#or an isekai story… pretending to be cliché

[teecupangel]

Hey, guys.

So I got some comments asking how I’m doing in this weirdass world and… ooohhh boy.

First off, no, the assassin’s name is not Desmond… or Altaïr.

It’s Deneb.

Yup. The isekai gods have some serious irony boner or something because they named it after the last of the three Summer Triangle.

Oh… the other assassins are named after stars too. Their leader is named Polaris which means…

Whoever wrote this has a thing for theme naming and having names with meaning or something.

I’m honestly wondering if there will be a group of women named after flowers. Dear god, I hope they’re not the villainess and her cohorts. Since this is set up as having a male lead (hell, maybe the prince or that weirdass mage is the 2nd male lead), that only means it won’t be long until I have to get in contact (and go against) a villainess.

Depending on her backstory and her looks, I might try to push all the male leads away and try to seduce the villainess instead (not that I have any idea on how to seduce anyone).

Why?

Because I like villainess revenge stories! That’s the only reason why!

Other than that… uuuhh…

Oh.

For those who are asking if I’m planning to do a harem or reverse harem. God, no. That’s too much work and these kinds of setup would just railroad me to the main male lead anyway unless I actively go against the plot. For now, I’m not going to pursue anyone. I only talked to the duke once and that was after I was rescued by his assassin squad and I think I might have surprised and confused him by my insistence of knowing their names and where they got their skills (apparently from a sacred text or something).

Besides... I still don't know if this is a yandere story or not. I'd rather not risk it until I have confirmation that none of these male leads will go the yandere route if I try to go for a harem ending.

As for those who are saying that being able to predict the plot is an OP skill. Yeeaahhh. I guess. But… I mean… it’s not a transmigration story, it’s an isekai story. Shouldn’t I have… something more? Or maybe even… idk… status menu or quest menu or something video game-y? I mean, isekai stories are usually meant to be about OP main characters getting what they want and the plot has been more or less going down that direction. My lack of an actual OP power that I can use in combat (look, I’m an introvert whose parents once told me I played outside with kids once and never again because I hate sweating. You can guess my stamina and strength stat by that alone) like some OP magic spell or even an OP familiar to do the fighting for me is kinda… not cliché. And this has been cliché in every other aspect.

... which is fishy if you ask me.

Well… no use trying to think about it right now.

So just a head’s up, the next update will still be on Monday as usual. I’m already halfway thru it. Yeah, I know. I just updated today and I’m already halfway thru the next chapter hahaha. But I have a reason for that. The maid-in-waiting the duke assigned me (well, technically the head butler assigned her to me under the duke’s orders or something and I know she’s one of the assassins because her name is Spica) informed me that the duke will be returning from the frontlines this Thursday (which they call the Day of the Land, quite a mouthful tbh). Anyway, the duke wants to take me into some kind of secret vault underneath the castle or something where the sacred artifact is stored. It’s apparently supposed to only be used by the Saintess so, if I’m the real Saintess (which the duke has doubts on, yeah, screw you too, buddy), I should be able to use it.

So yeah, I wanted to have the next chapter done and ready before I go to that vault because we all know something’s gonna happen. I really hope it’s not me losing conscience after touching the artifact then waking up 3 days later. That would be annoying.

And that’s your head’s up that I might be late on my weekly update next week. Not sure yet XD

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this week’s chapter. Thank you for all the comments last week! And… uuuuhh… I guess… prepare yourselves because this chapter ends in a cliffhanger because I am evil.

Isekai where a fanfic writer is determined to get back to their normal world in time to post their next update on schedule

[pollys-manganime]

A top5 no one cares about, winter anime 2019

Before I start I want to clarify that a lot of people, a huge lot of people already put MobPsycho 100 season 2 at their tops and that’s ok, it may be the anime of the season... but not for me simply because I’m not watching it.

Also bear in mind that I’m no expert and I don’t pretend to be an expert, This top here below is based on how amazing/good/fun/dark I find them. In short: I enjoy them and I think you could enjoy them too

motto: My tastes are my own, I will respect yours because they're your own.

1 DORORO (Mappa/Tezuka)

The 2019 version of Tezuka Osamu’s   Dororo to Hyakkimaru is so dark, so powerful and so so good that It’s #1 without question. It gets better with every episode. The story is one of a man who not only is a survivor but also was born with his dignity stolen from him. Hyakkimaru learning how to be human is going to be so interesting. You all should watch it.

2. THE PROMISED NEVERLAND (CloverWorks)

Speaking of dark, here’s our little cuties Emma, Ray and Norman trying to escape from their fate (not giving away anything about it). The little problem with this one is that I’m reading the manga so even if it’s sooo amazing, so well animated, the soundtrack is so brilliant and so tense... I know what’s going to happen, So I’m not likely to be as surprised as someone who hasn’t read the manga. Still that fact doesn’t stop me from enjoying every episode. The adaptation is 100% spot on so far.

3. KAGUYA-SAMA WA KOKURASETAI (A-1 Pictures)

Love is war for the main characters of this show. This is like the anti-shojo shojo. It takes all of the clichés you could find in a regular shojo and twists them. In my opinion this is kind of a satire. Kaguya and Miyuki like eachother, they’re the perfect match... and they know it, but they are at war. Each of them will fight with all their might to make the other confess. Simple? yes, it seems simple... but it isn’t. Because none of them believe in fair play. You will laugh more than once.

And the anime studios are the same as Kuroshitugi’s, Black Butler, that is...

4. TATE NO YUUSHA NO NARIAGARI (Kinema Citrus)

This one is not your regular isekai just like Kaguya-sama isn’t your regular shojo.We have a main character who is a fantasy otaku (nerd, whatever) and who’s leading a dull life. One day he opens a book at a library and he’s transported to a fantasy world like, say, SAO. He’s one of the chosen heroes who must save the world from evil (the usual stuff) but, and here’s the thing, he’s betrayed by his allies... and instead of fighting for all that’s good and blahblah he swears to avenge himself. I need to watch more of this but so far it’s good, just good... 

5. DOUKYONIN WA HIZA, TOKIDOKI, ATAMA NO UE (Zero-G)

This comes as a surprise. This is a very simple story, very simple characters in it so far... and the animation is kind of average. BUT here we have a writer with writer’s block who adopts a stray cat, and that cat becomes his inspiration, his muse. What makes this show enjoyable is that we have the same story told twice; one from the point of view of the writer, who tries to understand his cat... and the other one from the point of view of the cat, who wants to be understood... and both points of view are kind of compared. And there’s where the fun comes. The cat’s and the man’s visions are not only different but also opposite most of the times. If you are bored on a rainy sunday afternoon, check this one out. Just relax and enjoy it.

I thought Boogiepop would be there too but I don’t understand the story the way it’s told and the animation is rather crappy save for Boogiepop herself.

This is my top5, however I’m open to suggestions. Actually I’d love some recs, but please, try not to give me unjustified ecchi because I’m not buying it. (I’m looking at you Domestic na Kanojo)

Now, what do you think? what are your favourite animes of the season?

[drink-n-watch]

  Genre : Isekai, action, adventure, comedy, fantasy, fanservice

Episodes: 12

Studio: Ajia-Do

  Do we still make fun of gamers? Video games is one of the most profitable industries in the world and I do believe the biggest grossing entertainment industry at the moment. Everyone plays video games. People can make a good living playing video games and even gain a degree of fame. Yet we still pretend that gamers are an ostracized minority or somehow not cool. So silly. Besides, I think anime has clearly established that the best and most dedicate mmorpg gamers, like Takuma Sakamoto for instance, are most definitely going to get transported into a real life version of the game were they can be like gods or… Demon Lords. Must be though having incredible power and being constantly surrounded by super attractive fantasy ladies. Then again, with great power…

I watched this because of Karandi. She doesn’t know it but I did. When How Not To Summon a Demon Lord was airing, I gave it a skip, just because I was already watching Log Horizon at the time and it seemed redundant, but I did follow along with her episode reviews. And she really praised this show, so after a few weeks, I stopped reading the reviews and added the show to my watch list.

ah…well…uhm…that’s o.k. then I guess

I wasn’t too familiar with studio Ajia-Do and in fact I think this is the only show I’ve seen from the studio. It’s effective. Ok, so How Not To Summon a Demon Lord is a very fanservice heavy show. I’m not sure how it qualifies on the scale, ecchi light maybe? In any case, the character designs are a selling point here and clearly the production knew that because they are really nice. Admittedly, aside form main character Diablo, the men’s designs are more lacklustre but he makes up for it and all the ladies are stunning. Those designs are by far the high point of the production.

The backgrounds and colours are good, the sound design and voice acting is also good although there is a lot of moaning that occasionally sounds very silly and fake but I think it was part of the joke. I found it funny in any case.Finally the animation is decent but I did notice some pretty obvious drops in art quality once there was a bit too much going on in a scene.

You know what, I’m going to actually try do put together a review that will give you an idea of whether you want to watch the show or not. I would describe How Not To Summon a Demon Lord as a mix of KonoSuba and Log Horizon with a dash of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Did I just name all the isekai I know? Maybe….

that’s for me to know and you…when did I take this screengrab????

Wait hear me out, How Not To Summon a Demon Lord stats off as a well meaning raunchy comedy in a high fantasy setting just like KonoSuba. Although it does get a lot more explicit on the raunchy side. However, it actually develops into an overarching storyline with a connected plot and hero’s journey that would fit quite well as a season of Log Horizon. The jokes do make way for the story and it’s honestly compelling, if a bit cliché. As for the dash of Slime. Well Diablo is not unlike Rimuru. He’s a bit more immature but generally he has the same well meaning attitude and wish to help all those around, despite his looks he generally tries to solve conflicts through diplomacy or at least intricate planning and he’s a bit overpowered compared to everyone else which transforms the very nature of conflict in the story.

Honestly, all the plot, character and isekai elements were there to make for one of my very favourite shows. But sadly, the fanservice sort of wore me down at the end. It was pretty good up until the half way point, even the 3/4 mark I would say. What didn’t work for me, personally, was that it was sort of old school fanservice. 90% of it was boobs. Shera’s huge bouncy breasts which often end up expose or “accidentally” groped several times per episode. It just lacked variety is what I’m saying. And if you happen to prefer butts…too bad! It’s all about the chesticles here! The second issue was that for me, sexualizing children or child like characters is pretty uncomfortable and there was quite a bit of that in the latter episodes which made it less fun.

I still enjoyed the series as a whole. There were just a few things that didn’t work for me.

other things worked just fine!

And here are some warnings if you are thinking of watching it but are sensitive to certain elements. There are explicit sexual acts and a lot of wink wink nudge nudge, this isn’t sex I’m just pouring my hot magic into this naked girl as she moans moments, but I do believe private parts stay covered, although barely. At least half of those explicit or heavily implied sexual acts are dome without consent. The slavery trope is exploited throughout the entire season with quite a few mentions of “good” slave masters. As I mentioned, there is underage characters put in naughty situations and also in violent ones. At a couple of occasions the action was brutal enough to give me serious pause and I’m rather desensitized to violence. Still I didn’t expect it here and it was pretty shocking when it came. Also, if you don’t live alone, you may want to listen to this one with headphones, unless you don’t mind everyone assuming you’re watching porn. In which case, rock on!

If any of these things bother you enough to make you enjoy a series less, then How Not To Summon a Demon Lord will probably not be your thing. Not only are all these elements present, they are pretty much ubiquitous. However, if you enjoy them or are indifferent, I think there’s a good time to be had with How Not To Summon a Demon Lord’s classic fantasy adventure and well meaning hijinks. The series struck me as at times clumsy with it’s handling but never disrespectful or mean as can occasionally happen.

we need a Sylvie spinoff

Favorite character: Sylvie (I mean, c’mon!)

What this anime taught me: Magic reflection rings are super useful

“Always buy a bigger bottle than you think you’ll need, it’s better to be safe than sober”

Suggested drink: Demon Possession

Every time Shera and Rem bicker – take a sip

Every time the camera focuses on Shera’s chest – I don’t know, breath in or something

Every time Diablo blushes – gahhh

Every time the enslavement gets reexplained – take a sip

Every time anyone uses a called moved– call it out too

Every time Shera and Rem get along – raise your glass

Every time anyone is naked – fan yourself

Every time we hear Diablo’s inner monologue – listen

Every time there’s an art fail – take a sip

Every time we see Emile – cheer

Every time we see the flow of magic – get water

Every time Diablo gets called kind – take a sip

Every time Diablo notes a difference from Cross Reverie – take a sip

Did you know that game apparently exists? It’s the right genre and all but it doesn’t seem obviously related either….

sheesh – I almost forgot to add a Rem pic

I avoided the naughtier screencaps I’m afraid. I’m sure you can find them somewhere…

    How Not To Summon a Demon Lord Almost Had Me Genre : Isekai, action, adventure, comedy, fantasy, fanservice Episodes: 12 Studio: Ajia-Do Do we still make fun of gamers?