Usagi 107 - now with spoilers!

[kchishol1970]

Things are picking up steam with Usagi and Sanshobo now joining the hunt.

However, I can't help but wonder what those two are going to do when the gang catches up to Inazuma. I've been thinking that pair will want to save her while Gen and Stray Dog will simply want to kill her. The only way out would have to be of that commissioner of that bounty on Inazuma getting impatient and taking a hand in the hunt to ensure that it is being done right and getting killed off for the trouble. Maybe that would cancel the bounty and Inazuma would be free from that.

However, there is the fact that she is seriously wounded and might die if freed of Jei. Maybe Stan can have a deux ex machina where the exorcising of Jei could somehow heal Inazuma physically.

On the other hand, with Senzo's nightmares, can anyone else hear Chekhov's gun being cocked for him to be the next victim of Jei's possesson?

If that happens and Inazuma is not killed off, then that could be used to explain where she goes next; she will vow to hunt down the new Jei and she prefers to work alone.

What do you think?

[estee]

Agghhhhh!

I want my copy!

[oxthowe]

Even if Boss Bakuchi died, I think that Inazuma would still have a huge bounty on her head. After all, she's killed too many people for the police to ignore. As for Inazuma's fate I can see it going either way, with her living or dying.

It would be interesting for her to live and vow to hunt down the next Jei, with Sanshobo going with her (regardless of her consent).

It really looks like Senzo could be the next Jei, but who can say for sure? Maybe Stan's leading us to the left before he dashes to the right and makes Stray Dog possessed by Jei.

I can't wait for the next issue to come out!

[Ben]

To blazes with Stray Dog! JEISAGI ALL THE WAY, BABY!

Sorry, had to get that off my chest...

[Tounian]

I love this new multi-issue story arc because there are so many familiar faces. I think the best stories are told when you've a lot of differing personalities all operating at the same time. That, and Sanshobo is my favorite character of them all, having him in any issue is awesome

Actually, the bounty hunter who is also on Inuzuma's trail is fast becoming one of my favorite characters, and I don't even recall him ever having a name (at least showing up in print). His features are drawn perfectly, he has such a cold calculating look, but I don't find it to be a look of evil. Such is the beauty of bounty hunters or other Han Solo-ish characters; they can ply their trade without having to necessarily be "bad," and I think that makes for the most fascinating of character explorations.

[Todd Shogun]

This was an awesome issue! With five big names going after Inazuma/Jei (Usagi, Sanshobo, Gen, Stray Dog, and this mystery ronin Isamu), you have to wonder how it will all come to a head. It's easy to think that Senzo will be the next Jei, but I expect Stan to surprise us on that one. Will there even be a next Jei at all? Will Inazuma finally be rid of Jei? With her recent "awareness" episodes, this confirms that her spirit is probably too strong for the likes of Jei, and could easily be expelled

What we do know is that there will be some conflict between Usagi and Inazuma's would-be killers (next issue!). Can't wait for that one....

[Ben]

For a while, I had a theory that Senzo's encounter with Haruko's angry ghost (she scratched him along the face, remember?) might have turned Senzo into an ideal receptacle for Jei. But now it seems Senzo was already contaminated with evil long before he ran into Haruko.

[Thomas Froehling]

For a while, I had a theory that Senzo's encounter with Haruko's angry ghost (she scratched him along the face, remember?) might have turned Senzo into an ideal receptacle for Jei. But now it seems Senzo was already contaminated with evil long before he ran into Haruko.

Yeah, and Gen called Usagi a "desaster magnet" once; what name would he have for poor Senzo?

It seems that a lot of super-natural creatures are out to get him...

My theory is that all poor folks killed by Jei had their souls trapped and warped into Jei's essence (for want of a better word), thus making him stronger. When he was killed (or: when his body was destroyed), that essence was floating around, looking for another host, but part of that essence got lost or went astray (into that poor peasant who was possessed, for example).

