English Dub Review: Reborn as a Space Mercenary: I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship! “First Space Colony Visit”

Overview

Based on the Japanese light novel series written by Ryūto and illustrated by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima, the story follows an avid gamer and office worker who mysteriously awakens aboard the incredibly powerful ASX-08 Krishna, a spaceship resembling one from his favorite sci-fi game, Stella Online. Accepting the video game moniker “Hiro,” he sets out to explore the stars as an interstellar mercenary, battling enemies and gathering a crew of female companions along the way. But with no home to call his own and, more importantly, no carbonated drinks. Video game Hiro decides to make the most of his new life by earning enough to buy a house on a planet while enjoying the adventures and opportunities this strange new world has to offer.

Our Take

For the series premiere of Reborn as a Space Mercenary, Hiro awakens in a futuristic galaxy aboard the ASX-08 Krishna, a spaceship from the game Stella Online that he once played on Earth. Quickly adapting to his new surroundings, he tests the ship’s weapons and defenses before getting caught up with some space pirates. Afterward, Hiro heads to a space station, where he encounters Serena and eventually decides to become a mercenary. He also meets Elma, an elf and fellow mercenary who becomes his first partner, while the episode establishes Hiro as a capable protagonist who isn’t afraid to step in when someone needs help.

The biggest appeal is its science-fiction setting, which gives the series a refreshing change from the usual medieval-fantasy isekai formula. While many familiar tropes are still present, the combination of spaceships, mercenaries, space pirates, and interstellar travel gives it a distinct flavor. Hiro is also an enjoyable protagonist so far, thanks to his intelligence, confidence, and surprisingly casual attitude toward being isekai’d. The space battles are easily the highlight, although the pacing and exposition can occasionally feel rushed. The animation is serviceable but somewhat limited, while FLOW’s opening is decent and the ending theme is less memorable.

Overall, Reborn as a Space Mercenary gets off to a decent and promising start. It may rely on plenty of familiar isekai conventions, but its space-opera setting helps it stand apart, and Hiro is likable enough to carry the story. There’s definitely potential here for an entertaining sci-fi adventure if the series can maintain its momentum. It may be isekai slop, but at least this time, the slop comes with lasers.