Ascendance of a Bookworm

​Ascendance is a very relaxed show, with conflicts that are much more grounded than most fantasy stories. The first major arc of the show is Myne's attempts to make paper! With such a simple and, in some regard, boring problem, the show needs a stellar cast of characters to keep viewers engaged in the story.

Ascendance of a Bookworm is simply structured differently than most modern isekai.  Myne is not a Chosen One.  She has no great quest to achieve, no incredible destiny handed to her upon her rebirth.  She's poor and lower-class in a world where social class is everything, so she can't buy her way out of trouble.  She has no special powers beyond whatever knowledge she accumulated as Urano.  If anything, her small size, lack of strength and tendency towards chronic fevers leaves her at a major disadvantage.  All she has is her brains and determination, but that is enough to lift Myne out of her lowest moments and become the heroine of her own life.

There's something of a casual, lived-in pace to her story.  Myne's quest for books is a long one with many steps, starting with her trying to figure out how to make various forms of paper.  In the meantime, she learns about the world: her new family, the city around her, and the seasonal rhythms of peasant life.  There's a great deal of emphasis on crafting, be it Myne's making simple comforts for herself or helping her family with things like candlemaking or making basic shampoo. 

​I found this anime after witnessing a short clip on crunchyroll where Myne (Spoiler) mana is used to get her & her parents out of a situation. After watching the first 3 episode it quickly became an anime I binged with my partner. I am looking forward to season 2 and ask for you to give it a try.