IY 515-516: Borrowed Body and Magatsuhi
Freelance Manga has hi-res scanlations of both chapters up now.
I really do not think I could love Sesshomaru more than I do in these chapters. From his, "Take Kohaku and leave this place" in 515, to his ever-prideful determination to finish off Magatsuhi on his own at the end of 516.
Our Sess hasn't been castrated. He's as badass as ever, with all of his old attitude. It appears that when he defeats Magatsuhi that will lead to an upgrade or sword of his own. Let's face it, although he can deal with regular demons and threats easily, Naraku keeps getting stronger, and before the final battle Naraku will probably get another upgrade or two himself. If Sesshomaru wants to stay in the fight, strong as he is, he needs an upgrade like all the others are getting.
515 thoughts:
Sesshomaru transforming into his giant dog demon form (for only the third time in the series!) and biting Magatsuhi's head off was the epitome of awesome.
When Miroku and Sango fly everyone else away to safety on Ah-Un and Kirara, I loved Rin's concern that they had left Jaken behind. (Ultimately so Jaken could give in-depth and up-close commentary and reactions.) XD
516 thoughts:
Love the cover page of Sesshomaru and Magatsuhi. This is so Sess's arc.
When Sess in his dog form was trapped by Magatsuhi's tentacles and Jaken kept wondering why Sess didn't just transform smaller and slip out ("Doesn't seem like he's that bright," "He is a dog, after all"), that cracked me up. I get the feeling Jaken hasn't actually seen Sess battle in dog form that much before.
The look of open-mouthed, wide-eyed shock and worry on Inuyasha's face when Sess is seemingly enveloped by Magatsuhi is priceless. And even Shippo was dismayed, which I thought was cute. "Was he crushed?!" I wonder if Shippo still feels grateful for when Sesshomaru helped Kanta's father.
When Sess finally transforms and slips out of Magatsuhi's clutches, he gives Jaken this awesome annoyed look, like he knew exactly what Jaken had been thinking. Jaken looks like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "I wasn't thinking anything!" And proving that Rin doesn't just have great lines referring to Jaken's short stature, she goes, "Jaken-sama, yes you were." This prompts Miroku (who is sitting behind her on Ah-Un) to say, "Oh...? I get the feeling their minds are connected." XD So funny, Rin knows and understands Jaken so well that it's like she could read his mind. She knew what Jaken was thinking, and Sess did too. So cute, the little Sess-tachi is connected. Of course, maybe Jaken is a bit predictable in his behavior and thought patterns. ;)
"Oh come on, you dumbass!" - Inuyasha's reaction when he thinks Sess is about to get caught by Magatsuhi again. Just thought that was funny.
I got really worried for Miroku when he was about to use his kazaana on Magatsuhi. Just a gut reaction. I know I shouldn't worry for Miroku (I really do think he will make it through the series), but every time he's in danger or is going to use the kazaana I can't help it.
Love the look of sheer shock on Rin's face when Kohaku (controlled by the jyaki in his shard) stops Miroku from hurting Magatsuhi.
And of course, Sess is the one to save Kohaku from Magatsuhi in the nick of time. He won't let anything hurt that boy.
Magatsuhi points out that Inuyasha can't use his sword on him (he had wanted to use the Meidou zangetsuha) because his friends would get caught in the attack too.
Love that Sess is the one to lead Inuyasha's friends to safety. The look on his face when he says "Follow me" to Miroku is priceless. Probably my favorite panel in the chapter. Loved Miroku's shock when Sesshomaru spoke to him. XD (My first thought actually went to Forthy's "Tolerable" fic collection.)
And then the panel where Sesshomaru's back is turned to them and he says, "From here, you protect yourselves" and then goes off to attack Magatsuhi on his own. So heroic.
And so we are left with a page of Sesshomaru rushing towards Magatsuhi and thinking "I will kill him with my own hands! This is a matter of my pride!" Definitely awesome. Magatsuhi had attacked Sess in the first place, and it should be Sess who finishes him off. Don't know how he'll do it or if the presumed upgrade will take place during or after the battle, but looks to be an exciting end. And after Magatsuhi is gone, Kagome should wake up!
