Sousei no Onmyouji

Sousei no Onmyouji. At first I thought this was only a mere exorcism story that was only about fight, friendship, and stuff which are rather crap nowadays but it's nothing like that. This 4th work from manga author Yoshiaki Sukeno has emerged to be quite phenomenal in its unique traits.

The story revolves in a world where exorcists fight demon-like creature called as "impurities" or "kegare". Basically Kegare are residents of another world called Magano which then cross into human world in order to massacre humans just for power. They have been responsible for killing humans in the last one thousand years since the war began. They are violent, ruthless and persistent which make them so difficult to fight against. Not only that, even some of them, the exceptional ones are intelligent enough to outsmart Humans in combats. For that reason, they are considered as a major threat to humanity's survival. In any case the long-lasting war has to be ended, either with human victory or human demise, The exorcists will strive.

Well, the general idea looks simple eh?, until there's a boy named Rokuro. 2 years before story timeline, Rokuro was originally a genius 12 year old exorcist carving to obliterate every impurity from human world and Magano. With high determination he was sure of it, Unfortunately the tragedy occurred and Rokuro stopped being an exorcist since then. For 2 years Rokuro have tried to undergo normal life and avoid exorcism related stuff but all of that ended up failing. It's rather funny at start of story that people treat Rokuro as a weirdo instead, to make it worse his family exorcists also treat him like a child and abuse Rokuro a lot. Lots of misfortunes happening around him until The fated first encounter with the heroine Benio occurred unexpectedly causing awkward situation especially for Rokuro. There, their first encounter has turned over Rokuro's fate as a genuine exorcist for the second time.


==Story 9/10==
Not being extravagant of me. The story is unexceptionally appealing for me, it has its own dreadful side where these kids got to devote their lives as exorcists disregarding their cruel pasts about Kegare. Being forced by fate and responsibility these kids show unimaginable resolution for their age. In regard to exorcism part of the story, it's not less sophisticated. For example, there is so-called Miko the strongest of strongest exorcists assumed as a legendary in history of exorcism. This Miko is said as form of hope for humanity against impurities, and the requirement to obtain a Miko is the most interesting part of the story as well which involves Rokuro and Benio's mutual life.

Every detail given seems to be strongly responsible to make up its solid story structure. In other words we have great plot for this manga that successfully suffice my personal satisfaction for a decent story sequence. It also has become much more solid after knowing both protagonists' pasts. I suppose the further the story goes, the darker it will be, and more sacrifices will be needed.

This manga's story pacing is pretty neat, It doesn't really rush its story so that readers will have enough time to comprehend what's exactly going on and every problem that might require some further cognition in order to enjoy the story. The dialogues and narrations in this manga are also prone to follow, even beginner readers will find it easy and effortless. In addition, with some well placed mild jokes scattered in the story , it successfully enhances its own distinct impression. Furthermore, I really appreciate manga author who's able to write and to build a story correctly starting from a solid backstory to story structure later on. Yoshiaki Ukeno is indeed one of them

==Character 8/10==
Focusing on the two main characters, Rokuro and Benio, Both are unique in their own traits. Starting from Rokuro, He was actually a boy who used to be coward, quick-tempered, ignorant and loudmouthed. Traits you will find typical in most shounen characters, yet it's quite distinct with Rokuro. While majority of characters in any shounen obtain motivations from their pasts to push forward, Rokuro is in fact the opposite. Rokuro had been traumatized no other by his own past until he quit being an exorcist 2 years ago. This distinction is probably Yoshiaki Sukeno's characterization style applied to Rokuro as the male lead in the story. On the second one we have Benio, the female lead who was rather cold, confident, serious and straightforward. She despised Rokuro assuming he was just a coward who wouldn't fight Kegare, here She had yet to discover Rokuro's past. Not that much different with Rokuro's past, Benio's past can also be considered very grim, but undeterred by her past She kept pushing forward and being stronger each day so as to exterminate Kegare.

Initially, these two characters have no similar traits at all, that makes them almost impossible to be paired. However, Along the way of story they have stumbled upon a lot of misery, tragedy and grief which have shaped Rokuro and Benio maturely. Since then, both of them have been thriving and striving to fight on their journey to become proper twin star exorcists in order to achieve their respective goals. Moreoever, every character in this manga is unique actually, not only to mention both main characters but all including the ruthless Kegare. I also like characters' determinations of why they fight, what support them to become stronger, even the enemy's intimidation itself takes part in characters' determinations particularly for both protagonists.

==Artwork 8/10==
The character drawing is kinda neat with exact body proportion, so I relatively have no problem when enjoying the character drawing. Expression of each character is nothing out of place too, every expression is placed accordingly to existing situation also I like drawing of the Kegare that's rather spooky. Nevertheless, If only the Kegare drawings were rougher, It'd be better. Expecting it's as rough as titan drawing full of random scratches from SNK in order to bring out horror atmosphere more.

For battle drawing, It's nothing less than vicious drawing which makes it thrilling to experience. It utilizes thick stress lines to bring out character dynamism and impact of every action to become more realistic, I really like it. In addition the arts are getting better as well, especially in the recent chapters. I have to say the artist or author has made a significant improvement not only in the arts but also in the narrations and dialogues, perhaps only a little, but it's still worth noticing.

==Enjoyment 9/10==
My enjoyment comes from great characterization, plot, story and story structure. I find all of them in this manga. Also with dialogues and narrations which are rather convenient to follow, it makes this manga is well suited for any kind of reader. I'd recommend this to anyone.

