The history of the nue is long in Japanese yokai lore, dating back to at least the Heian period, when it was described in Heike Monogatari as a chimera-like creature composed of bits and pieces of snake, chicken, tiger, tanuki, and monkey. Different variations on the theme followed, but manga fans may best know it as the ayakashi possessing Aoi in The Demon Prince of Momochi House. That's a closer version to the one in Kōta Kawae's Nue's Exorcist, where the name is given to a powerful spirit who looks like a buxom teen girl. In Kawae's version, Nue is bound to a particularly spiritually active high school, where she keeps the evil spirits in check, although why she's doing that is beyond the scope of this first graphic novel. She needs a human to help her, and it's been six decades since one was able to see her.

Although there are some basic plot similarities with titles like Bleach, mostly in how the exorcists manifest their powers and function as a society, Nue's Exorcist isn't just Bleach Lite™. Probably the most striking element setting it apart from other, similar series is Gakuro himself. As far as he's concerned, he's no one's idea of a hero – including his own. We can see that he's quite heroic in little ways, though: when he first enters the story, he offers himself up as a substitute lackey to the class bullies. In an excellent piece of bait and switch, it at first looks like Zenno, a scrawny kid with glasses, will be the protagonist; he's the one the bullies are targeting. But then Gakuro steps in, saying he'll buy the bullies lunch before slipping out the door. As it turns out, he's doing this not because he knows or is worried about Zenno, but because he can see spirits clustering around the scene. He knows that it can only mean trouble. Gakuro is, in fact, the person Nue has been waiting sixty years for. The only problem is that he wants nothing to do with her or fighting spirits, because when he was little, he witnessed a spirit killing his father.

Since the series runs beyond two chapters, naturally, Gakuro changes his mind, but Kawae still keeps his character faithful to this initial depiction. Gakuro is timid and awkward, uncomfortable in the world in general. When push comes to shove, he reluctantly accepts Nue's offer. Even when he tries to help other people with their spirit problems – spirits are drawn to negative human emotions and exacerbate them if not exorcised – he's not comfortable with his actions. Nue handles this by presenting herself as his older sister. Once they have a contract, allowing him to use her power (and to get a magic exorcist outfit), she can be seen by regular people, so this not only gives him some cred among his classmates, but also allows her to act like his sister. While the art still delights in her physical attributes, her attitude towards him is on the caretaking side; the ostensible romantic interest comes in towards the middle of the volume and is a human exorcist.

As often happens, this first volume is largely set up. We get the basics of the world, the characters, and the creator figuring things out as he goes along, although there's only one aspect (the exorcist outfits) where that's obvious. It does feel clear that Kawae is feeling his way along with the supporting characters; he expresses mild bemusement that people thought Zenno was going to be the protagonist, and you can see him trying to sort out how much of a role that classmate should have going forward.

Interestingly, two translators and letterers are listed on the volume – one for the Shonen Jump version, and one for the graphic novel release. While I can't speak to the differences between the two translations, the graphic novel does read well, particularly Gakuro's self-deprecating comments. There are also separate touch-up artists credited for the two versions, and again, the graphic novel's looks very natural; bigger issues in the art are all original, such as the uniformity of the only two female characters' breasts and the fact that I can't decide if Gakuro has a shock of red hair that curls around his eye or a shock of red hair and a birthmark under his eye.

Nue's Exorcist is a book that's more fun the less you think about it. Gakuro may not work for everyone as a protagonist, but Kawae does a good job with him. The story, although familiar, is still entertaining. It may not be the most innovative Shonen Jump series out there, but it's worth checking out if you like supernatural action.