Bulk Update: Arakawa Bridge^2 9; Bakuman 9 10; Zakuro 9 10

The face hidden behind the mask is revealed in Otome Youkai Zakuro.

I’m catching up on a bunch of titles. This seems to be the part of the season that shows use for filler-ish material. After this the mad rush to make things seem like they are coming to a conclusion will begin, so this time is often taken for side-tales and development of minor characters. The one real exception in this batch was Zakuro, which is slowly but steadily developing a real plot.

Bakuman 9 10

A new goal, publication in Next. Actually, that was the last goal, too!

Impressively little happens over the course of these two episodes. The boys get a little special attention, and direct editorial input from Hattori, and a concept “name” is selected for the next big goal, publication in Next. The actual name/sketch as described previously has not yet been produced.

Arakawa under the Bridge^2 #9

Shimazaki decides to become an international white-liner.

Actually, nothing much happened in the 9th episode of Arakawa, either.

Otome Yokai Zakuro 9 10

After several week's hiatus, the fight song is back.

Zakuro was the exception here, although it too engaged in some frivolity, including a creature that was exorcised by having a boy confessing to a girl in front of it, and a trip to a festival.

Mask guy is not a nice man.

Zakuro ends up captured, and brought to the Village of Oracles, which we are told, exists outside of normal reality. We also find that the half-spirits there are enslaved by the mask-wearer and those who support him. Zakuro has been captured to be used to bear his child. The Black Widow attacks Zakuro in a jealous rage, and Zakuro uses it as a chance to flee, leaving us with a bit of a cliff hanger.