Psycho Busters

The illustrations are remarkably clean, featuring a delicate and non-angular stroke. Akinari Nao, still in her early stages, exhibits an immature style, yet we begin to notice Ayano's drawing approach that hints at a sketch of Lilith, a character from Trinity Seven.
The narrative is pure science fiction, encompassing time manipulation, paradoxes, parallel worlds, and an explanation of the nature of time. The plot is light and enjoyable from all perspectives, and by the time you reach the manga's conclusion, your mind will be buzzing with the solutions presented—especially for fans of the genre.
The story also touches on a contemporary issue: the distrust of those who are different.
The moral of this manga is: "a person does not die when their physical life ends but when they are forgotten."
Psycho Buster comes highly recommended for everyone, including those who don't typically enjoy science fiction stories, as it offers a light and flowing narrative without too many commitments. Meanwhile, sci-fi enthusiasts will relish interpreting the ending (as I did).
Score: 8

At the time of writing, there are 18 scanlated chapters, which form the basis of this review. Despite its name, Psycho Busters has no connection to Ghostbusters.

Story: 8
This manga is not a cheesy or entirely unrealistic children's story, so don't worry about that. Psycho Busters innovates on the classic "escaped secret lab experiments" premise by making the protagonist, Kakeru, an ordinary guy who gets entangled with the escapees rather than being one himself. Each character and their powers have numerous mysterious elements, yet none become annoying or predictable. The strength of this manga lies in its balanced romantic idealism, avoiding the overemphasis that can ruin realism and appeal in many other manga/anime. Psycho Busters achieves this by largely sidestepping self-righteous heroism, resulting in a serious but not dark tone without forced comedy for mood lightening. The best parts are the fights, which naturally integrate with the story and themselves. Powers ranging from spirit channeling and possession to chi and fire manipulation are used, with strategic combat that avoids both shouting out techniques and aimless charging at each other.

Art: 7
The art is adequate, though it can be confusing at times. It features very detailed body language and scenery but balances this with enough simplicity to keep frames clear and focused. Compared to older manga, this art style is more realistic. However, distinguishing between some characters is challenging due to modern anime's more restrained facial structures, costumes, and lack of coloring. Ultimately, I give the art a 7 because it effectively supports the storytelling within today's manga art limitations.

Character: 8
Initially, there is only one girl among the four companions Kakeru joins, and while equal attention is given to all group members, Psycho Busters gradually takes on a harem-like feel with new female characters and subtly comedic ecchi elements. The actions and backgrounds of almost all recurring characters are well-developed, giving them a realistic and multidimensional presence.

Enjoyment: 8
Balanced relationships and naturally flowing fights make this enjoyable.

Overall: 8
If you have the time, enjoy this genre, and are around 14 years old or older, then you know what I'm suggesting. If not, you probably wouldn't appreciate this manga, and I'd recommend sticking with something like Doremon (not knocking Doremon, just guiding you to the right section).

Rating: 9

This was a fantastic manga, and I am eagerly awaiting the upcoming chapters. My enjoyment level was a solid 10.

The story is an action-packed, fast-paced narrative that gives off an apocalyptic vibe reminiscent of Psyren and Alive: Final Evolution, with a sprinkle of romance mixed in. Kakeru, a somewhat introverted gamer boy, spends most of his time playing and creating video games while enduring bullying from his sisters. He dreams of becoming a hero who saves a damsel in distress, just like in his favorite video games.

While his father works abroad, Kakeru's mother and sisters go on vacation, leaving him plenty of free time to indulge in his gaming. Fate literally knocks on his door, introducing "Prodigies"—people with supernatural abilities who were kept in a secret lab and facility called the "Green House." Kakeru reunites with an old friend from a forgotten past, and they find themselves hunted by the "Farmers," who aim to kill them and recover Joui due to his unique powers.

The artwork is exceptional, and fans of Psyren or Alive: The Final Evolution will likely find this manga equally captivating, packed with action and a touch of romance. Turning the pages feels as effortless as breathing—no exaggeration. This has quickly become one of my favorite mangas.

Psycho Busters is a fairly straightforward shonen manga that doesn't break new ground or stand out in any particular way, but it still offers enough enjoyment through its entertaining cast of characters. It works well as a light, easygoing read or a palate cleanser. The action scenes are decent and it's mostly enjoyable to see how the main character responds to various situations. The story maintains a lighthearted tone without taking itself too seriously, though some of its best moments arise when it shifts into a more serious mode. There's a solid romantic subplot between the two main characters, which serves as the heartwarming element of the manga. It's refreshing to see the main cast expand as events unfold and allegiances shift, revealing new facets of the side characters, although this happens rather quickly and feels somewhat rushed. The supernatural twist in the story isn't particularly intriguing. While I don't particularly like how the series ends, it's not a terrible conclusion; it's just somewhat disappointing.

