Absolute Duo

《Blaze》– That is a weapon made by materialising your own soul with your enhanced will power. I, Tooru Kokonoe, have that ability which is said to be possessed only by one in every one thousand people, so it was decided that I would enrol in Kouryou academy that gives out 《Blaze》, and a school that teaches battle techniques. But for unknown reason, my 《Blaze》 didn’t have a shape of a weapon but a protector, and it takes the form of a 《Shield》.

Original Publisher

media factory

Original Language

japanese

Type

Light Novel

## My Thoughts on Absolute Duo Alright, let's dive into *Absolute Duo*. After spending some time with this series, I've come to the conclusion that it's… well, it’s there. It exists. It's not offensively bad, but it doesn't exactly set the world on fire either. It occupies that vast middle ground of "perfectly average" that so many stories seem to get stuck in. ### First Impressions My initial impression was one of mild curiosity. The premise, a battle academy where students manifest weapons as souls, has potential. The idea of a protagonist wielding a shield rather than a sword seemed like a neat twist that could lead to some interesting character dynamics and strategic battles. I was hoping for a unique take on the familiar school battle genre. ### What Works Well Honestly, pinpointing what *really* works is a bit of a challenge. The core concept of the "Blaze," the manifested weapon, is intriguing. The initial setup, pitting a defensively oriented protagonist against a world of offensive powerhouses, does present opportunities for clever writing. There's a faint glimmer of potential for meaningful character interactions as the main character learns to cooperate with others to overcome his weaknesses. The series does seem to promise a power system that could allow for creative combat scenarios. ### Areas of Concern Unfortunately, that potential feels largely untapped. The story quickly falls into familiar tropes. The characters, while not inherently unlikeable, often feel like archetypes we've seen countless times before. The plot progression is fairly predictable. I was particularly disappointed that the initial promise of a defensive protagonist didn't translate into truly innovative combat strategies or character development. Instead, it seemed to devolve into a more simplistic "block and stab" approach, missing the opportunity to explore the nuances of teamwork and strategy. It feels like the author didn't explore the full extent of the concept. It's not a terrible story, but it does feel like a missed opportunity. It's a perfectly adequate time-waster, but not a story I'd rush to recommend. ### Final Verdict *Absolute Duo* is a decent series that doesn't really stand out. If you're already a fan of the battle academy, harem genre, and you're looking for something easy to read, you might find some enjoyment here. However, if you're seeking something truly original or memorable, you might want to look elsewhere. For me, it was an experience that I won't necessarily regret, but one that I'm unlikely to revisit. It’s just… average.