Premise and story:
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Iris Zero, being a manga set in a universe where high schoolers have supernatural abilities (Irises), needed to set itself apart in order to not be just another one of those series.

The MC (Toru) of the series is different from all of the rest of the cast, as he is one of the titular 'iris zeroes' and he lacks any sort of special ability. What he lacks in an iris power, he makes up for in a strong ability to think through problems and situations. Iris Zero is a manga with distinct arcs in which the MC is introduced to a new person bringing their own social/personal issue which he figures out a way to overcome. This plays out similarly to the story arcs in Rascal Does not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai; however, with more of a detective style spin a la Hyouka and Conan.

First and foremost, Iris Zero is a lightly/mildly serious mystery and supernatural series; however, later down the line, elements of romance are brought into the story (clearly to put the two MCs together). Iris Zero does attempt comedy at some points, but it is never particularly strong. The romance undertones are also somewhat bland and cookie-cutter; however, for me, this did not diminish my enjoyment of the series as I am quite fond of this type of romance plot.

While not particularly noteworthy in any way, the story of Iris Zero is not at all a disappointment. It is easy and enjoyable enough to follow along with.


Art:
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The art of the series stands out as neither particularly bad nor good. It is of decent quality and is enjoyable to look at while also reading. The main cast of characters have good designs that are neither too unrealistic or too mainstream.

Characters:
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Characters in this series clearly follow archetypical patterns. The MC, Toru, follows the trope of being a self-proclaimed loaner; however, Iris Zero actually puts good reasoning behind his choice, being that he is looked down upon as an 'iris zero'. The lead female, Koyuki, is an energetic character. The supporting cast of Iris Zero all have their clear archetypes, yet are still well defined in their own individuality. Characters are introduced through their story arc and personal issue, which adds depth to their backstories. Over the course of the series, the main cast of characters experience noteworthy developments and changes that positively move them forward. Iris Zero is not afraid to make good use of its dynamic characters, and it even is unafraid to showcase darker sides of the leads Toru and Koyuki.

Overall:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Iris Zero is a fun manga to read; however, it falls into the trap of being another one of the series set in a high school with supernaturally empowered students. It sets itself apart through its combination of mystery, drama, and romance. While not a standout in any way, for fans of this genre of manga, Iris Zero is a fun and worthwhile read.

Special Consideration:
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Iris Zero publishes very infrequently. The creator of the series has been in and out of the hospital with sickness, and as a cause, cannot promise a regular publishing schedule. In 2019, only two chapters were scanlated.