So, I guess I’ll provide you all with my final thoughts on Barrage, what I hope happens to Horikoshi now, and why it seems I won’t be blogging Takagamahara and why I will blog Kaito’s Cross Manage series.
Barrage
TagBarrage 15: It’s All Or Nothing Now
Given the circumstances, not an especially bad chapter for Barrage. But some things keep reminding me of what it could have done before it ever got to this point. Mainly, the potential third character in the story and ambitions.
This probably won’t be the last time I reference my reasons for why Barrage got canceled, as I might reference it for the last chapter next week, but one of the key points that I talked about was the lack of someone to bounce off Astro or give him competition. Generally speaking, a manga series usually has multiple secondary characters to switch things up (Ex: Naruto: Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, Gintama: Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura.) and create some type of balance, whether for comedic effect or a challenge to the main character. Not all series start out like this: Bleach initially starts with Ichigo and Rukia, One Piece starts off with just Luffy, with the main cast growing over time (though most were introduced within that Chapter 3-6 range), and Dragonball just started off with Goku and Bulma. So that extra character is not necessarily needed early. But this is where ambition comes in. The points are obvious:
Naruto >>> MC Wants to be Hokage and #1 Ninja >>> evolves over time
Bleach >>> MC wanted to save his family, is now defeating Hollows in Karakura Town >>> evolves over time
One Piece >>> MC wants to become a pirate and find the treasure One Piece >>> evolves over time
Dragonball >>> MC is asked by Secondary MC to go help find the 7 Dragonballs >>> evolves over time
Now, you compare the somewhat simple starts to Barrage:
Barrage >>> Astro wants to protect his family >>> What does it evolve too?
And thus, the problems persist since he is immediately thrust into the role of Prince Barrage.
Barrage 14: Crooked Sorrows & Reasons Why Barrage Got Canceled
So I’m going to review this chapter of Barrage under the pretense that it will still keep going…well, that was the plan, until I read this chapter and said, “There’s absolutely no way” because I would simply be fooling myself on the many problems that this chapter had based on the fact that it was cancelled in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump. So instead of subjecting you to why this chapter of Barrage was bad, I’ll give you some (ridiculous) reasons why I think it didn’t work out in Japan besides “Too much battle manga in WSJ already!”
Barrage Chapter 13: WHAAAA???
“You’re the shounen protagonist. Stuff like this should happen.”
Last week Shonen Jump Alpha was off due to Obon in Japan. The holiday should have lasted longer for this chapter of Barrage, as now it is time to ponder what the heck’s going on around here.
Barrage Chapter 12: Well, This Was A Lost Cause
“Me No Likey This Chapter Kids. Read Why To Find Out.”
Well. I have to say. This is not exactly a chapter I want to remember.
Barrage Chapter 11: It’s The Curious Case of Expectations
“Hmm, I could have sworn I’ve seen you before–oh yeah, I have!”
Barrage Chapter 10: Relax, You Dark Energy, You!
It’s been a while since Barrage had a color splash page. That being said, is this chapter worth it?
Barrage Chapter 9: The Past Will Catch Up Astro
“Hide & Seek officially sucks”
Barrage 8: War and Order
“Your typical shounen moment. Now let’s move on to our regularly scheduled programming.”
