×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more

Forum - View topic
Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement (TV).


Goto page Previous  1, 2

Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Series Discussion
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Harleyquin



Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 2961
PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:58 am Reply with quote
Blood- wrote:
Ah yes, the scooter, I had forgotten about that. I decided to look at the scooter scene again and got a nice little inadvertent easter egg as a bonus. That scene from episode 2 shows her teleporting to the new world and then driving her scooter through a path in a forest. She sees four figures ahead and of course cannot let them see her with the scooter so has to hastily teleport back to Earth before one of them turns around.

And who were the four, you (may) ask? Why none other than the mercenaries she hired in episode 7 to take her gathering/hunting. I didn't make the connection until this rewatch.


Nor did I. As it's the same party and none of them are mages, then Mitsuha has yet to meet a magic-user in the new world. Even though she had teased the archer for being one as she's the most likely to get around with a big floppy hat.

Despite this, the new world inhabitants treat Mitusha like a witch because of her modern conveniences. So does magic actually exist in the new world?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 24136
PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 12:54 pm Reply with quote
I think a definitive answer to the question of whether magic exists in this new world will have to wait for future episodes. I believe the only evidence of magic we've seen so far is Mitsuha creating the sculptures (if you set aside her ability to heal quickly and know languages which were abilities bequeathed to her by the energy being) and even that "magic" is represented somewhat ambivalently. I went back and rewatched those scenes and what we see is Mitsuha touching a rock wall, imagining a certain kind of statue (i.e. Venus de Milo with arms) and then teleporting back to her room and the statue is there. In other words, it does not seem she is "creating" the statues in the new world and THEN teleporting them to Earth.

After all, If she was able to create the statues in the new world, presumably she would just teleport them from the rock wall back to her shop directly. The implication seems to be that she needs to touch the rock wall, imagine a certain image, teleport to Earth and then - somehow - a version of the sculpture appears on Earth. Not clear at all, imo.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 24136
PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:44 pm Reply with quote
Episode 8

Wait... so... Mitsuha opens a store... and FORGETS to put a sign out front??? I'm starting to think our gal is a little bit ditzy. No matter. Ditzy or not, Mitsuha continues to amass an impressive collection of powerful allies, this time right at the very top of the country's governing elite. Well done. She had the chutzpah to turn an audience with the king who simply wanted to convey his thanks and appreciation into an impromptu sales pitch for glasses. Very enterprising. I'd say that 80,000 gold goal is in the bag.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Harleyquin



Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 2961
PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:13 pm Reply with quote
#8

Is it any surprise that a rank beginner at running a business would forget to put up a sign advertising her shop's name? What irritates me more is that I failed to consider that as the reason why her shop did so badly on the first few days. Naturally, since people walking past her shop wouldn't know it was one unless they went inside. So I'm just as bad as doing business as she is on that front.

Mitsuha is undeniably lucky, but the way she seizes opportunities could use a bit more polish. There's a lot of cringe-worthy comedy moments in this episode, as well as more standard comedy to keep viewers laughing. Confronting the traffickers with her act was a classic case of the former, while seeing the Adler Trading Company get its comeuppance was the latter.

Mitsuha is DEFINITELY weak to young noble ladies with a penchant for abusing their position and status to get what they want. Sabine is a more dangerous version of Adelaide and Beatrice who has her father, the King, wrapped around her little finger. Yet she spends most of her time watching magical girl shows and period dramas with Mitsuha when she can slip her escorts. Granted, her daily visits bought Mitsuha the ultimate protection she could ever need for her store, but it appears Sabine is having a detrimental effect on her customers.

Mitsuha is definitely getting better at taking advantage of potential opportunities. Her presumption that the King was elderly and might need a reading aid turned out to be on the mark, so a hard sell despite the visit not being outwardly a commercial opportunity is an opportunity well grasped. She even made it a point that she's happy to be in a conventional commercial relationship but will not be bought out or dictated to. So if the King wants another company to take over the royal warrant he'll have to consider Mitsuha more carefully if she's going to be a candidate.

As an aside, the King sounded very familiar. Turns out it's Hayami Shou, who's quite the heavyweight in his industry. Looks like viewers will be hearing him a bit more as his arc isn't quite finished yet, which I don't mind since I like the way he's portraying this character.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 24136
PostPosted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 5:48 pm Reply with quote
Episode 9

Mitsuha has occasion to resume her consultation business and achieves her objectives with typical aplomb. I was wondering when we would get a glimpse of Colette again and we did. Looks like next order of business will be for Our Gal to sort out this monster business that's interfering with distribution channels. No rest for the weary.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Harleyquin



Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 2961
PostPosted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 9:22 pm Reply with quote
#9

It seems like a self-contained episode where Mitsuha receives another commission for her consulting service. It's the usual fare; Mitsuha figures out the situation, implements a detailed plan to resolve the problem and gets a fair bit of luck along the way in getting her resolution (and her pay).

What I do like about this episode is its construction. The commission is a result of Mitsuha actually putting up a signboard for her premises, so it feels more organic to get a commission instead of walk-ins into an unmarked store. Also, the commission is the exact opposite of the catering job she did previously which was meant for the nobility and came out of the blue from Marcel being a walk-in customer. Because Mitsuha has credit, reputation and connections from all of her previous experiences, she is able to call on them all to help make the job a success. Because it's Mitsuha, she's liable to make a mistake somewhere and this time it's in the matchmaking aspect. Deus Ex Machina resolves the issue, but it's fun seeing the bullying restaurateur get the tables turned on him with Mitsuha's connections putting the squeeze on.

Another part of the construction I liked was the casual conversation about logistics being hampered by monsters overheard by Mitsuha during her commission. She has noted it down, but it's reiterated at the end of the episode with the letter to Collette and the ominous marching monster army. Setting up the next story arc while keeping previous episodes in the frame is an effective method of maintaining continuity, and it also introduces an element of danger which Mitsuha hasn't really faced in this series to date. If the monsters win, Mitsuha and everyone else she knows loses everything. Will her PMC training finally be brought into play in a real-life military operation? After all, this week she earned just a single gold coin despite the effort put in, even though she was happy with the experience and the non-material benefits wrought from this week's success.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 24136
PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 5:22 pm Reply with quote
Episode 10

Well, the cat's out of the bag thanks to Mitsuha's desperation to save on of the Bezos lads. Suddenly, we are in GATE territory - sort of. Personally, I wish there were more "modern soldiers in fantasy settings" shows out there because I really dig that premise. GATE and Drifters are the only two examples I can think of off hand, but there may be more.

Anyway, I don't quite get why the goblins don't seem to be overly affected by bullets. The captain said that they don't understand they've been shot but I'm not sure why you would need to "understand" the concept of being shot to be affected by it. I would have thought your perforated body and mangled innards would have provided all the understanding you'd need.

Anyway looking forward to when Mitsuha manages to get a lot more soldiers and modern weaponry to the other world. Should be an amusing bloodbath.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Harleyquin



Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 2961
PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:06 pm Reply with quote
#10

Not since the first few episodes has Mitsuha actually had to fight for her right to survive. Now she finds herself in the same life-threatening situation, but she has backup and the stakes are much higher. That squad of goblins is dangerous because they aren't humans and aren't suppressed by pain or gunfire, so how long will it take for the pair of them to aim for the human squad leader and then go for the heads of the goblins?

Using gunfire to save herself in the public eye might have finally blown her cover for good, as did her over-the-top monologue when she got up. Well, she said she's done being conservative, so she's going to work towards the short-term and worry about the mid and long-term consequences of all those uncomfortable questions later. She might not have any questions to answer if the kingdom falls anyway, so she'll do everything to save her retirement plan even if it means taking a big loss for now to stave off disaster.

If she gets out of her scrap with the goblins together with the PMC leader, then the tables will definitely be turned since the PMC leader will take her commission and bring along the rest of his team for the 40,000 gold commission. He already fences her gold so knows how much it is, it was only a question of getting him on board which she effectively has provided they survive. It is going to be very fun seeing the mismatch in military technology on the battlefield, since quantity means nothing in this match-up. Her only limitation is how much teleportation she can do with the limited time she has, since there's no limit to what she can bring with her (just sit in a truck loaded with weapons and that's supplies done).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TarsTarkas



Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 5925
Location: Virginia, United States
PostPosted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 8:45 pm Reply with quote
Episode 11

Well that was interesting. Just when you thought everything was over, they bring that over thing.

Though an interesting question, is how in the hell did the Empire acquire that.

Pity episode 12 is the last one, hopefully there will be a sequel season.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 24136
PostPosted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:35 am Reply with quote
Oh yeah, baby, that's the stuff! As I say, I really don't know why there aren't more "modern warfare in a fantasy setting" shows because they seem like such a natural. I was perfectly fine with the show when it was about Mitsuha making a buck, but I completely embrace this new, exciting direction. I do wonder a bit about her fashion choice when having a General Patton moment, but hey, she pulled it off. I think shooting a negotiating envoy is dirty pool even if your opponent is not honourable themselves. Anyway, I wonder if the mercs happen to have a Stinger missile or two with them because I'm not sure the auto-cannon will be enough to deal with that (presumptive) Final Boss...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Harleyquin



Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 2961
PostPosted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:08 am Reply with quote
#11

Getting out of the initial fix with the monster horde took longer than expected. If the pair went for the monster handler, it might have finished sooner. Probably the human sat at the back and the fireworks only made their mark when most of the horde had run. Either way, they needed to survive that initial confrontation so that the big payoff for last week's setup could be played out.

