Butareba – The Story of a Man Turned Into a Pig Vol. 3 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Mystery, Tragedy, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Dark Fantasy, Perverted Protagonist, Weak Protagonist, Cute

Cover Illustration for Volume 3

Synopsis:

Cutie-pie Jess has regained her previously sealed memories, and oh my, she seems to be a little—no, very smitten with Mister Pig! Of course, there’s always the chance it’s just his social debuff as an otaku leading him to think so. Don’t worry—he knows the rules super well: he mustn’t overstep his boundaries. Luckily, there are other urgent matters he can focus on! Together with Jess and her fiancé-on-paper Shravis, Mister Pig hatches a secret plan that will decide the fates of the Liberators and every Yethma in Mesteria. A long-lost member of the royal family is the key to strengthening the fragile alliance between the Liberators and the royal court, so securing his cooperation is imperative. And strangely enough, Naut’s perverted dog Rossi, who loves to sniff girls’ legs, might be their best lead! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Pig’s Quest to Kill an Immortal!

After regaining Jess’s memories and discovering a mutual enemy to cause a truce between the royal family and the liberators, the third instalment of the titular pig Isekai follows a quest to find a missing uncle.

The latest volume in the series starts on a lighter note than usual. On a quest to find and return Sharvis’ uncle, Hortis, to his human form, Jess and Mister Pig get to spend some quality time together as they look for clues around the royal capital.

Far from a sightseeing trip around one of the kingdom’s few centres of peace and opulence, the author uses this quest as an opportunity to showcase the development in the relationship between the series’ deuteragonists. For Jess, in particular, these scenes provide solid insight into how her separation from Mister Pig has affected her.

Whatever fondness Jess had for the pig before has certainly blossomed into romantic feelings now. This spells disaster for Mister Pig’s original plans for idolisation, as Jess has become wilful and confident since getting her memories back. For better or worse, the romantic development between the two will only escalate from this volume onwards.

A Brother’s Quarrel

As the quest for Hortis draws to a head, the darker, serious aspects of the series reveal themselves once again as the protagonists turn their attention towards a secondary quest – a quest to find legendary objects that can rid a mage of immortality.

This quest serves as an opportunity to finally defeat The Clandestine Arcanist as well as a way for The Liberators to negotiate with the Royal Family as equals. As such, this plot line features subterfuge against the royal family heavily.

With the royal family in the spotlight, a closer inspection shows the dynamics between them are one-sided. Central to this is the new king, The Marquis. There are many words to describe him, but measured is not one. A walking stereotype for the world’s cruelty, he rules his people in much the same way as his family – with an iron fist.

As for the quest against the Clandestine Arcanist, this lacks the usual emotional punch of previous story climaxes. The only sticking point in the story and the series thus far, its one saving grace, comes from the scenes involving Hortis. I won’t spoil these moments, but needless to say, the moments between Hortis and The Marquis are why I keep coming back to the series.

Despite a slightly weaker climax, Butareba’s third outing still manages to entertainingly mix dark fantasy and comedy aspects. Jess’ wilful change and royal family dynamics are particular highlights as the volume’s ending leaves the journey for a new future for Yethma in an uncertain place.

Butareba Vol. 3

My Rating: 8.5/10

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You can read the third volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

The Otome Heroine’s Fight for Survival Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama, Tragedy, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Strong Lead, Ruthless Protagonist, Game Elements, Dark Fantasy

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

Orphaned by a monster attack on her village, young Alicia spends three horrid years in an orphanage before finally running away. When she flees, however, Alicia has a violent encounter with an older woman hell-bent on killing her. During their tussle, she comes into contact with a strange crystal that bestows upon her a wealth of knowledge, transforming her from an innocent child into a cool and calculated planner. Now aware that she was meant to be the protagonist of an otome game and disgusted with her supposed fate, Alicia decides to take matters into her own hands and become strong—by any means necessary. Using her newfound knowledge, and with some help from a stranger she meets in the woods, she learns to survive by herself in a world far too harsh and unforgiving for a girl her age. Ready or not, she’s determined to carve her own path. (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Heroine’s Ruthless Emancipation!

