The 100th Time’s the Charm: She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode?! Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Villainess

Sub-Tags: Reincarnation, Time Loop, Otome

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

Alphina is falsely accused of plotting to assassinate Saint Debonaire. Time rewinds every time she’s executed for a crime she didn’t commit, but with the cruel Saint Debonaire against her, the same fate awaits Alphina ninety-nine times in a row: death by decapitation. But something different happens the hundredth time around. Just as Alphina is preparing herself for yet another execution, she discovers that she can hear people’s true feelings—and that everyone secretly loves her! Can Alphina take advantage of her newfound ability and sidestep her fate at the guillotine? (Source: J-Novel Club)

Alphina and the Inner Voice Issue!

Loop No. 100

An endless cycle of death. For Alphina, looping around the same set of events culminating in her death has become second nature. Forgoing the psychological trauma, she’s come to accept her fate and inevitable tragedy until the 100th loop changes things.

The hundredth loop has given Alphina something to fight back against the injustice – a heap load of magical power and the ability to hear everyone’s inner voice. As it turns out, she’s been misreading the situation the whole time. With the ability to hear the inner voices of others, she finds out that not only does everyone love her, but they’ve come under the control of the saint’s evil, ancient magic! 

Inner voices are a great information source for Alphina and, more often than not, a source of comedy for the reader. Other than the saint’s voice, most of the voices Alphina hears profess their undying affection for her. Of particular note are the inner voices of Alphina’s former fiancé, Prince Lionett, and the philandering prince, Avenlock. Whilst some interesting moments include deciphering the difference between public Lionett and his lovey-dovey private inner thoughts, Avenlock has the most unique voice in the series. All of his thoughts towards Alphina are done through the medium of song. It is clear that the translators at JNC had fun with these parts. 

A World Without Alphina

Alphina’s newly found strong magic powers are the key to stopping the saint’s dastardly deeds. Unfortunately, stopping her requires the world to carry on without Alphina – making everyone believe in her death is what Alphina believes is best.

Whilst Alphina is living the slow life as Alph, her death has caused a chain of unfortunate events. These unfortunate events are a strong point in the series, given that they showcase decisions have consequences within the world. Without Alphina to smooth things over, the people who loved her’s actions can no longer be controlled.

Rival princes, Lionett and Avenlock’s actions have put their respective countries on the brink of war. Furthermore, Lionett’s advisor and Alphina’s brother, Carl, have joined a terrorist group hoping to kill the saint.

Unable to stand back for long, she reveals her identity once more. Teaming up with the princes and her brother, she’s returned to settle disagreements and kill the saint for good this time. Although, now that she’s revealed herself, it’ll take a hilarious amount of effort for her to avoid the obsessive advances of Lionett and Avenlock.

Overall, 100th Time’s the Charm is another strong entry within the J-Novel Heart label. Sometimes gut-bustingly hilarious, sometimes the right amount of serious, there isn’t a moment where this series fails to entertain and engage.

The 100th Time’s the Charm Vol. 1

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

Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ Vol. 1 Review

Tags: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Harem, Slice of Life, School life

Sub-Tags: Time-Leap, Supernatural, Character Growth, Introverts, Extroverts

Cover Illustration for Volume 1

Synopsis:

We all have embarrassing memories or deep regrets from high school, right? Socially anxious college senior Natsuki Haibara sure does. When he thinks back on that time of his life, all he has are fleeting fantasies of a happy adolescence that could have been. Imagine his bewilderment and surprise, then, when he inexplicably finds himself seven years in the past—one month before his first year of high school! Can Haibara avoid his previous mistakes, make his way to the top of the school social pyramid, and end up with the girl of his dreams? Or will he be forced to relive three years of solitude as the most hated guy in school? He’ll need all the help he can get in order to succeed, from a workout regimen to online how-to guides, a childhood friend, and plenty of sheer willpower. Watch as Haibara takes a second shot at his teenage years! (Source: J-Novel Club)

Haibara’s Rainbow-Coloured High School Dream!

Returning to pre-pubs and romcoms for my next review, JNC’s latest series features time leaps and the necessity for a perfect high-school experience.

Haibara’s New Game focuses on Natsuki, a gloomy, introverted college student who is unexpectedly thrust back into the past. After returning to his high-school days, he’ll use this opportunity to make his ultimate wish come true; become friends with the group that shunned him and pursue romantic endeavours with his dream girl. However, what Natsuki’ll learn is that nothing is ever that simple!

All About the Restart!

Time-leaps. Whilst not a novel concept in romcoms, it can be elevated through new angles and avenues.

This series should be commended for its focus on character dynamics and interpersonal relationships rather than starting strong on the romance element. After all, Natsuki’s main goal for returning to his high-school years is to make friends with the group he alienated.

These friends are extroverts amongst extroverts, each with their role to play within the group and something by which they centralise their identity on. Miori comes out on top in terms of the most well-rounded character. A helper in Natsuki’s plan for a rosy high-school debut, she has a good grasp on the efforts that Natsuki goes through and the insecurities of others within the group. Moreover, she’s not shy in trying to get what she wants.

Miori and the rest of the side characters introduced are, certainly for the first volume, the series’ best aspect and form the basis of the volume’s drama setting – Natsuki, the group’s interloper and seemingly perfect human.

A Romance Sets Off!

With Natsuki coming off as a perfect superhuman, his actions, as you can imagine, gain a lot of attention, especially from women.

Hoshimiya is meant to be the main romantic love interest of the series. She doesn’t get much in the way of scenes with Natsuki, however, what we get is quite good, especially in showing their chemistry together.

A more apparent romance blossoms toward the end of the volume. Uta has fallen for Natsuki. A more naturally occurring love story, they work well together and share more than just being in the same friend circle.

Unfortunately, this romance has unexpected consequences leading to Tatsuya’s withdrawal from the group, as it turns out, he has feelings for Uta and an ever-growing jealousy at what he perceives Natsuki to be, a superhuman.

What follows is a well-played-out drama sequence. To rebuild their friendship and achieve his perfect high-school life, Natsuki’ll have to show his true personality and break away from the facade he uses to keep up with a group of extroverts.

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Natsuki?

During this truth-telling session, Natsuki makes a massive speech about himself and Tatsuya’s actions. A big end piece it may be, it only serves to highlight the series’ biggest problem so far, Natsuki.

The man never comes over as sympathetic and instead comes over as highly self-centred. Everyone has to act in the way he imagines for his high-school life to be perfect. At several points throughout the volume, it’s made clear what his true motivations are. Rather than worry over his supposed friend’s insecurities, his focus is on the fact that he’s not acting as he remembers. This is amplified further when Hoshimiya shows concern, worrying more about the possibility that she might have feelings for him than concluding that she’s a friend where showing concern should be considered natural.

Returning to his big speech, I don’t feel as though Natsuki has earned what he says. For instance, calling Tatsuya a coward when he is yet to confess is highly hypocritical. This is only added to how hollow everything sounds coming from someone who’s having a second go at things.

Overall, Haibara’s New Game has some great elements, including its use of character dynamics, I just don’t think this series is for me. The series features a very unlikeable protagonist with a self-centred personality, and that’s on top of the usual denseness towards anything and everything. As it goes now, I’m unlikely to continue this series into a second volume.

Haibara’s New Game+ Vol. 1

My Rating: 7/10

I hope you enjoyed my review and would love to see what you thought of the volume in the comments!

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