Im working on getting to the lvl where I have to pick wich way to go, but stat wise
there doesnt seem to be much difference in the 2 lines. Each one gets about the
same launch and airplane capacity in time or within a few lvls. Unless there are
some diffences that don't show up to me one line is just as good as the other.

Im going down the Hosho line just like the looks better of the ships. Might raise a
second and go down the other line just to see. Just have to get myself some good
fighters to lvl.

My Taiho was a hard ship to catch. but she tends to get hit more by attacks and she get
balanced screwed alot. Otherwise I enjoyed my time through that line (though you will most
likely end up with something else to play for breaks because of the levels needed). but
this sets you up for the Shinano and De grasse grind.

being on the unryu currently, heres what i have to say:

-Carriers on the junyo line do have overdeck guns like you asked, but you dont really
need them.
-Junyo line has some annoying grinds, but the general quality of Its carriers seems to
be better. (Except for the CV5)
-Playing ISE CV is really more fun then people make it out to be. its a really cool ship. If
you have torpers, you can TW with it. (not rush out like the noob ISE TWs, but use the
torps to cover a retreat) Its very multi purpose. You can beat a BB by shooting its
scouts down with your fighters, and using your DB. you can use a small amount of TB (i
use just three) to sink subs. If you dont have torpers but you are training AA gunners
you can use HH on the T slots.

I would do both if you can. Make one an all fighter ship and other a bomber and
fighter ship. This way ........ you will have plenty of pilots to choose from when you
get to the higher level ships that have 7 or 8 pilot slots. You can also quick change
pilots and planes for HAs where one could be loaded with skytrain and paratroops.

im doing both lines. atm im in akagi 27 and unryu.... So far the junyo line is less of a
disappointment

Mog CV is better than most other nations cv1 so i wouldnt say "forced" :D

I have both lines (don't ask me why...). Did the Junyo line ages ago when it used to
be rare coz nobody wanted to wait to level 60 and Taiho/Shokaku... were much
worse than their Hosho-line counterparts (i.e. pre-ONF).

Not much difference after the ONF patch imo so there really is no objective reason to
have both lines - i just wanted to see the models ;-)

Just do both lines and come back in 10 months and tell us if it was worth it.

To get through the grind from taiho -> shokak do this

Junyo -> Unryu 12 levels
Unryu -> Taiho 11/12 levels
Taiho -> Shokak 11/12 levels

Yes play unryu longer I liked it

Junyo line's main advantage is that you can get a CV5 just at level 95: Shokaku,
which is also rather fast and slim.
The main disadvantage is that there are only 4 ships in the line, compared to the 7 of
the Hosho line... This is the main reason I chose the Hosho line. I though I couldn't
withstand the 17 levels grind from Taiho to Shokaku.

Of course Hosho line has also remodels which cause you to loose some money, but
the Akagi remodel can be simply skipped (only 5 level lower than the first Kaga).
Keep also in mind that if you choose Junyo line then you'll almost surely be forced to
take Mogami CV which is also a remodel.

IMHO best ships sequences are:
- Hosho line: Oyodo, Ryujo, Hiryu, Akagi27, Kaga28, Kaga35, Shinano
- Junyo line: Oyodo, Mogami, Junyo, Taiho, Shokaku, Shinano

In the Hosho line I'd skip the Hosho itself cause it has the least sailor spots of all.

Don't go Ise for grind!! Ise is a fun ship to have when you already leveled both the
BB crew and the CV crew. As a CV itself it sucks, and also a BB itself...