This post contains spoilers for Alien Headbutt Chapter 6, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
Last week’s chapter of Shonen Jump‘s Alien Headbutt left Shirokiba the Hellhound and his friends in a tight spot. Trying to reach Shirokiba’s younger sister, Yuki, at the bathhouse, a swirl of nasty flying aliens block the way. No longer in the world of Pro Wrestling, Shirokiba Ouga doesn’t need a ring or another wrestler to drive his moves home.
All he needs is a little leverage to latch onto those flying fiends. With Tatsumi’s hunter skills giving Ouga the backup he needs, the alien-smashing dynamic duo has nothing to fear. Or do they? Those gross, Pitch Black-looking aliens flying around might have a trick up their wing no one saw coming! Fortunately, Shirokiba the Hellhound is real good at thinking on his feet.
G.T.H. EVERYTHING! Alien Headbutt’s Shirokiba is a Beast
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If all life’s problems could be taken care of with wrestling moves, Shirokiba the Hellhound’s world would be perfect. There’s no denying this guy is a well-trained beast. And it’s not just the alien parasite in his body. Shirokiba devoted a significant portion of his life developing his moves and strength. It’s almost as if he was expecting to one day have to deliver superhuman beatings to aliens messing with his family.
I know we’re only seven chapters into this manga, but dang… I want an anime already. Seeing Ouga in physical action, beating the snot out of aliens is epic in manga format. Now I want to see every G.T.H. move come to life in glorious animation. While trying to imagine what that looks like, I’m seeing a Studio Bones meets MAPPA masterpiece in my brain. Half-Jujutsu Kaisen/Chainsaw Man, Half-FMA: Brotherhood. Anyone else? No? Just me? Okay…
Watching Shirokiba manhandle these aliens is eerily satisfying. The expressions he makes every time he carries out one of his signature moves are brilliant. Inui-sensei captures this satisfaction meets performance persona in the best way, and it makes Shirokiba feel larger than life. He’s the perfect Shonen manga hero right now. The fact that his adventure is so cut and dry works brilliantly in the story’s favor.
And Then… A Dark, Unexpected Turn
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Their plan seems to be working perfectly, however, nothing is perfect. A slingshot worked great for their purposes for a while. With only two ptero-dorks left, Shirokiba’s confidence is soaring. Unfortunately, that’s when the ptero-dork boss alien struts onto the scene. And not only that, but it brings with it some kind of Satoru Gojo-level sound jutsu that lands an arm-severing hole on the right side of Tatsumi’s body.
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Tatsumi reminds me of someone. I noticed it before. Sasuke Uchiha kept coming to mind, with Shirokiba easily playing his goofy Naruto. However, all I can see now is Toji Fushiguro. Only Tatsumi’s skinnier, doesn’t have deadbeat dad vibes, and he seems more connected to… well, everything. Instead of asking Shirokiba to look after the son he sold to the Zen’in clan, it’ll be little brother Haruya. And that, my friends, is how you know you’ve spent too long in jujutsu society. Haruya does sort of look like Megumi.
Speaking of Haruya, this poor, adorable little kid. He just can’t catch a break. Just days after reuniting with his alien pod-captured big brother, he’s standing right there when Tatsumi takes the deathblow. That kid is going to need some serious therapy when all of this is over. Even if what Shirokiba has planned next actually manages to take hold.
Alien Headbutt Is Creating Its Own Superhuman Alien Fighters
One of the best things about Shirokiba the Hellhound is that he’s not a thinker. He’s a doer. Consequences be damned, he will find a way to fix the fact this his childhood friend has a massive hole in the right side of his body. How? Specifically by kicking the ptero-dork boss alien’s ass, and taking the parasite from inside it. Then, he’ll feed it to Tatsumi, and they’ll both be superhuman alien warriors. The ultimate tag-team duo, fueled by alien parasites could ultimately turn the tide of this invasion.
Moreover, if we thought Tatsumi was a good shot before, imagine how good his aim will be with an alien-powered worm wriggling around his heart. Honestly, this is not a good idea. Is it something even Tatsumi will want? Haruya seems put off by the idea when Ouga presents it, and rightly so. On the other hand, if the plan actually works, Tatsumi could be good as new. Probably better than new, actually. As I say, Shirokiba the Hellhound isn’t a thinker. He’s a doer. And he’ll do whatever it takes to save his friend.
Alien Headbutt Chapter 7 On a Scale of 1 to 10
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I am still thoroughly enjoying this manga. It may be a simple plot, but the attention to detail in the art is so well executed. The battle scenes are fantastic, and, as I noted above, every time Shirokiba’s in a fight, he makes the most amazing expressions.
Concurrently, his character is well-executed, so far. I want to watch as he finds his family, destroys aliens and sends them straight to hell. I’m hooked on finding out what happens with Tatsumi. Was Shirokiba an exception, or can these alien parasites really heal their hosts? So far, Ouga hasn’t been mentally affected by his parasite, but what if Tatsumi is overtaken on all levels?
I really hope not. I want them to become the worlds’ (<–did that on purpose!) most hype alien-crushing tag team. When all is said and done, they can take one of the ships, travel off-world, and kick alien butt all across the galaxy. Hurry up Shonen Jump Sunday. I need to know.
VOID RATING: 9/10
