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小説版 呪術廻戦 / Jujutsu Kaisen Novels #2
Jujutsu Kaisen: Thorny Road at Dawn
Resurrect the tense conflict between the Jujutsu Sorcerers and the cursed spirits in this collection of original stories.
Sorcery and demon curses abound in this collection of stories spun from the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
A modeling scout approaches Kugisaki, but he turns out to be a cursed speech user with an ulterior motive, and when Inumaki tries to rescue her, things don’t quite turn out as planned. Mechamaru goes on a solo mission, Gojo and friends try to host a party, and more chilling and charming adventures ensue in these five short stories set in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen!
Sorcery and demon curses abound in this collection of stories spun from the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
A modeling scout approaches Kugisaki, but he turns out to be a cursed speech user with an ulterior motive, and when Inumaki tries to rescue her, things don’t quite turn out as planned. Mechamaru goes on a solo mission, Gojo and friends try to host a party, and more chilling and charming adventures ensue in these five short stories set in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen!
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2020
About the author
Ballad Kitaguni
8 books9 followersBallad Kitaguni 北國ばらっど (Kitaguni Baraddo), is a Japanese light novels writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 13, 2023
I got thrown off by some of the reviews of here, but I’m so glad that I pulled through since it was totally worth it, in my opinion. The “complaint” that made me question the book the most was that it seemed too OOC.
But after reading all five short stories, I have come to the conclusion that we just don’t know that much about the characters. The manga doesn’t divulge almost any information about the characters’ relationships and day-by-day life.
This is a nice way to learn about that kind of stuff. From Inumaki being a really considerate person, Gojo drinking nonalcoholic cocktails and eating chicken nuggets and Fushiguro enjoying ice coffee to Kugisaki really worrying about Itadori as well as Gojo taking care of Ijichi from afar.
You get a peak into their real personalities and their true way of being regarding their loved ones. It’s an easy book to read, besides being short too. So nothing a big fan of Jujutsu Kaisen couldn’t handle!
But after reading all five short stories, I have come to the conclusion that we just don’t know that much about the characters. The manga doesn’t divulge almost any information about the characters’ relationships and day-by-day life.
This is a nice way to learn about that kind of stuff. From Inumaki being a really considerate person, Gojo drinking nonalcoholic cocktails and eating chicken nuggets and Fushiguro enjoying ice coffee to Kugisaki really worrying about Itadori as well as Gojo taking care of Ijichi from afar.
You get a peak into their real personalities and their true way of being regarding their loved ones. It’s an easy book to read, besides being short too. So nothing a big fan of Jujutsu Kaisen couldn’t handle!
November 21, 2023
such a silly read!! some parts felt a bit out of character to me, but the unique character interactions and bonus scenes were enjoyable.
August 1, 2023
2.5 stars
Im not saying it's terrible, it's just an extremely forgettable read. HOWEVER, there were 2 stories that I thought actually portrayed the characters.
Most of the time, the characters seem very ooc except for the Ultimate Mechamaru story and the last story with Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara.
Im not saying it's terrible, it's just an extremely forgettable read. HOWEVER, there were 2 stories that I thought actually portrayed the characters.
Most of the time, the characters seem very ooc except for the Ultimate Mechamaru story and the last story with Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara.
July 19, 2023
Gojo is a man child CONFIRMED
November 8, 2023
Well 5 stars because it's Jujutsu Kaisen, but the writing style... oh man... I've read better smut on Tumblr...
Great stories that should have been included in the manga. Learning those heartwarming facts about the characters from a light novel is what makes the main story plain to many readers. The characters do undergo development and growth, and they do have 'the other side' to their personalities. Gojo actually caring about people around him; the main trio being there for each other and trying to understand what the others feel; the Kyoto kids having some spotlight that kind of flashes out their resolutions... all that should be in the main story.
Great stories that should have been included in the manga. Learning those heartwarming facts about the characters from a light novel is what makes the main story plain to many readers. The characters do undergo development and growth, and they do have 'the other side' to their personalities. Gojo actually caring about people around him; the main trio being there for each other and trying to understand what the others feel; the Kyoto kids having some spotlight that kind of flashes out their resolutions... all that should be in the main story.
