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Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Light Novel #4
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest (Light Novel) Vol. 4
FATHER FIGURES?!
With their business in Ur concluded, Hajime and his party return to Fuhren. After getting Yue, Shea, and Tio their Status Plates, Hajime decides to take a break from adventuring–or so he thinks. If he doesn’t find trouble on his own, it manages to find him! Running afoul of a shady underground organization during a date with Shea, Hajime ends up rescuing a young girl named Myu. Wait. Is he supposed to be her surrogate father now?!
With their business in Ur concluded, Hajime and his party return to Fuhren. After getting Yue, Shea, and Tio their Status Plates, Hajime decides to take a break from adventuring–or so he thinks. If he doesn’t find trouble on his own, it manages to find him! Running afoul of a shady underground organization during a date with Shea, Hajime ends up rescuing a young girl named Myu. Wait. Is he supposed to be her surrogate father now?!
280 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2016
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326 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 27, 2019
Since I've taken stars away for them in previous volumes I'll just say that while the bonus stories were once again completely irrelevant to the actual story, they weren't nearly so filled with crap this time.
Okay, so volume 4... this is the REAL reunion book. Sure, sure, Hajime meets up with some of his classmates and sensei in vol. 3, but this is the one where he comes face to face with the frontline crew including Kaori who promised to protect him and has been carrying the weight of her inability to do so for some months.... and the others. Kouki being the "hero" who shows just how unheroic he is and how he has no sense of logic whatsoever.
Before getting there Hajime collects another party member, a little Dagon girl, Myu who insists up calling him Daddy. Supposedly he's going to drop her off home at some point, but don't hold your breath. In the process of helping her he does some good in the world.
I know some people think Gary Stu, he's too powerful, nothing can stop him... blah, blah, blah. Maybe, maybe not. Just because his challenges haven't been against (hordes of) Monsters since the first volume doesn't mean he hasn't been facing truly becoming a monster and losing what made him Hajime.
Anyhow, there's some set up for future books, but I don't want to get too spoiler-y.
Verdict: If you're reading Arifureta, you already know what to expect (though interestingly enough, less sex/sex talk than previous books). I enjoyed it and am looking forward to volume 5.
Okay, so volume 4... this is the REAL reunion book. Sure, sure, Hajime meets up with some of his classmates and sensei in vol. 3, but this is the one where he comes face to face with the frontline crew including Kaori who promised to protect him and has been carrying the weight of her inability to do so for some months.... and the others. Kouki being the "hero" who shows just how unheroic he is and how he has no sense of logic whatsoever.
Before getting there Hajime collects another party member, a little Dagon girl, Myu who insists up calling him Daddy. Supposedly he's going to drop her off home at some point, but don't hold your breath. In the process of helping her he does some good in the world.
I know some people think Gary Stu, he's too powerful, nothing can stop him... blah, blah, blah. Maybe, maybe not. Just because his challenges haven't been against (hordes of) Monsters since the first volume doesn't mean he hasn't been facing truly becoming a monster and losing what made him Hajime.
Anyhow, there's some set up for future books, but I don't want to get too spoiler-y.
Verdict: If you're reading Arifureta, you already know what to expect (though interestingly enough, less sex/sex talk than previous books). I enjoyed it and am looking forward to volume 5.
April 18, 2024
Such a great world
January 31, 2022
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS
Whilst still entertaining and often highly amusing, this book took a darker turn after the first section and we start to see the scope of the wider story for the first time.
Initially though Hajime and co are initially seen dealing with the aftermath of their defeat of the 60,000 strong army and during the course of this we are introduced to the wholesome Myu, a fish girl who has become captured by slavers. Her wholesomeness is a fun juxtaposition against the over the top perversion of Tio and also takes Hajime in a new direction in terms of character growth. The total annihilation of the criminal gang who had captured her is an interesting side note and further demonstration of just how overpowered the four are but it also shows new motivations for Hajime and makes him more rounded and relatable.
The second arc of the story turns to the other students who have stayed with the hero and are currently fleeing for their lives from an ambush. One of them slips away and manages to run across Hajime and we get a repeat of the 'thought you were dead' skit from the previous book and Aiko. Hajime agrees to help because of a sense of loyalty to Kaori and we end up with another demonstration of the over powered status he, Yue and Shea have when they commence one shotting enemies that the entire hero's part cannot take down. The ending of that rescue though is decidedly dark and makes for some uncomfortable reading at times before we get a return to the usual lighter silliness when Hajime is bullied into making concessions for Kaori.
