September arrives with NINE! Light Novel series making their debut. Six of those belong to J-Novel Club, with two new releases from Yen On, and the final release is an advance digital release coming from Seven Seas.

Aside from one, all the titles are either isekai/fantasy or just pure fantasy. The one standout is a slice-of-life modern world mystery series.

First up, on September 8th, is the only real-world based series releasing this month. It’s from J-Novel Club and is part of their J-Novel Heart line. It had a 12 episode anime back in the summer of 2018. It follows a girl who not only finds herself a new part-time job, but it’s one solving mysteries behind antiques.

Holmes of Kyoto

Half a year after moving to Kyoto, high school girl Aoi Mashiro brings her late grandfather’s old scrolls to Kura, an antique store nestled in Kyoto’s Teramachi-Sanjo shopping arcade, for an appraisal. One thing leads to another, and she winds up working there part-time. The manager’s son, Kiyotaka Yagashira—nicknamed the “Holmes of Kyoto”—is uncannily perceptive, and together, they solve strange cases relating to the antiques brought to them by clients. 

Holmes of Kyoto Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 08, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD3BJ84

The next day, on September 9th, we have one of many isekai titles. This one has a protagonist that has not only traded his memories for power, but he also happens to be a battle junkie?

Black Summoner

Waking up in a strange new place with no memory of his past life, Kelvin learns that he’s bartered away those very memories in exchange for powerful new abilities during his recent transmigration. Heading out into a whole new world as a Summoner — with his first Follower being the very goddess who brought him over! — Kelvin begins his new life as an adventurer, and it isn’t long before he discovers his hidden disposition as a battle junkie. From the Black Knight of the Ancient Castle of Evil Spirits to the demon within the Hidden Cave of the Sage, he revels in the fight against one formidable foe after another. Join this OP adventurer in an exhilarating and epic saga as he and his allies carve their way into the annals of history!

Black Summoner Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 09, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD4K947

On September 13th we get another isekai title from J-Novel Club. However, this one features a main character who was already OP in our own world. I mean, he stops a truck with his bare hands, but out of consideration for the truck’s feelings, still allows himself to be sent to another world. Yeah, it’s that kind of comedy!

WATARU!!! The Hot-Blooded Fighting Teen & His Epic Adventures After Stopping a Truck with His Bare Hands!!

It’s a wonderful day for Wataru Ito, high school student, master martial artist, honorable and humble teenager, and all-around awesome guy. During his daily run to school he happened to get hit by a large truck barreling around a corner. Not that this is the kind of event that would be the end of the likes of Wataru, of course, but when a truck runs into you, you get sent to another world. That’s just the way things are sometimes. Still, Wataru’s not about to take this kind of thing lying down! The first thing he sets out to do is find who’s the toughest hombre in this land and go up against the greatest challenges this new world has to offer! Oh, and the greatest fighter in this place also happens to be the Demon Lord who is kidnapping people all across the kingdom in an attempt to wipe out humanity? Even better! Wataru’s main interest is in facing a tough battle; saving the world in the process is just icing on the cake!

WATARU!!! The Hot-Blooded Fighting Teen & His Epic Adventures After Stopping a Truck with His Bare Hands!! Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 13, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD492D2

On September 15th, from J-Novel Club, comes a pure fantasy title. It’s one of those light novels where the main character has a magical skill that’s considered useless except for one very power application!

Mapping: The Trash-Tier Skill That Got Me Into a Top-Tier Party

Note Athlon was really looking forward to becoming an adventurer with his best friend (and crush) Miya. That is, until he drew Mapping—a rare skill with practically no purpose. In other words, it’s trash. This kicks off a vicious spiral for Note, who plummets further and further into the depths of self-loathing despair when Miya leaves him. He now spends his days drinking away his earnings, wondering how things might have been different if only he’d pulled a better skill… But little does he know his trash-tier skill is about to score him an invite to a top-tier adventuring party! Note’s now determined to find his way through life—and a dungeon!—in order to make something of himself.

Mapping: The Trash-Tier Skill That Got Me Into a Top-Tier Party Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 15, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD3BZP4

On September 21st we get another isekai title from J-Novel Club. It’s from the same author as My Big Sister Lives in a Fantasy World, though I think it sounds a touch darker.

My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me!

Awaking to absolute chaos and carnage while on a school trip, Yogiri Takatou discovers that everyone in his class has been transported to another world! He had somehow managed to sleep through the entire ordeal himself, missing out on the Gift — powers bestowed upon the others by a mysterious Sage who appeared to transport them. Even worse, he and another classmate were ruthlessly abandoned by their friends, left as bait to distract a nearby dragon. Although not terribly bothered by the thought of dying, he reluctantly decides to protect his lone companion. After all, a lowly Level 1000 monster doesn’t stand a chance against his secret power to invoke Instant Death with a single thought! If he can stay awake long enough to bother using it, that is…

My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 21, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD4PP13

On September 22nd we get two new series from Yen On. Although, one of them is actually a spin-off of a spin-off, so I’m not sure if it exactly counts.

First up, we have another fantasy title where the main character leaves the frontlines of the battle against the Demon Lord and decides to try living a “normal” life.

Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside

Red was born with incredible powers, and he seemed like the perfect candidate to join the front lines in the fight to save the world-but before he could, he was told this wasn’t where he belonged. Instead, he finds his destiny in an apothecary…

Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside Volume 1 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975312459

Next up is the spin-off of a spin-off. But hey, it’s Konosuba and it stars Megumin. So, it’s a good thing ;)

Konosuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Bonus Story

The right magic words can stir a person’s soul. For Megumin, those words are “vigilante justice.” Join everyone’s favorite one-trick wizard, as well as Iris the Headstrong, Cecily the Problematic, and Yunyun…as they get a taste of the righteous bandit lifestyle!”For the sake of justice, there’s no line I won’t cross! No criminal act I won’t commit!”

Konosuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Bonus Story Volume 1 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975387068

On September 24th we get Seven Seas’s lone release. It’s a digital advance release with the print edition currently set to release November 10th. It’s an otome/isekai/fantasy title. But instead of trying to take down the villainess, our main character wishes to woo her! It’s a Yuri title!

I’m in Love With the Villainess

Dear Archnemesis… Won’t You Be Mine?

Ordinary office worker Oohashi Rei wakes up in the body of the protagonist of her favorite otome game, Revolution. To her delight, the first person to greet her is also her favorite character, Claire Francois—the main antagonist of the story! Now, Rei is determined to romance Claire instead of the game’s male leads. But how will her villainous ladylove react to this new courtship?!

I’m in Love With the Villainess Volume 1 (eBook)(print releases November 10)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 24, 2020 — ASIN: B088P9G8KR

For the last series debut of September we have another J-Novel Club fantasy title. Again, this a J-Novel Heart title. A tale of a girl who fights to achieve her desired position within magical society, and the boy who competes with her!

The Sorcerer’s Receptionist

In a world of everyday magic, Nanalie has always dreamed of becoming a receptionist at the prestigious Sorcerer’s Guild. To achieve her goal, she needs to attend a magic school full of princes and the daughters of nobles. Determined to prove that a commoner can be the number one student, she must compete with Rockmann, the son of a duke. When she graduates, she lands her dream job and they go their separate ways. Nanalie enjoys spending each day alongside her familiar Lala and her kind co-workers, but it seems that fate won’t let her escape her entanglement with Rockmann that easily…

The Sorcerer’s Receptionist Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 26, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD3RHJ2

So those are all the light novel titles making their debut during the month of September, 2020. Which ones have made your TBR pile? Let us know in the comments down below!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justus R. Stone has been running a light novel dedicated YouTube channel since 2014. He’s also the founder of the Light Novel Podcast, one of the first English language podcasts dedicated to Light Novels. In addition to his love of Japanese light novels, he is also the author of his own light novel-inspired series, The Bleeding Worlds.

English Title: I’ll Never Set Foot in That House Again!
Japanese Title: 二度と家には帰りません！ — “Nidoto ie ni wa Kaerimasen!”
Author: Milligram — みりぐらむ
Illustrator: YukiKana  — ゆき哉
Translator: Emily Hemphill
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Shoujo
Original Run: April 2020 – ongoing
English Run: August 2020 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: Overlap
English Publisher: J-Novel Heart (J-Novel Club)
Volumes in Japanese: 2 (In Progress)
Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)

Note: Also available to read online through a J-Novel Club subscription. This series is currently digital-only.

• English Website — Japanese Website
• Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates (Manga) — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: Chelsea may be the eldest daughter of a Baron, but her days are spent enduring both verbal and physical abuse from her mother and younger twin sister. However, upon skill appraisal on her 12th birthday, it’s discovered that she has a never before seen skill—[Seed Creation]! Brought to the Royal Research Institute for the investigation of her new skill by the Appraiser Glen, Chelsea’s life does a 180. A big room with personal maids, a warm, soft bed to sleep in, and delicious food to increase her mana pool… She’s treated like a princess! But of course, her younger sister Margaret won’t sit by quietly as Chelsea is pampered… 

Volume 1
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released December 31, 2000 — ASIN: **********

Volume 2
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released TBA — ASIN: **********

Reviews of I’ll Never Set Foot in That House Again!

• (forthcoming)

Illustrations Sampler

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

Anime-Planet Entry — (Japan) No collected volumes published yet (English release) Not yet licensed

If you liked I’ll Never Set Foot in That House Again!, you might also want to try…

• Can Someone Please Explain What’s Going On? — rags to riches, romance, fantasy
• Walking My Second Path in Life — new life, fantasy
  

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

English Title: Fushi no Kami: Rebuilding Civilization Starts with a Village
Japanese Title: フシノカミ ～辺境から始める文明再生記～  — “Translation”
Author: Mizuumi Amakawa — 雨川水海
Illustrator: Mai Ooguma — 大熊まい
Translator: Maurice Alesch
Genre: Isekai, Fantasy
Original Run: November 2019 – ongoing
English Run: August 2020 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: Overlap
English Publisher: J-Novel Club
Volumes in Japanese: 3 (In Progress)
Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)

Note: Also available to read online through a J-Novel Club subscription. This series is currently digital-only.

• English Website — Japanese Website
• Anime-Planet
• LNDB

Synopsis:

Ash is a young boy with apparent past-life memories who lives in a remote, deserted village. As he remembers leading a bountiful life, he can’t bear living in a world akin to the Dark Ages, where not even the internal combustion engine exists. Ash envisions the rebirth of a civilization where housing with proper sanitation is the norm and the world is connected via a means of transportation faster than horses. For that reason, he is eager to consult books containing knowledge from a highly-developed ancient culture that is rumored to have existed far in the past. Ash makes use of the church’s resources, learning how to read and obtaining the knowledge that he seeks. In addition, he enlists the help of the people around him, including Maika, the village chief’s daughter. Together, they aim to develop their own village. This is only the beginning of the story about a young boy who sets out to revolutionize the world in order to rebuild civilization and create his ideal life!

