There are many scenes where Gakuro speaks in polite language.#

The hero, Gakuro, uses keigo (polite speech) when talking to Nue, who grants him supernatural abilities, and Kazusa Suo, a senior one year ahead of him. Since there aren’t many works in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump, where this series is published, where the hero frequently uses polite language, this series is valuable for enjoying action battles while learning keigo.

Source: Kota Kawae, Nue no Onmyoji (Shueisha)

All kanji have furigana.#

In works from Weekly Shonen Jump, except for handwritten text outside of speech bubbles, all kanji in the dialogue have furigana (hiragana readings). This allows Japanese language learners who struggle with kanji readings to focus on following the story without needing to constantly look up pronunciations.

Source: Kota Kawae, Nue no Onmyoji (Shueisha)

Breaking Down “~っス” Usage#

1. “~っス” as a Replacement for “です”
   ・Standard: これは本です。 – “This is a book.”
   ・Casual “~っス”: これは本っス。 – “This is a book.”
   

Here, “~っス” replaces “です” while maintaining a degree of politeness. However, it sounds laid-back and informal.

2. “~っスね” as a Variation of “ですね”
   ・Standard: 今日は寒いですね。 – “It’s cold today, isn’t it?”
   ・Casual “~っスね”: 今日は寒いっスね。 – “It’s cold today, huh?”
   

This pattern keeps the nuance of seeking agreement or making an observation but sounds more relaxed.

3. “~っスか？” as a Variation of “ですか？”
   ・Standard: これ、新しいゲームですか？ – “Is this a new game?”
   ・Casual “~っスか？”: これ、新しいゲームっスか？ – “Is this a new game?”
   

This maintains a polite question structure but sounds more casual and friendly.

When and Where to Use “~っス”#

・Casual workplaces: Some relaxed office environments, especially where younger employees interact informally.

・Sports teams: Athletes often use “~っス” when talking to seniors in a way that balances respect and camaraderie.

・Among friends: Especially among young people, “~っス” can be used in casual conversations with older friends.

The Risks of Overusing “~っス”#

Just like excessive use of katakana English in business Japanese can sound forced or pretentious, overusing “~っス” can sometimes come across as unprofessional, unserious, or overly relaxed. While it does offer a polite touch, it is still considered informal and not appropriate for highly formal settings such as business meetings, academic presentations, or interactions with high-ranking individuals.

For example, using “~っス” in a job interview might leave a negative impression:

　・Too casual: 御社のビジョン、すごいっスね！
　・More appropriate: 御社のビジョンは素晴らしいですね。

Conclusion#

The “~っス” speech pattern is a fascinating aspect of Japanese casual politeness, offering a balance between respect and informality. While it can be useful in friendly and semi-polite conversations, learners should be mindful of when and where to use it. Like many speech patterns, the key is knowing your audience and adjusting your language accordingly!

Supplementary Explanation: “Omoroi Su ne”#

The phrase “オモロいスね” in the panel is a casual variation of “面白いですね” (meaning “It’s interesting/funny, isn’t it?”).

・“オモロい” (omoroi) comes from Kansai dialect and means “funny” or “interesting.” It has a casual and friendly tone.
・“スね” (su ne) is a shortened form of “ですね” (desu ne), often used in casual speech, especially among younger people.

Although Gakuro is not from Kansai, Kansai dialect is widely recognized in Japan, thanks to comedians and TV personalities. As a result, even people outside Kansai sometimes use Kansai-style expressions in casual conversations.

Nue’s manner of speaking is somewhat haughty.#

Nue, whose true nature is …, uses a slightly archaic and haughty tone to emphasize this character trait. Imitating this way of speaking in the real world is likely to cause awkward chuckles and raised eyebrows, so it’s best to avoid doing so.

Source: Kota Kawae, Nue no Onmyoji (Shueisha)