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空ろの箱と零のマリア [Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria] #4
The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria, Vol. 4
What are you truly wishing for?
Kazuki Hoshino is still trapped in the cruel game of Kingdom Royale, where players have to fulfill the victory conditions of the roles they are assigned-which nearly always means killing the others. But this time, he has a plan to take charge and break everyone out once and for all. Unfortunately, the key to his success is Daiya, the trickiest one of the group. Before Kazuki can end the game, he must discover the truth behind it...
Kazuki Hoshino is still trapped in the cruel game of Kingdom Royale, where players have to fulfill the victory conditions of the roles they are assigned-which nearly always means killing the others. But this time, he has a plan to take charge and break everyone out once and for all. Unfortunately, the key to his success is Daiya, the trickiest one of the group. Before Kazuki can end the game, he must discover the truth behind it...
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
15 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Eiji Mikage
12 books136 followersDropped out of college to become a writer; he still works a part time job to make ends meet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 10, 2020
Eu acredito que os volumes 3 e 4 deveriam ser somente um porque toda a construção desnecessariamente longa feita no volume 3, foi justificada nesse volume 4, parecendo que o autor separou a parte entediante e a interessante em dois volumes. Gostei da conclusão da situação e do desfecho corajoso do autor, não esperava que ele faria isso, e o epilogo foi genuinamente bom, mas ainda estou perdido a respeito do proposito dessa historia, ainda não tenho pra onde esta indo, mas estou muito curioso pra ver onde isso vai parar.
November 17, 2017
Volume 4 picks up exactly where Volume 3 ends, and it is now round 4 of Kingdom Royale. I think this volume suffers because its story is told over two volumes and is therefore drawn out. The scenes end up becoming very similar, in which everyone is mistrustful and Hoshino is trying to change their minds.
Hoshino is forced to act on his own, without the support of Maria, and it makes him change some of his standpoints. He still doesn't have much of a backbone, however, and doesn't have much finesse either. The owner of the box is revealed, and as well as the backstory that spurred the character to create the death game.
There is a very unlikely event at the end, and I wonder if it is going to become a reoccurring theme in which a certain character is saved by another character every time.
The novel is quick to read, but I don't think the Kingdom Royale plot should have spawned a second volume. There seemed to be an urge to spend more time on character development of Iroha and Yuuri. I am betting they are never going to show up again in subsequent installments. Maria had a cursory role, which I was disappointed about, since she is the best character.
Overall, it is still entertaining, and still better than Volume 2. I hope Volume 5 creates a more interesting scenario.
Hoshino is forced to act on his own, without the support of Maria, and it makes him change some of his standpoints. He still doesn't have much of a backbone, however, and doesn't have much finesse either. The owner of the box is revealed, and as well as the backstory that spurred the character to create the death game.
There is a very unlikely event at the end, and I wonder if it is going to become a reoccurring theme in which a certain character is saved by another character every time.
The novel is quick to read, but I don't think the Kingdom Royale plot should have spawned a second volume. There seemed to be an urge to spend more time on character development of Iroha and Yuuri. I am betting they are never going to show up again in subsequent installments. Maria had a cursory role, which I was disappointed about, since she is the best character.
Overall, it is still entertaining, and still better than Volume 2. I hope Volume 5 creates a more interesting scenario.
April 17, 2018
Final rating: 3/5 stars
I honestly don't know where they are going with this series, but they lost me. Not to mention that every single character became annoying and that the fact that this series has such a high score and that it's so popular is lost on me.
This has such potential, so why ruin it with annoying characterisation... I don't understand... sigh.
I honestly don't know where they are going with this series, but they lost me. Not to mention that every single character became annoying and that the fact that this series has such a high score and that it's so popular is lost on me.
This has such potential, so why ruin it with annoying characterisation... I don't understand... sigh.
February 10, 2017
Review for the prequel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This time the MCs continue to be trapped in a box named 'Game of Boredom' in where six students are forced to play a game which is a mixture of chess and Battle Royale, repeatedly. Now the narrator thinks he knows who is the Box's owner and in order to stop people from killing each other during the Game, he tries to stop them from mistrusting each other and try working together but as you can imagine his task is easier said than done.
