Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

Let's see, the enjoyment would be a 7 but if I were to rate it overall, I'd properly give it a 5 or a 6. Why? Read below.....

*Also MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD*

1. Firstly, the MC's going with this whole "betrayal" theme here, although I didn't see anyone actually betraying him. I understand that he hates his classmates but when he's going of tangent that they betrayed him, it doesn't make sense at all. Because of the whole betrayal thing, he's become dark and everything but it all feels so fake, it doesn't have any substance at all(because there's no betrayal). If anything, they were actually trying to help him.

2. Also, I don't what's going on, but it appears the creators think that either all the readers are kids or either they're targeting them, either way the MC's appearance becomes really annoying. It was cool at first, white hair, black veins on his face but then he got a mechanical arm and suddenly he had one of those detective outfits with a tie tucked into a long coat, SPOILER----and he also had one eye. I mean, what are they going for with this appearance, it's clearly overkill.

3. Bringing the present to their world. What do I mean? Imagine a medieval world with horse drawn carriages, those medieval like buildings, adventure guilds...all that sort of stuff, now imagine our glorious MC fucking riding on a bike through this place. Honestly, I face palmed so hard. He even has guns that operate like railguns, and hammers that fucking shoot missiles and can change their length. Facepalm again.

4. Also, no explanation of his abilities at all. He suddenly starts eating monster meat and gains their powers...what? Does that mean that if the other heros or even the villagers starting eating the meat they gain such powers? Doesn't that mean that MC is basically powerless if that's the case and if it isn't, where's the explanation?

5. Then, any romance at this point feels so weird. The MC, reminds me of some fifty-something cowboy riding off into the dust or something with his current appearance ; imagine if one of his 15 year old classmates started dating him...it feels really weird.

6. The breakdown scene before he becomes his current self doesn't make sense at all. Like with the whole betrayal thing, no substance at all. It goes something like this " I don't wanna die...I don't wanna die...I wanna die...I want to go home...I'm going to kill everyone who stands in my way" He just gets up suddenly like that and starts talking, personally, this made absolutely no sense. If it was coupled with actual betrayal then it probably would.

Besides that, I have no other problems. I quite like the other characters, the art and the plot.

FOREWORD: This review contains minor spoilers for Arifureta by comparing it to other similar Isekai series.

What do you get when you cross Tate no Yuusha, No Game No Life, and enough edge to cut yourself by simply looking at it the wrong way? You get Arifureta's plot.

Do you remember that one kid who, when first introduced to Dungeons and Dragons, came up with this insanely edgy character with an entire graphic novel for a backstory that had badass prosthetic limbs and absurd weapons/tools at their disposal right from the start of the campaign? That's Arifureta's main character.

Ever read a fan-fiction novel written by a bored high schooler with an overactive imagination and ceaseless libido? That's what Arifureta's writing feels like.

And yet, despite all of this I actually find myself enjoying Arifureta. It can't claim the title of "King of Trash" - that already belongs to No Game No Life - but I'd gladly give it an honorable mention as the "Baron of Trash".

STORY (5)

Premise - Clusterduck
Arifureta's premise is pretty unoriginal. It takes inspiration from a lot of really well-renowned Isekai series starting with the "useless hero" of Tate no Yuusha and follows a similar revenge plot line. At least, at first. After a while it slowly meshes into something that feels like No Game No Life - but much, much edgier.

Pacing - Fast
I dislike the pacing of Arifureta - it feels a little too fast at times. It misses out on a lot of potential character and world building by skimming through things and skipping over details. In some cases I don't mind it, but Arifureta does it a little too much for me.

Mood - Clusterduck x2
In the first volume, Arifureta felt incredibly gritty and gruesome. I really enjoyed it for that. After that, it lightened up a la No Game No Life and seemed to stop taking itself so seriously, which is a bit of a shame.

Overall - Meh
If I were to rate the story based on the first volume alone, I'd give it a solid praise. The first volume was exhilarating to read. Everything after that... while it's not bad, the sudden shift of tone completely killed my original expectations for the series, which is unfortunate.

