I’m continuing on my journey through Ascendance of a Bookworm. I’ve finished Volume 2 Part 1 and am about 3/4ths of the way through Part 2. It has been every bit as enjoyable as I expected it to be, even if the art isn’t as good as Llo’s (kidding).
I think the most surprising things for me are the differences between the anime and the book. The anime does a pretty good job of hitting all the main plot points but the amount of extra details in the book are so cool! For instance, the anime barely shows you how bad the orphanage is prior to Myne’s arrival whereas in the book you get to really feel how abysmally terrifying it had become. Additionally there are a lot more inventions Myne creates in the book that you never see in the anime. And I always thought Delia was an interesting character but she’s quickly become a dark-horse favorite of mine. Finally, High Priest Ferdinand shows a lot more emotion in the book when speaking privately with Myne. I feel like in the anime he was always stoic even in private but when she hands him the book that was a great moment. Speaking of book and inventions, the book process was very different from the anime as well!
There have been so many differences that it honestly feels like I’m reading “Ascendance of a Bookworm: Extended Director’s Cut”. Also Myne’s “Bwah?” is becoming as endearing as Fran’s “Hmm” and I like that.
I think you can see why so many source readers dislike the anime adaptation. It’s not bad but it’s lacking in every department. Endearing character traits are just not there, details that are essential to the world-building get cut, and tonal shifts to make the anime more lighthearted where the source always did a balancing act between depressingly dark and laugh-out-loud funny. I think the anime adaptation does a terrible job at representing the books. Which is really okay for source readers to see the scenes animated, but it’s bad for people for whom this is their first contact.
That all being said, I look forward to the next season animated by Studio WIT. I hope they will not treat it as something that’s delegated to the apprentices to make some quick cash but something to sic their A-Team on!
Yeah. I wouldn’t say the anime is bad but it does water it down a whole lot. I guess it’s how I feel about the Reincarnated as a Sword anime vs the LN since the LN is significantly better. Like, Ferdinand’s behavior makes a LOT more sense in the book since you get to see more of his character and emotions. Likewise for Benno when Myne collapses and Mark has to remind Benno that she’s not someone else (trying to be vague to avoid spoilers). It really drive the point home how much Myne is walking this fine line and every moment she’s on the verge of absolute disaster but somehow making it through with help. Ferdinand’s interpretation of the dream world was also significantly better in the book since he was more baffled, confused, and made incorrect assumptions. Just a lot more depth overall.
I really can’t wait until I get through the Temple arc and start reading completely new material. I’m also glad I decided to start this series from Book 1 Part 1 rather than just try to pick up where the anime left off. Past experience has told me that the book is almost always better.
I’m continuing on my journey through Ascendance of a Bookworm. I’ve finished Volume 2 Part 1 and am about 3/4ths of the way through Part 2. It has been every bit as enjoyable as I expected it to be, even if the art isn’t as good as Llo’s (kidding).
I think the most surprising things for me are the differences between the anime and the book. The anime does a pretty good job of hitting all the main plot points but the amount of extra details in the book are so cool! For instance, the anime barely shows you how bad the orphanage is prior to Myne’s arrival whereas in the book you get to really feel how abysmally terrifying it had become. Additionally there are a lot more inventions Myne creates in the book that you never see in the anime. And I always thought Delia was an interesting character but she’s quickly become a dark-horse favorite of mine. Finally, High Priest Ferdinand shows a lot more emotion in the book when speaking privately with Myne. I feel like in the anime he was always stoic even in private but when she hands him the book that was a great moment. Speaking of book and inventions, the book process was very different from the anime as well!
There have been so many differences that it honestly feels like I’m reading “Ascendance of a Bookworm: Extended Director’s Cut”. Also Myne’s “Bwah?” is becoming as endearing as Fran’s “Hmm” and I like that.
I think you can see why so many source readers dislike the anime adaptation. It’s not bad but it’s lacking in every department. Endearing character traits are just not there, details that are essential to the world-building get cut, and tonal shifts to make the anime more lighthearted where the source always did a balancing act between depressingly dark and laugh-out-loud funny. I think the anime adaptation does a terrible job at representing the books. Which is really okay for source readers to see the scenes animated, but it’s bad for people for whom this is their first contact.
That all being said, I look forward to the next season animated by Studio WIT. I hope they will not treat it as something that’s delegated to the apprentices to make some quick cash but something to sic their A-Team on!
Yeah. I wouldn’t say the anime is bad but it does water it down a whole lot. I guess it’s how I feel about the Reincarnated as a Sword anime vs the LN since the LN is significantly better. Like, Ferdinand’s behavior makes a LOT more sense in the book since you get to see more of his character and emotions. Likewise for Benno when Myne collapses and Mark has to remind Benno that she’s not someone else (trying to be vague to avoid spoilers). It really drive the point home how much Myne is walking this fine line and every moment she’s on the verge of absolute disaster but somehow making it through with help. Ferdinand’s interpretation of the dream world was also significantly better in the book since he was more baffled, confused, and made incorrect assumptions. Just a lot more depth overall.
I really can’t wait until I get through the Temple arc and start reading completely new material. I’m also glad I decided to start this series from Book 1 Part 1 rather than just try to pick up where the anime left off. Past experience has told me that the book is almost always better.
The good thing is that each volume gets progressively better, so you’re in for a ride.