Volume 1 — Title
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released TBA — ASIN: **********

Volume 2 — Title
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released TBA — ASIN: **********

Volume 3 — Title
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released TBA — ASIN: **********

Reviews of Fushi no Kami: Rebuilding Civilization Starts with a Village

• (forthcoming)

Illustrations Sampler

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

None

If you liked Fushi no Kami: Rebuilding Civilization Starts with a Village, you might also want to try…

• How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom — applying modern knowledge to kingdom building

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

Today, during the Crunchyroll Virtual Convention, Yen Press announced the acquisition of two new light novel series as well as seven new manga. The one light novel series in particular, Date-A-Live, has been quite vocally requested for some time.

Light Novels

Virgin Road

処刑少女の生きる道(バージンロード) ―そして、彼女は甦る―

Story by Mato Sato, Art by Nilitsu

The Lost Ones are wanderers who come here from a distant world known as “Japan.” No one knows how or why they leave their homes. The only thing that is certain is that they bring disaster and calamity. The duty of exterminating them without remorse falls to Menou, a young Executioner. When she meets Akari, it seems like just another job…until she discovers it’s impossible to kill this girl! And when Menou begins to search for a way to defeat this immortality, Akari is more than happy to tag along! So begins a journey that will change Menou forever…

The series debuted in Japan July 12th, 2019. It currently has 4 volumes released. The author also wrote the series Usotsuki Senki, Meikyu wo Yuku.

According to the Amazon.co.jp listing, this was the first title to win the GA Bunko Grand Prize in seven years. From what I can find, the last work to do so was Danmachi.

Date-A-Live

デート・ア・ライブ

Story by Koushi Tachibana, Illustrations by Tsunako

Shidou Itsuka has a problem. The world has been racked by massive quakes of an unknown source for years now, though life goes on. Then one day, Shidou’s calm life ends forever when in the middle of a quake in his city, he meets a girl  who’s apparently a spirit-and the cause of all the destruction! When a team arrives to eliminate the threat, Shidou becomes embroiled in a war to protect these spirits-by making them fall in love with him?!

Fan demand for this series has been quite vocal for years. In Japan, the series is complete at 22 volumes. The series began its publication in Japan on March 18, 2011. There have been three anime seasons aired, with a fourth, based on the spin-off Date-A-Bullet, in production. There have also been video games and manga based on the series.

Manga

Do You Like the Nerdy Nurse?

Story and Art by Arata Kawabata

The beauty in the nurse’s office is a secret nerd (who doesn’t hide it very well). Nijiko Momoyama is the the newly appointed school nurse. But beneath her gorgeous façade lies an unmistakable love for all things geeky…!

Love and Heart

Story and Art by Chitose Kaido

Sure, university freshman Yagisawa has a lot on her plate, but the last thing she expected to add was a surprise male roommate! Handsome Haruma claims to be a childhood friend, but for some reason, Yagisawa doesn’t remember him at all, and his history isn’t the only oddity—disturbing things begin to happen and Yagisawa may really be in over her head!

Days on Fes

Story and Art by Kanato Oka

When high schooler Kanade Sora takes her classmate Otoha Yamana to their first rock festival, the experience is greater than they can even imagine. It’s a new life of rocking out!

The Girl Without a Face

Story and Art by Tearontaron

Her boyfriend thinks she’s the cutest girl around, but her expressions can be a bit hard to read…

I Can’t Reach You

Story and Art by Mika

The differences between Yamato and Kakeru couldn’t be more obvious. Yamato gets good grades, while Kakeru’s are less than average. And while Yamato is very attractive, Kakeru’s looks are perfectly average. Not a problem—unless you’re in love with your childhood best friend…How in the world can Kakeru make Yamato look at him when Yamato is completely out of his league?!

Play it Cool, Guys

Story and Art by Kokone Nata

Enter: a bunch of cool guys who look like they got that unapproachable swag. But let’s be real—that’s not the true them. They’re just a bunch of dorks who’ve got the act down pat. So sit back, grab some popcorn and enjoy watching a bunch of goofy guys try to look cool all day every day.

Penguin Gentlemen

Story and Art by Kishi Ueno

In a certain secret bar, the “Penguin Gentlemen” work, wearing their long tailed tuxedos. “You say it’s cute how penguins waddle around? Hmph. We’re not just cute! We’re dandy, sexy, and marvelous!”

So those were all the titles Yen Press announced today. What are your thought? Leave them in the comments.

(all synopsis for series were taken from the official Yen Press announcement)

Written by Yu Shimizu with illustrations by Asagi Tosaka. Released in English by Yen Press with a translation by Roman Lempert.

“Taking a bath with a Dark Lord is all right if he’s ten, right…?” – Yu Shimizu, in the Afterword.
I don’t know the correct answer to this conundrum. Just make sure you’re all washed up, okay? Though, The Demon Sword Master will do its darned best to show you the consequences of such a situation and, refreshingly, make it narratively important. Now, with some complicated feelings, let’s get to the review!

The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, Vol. 1 is the introductory volume of the fantasy-action series set in a world where Holy Swordsmen play guardian for the last remnants of humanity. The overwhelming threat that is the Voids, grey beasts in the form of mythical creatures, brings out a light from within even the Darkest of Lords. It is 1000 years from the beginning of his spell-induced slumber, but Leonis Death Magnus finds himself rudely awoken by their commotion. Too bad he’s reincarnated into a 10-year-old boy! In an era where magic technology and moving cities are the norms, how will his talents in outdated sorcery help him survive against the battles and bosoms?! In this story filled with action, ecchi, and fantastical elements, Yu Shimizu tells a tale of revenge, love(?), and wholesome baths. And accompanying it all are Asagi Tosaka’s beautiful illustrations.

Hey! So, doesn’t the series sound kind of cool? Well, it certainly has all the spectacle and action to give that sort of impression. Turns out, it’s a combined work of the author who completed Blade Dance of Elementalers (Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance) and the illustrator for The Dirty Way to Destroy the Goddess’s Heroes. If you like male protagonists surrounded by many beautiful girls, this is more in that vein. And it’s created by some genre-veterans to boot! Admittedly, it’s not my usual genre-mix and I only bought it because it’s fantasy and I caught it on sale. We will discuss some of its unique aspects (like the ecchi) and make a brief comparison to May These Leaden Battlegrounds – whose Vol. 1 I’ve reviewed – and Reincarnated as a Sword for their use of fantastical elements and abilities. For this spoiler-free review, we will look at the hook/premise, the characterizations, world-building, plot, and its value in terms of action and ecchi. I hope my perspective adds a little bit to yours! :)

Before diving in, let us talk a bit about the first impressions. Like most of my acquisitions, I purchased the paperback edition. The first thing that I noticed was the cover. Its colourful front adds energy to any bookshelf (see The Genius Prince, Vol. 1 for a sub-par cover). Oddly, it is made of the same material as The Alchemist Who Survived and differs from the glossy one that is standard with Yen Press releases. I’ll admit that I love the way it feels in my hands, and wish all light novels were given this treatment. The issues are that it damages easy and blemishes are easy to spot. Next, after one opens the covers, five coloured inserts welcome you. Two of which are alternates of the cover art with the remaining three serving their usual purpose. Of those three, my favourite is the character page (see below) as it helpfully introduces important characters and works as a reference for future readings (and reviews!) The last two depict respective draws of the series: the intimate time between Leo and Selia, and crazy fantasy spectacle. The former’s scene choice was acceptable (though a bit much for me) but I couldn’t help but feel the latter could’ve had more oomph. In any case, with those details out of the way, let’s dive into the text.

As it is with all light novels (and media in general) there’s a hook. Whether its the characters, the art, or the premise, some aspects are designed to pull you in. The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, Vol. 1 has two main draws: (1) the beautiful girls and tempting illustrations and (2) the premise of an ex-Dark Lord enrolling in a Holy Sword Academy. Draw (1) is a tried and true way to gain some initial attention across all sorts of industries. But there needs to be more to maintain an audience over time. The Demon Sword Master gives the girls Holy Sword powers, some provocative passages, and a little backstory. None of these are unique to The Demon Sword Master and their execution in Vol. 1 leaves quite a bit to be desired. The Holy Sword powers are cool but nothing a fantasy-explorer hasn’t seen before. The provocative passages are shallow and clumsily interlaced into scenes they have no right to be in. And the backstories of most are lacklustre at best. Unfortunately, this leaves most of the promised material at a sub-par level of interesting. However, when The Demon Sword Master decides to focus on any one of the three, it does it well. We will discuss this more in the following sections. Next, (2) gives the male lead a reason to be around the girls and a way to grow accustomed to this foreign time-period. The school setting is another frequently used trope that allows for the characters to show off their powers and creates excuses for not-so-safe for work scenarios. It also caters familiarity to the majority of LN readers. Unfortunately, nothing unique comes from the Dark Lord’s odd academy situation and any fun issues that do develop are brushed off relatively quickly. Overall, the hook and premise seem interesting but The Demon Sword Master doesn’t do much that is unique and seems to just add more material into the action-ecchi genre with a fantasy twist.

With the hook hopefully pulling you in, let’s talk about the main characters: Leonis “Leo” Magnus and Riselia “Selia” Crystalia. The two are depicted on the cover and the character page (see above). Much of Vol. 1 is spent setting up their characters, relationship, and progressing their plots. For Leo, this entails a prologue backstory and lots of connections to his Dark Lord identity. He’s motivated but not stubborn. He’s ruthless but cares for his subjects. He’s extremely powerful but exhibits moderate restraint. Sounds like a perfectly middling protagonist. Although, his coping with his human form adds touches of sentimentality when his past is brought up and excitement as he encounters new experiences. This helps create a solid character base as he has to react to many different situations. However, because of his lack of extremes and the not-so-unique premise, he comes off as plain. This is most unfortunate as his identity as a Dark Lord allowed for potentially interesting results. Moving on, like Leo, much attention is given to Selia – a girl who lost much to the voids and wants to help humanity as much as she can. She fits into the paladin + big-sister tropes quite well. This is most apparent in the beginning and later points of character development. A variety of scenes focus on both the ecchi and her characterization and are decently written. Throughout the volume, we learn more about her past and current situation. Because of all this, I grew to like Selia and want to know more about her as the story progresses. Though for similar reasons to Leo, it doesn’t feel like her character deviates much from her role/trope and her ideal traits leave little room to improve. Overall, while our protagonists’ characters are well-defined and given thorough focus, they don’t feel as unique or interesting as the time investment seems to indicate.

