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A Depressed Kendo Player Possesses a Bastard Aristocrat
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Web Novel (KR)
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Rating(4.0 / 5.0, 377 votes)
5    69% (261 votes)
4    4% (16 votes)
3    4% (16 votes)
2    6% (24 votes)
1    16% (60 votes)
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2022
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145 (Hiatus)
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Release Frequency
Every 3.1 Day(s)
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Weekly Rank: #8777
Monthly Rank: #10853
All Time Rank: #1504
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On 2004 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #20730
All Time Rank: #4904

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

Don’t worry, Mom.

This time I will be truly happy.

Associated Names
One entry per line
A Depressed Kendo Player Possessed by a Bastard Aristocrat
DKPBA
망나니 귀족에 빙의한 우울증 검도 선수
Related Series
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Recommendations
The Hero Died Before I Could Return (1)
Raising the Princess to Overcome Death (1)
Transformation or Death (1)
Hack and Slash Game Reincarnation (1)
Reincarnated as the Good-For-Nothing of a Marquis Family, I Was the Former World’s Number One Strongest Player (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Harem
  2. Good/Okay-ish Novelpia Entries
  3. KR Novels
  4. Academy/school life novels
  5. books i've speed read pt.2

Latest Release

Date Group Release
04/16/25 Dream Big Translations c137
04/13/25 Dream Big Translations c136 part2
04/13/25 Dream Big Translations c136 part1
04/10/25 Dream Big Translations c135 part2
04/10/25 Dream Big Translations c135 part1
04/10/25 Dream Big Translations c134 part2
04/10/25 Dream Big Translations c134 part1
04/06/25 Dream Big Translations c133 part2
04/06/25 Dream Big Translations c133 part1
04/04/25 Dream Big Translations c132 part2
04/04/25 Dream Big Translations c132 part1
04/01/25 Dream Big Translations c131 part2
04/01/25 Dream Big Translations c131 part1
03/30/25 Dream Big Translations c130 part2
03/30/25 Dream Big Translations c130 part1
123…16
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33 Reviews sorted by


TheOnlyChou
TheOnlyChou rated it
June 4, 2024
Status: --
This story would've been fine if the random inconsistencies and misunderstandings didn't keep on occurring. A lot of situations occur simply to force the MC to be depressed or embarrassed.

Spoilers

... more>>
Spoiler

The MC slaughtered and tortured the dudes who were part of a group that killed his mother which is fair. The problem is he did this while smiling like a lunatic and in front of a bunch of other students who were, understandably, EXTREMELY disturbed by the display. The next day, he becomes confused and depressed when everyone starts avoiding him. This would make sense if he somehow wasn't fully aware of what he did and what he looked like, but it was later stated that he very clear knew.

[collapse]

There are just so many forced moments that I couldn't keep on reading. <<less
39 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Mt Tai
Mt Tai rated it
June 2, 2024
Status: --
This one is honestly hard to read. I don't believe the main character could ever succeed at anything. His mentality is ridiculously bad. Not everyone has to respond to trauma in the same ways, and someone who could endure what he endured would absolute not be having a panic attack every 3 chapters at nothing. It's tiresome and just makes me view the main character as pathetic.
34 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Rockey
Rockey rated it
June 20, 2024
Status: c9
This novel is decently written and has a great translation.

However, from the very begining I knew the novel was not from me. The possession of this novel is done after the character's death, done by his own hands. Although I have a lot to say about my issues with the circulation that led to such an outcome, I will keep my rewiew short and discuss my main "ick" of the novel.

The whole premise seems to say that by unaliving yourself you have a chance of becoming happy. This is the... more>> worst possible thing to convey to a large audience. While I do not know whether the author changes the mc's outlook on his actions later on in the story, it doesn't seem that way from what I read and what other rewiews said.

Everything else that made me drop the novel is purely subjective, so I see no reason to leave it here and waste your time.

While I do not usually write reviews, I wrote this one to convey a simple message to my fellow readers:

Even if you think the world doesn't care about you, know that I care, there is simply not enough of us out there.

That being said, if this premises does not bother you, give the novel a try, just don't let it get to you. <<less
23 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
LongXi
LongXi rated it
May 21, 2024
Status: --
Tbh it’s quite a little bit cheesy and cringe, but relatable at the same time. It portrays depression quite good, first is the irrationality of it, the lashing out, the imperceptibility of it towards other people, and the challenge of moving forward with it. Second, is the contradiction of wanting to be truly alive, to love, and to be happy. And finally we have the lifeline, the one keeping us sane, tethered, and alive, which in his case is the system.

I really look forward to his journey I hope I... more>> won’t be let down by the developments in the future. <<less
22 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
AnomaLee
AnomaLee rated it
July 2, 2024
Status: c97 part2
I don't usually write novel reviews, but I see constant misunderstood hate towards this novel as of recently, so I decided to write this to hopefully clear some stuff up.

First of all the name of this novel is a "depressed kendo player". It is as simple and as complex as that. The premise of this story is about a young adult who had so much sh*t and trauma thrown at him that he decided to end it all and got isekai'd into another world where the system makes a deal... more>> with him; a guarantee of happiness after 3 years of experiencing life as an aristocrat who was also depressed and made some fked up choices. It's a classic Korean fantasy story with an academy, misunderstandings, sick powers, and demons.

The reason why I am mentioning this is because a lot of comments under the novel and in the reviews are constantly complaining about how "the trauma is ruining the flow". Mate the trauma is the flow. All the other things are setting, the point of this novel, from my pov, is following the journey of a kid overcoming his depression and a myriad of other mental illnesses. Its dark and fked up but the experience is real. Anyone who has been diagnosed with depression can understand what he is going through and agree that, to some extent, its real.

Second for all the individuals who complain that the MC's mental state isn't going anywhere. Overcoming depression isn't as simple as undergoing a chain of event that magically fix the person. Its a constant struggle of 1 step forward 2 steps back. Fixing relationships then destroying them. Having grit to live one more day then succumbing to weeks of depressive episodes. I guess my experience of currently undergoing this mental illness allows me somewhat understand why the author chooses to constantly throw trials at this MC, but I think it was done well in the sense that it is close to reality. Wish it was that easy, where a single arc can cure decades of mental degradation, but that isn't the case. I would say to have patience, from where I am reading from although the MC seems to have had a setback I can see that it is way better than his past state since there are people that care for him.

Third. For the people who says that the story is edgy, I get that. I will admit that some of the scenes are pretty cringy and some prior actions are hella deranged. But I will say, for the deranged part, people experience depression differently. We are talking about a mentally ill person who is so off the rails that he is probably actually deranged from the years of ab*se and trauma that he experienced. He is like completely off the spectrum of depression.

Fourthly, regarding relationships/side-characters. I actually think that quite a few of the relationships were done pretty well. Recovering from depression can't be done alone. You need connections, whether its a therapist, friends or family, to endure this illness. I like how the author acknowledges this through the side character and how the author implemented Rachel. (This can be counted as a spoiled so inserting this here)
Spoiler

Rachel is the maid of the MC and she has a tragic backstory, however in essence the aristocrat child version of the MC pulled her out of her sh*tty situation and showed her kindness which in turn leads her to support the MC and give his kindness back

[collapse]
. (I will say I hate harems and I hope that this isn't going down that path (it probably is tho rip)).

Being depressed makes you push people away, probably not as drastically as the aristocrat MC did, but it can make you completely decimate relationships. However there are always people who want to help and understand what you are going through, and these characters seem to reflect the attitudes of real people who care which I appreciated.

Sorry for the long ass review which is probably repetitive af. One thing that I want to end on is that this novel, in my perspective, isn't about the idea that "by unaliving yourself you have a chance of becoming happy.". I think its the opposite. He thought that death would grant him happiness, but it didn't, so now he is trying hard to live through turmoil and trauma for the chance of happiness, and I am sure he will get it. This novel is showing that you can achieve happiness no matter how fked up your life is, that the depth of your current sadness can and will equate to a greater height of happiness. To me thats a sick message. <<less
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Chaosrune
Chaosrune rated it
June 13, 2024
Status: c63 part2
This is the Im13andthisisdeep novel, at the beginning you kind of feel bad for the characters, but after a while the story starts to read like a parody, because the author tries so hard to make life miserable for the characters that it has the opposite effect.

