Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden

Name: Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden
Rating: 4 (89 reviews)
Author: Umikaze Minamino (Story), Kabuto Kodai (Art)

4.0

(89 reviews)

Author: Umikaze Minamino (Story), Kabuto Kodai (Art)

Publisher: Square Enix

Magazine: Manga Up!

Volumes: 6

Release Date: 2023-05-06

Age Rating: 15+

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Synopsis

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden tells the story of a legendary warrior known as the "God Slayer," who, yearning for combat even at the brink of death, reincarnates into the future. Her soul inhabits the frail body of Nia Liston, a sickly noble girl. Initially struggling with the weakness of her new form, she harnesses her inner "Qi" to gradually restore her health and strength. Despite her delicate appearance, Nia possesses extraordinary combat prowess and an insatiable thirst for battle, effortlessly defeating powerful foes even in everyday life. Using her noble status, she engages in diverse pursuits, from academy life to serving as a personality at a broadcasting station. Eventually, she earns a staggering one billion Clams, enabling her to organize a global martial arts tournament. This story vividly captures Nia’s thrilling journey as she seeks formidable opponents, brilliantly showcasing her unstoppable pursuit of battle.

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Rating Metrics

Story

3.6

Characters

3.8

Artwork

4.8

World Building

3.5

Themes

3.9

Pacing

4.2

Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden Editorial Reviews

In Search of a Worthy Opponent Who Can End my Life

Today, I'd like to introduce Nia Liston: The Merciless Maiden, an isekai manga inspired by the trend popularized by That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. What sets this story slightly apart from typical isekai manga is that the protagonist reincarnates into the body of a noble girl named Nia. Interestingly, she retains only faint memories of her past life (at least initially). Our protagonist’s soul enters the dying body of 4-year-old Nia Liston, promising in exchange to dutifully care for Nia’s parents. Like most isekai stories, Nia, our heroine, is overwhelmingly powerful. This unstoppable strength is precisely what readers love about the genre. However, she soon finds herself bored with a world that poses little challenge, yearning for a worthy enemy or even a disciple who might one day prove strong enough to kill her. But the story isn't solely about battles. It also excels at depicting strategic management and the growth of her territory, standing out even among other isekai tales. Nia’s ambition to conquer the world through media—reminiscent of contemporary devices like television and smartphones—illustrates a clever commentary on modern society, where information, rather than brute force, determines power. The manga is skillfully crafted with intriguing foreshadowing. From early on (particularly when Nia starts hosting a magical cooking show), it's clear she will eventually be banished from her country. Why she gets banished and what happens afterward are elements readers should absolutely look forward to discovering.

June 12, 2025

Disciples Who Adore Nia

Drawn to her charm and unmatched strength, numerous disciples begin to follow Nia. Among them are delightfully memorable characters such as Rinokis, her devoted maid who utterly dotes on her, and Gandalf, a formidable warrior. The interactions between Nia and her disciples are heartwarming and effectively showcase the bonds formed through mentorship. The manga thoughtfully portrays Nia’s expectations of her disciples and their subsequent growth, creating many charming and humorous moments that readers will thoroughly enjoy.

June 12, 2025