Synopsis

Why not relax and travel to another world? Following the trip to Japan with his Long-Ears friend Scrael, Kudo invites the Tail girl Eldrid to his home world. But trouble awaits when he loses sight of Eldrid at an amusement park. Will he be able to bring his friend safely back to Do-Melta? Meanwhile, some of the mysteries surrounding Kudo’s personal life are about to be unveiled… Brought to you by Hitsuji Gamei and Karei, here comes the highly anticipated fourth volume of After-School Dungeon Diver, a laid-back otherworldly adventure story! (Source: J-Novel Club)

A Second Visitor to Japan and an Adorner Adventure!

Being a series that straddles both events in an isekai world and Japan, it was inevitable that we’d see more than one fantasy character cross realms.

Mirroring the second volume, the fourth instalment of After-School Dungeon Diver begins by welcoming yet another character from Do-Melta to Japan. This time sees the turn of Eldrid, Kudo’s friend from the beast-eared tribe, to discover the wonders of a world she’s only heard dribs and drabs about.

It has an enjoyable plot, similar to Scrael’s first visit. Letting Eldrid loose on Japan causes all sorts of antics and trouble for Kudo. However, the strange addition of Power Ranger-style terrorists to Hitsuji Gamei’s alternate version of Japan is ultimately jarring and seems to be heading nowhere fast.

Back in Do-Melta, Kudo’s stock among adventurers seems to be going up in the world. Known as a careful and considered adventurer throughout the dungeon city, this volume allows Kudo to pay some of that knowledge forward.

After noticing a novice adventurer on their last legs, Kudo decides to hang up exploring days for a little while and become their instructor. A well-executed segment, these scenes show him to be much more forgiving despite how he’d been taught things through his demon instructor. Kudo’s fountain of knowledge more than comes in handy, as he can give them first-class advice that usually wouldn’t be on offer to those just starting a career in dungeon diving.

As the volume approaches its climax, the dungeons of Do-Melta throw Kudo another curveball in the form of another possible companion. His healing skills claim a new victim: Linte Arty, an adorner with a shady past. Much like Scrael and Eldrid, Linte’s passion for food knows no bounds, but time will tell (the next volume will focus on her character) whether she’ll be given enough to stand out.

After-School Dungeon Diver’s fourth volume is a clear continuation of quality, similar to the other volumes within the series. By now, the series has gotten into a routine and has mastered the style of episodic stories it tells down to a fine art. As the series progresses, there needs to be a segment focused on the alternative version of Japan, as the questions it brings are more of a hindrance than a mystery.

I Give After-School Dungeon Diver Volume 4: 8/10