Mixing dark fantasy and Otome elements, Harunohi Biyori’s Otome Heroine’s Fight for Survival is one of the latest titles to finish its pre-pub on the J-Novel Club website.

Upon discovering that she’s a heroine from an Otome Game, the series follows the story of Alicia as she attempts to shirk off her game character credentials and forge her own path in a world filled with violence and treachery.

A Heroine’s Awakening

Not for the faint-hearted, Otome Survival wastes no time in setting the tone of the series as a dark fantasy. With a deadly attack on the protagonist instigating the story, it finds Alicia wrestling with the idea that she’s a heroine from a game and the ways with which she can emancipate herself from this fate.

Whilst emancipation is the major theme, it isn’t the driver of the volume’s first half; it’s survival. As an orphaned child in a violent world, learning to act on instinct and fight is the only way to avoid death. This ideology shapes Alicia, resulting in a ruthless character willing to kill to survive.

Ruthless though she may be, that doesn’t mean that Alicia is unlikeable. Logical and determined, she never kills without reason and keeps to a set of principles that develop throughout the volume.

Two adventurers from the early parts of the novel are likely what stopped her from becoming a mindless killer and showcased that there’s good in the unforgiving world. Known as Feld and Viro, they help in Alicia’s survival quest by teaching her useful abilities and skills in both combat and sorcery. Detailed and intricate, the mechanics of growth within this fantasy world come alive as Alicia learns alongside the adventurers. Unfortunately, the author doesn’t quite keep the level of excitement when Alicia learns on her own. Often, the novel grinds to a halt as Alicia attempts to enunciate incantations.

A Battle Maid’s Impetus to Change

Having learnt the basics of survival, the second half of the volume re-introduces the theme of emancipation. Accompanying Viro on a job, she ends up apprenticing as a battle maid. Serving under the royal family, they act as bodyguards, and it’s here that Alicia discovers her impetus for change – Princess Elena.

Alicia and Elena are birds of a feather. They see the world in the same way and are trying to carve out their own path in the world. For Alicia especially, this meeting between them is important as it gives some directionality to her abilities and opens plenty of doors for the future.

As an aside, the battle maid arc also provides an element of coolness to the volume. Through her time with the organisation, Alicia develops her fighting style with strings. Constantly catching her enemies off guard, it adds a layer of swagger to the numerous battles she has as the volume progresses.

Overall, Otome Survival’s opening instalment makes for an entertaining read. The series achieves this by creating detailed foundations and managing to balance the dark aspects of the series without coming across as edgy. Alicia is the highlight of the volume. Ruthless yet likeable, you can’t help but route for her as she attempts to break away from the rules of the game.

The Otome Heroine’s Fight for Survival Vol. 1

My Rating: 8.5/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Butareba – The Story of a Man Turned Into a Pig Vol. 2 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Mystery, Tragedy, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Dark Fantasy, Perverted Protagonist, Weak Protagonist, Cute

Cover Illustration for Volume 2

Synopsis:

With the help of newfound comrades, our otaku protagonist makes a valiant return to the fantasy world of Mesteria—as a pig, of course! However, his most precious heroine, Jess, is missing. But that doesn’t matter because he didn’t come back to enjoy a fluffy fantasy life with Jess. He totally doesn’t miss the girl he fell head over heels for! He’s not s-whining or dis-grunt-led at all! There are also more pressing problems Mister Pig must deal with. Mesteria changed completely during his absence. The nation’s torn apart by a war between the royal court and the underground society, and the handsome huntsman Naut has become a revolutionary focused on liberating all Yethma. Our protagonist’s mission is to help Naut and save the poor Yethma of this world! Together with Ceres and a new pig companion, Sanon, Mister Pig sets out on a journey filled with twists and turns. Will he reunite with his sweet, angelic savior? (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Pig Leads the Revolutionaries!

After saying a heartfelt goodbye, the sequel of Butareba sees the series’ titular pig return to this dark fantasy world as he has unfinished business to take care of.