The characters are kind of a mix, most of the interactions between them is just depressing stuff, and the rest I weird slice of life stuff to try and mix the mood. Every character introduced so far is with them telling you how much... more>> they hate the MC and how much he hurt them because of how he acted in the past, and then stuff happens to show them how the MC changed for the better, and now they are literally stuck to his side, and it's always a girl of course, the story has to earn that harem tag. The plot is very much nonsense made to be depressing, and most of the stuff happening is only possible because the good guys are so incompetent that you are surprised they can even tie their own shoes.

All in all, this story really needs a parody tag at this point <<less
18 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Pinkblood
Pinkblood rated it
June 18, 2024
Status: -
The plot is too forced. The mood of the story is forced to be gloomy so that the depression and trauma experienced by the MC feels too contrived. Apart from that, the system and characters around the MC are too two-dimensional, very shallow, it feels bland!

This novel does not deserve a rating of more than 4!

Highly not recommended!
17 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Abaddon_the_abyss
Abaddon_the_abyss rated it
May 28, 2024
Status: c31
Yeah this is good stuff, if the release rate can stay like this it could definitely hit rank 1

Nothing terribly original just good execution. MC is transmigrated into another world and possesses a deadbeat noble, shocker. The writing is edgy as one would expect from Korea but what the novel does well is its theme of depression, some actual depth is given to the MC and its bodies original inhabitant. The depression presents itself on the most extreme end possible, but those with experience may find certain aspects of his... more>> world view relatable. Self stigmatization, self magnification, self loathing and blame, panic disorders. This guy has it all. Honestly he is definitely in need of a robin Williams its not your fault moment lol. <<less
12 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
aborednerd
aborednerd rated it
June 10, 2024
Status: c66 part2
TLDR; Strong (not quite OP) MC struggles with the depression of two lives.

General thoughts:

Overall I feel the story is good, it is well written with ups and downs. Moments of recovery and progress while dealing with the setbacks of life.

... more>> I think the low star reviews are from those either unfamiliar with depression, or not wanting to read a novel with a character that struggles with depression (which fair enough I like escapism as well in novels).

Looking at the reviews and thinking about the work as a whole, I feel like this is a novel you will love or hate with little in between. <<less
9 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Smaties
Smaties rated it
June 15, 2024
Status: c70
Honestly, did not expect much from this novel. However, to my surprise the novel has done a great job so far at portraying the emotions of MC that you can understand the pain they are going through, which is often rare. I feel that this novel is very promising and has a lot of potential to grow into something great as it story develops.
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
MIHAWKBLACKYORU
MIHAWKBLACKYORU rated it
June 11, 2024
Status: c44 part1
Don't read this novel if you don't like dark themed world. This novel basically describes how a depressed person is trying to improve in his life. Basically many not experience what is trauma and depression so they tend to say just don't be depressed. Depression and sadness are not the same word. And author has clearly described how a depressed person normally thinks and lives his life. And I really like thec how he is trying to attain happiness by simple changes. So once again I remind you guys don't... more>> read if you don't like dark theme type of novels.

Why four stars because this novels pace is too slow <<less
7 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
plunged_toilet
plunged_toilet rated it
June 9, 2024
Status: c62
It's quite good. Basically, as you go through life, things happen. For some people, those things are good and for others, they're bad. Either way, they leave a mark and become your past, something you have to live with. How people deal with that is the basis for all of our imperfections. Most people don't come out of life unscathed. A lot of people end up with various insecurities and express those insecurities in unfortunate ways or let them build up until they can express it in a midlife crisis...

Anyways,... more>> the MC is someone who's past left a mark deep enough to, in his mind, eradicate his future. Some people can't move past it, and that would describe the MC without his EX-rank ability to strengthen his mind. This story is about the MC getting out of a dark place in his life and overcoming his past.

It takes some time, but I recommend giving this one about 100 chapters, and I'm sure there won't be any regrets. <<less
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Kii
Kii rated it
July 3, 2024
Status: c98
An attempt at writing a story centered around a suicidal depressed MC that unfortunately feels half assed.

Pros: The depiction of the mc's mindset and actions are quite accurate to how someone who is mentally broken is just trying to continue life, just for that last glimpse of hope, is what I feel.

... more>>
Spoiler

Kshitij Rajp mentioned about how the MC blamed others for misunderstanding him despite his actions being misleading, and questioning why only the MC can handle the trauma. The thing is, the author has quite clearly stated several times before that point that he can't.

Firstly, if he could handle his trauma, he wouldn't have killed himself after the events leading to his transmigration.

