The Joys of Reborn!
For the third time ever, I have become so enamored of a manga series that I downloaded the scanlations of every volume and chapter and had a marathon reading session. Like the previous two series, Naruto and Bleach, my latest obsession comes from the pages of Weekly Shounen Jump. As the subject line of the entry (and the icon I am using) would indicate, I am talking about Katekyo Hitman Reborn!. Like I did with the other two series, I have an almost uncontrollable need spill my fangirl guts. So, without further ado:
Hmmm... Where do I start?
For the first several volumes, the story is very silly and more episodic. Lots of characters are introduced; some of whom will fall by the wayside. The first many-chaptered story arc is the Kokuyo gang arc. Now, I never thought I would say this about a shounen manga, but I think the storyline should have been a bit longer and more developed. It seemed like Amano was still finding her feet when it comes to story pacing. I'm not saying I think she did a bad job or that it should have been a super-long arc, I just would have liked more development for Mukuro. His backstory is just sort dumped out in one chapter. Chikusa and Ken are fairly interesting sidekicks. Ken's ability to appropriate different animal attricutes by switching false teeth is really cool.
The second major story arc, the "Ring Tournament/Varia" arc is where things really get good. As of now I just can't help thinking about who I would appoint as my Ring Guardians. I find it a little bit funny that my two favorite of Tsuna's guardians are the only two who lose their fights. When Gokudera shows up with his wrapped chest and tight black pants... (I'm just going to leave out the rest of this thought because he is a 14-year old boy and I don't want to sound like a pervert). Twenty years later Lambo is awesome and very sexy, and since he's 25 years old it's not gross for me to say so. This story arc also made me love Ryouhei and Yamamoto more. Ooh! And Colonello! It's so cute that he sleeps and bathes with Kyouko. My one problem with this arc is the very fast (too fast) introduction of Chrome. She's the cute impassive waif but we still know so little. she is just sort of thrown into the story. I would like to know more about her bond with Mukuro.
Now the rings have been won and we are in the "Future" arc. This one has a ton of potential and has been very engaging so far. I am a little iffy about the whole "box weapons" thing, but really it's no sillier than the implements of destruction in any other shounen manga. I really wish that there was more future!Gokudera before he gets switched. I will say now, without hyperbole, that his level of sexiness in my books is up there with Captain Aizen and Grimmjow. I love that Shouichi, who seems so insignificant when he appears near the beginning of the series is now a villain.
Okay, I know it's a crazy thought but I would love for Longchamp Naito to finally make a reappearance in the "Future" arc. He could make a cameo, married to a gorgeous woman whom he claims he loves despite the fact that she's "no looker." I figure that since he thinks fugly girls are cute, he would think a beautiful girl is ugly.
Oh! and I love Gokudera's cat, Uri.
Gokudera Hayato is definitely my favorite character. He is so awesome! I love the chapter where he gets changed into a little kid. I also love his flashbacks when we get to see him playing piano in his little sissy suit. And his fight with Belphegor! I want to see him reconcile with Bianchi and if anyone but him becomes Tsuna's right hand man it will break my heart. I love how he bickers with Haru (who is totally awesome, by the way). I ship them and want fic of them.
Besides Gokudera/Haru, my other favorite pairings are Lambo/I-Pin and Colonello/Lal Mirch. I also like the totally crack pairing of Yamamoto/Bianchi. I like Yamamoto as a friend and comic foil for Gokudera and if he got involved with Gokudera's sister it could be very amusing.
All in all, despite any imperfections the series may have, I absolutely loved reading Reborn! and plan to nurture this new obsession. Now I think I will sit back and enjoy my cold beer as it is my day off.
Hmmm... Where do I start?
For the first several volumes, the story is very silly and more episodic. Lots of characters are introduced; some of whom will fall by the wayside. The first many-chaptered story arc is the Kokuyo gang arc. Now, I never thought I would say this about a shounen manga, but I think the storyline should have been a bit longer and more developed. It seemed like Amano was still finding her feet when it comes to story pacing. I'm not saying I think she did a bad job or that it should have been a super-long arc, I just would have liked more development for Mukuro. His backstory is just sort dumped out in one chapter. Chikusa and Ken are fairly interesting sidekicks. Ken's ability to appropriate different animal attricutes by switching false teeth is really cool.
The second major story arc, the "Ring Tournament/Varia" arc is where things really get good. As of now I just can't help thinking about who I would appoint as my Ring Guardians. I find it a little bit funny that my two favorite of Tsuna's guardians are the only two who lose their fights. When Gokudera shows up with his wrapped chest and tight black pants... (I'm just going to leave out the rest of this thought because he is a 14-year old boy and I don't want to sound like a pervert). Twenty years later Lambo is awesome and very sexy, and since he's 25 years old it's not gross for me to say so. This story arc also made me love Ryouhei and Yamamoto more. Ooh! And Colonello! It's so cute that he sleeps and bathes with Kyouko. My one problem with this arc is the very fast (too fast) introduction of Chrome. She's the cute impassive waif but we still know so little. she is just sort of thrown into the story. I would like to know more about her bond with Mukuro.
Now the rings have been won and we are in the "Future" arc. This one has a ton of potential and has been very engaging so far. I am a little iffy about the whole "box weapons" thing, but really it's no sillier than the implements of destruction in any other shounen manga. I really wish that there was more future!Gokudera before he gets switched. I will say now, without hyperbole, that his level of sexiness in my books is up there with Captain Aizen and Grimmjow. I love that Shouichi, who seems so insignificant when he appears near the beginning of the series is now a villain.
Okay, I know it's a crazy thought but I would love for Longchamp Naito to finally make a reappearance in the "Future" arc. He could make a cameo, married to a gorgeous woman whom he claims he loves despite the fact that she's "no looker." I figure that since he thinks fugly girls are cute, he would think a beautiful girl is ugly.
Oh! and I love Gokudera's cat, Uri.
Gokudera Hayato is definitely my favorite character. He is so awesome! I love the chapter where he gets changed into a little kid. I also love his flashbacks when we get to see him playing piano in his little sissy suit. And his fight with Belphegor! I want to see him reconcile with Bianchi and if anyone but him becomes Tsuna's right hand man it will break my heart. I love how he bickers with Haru (who is totally awesome, by the way). I ship them and want fic of them.
Besides Gokudera/Haru, my other favorite pairings are Lambo/I-Pin and Colonello/Lal Mirch. I also like the totally crack pairing of Yamamoto/Bianchi. I like Yamamoto as a friend and comic foil for Gokudera and if he got involved with Gokudera's sister it could be very amusing.
All in all, despite any imperfections the series may have, I absolutely loved reading Reborn! and plan to nurture this new obsession. Now I think I will sit back and enjoy my cold beer as it is my day off.