The speech might be a ripoff, but she's still the one who has to deliver it properly. That said, she makes her own luck when given the opportunity and the resources to exploit it. It's like the Civilization games where advanced players end up matching their units several eras ahead in technology against barbarians with clubs; seeing just 61 PMC mercenaries absolutely decimate the morale and loyalties of 20,000 enemy humans and monsters is very satisfying. They don't even need human fatalities: just incapacitating the career soldiers is enough to collapse command structure and morale. Decimating the wyvern squadron with their "God" was an especially devastating move.

However, if next week is the final episode then there is one final obstacle to overcome. Mitsuha has always been poor at reacting to surprises and has never really learnt about her new surroundings in depth. Now that the element of surprise is turned against the PMCs, this is more or less what determines the defence of the capital. The PMCs won't be too keen on having fire breathed on them, so if the capital is to be saved it is the guild adventurers who helped out Mitsuha who could lend a hand. I'd expect they would know what they're facing and are probably the only ones remaining who can tell Wolf Fang what to aim for. Pull it off, and they'll gain the "Dragonslayer" accolade to their list of achievements in addition to their pay. I reckon the PMC commander is going to make more on the side by asking Mitsuha to transport a few of the fantasy beast carcasses for sale to Harvard and the other universities.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Harleyquin



Joined: 29 May 2014
Posts: 2961
PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:16 pm Reply with quote
#12 END

It wasn't a cakewalk, but somehow a modern PMC company forced an ancient dragon to flee the battlefield, if not incapacitating or killing it. Nothing drops morale more drastically than the flight of the enemy general, so the imperial soldiers unsurprisingly fled en-masse with a bit of suppressive fire. Bullets meant for modern armour apparently pierce dragon hide all the same, while the RPG into the throat must have been the critical hit needed to force fear into the target. Again Mitsuha using her teleportation powers to great effect, but getting the entire PMC on side was crucial to have the ammunition to finish the job.

Mitsuha has actually helped a lot of people out in the new world, as well as quite a few in her own world. The PMC company won't quit, but they were well compensated for their efforts and even secured a future revenue stream for insurance. The commander is a surprisingly honourable man, and it wouldn't surprise me if he's secretly looking forward to more commissions from Mitsuha moving forward.

It's very rare for an entire medieval kingdom to pool its resources together willingly for a single cause. Without the nobles chipping in, Mitsuha would have fallen short of her contract. She definitely needed to play up the sob story for everything it was worth, but the gamble paid off in the end. She even wins a noble title, which is why she transferred the shop running to someone else (I don't think she sold it, more like she's too busy running her own lands to run the shop personally. She can easily ask someone else to man the shop for her and continue to run it as a business as an absentee owner).

Although Collette didn't feature too much after the first few episodes, it's nice of Mitsuha to remember the favour she owed for her life being saved. Assuming Collette doesn't break too many bones with her hugs, she'll do a good job being Mitsuha's retainer.

All in all, a pleasantly entertaining Isekai story. Quite a few plot holes and Deus Ex Machina moments, but Mitsuha is an endearing protagonist and watching her overcome the obstacles standing against her has been good fun. Modern technology being introduced into a medieval fantasy world is not a new trope, but the way it's done in this series brings a lot of laughs as Mitsuha struggles to explain away the gaps in her usually meticulous plans. They've left room for a sequel if there is one, but if this is only a standalone series it's done its job at entertaining viewers.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
smurky turkey



Joined: 30 Jan 2022
Posts: 2634
PostPosted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:09 am Reply with quote
It was a solid anime and I like how Mitsuha is at the same time willing to lend a hand to those in need and be a bit conniving to rake in the gold. I doubt that it will get a second season, so I am glad that they ended it at a good point.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Blood-
Bargain Hunter



Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 24136
PostPosted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:24 am Reply with quote
Well, Harleyquin's earlier question of whether magic exists in this world has been answered... sort of. At the very least, we know that Ancient Great Dragons have a magical breath attack and can employ a magical shield.

A very satisfying ending. Our favourite little money grubber is well on her way to that 80,000 gold despite her claim that the fight is only "starting." I certainly wouldn't bet against her given her track record thus far. I've rated this show as Good to reflect the entertainment value I derived from it after a bit of a rocky start. I would certainly invest my time in any future sequels if they materialize.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message My Anime My Manga
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Anime News Network Forum Index -> General -> Series Discussion All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2
Page 2 of 2

 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group