Secondly, after his transmigration, he got gifted with an EX skill specifically tailored to prevent him from feeling suicidal, and even that showed signs of breaking down from the moment it was introduced.

to add on to that, he also got burdened with the lingering memories of his new body (which probably also made the original body kill himself too), so now there's literally two times the negative emotions of a person who has attempted su*cide.

I really don't think 5 teenagers who have never been exposed to that type of emotional load before would be able to handle it, even if split into 5.

Also about the misunderstanding bit. You are expecting a person who is already all but mentally broken, being barely held up together by the joint efforts of a "skill" that can only just barely hold him together, and drugs, in a serious life and death condition, having surgery done on him awake without any form of pain numbing, to be rational.

Really?

[collapse]

Cons:

1. This is depressing. I mean yeah that's obvious from the title, but it's really, really gloomy, to the point where I'm not sure if it should even be done as a web novel like this. It's not even interesting gloomy, like Overlord, for example, but rather just the nearly 24/7 pov of self loathing from our MC, which while I do understand what the author is trying to portray, still does not make for good reading.

2. With the story being intended to be so emotionally heavy as it is, the pacing is much too fast for it to work. Most of the characters aren't given enough time to be fleshed out properly before things happen or they die, and that's probably why they feel so shallow or two dimensional, Which also leads to the MC feeling lackluster in personality beyond his gloomy outlook on life.

All in all, it's an accurate portrayal of someone who is struggling to live, but as a novel it's not very well done. <<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Novice_reader
Novice_reader rated it
November 1, 2024
Status: c126.2
As a reader who have read till the latest chapter believe me this novel graph constantly goes straight up.

Ignore the people who are complaining about MC's weak character, they are free to go read OP one dimensional MC.

This story is about how MC overcomes his immeasurable trauma and past sins.

... more>> The one thing I really like about this novel is how author was able to convey and describe emotions, heck I even cried while reading some chapters.

Overall if you want to read something readable and time worthy then this novel and advent of three calamities are what I recommend. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Easykiln
Easykiln rated it
August 5, 2024
Status: c119
I don't know how to objectively rate the story, but... It was something I needed but didn't know I needed.

I also have my fair share of depression and despair. To me, the story is like guided catharsis. It helped me face and process parts of my own sorrow while also avoiding becoming so overwhelming I can't help but flinch away from it. I am not a person who can cry easily, but I was astounded by how many tears I let out while reading, this time. Each one seemed to... more>> lighten the burden of grief just a tiny bit.

One point to note is that I suspect reading it as a serialized novel will negate its strengths. A single chapter will probably just come across as boring and repetitive. It needs more immediate context to convey the beauty of stubbornly clinging to hope and seeking recovery even within the deepest darkness. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Rasselon
Rasselon rated it
July 4, 2024
Status: c11 part2
Jarring disconnect between the extremely serious story about trauma and mental illness and the supposedly comedic tone author is approaching it with. "Supposedly" because jokes aren't funny.

Terrible addiction of banter with the System straight from the Chinese parody cultivation comics, terrible addition of system itself being more than just a background noise, which ruins any possible immersion.

The way people act is like aliens whose only knowledge about human behavior is terrible Chinese comics where any action of any character gets followed by the onlookers narrating and overreacting to everything.

It all... more>> culminated in a dramatic confrontation of the main character and his siter, and it felt like the worst actor in the world with mental disability doing his Oscar-worthy performance. It you told me it was a cruel parody, I would've believed it.

Even little time I spent on reading these extremely short chapters feels wasted. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Infermite
Infermite rated it
June 16, 2024
Status: c74
With so many academy novels in the wild, differentiating yourself has become a game of strengthening some core concept of these novels. This particular academy novel chose to strengthen the "emotional tragedy" aspect.

What I mean by that is a lot of headspace in the story is taken up with core conflicts revolving on mental illness and the resolution of helping someone under this aliment, or watching the protagonist explore his own illness.

Mental illness is not an explored topic in academy novels in most cases, and only the real best ones... more>> explore the personal suffering the characters could be experiencing. "The Novel's Extra", for example, explores this idea a little with the main character's lost parents, with a similar essence of comfort that, although the problem still exists, it has at least been said.

The protagonists emotions can sometimes be too intense. Not in the sense that someone in mental anguish cannot be intense, but in the sense that it did not convince me as something realistic. At times I find it akin to an edge-fest that is trying too hard to sell the scene.

To me, understated misery can be much more powerful when used correctly, and always trying for the big heights of shouting, making a show of obvious thematic oxymoron in "smiling crying" imagery, can come off as rudimentary.

The author is pretty amateurish, essentially. But the core of the story is pretty well built, at least to where I am, and thus its popularity is deserved. I think it's an interesting entry just for how much more it is focusing on mental health, even if it can come off as a bit brash in moments. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
thatoneperson0000
thatoneperson0000 rated it
September 12, 2024
Status: c37
It's enjoyable, but I really can't sympathise with Raiden, even though I know that the author wants us to.... so I have to drop it.

I'm not a big fan of harem, but I can read it so long as it's not annoying or gets in the way of the plot. And I'd rather the MC also make some male friends as well, because it's a little weird if he's surrounded by girls all the time.

But back on my first point, I can't sympathise with Raiden's backstory (although I can for... more>> the MC's backstory), because I'm not going to lie, everything bad that happened after his mom's death was done by himself. Like I get it, your mom died and that broke you. That's a tragedy. But I can’t feel bad for Raiden, who lashed out at everyone and treated other, unrelated people disgustingly.

And then contrasting with Ariel, who, despite losing the same person, had never lashed out to anyone besides Raiden that one time, although that was more of his fault than her's. I can’t understand his actions. I would never do something like treating everyone around me horribly just because I feel depressed.

In fact, I despise those kinds of people. Just because you're angry or you're depressed doesn't mean it's right to treat everyone around you with the same anger you would show to the person who treated you that way, especially to innocent people who have nothing to do with your situation. I know several people like that in real life and let me tell you, it's horrible being around them, like you're walking around a ticking time bomb waiting to explode on you for anything you do, especially if it has nothing to do with you.

And to be honest, the characters are written a little childishly. The girls don't really have depth, and the only important parts of themselves are related to the MC (so we don't know much about their personal likes/dislikes/dreams etc, unless it relates to MC). This is basically harem 101, where the heroines are brainless as always.

I also can't stand some of the dialogue. The comedy is a little jarring and over exaggerated. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Furufula
Furufula rated it
June 14, 2024
Status: c73
I find this novel a decent read and have good translation. While the vibe is gloomy, I do like that the MC is not really OP and he has a slight edgy vibe due to his trauma and the person he possesses' trauma. What I don't like is that the female characters that used to like him are hmm not portrayed in depths much and feels kinda shallow.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Corcolj
Corcolj rated it
August 23, 2024
Status: c126 part2
This novel delivers what it sets out to do. The problem is that you might not know what that is just by reading the title and the "synopsis". I myself wasn't sure about what to expect from the plot. At most, I expected the tired setting where the MC starts from the bottom in terms of his social standing, but, with his new personality after the possession, he will skyrocket in popularity. But that's just the base and the story line takes a different approach to what I'm used to.... more>> So, do I recommend this novel to you? Let's see:

  • Are you looking for the typical villain possession story where it's all about powering up, regaining recognition and surviving?
    • This novel might not be for you. I got tired of reading comments on the TL site where the readers were demanding that the parts that don't meet these criteria be finished soon. But they are up to half of the story.
  • Are you suffering from depression or some other mental disorder?
    • Firstly, I hope you recover and I send you a big, warm, virtual hug. Second, please, don't. I don't know if the author was depressed at some point in their life or just did some good research, but the descriptions are really explicit and unsettling.I haven't been diagnosed with a mental disorder, but I've talked to people who have, and also read about it. So, I feel that some people may see themselves reflected in some of the depictions, which can be dangerous in these kinds of stories. Please, read the tags and be aware of the TWs.
  • Regarding the "powering up" and "interacting with the system", does it need to be strict and bound by clear rules for you to enjoy it?
    • In this story, the system is a tool almost exclusive to the MC, but it's also a plot device. And a pretty good one, if you ask me. The system is flexible and sometimes seems to have a personality of its own. That is to say, sometimes the system can offer advice or increase the resources of the MC at certain times. If you think this might ruin your experience, I wouldn't recommend it.
Finally, I have really enjoyed the story so far. The MC is not a placeholder, his past plays a really big role, the mysteries are interesting and the heroines are complex and many interactions between them and the MC are worthwhile. <<less
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