YuYu Hakusho Manga: 035 Genbu Is... The Very Rock!!

Wow, these chapter names are getting a little wild. If it takes your reader more than a second to glean what it is you're trying to SAY with it, perhaps it's time to reconsider. It took me about three seconds to suppose that this phrase is trying to convey how Genbu is basically made up of the rock around them, and prior to that it seemed like utter nonsense to me. As usual, there might also be a bit of a translation difficulty here as well, where it's difficult to get across the meaning of the original Japanese, going in either a literal or figurative direction, so it comes out as rather awkward. 

If this is the closest approximation that could be managed, that's one tricky phrase!

Tricky as a stone tail melting through the floor. 

As Genbu's tail slithers back into the floor, Yusuke remarks on how it just slid straight through the rock and nailed Kurama. Genbu says that they should now realize that this room is just an extension of himself, and tells the doubled-over Kurama, nursing his slashed torso, that he has no hope of escape. Yusuke begs Kurama to say ANYTHING, because he's being awfully quiet, but when he looks over at Yusuke, albeit with a soft groan, he's smiling. He assures the team that he's okay, and he's suffered much worse, as Yusuke should well know. The excuse is just that Genbu caught him off guard. Won't make that mistake again, I'm guessing. 

If you thought just the tail was bad, lol.

Kuwabara and Yusuke are freaking out over how the guy is totally gone now, and there's no telling where he'll pop back out. Kurama scans the floor for any sign of Genbu's exit point, but Genbu once again emerges behind him, arms raised and yelling "BOO" in a show of childish humor. Unamused and unsurprised, Kurama yells that it's another sneak attack, but just acknowledging it isn't doing him much good, Genbu's tail comes up on his left, and presumably another limb is attacking at the right, because Kuwabara shouts that Kurama is getting it from both sides. 

Must. Resist. Obvious. Jokes.

It must be quite a feat to do all those acrobatics with a chest wound. Hell, if I work out too hard, my body is too sore to do much of anything for a day afterward. 

Then again, I'm a bit old these days. XD

Kurama lands in a crouch on the floor and Genbu sinks back into the stone, Yusuke and Kuwabara complaining about it and whining that it's no fair like a couple of overgrown toddlers. Genbu reappears to attack from behind again, Kurama leaping out of the way, but Genbu tells him he won't win this fight by just dodging all over the place. Kurama scoffs that Genbu has a point, flips his luxurious hair, and pulls a rose from it, declaring it's time he gives as good as he's getting. 

So, I guess this fight isn't really much more than a lovely bouquet in his eyes?

Yusuke asks Kurama if he's crazy, because the rose doesn't seem all that threatening to him. You can get tetanus from the thorns if you're not up on your vaccinations, and that's pretty shitty, I think. But Kurama says that this isn't just any rose, performing a swishing motion with his arm.

Like I said, LOTS of potential tetanus.

Genbu's voice, seeming to echo in every corner of the room, chuckles at the reveal. He asks Kurama how he's going to wield that whip against an enemy that can attack from ANYWHERE. Kurama placidly proposes that they're about to find out, and encourages Genbu to go ahead with the fight, because he's ready. Genbu declares himself interested, but also says he's going to cut Kurama to ribbons with one strike. My guy, you're already a couple of strikes in and you've hardly cut him even a LITTLE. 

With the rest of the team looking on anxiously, Kurama stands with his eyes closed in quiet concentration for a moment. He suddenly looks up with a confident announcement that Genbu is up there, and Genbu is indeed descending from the stone ceiling, alarmed at being discovered. He asks how Kurama knew, and Kurama responds that he SMELLED Genbu's aura. He explains that the air has now been purified with the scent of roses, and it's easy to identify Genbu's PUTRID stench in the midst of the flowery scent. Shit, should have taken a bath before this one. 

Smiling, Hiei says Genbu is done for, because the thorns on that vine can cut through steel like a hot knife through butter. With significantly more pain, if I had to guess. 

Then again, can a living rock FEEL pain? Save that one for your joint sessions. ;)

As Kurama stands triumphantly among the littered limbs of his enemy, the peanut gallery is in a joyous uproar, Yusuke praising him for a stellar job at dismembering Genbu with a single whip crack, and Kuwabara saying that Genbu wasn't all that tough after all. Hiei calls Kuwabara a dolt, because while Kurama made the task LOOK easy, Kuwabara himself would have been dead at Genbu's first strike. Kuwabara demands to know why Hiei keeps aiming irritating comments at HIM in particular every time he opens his mouth, and cites the fact that he placed THIRD in the tournament for Genkai's succession, with the implication that this should get him some respect. Hiei, however, doesn't care about that.

Yusuke tells them to knock off their bickering, and Kurama is reminding them that they still have things to do when he pauses in the middle of his sentence, sensing something. He turns to Yusuke to inform him bluntly that they're NOT done here, much to Yusuke's confusion. Yusuke looks over at Genbu's dismembered limbs, which make crackling noises as they draw back together over the cobbled floor. Kurama gives this scene a placid stare while Yusuke grimaces in horror. 

I suppose you don't get to be a big boss in a demon castle WITHOUT being hard to kill.

Kuwabara recoils, remarking about how "Granite Butt" put himself back together again, unlike that Humpty Dumpty fellow. It's Kuwabara's opinion at this point that Genbu is immortal. Genbu demurely tells him that's nothing, and bids him watch this new trick, which is voluntarily launching his arms like rockets from his shoulders at Kurama. He calls this move "Exploding Rock" and invites the thief he's fighting to take that. 

Of course, the sliver of Genbu's face that's left grins at the futility of Kurama's actions, after Yusuke and Kuwabara prematurely assume that THIS was the strike that pulverized him and he's nothing but gravel now. But as Genbu's fragments all rush to converge once more, Kurama spies something glinting in the flying debris. 

Mostly reconstituted, Genbu reminds them with a chuckle of what he said about this being a minor inconvenience. Yusuke whines that even Kurama's second whip crack didn't do the trick, and that he can't win. After this despairing cry, Genbu claims that the little twerp Kurama is boring him, and yells at him to die, calling out his intention to explode at him again. The shards of Genbu's body, not JUST his arms this time, rocket toward a frustrated Kurama once more, and appears to nick a few more cuts into him. 

Kurama groans in pain and drops into a crouch, and the gathering pieces of Genbu brags that while he's still breathing, he's got no fight left. However, Kurama is chuckling in amusement, something Genbu mistakes at first for a fear-induced mental break, and promises to put Kurama out of his misery... before the astonished onlookers behold Genbu noting in confusion that Kurama appears to be upside down for him. 

Kurama holds up a dark-colored, pulsing stone and asks if IT'S what he's looking for, and Genbu gives a horrified exclamation. 

Kurama suggests that this particular stone is Genbu's "control core", or the part that keeps his body organized, which Genbu was careful to make look like the rest of him. But Kurama says he did catch a glimmer of energy it emitted as it flew past him, because part of what makes Kurama such a good thief is that he's pretty good at finding what's hidden. Genbu BEGS Kurama not to do anything to hurt that little piece of rock, and at first it looks like he MIGHT honor that request, tossing the stone into the air in front of him. 

