Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Mystery, Tragedy, Isekai

Sub-Tags: Dark Fantasy, Perverted Protagonist, Weak, Cute

A Journey to Discover the Truth (Pig Escort Included)!

A Journey Fraught with Danger

From the way this series uses an animal protagonist to its overtly crude humour and fan-service, I believe many might dismiss this series out of hand. Appearances can be deceiving, however, and those who might dismiss this out of hand will miss an intriguing mystery series filled with tragic depth.

Centring on a run-of-the-mill otaku, the story follows his journey as he’s transmigrated into a pig after eating a raw pig’s liver. In his new fantasy world, he quickly befriends a Yethma named Jess. Naïve but kind, it’s with Jess’ appearance that this seemingly sweet fantasy world begins to change. This world harbours secrets both dark and harrowing, and the Yethma are at the centre of them all! 

This series shows its true intentions as the plot begins to move with Mister Pig agreeing to go on a journey to the capital with Jess. A journey that all Yethma must make, the plot ramps up its mystery and dark fantasy aspects as they get closer towards their destination.

Making it to the capital is no easy feat, especially for those powerless like the protagonists. It’s a path laden with hidden obstacles and dangers specifically meant to stop all but a chosen through from making it to the end, and that’s even before we consider the harrowing stories of previous Yethma and the horrors brought on by Yethma Hunters that they hear during their stops. It is through these challenges that the overtly crude humour and fan-service centralises itself to the plot. 

It serves as a juxtaposition to all the horrors that go on around the protagonists. Almost, in some ways, a coping tool. Without it, both Jess and Mister Pig would be more psychologically worn, and it would become more difficult to keep up spirits when the times really do become tough.

Companions and Chabirones

Jess and Mister Pig are the perfect candidates for this comedic juxtaposition. Together, they speak to each other via telepathy. A characteristic of the Yethma people and the only possible way to speak to a pig, this skill is invaluable when dealing with precarious situations or for the odd chuckle when Jess reads too far into his mind.

Their comedic timing, however, is only one aspect of their well-written characters. Jess, for example, is kind and naïve – the type of character that any noble light novel or anime protagonist would wish to protect. Throughout her journey, she’s helped to develop a sense of self and the courage to make decisions. Skills which become instrumental by the end of the volume.

Mister Pig (no name given) is the brains of the operation. Readily agreeing to become Jess’ companion/chabirone, it quickly becomes clear that without his help, Jess would’ve been long since dead, even before she starts on her journey. Hidden beneath the façade of perversion lies a man with a deeply analytical mind. He’s able to look at the full picture and, as a result, is the best person/pig for the job when it comes to helping Jess survive her long journey.

Other than Jess and Mister Pig, there are numerous other significant side characters introduced along their journey. The most influential in this first volume is Naut. First introduced as a potential love rival for Jess’ affections, this rivalry is quickly abated with the telling of his own tragic interwoven history with the Yethma. A fighter by nature, he agrees to join Jess and the Pig’s journey for a period, acting as their hired muscle.

Naut’s character brings brawn into the equation, and as the fights get tougher with each step closer to the capital, to make a success of things, all three elements are necessary.

The Nature of Yethma

With a dark story and well-woven characters, there is only one aspect of the series so far that tops them – the mystery.

The mystery concerns the nature of Yethma and the secrecy surrounding the capital. It’s handled well by the author as he drip-feeds readers small amounts of information scattered throughout the book so that we never learn more than the protagonists.

Unfortunately, I can’t say much more than this about the mystery without giving my readers any huge spoilers. What I can say is the climatic reveal chapter is thoroughly worth the wait. Dark, harrowing and tearfully tragic, it is best experienced when discovering it through a first read-through.

Mixing dark fantasy and cutesy animal reincarnation, Butareba proves there’s traction in making these series not all about sunshine and rainbows.

The initial scenes of crude humour and fan-service are but a mere façade. Venture deeper, and you’ll find a series focusing on a harrowing and heartfelt journey filled with an intriguing mystery and well-developed characters.

For those who are quick to judge, I highly recommend giving this series a second look. You never know; This series might just surprise you.