Feb 7, 2019
As of this review, I've read 4 volumes of the official english LN, I'm not sure how many WN chapters it translates into (probably around 80).
Arifureta is yet another isekai with game elements and an underpowered, underestimated main character that ends up becoming a broken cheat in a short span of time. It also smells of the author's own fantasies and escapisms. Hell, even the author himself calls the work chuunibyou-ish and a fanfiction in the first volume's afterword. If you don't like that kind of stuff, chances are you won't have fun reading it. I, for one, have been isekai trash even before the
...
whole boom started, and escapistic stories have become my guilty pleasure overtime, so consider that as you read this review.
The story is solid enough. It's easy to read and the pacing flows along nicely, and everything, including the protagonist becoming OP and him having girls fall for him is well justified. The first volume is kind of edgy, while from volume 2 it becomes more light hearted, a comedy adventure if you will.
The characters are nice. The author has a good grip on them and I enjoy the main cast's dynamic. The series slowly evolves into a sort-of-harem, but even then it doesn't become obnoxious. The interactions between the girls actually help show their character as time goes on, and even though I usually hate half of the girls in a harem setting (and generic harem stories as a whole), they really managed to grow on me in Arifureta. It helps that the main character is not a pushover but actually has his goals and ideals (and also doesn't just pull his harem around indecisively, but instead has a single girl that he openly loves).
The downside to the light novels is probably the illustrations. They aren't bad, but I found them incredibly mediocre. The expressions are weak and don't portray the scenes well enough. Usually it's just a girl standing in a bland pose with no background behind her. I'd overally say they're cheap.
In all, I'm enjoying Arifureta. It might not be the best story if you want balanced powers or major character growth, but it's an amusing piece with interesting ideas packed into it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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