It is always the simple things … which cause the most trouble.
Creative Staff:
Original Story: Kisetsu Morita
Illustrations By: Benio
Translation: Taylor Engel
What They Say:
When I first came to this world, I said I’d live a carefree, laid-back life. Recently, I’ve been enjoying quality time with my new family, but … Argh! First, Falfa gets stuck in her (admittedly adorable) slime form, and now there’s a con-artist witch pretending to be me! Why do these things keep happening?!
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
It was early morning when Azusa was slowly roused awake by an undulating motion rousing her from a fitful sleep, only to find her adorable twin daughters trying to awaken their mother. While it would have been cuter if they were in sync during this exercise, the constant swaying had the opposite effect, and she had to other choice then to open her eyes and see what was the matter. Charming smiles greeted the Witch of the Highlands only to remind her they had just gotten back from the hectic award ceremony in the Demon Lands, and she was still suffering from the long journey, but now the damage had been done. The girls had become worried why their parent had not woken up yet, so they came to get her, admitting they had breakfast to which she questions if it was her morning to make the meal. Unconcerned as to the circumstances, the girls lead her to the dining room, only to be questioningly greeted by a pile of cookies, actually two small mountains of the treats, and while she did not object eating sweets for a meal, the notion did seem strange.
It was only after Laika emerged from the kitchen did Azusa see how tired her apprentice was by her ragged appearance, after all they had just come back and yet it appeared she had gotten up at her regular time, not giving herself enough time to recover. Before she could question why they were having cookies for breakfast, a new head pop out behind her, greeting the witch with a cheery welcome and immediate question to try her biscuits. It was only now did the facts of the meeting in the Demon Lands come rushing back – the mischievous Demon King Pecora had invited the instigator of the red dragon wedding chaos to the ceremony, after all it was only due to the interference of the blue dragons leader’s Flatorte by which a peace treaty between the two races would have been possible; however to further reinforce the charter and make sure the latter would not make any more trouble, Pecora coerced this poor girl into bonding with the great witch by touching her head between the horns – something which only can be done between two who trust each other implicitly, thus making them servant and master. As such, Flatorte was now living within the extended family of the cabin, not as a subservient follower but as another apprentice to the Witch of the Highlands.
However even if this did signal an ending to the conflict between draconian races, it did not mean the two rivals could not compete for their master’s well meaning praise, and Azusa did recall them having an argument in settling their disagreement with a baking competition. This can only mean these two giant plates of snacks were the result of their efforts, and as such anyone who had the tastier abundance of treats would be the one who bested the other; but as the witch states the entire family would judge the contest, both dragons emphatically disagree to proposition, with Laika outlining she had created her cookies specifically with Azusa’s tastes in mind and her counterpart also reminding their master if the group decided the winner, it could end in a draw – which would not settle this match. Seeing no other way to resolve the matter, the Witch of the Highlands settled down amidst the massive servings and proceeded in tasting this wondrous bounty of sweetness.
As she succumbed to their inclusive logic, Azusa sat down to a late breakfast and began this crucial taste test between dragon girls, with the resolution meaning to settle a long rivalry. The first cookie she tried was buttery and had a fine texture, it had a high quality sweetness and before she knew it, the witch had consumed three without thinking; however the other set had its own unique quality of recalling her former life, a flavor very reminiscent of roasted beans within the sweet senbei crackers she received from friends going on trips to hot springs. How could she choose between the two treats, both had elements which she found appealing and yet if she had to pick someone it would be difficult without offending the other. But as the witch mulled over the decision as to what was the right choice, she could hear the girls arguing and voicing their opinions, each wanting to prove they were the victor even before the winner was declared. There was only one way to settle the contest – and with a proud countenance, Azusa announced the match a draw. But of course Laika nor Flatorte could not accept this as a suitable outcome for their rivalry, without a clear answer this contest would continue and there would be no peace within the household. If this was the case, then why not let the people of Flatta favor the outcome: they would set up a shop within the town square and whoever sold the most cookies by the end of the day would be the winner. There would be no favoritism and no one could argue who would be the victor since it would all depend on sales, which ever one earned the most would be the better baker. As both agreed to the compromise, the day of the test was set and all that was left was to prepare for the battle.
