Heisei 20, Issue 35 (July 27)

Naruto: a series that sort of keeps having an identity crisis.  What was supposed to be a story about a boy gaining acceptance in a world of ninjas has pretty much turned into the trials and tribulations of one clan with a powerful eye doujutsu...and everyone they come across.  OK, maybe Sasuke really hasn't taken over the story that much, but sometimes it does feel like it even if his story is sort of as important (or hyped by his fans) as Naruto's.  Of course, this week, as another Naruto movie comes to Japanese theaters (and with Sasuke particularly hyped as in this movie), we have to wonder...what would the Naruto world be like if Kishimoto wasn't coerced by his editors to create a rival character?  Would it have lasted as long?  Would it be better or worse?  I can't really say...but I guess its a take it or leave it thing.
-Surprise of the Week: What was formerly mostly the hype going to Double Arts seemed to be boosting Bari Haken this time around...though I can't say if its editorial or just the choice of the fans.  Toriko and Mago continue their amazing early runs as well, To-LOVE is a bit stronger than it had been, and OP finally takes back the top position...though mostly thanks to Naruto being on the cover.  Even Sket Dance is stronger than it had been.
-Dissapointment of the Week: Dogashi Kaden...we hardly knew it.  Its strange to have our first real bomb since the start of the year but them's the breaks.  I just hope Psyren doesn't come towards the same fate.
-Its sort of strange and a bit unexpected, but this week is also the end of the line for "Boku to Watashi no Yushagaku".  Somehow, though, it doesn't seem like it was a bomb from how its ending: series that end in the middle are generally considered successed and completed by both the mangaka and the editorial staff...but I guess if you've lasted over a year and are a gag series like Yusagaku was, that's a sign of success.
-And of course, another one shot this time around, this time for a story about...FC Barcelona?  I know the team is huge in Europe but does it really need a manga about them?
-Next Week: A bit of something for everyone this time around: another cover/color for the eating antics of Toriko, a color page for the second week of the Naruto movie and...just in time for both the Olympics and Jump's 40th anniversary...a special one-shot of Yoichi Takahashi's classic soccer series Captain Tsubasa.  The world's game is really here in a week devoted to the sporting world!