“The Trials of Chiyodaku” official synopsis from Yen Press: “Akuto lives a normal life, often dreaming of traveling to fantasy worlds and having adventures. To his surprise, his dream comes true, but this other world isn’t quite what he expected. The magical land of Chiyodaku doesn’t need a champion—it needs someone to oversee court trials. Fortunately, his older sister, Tsukasa, happens to be Japan’s greatest judge. And although she knows nothing about sorcery and monsters, that’s Akuto’s area of expertise as a game-obsessed high schooler. Together, they’re the perfect team to bring justice to the kingdom—at least they’d better be, because one of their first cases is a murder trial…and the Hero is the accused!”
Winner of the 16th MF Bunko J Light Novel Newcomer Award, Fukurou Kogyoku certainly makes an impressive debut with a mash-up of genres. It is a little bit legal thriller, a little bit fantasy, and humorous throughout. This format, spread across several trials in the inaugural volume, sets the groundwork for subsequent volumes, keeping an upbeat, episodic approach that makes the light novel a quick page-turner. Still, readers new to the series may want an idea of what they are getting into before picking up a copy.
“The Trials of Chiyodaku” won’t appease fans of serious drama or those looking to explore the Japanese court system; Fukurou Kogyoku comes across as more of an avid fan of the legal system as opposed to an authoritative voice. The only other undesirable element that will keep a few away is the abundant fan service on the pages. This includes a peculiar twist of an older sister becoming a younger sister due to fantasy magic leading to awkward interactions between the siblings; youthful sexuality and big breasts are a constant distraction for our protganist.
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The above are minor hiccups (or a welcome familiarity) for most light novel fans, and what is left after pushing those elements aside is exceptionally entertaining. The worldbuilding, in particular, offers a lively fantasy world new to light novels, integrating aspects of Japanese culture into familiar fantasy tropes. Seeing a myriad of mystical creatures fawning over Japanese culture, from fashion to video games, is consistently humorous and often adorable. On the comedic side, this includes the implied kingdom lore of the previous king passing after spending too much time masturbating while playing erotic games.
The comedy is quick to break the fourth wall by speaking directly to the reader, but this quirk is used in moderation. This means it is not an annoyance or a crutch, and Fukurou Kogyoku has impeccable timing to make the jokes land with a quick wink and nod to the audience. “The Trials of Chiyodaku” further shines in the trials, transforming the courtroom into a battlefield thanks to the otherworld’s magic. The trial of the hero, in particular, which closes out the inaugural volume, highlights Kogyoku’s ability to reimagine the Japanese legal system with a fantasy twist.
The translation work from Genevieve Hill-Kaminishi deserves special note for this edition. The series is simple to approach and immersive, even when discussing legal terminology and multiple aspects of Japanese culture. Nothing here feels forced, and no apparent liberties are taken from the source to appease Western sentiments.
The artwork from jonsun is serviceable, capturing the characters’ persona well but doing little to build on the unique world that Fukurou Kogyoku crafts in the courtroom and the Japanese-obsessed city. The novel also lacks any flair, like a pull-out poster. As such, collectors who buy digital and physical copies of light novels won’t feel they are missing out if they opt for the eBook.
“The Trials of Chiyodaku” is a series you can pick up casually, have a blast with, and easily integrate into your reading rotation due to its charming, episodic approach. It is nothing groundbreaking and unlikely to become anyone’s favorite light novel series. Still, when you read in abundance, titles like this become a pleasant treat while waiting for the most recent volume of your current obsession.
