The Isolator (novel series)

The Isolator (絶対ナル) is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Shimeji. ASCII Media Works has published five volumes since June 2014. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Naoki Koshimizu, was serialized in Dengeki Daioh. Yen Press has licensed the novels and manga in North America.

Plot
When Minoru Utsugi was eight years old, home invaders killed his parents and older sister while he hid in a cabinet. At 16, he still struggles with the trauma. Then mysterious alien orbs descend from the sky and take up residence inside some humans, granting them each a superpower that reflects their deepest desire. Minoru's power is the ability to protect himself inside an impenetrable shell. Some people gain a more active power, and not everyone uses their power for good.

Characters

 * Minoru Utsugi (空木 ミノル)
 * Tomomi Minowa (箕輪 朋美)
 * Yumiko Azu (安須 ユミコ)
 * Norie Yoshimizu (由水 典江)
 * Riri Isa (伊佐 理々)
 * Olivier Saito (斉藤 オリヴィエ)
 * Denjirou Daimon (大門 伝二郎) (DD)

Reception
Yen Press' English edition of the first light novel volume received a positive review from Anime News Network. It was praised for its "believable characters" and the thought that "switching between the hero and villain's point of view really works." However, it was said that Shimeji's illustrations can make Takaesu (the antagonist of the first volume) "more wolf-like than shark-like in some images."