KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!

• Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure
• Episodes: 20
• Studio: Studio Deen

In our world Kazuma is a NEET, whiling away his days playing video games and doing very little else but after his tragic but heroic death, he is given a second chance to become a legendary hero by freeing a parallel world from the evil Devil King like a character from one of his beloved video games. Even better, to help him in his quest he can request any one item to take with him from the goddess Aqua who is helping with his transition. Quick thinking Kazuma immediately requests that Aqua accompany him and before long they are trapped together in a new world and trying to find a way to defeat the devil king and return to their own lives. Actually, I’m not sure what happens to Kazuma. Does he just stay there cause he’s dead in his home world so…Anyways, first epic adventures await!

A couple of week’s ago, I came across a review for this series of Peach’s Almanac and it really sold the show. After watching it for myself, I must say that I largely agree with everything Chris had to say. So why not just read his review instead? I dunno…you should, it’s what I did! (Peach’s almanac KonoSuba Review) But wait – you can read both! In fact, I’m even going to try and concentrate on some different points so you have a reason to come back. You are coming back right? I have candy…

I recently finished watching No Game No Life and wrote in my post about how thrilled I was about the resurgence of “gaming” based animes. The comparisons between the two series are easy since both deal with NEET characters thrown into another universe to use their gaming savvy to save the world and feature plenty of good ol fashion T&A. Although KonoSuba is downright demure when compared to NGNL. There are also definite resemblances to ReZero, what with the more traditional fantasy setting and Kazuma’s track suit and all… But the anime I was most reminded of is Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?. Both have the high fantasy setting. Both feature traditional RPG elements such a class structures and levelling mechanics. Both have a tavern where one can post or accept quests and an adventurer’s guild that keeps track of accepted quests and doles out payment for completed ones. Both even include a fanservicy hapless goddess sidekick. Only, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?(I love that title but man is it looooong – I mean this is the abbreviation!: IIWTTTPUGIAD) has much better art, animation and actual equal opportunity fanservice. So why not watch that show instead? I’m sensing a theme here…Cause this one is better!

Unlike all the other titles I mentioned above, KonoSuba is first and foremost a comedy. Pretty much every element of the plot is in service of laughs and everything is either a setup or a punchline, although that punchline can be in the next episode. The show stays firmly in its lane, never wandering into drama or romance and even when you think “oh my this is turning into high action”, it hits you with a bunch of sight gags and one liners in the middle of a combat sequence. Due to the sheer amount of jokes, the comedy is fairly wide ranging and you will most likely find something to suit your particular sense of humor. It does tend to shy away from anything too mean spirited or nasty though.

Of course this type of story, where the actual narrative is more of a side dish rather than a main course, relies heavily on the strength of its characters and KonoSuba cleverly casts a bunch of carefully balanced freaks. So as to not render any one character too tedious or too boring, every single one of them boasts clear strengths and liabilities. Aqua is a little slow on the uptake, often unable to deliver on her bragging and a complete crybaby but she is also an actual Goddess and the show makes it very clear that when push comes to shove, Aqua is not to be trifled with. Megumin is embarrassingly chuunibyou and a bit of a dork but she’s also a prodigy set to become one of the greatest destructive forces in the world, and is recognized for it. Kazuma probably gets the harshest personification, being painted as kind of a prick, often a jerk and a spineless perv but also very smart and ingenious and often the one to actually save the day. Also, when push comes to shove, he will sacrifice himself for his companions although in the least graceful way possible. Finally we have Darkness who may be a useless crusader who can only hit something if it’s literally throwing itself at her sword but she’s also the only normal one with a perfectly reasonable and agreeable personality who quite frankly should be given a medal for putting up with these weirdos.

We also get a great assortment of supporting characters, all developed enough to be interesting and some fantastic villains which sadly don’t tend to stick around for too long but are each very enjoyable in their own right. When I first started watching the show I thought the voice actors were largely miscast. I simply found that there was a disconnect between the voices and inflections used, and the characters on screen. I got accustomed to them for the most part but Kazuma actually grew on me. His super nonchalant tone, especially when interjecting in other characters speeches, is a running gag that got me every time. By season 2, I could say I actually loved this voice actor.

As has been mentioned plenty elsewhere, this show isn’t exactly great to look at. It won’t make your eyes bleed (don’t quote me on that) but the art is not its strongest suit. Aside from being not particularly detailed it’s quite uneven with proportions regularly changing from one scene to another and angles being just odd. The animation isn’t much better, often resorting to stills. But it’s all somehow joyfully rendered with bright and happy colours and the actual designs are pretty great. I really liked all the costumes as well as the cities and am thinking of cosplaying as Megumin. Her design reminded me a lot of Rita Mordio from Tales of Vesperia (great game – go play it) which is another way to say that it was great!

All in all this show can be resumed as simply fun! It made me smile and even laugh out loud regularly. I know that the future of the series is still very uncertain but for what it’s worth I would very happily watch another season…or 8.

Favorite characters: Darknir – i.e. Darkness and Vanir – runner up Kazuma – I’m not sure why Chris didn’t like him

What this anime taught me: There are some real interesting religions out there

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they always worked for me.

Suggested drink: Blue Lady

• Every time you see bouncy boobies – cheer!
• Every time Aqua is being  troll to Kazuma – take a drinkk
• Every time Aqua cries – take a drink
  • if it’s crocodile tears – take another
• Every time Megumin is being chuuni – take a drink
• Every time we see a skill card – take a drink
• Every time there is an eyecatch – take a drink of water
• Every time Kazuma gets **falsely** accused of being a pervert in public – take a drink
• Every time Darkness tries to pull aggro – take a drink
• Every time Darkness embarrasses her opponent – take a drink 
• Every time Aqua throws a fit at the worst possible time – take a drink
• Every time Kazuma saves the day – raise your glass
• Every time Aqua announces she’s a goddess – take a drink
  • If no one believes her – take another
• Every time they all almost die – drink to their health
  • if someone actually dies – mourn
• Every time we see Nature’s Beauty – clap!