KonoSuba

KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！) often referred to simply as KonoSuba, is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsume Akatsuki and illustrated by Kurone Mishima. The series follows Kazuma Satou, a boy who is sent to a fantasy world with MMORPG elements following his death, where he forms a dysfunctional adventuring party with a goddess, an archmage, and a crusader. Originally serialized as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō between December 2012 and October 2013, KonoSuba was published as a printed light novel series by Kadokawa Shoten under the company's Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint from October 2013 to May 2020. The light novel series features a divergent plot.

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Masahito Watari and Joseph Yokobori, began serialization in Fujimi Shobo's Monthly Dragon Age magazine in October 2014. A radio drama CD was released by HobiRecords in March 2015, and an anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Deen aired in Japan between January and March 2016. A second season of the anime aired between January and March 2017. A spin-off light novel series, KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, began publication from July 2014. Both the light novels and the manga are licensed in North America by Yen Press. An anime film adaptation produced by J.C.Staff, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson, premiered on August 30, 2019. An anime television series adaptation of KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, produced by Drive, aired from April to June 2023. A third season, also by Drive, aired from April to June 2024.

Premise
Following an untimely and embarrassing death, Kazuma Satou, a Japanese teenage shut-in NEET, meets a goddess named Aqua, who offers to reincarnate him in a parallel world with MMORPG elements, where he can go on adventures and battle monsters. Despite being offered a superpowered item or ability to use in this new world, Kazuma, following some provocation, chooses Aqua herself to accompany him to the town of Axel, quickly finding her absent-mindedness to be less than beneficial. With Aqua unable to return to the afterlife until the Devil King is defeated, the two form a party and recruit two other members; an explosion-obsessed magician named Megumin and a masochistic crusader named Darkness. Due to the party's dysfunctional abilities, Kazuma quickly gives up on the idea of defeating the Devil King and tries to live a comfortable lifestyle, only to find the circumstances of his daily life are forcing him and his party to encounter and battle the Devil King's generals.

Web novel
The original web novel series written by Natsume Akatsuki was published on Syosetu between December 2012 and October 2013. The author also wrote a side story featuring Wiz and Vanir. Akatsuki, who enjoyed playing fantasy video games like Wizardry and Final Fantasy, also derived much of KonoSuba fantasy elements from tabletop role-playing games.

Light novels
A light novel version with illustrations by Kurone Mishima was released under Kadokawa Shoten's Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint from October 1, 2013 to May 1, 2020. The light novel diverges significantly from the web novel's plot from the sixth volume onwards, and also features changes to the characters' ages. The final book in the series, Volume 17, contains information in its Afterword on possible future development that the teased "After Story" spin-offs might contain.

A Megumin-focused spin-off light novel series, also written and illustrated by Akatsuki and Mishima respectively, titled KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! (この素晴らしい世界に爆焔を！) and takes place a year prior to the main series, was released from July 1, 2014, to June 1, 2015 in three volumes. A two-volume sequel, KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Bonus Story, (続・この素晴らしい世界に爆焔を！) was released on December 28, 2016, and March 1, 2019. Another spin-off featuring Vanir was published on April 1, 2016, called Consulting With This Masked Devil! (この仮面の悪魔に相談を！) A third spin-off series titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Extra Attention to that Wonderful Fool! (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！エクストラ あの愚か者にも脚光を！) began publication on August 1, 2017. It is written by Hirukuma and illustrated by Uihime Hagure, and features Dust as the central character.

Yen Press announced on May 20, 2016, that it had licensed the light novels for release in North America. The first volume was released in conjunction with the second manga volume on February 21, 2017. On June 20, 2023, Yen Audio released the first volume of the light novel as an audiobook.

Manga
A manga adaptation of KonoSuba illustrated by Masahito Watari began serialization in the October 2014 issue of Fujimi Shobo's Monthly Dragon Age magazine on September 9, 2014. As of June 7, 2024, nineteen tankōbon volumes have been released.

A manga adaptation of the KonoSuba Fantastic Days smartphone game by Kasumi Morino began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive magazine on March 26, 2022.

Yen Press announced its acquisition of the manga adaptation at the same time that it licensed the original light novels.

Anime
An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Deen aired on Tokyo MX between January 14, 2016, and March 16, 2016; later broadcasting on eight other networks and several video on demand streaming networks. The series was simulcast by Crunchyroll in several regions such as North America, and by AnimeLab in Australia. The series was directed by Takaomi Kanasaki and written by Makoto Uezu with character designs by Koichi Kikuta. An original video animation (OVA) was bundled with the ninth light novel of KonoSuba in June 2016. The anime's opening theme is "Fantastic Dreamer" by Machico while the ending theme is "Chīsana Bōken-sha" (ちいさな冒険者) performed by Aqua (Sora Amamiya), Megumin (Rie Takahashi), and Darkness (Ai Kayano). On January 7, 2019, Crunchyroll announced that the series would receive an English dub. The first season's dub made its debut on January 25, 2019, with the second season's dub being released on February 25, 2020. Discotek Media released the first season on Blu-ray in North America on May 25, 2020.

The series was animated by Koichi Kikuta and Momoka Komatsu, with the former working on odd-numbered episodes and the latter on even-numbered. While Komatsu's character designs closely resembled those of the light novels and had more attractive appearances, Kikuta based his designs on children's shows like Pokémon as he felt KonoSuba story was similar to those found in such shows.

A second season aired between January 12, 2017, and March 16, 2017. The second season's opening theme is "Tomorrow" by Machico, and the ending theme is "Ouchi ni Kaeritai" (お家に帰りたい) by Aqua (Amamiya), Megumin (Takahashi), and Darkness (Kayano). Crunchyroll later added the second season. A second OVA was bundled with the twelfth volume of KonoSuba in July 2017. Discotek Media will release the second season on Blu-ray in North America in 2021.

On July 25, 2017, Jun Fukushima and Takahashi, the voice actors of Kazuma and Megumin respectively, announced plans for a new KonoSuba anime project, later revealed to be a new movie, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson.

On October 6, 2018, it was announced that characters from KonoSuba would appear in Isekai Quartet, a crossover anime also featuring characters from Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, Overlord, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil.

On July 18, 2021, the official Twitter account for the KonoSuba anime confirmed that a new anime project was in production. The project was later revealed to be both a third season of the main series and an anime television series adaptation of KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!. Both series were produced by Drive and directed by Yujiro Abe, with chief direction by Takaomi Kanasaki. The rest of the main staff returned from previous seasons. KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! aired from April 6 to June 22, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme is "Stay Free" by Machico, while the ending theme is "Jump In" by Megumin (Takahashi) and Yunyun (Aki Toyosaki).

The third season aired from April 10 to June 19, 2024 on Tokyo MX and other networks. The opening theme is "Growing Up" by Machico, while the ending theme is "Ano Hi no Mama no Bokura" (あの日のままのぼくら) by Aqua (Amamiya), Megumin (Takahashi), and Darkness (Kayano). Crunchyroll also licensed both series.

Theatrical film
On June 25, 2018, a film adaptation was announced to be in development at J.C.Staff. The cast and staff reprised their roles from the TV series. The film is titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！紅伝説) and it premiered in Japan on August 30, 2019. Crunchyroll began streaming the English subtitled and English dub version on March 25, 2020, and on January 1, 2021, respectively.

Video games
A PC video game developed by game creator Tachi, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! In The Life, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！in the life) is bundled with the first Blu-ray/DVD volume of the anime series on March 25, 2016. The game is developed using the software RPG Maker VX Ace. Another video game, created by Team Ladybug and Krobon, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Revival of Beldia, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！復活のベルディア) is bundled with the limited edition of first Blu-ray/DVD volume of the anime series' second season and was released on April 28, 2017. The game is a side-scroller with gameplay resembling the Mega Man series.

A visual novel adaptation for PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Judgment on this Greedy Game!, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！ -この欲深いゲームに審判を！) was developed and published by 5pb., and was released in Japan on September 7, 2017. The game features an original story, in which Kazuma discovers a cursed ring that allows him to steal the underwear of others near him. He learns the only way to undo the curse would be by raising enough money. Judgment on this Greedy Game! introduces an "Underwear Judgment" system, where the player assists Kazuma in returning lost underwear to its rightful owner. Like the anime, Machico performed the opening "Million Smile", while Amamiya, Takahashi, and Kayano sang the game's ending theme "101 Pikime no Hitsuji". A Nintendo Switch port of the game was released on the Nintendo eShop on December 17, 2020.

The sequel to ''KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Judgment on this Greedy Game!'', a visual novel with outfit crafting mechanics, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Love For These Clothes Of Desire! (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！～この欲望の衣装に寵愛を～) was released on September 24, 2020, for the PS4 and Switch in Japan. The game features a story where Kazuma's party discovers a slab that can create clothing but curses them with personality changes in exchange. A western release of the game, including a Microsoft Windows port, came out on February 8, 2024.

