PhD: Phantasy Degree

I began reading this series when it first came out, but I struggled to get my hands on the manga as frequently as I wanted. This series has a bit of everything! Romance, action, adventure, horror, sci-fi, mystery—it just keeps going.
Although this might seem like a chaotic mix in most cases, the series manages all these themes beautifully. The comedy is well-balanced and not overdone, and you never know what to expect next. The main character appears almost too ordinary compared to the rest of the cast, but gradually, you learn more about her—don't worry, no spoilers here.
Overall, this is a very well-crafted series. The art style changes with each 'arc' to better tell the story, and it's beautifully drawn. Characters follow archetypes intentionally, but each has their unique twist. It's simply a great story! I have no complaints about it. I wish it were easier to obtain; honestly, I'm quite surprised that it remains unknown to many readers.

I would personally say that this is one of the best manga's I have ever read. It has great humor, strong characters, a fantastic storyline, and all the action you could hope for.

Story: In the three books I have read, the story is very rich, with no dull moments, and you're always discovering new things about the characters. Just reading the first book will suck you in and make you demand to read more. It has all the elements: romance, action, a little horror, supernatural themes, and high school (at first). The books so far seem a little disjointed; the ultimate goal of the main character is unclear but slowly starts to unfold, which just makes it all the more gripping.

Art: The art at the beginning is very simple, almost ditsy as the story starts out this way, but it becomes sharper and more clean-cut as the story takes on a more serious approach. Sometimes it can be a bit overly detailed to the point where it's hard to make smaller details out, mainly in the background, but it's easy to read.

Characters: The characters are amazing. Their personal growth starts off almost insignificant but develops quickly and in a very exciting way. Most of the main characters are very easy to fall in love with, especially Sang as she turns out to be literally the opposite of what she appears to be in the first half of the first book. As who she really is unfolds, you will be shocked over and over.

I really enjoyed the three books I have and have read them over and over without getting bored. I cannot wait to complete the set and finish the story. The story is intensely addictive, and the humor makes it all the more fun to read. I give this a 10 out of 10 and am shocked that it isn't as popular as it should be.

Ah, PhD, a series I read so devoutly during my high school days. I've read this manhwa several times, and as such, I have a lot to say about it.

Phantasy Degree, or "Master School Olympus" as it's known in Korea, focuses on the adventures of Sang, a red-headed sorceress (sound familiar?) who does what she wants, when she wants. Determined and headstrong, she'll stop at nothing to reach her destination and work around all those who oppose her. Of course, there's always time to eat or trick someone for your own gain along the way, right? If you enjoy stories featuring sorcerers, magic artifacts, demons, werewolves, elves in the forest, sword fights, and general shenanigans, you will feel right at home with PhD. If you enjoyed Slayers, this will feel familiar and yet fresh, with enough questions to keep you guessing about the big forces at work behind the scenes.

To list every possible character would be a chore, as many come and go in this series. However, the main and recurring characters all have well-defined and dynamic personalities that work well with the other characters around them. The interactions flow smoothly, and none of the dialogue is stilted. Each character also has their own set of skills and abilities that make them memorable.

Sang is just as powerful as she is spunky, and she's entertaining to watch, especially when she wants to troll someone. Chun Lang has somewhat of a "sidekick" role at points, but her fighting skill as well as her sense of humor make her a very fun character. Dev and Notra's personal development as well as their relationship with each other is intriguing, although it isn't expanded on much after the first arc. Iris, despite clearly being the "spoiled brat" character, becomes likable after she's forced to witness tragedy, and you do start to feel for her. Overall, aside from these brief positives, the characters do feel fleshed out even if we don't learn everything about them. The villains come off as very threatening, and oh boy, is there a lot of them.

I liked Phantasy Degree when I was a teenager and I like it now. The character designs are unique and memorable, the setting is a fun and wacky fantasy world, and there's enough comedy alongside action to keep you entertained.

Wish I could talk about the entire story, but sadly it's been on hiatus since 2005. It's a shame, too, because by volume 10 the plot begins to really pick up and things look like they're about to go down. It only frustrates me that I'll never find out what the author had planned for this series. Nonetheless, maybe that's all right, because the product that we're given is a fun fantasy adventure that's perfect for reading when you wanna turn your mind off and enjoy a good story.

Here's a brief summary.

Pros:
-Dynamic and expressive characters
-Unique and polished art style, only occasional fanservice
-Individual plot threads are interesting
-It's a comedic fantasy swords-n-sorcery story with a good amount of mystery

Cons:
-Many interesting characters introduced only to become irrelevant
-As it's been on a hiatus since 2005, it will probably never get completed
-Seems to lack direction at some points and too many things can be introduced too quickly, causing confusion. (Too many questions and no answers in sight.)

If you can manage to find the books online, give them a try. It's not the best manhwa you'll ever read, but it's a fun tale that won't leave you unhappy.