October 28, 2023
It feels great to have this collection of stories to distract from the pure angst of the jujutsu kaisen manga; honestly, just give me like ten other volumes of the JJK characters going about their lives. I'd devour them immediately.
May 17, 2024
itafushi karaoke duet canon 😭😭😭
June 7, 2023
LOVE seeing more insight from side characters of the main JJK series. I hope there is another volume in the future!!!
June 12, 2023
the last chapter? i was almost crying ngl, i had fckn chills. loved it, would read again
May 23, 2024
●Jujutsu Kaisen: Thorny Road at Dawn by Gege Akutami and Ballad Kitaguni●
This second book of JJK short stories was just as entertaining as the first. With five more stories following some of the characters from the franchise I found it amusing and heartwarming at times. I liked that we got to see more of the Kyto students and even got a story about them. It's still set during season one, and though simple, is still enjoyable and easy to read. The characters felt right this time around, and I liked the theme of friendship, especially between Itadori, Kugisaki and Fushiguro.
●Nobara and Toge 4/5 🌟
●Even if I'm Not Here 4/5 🌟
●Asakusabashi Elegy 2/5 🌟
●Advancing in the Face of Fear 3/5 🌟
●At the End of the Sidewalk 4/5 🌟
This second book of JJK short stories was just as entertaining as the first. With five more stories following some of the characters from the franchise I found it amusing and heartwarming at times. I liked that we got to see more of the Kyto students and even got a story about them. It's still set during season one, and though simple, is still enjoyable and easy to read. The characters felt right this time around, and I liked the theme of friendship, especially between Itadori, Kugisaki and Fushiguro.
●Nobara and Toge 4/5 🌟
●Even if I'm Not Here 4/5 🌟
●Asakusabashi Elegy 2/5 🌟
●Advancing in the Face of Fear 3/5 🌟
●At the End of the Sidewalk 4/5 🌟
November 12, 2023
Otprilike ono što sam očekivala, ali premalo Megumija.
Megumi voli ledenu kavu - a man of taste 🖤 I to im daje dodatnu zvjezdicu, inače je stvarno nebitno.
Megumi voli ledenu kavu - a man of taste 🖤 I to im daje dodatnu zvjezdicu, inače je stvarno nebitno.
August 5, 2023
kokichi and miwa truthers rise. also the last chapter was so heartfelt literally was like a slap
August 3, 2023
Wow 5/5 for the last story
May 21, 2023
ahhh the nobara, inumaki story, and the ijichi, gojo, shoko story, and the trio story!!!! so good!!!
September 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this light novel, the stories felt so refreshing because it paints the characters in such a human light, as opposed to what we’re used to in the series where they’re strong fighters. Especially with how the series has been going in the manga (and anime at this point) these light hearted moments really do feel great to read and enjoy.
My favorite was definitely the last story with the main trio hanging out together, but I honestly found a bit of charm in each story. I do hope we get another!
My favorite was definitely the last story with the main trio hanging out together, but I honestly found a bit of charm in each story. I do hope we get another!
September 23, 2023
This makes me feel both fuzzy and depressed
March 3, 2024
Enjoyed this more than the other light novel! Parts of this were really fun. Poor Ijichi! He really needs a break!
August 3, 2024
An anthology of shorts (the equivalent of 4 Kona imo because that's how short these were). Honestly they added a little bit to the side characters stories but not much! I wouldn't waste time reading this unless you're gung-ho about the side side charas
January 19, 2024
I really enjoyed reading these little short stories. They provide such interesting insight on a lot of the characters and little excerpts after the goodwill event. I thought the writing for this one was a bit better than the last short story book, but I enjoyed all of them. Would’ve loved to read about Gojo more but that’s okay.
June 20, 2023
Like its predecessor, this book offered no contributions to my schema, but I really don't care. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed reading all the fun little stories, and that's that.