Now that we’ve talked about the main cast, we will now look at the side characters. As it is with Yu Shimizu’s other work, the majority of characters are female. The three depicted in the character page (Regina, Elfiné, and Sakuya) are part of Selia’s platoon. As mentioned before, despite the time spent with them, they are all underdeveloped by the close of Vol. 1. Some base motivations and personality traits are provided but not enough to give them solid characterizations. Fortunately, their appearances and manner of speech are unique enough to distinguish them. (Though outfits beyond school uniforms would’ve been better.) This leads me to believe their presence fulfills certain trope positions and they will likely be explored in future entries. For now, they play a few narrative roles but are otherwise forgettable (thank you, character page). The other character I would like to focus on is Muselle, one decently important male in the story. He is a scumbag. A comically evil antagonist used to contrast Leo. Narratively, he plays this role without remorse. No backstory or motivations are given. As his poor personality and type of powers are likely intentional, I would say Yu Shimizu did a great job. However, this takes away from the “realness” of the world and causes interactions with him to feel designed rather than a natural occurrence. In summary, the weak characterizations and lack of development of many side cast create an empty-ish world and forgettable faces. And the use of an over-the-top villain is well-designed but takes away from the reader’s immersion.

With the characters all described, let’s discuss the setting. The world of The Demon Sword Master is one that draws upon many fantastical concepts. From the typical fantasy stuff like sorcery and demi-humans to the more modern things like magic tech and moving cities, this series makes use of it all. For obvious reasons, the inclusion of so many elements risks leaving them underdeveloped and feeling like they were simply thrown together. (Please see my May These Leaden Battlegrounds, Vol. 1 review for such an example.) As many concepts are mentioned but not elaborated on, this was a real issue for me. However, The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 decides to focus on three (3) seemingly connected concepts: (1) the Dark Lords and Six Heroes of old, (2) the Holy Swordsmen of the present, and (3) the Voids; each being great on their own. The remaining elements don’t receive much more attention and simply add to the fantastical atmosphere. By focusing on these three, The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 ties together Leo’s past, the girls of the academy, and humanity’s current conflict. The interconnections and interactions help flesh out the world and deepen our understanding of each element. Unlike the example provided above, this cohesiveness creates a solid foundation on which the rest of the story is built. And, once immersed, it makes for some pretty awesome spectacle. Though, one notable gripe of mine is the naming of the spells. They only sound cool! There isn’t any obvious connection with their result. While this adds to the fantasy, the need to describe every spell after the name is tedious. And this disconnect gives every future occurrence an unneeded confusion. (“Is that what this spell did?”) This could be fixed with a consistent naming scheme/base. In short, despite my initial reservations, The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 creates a decently unique world that solidly mixes fantasy elements of old and new. The numerous additional concepts help produce a fantastical atmosphere but don’t burden the reader with the mental gymnastics. Some improvements can be had but there are no fatal flaws.

After the story’s foundations, it is the plot. Leo has one goal after his botched reincarnation: to fulfill a certain promise and get revenge on the Six Heroes who had defeated the Dark Lords’ Armies a millennium ago. However, there are a few roadblocks that have appeared over the years. The largest are the Voids, a collection of beasts of unknown origin that take the form of mythical creatures (read: beasts from Leo’s previous life). After wiping out three-fourths (3/4) of mankind after their emergence sixty-four years ago, they have shown they are no small threat. The next issue is that of his own making; Leo is in the body of a 10-year-old boy. Because of this, his magical abilities have diminished, his frailty has heightened, and he redevelops *gasp* human emotions! It is around all this that the majority of the action, ecchi, and developments revolve. The simple overarching goal makes for a sturdy spine for the plot to follow (and continue with future entries). Connections between Leo and the Voids help build interesting stakes and flesh out his character. His humanity makes for risky action and odd reactions to the girls’ patronizing(?) care. Both of which constitute most of the non-exposition time and excitement. With these two being used to progress the plot and develop the characters, it doesn’t feel like the time is wasted. And with the unique world, there is much to explore beyond just Leo’s story. In short, the plot is simple to describe and easy to follow. Its sturdy overarching nature allows for connected entries down the line and for potential exploration of the world. The conflict with the Voids and Leo’s botched reincarnation create a good foundation for the action and the ecchi.

Now we talk about the obvious first draw: the girls and ecchi. As expected, all of the main-ish cast members are depicted and described as attractive. Their ages hint at the target demographic of the work (14 – 18 years old). Unfortunately, I’ve lived a little beyond that. Though, the beautiful art and wholesome-leaning scenarios helped ease me into it. That is to say, not much that hints at sexual or adult romance is depicted. This is mostly because of Leo’s physically young age: 10 years-old. As he’s too young, he is seen more as a little brother resulting in somewhat cute interactions with them. Of course, this doesn’t stop Asagi Tosaka from drawing these scenes to the best of their ability. Before continuing, let us distinguish between two types of ecchi present: (1) the descriptive passages interlaced with scenes not focused on a provocative scenario and (2) scenes based around such a scenario. The former are typically physical descriptions of the characters in great detail. These are typically inserted into sections of exposition (driving and walking about), likely intended to drip some excitement throughout. However, they are shallow at best and obstructive at worst. The descriptions do little to further our understanding of their characters and break up the narrative flow. Thus, the overall reading experience is hindered. On the other end are sections of type (2). The scenes instigated by a provocative scenario are seemingly rich in narrative and character development. The vulnerable states of the participants in one scene add a good bit of symbolism as they reveal their secrets. In this case, the scenario (and illustration) is what fuels the atmosphere of excitement with the words moving the plot along. This way, the flow isn’t affected and can be filled to the brim with interesting developments (of all kinds). It is in these type (2) sections that The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 shines. This just goes to show how a scenario and atmosphere plays a significant role in our expectations and reception to certain passages.

The second draw, the fantastical action, provides a good contrast to the first and plays the solution to the narrative’s conflicts. Because of the latter, these scenes are often present throughout. But don’t let the frequency diminish their quality; they are what makes this book such a great read. Each scene plays a different narrative purpose but all share two great qualities: well-defined stakes and easy-to-follow fun. Despite Leo’s identity as an overpowered Dark Lord, it doesn’t feel like nothing is at risk. His bodily limitations prevent him from solving everything, particularly when Voids are involved. This is especially true when accounting for Selia’s perspective. Human lives, their homes and livelihoods, and her position as a Holy Swordsman are all on the table. The unknown and oppressive threats that are the Voids delicately balance Leo’s abilities. There are even some battles that couldn’t be truly won through simply overwhelming the opponent. It is with these methods that The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 uses to keep the excitement high. Then, by pitting the many fantastical elements that make up the world against one another, we see the descriptive fireworks. This is where Yu Shimizu’s writing is at its best. Because of the focus on the three fantastical elements, we have the old vs. the new vs. the evil. The contrast between the Holy Sword abilities and sorcery keeps Void-slaying fresh, and the different Void-types maintain a spicy variety. This range of possibilities is further extended by the many spells at Leo’s disposal and the personality-tied Holy Swords. With so many combinations, it’s easy for Yu Shimizu to find new and interesting battles. However, this technique runs into the issue of having too many solutions. In Reincarnated as a Sword (whose reviews have yet to be updated), there exists an ability that allows for the protagonists to obtain the skills of the creatures they kill. Early in the plot, they gather an extensive collection of metaphorical keys to their problems thus removing the potential of any interesting solutions. The Demon Sword Master has yet to reach this point and maintains the balance of fun and interesting. In summary, the action is strong narratively and filled with high-octane fun. Despite the overpowered protagonist and large collection of abilities, The Demon Sword Master raises stakes and excitement with an equally oppressive enemy and wide range of threats. It is this draw that makes The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 a worthy read.

Finally, let us briefly talk about some additional details. The overall narrative flow is acceptable but there are quite a few instances of a disjointed blending of passages. Chunks of description are added mid-battle, ecchi is inserted into non-provocative scenes, and long dialogues are used in place of exposition. These issues make for a bumpy read but are mostly contained to the first half of the light novel. This is likely intended to weave the setup with the excitement but fails with subpar execution. However, once the foundations have been set, it’s quite the fun ride. This is especially true in the last third of the book. Next, some issues with build-up and foreshadowing are present. This makes resolutions feel somewhat disconnected and/or undeserved. As mentioned before, the action has well-done spectacle but the absence of a solid connection causes some scenes to feel hollow. Lastly, let us talk about the illustrations. There are many present throughout with the high quality as shown below. All but one depicts at least one of the female cast members. Now, this wouldn’t be a problem if they were used to accentuate a scene or critical moment. Unfortunately, many are wasted on simple introductions or inconsequential scenes. While this focus on the first draw is understandable, it limits the potential this series could achieve. More illustrations of the battle scenes would be much appreciated over the current structure. To sum it all up, there are quite a few issues in the writing and illustrations that I wouldn’t expect from genre-veterans. However, the overall flow, beautiful art, and the great amount of fun I had reading make me believe the series is in good hands.

Overall, The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 is a fun addition to fantasy-action/ecchi by some genre-veterans. A few expected issues with the reduction of an interesting premise to school life and the plain trope-like cast exist. Though, Leo and Riselia are decently developed and characterized throughout this volume. The world is filled with elements of classic (sorcery/demi-humans) and modern fantasy (magic tech./moving cities). Despite the risk of a potentially disjointed setting, The Demon Sword Master produces connections through the plot and characters and creates interesting battles between three focused aspects (old, new, and evil). Some aspects added for the ‘cool’-factor could be better implemented (spell names). The plot is simple but sturdy; it allows for exploration beyond Leo and makes a solid foundation for the ecchi and action. The former aspect is well-done in scenes centred around a (wholesome) provocative scenario but fails when dripped into others. The latter is great throughout with large spectacle and exciting fights thanks to the many fantastical elements and balancing between the Voids and Leo’s power, respectively. Many improvements in the mixing of exposition, description, and dialogue can be had to improve the passage-to-passage flow. Foreshadowing and build-up are weak in some scenes thus creating a hollow feeling. Lastly, the illustrations are beautiful but wasted on non-critical moments (mostly as an introduction for the girls). In spite of its flaws, I liked it more than I expected. Seeing its listing have ecchi/harem put me off at first. But now knowing it focuses heavily on the action and its ecchi is fairly wholesome helped me ease into it. The action is well-worth the read on its own but the relationship between Leo and Selia is a great bonus. Definitely will purchase the next volume to find out what’s next on their adventures~!

