Needless

[Avvesione]

Yeah, Xiammes brings up an excellent point in that we don't really know the timeline of Eve Project in relation to the Adam Project. That is, we don't know when Riru and all this happened nor do we really know when she developed her Psychokinesis. We've only just learned about her origins and this chapter had only a minor amount of detail, so it's hard to tell what's going on with. I'm sure we'll get more information soon, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the two created differently and for different purposes.

---

Also, remember how I used to write up posts on my blog about Needless? Well, I finally got around to catching up, so here they are for the past three chapters:

Chapter 104: http://avvesione.wordpress.com/2012/...s-chapter-104/
Chapter 105: http://avvesione.wordpress.com/2012/...s-chapter-105/
Chapter 106: http://avvesione.wordpress.com/2012/...s-chapter-106/

I know these are late but I'd still appreciate it if you read over them and wanted to talk about them at all. Thanks.

---

Also, regarding this most recent chapter and on Setsuna:

Spoiler:

It appears as though she may've landed some of her DDBB on Teruyama. If you look at the panel where Setsuna kicks away his Little Boy (that sound dirty), you see he doesn't have any marks on his face nor at anytime prior do you see any visible blood. However, after starting her DDBB and her beginning to cough up the blood, there's a bloody scratch on Teruyama's left cheek. She likely landed a few hits on him just then but stopped part-way through. Might be a clue, might not, but it does look like there's some blood in that final page of their fight.

[Kurohane]

Originally Posted by Xiammes

That also means Eve didn't have any fragments to begin but Riru did, makes you wonder why. Maybe after the accident in the lab it was determined that Eve didn't need a fragment, but concerning the latest chapter it doesn't make much sense.

Spoiler for :

Riru was shown in the wreckage of the Adam Project, and looked exactly like Eve. So we know she was likely created after the accident in the Eve project room, but why was she their at all? Was she a back up to Eve if Blade ended up rejected Eve N, or were they switching the Eves back and forth on Blade and Riru grew fond of Blade, which would explain why she is so vicious towards Eve.

Spoiler for :

It's really possible. Riru could have been the Eve Gido mentioned in the Past Arc when saying Blade met her before. It is not entirely a lie since they are both an Eve, and he wouldn't want Blade to know that there are actually two of them. I know Arclight-Riru and Blade-Eve are consecutives of each other, and that's how it turned out, but really back then, why use Letter N when you still have Letter M?

I believe Riru is lashing out at Eve because she condemns her for not being what she was created for. She views Eve as someone who stole from her rightful God instead of giving her everything to him like Riru did for Arclight, and has no shame about it. In other words, she views Eve as a failed Eve.

Originally Posted by Avvesione

Also, regarding this most recent chapter and on Setsuna:

Spoiler:

It appears as though she may've landed some of her DDBB on Teruyama. If you look at the panel where Setsuna kicks away his Little Boy (that sound dirty), you see he doesn't have any marks on his face nor at anytime prior do you see any visible blood. However, after starting her DDBB and her beginning to cough up the blood, there's a bloody scratch on Teruyama's left cheek. She likely landed a few hits on him just then but stopped part-way through. Might be a clue, might not, but it does look like there's some blood in that final page of their fight.

Spoiler for :

Yeah, I noticed that too. Teruyama has a cut on his left cheek. Setsuna managed to get a hit in before whatever happened to her. It is strange if this is really an internal problem. Even if her body gave out due to Eden's seed the trajectory of her attack wouldn't have shifted so much and it definitely wouldn't be strong enough to cause any damage to Teruyama. In fact, Teruyama should have been able to avoid and counter when Setsuna faltered. It is noteworthy that Teruyama didn't use this chance to strike back.

Also, I've been waiting for your reviews Avvesione. Looking forward to reading them.

[Sayo A.]

Spoiler for 106:

Originally Posted by Xiammes

Riru was shown in the wreckage of the Adam Project, and looked exactly like Eve. So we know she was likely created after the accident in the Eve project room, but why was she their at all? Was she a back up to Eve if Blade ended up rejected Eve N, or were they switching the Eves back and forth on Blade and Riru grew fond of Blade, which would explain why she is so vicious towards Eve.

I wouldn't say Riru looked exactly like Eve. To my eyes she seems a little more, er, "developed" than Eve was at that time. They certainly look quite different now. (Presumably Eve will look like Riru does now in 10 or 15 years' time? Something to look forward to IMO ) And anyway, to fool Blade they wouldn't just have to look the same, their personalities would have to be identical too, which is definitely not the case...