What is it with creatures who demand mercy where they are willing to give none? 

Yusuke cheers that Kurama did it, and it was just what Genbu deserved too, and the shards of Genbu's shattered central regulatory rock rain down like a celebratory confetti. But Kurama collapses into a crouch again with a groan of pain, and while Yusuke calls to him in concern, Hiei quietly states that Genbu was a formidable opponent, and Kurama won't be able to go on. 

You'd be surprised, Kuwabara, about what kinds of monsters hang out with monsters.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? Genbu's defeat was pretty creative; it's an interesting weakness to give a rock creature to have him depend on a specific part of his body to reconstitute himself properly every time he's blown apart. A vulnerability like that balances out how Genbu cannot be cut or maimed in the traditional sense, and can explode at will with the ability to pull himself back together. And, of course, the tough exterior of one other villain has already been defeated through attacking the soft interior of him, so YT has avoided ALREADY resorting to too much repetition in this somewhat short comic thus far. 

My only real complaint with this one, and the last, is that it's setting up a dynamic that is a little bit of a peeve for me. We have a full team of fighters, but most of the time, only ONE of them will be fighting at a time while the others stand by and make commentary. I understand that it can be a little overwhelming to write multiple people into a fight, and one-on-ones are much more manageable, but characters standing around without anything to do in an action scene gets under my skin. Not only do we not get to see how different fighting styles and communication go into a coordinated fight, but the agency of the characters just kind of disappears. It's not taken away or anything, just leaves for a minute because it's inconvenient for them to be doing anything at the moment. The only thing really active about them is their mouths in this state, and it just draws attention to how they're not DOING anything. 

Now, since I'm familiar with this story, I'm aware that this turns into the tournament mechanic that ends up being the norm for a vast majority of the manga. Once it gets to that point, I'll be much more forgiving of it, because it at least provides a context for a one-on-one format. But here, it just has me hoping for an opportunity to see them all fighting together at some point, because I can't really remember if I ever DID in the anime. 

Probably should watch that again at some point.  

Inuyasha Manga: 334 Host

I had to do a double-take at the chapter number here, because my count is 334, but the chapter I have is labeled as 335. For a moment I worried I'd skipped over a chapter, despite the fact that this is the fourth time I've read this manga and I think I would have noticed something was off about the flow of the story. Just to make sure, I looked up the chapter online and made sure it matched the one on my hard drive, then I went back to the previous chapter to check the title page, and wouldn't you know it? Chapter 333 was labeled 334! 332 appears to be labeled correctly, so I only missed it on the previous one, but that begs the question: why did the translator just decide to renumber these? I know it's not just a mistake, because this has happened with two chapters in a row, and it's unlikely our translator wouldn't be able to read the numbers on these chapters twice successively. 

Do they just... not like the number 333? Is it some sort of bit? Did they write a fanfiction chapter that they inserted between chapters 332 and 333, so relabeled them according to their own new headcanon? 

That last one might seem a little extreme, but from what I've experienced of this fandom, it's not out of the realm of possibility. Headcanons take on a life of their own like I've never seen before, and people get FAR too attached to them.

Or, these guys could be right; it could just be a prank I'm fully falling for. 

While Inuyasha groans in annoyance, Kagome comments on how furious the village people are. You might be too, if your signature gay anthem had been co-opted by a despotic lunatic that is the top representative of the party of outright homophobia. Oh... sorry, wrong village people. Anyway, Kagome spots Shippou's balloon form wobbling up above, but unfortunately, so do the village men, one of whom aims an arrow at him with an affirmation that he's there, despite Kagome calling for them to stop. Inuyasha, however, tells Kagome calmly not to panic. Kagome casts him an anxious look and prepares to argue, but Inuyasha states plainly that what they're seeing is a fake. 

A few arrows and spears fly up and pierce the decoy balloon, which ripples before bursting.

Those villagers keep getting GOT.

Inuyasha and Kagome look over their shoulders at the rain of giant acorns, the former remarking on how hard Shippou is working not to get caught by any of them, the latter much more concerned with finding the kiddo before the villagers do. She needn't be so worried about it, because they immediately find a funky-looking strutting chicken clucking just a short distance in front of them. Without a word, Inuyasha raises a fist and brings it down, narrowly missing the chicken as he shouts a malicious greeting at it.

No doubt as Inuyasha expected, the chicken pops into Shippou's form, who chuckles in a mockery of an evil laugh at him. He praises Inuyasha for seeing through his disguise, but Inuyasha dismisses such a high compliment, demanding the little troublemaker get down there. Kagome offers to take the Yadori Sanagi off his back once he does, which is almost as big as HE is, clinging to him and glowing darkly. I'm absolutely going to have nightmares about giant insects now. 

Shippou scoffs, taking out a toy propeller to spin between his palms. Inuyasha asks what good THAT'S supposed to do him, before Shippou launches it at him and it plants itself in the top of his exasperated head. 

He's not even fighting it, lol. Kagome notices with alarm that Shippou pops out of existence behind her, so with no other choice, Kagome chases after Inuyasha.

After a narrow sky transition panel, we find that there's a good reason Sango and Miroku have been missing for a bit; they're still extricating themselves from the sticky mess the other decoy Shippou turned into in the last chapter. They're at least on the ground now, but despite not being totally clear of the stuff, Miroku speaks about it as though it's in the past, saying it WAS horrible. Sir, your arms are still suspended above your head in the mess. Sango complains that Shippou is a bit tougher than they thought. 

At this point, the propeller stuck to Inuyasha's head drives him straight into the sticky mass. His expression is still one of supreme annoyance and quiet rage. Miroku asks what he's DOING, and Inuyasha responds that he doesn't want to hear that question from him, because no doubt he could be asking the exact same one. 

They all get clear enough to meet Kagome as she runs up to them on their feet, but they're still covered in gunk. She tells them that Shippou got away again, and Miroku reflects with his own irritated expression that it's a bit of a problem that they can't be too hard on Shippou, and that's just the start to the issues they have to navigate in this situation. Inuyasha scoffs, asking what they're holding back for, planning to hit him 50 to 60 times to wake him up. That's... an odd range of numbers. Kagome assures him that any number of hits isn't really going to make a difference, and Sango tells him not to say reckless things. But that's like half his dialog!

The characters must have taken a few minutes to bathe, because when Sango places a small elevated dish/table stacked with dumplings out, she's all clean. Miroku asks them what they really are, and Sango tells him they're a numbing potion. Inuyasha seems to think this is more reckless than his own idea and says so. 

Damn, he just went for it. Not even enough hesitation to wait for them to hide. 

Kagome cries that the potion is working, and Inuyasha runs forth, eager to catch the little nuisance. But the stricken Shippou takes a deep breath and...

Are you sure you didn't get your "numbing" potion confused with ipecac, Sango?