This then is a bit of a mixed book. Part one is the usual OTT stuff that is familiar from the previous books but the darker tone of the second arc and the brief concluding section with Aiko does shift the tone towards the darker. There is a comedic element still but feeling certainly shifted for me. Many of the other student characters essentially remain filler who contribute nothing other than a body and a name though the hero is fleshed out here and comes across as a rather annoying individual.
A good one to read if you enjoy the series but be prepared to see some of the silliness fading away.
Whilst still entertaining and often highly amusing, this book took a darker turn after the first section and we start to see the scope of the wider story for the first time.
Initially though Hajime and co are initially seen dealing with the aftermath of their defeat of the 60,000 strong army and during the course of this we are introduced to the wholesome Myu, a fish girl who has become captured by slavers. Her wholesomeness is a fun juxtaposition against the over the top perversion of Tio and also takes Hajime in a new direction in terms of character growth. The total annihilation of the criminal gang who had captured her is an interesting side note and further demonstration of just how overpowered the four are but it also shows new motivations for Hajime and makes him more rounded and relatable.
The second arc of the story turns to the other students who have stayed with the hero and are currently fleeing for their lives from an ambush. One of them slips away and manages to run across Hajime and we get a repeat of the 'thought you were dead' skit from the previous book and Aiko. Hajime agrees to help because of a sense of loyalty to Kaori and we end up with another demonstration of the over powered status he, Yue and Shea have when they commence one shotting enemies that the entire hero's part cannot take down. The ending of that rescue though is decidedly dark and makes for some uncomfortable reading at times before we get a return to the usual lighter silliness when Hajime is bullied into making concessions for Kaori.
This then is a bit of a mixed book. Part one is the usual OTT stuff that is familiar from the previous books but the darker tone of the second arc and the brief concluding section with Aiko does shift the tone towards the darker. There is a comedic element still but feeling certainly shifted for me. Many of the other student characters essentially remain filler who contribute nothing other than a body and a name though the hero is fleshed out here and comes across as a rather annoying individual.
A good one to read if you enjoy the series but be prepared to see some of the silliness fading away.
January 5, 2019
Hajime has rescued Will from an army of monsters, but no sooner are they home then the trouble starts all over again. This time it's Myu, a small slave girl Hajime inadvertently rescues. And she's not the only one in trouble---Kouki and the strongest of the transplanted students are still pressing towards the bottom of the Great Orcus Labyrinth, and they've stumbled into far more than they can handle.
Given that last book only a few of Hajime's classmates found out he's still alive, this book has a second (and equally amusing) reunion---this time including Kaori, the girl who never stopped believing he'd survived.
I really like how Hajime challenges Kouki's heroism. To some extent, Kouki has the Hero class because he really is heroic. But his weaknesses are equally glaring, and have been pointed out since the first book: his inflexible thinking, his inability to even see things that don't match his assumptions, and his lack of resolve. I love that Hajime points out Kouki's unwillingness to kill an enemy has more to do with his own unwillingness to see someone die and not compassion or mercy.
Endou's stealth skills were also good for several laughs. "And just who are you calling the king of invisibility!? I'll have you know that the automatic doors at stores open for me one-third of the time!"
Kaori's crisis at seeing Hajime alive but almost totally different was one of the best parts of the book. She's waited and suffered so much for this moment, and yet it's nothing like what she wanted it to be. She can't keep her promise to protect him. In fact she's rejecting who he is now more than anyone except Kouki.
Overall this is one of the better books in the series, as it mostly eschews the pandering for some solid plot development, intense action scenes, and strong character moments. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
Given that last book only a few of Hajime's classmates found out he's still alive, this book has a second (and equally amusing) reunion---this time including Kaori, the girl who never stopped believing he'd survived.
I really like how Hajime challenges Kouki's heroism. To some extent, Kouki has the Hero class because he really is heroic. But his weaknesses are equally glaring, and have been pointed out since the first book: his inflexible thinking, his inability to even see things that don't match his assumptions, and his lack of resolve. I love that Hajime points out Kouki's unwillingness to kill an enemy has more to do with his own unwillingness to see someone die and not compassion or mercy.
Endou's stealth skills were also good for several laughs. "And just who are you calling the king of invisibility!? I'll have you know that the automatic doors at stores open for me one-third of the time!"
Kaori's crisis at seeing Hajime alive but almost totally different was one of the best parts of the book. She's waited and suffered so much for this moment, and yet it's nothing like what she wanted it to be. She can't keep her promise to protect him. In fact she's rejecting who he is now more than anyone except Kouki.
