“Winter was once the only season in the world-but such an existence was too lonely to bear, and so it created Spring to love. Before long, the earth wished for more time to rest in the cycle, and Summer and Autumn were born. The ones who carry the cycle are called the Agents of the Four Seasons. Hinagiku, the Agent of Spring, disappeared from this land ten years ago, taking the season of spring with her. Now, after incredible hardship, she has returned to restore the cycle to its proper state-and, as in the myth passed down since the dawn of time, she sends her love to Winter.” (Yen Press)
Certain light novels are composed with ample grace and beauty, making it a challenge to draw oneself away from the story, regardless of the subject matter. This is undoubtedly the case with Kana Akatsuki's “Agents of the Four Seasons,” which manages to build intrigue with detailed and lush descriptions of fashion and the beauty of nature. Best described as a fantasy romance, the inaugural volume does not spend much time on either of these elements, instead laying out the author's ability to craft a rich and picturesque world where gifted and celebrated ‘agents' embody the four seasons.
At face value, the lack of actual romance and fantasy-fueled action may deter a title from presenting itself as such. Still, the first volume wonderfully teases the distance between the agents of Winter and Spring. Leaning on the idea that distance makes the heart grow stronger, the build-up to the meeting of the two is one of the most endearing aspects of the book as they both reflect on the past and the catastrophe that kept them apart for years. Alternatively, the novel does tease a modicum action in one of the later chapters. While not overly explosive, these elements weave seamlessly into the story and highlight the relationship between the agents and those sworn to protect them.
There is such a warmth to the project and an idealism about the world and how seasons dominate our perspective of the world that is inspiring. Among the plethora of action-heavy or isekai plots that dominate the genre, “Agents of the Four Seasons” is a lovely reprise, a breath of fresh air.
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The accompanying illustrations from Suoh perfectly complement the book, particularly in capturing the fashion that Kana Akatsuki meticulously describes (though a pull-out poster on the release would have been appreciated). Other minor details worthy of note include mini-segments (white text on black paper) that either present a piece of poetry or delve deeper into the character's emotions. In addition, there is a breakdown of various flowers and their Japanese names in the middle of the novel. It is an apt and welcome ‘easter egg' in a story that constantly uses flora to draw the reader into the beauty of the seasons.
Despite the various ways “Agents of the Four Seasons” excels, the approach has shortcomings. Those looking for action-heavy or steamy romance will find the pacing detrimental, particularly if not intrigued by detailed descriptions. Moreover, while the prose of Kana Akatsuki is impeccable, the one creative choice that becomes an annoyance is the presentation of Hinagiku's struggles with speech. Overusing ellipsis between almost every word quickly becomes tiresome. It is a peculiar choice, given that a single mention of how her speech comes across to others would have adequately conveyed this idea. Still, neither of these elements is remotely detrimental to the end product.
“Agents of the Four Seasons” won't appeal to all light novel readers, but those seeking perfection in the themes the book approaches will find an unforgettable treasure. Kana Akatsuki is an immense talent in the format, with her work on “Violet Evergarden” and “Agents of the Four Springs” cementing her as a must-read author.