Halkara was designated as official accountant to tally totals, since she was a successful entrepreneur and business owner, allowing for an impartiality in the contest. Rosalie also floated above the area to make sure no one was cheating, and so at noon the next day the Witch’s House Cookie Shop opened and was immediately met with curiosity due to Azusa’s reputation, but also made all the more popular with Laika’s cuteness. However this gesture also served a dual purpose – to introduce the village to the new apprentice of the family, Flatorte, a blue dragon who was just as adorable as her red counterpart, but also had an obvious tail projecting from her back. Since the people were used to a level of strangeness from this group, the awkwardness was lessened, even with the strange spare appendage. And so after the commotion calmed down, the contest began with both girls hawking their wares side by side, one flavor against the other. And due to their enthusiasm from last night, they each had a surplus of stock, so there was no worry of running out anytime soon. And yet once the citizens were drawn to the commotion and began tasting the treats, they could not get enough, with each girl garnering their own fan base hoping to pull more to their side. But as the day began to dwindle down and the last of the snacks were sold, the final count came to an inevitable conclusion … the match ended in a tie. No one was the winner, and to make matters worse, a certain impish ruler chose now to pay a visit, with their dear compatriot Beelzebub brought along in tow, proudly announcing she was the Demon King and wished to sample these rumored treats. And thus came an end to the Witch’s House Cookie Shop and any chance to settle the rivalry via this method.
And yet as the chaos from the cookie fiasco settled down, Azusa once again found herself being violently being shaken awake one morning, but this time with a more feverish desperation. As the sleep stirred from her eyes, she could clearly see Shalsha was the one doing the waking, but this normally reserved girl now had a sense of concern and her stolid face was filled with worry. Knowing something had to be wrong for her scholarly daughter to have this much of a change in her personality, the witch was curious as to the cause and immediately asked for an explanation. However all the slime spirit could manage to get out between fits of crying was something was wrong with her older sister Falfa. Rushing out to see what was the matter, the witch hurried down the corridor only to halted in her tracks by a big blue slime, larger than the normal kind and on instinct Azusa knew what she had to do, but was stopped by the once hysterical girl, loudly proclaiming this was her sister! Stunned by not knowing what to do next, they summoned the rest of the family into the dining room and asked for advice, but none could give a rational answer as to what caused this mysterious transformation. Seeing no other option, the Witch of the Highlands used the spell her friend had taught and summoned Beelzebub, who once again was deposited in the tub with last night’s bath water. After the initial rage for being dumped into a lukewarm pool had passed, she too was horrified by the notion the girl she normally doted upon with unending pleasure was now a helpless and voiceless pile of jelly. She too had no idea of how to solve the problem, but when neither demon nor human knowledge can help, there was one other option – consult the Smart Slime who lived in Vanzeld Castle. If anyone knew the workings of these monsters, then obviously one of their own would know how to cure such a malady. Seeing no other option, the distraught family prepared for another trip to the Demon Lands, hoping this curious creature would know a way to bring back the bubbly, loving and adorable daughter which everyone cherished so much.
In Summary:
I have no idea how Morita-sensei can create so many pleasurably memorable scenes within each volume of I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, and yet each time we are inundated by ever more amusing and moving moments than the previous, all while keeping us delighted by the adventures of Azusa and her mildly dysfunctional family. This book may have started with your typical chaos within the witch’s house, but it wondrously escalates into something more with Azusa’s overwhelming attitude for not to work too hard, but always introduces her warm heart when something happens to those she cares about, and yet never straying far from not taking itself too serious. However whenever a new member is introduced, we are in for more hilarity due to clashing personalities, and this is especially true with Laika and Flatorte due to their clashing races. You cannot but smile when reading how they settle their differences, both trying to compete for their master’s attention and proving they are the better, even as we know there is never any malice between them, just a healthy competition.
And yet if I did have a complaint in how one of the storylines for this volume was resolved, I would have liked a clearer explanation as to how Falfa’s dilemma was concluded. The group spent most of the book going on a quest to cure her affliction, from the Demon Lands to tracking down new characters and slime personalities, and yet after all was said and done, the solution was barely glanced over; from the Smart Slime to the one who person might know what was wrong, we were allowed to follow them on this boisterous journey and even read as Azusa and Beelzebub settled their grudge from the first volume, but then nothing. Once they found a method for reverting the girl back to joyously bouncy self, that was it … no explanation on how to change back, just a reason why she transformed in the first place; and while this may have been satisfactory for some, it would have been far more engrossing by allowing us a chance to see into the complexity of slimes, not just a glimpse but a full delving into their gelatinous nature. But this is not enough to detract from the pleasure we have had so far and is but a minor hiccup to this fun escapade.
I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level constantly surprises readers with new challenges for Azusa and her lazy lifestyle, all while allowing us a glimpse on how this former lonely office worker now adapts to an ever growing family and comical ensemble of personalities. How would have guessed this woman who want nothing more but relaxation would now happily accept more people into this mismatched menagerie of misfits, all while opening her heart to those who need comforting and encouragement? It is her story which expands our understanding of what makes a family, with all the quirks that come along with it, and yet you cannot deny Azusa is one person you would want as a sister if the time ever arises or you just want a release from your own boring life.
Content Grade: A+
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: A+
Text/Translation Grade: A+
Age Rating: 13 & Up
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: December 11, 2018
MSRP: $14.00