Hollow Regalia, Vol. 1 (light novel): Corpse Reviver

Hollow Regalia Light Novel #1

by Gakuto Mikumo, Ｍｉｙｕｕ (Artist), Sergio Ávila (Translator)

Four years ago, a dragon filled the sky, the nation of Japan fell, and Japanese people around the world were wiped out. Yahiro, a survivor of the tragic event, works as a salvager who obtains Japanese artwork and artifacts for foreign buyers. Not many are willing or able to brave the ruins, which are crawling with monstrous beasts called Moujuu. But Yahiro’s the best man for the task. After all, thanks to his regenerative abilities, he can’t really die. He’s approached about a job to search for the Kushinada, which is capable of controlling the Moujuu, but it will require delving into the most dangerous parts of the city. This is the story of a dragon girl and a dragon slayer.

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Action, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic

232 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2023

About the author

Gakuto Mikumo (三雲 岳斗)

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really, truly is a 3.5 - it has neat world building, jargon that largely makes sense, and a pretty good twist. It also has a kind of annoying set of female characters and some confusing mixing of Germanic and Japanese folklore, specifically about dragons and sacrificial maidens. I can't quite bring myself to round up, so here we are.

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dragons have destroyed Japan, though everyone claims it was a natural disaster, and what was left of the people were killed by other countries (I’m not entirely sure why). Yahiro believes he’s the only survivor, and that only because he literally can’t die. He has one mission, to kill the dragon who caused the destruction. Too bad she is his sister.

I think I would’ve enjoyed this as an anime. It has a suitably over the top, incomprehensible plot, with a cartoonish cast of teenagers, plenty of sexist gazing at women (even their cup-sizes were given in the gallery at the back), and violent action with all kinds of monsters. It was readable though, if I ignored the cringe-worthy dialogue. I liked Yahiro—his life couldn’t have been easy—but other characters were mildly to really annoying. Illustrations were good.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Mint C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.