Fourteen-year-old Kouichi Hayase’s life has always been a mediocre one, if not dismal. However, those days of being bullied by classmates and escaping to a fantasy of being a hero are put to an end when a certain “accident” bestows on him a girl and a gigantic humanoid robot called “LINEBARREL”. The extraordinary power that Kouichi obtains puts him and everything around him on a sudden rollercoaster ride of battles, intrigues and friendship! During the course of his adventure, the boy starts to learn what life has to offer; he meets new friends, bids farewell to the old ones, but most of all he now has considerable responsibilities and is forced to confront the world around him. 3j1j13
25 Volumes (Complete)
18 Volumes (Over Edition, Complete)

Linebarrels starts out as a fairly generic mecha action series but over time has a number of fairly interesting changes of perspective (I wouldnt necessarily call them twists) and revelations that elevate it beyond the ordinary. I did feel the ending betrayed the premise a bit but was at least competently executed.
It's amusing seeing all the comments from people who it they skipped or didnt read whole sections of the manga, as if that somehow doesnt entirely invalidate their opinion (even more amusing are the assurances that they could predict everything that would happen)
They published 24 volumes of this manga, it still goes on and an anime with an original plot exists? Wow. I dropped the paint by numbers series after 3 volumes because I could see every plot point a mile away and the recent chapters I looked at confirmed my opinion. Linebarrel does nothing particularly good or bad (besides generating a steady cash revenue) so I give it a middling score but why is it published by Akita Shoten? They usually publish the worst exploitative trash possible and this series is at least not that. Shounen A would be a better fit.
Read the new Gundam remakes as Neon Genesis Evangelion (9/10) to get your mech fix.
... Last updated 2 years ago
Art : Nothing special over here.. 6/10
story : well the story progress really really slow... the first 3 chaps are "fast" but the rest is just blunt spute of crap. 4/10
Characters: Don't try to get your hopes high on this manga.. with characters they are plain, boring going with "the more feelings i put in my fights" the stronger they get" 4/10
Over all it's a 5/10 I didn't even read all the chaps couse it was getting so boring and slow..
Your expecting the MC to do some thrilling action game changing stuff... but his just a "normal japanese MC with boring story."
Don't read this manga if you have better stuff.. but if your empty handed as i i'm atm, then try it. but prepare for boring hours!
The most enjoyment i got out of the manga was every time the shit got kicked out of the main character. In fact, that was the main reason I kept reading this series. I thought the mecha designs were cool and it has an interest plot and side characters; but I've never been so annoyed by a main character in all the many mangas I've read and animes I've watched.
... Last updated 14 years ago
I was really following this story until for reasons I have yet to figure out, the female lead did a 180 and basically seems to fall head over heals for the protagonist. I'm not saying that the story is bad or anything, but that sudden development seemed really awkward and ruined the atmosphere of the series for me. I won't mention what happens exactly, but you'll know what I'm talking about when you see it.
... Last updated 16 years ago
I normally like mecha. However, I tend to find it really hard to follow the art, knowing who's doing what move and how the fight scene are being played out. This series is especially bad about this.
However, the story seems to be quite fresh. So, its a good read, as long as you can figure out the art better than I can...
i was never really into giant mechs, but this is actually pretty cool. it's nice cause the main character isnt your typical 'hero' with the great morals and stuff, well, not at first, so it gives the story a different feel. drawings are good too, female lead is hot, lol.
I'm changing my opinion about the protagonist, I think I'm going to like him now. And thanks for the group who translated 4 volumes! It's greatly appreciated!
... Last updated 17 years ago