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Absolute Duo
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Absolute Duo
First light novel volume cover featuring Julie Sigtuna.
アブソリュート・デュオ
(Abusoryūto Duo)
GenreAction, fantasy, harem
Light novel
Written byTakumi Hiiragiboshi
Illustrated byYū Asaba
Published byMedia Factory
ImprintMF Bunko J
Original runAugust 24, 2012 – July 25, 2016
Volumes11
Manga
Written byTakumi Hiiragiboshi
Illustrated byShin'ichirō Nariie
Published byMedia Factory
English publisher
MagazineMonthly Comic Alive
Original runApril 27, 2013 – July 27, 2017
Volumes4
Manga
Absolute Duo Tea Party
Written byTakumi Hiiragiboshi
Illustrated byToru Oiwaka
Published byMedia Factory
MagazineMonthly Comic Alive
Original runOctober 27, 2014 – December 27, 2014
Volumes1
Anime television series
Directed byAtsushi Nakayama
Produced byHidetake Komiya
Kazuo Ōnuki
Keisuke Kaminaga
Makoto Ito
Mika Shimizu
Uesama
Written byTakamitsu Kōno
Music byAtsushi Hirasawa
StudioEight Bit
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X, Tokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS, TV Aichi, BS11
Original run January 4, 2015 – March 22, 2015
Episodes12
icon Anime and manga portal

Absolute Duo (Japanese: アブソリュート・デュオ, Hepburn: Abusoryūto Duo) is a Japanese light novel series by Takumi Hiiragiboshi with illustrations by Yū Asaba. Media Factory has published eleven volumes since 2012 under their MF Bunko J imprint. It has received two manga adaptations. A 12-episode anime television series adaptation by Eight Bit aired between January 4 and March 22, 2015.

Plot

[edit]

Tor Kokonoe enrolls in Koryo Academy, a high school where its students battle each other with weapons known as Blaze (焔牙/ブレイズ, Bureizu) as training to become future peacekeepers. The students must pass a battle during the qualification ceremony of the freshmen day in order to be enrolled in the academy. Although most students manifest their Blazes as melee weapons, Tor's ability manifests as a shield, making him an Irregular (イレギュラー, iregyurā). The school uses a special Duo system in which students are assigned partners. Tor is paired with Julie Sigtuna, a silver-haired girl from Scandinavia, and must share a room with her.[1]

Characters

[edit]

Main

[edit]
Tor Kokonoe (九重 透流, Kokonoe Tōru)
Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka[2] (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo[3] (English)
Tor is the narrator of the Absolute Duo light novels. He enrolls in Koryo Academy with the hope of getting stronger so he can avenge the death of his younger sister Otoha (音羽).[4] He is dubbed an Irregular for having a shield for a Blaze. He learns a powerful punch attack to use in conjunction with his Blaze. Julie sometimes refers to him as Thor. After spending some time with Julie, his goal switches from avenging his sister to becoming strong so that he can protect Julie. He obtains the Level 4 Sublimation which is "Aegis Desire".vol. 4
Julie Sigtuna (ユリエ・シグトゥーナ, Yurie Shigutūna)
Voiced by: Nozomi Yamamoto[2] (Japanese); Bryn Apprill[3] (English)
Julie is a girl with red eyes and silver hair, styled in twin tails who becomes Tor's Duo partner at the academy.[4] She takes a liking towards Tor and after some time she becomes his duo. She is from a village named Gimlé in Scandinavia. Her Blaze is a Sword Type, known as Twin Blades. The reason she came to Japan and enrolled at Koryo Academy is that she wants to get stronger to avenge her family's death; the scar on her back serves as a reminder of the incident. Because of this she seeks out Tor for help and to teach her his Final Move. Julie says "Yes" and "No" in Danish/Swedish/Norwegian: "Ja" (ヤー, Yā) and "Nej" (ナイ, Nai). One of her interesting features is her single strain of hair that stands and moves around
Tomoe Tachibana (橘 巴, Tachibana Tomoe)
Voiced by: Ayaka Suwa[2] (Japanese); Whitney Rodgers[3] (English)
Tor and Julie's classmate. She is described as a yamato nadeshiko: smart and talented and possesses a dignified atmosphere.[volume & issue needed] She cares very much about the people who are close to her especially Miyabi, who despite being weak still chooses her to form a duo. She is very much into martial arts and Shogi. She can never tolerate idly work, so she always wakes others when they're about to be late. Being a vegetarian, she often gives Tor a plate of vegetables to maintain his stamina and power. Her Blaze is a Kusarigama.
Miyabi Hotaka (穂高 みやび, Hotaka Miyabi)
Voiced by: Ayaka Imamura[2] (Japanese); Ashleigh Domangue[3] (English)
Tor's classmate who forms a Duo with Tomoe. She is a buxom girl who tends to be shy around others.[4] Her shyness, especially around boys, comes from how she used to be in an all-girls school before coming to Koryo Academy. She lacks stamina that keeps her from doing any physical activity for long periods of time. She eventually comes to realize she is in love with Tor and confesses, however, he instead turned her down telling her that he's too weak (having a flashback of his sister's death). Despite his rejection, she takes Tor´s words to her heart, even accepting Equipment Smith´s offer to become stronger, getting a Unit suit, despite having to fight against her friends. Her Blaze is a huge and heavy lance that is capable of doing large scale destruction, however, she has a hard time using it as she lacks stamina.
Lilith Bristol (リーリス・ブリストル, Rīrisu Burisutoru)
Voiced by: Haruka Yamazaki[2] (Japanese); Caitlin Glass[3] (English)
A transfer student from England came from an affluent family. She is a very exceptional student who at a young age has learned how to shoot and hunt, however, she is also selfish and arrogant. She is called an "Exception" and due to this, she claims to be able to do anything regardless of the rules. She went to Japan in order to form a duo with Tor after hearing news about his capability and being special just like Lilith, however much to her disappointment Tor declines. She later falls in love with Tor, and declares he will be her future husband and win his heart. Though she is officially enrolled in Koryo Academy, she never attends class claiming that she had already finished her studies a long time ago which is why she prefers loitering around the school garden sipping tea with her confidant Sarah. Her Blaze is a rifle, and she is a superb marksman. Though she is armed with a weapon that she can fire from a distance, she is surprisingly very agile to the point that she can shoot anybody at point blank range.

