His undying devotion

Looking better!!!

Before I start, I want to clarify that I've read the manga and watched the anime. Why am I mentioning this? Because they are entirely different—so much so that they almost feel like separate series. While the characters remain the same, the actual storylines diverge significantly. So, if you enjoyed the anime, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll enjoy the manga (unless you liked the OVA's, as they were based on the manga and are much more similar). That said, this doesn't mean the manga isn't good in its own right—it actually is quite impressive.

Story - 7  
The manga lacks a clear beginning. There are no character introductions, no explanations of why or how certain characters are present. It feels like opening a random page in the middle of the series. It assumes prior knowledge from the anime or novels, starting with seemingly random arcs. Eventually, background stories are introduced, but an initial setup would have been helpful and less confusing, especially for newcomers. The rest of the story is engaging, with interesting fight scenes, dramatic moments, and strong character relationships. The 'filler' chapters between arcs provide welcome comedic relief.

Art - 8  
The artwork is pleasant, not extraordinary, but still appealing. If you've watched the anime (excluding the OVA's), the art style here will take some getting used to, as identifying characters may initially be challenging.

Characters - 8  
Murasaki, the female protagonist, is a seven-year-old girl who is remarkably intelligent and mature for her age, yet equally stubborn and innocent. She's the standout character, often being the voice of reason among the high school group, making her interactions with them highly entertaining. Her innocence combined with maturity creates humorous moments. Shinkurō, the male lead, can occasionally be whiny, but he remains tolerable, and his "demon horn" powers contribute to exciting fight scenes. The secondary characters are well-developed, each unique and mysterious, adding depth to the narrative.

Enjoyment - 9  
I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. While it may not be a masterpiece, the combination of its elements makes for an engrossing and intriguing experience. Perhaps it's the harem Shinkurō forms, though I jest.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable manga series. Although it isn't groundbreaking, it has many commendable aspects. I recommend reading the manga, although watching the anime beforehand might help provide additional context (even though their stories differ and won't spoil anything). Lastly, don't approach this manga expecting it to cater to lolicon fetishes (not that I have one). Contrary to popular belief, this isn't a fanservice-heavy series; any minimal nudity is part of the storyline, and there's virtually no fanservice otherwise. In conclusion, it's a solid manga worth exploring.

Although I was quite hesitant to start it, I'm really glad I did because the story is pretty decent. I also enjoyed the entire Murakami arc (which is also animated in the anime). Since it's an action manga, you might find the main lead (ML) to be edgy at some point (I only noticed it once).

~Minor Spoiler Warning:
The backstory of the ML is similar to classic shounen manga, such as the trauma of losing his parents at a young age. He is supported by an outside family that adopted him and by his childhood friend (Ginko), who acts as an informer for him in various disputes he gets involved in. Other characters include Tamaki (a playful senior who often teases the MC and is ridiculously strong), Yamie (a laid-back woman who loves to rest), and Kirihiko (a blonde who belongs to an assassin family but just wants to make friends).
The manga revolves around how the MC helps these characters and grows alongside them.

Overall, I like the story, and the two OVA's are adapted with the same art style as the manga, so they're a must-watch for those who enjoyed the manga.
Recommended: 7/10

<p>tl;dr: A manga that provides significant character arcs for many characters but falls short in developing relationships beyond their initial setups.<br /><br />This manga is an adaptation of a light novel. Although I haven't read the original, I believe the manga holds its own quite well. It's highly character-focused, yet peculiar in how nearly all major relationships are pre-established before the first chapter begins. Flashbacks offer some background, and most characters undergo arcs that further develop them and their connections. However, except for Kirihiko, who is introduced later in the plot, the state of every relationship remains unchanged from the first to the final chapter. The ending attempts a grand finale centered around these static relationships, but it lacks closure and impact, though it concludes on a pleasant, happy note. Despite this flaw, much of the manga remains intriguing. Interestingly, while relationships don't evolve, most main characters experience strong arcs. Murasaki, Shinkurou, and Kirihiko receive the most attention and show the most development. Other key characters, Ginko and Yuuka, also have arcs, albeit less pronounced, but they remain likable. There are numerous side characters and villains who receive some development, though not enough, leaving many feeling they deserved more. This is where the manga seems to omit content, with unresolved plot threads and conflicts. Nevertheless, it manages to cover a significant portion of the story and does justice to a large cast, which surprised me since the anime primarily focused on Murasaki. The art style is solid, if not exceptional. I appreciate the tone, atmosphere, and style far more than what was presented in the anime.</p>

It began with "What the hell is going on?!", in the middle it will make you shout "What will happen next?!", and by the end, it will have you shouting and crying "I WANT MORE!"

Note: This manga is not aimed at lolicons ^^

Kure-nai started off a bit unsteadily. Whether this was the author's intention or not is something I can't fully determine. Characters and terminologies pop up one after another without warning until you feel like saying "No more, I want to drop this." But wait a moment, because after a few chapters, a lengthy flashback will be introduced.

Kurenai Shinkurou is a dispute mediator. At the start, the series throws at you various random missions for Shinkurou that seem unrelated to the overall plot. Then a magical flashback begins, explaining what the heck has been going on. After these flashbacks, I assure you, you'll want more of what's to come.

The story isn't overly violent. Kidnappings, mass murders, suicides - they are mentioned in some small parts of the series, but it isn't as dark compared to other "secret-agent" themed series. In fact, this series is funny at times. And when the harem moments arrive, it feels like your typical rom-com-harem scenes.

Character-wise, Kure-nai introduces a lot of fascinating characters. While the main cast overshadows the minor characters significantly, the harem members of Shinkurou are lovable enough that you wouldn't mind the harem aspect. If you're not a fan of cliché harem scenarios, view this differently. It doesn't force the romance vibe down your throat. Actually, I would love to see more of these harem moments if possible.

Most of the characters are well-developed and extremely captivating. You'll become attached to them very quickly. And if you're annoyed by whiny and weak protagonists, good news for you, Shinkurou may not be the strongest guy around, but he is certainly not someone you'd want to punch due to his annoying complaints and misfortunes. And don't forget about the other characters too; not all of them are combatants, but everyone gets their chance to showcase their strengths throughout the series.

The art style is pleasing to the eyes; it won't strain you. Some manga can be cluttered, especially in this type of story, but this one breaks from the norm. It might not be worth praising, but it's definitely something you'll enjoy for a while.

The story arcs are all interesting and add value not just to Shinkurou, but also to the rest of the cast. Unlike some series where story arcs are added just to prolong the story, each arc here has its own significance and could change the entire outcome if excluded. There are also some mini filler arcs, but you wouldn't even notice them as being unimportant.

Overall, Kure-nai was an enjoyable experience. It may not be a page-turner, but it's still worth your time during your free moments.

This is totally amazing!!! I love it

lets start reading good novels again! 😍

Just couldn't continue, I remember forcing myself to read from around chapter 1500 for the sake of just completing it but after the horror this novel made me go through I couldn't take it anymore so I just left it.