Reviews for Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest

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 himselfand 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.

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...

Honest, one of the few isekai stories that actually gains from being an isekai (there are objectively better isekais, like Mushoku or even Tensura, but they didn't really have to be isekais). The story follows Hajime, who upon being isekai-ed with the rest of his class, gets one of the weakest jobs and now has to survive all on his own. To do that, he becomes stronger and essentially lets go of his humanity. But as he meets new friends (and girls for his harem) he gains back that humanity. This is most definitely not for everyone, the author really embraces the chuuni side of the story.But I would recomend checking volume 1, if you can get through that you can get through the full story.

The part I disliked the most is how the author often focuses on characters not on the main group. Yeah it lets these side characters develop and there's also a lot of build-up for future payoffs, but it's hard to read about characters I don't care about. The best example of that is the final battle, everyone fights in it and you can be sure you're going to read about everyone's fights, so something that really should only be a volume long becomes 2 volumes long.

But like I said, overall, I like the series and would recomend checking it out. You can read just the main series like I did, but I think the payoff's bigger if you read the Zero spinoff and the afterstories as well.

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 becominga 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.

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.

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.

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 bingeeverything 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.

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 thebackground 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.

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 thewhole 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.

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 allit 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.

If you like to read the manga/light novel and watch anime. DO NOT READ before watching the anime. otherwise you most likely will hate the adaption. just a fair warning. That being said, the novel is a masterpiece and is by far my current favorite light novel. The author adds so much detail, each volume could easily be its own season and that's with cutting detail out. which is why I suggest watching the anime first, because they cut out so much detail that, if you read then watch, you will hate the adaption. 4 volumes in 1 season. its sickening at how much detail wasgutted.

however, i must also make clear, it is defiantly a little pervy, i mean it is a harem Isekai, so if you don't like the genre don't read it.

also another warning is if you are buying the light novel/manga know the author is writing another series that is the prequel and it shares the exact same title except for the word ZERO. so don't get the wrong book by accident. (guilty of doing this myself)

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 theother 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