Pantheon High is like stepping into the ultimate mythological mashup — a place where Greek gods, Norse deities, Egyptian legends, Japanese spirits, and their super-powered offspring all hang out under one colossal roof. Honestly, it’s a lot to take in at once. The first volume of Pantheon throws you into a whirlwind of gods and demigods, and man, it can be pretty overwhelming. There’s so much chaos, so many characters, and so many power plays that it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle.
The school isn’t just about learning myth history and discovering their powers — it’s more like a battlefield where alliances shift and rivalries flare up, all while these teenagers explore their diverse mythologies. Speaking of chaos, some students at Pantheon High are really determined to climb the ranks and seize power from each other. And guess what? Ambrosia, the nectar of the gods, plays a sneaky role in all of this.
The thing is, this manga is so crazy and full of stuff that after finishing the first volume of Pantheon High, nothing really stayed with me. It’s a bit too overwhelming, honestly.
The Pantheon High manga series consists of three volumes, but I’ve only read the first two — mainly because I scored a great deal when I bought them. I only discovered that the third volume is an e-book exclusive (from what I know) after finishing the second book, which mentioned that it would wrap up the story in Pantheon High Volume 3.
Look, the Pantheon High characters all seem to have long, complicated names that are hard to remember. It’s also tough to quickly tell which pantheon they’re from. The story gives some quick introductions, but with so many characters popping up, they all start to blend together pretty fast.
So, here’s a quick look at what you can expect — get ready, because Pantheon High is a wild ride full of myths, power struggles, and some seriously confusing yet intriguing chaos.
Pantheon High Manga Volume 1 Review
At Pantheon High, students learn all kinds of crazy things — like how Athena’s enchanted bridle keeps that wild Chimera in check.
Here’s that sneaky Ambrosia moment from Pantheon High Volume 1. It ends up knocking out a lot of students and stirring up some serious chaos.
A journey to Hades on the River Styx might be happening — or does it?
Demon Lords and Gods constantly appear throughout Pantheon High. With so many characters and twists, it’s tough to keep track, and you never quite know where the story is headed.
I thought this scene was pretty cheeky and fun!
The final battle in Pantheon High Volume 1 is with a giant serpent. Honestly, I can’t even say how it happened or why, because it all kind of blurs together for me.
Volume 1 had way too much going on, in my opinion. The art was pretty good, but overall, the story didn’t quite draw me in or make me feel like I was part of it. I kept asking myself, who would I want to be? Whose side am I on? After finishing Volume 1, I had no clear answers to any of that. But on the positive side, Pantheon High Volume 2 turned out to be a better book.
Pantheon High Manga Volume 2 Review
Pantheon High Volume 2 includes a detailed roll call of characters and their god parentages, something that would have greatly benefited Volume 1. From this list, it’s clear that the main characters are Aziza El Ra, Yukio Takahashi, Griffin Pierce, Grace Morgenstern, Katya El Bastet & Scarab, Joanna El Isis, Todd Templeton, and Tierce.
The Greek mythology connections are notable, with Griffin Pierce being the son of Hades, Todd Templeton the son of Boreas, the North Wind, and Tierce the fire-breathing chimera and mascot of Pantheon High.
In Pantheon High Volume 2, the students attend Gilgamesh High, a school that attracts demigods from Aztec, Hindu, Mesopotamian, and Pacific Island mythologies. There’s a reason behind it, but I’ll let you discover that.
Once again, Pantheon High Volume 2 is packed with events, but what really stood out to me was how much smoother and more compelling the storyline became. While it still felt a bit overwhelming due to the sheer number of things happening, the narrative flowed more seamlessly. There was even a memorable Excalibur-like moment involving a powerful sword, adding an exciting touch of mythic adventure to the story.
Pantheon High Volume 2 features some captivating Greek mythology magic, including a scene with majestic Pegasus-like horses that soar through the skies.
You’ll discover an exciting ball game they play, adding a unique sport to the story. Things take a dangerous turn when a Tlachtli contest unfolds, revealing ancient blood rites that turn the game deadly.
Pantheon High has got tons of action, but honestly, the story’s pretty fuzzy. I kinda think it’d be better with a re-read, but I’m not really feeling it enough to bother. Didn’t quite grab my attention, you know?
Griffin Pierce, Hades’ son, actually dies somewhere in one of these two manga volumes. Did I notice it while reading? Nope. I only found out later when I was digging through other snippets about the story. If I missed something as major as that, I’m sure I’ve missed plenty of other details too. He appears in Pantheon High Volume 2, so whether he died earlier or was brought back to life at some point, I have no idea.
Pantheon High Review
Honestly, I thought the pacing of this manga was too fast. There were moments where the story showed promise and seemed to be getting interesting, but then it abruptly shifted scenes or ventured into territory I didn’t particularly enjoy. For Pantheon High Volume 1: Demigods & Debutantes, I’d give it a 4.5 out of 10, and for Pantheon High Volume 2: Hades & Homecoming, a slightly better 5.5 out of 10. Averaging both, the overall score comes to 5 out of 10.
That said, the talent behind the project is undeniable — Paul Benjamin’s writing and Steven and Megumi Cummins’ artwork show impressive capabilities. You can see they have the skill to create any kind of manga they set their minds on. Unfortunately, for me, the story didn’t quite click, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped. Maybe it’s just a matter of personal taste. However, I’m a big fan of Greek mythology, so if you’re more into Japanese or Norse gods, your experience might be completely different.
Pantheon High from 2006 feels like an American-Japanese manga, similar in style to Dean Hsieh’s ATHENA manga series, which I really enjoyed. Unlike Japanese manga (from what I know), which start from the back of the book, both “Pantheon High” and “Athena” open like traditional comics and graphic novels. I think this approach works much better. For those of us not used to reading manga, it makes the reading experience much easier and more accessible.
One bonus of the Pantheon High manga series is that it’s a book series you can revisit multiple times to gain a better understanding of the story. With each read, I’m confident the story will become even clearer and more enjoyable. Give it a try and see how it resonates with you!
Check Price & Availability: Pantheon High Volume 1 and Pantheon High Volume 2
If you’re interested in traditional Greek mythology comics and graphic novels, this list provides a wide range of excellent options to explore.
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