Rating:
4.0 / 5 – Moderately Recommended

Recommendation:
To readers of action-fantasy filled to the brim with spectacle and overpowered-ness.
To lovers of heavily-armed, beautiful big-sister-types of all flavours.

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my review (even if you scrolled straight to the bottom). I hope that you take home even a little of what I’ve written down. This time around, I even changed my format a little to cover more topics and make it easier to read.

If the action and ecchi aren’t enough to convince you (or may push you away), let me direct your attention to Sakuya – the super cool samurai-type. And before you ask… Yes, she’s as you’d expect. Shwing~!

I’m 春華 or Haruka, aspiring novelist and light novel reviewer. I’ve only started diving into light novels, so please bear with my naiveté. You can follow my Twitter for updates on my reviews and writing progress. Let’s all get along!

Here are all the light novels releasing this week, September 7th to 13th, 2020.

Adachi and Shimamura Volume 2 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 8, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645055396

Sarazanmai Volume 1 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Releasing September 08, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645057284

Skeleton Knight in Another World Volume 6 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Releasing September 08, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645057253

Holmes of Kyoto Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 08, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD3BJ84

Monster Girl Doctor Volume 6 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Releasing September 8, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645055136

Black Summoner Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 09, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD4K947

The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Volume 2 (eBook)(paperback will release December 15, 2020)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 10, 2020 — ASIN: B08CS8QQ8K

The Invincible Shovel Volume 3 (eBook)(paperback will release December 15, 2020)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 10, 2020 — ASIN: B08CS91G7F

Past Life Countess, Present Life Otome Game NPC?! Volume 1
Amazon — Bookwalker
Released September 11, 2020 — ASIN: B08C567KG1

The Holy Knight’s Dark Road Volume 3 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 12, 2020 — ASIN: B08C29T94D

WATARU!!! The Hot-Blooded Fighting Teen & His Epic Adventures After Stopping a Truck with His Bare Hands!! Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 13, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD492D2

English Title: The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
Japanese Title: お隣の天使様にいつの間にか駄目人間にされていた件 — “Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsu no Ma ni ka Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken”
Author: Saekisan – 佐伯さん
Illustrator: Hanekoto – はねこと
Translator: TBA
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School Life
Original Run: June 2019 – ongoing
English Run: December 2020 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: GA Bunko
English Publisher: Yen On
Volumes in Japanese: 3 (In Progress)
Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)

• English Website — Japanese Website
• Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates (Manga) — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: Amane lives alone in an apartment, and the most beautiful girl in school, Mahiru, lives just next door. They’ve almost never spoken-until the day he sees her in distress on a rainy day and lends her his umbrella. To return the favor, she offers him help around the house, and a relationship slowly begins to blossom as the distance between them closes…

Volume 1 
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Released December 15, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975319236

Volume 2 — Title
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Volume 3 — Title
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Reviews of The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

• (forthcoming)

Illustrations Sampler

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

Currently being serialized. No collected volumes released at this time.

If you liked The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, you might also want to try…

• There’s No Way a Side Character Like Me Could Be This Popular, Right? — comedy, romance, slice of life, school life
• Toradora! — comedy, romance, slice of life, school life
• My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I Expected — comedy, romance, slice of life, school life

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

English Title: Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells
Japanese Title: ハズレ枠の【状態異常スキル】で最強になった俺がすべてを蹂躙するまで — “Hazure Waku no “Joutai Ijou Skill” de Saikyou ni Natta Ore ga Subete wo Juurin Suru Made”
Author: Kaoru Shinozaki – 篠崎芳
Illustrator: KWKM
Translator: TBA
Genre: Isekai, Fantasy
Original Run: July 2018 – ongoing
English Run: March 2021 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: Overlap
English Publisher: Seven Seas
Volumes in Japanese: 5 (In Progress)
Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)

• English Website — Japanese Website
• MAL Entry — Forum — Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates (Manga) — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: Touka Mimori and his classmates are abruptly catapulted into a fantasy world, summoned by the resident goddess to serve as heroes. The good news? Most of the students display amazing skills upon arrival! The bad? Mimori is the worst of the lot, bottoming out at a measly E-rank. Incensed, the goddess tosses him into a dungeon to die–but it turns out that Mimori’s skills aren’t so much worthless as they are abnormal. Abnormally powerful, perhaps!

Volume 1
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Released March 9, 2021 — ISBN-13: 978-1648270697

Upcoming Releases

Volume 2 
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing June 8, 2021 — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Volume 3 
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Reviews of Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells

• (forthcoming)

Illustrations Sampler

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

MAL Entry — (Japan) — Published July 2019 – ongoing (English release by Seven Seas) Published April 2021 – ongoing
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf — BAM!

If you liked Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells, you might also want to try…

• Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest — isekai, fantasy, MC has low-level skill but becomes powerful
• Monster Tamer — isekai, fantasy, MC betrayed by more powerful classmates
  

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

Written by Yuu Tanaka with illustrations by Llo. Published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment with a translation by Mike Rachmat.

“What constituted the best of the sword life, though?” – Teacher
A very good question! Does it involve slaying large beasts, clearing out dungeons, and cooking worldly meals for a cute cat-girl? In any case, despite their initial inexperience, we wouldn’t have to wait too long to answer this question.

Reincarnated as a Sword, Vol. 1 is the first volume to an isekai-fantasy light novel series where the protagonist is, as one would have guessed, reincarnated as a sword after a tragic end in their previous life. This series follows Teacher, the telepathic sword, and Fran, the sweet and cool-headed cat-girl on their adventures. It’s a story that strikes a decent balance between a light-hearted atmosphere and somewhat gory depictions of an adventurer’s/sword’s duties and purpose. Yuu Tanaka combines action-adventure and slice-of-life elements in a fantastical world to bring you a story of wonder and growth. And sprinkled within are illustrations by Llo: art that accents the charming nature of our characters and the detailed beauty that is the magical sword.

Does the premise sound interesting to you? It certainly did for me! And the simple charm of the art really drew me in. Reincarnated as a Sword was one of my first light novel series ever. And I’ve been waiting to update its review for a while now. Though I’ve read another fantasy-isekai – I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level – this remains the only one reviewed so far. Thus, we won’t be making too many comparisons to other genre entries in our discussions. For this spoiler-free review, we will look at the reading experience, the overarching plot, the world-building, and some additional details. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

To start, let us talk about some first impressions. As it is with most of my collection, I have the paperback edition of Vol. 1. The most notable aspect is its girth. For a light novel, it is quite thick at a total of 377 pages and promises much more entertainment per dollar than industry standard (around 200 pages). Following this, one should notice the beautifully-coloured cover depicting our protagonists. Its palette and style invoke a cute and simple charm. Then once opened, the reader is greeted by three coloured-inserts. All of which can be seen on this page: the cover (albeit cleaner), the featured banner (above), and a small character page (below). The oddly sparse table of contents comes after; there are only four chapters + prologue & epilogue. Their size (the largest being 124 pages) caused some worry given the expected time to finish. For a book-style meant for light reading, this issue will prove to be a critical flaw – as we’ll discuss later. For now, with these impressions out of the way, let us dive into the meat of the book!

Let us start with the premise: reincarnating as a sword. One would think such a novel perspective would be full of weird thoughts and concerns. However, if you were looking for a story that explores the difficulties and unique characteristics of becoming an inanimate object, you’ll be disappointed. Reincarnated as a Sword, Vol. 1 does just enough to leave you wanting more but falls short of anything truly interesting. This is in part due to their overpowered skills and the seemingly endless conveniences that occur throughout the story; the greatest issues being the sword’s telepathy and telekinesis. My favourite parts of being a sword occurred at the very beginning of the story where the protagonist was left to figure out how to function with their limited experience and skill pool. However, once that was completed, the next hundred-some pages were filled with empty development and uninteresting battles. And with many powers, any detriments to becoming a sword were nullified. Thus, we begin the conversion from an unconventional-isekai to an OP-isekai. By the end of the book, the premise is reduced to an excuse to partner up with a cute cat-girl (which isn’t all bad). In short, if what drew you in was the restricting and unique reincarnation, be prepared to change gears quickly as you’re given the complete opposite.

Chapter 1 (or the first 111 pages of the book) is dedicated to the sword, later named Teacher, and their development towards OP-ness. This is completed through the use of a skill-absorbing ability. While cool in theory, this power can quickly grow out of control. As hinted in my The Demon Sword Master, Vol. 1 review, this can create a story where the protagonist(s) have an endless set of keys to their problems. The result is the inability to raise stakes or create excitement. This critical flaw and Teacher’s undirected exploration leaves very little to enjoy in the first third of the novel. Furthermore, as they are alone until much later on, there is no dialogue and we’re instead treated(?) to walls of description and inner monologues. This paralyzes the pacing to a near halt and makes for a frustrating read. For a series that promises action and adventure, it also gives a lot in spectacle but lacks much in substance. In summary, the absurd length of the chapter, lack of excitement, and poor pacing make this chapter the low point of the volume. For many, this is where you’re likely to drop the book.

The above section ends when our deuteragonist, Fran, shows up and brightens up the story. In Chapter 2, we focus on getting them set up as partners and denizens of Alessa, a nearby city. There is less action and more slice-of-life present in this monstrous 125-page chapter. However, it is a much more pleasant read than the section before it. This is almost entirely due to one addition; Fran’s existence complements the very talkative(?) and unguided protagonist against a cool and (mostly-)directed individual. Their interactions are refreshing and, most importantly, the reason I ended up finishing the book. Through their dialogue, fun quips and character development are added to the story. The relationship they form as teacher and student is just adorable and fully wholesome (and the one instance of fan-service was handled quite tastefully.) In later chapters, seeing how the OP Fran and protagonist pair affect the world around them was fun (albeit cliché at times) and gives a sense of realism and impact during their battles. The fact that Fran is a demi-human also adds a sense of danger and risk that was absent in the prior section. I’m looking forward to seeing how they continue to develop in future volumes. Though some of the lingering problems in the pace and OP-ness continue beyond Chapter 1, at least Fran makes it much more bearable.

