“Kanata Aldezia is a peerless genius, and everyone is waiting with bated breath for her to be blessed with the opportunity to be a Saint, the rarest and most honorable of professions. Little do they know that Kanata's got other plans—for her, it's Beast Tamer or bust! Illness kept her bedridden in her previous life, and she could only admire animals from the other side of a screen. This time, she's been reborn as a healthy and spry young girl…so nothing's going to stop her from petting all the fluffy critters she can!” (Yen Press)
There are manga that are one note, or more specifically, one gag, in their structure, building the entire story around a single concept. In the case of “Saint? No! I'm Just a Passing Beast Tamer,” the entirety of its narrative revolves around the protagonist's desire to befriend as many cute monsters as possible. Even carrying familiar tropes of an overpowered isekai, nothing beats the primal urge to ‘pet all the fluff.'
While one note, the team behind the project fully embraces the absurd and kawaii story elements. Consequently, what “Saint? No! I'm Just a Passing Beast Tamer” lacks in depth, it makes up for in entertainment value, particularly for those who love cute fantasy-driven comedies. Kanata's first tamed beast, a fluffy cat once a demon lord, establishes the tone the series will take with an aloof yet passionate girl, forming bonds with any creature regardless of their background and pulling them into her charms.
Enjoyment of these interactions is integral to the series over elements of fantasy or action. However, the title is present in both genres, with the world around Kanata and her furry companions feeling fully realized. Far from being original within the saturated genre, everything from the isekai story structure to the monster designs/confrontations will be serviceable for fans of the category–it may not be as prioritized as comedy and ‘cuteness,' but it is not neglected.
Visually, “Saint? No!” remains serviceable. The essential elements of the story, notably the cute creatures, are executed to ‘purrfection,' and iidatoy shows an understanding of comedic timing through expressive characters. Still, the work is what one would expect from a generic isekai story with little flair beyond the previously mentioned high points.
Readers who consume anything isekai will find “Saint? No! I'm Just a Passing Beast Tamer” serviceable, while those that emphasize cute stories/personas will likely get a bit more out of the series. The book delivers on its premise, and most readers will be able to tell from the synopsis whether the work will appeal to them. Still, if there is any reluctance and you want a push before diving in, the simple answer is… yes, “Saint? No! I'm Just a Passing Beast Tamer” is worth reading.