As Shippou floats away, still shivering and with the parasite still stuck stubbornly to the back of his balloon form, Inuyasha looks like he's at the end of his tether. He's covered in scratches from the spiky wailing chestnuts and pressing a finger to his own forehead, mouth twitching and eyes closed as though he might be counting to ten. Whatever calming technique he's trying to employ, it doesn't work. He leaps after Shippou, preparing to draw Tessaiga and announcing that the little troublemaker is DEAD. 

He unsheathes the sword and looks for all the world like he's going to make good on his threat, and draws the alarmed attention of Balloon Shippou. Kiddo turns back into his regular fox form, though it's still stricken by Sango's concoction, turning to curse Inuyasha, in disbelief that he'd really kill a friend. Inuyasha yells at him to shut up, because if he thought he'd get soft treatment because he's a kid, he made a BIG mistake. 

I'm glad Inuyasha's shitty aim decided to take a vacation for this little surgical operation. Although, in the next panel, while Kagome gasps, Sango seems to think that the big bug has detached ITSELF from Shippou. The child falls out of the sky in a dead faint, his friends running and shouting to him. Kagome picks him off the ground and cradles him, thanking goodness that he's not injured. Well, it couldn't have hurt to try to CATCH him either. 

Inuyasha pops up next to them just to whack Shippou on the head, who immediately wakes up to hit Inuyasha back on the forehead in retaliation, demanding to know what he's doing. He doesn't even react, really, just continues to look annoyed. Kagome tries to defend Shippou by saying it was the possession of the Yadori Sanagi that made him behave the way he did, and Shippou is just a LITTLE too quick to agree with this assessment. Inuyasha is definitely not buying it, and suggests that this just makes the whole thing simpler. He grabs the top of Shippou's head and asks him, point-blank, if it's true that he remembers everything that happened while he was possessed. Shippou gulps, not responding directly, so Inuyasha adds that he thought it was AWFULLY suspicious that only HE was getting hit by particularly nasty attacks. 

At this, Shippou yells at Inuyasha to shut up, because he's always picking on him, the implication being that Inuyasha deserved everything he got. Inuyasha hits him again, reiterating this as a confession that Shippou really DOES remember all his actions under possession. Behind them, Miroku and Sango are mounting Kirara, the former telling them that's enough screwing around with the blame game, the latter suggesting they all go after that fleeing parasite. 

I'm surprised they're able to find the thing again - Inuyasha and Shippou's spat gave it plenty of time to get the fuck out of Dodge. 

Miroku asks Sango if the creature is searching for a new host, and Sango affirms this by saying that if they lose it now, it will inevitably find one. The Yadori Sanagi leads the group to a swampy area, and... well, I hope you're not hungry at the moment, because you're about to lose your appetite. 

Now THAT'S an infestation. 

Miroku is as a loss for words at the scene and Sango is dumbfounded at just how MANY there are, both gaping. Kagome asks Sango what she MEANS by commenting on the sheer number, because it implies that this is NOT normal, and Sango replies that this many would indicate that a very large youkai infested with the parasites died, but that's just a guess on her part. Miroku unwinds the beads from around his right wrist, declaring that whatever the reason they're here, they've got to finish the Yadori Sanagi off, and Sango agrees. Yeah girl, go ahead and let him do YOUR job, lol!

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forested hills...

This is a momentary switch to Kikyou, so don't get excited. RT just wanted to let you know that she too noticed the large number of Yadori Sanagi in the area lately. The irony being that she MIGHT know a spider demon that could take care of these for them...

We're thrown back with the Inuyasha group after another narrow sky transition panel, and while they're picnicking on a grassy hill overlooking the wide expanse of wilderness, Miroku asks Sango what's up, citing the fact that they got rid of those pesky parasites as the reason she should be relieved, I guess. Kagome asks if there's something she's still worried about, and Sango admits that she's thinking again about the massive number of them they saw, which makes her think the host had to have been SUPER LARGE. She says it's natural to assume the host died, like she said before, but she trails in this uncertain assessment. Miroku finishes for her, stating they didn't find a youkai corpse, and Inuyasha adds that there wasn't any smell either. 

Well, that's not unusual. Youkai corpses disappear into thin air ALL THE TIME in this story. More often than not, in fact.

No one acknowledges this. Kagome asks hesitantly if it's possible the host HASN'T died, and Sango further builds on this idea, suggesting that the gargantuan thing just MOVED instead. Miroku questions if Sango thinks this means Naraku is involved somehow, and she just gives him a verbal shrug, but emphasizes how NOT NORMAL any of this is. 

When are you NOT coming across strange things?

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? I FELT the frustration between Inuyasha and Shippou in this one. Theirs is an interesting relationship, and I always cherish when we get to explore it, because that happens so seldom. In this case we get a closer highlight of how they pester each other like siblings at odds. We see snippets of it all the time, of course, but putting the focus on it like this helps to put in perspective how the two of them chafe one another. 

On the one hand, Inuyasha is facing a somewhat emotionally fraught time. He's having little spats with Kagome every time he catches a glimpse of Kikyou, and that's putting a strain on him, so his already short patience is all the shorter. Especially with little Shippou, who is always doing that little kid thing of trying to act more adult by making snide remarks about the behavior of the bigger kids and acting like he knows better. That's annoying to a good many of us under the best of circumstances, but with Shippou's habit of digging at Inuyasha for these very relationship issues he's struggling with, it's no wonder to me that he would just knock the little sucker out to get a break from the noise. 

On the other hand, it's easy to forget that Shippou is still dealing with the loss of his father. The group is nice, but they aren't replacement parents, just a hodge-podge of kids themselves. It feels like he's been COMPETING with Inuyasha, because while Inuyasha IS someone he would naturally look up to, he's also quite dismissive and mean a lot of the time. The tension between them comes to a head when Shippou feels like he can't defend himself properly against the disdain he feels from Inuyasha when they're talking at cross-purposes. Of course, he managed alright in this chapter at least making some real trouble for Inuyasha and the others.

Which is what Inuyasha was implying with his comments about Shippou's memory here. If Shippou were MERELY possessed, and it was the Yadori Sanagi that was doing those things THROUGH him, then there wouldn't have been any particular targeting of Inuyasha at all. After all, the insect didn't know HIM from a hole in the ground. But since the rest of the group just got annoying little delays and misdirects, and Inuyasha got a lot of the more targeted attacks, it seems like Shippou was just drawing on the parasite's power while consciously DIRECTING the attacks, making him ultimately at fault. 

And oddly, that makes me wonder; what would he think of Kohaku's current actions? Him being conscious and all, but still deferring to Naraku's authority for the time being. I know I keep coming back to Kohaku's current culpability, but there's something very interesting about the implications in it that I keep coming back to. 

Anyway, I also really appreciated the fact that this goofy two-off of Shippou getting a chance at a little revenge on Inuyasha ended up leading into a wider question of WHERE all these parasites came from. A good mystery has always been gratifying to me, so I love where this is headed. 

