I Guess This Dragon Who Lost Her Egg to Disaster is My Mom Now Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Shounen

Sub-Tags: Gender Bender, Heartwarming, Second Chances

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

The Way Of The Dragon Is The Way To Become Strong!

XXXX, a man used and abused for general tasks by his adventuring party, finds himself on the verge of death in dragon territory in the Kugus Mountains after a party member stabs him in the back. Literally. Next time he opens his eyes, he’s in the nest of a red dragon named Kaphal whose egg was destroyed in a natural disaster. Having lost both his memories and his name, he turns instead into a young girl named Lushera. And apparently Kaphal plans to raise Lushera as her own daughter…? This is the story of the odd fate binding one dragon and one human, the story of an unconventional mother and daughter. (Source: Cross Infinite World)

The Man Reborn as a Dragon’s Daughter!

Survival on Mount Kugus

Written by Suzume Kirisaki and illustrated by Cosmic, my latest review looks into a newly released light novel series highlighted by a most unusual mother-daughter pairing.

On the surface, The Dragon Who Lost Her Egg could draw a comparison with another dragon-rearing series, Dragon Daddy Diaries. Beyond the similar bond between their protagonists, however, the two couldn’t be more different.

More mature and mystery-focused, the story finds the series’ protagonist in the most unusual situation after being literally stabbed in the back by his former adventuring party. Changed into a girl named Lushera, her new life begins with a series of incomprehensible developments. Not only does a foggy haze keep Lushera from memories of her old life, but a dragon named Kaphal seems more than eager to raise her as a dragon’s daughter. With the two awkwardly learning the roles of mother and child, a strange fate seems to be binding the two together.

The start of this series sees the story split between Lushera’s new life as the daughter of a dragon and her old life, represented by the actions of his former party, The Seven-Sided Die.

The parental relationship between Lushera and Kaphal starts as the very definition of the odd couple. Unable to communicate and neither knowing much about the other’s way of life leads to many misunderstandings and false starts. Over time, however, their relationship develops into a uniquely heartwarming affair.

In her own way, Kaphal cares for Lushera like any doting mother would; it’s only the method that’s changed. Licking Lushera clean and having her fight monsters is a dragon’s way of trying to get their offspring stronger and healthier. Kaphal’s actions eventually get through to Lushera, and the author does well to visualise the strong bond of love the two forge.

A Dragon About Town

The novel’s latter half sees Lushera and Kaphal’s new bond tested. Becoming aware of a threat to the mountain finds the two looking for allies in the nearest human town. It’s here that the volume’s mystery begins to unfold, as well as the fate of Lushera’s former party.

Within a town that knew her previous identity, small pieces of information begin to fit together, revealing the true nature of the nameless adventuring manager. With a shocking reveal that should’ve caused a rift between the protagonists, it ends up making them stronger and makes the actions of the final fight feel all the more deserved.

As for the Seven-Sided Die, whilst their story begins rather typically for a banishment setting, it grows from strength to strength with the introduction of Lushera’s former adventurer card. What follows for the party and Gimmel in particular is a slow descent into madness.

With their adventuring manager still alive and growing stronger beyond human comprehension, they quickly realise that a nasty fate awaits them. With few good options ahead of them, their motivations for self-destructive behaviour and eventual treachery are understandable. In turn, the author has fleshed out what are usually comically evil villains, making their eventual end all the more satisfying.

Overall, The Dragon Who Lost Her Egg’s opening instalment makes for a strong start to the series. Its strength comes from the development of the relationship between the two protagonists as they move through stages from a comedic odd-couple to a heartfelt parent-child bond that can survive even the toughest of upheavals.

As a story, it has all the potential of becoming a well-written and character-driven long-running series.

The Dragon Who Lost Her Egg Vol. 1

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 first volume of this series digitally from the list of distributors found on the Cross Infinite World website.

The King’s Proposal Vol. 2 Review

Tags: Action, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Harem, Ecchi, Gender Bender, Sci-Fi, School Life

Sub-Tags: Perverted Protagonist, Futuristic Setting, Tsundere, Vtubers

Cover Illustration for Volume 2

Synopsis:

READY, SET, STREAM!

Mushiki Kuga has slowly gotten used to his double life as the powerful mage Saika Kuozaki. However, both identities are chosen to represent Void’s Garden in the upcoming interschool exhibition match against Shadow Tower. To make matters worse, Clara Tokishima —a popular live streamer on MagiTube and representative for Shadow Tower— challenges Saika to a duel for the position of Mushiki’s girlfriend! Now he has to fight to win, well, himself and figure out how to prevent their secret from being exposed during the match. Meanwhile, an annihilation factor that Saika sealed many years back is starting to awaken… (Source: Yen Press)

Streaming a Battle of Love!

Influencer Status

After the defeat of her, Mushiki finally seems to be settling into his new life in the Garden. However, this fickle moment of relaxation doesn’t last long, as the next set of issues befalling the protagonist quite literally falls into his arms. Clara, a famous Vtuber-esque character, is a true force of nature, immediately making her presence known throughout the Garden with a shocking love confession toward the series’ protagonist!

