I making this review based on both the first part (this one) and the second part (Superior Cross), due to it should be viewed as a whole. Superior is a well balanced mix of Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Shounen (would add the label comedy as well, even if it´s not dominating the manga). So let´s talk a little bit about the ride that was Superior, and why I enjoyed it so much.

Story: 9/9
I quite enjoyed the story. What first appear to be a classical "good vs. evil" based plot, soon grows into something much more complex. In a world where monster and humans has been fighting each other for a long time, the hate between the two races has grown to enormous proportions. How can a peaceful world be created without totally erase either spices? Superior portrays this very well, and that if just a few of us are determined enough everything is possible. The story brings up subjects which can be easily recognized in our own world to today. The hate the people and the monsters feel towards each other is totally understandable, and most of us would probably been acting the same way - where the solution lays in revenge and destruction of the other part. The manga also bring up the hardship of stay true to your believes, the courage to change, and the power of love and forgiveness. Of course, as so many other manga´s it have stronger and weaker chapters, and sometimes has a bit uneven pace. A huge plus was some nice, unexpected twist here and there - it really spiced up things. Looked as a whole, it´s a great story that want let you of without making you feel happy, sad, excited and intrigued. If you are into adventure story´s with a big part action and drama, this manga is definitely for you.

Art: 9/9
Even if this is labelled as a shounen, the art has a much more "shoujo" feeling to it. The characters (both male and female) are very beautifully designed, with matching skinny bodies and interesting clothing. I personally don't have a problem with that, but it could take away some of the seriousness from some the of scenes. Due to that it´s actually quite a lot of blood and gore in Superior, the beauty can undermine that a bit (this is from someone who´s just been reading "Blade of the Immortal" which portrays this brilliantly). Background art varies, but the panels that have time and effort put into them is outstandingly beautiful and rich in detail. Overall I grow to love the art and especially some of the character designs.

Character: 9/9
First i can state that the character in Superior doesn´t lack in development. Many of the characters have great development (Sheila in particular). We get (given time) backgrounds on all our main and supporting cast, which will explain their way of thinking and how they turned out to be like they are. I will try to explain why I think the characters was so great without spoiling anything.

First out we have Sheila, our MC who starts out much more like a antihero or even a villain. She is after all the Demon Lord. Sheila has a very primal way of thinking, in her world the strong pray on the weak and she lives by that rule. She don´t comprehend feeling like pain of loss, love or compassion. But throughout the series she learns the value of life, love and forgiveness (much due to Exa, but also all the other people around her). It´s not always a happy journey of emotions, due to with these feelings also comes with feelings of regret, guilt and sorrow. To put it short, she becomes aware of the horrible crimes she made and have to deal with it a long the way. Sheila has absolutely the strongest character development of all characters.

Second out we have Exa. He is the series hero, and is he the hero with a big H. He can often come out to be so righteousness, that you wan´t to strangle him. But then you get to know him and his past more, that change and that feeling change to admiration for his strength of will to change the world to something better. Exa isn´t flawless so he will sometimes sub come to doubts and hopelessness. He´s own ideal is put to test many times and especially then i comes to Sheila.

Superior has many other great characters, I grow to like most of them. I loved to follow their personal and relationship developments. Many of both the main and supporting cast get their own chapters, there their past and relationships are portrayed. The only reason that I not giving it a 10 is that some part feels a little bit rushed, overlooked, or under explored. But overall much enjoyable characters and developments.

Enjoyment: 9/10
I enjoyed the Superior series hell of a lot! It was an interesting ride, that sometimes made me sit on edge, sometimes cry and sometimes have a good laugh. Some small flaws in the story and characters just made it out of reach of a masterpiece - but it was for shore a memorable series for me.

Overall: 9/10
For you poor souls that took your times and read my novel of e review, I will keep it short here. A great manga, with a story that brings up many relate able subjects, a heartwarming love story and some good action and adventures. I definitely recommend this manga to all of you that like a good adventure story with some deeper subjects and some heart wrenching romance. GO - READ - IT - NOW! :)