Fantasy and Isekai are like peanut butter and jelly - a great pairing. But these stories often set up huge, fantastical worlds, then give the main characters way too much power. It's a tired cliché for them to just become all-powerful heroes. There's more to a story than that! Luckily, there are hidden gems out there that don't rely on this boring trope. This season, one such gem is "The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash" by novelist Honobonoru500. It's not your typical trashy Isekai - it's a surprisingly heartwarming story with a bittersweet edge.
This story takes a familiar reincarnation Isekai plot and gives it a twist. In a world obsessed with magical skill rankings represented by stars, Femicia is ostracized for having a low-rated Tamer skill and zero stars. Even her family rejects her. Shunned by Latomi Village, she escapes and finds refuge with a kind fortune teller who cares for her until the fortune teller passes away. Forced to fend for herself, Femicia (now calling herself Ivy and disguising herself as a boy) stumbles upon a weak slime and decides to care for it, naming it Sora. Together, Ivy and her slime companion embark on a new adventure, making a living by collecting discarded items and using their resourcefulness to survive.
Ditch the overpowered heroes and skimpy outfits! "The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash" offers a breath of fresh air in the stale world of fantasy Isekai. Instead of objectified characters and forced romance, it focuses on the heartwarming bond between a protector and a child. The story promises to nurture the protagonist's growth without shielding them from challenges, making them stronger when it truly matters.