The narrator thinks he has the Game and the Box's owner figured out, but the truth might be more complicated than what meets the eyes.
I continue to find the characters not very endearing but at least their motives and struggle is understandable enough. I also like how the narrator tries to make this meaningless game meaningful and how this time he cannot count on the heroine to help him out. So, 3.5 stars.
This time the MCs continue to be trapped in a box named 'Game of Boredom' in where six students are forced to play a game which is a mixture of chess and Battle Royale, repeatedly. Now the narrator thinks he knows who is the Box's owner and in order to stop people from killing each other during the Game, he tries to stop them from mistrusting each other and try working together but as you can imagine his task is easier said than done.
The narrator thinks he has the Game and the Box's owner figured out, but the truth might be more complicated than what meets the eyes.
I continue to find the characters not very endearing but at least their motives and struggle is understandable enough. I also like how the narrator tries to make this meaningless game meaningful and how this time he cannot count on the heroine to help him out. So, 3.5 stars.
April 10, 2022
Phew... This was exactly what I needed! Seeing Hoshino not being a complete idiot cheers me up and causes a comforting feeling, like a power-up on the intelligence attribute. Due to the configuration here divided between 2 volumes for an arc, it really causes a feeling of development, but that won't be why I'll stop repudiating Hoshino in his idiotic way or the lack of logic in certain cases in the previous volume, but it's already an improvement to Hoshino
We can go on about the beauty of everyday life at will, but no one really wants to take it literally and live in an eternal loop, no matter how exciting. It's completely normal to make a basic comparison of a real feeling with fiction, so it's normal to be hesitant when a work decides to work with this theme.... It's like finishing the first route of a Virgin Novel (VN) only to find that the what changes in the others is just the girl to be chosen..... Seriously, isn't it easier to just change the ending instead of filling tedious and loveless pages?
And why am I doing all this incongruous narrative? Well, it is a connective narrative, because unfortunately, even if in lesser decadence, something similar can be attributed in this volume (at least in a good part of it).
The repetition of "rounds" makes reading a little stressful and dull. The reason focuses on two perplexing topics...
1st Charisma: I know that using the "slice of life" argument for such a distorted moment like this is paradoxical, but understand that the scenario can be formatted like someone's daily life, however strange and unpleasant it may be.
That said, this work so far hasn't proven itself (in terms of slice of life) with enough funny or amusing conversations to get me out of the greasy boredom of reading these parts... However, even with this irritating grease, the detergent in the charisma relieved my body weight, it allowed the effort of my movement not to become decadent, it would allow inertia to act on my body and that after the detergent took the fat, I would fly to that literary world without stopping anymore, like a rocket exploring the immense and deep cosmic void, with the beauty of exploring these new planets and constellations just being driven by the fuel of curiosity. So, from the moment the adventure becomes exploring an already known place, the fuel runs out and all that remains is a stagnant rocket to be overwhelmed once again by fat.
I've been trapped by this sea of predictability regarding human complexity... The previous volume was very good at positively accomplishing such a task, but here it just feels repetitive and predictable most of the time, barring a few exceptions.
Of course, many authors still manage to handle well what has already been worked on by their predecessors and still bring something with the same essence, but different functions... In this way they are like blacksmiths who are on their thousandth sword to be repaired and even thus, they manage to make it even stronger and renew its work, even with the same minerals and tools..... Obviously, these powerful weapons won't be as strong as extremely original works like the holy sword "Excalibur" or the cursed sword " muramasa", but even so they will have their undeniable values.
However, this was not quite the case here... For a writer, the brush is his hammer and the pages his anvil, it is a challenge to overcome the hot material in order to create something refined for the viewer's eyes, also as sharp and malleable for your swordsman's use. And, there is not much of that here.... The purpose of a text is not only to show something new, but also to move, and all we have are lines that seek human approximation and are decent in human matters, but nothing more. It's just another grade 6 sword that can defeat wolves and bears, but it breaks when facing a golem and has no comparison to a dragon's claws.
2nd Plot: A formula very similar to the previous topic can be used here... Seriously, is this any way to convey Daiya's boredom to the reader? If so, I commend the author, but please, never do that again!!!
