Just hearing the term "other world reincarnation" can make you think "another other world story..." - so many other world reincarnation (transfer) stories have been made into anime. This work does not have the word "other world" in the title, but it is undoubtedly an other world reincarnation work. However, unlike other other world reincarnation works, which tend to be battle-themed, this work has a slightly different plot. What exactly makes it different from the others? In this article, we will introduce the unique appeal of "Ascendance of a Bookworm."
Charm 1: The Reincarnated Protagonist is Extremely Sickly
While a typical "other-world" story features characters with superpowers, the protagonist in this work is, on the contrary, weakened. The only thing that works to his advantage after reincarnation is the knowledge from his previous life. His body is so weak that he can't even run around or move for long periods of time, and even a slight strain sends him to bed for days. Although he possesses extraordinary magical powers, they are virtually useless in the first season of the anime, and it's even said that this power will soon cost him his life. While training is a common way to get stronger, Myne never gets physically stronger (only being able to walk longer distances). Watching her trial and error as she tries to make books with her weak body is a highlight of the series.
Charm 2: The Many Products Myne Makes
While the ultimate goal of this series is to "make books," in the first season of the anime, she also impresses those around her by making various products as an apprentice merchant. In addition to making products, she also uses her memories from her past life to improve them, suggesting ways to improve them. One of the joys of this series is watching young children surprise grown-ups by offering various opinions. However, some things, like papermaking, require no specialized knowledge, and it's not easy to make them; some are made after repeated failures and hard work, which is a highlight.
Charm 3: Many other compelling characters aside from the main character
It's no exaggeration to say that one of the conditions for a good anime is whether the supporting characters are compelling! Even if you have a strong and cool main character, if there aren't any outstanding supporting characters around him, the work will be mediocre. So what about "Ascendance of a Bookworm"? Of course, there are plenty of fascinating supporting characters! For more details, please check out our comprehensive article introducing the supporting characters, but with the support of her many charming companions, Mine overcomes various challenges.
Charm 4: Occasional Comical Impressions
"Ascendance of a Bookworm" is a story that primarily depicts serious matters, such as the misunderstanding of the posthumous name before creating a book, the earnest efforts in product development, and the protagonist's struggle with illness. However, there are also scenes that interject comical moments at key points. The two-headed character design that appears in the ending is adorable, and the highlight is her performance, which is more like that of voice actress Iguchi Yuka than "Mine." In addition to these comical gag scenes, there are also sudden gag scenes during normal times, such as when a group of people suddenly do the Glico pose during a sacred ritual, so be sure to check those out too! The appeal of this show is that it has not only serious stories but also gag scenes.
Charm 5: An anime that's not your typical late-night anime
When you think of late-night anime, you might imagine some grotesque or slightly erotic content that might be too harsh for children. However, while this series depicts Myne suffering from "self-devouring," there's nothing that would be unsuitable for children. (To the extent that the temple chief foams at the mouth and collapses in the final episode.) The content is so good that some viewers have commented, "It's okay to air it on Educational TV!" (lol) While the content may be a little difficult for young children, the depiction of parent-child love and other aspects make it a safe and enjoyable show for children, which is also its appeal.
Charm 6: Merchant's Bargaining
In addition to crafting, this work also highlights the merchant's negotiation skills. The middle part of the story focuses mainly on Myne's life as a merchant. Although she possesses a wealth of unique knowledge from her memories of her past life, she is a complete novice when it comes to merchanting! Benno, the owner of the Gilberta Trading Company, teaches her the basics of merchantship, but it's not an easy task. Nevertheless, she gradually learns the trade and trades information in exchange for payment, and we see her gradually grow as a merchant.
His negotiation skills outside of his role as a merchant are on an adult level
While she's a complete novice when it comes to the negotiations of a merchant, Myne is actually a Reno who lived for 22 years in her previous life. Her negotiation skills in everyday life are no less impressive than those of an adult. When she first met Benno and he asked her about the shine of her hair, she kept the information a secret and didn't immediately give it up. When she sensed that Otto wanted to be alone with his wife, Corinna, she said, "If I can get all the nails, maybe he'll remember what I'm doing," and took all the nails she could before leaving. Myne's charm lies in her adult-like shrewdness.
Charm 7: Family Love Depicted in the Story
As mentioned earlier, family love is also a major draw of this work. Scenes like this one feature the whole family helping out the sickly Myne. Just watching these heartwarming scenes brings a warm feeling to your heart. The scene where the family holds a family meeting and grieves after learning that Myne only has a short time left to live. The scene where the family bands together and risks their lives to save Myne. With so many heartwarming family scenes, this work is not only a story about bookmaking and merchants, but also about "family love."
Summary of the Appeal of "Ascendance of a Bookworm"
So far, I've briefly introduced the appeal of "Ascendance of a Bookworm." What did you think? I had intended to cover a lot of the appeal of "Ascendance of a Bookworm" this time, but if I wrote too much, it would have been a huge spoiler, and introducing the appeal of each character would have become too long, so I've only touched on a few points (lol). Of course, the appeal of this work is much more than this, so please check it out for yourself!