ART (10)

Style - Gritty
The art style of Arifureta is definitely worth some praise. It's highly detailed, fluid, and very pretty to look at. The character style is quite standard, but the line work is exceptionally detailed at times.

Fanservice - Yes, but not overly done
It actually takes some time before the more risque stuff shows up with a certain character, and beyond them it's actually pretty laid back most of the time - which really surprised me.

Overall - Wow
I'll just cut to the chase - the art in Arifureta is pretty awesome, especially in volume 1. The panels are highly detailed and very highly stylized with lots of lines and contrast. It's a step above the quality I've come to expect from most manga. Quite simply, it's beautiful.

CHARACTERS (5)

Personalities - Passable
If you did a side by side comparison with No Game No Life's Sora and Shira and replaced social anxiety with pure edginess, you'd get the main duo in Arifureta. Their sidekick is also somewhat reminiscent of Steph at times. The side characters of Arifureta are little more than empty tropes in most cases, which is a shame. All in all, it's passable, but nothing to praise.

Depth - lol.
Yeah, no. If you're looking for deep, well-developed characters you're in the wrong place.

Growth - *crickets*
I guess if you consider the main character getting edgier as time goes on, sure? Otherwise, nope. Maybe this will change later on though. Or maybe not, I'm not getting my hopes up.

Overall - Meh
I don't actually dislike any of the main characters in Arifureta, and that's probably because they are mirror images of the characters we all know and love from other Isekai series. They're fun, albeit really edgy, and I don't find them detracting too much from my enjoyment of the manga. Just don't expect anything deep or original.

OVERALL (7)

In the end, and as I've continually repeated throughout my review, it's a bit of a shame. Arifureta had the potential to be something truly great and started off extremely strong. While I don't hate the direction it's taking, it could have been so much more.

"What? After all that," you might be saying, "they give it an overall score of 7?!"

Yeah, I do. Because Arifureta, despite having many faults, is fun. I enjoy Tate no Yuusha, I enjoy No Game No Life, and so a series that combines the better elements of both is something I enjoy as well. It may not be deep, it may not be all that unique as a whole, but I can forgive all of that because it is fun to read.

If you go in expecting a grittier Tate no Yuusha, prepare to be disappointed. If you go in expecting an edgier No Game No Life, then you'll probably enjoy Arifureta. Thus, I crown Arifureta the "Baron of Trash". Just as garbage as the trash it takes after, but just as fun as well.

I will cautiously recommend Arifureta given that you can look past the many issues that plague it and just enjoy it at face value. If you do, it's a fun read with really good art. But goodness is it ever EDGY.

Should I start this manga? That's the question that always plagues my mind when trying to find something to read while waiting for my beloved stories to be released.

-Moderate Spoilers- (If you don't want a quick plot overview skip down to the pros and cons)

The story starts off with MC-kun along with his class being transported to another world (Isekai, who'd have thought it) where they are to be collectively trained up in order to save the world from other beings. Unfortunately for MC-kun, he is betrayed along his journey and finds himself inside what would be a bottomless dungeon, the story follows his grind to get out and find out who betrayed him. Sounding pretty good so far for the start-up, looking like a decent isekai lets see how it pans out.

MC-Kun drudges through challenge after challenge with the core idea to survive and be reunited with his allies, during this trip he finds another companion who vows to help him in said quest in exchange for free'ing them from their binds.

They continue on their merry way until they reach the end of the dungeon. This is where the shit hit the fan. Chapter 14.5 quickly wrapped up what should have been 2-4 chapters in only a couple of pages, and from there the entire setting, character design, goals and ideals, just changed. It was really weird when it happened because i re-read that chapter about 3 times not being able to figure out if I'd missed something or it was just poor story telling. From here on it was just your standard bland emotionless MC who finds and saves girls for his harem while one shotting his way to victory.

--------------------------------

Pros:
Interesting start for an Isekai
Difficult and gritty goal set
Betrayal
Dungeon Setting

Cons:
After chapter 14.5 the entire thing just fell apart
Goal was completely dropped
New sub plot was shoved in
Isekai Death-Pit (Where something that should occur over 2-5 chapters is shoved into 2 pages and explains why the MC deus ex machina'd their way into being either OP or not dead, i.e poor writing)


Will I continue to read it?
No, it started out very well and I was reading it eagerly as it came out, but after chapter 14.5 where the Isekai death-pit standard of time leap followed by over-buffing without explanation it became drool, that paired with the original goal and problems being forgotten like they never happened made it a drop for me. I did read on into the "new" plot but it was a major buzz kill for me.

Spoilers ahead:
Story/Character:
This manga opens as your somewhat generic isekai manga. A classroom full of students gets teleported to another world wowowowowwowow, very exciting. This time though, the main character is super duper weak, not having any exciting traits and is basically comparable to an average male human in the other world. His other classmates, however, get great abilities, flexing on him. And then the story goes to hell.
The classroom goes raiding in dungeons/labyrinths in order to save the world that they were teleported to. The MC goes to save the classroom idol and uses himself as bait in his masterful plan. However, someone from the class being super jealous of his relationship with the idol decides to shoot him with magic causing him to fall down into the lower floors of the dungeon. Being equivalent to an average human, he doubts his ability to survive but somehow manages to by landing next to some holy water. This is where he waits for a long time to be survived, believing that his class will help him. Then, in a period of about 10 seconds, he becomes an edge lord for no real reason. He turns into an absolute psychopath.
After this, the MC turns into your normal isekai protagonist, being super overpowered. He just eats monsters while having no real explanation for doing so. Then after doing this, after a bit he turns back into a somewhat edgy human within a period of 10 seconds again after being a psychopath. He then eventually gets out of the dungeon (kind of a major skip if you didn't notice). He meets up with some other people, decides to help them despite being super edgy still, and the author has no other explanation other than the other people being super hot.
Eventually he meets some of his old classmates, and despite thinking that the entire class betrayed him he decides to get along with him. I think the author simply decided to have him become the true isekai protagonist, one that's nice and sociable and still a little bit edgy at the same time, but this character constantly changes every 5 chapters and never remains constant. I understand the concept of "character development" but not when it constantly changes and all happens in 10 seconds with literally nothing setting it off.
Art:
The art is pretty good if I must be honest. Many of the fight scenes are really well drawn, him turning into a psychotic killer is also well established. I might be biased though, as scenes using light waves and all that good stuff really gets me going. The MC's changes are well drawn, and all the characters are too.
Overall:
Despite the great art, I can barely read this manga. I can't really explain why I caught up with it all the way to chapter 32, but I read this while I was going through a really big isekai phase so that might be it. But really if you wanna read this, I recommend not doing it unless you REALLY want to. The characters are so bad and the author tries to save it with a harem, but whatever.

[SPOILERS ALERT!!!] [MY OPINIONS]
Been with the manga ever since labyrinth 1, I dont know how to say this but... Its great. Really looking forward to that Anime adaptation this summer but... Really hope that EP 1 of it would get as far as the cave collapse... First impression : thought it was just another MC gets transferred into another world and git gud by god blessed cheats but interestingly that was not the case. There are quite the plot twists and the comedy aspect of it just makes it the all the better. Looking forwards to the next volume too :)
[Rating]
For the story a 9/10 because there was a part of the manga that I didnt really enjoy, felt like it was like another DBZ filler but I guess there was no helping it as they were introducing a new character. The art is NICE, not like some scratch and blank canvas but every page is SP effected out. I guess they had extra budget since the MC only had one eye and the eyes are like the most expensive things to draw... Anyways, my fav character is Yue. Hands down, you cant argue cuz MC and cutie and gudder than all ur other waifus, fite me. I enjoyed reading every page of it, Ive reread it about 5 times now as of writing this review, just gets my blood pumping every time and at the very end I get sad that there is no more to read. Overall (3(10)+9)/4=9.75 so, close enough to 10. For those who actually read this thx cuz nobody reads reviews these days... and for those who didnt... idk...

Before we get to talking about this manga, or any of its elements, let's first get a few things out of the way. I really enjoy OP MC stories. I really enjoy anti-heroes. I really enjoy fantasy settings. Thus, these things will definitely factor into my opinion of this manga. Keep in mind that my review will, and I fully recognize this, be more positive than what is probably average.

Like any other medium, for a manga to be successful, it must be entertaining. It must provide that hook that keeps readers going, whether it's through its (as MAL seems to categorize), story, art, or characters.

Firstly, the story. I really enjoy where this is going. It plays out generally as a dungeon crawler video game does. Complete a dungeon, move onto the next. You must meet basic criteria before being allowed to attempt a dungeon. That's what this plot essentially boils down to. Of course, in the larger plan of things, you've got the whole laughing gods arc, as well as the many side arcs (evil mage, other classmates, etc.). I can't say much more without spoiling this manga, but I feel like the story is basic but proficient. It's fairly standard fare when it comes to Isekai stories, and the conflict is rather plain, but it's definitely a very enjoyable read.

The art is one of the things that really popped to me while reading this manga. It's simple but very effective, and it always contributes a sense of scale to the action setpieces whenever they occur. The images are bright and vivid, and although the drawing style might not be unique, per se, the aesthetics of the world and its characters are unique, varied, and, most of all, fun to watch.

The characters in this story are bold and different. It's clear that this man will continue to add members to his harem; that's a reality of the genre and this story as a whole. Obviously, you've got the deredere rabbit, what may be a kuudere dragon lady succubus thing (the tail), and then you've got Yue, who is a bit more 3 dimensional, but not by much let's be real here. However, where it really shines is the MC. This is just some dude, who is always in the dust. When he finally gets power, it's refreshing to see a guy who doesn't care about "justice", or "doing what's right". He sees the best way forward for his goal, and moves towards it, regardless of consequences. It's a refreshing change of pace from other leads in similar isekai.

Enjoyment is purely subjective. I enjoyed this manga a LOT. It's a fun read, and I will wait eagerly for every new translated chapter. That is simply up to you to decide though, this is all personal preference.

In conclusion, Arifureta is great as an isekai story. It's got an antihero lead, a great varied cast of characters who are a bit uninspired, but are fun to watch nonetheless, and the story provides a nice vehicle for readers to enjoy this ride that has been placed in front of us.

This story is an exploration of hope and despair, a journey to its extremity for those betrayed. Bewarn, our MC is a total opposite from the typical heroes found in other Manga. He is just an average boy with below average ability. But this is what makes the story an interesting read. How is the author going to narrate a story of a bullied victim, ridiculed and harassed by classmates, a below average boy that's abandoned and friendless, who's buried deep in the pit of doom?

I did find the pacing to be very fast, perhaps too fast. I don't think enough time was given to develop the character and backstory. Also, the MC not going the vengeance route might not sound logical, but with further thoughts I realize he did found hope in returning home, so it's actually rather appropriate he focus on this positive resolve. In similarity the MC likens more toward Captain America than Spiderman.

This novel was one of the first ever novels I've read, and the start to my interest in the "Another World" genre. Even though this story piqued my interest in the first place, it disappeared in the end due to unforeseen reasons...


Story - (5)

Well, it has quite a cliche story... "Main character not really liked by classmates, whole class summoned into another world, main character gets abandoned/leaves, and then becomes OP in the span of a few chapters". From the beginning, it has quite an interesting take on the main character's situation, but then it dipped into just being a harem...


Art - (?)

It's a novel, I can't really give a rating for art at all.


Character - (6)

I showed interest in the main character's feelings on being abandoned by his classmates. However, unlike a certain novel that I've read afterwards, the main character didn't harbor feelings of bitterness towards his classmates. (And not literally see everything as pigs too, wait that's a different circumstance). Yue really brings up her devotion towards Hajime, but that's really all. Shia really didn't change much. Tio got some love at the later parts of the novel, but that's really all to it in my opinion.


Enjoyment - (7) -> (5)

Well, I certainly did enjoy reading the early parts of novel. This feeling of "interest" was lost after a few arcs, as the story spans into the main character seeking power to return to his own world, and that's all to it. I could sympathize with his wish to return to old peaceful Japan, and humor were attempted to be made here and there, but that's all to it.


Overall - (5)

This novel is an adequate piece of work, and I wouldn't really side with either this novel is 'Good" nor 'Bad'. Well, I guess you could try reading it, and make your opinions too...

To start the main problem i see with the reviews here is that people went into it expecting more than they should of. I'll tell you what it is right now an Isekai about a kid who gets put through a bad situation and becomes extremely overpowered and edgy (,I've been told that in Vol 10 he realizes how edgy he looks,) your gonna be disappointed going in expecting anything but that. It's just good old edgy Isekai fun. Slight Spoilers Ahead

Story: 5

Its Done fairly well for what it is. It's not to bad but not to great its perfect mediocrity and that is all it needs to be.
Hajime is a kid who along with his class gets transported to a fantasy world he essentially gets the job/class of an advanced blacksmith called a "Synergist". He gets bullied due to his weak combat power before and during they enter a dungeon. Things go wrong a rogue fireball gets sent in his classmates direction of which he takes the blow before being dropped several stories down into the dungeon. Things continue from there before meeting the first girl where they fight their way out of the dungeon and venturing the world in search of a way home.

As I said Generic as shit but if you don't keep your expectations too high great fun.

Art: 7

Its a Light Novel. There isn't too much art but what you see is at least pleasing to look at.

Characters: 6

Lets Start with the MC, Hajime
He's a high school student who gets "Isekai'd" with the rest of his class. After being knocked into the dungeon pits he gains some incredible powers and levels up learning how to use his synergistic powers creating Weapons such as hand guns and rail guns. He never becomes a blank slate and is semi self aware of how edgy he looks and acts.
Speaking of how he looks, He starts off as a weak boy with a quite but mature attitude with Dark hair as he's described. However post dungeon he is a Large Muscular boy with white hair an eyepatch a robotic arm and a suit. As i said pretty fucking edgy however he shows some self awareness.

So he is not your standard blank slate Isekai MC but he's still pretty fucking edgy

Yue

Yue is the primary Heroine and is a 323 Year old blond vampire loli.
She is found by Hajime Sealed within the depths of of the labyrinth. And acts as his lover
A lot of here backstory is semi spoiler so just to be safe i will not go into it

Sheia

Bunny girl with blue hair and a rather revealing outfit + a large bust.
She Serves as a foil to a lot of Yue and Hajimes Flirting as well as being in competition for Hajime With Yue. She is found by Hajime and Yue shortly after leaving the labyrinth he saves here village turns out shes crazy strong and she joins them on thei adventures this marks the start of Hajimes harem

Tio

Masochistic Big Tiddy Half Dragon Girl.
that is her whole character.
She is originally seen as a powerful dragon flying about in the mountains who attempts to fight Hajime and his party, this of course does not end up in her favour and Hajime shoves a spike up her ass. They Speak he removes the spike turns out shes an M and she joins the harem.

The characters are far from ground breaking however it shapes to be exactly what this book needed for a main cast, an edgelord, a loli, a bunny girl and a masochist

Enjoyment 10

Looking past all if the books faults you have a seriously enjoyable time as long as you don't go in expecting a new Evangelion or some dumb shit like that. Just go in expecting an Isekai and you'll come out with a good time.


Overall 7

Whilst its very enjoyable its far from perfect and yet hardly the worst thing I've ever read. I do recommend you read this however I cannot stress this enough don't go expecting the world from this series as you will only be disappointed.

Honestly, I kind of can't believe I read this until completion. I'm surprised at myself. Not that Arifureta isn't bad, it's just not good either, speaking overall. The concept of it all had a lot of potential, but execution definitely failed and fell into a lot of "transported to another world" MC stereo types. The beginning was great but then...It all went rock bottom. Really fast.

Story -

As previous reviews explicitly state, the story is garbage. Again, failure to execute properly on such a good concept. It's a really cliche story, group of students get transported to another world to slay the demon king, type deal here. The separation of the savior group was an interesting twist, and made me want to read more. But the second that motif of sex was introduced into the story, put it down and walk away. There's nothing inherently wrong with a good love story. This is not a good one. it's far beyond bad, it's generic, cheap, rushed with little to no character/plot development. It's more about women fighting over certain body parts and one mans love than the world at hand. There were nice times when mental health and changing mental states affecting the story line came in, but they were too predictable. The foreshadowing was so huge i saw the shadow coming out of my monitor. Other than that, the first 90 chapters were fun to speed read. Don't waste your time getting too attached. it's only a let down.

Art - N/A

It's a novel. While there was some art, i think there were a total of 3-5 pictures among all 178 chapters. they were good pictures though that give you a reminder of what the characters look like.

Character - 3.5

Man where do I begin? I'll start with cringe worthy and painful. The character development is really harsh and centers around Hajime, the OP MC. You only see the MC change because the novel puts him at the center of all the trials and tribulations. Everyone else stays stagnant, which isn't always a bad thing. In this case it is, because it's a mega-harem situation and it's executed poorly and reading all that dialogue makes you want to stop reading.

Again, speed reading is your friend for the first 90 or so chapters, then there's a giant cliff that you fall off of. You get cheated, bamboozled, smeckledorped out of purposed entertainment.

Enjoyment - 5

I didn't enjoy the last half. but the first half let me kill some days at work.

meh.

Overall - 2.

Give it a try. Things like these are hit or miss. It's not everyone but there's someone out there who will like it all. I liked the first half. The writer liked all of it. To each their own.

Just don't get your hopes up.

First of all I see a lot of butthurt people here, who are complaining about the promising start and the mediocre rest. To be totally honest I understand what they mean, the story makes a large change in genre, it goes from gritty survival story to harem romance fantasy. I see where this frustration comes from but just BE AWARE OF IT, if you are not looking for a fun romcom adventure then don't read it or just read until they get a special ring (you'll know) and imagine your own end.

Now that I have clarified why it isn't justified to complain about it becoming a harem, romcom... well, whatever... let's get into the good and the bad.

Good
-It is not a traditional harem (I usually don't like harem). There is only one love interest and it's clear form the start that they are meant for each other. Unfortunately the MC is so dependable that others start to make moves on him, which makes for good comedic moments.
-The characters are very likable.
-The character development, the MC goes through is not something we usually see in isekai and it makes the story a lot more interesting. (it reminds me a lot of Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul or Eren from Attack on Titan)
-The power system is rather well explained in regards to knowing who is stronger than the other
-The world has extensive lore in regards to politics and religions which makes the story even more engaging

Bad
-I read more manga that LN so I'm unsure if it is really a bad point but... There are very few illustrations, I personally would like more.
-Even though I've said the character development of the MC is interesting, it still isn't as prevelant as I would like and for a lot of the supporting cast it is almost nonexistent.
-Although the power system makes it clear who is stronger, the magic system is not explained in detail and makes it feel as if spells and such are pulled out of someones ass.
-The usual issue with the OP MC, however large institutions (nations, church) and the like are still regarded as a legitimate threat which gives a sense of realism.
-The antagonists are explained, however not in as much detail as I would like
-The Goal sometimes seems like more of an excuse to further plot than an actual necessity

TL;DR
It is an enjoyable story with a cool romance and some fun harem aspects.
Although the world has gaps in its lore the overall world building is nothing to scoff at (it really is rather well done). The characters are lovable and make the read that much better. The moral ambiguity of the MC makes you question him, which makes the story quite engaging. All in all I can recommend this read to ANYONE WHO ENJOYS SOME ROMANCE IN FANTASY.

