Three chapters are out so far. Its an interesting start - a bit different from anything else I've read yet, and I'm looking forward to more. So far, the MC is truly an uncle of all time, the title is not deceiving. Here's to hoping the good start carries forward ~

This novel has a not uncommon premise but the execution is quite different from the norm.

Our protagonist comes across to me as on the neurodivergent side. She doesn't react outwardly and keeps a poker face on. She doesn't talk much and when she does she speaks concisely. Other characters can view this as cold, confident, arrogant or some cultural difference but she is actually just a taciturn person who is generally paying a lot of attention to what is going on. A chapter discusses a formative experience in her previous... more>> life and how it affected the way she interacted with the world. She does maintain the mindset from her previous life but aside from a fear of conflict, tendency towards safety/measured action, Japanese MC style politeness, and being a bit overwhelmed by passionate youths doesn't seem too stereotypically uncle-y.

The writing style seems different from your typical Japanese isekai. My impression of a standard one is a boisterous internal monologue with a lot of exclamations and anime style dialogue or a lot of the protagonist explaining and strategizing their encounters to themselves/us the reader. This comes across more descriptive and a step removed with the third person perspective which suits our reserved protagonist. So far the novel has mostly been her finding her place in the world in a careful manner. Pacing-wise it's been pretty chill / slow and steady so if you're looking for something more exciting or fast paced this probably isn't it. The world seems like a pretty typical Japanese fantasy setting minus a chosen hero/demon lord. Adventurers guild, beastmen, monsters, dungeons etc. Our protagonist is excited (in her quiet way) by the new world and especially her magical prowess. We don't currently know the limits of her abilities but she seems to be quite powerful compared to those around her.

Translation by Magic House TL seems good! <<less

Even though I normally avoid TS (gender bender) stories since they tend to be either ecchi, ridiculous, or pointless (as in the TS element has no real effect on the story/character), I was drawn to this story from the unusual setting of the MC being an older man TSing into a younger fantasy creature. Usually it's a teenage or young adult male TSing into a human baby or of the same age with only the gender swapped.

MC's swap into a young, strikingly beautiful dark elf is extremely important to the... more>> story. Unlike other (if not most) TS stories where the MC panics over their gender swap for like one chapter at most and then lives the rest of their life content as their new gender, MC's Japanese uncle heart/mind constantly is at odds with her new body. Even though the initial shock and disbelief fades eventually, it's only replaced with a perpetual sensation of discrepancy. MC doesn't fully assimilate into her new body, especially in the beginning, having to remind herself over and over again on several occasions that she is no longer a man and must act accordingly. I found this incredibly refreshing and interesting to see.

It helps that MC's personality is very likeable and understandable. There is no one trait that sticks out, she's not edgy, overly heroic, nor is she a schemer or overly naive. She's a bit cowardly in the beginning, but we get to see why, as well as watch her evolve through her travels and the relationships she forms along the way.

Also, for those who appreciate found family and friendship stories, this story is certainly for you. MC's relationship with her new team is adorable. They are all currently around the same age so there's no awkwardness due to seniority and they warm up to each other very nicely. They support each other, cheer for each other, and comfort each other. It's all completely platonic and wholesome, love to see it.

All in all, this story is heartwarming, surprisingly interesting (there are hints of big things happening in the background), and easy to read. Highly recommended.

Also, Montana is the cutest thing ever. I will accept no arguments. <<less

A typical 'turn your brain off for it to make sense' JP novel. The MC is a 42 year old salary man transported into an (17?) year old dark elf. They show no recognition of their new body, new powers, or lack of wealth in the first three months of transmigration. What bothers me most about this novel is that the author sets up various situations for the MC to make a connection and realize their situation, but the MC remains oblivious. They see others casting magic 10x weaker then... more>> they can

Spoiler

(casts 50 spells where the others can only cast 5-6 without rest; also takes out a boss mob in 1 hit)

[collapse]

Yet, despite these events, they do not change. If you're looking for a slice of life novel with an oblivious MC this novel isn't bad as the grammar and side characters seem good. However the MC shows no desire for power, wealth, or intimacy; just living day by day.

TLDR: If you want a doormat MC with no awareness who explores a fantasy world and makes friends this novel is for you. <<less

In my opinion, this is one of the best Isekai stories I have ever read. The author understands fundamentally where the appeal of Isekai comes from. An issue I have seen across the entire Isekai genre, is that the people who write these novels, are usually obnoxiously uncreative when it comes to creating a main character in a fantasy setting. Ninety-five percent of main characters in this genre either make no attempt to change what the main character looks like, or don’t try to make the main character anything more... more>> than just a human in a nondescript European country.

This novel goes above and beyond just taking someone and randomly putting them in a fantasy world. The main character becomes essentially the opposite of what they were when they were on earth in terms of appearance, constitution, and age. The main character gets to live a completely different way of life as a completely different person in a different world. And that is the fundamental appeal of Isekai that so many authors don’t get.