Overall this is one of the better books in the series, as it mostly eschews the pandering for some solid plot development, intense action scenes, and strong character moments. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
December 6, 2021
Overall I liked this one. This is where the first season of the anime leaves off and all in all, I enjoyed it far more than I did the anime. Lots happen, there is a substantial amount of character development, and you really get to see the morality of the party shift to being less 'kill everything' to more helping people out.
The fact that we get to see the party fighting something other than dungeons was refreshing and overall a nice pace to the story. Sure, the human thugs couldn't do much with them, but it was still enjoyable and definitely fit within the power fantasy of the series.
I liked this one, and now I am curious to see how the series goes after this as I now have no idea what is going to happen...
The fact that we get to see the party fighting something other than dungeons was refreshing and overall a nice pace to the story. Sure, the human thugs couldn't do much with them, but it was still enjoyable and definitely fit within the power fantasy of the series.
I liked this one, and now I am curious to see how the series goes after this as I now have no idea what is going to happen...
October 26, 2025
Myuu es demasiado tierna para ser verdad pero pienso que es muy conveniente que comenzara a llamar a Hajime Papa sin ninguna razón aparente, pero bueno no puedo quejarme mucho porque gracias a ella Nuestro monstruo del abismo se volvió un poco mas blando y saco todo su lado paterno con ella y se muestra lo protector y confiable que puede ser.
Muy a mi pesar me gusta el Spisy que tienen estos libros, es un tono adulto pero al mismo tiempo juvenil que aun me causa gracia aveces.
El grupo del Heroe son todos unos idiotas, a excepción claro esta de Kaori y Shizuku que me encanta su relación de amigas y sus personajes.
Muy a mi pesar me gusta el Spisy que tienen estos libros, es un tono adulto pero al mismo tiempo juvenil que aun me causa gracia aveces.
El grupo del Heroe son todos unos idiotas, a excepción claro esta de Kaori y Shizuku que me encanta su relación de amigas y sus personajes.
November 14, 2018
After this development where he picks up the last 2 members of his Harem; Myuu and Kaori, the plot can finally begin, and the demons will finally make an appearance. At this point, likely the setting will be the same as all the other books in this genre; they'll explain that the demons are indigenous magic races that were born from the land, and humans were created by gods, and this battle of extermination is nothing but the god's fault (way to go Asian god haters). But what I wonder is, why is the one on the cover not Myuu?
January 1, 2019
The story never disappoints. There's always mayhem and overpowered fights.
Hajime returns to the town where his classmates are after a furious massacre of an underground criminal ring.
He ends up going through the labrinth again this time as a rescue mission.
The story is five stars but the editing/printing is four stars. I found at least four places where words were missing letters. I remember ease was missing the last e and if missing the I.
Other than that, the story was great and a fun read.
Hajime returns to the town where his classmates are after a furious massacre of an underground criminal ring.
He ends up going through the labrinth again this time as a rescue mission.
The story is five stars but the editing/printing is four stars. I found at least four places where words were missing letters. I remember ease was missing the last e and if missing the I.
Other than that, the story was great and a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2019
After volume 3, I was debating not bothering with this book (Volume 3 has a couple of the characters occasionally making homophobic comments) - but I had already purchased book 4 so what the hell.
Volume 4 isn't as bad as volume 3. To be honest I probably would have given this a 3 out of 5 - but the homophobia in volume 3 is still [expletive] me off!
Volume 4 isn't as bad as volume 3. To be honest I probably would have given this a 3 out of 5 - but the homophobia in volume 3 is still [expletive] me off!
April 29, 2024
Not too bad, but there are two parts that clearly feel disconected. Meeting with Myu was fun and full of hijinks and explosions, while meeting with the hero party had more tension, but the tone difference was a bit too stark for one volume. Also, once again a girl joins the harem and it feels forced, until we learn of her history on the side.
December 24, 2017
Very good
And his collection grows. I like the series a lot can't wait for the next one.
Even though the path the story was going to take was obvious from the start, I enjoyed watching it happen; that said, I would have enjoyed it more if there were a bit more conflict.
And his collection grows. I like the series a lot can't wait for the next one.
Even though the path the story was going to take was obvious from the start, I enjoyed watching it happen; that said, I would have enjoyed it more if there were a bit more conflict.
August 10, 2019
He's finally come back
So, he's finally back where he started. But, he's not like before. He won't be bullied and he means serious business if you're an enemy. Watch out world, Hajime is coming to kick some ass and his harem will back him up.
So, he's finally back where he started. But, he's not like before. He won't be bullied and he means serious business if you're an enemy. Watch out world, Hajime is coming to kick some ass and his harem will back him up.
