KonoSuba — BrandWiki

KonoSuba

type	tv series
director	Takaomi Kanasaki Yujiro Abe (S3)
producer	Rie Ogura Kouichi Sano (S3) Hiroyasu Taniguchi (S3) Hideo Momota (S3)
writer	Makoto Uezu
music	Masato Kōda
studio	Studio Deen (S1–2) Drive (S3)
licensee	Crunchyroll (streaming)
network	Tokyo MX
first	January 14, 2016
episodes	31 + 4 OVAs
episode list	List of KonoSuba episodes

KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！) often referred to simply as KonoSuba, is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsume Akatsuki and illustrated by Kurone Mishima. The series follows Kazuma Satou, a boy who is sent to a fantasy world with MMORPG elements following his death, where he forms a dysfunctional adventuring party with a goddess, an archmage, and a crusader.

Akatsuki wrote the series with the intention of setting a contrast with typical fantasy tropes. The series was serialized as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō between December 2012 and October 2013, KonoSuba was published as a printed light novel series by Kadokawa Shoten under the company's Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint from October 2013 to May 2020. The light novel series features a divergent plot.

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Masahito Watari, began serialization in Fujimi Shobo's Monthly Dragon Age magazine in October 2014. An audio drama CD was released by HobiRecords in March 2015, and an anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Deen aired in Japan between January and March 2016. A second season of the anime aired between January and March 2017. A spin-off light novel series,

Development

Novel

Akatsuki had been a fan of novels since youth, reading series such as Record of Lodoss War, Slayers, and Sorcerous Stabber Orphen. Record of Lodoss War was the first novel he read, which became an influence in his interest in fantasy.[9][10] He is also a fan of the game Kantai Collection, admitting he came up with his pen name while playing it.[9] Prior to writing KonoSuba, he had submitted a draft to a light novel contest but was told he needed to work on the basics of novel writing. He continued writing to practice his skills before deciding to pursue writing more seriously. He wanted to write a series different from typical light novel series, with it having a story that would contrast against expectations about the fantasy genre.[11] The series' fantasy elements were derived from fantasy video games like Wizardry and Final Fantasy, as well as tabletop role-playing games.[12]

In writing the characters, Akatsuki aimed to give each one distinctive quirks, regardless of how trivial they might seem, citing Aqua's interest in unusual rocks as an example. Some characters developed differently from their original conception; for instance, Mitsurugi was initially intended to serve as a rival to Kazuma's party but instead became another eccentric and foolish character. Akatsuki has stated that the supporting characters Dust and Vanir are his favorites.[12][9]

Anime

Akatsuki first learned that an anime adaptation was in development in January 2015. At the time, he was living in Fukui Prefecture and had been called to a meeting in Tokyo. However, he was unable to go as his house was buried in snow, leading to him being informed of the anime adaptation via phone.[9]

Koichi Kikuta and Momoka Komatsu served as chief animation directors for the series, with the former working on odd-numbered episodes and the latter on even-numbered. While Komatsu's character designs closely resembled those of the light novels and had more attractive appearances, Kikuta based his designs on children's shows like Pokémon as he felt KonoSuba story was similar to those found in them.

Publication

Web novel

Akatsuki released the original web novel series on Shōsetsuka ni Narō from December 20, 2012, to October 21, 2013, under the pen name Jitakukeibihei (自宅警備兵).[13][9] Following its publication as a book, the web novel was removed from the website on December 10, 2013.[13] The author also wrote a side story featuring Wiz and Vanir.[14]

Light novels

A light novel version with illustrations by Kurone Mishima was released under Kadokawa Shoten's Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint from October 1, 2013,[15] to May 1, 2020.[16][17] The light novel diverges significantly from the web novel's plot from the sixth volume onwards, and also features changes to the characters' ages. The final book in the series, Volume 17, contains information in its Afterword on possible future development that the teased "After Story" spin-offs might contain.[18]

A Megumin-focused spin-off light novel series, also written and illustrated by Akatsuki and Mishima respectively, titled KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! (この素晴らしい世界に爆焔を！) and takes place a year prior to the main series, was released from July 1, 2014, to June 1, 2015, in three volumes.[19] A two-volume sequel, KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Bonus Story, (続・この素晴らしい世界に爆焔を！) was released on December 28, 2016, and March 1, 2019.[20]

Another spin-off featuring Vanir was published on April 1, 2016, called Consulting With This Masked Devil! (この仮面の悪魔に相談を！)[21]

A third spin-off series titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Extra Attention to that Wonderful Fool! (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！エクストラあの愚か者にも脚光を！) began publication on August 1, 2017. It is written by Hirukuma and illustrated by Uihime Hagure, and features Dust as the central character.[22]

A series of short story collections, ''KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Detour!'', (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を! よりみち4回目!) compiling both previously published and new stories by Akatsuki and Mishima, was released in four volumes from January 1, 2020,[23] to February 28, 2026.[24]

A light novel adaptation of KonoSuba Fantastic Days smartphone game, written by Hirukuma and illustrated by Mishima, was published on March 1, 2022.[25]

Yen Press announced on May 20, 2016, that it had licensed the light novels for release in North America.[26] The first volume was released in conjunction with the second manga volume on February 21, 2017,[27] with the last volume released on August 2, 2022.[28] On June 20, 2023, Yen Audio released the first volume of the light novel as an audiobook.[29] They also released the Fantastic Days novel on July 18, 2023.[30]

Adaptations

Manga

A manga adaptation of KonoSuba illustrated by Masahito Watari began serialization in the October 2014 issue of Fujimi Shobo's Monthly Dragon Age magazine on September 9, 2014.[31] As of February 9, 2026, twenty two volumes have been released.[32] Yen Press announced its acquisition of the manga adaptation at the same time that it licensed the original light novels.[26]

A manga adaptation of Extra Attention to that Wonderful Fool! novels, illustrated by Tamako Buta, was published in Media Factory's Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine from January 26, 2018,[33] to January 24, 2020,[34] and compiled into two volumes.

