7.6 /10 1 Votes7.6
3.8/5 Goodreads Original run 2004 – 2005 Genres Fantasy, Supernatural | 7.5/10 MyAnimeList Written by Tadashi Agi Originally published February 2004 Illustrator Akinari Nao | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Similar Paradox Blue, Cannon God Exaxxion, The Sword of Paros, Blazer Drive, Sherlock Bones |
Psycho Busters (Japanese: サイコバスターズ, Hepburn: Saiko Basutāzu) is a light novel series written by Tadashi Agi and drawn by Rando Ayamine. It was published by Kodansha in Japan and is licensed by Del Rey in the United States.
Contents
Plot
The story follows the life of Kakeru, while wishing for something a little more exciting to happen in his life, inadvertently receives it when he crosses paths with a group of gifted youths, Fujimura Ayano, Bai Xiao Long (Shaoron in the Japanese version), and Toma Joi (who is hidden at the time) in an abandoned building and claim to need his help. The group is ambushed by the "Greenhouse" (the organization from which the Psychics escaped from) and Kakeru is almost shot dead but is saved by an amazing stroke of luck.
Kakeru temporarily allows the Psychics to stay at his house before seeking aid from one of his teachers, Hiyama Akira. Joi is left under Hiyama's care while the rest of the group searches for Kaito, another Psychic whom escaped from the Greenhouse. The initial attempts to recruit him fail and Kakeru separates from the group for a while. Kakeru is attacked by Kasuga Maya and is nearly killed by her illusions, but is saved by another stroke of luck. When Kakeru gets back to the group he finds them bloodied and beaten and is attacked by Sho. Kaito arrives and saves Kakeru and the two work together to defeat Sho afterwards Kaito decides to rejoin with everyone.
Joi reawakens from his "Psychic Hibernation" and shows the group a horrifying future in which everything is virtually destroyed and the group is nearly dead with Ikushima standing in front of them laughing. The group goes to a horse race track and Joi is able to provide funding for the group's operations. Upon returning to the school the group is given numerous jobs from Joi. While doing his job Kakeru hears the screams of his classmates of whom he saw earlier and when he finds them he sees that they all have been attacked and badly wounded. Ayano appears and she and Kakeru are attacked by Hidaka Takemaru. Ayano warns Kakeru to run away but instead he rushes to protect her and is severely wounded by Takemaru's projectiles. The two are saved by the interventions of Xiao Long and Kaito and Kakeru is healed.
Soon after, however, the school is surrounded by the Greenhouse and becomes a battlefield. Kakeru is separated from the group and is attacked by Takemaru again. Kakeru attempts to bluff his way out like he did in previous encounters with Maya and Sho, however, this fails to frighten Takemaru. Kakeru instead tries to insult Takemaru's power and how he is being used, but this only causes Takemaru to kill one of Kakeru's classmates in front of him. Angered by Takemaru's ruthless murder Kakeru's power awakens and time begins to rewind. Kakeru unaware of what happened is back to when Takemaru killed the student, instead, however, much to Kakeru's surprise the student is replaced with a cat and one of the lights falls down on Takemaru. Saved numerous times from Takemaru by luck the gym soon begins to fall apart and nearly kills both Psychics. Takemaru awakens to find out he was saved by Kakeru and he then leaves the Greenhouse and becomes friends with Kakeru.
Categories
The abilities of the Psychics are referred to as either Wild Types or Cultivated Types. Wild types naturally have powers whereas Cultivated types' powers are awakened due to drugs and experimentation. These groups are then further divided down into categories, which indicate the level of power behind their abilities. Category 4 is the lowest level while Category 1 is the highest. There is also a "Category 0", which refers to a level beyond that of all the rest, and so far, the only examples of Psychics who are Category 0 are Chronodivers, Psychics who have the ability to stop and reverse time and change the past.
Characters
Light novel reception
Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network noted Psycho Buster novel "isn't difficult or complicated by any stretch of the imagination" since it consists in "characters of the simplest types, and is structured as a straightforward adventure", saying due to this the "manga-like quality of the story is inescapable". Kimlinger described it as "easy to read, light in tone, rich in adventure and is peppered with properly outlandish illustrations". Writing for Active Anime, Holly Ellingwood called the illustrations "gritty and edgier", and said "it's action packed intrigue, super powered teens and an ensemble of compelling characters". Ellingwood qualified it as "an impressive sci-fi action series", adding the conclusion to the series is "a stunner!". About the first volume, Comic Book Bin's Leroy Douresseaux stated "the story is actually entertaining" while do not felt the same about the second installment. On other hand, Mania.com's Erin Jones criticized the simplicity of the storyline, saying "when you can foresee almost all of the plot, it's hard to truly enjoy the read." Jones also criticized the lack of personality in characters and "the clichéd storyline" as well as the "lackluster illustration". Despite of being "too much better than the first volume", the second one "still an awkward read that's a struggle to get through" according to Jones.
Manga reception
"If you enjoy supernatural stories that blend action, a little romance and focus on the weird and whacky world of the paranormal, you will certainly enjoy Psycho Busters": is this how Julie Gray writing for Comic Book Bin defines the series. She also praised the "quirky humor" and compared it artwork to Bleach's artwork. Comics Village's John Tomas commended "the solid and proper mix of story in action inside", and noted the "strength" of the series is it "storytelling". Dan Polley from Manga Life commented that "[t]he characters are appealing" and described the characters' personalities "intriguing", saying it "offer depth to the story." Active Anime's Holly Ellingwood described Psycho Busters as "a greatly entertaining adventure manga series with a strong dose of rumpus humor and a fair bit of suspenseful action."