With the world and trends already more used, it becomes very practical to predict things here, even because the rules are much simpler and clearer than before.
Aside from the predictable plot twists, those that aren't turn out to be decaying builds and are just there to impress. I'm fine with this kind of approach, but compared to the previous volume it's disappointing.
Fortunately, the cosmos seems to reveal its greatness once again.... After more than 150 pages, hope in that immaculate black returns. This is not just a hope that everything will work out in the end, but also a hope of quality, that things will get better and that's exactly what happens from this point to the end.
Very good writing is attributed and a new depth is generated, almost in a dungeon with the warning of 100% explored until the illusion is broken with the discovery of a secret passage to a new world. Only two really impressed me as the others were pretty obvious, this problem persists, but at least it served as a professional jab for an amateur like me who thought he knew everything... Thanks for advising my negligence!!!
For philosophy, I think we can format it a bit with volume 2, no? Well, it looks like someone has finally decided to overcome this damned barrier of pride and reach the maturity that allows solid connection between human beings.... YES, someone moved that schrodinger box and showed a part of their being through their persistence and detachment from the damned pride, a little different from someone who fell asleep taking with them their useless defense that only created an illusion of self-protection
Continuing with the circus analogy, I felt like a child anxiously awaiting the magician and his performance, until a clown takes his place and spoils a child's dream of a perfect birthday. The man who dressed up in comic happiness and hid in his makeup a sad smile without any attachment to a dream. Still, with the development of the show, the eyes that guarded the child's and the clown's ambiguous disappointment become bright. This was definitely not the kid being mature and trying to enjoy what was in the present, but the clown who showed his true show by overcoming even prejudice, crushing and recycling in happiness, just like every clown should do... This is nature. , a pavlov mangy dog that if there is a negative against his persona, it will result in infinite trauma. There is no way to change its nature, but there is a way to divert its attention, like a cat about to collide with a truck, until a small red light diverts its attention and prevents disaster.
Sometimes you can be like a sad clown who has pretended to be happy for so long that you can really believe it... Maybe in this way, there really is a reason to keep fighting futilely for something
We can go on about the beauty of everyday life at will, but no one really wants to take it literally and live in an eternal loop, no matter how exciting. It's completely normal to make a basic comparison of a real feeling with fiction, so it's normal to be hesitant when a work decides to work with this theme.... It's like finishing the first route of a Virgin Novel (VN) only to find that the what changes in the others is just the girl to be chosen..... Seriously, isn't it easier to just change the ending instead of filling tedious and loveless pages?
And why am I doing all this incongruous narrative? Well, it is a connective narrative, because unfortunately, even if in lesser decadence, something similar can be attributed in this volume (at least in a good part of it).
The repetition of "rounds" makes reading a little stressful and dull. The reason focuses on two perplexing topics...
1st Charisma: I know that using the "slice of life" argument for such a distorted moment like this is paradoxical, but understand that the scenario can be formatted like someone's daily life, however strange and unpleasant it may be.
That said, this work so far hasn't proven itself (in terms of slice of life) with enough funny or amusing conversations to get me out of the greasy boredom of reading these parts... However, even with this irritating grease, the detergent in the charisma relieved my body weight, it allowed the effort of my movement not to become decadent, it would allow inertia to act on my body and that after the detergent took the fat, I would fly to that literary world without stopping anymore, like a rocket exploring the immense and deep cosmic void, with the beauty of exploring these new planets and constellations just being driven by the fuel of curiosity. So, from the moment the adventure becomes exploring an already known place, the fuel runs out and all that remains is a stagnant rocket to be overwhelmed once again by fat.
I've been trapped by this sea of predictability regarding human complexity... The previous volume was very good at positively accomplishing such a task, but here it just feels repetitive and predictable most of the time, barring a few exceptions.
Of course, many authors still manage to handle well what has already been worked on by their predecessors and still bring something with the same essence, but different functions... In this way they are like blacksmiths who are on their thousandth sword to be repaired and even thus, they manage to make it even stronger and renew its work, even with the same minerals and tools..... Obviously, these powerful weapons won't be as strong as extremely original works like the holy sword "Excalibur" or the cursed sword " muramasa", but even so they will have their undeniable values.
