These stupid women disciples, please keep your thoughts of getting the protagonist. He is focusing on his mission on becoming powerful and doesn't need a hindrance.
Nabari no Ou stands as the inaugural long-term work of x-gendered author Yuhki Kamatani, who more recently garnered some fame through their latest creation, Shimanami Tasogare—a piece that starkly contrasts with Nabari no Ou.
It's all too easy to dismiss Nabari no Ou based on its opening chapters and synopsis. The manga kicks off with decent art and semi-engaging characters set against a somewhat overused plot. So, one might wonder, why do I mention this and still award it a ten? The answer is simple: it evolves.
In terms of story, as previously mentioned, it begins rather conventionally for shounen series from that era. Without delving into spoilers in this review, it's the characters that truly propel the narrative. As the tale unfolds, the characters' loyalties are tested in increasingly intriguing and challenging ways. Relationships fracture, trust falters, yet these dynamics can also reverse. At first glance, it may appear to be nothing more than an action series about ninjas—and perhaps fundamentally, it isn't much else—but beneath the surface, it brims with emotion and centers on character-driven storytelling.
Moving onto the characters, given that this is both a character-focused story and a 2000s shounen action manga, the initial cast aligns with expectations—quirky and spontaneous, playing off each other effectively. However, as the series progresses, the characters become more grounded, evoking deeper empathy. Their responses to numerous obstacles feel increasingly authentic, making it hard not to empathize with their perspectives. That said, discussing characters without spoilers proves tricky, so this segment must remain brief. Design-wise, every character boasts distinct traits recognizable at a glance, adhering to conventions where silhouettes often reveal identities.
Kamatani, as you might notice if you've read their subsequent works (Shounen Note, Shimanami Tasogare), employs a highly visual storytelling approach. Being their first extended manga, the early art style appears almost unrecognizable compared to their current work. Nonetheless, it undergoes radical improvement throughout the series, showcasing many of their signature artistic quirks like expansive spreads and symbolic visuals. Beyond future developments, even from the start, Kamatani incorporates visual gags alongside dialogue to convey humor, with "show not tell" becoming increasingly prominent as their skills refine.
For some, this might not appeal to their tastes. Despite the charm of the initial chapters, some may find them hard to endure, and that's perfectly acceptable. For those who do enjoy it, they're in for a treat. Nabari no Ou ultimately delivers a heart-wrenching tale filled with twists and turns—a must-try for anyone.
10 10 10 10 10 10 10.
I would give it a 10 anytime.
READ THIS SERIES!!!!
If anyone says that just because it has ninjas, it's like Naruto, they're so completely wrong it makes me wanna wring their... never mind.
Nabari is one of the BEST series I have ever read. The art is stunning and truly gives a feel for the characters. The characters are complex, yet oddly relatable. The story actually made me cry... Youite and Rokujo are just... anyway. It isn't finished as of 6/18/2009, but I hope it will be soon. I NEED to know what happens. You can tell a story's good when you need to read the next chapter so badly it hurts, literally.
Goodness gracious, calm down. Before you bash this series for being unoriginal, please stop for a moment and take the time to at least read my review.
Nabari no Ou's synopsis might seem like your typical shounen series; a boy main character who only wished for a peaceful life, but he somehow possessed a really great, inhuman power. That is like the basic setting for every shounen manga — and with Naruto around, who needs another ninja series? We've had enough.
But believe me, Nabari no Ou is nothing like those cliches.
Story - To sum up without any spoilers, Nabari no Ou tells the story of Rokujou Miharu, your average teenage boy, and his adventure which revolves around the Shinrabanshou, a ninjutsu which holds the greatest wisdom humankind could ever imagine. The intro of this manga is really overused, I know. But if you read this and you have successfully reached the 'starting point,' everything is going to change. Nabari no Ou's story needs around 20 chapters or so to fully blossom, so please mind the earlier chapters. While the premise is common, the execution is... I don't know, man, beautiful. The story might seem confusing with weird explanations from time to time, but just try and understand, okay. It is really deep, meaningful, and bittersweet. Yes, there is more to emotion on this series rather than actual storyline and action.
Art - The art is really funny in the earlier chapters, but from chapter 30 onward, the art is GORGEOUS. All the ladies are pretty, the boys are also pretty, we have Yukimi and Raikou. You won't get disappointed. As I stated before, you only have to go through the 'starting point,' which is the actual start of this story to fully enjoy this series!