Most of said essence found Inazuma to be an acceptable host, but with a lot of his power missing Jei was and still is too weak to gain complete control over her.
And some part of Jei might have found Senzo; even weaker than the part that went out for Inazuma, but enough to torment that poor monk with nightmares and making him act in strange ways...

Maybe those parts of Jeis essence try to reunite and call out for each other, a call that attracts the attention of other super-natural beings....


Just my thoughts, I can't say I have it all sorted out...

[kchishol1970]

Something occurred to me. Perhaps Senzo's nightmares are not pertaining to his own possession, but that Temple's head monk, Hama.

Apparently, the black soul has to be physical contact with a potential host and both Jizonobu and Inazuma apparently experienced that before their possession. On that note, Senzo has not been in physical contact, but Hama has when he was seriously wounded by Jei in his rampage. Furthermore, he also somewhat resembles Priest Jizonobu as well.

What do you think?

[morna-san]

hmmm...

There might be something to the physical contact thing. That would suggest that Usagi and Gen (and many others) are far more likely as Jei receptacles than Senzo.

... hmmmm

[Ben]

The idea of multiple fragments of Jei wandering around is interesting, and would definitely explain why Senzo was briefly "Jei-ified" when Inazuma had already been possessed by Jei at that point.

Apparently, the black soul has to be physical contact with a potential host and both Jizonobu and Inazuma apparently experienced that before their possession. On that note, Senzo has not been in physical contact, but Hama has when he was seriously wounded by Jei in his rampage. Furthermore, he also somewhat resembles Priest Jizonobu as well.

But Senzo DID come into contact with Jei - his ashes, at the very least. Don't forget nightmares seem to play a part in pre-possession as well, and Usagi suffered his own fever dream not long ago.

One detail that hasn't been clarified yet is whether the Black Soul really is Jizonobu, or Jizonobu just happened to be the first host.

[Todd Shogun]

One detail that hasn't been clarified yet is whether the Black Soul really is Jizonobu, or Jizonobu just happened to be the first host.

Good point Ben. I've always thought Jei was a pre-existing demon, who possessed Jizonobu, but Jizo himself could very well be the demon. How he adopted the name "Jei" (by accident) for example, doesn't point to a pre-existing entity, but more a freshly created one from the soul of Jizonobu. A freshly created instrument of the evil gods to carry out their bidding. Pretty creepy.

[estee]

Finally got my copy...

My review is also up at Comixtreme, for those that are interested.

[Maka]

However, there is the fact that she is seriously wounded and might die if freed of Jei. Maybe Stan can have a deux ex machina where the exorcising of Jei could somehow heal Inazuma physically.

What do you think?

I finally got my copy of 107 today. I've been avoiding this thread until now.

I think Inazuma has been injured too seriously to survive once Jei spirit leaves her. It's also interesting that Keiko left the scene. In grasscutter she was left behind before Jei died. In this issue, she left on her own? Why?

And what kind of impact does seeing multiple killings have on a young Keiko. I feel bad for her most of all.

My theory is that all poor folks killed by Jei had their souls trapped and warped into Jei's essence . . .

Like you said, when the first Jei died in Grasscutter, it looked like all the souls were released. I think the souls are free at that point. I don't think they all are floating around looking for other people to possess. I think that Jei evil spirit alone possess people.

When Gen was pierced by Jei, he said it "It hurts . . . like something being dragged out of me." To which Jei responds "Your soul, rhino. I take your soul. A pity the wound is not fatal."

Was that just a figure of speech or does Jei have Gen's soul?

I think that is interesting subplot.

--

Since I think Inazuma is going to die and there are 5 main characters who can claim her commission, who is going to get it? How will that conflict be resolved.

A great issue. I love it when Mr. Sakai draws Jeizuma flying up in the air on page 12 and 13. Those freeze frame shots of action are so full of moment. I love this comic book.

Peace, maka

[Ben]

I wonder...could the appearence of "multiple Jeis" in this issue be a precursor to a Jei plague?

Or am I getting carried away?