. As for Koro-sensei, well, he’s trapped, and time is running out. The book makes it very clear that saving Koro-sensei is not going to fly with the general public. So what happens next? Can’t wait to find out. – Sean Gaffney
Captive Hearts of Oz, Vol. 3 | By Ryo Maruya and Mamenosuke Fujimaru | Seven Seas – As with its spiritual predecessor, Alice in the Country of Hearts, the goal of this series is to find out what the world is actually supposed to be. After reading this volume, it may be even less clear. I am grateful that, because this isn’t based on an otome game, there’s no real romance being played out here. (Romance could be some of the shadiest elements of the Alice series.) However, I’d like things to be just a little bit clearer, to be honest. I probably should have reread the first two books, as it’s been a while. That said, the general TONE of the book is fine, and it pushes all the right buttons that fans of this sort of series will want pushed. It’s just… HUH? – Sean Gaffney
Chihayafuru, Vol. 7 | By Yuki Suetsugu | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – Chihaya should be studying for exams, but she ditches a session with Desk-kun to see how Taichi’s doing in a tournament. It’s there she learns that Arata has resumed competing, and I so love Taichi’s reaction to this news. It’s obvious that he’s jealous, but seeing Chihaya so happy causes him to admit to himself that part of him is happy, too. Then, after some nice chapters in which the more lowly members of the Mizusawa karuta club offer sage advice to Taichi and Chihaya, we progress to the East Japan qualification tournament to decide challengers for the ranks of master and queen. Chihaya’s mastery of the game has improved, and it’s great to see her take on formidable opponents without making mistakes. It’s probably too early in the series for her to actually beat Shinobu, but I am in no rush. Every volume is a joy. – Michelle Smith
Everyone’s Getting Married, Vol. 7 | By Izumi Miyazono | Viz Media – Oh, long-distance relationships. Everyone goes into them filled with good intentions, but it never quite works out the way you want. Asuka and Ryo are certainly finding that out. She’s being strong and totally OK with him doing this, which makes sense for him, but… you can tell that she hates it, and that’s not being communicated. As such, even though everything is being done properly, it’s hard to not get that sense of impending doom, especially as everyone else is telling Asuka this as well. We also meet Ryu’s brother, who is the classic “I look totally scary but am really just overprotective” sort. We still have a couple of volumes to go… how is this going to sort itself out? – Sean Gaffney
Kuroko’s Basketball, Vols. 17-18 | By Tadatoshi Fujimaki | VIZ Media – Seirin has made it to the quarterfinals of the Winter Cup where they must face Yosen, a team that not only includes Kagami’s childhood friend/rival but also Murasakibara, an (enormous) member of the Miracle Generation. Kuroko debuts his new shooting skills (essentially, he adapts his passing technique instead of using proper form) and the various members of Seirin get their moment in the sun, especially Hyuga and Kiyoshi. And, of course, there’s a lesson, as Murasakibara’s approach has been that big people are always going to win at basketball, so there’s no use in anyone else trying. I must note that this series has just about reached The Prince of Tennis levels of implausibility involving some characters’ abilities, including a peanut gallery that calls out the names of moves, but I am still enjoying it immensely. – Michelle Smith
Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi, Vol. 9 | By nanao and HaccaWorks* | Yen Press – So I will admit that throughout this series I’ve found the plot difficult to follow at the best of times, but for all that I appreciated this volume trying to lay things out for us. We get even more clarification about what ‘taking a meal’ entails, and also why Akane did what she did. Yue’s decision feels very much in character, and I suppose it could have been worse—the characters who were “eaten” don’t come back, but most of the Ayakashi are at least seen as around. As for Tougo, he is very unhappy with part of Yue’s decision, and takes it upon himself to try to fix it—also in character for him. Main series is over, time for extras! Will there be an epilogue? – Sean Gaffney
Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 7 | By Akiko Higashimura | Kodansha Comics – At one point while reading this, I had to step back a moment to just appreciate what an unexpected turn this story has taken. It’s not about saving the Amamizukan from destruction anymore. It’s about Tsukimi getting on a plane for the first time and flying to Singapore, Kuranosuke’s determination to get her back, Shu’s apparent willingness to let her go, and Hanamori’s promises to make enough money gambling to buy the Amars’ residence back from Kai, the fashion mogul who has whisked Tsukimi away on a new life. But, y’know, I’m not sure Tsukimi really wants to go back, and that’s what makes this series great. I think we could get a happy ending that preserves the status quo for most of the Amars while allowing Tsukimi to become something she never imagined. I am so eager to experience the final volumes! – Michelle Smith
Welcome to the Ballroom, Vol. 8 | By Tomo Takeuchi | Kodansha Comics – Well, I was wrong in my review of the last volume, where I said we would have an amazing breakthrough this time. Instead, we get more pain, angst, and torment from our lead couple, and everyone around Tatara yelling at him to figure things out or else stop this. They’re not going to tell him what the issue is, mostly as it can’t be conveyed well with words. And you get the sense by the end of the volume that he might be getting it. But I said that last time, and I’m not really sure that it’s worth crawling through broken glass every volume just to get to a bit of catharsis. Is this trip really necessary? – Sean Gaffney