Now with the story and writing discussed, let us comment on the overarching plot and character development. Both aspects have a common issue: the lack of a focus. As we are following Teacher and Fran’s adventures, it is their motivations and actions that drive the plot. Thus, they do not only share an issue; they are deeply connected. In this case, strong, consistent goals are required to hold the story together and give direction to our characters. In Reincarnated as a Sword, there are two: (1) figure out why Teacher was brought into this world, and (2) get Fran stronger so that she may overcome the discrimination of her race. However, almost none of the story is spent dealing with (1), and there are countless ways for (2) to happen with no definite progression markers. And these goals don’t help us deepen our understanding of their characters. With all of these flaws in the skeleton, it’s hard to create and flesh out a compelling narrative. Though one thing it does get right is the potential for exploration. In summary, the overarching plot is simple enough to follow and gives many opportunities to branch off. But its lack of focus for (1), unknown progression markers, and shallow character insight makes for a weak foundation to build from.

After the plot and characters, it is the world-building: another aspect that leaves a lot to be desired. While mostly founded upon the RPG basics of stats, skills, races, quests, etc., the resulting character system is confusing and inconsistent. The biggest problem is that there are too many things to remember. From attacks to statuses to abilities and skills, there is simply too much mental juggling to do to keep up with it all. From what my review of May Leaden Battlegrounds, Vol. 1 hopefully communicated, elements thrown together just for the sake of spectacle and/or fantasy can overwhelm the reader and lacks the cohesiveness that makes for a deep setting. At its worst, I frequently had to remind myself to read the inlaid Identify text-boxes as many of the entries did little more than add a ‘cool’ factor and hammer in the fact that this is an RPG-like world. While I believe the intention is to give the reader a quick indication of an individual’s strength, there are too many skills and ill-referenced stats to truly understand in a reasonable amount of time. And given that Teacher usually gives a summary afterwards, they almost seem pointless and only serve to fill page space. At its best, the variety in all things gives every new character and encounter that feeling of novelty and an exciting feeling of uncertainty. However, with the ‘holder of all keys’ flaw from before, every additional power makes me groan at the loss of even more interesting solutions given a limited skill pool. Overall, the world feels generic and requires a lot of background RPG knowledge for a shallow experience. Though, if analyzing character sheets and comparing numbers is your thing, there is plenty of that in this book.

Finally, let us talk about some additional details. The writing is clear and simple, as is expected for light reading. The flow overall is acceptable but the consistent interjections by Teacher’s thoughts can be obstructive at times. On a related note, the use of Teacher’s 1st-person POV is a great approach in describing a sword’s experience (being sheathed, cutting through an enemy, etc.) I only wish there was more of this to bring out the potential of the premise. Moving on, italics are used to both show Teacher’s inner monologue as well as telepathic communication. This is fine as it is usually obvious which is intended but some distinction would help in the future. Lastly, the black-and-white illustrations are all well done (see below) and frequently present during the action and important scenes w/ side characters. This helps accentuate key moments and give life to the many faces our protagonists meet on their journeys (like Klimt). With these points, I believe the series is in capable hands; even if there are many improvements to be made.

As a whole, Reincarnated as a Sword, Vol. 1, is a light novel with an interesting premise that under-delivers in many aspects. With the OP skill-pool, unfocused motivations, and shallow world-building, its action and adventure lack excitement and direction. These flaws are particularly glaring in the first chapter (up to page 111). Though, with the introduction of Fran in Chapter 2, dialogue and slice-of-life elements are added which greatly improves the overall experience. Her mortality also brings in stakes and dangers previously absent in Chapter 1. From here on, the action is improved from pure spectacle and their adventures benefit from a 2nd perspective. Due to the clear writing and adept use of illustrations, I have decent hopes that the series will improve with future entries. And it will need a lot to become more than another middling isekai. For now, I have already read Vol. 2 and will be updating that review in the future. *Schwing~!*

Rating:
3.2 / 5 – Slightly Recommended

Recommendation:
To readers looking to dip their feet into the isekai-genre with a twist.
To readers looking for light-hearted fun spotted with detailed fights to cleanse the palate.

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my review (even if you scrolled straight to the bottom). I hope that you take home even a little of what I’ve written down.

Normally, here would have an additional, undiscussed note to coax one into reading. But just this time, we’ll point out some of Fran’s outfit details. Please direct your attention to the bangle on her left ear and her finger-less gloves. Aren’t they the greatest mix of cute and cool?!

I’m 春華 or Haruka, aspiring novelist and light novel reviewer. I’ve only started diving into light novels, so please bear with my naiveté. You can follow my Twitter for updates on my reviews and writing progress. Let’s all get along!

Here are all the light novels releasing during the week of September 14th to the 20th, 2020.

The Extraordinary, the Ordinary, and SOAP! Volume 3 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 14, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD4CN2T

Mapping: The Trash-Tier Skill That Got Me Into a Top-Tier Party Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 15, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD3BZP4

Deathbound Duke’s Daughter Volume 2 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 19, 2020 — ASIN: B08BPCZM8G

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: The Wayward Journey Volume 8 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 20, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD41QHC

English Title: Three Days of Happiness
Japanese Title: 三日間の幸福 — “Mikkakan no kōfuku“
Author: Sugaru Miaki – 三秋 縋 
Illustrator: Shōichi Taguchi – Japanese Text
Translator: TBA
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Original Run: December 2013
English Run: October 2020
Japanese Publisher: ASCII Media Works 
English Publisher: Yen On
Volumes in Japanese: 1 (Completed)
Volumes in English: 1 (Completed)

• English Website — Japanese Website
• Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: In this dark, moody love story, college student Kusunoki decides to sell off the next thirty years of his life at a mysterious shop in exchange for money-and maybe a chance to find something worth living for.

Volume 1
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Released October 20, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975314217

Reviews of Three Days of Happiness

• (forthcoming)

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

MAL Entry — (Japan) — 3 volumes. Published July 2017 – December 2017 (English) — Not yet licensed.

If you liked Three Days of Happiness, you might also want to try…

• 5 Centimeters Per Second — romance, drama
• I Had That Same Dream Again — drama

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

English Title: The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Japanese Title: 雲のむこう、約束の場所 — “Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho”
Author: Arata Kanoh — 加納 新太, Makoto Shinkai — 新海 誠
Illustrator: N/A
Translator: TBA
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Original Run: June 2018
English Run: November 2020
Japanese Publisher: Kadokawa
English Publisher: Yen On (Yen Press)
Volumes in Japanese: 1 (Completed)
Volumes in English: 1 (Completed)

• English Website — Japanese Website
• Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: In the Soviet-occupied Japan of an alternate history, two childhood friends who have grown apart find each other again and begin a search for a missing third friend–and possibly save the world in the process.

Volume 1
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing November 17, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975318697

Reviews of The Place Promised in Our Early Days

• (forthcoming)

Anime Adaptation

MAL Entry — 1 Feature Film — Released November 20, 2004
Amazon
Note: Novel is an adaptation of the screenplay

Manga Adaptation

MAL Entry — (Japan) — Published February 2006 – August 2006 (English release) Not yet licensed

If you liked The Place Promised in Our Early Days, you might also want to try…

• Your Name — also written by Makoto Shinkai
• Weathering With You — also by Makoto Shinkai
• 5 Centimeters Per Second — adapted from a film by Makoto Shinkai
• Voices of a Distant Star — adapted from a film by Makoto Shinkai
  

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

Today on Twitter, Seven Seas revealed they have acquired the English publication rights for both the light novel and manga adaptation of A Tale of the Secret Saint (転生した大聖女は、聖女であることをひた隠す).

Seven Seas describes the series as:

Fia always dreamed of becoming a knight. Born into a family of knights, she’s the least talented among them, but she still clutches to her hope and trains with everything she has. When the day comes for her to slay a small demon and prove her worth, she ends up face to face with a dragon instead! A deadly injury makes her life flash before her eyes…and she suddenly remembers her former life, when she was a powerful Saint in a bygone era who defeated the Demon King. That life ended in pain because of who she was, making her fear ever becoming a Saint again. Now that the magic from her previous life has been rekindled, she may become a more powerful knight than she ever dreamed–if only she can survive long enough!

The series is written by Touya with light novel art handled by chibi and the manga by Mahito Aobe. The light novel began publication in Japan in June of 2019. There are currently three volumes released.

Seven Seas has stated they will publish the light novel in October 2021. There will likely be a digital release at least a month or two before that.

The manga is set to be published in November 2021.

Written by Usata Nonohara with illustrations by ox. Released in English by Yen Press with a translation by Erin Husson.

“Mariela – the alchemist, the survivor – would build a life for herself here in this town. Even if it wasn’t guaranteed to be a quiet one.” – Usata Nonohara
With her very own potion shop and energetic group of friends to fill it, Mariela’s post-disaster life is looking up. She provides them comfort from their world full of dangers and, in return, they give her respect and companionship: feelings her previous life never had. It is this serene scene she worked so hard to create… and one she will work even harder to protect. (<3)

(Warning: contains very minor spoilers for Vol. 1 – 3)

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life is a fantasy slice-of-life light novel series that revolves around Mariela, a not-so-talented alchemist of the Kingdom of Endalsia. However, once her city is wiped away by the Stampede and she awakes from her multi-century nap, she becomes the only known alchemist in the entire kingdom. Despite this overwhelming responsibility, she decides that a quiet life is for her and to run a small potion shop instead. From there, we meet a variety of interesting characters and immerse ourselves in many slice-of-life stories and adventuring tales. May I also mention that Labyrinth City is built atop a massive dungeon? If you’re looking for a calm and quiet life amid a world of danger and loss, this one is for you. Usata Nonohara’s story of potions and monsters is filled with light fun and action-packed excitement in a world skillfully illustrated by ox. Drama, romance, action, and comedy are all beautifully bound together to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

Did my introductory section excite you a little? I hope so! This series is one of my firsts and why light novels are a big part of my life now. I just love it to bits and want to go over every detail with you all. Of course, I’ll keep it brief. And admittedly, I will try to make it shine with this review. But don’t worry! I will talk about some of its weaker aspects as well, in case those are deal-breakers for you. Furthermore, we will make brief comparisons to I’ve Been Killing Slimes, The Werewolf Count, Reincarnated as a Sword, and May These Leaden Battlegrounds for their use of fantastical worlds, storytelling, and slice-of-life elements. With those disclaimers out of the way, let’s get on with this (mostly spoiler-free) review. We will talk about the characters, the world, the alchemy, and additional bonuses. By the end of it, I hope you’ll understand why I love this series so much!