Other

[edit]
Sakuya Tsukumo (九十九 朔夜, Tsukumo Sakuya)
Voiced by: Yui Horie[5] (Japanese); Felecia Angelle[3] (English)
The Chairwoman of Koryo Academy, and is always seen wearing a Gothic Lolita dress. Her way of running the school is so ruthless that she actually encourages battle amongst the students. She's known as the Blaze Diabolica.
Rito Tsukimi (月見 璃兎, Tsukimi Rito)
Voiced by: Yukari Tamura[5] (Japanese); Jennifer McDaniel[3] (English)
Tor's homeroom teacher, who is always energetic and dresses like a maid with bunny ears, which greatly disturbs her entire class.[1] She has two personalities; the first one is a child-like, carefree, and happy person who likes calling her students various names, while the second is a foul-mouthed, sadistic, and ruthless villain, who doesn't even think twice about attacking her own students. Despite her cold attitude, it is shown that she does care for her students, as she defended them against K's attack and even gave them a thumbs up. She does not appear to like a lot of attention on her, as she is seen running away from a bunch of students the next day. Her Blaze is a sword. She gains Level 4 Sublimation from Sakuya and she has a new ability "Ouburos"
Imari Nagakura (永倉 伊万里, Nagakura Imari)
Voiced by: Haruka Tomatsu[5] (Japanese); Michelle Rojas[3] (English)
Imari is the first person Tor talks to after entering the school.[4] However, she is soon expelled from the school after losing against Tor during the entrance ceremony's combat exam. Her Blaze consists of a single sword, which she wields like a katana. She reappeared when Tor's class was sent to a summer training camp at some remote island where Koryo Academy has another branch, where students like her who failed the combat exam from the main branch were actually transferred there and were trained to become shinobis. She was also one of the greeting parties who ambushed Tor's class the moment they arrived on the island.
Aoi Torasaki (虎崎 葵, Torasaki Aoi)
Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae[5] (Japanese); Anthony Bowling (English)
Commonly known as Tora. He is Tor's childhood friend who is also considered an Irregular. His Blaze is a katar.
Ryutaro Tatsuno (辰乃 龍太朗, Tatsuno Ryūtarō)
Voiced by: Yoshihisa Kawahara[5] (Japanese); Tyson Rinehart (English)
Known by his nickname Tatsu, he is Tora's roommate. Tatsu has a muscular physique; he is also the tallest person in class. His Blaze is a naginata. His full name is Ryutaro Tatsuno (辰乃 龍太朗, Tatsuno Ryūtarō) (in the manga). Rito often calls him "Barbarian".
K
Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[6] (Japanese); Z. Charles Bolton (English)
A soldier of Equipment Smith and the younger brother of Ryan Wayfair. His real name is Kevin Wayfair (ケヴィン＝ウェイフェア, Kevin Weifea). Since he lost his family at a young age, he was sold to Equipment Smith, who made him a ruthless killing machine that only cares about power and results.
Sakaki Narukami (榊鳴神, Narukami Sakaki)
Tor's former best friend who is responsible for killing Tor's sister Otoha and Julie's father in the past.
Equipment Smith (イクイップメント・スミス, Ikuippumento Sumisu)
Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura (Japanese); Kent Williams (English)
A scientist who developed the Unit suits and resents Sakuya's grandfather for defeating him many years ago, believing Units are superior to Exceeds. His real name is Edward Walker (エドワード·ウォルカー, Edowādo Worukā). After K is defeated and he begins to insult him and call him a failure, K kills him.
Silent Diva (洌游の對姫/サイレントディーバ, Sairento Dība)
Voiced by: Ai Kayano (Japanese); Dawn M. Bennett (English)
Silent Diva is a young woman, with her light blue hair coming down to her hips, and she has purple clothes with diamonds on each side of her hair, and she has purple eyes, just like Sakuya. Also known as Beatrix Emerald.
Sarah (サラ, Sara)
Voiced by: Nozomi Nishida (Japanese); Alex Moore (English)
Sara is Lilith Bristol's female butler. Sara comes from a family that serves as their butlers.
Dark Ray Disaster
Voiced by: Takuya Eguchi (Japanese); Joel McDonald (English)
Also known as Hugo.
Tempest Judge
Voiced by: Satoshi Hino (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English)
Also known as Cloweiss.
Grave Phantom
Voiced by: Kentarō Itō (Japanese); Chris Rager (English)
Also known as Ougi.
Momo Kibitsu (吉備津 桃, Kibitsu Momo)
Voiced by: Mami Uchida (Japanese); Leah Clark (English)
One of Rito Tsukimi's student.
Otoha Kokonoe (九重 音羽, Kokonoe Otoha)
Voiced by: Manami Tanaka (Japanese); Lara Woodhull (English)
Tor's deceased sister who was killed by Sakaki Narukami.
Ryan Wayfair (ライアン ウェイフェア, Raian Weifea)
Voiced by: Takahiro Miyake (Japanese); Robert McCollum (English)
K's brother who died after protecting K.
Miwa
Voiced by: Aimi Tanaka (Japanese); Jamie Marchi (English)
Imari Nagakura's duo partner.

