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This is a fantastic manga, in every sense of the word.
Now, to preface, Sword Oratoria is no doubt intended for fans of Danmachi. It covers the story of the main series from the angle and perspective of the Loki Familia rather than the Hestia Familia, with characters like Aiz, Finn, and Lefiya taking the lead.
The storyline and events are wildly different from the original, as expected. It introduces completely new (or at least new to anime-only watchers or those who are not caught up) plot threads, background information, lore tidbits- the like. Though some may find them "boring" either due lack of patience, foreign faces, ... etc, they are very much well-done stories that flesh out characters, introduce and hint at the larger overarching plot, and simply act as fantastic companions to the main Danmachi narrative.
Characters like Aiz who don't get much attention in the anime are very well done here, and in general this manga has great characters and narratives that make it enjoyable to read.
And that's not mentioning the art. It's by no means the best out there, but it's clear, it's fluid, it has great dynamic action scenes, and creative decisions that elevate certain sequences in the manga.
Overall, I'd recommend this to any anime-watcher or fan of Danmachi who hasn't experienced Sword Oratoria.

This is by far one of the most riveting "light" (as in non-dark) fantasy manga I've ever read, only comparable to the likes of Witch Hat Atelier.
Incredible world building, fantastic art, and a generally intriguing story all weave together into the start of what might become my favorite manga ever, if it manages to uphold this level of intricacy in the future.

The first few chapters are stereotypical and full of tropes, but not in a bad way. A "village outcast" main character (like Naruto), who finds the resolve to prove others wrong and make himself into a hero. The messages of self-improvement, as well as ... ideas of motivation, anti-racism, etc. though not uncommon are done well, in a manner that I don't find overly preachy, even if only barely so.

The slow and gradual reveal of the magic system is very interesting; rather than giving up all the information regarding magic in the beginning, it's revealed slowly in bits and pieces, and is still being fleshed out currently. This makes for a more engaging read in my opinion, as it keeps the reader guessing and curious.

In general, this series is very well thought out, and is in my opinion a must-read for fantasy fans.

However, there are details that I'm not a fan of:

Spoilers.....








The main character, Theo, has a tendency to place inanimate objects like books and statues over his own well being, and in general books are toted as some all-important thing that they must protect. Theo himself seems so obsessed with texts that I question what he'd do if given the choice to save either an all-important text or a person. I'm not sure if I would like to see a cast of characters risking theirs and other's lives over books. That being said, there is a chance that the series will address this, as Theo has already been criticized for his actions. Hopefully this will get resolved in some manner; books may influence people, they may be important, but they should not be the entirety of one's life.

This manga is delightful. As a musician myself, it resonates on several levels, and has been a treat to read.

However, in order to explain why I like it, there's some things that need to be said prior.

Firstly, if you're looking for a compelling character drama or incredibly exciting plot - then this manga is probably not the best choice. The cast of main characters do have decent personalities and interests and motivations, but they're by no means unique or deep. Certain ones are certainly complex, yes, such as our main protagonist and one of the main deuteragonists, but they are by no means the highlight ... of this manga. If you really squint at it, several characters can be compared to pre-existing ones out there in other works, with nearly identical personalities and behavior (not saying they are copied, just saying they are not very unique). The plot itself is also very box-standard for a manga of this type, with very standard music performance based plot analogous to that of K-on, Bocchi the Rock, and any other music-performance based manga/anime story out there. In those two regards, this manga is quite standard.

However, if you're looking for a neat manga that captures the essence of being a musician well, then I believe this has done exactly that. As a former member of a highschool band that did concerts, occasional marches (nowhere near what is depicted in the manga but still to some degree), and pep performances (mini performances in the bleachers of stadiums in between basketball and American football games), the core of what it feels to be in a band is captured incredibly well. Many of the thoughts that run through the characters mind are reminiscent of things I myself have either saw or experienced, and that relatability can really draw someone in. Especially as a musician who later leaned towards the competitive side of things, the depiction of competition is quite well done, and was fun to read. Though it is certainly not going to resonate with every musician out there, I'm sure it will for some, and thus is worth a read.

On top of the supposed relatability in the music department, the manga also carries a central coming-of-age theme that is honestly quite well done. My only critique is that besides for the main character, nearly every other person's "arc" is a bit rushed and feels a bit too fast, but it's only fair for such a short manga and is a nitpicky detail. This is one of those cases where I feel like given more time, this could've been something incredible, but I suppose that just will never happen.

Additionally, for a 6-volume, very underground manga, this has some very nice art. The artist clearly knows instruments well; the flair of the brass and metals under light looks gorgeous, and in general the art is quite clean.

All in all, I would recommend trying it out! Not for everyone, and in my opinion not the best music-centric manga out there, but it has a charm and appeal that I think many will enjoy.