Skeleton Knight in Another Worldis a new isekai anime for Spring 2022 season. There are other isekai anime aired at the same time as this one, such asthe sequel forThe Rising of Shield Heroor a newcomer likeShokei Shoujo no Virgin Road. However,Skeleton Knight in Another Worldpromises to deliver something different from its competition.
Skeleton Knight in Another Worlditself is an anime adaptation of a light novel by the same name, written by Ennki Hakari. Not only that, before it became an anime, this title also received a manga adaptation. So it’s safe to say thatSkeleton Knight in Another Worldhas quite a cult following. So now the fans can’t wait to see their favorite skeleton moving around in the anime. And here’s the review of the first two episodes ofSkeleton Knight in Another World.
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About Skeleton Knight in Another World
Skeleton Knight in Another Worldis a story about an overpowered skeleton named Arc who is clad in mythic-class armor and armed with a legendary sword and shield. But the truth is, just hours prior to the beginning of the story, he was a regular human being who loved to play his favorite fantasy RPG game. He fell asleep while still playing, and next thing he knows, he is already transported intothe fantasy world.
As if that is not strange enough, he is also currently living as the character that he used in the game, complete with all of its skills, abilities, and equipment. He used a skeleton as the in-game avatar at the time, which is why he also becomes a skeleton now. But not one to be bothered by the details, he decided to live his life to the fullest here as Arc, the mighty holy knight.
Similarities to Ainz Ooal Gown From Overlord
Before we move on any further, let’s address the elephant in the room first. Yes, Arc the Holy Knight is extremely similar toAinz, the main character of the animeOverlord. Not only because both of them happened to be a skeleton, but also because their backstory is extremely similar.
Both of them are playing their favorite RPG games when they are suddenly transported into the new world as their in-game character while still retaining the character’s sword and magic skills. Not to mention the fact that they both areway more powerful than most people in this new world. There’s a small arc inOverlordwhere Ainz plays around as an adventurer named Momon. At the time, he used full-body armor and was armed with a giant sword, just like Arc.
That being said, the main difference between them both is the tone and the atmosphere of the story. Arc is much more lighthearted and laid back compared to Ainz who wishes to conquer the world with his iron fist. In a way, Arc is like Ainz’s goofy brother. This means that even though the foundation is extremely similar, the execution couldn’t be more different.
The Wandering Knight Sets Out to Make the World a Better Place
The first episode works as an introduction to the story. We get to know the basic information regarding the main character, what he can do, how this new world operates, and eventhe power gap between Arc and the average people there.
Not only that, although it was just some brief moments, we also get to see Arc in action when he hunts monsters for the Mercenary Guild, or when he kills a group of bandits who’s about to rape a girl who appears to be a noble. In a way, this is also a potential setup for a broader storyline in the future.
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The comedy is also present without being overbearing. Most of it is due to the stellar delivery bythe voice actor, but it’s also because of the perfectly-timed hilarious reactions presented by the exaggerated animation. The overall pacing is also quite good. The story moves along rather nicely without being rushed or dragged. Overall, this is a great first episode.
A First Job, a Girl’s Wish, and an Approaching Shadow
The second episode, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of the first one. This time around, the story focuses on one simple job of guarding a little girl while she picks up some herbs. There’s nothing interesting happening for around three-quarters of the episode. Not to mentionthe pacing is also extremely slowduring that time and only picks up the pace in the last quarter of the episode.
There’s no character development whatsoever for the main character, and there’s nothing interesting aboutthe side characters. The world-building consists of only walking around in a forest, and there’s no information shared regarding the village where the girl lives other than it is quite a small and remote village.
The only interesting thing that happens in this episode is the fight against the raging giant basilisk at the end, and the addition of a cute animal that will certainly be the mascot of the series. It is honestly quite a let-down. What a boring watching experience, especially compared to the exciting first episode.
Skeleton Knight in Another Worldis a funny and lighthearted isekai story that is also capable of delivering some exciting action sequences from time to time. The main character, Arc, might be inspired by the design of Ainz fromOverlord, but his quirky personality and top-notch comedic delivery are enough to make him stand apart from his influence.
The first episode started with a bang, but things began to waver in the second episode. That being said, this series certainly has enough charm to make the viewers patiently wait for the next episode. In a season filled with mostly serious isekai stories,Skeleton Knight in Another Worldcertainly stands outwith its lighthearted nature and emphasis on fun and humor.
