Chapter 13 and main antagonist is already revealed? That went fast.

Main antagonist of this story arc at least. We'll likely get a bigger villain next.

Welp, the series just went off the deep end. Can anyone in Japan write a plot where a pseudo-Catholic church does not turn out to be led by evil old folks? I dunno, just for the sheer shock factor.

last edited at Jun 8, 2021 10:36AM

Welp, the series just went off the deep end. Can anyone in Japan write a plot where a pseudo-Catholic church does not turn out to be led by evil old folks? I dunno, just for the sheer shock factor.

Given that the Catholic Church (among others) has been behind some EVIL SH!T for hundreds of years, this is just art imitating life.

Welp, the series just went off the deep end. Can anyone in Japan write a plot where a pseudo-Catholic church does not turn out to be led by evil old folks? I dunno, just for the sheer shock factor.

Given that the Catholic Church (among others) has been behind some EVIL SH!T for hundreds of years, this is just art imitating life.

Indeed, but art does not have to imitate life that dogmatically. As a counterexample, if most manga closely imitated real attitudes towards homosexuality (in Japan and the world), a good half or more of this site's content wouldn't exist. And yet it seems much easier for Japanese authors to paint non-heteronormative societies than non-evil organized religions.

I am just saying that it could be fun to subvert the rote genre conventions.

last edited at Jun 8, 2021 12:55PM

Welp, the series just went off the deep end. Can anyone in Japan write a plot where a pseudo-Catholic church does not turn out to be led by evil old folks? I dunno, just for the sheer shock factor.

Given that the Catholic Church (among others) has been behind some EVIL SH!T for hundreds of years, this is just art imitating life.

Indeed, but art does not have to imitate life that dogmatically. As a counterexample, if most manga closely imitated real attitudes towards homosexuality (in Japan and the world), a good half or more of this site's content wouldn't exist. And yet it seems much easier for Japanese authors to paint non-heteronormative societies than non-evil organized religions.

I am just saying that it could be fun to subvert the rote genre conventions.

I agree that subverting things is often good and can add some extra spice, but "just went off the deep end"? I don't agree there, because the narrative at the start is that the Church murders innocents and are the villains. It only turned out that the Church were even bigger villains than the main character thought, which at least for me was very obviously the case since the very start. Predictable yes, but so far I'm still enjoying the 4 main characters, and some of the action. I was never reading this for anything revolutionary haha

last edited at Jun 8, 2021 9:54PM

^ I think I should have put a line break or two in my original post... The church thing is just a pet peeve of mine that I already discussed elsewhere, while the manga went off the deep end the moment it had spent an entire chapter on the villain monologuing at the hero about how society has made them evil.

Because, what was the point of chapter 13, why was it in this story? First, we learn that the Princess is some kind of magical hacker who can trace magical cellphone jamming (which exists, just so) without any foreshadowing that she had ever specced into that build. So this half of the chapter introduces a new problem (jamming) in addition to the one already introduced last chapter (dragon), then immediately pull a solution for it of nowhere without any progress made on the dragon issue, then caps it off with a cool action scene. That's amateur fanfic-level writing, at best, and lazy delaying tactic, at worst.

Second, the Little Sister Archetype (LSA) calls the Heroine and tells her that her Respected Mentor Figure (RMF) who has so far given her zero reasons to doubt her trustworthiness is Actually Evil(tm). She offers zero proof or evidence, but that's OK, because the RMF takes one single look at the Heroine's face, immediately figures out what the LSA told her, and instead of making any attempt to salvage the situation or at least to stall her until the Earth Girl (EG) gets blanched, immediately goes "Muahahahaha, I am Actually Evil(tm)!". She then attacks the Heroine without provocation, reveals an incriminating location she was not supposed to know existed, confesses to every accusation, and then starts whining about how hard it is to have responsibilities in addition to all the perks and privileges of high status in the society. She then also tells the Heroine of her Special Destiny(tm) and, oh, just by the way, I killed your entire village, too, no hard feelings.

