The appeal and reviews of "Re:Monster": Exploring new possibilities for reincarnation in another world

"Re:Monster" - The new charm and depth of reincarnation in another world

Airing from April 5 to June 21, 2024, Re:Monster is a series that has captivated viewers with its unique perspective and storytelling, especially within the genre of reincarnation in another world. The anime is based on a light novel by Kinzan Jiko and published by Alphapolis. The original illustrations are by Yamada and Naji Yanagida, while the manga version is drawn by Kobayakawa Haruyoshi. The series is directed by Inagaki Takayuki and produced by Genco and Studio Deen, and produced by the Re:Monster Production Committee.

Story and worldview

The story of "Re:Monster" begins with the protagonist Tom being reincarnated as a goblin in another world after his death. This theme of reincarnation in another world has been featured in many works in recent years, but "Re:Monster" has a particularly unique perspective. Tom is reborn as a goblin, and struggles to strengthen his own race and survive with his friends. In the process, he meets, fights, and grows with various races.

The worldview of this work is very vast, and the ecosystem and social structure of the other world are depicted in detail. Tom's journey begins as a goblin, and he gradually deepens his ties with other races and forces, eventually growing into an entity that can influence the fate of the other world. Unusually for a reincarnation story in another world, the fact that the main character starts out as a goblin, a lower race, is refreshing and provides viewers with a new perspective.

Characters and growth

After being reborn as a goblin, the protagonist, Tom, struggles to strengthen his race and survive with his companions. His growth is depicted not just in terms of improving his fighting ability, but also in terms of leadership and strategy. Each of Tom's companions has their own unique personality, and the story depicts realistic human relationships in a different world seen from the inside of goblin society.

Particularly memorable characters are Tom's companions Og and Ruby. Og is a strong warrior and serves as Tom's right-hand man. Meanwhile, Ruby supports Tom with her wisdom and strategy. The growth and interactions of these characters make the story deeper and richer. In addition, the characters of other races that Tom meets are also fascinating, and their interactions and conflicts add depth to the story.

Animation and performance

The animation for "Re:Monster" is handled by Studio Deen, and the goblin lives and battle scenes are depicted realistically. The battle scenes in particular are full of powerful scenes, with tactics that take advantage of the goblin's characteristics and battles with creatures from another world. The scenery and culture of the other world are also beautifully depicted, making it a visually appealing addition.

In terms of directing, director Inagaki Takayuki's skillful technique shines through. He has the ability to skillfully portray the development of the story and the emotions of the characters, drawing the viewer into the story. Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, with the background music and theme song enhancing the worldview of the story.

Comparison with the original

The original light novel is a first-person story told from Tom's point of view, allowing the reader to directly feel his thoughts and emotions. Meanwhile, the anime version adds visual expression, conveying the realistic scenery of another world and the intensity of the battles that were not felt in the original. The anime version also incorporates the essence of the original work while bringing out new appeal through its visualization.

It's also worth noting how the visuals of Yamada and Naji Yanagida, who were responsible for the illustrations of the original work, are reflected in the anime. In particular, the goblin designs and depictions of the otherworldly creatures are based on the illustrations of the original work, but with the addition of movements and expressions unique to the anime. It's also clear that the illustrations of Kobayakawa Haruyoshi, who created the manga version, have influenced the character designs of the anime.

Viewer reactions and ratings

"Re:Monster" has been highly praised by many viewers for offering a new perspective on reincarnation in another world. In particular, the story, which begins with the lower race of goblins, gave viewers a fresh surprise. In addition, the depiction of Tom's growth and his bond with his companions, as well as the ecosystem and social structure of the other world, have also been highly praised.

On the other hand, fans of the original work were divided on the development of the anime version and the portrayal of characters. It is difficult to reflect all of the detailed settings and episodes of the original work in the anime, so inevitably some choices were made. As a result, fans of the original work have said things like, "I liked this part of the original work, but it wasn't depicted in the anime." However, the anime version has many unique charms and directing, and has received high praise overall.

Recommendations and related works

For viewers who enjoyed "Re:Monster," we also recommend the following works:

• "Goblin Slayer" - A dark fantasy with goblins as the main characters. In contrast to "Re:Monster", it is told from the perspective of those who defeat goblins.
• "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime" - One of the most popular stories about reincarnation in another world. The story is about the protagonist being reincarnated as a slime and growing up together with his friends.
• "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation" - A work that depicts realistic human relationships and growth among other stories about reincarnation in another world. The story depicts the protagonist starting a new life in another world.

Like "Re:Monster," these works have the theme of reincarnation in another world, and depict the ecosystem and social structure of the other world, as well as the character growth and human relationships. If you enjoyed "Re:Monster," we recommend you check out these works as well.

Conclusion

"Re:Monster" is a work that has drawn viewers in with its unique perspective and storytelling, especially within the genre of reincarnation in another world. The story, which begins with the low-level goblin race, offers viewers a new perspective, and was highly praised for its depiction of Tom's growth and the bonds he forms with his companions, as well as the ecosystem and social structure of the other world. The animation and direction are also superb, firmly incorporating the essence of the original work while bringing out new appeal. This is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes stories about reincarnation in another world.