Dear Immortal Tyrant

It has the same context as all martial arts attributes but also slightly different. This novel is also interesting as it makes U more immersed in the story making U want to know the next plot. Definitely recommend to those who likes to read a similar style novel as all martial arts attributes.

This is one of those things that's equally terrible as it is good

This was such a good book, absolutely loved it.

A boy who can see spirits and demons is not an unfamiliar concept, but Ga-Rei sets itself apart with its focus on the girl he encounters. She possesses extraordinary powers she herself is unaware of, and she takes center stage. While he is undoubtedly powerful, her strength rivals that of the gods, and her destiny has already been determined.  

I didn't expect much from a plot like this, given that the ghost, spirit, and demon themes have been around for ages. However, the 52 chapters led me to believe that Ga-Rei had something unique to offer. And when I looked it up to see if there was an anime adaptation, I found one—but it turned out to be a prequel to the events in the manga. Hmm.  

To be honest, I wasn't a fan of how fast the story began. The male protagonist, Kensuke, barely gets introduced beyond the fact that he's been able to see spirits since childhood. Sure, it was amusing when he would punch them as soon as he saw them, but I had to make assumptions about his character based on his current actions. As a result, their meeting felt rushed, especially when Kensuke encounters Kagura, a beautiful girl who also sees spirits. Before long, she mentions that she's part of an organization dedicated to exorcising these ghosts, and then the complex explanations start rolling in.  

When things got detailed, I found them hard to follow, though I imagine it wasn't much different from how Kensuke felt. Still, I loved his reactions—he’s one of the few characters in the manga who truly acknowledges when something absurd happens.  

But anyway, ghost fighting—it's a shounen series; who doesn't enjoy a bit of violence every now and then? Special swords, spells, and magic abound, making it quite cool. I usually struggle following fights in manga, so an anime adaptation appeals to me, but I did my best here. Also, despite the lack of an ecchi tag, I think there should be one. More than a few times, people's clothes ripped, leading to some bloody yet sexy moments, along with a few bathing scenes. So there you have it: the fighting and the fan service.  

I was really hyped for the major battles. I could almost feel the characters' apprehension. While the battles themselves were fantastic, it was incredible how much the mangaka managed to fit into just one or two chapters. The final fight was particularly awesome, though I was slightly disappointed by the manga's abrupt ending and short epilogue. Nevertheless, Ga-Rei delivered a strong impact.  

The artwork was satisfying overall. While I grew tired of seeing perfect girls, there were plenty of characters who were easily distinguishable and even quirky-looking. I wouldn't call them ugly, just distinct. And it was impressive to see the spirit monsters and dragons—drawing unique ones for each scene must have taken a lot of time.  

As for the characters, I have nothing negative to say. Kensuke is a likable guy thrust into another world, handling it well by recognizing his strengths and weaknesses while remaining a good person overall. Kagura is a determined girl with dreams of happiness despite knowing her fate. The other characters are equally unique.  

I do recommend this for the laughs I occasionally had while reading it. The battles were pretty exciting too. Story-wise, it got somewhat complicated with history and explanations, but I made it through everything. If what you've read interests you, give it a try.

So "Ga-rei" is a tale involving spirits, ghosts, beasts, beautiful and powerful girls, and a main character who's funny, somewhat arrogant, and perverted.  
The artwork is inventive, the plot engaging, even though it incorporates familiar concepts presented in a fresh, entertaining manner. The battle scenes are neither overly lengthy nor dull. There's also a touch of light romance.  
I particularly enjoyed the concept of "the small, adorable girl and her pet — the fierce beast linked to her soul" as well as the main character's thoughts (precisely what anyone in that situation would think)... Although I only rated the story an 8,  
the manga is humorous and captivating ^^  

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I stumbled upon Ga-Rei with the intention of discovering how the manga unfolded after the events of its anime adaptation, Ga-Rei Zero, which served as a prequel to this manga and aired in 2008.

Regrettably, akin to an over-hyped Hollywood blockbuster, Ga-Rei had the potential to be a standout manga favorite but failed to surpass its anime counterpart, primarily due to what I perceived as a 'rushed' conclusion.

For those unfamiliar with the anime, though it's not essential for understanding the manga as the latter does provide background on some characters, I still recommend watching it. This is because the anime conveys emotional depth that the manga lacks.

Story: 8
Ga-Rei narrates the tale of an 'agency' responsible for handling supernatural occurrences in Tokyo. The narrative is viewed through the eyes of the protagonist, Kensuke Nimura. Though labeled as the protagonist, the story more so delves into his relationship with the heroine, Kagura, and how she introduces Kensuke to the agency, given his ability to see ghosts. While we gain insight into Kensuke's life, the focus is more on learning about Kagura's past and her work at the agency. Initially playing a minor role, Kensuke's journey of understanding Kagura and the decisions he makes along the way transform him into the central figure by the end.

Ga-Rei can be divided into three arcs spanning 52 chapters: Yomi arc, Juugondō arc, and Naraku arc. Each arc contributes to the overall plot development leading to the main heroine Kagura's conclusion. Despite my appreciation for the portrayal of each arc, I believe the mangaka could have executed a more satisfying ending compared to what was delivered by chapter 52. By the final chapters, numerous unresolved elements were left 'unfinished,' and many side characters who were liked from the beginning lacked proper closure, leaving fans unsatisfied.

Art: 9
Ga-Rei deserves a 9 for its artwork, which is undeniably exceptional. From start to finish, readers are treated to stunning backgrounds and meticulously choreographed action scenes that are visually pleasing without causing confusion about what transpired.

Character: 7
This is where the manga falls short. Although the characters possess epic qualities, the mangaka left too many 'gaps' that hindered the full realization of the manga's potential. For instance, while we receive a comprehensive background on Kensuke and his vulnerabilities, we're led to believe, due to his "love," he can execute an extraordinary sword technique without further explanation. Additionally, during the second and third arcs, we're introduced to numerous characters without any background or formal introduction, leaving readers like myself somewhat dissatisfied, especially when I became attached to certain characters.

Enjoyment and Overall: 7
It might be my bias, stemming from high expectations after watching the anime, that influenced my review and resulted in a lower rating for this manga. Regardless of whether you follow my path and pick up the manga after watching Ga-Rei Zero or read it as a standalone, my advice is to approach it without overly high expectations; otherwise, you might feel disappointed, as I did, when comparing the adaptations.

Like any great recipe, the key to an excellent story, particularly in manga, lies in balance. Ga-Rei started sweetly, enticing you to 'consume' more from the anime to volume 1, but unfortunately, due to the imbalance in the overall narrative and the lack of resolution for side characters, it concluded with a bittersweet taste.

I've read all the chapters of the manga, and overall, it was fantastic except for the ending. The author might have done better to conclude the story after the first arc.

Story 8/10  
Kensuke, the main character, has had the ability to see ghosts his entire life. This unique trait has branded him as an outcast, making him unable to secure a girlfriend. People around him consider him strange. One day, Kensuke meets Kagura in an unexpected moment when they accidentally kiss. Soon after, Kagura transfers to his school and insists they become friends. She discovers that he too can see spirits and recruits him into the SDCD (Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Division). From there, they begin their adventures hunting ghosts together, but I'll leave the rest for you to discover.

Art 6/10  
Like many mangas, the artwork isn't exceptional. It's standard black and white illustrations.

Characters 9/10  
Kensuke, our protagonist, has seen ghosts his whole life, which has contributed to his lack of romantic success. Kagura, another key character, works for the SDCD and possesses a spirit beast named Byakuei. There are also several supporting characters worth mentioning. Among the antagonists, we have Yomi, Kagura's best friend and stepsister, who was corrupted by the Bane Stone (Sesshouseki) two years prior and ultimately killed by Kagura. Later, she returns as a demonic spirit. Kazuhiro, a young boy once part of the agency, is responsible for Yomi's corruption.

Enjoyment 8/10  
I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. The story, characters, and humorous moments were highlights for me. However, the ending was disappointing, feeling rushed as if the author hurried to wrap it up.

Overall 8/10  
For the most part, I loved the manga, aside from its ending. It boasts a compelling plot, and in my view, the anime adaptation surpasses it.

Pros:  
-Great Story  
-Great Characters  
-Funny Moments  

Cons:  
-Rushed Ending

Even though the opening gives the impression that this manga is a episodic, comedic, and standard ghost-hunting tale, it truly isn't. Ga-rei is actually a plot-driven (deeply intertwined with numerous past mysteries), action-filled, and intense light-romance manga.

In fact, I categorize the overarching genre of manga that exhibit the level of intensity found in works like Ga-rei as "epic"! Seriously. Just when the protagonist finds themselves in an utterly despairing situation, Kensuke always does something extraordinary that saves the day. That feeling just can't be put into words...

One of Ga-rei's greatest strengths lies in its storytelling approach. Instead of the conventional "third-person" narrative, it employs a "first-person" narrative, which is uncommon in manga. The benefit of this choice is the direct expression of the protagonist's thoughts and emotions within the manga panels. In this case, Segawa executes this exceptionally well because the protagonist's sentiments feel genuine, and his thoughts mirror what any ordinary person would think in those circumstances. Soon, readers are drawn into Kensuke's mind, and this contributes to Ga-rei's epic quality.

The artwork in this manga is also invigorating, although I'm uncertain whether this uniqueness is a positive or negative aspect for readers. For me, it's a bonus. I appreciated how the mangaka drew the lines and curves slightly thicker than usual.

To round things off, all good plot-heavy action manga should include some romance between the main characters (according to my teenage self), and Ga-rei is no exception. It isn't a overly sentimental romantic entanglement. However, the male character saves the female character from certain death several times, and vice versa. Additionally, there's a satisfying enough romantic resolution for the couple. All ends well.

Story: 9  
Art: 8  
Character: 8  
Enjoyment: 10  
Overall: 9  

Originally posted @ http://bunny1ov3r.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/no-16-ga-rei/