Nue's Exorcist

A new Shonen Jump manga titled **Nue's Exorcist** (鵺の陰陽師, *Nue no Onmyōji*) made its debut on May 15, 2023, marking Kota Kawae's inclusion in the magazine. Official English versions are now available through Manga Plus and Viz Media, with new chapters releasing every Sunday.

The story commences with Nue observing students below her, seemingly trapped in a room that goes unnoticed by those lacking spiritual awareness. She realizes this year represents her last opportunity just as Gakuro Yajima, a young man with the ability to perceive spirits, is on his way to class. During an investigation into a mysterious disappearance with supernatural implications, Yajima stumbles upon Nue's sealed room and becomes aware of her presence. Following an incident where spirits threaten his classmates, he agrees to collaborate with her, embarking on a journey to harness her power and develop the strength to defend people against these supernatural threats.

## Premise

Yajima's life takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon a concealed room within his school. Inside, he encounters Nue, a spirit who shares a passion for gaming and pop culture. Nue reveals a startling truth to Yajima: spirits thrive on negative human emotions, and when they grow large enough, they can merge into a massive, menacing entity that poses a threat to humanity. Nue extends an offer to Yajima, proposing to mentor him and grant him the abilities needed to confront and neutralize the spirits haunting their school. This proposition, however, triggers a deeper contemplation within Yajima, intensifying his thoughts about his father's passing.

## About

Right from the first chapter, it's evident that "Nue's Exorcist" has all the makings of a potential hit. The story effortlessly weaves together the ordinary and the supernatural, with the school's students appearing genuine while the supernatural aspects come across as mysterious and otherworldly. This is exemplified through the character of Yajima, who leaves a strong impression even in the relatively short first chapter. His aversion to conflict is a notable trait, and his troubled past is handled with sensitivity, rendering him a realistically traumatized character. This is especially evident towards the end of the chapter when he confronts his past head-on. If this level of in-depth character development can be maintained, Yajima has the potential to become one of the most relatable and fully developed characters in contemporary manga, setting him apart from many other Shonen Jump protagonists.

Nue possesses all the qualities that could propel her to become a standout character. Her visual design effectively conveys her unique role as a spirit straddling the line between humanity and the more intense, emotion-driven supernatural entities. Furthermore, Kota Kawae has skillfully integrated her passion for gaming and pop culture into her character, crafting it as a genuine and well-rounded aspect of her personality rather than merely catering to the audience's preferences for surface-level relatability. This creative approach not only reinforces Nue's distinctive position as a mediator between humanity and the monstrous spirits but also offers insight into why she would readily embark on training someone like Yajima.

## External Links

* Official Website (in Japanese)
* English Official - VIZ Media (in English)
* English Official - MANGAPlus (in English)