Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! Volume 10 Discussion

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

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".

arkhangelsk2017 said:


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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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?



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.



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.



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?