No one knows everything … especially when it comes to goblins.
Creative Staff:
Art By: Kento Sakaeda
Original Story: Kumo Kagyu
Character Design: Shingo Adachi & Noboru Kannatuki
Translation: Kenneth Steinbach
Lettering: Anthony Quintessenza
What They Say:
Goblin Slayer’s promotion exam begins in earnest! He and his examiner set off on the trail of a handful of goblins for what seems like an ordinary quest, but the evident scope of the problem grows larger the farther they travel. If only the watchful eye and piercing questions of the examiner were all the Goblin Slayer had to worry about – this horde is being lead by a kind of goblin more dangerous than and he has seen before … Meanwhile, after Heavy Warrior collapses due to overwork, Young Warrior’s party is sent to investigate the source of recent earthquakes in his place, but the answer they find is something they never could have imagined …!!
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
In the brilliant glow of the blazing sun, Cow Girl is regretful for not bringing a hat, but with that thought she decides enough work has been done for today and starts to herd the cattle inside, only to stop in her tracks upon seeing the gleam of steel approaching, with her gaze stopped in surprise upon recognizing a familiar helmet with its tangled tassel, the one she couldn’t straighten but only then wondering how her friend can stand the heat with his metal armor. Noticing his companion, Goblin Slayer approaches the fence and they begin a discussion, with her asking if her shortened hair looks strange, the bluntness of his negative response never changing, causing her to ask about his coming promotion, but instead of a prompt answer to confirm or deny success, he states the need for an exam, with both their attention swayed by the coming of a stoic woman elegantly dressed in a man’s suit, which identifies her as belonging to the Guild. However, Cow Girl is stunned when she is greeted by this stern-looking woman, who assumes she is his sister, but when she denies the attachment, the next question of her being his wife makes the shy girl blush in embarrassment, but as she rethinks the relationship they have with each other, this invigilate firmly grasps the situation and thanks the red-headed girl as if she was one who polished his armor, stating it is important for family to support each other.
After Cow Girl asks the examiner to give him a fair chance, the odd pair walk off toward their objective and upon arriving, Goblin Slayer inspects the trampled grass and determines that wanders, goblins who have lost or have been chased out of their nest, have entered the area but do not pose a threat, yet when the confused woman asks for more information and chides him for the bluntness of his attitude, she confirms most people would not know about this obscure information, confirming the Guild considers all monsters a threat which is why they create extermination quests. To further drive her point forward, the proctor asks Goblin Slayer if he has ever been in a dungeon, to which he states he has not, causing the stern woman to question if beasts on the first floor are any different than those outside, and whether ordinary people would be able to handle such creatures, causing the terse man to rethink his prior answer and stating these wanders are not a great danger, proving his point by pulling back some grass and showing several footprints. It is from these where he can determine the gait is shallow and uneven, allowing Goblin Slayer to assess the single maker is weak and probably starving, permitting the examiner to approve of his new answer, which prompts him to remember the past lessons of his sister and master, and while he may be trying to win her approval, it is not his highest priority, with that being to kill the goblins, but at the same time, he cannot but want to impress this woman, even with the danger of loosing his primary objective and the need to wipe out these monsters.
In Summary:
While I still cannot dismiss the lingering inconvenience of characters still not having names and being addressed by sometimes demeaning occupations, one cannot deny Kagyu-sensei is well-versed in constructing meaningful stories which enthrall the reader, with relatable notions that allow the audience to sympathize with anonymous actors as they exist within their dangerous lives. And yet at the same time, it is odd to have the narrative chronologically jump around, with the prior story arc showing a skilled Goblin Slayer interacting with Arc Mage, but now we witness how the Guild examiner judges this obsessive adventurer before his rank promotion, making a mildly confused reader wonder why the titles do not have a more linear path. Although the title itself does reiterate this is these tales are from the eponymous explorer’s first year, it is strange to see people we know so well suddenly become younger, particularly noticeable once we see Cow Girl’s curvaceous figure reduced within the opening pages, but at the same time, it is refreshing to witness this new venue of how well they have mature both mentally and physically, in contrast to the naive thoughts of youth which this tale presents. Although we may not know how far back the story has ventured, it is the unreadiness of the adventurer which we know as Goblin Slayer which is refreshing in its portrayal, showing an experienced audience someone we thought we knew, now being intimidated by this stoic invigilate, making him constantly question himself if any answer he gives is the correct one, both in not wanting to insult anyone for patronizing speech and also to please this demanding proctor so that he does not fail his promotion exam. This underlying layer of amusement is a pleasing escape from the normally stolid stories we have come to expect, even as we watch attentive side characters try to solve what happens outside our main protagonist’s view, all as a notion of failure for both makes the volume an intriguing tale to submerge ourselves within this four-cornered world of danger.
Yet one cannot but be charmed by the amazingly detailed illustrations of Sakaeda-sensei with his unique method to present contrasting linework within the same volume, beginning with the gentle expression of Cow Girl and her innocent eyes, even as invested readers wonder how far back this story goes with the disappearance of a girlish figure, as one easily recognizes the sincerity of this kind girl, boldly influenced by the terse man who is her friend, which allows this talented artist to cleverly portray Goblin Slayer through movements alone, making him seem rude to people who do not know this hushed adventurer in scared armor. But it is not until we witness the Guild Examiner that we cannot but be impressed by her same stoic presentation, one which is reflected upon both the faceless companion and this formidable woman, yet there is also an elegant beauty behind the crisply pressed suit, even as she kindly interrogates the frightened bystander. While this amusing scene helps to build the relationship between proctor and examinee, it is the signature brutality that this series is known for which makes dedicated readers eagerly grasp upon the brief scenes when they appear, permitting Sakaeda-sensei to captivate the audience with dynamic strikes as riveting action lines emphasis the fierceness within each kill, making Goblin Slayer’s purposeful movements much more forceful against a restrictive amount of gore. But when it is the proctor’s turn to show she is not some defenseless woman, the same cold grace which she displays within calm moments reverberates across her calculating movements, each action as refined as her outward appearance, all while mirroring the nonchalant concerns of an experienced warrior.
Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One continues to stir new discoveries within this horrific landscape, and while we embrace the curious uncertainty which Goblin Slayer constantly displays when questioned by the Guild Examiner, it is a welcome sight to see the normally confident adventurer become flustered by this imposing woman, all while recalling how it is he himself who later intimidates his less experienced companions. With sensational illustrations which captivate readers to delve deep within the narrative, whether due to excessive gore, stirring reflections on emotional moments or contemplative thoughts as to the nature of the enemy, this title constantly fascinates as it terrifies us against the necessary nature of what it takes to survive within this four-cornered world.
Content Grade: A-
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: A-
Text/Translation Grade: A-
Age Rating: Mature
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: November 22, 2022
MSRP: $13.00
