Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyusoukyoku (WN)

I've been following this series since it began its translation, and while I recently came across some reviews, they were quite disappointing. Let me give you a brief overview of what the series entails.

The main character, Satou, is incredibly overpowered, but that's not your typical isekai trope. Unlike other OP MCs who are top-notch fighters, Satou's level surpasses even legendary demon lords, who usually have around 100 levels. He's in the 300+ range, making him practically invincible.

This isn't a tale of overcoming adversity or a power-up shonen story where the MC saves his friends from certain doom. It's a laid-back adventure of a god-like character, a merchant and traveler, accompanied by slaves and companions. Satou treats many heroines as daughters due to their young age, but he's not a dense, stereotypical Japanese protagonist. He enjoys visits to red-light districts and brothels (though these aspects are more subtle), and empathizes with the heroines' emotions.

The plot is substantial, but despite his immense power, Satou remains calm and intelligent, avoiding brute force and violence. He's a noble trying to maintain humility, hiding his heroic deeds as a masked hero. His goal is to live a carefree life with the people he cherishes.

If you're looking for explicit ecchi or action-packed shonen fare, this series might not be for you. While there's some fighting, with major boss battles at the end of each volume, it's not intense or suspenseful; rather, it's a relaxing, enjoyable read. In comparison to similar stories, "Death March" shines with its lighthearted nature. I'd rate it 5 out of 5 for its unique charm.

I comprehend that my lack of extensive reading might lead to a flawed understanding, but I couldn't continue pushing through the narrative. It's true that others might assume I skimmed and started speculating, but let me explain the absurdity I faced. The protagonist suddenly appeared in a new world and conjured a meteor strike out of nowhere, wiping out countless creatures, including a deity, and instantly reached Level 3000+! If the explanation for such an unbelievable event were provided throughout the first volume, I wouldn't mind. But alas, it wasn't; it was simply presented as logical, which was hard to swallow.

Then, he effortlessly gained millions of skills by doing mundane tasks, which, while not necessarily a problem on its own, a meteor strike as an 'easy' skill defies comprehension. The plot just kept going, and eventually,

**Spoilers:**
He acquired not one, but two lolis and a seemingly ordinary girl, all for no clear reason, and proceeded to raise them like pets.

In my opinion, while some people criticize xianxia for cliches like fillers or harems, this book surpasses them in terms of sheer ridiculousness from the start.

It was far from enjoyable. Firstly, I found the main character's desire to maintain a low profile to conceal his extraordinary abilities frustrating, as he allowed people to suffer or even die because he was afraid of revealing his true strength. Despite having immense powers and advantages, he struggled to defeat a level 41 opponent when he himself was at level 310. Honestly, I lost interest and decided to drop the story.

This is an entertaining tale following Satou's exciting escapades with his ensemble of characters that could be considered a harem. The storytelling and character actions are captivating, and the management of his various personas is well done. There's impressive character development, and the main character displays a genuine personality. With numerous translated volumes available, it's a solid recommendation for those who enjoy comedy, adventure, and harem themes.

This is a captivating novel that stands out among others. Unlike "Tate Yuusha no Nariagari" with its slow-paced storytelling, and "Mushoku Tensei" that rushes through plot, this book strikes a balance with a comfortable pace that makes it highly enjoyable to read. The protagonist is incredibly powerful, but he uses his abilities not for self-gain, but to assist others and enhance their strengths. Although he employs some extreme measures, he treats his subordinates as equals rather than slaves, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

The main character develops meaningful relationships with multiple female characters, ranging from a low-ranking foot magic soldier to a high elf. He does not exploit these connections, demonstrating maturity by making a decisive choice, unlike the indecisive nature of a certain other series (I won't reveal which one, but she's my second favorite). Similar to "Mushoku Tensei," there are numerous references to anime and manga throughout the narrative.

Here, I'd like to share a few thoughts:

Many people discuss MC's character, assuming certain traits, but often overlook the genre tag. This is a comedic slice-of-life isekai series with a laid-back protagonist,尽管它包含动作和青春元素，但它们并非核心。 MC's mindset and actions are rooted in his Japanese background, decades of tranquility, and his profession as a game designer. He avoids conflict, violence, and unnecessary trouble, valuing order and respecting the rules, even when it comes to quests and scenarios.

Regarding the writing, it's essential to consider the book's inception in 2013. Back then, there were numerous isekai novels emerging, like "Tsuki," "No Game No Life," and "Arifureta." It's unlikely for the author to significantly alter their work just because it has become more common. That's the appeal of web novels – they evolve organically. If you prefer polished storytelling, light novels (LN) usually come later with refinement.

In conclusion, "Death March" may not be perfect, with its ups and downs, but it offers engaging moments and a unique experience. If you enjoy slower-paced stories, peaceful settings, relatable, non-arrogant protagonists, culinary scenes, fantasy creatures, and a touch of harem, despite the protagonist's attempts to downplay these aspects, this series is worth your time.