Originally Posted by Avvesione

Also, remember how I used to write up posts on my blog about Needless? Well, I finally got around to catching up, so here they are for the past three chapters:

Chapter 104: http://avvesione.wordpress.com/2012/...s-chapter-104/
Chapter 105: http://avvesione.wordpress.com/2012/...s-chapter-105/
Chapter 106: http://avvesione.wordpress.com/2012/...s-chapter-106/

I know these are late but I'd still appreciate it if you read over them and wanted to talk about them at all. Thanks.

You know no one reads those columns, right?

Just kidding. I gave them the eyeball earlier and I'll share my thoughts on them at some point (i.e. list the bits I disagree with), but not now because I'm off to bed.

Spoiler:

Also, regarding this most recent chapter and on Setsuna:
It appears as though she may've landed some of her DDBB on Teruyama. If you look at the panel where Setsuna kicks away his Little Boy (that sound dirty), you see he doesn't have any marks on his face nor at anytime prior do you see any visible blood. However, after starting her DDBB and her beginning to cough up the blood, there's a bloody scratch on Teruyama's left cheek. She likely landed a few hits on him just then but stopped part-way through. Might be a clue, might not, but it does look like there's some blood in that final page of their fight.

I'll agree that the blood shows she was in danger of inflicting some serious damage if the attack continued, but her eyes had already turned black before it appeared, so I'm not sure it's a clue to her condition.

[Ynot]

Spoiler for 106:

Originally Posted by Sayo A.

I wouldn't say Riru looked exactly like Eve. To my eyes she seems a little more, er, "developed" than Eve was at that time. They certainly look quite different now. (Presumably Eve will look like Riru does now in 10 or 15 years' time? Something to look forward to IMO )

Besides trying to compare their..let's call it "size"..there's another sign there's a difference between Eve and Riru. Thanks to the color pages we could see Riru already had purple hair back then whereas Eve had blue hair. Hairdye? Perhaps, but I don't think so since we've seen them consistently having the same hair color from a young age. So they may share a large amount of the same DNA, but it looks to me like it's not a 100% match.


@Avvesione I like you mentioned the various ways Imai Kami used to introduce the flashbacks within the story in your talk about chapter 106. It was the first thing I noticed too and always appreciated that way of incorporating them into the story.

Now let's hope Riru can't do that (flashback)trick and still be able to walk around in and be conscious of the real world. If so nobody could ever hope to win in a fight from her. Which to be honest already seems to be the case. Hmm it could be kind of like Kuchinashi's ultimate attack in the 3rd shelter where she let almost everyone walk around in a fantasy world oblivious of their real surroundings.

[Sayo A.]

@Avvesione. Like I said, I read your Needless columns. So at least someone does. Though I don't read the other ones, about the TV shows no one watches, because, well, I don't watch them...

Anyway, it's always interesting to see what you have to say, about the series in general as well as individual chapters. I appreciate the effort you (presumably) put in to the thing. Of course, it means I'm obliged to make an effort too, to criticise your work, and not just say "Great post!".

Well, here we go. And actually, I don't have anything to say about chapter 104. Too much effort required in imagining I haven't already seen the next two instalments (heh). So, moving on... You make a good point about the lack of a clear distinction between "good guys" and "bad guys" in Needless, and it certainly makes things more interesting not knowing what "side" a character may be on at any given time - or, indeed, in the future. But I wonder if you're overthinking the relationship between Seth/Solva and Uten/Kafka. I agree that the end of their fight had to happen "off screen" in order to set up the events of chapter 105, but as to the allegiances of the characters, the way I see it is that Seth simply allowed Uten and Kafka to think they had her beaten so that she could get inside Simeon HQ. At which point she reveals that she (apparently) has the upper hand, and they'd better go along with her plan if they know what's good for them. (And if they knew they had backup waiting for them in the lab, all the more reason for them not to make a big fuss about it.)

I quite liked the fact that your post on chapter 106 was mostly nothing to do with chapter 106, but was all about the ways in which past events have been presented (though I should mention that there is some spoilerage towards the bottom of the page, if anyone cares about that at this point). Imai certainly comes up with some novel ways of avoiding the standard flashback technique, or at least of introducing what are otherwise straigtforward segments of past narrative. And the Memory World adventure was especially thought-provoking in its implications.

I have to point out, though, that Needless isn't the only series that uses non-standard means to fill in details of past events. Negima! is another example which relies heavily on exploring the characters' memories in various ways, including fragments revealed in dreams, entering and replaying them via magic (though not actually interacting with the past), and even making movies out of them. (It might be interesting to make a comparison between the two series some time. I think they have quite a lot in common, including most of the things that make them rank among my favourites. Maybe I'll write an article on it if I ever get around to starting a blog...)

I did have a slight quibble with one point you brought up:

Spoiler for 106:

You assume that Riru can use Apparition to create any images she wants... but we don't actually know that. What we've seen so far appears to be an accurate picture of her own past (another memory-based narration device...). There's no evidence that she can just make something up.

