First Impression: Ascendance of a Bookworm

     When I first started watching this show I thought it was going to be your average isekai - the main character dies and is reborn in a fantasy world, however that is not what I discovered. This show keeps surprising me. It does start out with the basic premise of an isekai, but there is a twist. In "Ascendance of a Bookworm" the main character is reborn as a child - someone who is weak and at the bottom of the social system. It almost seems like the person previously inhabiting her new body dies and then she is inserted in their place. I hope that the anime plays with this concept in future episodes.

     At first I didn't really like Main (pronounced 'mine') the main character. Her central personality trait is that she likes books. At the beginning of the show she is rather self-absorbed in her books (or lack thereof being born into a low class family) and tries to manipulate others to get her way. She is also a bit of a prodigy and tends to succeed quickly/easily often due to her previous life experiences. However, the show does have the advantage of character growth, both in Main and other central characters, steady plot development, and obstacles to be overcome.

     Although Main has the advantage with knowledge of today's technologies, she has a fatal flaw in her physical weakness. If her illness is not addressed she really will die - and no amount of knowledge about modern medicine will help her here. This produces a great foil for potential plot and character development. Also, it is through this weakness that her character is really able to shine. 

     At the time of this 'impression' I have watched about a season and a half of "Ascendance of a Bookworm," It has been cool to see how Main has grown as a character. She has really come to love the world that she is in. While she still goes crazy over books she loves her new family and wants to do right by the rules of this world. I am interested to see how she will continue to grow.

"Ascendance of a Bookworm" is available to stream on Crunchyroll.