Rating: ★★★☆☆ For concept and grammar at least💀
Review:
“DxD: The Primordial Judge” by StrikerAuthor sets out to create an epic narrative of an overpowered protagonist serving as a divine judge in the chaotic universe of High School DxD. Unfortunately, what we get is a fanfic plagued with inconsistencies, shallow world-building, and a protagonist who, despite his immense power, accomplishes little to nothing of substance.
1. Overpowered Protagonist with No Real Impact
The protagonist is billed as an immensely powerful “Primordial Judge,” combining the powers of Genshin Impact characters in the DxD universe. Yet, his overwhelming strength serves no purpose when he is the only member of the court capable of enforcing any form of justice. The entire concept of a judicial faction falls apart when it’s revealed that this supposedly grand court relies entirely on a single individual to execute punishment. The protagonist’s role as the lone enforcer reduces the court to a mere façade, a hollow entity that exists only to prop up the main character’s ego. If your entire judicial system crumbles without one person, can it even be called a faction?
2. Pointless Judicial System and Lack of Authority
The fanfic attempts to introduce a powerful court that governs supernatural justice. However, the idea of a faction so mighty is laughable when it can’t prevent or address major incidents like the Nekoshou Massacre. The lack of any meaningful response from the court is bewildering. Despite its supposed reputation and history, it fails to act against even minor devil families. This makes the court seem like nothing more than a “paper tiger,” a toothless organization feared for no apparent reason. The protagonist is portrayed as the ultimate judge, yet his power does not translate into any form of effective governance. How can readers take this so-called “faction” seriously when it’s clear that the only real power lies in the hands of a single, inconsistent character?
3. Inconsistent World-Building and Contradictory Timelines
The world-building in this story is shockingly inconsistent. Despite the supernatural world being filled with beings who live for centuries, we are expected to believe that a mere 20 years of inactivity has caused the entire supernatural community to forget the influence of the court. This makes absolutely no sense. For entities that live hundreds to thousands of years, a two-decade hiatus should be nothing more than a blip. Yet the author expects us to buy into the idea that this short span was enough for the court to lose all its credibility and for a “new world order” to form.
Worse still, the story can’t even keep its own timeline straight. In one chapter, the protagonist is said to have been in seclusion for 10 years, only for it to be later revealed that it was actually 20 years. This glaring inconsistency is an insult to readers who are paying attention and expecting a coherent narrative.
4. A Protagonist Who is Supposedly the ‘World’s Greatest Detective,’ but Acts Like a Fool
The author attempts to present the protagonist as the “World’s Greatest Detective,” yet his actions and decision-making contradict this title at every turn. It takes him an absurd 30 years to realize that his “visions” are merely memories from his past life. This is despite knowing that he has been reincarnated and possesses powers from a game character. The protagonist’s so-called detective skills are laughable, making him appear more like the “World’s Slowest Detective.” This absurdly long period of cluelessness is not only frustrating but downright insulting to readers who are supposed to believe in the character’s intelligence.
5. Contradictory Plot Elements and Bizarre Story Choices
The story is riddled with bizarre and contradictory plot points. For instance, we’re told that the protagonist has no memories of the High School DxD anime, yet he gets memories of DxD in the first chapter. This inconsistency feels like a bait-and-switch, a narrative scam that only serves to confuse the reader further.
Additionally, the story implies that the protagonist has been inactive for 20 years because he was trying to understand his visions. This is an absurd waste of time. Most protagonists in similar stories might briefly ponder their mysterious visions but then move on, adapting to their circumstances and acting on what they know. Here, the protagonist wastes two decades doing essentially nothing, only to come to the realization that his visions were memories. It’s a laughably poor use of time that drags the story down and makes the protagonist appear indecisive and ineffective.
6. A ‘Great’ Faction with No Real Power
The fanfic fails to justify the fear and respect supposedly commanded by the court. The lack of meaningful punishment for major infractions, such as the actions of devil families, makes the entire judicial system look like a joke. If the protagonist is the only one capable of enforcing the court’s will, then the rest of the faction might as well not exist. Not only that, but the Four Satans lack of control over the devils just makes this even worse. Although it’s normal for them to have no control over devils, but when such a huge faction is breathing down your neck and even gives you the power to punish the devils with no political fallout, they still fail to reign them in? Even after knowing the consequences of offending the court would be greater than whatever would come out of actually doing your jobs as Satans and meeting out punishments? Yeah I don’t buy it.
Final Thoughts
“DxD: The Primordial Judge” is a poorly executed power fantasy that collapses under the weight of its own inconsistencies. The protagonist, while overpowered, is ultimately ineffective and surrounded by a faction that is nothing more than a sham. The world-building is shallow, the plot is riddled with contradictions, and the story’s pacing is bogged down by unnecessary plot padding. For a fanfic that promised a tale of divine justice, it delivers nothing but disappointment.
If you’re looking for a compelling and well-thought-out High School DxD fanfic, this isn’t it. Save yourself the frustration and skip this one. There are far better stories out there that handle similar themes with much more finesse.