And actually, I suspect the question of the scope of Apparition might never be answered. I suppose it depends if it's a viable battle technique - if not, it's basically served its purpose. Or rather, two purposes, since it both gives some back story and shows us that Riru has more than one power at her disposal. Which was rather neatly done, I thought.

I do hope Riru uses it again, mind you, otherwise this whole argument is futile...

PS Good luck on the exam. Though of course you won't read that until afterwards, because you're studying now, right?

[Kurohane]

Dang, Sayo. You have made it absolutely clear that you don't like the reviews Avvesione does. That is not a problem in itself, but the way you come off as disrespectful and rude towards them and Avvesione is completely uncalled for and out of line. I read them, and Ynot has as well. I'm sure people we don't even know and are fans of needless read them to see someone else's input. I know I was one of them before I signed on here. How do you know that nobody reads them? Even if you have problems with it, there is no need to be so disrespectful and rude. I know you want to bring criticism, but some of your comments are insulting.

About Riru's projection, It is really not so farfetched to believe she can force any kind of image to other people. If it is only her past, she is able to share then the power is too limited. However, I belive this is chance for Cruz to discover Pyscokenesis weakness. If she decides to show instances from Genesis where her power was limited it could give him a valuable clue. Her flaunting could prove to be her undoing.

[Sayo A.]

Originally Posted by Kurohane

Dang, Sayo. You have made it absolutely clear that you don't like the reviews Avvesione does. That is not a problem in itself, but the way you come off as disrespectful and rude towards them and Avvesione is completely uncalled for and out of line. I read them, and Ynot has as well. I'm sure people we don't even know and are fans of needless read them to see someone else's input. I know I was one of them before I signed on here. How do you know that nobody reads them? Even if you have problems with it, there is no need to be so disrespectful and rude. I know you want to bring criticism, but some of your comments are insulting.

I'm sorry if you got that impression. I wasn't intending to be rude, just making a few humorous remarks based on the tag line at the top of Avvesione's blog page. Perhaps they don't seem so humorous if you haven't read it...

[Kurohane]

Yeah, I never seen that tagline until you mentioned it. It is just that some of your comments could easily be taken the wrong way, even if it was meant to be a joke.

[Kefit]

Spoiler:

My god, I still can't believe the events and dialogue during Mio vs Kuchinashi. Kami is completely out of his mind. In the greatest way possible.

I'm glad to see that the shoujo butai + Teruyama battle is going in the direction of ridiculous comedy and Setsuna developments rather than all out fighting, since I think the latter would have just ended up as a rehash of the fight at the third shelter. I'm pretty sure Setsuna's sudden problem has something to do with Eden Seed. She looks far too crazy on page 19 for it to be anything else (seriously, compare it to Cruz's awakening back in chapter 100 - Cruz ain't got nothing on Setsuna here). It's completely outside the characteristic art style of Needless, and Kami is way too talented and careful of an artist to draw Setsuna like that unless he has a really good reason for it. Plus, as others have pointed out, her eyes are the same as awakening Seto's eyes.

I think we can safely discount the possibility of Setsuna's situation being caused by interference from new combatants - if that was the case then I'm sure we would have seen shadowy mysterious figures as a teaser before the narrative shifted to Blade vs Arclight.

The simplest explanation is that Setsuna is experiencing the awakening of a stigmata. I think it's a bit pointless to read into the mechanics of this situation more than that. The question in my mind is whether this will be a successful awakening or not. I'd certainly love to see a powered up shoujo butai (<fanboy Kefit> Mio needs a powerup too!!!!), but Kami could also use this as a chance to show off a failed awakening and give Mio + Kuchinashi incentive to join forces with the rest of the good guys for the final battle.

I'm not sure what to make of the Riru developments. She's always been opaque in terms of character history and role in the story, so I guess it's good we're finally getting a bit more insight into that. But she was already overwhelmingly powerful enough before, no need to give her mind reading and teleporting powers too, haha. Oh, and I thought the girl on the first pages was Eve too until she started referring to herself as Riru.

Anyway, I wonder how all these disparate battles are going to come together in terms of the overarching narrative. I can't imagine Kami is just going to have a bunch of separate fights and leave it at that - plot development with Setsuna and Seto+Solva's new foe means this is all leading somewhere.

And I can't fucking wait to find out where. More right now please kthx Kami.

[Avvesione]

Originally Posted by Sayo A.

@Avvesione. Like I said, I read your Needless columns. So at least someone does. Though I don't read the other ones, about the TV shows no one watches, because, well, I don't watch them...

