X & Ash

X, a genius thief, and Ash, a boy with a mysterious past, decide to join the Azure Knights after a chance encounter with Ryu, the prime swordmaster. The entry exam for the Azure Knights is the next challenge. The premise is an action-fantasy in which an odd pair of misfits aim for an elite order.The strength is the partnership. X's cleverness and Ash's mystery make for a lively dynamic, and the action is bright and energetic. The swordmaster adds a strong figure to the story.The weaknesses are about the formula. The joining-an-elite-order structure is familiar, and the series is still releasing, so its arc is incomplete. Readers wanting originality may find it standard.Recommended for fans of action with an odd-couple partnership. Expect a lively, still-developing read.