"A Certain Magical Index Omnibus" is a collection of light novels written by Kazuma Kamachi. The novel series follows the adventures of Kamijou Touma, a high school student who possesses a unique ability called Imagine Breaker. As the story progresses, Touma gets involved in various incidents and encounters different characters with supernatural powers. The omnibus format combines multiple volumes of the light novel series, allowing readers to enjoy the story in a more convenient and cost-effective manner. It provides a comprehensive reading experience, enabling fans to delve deeper into the world of "A Certain Magical Index" and the intricate plotlines. The novels take place in a world where science and magic coexist.
The novels take place in a world where science and magic coexist. The city of Academy City serves as the central setting, a technologically advanced metropolis where students with special abilities are trained. These abilities are categorized into different levels and are referred to as "esper powers.
A Certain Magical Index, The Old Testament Omnibus
Knowing the quality of the Spice and Wolf equivalent of this omnibus, I had pretty high hopes for the quality Yen Press would give this sort of release. I was most definitely not disappointed. Such a bespoke release that borrows from interpretations of a high quality bible while imposing a style more similar to Magical Index’s upon it, it certainly a piece that will stun many people. I’d also really like to go into more detail about this reasonably insane release. So first things first, the cost. It’s not what you’d call cheap. Not by a long shot. At retail, it’s 315CAD. But, the thing to remember is that this is 24 (not 22, but 24. Includes 2 side story vols as well) volumes of content in a single release. It works out to an average of 13CAD per volume in this omnibus, which in and of itself is a good deal if you’re able to front that amount of money. Of course, that doesn’t take into account the size or quality or extras that come with this style of release, so depending on how much you like what Yen Press is putting down, it gets to be an even better deal. If at all possible though, I can’t recommend enough waiting for a sale to pick this up. I got mine for a total of roughly 30% off thanks to a sale and some gift cards, so I paid just about 220CAD. That’s a little over 9CAD a volume which is a steal. So yeah, if you didn’t get on a sale, try waiting for one. Now, onto packaging. I’ve had quite a few… issues with Indigo and how they package larger orders, so I had my reservations about it. Thankfully, and this is a very big thankfully, Yen Press has packaged this volume incredibly well. Foam padding on all the corners, a layer of foam on the top and bottom, all contained within a very sturdy box that Indigo packed into one of their own. Yen Press really made sure there’d be no reason to worry about the sort of condition you’d get your copy in.
Okay, so the fancy stuff. It might be hard to tell, but the exterior is entirely covered in fabric. It’s not just a design or anything, but the actual texture and approach to the book itself, and it’s super nice. The gold accents are surprisingly tasteful and work really well with the white background. I had really thought it would be something that makes it look a little too gaudy, but it captures the flashy nature of those higher-end bibles quite easily. On that point, the golden tinted pages are a really nice addition that adds to that bible feeling. The clasp helps with that feeling a great deal as well. The one thing I thought would really end up an issue is the green ‘gems’ on the cover. However, seeing it in person it’s far less offensive than it may seem. They’re not reflective, flashy, bright, or anything like that so it’s a surprisingly subtle addition.
One thing that I feel like The Old Testament Omnibus does way “better” than the Spice and Wolf one is the spine. Yes, I do know that the Spice and Wolf omni is designed to be similar to a medieval text and so it’s pretty stripped down. However, I don’t think that means that it can’t be a little more fancy or detailed considering how plain the leather texture is on it. The idea between the horizontal lines and the use of the stars in the patterning just adds a lot more life to a spine that’s designed in effectively the same way as the Spice and Wolf one. Simple changes, but ones that add more life and intricacy.
And just for good measure, here’s the back cover. I really like how there’s raised sections on both covers, as it continues to add to the details and little bits that make this seem so “fancy” and high end.
Overall, it’s a very solid evolution from Yen Press’ most recent All-In-One. Great design and creativity that stays true to the series while incorporating useful extras at a pretty damn hard to beat price point. For any Magical Index fans out there….. I mean. You should get it if you can afford it and don’t already have the singles.
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" Touma's ability, Imagine Breaker, allows him to negate any supernatural power or spell with a mere touch. This ability attracts the attention of various factions, including magicians, espers, and other supernatural beings. Touma finds himself in the middle of conflicts and battles as he tries to maintain peace and protect the people around him. Throughout the story, Touma encounters a wide range of characters, each with their compelling stories and unique abilities. One of the notable characters is Index, a young girl who holds forbidden magical knowledge in her mind. Touma becomes her protector and forms a close bond with her as they unravel the mysteries surrounding her existence. The "A Certain Magical Index" series combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and action, creating an intriguing and complex world. The omnibus format allows readers to follow Touma's journey from the beginning, witnessing his growth, and uncovering the secrets of the city and its inhabitants. Overall, "A Certain Magical Index Omnibus" provides an immersive reading experience for fans of the light novel series. It brings together multiple volumes, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the rich and intricate world crafted by Kazuma Kamachi. With its mix of supernatural powers, intense battles, and thought-provoking themes, this omnibus is a must-read for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "Delve into the Depths of "A Certain Magical Index" with a Complete Omnibus Compilation"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "A Certain Magical Index Omnibus" because I've heard such great things about it. However, I was extremely disappointed with the story and the characters. The plot was all over the place and hard to follow, and the characters seemed flat and uninteresting. I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, it was a very underwhelming read for me and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mike - 3 stars - I had high expectations for "A Certain Magical Index Omnibus" but unfortunately, it didn't meet them. While the concept of the story was interesting, I found the execution lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. Additionally, the world-building felt weak and underdeveloped. There were too many unanswered questions and vague explanations that left me feeling unsatisfied. I think with some improvements, this series could have great potential, but as it stands, it fell short for me.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "A Certain Magical Index Omnibus" was not my cup of tea. I found the writing style to be confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The characters lacked depth and development, and their actions often felt inconsistent and random. The magical elements of the plot were hard to grasp, and I struggled to understand the rules and limitations of the world. Overall, I didn't enjoy this book and I wouldn't recommend it to others.