A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment
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@Serah said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
I have never seen that series like - I mean the legal perspective thing.
Yeah. I'm not a lawyer, but I imagine that if you wind up temporarily responsible for a minor who was living on the streets, legally speaking, you are probably obligated to inform the authorities. And even ethically, it's pretty questionable to just let her live with you indefinitely.
Not to mention that children need medical care, school, and other necessities that you can't easily provide without being the child's guardian. "Found on the street" isn't an option in the "relationship" field anywhere.
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@Aquantis said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
I appreciate it. I hadn't really intended this to turn into a recommendations thread, but there are a number of series here I've never read or even considered.
Curiously, do you have any thoughts on the idea of a guardian as a form of self-insert wish-fulfillment?
Take These Talents Elsewhere: A Delightful Demotion to the Countryside
Long Story Short, I’m Living in the Mountains
The Countess Is a Coward No More! This Reincarnated Witch Just Wants a Break
The Eternal Fool's Words of Wisdom: A Pawsitively Fantastic Adventure
Now I'm a Demon Lord! Happily Ever After with Monster Girls in My Dungeon
Why Shouldn’t a Detestable Demon Lord Fall in Love?!All good suggestions. Noted.
Take These Talents Elsewhere: A Delightful Demotion to the Countryside - MC takes in a teenage girl to raise as his daughter. So far, she may have a crush on her adoptive dad, but he only sees her like a daughter.
I'll keep it in mind. The crush doesn't necessarily bother me, depending on situation. I will say that I had a hard time with Daughter S-Ranked Adventurer because of how age-inappropriate the daughter's interactions with her father were - way too immature for someone who's supposed to be adult-enough to put her own life on the line.
Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter
I see this one is recommended frequently. I get the sense that it's a great story. My only hesitation is that the series seems to have been cancelled.
Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers
I only read to the end of volume one, but I was not impressed. I wish he had stayed low-key - you know, actually "chilled" - but by the end of that volume everyone knows who he is and how awesome his powers are.
Do they eventually have children? I didn't read that far.
I guess Demon Lord Retry
I watched the anime. I didn't hate it, but I don't remember it well enough to agree or disagree with your recommendation. I guess I'll keep it in mind.
Thanks for taking the time to write that all up.
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@Travis-Butler said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
(That's something that may reduce the intimidation factor... after volume 13, there are several side-story volumes that are fun digressions but don't add to the plot and can be skipped if you want.)
That does make it less intimidating.
I will say that every Rokujouma fan I've seen seems to really like it. That speaks well for Rokujouma and makes me positively inclined towards it.
But it sounds like I have to read several volumes at a minimum before it really "starts to get good" and that's a hard proposition for someone like me who mostly struggles to get started at all. My usual hook into a series - the anime - did nothing for me in this case, sadly.
Maybe if I could start on book seven or something, this might be enough to get me going.
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I like Reincarnated as a Sword a lot. I like everything I've read from the author Yuu Tanaka so far.
Another Yuu Tanaka series A Late-Start Tamer's Laid-Back Life has wish fullfillment in the form of being able to take time off work, garden, explore a game world and spend time with cute monsters.
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level by Kisetsu Morita has slime daughters show up without any romantic relationship or birth or early childhood parenting needed. Yet, the main character still can provide them guidance and have adventures with them.
I can relate to the feeling of wanting to read about mentor or teaching relationships.
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@unknownmat said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
@Travis-Butler said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
(That's something that may reduce the intimidation factor... after volume 13, there are several side-story volumes that are fun digressions but don't add to the plot and can be skipped if you want.)
That does make it less intimidating.
I will say that every Rokujouma fan I've seen seems to really like it. That speaks well for Rokujouma and makes me positively inclined towards it.
But it sounds like I have to read several volumes at a minimum before it really "starts to get good" and that's a hard proposition for someone like me who mostly struggles to get started at all. My usual hook into a series - the anime - did nothing for me in this case, sadly.
Maybe if I could start on book seven or something, this might be enough to get me going.
Hm... not sure I'd recommend that, as it really does build a lot on the character development in books 1-6. The way I look at it, volumes 1-2 are fairly typical anime/LN hijinks, but well-done enough to enjoy on that level. You could probably start at volume 3 without losing too much, though.