Ever since he left the world of Mesteria, things over there haven’t been going well. His return finds a kingdom plunged into chaos. On the one side, a group called The Liberators, headed by a familiar face, are attempting a revolution to free the Yethma. On the other, the kingdom’s north has seceded, and their brutal regime seeks power through strange and ancient means. But what of Jess? Her memories with Mister Pig forgotten, fate is playing games with her once again as an unexpected reunion meets with tragic consequences.

A Returning Revolutionary

Returning to the scene of the crime, it seems that the three months Mister Pig spent out of the world haven’t diminished his hunt for the truth or his perverted nature. Paired up with Ceres and his friend from another world, Sanon, this time, his goal is to help free the Yethma and change the fantasy world for the better.

Even without Jess, the antics between the three don’t miss a beat as they seek to meet up with Naut and The Liberators and avoid the Underground’s attacks. Adding Sanon to the line-up helps to settle this new team. Another reincarnation from Japan, he provides an extra logical mind to complex situations, even if his perversions go far beyond the limit sometimes.  

Their adventure together is much lighter in tone than usual for the series, but it still provides all the necessary twists and turns expected.

A Fallen Hero

Whilst not as dark as its opening volume, the sequel in the series still has plenty of tragedy to go around. Naut’s journey is particularly bleak.

Captured by the Nothens, he’s tortured and treated as entertainment as a fighter in the Colosseum. It’s a segment that’s unrelenting in its despair. What Naut suffers through and what he’s forced to participate in changes him throughout the story. When he escapes, it’s clear that his resolve to free the Yethma and destroy the system has only been strengthened by the experience.

Additionally, Jess doesn’t exactly have a nice time of things. As safe as she is as a member of the royal family, it doesn’t stop her intense longing as her memories with Mister Pig have been blocked. This missing piece of herself comes to ahead as fate intertwines all three of these stories by the novel’s second act.

A Hero’s Reunion

Eventually, the three stories intersect as The Liberators and The Royal Family agree to fight against the Nothens.

For Jess and Mister Pig, the latter half of the novel acts as a slow-burn reunion between them. Throughout their interactions, Jess’ memories slowly start to return, resulting in a recognition scene typical of the series – tragic and highly emotional.

The fight against the Nothens also provides the series with two excellent additional characters to the story. The first is Shravis. The king’s grandson and Jess’ fiancé, he beats the usual light novel stereotypes, being both level-headed and understanding. He’s instrumental in ensuring a truce between the two sides.

The second character in question is the Clandestine Arcanist. Without giving away any spoilers, he’s a mage with the possibility of opening many doors for the series. Moreover, his character offers the reader an interesting insight into the personality of mages before the great purge.

Overall, Butareba’s sequel continues with the strong foundations given in its opening act. As a series, it continues to provide shock, laughs and tears in its own signature fashion.

This time around, the story builds on world-building, widening the scope to show how different members of Mesteria react within their inhumane system as it begins to crumble. Whilst the comedic outlook of the series can sometimes detract from the harsh realities, they nonetheless remain. Steadfastly showcasing those who struggle for change and those who take advantage of the chaos, ultimately causing more suffering for their own selfish gain.

Butareba Vol. 2

My Rating: 9/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the second volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.

Butareba – The Story of a Man Turned into a Pig- Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Mystery, Tragedy, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Dark Fantasy, Perverted Protagonist, Weak, Cute

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

A run-of-the-mill otaku collapses from stomach pain after tasting raw pig liver and wakes up in a whole new world—as a pig, of all things! He’s helplessly trapped in his pen until Jess, a girl who can read minds, comes along and rescues him. Our porcine hero will have to work to keep his boar-ish thoughts to himself, but sweet Jess isn’t deterred. In fact, she wants to spoil this little piggy rotten! By Jess’s side, it seems like life as a hog might not be so bad after all, yet there’s more to this strange fantasy world than meets the eye. Jess is a girl of many secrets, and she’s in danger. But what can a mere pig with no special powers do to protect her from her cruel fate? Will his modern knowledge, quick thinking, and sharp nose be enough to ham it up and save her? (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Journey to Discover the Truth (Pig Escort Included)!