In particular, I really liked the story about Mechamaru. Not only did it expand upon his character a bit more, but it was quite interesting, and maybe a little bit sad.
I actually now in general feel much sadder about what happens to all of these characters in the main series. But at the same time, this was a nice balm.
In particular, I really liked the story about Mechamaru. Not only did it expand upon his character a bit more, but it was quite interesting, and maybe a little bit sad.
I actually now in general feel much sadder about what happens to all of these characters in the main series. But at the same time, this was a nice balm.
June 28, 2023
Chapter 1 - Nobara and Inumaki unexpectedly team up and Nobara learns how to understand him. Salmon.
Chapter 2- Mechamaru goes on a mission that only he can deal with. We learn a little more about Mechamaru/Kokichi… The end of this story made me a little sad though. Kokichi wanted to let Miwa know that eventually he will see her… As himself, not Mechamaru. This hurts even more knowing what happens in the main storyline of the manga…
Chapter 3- Ijichi goes for drinks with Ieri and… a mystery guest (I won’t spoil it lol) and it seems that Ijichi might have a little crush on Ieri! Heehee
Chapter 4- Mai does have feelings and saves a life
Chapter 5- Yuji, Nobara and Megumi hang out and act like normal kids. This was a nice chapter to end this volume. Also, this chapter showed how Yuji’s “death” really did affect Nobara and Megumi. Of course it would! Just because he “came back” after two months, doesn’t mean that they didn’t think he was gone forever. And it kind of makes me a little mad at Gojo for lying to them about it. The manga played it off like it was hilarious but it had to be a little traumatic for Nobara and especially for Megumi, who was there for his “death”.
Overall, this light novel was a nice short read. Not exactly necessary but if you enjoy the JJK world, then you will enjoy learning more details about the characters that the manga didn’t have room to include.
Chapter 2- Mechamaru goes on a mission that only he can deal with. We learn a little more about Mechamaru/Kokichi… The end of this story made me a little sad though. Kokichi wanted to let Miwa know that eventually he will see her… As himself, not Mechamaru. This hurts even more knowing what happens in the main storyline of the manga…
Chapter 3- Ijichi goes for drinks with Ieri and… a mystery guest (I won’t spoil it lol) and it seems that Ijichi might have a little crush on Ieri! Heehee
Chapter 4- Mai does have feelings and saves a life
Chapter 5- Yuji, Nobara and Megumi hang out and act like normal kids. This was a nice chapter to end this volume. Also, this chapter showed how Yuji’s “death” really did affect Nobara and Megumi. Of course it would! Just because he “came back” after two months, doesn’t mean that they didn’t think he was gone forever. And it kind of makes me a little mad at Gojo for lying to them about it. The manga played it off like it was hilarious but it had to be a little traumatic for Nobara and especially for Megumi, who was there for his “death”.
Overall, this light novel was a nice short read. Not exactly necessary but if you enjoy the JJK world, then you will enjoy learning more details about the characters that the manga didn’t have room to include.
May 30, 2023
Loving the light novel series. Now I feel like there has to be a third one to complete the first year student covers with Megumi on the next one. This takes place after the Goodwill event, so naturally I assume the next novel will fall further into the manga series. I haven't read past where Volume 0 or where the anime left off yet. I was lucky this time, but for next time I will need to catch up. All the stories were great. The last chapter was very heart warming. Also loved the space break on pg. 116 of "Furshiguro and Kugisaki had felt as if something
were missing."
Just to give the reader a visual glimpse of their feelings of everything that's happened up until this point. We are getting little insight pieces of different characters from Jujutsu Kaisen than we probably would elsewhere. Of course, this is my favorite out of the two novels so far. The cast of characters we focused on were amazing.
were missing."