As a representative in the interschool exhibition match, Clara’s arrival in the Garden isn’t the first incident of derailment she causes throughout the series’ second volume. Upon hearing that Mushiki’s heart belongs to another, she doubles down on her actions hijacking part of the exhibition and the exhibition celebrations to hold a competition of love between herself and Saika.

Hijinks heavy, the competition sees Mushiki judging which of the two has the best makings of a future girlfriend. Whilst the outcome is set, given Mushiki’s almost obsessive love of Saika, there are some hilarious moments as Mushiki and Kuroe struggle to keep on top of the transformations to ensure Saika’s secret doesn’t get found out.

The Invasion of Immortals

Derailment remains the name of the game as the volume reaches its climax. The exhibition match goes awry when the Tower participants and students are revealed to be immortals.

Fallout over Saika’s murder and soul movement is a central theme of the series. In this volume, the fallout looks at the annihilations factors previously killed by the Garden’s creator, with one, in particular, starting to regain power. Once again, the series shows how powerless the world is without Saika, with a mythic beast infiltrating the academy for the sole purpose of starting a new world. 

Clara forefronts this assault with the main characters fighting for the world’s survival. It’s not as spectacular a fight as the one in the previous volume, but it raises some important developments for the future of the series. The first showcases Saika’s importance to the continued survival of Earth. The second highlights the underlying problems with Mushiki’s power. To activate his abilities, he needs to do it for the sake of Saika. 

Overall, King’s Proposal’s second volume continues to raise the game by adding more ingredients to the chaos. The series’ strong suit remains the slapstick hijinks, as in this volume, Saika and Clara fight for Mushiki’s affection. Things are looking hopeful for the series’ future as the next volume will focus on Mushiki and Ruri’s family dynamic.

King’s Proposal Vol. 2

My Rating: 8.5/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! If you like what I do and want to see more, consider supporting me by buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi.

You can read the second volume of this series digitally and physically through the list of distributors found on the Yen Press website.

The King’s Proposal Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Harem, Ecchi, Gender Bender, Sci-Fi, School Life

Sub-Tags: Perverted Protagonist, Futuristic Setting, Tsundere

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

Two Bodies in One

With looks to die for, Saika Kuozaki is the most powerful mage in existence and the only one who can thwart the annihilation factors that attempt to destroy the world once every three hundred hours. When Saika is mortally wounded, however, she bequeaths both her powers and body to the normal high school boy who happens to find her, Mushiki Kuga. Just because Mushiki inherits her abilities, though, doesn’t mean he can control them. To stand a chance of saving the world, Mushiki will have to attend an academy for mages as Saika—while trying to keep his true identity under wraps! (Source: Yen Press)

An Imposter in the Garden!

My newest review looks at Yen Press’ latest ecchi series, King’s Proposal, featuring mages, knights and the constant prospect of annihilation!

The series stars Mushiki Kuga as he struggles to come to grips with his new life after witnessing the final moments of Saika Kouzaki – the most powerful mage in history. Inheriting her abilities, the two converge, leading to Mushiki’s mind being in Saika’s body.

Now welcomed into the world of mages, Void’s Garden, Mushiki’ll learn what Saika meant to the world the hard way. The earth is in ever-present danger and only Saika and her band of knights can stop it. For everyone’s sake, Mushiki must control her powers all while keeping the convergence a secret; a simple task…if he didn’t constantly change back every time he does something lewd!

A Nostalgic Vision

The first thing noticeable about this novel is the author’s flair for the dramatic and the perverse. From the very first line, the author attempts to make grand spectacles, especially starting the series on a tragic first love and making Mushiki’s introduction to the garden coincide with an annihilation event.

Unique in the light novel space, this dramatic sensibility helps in creating a level of omnipresent threat as well as the tension deserved in the larger-scale fight sequences.

Alongside its serious dramatic side, the author also has a talent for perverse fan-service elements. There’s something innately nostalgic in how these elements are presented to the reader. Throughout the novel, I was constantly brought back to the ecchi action-harem series of the 00s and 10s.

Lots of lucky pervert moments and trope-laden potential harem members lead the nostalgia train. Great as tension breakers but not so much when trying to make a well-rounded main character.

Mushiki and the Knights of the Garden

While managing to convert his aims into action by the novel’s end, Mushiki’s character at the start is far from believable. Focused almost solely on trying to get Saika to like him, he often lacks critical thinking or any thinking at all.

It takes characters around him to ask the right questions or to get the mystery moving. There are no questions from him about where he is? How he ended up in Saika’s body? Why are annihilations threatening the Earth? Or even who tried to kill both him and Saika? This lack of curiosity about anything other than Saika’s favourite hobbies could detach the audience from his character.

The one thing that Mushiki has going for him is his overwhelming natural ability to become a saviour and that his morals overall are in the right place.

Luckily there are some great side characters. Anviet, Kuroe and Mushiki’s sister Ruri are particular highlights. All of them are much more well-rounded and are perfect players for interesting development down the line.

