Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Volume 10 Discussion

Nov 9, 2016 12:41 PM

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THIS IS A MANGA ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS ANYTHING BEYOND THIS CHAPTER.
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Lol, the argument between Iris and Megumin is priceless already so far this volume.

That cover image for volume 10 has 'gamble scramble' as the tag. Can't wait to see some casino shenanigans and Megumin/Iris drama.

Nov 17, 2016 9:29 AM

#2

OneTrueEmiya

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Megumin best girl, Iris can gtfo to whatever prince she wants to marry. Can't wait for Kazuma to screw up again >:D

Nov 17, 2016 12:04 PM

#3

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^mfw when megumin is jelly of the best girl

Anyway good first chapter, that banter with darkness in the first part was hilarious. Lol aqua raised a red flag in the end. XD

Nov 28, 2016 6:33 AM

#4

RaiZero

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just finish reading this volume and I think that this is a lot better than volume 9

Dec 5, 2016 11:59 AM

#5

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RaiZero said:
just finish reading this volume and I think that this is a lot better than volume 9

Well tbh the meguninfegs hyped it, it was a lot less funnier and one of my least fav volumes.

Anyway chap 2 was pretty good, Iris is so selfless. :/ lewd handholding lol

Dec 26, 2016 11:49 AM

#6

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Did I just see yugioh by kazuma? Nvm he can just get all the money from the nation by bets with his op luck lol

Dec 27, 2016 1:53 AM

#7

RaiZero

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Frostbytes said:
Did I just see yugioh by kazuma? Nvm he can just get all the money from the nation by bets with his op luck lol

well you're about right about that

Jan 6, 2017 3:11 AM

#8

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Lol, everytime the bell pops up everything goes bonkers.

Jan 15, 2017 1:09 PM

#9

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Hah, I called it! Now I wonder what that imposter said to Iris

The ending was perfect, poor guy got friendzoned lmao.

Jan 24, 2017 2:16 PM

#10

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So since it was said in vol 6 that exchanging rings mean a couple or something and Iris and kazuma technically did it, I will take it Iris ship has sailed.

Jan 24, 2017 11:57 PM

#11

AoiYukihira004

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Mar 2016

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Less Megumin, But i see some interesting development there :

Don't know why, but the two volume (9 and 10) is a bit less funny for me

Jan 25, 2017 11:08 AM

#12

HaXXspetten

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Iris basically became Saber. Welp

I was hoping for some continuation of the Kazuma x Megumin situation that was building up at the end of volume 9, but it seems to have been put somewhat on hold for now (albeit certainly not forgotten evidentially). That aside though, I think this was a pretty solid volume overall, but definitely not the best one the franchise has ever had either

Also Onii-chan >>> Onii-sama. Iris at least seems to be finally seeing the light there in the epilogue

Mar 24, 2017 10:36 PM

#13

G_Spark233

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Didn't think Iris would be this extremely op.

Explosions ship has been put on hold for now. At least it wasn't completely forgotten.

Kazuma gambling was hilarious. I felt bad for those poor guys.

Mar 25, 2017 11:04 AM

#14

nowchoose

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Jul 2016

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Doe anyone know what megumin lvl is?
I mean she massacre 50% 9f demonking army fortress with elite demons right?

Apr 18, 2017 12:45 AM

#15

zombie_wolf

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Iris is so meh for me, too normal for this series?

And Kazuma piss me off, I mean, you can t say I love you if you later not worry about her

May 10, 2017 7:40 AM

#16

arkhangelsk2017

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IMO, Volume 10 is by far the weakest in the series, and it feels as if the author's heart isn't in it, or even against it.

Let's start with Iris. The basic idea of this volume as far as Iris is concerned is a sweet little princess fighting hard for her people. Unfortunately, the author also decided that Iris is not only to be a good fighter, but a overpowered Mary Sue.

As it is, Konosuba is a story about flawed characters, and so Iris without major personality flaws (apparently because she was designed initially to be The Princess in a three chapter fling) is already close to a Mary Sue in this setting even without any combat ability. Making her an all-powerful combatant able to be both a close-in fighter and a mage (with two signature attacks) just completes her Sueness.

The author compounds that problem by not even creating enemies matched to her uber-strength, so she slices through them very quickly (even the dragon at the end), and he doesn't even try to hype up the fight to be more than it is, instead the emphasis is on how easily and effortlessly Iris sliced through her foes (and even this emphasis is not done with any grace). It is all very boring and completely defeated my ability to feel sympathy with Iris. I'm supposed to feel touched because she's trying, but she isn't because the author overpowered her and did not give her anything she needs to "try" on. She just does.