Or maybe I'm just happy we're getting less focus on jealous bickering between Inuyasha and Kagome.

YuYu Hakusho Manga: 034 The Gate of Betrayal!!

That title? Not on the chapter on the Viz website AT ALL. I had to look up the title on a search engine, because I scrolled through the whole chapter looking for it and I couldn't find the official chapter title except in regular dialog. Somewhat strange, since I don't think a translator has ever forgotten to include the title in their translation before in all the manga chapters I've covered on the blog. I would think it's the easiest part of the chapter to interpret, but I suppose I wouldn't know, since I'm still working on learning other languages, and not even close to being a professional translator. 

I'm just sayin'. Viz gets paid for this. 

Oh yeah! It's these guys again! Funny meeting you here... at this demonic castle. 

Kurama laughs a little, saying they're here for community service in lieu of jail time. By the way, the Gutter Imps have returned to their feet and are advancing again, but this doesn't seem to be concerning to a single person here. Indeed Kurama is smiling and Hiei placid as the former says they might even earn pardons if they help Yusuke and Kuwabara out. Sweet deal. Yusuke calls "Good Ol' Koenma" unpredictable as ever. I suppose it's fair to not expect consistency out of weird god-people running the underworld, lol. 

Yusuke introduces Hiei and Kurama, and Hiei almost immediately launches into his own angle on the business, which is to snatch all the cool treasures that the Four Beasts beat him to stealing, so he warns them all not to expect any help from him. Kurama lets out another little polite scoff, and Kuwabara asks what's with the shrimp copping a major attitude. 

They're already getting along sooooo well. Honestly, I'm a little surprised Yusuke isn't more wary of Hiei, given what almost happened to Keiko.

But, then again, I'm not. XD

Kurama tells Hiei to stop it, as they can argue after they've successfully completed the job. Or you could just not bother to bicker at all, because who needs the headache? But Hiei is ornery as ever, and says he still has a score to settle with Yusuke, warning him exactly ONCE to watch his back, while Kuwabara demands that Hiei not forget about him. Is he JEALOUS of the attention Yusuke is getting from the little curmudgeon? These kids are weird. 

Anyway, Yusuke maintains a good-natured attitude as he says he'll take any allies he can get, Kuwabara and Hiei scoffing in response. It's about this time that the recovered Gutter Imps belatedly notice that Kurama and Hiei are who they are - famously on the Underworld's "Most Wanted" List, and in awe that these guys seem to be siding with humans. Took them a while, right? They skitter to the side as the boys all stroll on toward the castle, and we get a closeup of its very Space-Needle-esque spire at the top. 

I mean, to be fair, you don't seem to have much of a position to negotiate from. 

A series of black panels labeled with the names of their speakers follows, so we don't know what these folks look like. "Genbu" says that it's been a while since they've had visitors, and "Byakko" claims that they don't seem like they're worth worrying about, contrary to the attitude of the Gutter Imps below. I guess that's why they're down there, and "Byakko" is up in the castle, though. "Seiryu" asks "Suzaku" what they should do, and "Suzaku" responds that "Byakko" is right, that they don't need to worry their heads about a hodge-podge band like the one approaching them, which cannot hope to breach their fortress. The assumption is that they'll just die at the Gate of Betrayal.

They actually call it that.

What's even better is that when Yusuke and Co. show up at the gate, it looks like the top of a skull with a tunnel carved out of the rock below so it appears you'd be walking into its wide-open TRAP when you're going inside. It's also embellished on either side of the tunnel with clawed paws. The whole thing looks like a haunted house that has a bit of a budget, which, I guess would be on brand for demons. Still, the setup is a bit on the goofier side. 

Yusuke seems impressed though, calling it some entrance. It's also towering over him, so that's gotta have a pretty good effect. Kuwabara makes a shivering noise at the long dark tunnel before them. Yusuke's grimacing, but he forces out the adage about nothing ventured, nothing gained, encouraging the party on. A note on the panel pokes some fun at him for not having a clue and going in without any plan.

As they waltz inside, they make out the fluttering form of a bat, but upon closer inspection, it's a big eyeball with bat wings hovering in a doorway. And it TALKS with no visible mouth. It welcomes them to Labyrinth Castle, (pleased to meet the property, I'm sure) and tells them that those who dare enter will be tried at the Gate of Betrayal. Both hooligans are incensed at the word "tried", no doubt duly familiar with legal proceedings. 

But instead of facing a judge and jury, the eyeball-bat flutters over to the wall and extends one of the nerve endings trailing from the back of its body to pull a lever there. Yusuke immediately perceives that the ceiling is dropping on them. 

It's not even like that Star Wars Garbage Compactor shit that's all slow and foreboding. 

The eyeball declares this is a SMART gate which senses the strength of each person under it and applies just the amount of pressure they can tolerate. Not even one of them can relax without the whole party becoming pancakes. Just one more example of how AI having access to your biometric data can fuck you over. Yusuke growls a curse at the flying eyeball, but it remains unfazed, explaining further that if one of them ducks out from under the collapsing ceiling to save himself, the others will immediately be flattened. If NONE of them attempts a betrayal, they'll all slowly become exhausted in the effort to keep the slab aloft and die together anyway. The eyeball concludes by saying that only cowards can enter the castle, and the choice is theirs. 

A sweating Kuwabara grunts that this is a load of crap, as Yusuke observes the Eye-Bat across the room, next to the lever it pulled. He thinks that they have to push it back into its original position, and calls to Hiei. 

It's crazy weird that they're forced to do this corporate trust exercise right at the beginning of this mission. 

Hiei sweatdrops while Kuwabara asks Yusuke if he's out of his mind, telling HIM to go rather than trust the little creep. As opposed to being offended, Hiei says that the "Flat-Face" isn't a complete moron after all, and asks Yusuke if he's sure he really wants to trust HIM as Kuwabara protests at the new nickname he's gotten off Hiei. Yusuke insists he can support Hiei's share of the weight for a second or two if he gives it all he's got. But what about the Smart Gate (TM) and its measurements of the exact weight each of them can handle at their limits? No matter, we'll ignore that. Yusuke tells Hiei to go urgently, and smiles as he jokes that he shouldn't go taking too long about it. Hiei stares in some astonishment.

But he zips out from under the heavy ceiling and over to the lever in the wall regardless of his clear bewilderment, preparing to push it back up. The ceiling weighs down on his remaining party, Yusuke pushed into a wide squat in order to support the extra burden. Hiei is paused, looking back at the mismatched little team. Kuwabara can't help but demand to know what the holdup is, and yells at him to raise the lever already. 

The Eye-Bat flatters him, saying that a criminal of his caliber would be welcomed heartily by the Four Beasts. Kuwabara's indignation flares up again, asking if SHORTY over there is going to betray Yusuke's trust just like that. Not likely, since the Eye-Bat didn't even really OFFER him anything tempting except an audience with a head honcho. Who even KNOWS what a "hearty welcome" entails with demons. 

