Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai

Sub-Tags: OP, Strong Lead, Dungeons, Romantic Subplot, Comedic Undertone

A Water Magician Ventures Forth!

Written by Tadashi Kubou and illustrated by Nokito, The Water Magician is the latest fantasy extravaganza to join the J-Novel Club line-up.

Following the story of Ryo, the opening instalment finds him newly reincarnated into the fantasy world of Phi. Hoping for the slow life of his dreams, he’s given a house in the middle of the forest. The perfect place for practising water magic and allowing him to return to nature.

Twenty years pass in the blink of an eye, and an unexpected visitor to the forest opens him up to a whole new world. Venturing forth into civilisation, Ryo’s about to discover all the world of Phi has to offer.

A Battle of Basics

Practice makes perfect should be the motto of this series. As Ryo arrives in Phi for 20 years of isolation, the first half of the volume dedicates itself to showing the protagonist as he learns the intricate details of the fantasy world in which he now presides.

World-building can be a difficult aspect to pull off, especially at length, but the author’s confidence in their writing shines through, creating an immersive and interesting fantasy setting. From how Ryo builds his magic abilities to the types of monsters he fights throughout the Forest of Rondo, they each add important elements towards creating a vibrant and interactive world.

The author’s work on Phi’s magic system is a particular highlight. With foundations based on physics, it grounds the abilities in an understandable way and forces the protagonist to build every spell he creates from the ground up. Without a clear understanding of water molecules, Ryo’s magic would never get off the ground.

Furthermore, the story knows how to pace Ryo’s growth and when to move on to the next aspect. Ryo’s status as an overpowered protagonist doesn’t come without effort. Only after mastering something is he able to move on. For example, it’s only after he’s mastered the basics of water and ice magic that he’s allowed to train alongside the forest’s Fairy King. It gives credence to his eventual strong abilities that are often explained in isekai light novels simply through their reincarnation.

Towards Civilisation

Upon mastering his craft, the second half of the novel sees Ryo’s fantasy adventures open up at the arrival of Abel. A high-level adventurer from the neighbouring kingdom, he serves as the impetus in getting Ryo to venture beyond his domain.

Their journey to the Knightley Kingdom is a pleasant read. Ryo and Abel become fast friends bantering together regardless of whether they’re setting up campfires or battling Harpy Queens.

The volume ends with Ryo entering into the town of Lune. A typical medieval fantasy town, the promise of dungeons and political schemes shows a bright future for the series ahead.

Overall, The Water Magician’s first volume provides an excellent foundation for the series. Its focus on world-building is a boon both for the story’s present and its future, as the author has created a vivid world teeming with intricacies. Additionally, what scenes we do get with other characters holds promise. Abel and Ryo’s fun back and forth gives a sneak preview into how additional characters will be dealt with in future.