Anviet comes over as hot-headed at first, but his teacher role reveals him to be measured, tough but fair. Kuroe seems like the typical kuudere, yet there’s something deeper going on under the surface. Finally, Ruri plays the role of the typical tsundere, loving her brother yet always wanting him to leave the Garden. What’s interesting about both of them stems from their unusual family dynamic.

Past and Future

Closing out the novel and the volume’s mystery is a spoilerific boss-fight action sequence. Trying not to cover any potential spoilers, there’s a wonderful use of descriptive imagery, making the scenes extremely vivid. One can certainly picture the world’s created as if they’d be adapted into an anime.

Furthermore, the action sequence sets the bar for future stakes in the series. Character mortality and the potential consequences of not achieving Saika’s full power all come into play, and whilst everything ends up okay, I can’t imagine that this status quo will continue as the number of volumes grow.

Overall, King’s Proposal sets the bar high with its first volume. Featuring a healthy mix of comedy, drama and action, it’s sure to satisfy anyone looking for something different other than the usual isekai fare.

King’s Proposal Vol. 1

My Rating: 9/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! You can help support my work by buying me a coffee over on my Ko-Fi account.

You can read the first volume of this series digitally and physically from the Yen Press website.

Did I Seriously Just Get Reincarnated as My Gag Character?! Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Yuri, Gender Bender, Isekai

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

Toru Aikawa is a university student who spends his days going through the motions of attending school and working at a local convenience store. The only time he really feels alive is when he’s playing the massive multiplayer VR game Real World Online. One day, he has a stroke of luck: he’s hit by a runaway bus and reincarnated as his game character. But something’s gone wrong… Instead of the invincible warrior he mains, he’s in the body of Nacht Schatten, the alluring dragon princess he made as a joke! Nacht’s build is anything but optimised—she would never survive in the cutthroat world of an isekai story! And more to the point, she’s a girl! But perhaps things aren’t as bad as they seem. Perhaps Nacht Schatten is more capable than she appears. (Source: J-Novel Club)

OP Adventures with a Side of Yuri!

A new week sees a series of new licenses from J-Novel Club. The first of which, Reincarnated as a Gag Character, sets us off on a strong start combining OP characters mixed with a bit of yuri fluff and comedy for flavour.

The story sees Toru Aikawa reincarnated and gender-bent as his joke vrmmo character, Nacht Schlatten into a world that definitely isn’t Real World Online. Pretty accepting of the entire ordeal, he, now she’ll explore this new world crushing bandits, monsters and demons alongside her trusty maid Aisha.

If you couldn’t tell already, this is primarily a comedy series, which I think is done well overall. Alongside the comedy that comes from the reactions to Nacht’s OP abilities, something that is par for the course of this type of story, I think the comedy shines best in the interactions between Nacht and Aisha. There’s instant chemistry between the two and their banter with each other does well to break up some of the more action-heavy and darker moments within the series. This is also helped due to Nacht’s tendency to lack common sense in the world.

When it comes to Nacht, she’s one of the more interesting aspects of the series. After Toru gives in and becomes Nacht in both body and soul, there’s a noticeable personality change. Whilst Nacht usually lacks common sense and spends most of her time doting on Aisha, she does make some interesting, perhaps even controversial choices in the face of tragedy. This includes allowing the new demon lord and her maid to go free even though it may spark a war and forcing someone to live to care for someone else.

Beyond the comedy and characters, there are some surprisingly good battle scenes. The final battle of the volume against the demon army is a specific highlight as not only does it have Nacht at full power but also takes its time to develop Aisha’s magical abilities. Mostly defenceless throughout the first volume, the final battle finally showcases the elf’s abilities – summoning powerful water spirits.

Unfortunately, there is one thing I’ve left out and specifically chosen to talk about last because I think it’s something that the reader needs to be aware of before reading. Your reaction to this will likely rely on your tolerance of the subject and its portrayal within the text. For me, I have little tolerance for it anyway and mixed with the way it’s handled left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I’m talking about the heavy references to rape and sexual assault that make up a good third of the novel. This, on its own likely, wouldn’t be a point of contention, however, the fact that this series is primarily a comedy and the fact that there is a lot of joking around as both Nacht and Aisha are in an area filled with women who had been raped and tortured feels off and in bad taste.

This isn’t the first time that I’ve read a light novel that wanted to mix rape and comedy and it certainly isn’t the novel to have handled the subject the worst. I think it’s quite a low bar to pass.

Generally, Gag Character makes for a good start to the new series of pre-pub releases from J-Novel Club. It’s pretty fun and manages to handle both slice-of-life and action scenes well. Moreover, the main character stands out from the crowd given her character is unlike most in Light Novels. It does have one, glaring problem, however, which I’ve talked about but thankfully it doesn’t appear again throughout the volume and will hopefully not feature heavily in the second volume.

Reincarnated as a Gag Character Vol. 1

My Rating: 7.5/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments! The next load of LN reviews will be pre-pubs from J-Novel Club with Isekai Tensei and Now I’m a Demon Lord.

You can read the first volume of Gag Character in pre-pub format on the J-Novel Club website.