However, this was not quite the case here... For a writer, the brush is his hammer and the pages his anvil, it is a challenge to overcome the hot material in order to create something refined for the viewer's eyes, also as sharp and malleable for your swordsman's use. And, there is not much of that here.... The purpose of a text is not only to show something new, but also to move, and all we have are lines that seek human approximation and are decent in human matters, but nothing more. It's just another grade 6 sword that can defeat wolves and bears, but it breaks when facing a golem and has no comparison to a dragon's claws.
2nd Plot: A formula very similar to the previous topic can be used here... Seriously, is this any way to convey Daiya's boredom to the reader? If so, I commend the author, but please, never do that again!!!
With the world and trends already more used, it becomes very practical to predict things here, even because the rules are much simpler and clearer than before.
Aside from the predictable plot twists, those that aren't turn out to be decaying builds and are just there to impress. I'm fine with this kind of approach, but compared to the previous volume it's disappointing.
Fortunately, the cosmos seems to reveal its greatness once again.... After more than 150 pages, hope in that immaculate black returns. This is not just a hope that everything will work out in the end, but also a hope of quality, that things will get better and that's exactly what happens from this point to the end.
Very good writing is attributed and a new depth is generated, almost in a dungeon with the warning of 100% explored until the illusion is broken with the discovery of a secret passage to a new world. Only two really impressed me as the others were pretty obvious, this problem persists, but at least it served as a professional jab for an amateur like me who thought he knew everything... Thanks for advising my negligence!!!
For philosophy, I think we can format it a bit with volume 2, no? Well, it looks like someone has finally decided to overcome this damned barrier of pride and reach the maturity that allows solid connection between human beings.... YES, someone moved that schrodinger box and showed a part of their being through their persistence and detachment from the damned pride, a little different from someone who fell asleep taking with them their useless defense that only created an illusion of self-protection
Continuing with the circus analogy, I felt like a child anxiously awaiting the magician and his performance, until a clown takes his place and spoils a child's dream of a perfect birthday. The man who dressed up in comic happiness and hid in his makeup a sad smile without any attachment to a dream. Still, with the development of the show, the eyes that guarded the child's and the clown's ambiguous disappointment become bright. This was definitely not the kid being mature and trying to enjoy what was in the present, but the clown who showed his true show by overcoming even prejudice, crushing and recycling in happiness, just like every clown should do... This is nature. , a pavlov mangy dog that if there is a negative against his persona, it will result in infinite trauma. There is no way to change its nature, but there is a way to divert its attention, like a cat about to collide with a truck, until a small red light diverts its attention and prevents disaster.
Sometimes you can be like a sad clown who has pretended to be happy for so long that you can really believe it... Maybe in this way, there really is a reason to keep fighting futilely for something
April 21, 2025
Aside from the repetitivness, most of the characters are written to be annoying, as I feel like they always act out of character??
I feel like I've become too invested and I just want to see what happens to Maria in the end, but each book introduces a new plot point from the past, I feel like it doesn't go with what we already know about the characters.
I'm disappointed.
I feel like I've become too invested and I just want to see what happens to Maria in the end, but each book introduces a new plot point from the past, I feel like it doesn't go with what we already know about the characters.
I'm disappointed.
January 5, 2017
(This review includes book 3)
The third arc begins with, what else, more sex jokes. One of the girls has a magazine which must be made fun of as porn, because light novels.
Turns out the book is actually about fitness, because she wants to lose some weight. And instead of taking things seriously, all the girls compare their boobs and asses to find out who is the sluttiest, because light novels.
Then they go in a shopping mall where they force the bland protagonist to cross dress, before being treated badly by a tsundere. They say they find it cute but we all know in reality it’s deviant otaku fetishes that no sane person would ever allow himself to be part of.
Then another box owner appears and traps them in a videogame. And now you know why it’s the highest rated light novel of all times. His motivation for doing this, is being bored of his normal life, so he initiates a meaningless death game. That’s right, there is no meaning behind it, such great motivation.
The one who explains the rules of the death game is an imitation of the bear from Dangaronpa. They can sue you for this shit, you know.
The participants meet, and what a surprise, they are wearing school uniforms. Even in a videogame where you can look any way you like, you still wear the same fucking clothes as in any other piece of shit light novel.
I love how they know they are supposed to kill each other but still flirt, like nothing serious is going on. And they keep using the word cute out of context. They might as well be saying “I wanna tap that ass” since they only use it to express lust, not fondness.
And then the deaths begin and are of course described as graphic as possible for maximizing the edgelords. And now you know why it’s the highest rated.
Anything goes, such as hiding a knife in your panties that gets discovered when a pervert peeks at them. The tactics used are so thought provoking.
The first victim is a cute girl that went to see the protagonist for winning his trust. Exactly like in Dangaronpa, you stinking plagiarist! I can’t believe the author openly says how several other stories of his were rejected by the publishers but this obvious rip-off was allowed to be published so close to the videogame!
And then we go back to softporn moments where the bland MC is sexually attacked by another girl who also has the hots for him for no real reason. Why is she even jealous, the competition is dead, this is bullshit.
Eventually they kill each other and a winner is declared. Do you know what effect that had in the plot? Absolutely none, because everything resets. That’s right, every time someone wins the game, everybody is alive again, and they repeat the same game with different classes. Death and victory have zero meaning.
They never even kill actual people because the ones in the game are always copies of the originals, so what the hell is the point of all this? The author tries to make it seem like it’s equally horrible when you kill a copy, when it’s not.
In fact, the way you escape the game is simply by not killing anyone in eight days, something that was revealed by the very game creator. What is the point of making the game when you reveal how you can beat it so easily?
This essentially made the fourth volume a complete waste of time, as it all came down to the creator of the game committing suicide out of boredom, and everybody forgetting everything that happened.
And who could have seen this coming? At the end they are back at making generic softporn jokes. That’s light novels for ya!
The third arc begins with, what else, more sex jokes. One of the girls has a magazine which must be made fun of as porn, because light novels.
Turns out the book is actually about fitness, because she wants to lose some weight. And instead of taking things seriously, all the girls compare their boobs and asses to find out who is the sluttiest, because light novels.
Then they go in a shopping mall where they force the bland protagonist to cross dress, before being treated badly by a tsundere. They say they find it cute but we all know in reality it’s deviant otaku fetishes that no sane person would ever allow himself to be part of.
Then another box owner appears and traps them in a videogame. And now you know why it’s the highest rated light novel of all times. His motivation for doing this, is being bored of his normal life, so he initiates a meaningless death game. That’s right, there is no meaning behind it, such great motivation.
The one who explains the rules of the death game is an imitation of the bear from Dangaronpa. They can sue you for this shit, you know.
The participants meet, and what a surprise, they are wearing school uniforms. Even in a videogame where you can look any way you like, you still wear the same fucking clothes as in any other piece of shit light novel.
I love how they know they are supposed to kill each other but still flirt, like nothing serious is going on. And they keep using the word cute out of context. They might as well be saying “I wanna tap that ass” since they only use it to express lust, not fondness.
And then the deaths begin and are of course described as graphic as possible for maximizing the edgelords. And now you know why it’s the highest rated.
Anything goes, such as hiding a knife in your panties that gets discovered when a pervert peeks at them. The tactics used are so thought provoking.
The first victim is a cute girl that went to see the protagonist for winning his trust. Exactly like in Dangaronpa, you stinking plagiarist! I can’t believe the author openly says how several other stories of his were rejected by the publishers but this obvious rip-off was allowed to be published so close to the videogame!
And then we go back to softporn moments where the bland MC is sexually attacked by another girl who also has the hots for him for no real reason. Why is she even jealous, the competition is dead, this is bullshit.
Eventually they kill each other and a winner is declared. Do you know what effect that had in the plot? Absolutely none, because everything resets. That’s right, every time someone wins the game, everybody is alive again, and they repeat the same game with different classes. Death and victory have zero meaning.
They never even kill actual people because the ones in the game are always copies of the originals, so what the hell is the point of all this? The author tries to make it seem like it’s equally horrible when you kill a copy, when it’s not.
In fact, the way you escape the game is simply by not killing anyone in eight days, something that was revealed by the very game creator. What is the point of making the game when you reveal how you can beat it so easily?