Just to give the reader a visual glimpse of their feelings of everything that's happened up until this point. We are getting little insight pieces of different characters from Jujutsu Kaisen than we probably would elsewhere. Of course, this is my favorite out of the two novels so far. The cast of characters we focused on were amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2023
While the story collection as a whole wasn't as engaging and the translation choppier than the first go-around. Kitaguni continues to breathe his own life into Akutami's characters and show more complexity to them in a way that makes a devoted follower of this franchise feel satisfied once they turn the final page. This goes for the Kyoto students specifically. Given I found their introduction mediocre posturing at best, seeing these new sides to them before the Shibuya Incident wrecks havoc in this franchise allows me to get to understand their full personas. The villains had interesting powers (I wonder who came up with them?), and the last story was particularly sweet. A shonen group of friends can never go wrong.
Re: The end of the last review, how the Tokyo first years interact as a trio only adds more fuel to my AU fire. That, and Gojo being a quasi man child.
Re: The end of the last review, how the Tokyo first years interact as a trio only adds more fuel to my AU fire. That, and Gojo being a quasi man child.
December 26, 2021
No tengo palabras para describir como me siento después de ese ultimo capitulo... fue desgarrador. La palabras de Kitaguni-san son tan llegadoras y ligeras al mismo tiempo, esta año también leí la primera novela ligera que fue una cosa tan rica en contenido, a diferencia, esta segunda novela no me estaba encantando, la mirada a Toge y Nobara fue un poco decepcionante, y el capitulo 3, tampoco fue muy bueno, sin embargo, conocer a los chicos de Kyoto y este ultimo vistazo a Nobara, Yuji y Megumi luego del evento de intercambio valió completamente la pena.
Espero que en el futuro haya más novelas ligeras de Jujutsu Kaisen de la mano de Kitaguni.
Espero que en el futuro haya más novelas ligeras de Jujutsu Kaisen de la mano de Kitaguni.
May 29, 2023
I loved this second light novel! Though I loved the first for it’s concepts and depth of my favorite characters, the translations of the last novel bothered me. This light novel was translated in a much better and thoughtful way! I was surprised that though it didn’t center on my favorites, I was so taken in by Mai, Koichi, Ijichi, and Nobara’s stories. I thought all five stories were well-written and gave each character more depth. I think the fifth story of Megumi, Yuji, and Nobara were especially well-done as it bridges the gap between the Goodwill Event and how the trio were able to work together following events earlier in the manga.
November 3, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! I hope there will be a third light novel made in the JJK series, because I absolutely love the short stories and seeing the friendships between the students. I also love how in this one we learned more about the Kyoto students and got to see more of them. Overall, I love how we get more info about the characters, and I love the illustrations of the characters by the end of each short story. And my personal favorite page is page 69, I laughed so hard when reading that page!
July 2, 2024
An excellent follow-up to the first light novel – I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was really fun to read. Ballad Kitaguni-sensei again adapts Gege Akutami-sensei's world and characters seamlessly – I have no idea where the main JJK story is headed (I'm writing this review at the end of the month-long hiatus, pre-Ch. 263) but I would love another light novel from this duo!
January 13, 2024
Super funny! I loved it, especially after the Shibuya incident. The silliness of the characters really highlights the fact that they are all mostly teenagers and young adults (and man-child gojo). I don't believe it is OOC because what we see in the manga and anime is just them doing their jobs and school and people aren't the same when they are on and off the clock. I love the vulnerability the stories give the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2023
i love seeing my kids being okay and happy while i know
their future selves are suffering so much
especially the trio <3
but
"tomorrow, however, everything might be different. tomorrow, one of them might be gone. tomorrow, they might not be able to smile like this."
GEGE SIR PLEASE IM BEGGING STOP
their future selves are suffering so much
especially the trio <3
but
"tomorrow, however, everything might be different. tomorrow, one of them might be gone. tomorrow, they might not be able to smile like this."
GEGE SIR PLEASE IM BEGGING STOP
August 30, 2023
Ngl but I liked the first novel more than this, probably because it was more concentrated on the main cast rather than side characters. Some of the chapters were a little bit boring to read, but I enjoyed them anyway.
Still no story from this book hit me as hard as those from the Summer of Ashes, Autumn of Dust.
Also Gege is a monster
Still no story from this book hit me as hard as those from the Summer of Ashes, Autumn of Dust.
Also Gege is a monster
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews