Asura Cryin’

A semi-serious school action story revolving around the main protagonist, Tomoharu Natsume. He is haunted by his childhood friend, Misao Minakami, who became a ghost ever since he barely survived an airplane accident three years earlier. Tomoharu Natsume takes the opportunity to live on his own when he enters high school in his new place of residence, Meiou-tei, and starts enjoying a carefree high school life. His life changed when a beautiful girl named Kurosaki Shuri appears with a trunk which she claimed Tomoharu’s brother, Naotaka Natsume, asked her to deliver to him. The presence of the trunk causes the appearance of Takatsuki Kanade, a girl dressed like a shrine maiden who is after the trunk. Tomoharu is in possession of the trunk, which reveals secrets about the world they live in.

Original Publisher

ascii media works

Original Language

japanese

Type

Light Novel

## My Thoughts on Asura Cryin’ Alright, let's dive into *Asura Cryin’*. This one's been on my radar for a while, mostly because of its anime adaptation, which I remember being quite the spectacle back in the day. Coming to the light novel now, I had a mixed bag of expectations, and honestly, that's pretty much what I got. ### First Impressions The initial premise is definitely intriguing. We've got a protagonist thrown into a world of giant robots, ghosts, shrine maidens, and all sorts of supernatural shenanigans. It's a shounen cocktail that promises action and intrigue. The story definitely throws you into the deep end of a complex world from the get-go. You are introduced to the world the same way the MC is: one bit at a time. ### What Works Well The sheer audacity of the world-building is a major draw. *Asura Cryin’* doesn't shy away from throwing everything at the wall, from dimensional shenanigans to cyborgs with... well, you get the picture. The diverse cast, despite being built on familiar tropes, seems to have depth and their own motivations, which is a big plus in my book. I also appreciate the focus on developing a complex world, even if it's a bit overwhelming at first. ### Areas of Concern Now, let's address the elephant in the room: the protagonist. I can see why some readers might find him frustrating. His density and apparent lack of critical thinking could be a major turn-off for some. While I'm willing to give him some slack considering the insane situation he's thrust into, I understand the criticism. Also, the relationships outside of Misao are shallow. The world revolving around the student council is not great for a superhero Gundam story. ### Final Verdict *Asura Cryin’* is a flawed but ultimately entertaining shounen adventure. If you're a fan of the genre and can tolerate a dense protagonist, you might find yourself enjoying the wild ride. However, if you're looking for a nuanced character study or a tightly plotted narrative, this might not be your cup of tea. I'd say give the anime a shot, and if you like that, then dive into the light novel. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride.