“If the RPG World Had Social Media…, Vol 1 – Light Novel Review

Review Summary

  Simply put, “If the RPG World Had Social Media…, Vol 1” is a short, relaxed story with an equally small payoff. It is an unorthodox mix of lighthearted online chat logs and brief descriptive passages that make the book feel more like a hybrid between manga and light novel.
  While the repetitive slapstick, hyperbole and stereotyping comedy were not funny to me, I still got some enjoyment out of the innocent romance between the two main characters and the casual romp through a fantasy world of quirky characters.
  And hey, humour is highly subjective, so maybe this type of comedy is your jam.

In a fantasy world where smartphones and the internet exist, the Hero has become a total shut-in, refusing to socialize with anyone. However, his world gets a little larger when he meets the Demon Lord online. The two hit it off, and the Hero decides he wants to meet her in person. The outside world is a dangerous place, though, and the shy young man only has 1 HP…This story is an adventure romance for the digital age told almost entirely through chat logs!

Summary from the store page on Bookwalker.

A New Character Every Time

  The book begins with an introduction of the Demon Lord and Hero, who happened to talk over LIME, this fantasy world’s version of the online messaging service, LINE.
  Bonding over their reclusiveness and the wish to meet each other, the Hero sets out on a long journey to meet the Demon Lord — while “rescuing” the Princess on the side.
  There is just one problem; the Hero is weak as hell.

  Between the cute illustrations, casual conversations and immediate disposal of all dire stakes, it is clear from the outset that this is a comedy, and that the Hero’s physical weakness will pose no real obstacle. The Hero’s main role is to be the punching bag, the butt of many slapstick jokes. Every character, except the Demon Lord, treats him in a similar way, showing unbridled shock upon learning the true extent of his physical ineptitude and his inability to become stronger.
  He does, however, train in spite of his literal inability to improve.
  Hero can be characterised in a phrase: Weak but willing.

  Just like the Hero, every character can be described in a phrase.
  The King is a lazy cheapskate.
  The Demon Lord is strong, but sweet and naive.
  The Hero’s mother is a stereotypical strong willed mother.
  The Hero’s father is a stereotypical deadbeat dad.
  Nicoletta is a masochistic vampire.
  And so on, and so forth.

  Every character is predictable, nearly everyone is one-dimensional, and the book could have easily become a slog to read.
  However, new characters are introduced all the time and story beats occur at a brisk pace. Every minor event either quickly sets up a joke or moves the Hero’s journey along. Jokes are never drawn out, even if they are frequently repeated.

  As a whole, every character, joke and event is treated as disposable — creating an overall feeling that this is a light story focused on a couple of teenagers overcoming absurd obstacles with the help of their eccentric friends.

A Reminder that Humour is Subjective

  Although I have tried to keep the negativity out of my tone — I did somewhat enjoy myself, after all — there is no escaping the fact that I did not like the many jokes in this book.

  Often relying on stereotypes, slapstick, hyperbole, and repetition, my eyes eventually glazed over and glossed over the jokes. So much so that I simply extracted the plot-relevant information and forgot most everything else.

  Your mileage may vary.

  Fortunately, between all of that is an innocent teenage romance that could be described as fluffy.

Innocent and Illogical Romance (and that’s okay)

  It’s all quite silly.
  The Princess was allegedly kidnapped by the Demon Lord, so the King enlists the Hero to rescue her. The Hero confronts the Demon Lord (through a messaging app). He finds out that the Demon Lord is a cute girl and proposes on impulse. The Demon Lord is caught off guard and takes it seriously. The Hero then also seriously considers the notion.
  Thus, the two decide to meet up.

  As the two learn more about each other, they love each other more.
  Even though it’s for different reasons, they are both reclusive due to circumstances outside of their control and find small comfort in each other.
  Even though it is eventually revealed that they’ve met before, the innocence of first love is preserved.

  There is little reasoning behind their mutual crushes — they felt a bond, therefore, there is love. Their determination is hardly challenged and there are no “real life” factors to consider. Token obstacles are thrown their way, sure, but nothing that can’t be beaten with the power of friendship and, well, power.
  It is simple love and the world lets them be.

  I liked that.

Then It Tried to be Serious

  In stark contrast, I hated the climax of the volume.

  Suddenly, there are real threats.
  No, not the REAL real threats like disapproving parents or discourse over the romance between a human and a demon. FAKE real threats like the Six Sages who want to take the Demon Lord’s power for themselves and maybe rule the world.
  Frankly, this would not be a problem if they were treated as equally disposable as the repetitive jokes but that’s not the case.

  These fake real threats are treated with gravitas, with entire chapters dedicated to proving their power and inflating their one-dimensional characters. They have AMBITIONS. They have STRENGTH. And to be honest, I DO NOT CARE.

  The sad part about this is that, despite all the words spent on the Six Sages, I only remember the one that was connected to one of the main characters.

  Fortunately, it’s easy enough to skip since there are LIME chat logs bookmarking the start and end of the sections.

Short and Sweet

  “If the RPG World Had Social Media…, Vol 1” is short, even by light novel standards. There is no “quality over quantity” saving grace either — this book is, in no uncertain terms, short.
  However, I want to emphasise that it was still enjoyable. In fact, it is partly because it is so short that it was still enjoyable instead of dragging on. That fact is definitely a point against the story, but again, I enjoyed it.

  This is hardly an exploration of the implications of social media in a fantasy world. Magic, near-instant communication is just an excuse to regale us with an innocent long-distance romance between the most powerful being and the least powerful being; Demon Lord and Hero.
  If you can ignore, or perhaps even enjoy, the comedy, you will find a sweet teenage romance free of the burdens of reality and hardly overstays its welcome.

“If the RPG World Had Social Media…, Vol 1” is digitally available for purchase on Bookwalker and Amazon.