Reviewed by Kana
Who it's for, and whether it holds up.
My Thoughts on As the Spirit-sama Says
Alright, let's dive into "As the Spirit-sama Says." Going in, I knew the ratings were... not great. But hey, I'm always willing to give something a shot. I went in with an open mind, ready to see if there was a hidden gem buried beneath the low scores.
First Impressions
My first impression? Disorientation. The story throws you right into the deep end with very little context. The protagonist is in a princess's room, seemingly brainwashing her, and that's about all you get for a while. I was left with a lot of questions: Who is this MC? Where did these powers come from? What's the overall goal? The initial chapters felt incredibly rushed and lacking in any real setup.
What Works Well
Honestly, finding positives was a challenge. If I were to stretch, I could say the premise, however vaguely executed, has potential. The idea of a spirit-like figure manipulating events could lead to interesting power dynamics and moral dilemmas. However, the execution falls far short of this potential. Some might find the explicit content appealing, if that's what they're into.
Areas of Concern
The biggest issue is the severe lack of plot and character development. Chapters are incredibly short, some feeling like mere summaries rather than actual scenes. This brevity impacts everything. There's no time to build relationships, explore the world, or even understand the protagonist's motivations. The writing itself is quite simplistic, lacking the descriptive detail needed to create a truly immersive experience.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Okay, so a few readers mentioned some pretty intense content, including a scene involving a princess being used in a disturbing manner. Another reader points out a prince who undergoes a gender change and subsequent… exploitation. These elements are definitely not for the faint of heart and contribute to the overall negative reception.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, "As the Spirit-sama Says" didn't click for me. The lack of plot, shallow characters, and questionable content made it a difficult read. While the premise had a glimmer of potential, the execution left much to be desired. If you're looking for a deep, engaging story with well-developed characters, this probably isn't it. If you're looking for something explicit, this might be for you.
