I went into this not expecting much more than a Naruto clone and for the first dozen chapters it really did seem that way. I found myself wondering where Black Clover would deviate from Naruto in various situations and I was happy to find some of the changes improved upon Naruto.
Eventually, the story steps out of the Naruto mold, adds a hint of Fairy Tail's guild structure and a fresh dynamic of nobility vs. commoners. By chapter 80 it was no longer mild enjoyment and curiosity it was a manga that stood on its own merit.
What I like about the story is the way that it reaches many of the battle shonen cliches and changes or avoids them in some way. There are still chliches abound (mostly in the main character) but it wasn't too annoying.
Art 8/10
My knowledge of art is limited so this part will be short. I give it an 8/10 because even reading on a tablet (I usually use a large computer screen) I didn't have to stare at pictures for a long time to identify what was going on. The characters each looked different than one another, which also helps. The different settings also felt unique from each-other and I especially like the haphazard guild hall.
Character 6/10
Asta is mostly predictable. He always perks up when his rival goads him. He always becomes ridiculously optimistic when something horrible happens. Most of the time when he's ridiculously optimistic somehow a miraculous result happens.
However, there are some things that I was pleasantly surprised about. He's not scared around women. He's good with kids. He also doesn't do pervy things like spying on women. Even when he's alone he's not hopeless. Also, he's blunt but in certain situations it's so true and so funny.
I had to look up Yuno's name because all I could think of was "Sasuke that's less of a jerk." However, though he resembles that character in Naruto, that less of a jerk part is really refreshing. He's aloof except with Asta and he values their friendship in his own way.
Other characters are slightly over the top but well developed. They all tend to fall hop step into nakama mode when Asta is around so that kind of sucks the individuality of them at times.
Enjoyment 8/10
What can I say, I like a good hero story. I came in with low expectations of looking for a new hero story and it developed into something unique that, though not at the top of my list of battle shonen its also not at the very bottom.
Overall 7/10
It's hard to escape it's more generic beginning and the tropes it encounters. It seems this manga is constantly encountering and attempting to dodge the predictable elements with mixed success. However, if you like some predictable elements like a hero with strong (some would say ridiculous) resolve in the face of adversity, if you'd like to live vicariously with someone who can solve most of their problems with a magic sword, give this manga a try and you might not be amazed but you can find enjoyment and won't be disappointed.
Oh, and I can't forget the part that drew me in. Women like him. It's kind of dumb to hope for romance in a battle shonen, but I like it when there are these possibilities.
