"So I'm a Spider, So What?" is a hugely popular novel and manga. It has become a hot topic due to its outrageous plot in which a high school girl is reincarnated as a spider in another world. With the decision to make an anime adaptation also being made, its popularity is only increasing. What exactly is the story of "So I'm a Spider, So What?"? This article will introduce a rough summary, including spoilers. "So I'm a Spider, So What?" is not just a story about reincarnation in another world; it is a complex and intertwined story, making it a very worthwhile read. Be sure to check it out before the anime adaptation arrives!
Synopsis 1: The protagonist is an ordinary high school girl, but
The protagonist is an ordinary high school girl living in Japan. However, during a classical Japanese class, she is struck by severe physical pain and is reincarnated into another world. I, the protagonist, have been reincarnated as a "spider." Spiders are the weakest creatures in this world. Despite her weakest skills, she advances the story with her naturally powerful mental strength.
Her mental strength is fascinating!
Normally, being reincarnated into another world would be overwhelming. And what's more, she's become a spider. But the main character's unyielding spirit is what makes her so good. She surprisingly readily accepts her status as a spider. She also ponders why she came to this world, but realizing there's no point in thinking about it, she decides to put it on hold and give up. This calmness and optimism will help her down the line, and even so, she's quite insightful for a high school girl.
Synopsis 2: Why was she reincarnated into another world?
Why was our protagonist, an ordinary high school girl, reincarnated into another world? The other world was originally governed by a system of skills and stats, unknown to Earthlings. In this world, a demon king, a hero, and humans and demons are constantly fighting each other. During the battle between the hero and the demon king, a spell is cast that transcends the boundaries of the other world. Even the demon king and heroes are sometimes destroyed, but the fighting continues unabated. Then, their power transcends the dimensional barrier and explodes in a Japanese high school classroom, where the protagonist is attending class. Of course, all the students and teachers present, including the protagonist, perished. However, their souls retained their memories of their previous lives and were reincarnated into another world where heroes and demon kings exist.
For some reason, the protagonist became a monster.
Most of these reincarnations were human. However, a few were reincarnated as "monsters"—neither human nor demon. One of these was the protagonist, who was reincarnated as a "spider," the weakest creature in this world. However, she refused to give up, and her determination to survive at all costs led her to climb back up, eventually gaining considerable power, even within the other world. And in the process, she will see the truth of this world.
Synopsis 3: Trials Continue!
As the protagonist perseveres, she faces one inexplicable challenge after another. From the moment she emerges from the egg and recognizes herself as a spider, she is suddenly faced with the threat of cannibalism, both from her siblings and from the parent spider. Even after somehow managing to escape, she is confronted with a giant snake dripping with blood, poisonous frogs, a giant monkey, a dragon, and more... Without her former human intelligence, she would never have survived. As the protagonist steadily improves his level, mastering "status-boosting skills" and "Idaten," he gradually becomes accustomed to monsters, even those weaklings, using traps and spider webs. Through hard work and intelligence, he is able to defeat monsters with far superior stats. Meanwhile, his former classmates, who were reincarnated into another world just like the protagonist, are also facing their own challenges as humans.
Synopsis 4: A Showdown with the Earth Dragon Alaba!?
Despite many twists and turns, the protagonist struggles to defeat his enemies. Having acquired various skills and grown stronger, she has become the kind of being that causes small fry monsters to flee at the mere sight of her. Then, the mastermind of the Great Labyrinth, "Earth Dragon Alaba," appears before her. Things don't go as smoothly as before, and for the first time, she experiences the fear of death. In addition to "Earth Dragon Alaba," a mastermind known as "Administrator" also appears, and it will be interesting to see how the mysteries of the other world are slowly unravelled.
Synopsis 5: Beyond the Great Labyrinth... A confrontation with "Mother"!
After much ado, the protagonist finally escapes the monster-infested Great Labyrinth and arrives on the continent where the humans live. But his moment of relief is short-lived, as he finds himself confronted by "Mother," the queen of the spider species and the protagonist's current mother. This mother is a terrifying being who tried to eat the protagonist right from the start, and is far superior to him. From here, a very tough battle begins. And who exactly is the Demon King?
Is there a disconnect between the humans and the protagonist?
Up until this point, the protagonist's story and the story of his former human classmates, who were reincarnated with him, have been progressing in parallel. However, as the human story progresses, it becomes clear that there is a time lag between their story and the protagonist's.
Synopsis 6: Reincarnated People Meet Each Other!?
Despite his struggles, the protagonist manages to defeat the Spider Mother. He has become quite strong, attracting considerable attention. Finally, he must defeat the Demon King, the other world's most powerful enemy, so leveling up for the next opportunity becomes necessary. Meanwhile, the protagonist unexpectedly meets his former human classmate!
A Complicated Relationship with an Elf!?
The protagonist meets a vampire count's daughter, a reincarnated member of the same class. When the protagonist rescues her from bandits, he ends up earning the ire of the elves. It will be interesting to see how things develop from here. As the reincarnated characters meet, we will also gradually learn more about their pre-reincarnation lives. We will also learn about the protagonist's name, which has always been a mystery and only revealed as "I," as well as what kind of character she was in class!
Synopsis 7: Reconciliation with the Demon King!? New relationships begin to unfold between the protagonist and her friends.
From here on, pay attention to the new relationships that begin to unfold between the protagonist and her friends. The biggest surprise is that she reconciles with the Demon King, who she thought was the final boss of the other world. Furthermore, she ends up traveling with the vampire and his minions she saved. Until now, the protagonist had been traveling alone, but now that he has his first companion, new relationships are born.
Synopsis 8: Do Elves Hold the Key to This World?
From here on, the secrets of this mysterious other world are gradually revealed. The key to this world is revealed to be a being called "elves." Elves in this world have a typical appearance, with pointed ears and well-proportioned features. They grow at half the rate of humans and have a lifespan more than 10 times longer. They are vegetarians and live in groups in "Elf Village," protected by a barrier that no monster can penetrate. Elves are proud and exclusive toward other races, and they harbor discriminatory feelings toward half-elves in particular.
What are the true identities of elves?
In fact, elves are actually clones created by Potimas, the elf leader, to be used as his pawns. Incidentally, Filimes is a slightly modified clone, custom-made as a spare body for Potimas.
[So I'm a Spider, So What?] Summary!
This concludes the plot summary of this work. I was surprised by the outrageous plot twist of being reincarnated as a spider, but I'm also looking forward to seeing how her growth as a character is portrayed in the anime!
