Serene and The Six Realms

THIS IS THE BEST FAN-FIC

I typically don't write reviews unless something truly captivates me and I feel compelled to share it with the world. "07 Ghost" was the first manga I ever completed. Initially, I finished the anime, as I lean more towards animated series, and then moved on to the manga, devouring every page. To be honest, I've tried this approach—watching the anime first and then reading the manga—with numerous other series. However, most of them didn't engage me deeply. I realize I might be missing out, akin to comparing a movie to a book, yet still...

My main point is that this series was absolutely incredible! I stayed up all night just to finish it, and when I did, I felt a void, unsure of what to do next because it was that engaging.

The storyline was exceptional. For those familiar with the anime, the manga closely follows the same narrative but adds some extra elements. I adored the concept. Teito was utterly adorable!

The artwork was also quite impressive! The military uniforms are so visually appealing.

Additionally, the characters were fantastic. They're a vibrant, diverse group that breathes life into "07 Ghost." While I initially disliked the antagonists, I eventually came to understand them. Meanwhile, I rooted for Teito and his friends throughout the entire series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience! As mentioned earlier, I sacrificed sleep for this—it was that captivating.

In summary, I loved it. The lessons embedded in "07 Ghost" were profound, and the ending was spectacular.

I'm off to my fan-girl corner to geek out about it once more.

Thanks for reading~

I really enjoyed the characters in the manga; each one was unique and intriguing. The plot was solid for the most part, particularly in the beginning and middle sections. However, I found the ending to be somewhat rushed and confusing, with pieces of information seemingly tossed at the reader without much context. While this was a recurring theme with the flashbacks throughout the manga, it wasn't as jarring earlier on because the pacing allowed readers to learn alongside Teito as he recovered his memories. This gradual revelation worked well, even if certain parts didn't make sense initially, as they were eventually tied into the larger narrative.

Unfortunately, the major conflict and conclusion were crammed into the final few chapters, which caused everything to wrap up too quickly. Some aspects of the main character's backstory and side characters' arcs felt like afterthoughts, hastily inserted to explain loose ends. For instance, Akanami's past and details about which of his subordinates survived were not given adequate attention or depth.

In summary, it's a strong manga overall, but its impact is slightly diminished by an overly abrupt conclusion.  

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(just for the record, this is a slight alteration of my anime review)

I’m not homophobic nor do I see women only as sex toys; anything you read here is pure sarcasm. I just can’t help but make fun of an obviously poorly written series that appeals mostly through erotic aesthetics rather than good directing and character immersion.

ART SECTION: 7/10 [Don’t I look hot in this robe?]

General Artwork & Backgrounds 4/4: A blend of medieval fantasy and science fiction, the artwork is both catchy and interesting. There was much work and detail put into making surfaces and textures look fairy tale-like, so the series manages to attract you at first glance with its amazing combination of clergy life, occult mystery, and military super-soldier projects. So, yeah, the general looks of this series are captivating.

Character Figures 2/2: Hohoho, this is a series of bishounens. Every main and secondary character is made to look like a dream boy any fangirl would kill just to touch his hair. They have glances and smirks that can lure you into their arms in less than three seconds. There are some women and old people as well, but they are just background decoration or cute mascots, like a perky mermaid, a fuzzy pink critter, and a trio of aloof sisters. Most of what you see in the foreground is bishounens—women dig them, and men are envious of them.

Although I find it lame to have a picture-perfect cast, I must admit that this series was MADE to be eye candy for a female audience, pretty much like an average harem is full of bimbos and nudity aimed at a male audience. This series is almost devoid of nudity or blunt fan service, yet it doesn’t take much to understand that the characters are made to look and act all erotic. This is NOT a negative aspect; the target audience loves this sort of thing. They are dream males acting all moe, and a fine-looking cast is what you should expect from it.

Readability 1/4: And here is where things are one big mess. Action scenes and frame flow are terrible! Choreography is a joke, while trying to figure out what exactly is going on is usually very confusing because of the vague way the plot moves. I understand the series was never about the action, but this is too much. The only thing you are left to gasp at are the pretty faces and the funky decorations. It is awesome when you look at individual frozen frames, but looking at the chaotic flow of the action in a whole page just ruins most of it.

STORY SECTION: 4/10 [Oh forget about the fate of the world and just look at me walking elegantly]

General Scenario 2/2: Ok, seriously, this is not a series you watch for the story. It sounds mighty interesting as a concept with military secret ops, mystical temples, scary ghosts, gay innuendos, a sort of detective feeling, a lot of daily fantasy life—you name it. The general idea is mighty interesting. But…

Pacing 1/2: Slow! Very slow! Most chapters don’t even seem to progress the plot, and the rest just drag it to the point where you only learn something new for a few frames per volume. Seriously, they could have taken out half the chapters, and it still wouldn’t feel rushed.

