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+
Click here for my next book review: I've been killing slimes for three hundred years and maxed out my level - light novel volume 2
Click here for my previous book review: My Hero Academia - Vigilantes - volume 1
Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.
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