悲痛伝

伝説 #2

by NisiOisiN

すべてを失った十三歳の少年、空々空。感情を持たず、感性に欠けるがゆえにヒーローであることを強いられる、 地球撲滅軍第九機動室室長。彼のもとに届いた悲痛なる事件の報せは、地球からの新たなる攻撃なのか？ 真相を探る英雄の前に立ちはだかるは……、魔法少女!?　悲鳴から始まる英雄譚、第二弾。 (講談社ノベルス)

619 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2013

About the author

Nisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.

He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.

In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.

Reviews

[Moonrune Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I reviewed the first volume and these are quite long, I may as well review them all, as they quite vary in quality (subtle foreshadowing). I'll try to give just the minimum details so the reviews are still readable.

This volume starts the unnecessarily long Shikoku Arc, which spans a literal half of the series. Quite some time after the first and introductory volume, Kuu travels to Shikoku to investigate a weird phenomenon happening there that might be the Earth's doing. Volume 2 is still quite interesting, as he tries to unravel the truth and various new characters-magical girls-pop up, with some cool action here and there, culminating in a bit of a murder mystery.