Hiei starts chuckling softly, then murmurs about a bunch of fucking morons, Yusuke and Kuwabara staring on in horror as he yells that they have NO IDEA. 

Least surprising result ever, lol.

The Eye-Bat is still alive and fluttering away screeching while Hiei tells it to inform its masters that he'll spare their lives if they submit to his will. He says he's giving them just ONE chance to beg for their lives. Shit, guys, don't ever try to offer Hiei a manipulative deal. That pisses him off more than insults to his face. 

Once the other three are out from under their burdensome ceiling, Yusuke wobbles a little. Kuwabara asks if he's okay and Yusuke tells him he'll let him know in time. Apparently the weight Hiei was bearing was a bit more than he was expecting. He gives Hiei a thumbs-up, thanking him for his good work, then claps him on the shoulder in mirth over how he made them all sweat over that imperious act of his. Yusuke calls Hiei a twisted guy, which Hiei doesn't deny. Instead he scoffs and points at Yusuke, claiming he didn't do it for his sake, but just because this errand will go all the faster with backup. He walks off, and Kurama assures a still smiling Yusuke that Hiei is saying "You're Welcome" in his own way. 

His own twisted way, to be sure. 

Once again, we're treated to panels half cast in shadow so we can't see who's speaking when they acknowledge that the party has cleared the Gate of Betrayal. It miffs this person that Hiei wants them to beg for THEIR life, and vows to make Hiei beg for HIS instead, only large drooping eyes showing through the black of the panel as they introduce themselves as Genbu. Genbu doesn't plan on listening to any pleas for life, though, and announces that four fresh corpses are coming up. 

Meanwhile, the party is wandering through the stone halls of the castle, one of them saying they see why it's named "Labyrinth Castle". Another suggests they find some stairs to take them up, because big bosses love to hang on top floors. These are just like, the rules of video games! 

Botan's voice calls from Yusuke's pocket where he's stashed his comms device, and she assures him things are pretty quiet in the human world so far, to which he responds in the affirmative. She continues by saying she's managed to take out fifteen of the infectious roundworms, but that's out of THOUSANDS, and he says they need to hurry and snatch that whistle. She's ducked into an alley and is speaking onto her comms compact as people pass on the street behind her, reminding him that these insects only seek out and possess people with SINISTER souls, and there don't appear to be too many like that around. Surprising, considering all the douchebag hooligans Yusuke has opposed throughout this short comic so far. Botan says there may be more hope for humanity than she thought (HAH!) as she squishes yet another insect without a host under her shoe with a triumphant exclamation. She does agree that they need to hurry though, because she could just be experiencing a calm before the storm. He gives her an affirmative again and encourages his team to keep moving, assuring them the city is safe, FOR NOW.

As they continue on their way, Yusuke asks Kurama what he knows about these Four Beasts, having no idea himself about what they're going to face. Kurama cites the fact that the Underworld took special measures to contain them with the barrier as proof that these guys are pretty dangerous, and they don't look at all human, so he suggests they brace themselves for that. From behind a doorway, someone gushes that this is high praise, and they're blushing. After a little surprise, Yusuke knocks open the door with a question of whether this is one of them, and Kuwabara expresses all the MORE surprise when he sees beyond the doorway. 

Gamera, what HAPPENED????

That long articulated stone tail whips around as Yusuke yelps about what a big sucker this guy is, and Genbu himself tells them that the only staircase that leads up further into the castle is behind him, so the they have two options: defeat him and gain the stairs, or DIE. Seems pretty straightforward. 

Again, his tail swings around, and this time collides with the floor, shattering the flagstones, a demonstration of what kind of damage it can do. Genbu encourages them to come at him all at once, because it'll save him a bit of time. Kuwabara's eyes bug in horror, complaining that this has to be some kind of joke, because he's flabbergasted as to how one is supposed to fight a real live MONSTER like this. 

Okay my dude, if you wanna fight the literal stone warrior, be my guest.

Couldn't be me.

Kurama teasingly adds that he can't let Hiei have all the fun and take all the bows, to which Hiei responds with another scoff and a declaration that no one cares, still turned away in haughty irritation. Knock off the flirting and get to it, man. Genbu seems perfectly fine with the one-at-a-time arrangement Kurama is making despite his preferences, encouraging him to get going through a grin. Yusuke suggests that they should maybe sneak around and flank the guy, but Hiei tells him to relax, because Kurama MAY surprise him. He says that the whole reason he teamed up with Kurama was because it was way preferable than going AGAINST the guy, because he gets vicious in unthinkable ways when he's threatened. Not sure how he'd have been threatened if Kurama would have been threatened by Hiei not including him in his little heist plot when we got acquainted with them, but I guess that's neither here nor there at this point. 

Kurama faces Genbu at a short distance, telling him they can start the fight whenever he's ready. When Genbu doesn't respond, Kurama resigns himself to make the first move. Meanwhile, Yusuke observes that Genbu's stony tail has started to penetrate the floor like the flagstones are mere WATER. The tip of it rises back out of the floor in the same manner, behind the seemingly oblivious Kurama, which Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei note with alarm from their spectator position. Kurama is alerted by the cries of him teammates and looks around, but it's too late. Genbu brags about how rock is his element and he moves freely through it, and that allows him to do stuff like the next panel. 

Ooof, that's a bad start.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? For some reason, it strikes me for the first time here that the art has gotten quite a bit better. Perhaps it's because we're seeing Kurama and Hiei again, and they look FAR less stiff and unnatural than they did when we first met them. Initially, their characters were both  giving "Baby's first OC Do Not Steal" combined with the lack of skill to pull them off, but something happened between then and now to make not just their posture more natural, but also their actions more fluid and less awkward. Since we see Yusuke and Kuwabara more often, the ease with with they are drawn must have been gradual enough that I didn't note it until now, but on closer inspection, they are also far better represented in form than they were before. 

I'm quite entertained by the game-like trials that are being thrown at the boys here; it's a little goofy that they've been teleported to a labyrinthine castle filled with booby traps and bosses that they have to defeat, but in the best way. I think the use of these tropes are very fun, and their execution does kind of remind me of playing those RPG video games with turn-based combat and cute twists on the medieval theme I've gone through in the past. It's an almost warm reminiscent feeling, that doesn't turn into that kind of bitter nostalgia that can be a little toxic.

I also like Genbu's design, because it's intimidating without there being TOO much going on. He's got a pretty simple composition and powers, which leaves room for elaboration later on if needed. It kind of reminds me of a certain class of being in "The Fifth Season" by N. K. Jemisin, which is a novel (and series) I highly recommend. Not gonna spoil it, but Genbu is giving that vibe with how he just MOVES through solid stone. 

One criticism I do have with this chapter is a common one I have with most of the manga I cover - time. The way the Eye-Bat described how the gate worked was that it would crush the remaining members of the team the moment ONE of them left from beneath it. Sure, we can assume that was something of an exaggeration, but it was still quite a while, relatively speaking, before Hiei pushed back up that lever. Now I have to assume that his burden was a lot less than the other three, and therefore it bought them a few more moments because he's simply not all that strong. It makes sense if his particular skill is put into speed rather than musculature, but we've seen him with his shirt off, and guy has muscles for days! I don't know if I buy that he's SO much weaker than the rest of the group that they (Yusuke) could manage to hold his weight that much longer. 

