A Guide for Background Characters to Survive in a Manga - Reviews

Nice

MC Su Bei is a cunning and intelligent character from a shounen manga destined for an early demise. To enhance his abilities, Su Bei strategically drops subtle hints in his scenes, anticipating they'll be picked up by readers and shape their understanding of his powers. If readers misinterpret, he uses his "prophet" connection in the real world to steer their guesses. The manga takes place in a clichéd shounen setting with plot armor for the heroes, predictable villains, and repetitive power-ups. It combines elements of My Hero Academia's abilities with the pacing of Pokémon Adventure manga.

The main character stands out due to his awareness that he's in a fictional world, creating an uneasy dynamic with other characters and occasionally catching the attention of readers in the real world. Here's a rephrased list of pros and cons:

Pros:
1. Smart and resourceful MC
2. Well-developed supporting characters
3. Engaging storyline
4. Exciting scenes with unique and creative uses of abilities

Cons:
1. Predictability per manga update; more variety would be appreciated, even without the MC's presence
2. Not suitable for those seeking high-octane action; many fights lack excitement, possibly due to the trope of主角 always winning

Nice

The text is enjoyable, with a distinctive writing style that invigorates. The characters are captivating, organically developed without contrived clichés or artificiality; their portrayal feels authentic. Although there are a few inconsistencies and unrealistic elements, they do not significantly detract from the overall reading pleasure.

In response to the review, it seems the reader has a balanced perspective, detailing both the positive aspects and the areas they found lacking. Here's a rephrased version in English:

The reviewer appreciated the engaging climax and the unique concept of the mysterious character Su Bei sacrificing for the protagonist, which initially piqued their interest. The dynamic between the tease-like character and others was intriguing. Despite acknowledging the translator's efforts, the story faced some issues.

The main drawbacks mentioned were excessive spoilers, particularly in the later chapters, which might deter potential readers. The author's approach to developing certain plot points felt underdeveloped, like the student council's ambition, and the主角 Zhao Xiaoyu's growth停滞 after her initial boost.

The reviewer was disappointed with the lack of character development for Zhao Xiaoyu and Mu Tieren, feeling they deserved more interaction and growth arcs. The portrayal of the protagonist group's reactions in the "Weixi Holy Land" arc seemed out of character and inconsistent.

Additionally, the reviewer found the use of the "Destiny" intelligence organization as a plot device unsatisfactory, as it felt forced and not properly explored. The story could have benefited from a deeper background on Su Bei's past and the organization's founding.

Su Bei's character became repetitive, with predictable patterns, which detracted from the story's excitement. The sudden and bland death and resurrection left the reviewer unimpressed, especially considering the build-up.

Lastly, the ending was a letdown, with rushed and unsatisfactory resolution, plot holes, and dangling loose ends. The author's handling of Su Bei's character and the overall narrative felt disappointing.

While the reviewer loved the characters and original ideas, the numerous issues led them to lower their rating. They hoped future readers might enjoy the story more, despite their personal reservations.

I really enjoy our cunning fox-like main character! The supporting cast also becomes endearing rather quickly, and it's a delightful, low-key read, despite occasional sluggish pacing. Watching the MC's powers develop alongside our shared journey of discovering the world and plot is quite enjoyable. Just a heads up for those interested, there's no harem or romance element so far in the series.

It's fascinating how the characters feel well-developed and the plot keeps me hooked. The main character actually faces challenges, and there's no sudden 'idiot syndrome.' I would recommend it for enjoyable reading.

However, I have a small gripe that's been bothering me. The author lacks understanding of the manga production process, despite writing about a manga setting. Although it's not a major issue since it's a novel, for someone with some artistic background, there are many details in the story that seem out of place. The author claims that the manga updates occur weekly, but in the first chapter, the protagonist muses that the update might only happen after solving a murder mystery – a task that typically takes multiple chapters to resolve, even in popular series like Kindaichi or Detective Conan. It's especially baffling since the manga is just starting its second season and introducing new characters, including two joining the main group.

The author tries to cram all this action into a single chapter: character introductions, getting involved in the murder mystery, investigation, and capturing the culprit. How on earth does that fit within a weekly update format? The pacing feels rushed, considering the length of the story and the promised frequency of updates. If I were the artist, I'd question my decision to work on such a project.

I admit it might seem like a trivial complaint, but for someone writing about manga characters, the author seems unaware of the constraints and expectations of the medium. In the next chapter, it turns out there was a special 'event' for the manga creator, which wasn't previously disclosed. While it's understandable that the author might need an explanation, it's surprising that readers didn't notice the extensive effort required for such a lengthy narrative. I guess one reader pointed out the issue, leading to the clarification.

The previous remarks provide a decent overview of the book's nature. However, I disagree with the notion that if you enjoyed "Ex Rank Supporting Role's Replay in a Prestigious School," you'll automatically enjoy this novel, and vice versa. Personally, I didn't appreciate the "Ex Rank" aspect, and for those who share my sentiment, it's evident that these two stories have significantly divergent approaches. This novel begins with the protagonist lacking both knowledge of the plot and powerful abilities; they must employ strategy to uncover and manipulate events, whereas "Ex Rank" appears more like an exercise in showcasing powers to me.

My review for this novel is nothing short of exceptional. It marks my first encounter with a character like Su Bei, whose cunning and wits are truly outstanding! His laid-back nature, believe it or not, adds a hilarious touch. However, there are a few plot inconsistencies, but overall, the story provides immense satisfaction, and I highly recommend experiencing Su Bei in action.

As for the spoilery bits, I've read up to chapter 269 in the raw version. One major point of frustration for me is the manga author – as a dedicated novel reader, I can't help but express my disdain for how they seemingly set out to undermine Su Bei's development, trying to cast him as a villain repeatedly.

What I adore is Su Bei's current position as the Chief of the Destiny Organization. This secretive group assigns tasks and provides information in exchange for points, and he astonishingly established it at just 13-14 years old, utilizing his foresight after his father's passing. It's impressive to see such a young individual build such a significant entity.

The reactions of his S-class peers are another highlight. Their constant attempts to stop Su Bei's escapades, knowing the potential consequences, are both amusing and relatable. They're relentless in preventing trouble but wisely refrain from interfering with his "slack mode," acknowledging his overpowered abilities. Their patience with him is commendable.

One memorable scene showcases Su Bei's incredible powers when he effortlessly defeats mid-level nightmare monsters with a simple snap of his fingers, albeit at the cost of mental strain and potential life force. He's a master of strategy, always calculating his moves beforehand.

In conclusion, this novel offers a captivating blend of wit, drama, and character growth, making it a must-read for fans of Su Bei and his extraordinary journey.

Pictorially, the reviewer expressed their thoughts honestly, echoing my sentiments. I can't comprehend the negative ratings either. I'm thrilled this novel is being translated, so I'd like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the translators. I hope Su Bei receives more recognition.

From a narrative, character development, and overall atmosphere standpoint, I believe this novel closely rivals "Replay in a Prestigious School" from Ex Rank Supporting Role, though they are distinct works. If you enjoyed one, chances are you'll enjoy the other. Give it a try if you're even remotely intrigued – you won't be disappointed!

Additionally, it's worth noting that this novel is designated as Non-CP (no main romantic relationship) on jjwxc, which is a significant plus for those who prefer that genre.