Urasekai Picnic

You must be that person that is tired of the isekai boom. Of course, there is nothing to like about storylines that are getting copy/pasted over and over again, average Joes that, for some reason, suddenly become overpowered heroes that need to save the world. Yet, they are afraid of their superpowers and it will take them 200+ more chapters to get used to their new power. Having read these 200 chapters, however, you will not feel any satisfaction. It will be nothing but the time, you have wasted for nothing: a boring world, overused game mechanics that do not make any sense, a male protagonist that is killed, but later is revived and gets sudden power ups. Yet, if you long for an amazing isekai, that is the manga you are looking for; there is also a novel and there will be an anime adaptation somewhere in the future.

Basically, you might have heard about a game called S.T.A.L.K.E.R., or you might have read the book called Roadside Picnic, a science fiction novel by Soviet-Russian authors Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. If you have, good for you, because Other Side Picnic and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. are somewhat similar. Indeed, I am not going to even hint you the similarities between the two, because there will be no mystery and it will be highly unlikely, you will check the manga and later the anime, when it airs. So, if this is enough for me to convince you to read the manga/novel and later check the anime, go for it. For those, however, who know nothing about the universe of S.T.A.L.K.E.R., let us continue.

The story revolves around the modern world. College student Sorao Kamikoshi finds herself in another world, she knows nothing about. She meets another girl that is named Toriko Nishina. The two meet some unknown creature that, for some reason, tries to harm the two; however, Toriko hardly finds it shocking. More than that, she wields a Makarov pistol and looks like that she is used to this world, unlike Sorao. The two girls quickly become close friends and explore an unknown parallel world that is swarmed with some mysterious creatures that should be avoided at all cost, in addition to this, no solid scientific explanation can be given about this world, where you may even find many things that are beyond human’s understanding and even bring them back and sell them for a large sum of money, which makes it obvious that this parallel world is real and it is not just a game. Will Toriko and Sorao uncover the secret behind the parallel world?

And this is what this manga is about: there is a huge world that is quite interesting and even somewhat terrific. You fall in love with this manga from the very first chapters, there is simply nothing to dislike about it. Even the two main protagonists are very interesting to follow. One is very cautious and always thinks before making any decisions. The other, however, is somewhat cold blooded and it looks like she is that type of people that has an aim and no matter what, she will achieve it. It might be quite a vague description, indeed, but if I were to make a detailed review, you would not appreciate the world of Other Side Picnic as much as I did.

Anyways, I am very glad that there are still isekai that can be called a masterpiece, I am glad that there are still amazing mangaka that are not lazy and actually try to make a new, interesting, mysterious, dreadful worlds that are breathtakingly beautiful and terrifying. Mark my words, with a good anime adaptation, Other Side Picnic might be even more popular than From the New World. Do give this manga a try, or wait for the anime adaptation. It is worth it!

Every country has it's own urban legends stories which are talking about haunted places, wierd creatures and other similar stuff but all of them have the similarity that they are nothing more than stories whose porpouse is to entertain or scare it's reader.But what if they were real that's what Urasekai picnic explores.Before I start the review I have to say that since it's ongoing the score probably will change but now lt's start. The premise is pretty simple two college students meet while both of them were to that place or to be more accurate to the ''other side'' both of them for their own reasons after that they end up becoming friends and start to explore the ''other side'' togerther. IN my opinion one of the best things of Urasekai picnic is it's writing it has a simple yet intreasting premise and it showing us as much of it's potential it can.The writing isn't lazy and it always has it's way to keep you intreasted. Another strong point of urasekai picnic is the worldbuilding while the manga progress we understand that the ''other side'' is not a place created for humans because both of it's residents and it's enviroment it's a great way make you understand that our protagonists are in a dangerous situation as for the urban legends while they aren't very different from their original ones they have the characteristics which make them different last but not least it knows how to balance the mood it knows when it needs to be dark and when it needs to be more calm.The art is really good and it makes you understand what each scence represents also there are scences where are really dark and the art helps you feel that. As for the characters both of them are enjoyable and likeable and while they have really different personalities their chemistry is awsome both of them have a characteristic which helps them to survive. Sorao has knowledge about urban legends which help them understand the situation they are and what they will face and Toriko is good with guns which help them to protect themselfs. Urasekai picnic is the manga which I am witing more for new chapters to release. The plot is well execused it knows how to keeps you hooked and if it continue like this it has potential to become a great manga and it deserves it since you can see that it's author have put effort to his work I can't wait for the anime adaptation and I hope that it will be as good as the manga . 9/10