The author actually tried to hastily justify Iris' OPness, but Konosuba is already too developed for it to work. We have already seen the deliberately genetically enhanced Crimson Mages (heck, we've seen divine avatars!) and it is hard to believe normal breeding even with the best natural genes can match/exceed that result and add top-level close combat in the bargain. Further, we've also seen examples of the "heroes" (Japanese teenagers buffed with divine equipment) so the idea that there are some uber good genes there is hard to believe. The "good teachers" bit might have worked better if Iris is not a Power-Fighter (since she wins everything with one blow). Food has never been previously established to have any obvious effects to the level-up so it is hard to believe it is a strong factor compared to the usual mechanism of absorbing the souls that you've actually killed. As for their ability to use relics is basically the author contradicting his rule, all the way in Volume 1 that the equipment is for the designated user only.

Failed justifications only spotlights how poorly fitting OP!Iris is, not only in a thematic or literary sense, but even in a technical or "scientific" sense. In fact, the author can predict that people are not going to be impressed. He even writes that in the story as Kazuma's (and in Explosions Megumin's) reaction, so why he continues with this idea is a mystery.

But at least it saves the author the need to write even the simplest battle. If all fights can be solved effortlessly with one swipe, the author doesn't need to sequence any events, plan any tactics or show any emotional play. These non-fights save a lot of effort. Plus, since everything is one swipe, all enemies might as well be the same: Minotaurus→Exterion! Soldiers→Slash! Griffon→Exterion! Golems→Sacred Lightning Blare! Dragon→Sacred Explode! See how similar everything becomes?

Similarly, Kazuma's (who was the only other person even allowed to enter the main plotline) OP luck assignment means that all gamble scenes are reduced to him just joining and winning. Again, any gamble looks very much the same when it is this one-sided. The lack of other characters in many scenes also reduces the load.

Laziness permeates many areas of this book. As Frostbyte points out, the author imported Yugioh into the universe without giving it any quirks - in fact, though one of Konosuba's strength is worldbuilding with many traditional elements given new interpretations, this time the casino nation of Elrood is played completely straight. Instead of coming up with the creativity to give Iris a good time in the woods during the trip to Elrood, the author resorts to stealing Capsule technology from Dragon Ball so they can have trite little household scenes even while traveling to Elrood.

Reading Volume 10 (and also Explosions 4), a conspiracy theory forms through me that the author doesn't really like writing about Iris (but little sister characters sell) and decided to either write her very lazily or even deliberately torpedo her. I mean, how else can you explain Iris even taking Megumin's spot with her last "Sacred Explode" but as incitement for all of Megumin's many, many fans?

But all I can say is even that does not excuse what had happened, and though Iris is far from my favorite character and I honestly believe her #3 slot in the popularity poll is more due to her generic category than her specific merits, I think Iris can be developed into a good character and deserves better than the laziest (or hostile) attempts to write).

May 10, 2017 3:03 PM

#17

Takuan_Soho

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^^That Iris was OP was established back in volume 6. So while you may not like the genetic aspect, it was already part of the story - go back and read what she said when Chris and Kazuma were stealing the necklace, the only reason she didn't trounce them is because she (together with Darkness) knew it was Kazuma. It was also mentioned in 6 that Isis had extensive training in battle techniques and strategy. She likewise would have the most powerful magical equipment short of divine artifacts.

As for battles being similar - yes, Kono is a comedy series, repetition is a comedic tactic, hence Iris is always has a "smile becoming a child" or Megumin's younger sister "is going to grown up to be a great person". It's the variation of the theme that makes it funny. In this story, the ease at which Isis deals with everything was to set up the Prince being "friendzoned" so completely. She also grew up a lot in this story, which is keeping with her character development. In 6 she learned to be a bit willful, in this novel she took a huge leap forward on this front.

Now I would agree that 10 was a bit less enjoyable than 5-9 have been, but it still had its moments. I am looking forward to 11 and the return of the true "greatest little sister".

May 10, 2017 3:16 PM

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Takuan_Soho said:
^^That Iris was OP was established back in volume 6. So while you may not like the genetic aspect, it was already part of the story - go back and read what she said when Chris and Kazuma were stealing the necklace, the only reason she didn't trounce them is because she (together with Darkness) knew it was Kazuma. It was also mentioned in 6 that Isis had extensive training in battle techniques and strategy. She likewise would have the most powerful magical equipment short of divine artifacts.

As for battles being similar - yes, Kono is a comedy series, repetition is a comedic tactic, hence Iris is always has a "smile becoming a child" or Megumin's younger sister "is going to grown up to be a great person". It's the variation of the theme that makes it funny. In this story, the ease at which Isis deals with everything was to set up the Prince being "friendzoned" so completely. She also grew up a lot in this story, which is keeping with her character development. In 6 she learned to be a bit willful, in this novel she took a huge leap forward on this front.

Now I would agree that 10 was a bit less enjoyable than 5-9 have been, but it still had its moments. I am looking forward to 11 and the return of the true "greatest little sister".

I though 9 was also less funny, 8 had its moments with that armour dude, I think it's pretty subjective which is enjoable or not but all the volumes have their moments for the characters.