This tale was truly excellent. Initially, the protagonist might come across as timid, but gradually, you witness his growing strength as the story unfolds.
Kakeru, the main character, is exceptionally kind-hearted and prioritizes the well-being of others over himself.
This is a remarkable narrative, and I highly recommend that you give it a read too!!!!!

I would consider this manga unique despite its numerous clichéd scenarios, such as the weak protagonist with a savior complex. These traits detract from its originality, yet the overarching story remains exceptional.

One drawback is its characters, who come off as bland and typical. However, the artwork surpasses average standards, elevating beyond the genre's usual secondary focus on visuals.

The story is where this manga truly excels. Although some parts are boring due to predictable plot developments, I can overlook many of them thanks to the main character's incredible superpower. While several manga feature protagonists with hidden powers, few—except perhaps Blue Exorcist—can match this one. The protagonist's time manipulation creates fascinating events. Other characters' abilities are mundane and unsurprising. The romance was lackluster; honestly, the main female character was strikingly attractive, but "close but no cigars." The relationship between the protagonist and her was superficial, and I eagerly awaited its conclusion. She turned out to be a total yandere—that's all I'll say about that.

Towards the end, the plot twists fell short of my expectations (e.g., surprise! The good guy is actually evil; seen that before). Even worse was when the protagonist sacrificed himself for the world—a near carbon copy of Superior Cross's ending. RANT TIME: Sure, I could accept that, but the final chapter ruined it. It serves as an epilogue showing the characters' altered lives. In the end, the protagonist reappears, everyone rejoices, and they skip down the street like in a fairy tale. Given that their lives were reset by ten years and their living conditions drastically changed, they shouldn't remain the same people. END OF RANT.

This manga stands apart from the average fare. I'd recommend it as an interesting read but caution against high expectations. Some might enjoy it, but it won't become a favorite. 6/10.

The manga was quite enjoyable. However, I found the series to be fast-paced with a few 'awkward' moments. For instance, during a conversation between characters, someone randomly asked a stranger, "Why did you save them?" and received the reply, "Because he looked like my dead brother." The person then went on to share some unrelated details about how their brother always smiled and other similar musings.

Moreover, the plot was very predictable. You could easily foresee when one character would rescue another or when the protagonist would unleash their incredible power. The artwork was pleasant enough, not outstanding but easy on the eyes.

I truly enjoyed reading this manga too! It was entertaining, but it's not the kind of series that would hook me deeply; rather, it's something to read for fun when I'm out of other options or simply want a light read.

Overall, I gave it an 8 because I felt there was room for improvement. Nevertheless, I recommend this series for those looking to unwind and enjoy something light-hearted. It really is a nice series!

I stumbled upon this manga while browsing through the aisles at a bookstore. The cover caught my eye, and since I'm a fan of psychics and supernatural stories, I thought, "Why not?" Little did I know it would turn out to be this fantastic.

Story: 9
I've encountered stories about psychics escaping from evil labs before, but Psycho Busters went beyond that. It introduced intriguing twists and heavily emphasized friendship and relationships. How Kakeru was integrated into the group, how he was accepted, and how their bond played a crucial role in saving the world—it was truly enjoyable to read. I loved their powers and the progression of the story. While some parts could have been more detailed, and additional experiences for the group would have been nice, overall, it was very well-written.

Art: 9
I genuinely love the art style. Initially, I picked up the book because I liked the cover. When I started reading, the first few pages featured girls in bathing suits, which made me facepalm as a girl myself. But the artwork was appealing enough to keep me going. I'm glad I continued. The various shots were interesting and complemented the story. The characters were beautifully drawn too. When I picked up the last volume at Borders, I couldn't help but muffle a little fangirl squeal upon seeing the cover. The reason? The mangaka's art had improved. My favorite characters looked even better, if only slightly. Watching the artist's style evolve throughout the series was enjoyable, and I look forward to reading more works by both Akinari Nao and Yuya Aoki.

Character: 9
The characters were well-developed, and I appreciated the friendships and interactions among them. Learning about their pasts and watching them confront their issues and grow was satisfying. I disliked the demise of a certain character, Todoroki, but overall, I liked them all. What can I say? I adore Joi!! ^^ hehe...

Overall: 9
From the humorous moments to the love confessions to the emotional backstories of the characters, this series deserves a 9 in my opinion. The unexpected plot twists kept me hooked, the art was stunning, and the characters were engaging, drawing me into their personal lives. It was a wonderful journey, and I happily recommend Psycho Busters to anyone looking for a great read.