It all depends on what you mean by 'starts to get good'; I think it's pretty good from the start, but changes what it's good at. 1-2, fluff hijinks; 3-6, nakama building through shared troubles, also enjoyable and often heartwarming in itself; 7 when the metaplot starts kicking in. (3-6 is also when you really start seeing the mentorship/big brother aspect kicking in as Koutarou starts taking care of all the squabbling girls.)
The anime took all the stuff that was supposed to be surface-level and made it the focus, which I found pretty disappointing even from the standpoint of just wanting to see events from the LN as animated scenes.
...Cats are the proof of a higher purpose to the universe.
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@Travis-Butler said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
@unknownmat said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
@Travis-Butler said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
(That's something that may reduce the intimidation factor... after volume 13, there are several side-story volumes that are fun digressions but don't add to the plot and can be skipped if you want.)
That does make it less intimidating.
I will say that every Rokujouma fan I've seen seems to really like it. That speaks well for Rokujouma and makes me positively inclined towards it.
But it sounds like I have to read several volumes at a minimum before it really "starts to get good" and that's a hard proposition for someone like me who mostly struggles to get started at all. My usual hook into a series - the anime - did nothing for me in this case, sadly.
Maybe if I could start on book seven or something, this might be enough to get me going.
Hm... not sure I'd recommend that, as it really does build a lot on the character development in books 1-6. The way I look at it, volumes 1-2 are fairly typical anime/LN hijinks, but well-done enough to enjoy on that level. You could probably start at volume 3 without losing too much, though.
It all depends on what you mean by 'starts to get good'; I think it's pretty good from the start, but changes what it's good at. 1-2, fluff hijinks; 3-6, nakama building through shared troubles, also enjoyable and often heartwarming in itself; 7 when the metaplot starts kicking in. (3-6 is also when you really start seeing the mentorship/big brother aspect kicking in as Koutarou starts taking care of all the squabbling girls.)
The anime took all the stuff that was supposed to be surface-level and made it the focus, which I found pretty disappointing even from the standpoint of just wanting to see events from the LN as animated scenes.
I concur.
The first two volumes for me were like "classic uninteresting tropes", and I sort of pressured myself through them since there was nothing else to read at that time for me and the number of volumes speaks for the series (I think back then there were only 25 volumes released or so when I started to read).
Around volume 3-4 when the relationship and the characters were more fleshed out I got hooked.
With volume 7 when all of sudden with little to no warning the series jumped onto a genre I really, really love (GREAT SCOTT!) it was hard to let go of it.
I also liked the fact that the series got a proper ending - that is how I see - was it volume 32 or 29 so?
I mean one of the things I dislike a lot about serialisations is when series end up in "hell". As in: either it gets cancelled or the author just stopped it because they run out of ideas and never managed to wrap things up.
One more reason why I like How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom so much, that it has "endings points" at volume 4, 10 and now 20 where you just can stop.
@Aquantis if Take These Talents Elsewhere: A Delightful Demotion to the Countryside like that, then I personally think If It's for My Daughter, I'd Even Defeat a Demon Lord deserves an honourable mention as one of the "first gen" series.
The other titles you have mentioned... yeah, I have different opinions based on my point of views on them. Based on the titles I might be a tad surprised not to see I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level and/or Drug Store in Another World. Also, give I Got Caught Up in a Hero Summons, but the Other World Was at Peace! a try.
https://www.foxaholic.com/novel/i-was-caught-up-in-a-hero-summoning-but-that-world-is-at-peace/1/@unknownmat I think it is relatable - I mean that it looks/feels riskful to start a series with a reputation "it gets interesting later". Like: what if, if it is not interesting to you at all on a personal level - that would mean pressuring yourself through the first layers just not to find the treasure you are looking for.
In Invaders of the Rokujouma!? I can only say: a damn lot of light novels are like that.
I definitely also skipped the one or other series where I cannot understand why it has became so popular later on. While I also keep reading series people cannot understand the appeal of it, because they just have seen a bad anime about it.
(imagine my dissapointment regarding How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom - you love a series so much and kinda gets punished with that sort of anime while the manga is near perfect - same also goes for my stance regarding the Invaders of the Rokujouma!? or take e.g. Didn't I say to make my abilities average in the next life anime)
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Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter
I see this one is recommended frequently. I get the sense that it's a great story. My only hesitation is that the series seems to have been cancelled.
I think you might be mixing this up with a different series. This one just had an anime and has new volumes scheduled this fall in both English and Japanese.
I read all of Death March earlier this year since I'm taking over the series for Yen Press, and was also pleasantly surprised by how into I got.