Media

[edit]

Light novels

[edit]

The first light novel was published on August 24, 2012, by Media Factory under their MF Bunko J imprint. Eleven volumes have been published as of July 2016.

No. Title Release date ISBN
1
Kokuhaku wa Sōkoku no Yoru ni (告白は蒼刻の夜に)		August 24, 2012[7]978-4-04-066487-3
2
Uso to Shin to Akai Kurenai (嘘と真と赤い紅)		December 25, 2012[8]978-4-04-066470-5
3
Nagisa ni Yureru Koi Monogatari (渚に揺れる恋物語り)		June 25, 2013[9]978-4-8401-5228-0
4
Reimei Seshi Inō no Kyōkai (黎明せし異能の境界)		November 25, 2013[10]978-4-04-066029-5
5
Yami no Gin Ōkami, Hikari no Shinen (闇ノ銀狼、光ノ深淵)		March 25, 2014[11]978-4-04-066312-8
6
Kaze to Homura to Kaminari to (風と焔と雷と)		July 25, 2014[12]978-4-04-066911-3
7
Kinki no Kajitsu (禁忌の果実)		December 25, 2014[13]978-4-04-067312-7
8
Memories Connect		March 25, 2015[14]978-4-04-067473-5
9
Ashes to Ashes (ashes to ashes,)		July 24, 2015[15]978-4-04-067717-0
10
Dust to Dust (dust to dust.)		January 25, 2016[16]978-4-04-068036-1
11
Jeg kan lide dig,		July 25, 2016[17]978-4-04-068455-0

Manga

[edit]

A manga adaptation with art by Shin'ichirō Nariie started serialization in Media Factory's seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive from April 27, 2013, and has been collected in a three tankōbon volumes. A second spin-off four-panel comedy manga adaptation titled Absolute Duo Tea Party (アブソリュート・デュオ TEA PARTY) with art by Tor Oiwaka will also be serialized in Monthly Comic Alive magazine with the December 2014 issue to be sold on October 27, 2014.[18] Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed the series in North America.[19]

Volumes

[edit]
Absolute Duo
[edit]
No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1November 22, 2013[20]978-4-04-066113-1August 29, 2017[21]978-1-626925-39-7
2September 23, 2014[22]978-4-04-066850-5December 26, 2017[21]978-1-626926-64-6
3March 23, 2015[23]978-4-04-067288-5April 3, 2018[21]978-1-626927-16-2
4September 23, 2017[24]978-4-04-069202-9November 27, 2018[21]978-1-626929-39-5
Absolute Duo Tea Party
[edit]
No. Release date ISBN
1January 23, 2015[25]978-4-04-067245-8

Anime

[edit]

An anime television series adaptation by Eight Bit was announced at Media Factory's 2014 Summer School Festival event.[26] It aired between January 4 and March 22, 2015, on AT-X. It also aired on Tokyo MX, Sun Television, Kyoto Broadcasting System, Television Aichi Broadcasting and Nippon BS Broadcasting at later dates.[27] Crunchyroll began streaming episodes to parts of Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa in the same week, and Funimation has licensed the anime, broadcasting English-dubbed episodes on its online service starting March 16.[3][28][29] Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll.[30]

The opening theme song is "Absolute Soul" by Konomi Suzuki, the first ending theme song is "BelievexBelieve" by Nozomi Yamamoto, the second ending theme song is "Apple Tea no Aji" (アップルティーの味, lit. The Taste of Apple Tea) by Yamamoto and Haruka Yamazaki, and the third ending theme song is "2/2" by Ayaka Imamura and Ayaka Suwa.

