Ore to Kawazu-san no Isekai Hourouki

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

The Casual Isekai Experience, the added elements of "discovering one's own magic" makes the read enjoyable. The point of an isekai is to watch how the main lead unfolds in telling his story. MC is most likable because he sticks with the traditional dense Isekai MC. The dense nature causes him to make choices that may regret your read. MC remains to be the same with the thoughts of a Japanese school boy. Supporting characters that were added to the slice of life experience. Read to discover their backstories and reasons for existing. Yes, there wasn't any plot except the casual isekai experience.

I've read 26 chapters of the manga and there is one thing needs to be cleared about the synopsis: So far this world is rather peaceful, there are no dark forces threatening the world, therefore there is no need to save it, there is not even an overarching plot, the story is rather episodic. The beginning reminded me more of Konosuba, than the most other isekai fantasy stories. I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised about how entertaining the story turned out to be.

The biggest reason for the manga's success is because it doesn't raise the bar too high. It never takes itself too ... seriously, it is as the title said this is about the adventures in another world, nothing more, nothing less. The story is mostly about the misadventures of our heroes as they discover the world. It focuses on its comedy more than others of its genre. Therefore it's more relaxed pace isn't much of a problem. It is not a parody like Konosuba, its humor not as over the top, and its characters nowhere near as wacky, but perhaps this is the reason why its humor sat so well with me, while Konosuba's not. Although the story seems to be moving towards bigger and more serious arcs, just finishing its first more serious one at chapter 22.

The characters are a mixed bag, nothing you haven't seen before, yet the chemistry between them seems to work. The side characters while not particularly three dimensional, are actually a lovable bunch, and the story seems to be fleshing them out more as it goes on. The MC may not be anything special either, but his laid back, down to earth personality practically guarantees a certain level of entertainment. While it is true that the main hero is extremely overpowered, the story is very aware of that and is mostly serves comedic purposes or for the MC the get creative with it, even when he gets into a battle it is mostly played for laughs.

It is kind of hard to put into words, but since the story is not trying to be so serious and tell another grand, epic tale, coupled with the fact that it manages to trip on less of its genre trappings, leads to a lot more enjoyable read, than most of its contemporaries.

However, if the manga has any great throwbacks, it's the art style. It is extremely bare bones, which can be very well seen in the complete lack of backgrounds, in 80% of the pages the characters are just standing in the void. Even when it decides to show backgrounds, it just nothing pretty to look at. The objects, the effects, and the characters only receive the bare minimum amount of detail. Not to mention that the lack of attention to detail makes the occasional fight scenes and overall movement rather hard to follow. There were moments where I would have had actually no idea what has just happened if they didn't also explain it, because it was just too confusing to look at.

To sum it up, this manga turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable read. However, don't expect too much from it, while my enjoyment exceeded 7, mostly thanks to its humor clicking with me, my overall score didn't. The rather basic characters and lackluster art style requires some getting used to, and since this is just the beginning of the story there is no saying how it will turn out. I, however, remain cautiously optimistic.