BENRIYA SAITOU-SAN, ISEKAI NI IKU

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CAST

MANGA AdventureBenriya Saitou-san, Isekai ni Iku

REVIEWS

• 

  Mcsuper

  77/100
  An Unexpected Isekai Gem, Filled With Comedy And Emotion

  This was truly an unexpected gem of the Winter season. It was a surprisingly funny, yet emotional and epic anime for sure. It takes a while to really pick up, but once it does, it never looks back. Studio C2C have been quietly doing a great job with some of their recent works, such as Majo no Tabitabi, Tensei shitara Ken Deshita, and now this anime, which showcased some very impressive and sharpened animation and fight scenes that could make some of the elite studios quiver in their boots just a little bit. I think this show nails tonal shifts very well, and it kind of reminds me of Golden Kamuy, where one scene they could be making the lewdest of lewd jokes, but the next scene, people are being murdered. It’s really quite something.

  The story isn’t very special, as it’s about a Handyman called Saitou, reincarnated into another world where unlike in his original world, the people treat him with much more respect, and he feels more needed. He uses his handyman skills to help out his party with lock-picking, opening treasure chests, a lot of practical things.

  The first few episodes are very comedy-based, with somewhat disconnected skits to introduce the characters, and while some of the jokes hit real good, it was definitely the weakest part of the series. It shifts into a more plot-based story after that, and boy, it really got good after that. It went through a full 180, but it worked out in the end with some very meaningful and emotional backstories, along with some solid character writing in the process. It doesn’t hold back in any way, whether it’s the jokes, the action, or even the gore.

  The cast is quite the goofy bunch, but they’re a very solid cast of characters. Apart from Saitou, we have an old magician who forgets his spells every so often called Morlock, a healing fairy called Lafanpan, and a strong Knight in Raelza. Their interactions can be comedy gold, but can also be very emotional. They’re a very tight knit party who clearly care about each other, and form great friendships and relationships that made for great dynamics. The side characters and antagonists also were decent, as each character had a certain degree of depth, some more than others, and it’s always a breath of fresh air when the villains have a backstory of their own instead of just being evil for the sake of being evil.

  The animation is good overall, but when the plot gets serious, the animation goes up to another level. Some of the fight scenes were very well animated, and got me on the edge of my seat with how epic they were. The OST also accompanies the atmospheres very nicely, although the OP and ED weren’t all that great.

  Overall, this show encompasses goofy and epic all in one package, and if there was one isekai besides MagiRevo that I would recommend people to check out, it would be this one. Genuinely, one of the better shows of the season, and it came as a very pleasant surprise. Do give this one a chance.

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• 

  Zerokano

  80/100
  It's a rollercoaster to watch, Ruthless yet fun, One of the hidden gems of 2023 Winter

  There’s been an influx in isekai titles getting anime adaptations recently. Many with good premises and some with middling premises. When this title was informed of getting an adaptation, I was skeptical at first as to it being another meddling isekai title. But as they say don’t judge a book by its cover, I decided to give it a shot as I was genuinely intrigued, but pessimistic, by the short synopsis. Fast forward to when this review airs, boy was it worth it to watch. One of the hidden gems of 2023 Winter I might say, one that deserves a proper review. Hence, this is my review of Benriya Saitou-san, Isekai ni Iku.

  Having his life flashed by him courtesy of Truck-kun, Saitou was transported into another world. As a handyman, he joined a makeshift party consisting of a forgetful great wizard grandpa named Morlock, a materialistic fairy named Lafanpan, and a brute woman as a knight named Raelza. Though his everyday activities are more or less the same, he feels a lot more fulfilling to be a handyman in another world as his contributions are being appreciated a lot more than back in his original world. Adventuring dungeons along with his party and meeting other party members, he has now grown accustomed to an adventurer's life.

  

  As an isekai title, the connoisseur would say that world building is an important aspect to the story. Delving into the world itself, I might say that the fantasy world presented here is not that advanced. See, there is still a barren wasteland and emptiness with only one big dungeon for all the adventurers alongside a main city. Another generic medieval isekai world I might say. This gives off a primitive feel to the story and accentuates survivalism as a must.

  So the world may be lackluster, but I can promise you that the plot wasn’t. Though as a manga adaptation, one part of the episode could feel disjointed but I guess that it is the nature of the manga in itself. But when the story gets going, it isn’t afraid of showing its fangs. Boy was the story fun to watch. One moment it’s all serious but the next one you’re dying of laughter for how whacky the comedy reveals itself. And it is consistent throughout every episode. It’s borderline sadistic to have a serious moment be wrecked by a deadpan humor, in a good way that is. Though the plot is mainly episodic, there are story arcs as a way to delve into the story a bit more. Overall, the story was the strongest point in this anime, not being afraid to be brutal yet still spins on a comedic twist.

  

  Now onto the characters. Saitou, as the MC, knows how to think on a bigger scale and applies that knowledge to better support his party. Be it helping Morlock memorizing his spell chants, supporting Raelza when in battle by giving instructions, or even carrying Lafanpan around. He’s thoughtful and not in any way debilitating to watch, a good mark in the book of how to become a good MC. The other party members had also shed light on their backgrounds. How Morlock became a great wizard, how Lafanpan became accustomed to being a fairy, and how Raelza came to be from her childhood. The party feels alive and fun with a good chemistry that was formulated within by the help of Saitou. The side characters are also no slouch too, I find it charming that the side characters had been given a dedicated screen time of their activities and antiques. Even the villain has in this story has a really well thought out background, making you sympathize somewhat with them.

  

  The visuals presented are competent enough. Though not mind boggling, I do find it a treat to watch be it on a slow scene or when the action comes through. Character design was well done and the action animation was great and up to spec of how a good action scene should be animated. The barrenness of the world was also accentuated really well, you really get the feel of a survivalist world where mobs and demons still roam within.

  The scoring and soundtrack was well done. I find it a bit hard to point out a particular amazing track throughout the airing but I also find it a bit hard to point out a particular “bad” track, so it’s all good and doesn’t get in the way. OP and ED was fine but I’d mostly skip it, though the last episode’s ending was a treat to watch where everyone danced together in unison.

  Voice acting was great I must say. It was refreshing to see Kimura Ryohei-san being back as an MC and not in his deep voice. Ai Fairouz did a spectacular job portraying Raelza, her ups and downs moment was really well executed. Choo-san did a surprising job as Morlock, as an old coot he sounded exactly what I’d imagined but when Morlock was back to his younger self his voice also changed to be more spirited and youthful, color me impressed. And Toyama Nao-san as Lafanpan was sweet and energetic as always, you’ll know why she’s casted as Lafanpan when you’re on episode 12 :). The other ensemble cast was also quite the great line-up, starting from Matsuoka Yoshitsugu-san, Saito Chiwa-san, to even Serizawa Yuu-san as side characters. The studio definitely aimed to get a good quality out of this adaptation.

  

  Overall, it’s one of the better isekai I've watched. Fun yet isn’t afraid to be ruthless at times with a mix of deadpan humor in it. There’s never a dull moment in any episode. Here’s to hope for another season.

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