The anime series, Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, has emerged as a surprise hit, offering a refreshing and comedic take on the fantasy adventure genre. This series, which aired from October to December 2024, quickly gained popularity for its unique premise, quirky characters, and lighthearted approach to storytelling. Itās not your typical hero’s journey, and thatās precisely why itās captured the attention of anime fans.
The Premise: A Reluctant Leader
At the heart of Let This Grieving Soul Retire! is Krai Andrey, a treasure hunter who, despite his incredible reputation, desperately wants to retire. He’s the leader of the Grieving Souls, a renowned adventuring party formed by childhood friends. They effortlessly conquer dungeons and overcome disasters, largely due to Krai’s supposed genius. Known as “Thousand Tricks,” his friends hang on his every word, believing him to be a strategic mastermind. The catch? Krai’s actions are almost entirely self-serving; he wants to avoid work, collect relics, and mostly stay out of danger. This leads to hilarious situations where he unintentionally appears brilliant.
A Twist on the Overpowered Protagonist
Unlike many fantasy anime where the protagonist is eager to demonstrate their power, Krai actively avoids it. Heās not interested in the heroics; he’d rather be left alone with his collection of strange artifacts. This unique take on the “overpowered” character creates much of the show’s comedic charm. Kraiās desire to retire is constantly thwarted by his friends’ unwavering faith in his abilities, leading to chaotic and funny scenarios.
The Characters: Quirky and Colorful
The series boasts a vibrant cast of characters, each contributing to the show’s overall charm.
Krai Andrey: The Unwilling Hero
Voiced by Kensho Ono, Krai is the central figure. While his friends see him as a brilliant leader, Krai is actually quite lazy and always looking for ways to avoid work. Ono’s performance brings Krai’s unique blend of reluctance and unintentional competence to life.
Tino Shade: The Loyal Follower
Miyu Kubota voices Tino, a teenage girl who idolizes Krai. She firmly believes in his brilliance, adding another layer to the comedic dynamic. Her unwavering support of Krai, even when his plans are clearly haphazard, creates a constant source of humor.
Liz Smart: The Powerful Mage
Fairouz Ai voices Liz, a powerful mage who is also Ansem’s younger sister and Tinoās teacher. Liz has a complex personality, and her interactions with the group, particularly Tino, often lead to some of the show’s more absurd moments.
Sitri Smart: The Childhood Friend
Konomi Kohara voices Sitri, another member of the group and the younger sister of Liz and Ansem, and one of Kraiās childhood friends. Sitri’s presence brings another dynamic to the group, often acting as a foil to the more chaotic members.
Other Notable Characters
The series introduces more characters as it progresses, including Luke (voiced by KÅhei Amasaki), Ansem (voiced by Tomokazu Sugita), and Lucia (voiced by Aoi Koga). Additionally, later episodes introduce Sven (voiced by Ryohei Kimura), Noctus (voiced by Takashi Matsuyama) and Sophia (voiced by Reina Ueda), further enriching the ensemble.
Animation and Sound: A Visual and Auditory Delight
Let This Grieving Soul Retire! features a distinctive visual style. The character designs are expressive, with each character easily recognizable due to their unique looks. The animation quality is consistently above average, enhancing both the comedic and action sequences.
The Opening Theme
The animeās opening theme is cleverly integrated into each episode. The opening sequence often begins mid-episode with a narration that explains the plot, followed by a brief preview of what’s to come. This use of the opening theme as a comedic device adds to the show’s overall appeal. The opening song, “KattÅ Tomorrow,” sung by Lezel, is also considered quite catchy and memorable.
Humor and Storytelling: A Unique Blend
The series excels in its comedic timing and storytelling. While the premise might seem predictable, the actual story is not. Each of the major arcs presents a solid central mystery that Krai and his companions stumble through, often in the most chaotic ways possible. While the show may not delve into deeper themes, it provides pure, unadulterated fun with its crazy characters and fantasy mysteries.
The Auction Arc
One notable arc is the auction sequence where Krai desperately tries to collect every relic in sight, while Tino tries to keep him in check. Sitriās sacrifice of her own funds to help Krai obtain a Golem showcases the strong bonds between the characters. This highlights the show’s ability to blend humor with character development.
Source Material and Adaptations
The anime is based on a Japanese light novel series written by Tsukikage and illustrated by Chyko. The series began as a web novel on ShÅsetsuka ni NarÅ in January 2018 before being acquired by Micro Magazine for light novel publication. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Rai Hebino, also exists, demonstrating the story’s widespread appeal.
Light Novel
The light novel series started in 2018 and is still ongoing, with 12 volumes released. It has been published under Micro Magazineās GC Novels imprint.
Manga
The manga adaptation began in April 2019 and is serialized on Kadokawaās ComicWalker manga website.
Anime Adaptation
The anime adaptation by Zero-G premiered in October 2024. The studio has successfully captured the lighthearted tone and chaotic energy of the source material. The first season has 13 episodes, and a second season has already been announced, indicating the show’s success.
Critical Reception and Fan Response
Let This Grieving Soul Retire! has been generally well-received by both critics and fans. Many praise the show’s unique humor, engaging characters, and solid animation. While some have noted that the series does not offer much in the way of deeper themes, most agree that it succeeds in its aim to entertain. The show has been described as one of the biggest surprises of the season, offering a fresh and enjoyable viewing experience.
Positive Feedback
Viewers appreciate the unpredictable plot and Kraiās unconventional approach to problem-solving. The series is often described as a “turn-your-brain-off-and-enjoy-the-ride” type of anime, perfect for those looking for a lighthearted and fun viewing experience.
Areas for Improvement
Some critics have pointed out the lack of depth in the story and characters, and some found the central joke of Krai’s laziness repetitive. However, most agree that the strengths of the series far outweigh its weaknesses.
Anime Similar to “Let This Grieving Soul Retire!”
For fans who enjoyed Let This Grieving Soul Retire!, several other anime series share similar elements of humor, fantasy, and quirky characters. Some of the recommended anime are:
- KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! This anime shares similar chaotic humor and features a dysfunctional party of adventurers.
- The Devil Is a Part-Timer! A comedy about a demon lord working a part-time job in modern-day Tokyo.
- Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious A series that similarly features an overpowered protagonist, but with a very different personality.
- Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? A fantasy series with a focus on adventure and character development.
- Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Another series about an overpowered protagonist in a fantasy world.
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime This anime follows the adventures of a slime who gains immense power.
- No Game No Life A series featuring a pair of siblings who are transported to a world where everything is determined by games.
- Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions A darker take on the fantasy adventure genre, with a focus on realistic characters.
- How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom This show features a protagonist who uses a more practical approach to ruling a kingdom.
- Log Horizon A series with a focus on strategy and social dynamics in a virtual world setting.
Conclusion
Let This Grieving Soul Retire! is a charming and entertaining anime that stands out for its unique blend of humor and fantasy. With its focus on a reluctant hero, quirky characters, and unpredictable storytelling, it offers a refreshing take on the genre. The show’s popularity and announcement of a second season demonstrate its success in capturing the hearts of viewers. Whether youāre a fan of fantasy adventures or simply looking for a fun anime, this series is well worth checking out.