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleOriginal release date [27]
1"Blaze"
"Bureizu" (Japanese: 焔牙/ブレイズ)		January 4, 2015 (2015-01-04)
Tor is in a small battle with anyone that is seated next to each other, in a head-to-head fight. Meanwhile, Sakuya tells everyone in the building the same, to pass the test.
2"Duo"
"Dyuo" (Japanese: 絆双刃/デュオ)		January 11, 2015 (2015-01-11)
The following day, rumors of Tor and Julie had spread. The two, the only boy-girl duo in the year, become quick friends with Tomoe and Miyabi at breakfast. After they had a strange and weird lesson on the rules and basics, the class then went onto training. More misunderstandings were made by Tomoe. After that, they went onto sparring. Due to Julie's remarkable talent in sparring, no one other than Tor volunteered to spar with her. The end of the week has come and Tor had discovered that Julie still doesn't have a Duo after Tomoe's rejection so he runs after her and with the sounds of the bells on her hairband, he finds her standing on the balcony of the clock tower. It was there that they made their Duo oath to each other and became a Duo...
3"Avenger"
"Avenjā" (Japanese: 復讐者/アヴェンジャー)		January 18, 2015 (2015-01-18)
On the day after the official duos have been determined, Rito Tsukimi informed her students in the classroom of the upcoming New Blade Battle which will be held in the next couple of days. In preparation for the battle, Tor and Julie trained themselves and practiced their combat skills with their Blazes. Later at the sport stadium, Tor found Miyabi, exhausted, running along the track when she suddenly collapsed. Unconscious, she is picked up and carried back to her dormitory by Tor. On the way, she wakes up and Tor encouraged her to keep training in order to become stronger...
4"Exception"
"Ekusepushon" (Japanese: 特別/エクセプション)		January 25, 2015 (2015-01-25)
Being told that they're someone like her, Lilith Bristol travels to Japan in order to meet Tor Kokonoe, because he is special, just like her. Much later, everyone gathered at the classroom, Tora and Tatsu thanks Miyabi and Tomoe for helping them when they were injured. During the lesson, Tor thinks about what Sakuya said before. But in the middle of the lesson, Lilith appears and tells Tor to come with her, which annoys Rito. Lilith says that starting from now on, Tor will be her Duo partner, but Tor explains that he already has a Duo partner and declined. Later, Tor asks Julie if she wants to go somewhere the next break, and she says yes...
5"Level Up"
"Reberuappu" (Japanese: 位階昇華/レベルアップ)		February 1, 2015 (2015-02-01)
After the events of the New Blade Battle, Tor and his companions sublimate to level 2. Likewise, their stats increase dramatically. Later, however, Tor is forced to leave school with Lilith to go to New Death Land, an amusement park. In the end, Tor declines her offer to be a Duo once again, and goes back to his dorm meeting up with Julie. Upset the following day, Lilith trespasses on the 2nd year's battles and defeats them all. She then challenges the entire 1st year class to her Survive.
6"Survive"
"Sabaibu" (Japanese: 生存闘争/サバイブ)		February 8, 2015 (2015-02-08)
Lilith quickly takes out everyone, leaving Tor's group. After a well-executed plan, Tor's group manages to push Lilith into a corner. Then, a group of men in armor show up and shoot both Tor and Lilith. They took Lilith with them, but before they could, Tor broke the ground beneath them. Having defeated them, Tor and Lilith face off. In the next scene, Tor is shown in the infirmary, surrounded by his friends, healing his wounds. Lilith comes in and after thanking him for rescuing her, kisses him and tells them that he is her future husband, to the shock of everyone.
7"Silver-Blonde, Yellow Topaz"
"Gin'iro no kami Koganeiro no kami" (Japanese: 銀色の髪, 黄金色の髪)		February 15, 2015 (2015-02-15)
On the way to the island for the training camp with a boat, Julie's laying at Tor's lap because she is feeling bad. Later, Tora and Tatsu tell them that Rito wants to see them; she tells the students that they're going to swim from the boat to the island where the camping is. But Julie can't swim, so Tor has to carry her. On their way, Lilith appears and jumps from the helicopter to play with Tor, however, he tells her that there's no time to play, which Lilith agrees on. After reaching the island, Tor is laying at the beach to rest after the long trip. Continuing to reach the camp, the three have to go through the forest, however, some people attacked them – causing them to fight back. But what Tor didn't expect is that he met someone he is familiar with; which is the lively Imari Nagakura, his opponent during the Kouryou Academy enrollment exam...
8"Selection"
"Hinpyō-kai" (Japanese: 品評会/セレクション)		February 22, 2015 (2015-02-22)
Miyabi confesses to Tor, but he refuses, remembering his past failure of saving someone else.
9"Rebels"
"Ribērusu" (Japanese: 神滅部隊／リベールス)		March 1, 2015 (2015-03-01)
Koryo Academy is under attack. Tor and Julie work together in battling the chief of the marauding corps, while Tomoe searches for Miyabi.
10"Reign Conference"
"Reinkanfarensu" (Japanese: 七芒夜会/レインカンファレンス)		March 8, 2015 (2015-03-08)
In the ruins of the facility, Tor and his friends are searching for a missing Miyabi, only to be stopped by Rito who tells the students that they had to leave the island. Despite Tomoe's and Tor's plea to stay in for their search, the rabbit teacher tells them that it was under the headmistress orders, forcing them aboard the ship and leave the island. Two days have passed since the incident, Tor senses something different about Tomoe even her discipline remains unchanged, though only Lilith seeing Tomoe's upset reaction over Miyabi's disappearance while passing through the shower room...
11"Killing Game"
"kiringugēmu" (Japanese: 殺破遊戯/キリングゲーム)		March 15, 2015 (2015-03-15)
Having witnessed Miyabi's strange behavior and her power that defeats the securities with ease, Tor asks K what they did to Miyabi which K replies as merely a "gift", power which is combined with Exceeds and Unit; she is actually brainwashed by K. Tomoe comes for Miyabi for her protection from K, only to be shocked as not only does Miyabi hurt her, she also learned from Lilith about her brainwashing. Unable to stand K's mockery, Tor is going to attack K but instead, he is confronting Miyabi. Meanwhile, during the Reign Conference, Equipment Smith is gloating by telling Sakuya, who realized that he has been keeping an eye onto the girl who was desperately gaining Tor's attention, that Miyabi is his best creation...
12"Absolute Duo"
"Abusoryūto Dyuo" (Japanese: 絶対双刃/アブソリュート・デュオ)		March 22, 2015 (2015-03-22)
The idea of wanting to protect someone is still foreign to K, so in a dramatic, no-holds-barred faceoff, Tor decides to show him how it is done. After K's defeat, Tor is discharged from the hospital, and he and Julie renew their vows as duo partners.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Absolute Duo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Absolute Duo is a Japanese series written by Takumi Hiiragiboshi and illustrated by Yū Asaba, serialized by under the imprint. The series follows Tooru Kokonoe, a young man who enrolls in the Kouryou following the tragic of his , with the goal of honing his abilities as a —a person who can materialize a weapon known as a Blaze from their soul. Unlike typical Blazers who manifest offensive weapons, Tooru's Blaze forms a defensive shield, marking him as an Irregular and complicating his training. At the academy, students are paired into duos to foster synergy in combat and daily life, and Tooru is unexpectedly matched with Julie Sigtuna, a skilled and enigmatic Norwegian with silver hair. Together, they navigate intense battles, school rivalries, and personal growth while aiming to achieve the pinnacle of power as an Absolute Duo. The light novel debuted on August 24, 2012, and ran for eleven volumes until July 25, 2016, before going on indefinite hiatus as of 2025. It inspired two manga adaptations: the first by Shinichirou Nariie, serialized in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive from April 27, 2013, to July 27, 2017, and a spin-off titled Absolute Duo Tea Party by Toru Oiwaka, serialized in the same magazine from October 27, 2014, to December 27, 2014. The franchise gained wider prominence through its anime adaptation, a 12-episode television series produced by the studio 8bit and directed by Atsushi Nakayama, which aired on AT-X and other networks from January 4 to March 22, 2015. Classified in genres such as action, fantasy, romance, and ecchi with harem themes, Absolute Duo explores motifs of partnership, resilience, and supernatural combat within a high school setting.

