Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Isekai
Sub-Tags: Dungeons, Cute, Reverse Isekai
Synopsis:
Kazuhiro Kitase’s only hobby is sleeping. Ever since he was young, he would enter a wondrous world within his dreams and go on thrilling adventures. One day, he goes on an adventure with an elf girl he became friends with in his dream world, but it’s put to an abrupt halt when they both get scorched with a dragon’s breath! As he wakes up from his dream, he notices a familiar figure sleeping next to him…the elf girl from his dreams?! Join Kazuhiro on his new adventures through Japan with Ms. Elf! (Source: J-Novel Club)
A Fun Adventure Between Two Worlds!
The Innocence of Adventure
People can be anything or be anywhere they want in dreams, although for most, these dreamscapes will be a far-off fantasy, for series protagonist Kazuhiro, this isn’t the case. Waking up to find an elf in his bed, he concludes that his dream world may be closer to reality than expected.
Welcome to Japan’s basic premise involves both isekai and reverse isekai elements, as Kazuhiro and his elf friend, Marie, discover all the adventures to be had in Japan and in a fantasy world.
These adventures are mostly presented with a comfortable atmosphere and an innocent outlook, in keeping with the way Kazuhiro and Marie view their journey. Their uniquely positive and almost childish way of going about their adventures not only draws in readers but other characters within the fantasy world as well. On more than one occasion, these scamps can turn enemies into lifelong friends.
Furthermore, Kazuhiro and Marie’s relationship makes up one of the central pillars of the series. From their frosty beginnings to becoming best friends, and finally becoming a couple, the author does well in explaining their personal journey together as well as their adventuring one.
Elves in Japan
As for the series’ plot, it shifts between the dream world and their lives in Japan. On the Japanese side, the plot remains stable, introducing characters from the dream world (mainly Marie and Wridra) to a modern world filled with interesting curiosities.
In a moment of genius by the author, they’ve split the arcs into meteorological seasons, meaning the activities they do are usually associated with that season; theme parks in summer and visiting gardens in spring. Whilst some of these activities can come over more like a tourism ad for Japan, it’s all worth it for the moment where the otherworlder discovers their new favourite hobby/activity and attempts to recreate something similar over in the dream world.
For Marie, these visits to Japan go even further than just discovering a strange new world full of different interests. It’s clear from the storyline that Kazuhiro and Marie will eventually live together both in Japan and in the dream world. As a result, the author has a vested interest in having Marie grow close to several characters in Japan. These include a long-standing friendship with a neighbourhood librarian and her introduction to Kazuhiro’s relatives. It showcases the author’s ability to plan ahead, something not always found in long-term light novel series.
Creating a Home Away from Home
The story arcs in the dream world are much more diverse. Exploration features heavily in the first four volumes of the series and best captures the essence of childhood innocence and excitement when imagining journeying in another world.
Satiating curiosities and fun times are the names of the game for these misadventures. From exploring the ruins of ancient civilisations and staring death quite literally in the face, there are no limits the two won’t cross, given they are technically invincible whilst in the dream realm.
The one singular blemish in this arc occurs as the series decides to change goals. This is brought about due to the actions of Zarish and the movements of the demon land. It’s a storyline that gives major whiplash compared to the rest of the series, alluding to sexual abuse and major issues of sexual exploitation, and whilst it doesn’t involve any of the main characters, it still feels like a very strange adage that is mainly about friendship and trying out new things.
From volume five onwards, the goals shift towards creating a liveable zone within an ancient labyrinth. A home away from home, this shelter takes inspiration from both their times in Japan and within the dream world. What they end up creating resembles a Japanese Onsen.
Conclusions
Despite the current state of the story being stuck in the walls of an ancient labyrinth, the series as a whole exudes a sense of childhood wonder. The series’ central protagonists, Kazuhiro and Marie, are engaging proxies by which to explore the author’s universe. This is helped in no small way by the story detailing the couple’s history together, making their eventual move to a lovey-dovey couple all the more believable.
As for the setting, it is unique for being both isekai and reverse isekai, and having the world travelled to, a dream world. Its setting’s best moments are to be found in a character’s first impressions of Japan or through the discovery of a myriad of different dungeons and labyrinths, all born through unique designs.
It is perhaps the fact that the author has moved away from the exploration of well-described dungeons to spending several volumes in the same labyrinth that has slightly soured my overall impression of the series. However, the latest introduction of war has the potential to change this impression.
Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!
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 my review of volume 8 here.
You can read the entire series digitally on the J-Novel Club website.
Faceless One Blog 