English Dub Season Review: The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat Season One

Based on the Japanese light novel series written by Rui Tsukiyo (Redo of Healer) and illustrated by Reia. The story follows a middle-aged yet highly skilled assassin who had sworn lifelong allegiance to the organization that raised him. However, despite his loyalty, that very same organization takes action to silence him, ultimately leading to his demise. Drowning in frustration and regret he can no longer suppress, he finds himself in an audience with a goddess attracted by his exceptional skills. The goddess offers him reincarnation into a magnificent world of swords and magic so he can perform a crucial mission: prevent that world’s destruction by slaying its hero.

Accepting the goddess’ request, he is reborn as Lugh Tuatha Dé, the son of a noble family of assassins serving the Alvan Kingdom. Under the guidance of his father, Lugh learns new assassination techniques that significantly differ from the cold-blooded and unsympathetic killing style of his previous life. Furthermore, his other talents bloom, allowing him to meet new allies and acquaintances. Even so, Lugh knows that his efforts are far from adequate because a monumental adversary such as “the Hero” can only be defeated with perfection.

On the technical side, Both the Audio & visuals are passable as the Anime itself is a joint effort between Animation Studios Silver Link and Studio Palette, in terms of quality have polished visuals with character designs and locales which all give off a very familiar feel for those who have seen previous fantasy/adventure Isekai stories. Katsuhiko Takayama reportedly wrote and oversaw the scripts, while Eri Nagata was in charge of character design. As for the sound, Kenichi Kuroda composed the music while the opening theme “Dark seeks light” performed by Yui Ninomiya, and the ending theme is “A Promise” performed by Aira Yūki are both catchy and atmospheric.

Much like in comics, movies, and various forms of media, the morally grey Anti-hero can be a great part of Anime if done correctly. They can push character decisions and motives past being a basic right or wrong. And as exemplified in shows like Death Note, Dexter, and Breaking Bad, they can allow the viewer to question their own sense of morals through the actions of another character. But sometimes anti-heroes are just included to look cool thanks to the popularity of characters like Golgo 13, and The Punisher, which is essentially an aspect World’s Finest Assassin attempts to predicate upon. He’s a professional assassin that never feels much attachment to the lives of others and is willing to do whatever is needed to complete a mission. In the new life he’s been reincarnated into, he almost has no consequences for using his newfound skills mixed with his memories knowledge, or experience because it wouldn’t be cool if a badass character suddenly cared about the act of taking a life, mostly because the people he kills are despicable individuals who rightfully deserve it.

Since his reincarnation, he’s been given a chance to feel emotions he wasn’t able to during the course of his past life yet he doesn’t stray away from his goal to eliminate this so-called “Hero” whom according to the Goddess/new benefactor claims that in the future will become an even greater evil after killing a certain monster which leaves more questions than answers of what that monster is and why the Goddess’s true intentions behind all of it. The supporting cast is also great in different ways, though are almost interchangeable minus their weapons and shitty upbringings with Maha having one of the worst upbringings next to Tarte, while Dia has it ok. The voice cast also does a decent job, especially Kyle Herbert (Kakyoin from Jojo: Stardust Crusaders.) voicing Lugh’s father who’s surprisingly understanding of his son’s goals despite how weird they seem.

Overall, World’s Finest Assassin seems to be nothing special in the genre of Isekai. with your by-the-numbers formula of a hyper-capable badass with anti-hero vibes surrounded by a bunch of cute girls for his harem. It has a dark theme from killing and torture, but fortunately, with the exception of the episode Residence of Girls, it doesn’t go to the extremes. And the fact that there’s still a lot to go with Lugh’s progressing goal is open-ended enough for a season 2 would be on the cards at some point, and given the post-credits stinger, I’m left wanting more…