Synopsis

Setting and premise

Kōryō Academy serves as the central setting for Absolute Duo, functioning as a prestigious boarding high school dedicated to training individuals known as Blazers—those rare people (approximately one in a thousand) who possess the ability to manifest weapons called Blazes from their souls. This academy provides comprehensive education in combat techniques, with students selected through rigorous entrance exams involving duels to ensure only capable Blazers are admitted. The institution covers living expenses, meals, and dormitories, emphasizing a structured environment to develop students' powers for societal roles, such as peacekeeping. The foundation of the Blazers' abilities stems from the historical phenomenon associated with the Dawn organization, which administers a special treatment called the Stigma of Dawn—a nanomachine that enhances and enables manifestation. This stigma typically appears or activates following intense, life-threatening situations, transforming recipients into Exceeds with physical and mental capabilities. Blazes, the resulting weapons, generally take the form of offensive swords but can vary to defensive shields or other types, with shields considered irregular and less common. The rarity of certain manifestations underscores the personalized nature of each Blazer's power, influencing their combat style and academy progression. At the heart of the academy's system is the Duo partnership, where students are paired to build trust, share dorm rooms, and collaborate in classes and battles, amplifying their strength through emotional bonds. An Absolute Duo represents an exceptionally rare evolution of this system, occurring when two compatible Blazers synchronize their souls to share and merge into a single, enhanced Blaze, granting superior power beyond individual capabilities. Student rankings operate on a leveled from I to XII, determined by combat proficiency, physical endurance, and Blaze mastery, with higher levels signifying elite status; first-year students rarely exceed Level IV. Instructors, such as the homeroom teacher Tsukimi Rito, oversee pairings, training, and evaluations to guide students toward level advancement and optimal Duo formation.

Plot summary

Tooru Kokonoe enrolls at Kouryou Academy, a prestigious institution for training Blazers—individuals who can materialize weapons from their souls known as Blazes—after a tragic incident in his past leaves him seeking greater power for revenge. Unlike typical students who manifest offensive Blazes such as Blades, Tooru's soul unexpectedly forms a defensive during the entrance ceremony, marking him as an irregularity in a system geared toward combat prowess. This anomaly initially hinders his placement, but he is ultimately paired in the academy's Duo system with Julie Sigtuna, a talented student from whose rapier-like Blaze complements his protective abilities, forming the core of their partnership. The story unfolds through Tooru's adjustment to academy life, where Duos engage in rigorous training, mock battles, and tournaments that test their and growth. Internal rivalries emerge among students and faculty, highlighting tensions over class rankings and the pursuit of the elusive "Absolute Duo" status, a perfect that amplifies a pair's strength. As Tooru and Julie navigate these challenges alongside allies like Imari and Tsukamoto, their bond deepens, emphasizing themes of mutual protection and the balance between defense and offense. External threats soon escalate with the involvement of the antagonistic <>, a group pursuing destructive goals that intersect with Tooru's unresolved history. Conflicts intensify through school-based assaults and larger conspiracies tied to the origins of Blazers and the Dawn , the behind the academies' foundation, forcing Tooru to confront his past while uncovering broader mysteries about soul manifestations. These arcs blend personal development with high-stakes battles, exploring power dynamics and the cost of vengeance. Across its 11 volumes, published from 2012 to 2016 by under the imprint, the narrative explores themes of protection, unyielding bonds, and the true nature of strength, without delving into specific outcomes.

Characters

Main characters

Tooru Kokonoe is the central protagonist of Absolute Duo, a first-year student at Kouryou Academy who enrolls to hone his abilities following the traumatic murder of his younger sister, Otoha, in a past incident that fuels his drive for greater strength. His soul manifests as an irregular Blaze in the form of a shield, a defensive tool unprecedented among Exceeds, reflecting his innate tendency to protect others despite his personal quest for power. Tooru possesses a determined yet kind-hearted personality, blending proficiency with a protective nature that often leads him to support his peers in the academy's rigorous Duo system. Julie Sigtuna serves as Tooru's primary Duo partner and one of the main heroines, hailing from the fictional Scandinavian nation of Gimlé with Norwegian heritage, characterized by her striking long silver hair tied in twin tails and red eyes. As a reserved and initially aloof princess, her demeanor softens through the deepening bond formed in the Duo partnership, revealing a loyal and earnest side while she wields twin short swords as her Blaze for agile, consecutive slashing attacks in combat. Her abilities emphasize precision and speed, complementing the academy's training environment where Duos synchronize their souls for enhanced performance. Imari Nagakura is a cheerful and outgoing first-year student introduced as Tooru's initial Duo candidate during the entrance ceremony, displaying a strong-willed and competitive spirit that drives her participation in the academy's battles. Her Blaze takes the form of a curved, one-sided wielded like a , enabling agile and direct melee engagements suited to her energetic fighting style. Though disqualified from pairing with Tooru after losing to him in an elimination match, her interpersonal dynamics with the core group highlight themes of rivalry turning to camaraderie within the Duo framework. Lilith Bristol represents the British contingent at Kouryou Academy, arriving from its overseas branch as a talented with an initially arrogant and prideful attitude stemming from her exceptional status as an "Exception." Her Blaze manifests unconventionally as a , allowing for ranged marksmanship with surprising agility in close quarters, which evolves from a point of rivalry with Tooru into mutual alliance as she integrates into the group. This growth underscores her transition from isolation to collaborative strength in the academy's combat-oriented curriculum.

Supporting characters

Antagonists in Absolute Duo play a crucial role in driving the central conflicts, particularly through their ties to the shadowy organization Equipment Smith, which conducts experiments on Exceeds to manipulate Blaze manifestations. Kevin Wayfair, known as "", is a key figure among them, serving as the commander of the organization's Rebel forces and a direct threat to Kouryou Academy. As a ruthless soldier with a tragic involving loss, K employs advanced weaponry and psychological tactics, making him a formidable opponent in battles that test the protagonists' resolve. His actions are motivated by loyalty to Equipment Smith, the group's leader, who seeks to harness irregular Blazes for destructive purposes, including the creation of homunculi and weaponized souls. Other organization members, such as the subordinates under K's command, contribute to episodic threats by deploying specialized Blazes or engineered abilities, often targeting students to capture like shields or dual-wielders. These antagonists highlight the darker side of Blaze research, contrasting the 's focus on partnership and growth with themes of exploitation and . Their encounters provide opportunities for the main characters to develop their Duo bonds while uncovering Tooru's past connection to the group's experiments. Instructors at Kouryou Academy serve as mentors and enforcers of discipline, guiding students through rigorous training while concealing deeper knowledge of Blaze mechanics. Rito Tsukimi, the homeroom teacher for the first-year class, is a recent graduate who embodies strict yet supportive training methods, often using her position to push students beyond their limits in mock battles and lessons on soul manifestation. Her Blaze takes the form of a Whipblade, a versatile weapon initially mistaken for a short sword but capable of extending via a steel line for mid-range attacks, reflecting her agile and tactical combat style. As an acquaintance of the headmistress, Rito guards secrets about Blaze evolution and irregularities, occasionally revealing insights during critical subplots involving student safety. Sakuya Tsukumo, the academy's headmistress, acts as a high-level instructor and authority figure with unparalleled expertise in Blaze theory, inherited from her grandfather's pioneering research. Known as "Blaze Diabolica" due to her inheritance of her grandfather's pioneering research on Blazes, she wields immense destructive potential but uses it judiciously to protect the institution from external threats. Her role extends to overseeing major events like the Reign Conference, where she influences decisions on Exceed development, providing episodic aid through strategic advice and demonstrations of advanced techniques. Minor allies among the student body offer camaraderie and assistance in battles or subplots, often highlighting themes of friendship and rivalry within the academy. Tachibana, a talented classmate and martial artist with a diligent demeanor, provides and combat support using her bow Blaze, which excels in long-range precision; she joins allies in key skirmishes, using her skills to facilitate alliances or gather intelligence on threats. Hotaka, while closely tied to core events, offers supportive roles as Tooru's friend, leveraging her lance Blaze in collaborative fights and providing emotional backing during recovery from injuries. These characters episodically advance the narrative by assisting in Blaze synchronization training or countering minor organizational incursions, without dominating the primary storyline.

Adaptations

Light novels

Absolute Duo is a Japanese light novel series written by Takumi Hiiragiboshi and illustrated by Yū Asaba. It was published by under the imprint from August 24, 2012, to July 25, 2016, spanning 11 volumes before entering hiatus. The series marks Hiiragiboshi's debut as a light novel . By February 2015, the novels had sold a cumulative 500,000 copies in . No official English-language release exists for the light novels, though they have been published in . The story originates in the light novels, introducing the core premise of a specialized where students manifest soul-based weapons known as Blazes and form partnerships called Duos. Early volumes focus on the protagonist's enrollment and initial challenges, while later ones explore escalating conflicts and character backstories. The volumes are as follows:
VolumeOriginal Title (Romanized)English TranslationRelease DateISBN
1Absolute Duo I: Kokuhaku wa Sōkoku no Yoru niConfession on a Starless NightAugust 24, 2012978-4-04-066487-3
2Absolute Duo II: Uso to Makoto to Akai BeniLies, Truth, and Red CrimsonDecember 25, 2012978-4-04-066470-5
3Absolute Duo III: Nagisa ni Yureru KoimonogatariA Love Story Swaying on the BeachJune 25, 2013978-4-8401-5228-0
4Absolute Duo IV: Reimei seshi Inō no KyōkaiDawning Boundary of Extraordinary AbilitiesNovember 25, 2013978-4-04-066029-5
5Absolute Duo V: Yami no Ginrō, Hikari no Shin'enDarkness Silver Wolf, Light's AbyssMarch 25, 2014978-4-04-066312-8
6Absolute Duo VI: Kaze to Honō to Kaminari toWind, Flame, and ThunderJuly 25, 2014978-4-04-066911-3
7Absolute Duo VII: Kindan no KajitsuForbidden FruitDecember 25, 2014978-4-04-067312-7
8Absolute Duo VIII: Memories ConnectMemories ConnectMarch 25, 2015978-4-04-067473-5
9Absolute Duo IX: Ashes to AshesAshes to AshesJuly 24, 2015978-4-04-067717-0
10Absolute Duo X: Dust to DustDust to DustJanuary 25, 2016978-4-04-068036-1
11Absolute Duo XI: Jeg kan lide digI Like YouJuly 25, 2016978-4-04-068455-0
Volume 1 introduces the setting and the protagonist's entry into the Duo system. Subsequent volumes build on partnerships and rivalries (Volumes 2–3), delve into ability limits and darker elements (Volumes 4–5), intensify battles with elemental themes (Volume 6), and examine forbidden aspects and memories (Volumes 7–8), culminating in themes of destruction and resolution (Volumes 9–11).

Manga

The manga adaptation of Absolute Duo, illustrated by Shinichirō Nariie, began serialization in Media Factory's (later Kadokawa) Monthly Comic Alive magazine in July 2013 and concluded in September 2017. The series was compiled into four tankōbon volumes, adapting the early arcs of the original light novels with a focus on visual depictions of Blaze-wielding battles and interpersonal dynamics among students at Kōryō Academy. Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the manga for English-language release in North America, publishing the volumes from August 2017 to November 2018. This adaptation remains incomplete relative to the full light novel run, ending after covering material equivalent to the first four novel volumes. A spin-off manga, Absolute Duo Tea Party, illustrated by Tōru Oikawa, ran in Monthly Comic Alive from October to December 2014 as a four-panel chibi-style series emphasizing lighthearted, everyday interactions among the female characters. It was collected into a single volume by , providing supplementary humor that contrasts the main manga's action-oriented narrative.

Anime

The anime adaptation of Absolute Duo was produced by Studio 8bit and directed by Atsushi Nakayama. It aired in from January 4 to March 22, 2015, across networks including , AT-X, and Sun TV, consisting of 12 episodes. The series was internationally on during its original run. Key production staff included series composition by Takamitsu Kōno, character designs by Keiichi Sano (who also served as chief animation director alongside Norie Tanaka), and music composition by Atsushi Hirasawa. The adaptation covers the first four volumes of the series, compressing several battle sequences and character development moments to fit the 12-episode format while incorporating additional fanservice elements not emphasized in the source material. It concludes with an original ending that diverges from the novels, resolving the central conflict in a self-contained manner without advancing further into the story. The voice cast features as the protagonist Tooru Kokonoe, Nozomi Yamamoto as Julie Sigtuna, as Lilith Bristol, and Ayaka Imamura as Miyabi Hotaka, among others. The opening theme is "Absolute Soul" performed by , while the endings rotate through character songs, including "Believe×Believe" by Nozomi Yamamoto, , and Ayaka Imamura for the first three episodes, "Apple Tea no Aji" by Nozomi Yamamoto and for episodes 4–7, and "2/2" by the main female cast for episodes 8–11. Structurally, the follows the light novels' core arcs, beginning with Tooru's enrollment at Kouryou Academy and his formation of a duo partnership, progressing through training exercises, interpersonal rivalries, and escalating confrontations with external threats, before culminating in a tournament-style climax and resolution. This emphasizes dynamic action in Blaze weapon battles and dynamics, distinguishing it from the versions through animated motion, voice performances, and an original soundtrack that heightens the fantasy elements.

