And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Okay, so that was quite a long run of radio silence. I was expecting it; at this time of year, work kinda subsumes everything I do. It’s not exactly healthy, but I still haven’t learned quite how to balance having fun with needing to pay the bills, but oh well. It makes me happy that there’s stuff like fandom to come back to whenever I get a chance to doggie paddle to the top of the load.

Did manage to read the newest chapter of Toriko. I’m still kinda snerking at the huge muscles Komatsu’s sporting … his head looks so tiny! And I bet Toriko had to lend him a shirt, because there’s NO way that he could have fit into his own wardrobe at the moment. (Since they said that this “doping garlic” could last a month, Komatsu’s probably going to have to live out of Toriko’s closet for that long. XD)

I think, though, the real part that interested me was … (cut for spoilers and a HUGE LONG DORKY FANGEEKING TLDR SPIEL ABOUT TORIKO)

The revelation that there is a fourth faction in the manga world completely separate of the bishoukukai, the IGO, and the Nitro (though I guess you wouldn’t call the nitro as much as a faction as it is a unpredictable factor). It does bring something different to the formula of “big bad versus big good”; how many parts is the world going to split into if Toriko doesn’t manage to reunite the word with the legendary ingredient?

Though don’t get me wrong, I think the revelation about bishoukukai is intriguing and I am kinda curious about just what “Ichi” and “Mi”. (Also am highly amused that “Ichi”, “Ji”, “Mi” — which as Kewl noted in his translation — mean first, next, second.  Midora is the youngest “child”/student of Acacia.

The mangaka seems to like themes. XD Of note, Komatsu’s friends (as well as he, himself) are named after plants — Komatsu = Little Pine, Ootake = Bamboo, and Ume = plum. I don’t know if there’s symbolism involved there, but bamboo is the quickest growing (shooting for the top), Plum, in Japanese cultures, is a sign of the coming spring and as well as a sign of protection.

And my favorite, of course, is the fact a pine tree is one of the hardiest and toughest trees out there — the longest living non-colonizing organism on the planet is a pine tree. Plus, they come really big, or really small (and the Japanese use them for bonsai trees, which are REALLY REALLY SMALL), but they’re still one of the most important trees in any ecosystem (and they’re found around the world). According to the above link, they symbolize youth and longevity. Kinda suits Komatsu, eh?

Being that he is so ambitious, I’m beginning to wonder if Ootake will go with Ichiryuu, or perhaps he’ll throw in his lot with Midora — which might be interesting. He’ll probably live up to his namesake — fast growing, always climbing up.

Ume … that’s the puzzler at the moment. Hmm. I also think of Umeboshi … pickled plums … sooo goood.

Of note, all three chefs are either named after plants are either edible or produce edible seeds/fruits. Hehehe.

And with the tree theme, there’s also Acacia. XD But he’s not a chef, so whatever. His namesake, though, bears really spiny bits and grows in some of the harshest environments in Africa, so take what you will from that. XD

*embarrassed* okay, so speculating about the plants bit was somewhat dorky of me, but anyway … back to the chapter. *0_0*

The mangaka seems to also like drawing guys with streaks or stripes on their faces, such as Toriko, Stajunn, Zebra, and now Midora. XD

And long, black hair = mysterious face … Match’s boss, Midora, and Stajunn all had their faces hidden, with only their long black hair being an identifier for a while. I guess long black hair on males also must sooner or later lead up to a pretty handsome reveal. Hmm.

Also kinda curious about Acacia’s notebook … and the relationship it might have to the notebook Komatsu has obtained from the gourmet pyramid. Maybe it’s even the same one? If it’s a secret notebook, it may be written in code … it’s pretty amazing that Komatsu was able to translate/understand it in the first place.

Though since it’s a cookbook, it’s probably not Acacia’s … cookbooks, after all, are written by chefs. (Oo. That would be interesting what if sort of story … what if Toriko obtains Acacia’s notebook and Komatsu finds Frohze’s cookbook, and the only way they make sense is if you put them together … which then forms a complete narrative of their lives together (which has interesting parallels to Komatsu/Toriko’s own destiny? XD  Yeah, yeah, I have weird ideas *sighs*)

Even if it’s not the same notebook, I still wonder where ‘Matsu stashed it and I bet it proves to be a key to something … I don’t think the IGO even knows Komatsu has the book right now.  Of course, Zebra and Toriko know, but does anyone else?

Komatsu’s going to become an even hotter commodity if news gets out that A) he has it and B) he has interpreted it and studied it. The only thing saving Komatsu from being even MORE of a bishokuya/anyone else bait right now is that he stands in the shadow of the four kings … you tend to notice them first before you notice him. If that ever changes, the four of ‘em will have to take Komatsu into the Gourmet world just to lose the people pursuing their chef. XD XD (Sorta joking … sorta not).

Though the thing that sorta bothers me a little … it’s the weird difference in how people view chefs versus bishoukuya. Okay, yes, Acacia is the one who found the GOD ingredient, but there’s surprisingly little veneration for Frohze, who was his partner chef. I mean, sure there’s respect, but I dunno … you would think there’d be a statue or a temple to him around — but there’s nothing, not even at Acacia’s temple. Since Frohze and Acacia were a combo, you’d think they’d be represented together, but they aren’t, and Acacia seems to get most of the credit for finding GOD, though if they were a combo, wouldn’t Frohze have gone along too?! I dunno. Probably means something’s going on and there’s going to be a later reveal in the manga.

But like I said before, not being noticed is probably the only think keeping Komatsu from being yoinked at the moment so maybe it’s a policy to keep your chef under wraps, since bishoukuya can defend themselves. XD (Though the bishoukukai do have battle chefs ….. eh, enough theorizing!)

(Speaking of temples … there’s that niggling detail back at the gourmet temple that Komatsu noticed (but Toriko didn’t) that there are supposed to be eight temples but there’s only seven on display. Huh. What’s the missing dish? Or perhaps …. I’ve got a guess, but it’s probably silly. Yeah, my mind focuses on the weirdest details. XP)

Oh great, off tangent again. *Facepalm* Whhhhhy? Oh well.

But yes, great chapter for speculation, even if all it does is lead me off tangents that don’t relate to the chapter at all. *_* I don’t have many theories yet, but hehehehe, it’s great to have a manga to go all geeky and over analytical about. I’m SUCH a dork!

But yup, still lovin’ this manga!

… and Ugh, why do I write so much. I am such a dork. *goes to hide with pillow over head*