Baka and Test
| Industry | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 29, 2007 |
| Founder | Kenji Inoue |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Light novels, manga, anime, video game |
| Website | www |
, also referred to as Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts, is a Japanese light novel series authored by Kenji Inoue with artwork by Yui Haga. The narrative follows Akihisa Yoshii and his fellow students at Fumizuki Academy, an institution where class placement is determined by entrance exam results. Students in higher-ranked classes benefit from superior resources and privileges, whereas those in the lowest tier, Class F, contend with substandard facilities and strive to challenge the system for improved conditions. Published by Enterbrain, the series consists of 18 volumes released between January 2007 and March 2015 under the Famitsu Bunko label.
The franchise broadened its reach through a 13-episode anime adaptation produced by Silver Link, broadcast from January to March 2010, succeeded by a two-episode OVA titled Baka to Test to Shōkanjū: Matsuri released in February 2011. A second anime season, Baka to Test to Shōkanjū: Ni!, aired from July to September 2011, also comprising 13 episodes. Additional media include three manga versions published by Enterbrain in Famitsu Comic Clear and by Kadokawa Shoten in Monthly Shōnen Ace, alongside a PlayStation Portable game launched in December 2012.
Setting
Set in Fumizuki Academy, Baka and Test depicts a Japanese preparatory school where students are grouped into classes based on their entrance exam rankings. The hierarchy ranges from Class A (highest scorers) down to Class F (lowest scorers), with corresponding benefits: Class A enjoys advanced amenities such as air conditioning, laptops, and snack bars, while Class F copes with a dilapidated classroom equipped with minimal resources.
A unique feature of the school is its system allowing students to summon Avatars whose power reflects their recent test results in particular subjects. These Avatars engage in battles sanctioned by teachers during "Summoner Test Wars," where classes compete for better standings. Victories by lower-ranked classes over higher-ranked ones grant the opportunity to swap classroom privileges, enabling upward mobility. Students who lose are subjected to remedial lessons overseen by the strict Soichi Nishimura.
Plot
Mizuki Himeji, despite her academic prowess, is assigned to Class F after missing the placement exam due to illness. She becomes part of a group including Akihisa Yoshii (the self-proclaimed "baka"), class representative Yuuji Sakamoto, attractive actor Hideyoshi Kinoshita, lecherous photographer Kouta Tsuchiya, and transfer student Minami Shimada, who faces difficulties with kanji.
Akihisa and Yuuji endeavor to overturn the school's rigid ranking system by defeating Class A in Summoner Test Wars and claiming their classroom. The storyline also delves into a romantic triangle involving Minami, Himeji, and Akihisa, while Yuuji attracts the obsessive attention of Shouko Kirishima, a Class A student.
Light novels
The Baka and Test series began as a light novel project written by Kenji Inoue with illustrations by Yui Haga. Enterbrain published a total of 18 volumes from January 29, 2007, through March 30, 2015 under the Famitsu Bunko imprint. Of these, twelve volumes cover the main storyline while six are collections of side stories.
Manga
The manga version, titled , was illustrated by Mosuke Mattaku and Yumeuta and serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace magazine from June 2009 through September 2016. Kadokawa Shoten released a total of 15 tankōbon volumes between December 2009 and November 2016. The English translation is accessible via BookWalker. Another adaptation, , drawn by Koizumi, appeared in Shōnen Ace from February 2010 until January 2014, culminating in four compiled volumes. A third manga series, , illustrated by Namo, was featured in Enterbrain's digital publication Famitsu Comic Clear between October 2009 and August 2012, with six volumes published.
Anime series
Produced by Silver Link, the 13-episode anime television series aired in Japan from January to March 2010. The series was scripted by Katsuhiko Takayama and directed by Shin Oonuma. Following this, a two-episode original video animation (OVA) titled Baka to Test to Shōkanjū: Matsuri was distributed on Blu-ray and DVD during February and March 2011. The show's second season, Baka to Test to Shōkanjū: Ni!, was broadcast from July through September 2011. Both seasons along with the OVAs were licensed for North American release by Funimation, with broadcasts on the Funimation Channel. In Southeast Asia, Muse Communication secured licensing rights and streamed the series via the Muse Asia YouTube channel.
The opening theme for season one is "Perfect-area Complete!" performed by Natsuko Aso and composed by Kenichi Maeyamada. Ending themes include "Baka Go Home" by Milktub and BakaTest All Stars, as well as "Hare Tokidoki Egao" sung by Hitomi Harada, Kaori Mizuhashi, Emiri Katou, and Tomomi Isomura. The Matsuri OVAs feature "Ren'ai Kōjō Committee" by Aso as their opening song and "Getsuyō wa Kirai" by Milktub as the ending theme. For the second season, the opening track is "Kimi+Nazo+Watashi de Jump!!" performed by Larval Stage Planning, with "Eureka Baby" by Aso serving as the closing theme.
Video game
Released exclusively in Japan on December 13, 2012, the Baka to Test to Shōkanjū Portable game for the PlayStation Portable came in both standard and limited edition packages. The gameplay adopts a board game format featuring nine characters—Akihisa, Mizuki, Minami, Yuuji, Hideyoshi, Kouta, Shouko, Yuuko, and Miharu—each offering distinct story paths. At the start, players can control only Akihisa, Yuuji, Hideyoshi, and Kouta; additional characters become available upon completing their respective story modes.
The storyline centers around Fumizuki Academy’s principal introducing a summoning system where students engage in staged battles; securing victories in three consecutive rounds grants a reward of choice.
Reception
The anime adaptation of Baka and Test has received favorable responses from both audiences and reviewers. Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network assigned both seasons a B− rating, praising the sharp humor and visual style while commenting on shortcomings related to female character development.
See also
- Grand Blue Dreaming, a manga series authored by Kenji Inoue