A dungeon crawler game for the PS4 and Vita, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Labyrinth of Hope and the Gathering of Adventurers!, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！～希望の迷宮と集いし冒険者たち～) was released in Japan on June 27, 2019. An updated version of the game, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Labyrinth of Hope and the Gathering of Adventurers! Plus, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！～希望の迷宮と集いし冒険者たち～Plus) was released in Japan on August 27, 2020, for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. A dungeon RPG, KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! Cursed Relic and the Perplexed Adventurers, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！～呪いの遺物と惑いし冒険者たち～) was released for PS4 and Switch in 2022.

A mobile gacha RPG titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Fantastic Days (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！ファンタスティックデイズ) was released for iOS and Android devices on February 27, 2020. It was developed by CyberAgent subsidiaries Sumzap, with Nexon Korea handled the global release, in which the mobile game launched worldwide outside Japan on August 19, 2021. The latter announced that they've transferred the global publishing rights over to Sesisoft, which took effect on June 1, 2023.

Audio CDs
A radio drama CD, featuring a different voice cast to the anime, was released by HobiRecords on March 1, 2015. A second drama CD, along with an original soundtrack by Kouda Masato and a character song album, was released in March 2017.

Popularity
The KonoSuba light novels have been quite popular. By March 2, 2016, the 11-volume series had a total of 1.5 million copies in print, each volume selling 136,000 copies. In January 2018, the light novel series ranked first among the top 50 best selling digital manga and light novels in worldwide stores by BookWalker. By February 2019, the light novels had 6.5 million copies in print. In a review of the first novel, Andy Hanley praised the series' comedy reflected in the "tired genre" as well as its cast finding them appealing based on their traits. However, Hanley criticized the short length of the first volume. The series won BookWalker's 2016 Grand Prix Award.

In 2016, the anime was voted as the tenth-best TV anime in the Newtype 2015–16 Awards. KonoSuba also finished runner-up for Best Comedy in the Crunchyroll's Anime Awards 2016 to Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto. In 2019, the anime won "Isekai Series of the Decade" at the Funimation's Decade of Anime poll, where the fans voted for their favorite anime across multiple categories.

Critical response
Like its light novel counterpart, the anime has received positive reception for its comedy, parody of the isekai genre, and faithful adaptation of the light novels. Reviewing the first few episodes, Anime News Network (ANN)'s Theron Martin described the second episode as "the funniest episode of anime I have seen since Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun aired", while also praising the series' musical score. The voice acting has also been a subject of praise; Nick Creamer of ANN commended Sora Amamiya and Rie Takahashi's roles as Aqua and Megumin for the energy provided in their performances, while Martin applauded Jun Fukushima for his work in voicing Kazuma, considering his dry tone an additional factor in the show's humor.

From the Legend of Crimson's release in Japan, Daryl Harding, writing for Crunchyroll News praised the story and comedy of the film noting that the "classic humor of (the TV series) translates well to a film runtime." Daryl Harding did criticise the film by stating that "It doesn't look too different than the TV series" even with "more effects placed over the animation during scenes of explosive magic."

In contrast, a common criticism of the anime was its inconsistent character animation, one that was described as "low budget" as characters appeared off-model. Koichi Kikuta responded by stating such design was intentional, hoping to "bring out the individuality of each character" rather than the prettier artwork in the light novels; to do this, Kikuta's animation displayed "their more human sides, like their unflattering traits and their distressed moments." Crunchyroll's Kim Morrissy considered the animation to be humorous, especially fitting in a comedic anime. Kotaku writer Richard Eisenbeis explained much of the series' humor derives from the deconstruction of Kazuma's hopes of becoming the hero of a fantasy world, instead realizing he is forced to struggle his way through the world. Comparing Kazuma's problems in a fantasy world to those in real life, Creamer wrote about a sense of relatability between the series' protagonists and the audience, as the party deals with issues like debt and taking questionable jobs because of high pay. On a critical note, Creamer disapproved of Kazuma's negative attitude, which he felt harmed the comedy in the series.

KonoSuba characters, especially those in Kazuma's party, have garnered favorable reactions in the anime community. Creamer described the group as possessing a "strange but endearing chemistry," as the members are unfriendly with one another, yet are close. Morrissy added the party's "emotional bond is also evident in the ways they interact with each other. My favorite thing about the anime is that it takes the time to draw these nuances out onscreen and express them with visual flair." Megumin in particular has been considered one of the series' most popular characters, winning Sneaker Bunko's official Favorite KonoSuba Character poll. She was also the sixth-highest vote in Newtype 2015–16 Awards for Best Female Character (Kazuma was third in the male category) and received the most "Other" votes in the Best Girl category in Crunchyroll's Anime Awards 2016. In an interview with internet personality The Anime Man, Natsume Akatsuki described Megumin as giving off "a pure and elegant atmosphere" like one of an anime heroine or waifu, hence her popularity among fans.