Academy’s Genius Swordsman Manga – Is it Worth Reading? A Detailed Review

If you’re into action-packed, supernatural manga with a strong, overpowered main character, Academy’s Genius Swordsman might have already caught your eye. But after getting through 45 chapters, I’m still on the fence about whether this manga is a solid recommendation. From a promising start, it’s become a mixed bag, with both highs and lows. Let’s break down what works and what doesn’t in this manga journey so far.

Plot Overview of Academy’s Genius Swordsman Manga

The story follows a reincarnated protagonist, once a corporal in his past life, who now finds himself in an academy of elite swordsmen. It’s a setting ripe with potential for thrilling duels, supernatural abilities, and intense rivalries. However, while the plot does move at first, it quickly shifts focus, making the story feel more like a collection of side quests. Instead of an overarching goal, we’re left with a series of loosely connected events.

Pros and Cons of Academy’s Genius Swordsman Manga

Overpowered (OP) Main Character – Too Strong for His Own Good?

One of the key attractions of Academy’s Genius Swordsman is its overpowered main character. The protagonist, having retained skills from his previous life, is initially quite capable and even admirable. He’s a reincarnated powerhouse who excels in swordsmanship, outmatching his opponents with ease. This strong start draws you in, but his power level fluctuates too much for it to remain satisfying.

The inconsistency with his skills, often nerfed to fit the plot, is a letdown. His supposed strength is what defines him, yet it’s frequently restrained or sidelined, making it hard to gauge how “overpowered” he really is. For a former corporal who supposedly survived the longest in his previous life, it’s strange to see him sometimes act without the strategic prowess you’d expect.

A Plot That Wanders – Side Quests Galore

The pacing and plot structure is one of the most frustrating aspects of this manga. Instead of building toward a major storyline or goal, the chapters feel like they’re pieced together from a string of side quests. Each adventure has our protagonist gathering new items, powers, or companions, but it rarely adds depth to his character or advances the story in a meaningful way. For fans who enjoy watching characters grow or a story unfold, this wandering narrative may feel lackluster.

Lack of Strategic Depth

Considering the main character was once a corporal, you’d expect him to have a tactical mindset or at least a more structured approach to his battles and adventures. While he’s powerful, there’s minimal evidence of strategic thinking or planning. It’s as if his reincarnation granted him a higher power level but left out his past experiences and skills, which could have added an intriguing layer to his character.

Consistent Inconsistencies – Strength that Comes and Goes

Another issue lies in the inconsistency of the protagonist’s power level. While he starts off strong and almost unbeatable, his skills seem to fluctuate based on the needs of the plot. This inconsistency creates a lack of tension; when a character’s abilities are constantly being altered to fit the story, it reduces the stakes and the excitement of the battles.

Detailed Review of Key Chapters

Chapters 1–10: The Strong Start

At first, the story draws readers in with its concept and initial character setup. The main character’s entrance into the academy and the display of his skills as a reincarnated swordsman show promise. While the setup is nothing groundbreaking, it gives readers the hope of an engaging journey where we can explore the character’s growth and development in a structured academy setting.

Chapters 10–20: Starting to Wander

Around the 10th chapter, the story begins to shift away from a focused plot. The protagonist is no longer striving for a clear goal, and instead, we see him engage in smaller, less impactful side quests. While these chapters are still entertaining in their own right, they don’t seem to be building toward anything significant. Each quest yields new benefits or items, but without adding much depth to the overall story.

Chapters 20–30: Collecting Companions and Items

At this point, the protagonist is mainly gathering companions and useful items, almost as if he’s leveling up in an RPG game. While some readers may enjoy this type of structure, it doesn’t bring much narrative weight. There’s little character growth, and the side characters lack development as well. It’s during this phase that the lack of an overarching storyline becomes even more apparent.

Chapters 30–45: Power Fluctuations and Inconsistent Storytelling

In the most recent chapters, the protagonist’s power level continues to fluctuate in a way that feels unbalanced. His previously dominant skills are dialed down to serve the story, making it harder to remain invested in his journey. The manga’s inconsistency here is jarring, and it leaves readers questioning whether the story has a direction or if it’s meant to be an endless loop of side quests.

Who Will Enjoy Academy’s Genius Swordsman?

Despite its flaws, Academy’s Genius Swordsman does have qualities that some readers may enjoy. Fans who like overpowered main characters with supernatural abilities may find satisfaction in the protagonist’s initial displays of power. Those who don’t mind a story with less focus on plot progression and more on episodic adventures may appreciate the RPG-like collection of items and allies. However, readers who crave a solid storyline with character development and strategic battles may find this manga lacking.

Overall Thoughts and Final Verdict

Academy’s Genius Swordsman presents a mixed experience. While it has an intriguing start and an overpowered main character, it quickly becomes bogged down by a lack of clear direction and inconsistent storytelling. It feels like the author is experimenting with different side plots without any intention of tying them into a cohesive narrative. This leaves readers waiting for a major storyline that may or may not come.

If you’re willing to wait for more chapters to see if the story picks up or gains more depth, Academy’s Genius Swordsman could be worth the read. However, if you’re looking for a manga with a tightly-knit plot and well-developed characters, you might find it somewhat average.

Final Rating: 6.5/10

So far, it’s an entertaining read, but not a must-read. Whether Academy’s Genius Swordsman can rise above its inconsistencies remains to be seen. Hopefully, future chapters will bring more focus and resolve some of the issues in its pacing and storytelling.

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