Now, at the front of every cover is our lovable, ditzy(?), titular protagonist, Mariela. She’s an alchemist – a pact-bearer who maintains a connection with the region’s ley-line – and possesses magical abilities and potion-making skills. In fact, she’s the only one left! The narrative encompasses her life in Labyrinth City and everything related. As a protagonist, she’s not the most unique. Mariela is kind, hard-working, and alchemically smart. She’s also naive, unsuspecting, and dense. There’s not much more to say about her. She’s a typical optimistic fantasy protagonist – though she lacks any significant fighting capability. Her only goal is as the title says: to live a quiet life. In this case, the overall strength in her character is not in her characterization nor her unique choices. She is not one to be admired or whose arc should be investigated for deeper meanings. Instead, it is her situation as an unconventionally powerful force trying to lay low that kicks off and structures the entire story. In short, Mariela’s characterization isn’t the most interesting or most developed. However, this is not the point of the series. Her role is as a glimmer of hope in a potion-starved world and as the catalyst of change in the lives of many. And it is here where the series shines.

As Mariela’s character implies, The Alchemist Who Survived is not an epic tale of high-fantasy with a prophetic destiny attached. If you’re looking for that type of story, this is not for you. Instead, we deal with a variety of small plots with mundane results: material collecting, rebuilding a mountain hot-spring, teaching alchemy at a guild, etc. These are the little things that need completion to maintain her quiet life. However, in their fantasy world, everything has a little bit of excitement to it. Dangerous monsters, long-kept secrets, and tragic pasts are just a few of the encounters on her adventures. With Mariela’s goal being the constant, this collection of stories allows for a deeper exploration of the world and incorporates elements beyond slice-of-life. But don’t underestimate this odd narrative choice. Each volume has an overarching plot to which many of these shorter stories build-up. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but it gives a level of depth and connectivity on top of something like I’ve Been Killing Slimes (whose focus is more on fluff and cute girls and is great on its own). While Vol. 1 is almost entirely setup and world-building, Vol. 2-3 have great overarching plots and deal with more serious matters. This contrast between Mariela’s new life and the grim reality raises the stakes and creates conflict in what our alchemist values more: the lives of her friends or her ideal city life. With every volume, the slice-of-life stories become more cherished as the Labyrinth sinks its teeth into the City above.

Our setting, the Kingdom of Endalsia, is of the standard fantasy type: magic, potions, monster-infested forests, monkey-guarded mountains, sentient(?) dungeons, and awesome outfits (see below). However, what The Alchemist Who Survived does to make it special is provide intricate connections and detailed descriptions of… well, everything. From orc-meat tasting to hot spring recapturing to salve production-lines, Usata Nonohara gives you all and more. Slice-of-life portions of the narrative dive into the inner workings of Labyrinth City as well as the day-to-day life of its denizens. The action-adventure plots explore monster mannerisms and habitats and give an exciting look at battle abilities. Labyrinth dungeoneering provides a dark reality that must be faced and brings increasing danger as adventurers clear deeper and deeper levels. All of these elements are connected to Mariela and her potion-making: a skill whose depth I couldn’t even begin to describe (but will try later on!) Because of the breadth of information contained, it is easy to feel overwhelmed but everything feels like a part of a cohesive world. The connections and depth of each additional concept create a full experience that immerses you in a vast world, leaves you wanting more, and keeps you on your toes for that next bit of knowledge.

As they were mentioned before, we will talk about the cast beyond Mariela. Living in Labyrinth City is a varied collection of characters, each with their niche to fill. Whether that would be the spymaster housewife, the stalwart slave, the energetic guild master, or the electrifying secretary, you would be amiss to say there aren’t enough interesting faces. The Alchemist Who Survived doesn’t even stop there. With consistent personalities and unique manners of speaking, each side character is memorable and feel as if they represent a part of the world (class, profession, etc.). Their actions further shape their setting and are similarly affected by others, giving a sense of agency to even the most minor of characters. All of this is further deepened with side plots that focus on them (rather than Mariela). In these sections, we take their perspective and follow them on a particular event in their life. Battle plans, potion logistics, forbidden magic, and dinner dates are all scenarios explored to deepen our understanding of the plot, world, and characters. And their presence in all types of scenarios (slice-of-life, dungeoneering, etc.) provides new reactions and deepens their characterizations. In doing so, Usata Nonohara gives us time away from Mariela to keep things fresh and show the consequences of her presence in the people around her. But unlike Mariela’s simple goal, many of the characters have more meaningful plots. These include themes of redemption, revenge, family, and (unrequited-)romance (yes, really!) Finally, with such a diverse cast of characters, the final result is that The Alchemist Who Survived‘s world feels alive and keeps you interested in what each character will do next – even the not-so-good ones.

Now, before we dive into the largest element of the series, let us discuss some of the weaker aspects. Given the volume of words to be digested, Usata Nonohara has trouble keeping things exciting at times. This problem is particularly frequent in the slice-of-life sections of the narrative and during the entirety of Vol. 1. While some weaving of dialogue, story, and character development is present, much of the quality is lost in the mountains of description and a large number of concepts to juggle. Similar to my gripes in The Werewolf Count, Vol. 1, this can result in the reader feeling they must slog through the foundations to get to the interesting parts. This problem is further exaggerated in Vol. 1 by the low-stakes plot and immense task of building the world from scratch. Though, this gets issue gets significantly better with the labyrinth subjugation plot and with increased time immersing oneself in the world.
Related to the slowness is the lack of focus the narrative seems to possess. In Vol. 1, there is only one goal, complete the setup required for Mariela’s quiet life. However, the many required tasks are disconnected from each other (gathering materials, buying a new outfit, equipping Sieg, etc.) and lack impactful conclusions. For those used to having spectacle in their light novels, there is very little excitement to be found in the goals. And the aforementioned side-plots in future entries can feel completely unrelated to the overarching task at hand: defeating the labyrinth. Of course, the intention for all is to further flesh out the setting and give us time to fall in love with the characters that inhabit it. However, this results in readers taking many breaks to build up the attention to finish every detail. And with every break is a risk of leaving a book unfinished.
Lastly, due to the large number of concepts incorporated to create this series, there are some inconsistencies present throughout. This error is similar to our discussions in my Reincarnated as a Sword, Vol. 1 review and May These Leaden Battlegrounds, Vol. 1 review where too much can hurt the cohesiveness and depth of implemented concepts. Personally, this did not destroy the immersiveness during reading and the issues were only found after picking at it afterwards. This just goes to show how well-built the world feels.
Obviously, throughout three volumes, there is more to say but I believe these are the critical issues of the series as a whole. To summarize, those would be the slow pacing, general lack of focus, and some inconsistencies in the world-building.

Now onto alchemy – an element that takes so much focus and time it may as well be the main character. To the world of The Alchemist Who Survived, alchemy is one-part magic and another-part science. There are ingredient lists and procedures to follow, all with associated risks and potential for failure. This alone is decently interesting but there are a few things that make it even better: (1) the similarities to essence extraction in the real world, and (2) the use of magic to solve practical issues. Let us briefly discuss each aspect and why they improve the experience.
As one who loves the technical side of things, (1) and (2) help me appreciate the complexity of the magic-system and provide real-world analogies to better solidify the concepts. To start, let us talk about extractions. The wide variety of materials available require an even greater number of methods. Perhaps one needs the medicinal parts of a plant’s root but must avoid grabbing the deadly toxin mixed in. Or a certain compound is only soluble in alcohol but requires mixing in water-soluble salt to turn into a potion. The possibilities are endless! Many of these issues come up in the real-world and have certain solutions; some of which can be seen in The Alchemist Who Survived. Such methods include cold extractions, correct proportions, and sedimentation + decanting. The effort required to complete each is not trivial, and (1) gives a sense of appreciation for Mariela’s hard work (especially if you’ve experienced similar things yourself). Of course, if this sort of thing bores you, I would recommend skipping the Appendix (described later).
Continuing on, we will talk about the implementation of the aforementioned methods. Unlike us, Mariela has magic. This ability allows her to change a potion’s temperature, automatically mix liquids, and concentrate solutions + more with minimal cost – except for her limited magical reserves. This can destroy the appreciation of the effort the methods created. However, Usata Nonohara avoids this danger by making the conventional (i.e. non-magical) methods superior in scale and speed. This makes magic a convenience rather than a catch-all solution with time bearing the heaviest cost. And for a city under the pressure of the Labyrinth, time is not a luxury. Thus, we can still appreciate Mariela’s efforts as she relies on conventional techniques. Instead, what the magic is used for is to seal up the finer issues: those whose solutions would require far more description for little payoff. Such issues include extending potion expiration dates and evaporation prevention. This use of magic allows for Usata Nonohara to focus on more important practicalities and say they thought about every possible issue. Thus, just as (1) shows the depth of the system, (2) demonstrates the consistency and thoughtful consideration.
Overall, the alchemy system is just like the world: detailed, complex, and consistent (mostly). And with Usata Nonohara’s writing, you feel like you’re right beside Mariela as she makes the potions. Her efforts are shared with you. And the resulting positive effects on the surrounding cast and world make it all the more satisfying.

Now, aside from our lovable protagonist, the beautifully crafted setting, the interesting side characters, and detailed potion-making are the bonuses found at the beginning and end of each entry. To open a volume is to find a fully-coloured manga-style section that illustrates a small section of that light novel. These are always a treat as it gives ox – one who does very well with the black-and-white inserts and covers – free reign on the expressions and movements of the characters and the look and feel of the world. On the other end is an Appendix; one split into four distinct sections. The topics include illustrated character summaries, potion recipes and methodology, a Haage side-story, and the author afterword. The character summaries solidify the personalities and looks of the cast and provides quick reference for future readings. Each set of potion recipes gives a quick summary of the materials, procedure, and results. They even include a chibi Mariela going over the steps with you: cute and informative! Haage’s stories hint at the next volume’s events and give us a fun tale from our favourite guild-master. And lastly, the afterword is as one would expect. In summary, The Alchemist Who Survived has even more to the world than the main text provides. In the Appendix, you’ll find both extra entertainment and great reference material.

