Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi
The strongest exorcist alive is terrified of everything, and has to learn to work with the people he keeps trying to save.
Introduction
A protagonist who is the strongest exorcist alive and frightened of his own job is a good joke. Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi's real question is whether the joke can carry a serialisation, and the answer is mostly yes.
Plot Review
The series establishes Kiyoshi's absurd competence early and then spends its time on the cost of it — he is the person everything gets delegated to, and he hates that. Episodic exorcisms gradually build into a larger structure of institutions and inherited duty, which gives the comedy somewhere to land.
Character Review
Kiyoshi's fear is played as a character trait rather than a running gag, which matters: he is anxious in a way that affects his decisions. The exorcist organisation around him is sketched efficiently, and the best chapters pair him with someone who is genuinely brave and much less capable.
Art Review
Usui's art leans into contrast — soft, rounded character work against hard-edged supernatural designs. Comedy timing is good, and the action escalates cleanly without losing the faces.
Pros
- A gimmick that is actually characterised rather than just repeated
- Good tonal control between comedy and supernatural dread
- Efficient worldbuilding through an institution rather than exposition
Cons
- The early chapters are the weakest material in the run
- Supporting cast is functional more often than memorable
- It is a comedy first, so the horror rarely lands as horror
Score Breakdown
| Story | 4.2 |
| Characters | 4.4 |
| Art | 4.3 |
| Pacing | 4.3 |
| Enjoyment | 4.4 |
Recommended For
- Readers who like shonen comedy with a supernatural hook
- Fans of cowardly protagonists done with affection
- Anyone who wants a newer series they can catch up on quickly
You Might Want to Skip If
- Readers looking for genuine horror
- Anyone who wants their action lead to be fearless
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi finished?
No, it is ongoing.
Is it funny?
Yes — the comedy is the point, and it is built around the gap between Kiyoshi's ability and his nerve.
Is it hard to catch up on?
Not at all. It is one of the shorter series in its batch, at under 60 chapters.
Final Verdict
A confident debut with a clear voice. It is not the most ambitious series in this batch, but it knows exactly what it is and the comedy-to-action balance is better than most of its peers manage.