- #1
Update: I have read V7-8, previously read V5. Lowering my rating to 3.5-4 stars. V7-8 have so many long, uninteresting conversations or narrative explanations, that I end up wanting to skip through. Often they are about politics or paranoid nationalism. There's even a page about how there's no such thing as altruism. I don't know why there's such a change in the storytelling. Maybe the Chinese translation was of the web novel, or maybe the author has lost some focus. I think many readers would prefer V1-5's style vs V7-8.Rating: 4 (maybe 4.5) stars, Translation: 5/5 (My reviews may sound negative, but my format often lists reasons why I didn't give 5 stars.) [[5 star = almost all readers may enjoy. 4 star = large majority of readers may enjoy. 3 star = 50/50 of readers may enjoy. 2 star = a niche audience may enjoy. 1 star = maybe portion of niche audience may enjoy.]][[5/5 = Infrequent minor errors. 4/5 = Frequent minor errors or infrequent major errors, no difficulty to read. 3/5 = Frequent major errors, some difficulty to read. 2/5 = Difficult to read. 1/5 = Unreadable.]]A portal to a fantasy world appears in Tokyo, and the Japan Self Defense Force repels the invasion of a fantasy army. Japan sends the SDF and diplomats through the "Gate" to prevent further invasion, find who's responsible, and explore this new world. The story follows the MC, an otaku laid-back JSDF officer, as he befriends some locals and goes on missions/adventures.As of end of volume 5, features: JSDF cold-war era equipment, alternate fantasy world with magic/demihumans/demigods/Roman Empire style civilizations. Asymmetric technology and combat, small group and large scale combat, laid-back but capable MC, "somewhat" harem-ish (no real romance, more like attached companions), some politics on both sides of gate, some references to colonialism.I thought the story is pretty good. It is a collision of the realistic world with a fantasy world (no RPG system). It has plausible scenarios of how a modern military and country might respond. The MC is not like the typical solo adventurer/reincarnated, but a JSDF officer who can't go off on his own. He doesn't have a cheat ability, unlike most reincarnated stories. I think most readers would be entertained.I think the biggest issue is this paranoid nationalistic vibe. Every country on the planet is out to get Japan to get access to the gate to begin a new era of colonialism. It's plausible, but still felt weird, because of these long wall-of-text political stuff. The story sometimes feels like a military-sponsored video game or movie aimed at recruitment. The author even wrote a note with tips for otaku's to join the JSDF. Politicians are often interfering with missions and goals, and it feels like the the JSDF can do no wrong. The combat feels glorified, even though it's mostly a 1-sided massacre against iron-age armies.Some minor issues: the MC, the romance. Since the MC can only follow orders and is a low to mid-ranking officer, he is not off changing this fantasy world, is not always doing adventuring stuff, and is not always the focus of the story. I don't think this is a problem, but some fantasy fans might not like it. The female companions from the fantasy world, it's implied that they are totally attached to the MC, but barely any romance happens. Readers who want some romance may be disappointed.I think a large majority of fans of these genres would be entertained. There are some issues, but I think they're either not a big deal, or wouldn't stop many readers. Thus, 4 to 4.5 stars on my scale.Other info: There are many versions of this: web novel (incomplete?), novel, light novel, manga, and anime. I think the WN is now replaced by the LN? And the WN's main difference is extra political commentary. The novel and light novel are identical, except for the numbering of chapters and volumes. The translator, Skythewood uses Chinese versions of the LN. They are now on hold after V8, waiting for more Chinese volumes. They also skipped V6, because they don't have the Chinese version.The anime mostly follows the LN V1-V6 very closely, until the end of the 2nd season. The differences happen in V6, which hasn't been translated. If you watched the anime, like me, you will pretty much know what happens in V1-V5.