Also I totally don't understand what the above guy said, Iris needs to be a flawed character or something....like what? It's a comedy series so power levels have hardly any relevance here.

May 10, 2017 7:38 PM

#19

WashingMachine45

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May 2017

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The moment they setup for the epic fight in chapter 4 Im already know the battle gonna be troll. This is Konosuba, what are you guys thinking? No ways its predictable like that

May 11, 2017 5:42 AM

#20

arkhangelsk2017

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Takuan_Soho said:
So while you may not like the genetic aspect, it was already part of the story

Don't get me wrong, I actually liked the gene idea. By then Darkness has already been established as a first-rate tank, and it helps explain that as well.

The problem is one of degree. Chris is only a thief and Kazuma a low-stat adventurer, so to say Iris can beat them easily doesn't ring any OP bells. In fact, it is an appropriate amount of power to give her, so she can be an active member on the inevitable day she'll work with Kazuma's party.

What was unforeseeable was the author giving her that much boost (and not even giving her matching enemies). In short, I must agree with G_Spark233 when he said "Didn't think Iris would be this extremely op". And it is has produced negative effects on the fights, the book, and the world. I don't like those negative consequences, not the genetic idea.

It was also mentioned in 6 that Isis had extensive training in battle techniques and strategy.

Yeah, wouldn't it be nice if Iris can win with techniques or tactics at least some of the time? Instead, all we ever get is Iris killing her enemies in one blow.

She likewise would have the most powerful magical equipment short of divine artifacts.

Another path not taken as they decided what she'll be allowed to use are actual divine artifacts, which adds the disadvantage of inconsistency to all the others the path taken already had.

It's the variation of the theme that makes it funny.

Among other problems, b/c all battles are so one-phase with Iris, there are no "variations". Calling out a different attack name occasionally is not varying the theme.

In this story, the ease at which Isis deals with everything was to set up the Prince being "friendzoned" so completely.

The author can decide to impress the prince using any combination of Iris and Kazuma's traits. Even if Iris has to be this strong, the author can still arrange Prince to produce worthy enemies for Iris and Prince can be impressed by the fact she won at all, rather than her one-swiping enemies far below her level.

She also grew up a lot in this story, which is keeping with her character development. In 6 she learned to be a bit willful, in this novel she took a huge leap forward on this front.

Another side-effect of the OPing IMO is the destruction of this concept. The story is supposed to show us Iris building up her character but they don't work because Iris' fights (her part of the Conflict) are so easy. How much willpower and character is needed to show up for fights you can win just by swiping your sword?

I am looking forward to 11 and the return of the true "greatest little sister".

Well, Komekko is a bit too young to be the little sister thing that drives Japanese otaku. Iris is better for that. However, I do like Komekko and the E-book should be coming out on June 1 and I'll be getting it then. Besides, I'm led to believe Kazuma and Co will be adventuring again, and perhaps they'll get into the troubles again that remind us of their weaknesses - I look forward to seeing this.

DigitalExile said:
I though 9 was also less funny, 8 had its moments with that armour dude, I think it's pretty subjective which is enjoable or not but all the volumes have their moments for the characters.

For the record, I thought Volume 9 was the 2nd weakest book (though it still had a strong front half which makes it better than Volume 10), and yes, Aegis was funny and though it didn't really have a strong climax (the odd numbered books tend to be more climatic and main plot-centric in Konosuba) Volume 8 was enjoyable as a world-building book.

Also I totally don't understand what the above guy said, Iris needs to be a flawed character or something....like what? It's a comedy series so power levels have hardly any relevance here.

Even comedies have themes, general flow and internal logic, and IMHO Konosuba's theme is about flawed and limited people making their way in the world. Thus every character is "cursed" with limitations of one kind or another, and most of them (excluding Eris / Chris) have significant flaws in their personality. So even before Iris shows any martial prowess, she is unusually blessed in the Konosuba "system".

As for combat, by Volume 10 we've seen almost everything this universe has to offer. We've seen not only the bottom and average, but top-level Maou Army executives, high-ranking devils, avatars of goddesses, a dark goddess, divine weapon users, genetically enhanced humans (using god-given tech), heck we've even glimpsed other royals (they retreated in front of Wolbach, thus proving they do have limitations after all). Humanity is centered around a gamey class system that ensures all humans are limited and specialized, or jack of all trades that have to use all their ingenuity just to get acceptable performance.

So, how many people have you seen so far that was granted such an "unlimited licence" as Iris - she even got Sacred Explode so she can take out the dragon essentially all by herself.

Hopefully this gets my view across. And I think it is very sad. To take just one reason, what do you think takes more love to write:
1) Giving a character H3xx powers and then her battle sequences all consist of a single swipe.
2) Writing out proper battle sequences where she has to combine abilities or at least sweat it out and feel their own mortality?

Am I wrong to suggest Iris deserves 2?

May 11, 2017 7:39 AM

#21

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arkhangelsk2017 said: