The moment you hear the title ”Jewelry Hearts Academia,” some might think, ”Jewelry? Hearts? Isn't that a bit too sparkly?” However, such expectations are brilliantly betrayed within the first few minutes. This work is not just a sweet school story. The setting is a Royal Academy that researches mysterious gems called ”Gems” (Will). And assigned there is ”Class Pegasus,” a group of six individuals with diverse grades and behavior. Treated as outcasts, they eventually face the ”The Stone Eaters,” a great calamity threatening the world. It is a classic yet robust story where they ”create miracles through bonds.”

What first draws you in at the start of the story is the position of the protagonist, Soma Jace. He is not just a student, but a spy sent to find the ”Philosopher's Stone” hidden within the Academia. Yet, for some reason, he is assigned to the bottom-tier ”Class Pegasus” instead of the top-tier ”Class Diamond” where the elites gather—this ”twist” in the development is truly clever. Moreover, the members of Class Pegasus are full of unique personalities. A girl who is a swordsmanship geek, a solitary delinquent, a beastman with both beauty and brains, a prince who is a disgrace to his country, and a girl who serves as the moral compass. This dense character composition is like a drama in itself. Their chemical reaction creates unpredictable drama.

The world-view centered on gems called ”Gems” (Will) is also one of the major attractions of this work. Rather than simple fantasy magic, the setting where abilities manifest through Gems as a medium is well-constructed, giving persuasiveness to battles and direction. In particular, the mysterious phenomenon known as the ”The Stone Eaters” stands before the player not just as a battle element, but as a powerful theme throughout the entire story. This desperate visual image of the ”world turning to stone” gives reality to the characters' decisions and increases the weight of the story.

The reason this work does not stop at being a simple ”school story of friendship and growth” lies in the depiction of the relationships between the characters. The way the six people, who were initially disjointed, repeatedly clash and sometimes betray each other, yet build trust little by little by clashing their ”Wills” each time, is the very essence of ”youth.” The structure is also well-crafted, as each person's past and secrets are gradually revealed and linked to the fate of the world, allowing the player to experience the exhilaration of being caught in a grand whirlpool of destiny rather than just a simple school life.

Overall, ”Jewelry Hearts Academia” is a work with a ”story you'll want to talk about” that transcends the framework of a mere game. The plot development, character growth, and the emotional climax toward the end leave an afterglow similar to finishing a thick fantasy novel. The visuals and direction are also carefully crafted, making it a title where you can feel the ”Will” of the creators as you naturally become immersed in the world of the work while playing.