As always, before we conclude, let us talk about a few other details. Firstly, the art is amazing. Unfortunately, I can’t show you all of it (Go read the book!) but I can assure you of a few things: it is fantastical and beautiful. Orc king fights, carriage rides through the forest, and mountain campfires are all illustrated to accentuate character introductions, climatic encounters, and calm slice-of-life scenes alike! ox’s work gives a sense of detail, expressiveness, and fantastical wonder that complements the world of The Alchemist Who Survived. Their quality and skillful use approach the level of that in Tearmoon Empire (a must-read work whose review you can find here). Secondly, every volume is rather thick; each coming around 350 pages. As they are jam-packed with characters, a world, and more to read and explore, their standard pricing (15 USD) is a bargain and well worth the value. Thirdly, the whole collection is complete at 6 volumes long (in JP). If you’re worried about committing to a massive story, worry not! When this review is released, Vol. 4 is should be just around the corner. So, we’re almost 2/3’s of the way! And lastly, I would recommend reading Vol. 1-2 if you decide to try the series out. This is because of the setup Vol. 1 tackles and the improvements with subsequent entries; Vol. 2 is a much better representation of the overall quality. To conclude, be sure to consider these points when deciding on jumping into this unique series.

Overall, The Alchemist Who Survived, Vol. 1-3 has been one of the greatest reads for me. The fantasy world is immersive. Its cast is varied and memorable. And its alchemical system is consistent and deep. With it all, Usata Nonohara takes us on an exploratory journey filled with magic, laughs, and action that hides darker threats beneath and within the city. Some issues in the volume of description, unexciting goals, and unfocused plot can be found (especially in Vol. 1). However, once the world is built and plots thicken (Vols. 2-3), the time investment shows that it is worth the reward. ox’s art is detailed, expressive, and fantastical: a great complement to the story. Their frequency and placement to accentuate scenes of all types will not disappoint. I would recommend The Alchemist Who Survived to light novel readers looking for a fantastical world to dive into and inhabit (perhaps literally). It provides a unique experience I have yet to find elsewhere in the English LN market. For now, I have already purchased Vol. 4 and will review it soon! Let’s continue to follow Mariela as she fights to protect her not-so-quiet city life~!

Rating:
4.6 / 5 – Highly Recommended

Recommendation:
To readers of fantasy light novels looking for an immersive world, light-hearted atmosphere, and adventure+ slice-of-life with serious overarching plots.
To lovers of eccentric casts, technically-detailed alchemy, and spectacular dungeoneering.

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my review (even if you scrolled straight to the bottom). I hope that you take home even a little of what I’ve written down. This is my first multi-volume review, so I hope it’s to your liking!

For those looking for a little more incentive to give this series a try: just look at the detail in the world and outfits! And Sieg! And Lynx! And… Ah. There are so many reasons why! Let’s just have a long talk about it someday, okay? ;)

I’m 春華 or Haruka, aspiring novelist and light novel reviewer. I’ve only started diving into light novels, so please bear with my naiveté. You can follow my Twitter for updates on my reviews and writing progress. Let’s all get along!

Here are all the light novels releasing during the week of September 21st to 27th, 2020.

If you want to see even more upcoming release dates, be sure to visit the Preorders page.

My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me! Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 21, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD4PP13

I Refuse to Be Your Enemy! Volume 3 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ASIN: B08C2PZ338

Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside Volume 1 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975312459

The Devil is a Part Timer! Volume 17 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975302733

Accel World Volume 22 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975332778

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life Volume 4 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975331658

Baccano! Volume 14 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM!
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975384753

Combatants Will Be Dispatched! Volume 4 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975313685

The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt (Hey, How About Treason?) Volume 4 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975310004

Konosuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Bonus Story Volume 1 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975387068

Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Volume 4 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975305772

Re:Zero Starting Over in Another World EX Volume 4 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975316013

Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town Volume 3 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975313043

Torture Princess Volume 5 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975304775

A Mysterious Job Called Oda Nobunaga Volume 2 (paperback, ebook)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975305581

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Volume 2 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645055280

Reincarnated as a Sword Volume 6 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645057222

How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom Volume 7 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 22, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645055129

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Volume 7 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 23, 2020 — ASIN: B08C2632PS

Lazy Dungeon Master Volume 12 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 23, 2020 — ASIN: B08CWGR7NY

I’m in Love With the Villainess Volume 1 (eBook)(print releases November 10)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 24, 2020 — ASIN: B088P9G8KR

The Sorcerer’s Receptionist Volume 1 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 26, 2020 — ASIN: B08CD3RHJ2

Cooking With Wild Game Volume 9 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Released September 27, 2020 — ASIN: B08C21RX1Q

Today on Twitter, Cross Infinite World announced they had acquired the license to Kei Misawa’s (三沢ケイ) light novel series, Reset! The Imprisoned Princess Dreams of Another Chance! (囚われた王女は二度、幸せな夢を見る) The illustrations are being done by poporucha and this 1st book is being translated by Evie Lund.

The series has been licensed by Cross Infinite World directly with the author who started the series on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in November of 2019. The author has had previous works released by Pash! Cross Infinite World has stated this first volume covers about half of what has been currently released. The series is ongoing.

Cross Infinite World gives this as the book’s description:

Can Magic Change Her Future?

Days before her marriage to the king of the neighboring Sunruta Kingdom, Princess Annabel of Najir is abruptly betrayed by her fiancé and thrown into prison with her magic knight under suspicion of being a spy. After being held captive for months and informed her kingdom is no more, Annabel passes out in a burst of destructive magic, only to awaken as her twelve-year-old self, six years before her political marriage. Armed with knowledge of the dark future to come, she now has another chance to bring about a new fate.

This is the story of Princess Annabel’s second chance at life, and her drive to stop the destruction of her kingdom.

The book is set for a January 14th, 2021 release. You can already preorder it from Amazon here.

English Title: King of the Labyrinth
Japanese Title: 迷宮の王 — “Meikyu no Ou”
Author: Shien Bis – 支援ＢＩＳ
Illustrator: Shoko MEGURO – 目黒詔子
Translator: TBA
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Run: January 2019 – December 2019
English Run: December 2020 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: Legend Novels
English Publisher: Yen On (Yen Press)
Volumes in Japanese: 3 (Completed)
Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)

• English Website — Japanese Website
• Anime-Planet
• LNDB

Synopsis: On the tenth floor of the labyrinth awaits the minotaur. Many brave adventurers have challenged this great beast, all have thoroughly failed. “More!” Demands the powerful monster. “Send me more powerful opponents!” This creature blindly pursues strength at any cost. Perhaps it will even grow strong enough to surpass the rules of the labyrinth itself! Can any adventurer hope to stand against such a mighty creature?

Volume 1 
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf
Releasing December 15, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975317263

Upcoming Releases

Volume 2
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Volume 3 
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Reviews of King of the Labyrinth

• (forthcoming)

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

None

If you liked King of the Labyrinth, you might also want to try…

• Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon — fantasy, dungeons, minotaurs (particularly later volumes)
• Kobold King — also from the Legend Novels line, fantasy, monsters play prominent character roles
• Overlord — MC is a monster, fantasy
  

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

English Title: The World’s Finest Assassin, Reincarnated in a Different World as an Aristocrat
Japanese Title: 世界最高の暗殺者、異世界貴族に転生する — “Sekai Saikou no Ansatsusha, Isekai Kizoku ni Tensei Suru”
Author: Rui Tsukiyo – 月夜　涙（るい）
Illustrator: Reia – れい亜
Translator: TBA
Genre: Fantasy, Isekai, Adventure
Original Run: February 2019 – ongoing
English Run: December 2020 – ongoing
Japanese Publisher: Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko
English Publisher: Yen On (Yen Press)
Volumes in Japanese: 5 (In Progress)
Volumes in English: 1 (In Progress)

• English Website — Japanese Website
• MAL Entry — Forum — Anime-Planet
• Baka Updates — LNDB — Novel Updates

Synopsis: When a great assassin is reborn in another world, he finds himself the heir to a long line of killers from the shadows. With both his modern-day knowledge and experience and the special magic and techniques of this new world, he could very well become the most unstoppable assassin in history…!

Volume 1 
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf
Releasing December 15, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1975312411

Upcoming Releases

Volume 2 — Title
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Volume 3 — Title
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf
Releasing TBA — ISBN-13: ###-##########

Reviews of The World’s Finest Assassin, Reincarnated in a Different World as an Aristocrat

• (forthcoming)

Illustrations Sampler

Anime Adaptation

None

Manga Adaptation

MAL Entry — (Japan) — Published January 2019 – ongoing (English release) Not yet licensed

If you liked The World’s Finest Assassin, Reincarnated in a Different World as an Aristocrat, you might also want to try…

• The Magic in This Other World is Too Far Behind — isekai, fantasy, adventure, MC is already skilled (with magic) in our world
• The Eminence in Shadow — isekai, fantasy, adventure, MC works from the shadows

If you find any errors or broken links in this entry, leave a comment!

—–

Written by Toru Toba with illustrations by Falmaro. Released in English by Yen Press with a translation by Jessica Lange.

Lowellmina had managed to lower Falanya’s guard by taking her side during their conversation with Cosimo. And when that happened, Lowellmina pounced. – Toru Toba, during the anniversary ceremony of Mealtars joining the Empire.
In this story of a princess’ first foray into diplomacy, we see the jaws of the veterans bare down on her. Will the fire that is political maneuvering be too hot? Or will it forge Falanya into Natra’s greatest diplomatic asset?

The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt (Hey, How About Treason?), Vol. 4 is the newly released entry to the fantasy light novel series where well-planned words trump the emotional sword swing. And in this next step of Wein’s endless troubles, we see many converging paths and blossoming growth under adversity. In a sudden turn of events after their wars, the Kingdom of Natra is invited to the merchant city of Mealtars to attend a summit that will (hopefully) settle the Empire’s inheritors. Doubly suddenly, Natra’s young princess – Falayna – asks to go in her brother’s stead! This is a story of meddling older brothers and blossoming princesses: one expertly weaved with politics, action, drama, and comedy by Toru Toba. With Falmaro’s beautifully expressive illustrations continuing to complement the writing, the whole book is a treat for series veterans to enjoy.

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since the last Genius Prince review, and our format has changed a lot. But like a certain princess, we still have much growing to do! Now, as a disclaimer, this is one of my favourite series. Thus, I will try to highlight the best parts to get you to read it (and talk with me about it!) However, as I did for The Alchemist Who Survived review, we will also talk about some of the weaker aspects – just in case you’re on the fence on continuing. With all that out of the way, let’s get on to our regularly scheduled spoiler-free review!

To start, let us appreciate the very colourful cover for Vol. 4 (as compared to Vols. 1 & 2). As the series grows, it seems their art budget does too! And I’m quite excited to have it add more energy to my bookshelf. Moving on to the coloured inserts, we see that the series has solidified its decision on avoiding fan-service-y scenes. This allows them to focus on more important moments and introduce the many faces we’ll encounter. With that, I have one minor gripe: the third insert should have focused on another not-as-spoiler-y but significantly-more-critical scene. Lastly, as per the series standard, a map of the relevant region is provided (see below). Other than my previous notes of better setting development, I’m happy to see that we’ve expanded well into both the East and the West. With a story set in four states (Marden, Gairan, Cavarin, and Systio here), I’m excitedly anticipating the next region we get to explore. Now with first impressions out of the way… let’s bite into the meat of the text~!

