“Kaede Honjou has never been much of a gamer. So when her best friend, Risa, ropes her into trying out the hit new VRMMO NewWorld Online, her biggest concern is…whether it will hurt! Her solution? To dump all her stat points into defense! She may not have anything in the way of magic, agility, or strength, but her extreme build transforms her from a total noob into a nigh-invulnerable walking fortress the game's admins never accounted for!” (Yen Press)
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Celebrating the world of Japanese RPG's, specifically those that allow freedom in creation, “Bofuri” is one of many comedies framed by the world of gaming. However, where it offers a nice deviation from the normal, hero-driven narratives is in the character's outsider status and her humorous interpretation of the game that sees the naive newb inadvertently finding a new route to being ‘OP'. An accidental hero who is not aware of her infamy, the series offers a nice comedic take on a familiar formula that has garnered the series a modest following (season 2 of anime set for 2022 release).
With the light novel currently available through Yen Press, it poses the questions as to which format is bound to harbor greater appeal. Often the case, the novel tends to have both greater depth and push further into the story than its manga counterpart. However, as great as the light novel was, there is a case for the manga to be the best way to consume the series. Not overlooking key elements of the story and keeping a similar pace, the adaptation captures the kawaii appeal while hitting important plot points . Essentially, if you are already smitten with “Bofuri”, whether it be through anime or light novel, the manga acts as a wonderful quick dive into the colorful world Yuumikan has crafted.
Unfortunately, there is one major downside with the art of Jirou Oimoto. Undeniably, the artist succeeds in capturing the ‘kawaii' aesthetic of fashionable dungeon gear and the adorable relationship between Kaeda and Risa. However, the fantasy elements are utterly underwhelming with the ‘big baddies', and the subsequent fights feeling utterly uninspired. There is a case to be made that the strongest attribute of the series, character development and interactions, does hit the mark, but it is hard to deny the fantasy elements of the work are so… boring. Ultimately, most people coming to the series (new or old fans) should find the artwork serviceable – just don't expect to be blown away.
Cute, comedic and a love-letter to RPGs that embraces players to explore off the beaten path, Yuumikan's “Bofuri” feels deserved of its many adaptation and subsequent success. Furthermore, the manga acts as a quick dive into all the title's adorable attributes and delivers it in a punchy manner. A great addition, or perfect starting point, “Bofuri” manga adaptation is bound to entertain.