October 9, 2019
We finally get to see the reunion between Hajime and the hero party. And as a fellow reader who has been waiting for this reunion since the first book, it was well worth the wait. However, the ending hints at possible developments sure to arise in the next book.
January 3, 2018
Good fun.
It was very enjoyable and entertaining. This is one of my favorite light novel series. I recommend it to all.
It was very enjoyable and entertaining. This is one of my favorite light novel series. I recommend it to all.
April 1, 2018
Another great book!
The story gets better and better. Well developed characters and a good plot. Well written with humour and action packed scenes.
The story gets better and better. Well developed characters and a good plot. Well written with humour and action packed scenes.
April 24, 2019
We finally get a proper reunion! It was a long time coming, and I love it!
July 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book but if the harem reaches ridiculous levels i might have to drop the series.
September 19, 2019
Myu is too cute
November 22, 2019
Puedo decir con total seguridad que amo a myu con toda mi alma :3
February 27, 2020
volume 4 ini menarik lebih baik membacanya dari pada menonton animenya. bnyak sekali yang tidak diceritakan di dalam animenya.
July 18, 2020
I loved Myu but not the Kuoki's endeavors 4/5 overall.
December 19, 2020
Don't really remember what happened in this book.
February 2, 2021
Too much action.
Myu is too cute.
Finally reunion.
Myu is too cute.
Finally reunion.
February 25, 2021
Poor Hajime
The amount of crap that poor guy has to put up with, no wonder he's a shoot happy gun nut lol
The amount of crap that poor guy has to put up with, no wonder he's a shoot happy gun nut lol
November 12, 2021
3.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2022
Great book. For those of you that know the anime, this book completes season 1.
May 4, 2024
Kaori the child hood crush, rather cute.
May 15, 2025
Excellent as always
I enjoyed the details and of course the stories at end that helped tie the story together. Great work and fun to read.
I enjoyed the details and of course the stories at end that helped tie the story together. Great work and fun to read.
August 30, 2020
Schwach.
Eigentlich hat der Band ganz mittelmäßig angefangen, auch wenn ich fand dass es nicht besonders natürlich war den Protagonisten in diese Vaterrolle zu quetschen, was im kompletten Gegensatz zu seiner bisherigen Charakterentwicklung verläuft.
Aber ich schätze ein Wort von seinem Sensei und er wird wieder in sein altes Selbst zurückkehren... was auch immer.
Der Kampf seiner Klassenkameraden war ganz nett zu lesen, da hier tatsächlich mal etwas Spannung auf kam, da nicht alle Gegner innerhalb weniger Absätze besiegt werden und ich das Gefühl bekam dass die Monster der Gruppe tatsächlich gefährlich werden könnte.
Allerdings hier beginnt ab hier das absolut lächerliche.
Man will mir doch tatsächlich weiß machen, dass in diesem absolut einseitigen Kampf gegen den Dämon, kein einziger der Schüler gestorben sein soll?
Die einzigen Toten auf Seiten der Menschen sind ein paar Ritter von denen man noch nie etwas gehört hat, alle anderen sollen überlebt haben, dass erscheint mir sehr unwirklich.
Nun kommen wir jedoch zum eigentlichen Problem dieses Bandes.
Der Autor verliert sich in seiner eigenen Projektion in diese Welt, er nutzt jede Gelegenheit um die Form und Größe der Busen der weiblichen Charaktere zu beschreiben.
Dies wirkt einfach nur befremdlich und lässt mich zweifelnd zurück, welchen wirklichen Mehrwert dies zur eigentlichen Geschichte beisteuern sollten, abseits davon dass der Autor hier wohl seine Fantasien ausleben kann.
Und die Antwort ist ganz einfach.
Keinen!
Der einzige Grund dies in diesem Maße einzubauen, den ich vermuten kann, ist um die übermäßige Sexualisierung und Reduzierung der weiblichen Charktere auf ihre sexuelle Wirkung auf die männlichen Charaktere als vermeintlichen erotischen Stimulus für den Leser zu verkaufen.
Weiterhin finde ich es bedenklich, dass hier die sexuelle Belästigung eines bestimmten weiblichen Charakters durch ihre Freundin als Akt der Aufmunterung der restlichen Gruppe umfangreich zelebriert wird, ohne dann im entferntesten im Nachhinein irgendeine der Beteiligten dies kritisch kommentiert, ganz zu schweigen davon dass es zu Zwietracht zwischen den besagten Charakteren führen würde.
Nachdem nun die Gruppe von Hajime gerettet wurde, wird sein Harem um einen weiteren nervigen Charkter erweitert.