To anyone who is just interested in a survival story just read from the beginning until the ring opens a door and imagine your own end.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who can likes watching the underdog become the strongest out of the all the human. Most of the enjoyment goes the fact that it kept a faint light of comedy in this tragic centred story and how we see out main character pull himself out of the ground. This book felt like drinking 50 cans of redbull to run a marathon, the book has an interesting turn around every corner and at the end of you realised how much sleep you've sacrificed and you sleep so much that you lay off the redbull till you can get the other volume. Generally I think that that adding in short stories at the end was quite fascinating and I don't read them usually but since you read the climax and obviously the cliffhanger, you still wanna read more of it.

I really think you should get the book. I mean it's double the size of any other first emerging light novel and it's the same price for an adrenaline rush

Honestly, this might be the best Isekai I have ever read in my life. The first volume, the only one I've read so far, showed EXTREME promise. I love how the romance, action and plot development was handled. The book is long enough that it's almost a proper novel, tbh and it's ok with me because we get a really fleshed out world, characters and character motivations.

Unfortunately, I'm told that it's downhill from the end of Volume 1, I hope not and have ordered volumes 2-10, but I'm loving it so far. I am really excited for the anime as well, trying to binge everything before it starts. I definitely think I will like this as much as Konasuba and Youjo Senki, and more than Tate no Yuusha and Overlord.

Yue absolute best waifu, God tier.

Arifureta Shokugyou de SekaI Saikyou for better or worse is a story that fails to live up to the quality and potential it displayed in the first volume. The premise and concept that were seen in the first volume actually made it seem different from the various "transported to another world" light novels that have recently plagued the market as of late.
The first volume presents us a story about a boy who had been betrayed and left for dead. A boy who's very essence of his humanity was destroyed. He drastically changes in order to survive the extreme dangers that he faces around his environment. So far the premise of the story sounds good, and the potential that we'll see a dark story filled with psychological conflicts of his humanity all seem to be in place, but nope that's as far as this story goes. The first volume ends with him being introduced to the first heroine of his official harem...
And that's where the story completely goes down the drain and as if the author waged his tail at the sign of $$$ the author decided to completely ruin his own story by falling back into typical, generic tropes that all other similar light novels have.
It becomes another edgy, angst, cliche, harem story where the MC consistently complains and has awkward moments with his harem. The girls themselves aren't anything special and they fall to the typical tropes of a loli, oppai, demi-human, etc. They add nothing to the story other than to emphasis how great the MC is. The other characters in the story are completely useless and are only added to the story to help support the idea that the MC is amazing. From the second volume and on nothing ever really threatens the MC because he can easily overpower them with his deus ex machina that the author will consistently write in the story just for the sake of it. The story becomes just another hot pile of garbage that lacks any sort of creativity or anything to make it stand out out from the ever-growing saturation of reincarnation stories.

Btw, this novel is completely translated and can be read at bakapervert or some other random wordpress blogsite. Don't waste your time though, the story never gets better.
Read the first volume and then proceed to drop this harder than the bass at a night club.

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.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this light novel (or web novel or whatevs). On one hand, it has a really promising beginning, and I mean it. It's not your typical "meh promising", it's a "promising promising". On the other, it's squandered after some chapters. (mild spoilers ahead, skip to TL;DR if you want to avoid them)

You see, during the first few chapters, I wanted to know how the MC would develop and how he would get out of his dangerous situation. It was a story that made me want to read the next chapter as soon I finished one, despite the terrible translation (if you are picky about grammar, oh boy, either stay away or brace yourself...)