==Overall 8.5/10==
Based on 29 chapters I've read, This manga has decent quality to make viewers eagerly curious of what's gonna happen next. Overall, I'm looking forward to seeing more of this series. Some day this series will become big if it maintains its composure steadily.

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I have wanted to write this for some time now, yet I haven’t gotten around to it. But now with the upcoming anime adaptation I feel it is as good of a time as any.
When I first heard about this series I thought I would like it, and I was right. The series probably seems dumb by what the description says, and maybe the first few chapters. But give it a try and you might like it. I thought it may not be quite what I expected when I first started, but there were only ten chapters translated at the time so I stuck with it. And I’m glad I did, on the surface it may seem shallow, but there is a lot of potential if you just give it a try.
I think that the story and the relationship between the two main characters is rather enjoyable to see. Even though the story can be ruff and maybe even dark sometimes it always has happy and funny times. I think it really completes the story to have the funny moments paralleled by struggles and short-comings, and there is a great deal of each. By doing so it shows that the characters are not larger than life; not only do they have their humorous moments they have a lot of serious and tragic times also. Sometimes their relationship can be rocky and strained, and other times awkward. What can you expect when you are told that you were destined to be with some one that you just met, and don’t even get along that well with. Personally I think that these struggles add to the depth of the story. It does seem that even if they didn’t really like the whole marriage thing in the beginning; they have grown accustomed to the idea. I think that for these two characters being told that someone can not only keep up with you but will be by your side while you fight pure evil together. Even if it takes some time to get used to, I’m sure sounds quite nice when you have been fighting alone for so long. It might be slow sometimes, but it is a good story and I can’t wait to see what will happen next. The story and characters are well developed for the length of the series; also the story has a good balance of action, comedy, and romance. In closing it has an interesting premise and I think someone needed to write a story like it, and I’m happy I found it.

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'tis a classic. the boy and the girl in the cover are the main characters, they are partners. They are kind of cute, with their encounters and banters. But I say classic in this media since the mc be the unthinking charging no lock in its mouth, shouts like hell for no reason, he was describe as an immature kid for his age. By the character I say and there is nothing wrong with that. Seems consistent so far and that is very important. He may be overrated but as long as he stays true to his character, is aight.

There is a tragedy here. And you will uncover it little by little, clues be left behind for you to guess what is and what is not. And it is a sad one, full of lost promise, friendship, and future.

The girl in the cover is really great. I like her chatters and insults, usually directed to that other kid there. Like a mirror from each other, she too has suffered a loss, great and painful, and I'd say should never happen to any kid, or any person for that matter. She's been traumatized by it, normally I suppose. Same with the boy, and with them together, created a good blend, and a kind of tag team, seems like, during fights, and exorcising impurities, though a funny term but the beings they represent surely isn't. The are ruthless and entirely black, not only in its features but also in its soul, average impurity has no mind and would ruthlessly attack any humans if they get the chance.

So it is left for our heroes to protect their world, and with their organization, that is nationwide, I assume, they have lead the fight that has lasted for thousands of years. By the way, the leader is an underwear man, as described/insulted by the boy in the cover. I like his character. He makes pranks to the main characters. He kinds of create a light ingredient to the mix, since tis already have too much tragedy in the background of the story, and I'm glad of what he contributes.

As they battle, freinds and foes, betrayal, life long enemies, arch enemies, mindless enemies, and any kind of enemies you could think of, characters involved would learn, to accept, what he/she is, what he/she can do, and realize the truth that would make them stronger and stronger, as has been foretalled. Oh, I forgot, did I say there's also a destiny thing in the mix with the plot? It's the catalyst of everything, that changed the life of the main characters, in the cover, and the people involved with them.

Though interesting as it might be, the turn of events and the style of the telling of the stories, as they go from present to past bit by bit, it is also predictable. It may be due to my vast experience of reading manga/anime/books/movies, but when a fight starts, the outcome is like a done deal. Even that style where a strong enemy suddenly was shocked, by this new awesome technique, looks weak, loss half its body, then suddenly becomes super god, then suddenly gets weaker, due to some stupid ass excuse, but unfortunately, events would follow that is too predictable to even fake surprise. Not even those thing helps from its predictability. And I say, that kind of technique to help prevent the issue of the manga, or in any kind of media, is just cheap, and has been so overdone, by millions, billions, trillion.... heh.

Anyway, due to that slight dilemma, sometimes I skim pass some battles that'd take 50% of some chapters, and so helped me finish the manga to its latest chapter. Though I may not recommend this to our serious readers, whose been bombed by so many overrated storyline/characters, it is still a fun read, with their conversations, with their interesting past, and reactions, with so many funny characters, and some sweet banters from the main characters.

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So basically Sousei no Onmyouji starts off like any Shounen or Supernatural manga with the Protagonist being aloof. But slowly it progresses to become an enjoyable read.
A story line where the travel from one world to another fighting corruption/kegare, makes the manga super interesting. I loved the manga because there arent many mangas with the kind of pace Sousei no Onmyouji has and it will be really nice to see how things turn out for Rokuro-kun and Benio-san.
All in all i would really rate this manga an overall 8/10 atm. Might change according to how the story further develops(Hoping for the better).

PS: If you do watch the anime before reading the manga please do start from chapter 14 of the manga so you can get any context of what will happen later on in the story itself

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