Now, just what is the Evil Old Lady's goal and motivation here? If she just wants the "blanching" ritual to succeed, why did she blow up a hole in the floor in the immediate vicinity. instead of using her official and personal pull with the Heroine to stall her? If she wants to gain the Heroine's sympathy with her sob story, then why confess to indirectly killing her parents and mock her for "not having a self" immediately thereafter? If she wants the Heroine to keep working for her out of her free will, why provoke and antagonize her? If she wants to brainwash her, why give the long-winded speech instead of just sucker-punching her while she's still confused? None of this makes the Evil Old Lady look like a competent and intelligent mastermind she supposedly is -- more like a entitled teenager throwing a tantrum.

A story is only as intelligent as its dumbest main villain, and this story's IQ has just dropped faster than Bitcoin after an Elon Musk tweet.

last edited at Jun 9, 2021 2:26AM

^ I think I should have put a line break or two in my original post... The church thing is just a pet peeve of mine that I already discussed elsewhere, while the manga went off the deep end the moment it had spent an entire chapter on the villain monologuing at the hero about how society has made them evil.

Because, what was the point of chapter 13, why was it in this story? First, we learn that the Princess is some kind of magical hacker who can trace magical cellphone jamming (which exists, just so) without any foreshadowing that she had ever specced into that build. So this half of the chapter introduces a new problem (jamming) in addition to the one already introduced last chapter (dragon), then immediately pull a solution for it of nowhere without any progress made on the dragon issue, then caps it off with a cool action scene. That's amateur fanfic-level writing, at best, and lazy delaying tactic, at worst.

Second, the Little Sister Archetype (LSA) calls the Heroine and tells her that her Respected Mentor Figure (RMF) who has so far given her zero reasons to doubt her trustworthiness is Actually Evil(tm). She offers zero proof or evidence, but that's OK, because the RMF takes one single look at the Heroine's face, immediately figures out what the LSA told her, and instead of making any attempt to salvage the situation or at least to stall her until the Earth Girl (EG) gets blanched, immediately goes "Muahahahaha, I am Actually Evil(tm)!". She then attacks the Heroine without provocation, reveals an incriminating location she was not supposed to know existed, confesses to every accusation, and then starts whining about how hard it is to have responsibilities in addition to all the perks and privileges of high status in the society. She then also tells the Heroine of her Special Destiny(tm) and, oh, just by the way, I killed your entire village, too, no hard feelings.

Now, just what is the Evil Old Lady's goal and motivation here? If she just wants the "blanching" ritual to succeed, why did she blow up a hole in the floor in the immediate vicinity. instead of using her official and personal pull with the Heroine to stall her? If she wants to gain the Heroine's sympathy with her sob story, then why confess to indirectly killing her parents and mock her for "not having a self" immediately thereafter? If she wants the Heroine to keep working for her out of her free will, why provoke and antagonize her? If she wants to brainwash her, why give the long-winded speech instead of just sucker-punching her while she's still confused? None of this makes the Evil Old Lady look like a competent and intelligent mastermind she supposedly is -- more like a entitled teenager throwing a tantrum.

A story is only as intelligent as its dumbest main villain, and this story's IQ has just dropped faster than Bitcoin after an Elon Musk tweet.

Well it's unfortunate that you dislike the series so much. Personally I'm still having fun with it. Your critiques are valid, but I was never taking this manga super seriously to begin with, so there was never a "off the deep end" point for me. I think it's just a fun little isekai adventure. That's all I can really say.

last edited at Jun 9, 2021 4:02AM

That was hilarious motivation.

A story is only as intelligent as its dumbest main villain, and this story's IQ has just dropped faster than Bitcoin after an Elon Musk tweet.

It's easily apparent that the villain thinks Menou doesn't have any chance of beating her. In fact, she tells you that outright. Overconfidence precedes failure. You seem to have a lot of bones to pick with this manga, valid or not. At a certain point, it just becomes nitpicking.

A story is only as intelligent as its dumbest main villain, and this story's IQ has just dropped faster than Bitcoin after an Elon Musk tweet.

It's easily apparent that the villain thinks Menou doesn't have any chance of beating her. In fact, she tells you that outright. Overconfidence precedes failure. You seem to have a lot of bones to pick with this manga, valid or not. At a certain point, it just becomes nitpicking.