But then, at some point, it becomes.... Bad and weird.... What was previously a really good engaging survival story, quickly becomes a wish fulfillment fantasy harem woohoo MC badass gets all the chicks and owns everyone's ass. Don't get me wrong, I like/love stories with overpowered protagonists, but when you do that, you need to make sure that your plot is engaging or at least the characters are good. And Arifureta doesn't have any of those two. The plot is bland and his harem is just... Weird... I give kudos to the writer for not being cliche/mainstream and picking the usual stereotypes, but his harem is just weird. There's no chemistry between the characters and no real connection.

I ended up dropping this novel as soon the MC met a certain someones, since that was the sole reason that kept me going. I literally don't really care what happens next.

Is this worth your time? To be honest with you, I think you should still give it a shot. I know it may sound contradictory, but I honestly think that at the very least the beginning is worth the read. The beginning is a good survival story that may entertain anyone who likes survival, but after that? You can decide for yourself.

TL;DR: Give it a shot, really good start, but may disappoint you later down the road.

I am going to go out on a limb here ans say masterpiece. I have not finished it by chance and I do not wish to compare my experience to other reviewers but as my experience does not reflect an existing one let me share my review.

First and only major Con, the start was really not boring per say but man did I almost drop it. It uses a lot of troops from a lot of other books. When I started I kept thinking wow is this original at all?

Well turns out I did not care, all the troops meld into the background and are assumed by readers. This means there is a lot happening but you are not told everything. Though nothing is like ow wow how did that happen?

I have enjoyed every chapter of the book, I have yet to finish though I am through volume 10 around chapter 100. I hope you will value my review over some of the other reviews that are lower scored. This is because I truly think of this as a masterpiece.

What makes this so good is the style of the book itself. It utilizes so many troops from so many other books at first you will as I stated above be put off by it but then you will soon realize he pushes them into the background as something the reader is expected to assume. Which I loved so much, as it kept the pace moving quickly. This of course could be bad for some, but I thought his pacing of acquiring new skills and expecting his readers to assume how they were being used in some vague instances was well done. I do not need to know every time he gains the smallest amount of power.

To in no way spoil the story, let me just say this the harem in this book has been refreshing so far. As the main character is not dense he just denies everyone in respect of his true love.

What makes this book a masterpiece is just how his personality evolve by acquiring new powers, meeting new people, and the dialog between his party.

I can say you should read this, if you get a bit past the KILL KILL KILL part and are not liking it you will not like this book. If you read the KILL KILL KILL part of this book and go wow this is psyched me UP! Then you will love it, because that is the emotional roller coaster you are on.

It is not actually until after the first book does some of his better writing styles come out as you need to build up to them. Though when they did I was shocked how fast the plot kept rolling because I was so afraid due to all the troops it was going to be way to bogged down. Pleasantly surprised he trimmed it up to keep the interesting plot going.

Last con, unless you are like myself and read like 10+ volumes in a weekend you may forget things as it is super long. Also there was information in volume 2 that came back up in volume... 9... that still has not had anything done to it yet. Like it was just brought back up as a ow ya I never forgot this plot hook, and to remind reader.

Firstly I'd recommend reading the Light Novel over the Web Novel - The Web novel looks like it has been put through Google translate and I think anyone reading it would lose a lot of enjoyment that way.

I've read Light novels 1-3 which I believe is around 75 Web Novel chapters.
This was one of the best light novels I've read but I can understand how it can be subjective.

The story of the first vol (ch-1-25) is about the MC falling into a dungeon with the only way of escape being to clear it. It's story of survival and of how he has to destroy himself and rip away at his own humanity in order to survive.

After vol1 the story becomes something more of power fantasy though of which I found leaps and bounds more enjoyable from other power fantasies. Rather than starting out OP we actually see the MC struggle to become as strong as he is. Though because of what he has been through his humanity is still fractured and so his choices are not what you might expect of an OP MC.

A large part of Vol 3 shows how his heart starts to mend itself, thanks to the characters with him, little by little but because of this he has to take on a heavy burden.

I'd recommend anyone to buy and read vol 1 of the light novel.