A Journey Fraught with Danger

From the way this series uses an animal protagonist to its overtly crude humour and fan-service, I believe many might dismiss this series out of hand. Appearances can be deceiving, however, and those who might dismiss this out of hand will miss an intriguing mystery series filled with tragic depth.

Centring on a run-of-the-mill otaku, the story follows his journey as he’s transmigrated into a pig after eating a raw pig’s liver. In his new fantasy world, he quickly befriends a Yethma named Jess. Naïve but kind, it’s with Jess’ appearance that this seemingly sweet fantasy world begins to change. This world harbours secrets both dark and harrowing, and the Yethma are at the centre of them all! 

This series shows its true intentions as the plot begins to move with Mister Pig agreeing to go on a journey to the capital with Jess. A journey that all Yethma must make, the plot ramps up its mystery and dark fantasy aspects as they get closer towards their destination.

Making it to the capital is no easy feat, especially for those powerless like the protagonists. It’s a path laden with hidden obstacles and dangers specifically meant to stop all but a chosen through from making it to the end, and that’s even before we consider the harrowing stories of previous Yethma and the horrors brought on by Yethma Hunters that they hear during their stops. It is through these challenges that the overtly crude humour and fan-service centralises itself to the plot. 

It serves as a juxtaposition to all the horrors that go on around the protagonists. Almost, in some ways, a coping tool. Without it, both Jess and Mister Pig would be more psychologically worn, and it would become more difficult to keep up spirits when the times really do become tough.

Companions and Chabirones

Jess and Mister Pig are the perfect candidates for this comedic juxtaposition. Together, they speak to each other via telepathy. A characteristic of the Yethma people and the only possible way to speak to a pig, this skill is invaluable when dealing with precarious situations or for the odd chuckle when Jess reads too far into his mind.

Their comedic timing, however, is only one aspect of their well-written characters. Jess, for example, is kind and naïve – the type of character that any noble light novel or anime protagonist would wish to protect. Throughout her journey, she’s helped to develop a sense of self and the courage to make decisions. Skills which become instrumental by the end of the volume.

Mister Pig (no name given) is the brains of the operation. Readily agreeing to become Jess’ companion/chabirone, it quickly becomes clear that without his help, Jess would’ve been long since dead, even before she starts on her journey. Hidden beneath the façade of perversion lies a man with a deeply analytical mind. He’s able to look at the full picture and, as a result, is the best person/pig for the job when it comes to helping Jess survive her long journey.

Other than Jess and Mister Pig, there are numerous other significant side characters introduced along their journey. The most influential in this first volume is Naut. First introduced as a potential love rival for Jess’ affections, this rivalry is quickly abated with the telling of his own tragic interwoven history with the Yethma. A fighter by nature, he agrees to join Jess and the Pig’s journey for a period, acting as their hired muscle.

Naut’s character brings brawn into the equation, and as the fights get tougher with each step closer to the capital, to make a success of things, all three elements are necessary.

The Nature of Yethma

With a dark story and well-woven characters, there is only one aspect of the series so far that tops them – the mystery.

The mystery concerns the nature of Yethma and the secrecy surrounding the capital. It’s handled well by the author as he drip-feeds readers small amounts of information scattered throughout the book so that we never learn more than the protagonists.

Unfortunately, I can’t say much more than this about the mystery without giving my readers any huge spoilers. What I can say is the climatic reveal chapter is thoroughly worth the wait. Dark, harrowing and tearfully tragic, it is best experienced when discovering it through a first read-through.

Mixing dark fantasy and cutesy animal reincarnation, Butareba proves there’s traction in making these series not all about sunshine and rainbows.

The initial scenes of crude humour and fan-service are but a mere façade. Venture deeper, and you’ll find a series focusing on a harrowing and heartfelt journey filled with an intriguing mystery and well-developed characters.

For those who are quick to judge, I highly recommend giving this series a second look. You never know; This series might just surprise you.

Butareba Vol. 1

My Rating: 9.5/10

If you like what you read and what I do, why not consider supporting me through Ko-Fi. Any donation helps keep this site up and keep me writing.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.