I don't write reviews often, but I wanted to get my overall thoughts out there on this series now that it recently ended in Weekly Shonen Jump and I've finished reading it. Very enjoyable manga for the first half for me, but it started to fall off for me about halfway. I think we all knew it would end as soon as we saw the volume 1 sales. Perhaps even the author themselves knew, because after around chapter 18 or so I really feel like the story started to decline in quality and rush things and become less and less interesting, and also become much more predictable.
Unfortunately, the manga failed to catch a lot of interest because it stuck so close to the tried and used shonen formula and honestly they should have ended it alongside Ayashimon if we're being fair.
The one thing I will say I did LOVE however, and feel like was the manga's strongest point, was showing the strong bond and connection between Dora and Kusanagi.
They have one of my favorite dynamics as protagonists ever. The way Dora is so protective over adorable lil Kusanagi, is just straight peak, I loved these two. They really cared for each other and the author made you feel it.
The manga's displaying of these characters was so wholesome and very well fleshed out. Some seriously goated protags to a sadly not as interesting series, (Although I also really liked Heisuke!)
I think the manga's biggest weakness was just sticking way too closely to the generic type of shonen we've already read a ton of times and failed to bring in interest from the vast majority. In my opinion, it also feels like the only interesting antagonists in the series like Spoiler, click to viewHidehisa, with a really strong showing in their debut, was killed off much too soon. Just felt pretty rushed, was probably around the turning point where you could feel that the manga would not last long in Jump and be coming to an end eventually.
Despite the flaws, I still enjoyed my time with the series. I don't regret reading it despite the rushed ending and cancellation. Kusanagi alone is worth it. I will also say the art is really good, some cool character designs, and lot of wholesome moments too. It's not all generic action and monster slaying. My favorite moments with the series were the quieter moments, the character driven moments. The funny little interactions and expressions.
Dora and Kusanagi will be missed! I look forward to the author's future works!