This essentially made the fourth volume a complete waste of time, as it all came down to the creator of the game committing suicide out of boredom, and everybody forgetting everything that happened.
And who could have seen this coming? At the end they are back at making generic softporn jokes. That’s light novels for ya!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
Another incredible job...
I'm not sure what it is, but something about the way Eiji Mikage ties up character arcs over the course of a book (or two in this case) is incredibly satisfying. While it might be a little formulaic in the way it reveals trauma and such, and the stories themselves are limited to the real world in origin, but when combined with the supernatural story and the way he incorporates it into the characters, it makes for something great. I'm a little surprised, but not that much, at how exciting this series has been and I hope it's able to keep up the momentum!
I'm not sure what it is, but something about the way Eiji Mikage ties up character arcs over the course of a book (or two in this case) is incredibly satisfying. While it might be a little formulaic in the way it reveals trauma and such, and the stories themselves are limited to the real world in origin, but when combined with the supernatural story and the way he incorporates it into the characters, it makes for something great. I'm a little surprised, but not that much, at how exciting this series has been and I hope it's able to keep up the momentum!
October 22, 2023
And so the Game of Indolence comes to an end.
This series was unique from the beginning, which is one of the things I've always loved about it, but things are starting to get a little too weird at this point. Despite technically being an end to the current storyline, this volume still felt like buildup to something, though I can't quite say what. Daiya's Box, maybe? And yet that's not quite right. There are still three volumes to go, so that's plenty of time for more major changes and reveals.
Saying it's just buildup isn't to say I think it's bad. The writing is as fantastic as always, even if it is getting increasingly unhinged. I could do without some of the more fanservicey scenes, but part of that may simply be because I'm growing slightly tired of waiting for Kazuki and Maria to admit they like each other already. It's fortunate this isn't a long series; I don't think I could handle playing will they won't they for much longer than three more volumes.
Im any case, I did still find this volume very intriguing, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes us in the future.
This series was unique from the beginning, which is one of the things I've always loved about it, but things are starting to get a little too weird at this point. Despite technically being an end to the current storyline, this volume still felt like buildup to something, though I can't quite say what. Daiya's Box, maybe? And yet that's not quite right. There are still three volumes to go, so that's plenty of time for more major changes and reveals.
Saying it's just buildup isn't to say I think it's bad. The writing is as fantastic as always, even if it is getting increasingly unhinged. I could do without some of the more fanservicey scenes, but part of that may simply be because I'm growing slightly tired of waiting for Kazuki and Maria to admit they like each other already. It's fortunate this isn't a long series; I don't think I could handle playing will they won't they for much longer than three more volumes.
Im any case, I did still find this volume very intriguing, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes us in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2018
I wouldn't say this is my favourite volume so far. But I do think it is the most entertaining. The first volume remains my favourite but its structure makes it interesting but not quite as entertaining as this volume here. This volume is the second part of the case that started in volume three and I think they work best read back to back. While in theory a continuation it almost feels like a different book. It takes the rapid pacing we saw towards the end of the previous volume and keeps it up throughout. It's the first book since the first that felt tightly plotted and paced. It certainly isn't without it's flaws. It's perhaps a bit self indulgent at times and I feel that the author still has a problem with tone when it comes to introducing certain subject matter. The emotional equivalent of jump scares grow a bit tedious. But that feels a bit like nit-picking. This was a really fun read. Unfortunately the next officially translated volume won't be out for three months so I'll be moving on from the series for the moment.
November 29, 2019
Continuation of the Game of Idleness from the third volume. Didn't expect or want to have such a long arc, and honestly, with all those full-blown mind games and deceit, those battles to prove their intellectual superiority gets a little tiring after while. But it gradually got better, because of some direct character development and emotional moments.
"In fact, I had already noticed it long ago." - ok, ok, I got it. This pattern is so overused that it lost its dramatic effectiveness. It's even a little funny now.
Really liked some scenes, specially towards the end, but things could be a little less confusing if you don't omit things purposely to drama points, you know? Though I admit that this contributes to making this series so addicting.
"In fact, I had already noticed it long ago." - ok, ok, I got it. This pattern is so overused that it lost its dramatic effectiveness. It's even a little funny now.
