This time, we'd like to introduce the personalities and occupations of the main characters who appeared in Parts 1 and 2 of "Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll Do Anything to Become a Librarian."
Myne
This is the story's protagonist, Myne. In her original world, she was named Urano Motosu. She was a girl with such a strong love for books that she was set to become a librarian in her previous life. The story begins when, on her deathbed, she is reincarnated into this world as Myne. Her passion for books and her dream of becoming a librarian are both impressive, as she overcomes various challenges in order to fulfill them. Her struggles in this world, utilizing her knowledge from her previous world, naturally inspired those around her, including Lutz and Benno, and the circle of support continued to grow.
Myne's Family
Myne is the second daughter in a family of four. Her father, Gunther, is usually very attached to his daughters, but he also works as a strict gatekeeper, supervising the passage of nobles and knights. Her mother, Eva, primarily works as a seamstress, but also handles most of the housework when Gunther is away at work. Her eldest daughter, Tuli, often helps out her mother and takes care of the sickly Myne. Also, Tuuli, who has already completed her baptism, is already working as a papier-mâché apprentice, following in her mother's footsteps.
Lutz
This boy helped Myne with many tasks in making her books. He comes from a blacksmith's family, but dreams of becoming a traveling merchant so he can travel to various towns and experience the wider world. Through an introduction from former merchant Otto, he met the merchant Benno, and began working as a merchant apprentice, determined to make everything Myne designs. He was intrigued by Myne's knowledge and behavior, and was the first to realize her true identity. Looking back, most of the things Myne created wouldn't have been completed without Lutz.
Benno
He's the president of the Gilberta Trading Company. He saw Myne's shiny hair and hairpins and immediately saw the potential for business, so he tried to recruit her into the company. Due to his profession, he had a keen nose for business, and he repeatedly taught Myne to take only as much money as she could while she could. Although he has a business-like personality, he prioritizes the safety of Lutz and Myne, and as a way to deal with the self-devouring attacks, he tries to help Myne earn as much money as possible so they can survive.
Otto and Corinna
It was Otto, a subordinate of Myne's father, Gunther, who taught her how to read and write. Originally a traveling merchant, he met and fell in love with Corinna, and quit his job to marry her and become a guard. Corinna is Benno's sister, so Otto considers Benno his brother-in-law. They live above the Gilberta Trading Company. Otto works as a guard, and Corinna works as a seamstress.
Gustav and Frida
Everyone who does business in this town must register with the Merchant Guild. This guild oversees the buying and selling of goods and also serves as a bank. The guild's leader, Gustav, is a greedy businessman and a strict old man who is always at odds with Benno. Gustav's granddaughter, Frieda, may be a cute girl, but she has a keen business sense and dreams of opening a shop and running a business one day. She loves money. Frieda highly values Myne's talent, and the two naturally became close.
Fran, Gil, and Delia
Myne's three attendants are Fran, a former attendant to the high priest; Gil, a problematic orphan; and Delia, who was sent by the temple master to cause trouble for Myne. At first, Myne didn't seem to get along with the other three, but as she took the initiative to learn more about the temple, she gradually became friends with them. Each of them now serves Myne in their own role: Fran is knowledgeable about the scriptures and the temple, Gil is dedicated to his work in exchange for food, and Delia, while a spy for the temple master, also teaches her about proper feminine grooming.
High Priest Ferdinand
He's a bit different from the other blue-robed priests at the temple. Although he holds the title of High Priest, second only to the temple master, he is also one of Myne's most sympathetic figures. His high status is also evident from the respect he receives from the knights. Ferdinand is suspicious of Myne's behavior and innovative ideas, and at the end of Part 2, he learns about her past life through a magical tool. He may hold the key to future developments.
Vilma and Rozina
Blonde Vilma is a mother figure to the orphans, and one of the dwindling gray priestesses at the orphanage. Not only is she loved by the orphans, but she also has a talent for art, and it's Wilma who draws the pictures for picture books and karuta cards. Another grey priestess is the brown-haired Rosina, who has become Myne's new attendant to teach her how to play the instrument known as the fespiel. A skilled instrumentalist, she learned to work under Myne and is now able to do things other than just play the instrument. Both of them were originally attendants to a blue priestess named Christine, and thanks to her influence, they excel in the arts.
Karstead, Damuel, and Shikikoza
These are the three knights who requested the defeat of Trombe at the end of Part 2. Karstead, the commander of the knights on the far left, is a large man with a sharp gaze, but he doesn't wield his power tyrannically. His salute to the high priest and his sincere respect for him were striking. During the Trombe subjugation, the knight who called Myne a commoner and injured her is Shikikoza (far right), while the knight who intervened to stop her is Damuel (center). It was impressive to see Damuel treat Myne, a commoner, the same as an aristocrat. The final episode depicted a discussion between the high priest and Karsted, and it seems likely that Karsted will also appear in Part 3.
Summary
What did you think? This time, we've introduced the characters of "Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll Do Anything to Become a Librarian." Myne and the things she creates have drawn in the people around her, and gradually, she has more and more talented allies. You could say this is the unifying force behind Myne's struggle to achieve her goal of creating a book. Popular characters from the original work are also expected to appear in Part 3, so we're looking forward to that as well.