Reception

Critical response

The light novel series Absolute Duo has garnered mixed professional reception, with reviewers praising its dynamic action sequences and engaging elements while critiquing its reliance on familiar tropes and uneven pacing in later volumes. Critics have noted the series' effective integration of the Blaze weapon system into combat choreography, which adds a layer of strategic depth to battles, though the overarching narrative often feels formulaic within the genre. For instance, aggregate user ratings on platforms like hover around 3.6 out of 5 for early volumes, reflecting appreciation for the high-stakes duos and romantic tensions but frustration with repetitive plot devices and slower progression in subsequent entries. The anime adaptation, produced by Studio 8bit, received average scores across review aggregators, including 6.41 out of 10 on and 6.2 out of 10 on , highlighting its solid but unremarkable animation quality amid broader narrative shortcomings. Professional critiques, such as those from Anime News Network's preview guide, awarded it low marks averaging 1.5 out of 5, describing the storytelling as derivative and overburdened with clichéd fanservice, including excessive panty shots and stereotypical character archetypes like the silver-haired heroine. Anime UK News echoed this in a 5/10 review, commending the natural chemistry in the protagonist's duo partnership and the soundtrack's blend of classical and modern motifs, but faulting weak world-building, underdeveloped characters, and poorly choreographed fight scenes that fail to capitalize on the Blaze system's potential. The balance between humor and action is a recurring point of contention, with the original concept of soul-manifested weapons praised for its novelty against the backdrop of a generic school setting, yet undermined by predictable dynamics and unresolved lore elements. Reception for the adaptation remains less extensively covered in professional circles, with limited analytical reviews focusing primarily on its faithful yet abbreviated adaptation of the source material. On , it holds a 6.82 out of 10 score, where artwork is frequently highlighted as a strength for its clean lines and expressive character designs that enhance the visual appeal of Blaze manifestations and duo interactions. Critics have appreciated the manga's concise paneling in action sequences, though it is often seen as secondary to the light novels due to its shorter run and less emphasis on deeper character exploration.

Fan reception

Absolute Duo's light novel series enjoyed moderate commercial success in Japan, ranking 19th in sales for light novels by series during the first half of 2015 with 151,798 copies sold across its volumes. The anime adaptation further expanded its audience through international streaming on platforms like , where it remains available with English subtitles and dubbing, attracting viewers interested in its ecchi-action blend. The series has cultivated a dedicated international fandom, evidenced by its popularity metrics on , where it has been added by over 582,500 users and holds an average score of 6.41 out of 10 as of November 2025 based on community ratings. On , it garners a 4.3 out of 5 user rating from more than 9,000 reviews as of November 2025, highlighting its appeal to fans of school-based fantasy and dynamics. Pairings such as Tooru Kokonoe and Julie Sigtuna have proven particularly popular, contributing to ongoing fan engagement despite the light novels' hiatus after 11 volumes in 2016. Though not a mainstream blockbuster, Absolute Duo maintains a for its unique "Blaze" weapon system and romantic elements, with sustained interest in potential sequels reflected in its enduring presence on streaming services and fan-driven content creation. Its release in multiple languages via has broadened its cultural impact beyond , resonating with global audiences in the fantasy school genre.

References

  1. https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G619098KY/absolute-duo
  2. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16330
  3. https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/absolute-duo/
  4. https://mfbunkoj.jp/product/absoluteduo/
  5. https://absoluteduo.com/
  6. https://myanimelist.net/manga/51025/Absolute_Duo
  7. https://www.novelupdates.com/series/absolute-duo/
  8. https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Absolute_Duo
  9. https://myanimelist.net/anime/25397/Absolute_Duo
  10. https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Absolute_Duo:Volume_4
  11. https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Absolute_Duo:Volume_1
  12. https://myanimelist.net/character/91677/Tooru_Kokonoe
  13. https://myanimelist.net/character/91605/Julie_Sigtuna
  14. https://myanimelist.net/character/91685/Imari_Nagakura
  15. https://absoluteduo.fandom.com/wiki/Kevin_Wayfair
  16. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/AbsoluteDuo
  17. https://absoluteduo.fandom.com/wiki/Rito_Tsukimi
  18. https://myanimelist.net/character/91689/Rito_Tsukimi
  19. https://absoluteduo.fandom.com/wiki/Sakuya_Tsukumo
  20. https://absoluteduo.fandom.com/wiki/Imari_Nagakura
  21. https://absoluteduo.fandom.com/wiki/Light_Novel
  22. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/AbsoluteDuo
  23. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-01-09/seven-seas-licenses-absolute-duo-manga/.110796
  24. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-24/absolute-duo-manga-shinichirou-nariie-launches-new-manga/.135886
  25. https://www.mangaupdates.com/series/kim0rqm/absolute-duo
  26. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-08-06/toru-oikawa-ends-gunshin-no-tact-manga-to-start-new-series-with-same-characters/.213975
  27. https://absoluteduo.fandom.com/wiki/Believe%25C3%2597Believe
  28. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/absolute-duo/bd-dvd-the-complete-series/.106084
  29. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33163393-absolute-duo-vol-1
  30. https://myanimelist.net/manga/51023/Absolute_Duo
  31. https://aramajapan.com/news/otaku/manga-and-light-novel-sales-rankings-for-the-first-half-of-2015/19176/
  32. https://myanimelist.net/anime/25397/Absolute_Duo/stats
  33. https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/G619098KY/absolute_duo
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