A manga adaptation of Consulting With This Masked Devil! novel, illustrated by Suzume Somemiya, was published in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive magazine from February 27, 2018,[35] to January 26, 2019,[36] and compiled into two volumes.

A manga adaptation of the KonoSuba Fantastic Days smartphone game by Kasumi Morino was published in Monthly Comic Alive from March 26, 2022, to May 27, 2024, and compiled into four volumes.[37][38]

Anime

In May 2015, Kadokawa announced that an anime television series adaptation of KonoSuba was green-lit.[39] It was produced by Studio Deen and directed by Takaomi Kanasaki, with scripts written by Makoto Uezu and character designs by Koichi Kikuta.[39] The first season aired on Tokyo MX from January 14 to March 16, 2016;[40] it was later broadcast on eight other networks and several video on demand streaming networks.[41] The series was simulcast by Crunchyroll in several regions such as North America,[42] and by AnimeLab

Music

Masato Kōda composed the music for all three seasons and the adaptation of An Explosion on This Wonderful World![69][49][61][4] For the first season, the opening theme is "Fantastic Dreamer" by Machico, and the ending theme is "Chiisana Bōkensha" (ちいさな冒険者) performed by Aqua (Sora Amamiya), Megumin (Rie Takahashi), and Darkness (Ai Kayano).[69] The second season's opening theme is "Tomorrow" by Machico, and the ending theme is "Ouchi ni Kaeritai" (お家に帰りたい) by Aqua (Amamiya), Megumin (Takahashi), and Darkness (Kayano).[70] For An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, the opening theme is "Stay Free" by Machico, and the ending theme is "Jump In" by Megumin (Takahashi) and Yunyun (

Theatrical film

In July 2017, Jun Fukushima and Takahashi, the voice actors of Kazuma and Megumin respectively, announced plans for a new KonoSuba anime project.[73][74] In June 2018, a film adaptation was announced to be in development at J.C.Staff. The cast and staff reprised their roles from the television series.[75] Titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Legend of Crimson, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！紅伝説) the film was released in Japan on August 30, 2019.[76][77] Crunchyroll began streaming the English subtitled and English dub version on March 25, 2020, and on January 1, 2021, respectively.[78]

Video games

A PC video game developed by game creator Tachi, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! In The Life, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！in the life) is included in the first Blu-ray/DVD volume of the anime series on March 25, 2016.[79] The game is developed using the software RPG Maker VX Ace.[80] Another video game, created by Team Ladybug and Krobon, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Revival of Beldia, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！復活のベルディア) is included in the limited edition of first Blu-ray/DVD volume of the anime series' second season and was released on April 28, 2017.[81] The game is a side-scroller with gameplay resembling the Mega Man series.[82]

A visual novel adaptation for PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4, KonoSuba: God's Blessing on this Wonderful World! Judgment on this Greedy Game!, (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を！ -この欲深いゲームに審判を！) was developed and published by 5pb.

Audio CDs

An audio drama CD, featuring a different voice cast to the anime, was released by HobiRecords on March 1, 2015.[96] A second drama CD, along with an original soundtrack by Kouda Masato and a character song album, was released in March 2017.[97]

Reception

Popularity

The KonoSuba light novels have been quite popular. By March 2, 2016, the 11-volume series had a total of 1.5 million copies in print, each volume selling 136,000 copies on average.[98] In January 2018, the light novel series ranked first among the top 50 best selling digital manga and light novels in worldwide stores by BookWalker.[99] By February 2019, the light novels had 6.5 million copies in print.[100] By November 2021, the novels had a total circulation of 10 million copies.[101] In a review of the first novel, Andy Hanley of UK Anime Network praised the series' comedy reflected in the "tired genre" as well as its cast finding them appealing based on their traits. However, Hanley criticized the short length of the first volume.[102] The series won BookWalker's 2016 Grand Prix Award.[103]

In 2016, the anime was voted as the tenth-best TV anime in the Newtype 2015–16 Awards.[104] KonoSuba also finished runner-up for Best Comedy in the Crunchyroll's Anime Awards 2016 to Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto.[105] In 2019, the anime won "Isekai Series of the Decade" at the Funimation's Decade of Anime poll, where the fans voted for their favorite anime across multiple categories.[106]

Critical response

Like its light novel counterpart, the anime has received positive reception for its comedy, parody of the isekai genre, and faithful adaptation of the light novels. Reviewing the first few episodes, Anime News Network (ANN)'s Theron Martin described the second episode as "the funniest episode of anime I have seen since Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun aired", while also praising the series' musical score.[107] The voice acting has also been a subject of praise; Nick Creamer of ANN commended Sora Amamiya and Rie Takahashi's roles as Aqua and Megumin for the energy provided in their performances, while Martin applauded Jun Fukushima for his work in voicing Kazuma, considering his dry tone an additional factor in the show's humor.[108]

From the Legend of Crimson release in Japan, Daryl Harding, writing for Crunchyroll News praised the story and comedy of the film noting that the "classic humor of (the TV series) translates well to a film runtime." Daryl Harding did criticise the film by stating that "It doesn't look too different than the TV series" even with "more effects placed over the animation during scenes of explosive magic."[109]

KonoSuba

Premise

Development

Novel

Anime

Publication

Web novel

Light novels

Adaptations

Manga

Anime

Music

Theatrical film

Video games

Audio CDs

Reception

Popularity

Critical response

External links

References

Music