Dabei muss ich anmerken, dass alle diese Charaktere eine so dünne Persönlichkeit haben, dass der Autor es auch hätte gleich bleiben lassen können.
Abseits davon dass alle ein romantisches und sexuelles Verlangen nach Hajime haben, kann ich vieleicht einer von den vier noch gütmütig eine weitere Charaktereigenschaft anmerken, welche nicht in irgendeiner Weise sexueller Natur wäre.
Weiterhin sind die Dialoge die sie untereinander führen klischee triefend und so absonderlich, dass ich mich fragen muss ob der Autor sich jemals mit einer Frau unterhalten hat.
Ich war derart von diesen Unterhaltungen abgestoßen, dass ich das Buch mehrere Tage beiseite legen musst um meinen Ärger darüber abkühlen zu lassen, bevor ich mir mehr davon antun konnte.
Wie man als Autor im Anblick solches Grauens nicht den Respekt vor sich selbst verliert bleibt mir verborgen.
Eigentlich hat der Band ganz mittelmäßig angefangen, auch wenn ich fand dass es nicht besonders natürlich war den Protagonisten in diese Vaterrolle zu quetschen, was im kompletten Gegensatz zu seiner bisherigen Charakterentwicklung verläuft.
Aber ich schätze ein Wort von seinem Sensei und er wird wieder in sein altes Selbst zurückkehren... was auch immer.
Der Kampf seiner Klassenkameraden war ganz nett zu lesen, da hier tatsächlich mal etwas Spannung auf kam, da nicht alle Gegner innerhalb weniger Absätze besiegt werden und ich das Gefühl bekam dass die Monster der Gruppe tatsächlich gefährlich werden könnte.
Allerdings hier beginnt ab hier das absolut lächerliche.
Man will mir doch tatsächlich weiß machen, dass in diesem absolut einseitigen Kampf gegen den Dämon, kein einziger der Schüler gestorben sein soll?
Die einzigen Toten auf Seiten der Menschen sind ein paar Ritter von denen man noch nie etwas gehört hat, alle anderen sollen überlebt haben, dass erscheint mir sehr unwirklich.
Nun kommen wir jedoch zum eigentlichen Problem dieses Bandes.
Der Autor verliert sich in seiner eigenen Projektion in diese Welt, er nutzt jede Gelegenheit um die Form und Größe der Busen der weiblichen Charaktere zu beschreiben.
Dies wirkt einfach nur befremdlich und lässt mich zweifelnd zurück, welchen wirklichen Mehrwert dies zur eigentlichen Geschichte beisteuern sollten, abseits davon dass der Autor hier wohl seine Fantasien ausleben kann.
Und die Antwort ist ganz einfach.
Keinen!
Der einzige Grund dies in diesem Maße einzubauen, den ich vermuten kann, ist um die übermäßige Sexualisierung und Reduzierung der weiblichen Charktere auf ihre sexuelle Wirkung auf die männlichen Charaktere als vermeintlichen erotischen Stimulus für den Leser zu verkaufen.
Weiterhin finde ich es bedenklich, dass hier die sexuelle Belästigung eines bestimmten weiblichen Charakters durch ihre Freundin als Akt der Aufmunterung der restlichen Gruppe umfangreich zelebriert wird, ohne dann im entferntesten im Nachhinein irgendeine der Beteiligten dies kritisch kommentiert, ganz zu schweigen davon dass es zu Zwietracht zwischen den besagten Charakteren führen würde.
Nachdem nun die Gruppe von Hajime gerettet wurde, wird sein Harem um einen weiteren nervigen Charkter erweitert.
Dabei muss ich anmerken, dass alle diese Charaktere eine so dünne Persönlichkeit haben, dass der Autor es auch hätte gleich bleiben lassen können.
Abseits davon dass alle ein romantisches und sexuelles Verlangen nach Hajime haben, kann ich vieleicht einer von den vier noch gütmütig eine weitere Charaktereigenschaft anmerken, welche nicht in irgendeiner Weise sexueller Natur wäre.
Weiterhin sind die Dialoge die sie untereinander führen klischee triefend und so absonderlich, dass ich mich fragen muss ob der Autor sich jemals mit einer Frau unterhalten hat.
Ich war derart von diesen Unterhaltungen abgestoßen, dass ich das Buch mehrere Tage beiseite legen musst um meinen Ärger darüber abkühlen zu lassen, bevor ich mir mehr davon antun konnte.
Wie man als Autor im Anblick solches Grauens nicht den Respekt vor sich selbst verliert bleibt mir verborgen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews