Arifureta

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest (Japanese: ありふれた職業で世界最強, Hepburn: Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō) (lit. 'The world's strongest in a common job') is a Japanese light novel series written by Ryo Shirakome and illustrated by Takayaki. Originally a web novel, the series was published in print from June 2015 to September 2022. The series follows Hajime Nagumo, a bullied high school student who is transported to another world with the rest of his class and his school teacher to fight in a war against the demon race. After he is betrayed and left to die by one of his classmates, Hajime begins a journey to improve himself and find a way for everyone to return back home. The novels are licensed in English by J-Novel Club, with Seven Seas Entertainment publishing them in print. The English translation of the light novel was done by Murtaza Burhan.^[4] A prequel light novel was published in 2017.

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest
The cover of the first light novel featuring Yue.
ありふれた職業で世界最強 (Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō)
Genre	Fantasy, harem, isekai^[1]
Novel series
Written by	Ryo Shirakome
Published by	Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run	November 7, 2013 – present
Volumes	10 + 4 side stories
Light novel
Written by	Ryo Shirakome
Illustrated by	Takayaki
Published by	Overlap
English publisher	NA: J-Novel Club (digital) Seven Seas (print)
Imprint	Overlap Bunko
Demographic	Male
Original run	June 25, 2015 – September 25, 2022
Volumes	13 (List of volumes)
Further information Manga Illustrated by RoGa Published by Overlap English publisher NA: Seven Seas Entertainment Magazine Comic Gardo Demographic Shōnen Original run February 6, 2016 – present Volumes 13 (List of volumes) Manga Arifureta: I Love Isekai Written by Misaki Mori Published by Overlap English publisher NA: Seven Seas Entertainment Magazine Comic Gardo Demographic Shōnen Original run July 11, 2017 – January 6, 2023 Volumes 5 (List of volumes) Light novel Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Zero Written by Ryo Shirakome Illustrated by Takayaki Published by Overlap English publisher NA: J-Novel Club Imprint Overlap Bunko Demographic Male Original run December 28, 2017 – December 25, 2021 Volumes 6 (List of volumes) Manga Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Zero Illustrated by Ataru Kamichi Published by Overlap English publisher NA: Seven Seas Entertainment Magazine Comic Gardo Demographic Shōnen Original run February 23, 2018 – June 8, 2022 Volumes 8 (List of volumes) Anime television series Directed by Kinji Yoshimoto (S1) Akira Iwanaga (S2–S3) Produced by Aya Iizuka Satoshi Fukao Youichi Sekine Yuuichi Izumi Yuuta Kashiwabara Naoki Hiramatsu (S2) Seiji Andou (S2) Takashi Soyama (S2) Yuri Koenuma (S2) Written by Shoichi Sato Kinji Yoshimoto (S1) Music by Ryō Takahashi Studio Asread White Fox (S1) Studio Mother (S2) Licensed by AUS: Madman Entertainment NA: Crunchyroll SEA: Plus Media Networks Asia Original network AT-X, Tokyo MX, SUN, BS11 English network SEA: Aniplus Asia^[2] US: Crunchyroll Channel^[3] Original run July 8, 2019 – present Episodes 25 + 4 OVAs (List of episodes)
Anime and manga portal

The series has received a manga adaptation, serialized on Overlap's Comic Gardo website since 2016, as well as a yonkoma comedy spinoff and a manga adaptation of the prequel novel, all three licensed by Seven Seas. An anime television series adaptation by White Fox and Asread aired from July to October 2019. A second season by Asread and Studio Mother aired from January to March 2022. A third season is set to premiere in Q4 2024.

Plot

Main article: List of Arifureta characters

High-schooler Hajime Nagumo is bullied by some of his classmates for his relationship with the class idol, Kaori. When he and the rest of his class are transported to a fantasy world, all of his classmates get powerful magical abilities, while Hajime only gains the basic alchemical magic to transmute solid materials, a common ability usually found in craftsmen and smiths. During a dungeon raid, he is betrayed by one of his classmates and dropped to the bottom of the dungeon. He survives the fall and creates weapons to escape the dungeon and become stronger. On his journey, he meets with the imprisoned vampire Yue, and later is joined by the bunny-eared Shea, the perverted dragon Tio, and others.

Publication

See also: List of Arifureta volumes § Light novels

Ryo Shirakome originally published the series as a web novel on the user-submitted content site Shōsetsuka ni Narō. The main story ran for eight books from November 7, 2013, to October 31, 2015, and has been followed by three after-stories and an extra story since.^[5] The series was picked up for publication by Overlap, and they released the first light novel, with illustrations by Takayaki, under their Overlap Bunko imprint in June 2015.^[6] When the anime adaptation was announced to have been delayed until 2019, the eighth volume of the light novel was also delayed by a month, from March to April 2018.^[7] The series ended with the release of its thirteenth volume.^[8]

A prequel light novel series titled Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Zero (ありふれた職業で世界最強　零, Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō Zero), or Arifureta Zero, was published from December 2017 to December 2021 in six volumes.^{[9][6][10][11]}

Digital publisher J-Novel Club licensed the series for an English release, and published the first chapter on February 21, 2017.^[12][13] During their panel at Anime Expo 2017, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they would publish a print version of the novels^[13] as part of their collaboration with J-Novel Club.^[14] J-Novel Club has also licensed Arifureta Zero, and the series was the publisher's first simultaneous publication.^[10]

Media

Manga

See also: List of Arifureta volumes § Manga

A manga adaptation by RoGa has been published on Overlap's Comic Gardo website since its inception on December 22, 2016,^[6][15] and the first volume was published three days later on December 25 to coincide with the release of the fifth light novel.^[15] The series has been licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment.^[16]

A yonkoma comedy spinoff by Misaki Mori, titled Arifureta: I Heart Isekai (ありふれた日常で世界最強, Arifureta Nichijō de Sekai Saikyō), began serialization on Overlap's Comic Gardo website on July 11, 2017.^[17] Seven Seas announced their license to the series on January 10, 2019.^[18]

An adaptation of the prequel light novel Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Zero by Ataru Kamichi began serialization on February 23, 2018, on the Comic Gardo website.^{[6][19][20][21]} Seven Seas announced their license to the series on January 10, 2019.^[18]

Audio drama

A series of two drama CDs were released with the seventh, eighth, and tenth volumes of the light novel on December 25, 2017, April 25, 2018, and June 25, 2019.^[6][7][22] The drama CDs share the same voice cast as the anime.^[6]

Anime

See also: List of Arifureta episodes

An anime television series adaptation was announced on December 3, 2017. The series was initially intended to premiere in April 2018,^[6][23] but on January 15, 2018, its release was pushed back due to "various circumstances".^[7] Originally, the series would have been directed by Jun Kamiya and written by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, with animation by studio White Fox and character designs by Atsuo Tobe, who also would have served as chief animation director.^[6] However, following the postponement, it was announced on April 29, 2018, that Kinji Yoshimoto would be taking over as director and studio Asread would be joining White Fox as animators. Additionally, Chika Kojima took over from Atsuo Tobe as character designer to adapt Takayaki's original designs, and Kazuyuki Fudeyasu left his position as scriptwriter, being replaced by Shoichi Sato and Kinji Yoshimoto. Ryō Takahashi composed the series' music.^[21][24] Void_Chords feat. LIO performed the series' opening theme "FLARE", while DracoVirgo performs the series' ending theme "First Song" (ハジメノウタ, Hajime no Uta).^[25]

The series aired from July 8 to October 7, 2019, on AT-X, Tokyo MX, SUN, and BS11.^[25][26] It ran for 13 episodes.^[27][28][29] Two original video animations (OVA) were released with the second and third home video sets on December 25, 2019, and February 26, 2020.^[27][28][30]

Funimation had licensed the series for an English simulcast and SimulDub.^[31] Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll.^[32]

After the first season's finale, it was announced that the series would receive a second season.^[33] Akira Iwanaga replaced Kinji Yoshimoto as director, and Studio Mother replaced White Fox as the secondary studio. The rest of the staff and cast returned to reprise their roles. It aired from January 13 to March 31, 2022, on AT-X, Tokyo MX, and BS11,^[34][35] and is available to watch on iQiyi.^[36] The opening theme is "Daylight" by MindaRyn, while the ending theme is "Gedō Sanka" (外道讃歌) by FantasticYouth.^[37][38] A two-part OVA was released on September 25, 2022 titled "The Miraculous Meeting and the Phantasmagorical Adventure" (幻の冒険と奇跡の邂逅, Maboroshi no Bōken to Kiseki no Kaigō).^[39][40]

On September 10, 2022, it was announced that a third season is in production.^[41] Asread is animating the season, with Akira Iwanaga, Shoichi Sato, and Chika Kojima returning as director, scriptwriter, and character designer, respectively.^[42] It is set to premiere in Q4 2024.^[43]

Reception

The series was the 27th best-selling light novel series in the first half of 2017, with 84,372 copies sold.^[44]

Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network enjoyed the series, praising it for its central premise and how it was "good twist on the genre conventions" by making its hero have to work for his overpowered hero status instead of immediately gaining it like many light novel protagonists.^[45][46] She praised the series for its depiction of the romantic relationship between Hajime and Yue, which she called "healthy", and also felt that the translation wasn't as good as some of J-Novel Club's other releases.^[45]

The anime adaptation was subjected to extremely sharp and negative criticism. Christopher Farris of the Anime News Network, cited manufacturing issues as the main causes of the series's failure. Farris points to the poor quality of the animation and the first episode missing most of the original source of the original novel.^[47]

See also

• My Stepmom's Daughter Is My Ex, another light novel series illustrated by the same artist

References

1. "Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest". Seven Seas Entertainment. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
2. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 24, 2019). "Aniplus Asia Airs Simulcasts for Ensemble Stars, Arifureta, Danmachi Season 2 Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
3. "Crunchyroll Launches 24/7 Anime Channel in the US". Crunchyroll. October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
4. "Arifureta : from commonplace to world's strongest". Library of Congress Catalog. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
5. "ありふれた職業で世界最強" [Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest]. Shōsetsuka ni Narō (in Japanese). Retrieved August 17, 2018.
6. Loo, Egan (December 2, 2017). "Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Alternate-World Light Novels Get TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
7. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 15, 2018). "Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest TV Anime Delayed to 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
8. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 30, 2022). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Light Novels End in Next Volume". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
9. "ありふれた職業で世界最強 零 1" [Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Zero 1]. Overlap (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2017.
10. Mateo, Alex (December 28, 2017). "J-Novel Club Licenses Arifureta Zero Prequel Novel". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
11. Mateo, Alex (December 29, 2021). "Arifureta Zero Spinoff Novel Ends, Main Story Reaches Climax". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
12. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 21, 2017). "J-Novel Club Licenses Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Novel". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
13. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 3, 2017). "Seven Seas Licenses Made in Abyss, Nameless Asterism, Soul Liquid Chambers, Getter Robo Devolution Manga (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
14. Ressler, Karen (January 19, 2017). "Seven Seas to Publish J-Novel Club Light Novels in Print". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
15. "オーバーラップのWebマンガ誌が誕生、なろう小説マンガ版やオリジナル作品も". Natalie (in Japanese). December 22, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
16. Ressler, Karen (September 11, 2017). "Seven Seas Licenses Arifureta Manga, Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! Light Novels & Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
17. "ガルドで新連載2本、現実主義勇者の内政物語&「ありふれた」ギャグ4コマ". Natalie (in Japanese). July 11, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
18. Ressler, Karen (January 10, 2010). "Seven Seas Licenses The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese, Ghostly Things Manga, Arifureta Spinoffs". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
19. "「黒の召喚士」天羽銀がマンガ化、戦闘狂の転生者描く痛快バトルファンタジー". Natalie (in Japanese). January 11, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
20. "【ガルド新連載大攻勢】第２弾「ありふれた職業で世界最強 零」新連載スタート！！！". Overlap (in Japanese). February 23, 2018. from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
21. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 29, 2018). "Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest TV Anime Reveals New Staff, Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
22. "ありふれた職業で世界最強 10 ドラマCD付き特装版" [Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest 10 with Drama CD]. Overlap (in Japanese). Retrieved June 30, 2019.
23. "「ありふれた職業で世界最強」TVアニメ化！異世界召喚された男子のファンタジー". Natalie (in Japanese). December 2, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
24. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 23, 2019). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
25. Sherman, Jennifer (June 3, 2019). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime Reveals TV Ad, Visual, July 8 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
26. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 20, 2018). "Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest TV Anime Unveils New Visual, July 2019 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
27. "ありふれた職業で世界最強 Blu-ray BOX①". Overlap (in Japanese). Retrieved June 30, 2019.
28. "ありふれた職業で世界最強 Blu-ray BOX②". Overlap (in Japanese). Retrieved June 30, 2019.
29. "ありふれた職業で世界最強 Blu-ray BOX③". Overlap (in Japanese). Retrieved June 30, 2019.
30. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 8, 2019). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime to Have 2 Unaired Episodes". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
31. Funimation (14 June 2019). "Funimation Turns Up the Heat with Their Summer 2019 Lineup!". Funimation. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
32. "UPDATE: Funimation Titles Now Available on Crunchyroll (3/16)". Crunchyroll. March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
33. Sherman, Jennifer (October 7, 2019). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime Gets 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
34. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 17, 2021). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime's 2nd Season Debuts in January 2022". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
35. Loo, Egan (November 24, 2021). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 2's Additional Cast, January 13 Debut Listed". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
36. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest S2 (2022) Synopsis Full with English subtitle – iQiyi | iQ.com, 14 January 2022, retrieved 2022-02-08
37. Mateo, Alex (October 7, 2021). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 2 Anime's 2nd Promo Video Reveals, Previews Opening Theme Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
38. "FantasticYouth、『ありふれた職業で世界最強』『アリスフィクション』テーマ曲を担当". Barks (in Japanese). January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
39. Mateo, Alex (March 31, 2022). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime Gets New OVA". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
40. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 3, 2022). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest OVA Reveals Title, Visual, September 25 Release". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
41. Loo, Egan (September 10, 2022). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Anime Gets 3rd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
42. "TVアニメ『ありふれた職業で世界最強』3rd seasonが制作決定！ 新ビジュアル＆PVも公開". Animate Times (in Japanese). September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
43. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 23, 2024). "Arifureta Anime Season 3 Reveals New Teaser, Visual, Fall Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
44. Loo, Egan (June 1, 2017). "Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan by Series: 2017 (First Half)". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
45. Silverman, Rebecca (May 22, 2017). "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Novel 1 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
46. Silverman, Rebecca (June 2, 2017). "Spring 2017 Manga Guide: Light Novel Roundup". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
47. "Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest Episodes 1-2". Anime News Network. July 17, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.

External links

• Official website at Shōsetsuka ni Narō (in Japanese)
• Official website (in Japanese)
• Official manga website (in Japanese)
• Official yonkoma website (in Japanese)
• Official Arifureta Zero manga website (in Japanese)
• Official website at J-Novel Club
• Arifureta (novel) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia