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The World's Strongest Rearguard: Labyrinth Country's Novice Seeker Manga #1
The World's Strongest Rearguard: Labyrinth Country's Novice Seeker Vol. 1
Once, the scariest thing to Arihito Atobe was his workaholic boss, Kyouka Igarashi. Now, this ex–corporate slave faces a world where monster-filled labyrinths are the norm and teamwork is key to survival. While others are eager to charge headlong into battle, Arihito chooses to become a "rearguard": a class dedicated to helping allies from the back lines. The rearguard gig should be his ticket to avoid repeating his old life, but this opportunity may just shed new light on what it means to support one's partners and work together!
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2020
33 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 31, 2022
It's like D&D + isekai, and it is a lot of fun.
This is a story that I've seen at bookstores and then at my local public library. I decided to give it a try because this is the first volume in the series. I understand that it is the manga adaptation of the first light novel volume. This is a reincarnation isekai, and it has a number of aspects that make it an interesting example in the genre.
The first of which is that the place which the protagonist, Arihito Atobe, reincarnates into appears to be something of an afterlife. Labyrinth country is full of people who have reincarnated after dying in other worlds. A psychopomp even appears to explain to Arihito that exploring Labyrinth country's various labyrinths is something that the recently reincarnated are expected to do. The local seeker guild's (basically a guild for adventurers) has a whole system set-up and ready for him to enter in order to start his new life. So, he may have reincarnated but Arihito is not special. This leads to the second interesting part of the premise.
Arihito did not reincarnate alone. He died in a bus crash, and so many people reincarnated at the same time as he did. One of them is his boss from his previous life, and she wants to start a seeker party with him. In this way, Arihito's new life might have continued the same as his old life. It is an interesting point of contrast, since reincarnation isekai generally have more radical breaks and differences between the two lives. Not just with this scene either. This is a plot point developed throughout the volume.
There are other parts, but I won't speak on them. I want to mention other parts of the volume, like Arihito's first adventure in a labyrinth.
In this verse, a "labyrinth" is basically a wild area where monsters can be found. It is similar to how "dungeon" is used in fantasy stories. It is not literally a maze. So, in this labyrinth, Arihito and the mercenary he hired encounter a monster. I have to give the author and artist credit for this. They took a monster that appears harmless, and kind of silly, and make it into a scary and competent threat. Then, building on that encounter, they use it to set up the volume's climatic fight. The anticipation, the danger, and the stakes involved, it all builds up to a truly satisfying climax. And a satisfying resolution too.
Falling action is a crucial part of making a climax successful, and this volume succeeds there. The aftermath of Arihito's first seeker adventure is explored, both in terms of material loot and the relationships with his budding seeker party. It reminds me of a game master for a tabletop role-playing game granting rewards for the successful completion of a quest. I think that may be why I like it so much.
The art itself is also great. It establishes the aesthetic of Labyrinth country, and fully conveys the emotions of the characters. The fight scenes are dynamic and easy to follow. The panels set a pace that can be peaceful or energetic, and it keeps me turning pages.
I'm definitely going to look for future volumes. I might even follow this story in both light novel and manga formats.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "The World's Strongest Rearguard manga volume 1" an A+
This is a story that I've seen at bookstores and then at my local public library. I decided to give it a try because this is the first volume in the series. I understand that it is the manga adaptation of the first light novel volume. This is a reincarnation isekai, and it has a number of aspects that make it an interesting example in the genre.
The first of which is that the place which the protagonist, Arihito Atobe, reincarnates into appears to be something of an afterlife. Labyrinth country is full of people who have reincarnated after dying in other worlds. A psychopomp even appears to explain to Arihito that exploring Labyrinth country's various labyrinths is something that the recently reincarnated are expected to do. The local seeker guild's (basically a guild for adventurers) has a whole system set-up and ready for him to enter in order to start his new life. So, he may have reincarnated but Arihito is not special. This leads to the second interesting part of the premise.
Arihito did not reincarnate alone. He died in a bus crash, and so many people reincarnated at the same time as he did. One of them is his boss from his previous life, and she wants to start a seeker party with him. In this way, Arihito's new life might have continued the same as his old life. It is an interesting point of contrast, since reincarnation isekai generally have more radical breaks and differences between the two lives. Not just with this scene either. This is a plot point developed throughout the volume.
There are other parts, but I won't speak on them. I want to mention other parts of the volume, like Arihito's first adventure in a labyrinth.
In this verse, a "labyrinth" is basically a wild area where monsters can be found. It is similar to how "dungeon" is used in fantasy stories. It is not literally a maze. So, in this labyrinth, Arihito and the mercenary he hired encounter a monster. I have to give the author and artist credit for this. They took a monster that appears harmless, and kind of silly, and make it into a scary and competent threat. Then, building on that encounter, they use it to set up the volume's climatic fight. The anticipation, the danger, and the stakes involved, it all builds up to a truly satisfying climax. And a satisfying resolution too.
Falling action is a crucial part of making a climax successful, and this volume succeeds there. The aftermath of Arihito's first seeker adventure is explored, both in terms of material loot and the relationships with his budding seeker party. It reminds me of a game master for a tabletop role-playing game granting rewards for the successful completion of a quest. I think that may be why I like it so much.
The art itself is also great. It establishes the aesthetic of Labyrinth country, and fully conveys the emotions of the characters. The fight scenes are dynamic and easy to follow. The panels set a pace that can be peaceful or energetic, and it keeps me turning pages.
I'm definitely going to look for future volumes. I might even follow this story in both light novel and manga formats.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "The World's Strongest Rearguard manga volume 1" an A+
March 14, 2021
This was a great start!
I liked the world that they have Reincarnated into, it seems like there might be something underlying to it to me, plus the art was pretty good too
The characters though are pretty standard for the genre, not saying they are bad just there hasn't been alot to see how they will be (I will say the MC had a rather cool moment which was nice!)
I am looking forward to reading the next volume when I get the chance
I liked the world that they have Reincarnated into, it seems like there might be something underlying to it to me, plus the art was pretty good too
The characters though are pretty standard for the genre, not saying they are bad just there hasn't been alot to see how they will be (I will say the MC had a rather cool moment which was nice!)
I am looking forward to reading the next volume when I get the chance
February 9, 2020
Strange but good story so far
This whole story is very confusing at the beginning I understand about the reincarnation bit but then all of the individuals in the information about the labyrinth is very confusing but overall it ended up being a very good story we’ll see how it goes.
This whole story is very confusing at the beginning I understand about the reincarnation bit but then all of the individuals in the information about the labyrinth is very confusing but overall it ended up being a very good story we’ll see how it goes.
March 5, 2020
Following the light novel
It is great, unlike many adaptation of light novel to magna this one closely follows the novel. It is hard not to spoil a review, let's just say things just get interesting from now on
It is great, unlike many adaptation of light novel to magna this one closely follows the novel. It is hard not to spoil a review, let's just say things just get interesting from now on
September 27, 2025
3.5
Overall really enjoyable, nothing groundbreaking, but so far so good. Also first volume is not too bad with fanservice either which is a nice plus. If it remains that way I cannot say yet. But so far it's a series I'll read a few more volumes of.
Overall really enjoyable, nothing groundbreaking, but so far so good. Also first volume is not too bad with fanservice either which is a nice plus. If it remains that way I cannot say yet. But so far it's a series I'll read a few more volumes of.
July 22, 2021
Awal yang bagus.
MC sebenarnya OP cuma belum tahu saja kemampuannya apa saja.
Line art draw clean dan bagus. Cuma gaya gambar shounen-harem gitu.
MC sebenarnya OP cuma belum tahu saja kemampuannya apa saja.
Line art draw clean dan bagus. Cuma gaya gambar shounen-harem gitu.
September 16, 2021
I truly enjoyed this can't wait for the next vol!!
January 25, 2023
Funny and entertaining
I read the books had to read the manga. They both are good. I do recommend the manga and light novel of this series. Time to read book 2.
I read the books had to read the manga. They both are good. I do recommend the manga and light novel of this series. Time to read book 2.
February 26, 2023
Unexpectedly enjoyable.
March 27, 2023
Loving the written word in art form!
Love this first volume! Glad I bought the set so far! The legend of Arihito Atobe Sama begins!This is definitely a Goodread!
Love this first volume! Glad I bought the set so far! The legend of Arihito Atobe Sama begins!This is definitely a Goodread!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews