The summer 2021 anime season should be retitled the summer isekai 2021 season; that would be a more accurate title for the recent outing of anime. There are numerous isekai series airing this summer and it has made us worry that the genre is being oversaturated at a new extreme level. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom is yet another one of those isekai titles but when we sat down and began watching this light novel adaptation, we realized this show has some potential. Yes, Realist Hero might be another isekai work but after three episodes we see some possibilities that this show could be quite the entertaining anime for those trying to beat the summer heat. Let’s discuss How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom in our first impressions!
A Protagonist Unlike Many Others
What grabbed our attention immediately about Realist Hero has to be the main summoned hero Kazuya Souma. Similar to Seiya Ryuuguuin from Cautious Hero, Kazuya thinks and plans before he acts. From the gate, Kazuya shows that his skills lie not in powerful OP magic skills or special abilities but in his brain as he brings the economy of his new home back into working order. This might make Kazuya sound like a pretty lame hero but there’s more to this man than meets the eye.
Kazuya is one of the few isekai protagonists that seem to actually have a working brain. Rather than being braindead or comedic like many summoned heroes, Kazuya is a realist who knows that saving his new kingdom—yes he inherits the kingdom he’s summoned to in episode 1—will keep him alive and possibly change the nation as a whole. It’s quite refreshing to see not an OP summoned hero but one that is just incredibly clever and forward-thinking.
Lay the Swords and Spears Down, Time for Economics
There are already a few refreshing isekai this summer 2021—such as Spirit Chronicles and Drugstore in Another World—and we can now add Realist Hero to that list. Rather than being another action anime, Realist utilizes a lot of economics, which might sound boring—at least on paper—but works wonders thanks to the special characters in the series so far. We can only imagine Kazuya and his special team will need to use even more of their skills in later episodes but for now, we dig learning about otherworldly economy!
Okay…Maybe too Much Economy?
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom will no doubt turn off those who want their isekai anime filled with non-stop action and/or ecchi as far as the eye can see. By episode 3, there has been no action and, aside from one shower scene, virtually no ecchi. Realist Hero is aiming to be something different from your standard isekai creation and that might make this a series worth skipping for those who want endless nosebleeds or oppai everywhere…not that those things are ever bad in an anime.
ISEKAI FOREVER!
Sadly, no matter how good Realist Hero is at the moment, it is yet another isekai. There are literally seven big titled isekai airing right now as we speak and that does seem like a cause for concern. Yes, isekai is amazing but we always worry when any genre oversaturates the market. Realist Hero might not be your typical isekai story but it still is one at the end of the day.
Final Thoughts
Three episodes in, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom has impressed us by trying to be different than the usual isekai anime creations. We can’t say for sure if Realist will stand out to be the next big anime of the summer 2021 season but we do advise giving it a try on Funimation where it currently is airing. If you have already watched a few episodes, be sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments below! Keep up to date with all the anime airing this summer 2021 season here at our isekai loving hive known as Honey’s Anime!
Author: Aaron
