9.5
I'm so so obsessed with this one! It was even better than I expected! I LOVE THE CHARACTERS SO SO SO SO SO MUCH. I got seriously attached to them. Kayden is so freaking iconic, Jiwoo is a the most adorable cinnamon role and Kartein is majestic.
It feels like a SatuSugu co-parenting fic. The character dynamics and development arcs are truly top tier. That's what sets this manhwa apart from other shounens imo. It's slower paced than traditional shounen, especially in the first like 150+ chapters. But it makes it much more captivating as well. It maintains a proper pacing for fully explore emotional and character depth. It has much more 'filling scenes' throughout the overaching action plot than most shounens (which in Eleceed's case is def a strength).
Honestly, I wouldn't mind this manhwa to last forever since I love the banter and character dynamics SO FREAKING MUCH. The humor is top tier, the feels between Jiwoo and pretty much any other character are also phenomenal. It reminded me of The S Classes That I Raised, in the feels of parenting + collecting them like pokemon (Kayden, Kartein, Pluton..and more to come LMAO).
That said, I haven't given it a 10 bc I find it a bit lacking plotwise. Like there isn't a solid planned out overarching plot. It's just going with the flow (which I don't necessarily mind since the characters compensate this aspect imo). Also, I wish Jiwoo would lose more fights early on. I'd prefer to see him struggle harder/fight incredibly well but end up losing by a nail (or barely winning); rather than being so OP. Some fights I'd personally tweak here and there.
But yeah, I'm definitely nitpicking. I binged the whole 300+ chapters in like 2/3 days (and didn't finish sooner just bc I was incredibly busy). I loved it so much and wish I could reread it for the first time. I might even up it to a 10, despite these 2 flaws, if the next arcs are good. That's how much I love the characters!!! (tho I still think ORV is in a league of its own)
Eleceed