As mentioned before, the focus in this volume is the imperial summit occurring at Mealtars. It is a gathering of the four imperial children to settle the Empire’s inheritance. Many of their supporters are also present to appraise the situation as it develops. The summit is important for many reasons, and we will name a few: (1) it focuses on the huge background conflict occurring in the Empire since Vol. 1, (2) it’s timing creates an opportunity for characters beyond Wein to shine, and (3) it is at an intersection between the worlds of the East and West (each given a spotlight in Vol. 2 and 3, respectively.) All of these factors give the potential for an exciting story: one filled with previously loose ends and unexpected reunions. The choice of such a premise by Toru Toba is narratively strong; it develops ongoing stories and creates new opportunities to keep things fresh. Will Vol. 4 uphold its promise of a great story? We’ll talk about this at a later date. For now, The Genius Prince continues to choose interesting situations in which our cast is forced to react.

Before we continue, let us talk about the city of Mealtars – specifically its value as another region in the world of The Genius Prince. It is a merchant city set near the border of the East and the West. The positioning along an opening in The Giant’s Backbone makes Mealtars an important military and trade center. Thus, the city’s support is very valuable to the Empire’s inheritors. But like Natra, it has some special privileges granted to it – mostly autonomy and the lack of meddling imperial soldiers. And with some additional ties to the West, it became a wild card of sorts. This makes it the perfect political battleground for the imperial candidates – a narrative strength. It is also interesting; it has a citizen’s parliament and troubled history. However, it lacks some finer details that would help it be more world-consistent. Two examples, in particular, are given: (1) the influence of Levetia’s teachings aren’t seen in Mealtars, and (2) the absence of imperial troops makes it a poor military checkpoint. For (1), in Vol. 3, we see the West’s entrenched disdain for women (e.g. Caldmellia) and Flahm (e.g. Ninym and Nanaki). From that, there is a surprising lack of hate for the likes of Lowa, Ninym, and Falanya from a city with ties to the West. And (2) is an inconsistency whose presence affects the later parts of the volume. Overall, the choice and initial design are great but suffer from consistency and connectedness issues. The ever-expanding world will continue to harbour these risks but such errors do not detract too much from the story – their absence only removes a subtle flavour from the whole dish.

Like the setting, we give the focus to the characters beyond the norm. In particular, we see many developments from Falanya, Ninym, and Lowa. As the latter two have been around for longer, we’ll describe the adorable little sister. Falanya Elk Arbalest is the princess of Natra and younger sibling to the titular prince. Up to now, we’ve only seen her interactions with citizens of Natra – and for good reason. Falanya is a coddled girl: one who lives in the shadow of her older brother. Her admiration and love for Wein are what makes her want to improve. But she is left without any chances because Wein gobbles them all up. However, with the prince tangled with war recovery efforts, Falanya finds her opportunity! While her initial motivations are very brother-oriented (*ahem*), the princess does develop throughout this entry. At first, it can feel frustrating as Falanya clings to her thoughts of Wein – as exemplified by her conversations with Lowa. But then there are moments of naivety, inexperience, and uncertainty. And among them are points of growth, independence, and curiosity. Slowly but surely, she will stand alongside her revered sibling. We will not go into further detail as I believe it is a treat one should read for themselves. To summarize, I love Falanya. Despite the lack of deeper motivations (like Wein and Ninym), her arc is welcomed. For a series that lacks characters changing over time, Falanya is that spark that hopefully kicks off further development from new and current cast alike.

After Falanya, there are many other characters present at Mealtars (for one reason or another). For spoiler reasons, we will avoid doing any detailed analysis. Instead, let us talk about a series trend of characterizations: particularly, the antagonists. For those who have read up to Vol. 4, you may have noticed that many of these characters are shallow and non-recurring. They are also generally unredeemable. At best, they’re played for absurd twists and comedy; at worst, they’re just a stepping stone for Natra’s expanding influence. It is for these reasons that defeating them feels unimpactful and forgettable – like a one-off comic villain. However, Vol. 4 improves the formula a little more by re-introducing and adding recurring antagonists. This gives time for such characters to develop and generate some nuance. Additionally, it seems each of them symbolizes a different political strategy – thus, requiring unique solutions from our protagonists. And the summit at Mealtars is the perfect event for such a change in the series. Arguably, Lowa somewhat opposed Wein and Ninym starting in Vol. 2 but she is more of a rival-type rather than an antagonist. In short, while the shallow characterizations for many of the antagonists remain, Vol. 4 decides there is always room for improvement and takes the path towards it. Hopefully, we will see the fruits of such a decision in future entries.

Now with the premise, characters, and setting lightly discussed, let’s talk about some plot elements. Without delving too much, Vol. 4’s structure is similar to the other entries in the series. Political maneuvers in the form of schemes and large-scale action in the form of factional war are both present in Vol. 4. The biggest change comes in the form of a focus on Falanya. Relatedly, there are many more perspective shifts, and this feels disorienting at times. Such implementation can become very cumbersome as the number of characters increases. But The Genius Prince always makes such decisions to further thicken the plot and build-up to great twists (comedic or otherwise). Next, one coincidental improvement is the use of multiple antagonists. Despite the weaker characterizations continuing to affect the political intrigue (as discussed in the Vol. 3 review), the interactions between plans from conflicting schemers create excitement and interesting results. This was something missing from Vol. 3 that Lowa had added in Vol. 2 – and now taken to the next level in Vol. 4. On the other side of matters, large-scale battles have lost much of their spectacle with Toru Toba shifting focus towards the politics behind it. This removes the unimportant formation descriptions and replaces them with more political dealings – a doubling-down on what makes the series great. For me, this is a welcome change. And there will always be assassination attempts and alley fights for action-junkies. To summarize, Vol. 4 is seeing some changes from the formula in all of its parts. While they all seem to improve the story presented, we will see if The Genius Prince continues their use in the future.

To end it off, we’ll talk about some additional details. As always, Toru Toba continues to pack in a great amount of world-building, excitement, and dialogue into its short length (~180 pages). The first two chapters are an excellent example of this; they wrap up Vol. 3, set up the premise for Vol. 4, and connect them seamlessly. And this is all done with a coating of humour – mostly directed at Falanya’s brother-complex and Lowa’s horrid(?) personality. Of course, the comedy extends well beyond this to include some absurd, but not illogical, twists. Now, one aspect I especially enjoyed was the pre-trip flashbacks to Wein describing the plans to Falanya. These sections were well-done given the siblings’ relationship, the skewed exaggerations about Lowa, and Wein’s perspective on every new world element and character. Consequently, the density of the text makes the pacing feel quick. And unlike The Alchemist That Survived (Vols. 1-3 review here), this is amplified by the laughs and action sprinkled throughout – thus, Vol. 4 is quite the page-turner. Then, in a semi-related topic, Vol. 4 feels like it is better written. Vols. 1-3 had issues with twists lacking build-up and foreshadowing that are mostly absent in here. This is helped by the mountains of background and world-building available now as compared to Vols 1-2. Finally, the last of the last is the art. As always, it is detailed, fantasy-appropriate, and expressive. Falmaro continues to amaze with their great skill and sustained refinement over time. This time around, the (subjective) improvement comes from the many male characters illustrated. The focus remains on the female leads (such as Ninym, Lowa, and Falanya), but it is refreshing to see Falmaro’s skills applied to the likes of Glen, Strang, and Nanaki. To conclude, with all of the aforementioned minor improvements, my confidence remains in the author-illustrator duo for maintaining a great series.

Overall, The Genius Prince, Vol. 4 is an improvement from Vol. 3 and lands itself somewhere alongside Vol. 2. This is a result of many changes, big and small. Particularly, the shift of focus away from Wein and large-scale battles brings about better character developments and political intrigue. However, weak base characterizations and small world inconsistencies are still present. These shortcomings are balanced by an increased number of recurring and new antagonists; the resulting intrigue has interactions between multiple schemers and added depth from previous encounters. The strong writing from Toru Toba – as exemplified in the density and seamless flow – and amazing illustrations by Falmaro continue to be strong parts for the series. Seeing them improve and optimize their skills after every entry gives me confidence in the series’ maintained success. And now, with the world and plots ever more entwined after Mealtars, I’m extra excited for Vol. 5. I can’t wait~!

Rating:
4.6 / 5 – Highly Recommended

Recommendation:
To readers looking for that uptick after the weaker characterizations and political intrigue found in Vol. 3.
To lovers of strong little sisters looking to grow beyond the shadow of their older brothers.

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my review (even if you scrolled straight to the bottom). I hope that you take home even a little of what I’ve written down. For this non-Vol. 1 review, I tried to cover things that weren’t discussed in the previous reviews.

If the above review hasn’t convinced you… please go to the featured image (at the top) and stare at Falanya. That’s how I’m looking at you right now – but maybe not as lovably.

I’m 春華 or Haruka, aspiring novelist and light novel reviewer. I’ve only started diving into light novels, so please bear with my naiveté. You can follow my Twitter for updates on my reviews and writing progress. Let’s all get along!

Here are all the light novels releasing during the week of September 28th to October 4th, 2020.

Pretty Boy Detective Club Volume 1 (paperback)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — RightStuf — BAM! — Indigo
Released September 29, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1949980516

The Invincible Shovel Volume 2 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 29, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645057260

Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life? Volume 10 (paperback)(ebook released earlier)
Amazon — Barnes and Noble — Book Depository — Rightstuf — BAM! — Indigo
Releasing September 29, 2020 — ISBN-13: 978-1645057215

The Combat Baker and Automaton Waitress Volume 8 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 29, 2020 — ASIN: B08FHTFJVQ

A Wild Last Boss Appeared! Volume 2 (eBook)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing September 30, 2020 — ASIN: B08CL6XYR9

Muscles are Better than Magic! Volume 1 (eBook)(Print releases January 5, 2021)
Amazon — Apple — Google Play — Kobo — Bookwalker
Releasing October 1, 2020 — ASIN: B08CS87BSG

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Volume 8 (eBook)(paperback releases December 15, 2020)
Amazon — iBook — Kobo — Google Play — Bookwalker
Releasing October 1, 2020 — ASIN: B08CS84NRG