One of These is Not Like the Others. Which is actually true for all three of the shows I have for you today. The three shows here are decent to good in quality, but they're very much painting a picture of how the anime industry -- and by that extent, the manga/light novel industry -- tries to make something successful these days. It has been my personal gauntlet challenge to get through. First off is Handyman Saitou in Another World. Unlike the others, Handyman Saitou's main character is more about job satisfaction rather than them upending the world they're resurrected in, and everything that comes with job satisfaction. It's because of this that the show started off on the best foot out of the three, but... well, that didn't hold up all the way until the end. Next up is Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill. Unlike the others, our protagonist has a more direct link to his original world, and it's that link that's driving the whole plot, plus its main lead wasn't summoned upon death, but was rather seemingly picked randomly. And it's a foodie show. It's also the best show out of the three, the only one to rank four. And lastly, we have Chillin' in My 30's After Getting Fired from the Demon King's Army. Unlike the others, Chillin' in my 30's is not an isekai (even if it feels so much like one), as its main lead has always been a resident of the world this show is taking place in. It's also the only one of the three to be a blatant power fantasy, if a mild one. I would say it's the least good one out of the three, but the way Handyman Saitou shot itself in the foot kinda made that a hard distinction to make. So yeah, that was a hurdle to climb. I do kinda wish I would never have to read the words "...in another world" in a show title again, but these are the times we've lived in for quite some time. Here's hoping I have the energy to keep up the output as life (not in another world) continues. See you all next Monday. -Stig Høgset.
Mar 10, 2025 • Subscribe
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