Side Stories/Extra Spices 1/2: Very few and simple. It is a straightforward story, centered on five people in a world of millions. And that wouldn’t be a problem if it was also a simple story. Yet it isn’t one; it has world-shaking events in it. It stays too focused on a few aspects (the military base and the temple) of an otherwise huge and complicating setting.

Plausibility 0/2: With chaotic flow, speed of a snail pacing, and a picture-perfect cast spending most of the time looking erotic towards you, you hardly believe this story is realistic or even plausible. And this wouldn’t be a problem if, again, the general story was simple. But it ain’t. Military invasion, murderous ghosts, and other world-shaking events play less important than a spaced-out look from Teito the pretty boy. So ok, it is a light series for aloof viewing, but this is just too much. It is just slice of life with some poorly inserted magic dressing that unfolds in a very slow and tiresome way, while focusing too much on erotic aesthetics. The scriptwriter is hardly trying.

Conclusion 0/2: It is still published, but I wouldn’t care less about its ending at this point.

CHARACTER SECTION: 3/10 [Pick the one you want to date]

Eh, they are so blunt I won’t even bother separating them into categories. Just like playing a date sim, the series is full of ero/moe archetypes you are supposed to like for their variety in looks and mannerisms and not because of their personalities. Let’s face it, most of the cast was useless to the plot altogether; yet, it was there just so you could pick your favorite amongst the drones. If you ask me, all the characters the series needed were Teito and Mikage (the main couple… err, pair), any one of the priests, and Ayanami the psycho military man. All the rest was just dressing, and a bad one in terms of personalities. So, although they all LOOK great, very few actually offer anything; and even those few don’t actually blow your mind with their antics.

It’s less than a half-baked result as they have very little to offer overall.

VALUE & ENJOYMENT SECTION: 1/10 [Next please!]

Meh, this series doesn’t really offer anything new or refreshing or even remotely interesting if you are a seasoned viewer. The plot is snoring, and the characters too generic. I understand it will feel a lot better for women (the target audience) and far worse to homophobic males (who have no reason to watch a series of pretty boys and devoid of girls in the first place). I for once have seen far better BL, or yaoi or fantasy/sci-fi blends.

VERDICT: 4/10

Down to it, this series is a one-time time killer at best. It will be forgotten soon under some pile of mediocre manga.

SUGGESTION LIST (although I hate those a lot)
Vampire Knight
Kuroshitsuji

For a manga with such an expansive scope, it surprisingly receives minimal attention. The fanbase it does have is fiercely loyal, yet it deserves to be much larger.

Set in a fantasy world inspired by Germanic culture, the story revolves around the power struggle between the Imperial Army and the Pope. Caught in this conflict are the aristocracy, slaves, soldiers, and priests. Laden with gothic themes, skeletons, scythes, animal-machine hybrid airships, and magical combat techniques, the grand cathedral looms over all.

Teito Klein has been attending military academy for several years. One of the combat techniques taught there is "zaiphon," a natural-born "magical" skill cast through written word, which Teito excels at. Originally a slave, Teito was discovered by the academy's chairman and sponsored as a student. He had no memories of his childhood until the night before his graduation when they suddenly resurface, revealing his father's brutal murder. In a fit of rage, Teito attacks senior officer Ayanami, the man responsible for his father's death, shattering his future as an army officer and landing him in prison. With the help of his only friend Mikage, Teito escapes and finds sanctuary with the Bishops of the great Barsburg Cathedral. However, the Army's desire to reclaim Teito isn't due to his attack or escape...

Despite being a master of fighting techniques, Teito remains vulnerable and insecure. His years as a slave stripped him of emotion and taught him to distrust everyone. Both the stigma of slavery and his cold demeanor prevented friendships at the academy, except for Mikage, who persistently befriended him. Teito had to learn to appreciate and accept this friendship. Believing he has no living family, Teito eagerly seeks more information whenever fragments of his memory surface. When official records portray his father as dishonorable, Teito is driven to uncover the truth.

07 Ghost stands out in its treatment of its strong pseudo-Catholic religious theme. Unlike many manga that depict religious orders negatively, portraying them as repressive and totalitarian, turning people into brainwashed followers with hypocritical priests practicing evil, this one doesn't. Religion is central and cherished here. The clergy are mostly honest and well-meaning individuals, though Bishop Frau's interest in pornography might be unsettling.

For much of the main story, Teito resides at the cathedral. This massive structure houses numerous nuns, bishops, priests, church students, and those seeking refuge. The three Bishops who mentor Teito are the charming playboy Frau, the glasses-wearing puppet-maker Castor, and the handsome gardener/herbalist Labrador. Initially seeming ordinary, they soon reveal themselves as unlike anyone Teito has met, tasked with battling greater evils than he could imagine.

Surrounding the cathedral are seven colossal statues shaped like grim reapers (the 7 "ghosts" of the title), representing the beings sent from heaven to contain a great evil. These seven still wander the earth as fearsome guardians of good.

Now for some finer details:

The art is stunning. The style suits the gothic themes and the grand scale of high cathedral vaults perfectly. It’s more stylized than realistic, combining fine lines and energetic style with heavy contrasts and a polished, shiny look. The skeletal figures of the ghosts wrapped in funeral cloaks, along with Kor wings, are both frightening and beautiful. And the costumes! The military uniforms are impressive. Teito's transition from tattered rags to the neat uniform of a church student symbolizes his journey from confusion to determination. The church attire, especially the student outfits—flowing, crisp, white, and dare I say sexy—is remarkable. The Bishops' transformation from white clerical robes to sleek black leather suits for their "side job" is striking.

There’s another reason to purchase the printed manga: many subtle artistic details appear much better on paper.

The characters are endearing. Teito's tragic past tugs at the heartstrings of any female reader (**this manga is definitely aimed at a female audience; male readers might not enjoy it as much**). Combined with the mystery surrounding his past and present, his impressive battle skills, and his sassy-cute appearance, it's hard not to love him. Each Bishop is unique and intriguing, though their true histories take longer to uncover. We meet a few other characters, and while the overall cast of 07 Ghost is large, we form deep connections with only a few.

The pacing is excellent. Even when events seem like they'll derail the story, things pick up again, staying engaging. Time progresses, settings change, and some beloved characters we must leave behind. It hurts, but that's life. That's why, after 60+ chapters, the story remains compelling.

Some plotlines are dense and challenging to grasp. You may need to revisit certain chapters, if not the entire series, to keep everything straight. But I've enjoyed doing so. It's worth it for the art alone, but ten times more because the story is fascinating enough to withstand multiple readings. I've read the first chapter countless times.

This was probably the most confusing plot point, requiring several reads to understand: Teito's earliest memories include both his father and a Father (priest). I couldn't discern why there were two fathers until realizing one was his biological father and the other a priest. Additionally, understanding the Seven Ghosts, the Kor, and the Warsphile takes reading several chapters.

The chapter numbering is peculiar, sometimes repeating or skipping numbers. This is intentional, but I'm unsure why.

A note on the anime: I found it quite disappointing. While decent, it pales in comparison to the manga. Most of the storyline comes from the manga, but the ending feels forced, and the art and production quality are subpar. So if you watched the anime and didn't like it, don't judge the manga by it! And if you enjoyed the anime, I hope the manga will impress you even more.

I've barely scratched the surface of 07 Ghost's content. If what you've read interests you, take a closer look and enjoy!

This manga really fits my taste. I enjoy it when the main character has a formidable enemy who is after them, just like Teito.  
The artwork is absolutely fantastic as well. So many bishies!  
However, there's one thing that bothers me quite a bit—the fighting scenes are incredibly complicated. I had a tough time following them. But overall, I truly adore this manga so much.  
I just hope that everyone reading or watching this anime/manga doesn't take it too seriously and believe that the "Seven Ghosts" are real gods in our actual world. There's no way God looks like that.  
It's all fantasy, after all.  
Most of all, I love Frau and Teito. This pair is genuinely romantic (in some ways), and they share a strong bond that only they can fully understand.

<p>Absolutely! There will be moments when it gets a little confusing, but just go over those pages again. Believe me, once it clicks, this manga is totally worth it! The story pulls you right in, the art makes every character look stunning ^_^, and the characters are... complex? Yeah, that's accurate. The characters are deep, and I had so much fun that my eyes actually hurt from all the excitement. Dive into it now!</p>

3 years after its completion, I still find myself inexplicably captivated by the epic narrative that is 07 Ghost.  

It's a story of the rise and fall of empires—of power struggles and political conflicts. Yet, despite the intricately woven military backdrop and historical depth, 07 Ghost is not a war story. At its heart, it is a tale about embracing everything life has to offer. It’s about having the capacity to cherish another person's kindness. It’s about finding the strength to move forward when faced with adversity.  

The combat system in the story reflects this theme. Characters utilize an energy known as "zaiphon," which channels the emotions of the user. While there are various types of zaiphon loosely tied to each character's personality, fundamentally, everyone's zaiphon is inherently the same—it is the mental fortitude of the user that dictates its power.  

The protagonist, Teito Klein, is masterfully crafted. He begins as unremarkable—an amnesiac with childlike tendencies who constantly laments his situation—but he evolves significantly through the bonds and connections he forms throughout the series. He develops a profound appreciation for the world, his friends, and even his adversaries, eventually transforming into a charismatic leader who commands attention. Watching his journey come full circle over the course of the series is truly remarkable.  

Yes, it features a cast of attractive male characters. Yes, it’s clichéd to the extreme. Yes, the action sequences leave much to be desired. But by the end, I hope you'll agree that 07 Ghost transcends these elements, offering so much more than meets the eye.