4.5 stars

Man, did I give this the wrong assumption of the type of story it was while I was in high school. Not the super sappy, emo-filled existentialism I expected it to be. This was watching two chess grandmasters play cat and mouse. Which one will outwit the other? Which is more prepared to take the other down? Just when you think one has it all figured out, the other reveals their next move and the moves leading to that.

But more than that, this story does touch on some ideas of what righteous judgement is, and is what the main character doing a just thing? Or is it wrong regardless of how you look at it? The last bonus chapter also touches on a different theme. But it doesn't get too in depth to be incredibly philosphical.

This story held my interest throughout. Every time I would begin to wonder how they could possibly keep this thing going, it would reel me in and my excitement would reach a high all over wanting to see the next philosophical. To say that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this would be a true statement. I knock off a half star only because of the slight repetitiveness of the dialogue, and constant exposition of explaining every last thing that the two main players are thinking. Though it is necessary to do so, in order that no one can try to underplay something or creating a plot-hole to unravel the strategies developed.

First manga series I have read to completion, and I am more than satisfied with the story and its' conclusion!