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Road to Endymion is a magic side light novel and the prequel of the movie, Miracle of Endymion, that was given by the first 103,000 attendees. Yes, exactly as grimoire that index have. Without further ado, let's go with reviewing this. If you just want to know when to read this then skip to the note at the last part.

Story:
Spiky haired boy, Kamijou Touma, and the freeloader sister, Index enjoying their time after school until Touma accidentally touches something that was from Necessarius member, Stiyl, that was here for the reason of a magic cabal that abhore science had broken into Academy City. Although it ... was just a prequel for the Miracle of Endymion, it's not necessary to watch the movie in order to understand it since it's pretty much standalone. But I still recommend reading it before the movie as it explained why Endymion was made. Then again, it's not that popular so I assume that most of you that stumbled upon here watched the movie already so that's no longer an option. Anyways, my only problem on this was the contradiction that had occured at the last-ish chapters. Aside from that, it was quite a nice read.

Art:
The illustrator for this one was Haimura Kiyotaka, well known as the illustrator of the main franchise. There wasn't that much of illustration on this one since it just had a 1 volume but if I remember correctly, it was fairly decent. I'm not really fan of his illustration at Old Testament.

Characters:
Aside from the introduced characters on the main francise, we had the Exica sisters here, the hot onee-san, Ureapaddy, and her little sister, Sozty and the other members of the magic cabal. They had a nice characterization on this one, although, I wish their background was explored more since it was pretty interesting. But it's pretty understandable since it was just a standalone story and not related to the Index's main plot at all.

Enjoyment:
It's pretty much enjoyable, considering that it's just a 1 volume. This novel only had a little slice of life and/so really, you won't get bored reading it. The only thing that really hampered my enjoyment was the contradictions to the movie, that's why it is best to treat as standalone and don't mind the the movie, lol. I recommend reading it if you are a fan of magic lore, and if you only have a spare time, ofcourse. By the way, hey, Index was actually not your typical Index here.

Note: Road to Endymion happened at September 10 - 12, after the Orsola Aquinas Rescue Arc and before the Three Diagram Remnant Arc and Miracle of Endymion. So if you want to follow the chronological order, you can read it after OT7. As I said earlier, it's not that important to the main plot of Index, it just gives more insight about the magic side, so you can read it before or after the movie, Miracle of Endymion, or even without reading the main franchise lol.

"It's sad how little you mean to the person who means the world to you"

Kuzu no Honkai became one my favorite romance of all time. I'm not really into this genre, but this is one of the most realistic romance that I have watched so far. It's not your typical romance love triangle drama out there that just throw a bunch of common tropes just for the sake of romance and then make a typical situation later on just for the sake of drama. As the title says, this show is about scums, and their desires and wishes. Scum's Wish.

"We're all looking for real ... love"

Have you ever experienced a situation where you liked a girl but she doesn't have feelings on you? On my perspective, I see a lot of people that is much like in situation like that. It's really excruciating just to think about it. Me, as well had experienced that situation when I was a highschool student. It was so hard, seeing your beloved together with someone that isn't you. Thankfully, someone slapped me by reality that made me stopped hanging in the tiny possibility to be with her. And luckily, I didn't find a person that will become my replacement for her. The idea sounds awful and unpleasant right? Well, it's the situation of our male and female leads took.

Kuzu no Honkai is about unrequited love of the the scums, and how they handle it. Despite its serious drama, there's still a little humor on it. Kuzu no Honkai revolves around our female lead, Hanabi Yasuraoka, a highschool student that is currently in fake relationship with our male lead, and currently as well inlove with her childhood friend who treats her like his brother, Narumi Kanai, a highschool teacher at the present who is inlove with her colleague, Akane Minagawa, a music teacher. Don't let her deceive you with her facade. She's nice, and a well-behave woman on the outside, but there's more with her inside. Just see for yourself. She's the one who our male lead likes, Mugi Awaya, a handsome highschool student that is currently in fake relationship with our female lead, Hanabi. As I said, he has appeal, so ofcourse, someone likes him since his childhood. There are also main characters that are lately introduced. They are Noriko Kamomebata, or Moka in short, a childish cute little girl, and Sanae Ebato, or Ecchan, our female lead's classmate, and her only one friend. I was impressed on the character interactions on this show. It was crazy and quitely well done.

Kuzu no Honkai's soundtracks was pretty good and emotional on some scenes, its fits on every scenarios. The OP is truly a masterpiece and really fits the show. The ED is incredibly good as well. Their seiyuus did a pretty good job on voicing them as well.

Kuzu no Honkai's animation and art are the things that I would really praise on this show. The art is undeniably beautiful and attractive. Character designs are pretty well made and kinda stunning and sexy. The animation was done with Lerche, the studio of well known Classroom of the Elite, Assassination Classroom and Danganronpa. The animation stay consistent throughout the episodes. Its artistically beautiful animation was one of the main reason that dragged me until the end. With the direction of Andao, Masaomi who is also known for Gakkougurashi, Kanata no Astra and White Album 2. His direction didn't disappoint me, he knows what he's doing from a kissing scenes to explicit scenes.

Take note: It's nudity level isn't that high, to the point of showing their private parts. There's just a several half nude scenes, but the the camera angles took care of it. They made it too sexy that will honestly make you turn on. Still the staffs are really careful to not to show their private parts. Even though it doesn't have it, it's still not advisable for young teens. That's the main reason that's why it was labeled as seinen.

Kuzu no Honkai's characters are hypocritical scums. The title says it all. Most of them are well-written. Some of their actions are really objectionable, some of their ideology are pretty twisted, and illogical. Especially the unjustifiable, manipulator, narcissist, and detestable character out there who does things and stuffs just for the satisfaction and guilty pleasure. Actually, they're all awful but that character really ticked me off.

Kuzu no Honkai is a character driven show. Every episodes shows different characters thoughts and point of view. It successfully maintained its pace throughout the episodes with the incredible set of direction. The show literally breaks the taboo, and used fornication but as a substance for the plot and not just for the sake of fanservice.

As for enjoyment, no. Let's just say as for entertainment, it really entertained me until the end. Not just because of some sexy scenes, but also on the beautiful, realistic and meaningful narratives of the characters. Some of the episodes especially the last-ish episodes was truly painful and hard to watch for some reasons, but it doesn't stop the show to be good and bad at the same time bad throughout of it.

Overall, Kuzu no Honkai is a show that I would recommend to some adult teens that seeks for untypical romance - drama who wants to feel some mixed emotions. The strong point of this series are its stunning animation, beautiful art, and the characters narratives and their well portrayed personalities. Well portrayed means the author nailed it on depicting its awful characters. The things that I really disliked on this show are their detestable actions, sometimes their actions are pretty awful and hopeless, and it doesn't makes sense. I disliked some aspects on their characters as well. The show did a decent and fair amount of job on bringing up some character's realistic thoughts and realistic situations that you can relate.

Kuzu no Honkai is a show that has satisfying ending, yet so horrible. Good, yet so bad at the same time.

"Life is cruel, but love is even worse."