I feel like a lot of narou stuff is imitative, with authors trying to write what is popular, and Death March certainly has some obvious influences, but there's a specificity to it that makes you feel like he's just writing exactly what he always wanted to read. And I feel like that enthusiasm for his own story helps elevate everything. -
@doceirias said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
I think you might be mixing this up with a different series. This one just had an anime and has new volumes scheduled this fall in both English and Japanese.
Ah, you're right. I was thinking of Deathbound Duke's Daughter.
I'm taking over the series for Yen Press
Wait, am I speaking to the future translator or editor of this series!?
I read all of Death March earlier this year since I'm taking over the series for Yen Press, and was also pleasantly surprised by how into I got.
I feel like a lot of narou stuff is imitative, with authors trying to write what is popular, and Death March certainly has some obvious influences, but there's a specificity to it that makes you feel like he's just writing exactly what he always wanted to read. And I feel like that enthusiasm for his own story helps elevate everything.I'm so sincerely happy to hear that the people working on this series not only read it but also actually enjoy it. After the disastrously poor translation of Volume 23 - not to cast aspersions, but I'm pretty sure that guy didn't bother to read Death March as his translation was riddled with factual and continuity errors - I was seriously debating whether I wanted to continue reading at all. I'm not sure I had it in me to see a beloved series butchered like that.
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@strangeattractor said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
I like everything I've read from the author Yuu Tanaka so far.
Interesting thought. Perhaps the magic is the author and not the specifics of the plot. I actually hadn't realize that the author was associated with other series. I'll give them a try.
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level
I cannot get into this series for some reason. I couldn't even finish volume 1, nor the first anime season. This one just doesn't resonate with me.
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@Travis-Butler said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
not sure I'd recommend that, as it really does build a lot on the character development in books 1-6
Noted. I'm creeping closer and closer to finally giving Rokujouma the old college try. I appreciate the feedback.
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@Serah said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
I think it is relatable - I mean that it looks/feels riskful to start a series with a reputation "it gets interesting later". Like: what if, if it is not interesting to you at all on a personal level - that would mean pressuring yourself through the first layers just not to find the treasure you are looking for.
In Invaders of the Rokujouma!? I can only say: a damn lot of light novels are like that.You're right that a lot of light novels are like that. And in this sense, it's a pretty silly objection to make. LN fans often stick around through bad translations, inconsistent releases, and unliked plot arcs. To the extent that complaining about a few readily available and professionally translated volumes seems rather petulant.
It would be unfair of me to use these forums as therapy to overcome my bizarre mental blocks regarding the series I'm willing to try. However, I do want you to know that I greatly appreciate all the time and expertise you've shared with me here.
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@unknownmat no worries and no need for such thoughts like "to use these forums as therapy to overcome my bizarre mental blocks regarding the series I'm willing to try"
Personally, as someone who started with the internet in the early 90s, I see forums still fondly as best place for discussions, brainstorming and so on - despite all the changes in culture over time where nowadays seemingly thoughts are as fleeting as discord messages.
It will not count as therapy as long no one assumes "someone is past mid-thirties and now they deal with a lingering regret not having children" and stuff like that.
Light novel wise, for me it even starts with titles - some titles are so unappealing to me that I do not touch the series because of titles and website descriptions which rather camouflage a series as something I do not want to read, rather than making it interesting.
Best examples - again - How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, Pens Down, Swords Up: Throw Your Studies to the Wind, Invaders of the Rokujouma!?, Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest e.g. Despite them being my favourites for various reasons I avoided them a long time too. Ironic considering How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom was basically the first LN being pushed onto me by amazon recommendations.
@unknownmat said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
@strangeattractor said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level
I cannot get into this series for some reason. I couldn't even finish volume 1, nor the first anime season. This one just doesn't resonate with me.
Such "tidbits" of information are also helpful. That gives some implementions (? implies something - no idea of the English word) that you might like not stuff like Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers or Drugstore in Another World because of the writing style. While I would not say such with 100% certainty, I do recognise that writing style in many other light novels and can relate. If I had to guess it has something to do with "how loose it can feel" and a "certain lack of vividness" in the storytelling.
Like Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody and Reincarnated as a Sword can have more of that because it is the protagonist perspective and gives sort of feeling "you are right there, with them". That is why I thought you might also like Great Cleric, but I cannot remember a reaction for that. While the first volumes have a great teacher-mentor relationship of the protagonist first half year in the isekai world, there is no strict focus on that.