Anyway, it's always interesting to see what you have to say, about the series in general as well as individual chapters. I appreciate the effort you (presumably) put in to the thing. Of course, it means I'm obliged to make an effort too, to criticise your work, and not just say "Great post!".

Well, here we go. And actually, I don't have anything to say about chapter 104. Too much effort required in imagining I haven't already seen the next two instalments (heh). So, moving on... You make a good point about the lack of a clear distinction between "good guys" and "bad guys" in Needless, and it certainly makes things more interesting not knowing what "side" a character may be on at any given time - or, indeed, in the future. But I wonder if you're overthinking the relationship between Seth/Solva and Uten/Kafka. I agree that the end of their fight had to happen "off screen" in order to set up the events of chapter 105, but as to the allegiances of the characters, the way I see it is that Seth simply allowed Uten and Kafka to think they had her beaten so that she could get inside Simeon HQ. At which point she reveals that she (apparently) has the upper hand, and they'd better go along with her plan if they know what's good for them. (And if they knew they had backup waiting for them in the lab, all the more reason for them not to make a big fuss about it.)

I quite liked the fact that your post on chapter 106 was mostly nothing to do with chapter 106, but was all about the ways in which past events have been presented (though I should mention that there is some spoilerage towards the bottom of the page, if anyone cares about that at this point). Imai certainly comes up with some novel ways of avoiding the standard flashback technique, or at least of introducing what are otherwise straigtforward segments of past narrative. And the Memory World adventure was especially thought-provoking in its implications.

I have to point out, though, that Needless isn't the only series that uses non-standard means to fill in details of past events. Negima! is another example which relies heavily on exploring the characters' memories in various ways, including fragments revealed in dreams, entering and replaying them via magic (though not actually interacting with the past), and even making movies out of them. (It might be interesting to make a comparison between the two series some time. I think they have quite a lot in common, including most of the things that make them rank among my favourites. Maybe I'll write an article on it if I ever get around to starting a blog...)

I did have a slight quibble with one point you brought up:

Spoiler for 106:

You assume that Riru can use Apparition to create any images she wants... but we don't actually know that. What we've seen so far appears to be an accurate picture of her own past (another memory-based narration device...). There's no evidence that she can just make something up.

And actually, I suspect the question of the scope of Apparition might never be answered. I suppose it depends if it's a viable battle technique - if not, it's basically served its purpose. Or rather, two purposes, since it both gives some back story and shows us that Riru has more than one power at her disposal. Which was rather neatly done, I thought.

I do hope Riru uses it again, mind you, otherwise this whole argument is futile...

PS Good luck on the exam. Though of course you won't read that until afterwards, because you're studying now, right?

Thanks for the comments on my posts and the luck on the exam (began studying at 3am whoo!), I'm glad you were able to read them and provide this feedback. Yeah, just to let you know, writing for Chapter 104 was difficult because I had already read 105 and 106, but I'm glad that I didn't skip that chapter since it had some rather significant developments in it.

As for 105, though I did tend to focus on Seto/Solva and Kafka/Uten, I wanted to apply that trend to everyone in the manga, including the times when Mio joined and fought alongside Cruz, when Cruz was with Setsuna and Kuchinashi at St. Rose, and even later with BQ and Rin, not to mention Aruka and Saten. I probably am overthinking the resolution to the battle a bit in that post, but I just found it fantastic at how it allowed for this strange alliance to exist without us seeing how or why. It does create a bit of excitement, tension, and curiosity seeing them like that, so that's why I felt motivated to comment on that trend. It'll be fun to see how the alliance evolves now that Ishiyama is willing to combat them.

As for 106, I have a friend who I talk with regularly who's finished Negima, so I can strike up a conversation with him soon regarding the similarities and differences regarding unveiling the past (in fact, we were just talking about Negima). The main reason why I wanted to write about this topic was because of how well it is integrated into the manga and how innovative these techniques are. They might not be original but they're certainly distinguishable from a vast majority of manga/anime. I really wanted to talk more about how Disk revealed everything about Cruz over the past 100 chapters more but I tried to gear it toward a spoiler-free post, so I only touched on it lightly. I suppose there are some minor spoilers in that that made it past my final revisions/edits, so I took care of them now, so thanks for pointing that out.

As for Riru's ability... yeah, I can see it being that way, but I figure if she has the absolute power to do that, she should be able to create any image she wants from her memory and use that as a projection. The way I figure is that she thinks up something, like a memory, and then uses that to communicate it to everyone else's conscious. Maybe if we see more of it again soon, we'll know for sure, but yeah, those were just my thoughts on it.

So, thanks again for all the feedback and discussion on it. I'm always glad to see people enjoying these posts, finding them interesting, and wanting to talk about them, so thanks for sharing those thoughts here with the rest of us.