Of course, this isn't a HUGE gripe, and we can just assume that the Eye!Bat was greatly exaggerating the gate's ability to measure one's personal abilities. It's a little convenient though.  

Inuyasha Manga: 333 Yadori Sanagi

If three's a charm, this one must be extra special. I feel lucky already, because the translation note at the bottom of the title page telling me that the name of this chapter not only refers to the name of the youkai featured in it, but also that it translates roughly to "lodging pupa". Now, I'm not sure what THAT means in and of itself, considering pupa tend to be provided with their OWN lodging by design, but at least I don't have to go out of my way to look this one up.

Not that I'm particularly consistent about doing that to begin with.

That's one WILD looking pupal stage, though. 

There are a group of concerned-looking villagers who call this creature "Okitsune-sama", fretting over its VIOLENT appearance, and begging it to calm itself. At its feet, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango appear, battle-ready. Inuyasha holds up his hand and makes a show of cracking his knuckles, calling this a wimpy youkai, because apparently he didn't listen to the villagers who addressed it in somewhat reverent terms. He vows to rip it apart with one strike. 

The village men stutter at this and reiterate to Inuyasha that they asked him to CALM DOWN the creature, not rip it apart. Inuyasha makes a confused noise, and his bafflement is more obvious still when he is told to stand back by Miroku as he and Sango step to the fore, Miroku pointing out that this creature is clearly a fox god. Sango affirms this, adding that it's been possessed by something, a strange glare/glow coming off the base of its neck. 

Miroku throws some paper charms at the spot. 

Creepy bug! Creepy bug!

Sango announces the parasite has been separated from its host and lunges for it, slashing it apart with one swing of Hiraikotsu. A bit like smashing a flea with a hammer, but it does the trick. Shippou and Kagome seem enthusiastic about Sango and Miroku's work, but Inuyasha scoffs. The village men are a bit more concerned about the fate of their fox god, though. Miroku assures them that it'll be fine now, since the evil has vanished. As though to affirm Miroku's view, the god arcs through the sky in a much more peaceful and ethereal form, and Miroku suggests it's probably returning to its shrine. 

Later, as they chill in a bigger village house, a host thanks the group for their efforts, because killing the protecting god of the area would have been unthinkable. 

Sango is anything BUT as ease, however. She mutters about how the attached youkai she smashed earlier was a bit worrying. Kagome asks if she's familiar with the creature, and Sango calls it by the name of the chapter: Yadori Sanagi. She says it's not a strong youkai, being a parasite that uses much bigger and stronger youkai, but she's never heard of one possessing a god. I've never heard of what exactly the difference between a god and a youkai is supposed to be to begin with, so I guess we're both confused. 

Miroku asks her if they should investigate this, but Inuyasha demands they all hold on a second. He reminds them that they're trying to find Naraku, and this isn't the time to be bothering with small fry youkai, admitting irritation with the fact that they don't have any clues for their real objective. Miroku dryly states how regular it is for Inuyasha to be irritated though, and Shippou adopts a lofty expression as he says how understandable it is that Inuyasha would be in such a bad mood after having done NOTHING of note today. He really shouldn't have sat next to Inuyasha, because Inuyasha takes advantage of his position to whack him upside the head for his cheek, telling him not to comment on that so proudly. Kid has gotten punched so often he just doesn't even notice it anymore. 

That night, with the trees rustling ominously outside, Shippou lies awake among his sleeping friends, tucked into Kagome's futon, thinking about how strong the wind is. A soft clatter sounds at the door and at first he wonders if it's a bird or something, but when he turns to look...

I would shit my SOUL. 

Shippou stutters, trying to utter the name of the parasite bug to alert his friends. Inuyasha appears kneeling behind Shippou, commenting on how there seem to be more of the Yadori Sanagi hanging around, but his sudden statement in the quiet of the room does anything but reassure Shippou. The little fox jumps up and smacks Inuyasha on his forehead, snapping at him not to just suddenly sneak up behind people. With an unimpressed and exhausted look, Inuyasha punches punches him back, advising Shippou that he may as well be unconscious if he's going to be freaking out like that. Inuyasha does appear to have hit Shippou hard enough to leave him senseless, eyes swirling in his disorientation. It's... ONE way to sedate someone. 

Inuyasha jumps out the door, preparing to draw Tessaiga. He sees three of the bugs flying through the air, and seems a little surprised that there wasn't just one of the things. 

Simple and clean. And boring, per Inuyasha's complaint following. 

Kagome comes to the ajar door, calling to Inuyasha, and he asks if she was woken by his pest control efforts. She seems worried as she tells him that she has no idea where Shippou is, and his confusion returns as he says he had knocked the little guy out near the futons just a short time ago. Now Sango has joined Kagome at the doorway, and they both spend a moment staring until Kagome sees fit to warn him to look behind him. 

Kagome needn't have been concerned, Shippou was quite close after all. 

Shippou's balloon form shakes some pellets from a bamboo container out into its Pacman-like gaping maw, which Sango identifies as her scent pellets for youkai extermination. After a second of active munching, Shippou belches straight into Inuyasha's face, who cringes away in disgust and horror, and then collapses into senselessness, getting what he gave Shippou not too long before. Kagome runs beside him, calling his name, then looks up to see a retreating balloon!Shippou, a big parasite Yadori Sanagi clinging to his back. 

Sango observes this as well, calling it out, and Miroku states the obvious that he's been possessed as well. Looking somewhat panicked, Sango insists that they have to go after Shippou, implying that it's a bad business for small youkai to be possessed by Yadori Sanagi. As they mount a transformed Kirara, Miroku asks if Shippou will go crazy like the fox god from earlier. Sango says it's likely, and he'll also likely lose to the parasite's evil influence. I'm assuming that means there's a significant change the damage to Shippou will be permanent, but Sango doesn't really elaborate. 

The trio flies up behind balloon!Shippou's floating form, Sango yelling at him to stop. 

He's not joking around. 

They dodge the massive statue in midair, and it slams into the ground, then shrinks to its smaller size again as the spell wears off. When they look back in Shippou's direction, all that's left is a swirl of atmosphere where he disappeared, per Sango's disappointed comment. Turns out he's a bit of a slippery character when he wants to be. 

The day dawns, and the village men greet each other pleasantly in the fields, expressing relief that they can work in peace now that their fox guardian has been calmed down. As if in defiant response, a clatter sounds and the men look around to its source. 

So much for a peaceful workday. 

Shippou is up to a LOT of chaos today too. In a local temple, a monk is horrified by the defacing of a Buddha statue, a goofy cartoon face painted on its belly and swirls on its cheeks. Some gatherers on the edge of the village are alarmed by massive laughing mushrooms that sprout before their eyes. The kid's been busier than he's ever been, seeming to be abnormally motivated, but by what, I couldn't say. 

