The second season of the anime "Ascendance of a Bookworm" is scheduled to begin airing in April 2020. The first season aired from October to December 2019, and while the time until the second season began was short, there may be some people who don't remember the story clearly. We'll also be introducing the story in a simple and easy-to-understand way so that it's easy to follow for those who haven't seen the first season yet, so take this opportunity to review the first season and prepare for the second season!
The protagonist is reincarnated as a sickly young girl named Myne
Although the title of this work does not include the word "another world," it is unmistakably an isekai reincarnation story. The protagonist, Myne, acquires another personality when she turns five years old. At a certain moment, Myne recalls her memories of her previous life as Urano Motosu. Myne is anxious about being suddenly reincarnated into a world where she doesn't understand the language or letters, but her memories from when she was five years old remain in her head, allowing her to converse without any problems.
She's so sickly that she can't even manage everyday life.
Urano died in an accident in her previous life, but after being reincarnated as Myne, she lives her daily life with an incredibly frail body. Her frailty is so extreme that even a short walk leaves her breathless and unable to walk. She frequently gets a fever and stays in bed for several days, and she has to be carried on someone's back when she goes out. Due to her illness, she is also smaller than children her age, and although she is five years old, she has often been mistaken for a three-year-old.
The first thing she thought about in her new world was, of course...
In her previous life, Myne was surrounded by books. She realized that as long as she had books, she could survive in any world. She told her sister, Tuuli, that she wanted to see a book. However, Tuuli's reaction was a question mark floating in her head... In fact, in this world, books weren't something common among ordinary citizens, but rather an ultra-luxury item enjoyed only by the nobility. Despairing at the reality that she couldn't read, Myne decided, "If there are no books, then I'll just make one," and set about making one.
A Reassuring Ally! Lutz's Presence
Myne retains memories from her past life, so she has some knowledge about bookmaking. However, her biggest problem is her lack of stamina! If she can't walk, she can't gather materials, and with her lack of physical strength, she needs help with everything. Lutz, who is the same age as Marin, helps her out. Lutz is always by Myne's side, taking the initiative to help with health management and bookmaking. It was Lutz who saved Myne from despair several times during the bookmaking process.
To make a book, you need to learn how to read and write
Myne can speak, based on her memories from the age of five. However, many commoners in this world are unable to read or calculate, and naturally, as a child, Myne was unable to write letters or numbers. One day, Myne accompanied her father, Gunther, to the gate, where she spotted Otto writing on paper, and begged him to teach her how to read and write. Otto granted her request, and he gave her a slate pencil and other items, and Myne quickly began to learn how to read and calculate. Before he knew it, he was working as Otto's assistant, but sometimes he got so engrossed that he even developed a fever.
The Reality of a Traveling Merchant
"I want to become a traveling merchant and see the outside world." Lutz was born into a family of artisans, but he dreamed of becoming a traveling merchant. To help him, Myne arranged for Otto to tell her all about the business. Once the two were fully dressed and ready, Otto and another unfamiliar young man appeared before them. His name was Benno, the owner of the Gilberta Trading Company. As soon as the discussion began, Lutz was intimidated by Otto's account of his experiences and the harsh realities of being a traveling merchant...
The Two Become Merchant Apprentices
Wanting to explain the harsh realities of being a traveling merchant to Lutz, Myne suggested to the depressed Lutz that he aim to become a merchant apprentice instead of a traveling merchant. However, Benno immediately pressed him with the question, "What do you want to make and sell?", which left Lutz speechless. Seeing this, Benno said, "That's enough of the conversation," and prepared to leave. Myne then suggests to Lutz that he try making the "paper" she makes, and Lutz tells Benno, "I'll make everything you come up with." After hearing Myne say that she makes paper from plants, the two decide to begin making paper as a test for their merchant apprenticeships, aiming to complete it by the baptismal ceremony.
Papermaking is a constant struggle
To make a book, you first need paper. However, in this world, paper itself is a luxury item, and the paper used for contracts and other purposes is called "parchment." As a poor commoner, Myne's access to these materials is naturally out of reach... So, before making books, she has no choice but to make paper. She starts by crafting stone slabs, then gradually improves them with papyrus from ancient civilizations. As she promised Benno, she also spends a considerable amount of time crafting paper using the wood fibers.
The distance between Myne and Lutz grows as the work progresses.
Words she's never heard, tools she's never seen. Myne knows all sorts of unknown information. Furthermore, she negotiates with various artisans and Benno with ease and perfection, putting even adults to shame. Seeing Myne like that, Lutz gradually begins to feel a sense of distrust. Perhaps the Myne in front of him is a different person, even though she looks the same... Before long, Lutz begins calling her "you" instead of "Myne," and he becomes suspicious of everything she does. Then, on the day the paper is finished, Lutz pours out all his feelings to Myne.
The "real Myne" as Lutz puts it
Once the paper is finished, Lutz immediately asks Myne, "Who are you?" Lutz is angry at Myne for many reasons, such as why they ended up in this situation, how long they had been inside her, and asking for the original Myne back. However, he ultimately accepts it all and decides to continue making paper with her. Lutz is just so cool at this point! We'll explain more about it in Lutz's character introduction, but this is Lutz's most memorable moment. After successfully creating the actual product, the two submit a prototype to Benno and are finally successful in signing a contract as merchant apprentices.
What is the "Devouring" that is eating away at Myne's body?
Benno had previously suspected her of being a "Devouring," but Myne was later informed of the details of the "Devouring" that was eating away at her by the guild leader's daughter, Frieda. In this world, magical power is typically possessed by the nobility, but in rare cases, commoners are born with magical powers. Once affected by this condition, the body is unable to withstand the rampaging magical power and is almost 100% likely to die by the time of baptism (at age 7). The only way to suppress the symptoms is to use magical tools to reduce the body's magical power. However, these tools are rare and expensive, and their effects are only temporary.
How Myne, the Body-Eater, Can Survive
Although Myne nearly lost her life to the body-eating condition, she somehow managed to survive thanks to magical tools. She is told she has about a year left to live, and although she could have made a contract with a noble and survived using magical tools, she decides to spend her final year with her family. However, things change drastically when the temple finds out that Myne is a flesh-eater at her baptismal ceremony. The temple needs magical power, and Myne becomes intrigued by the large number of books it houses. As a result, she begins working at the temple as a blue shrine maiden (treated as a noble). The first season of the anime ends here, and the second season, which begins in April, is scheduled to depict Myne's exploits at the temple.
Story Summary
So far, we've looked back at the first season of the anime. What did you think? There are plenty of other highlights to enjoy, such as interactions with Lutz, Myne's rampaging magical powers, and family love, so why not take a moment to recap before the second season begins? Of course, if you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check it out!