Originally Posted by Kurohane

Dang, Sayo. You have made it absolutely clear that you don't like the reviews Avvesione does. That is not a problem in itself, but the way you come off as disrespectful and rude towards them and Avvesione is completely uncalled for and out of line. I read them, and Ynot has as well. I'm sure people we don't even know and are fans of needless read them to see someone else's input. I know I was one of them before I signed on here. How do you know that nobody reads them? Even if you have problems with it, there is no need to be so disrespectful and rude. I know you want to bring criticism, but some of your comments are insulting.

About Riru's projection, It is really not so farfetched to believe she can force any kind of image to other people. If it is only her past, she is able to share then the power is too limited. However, I belive this is chance for Cruz to discover Pyscokenesis weakness. If she decides to show instances from Genesis where her power was limited it could give him a valuable clue. Her flaunting could prove to be her undoing.

Actually, Kurohane, I never thought Sayo's comments were in any way insulting or negative, even the joke about no one reading them (which is actually true, these posts bring in the fewest traffic and receive the fewest hits but I still write them because they're my favorite posts to write, even if no one read them!). I can see where you thought that they were disrespectful and hurtful, but I never saw it that way. After seeing Sayo post here for a couple years, I can tell that he's joking (regarding my subtitle) and appreciates my posts.

So yeah, please don't be too angry with Sayo, he was just trying to have some fun in regards to my blog. And even if he was being serious and insulting, I'd still take that as criticism to improve my writing and blog in general. Every little bit helps.

I do like the idea of Riru projecting more images of her past to Cruz and the others as a means of Cruz finding a weakness in Psychokinesis. I don't believe Riru is that dumb to make such a move, rather she seems to be one of the more intelligent characters in Needless, but I can see her arrogance and hatred being a part of her downfall. The one thing I'm wondering if how much longer before Disk and Cruz are out for the fight... they've already received a number of bad blows, I'm surprised they're still able to stand (not to mention cheer on Blade instead of trying to survive against Riru).

Originally Posted by Kefit

Spoiler:

My god, I still can't believe the events and dialogue during Mio vs Kuchinashi. Kami is completely out of his mind. In the greatest way possible.

I'm glad to see that the shoujo butai + Teruyama battle is going in the direction of ridiculous comedy and Setsuna developments rather than all out fighting, since I think the latter would have just ended up as a rehash of the fight at the third shelter. I'm pretty sure Setsuna's sudden problem has something to do with Eden Seed. She looks far too crazy on page 19 for it to be anything else (seriously, compare it to Cruz's awakening back in chapter 100 - Cruz ain't got nothing on Setsuna here). It's completely outside the characteristic art style of Needless, and Kami is way too talented and careful of an artist to draw Setsuna like that unless he has a really good reason for it. Plus, as others have pointed out, her eyes are the same as awakening Seto's eyes.

I think we can safely discount the possibility of Setsuna's situation being caused by interference from new combatants - if that was the case then I'm sure we would have seen shadowy mysterious figures as a teaser before the narrative shifted to Blade vs Arclight.

The simplest explanation is that Setsuna is experiencing the awakening of a stigmata. I think it's a bit pointless to read into the mechanics of this situation more than that. The question in my mind is whether this will be a successful awakening or not. I'd certainly love to see a powered up shoujo butai (<fanboy Kefit> Mio needs a powerup too!!!!), but Kami could also use this as a chance to show off a failed awakening and give Mio + Kuchinashi incentive to join forces with the rest of the good guys for the final battle.

I'm not sure what to make of the Riru developments. She's always been opaque in terms of character history and role in the story, so I guess it's good we're finally getting a bit more insight into that. But she was already overwhelmingly powerful enough before, no need to give her mind reading and teleporting powers too, haha. Oh, and I thought the girl on the first pages was Eve too until she started referring to herself as Riru.

Anyway, I wonder how all these disparate battles are going to come together in terms of the overarching narrative. I can't imagine Kami is just going to have a bunch of separate fights and leave it at that - plot development with Setsuna and Seto+Solva's new foe means this is all leading somewhere.

And I can't fucking wait to find out where. More right now please kthx Kami.

Spoiler:

There are a few points you mentioned that I'd like to comment on.

Regarding a failed Stigmata, I'm not sure what that would entail, but it'd be interesting to see how it plays out given the situation Setsuna is in. I've always thought that if Setsuna did develop a Stigmata and was able to move even faster or whatever that Kuchinashi's Maiden Restriction would be the only way to stop her.