Really liked some scenes, specially towards the end, but things could be a little less confusing if you don't omit things purposely to drama points, you know? Though I admit that this contributes to making this series so addicting.
June 7, 2018
A perfect complementation for this wonderful game.
As I expect, Daiya is best suit to be a King, after all. Kamiuchi, though he has a sense of how to enjoy an exciting, thrilling game that one bets his life in it, is no different from [The Double]. In a sense, he lacks of ideals. He lives a meaningless life; he moans its boredom, and yet doesn't pack his ass up and do something exciting. Daiya is right, he is like a pitiful hogs after all. A hogs which is on the brink of collapse should go extinct by all means. In the end, Kamiuchi dies, and well, fair end!
I'm waiting so badly to uncover the next arc.
As I expect, Daiya is best suit to be a King, after all. Kamiuchi, though he has a sense of how to enjoy an exciting, thrilling game that one bets his life in it, is no different from [The Double]. In a sense, he lacks of ideals. He lives a meaningless life; he moans its boredom, and yet doesn't pack his ass up and do something exciting. Daiya is right, he is like a pitiful hogs after all. A hogs which is on the brink of collapse should go extinct by all means. In the end, Kamiuchi dies, and well, fair end!
I'm waiting so badly to uncover the next arc.
January 6, 2025
4.5 stars. Volumes 3 and 4 are my favorites of the series up until this point.
Picking up right after the cliffhanger in Volume 3, this flips everything on its head from the original Danganronpa comparisons at the beginning of this story arc.
The layered twist that is revealed halfway through Volume 4 was something that came out of left field for me. I thought I knew where things were going and then BAM! Nope let's throw one more layer into this insane storyline.
Only a few more volumes to go and I don't know how things can start winding down from here. My main critique still stands though, I wouldn't mind slowing down the plot for some character growth.
Picking up right after the cliffhanger in Volume 3, this flips everything on its head from the original Danganronpa comparisons at the beginning of this story arc.
The layered twist that is revealed halfway through Volume 4 was something that came out of left field for me. I thought I knew where things were going and then BAM! Nope let's throw one more layer into this insane storyline.
Only a few more volumes to go and I don't know how things can start winding down from here. My main critique still stands though, I wouldn't mind slowing down the plot for some character growth.
September 24, 2018
It was good but not good enough to standout as a book of it's on.
The story felt stretched out for no reason.
Twists were not upto expectations, felt like the whole game was just unnecessary, the hero would have won anyway, even he didn't plan anything at all.
As i suspected in the previous reviews, the writier is trying to establish a characteristic in each of his novel. Here he made the protagonist self-reliant.
But, now the way it ended, i am thinking should i actually go for the next book or end it here.
The story felt stretched out for no reason.
Twists were not upto expectations, felt like the whole game was just unnecessary, the hero would have won anyway, even he didn't plan anything at all.
As i suspected in the previous reviews, the writier is trying to establish a characteristic in each of his novel. Here he made the protagonist self-reliant.
But, now the way it ended, i am thinking should i actually go for the next book or end it here.
January 22, 2019
I couldn't put this one down. I hated that the author crammed O into the ending... for that it loses a star. I couldn't really take more than one star away, I really liked the way the author picked up what he created in volume 3 and gave it a darker tone for this volume 4.
Brilliant volume with the exception of forcing O to show up! No way was that needed.
And we finally got to know what Zeroth Maria is :D And what a development it is for the overarching story. 3 volumes to go!
Brilliant volume with the exception of forcing O to show up! No way was that needed.
And we finally got to know what Zeroth Maria is :D And what a development it is for the overarching story. 3 volumes to go!
July 12, 2021
Content Warning: violence, humiliation, threat of sexual assault, rape
The game of Kingdom Royale continues on, but this time with Kazuki determined to take action on his own to try and bring the box to a permanent end.
It's a refreshing change to see him actively taking charge and making decisions based on his own reasoning, entirely separate from Maria. Its a new side to him and it shows how much this game and the boxes in general have changed Kazuki.
