Review by Karl Verhoven

Creator Mizunomoto wastes no time heading to the reincarnation aspect of the extended series title. Keito Azumi doesn’t survive the first page in his original form, and if further indication is needed of Mizunomoto not taking the situation seriously, Azumi’s hardly distressed at his new body, believes himself transported to a video game fantasy, and sets off in search of the hero he feels he’s destined to meet. He does, except it’s his mate Taiga, killed by the same truck. Azumi also takes that in his stride, and after an initial threatening encounter the pair discover there may be a way to return to their world. All they have to do is overthrow the Archfiend.

The suspicion is that there are a lot of in-jokes and cultural references to When I was Reincarnated that fly over readers’ heads as moments making no sense. Even in what’s obviously a comedy, Azumi’s casual acceptance of gender realignment startles, as does the automatic assumption of being on a fantasy quest, although the surroundings at least back that up. Azumi’s constant provocation of Taiga is puzzling even if one assumes their relationship went beyond friendship when they were alive. “Can you seriously handle sharing the bed with such a hot babe?” Azumi bellows when they arrive at the two people, one bed scenario.

Attempting to silence the voices of logic and reason is tricky, but ignoring Azumi’s complications what we have is a comedy quest in some ways resembling a game as credits always need to be earned to progress to the next stage. Mizunomoto keeps a running total of earnings minus spendings. Azumi and Taiga first take on clearing slimes from a farmer’s field, during which Azumi discovers magical powers, although of a basic level.

Mizunomoto’s art is page after page of attractive characters, be they male or female, or even cute and cuddly travelling companion Zuleu, but not much else. There’s even a joke made about how only nitpickers would want to see how Taiga might have won a winner takes all tournament, a scene skipped entirely. Perhaps cuteness is appeal enough, as the series has run five volumes to date, with the next translated version due in 2027.