Sango and Miroku spot him next to the high branches of a tree and make for him with purpose, but he chomps down on their whole party with his massive Pacman mouth, Kirara's tails sticking out of it like a strange, furry couple of noodles. Suddenly, Shippou's body sags and melts into a sticky mess, that Sango, Miroku, and Kirara are hopelessly entangled in without much hope of escaping. The old decoy trick.

Back at the house where they spent the night, Kagome is fanning the inert form of Inuyasha, who lies stretched out on his belly, presumably unconscious from the strong scent belched directly into his nose by Shippou. Must be strong, since it has to have been a few hours by this point. Kagome looks up at the sound of a commotion on the wood walkway, to where a few angry villagers have appeared in the doorway with their farm implements. They tell her a new youkai has shown up, and beg for help exterminating it. Kagome sweatdrops and Inuyasha lifts his head to look groggily at the company, who insist that there's no way THIS one is a god, so advise to just kill it. Just as Kagome bids them to hold on a moment, they're already on their way to gather bows and arrows, one of them declaring they have spears as well. Things are looking precarious for Shippou. 

You've been sitting there fanning Inuyasha this whole time, girl. "We" is doing some real heavy lifting here. 

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? It's a nice little diversion from the romantic drama that's been intermittent for a little while. Shippou gets very little to DO in these latter chapters, and therefore his relationship with the other characters isn't examined in as much detail. This chapter gives us a good opportunity to see how he would be as an enemy, or at least as a nuisance to the other mains. He's not SCARY or overly COMPETENT, but he does present a bit of a challenge because he's a little slippery and knows the team and their tactics well. The way he was able to set up a sort of gluey trap for Sango, Miroku, and Kirara was kind of cute, and was partly effective because he knew they would/could come close enough for his decoy to chomp down on them. 

And honestly, all these antics look kind of fun. Kid has been standing around commenting on the action for so long, seeing him get to let loose and cause some discord every once in a while is welcome. Even if it's not ENTIRELY voluntary. 

YuYu Hakusho Manga: 033 Challenge From Demon City!!

The existence of a demon city implies demon civilization, and my anthropologist-brain is intensely curious about this. I have so many questions: What kind of social organization is there? Cultural traditions (aside from the victimization of humans/mortals)? Architectural and artistic design? How about government and the organization of power? Since I'm familiar with this series, I know some of these questions have actual answers, but I also know that the depths of demon civilization isn't really touched upon, which is something of a shame to someone who can't help but wonder about how a fictional society can be built from a fundamentally malevolent unit. 

It's good to know your apathy has overcome your trauma at almost losing your son, Atsuko. She says that Yusuke is caught up in some kind of training, further emphasizing how she just doesn't know what's actually going on with that kid, lol. 

Anyway, Keiko mumbles something about being there just so Yusuke doesn't forget about his homework. On her way out of the neighborhood, Keiko wonders just what Yusuke is up to now, but she doesn't have to wait long to at least literally learning what he's up to at that very moment. Her eyes widen as he comes into view, crossing her path on his way in the opposite direction, with a rucksack slung over his shoulder and a grin on his face. She calls out to him in surprise and he asks her what's up. 

But by the next page, that reunion is already over, and we cut to the one that is REALLY important, lol!

Why go to a doctor when your local spiritualist will mutter over your wounds for an hour for a better result? *Insert eyeroll here*

Still holding his fist up, he asks Yusuke if he'd like a demonstration, but Yusuke turns him down with the suggestion that it would just put Kuwabara out of commission again. Kuwabara does not respond to that, asking instead how Yusuke's training with Genkai went, pointing out Yusuke doesn't LOOK any different. Yusuke puts on a sour expression, saying it was no picnic. He begins by recalling an exercise that involves a finger places against a spindle while Genkai instructs him to concentrate his aura into one point between the two.

This is far from all. In another memory, Genkai stands in front of Yusuke with her palm held out to him, and he's got both of his out, knees bent in a defensive position, She says that the exercise will teach him defense against a reiki attack, and that if he gives an inch, he'll die. So no pressure or anything. But when a flash of energy bursts from her palm, Yusuke goes flying backward immediately and is too dazed to be paying "strict" attention (according to the arrow label pointing to him in the next panel) to her saying they'll repeat the exercise until he can stand against any such assault. 

In the present, Yusuke is listing off other things he had to do while he was at Genkai's special training camp, such as meditating on hot coals and sleeping on a bed of nails. What does all the pain and discomfort do except ensure you don't get enough rest to actually learn and retain the techniques? Kuwabara grimaces and tells Yusuke that's enough already; he's got the idea. He complains that it makes him cringe just hearing about it. 

Yusuke admits that he DID learn some cool stuff, and Kuwabara asks if there's anything Yusuke can show HIM. Yusuke doesn't answer, though, going quiet. When Kuwabara hums in question at him, Yusuke informs him they're being followed. 

Another day ending in "y".

Yusuke says he hasn't seen them before, and casually asks if Kuwabara wants to take them on. Kuwabara answers that he's got nothing better to do, and it might be a fun time-killer. Getting the snot knocked out of you is one hell of a hobby, lol. The boys turn to face their pursuers, Kuwabara asking if they know who they're dealing with. He thrusts a thumb at his own chest and introduces himself as the muscle at Sara Jr. High, an title Yusuke can't help but chuckle at, muttering that Kuwabara WISHES that were the case. 

A couple of JoJo-looking motherfuckers pull out knives, one of them labeled with "15-years old" on his forehead. I'm not sure if this is a note on the panel or meant to be a tattoo, but it's fucking hilarious because he does NOT look 15. Regardless, both our boys balk, Kuwabara remarking on how these guys are whacked out for already pulling shivs. Maybe another indicator is the copious amounts of drool dripping over one's chin, as he grunts and grumbles, then shouting, tripping over a single word: "kill". 

He lunges at Yusuke and Kuwabara as if he's being pulled by his knife rather than thrusting it, and he misses them as they both step to either side. The rest of the gang advances with inarticulate growls and grunts, unless they're bidding them to die. Yusuke swears he's never seen a bunch of guys this out of it, and indeed they're looking downright FERAL as they grin menacingly with drool leaking out from between their teeth. 

They break out in a run at them and Yusuke says he can't mess around. He squats, holding his right forearm terminating in a fist, that Kuwabara notes in amazement is glowing. 

Nice and clean. So contrary to his usual style. XD

Kuwabara is impressed with the demonstration he asked for, in awe over how Yusuke mowed down those guys without even touching them, like he had a machine gun. Yusuke doesn't brag, and says it's just a basic reiki technique. I guess it speaks for itself, but humility looks a bit weird on Yusuke. Of course, it's less humility than it is his desire to find out who these guys even ARE. Kuwabara says he doesn't know, but almost immediately tells Yusuke to wait a moment, and looks around. He states that he senses a weird aura around the area, and is pretty sure it's not human. 