Character - There are various characters in this series, and they all have really different personalities. While other shounen series focus on the good and the bad, it's not the case for Nabari no Ou. As the story proceeds, you will find yourself wondering, which one is actually right? Who should I support, which side should I take? These kinds of questions are what make this manga very interesting. Some characters that you think to be good will suddenly turn evil without you knowing what happened. Everyone is not what they seem to be like, and even though the one who opposes the main character should be considered the antagonists, in the end, you'll just never know...
The characters are also very engrossing, be it good or bad. Various personalities are shown, and the characters' development is also really enticing. You shall have a hard time deciding your favorite.
Enjoyment - I enjoyed this manga. This manga has its ups and downs, and its downs are mainly because, heck, I don't get what's going on! This manga is more emotional and less practical, so at some points in the story, you might start wondering about everything. But the reason I truly enjoyed this is because it gives me this weird, warm feeling inside my chest. And even now, after I finished the series, I still feel the warmth.
I watched two episodes of the anime and decided not to continue. Sometime afterward, I came across the manga and started reading it on a whim. At first, I didn't care for the art, the story, or any of the characters.
And now it's one of my favorite mangas.
The artist has a very unique style that perfectly complements the mood of the manga. She really finds her stride around chapters 25-30; from chapter 40 onward, the artwork is STUNNING. Each new chapter feels like a masterpiece.
The characters grow on you in a way that's quite unexpected. Initially, I didn't like any of them, but eventually, I found myself liking almost all of the main and supporting characters—something that rarely happens to me. Just reading their descriptions might make them seem average and dull, but they're far from it. For instance, take Thobari-sensei (who happens to be a ninja). While "fear of vehicles" is a common trait in manga characters, you won't find another adult who would literally run across Japan over the course of a week just because they're afraid to ride the train.
The plot may sound clichéd with its ninjas, scrolls, and such, but trust me, IT'S NOT. Though many characters do engage in combat, the manga focuses more on character development than fights. It's nothing like Naruto. No one announces their flashy signature moves, no one's attack will destroy a building or rock, there's no overly muscular guy, none of those typical shonen manga tropes.
Most of the arcs at the beginning are underwhelming, but after chapter 30 or so, as you grow more attached to the characters, it gets progressively better—to the point where you might even shed a tear later on (I won't spoil why; you'll have to read it yourself).
In summary, Nabari no Ou doesn't appear impressive at first. However, as the story progresses, its strengths in character and art shine through. Overall, I believe this is one of the most underrated mangas out there.
That's my first time writing a review, and considering the fact that my English is far from perfect, it may not be very enjoyable to read, but I wanted to write it. No spoilers in the review, so you can read it even if you don't know the series.
I've been following Nabari no Ou for more than two years - I liked the anime, so I started reading the manga. There were issues with scanlations - missing chapters and such, but somehow I managed to stay up-to-date when chapter 49 was released. Since then, I've been eagerly checking out the new chapters every month.
This series really got me.
The story didn't seem too complicated. The main character has an omnipotent power within him, good guys want to erase it, bad guys want to get it for themselves. But soon it's revealed that bad guys aren't that bad, and generally, the whole situation isn't so simple. Nevertheless, I can't say there's much intense action in this manga. I think the most intense arc is the Alya arc in volumes 6 and 7, and the last chapters. The plot itself is rather slow-paced. I have to say that I really liked the humor of this series, too. Generally, I think this series was more about the characters than about the plot.
Yeah, characters... If you watched the anime and didn't like them, don't get discouraged. The characters keep changing during the series (character development is something to praise here, especially for the main character), and our view on them keeps changing as we come to know more facts about them. None of them are black or white; everyone has their reasons to fight, and sometimes emotions clash with those reasons. Sometimes they act unreasonable, but it doesn't stand out too much, and in some cases, that unreasonableness was explained. Most of the characters' stories, along with what happens in the series, are really touching. And what is most important - most of the characters are likable. I, personally, didn't hate any of them. And it's hard to choose a favorite character for me, but if I'd have to choose one, I guess I'd go with Aizawa.
Besides the characters and their stories, what makes the series more touching is the drawing style. It kept changing too, though. At first, it wasn't too good, but it evolved to be pretty awesome. I have to say that I don't like the author's way of drawing characters too much - they were way too skinny for me, and the eyes were too big in the case of the younger characters. The designs were nice, characters were nice to look at and easily recognizable - just Rokujo's parents were a weird case, because his father was very similar to Koichi, and his mother looked almost exactly like Miharu himself. So, what was awesome about that style? How great it was showing the emotions of characters. The pages without words were saying more than a thousand words. I actually cried a lot reading this series. Ah, and the backgrounds were very nice.
Overall, I loved this series. I think it's my second favorite after Fullmetal Alchemist - just because the plot itself was better in FMA (but I have to say that I liked Nabari's end better than FMA's...). It was nice to follow it for those ~2 years. I give it 10 because of the enjoyment.
Popular Reviews
It's all too easy to dismiss Nabari no Ou based on its opening chapters and synopsis. The manga kicks off with decent art and semi-engaging characters set against a somewhat overused plot. So, one might wonder, why do I mention this and still award it a ten? The answer is simple: it evolves.
In terms of story, as previously mentioned, it begins rather conventionally for shounen series from that era. Without delving into spoilers in this review, it's the characters that truly propel the narrative. As the tale unfolds, the characters' loyalties are tested in increasingly intriguing and challenging ways. Relationships fracture, trust falters, yet these dynamics can also reverse. At first glance, it may appear to be nothing more than an action series about ninjas—and perhaps fundamentally, it isn't much else—but beneath the surface, it brims with emotion and centers on character-driven storytelling.
Moving onto the characters, given that this is both a character-focused story and a 2000s shounen action manga, the initial cast aligns with expectations—quirky and spontaneous, playing off each other effectively. However, as the series progresses, the characters become more grounded, evoking deeper empathy. Their responses to numerous obstacles feel increasingly authentic, making it hard not to empathize with their perspectives. That said, discussing characters without spoilers proves tricky, so this segment must remain brief. Design-wise, every character boasts distinct traits recognizable at a glance, adhering to conventions where silhouettes often reveal identities.
Kamatani, as you might notice if you've read their subsequent works (Shounen Note, Shimanami Tasogare), employs a highly visual storytelling approach. Being their first extended manga, the early art style appears almost unrecognizable compared to their current work. Nonetheless, it undergoes radical improvement throughout the series, showcasing many of their signature artistic quirks like expansive spreads and symbolic visuals. Beyond future developments, even from the start, Kamatani incorporates visual gags alongside dialogue to convey humor, with "show not tell" becoming increasingly prominent as their skills refine.
For some, this might not appeal to their tastes. Despite the charm of the initial chapters, some may find them hard to endure, and that's perfectly acceptable. For those who do enjoy it, they're in for a treat. Nabari no Ou ultimately delivers a heart-wrenching tale filled with twists and turns—a must-try for anyone.
<p>
I would give it a 10 anytime.
READ THIS SERIES!!!!
If anyone says that just because it has ninjas, it's like Naruto, they're so completely wrong it makes me wanna wring their... never mind.
Nabari is one of the BEST series I have ever read. The art is stunning and truly gives a feel for the characters. The characters are complex, yet oddly relatable. The story actually made me cry... Youite and Rokujo are just... anyway. It isn't finished as of 6/18/2009, but I hope it will be soon. I NEED to know what happens. You can tell a story's good when you need to read the next chapter so badly it hurts, literally.
Nabari no Ou's synopsis might seem like your typical shounen series; a boy main character who only wished for a peaceful life, but he somehow possessed a really great, inhuman power. That is like the basic setting for every shounen manga — and with Naruto around, who needs another ninja series? We've had enough.
But believe me, Nabari no Ou is nothing like those cliches.
Story - To sum up without any spoilers, Nabari no Ou tells the story of Rokujou Miharu, your average teenage boy, and his adventure which revolves around the Shinrabanshou, a ninjutsu which holds the greatest wisdom humankind could ever imagine. The intro of this manga is really overused, I know. But if you read this and you have successfully reached the 'starting point,' everything is going to change. Nabari no Ou's story needs around 20 chapters or so to fully blossom, so please mind the earlier chapters. While the premise is common, the execution is... I don't know, man, beautiful. The story might seem confusing with weird explanations from time to time, but just try and understand, okay. It is really deep, meaningful, and bittersweet. Yes, there is more to emotion on this series rather than actual storyline and action.
Art - The art is really funny in the earlier chapters, but from chapter 30 onward, the art is GORGEOUS. All the ladies are pretty, the boys are also pretty, we have Yukimi and Raikou. You won't get disappointed. As I stated before, you only have to go through the 'starting point,' which is the actual start of this story to fully enjoy this series!
Character - There are various characters in this series, and they all have really different personalities. While other shounen series focus on the good and the bad, it's not the case for Nabari no Ou. As the story proceeds, you will find yourself wondering, which one is actually right? Who should I support, which side should I take? These kinds of questions are what make this manga very interesting. Some characters that you think to be good will suddenly turn evil without you knowing what happened. Everyone is not what they seem to be like, and even though the one who opposes the main character should be considered the antagonists, in the end, you'll just never know...
The characters are also very engrossing, be it good or bad. Various personalities are shown, and the characters' development is also really enticing. You shall have a hard time deciding your favorite.
Enjoyment - I enjoyed this manga. This manga has its ups and downs, and its downs are mainly because, heck, I don't get what's going on! This manga is more emotional and less practical, so at some points in the story, you might start wondering about everything. But the reason I truly enjoyed this is because it gives me this weird, warm feeling inside my chest. And even now, after I finished the series, I still feel the warmth.
And now it's one of my favorite mangas.
The artist has a very unique style that perfectly complements the mood of the manga. She really finds her stride around chapters 25-30; from chapter 40 onward, the artwork is STUNNING. Each new chapter feels like a masterpiece.
The characters grow on you in a way that's quite unexpected. Initially, I didn't like any of them, but eventually, I found myself liking almost all of the main and supporting characters—something that rarely happens to me. Just reading their descriptions might make them seem average and dull, but they're far from it. For instance, take Thobari-sensei (who happens to be a ninja). While "fear of vehicles" is a common trait in manga characters, you won't find another adult who would literally run across Japan over the course of a week just because they're afraid to ride the train.
The plot may sound clichéd with its ninjas, scrolls, and such, but trust me, IT'S NOT. Though many characters do engage in combat, the manga focuses more on character development than fights. It's nothing like Naruto. No one announces their flashy signature moves, no one's attack will destroy a building or rock, there's no overly muscular guy, none of those typical shonen manga tropes.
Most of the arcs at the beginning are underwhelming, but after chapter 30 or so, as you grow more attached to the characters, it gets progressively better—to the point where you might even shed a tear later on (I won't spoil why; you'll have to read it yourself).
In summary, Nabari no Ou doesn't appear impressive at first. However, as the story progresses, its strengths in character and art shine through. Overall, I believe this is one of the most underrated mangas out there.
I've been following Nabari no Ou for more than two years - I liked the anime, so I started reading the manga. There were issues with scanlations - missing chapters and such, but somehow I managed to stay up-to-date when chapter 49 was released. Since then, I've been eagerly checking out the new chapters every month.
This series really got me.
The story didn't seem too complicated. The main character has an omnipotent power within him, good guys want to erase it, bad guys want to get it for themselves. But soon it's revealed that bad guys aren't that bad, and generally, the whole situation isn't so simple. Nevertheless, I can't say there's much intense action in this manga. I think the most intense arc is the Alya arc in volumes 6 and 7, and the last chapters. The plot itself is rather slow-paced. I have to say that I really liked the humor of this series, too. Generally, I think this series was more about the characters than about the plot.
Yeah, characters... If you watched the anime and didn't like them, don't get discouraged. The characters keep changing during the series (character development is something to praise here, especially for the main character), and our view on them keeps changing as we come to know more facts about them. None of them are black or white; everyone has their reasons to fight, and sometimes emotions clash with those reasons. Sometimes they act unreasonable, but it doesn't stand out too much, and in some cases, that unreasonableness was explained. Most of the characters' stories, along with what happens in the series, are really touching. And what is most important - most of the characters are likable. I, personally, didn't hate any of them. And it's hard to choose a favorite character for me, but if I'd have to choose one, I guess I'd go with Aizawa.
Besides the characters and their stories, what makes the series more touching is the drawing style. It kept changing too, though. At first, it wasn't too good, but it evolved to be pretty awesome. I have to say that I don't like the author's way of drawing characters too much - they were way too skinny for me, and the eyes were too big in the case of the younger characters. The designs were nice, characters were nice to look at and easily recognizable - just Rokujo's parents were a weird case, because his father was very similar to Koichi, and his mother looked almost exactly like Miharu himself. So, what was awesome about that style? How great it was showing the emotions of characters. The pages without words were saying more than a thousand words. I actually cried a lot reading this series. Ah, and the backgrounds were very nice.
Overall, I loved this series. I think it's my second favorite after Fullmetal Alchemist - just because the plot itself was better in FMA (but I have to say that I liked Nabari's end better than FMA's...). It was nice to follow it for those ~2 years. I give it 10 because of the enjoyment.