English Dub Review: Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life? “You Said I’d Get a Do-Over in a New World!”

 

 

 

Overview

Reincarnated heroine Mile takes her first steps into a new adventure, finding convenient comrades and mischevious schemes along the way.

Our Take

One look at the title of this show and its egregious length, you would assume this is another isekai/light novel rodeo. And you would technically be correct because this is is an isekai show based upon a light novel. It has all the elements of an isekai, but to me, it seems it’s only wearing them as a sort of disguise. Personally, this seems it will be more like a cutesy light-hearted comedy. Depending on who you are though, that may be a good or bad thing.

We’re introduced to all of our characters in the stereotypical isekai fashion. A young, reincarnated, and magical heroine takes her first steps into a big city in a fantasy world. She conveniently bumps into a bunch of different people who she will end up forming an adventuring party with. That’s how it goes, but it doesn’t serve quite the same function. 

Usually, when the protagonist bumps into a future party member, we learn a little bit about them. A few key character traits and some sort of motivation. Here, when our heroine, Mile, bumps into a future comrade, we get a bunch of jokes, many of them made by the other characters at Mile’s expense. These introductions don’t show why or how the characters will fit into the party, but rather establish the comedic role they will serve.

In fact, the entire plot of this first episode is paper-thin at best. The main source of conflict seems rather dire at first but eventually devolves into a vapid ruse that’s set up for a couple of dumb jokes. In the end, Mile leaves the town and heads to where the actual plot is going to take place. All of this is just a setpiece used to introduce the characters as fast as possible, and with as many opportunities for some quick laughs. 

Furthermore, Mile herself serves as both an overpowered protagonist and a comedic conduit. But for the most part, so far at least, the latter is taking priority over the former. She is very self-aware and breaks the fourth wall a couple of times. Even her overpowered magical abilities are levied in a comedic manner, as one might derive from the title. 

These sudden bouts of comedy are what comprise most of the content in this first episode. This is why I would move the needle for this show towards comedy. All of the jokes are bookended by persistent character deficiencies and cute faces, lending it a very light-hearted vibe. There are hints of intrigue towards Mile and her mysteriously powerful magic, but this is clearly not the priority right now. 

Perhaps the rest of the show will contain more action and insight into the fantastical elements of this world. But if I’m being honest I don’t mind the surprise change of genre, nor the change of pace from typical isekai devices.