At certain point, it will, but I don't think it has yet. :-) And you seem to have misinterpreted my criticism: I do not complain about the villain being overconfident, I complain about her behavior towards a potential threat (Menou) and her apparent contradictory tactical goals (one the one hand, to earn Menou's sympathy; on the other, to rile up her anger) not aligning with her stated long-term goal and motivation (to extract even more benefits from her already privileged position while shirking her responsibilities instead of abdicating/retiring due to advanced age). "If hero meets villain, they must always fight" is the kind of formulaic, by-the-numbers writing that simply does not engage me intellectually -- which is what I typically look for in a fantasy story.

last edited at Jun 12, 2021 3:40AM

And you seem to have misinterpreted my criticism

I didn't. Overconfidence was a short and apparent reason as to why the villain may have acted as she did. Akari was already on the altar surrounded by her underlings in a setting of her choosing. Menou's assistance was underground fighting a dragon. She doesn't think Menou has a rat's ass chance against her (see: overconfidence) so why bother pretending anymore.

At certain point, it will, but I don't think it has yet. :-)

Let me show you.

Because, what was the point of chapter 13, why was it in this story? First, we learn that the Princess is some kind of magical hacker who can trace magical cellphone jamming (which exists, just so) without any foreshadowing that she had ever specced into that build.

This is the second time we really met with the princess and the first time was a purely physical fight. What reason is there for any need of foreshadowing?

So this half of the chapter introduces a new problem (jamming) in addition to the one already introduced last chapter (dragon), then immediately pull a solution for it of nowhere without any progress made on the dragon issue, then caps it off with a cool action scene. That's amateur fanfic-level writing, at best, and lazy delaying tactic, at worst.

If the jamming wasn't there, you would be sitting here claiming it as another 'low IQ' oversight from the villain. The dragon haven't been dealt with because events from both places are happening at the same time and will likely conclude at the same time too or possibly even converge at some point. What's to complain about a cool action scene in an action fantasy manga?

See how I nitpick your nitpick? If you still don't see it as so, oh well.

And you seem to have misinterpreted my criticism

I didn't. Overconfidence was a short and apparent reason as to why the villain may have acted as she did. Akari was already on the altar surrounded by her underlings in a setting of her choosing. Menou's assistance was underground fighting a dragon. She doesn't think Menou has a rat's ass chance against her (see: overconfidence) so why bother pretending anymore.

Oh, I see your point now. But still, overconfidence and reasoning like "why shouldn't I do this stupid thing?" are not attributes of a competent mastermind (see also: Evil Overlord's List), so my point still stands :-)

Because, what was the point of chapter 13, why was it in this story? First, we learn that the Princess is some kind of magical hacker who can trace magical cellphone jamming (which exists, just so) without any foreshadowing that she had ever specced into that build.

This is the second time we really met with the princess and the first time was a purely physical fight. What reason is there for any need of foreshadowing?

The reason is Sanderson's first law of promises and payoffs: An author's ability to solve problems with magic in a satisfying way depends on how well the reader understands said magic. Introducing a complication just so that a side character can reveal a cool new ability to solve it three pages later violates that law, as it creates an expectation that any character can gain whatever power the plot requires at any time.

So this half of the chapter introduces a new problem (jamming) in addition to the one already introduced last chapter (dragon), then immediately pull a solution for it of nowhere without any progress made on the dragon issue, then caps it off with a cool action scene. That's amateur fanfic-level writing, at best, and lazy delaying tactic, at worst.

If the jamming wasn't there, you would be sitting here claiming it as another 'low IQ' oversight from the villain.

Please don't try to read my mind and/or put words into my mouth. :-) Jamming devices have not been featured in the series up until this chapter (do correct me if I am wrong), so even I wouldn't expect the villain to have something in their lair whose existence has never been indicated in the story.

The dragon haven't been dealt with because events from both places are happening at the same time and will likely conclude at the same time too or possibly even converge at some point. What's to complain about a cool action scene in an action fantasy manga?

Again, you are putting words into my mouth: the action scenes in this manga are definitely cool-looking, I do not deny that. It just that the first cool-looking fight in this chapter was watered down because the author felt the need to introduce a new fact about the universe and about the Princess in the laziest way possible, while the second cool-looking fight is now happening because a supposedly smart villain has proven herself not very smart. And in a manga that starts off with the murder of a kidnapped child, I kind of expect cool action scenes to happen for reasonably intelligent reasons.

See how I nitpick your nitpick? If you still don't see it as so, oh well.

All I see is you countering my criticism with valid, if often weak arguments and examples.

Urasekai Picnic done...
Virgin Road done...

I hope OmaeGotoki is next getting anime adaptation

Oh shit, I guess that must have been future Akari coming back to save her current self? She’s got a kinda twisted personality though…

So she is like a timelord from Doctor Who or something among this line ?

Oh shit, I guess that must have been future Akari coming back to save her current self? She’s got a kinda twisted personality though…

She probably have seen and experience a lot given the difference between her current powers and the future self powers. She can only reverse the flow of time of someone right now but future self seem to have time stop powers and reversing more than just the body state. Time based powers are no joke, they're one of the strongest power you can get behind reality manipulation.

last edited at Jul 10, 2021 10:04PM

I'm not honestly not a fan of the this girl being pretty Yandere, it was weirdly jarring...and it makes me lose interest in the possibility of them becoming a couple.

I knew she had already lived through this before, I called it, there were a lot of hints in most of the previous chapters so I'm super glad it was finally confirmed.

And Momo deserves all of this, go for it.

And Momo deserves all of this, go for it.

Wait what did she do?

hot tbh

Guess thats one of the perks of being a Time manipulator, you can even wreck everyone in the past, present and future whenever you want or need, and honestly her being a yandere makes a really good synergy with it, i mean, think about it, she can she can go enjoy her Love's past whenever she wants, save her whenever she wants and the best part... Stalk her and see her underwear whenever she wants with her not noticing it :v its the perfect power for a yandere

Guess thats one of the perks of being a Time manipulator, you can even wreck everyone in the past, present and future whenever you want or need, and honestly her being a yandere makes a really good synergy with it, i mean, think about it, she can she can go enjoy her Love's past whenever she wants, save her whenever she wants and the best part... Stalk her and see her underwear whenever she wants with her not noticing it :v its the perfect power for a yandere

So it's not just regression, but time itself she has power over. Interesting... and didn't she seem to be talking kinda odd? Almost like she wasn't herself? Perhaps there's another force at play... ugh, this is way too good at leaving me wanting more!

Called it!!

She got her future memories the moment she died the first time!

HA! Time magic shinennigans!

Welp, the series just went off the deep end. Can anyone in Japan write a plot where a pseudo-Catholic church does not turn out to be led by evil old folks? I dunno, just for the sheer shock factor.

That would shatter suspension of disbelief, even for wildcats like me

That's amateur fanfic-level writing, at best, and lazy delaying tactic, at worst.

Yeah I'm really starting to get that feeling here. The first few chapters of this were really good, setting up an interesting twist with the male isekai protag-kun getting merc'd and then the kind of heartbreaking dynamic between the two main heroines. It had all it needed to be a powerful, emotional story with just those few details--the innocent girl who perfectly trusts her savior, and the tortured girl with conflicted morals who has to look at her smile and know what she's doing. It's a really strong setup, and was a really interesting take on isekai genre stuff.

But as things have gone on... the pacing has gone completely out of whack, and like Koveras said it's being handled in a very amateurish way. It feels like the author is throwing in new details, powers, or characters for every fight and just putting in the stuff they came up with that they thought was cool, rather than slowly giving us more insight into the mysterious and intriguing power system they'd already set up, with the result that we don't know the stakes or power levels and it feels a little like the author is just telling us about these cool ideas they thought up rather than designing the story for readers. And I see the same thing happening here with plot details, too.

It really feels very undisciplined or insecure, like the author didn't believe in the power of the story they were telling and decided to add Plot and Things Happening. I'll keep reading, and I'd love to see myself proven wrong, but this is shaping up to not be the quality of story I had thought it to be.