Also, regarding her potential Stigmata, does anyone else think that Arclight might already have it? One of the Stigmata that is apparent on his body now that hasn't been named/revealed yet are the mirrored markings on his thighs. If anything, I'd figure Speed would be somewhere on the legs and the only spots left are the feet and thighs. If the theory is correct that they didn't give Setsuna enough Eden Seed and it didn't show on her, then it's possible that Arclight, with enough Eden Seed and knowing Speed, would have the Stigmata.

Likewise, I've always been intrigued by Saten's line in the Third Shelter about lining Fragments up. If that's true for Stigmata, I could see Speed being on the thighs, adjacent to Psychokinesis, Bermuda Asthport, and Doppelganger. With extreme speed, it can seem like you're teleporting around (Psychokinesis), you may seem invisible to your enemies (Bermuda Asthport) and, if you are visible, your shape may appear to be distorted (Doppelganger). The idea doesn't have much merit besides Flame being next to Agnishwattas and opposite of the Fourth Wave, but just a thought if it does appear there.

And as for all four fights coming together at some point, I could see Blade and Arclight destroying the ceiling of the giant room they're in and allowing the Simeon building to cave into the basement area. Might be fun to have 20 people fighting all in the same room, though I have no clue how anyone could keep that straight. Still, it's a good idea to think about, trying to see how everything will come together, since they're all in the building now, just in various parts throughout.

[Kurohane]

Oh O.K, as long as no harm was done. Yeah, I'm new, so I have not noticed that consistency in Sayo's posting.

Spoiler for :

About Cruz and Disk cheering on Blade, I found that strange as well. They have bigger things to worry about than seeing how Blade is fairing. Perhaps they are just recovering from the most recent attack by Riru, and they are taking that time to watch Blade's and Arclight's battle. They have taken a lot of injury. Since Imai-san has currently established Cruz as a needless, he no longer has to worry about giving him hits like this since needless have more endurance. Disk can survive as just a head, so she really has to block attacks that target her brain. Her body may malfunction due to all the damage, causing a muscle shutdown. This reminds of a panel in the Saint Rose Academy arc. It was chapter 62, page 4, when the Madam repelled Rin's Bionic Compressor. Behind the Madam to the left, Cruz appears to be pushed back from the force. This is never touched upon since the next rime we see Cruz he is standing in front of Kushinanshi. What happened recently is hardly new. I have gone over the arc over 3 times yet I still can't find the reason why Cruz would be in that panel.

The more I think of Setsuna's incident the more I believe it was an internal problem. Like Kefit said, we would have seen another sort of presence, if it was an attack. If this was caused by Eden Seed's, why is it rejecting her now? Most instances from what we heard, most needless immediately die from injection, and if Simeon found a way to safely implant them, why is it happening at all? Of course, the answer will come eventually, just hanging the question out there. Another posibility is that she couldn't have been injected at all, and the cause is not by Eden Seeds. She hasn't displayed the rapid regeneration or new abilities like others have mentioned.

Since Shelter 3 was mentioned, I have been thinking about one particular instance when Eve delivered a drill attack to Saten. Moments later, he got back up rather easily and unscathed. Isn't this the same thing we have seen with Cruz throughout the manga. In the beginning chapters, Cruz endured a Kandata String. He also has been attacked by Mengroze's experiements, fell from a considerable height, withstood Strom's Ice attack meant to kill young Blade, survived an attack from Setsuna meant to twist his neck and other occasions, all before his awakening. Of course, he was hurt but was fine moments later. Do you think Saten is so protective of Cruz because they have similar bodies or origins?

[Ynot]

Spoiler for 106 :

Originally Posted by Kurohane

About Cruz and Disk cheering on Blade, I found that strange as well. They have bigger things to worry about than seeing how Blade is fairing. Perhaps they are just recovering from the most recent attack by Riru, and they are taking that time to watch Blade's and Arclight's battle. They have taken a lot of injury. Since Imai-san has currently established Cruz as a needless, he no longer has to worry about giving him hits like this since needless have more endurance. Disk can survive as just a head, so she really has to block attacks that target her brain. Her body may malfunction due to all the damage, causing a muscle shutdown. This reminds of a panel in the Saint Rose Academy arc. It was chapter 62, page 4, when the Madam repelled Rin's Bionic Compressor. Behind the Madam to the left, Cruz appears to be pushed back from the force. This is never touched upon since the next rime we see Cruz he is standing in front of Kushinanshi. What happened recently is hardly new. I have gone over the arc over 3 times yet I still can't find the reason why Cruz would be in that panel.

Disk and Yamada commenting on the fight between Adam&Blade feels a bit odd, but Riru has shown she isn't trying to kill them right away. She could have done so many times already. Even Eve hasn't been getting heart attacks since Arclight came out of the cocoon(coincidence or not?). They are pretty much at Riru's mercy and besides bracing for her next "playful poke" they can't really do much. Their only hope now seems to be Blade so to me it's not that strange of them to spend whatever "spare moment" they have to look at how that fight is progressing.

Originally Posted by Kurohane

The more I think of Setsuna's incident the more I believe it was an internal problem. Like Kefit said, we would have seen another sort of presence, if it was an attack. If this was caused by Eden Seed's, why is it rejecting her now? Most instances from what we heard, most needless immediately die from injection, and if Simeon found a way to safely implant them, why is it happening at all? Of course, the answer will come eventually, just hanging the question out there. Another posibility is that she couldn't have been injected at all, and the cause is not by Eden Seeds. She hasn't displayed the rapid regeneration or new abilities like others have mentioned.

I'm still on the fence concerning whether it's an internal or external thing, but the mystery man breaking out of the clinical experiment ward in chapter 105 could have been the foreshadowing leading to Setsuna's present condition(outside attacker). But whether internal or external, it wouldn't surprise me if Saten was the puppeteer either way.

Originally Posted by Kurohane

Since Shelter 3 was mentioned, I have been thinking about one particular instance when Eve delivered a drill attack to Saten. Moments later, he got back up rather easily and unscathed. Isn't this the same thing we have seen with Cruz throughout the manga. In the beginning chapters, Cruz endured a Kandata String. He also has been attacked by Mengroze's experiements, fell from a considerable height, withstood Strom's Ice attack meant to kill young Blade, survived an attack from Setsuna meant to twist his neck and other occasions, all before his awakening. Of course, he was hurt but was fine moments later. Do you think Saten is so protective of Cruz because they have similar bodies or origins?

Hard to say, but considering Saten is the owner of a Stigmata I assume he has a natural resistance against attacks which is much higher than a normal Needless and thus seem as indestructible as Yamada. My own guess is Saten has always known about the chip in Yamada's head and protected him because of that.

[Sayo A.]

Originally Posted by Kurohane

Yeah, I'm new, so I have not noticed that consistency in Sayo's posting.

My posts often have a chewy, somewhat rubbery consistency. It's because I tend to overcook them.

Today's offering is a bit of a mixed grill.

Spoiler for Riru:

Originally Posted by Xiammes

Riru was shown in the wreckage of the Adam Project, and looked exactly like Eve. So we know she was likely created after the accident in the Eve project room, but why was she their at all? Was she a back up to Eve if Blade ended up rejected Eve N, or were they switching the Eves back and forth on Blade and Riru grew fond of Blade, which would explain why she is so vicious towards Eve.

Originally Posted by Kurohane

It's really possible. Riru could have been the Eve Gido mentioned in the Past Arc when saying Blade met her before. It is not entirely a lie since they are both an Eve, and he wouldn't want Blade to know that there are actually two of them. I know Arclight-Riru and Blade-Eve are consecutives of each other, and that's how it turned out, but really back then, why use Letter N when you still have Letter M?

Why indeed? There's probably a good reason why Riru was sealed up in that capsule and another Eve created in her place - like the fact that she was a murderous psychopath who was too dangerous to have running around (but too valuable to destroy). Presumably they wouldn't have realised how dangerous until after she had actually killed someone. I agree with what Ynot tentatively suggested: it's highly likely that the "accident" that killed Kasumi was actually an experimental subject designated Eve M.

Spoiler for Stigmata:

Originally Posted by Avvesione

Also, regarding the Stigmata, we know 7, and Arclight has 9. I've been trying to figure out what other areas could a Stigmata be placed, so I wanted to draw the areas on the body that correlated to each Stigmata position (but am too lazy and will just list them here):

Right Shin: Psychokinesis
Left Shin: Bermuda Asthport (Note: I've never liked the name of that Fragment)
R/L Thigh: ??? (counting as one to make 9, also is a mirrored image, so likely to be one as well)
Abdomen: Doppelganger
Chest: Rain Maker
Right Shoulder/Bicep: Flame
Left Shoulder/Bicep: Fourth Wave
Right Hand/Forearm: Agnishwattas
Left Hand/Forearm: ??? (Looked like the Katakana "te" but not sure what that means)

The only obvious areas that are left would be Head, Neck, anywhere on the back, and Butt. I don't see anything developing in the pelvis region, though, since that might be a bit much for this manga, but any of those others are all possibilities.

You're forgetting this one:

Originally Posted by Ynot

We haven't seen the mirrored arrow like stigmata yet on Arclights chest. Several people have noticed it didn't really look like any of the other stigmata and now we see there's hardly any room left for the arrow stigmata to be placed. However when looking at the outer metallic parts of Arclights artificial heart it has the same kind of size and shape as Mengroze's palmprint. The outer part may not always have looked like this.

By the way, I'm not convinvced by the idea that the arrow marking has something to do with Arclight's artificial heart. I don't think it looks that similar. And why would Arclight need to visit a doctor, let alone one in the middle of the Black Spot? And now that I look at Arclight again, I notice that the Rain Maker Stigma(ta) partly overlaps that area. It would be a bit of a tight squeeze to get something else in that spot.

And yet, the mark that burned Mengroze's hand did seem to be located in the chest area. I'm not sure what to think about this one...

Originally Posted by Kefit

Anyway, I wonder how all these disparate battles are going to come together in terms of the overarching narrative. I can't imagine Kami is just going to have a bunch of separate fights and leave it at that - plot development with Setsuna and Seto+Solva's new foe means this is all leading somewhere.

And I can't fucking wait to find out where. More right now please kthx Kami.

Originally Posted by Avvesione

And as for all four fights coming together at some point, I could see Blade and Arclight destroying the ceiling of the giant room they're in and allowing the Simeon building to cave into the basement area. Might be fun to have 20 people fighting all in the same room, though I have no clue how anyone could keep that straight. Still, it's a good idea to think about, trying to see how everything will come together, since they're all in the building now, just in various parts throughout.

Yes, the fact that all our heroes (and/or villains) are now in more or less the same place does tend to imply that events are heading towards a final climactic battle. Anyone want to bet this is the last volume of part 1 and things are wrapped up in another 6 chapters?

[Homura7]

Originally Posted by Sayo A.

Anyone want to bet this is the last volume of part 1 and things are wrapped up in another 6 chapters?

Agreed. To me this chapter with which the volume starts, marks the beggining of the end of the arc and the end of the first part of the history.

All the fronts are pretty much settled: Seth and Solva can't get away, the conflict between Mio & Teruyama vs Kuchinashi & Setsuna is also decided with the later unable to fight anymore. And Arclight & Riru are an impossible for the Resistance.

The climax is already there.

[Kurohane]

I don't think things will be wrapped up in another six chapters. I'm sure Imai-san will focus more on Set and Solva's fight with Ishiyama and shadow figure 1. He wouldn't bring them back just to settle things off panel. We have to know what's going on with Setsuna. Saten and shadow figure 2 have to make an appearance. Furthermore, Blade's and Arclight's battle will likely last a while until the other events going on are settled and make their impact there. Lastly, Cruz, Disk and Eve have to hold out against Riru for the same reasons.

[Xiammes]

I don't see everything being rapped up in 6 more chapters, but I don't see it taking up another volume. He might end things abruptly and will get more context during part 2.

[Avvesione]

Originally Posted by Sayo A.

Spoiler for Stigmata:

You're forgetting this one:

Actually, counted all that as Rain Maker, seeing as it shows all of it in that panel.

Originally Posted by Sayo A.

Yes, the fact that all our heroes (and/or villains) are now in more or less the same place does tend to imply that events are heading towards a final climactic battle. Anyone want to bet this is the last volume of part 1 and things are wrapped up in another 6 chapters?

Predicting the end to Needless 1 is probably impossible right now; there's no telling how much more will be explored or explained here and what, if anything, will be left for Needless 2 (or if any more questions will be raised). It could happen in 6 chapters or it could happen in fewer or more (last volume doesn't necessarily need to be 7 chapters either).

And seeing as there's a lot left unexplored with Riru/Eve/Eve Project/Kasumi/Triple Six/Mizuha, I figure we'll get that back story sometime soon. Not to mention everything going on with Saten, Ishiyama, Triple 666, the Ark, and everything on that side of the story has been kept secret, too.

[Ynot]

Finishing all of this up in just six chapters is of course possible but it would feel like a very tight fit to me considering all of the things which are still going on right now. Besides, even though this fight between Arclight and Blade is repeatedly being presented as the "decisive battle" don't forget we've had a situation in volume 7 before were an entire Arc(Arclight-arc) was put on hold to sneak in the "Past-arc". I can see that happening here too depending on how many of the mysteries Imai Kami is or isn't willing to take with him to Needless 2. Personally I'm really hoping Needless 1 won't be finished just yet with the current volume.

[Homura7]

I don't think the battle against Arclight will last any longer, the situation isn't the same and besides, in their previous clash almost four chapters were spent with a flashback.

Perhaps the arc may not end with this volume, but it will very well do in the first chapters of the next one. However, the conflict in the City will likely end in the following 6 chapters.

[Avvesione]

Finally got around to picking up my copy of Ultra Jump. Nothing really significant to report but there was an ad at the end of the chapter that didn't make the scans, so here it is (it's an ad for Volume 15):

Spoiler:

I'm happy to see the 4-koma Needless Gaiden will be there. Really wish there was more of it, like a page or two at the end of every chapter.