The Isolator


The Isolator is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Shimeji. ASCII Media Works has published five volumes since June 2014. A manga adaptation drawn by Naoki Koshimizu was serialized in Dengeki Daioh. Yen Press has licensed the novels and manga in North America.

Plot

When Minoru Utsugi was eight years old, home invaders killed his parents and older sister while he hid in a cabinet. At 16, he still struggles with the trauma. Then mysterious alien orbs descend from the sky and take up residence inside some humans, granting them each a superpower that reflects their deepest desire. Minoru's power is the ability to protect himself inside an impenetrable shell. Some people gain a more active power, and not everyone uses their power for good.

Characters

;Minoru Utsugi
;Minowa Tomomi
;Yumiko Azu
;Norie Yoshimizu
;Riri Isa
;Oliver Saito
;Denjirou Daimon

Media

Light novels

Manga

Reception

Yen Press' English edition of the first light novel volume received a positive review from Anime News Network. It was praised for its "believable characters" and the thought that "switching between the hero and villain's point of view really works." However, it was said that Shimeji's illustrations can make Takaesu "more wolf-like than shark-like in some images."