I really do not think I could love Sesshomaru more than I do in these chapters. From his, "Take Kohaku and leave this place" in 515, to his ever-prideful determination to finish off Magatsuhi on his own at the end of 516.
Our Sess hasn't been castrated. He's as badass as ever, with all of his old attitude. It appears that when he defeats Magatsuhi that will lead to an upgrade or sword of his own. Let's face it, although he can deal with regular demons and threats easily, Naraku keeps getting stronger, and before the final battle Naraku will probably get another upgrade or two himself. If Sesshomaru wants to stay in the fight, strong as he is, he needs an upgrade like all the others are getting.
515 thoughts:
Sesshomaru transforming into his giant dog demon form (for only the third time in the series!) and biting Magatsuhi's head off was the epitome of awesome.
When Miroku and Sango fly everyone else away to safety on Ah-Un and Kirara, I loved Rin's concern that they had left Jaken behind. (Ultimately so Jaken could give in-depth and up-close commentary and reactions.) XD
516 thoughts:
Love the cover page of Sesshomaru and Magatsuhi. This is so Sess's arc.
When Sess in his dog form was trapped by Magatsuhi's tentacles and Jaken kept wondering why Sess didn't just transform smaller and slip out ("Doesn't seem like he's that bright," "He is a dog, after all"), that cracked me up. I get the feeling Jaken hasn't actually seen Sess battle in dog form that much before.
The look of open-mouthed, wide-eyed shock and worry on Inuyasha's face when Sess is seemingly enveloped by Magatsuhi is priceless. And even Shippo was dismayed, which I thought was cute. "Was he crushed?!" I wonder if Shippo still feels grateful for when Sesshomaru helped Kanta's father.
When Sess finally transforms and slips out of Magatsuhi's clutches, he gives Jaken this awesome annoyed look, like he knew exactly what Jaken had been thinking. Jaken looks like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "I wasn't thinking anything!" And proving that Rin doesn't just have great lines referring to Jaken's short stature, she goes, "Jaken-sama, yes you were." This prompts Miroku (who is sitting behind her on Ah-Un) to say, "Oh...? I get the feeling their minds are connected." XD So funny, Rin knows and understands Jaken so well that it's like she could read his mind. She knew what Jaken was thinking, and Sess did too. So cute, the little Sess-tachi is connected. Of course, maybe Jaken is a bit predictable in his behavior and thought patterns. ;)
"Oh come on, you dumbass!" - Inuyasha's reaction when he thinks Sess is about to get caught by Magatsuhi again. Just thought that was funny.
I got really worried for Miroku when he was about to use his kazaana on Magatsuhi. Just a gut reaction. I know I shouldn't worry for Miroku (I really do think he will make it through the series), but every time he's in danger or is going to use the kazaana I can't help it.
Love the look of sheer shock on Rin's face when Kohaku (controlled by the jyaki in his shard) stops Miroku from hurting Magatsuhi.
And of course, Sess is the one to save Kohaku from Magatsuhi in the nick of time. He won't let anything hurt that boy.
Magatsuhi points out that Inuyasha can't use his sword on him (he had wanted to use the Meidou zangetsuha) because his friends would get caught in the attack too.
Love that Sess is the one to lead Inuyasha's friends to safety. The look on his face when he says "Follow me" to Miroku is priceless. Probably my favorite panel in the chapter. Loved Miroku's shock when Sesshomaru spoke to him. XD (My first thought actually went to Forthy's "Tolerable" fic collection.)
And then the panel where Sesshomaru's back is turned to them and he says, "From here, you protect yourselves" and then goes off to attack Magatsuhi on his own. So heroic.
And so we are left with a page of Sesshomaru rushing towards Magatsuhi and thinking "I will kill him with my own hands! This is a matter of my pride!" Definitely awesome. Magatsuhi had attacked Sess in the first place, and it should be Sess who finishes him off. Don't know how he'll do it or if the presumed upgrade will take place during or after the battle, but looks to be an exciting end. And after Magatsuhi is gone, Kagome should wake up!