We here at oprainfall don’t just love video games: we’re big fans of anime, manga, and light novels, too. So in celebration of the medium, we’re here to give you our thoughts on what we’ve been watching and reading each week as we enjoy them. Old, new – anything goes.
Currently Airing:
My Deer Friend Nokotan
The series definitely has kept it random type of humor and smallest amount of plot as possible. For a show like this though it is route they probably should go with. One of the recent episodes stayed very much this route with it being made up of a bunch of different short random stories. Though it kind of doesn’t really make it too much from a regular episode other than being able to put more random gags in. The series is very fourth wall breaking with it more or less admitting it is brain rot which is not much of an exaggeration. They have added a few more characters in and I do like it when they bring in their home room teacher. It is keeping up with its image as being a dumb comedy and I am fine with that. – Walter
You can watch My Deer Friend Nokotan on Crunchyroll.
Anime of the Past:
Solo Leveling
Having enjoyed the manwha and having read (most) of the Light Novel series thereafter, I though I would explore the anime adaptation of Solo Leveling. Twelve episodes released earlier this year, and with a supposed second half of season 1 due to release before year’s end, I thought now was as good a time as any to give this a watch.
For those unfamiliar, Solo Leveling depicts a world under constant siege by monsters originating from dungeons; parallel dimensions that connect to the real world via gates. Ever since the first gate appeared, individuals around the world awakened to superhuman abilities. Appropriately dubbed hunters, these awakened individuals are the only ones capable of fending off the monsters and protecting earth from annihilation.
One such hunter, Sung Jin-woo, is labeled the weakest hunter, as he struggles against even the lowest grade of monsters. With an ill mother and college-bound sister to care for, Jin-woo endures his harsh life. On one particular dungeon raid, he encounters a second dungeon within the first, and after a disastrously deadly series of events, Jin-woo experiences a change in himself and his perceptions regarding gates and dungeons. For it seems Jin-woo has been granted the impossible ability to increase his power through training and combat, and has been granted a guiding interactive system similar to those seen in RPGs. With newfound power and advantages, he has unknowingly been placed into a fated story full of strife and against unimaginable adversaries.
As an anime, I expected a mix between the visual strength of the manhwa and the light novels’ greater depth and detail of its story and characters. What I experienced instead was a familiar effort, one too similar to other shounen anime productions, and one lacking a bit in depth. It more closely resembles the manhwa regarding story and character development, as in there isn’t a whole lot beyond the basics and the necessary. There are a few forced scenes full of lore dumping, too. The quality of its visuals also leaves me wanting, as the efforts of late manhwa artist Jang Sung-rak, nicknamed Dubu, ranged from excellent to downright spectacular. Perhaps my expectations were too high, as the anime’s style, while serviceable, is average at best. Add to that a handful of action scenes overly reminiscent of Naruto or Bleach and you have, again, an average effort overall. I do hope the latter half of season 1 sees more of what originally makes Solo Leveling so distinguished.
A final thought, I find it odd, and a touch excluding, that the Korean dub seems to be only available to Korean residents. As it’s based on a Korean manhwa, I think I would have liked to have heard Korean voice actors. Well, not that I know any Korean anyway. – Drew D.
You can watch Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll.
Manga:
Yasashii Hikari
When I came across Yasashii Hikari, I never expected I would discover such a hidden gem. This is a story of how an overworked salary-man, Miyake, finds solace and renewed purpose within a laid back community on an isolated island. Upon his first day, Miyake meets high schooler Hiyoko, who guides him around and introduces him to the charms of his new home. From there, we are treated to innocent interactions, inclusivity by his new community, and a wonderfully calm aesthetic, though moments of stress or excitement do pop up now and then. Its relaxed country setting, the appreciative attitudes and outlooks of its supporting cast, and the subtle blossoming of a sweet relationship were all a pleasure to experience.
I couldn’t have expected just how much this story resonated with me. It goes to show how you just never know when a feature, mention, or suggestion will lead you to something truly outstanding. From a quick click in order to read a synopsis, I was soon completely drawn in and immersed. I can easily recommend Yasashii Hikari looking for a bit of charming solace. – Drew D.
What anime are you watching? What manga and light novels are you reading? Let us know in the comments!
You can read previous Week in Anime & Manga entries here!
