Even an inexperienced boy … can spark a fire within the brave.
Creative Staff:
Illustrations By: Takashi Yagi
Original Story: Fujino Omori
Character Design: Haimura Kiyotaka & Yasuda Suzuhito
Translation: Andrew Gaippe
What They Say:
The time for Loki Familia’s expedition to brave the unknown depths of the Dungeon has arrived, and Aiz must wrap up her training sessions with Bell. While the novice adventurer’s secrets have continued to elude the Sword Princess, Bell’s improvement under her is unmistakable when the Dungeon pushes him to his limit.
Later, as the expedition makes its way to the fifty-ninth floor, Aiz must fulfill her duty to Loki Familia. But déjà vu strikes when she learns a certain white-haired boy is fighting for his life against a minotaur once more…
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
It was the last day of their training upon the northwest city wall, Sword Princess versus Little Rookie and his idol was not giving him any excuse for not getting better under her intense barrage of strikes and parries. With every exchange Bell managed to block each attack until it finally happened, the white-haired rabbit snuck under her guard and delivered a triumphant counter that was unfortunately intercepted, and yet it was a significant step forward compared to how he once was before they began. As Cranel offered his sincere thanks and Aiz a warm smile in return, she did not manage to find the key to his rise in strength, but it was still fun for this emotionally reclusive girl. However, her teaching was not over as this strict mentor entered the Dungeon for the second part of her lessons, helping fellow Loki Familia member Lefiya with harsh guidance to conquer the main setback in her mind – how to successfully trigger Concurrent Casting. After numerous attempts the elf eventually managed the feat on this final day before the grand expedition, but she was still not satisfied with her victory and wished to instruct herself a bit more until it grew late and she literally ran into her self declared rival Bell, spiritedly stating she would not lose to this young human.
Twilight Manor was in chaos as everyone lined up to have their status updated by their exhausted goddess Loki, with her main complaint echoing throughout the halls there was no time for an innocent feel of her more comely female children, and yet she endured to the end. Tomorrow would be an achievement for her family if they succeeded: they would be the first to reach the fifty-ninth floor since Zeus and Hera familias set the seemingly insurmountable goal so long ago, one which no one has been able to best for as long as anyone can remember. Plus with their party being accompanied by Hephaistos Familia to maintain their weapons in case of more encounters with the caterpillar Irregulars, there were high hopes as a large and noisy crowd gathered the next morning to wish everyone good wishes as the group set off. However as Aiz and her party reached the eighth floor they were surprised by panic of quickly approaching footsteps, and equally alarmed when injured adventurers rushed toward them issuing an impossible alert – there was a minotaur on the ninth level. This lower depths monster was rampaging in the upper floors from which no novice explorer could hope to defeat, but what attracted Aiz’s attention all the more was the desperation of this frantic man’s statement of a white-haired boy was facing the beast … all alone. Immediately the Sword Princess knew who it was, and hoped her intuition was wrong but she could not take any chances and dashed off before anyone could stop her, knowing in the back of her mind that white rabbit needed her help to save him just as before in the same crisis which brought them together before either knew of the other’s existence.
In Summary:
While any loyal fan of this series may know the iconic event of this volume by heart, it does not depreciate the meaning from writer Omori-sensei’s thrilling unfolding of Bell’s elevation in status and the undeniable excitement as brilliantly expressed by the talents of mangaka Yagi-sensei. Although Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria may unfold the exploits of Loki Familia and their rise as one of Orario’s most powerful families, it does not mean there are outside influences which can stir their interest and drive them to greater heights. And it is the Little Rookie’s defining moment against the minotaur that shows them the resolve and courage of a novice to face the impossible, all in his pursuit to catch up to his idol and become a hero. You cannot but internally cheer to see Cranel overcome his limitations, tear up in happiness as these great adventurers who had overcome even greater foes stand in awe to this epic battle, not daring to interfere as Wallenstein’s white rabbit told her he could do it himself, and watch as he achieves a feat which all knew should have been inconceivable. It is this moment which ignites the fire of frustration and a spark of determination which carries them through this story arc, and onward toward what may be their ultimate test against the unknown and a red-headed woman who hides a dire secret from the one she only knows as Aria. I cannot wait to visually see what happens next.
Content Grade: A+
Art Grade: A+
Packaging Grade: A+
Text/Translation Grade: A-
Age Rating: Older Teen
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: November 12, 2019
MSRP: $13.00