He points out a trenchcoated figure half concealed around a corner as the source of this aura, and yells as the dude to freeze. Whoever it is scoffs and runs instead, but doesn't get too far before he's whacked in the face with something and is propelled back out from behind the corner, in full view of the boys. 

Girl doesn't mess around. 

Botan is asked if she knows this weirdo and affirms that she does, saying he's a resident of Demon City, which is the subject of Yusuke's new mission, as it turns out. I'm sure it's no coincidence, anyway. Yusuke repeats the name of the place as a question, and Botan answers that it's a haven for otherworld outlaws. Damn, what a title THAT would have made!

Gotta hand it to them, that's some interesting architecture. 

Yusuke asks what demands these guys are making, and Botan says bluntly that they want access to the human world. Kuwabara and Yusuke look taken aback. I'm just asking how this resident got there in the first place, especially when Botan explains that they set up a force field to prevent that access some time ago, but the demons want it taken down. Trenchcoat!Demon can apparently get through a barrier but can't take a bat to the face. 

Arms crossed in an obstinate pose, Yusuke asks who cares what they want, and suggests Botan and company just ignore them. Botan informs him that it's not so simple as that, telling him to take a look at the guy who attacked him. Yusuke twists to observe one of the ruffians, who lies unconscious on the ground where he fell from the reiki assault. A long and creepy insect crawls out of the youth's open maw. 

Ew, that's gonna end up in my nightmares for sure.

Against a backdrop of a busy metropolitan area, people walking here and there, Botan says that the people these bugs infect are driven to violence, destruction, and murder, and the Four Beasts released thousands into the city. Alarmed, Yusuke insists they have to warn everyone, but Botan tells him it's useless. She says that normies can't see the bugs, and the ones who are affected just seem psycho to everyone else. 

... Did... Did the Four Beasts release these insects into MY country? Because you know...

Botan says that they can only exterminate the bugs, which means destroying the "enabling whistle". Yusuke questions this term, so Botan further explains that the bugs can't normally survive in the human world, but the whistle enables them to do so... somehow. She says that the Four Beasts have offered to hand over the whistle if the barrier is taken down, but this is obviously out of the question. When asked what she means by that, she drops the bomb that the residents of Demon City could kill everyone here in a DAY if they were allowed in. Gracious, she's less a "Grim Reaper" than an exposition machine.

Sweatdropping and looking a bit ill, Yusuke begins to guess what this means, and Botan interrupts to affirm that they need to steal the whistle and destroy it. Yusuke amends her statement to what she REALLY means - that HE has to steal and destroy the thing, and is a little incensed that he has to jump into a nest of demons all by his lonesome. Kuwabara asks what HE is, and uses an expression I've never heard before: snake spit. Usually the suggestion is "chopped liver" but I'll give him points for creativity. 

Botan looks at him with a sweatdrop and wide eyes, then freaks out with bodily flails and everything that he was listening this entire time. She didn't bother to check if Yusuke was alone before she started dumping the exposition, so her own fault. Kuwabara says he couldn't really HELP overhearing this not at all private conversation, and since he can see these insects too, he figures he's in this with Urameshi. He asks for confirmation that their mission is to grab this whistle rather than let his precious home town be overrun with crazy guys. 

Apparently, he got all his info straight. 

As they jump down out of the tree (no word on how they even GOT there to begin with, let alone why they were in the tree specifically), Yusuke asks Kuwabara if he's SURE he wants to come along, since he may not get away with just a few broken bones this time. Kuwabara retorts that he's not leaving it just up to Yusuke to save their town. My guy, I hate to break it to you, but Yusuke has a better track record in saving things than you do. 

A giggle sounds from off-panel and the boys turn toward its source: a group of cloaked figures that have raised their clawed hands as they surround the newcomers, muttering excitedly about how fragrant the humans are amidst continued giggles. An information bubble labels them as "Gutter Imps", which isn't a good descriptor, but at least would make a good insult if you wanted to use it on an enemy. According to the signage, these are the lowest class of Demon City residents, who subsist mainly on carrion but are fond of human flesh, and are desperate to rise in rank, so serve the Four Beasts pretty zealously. I'm eager to learn more about this system of stratification, and the mechanisms for class mobility. 

Anyway, these imps advance on the boys much like the infected humans did back in town, screeching about their presumed feast, and inviting each other to eat. Yusuke and Kuwabara punch a few of the crowd of them, but complain that they keep coming. We're given a wide overhead shot of the many little cloaked guys encircling the two kiddos, one of whom compares them to ants in that there are far too many of them, and the other warning that they'll be overwhelmed by the imps soon. 

Another voice sounds from off-panel, asking how the boys expect to tackle the castle if they can't even handle THESE lowlifes. Two more figures in cloaks come zipping into the fray, knocking the imps left and right, and eventually taking them all down like bowling pins before standing before Yusuke and Kuwabara. The boys are told they wouldn't get very far on their own anyway, which I guess seems pretty obvious now.

How much time do you have, Kuwabara?

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? I'm struck by how the chapter begins with Keiko complaining about Yusuke not being around, and then just kind of drops her the moment they see each other. No real reunion or anything, just a "hi how's it goin'?". Not only did it not contribute to the content of the rest of the chapter, it placed Keiko in front of us for no real reason. Did YT just want to remind us she exists? What was the point of that? I know she plays a role in the rest of this arc in the anime, but her brief appearance here doesn't actually speak to that. 

Demon City is an interesting concept, and I hope the manga elaborates more on it than the anime did, the little note about the social stratification that is occupied by Gutter Imps being a good indication. I'm not expecting MUCH more than that, given I know this is still just a tournament/fighting Shounen, but I would be satisfied with a few more tidbits like that. It's a wonderful opportunity to flesh out this general demon world and show us how it functions, even if it's just in small ways. So far there doesn't seem to be much of a "city" here so much as a curiously constructed castle, though. In particular, I hope there's more evidence of other buildings/dwellings later on.

It did jar me how suddenly Kuwabara and Yusuke just SHOWED UP on the outskirts of this city/castle. If there's a barrier or force field keeping these worlds apart, there should be a mechanism that one would have to employ to get through it, not just for the boys, but for the resident that wound up on the human side. Botan, who is so fond of dropping blocks of exposition like she's constructing a brick house, failed to mention a single detail about this mechanism, and both boys just APPEAR there. It gave me a bit of whiplash, and gives the impression that YT couldn't be bothered to come up with a quick explanation for the journey there. Reminds me a bit of the lack of a method for Inuyasha and Kagome's return from their first trip to the Border Graveyard. Not the BEST look, I have to admit. 

Also not the best look to have Botan just BEATING citizens of a sovereign city with a bat. I know we're supposed to view whoever this individual is as a criminal who came over a border illegally, but that's literally the justification MY country is giving for putting thousands of people a day into inhumane detention centers and deporting them to foreign work camps. It's not just an uncomfortable reflection of a current reality, but also a depiction of a horrible injustice with all the decorum of...

... well, a bat to the face.