Is This Hero for Real?

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

If this does not get another chapter to tie lose ends, I will commit many crimes. Is This Hero For Real starts out as a typical 'revenge isekai' where Kang Hansoo gets sent into the wilderness of another world when he asks to go home. However, when you expect him to get revenge on those who had betrayed him, he doesn't, he stands out as (at most times) a morally righteous person. Side characters also get their time in the spotlight without feeling like they take up too much of the story, where you get to see the side characters' perspectives and what they see ... in the world. Is This Hero For Real takes its time building the surroundings of the world, and fleshing out the characters' personalities and powers. The art style is phenomenal for this type of story, and is very good even in the most mundane situations, to intense battles. Those who are looking for a fun read which is very easy to get into should read this.


-------------------------- SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING AND LAST COUPLE CHAPTER OF IS THIS HERO FOR REAL -----------------------------


HOWEVER, the last chapter feels unjustifiable in what it does. When people say endings matter, this is incredibly true for Is This Hero For Real. During the last couple of chapters of the story, Kang Hansoo gains a powerup which can only be described as plot armor while facing the demon king. The last few chapters felt incredibly underwhelming and confusing. When the demon king is defeated on chapter 101, Hanwoo does get his body back and faces ZERO consequences for his actions. The ending felt like there should be more for the side characters, and also gives zero explanations for why Diaroka is on Earth with Hansoo. Not only this, but also no mentions of the leveling / power system are mentioned when they are back on Earth.


Is This Hero For Real should have had a better ending, it also feels like there is much more to add onto the story past its manhwa ending. There is a high probability that the ending was rushed, because the series was axed, but we can only hope for more.

To begin with I would say that the manhwa does a lot of things well enough that has led me to enjoy it throughout its run, though the same thing couldn't be said about its ending that was very clear how abrupt it was. It is actually quite saddening that it had to end this abruptly as according to those who read the novel (not me) it gets even deeper and more interesting.

Plot:
The plot may at first seem fairly cringy as personally it reminds me of other isekai stories that begin like such (getting seperated from class when summoned to another world), that leads mc ... to become edgy and recluse. In this story mc doesn't become that annoying and cringe. One thing it does though that follows its predecessors in this type of subset of isekai is spending too much time with the other perspective (idk what to call it), which could have been used instead to develop the main character.

Characters:
The main sidecast that follows the mc is fairly interesting as they serve as guides to the mc in this foreign world, but are also made in a way that shows their individual personalities. Each character evokes different characteristics from mc thus bringing to us a more rounded mc from which we can see his good and bad. I do have qualms though with the characters of his original class as they are all very one sided characters, which barely have any development in character. And the character that gets the most character building from them is the worst one.

Art:
The art is something that is fairly basic I feel. Nothing to praise yet nothing to complain about either. The art is consistent at least in my eyes which is something that I commend that they kept even nearing the end where the story got axxed.

Overall:
It is an enjoyable series which gives a goofy little twist to isekai that I feel is yet to be overdone but is not revolutionary. If you ask if I would recommend it I would say no, but if you ask if I would advise you against reading it I wouldn't say so as well. It is an ok series but the ending is very disappointing. It could probably be used as a starting point for reading the novel though (that is what I'm gonna do).

This will be a spoiler heavy review, specifically regarding the last few chapters. The story overall is pretty well structured. At moments it feels like the main character isnt the only main character, and despite his betrayal he doesn’t hold it against the other students recklessly. Considering the had nothing to do with it. However in the later chapters you see less of the other groups and more of Kang. Which isn’t all bad, but the resolution falls short because of it. The most well written character weirdly enough is Oh Hanwoo. His constant misunderstanding of the fantasy world and his perverted tendencies make him ... an ideal target for hate. While his genuine want to be a hero makes the reader want him to get it together. So when he ultimately gets fooled into helping the bad guys it becomes a great motivation for the actual hero to take action and be reunited with his first classmate. Unfortunately the last few chapters are so rushed that even some english translations get outta wack. The introduction of the big bad couldve had more intrigue. We learn about the warrior that he used to be and his own motivations but all this time hes made no appearance or effort. Kang resurrected a high noble and the demon kings daughter only for them to play no part in the final act, but to just be more love interests? The top study from the hero class stayed in training all the way until the end of the manga. Funny? Sure but it adds nothing to the story after watching him and other students go through trials and tribulations just for them to get jump cut to the end of the story. The fact that there are multiple demon kings and Kosmos is aware of this but never mentions the ultimate king, our big bad, or these three relics that defeated them. He then is never reunited with Kang. Whilst at the end, the students suddenly knew it was Kang who saved them. Which brings me to the main issue. Why then was Kang not mad at the goddess? Even after hearing that even the demons want the heroes saved he still decides to kill the demon king, and makes no effort to get revenge on the goddess. Who says almost nothing at the end and doesnt even fulfill their promise cause who does? THE FREAKING GOD thats been following him all this time who’s been tsundere asf had the power to send them home all along? In what way is that interesting? All in all it seems like the writer gave up on the story around the 95th chapter. Which is probably why people stop around that point and don’t cover the ending. It probably could’ve taken another 20 chapters to resolve some of the main issues of the story. But i enjoyed it all the way up until that point. A great Binge read.