The writing is very good, the characters are all interesting and have unique personalities and backstories that are fun and the world building is absolutely fantastic. The author has set up so many interesting plot lines that have yet to unfold that has me hooked on every chapter..

Spoiler

An example being the main character being a dark elf that is basically separated from their tribe with no concept of their culture, sets up such a good encounter for the future

[collapse]

I’m sorry for the rant at the beginning but understanding how this story differs from your typical power fantasy Isekai (which it does have some of those elements but they’re introduced in a fun an interesting way) is really what has me so hooked on this novel to begin with. This novel is absolutely 10/10 I hope it gets an anime someday because this is absolute peak for me. <<less

Suprisingly good.

The MC is abit typically "weak japanese man" at first look, but there's lots of character growth to be had so it's ok because her true self slowly starts shining through which is great. She's also OP and nothing is said why about it yet, but it's also ok because it's not really the focus. She has never fully explored the true limits of her body and abilities so far (chap 118, and while she has experimented abit they stopped because of the dangers. She also never unleashed her... more>> true magical prowess yet either, though how she handles simple magic is a small indicator of how good she is). So far in the story she prefers to stay at the level of her party members though they all know she's far stronger than them.

The side characters is good too, I like them.

Storywise it seems to be "adventure" by travelling and doing missions. Not sure if there's a wider plot planned (other than the mystery of the MC perhaps), but I'm fine with just having a chill story like it's been for the most part for now.

Read?

I highly recommend it. <<less

I'm not a critique so I can't really be of much help typing this. I'm just saying that this series is like a slice of life. Each character is unique, at least to me with their past and present. The contents within isn't really heavy so you can enjoy it slowly. While the MC might be your typical weak willed MC his (?) backstory justifies it so you don't have to turn off your brain for once reading these. And poor ralph, I sympathize kind of.

Only way I can describe this story is like this: Imagine a friend of yours gifted you a copy of rpg game he has already completed. You boot the game and start NG+ on a new save. After doing the tutorial or smth, instead of doing the main quest, you instead ignore it completely and start doing all the side quests. This webnovel is the "side quests the story".

But on positive note there are no 100 years old little girls... Instead, you get 100+ years old small boy... Who is... more>> also quite the sadist... Yeah.

Now that of the way I will be straightforward - I am obsessed with this webnovel. It has been on my mind for the past few weeks and I just can't seem to get enough. I have less than 100 chapters left from the raws and already feel like I won't be anywhere near satisfied.

Whenever I recommend it or not depends on the one reading the review. The plot is moving along really slowly (no one bas gotten any kind of answer about important questions and plot points set from the very start), so if you prefer your story focus on overarching plot then I don't think you may enjoy this. If you prefer the story focus on world building, politics and anything of the sort, then this may be a miss. While I like the way the lore and world are approached naturally, they aren't anything really noteworthy or unique. It's standard fantasy. If you like stories that focus on character interaction and development, then you will likely like it if you give it a chance.

The world is standard fantasy setting with bunch of races and countries fighting among each other. It has goblins, orcs, harpies, vampires, dragons and etc. It has ancient civilization. It has legit gods. It has magic and swords. Everything is approached in very natural way, slowly mapping out the world, inhabitants, countries and lore behind them, which I quite enjoyed. It felt like a breath of fresh air learning about all this along with the protagonist's group and the fact there is more to everything than just some surface stuff. You can find actual thought put in almost every corner of the known world.

Now let's talk about the characters - the main selling point of the story. Simply put, I adore almost every single one of them. Almost every reoccurring character has their own personality, goals, motivation, story and they aren't sticking around the protagonist just because she needs to be surrounded by people to show how popular she is at all times. No, they are there because they have their own unique reason to. One simply likes their company, other wants enrich the talents of the protagonist and constantly pushes her past her comfort zone, so she could gain more real world experience; third found their way to them by circumstance; fourth had nowhere else to go and etc.

Very important note! The protagonist isn't self-insert! She is her own person with her own development along the story.

And to finish off with the character section! Noct is best grandpa (100 yo small boy I mentioned), Montana is best boy and Regina is best girl.

And that's about everything I want to say. I mentioned that the story hasn't given concrete answers to anything major yet but it gives hints here and there, which let you paint a certain picture. Whenever you will like the story that is being teased after reading is up to you. Now that's all from me. Gonna go back and finish it, so I have legitimate reason to be depressed. <<less

I'm a bit disappointed. The manga is great because it condenses a lot of the overthinking the MC does. Like when the MC is unsure of themselves, it's literally 2 frames in the manga, while it's usually a whole chapter in the novel. I gave it a 4 because it's still good writing and world building, it's just very flawed.

I don't like how selectively ignorant the MC is. She take notes on everything and tries to study as much as she can, but she doesn't take 2 seconds to ask... more>> their mage friend what is normal for a mage (so the MC can pretend to be timid and humble even though she's stronger than 99%). Also, she's supposed to be anxious and suspicious about everything... so what does she do? Literally tell everyone she meets that she has "amnesia", a huge weakness that would normally get taken advantage of. <<less