However, this book also delves deeper in to the very disturbing psyche of the box's owner and all the twisted actions they've done or allowed to happen. You really aren't supposed to like them or feel anything but disgust and scorn for them. Even so it's a difficult read at times, just like the last book.
Boxes don't always change people for the worse. But they never change them for the better either. And in this case perhaps they just expose what people are really like.
The game of Kingdom Royale continues on, but this time with Kazuki determined to take action on his own to try and bring the box to a permanent end.
It's a refreshing change to see him actively taking charge and making decisions based on his own reasoning, entirely separate from Maria. Its a new side to him and it shows how much this game and the boxes in general have changed Kazuki.
However, this book also delves deeper in to the very disturbing psyche of the box's owner and all the twisted actions they've done or allowed to happen. You really aren't supposed to like them or feel anything but disgust and scorn for them. Even so it's a difficult read at times, just like the last book.
Boxes don't always change people for the worse. But they never change them for the better either. And in this case perhaps they just expose what people are really like.
July 30, 2023
Splitting this box into 2 novels made this story arc feel a bit slow. The repetition of rounds in the game added to this by making us go through the same rhythms over and over a few times. Still invested in this series but getting a bit bored with it at this point.
March 17, 2025
The second part and the grand finale of Kingdom Royale arc.
A little bit disappointed at the resolution, given how brainy the previous volume was.
However, at the same time, it also is the most straightforward volume among all 4 volumes.
A little bit disappointed at the resolution, given how brainy the previous volume was.
However, at the same time, it also is the most straightforward volume among all 4 volumes.
July 3, 2019
Volúmenes 3 y 4>>> el resto de los volúmenes (hasta donde leí, al menos)
March 19, 2022
Sooo goooooooooood
June 20, 2022
one of the best in the series.
June 8, 2023
Cuối cùng cũng xong 4 tập.
Những yếu tố tiêu biểu trong truyện này là: Đen tối, hack não, trẻ trâu.
Drop thôi!
Những yếu tố tiêu biểu trong truyện này là: Đen tối, hack não, trẻ trâu.
Drop thôi!
November 4, 2023
Realmente esta obra no hace más que sorprenderme, aunque la última parte me dejo un mal presentimiento en especial por Daya siendo el de mis personajes favoritos y no puedo evitar estar preocupada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2024
8.4/10
June 21, 2025
much much much more than words
April 30, 2025
The Yuri exists (in two literal ways), but expected. Also assault is used for no reason other than shock value.
May 25, 2015
This volume continues the Kingdom Royale plotline from Book 3. This time it seems that things are going to be much simpler -- Kazuki has one round to finish things or else he's screwed. But as long as he can keep the NPCs from killing each other he should be golden. The first third of the book is spent with him trying to gain control of the scenario but facing resistance from Iroha. But just when it looks like the story is going to consist entirely of a cold war between Team Iroha and Team Kazuki, Kazuki manages to turn everything in his favor and it looks like everyone will just sit around and sing kumbayah for the rest of the book.
Which is when the first "oh crap" moment occurs, followed by a couple more in quick succession. After three books, you'd think I'd learn that Mikage never gives readers all the necessary information, but no, I was caught off-guard by these revelations, especially Kou's backstory.
The only complaint I have about this book is the ending, which isn't a cliffhanger precisely, but leaves Kazuki and Maria in a very bad place emotionally. Mikage is supposedly working on a fifth volume, but God knows when it'll be published and translated.
Which is when the first "oh crap" moment occurs, followed by a couple more in quick succession. After three books, you'd think I'd learn that Mikage never gives readers all the necessary information, but no, I was caught off-guard by these revelations, especially Kou's backstory.
The only complaint I have about this book is the ending, which isn't a cliffhanger precisely, but leaves Kazuki and Maria in a very bad place emotionally. Mikage is supposedly working on a fifth volume, but God knows when it'll be published and translated.
February 8, 2015
So far, my favorite of the series. Showing a charater development so strong for our main character, this novel keeps the reader hooked and grants us the wish of giving our main character an actual personality and motivation. Reading how he would get himself out of this pickle, massive level of strength was shown when it became evident how much the character started thinking on his own.
Definitely, the best one so far.
Definitely, the best one so far.
October 6, 2012
simplemente awesome xD
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