The Japanese studios Silver Link and Studio CONNECT brought us the 2018 ‘Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody‘ anime, based on the isekai light novel series by Hiro Ainana.
Ichirou Suzuki (Justin Briner) is a gaming developer working on a new fantasy game, making the “Death March” to complete it by the deadline. Going to sleep under his desk, he wakes in a magical world similar to his video game, allowing him to upgrade pretty quickly. Thinking it is a dream, he befriends mage soldier Zena Marienteil (Julie Shields). During a battle with a demon, he rescues the enslaved demihumans Liza (Brittany Lauda), Pochi (Brittney Karbowski), and Tama (Margaret McDonald). Later, he adds the humans Arisa (Monica Rial), Lulu (Jill Harris), and the homunculus Nana (Megan Shipman) to his group. Soon realizing it is not a dream, Ichirou takes the name Satou and decides to embrace this new life until he can figure out how to return home.
I loved the animation. They did a good job of making the world seem magical and curious. The characters are well-designed and all have a unique look, so you never get confused about who is who. I also like how the magic is displayed, though the chanting was a little odd with a sped fake language that sounds weird.
I do want to say that I think this one relied a little too much on the suggestive sexual humor, but it is not so overbearing that it gets in the way. Satou clearly thinks of his group as his team and spurns any illicit suggestions from them. That does not stop a few of them from trying, but they are all turned away.
Now, as an isekai, it is not that unique. It combines elements from Sword Art Online, Konosuba, and Grimgar for its worldbuilding and plot devices plus The Rising of the Shield Hero for its video game atmosphere. What makes it unique is the characters. Satou and his group are genuinely interesting and make the adventures they go on worth watching.
It is a shame that this show’s twelve-episode run did not get a follow-up season. Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody ends on a cliffhanger and I have heard that Silver Link wants to put a second season in production, but has faced delays. Hopefully in the future, we will at least get a decent conclusion to the show.
Check out the trailer below:
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Some violence, Minor foul language, Suggestive humor and situations
This review is based on the dub.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my reviews of Godzilla: Singular Point and the second season of Cells at Work! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.
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