Thinking of light novel series of the past years, that also reminds me of my reasoning why I ask people in general for five favourite series, rather than just one - when looking for recommendations.
As with everything else regarding recommendations, there is also the danger that something which is recommended might be a tad off, just because the one recommends them "does not know better". And some titles which are good/bad in the beginning can easily turn bad/good later on too. At least I felt like that with series like In Another World With My Smartphone, Loner Life in Another World, The Rising of the Shield Hero to give some examples.
On a side note, since you watching anime you surely checked on 86 too?
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@unknownmat There are not many of them, but can be good if done right.
I don't quite get the whole self insert thing. When I read, I want to read about people doing things, and don't do any type of self inserting. Even as a kid reading choose your own adventure books, I never saw it as 'me' in the story, but more like someone I was helping get through the story.
I guess another guardian style story would be Enough with This Slow Life! I Was Reincarnated as a High Elf and Now I’m Bored but Acer it not the greatest at raising others. I would have to look at my non-JNC books to see if I know of any others.
I do tend to bounce off of a lot of wish fulfillment stories unless they are actually interesting beyond the am better than anyone else bit. Some like magic in this other world is too far behind, or tensura have an interesting premise and setup that I can enjoy them, but others, like how not to summon a demon lord make me put it down faster than if it was just bland generic power wish fulfillment.
For Death march, I only saw an episode or 2 of the anime, but that wasn't for me. If the LN is better, I may give it a try. I know some anime are way off the mark (looking at you great cleric, where the anime made the story stupid and silly and took away all its charm). It has been my experience that the anime is rarely better than the original source, but sometimes you do get surprised and the anime (or a manga adaptation) can make it better. Slayers comes to mind as the anime (well through Try) is better than what I read of the LN.
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@Aquantis said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
@unknownmat There are not many of them, but can be good if done right.
I don't quite get the whole self insert thing. When I read, I want to read about people doing things, and don't do any type of self inserting. Even as a kid reading choose your own adventure books, I never saw it as 'me' in the story, but more like someone I was helping get through the story.
I guess another guardian style story would be Enough with This Slow Life! I Was Reincarnated as a High Elf and Now I’m Bored but Acer it not the greatest at raising others. I would have to look at my non-JNC books to see if I know of any others.
I do tend to bounce off of a lot of wish fulfillment stories unless they are actually interesting beyond the am better than anyone else bit. Some like magic in this other world is too far behind, or tensura have an interesting premise and setup that I can enjoy them, but others, like how not to summon a demon lord make me put it down faster than if it was just bland generic power wish fulfillment.
For Death march, I only saw an episode or 2 of the anime, but that wasn't for me. If the LN is better, I may give it a try. I know some anime are way off the mark (looking at you great cleric, where the anime made the story stupid and silly and took away all its charm). It has been my experience that the anime is rarely better than the original source, but sometimes you do get surprised and the anime (or a manga adaptation) can make it better. Slayers comes to mind as the anime (well through Try) is better than what I read of the LN.
Yeah... a lot of nowadays anime adaptions of light novel I would dare to say are to be considered cheap trash. As in: they use certain techniques to produce them fast, low quality with little love.
But there are also some gems entirely overlooked and forgotten. The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent is one of those examples where the quality reminds me of Violet Evergarden and Bubble. It excels greatly with the voice acting and the animation is top notch. I still cannot believe why Frieren got so much attention while The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent remains underrated like that.
Sorry for my bad English - it is not my native language
Give Pens Down, Swords Up: Throw Your Studies to the Wind a try. It is that good! ♡(>ᴗ•)
I like it as much as Realist Hero ♡ -
@Serah said in A New Type Of Self-Insert Wish Fulfillment:
But there are also some gems entirely overlooked and forgotten. The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent is one of those examples where the quality reminds me of Violet Evergarden and Bubble. It excels greatly with the voice acting and the animation is top notch. I still cannot believe why Frieren got so much attention while The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent remains underrated like that.
Writing issues, mostly.
Season 1 of The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent paced itself poorly. Really poorly. Like two novels got crammed into the last three episodes because the writing team refused to either give the first arc an entire season or cut it down to fit into half a season poorly.
(The changes to Prince Kyle's characterisation also had a mixed reception, as I recall. Certainly I hated them.)
Can't say if Season 2 was an improvement or not - I didn't bother watching it.
