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In 1959, the sociologist C. Wright Mills published a monograph titled "The Sociological Imagination." The titular concept purports to draw a connection between the individual's personal experience and the social world—that is, how the social world affects the individual.

Noor, the protagonist, is viewed by many as a bumbling idiot who parries everything, brain cells included. Some see this as charming gag humour, while others see it as a trope that wears out its welcome in a few episodes. Everyone is right. But I'd like to expand upon this and invite the enterprising viewer to approach the show with Mills's concept of the sociological imagination in ... mind, especially for anyone who might be turned off by the idea of a "stupid MC who never learns."

Have you ever had your world-view absolutely shattered overnight? What about your sense of identity? Yes, this is anime, so unrealistic things are allowed to happen, but still: place yourself in Noor's shoes. He yearns to become an adventurer and live the tales he's read about, but all his life he's known nothing but failure. So when he finally achieves something—becoming an adventurer qualified for only the most menial tasks—he latches onto this identity like a starving leech. It's honest work, and Noor is well-appreciated by the people he helps; so, for him, it feels right.

Suddenly he's thrown into insane situations for which he feels entirely unprepared. The reality is that his extreme training regimen and subsequent aptitude for his limited skill-set has made him more than qualified to handle everything that comes, but he has no reason to think this. He lacks context and perspective that we (and the other characters) possess. He doesn't even have the arrogance or narcissism to recognize his own strength or consider alternatives that would place him at the top of the food chain. Consequently, Noor is very slow to expand upon his old identity as an exceedingly low-rank adventurer who's failed in every way to advance.

"I Parry Everything" is not a show for everyone, but if you are able to look past Noor's idiosyncrasies (and the rather standard story and animation), then I would encourage you to approach the show with an open mind and willingness to see the protagonist as more than just an idiot. Doubly so for those who enjoy an older protagonist + teen girl having a wholesome relationship without a shred of romantic subtext, something that is far too rare in anime.