Jin (1)

A lot of background in this novel. It's all told from Kano's point of view and it shows what a hero he really is. My heart went out to him and to young Kido and Seto.

As with all of these novels, it takes a few pages to get into the story. Although this volume was easier than the others. Probably because there was just one pov throughout the whole story.

Franchise wise, the stories here tie in with Anime episode 9 though there are some differences in the way things occur. The sequence of show more events seems to be the main difference.

Songs: Yobanashi deceive and Ayano's happiness theory.

As for the Manga: Mahirou Satou mentions a new storyline written by Jin as a Manga exclusive on his congratulatory picture at the end of this volume. I don't know how far along the Manga was, but I suspect the present timeline stories in this novel will be different in the Manga if they show up at all. The past timeline will probably stay the same. show less

Teens with super powers and maybe a single personality trait each team up to form a little band of runaways/outsiders/outcasts/rebels/renegades/runaways. So hum-hum bland that I looked at the cover four days later and had no idea what was inside until I read the back cover copy.

I need to start paying more attention when I pick random manga from the library shelf. I'm finding that titles like this one that are adapted from a novel series or video games in Japan are generally so generic and show more dull as to be unworthy of my attention. Sometimes I do not find out until the end matter or until I closely read the indicia, but I need to beware of cover clues like "original story by" (as in this case) or "concept by" or "original character designs by." show less

It takes a little effort getting into the flow since the first chapter is short and the second one immediately switches point of view, but after that the story kicks off and things get interesting.

I used to wonder what the difference would be between a light novel and a Manga. Basically, a light novel is prose with occasional full page images.

The entire story can be described as an intricate detective/fantasy/adventure tale with 9 main characters and a number of important side characters. show more This first novel introduces 6 of the main characters and flashes on a few more. The series hasn't been completed yet so beware before you begin! Also it's part of a rather large franchise.

You can read the novel without knowing other parts of the franchise since they all branch off into alternate storylines at one point or other. Though for me, that's actually the reason I got hooked into exploring these stories. So far I've searched the songs on Youtube (fans have provided subtitles so you can figure them out); I've seen the Anime and I accidentally got the first Manga thinking it was the first novel. Consider yourself warned. This is a story universe that can suck you in completely!

If you want to broaden the story experience here's how the novel ties in with the rest:

Songs: the novel is an expansion of: Kagerou Daze, Jinzou Enemy and Kisaragi Attention.

Anime: this volume was adapted into episodes 1, 3 and 4. Episodes 2 and 5 present alternate storylines of the chapters Kisaragi attention and the Epilogue.

Manga: the chapters Jinzou Enemy and Kisaragi Attention are featured in the first Manga volume. show less

It was more balanced than part 1. The story does not immediately pick up at the end of volume 1. Instead, two new main characters are introduced and two side characters. The story switches between present day and the past. But the chapter titles are consistent so you know which is when. The last chapter ties back to volume 1 and sets the stage for volume 3.

Franchise wise this volume covers:
Songs: Headphone Actor & Yuukei Yesterday.

Anime: episode 6 and part of episode 7.

Manga: Volume 3 show more (Yuukei Yesterday I - IV and Headphone Actor II)
Volume 4 (Yuukei Yesterday V and Headphone Actor III - IV) show less