Trying to find anything appealing about this show at first glance isn’t easy. The key visual is covered by generic looking characters and an isekai based protagonist. The synopsis reads like most isekai fantasy plot you’ve heard of these days. Oh but there’s political drama! Perhaps that could change the phase of the show, right? Wrong. This anime adheres to what most people assumes and it’s like part of a genetic code. The DNA formula for this show connects the most boring possible themes in the show with an even degenerate cast of characters.
Shingo Ichinomiya is the main protagonist who takes on the role of Wendelin after waking up in a fantasy world. From the beginning, he is portrayed as a character with potential and it’s up to himself to unlock them. Thanks to Alfred Reinford’s tutorage and his own determination, Wendelin evolves into a gifted mage and even forms his own party of adventurers. And if you guess it right now, you’re right. It’s a group of female adventurers and easy to paint them as members of his harem. This is where the show takes the fall as the main female cast in the show is hammered with lazy writing. Let’s start with Elize, the priestess and perhaps most pure member of Wendelin’s party. Here, she’s portrayed with a kind heart but lacks any distinctive traits outside of her healing abilities. Louise, the martial artist fills the role of the physical fighter in the party. Somehow, the show wanted to make her into a comic relief by inserting embarrassing jokes. She also shares a rivalry with Ena, a spear wielding girl with a tomboyish personality. At first glance, she would appear to be someone capable of being a poster girl of the show but as every episode progresses, it’s hard to imagine anything noteworthy to say about Ena. She’s just another member of Wendelin’s harem added for the sake of a harem. And finally, there’s Wilma, a character that I can safely say has no personality. Debuting late in the story, Wilma’s character role brings out some of the worst parts of the show including her gluttonous appetite and offering absolutely nothing relevant. With such a character cast, I’m afraid this show hits the lowest common denominator even for a fantasy isekai.
If you’re in a mood to watch a fun fantasy plot, then prepare for the worst. It’s even less fun when watching these characters engage in political drama between the higher class nobles. One of the more prominent subplot involves a political marriage between Wendelin and Elize. As fate has it, she develops genuine feelings for him and their relationship evolves beyond just politics. But unfortunately, this series doesn’t have time to fully develop that relationship. It instead jumps around between subplots by introducing elements such as martial arts tournaments, hired bodyguards for Wendelin, and other requests such as monster hunting. Between every episode, it seems the show never knows what it truly wants and fails to get us invested into the main story. Viewers will be left with concerns on how weak the plot develops until they just give up. That’s how I felt anyways by the time this anime even reached its half way point. To adapt a large volumes of novels into a 1-cour (12 episodes) anime is nothing but a recipe for disaster.
There’s more than one ways to adapt a show but the studios behind this project didn’t exactly step up to the plate for its character designs or overall look. To appeal the audience, it needed a distinctive character cast even if it means their physical features. It’s sad to say but the show limited itself with a universally dull looking character roster. Every female character has a similar face and molded with lackluster dress codes. Sometimes, the anime tries to bring out their features with decorative clothes but in the end never hits its expectations. Even the monsters look insufferable such as the CGI dragon and the horrid zombies. The only saving grace for the show’s art style is the occasional world fiction that seems plausible at best.
It’s not going to be a satisfying watch. I’ll say this as straightforward as possible but if you want to explore something from the fantasy genre catalog, this isn’t one to aim for. From the lazy plot writing to the uncharismatic character cast, there’s little Hachi-nan tte, Sore wa Nai deshou will offer to the audience. Do something better with your time and don’t recommend this to your friends, or in fact, anyone.
