January 2024 Issue

Shangri-La Frontier (The Anime/Manga):

Shangri-La Frontier: Crappy Game Hunter Challenges God-Tier Game is a Japanese anime series based on the Shangri-La Frontier manga series by Katarina and Ryosuke Fuji.

The anime takes place in an age where display-based games are considered retro and full-dive VR games have become the norm. The plot of the anime is about a second-year high school student, Hizutome Rakuro, who is interested in one thing only: finding "shitty games" and beating the crap out of them. His gaming skills are second to none, and no game is too bad for him to enjoy. So what happens when he's introduced to the new god-tier VR game Shangri-La Frontier?

Shangri-La Frontier (The Game):

Shangri-La Frontier is a god-tier game in an age of full-dive VR games, which you can play just using your mind. SLF is a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) that has a vast and beautiful open world. You have to make a character, pick a role for yourself, and delve into the massive world where you level up by killing monsters, can interact with other players and NPC's, and also experience quests and unique scenarios.

The world of SLF is full of all kinds of monsters, and their level is usually balanced for specific areas. The monsters can be killed, and they would respawn in time. Each has the option to drop items or materials. There are seven unique monsters known as "The Seven Colossi," which can spawn anywhere at anytime, and killing them is permanent; they won't respawn. The story progresses if any player kills one of these seven unique monsters.

The Assumption:

Let us assume a company named Utopia is developing the game “Shangri-La Frontier” and also the full-dive VR headset with which we can play the game using just our minds. The VR headset can make you feel the sensations of touch, smell, and taste that you experience in the game. The introduction of a god-tier full-dive VR game coupled with an advanced VR headset would likely trigger an unprecedented level of anticipation and fascination across various communities.

Here's a glimpse of how people might react at different stages:

Leaks and Rumors:

Leaks about both the game and the VR headset would generate massive speculation and excitement. People would likely discuss the potential capabilities of the VR technology, the game's features, and the overall immersive experience. Some might question the realism of the leaks. But these leaks and rumors will only excite the gaming community and technology enthusiasts. The general public would not react much to the leaks.

Trailer Release:

The release of a trailer showcasing the game and the VR headset would likely create unprecedented levels of hype. Tech enthusiasts, VR specialists, and gamers would dissect every element, talking about the possible immersion and how it could potentially impact their gaming experiences.

The official trailer showcasing the vast and immersive virtual world would captivate audiences. Gamers would speculate on the game's mechanics, combat systems, quest variety, and the depth of player interaction within the VR environment. Tech enthusiasts and gamers would analyze the specifications of the VR headset, discussing its potential impact on the gaming and virtual reality industries.

Pre-Release Period:

The combination of an extraordinary game and cutting-edge VR hardware would lead to a pre-order frenzy. Consumers eager to be part of this groundbreaking experience might rush to secure both the game and the headset. Ahead of the game's release, players might begin forming guilds and alliances, preparing for the shared adventure. Online forums and social media platforms would see increased activity as players plan their in-game strategies.

Given the potential demand, discussions might arise about the availability of the VR headset, leading to concerns about shortages and the scalability of production.

S

Release Day:

On release day, anticipation would peak. Fans would eagerly line up at physical and virtual stores to get their hands on the game and the VR headset. Virtual launch events and live streams might accompany the release, generating more buzz. Launch day would mark the beginning of a new virtual world, with players eagerly logging in to explore, quest, trade, and compete in a fully immersive environment.

Players diving into the game and testing the VR headset would share their initial impressions, praising the immersion, realism, and transformative experience. Reviews, videos, and social media posts would flood the internet.

Post-Release:

More people would likely get pulled towards the game with time as the community grows. The game's community would likely remain active, with players sharing their in-game experiences, discoveries, and achievements. Players would join different guilds, which focus on different things, like killing unique monsters, exploring everything in the world, getting to know the lore and story of the world, or PvP.

Impact on Gaming:

• • The release of Shangri-La Frontier with the VR headset could mark a turning point in the gaming industry, influencing the development of VR technology and setting new standards for immersion and gameplay.
• • Display-based games would likely continue to coexist with VR games. While VR experiences might become more popular, traditional games would still have a significant player base.
• • A more varied selection of gaming alternatives could result from a more fragmented gaming market where users select between VR and non-VR experiences according to available gear and tastes.

Conclusion

Overall, the release and success of a game like Shangri-La Frontier would likely drive significant changes in the gaming industry, pushing boundaries and inspiring innovation across various aspects of game development, technology, and player experiences. But this is just speculation, and we don't know when we will get something like this in the future.

Japanese mythology is rich and diverse, being a blend of traditional Shintō beliefs, Buddhism, and local folk tales. From the creation of the islands by gods Izanagi and Izanami to legendary creatures like tengu and kappa, these stories have been shaping Japanese culture and traditions for centuries. They've introduced not only elements of mysticism but also moral and philosophical teachings that have helped shape society. Internationally renowned anime frequently taps into this wealth, marrying tradition with modernity. Japanese mythology doesn't just provide colorful characters and tales, but also intricate conflicts and moral dilemmas which become the canvas for many hit shows.

Some of the most acclaimed anime titles leverage these myths and legends to add depth and authenticity to their narratives. Examples include "The Tale of The Princess Kaguya," recounting the mysterious girl found inside a bamboo stalk, and "Pom Poko," where tanuki (legendary creatures from Japanese folklore) battle for survival against advancing urbanization. These productions not only captivate the audience but also offer a glimpse into traditional Japanese culture and values.

Studio Ghibli: On the Wings of Legend

Studio Ghibli isn't just a giant in the world of Japanese animation but also a master at translating national folklore onto the screen. Globally recognized for its visually stunning and deeply emotional films, the studio has long drawn inspiration from Japanese myths and legends, creating works that captivate audiences from all cultures.

One of the most mesmerizing examples of this ability is "The Tale of The Princess Kaguya." This story is based on one of the oldest Japanese folk tales titled "Taketori Monogatari" (The Bamboo Cutter's Tale). The legend speaks of a mysterious girl originating from the Lunar Kingdom, landing on Earth within a bamboo stalk. Ghibli, in its adaptation, skillfully blends elements of the original tale with contemporary themes of identity search and parenting challenges.

"Pom Poko" is another Ghibli flick that dives deep into Japanese folklore. The narrative focuses on the tanuki, creatures believed in Japanese legends to have shape-shifting abilities. In "Pom Poko," the tanuki utilize their talents to combat urban expansion threatening their habitat. While these films revolve around modern society's dilemmas, they use traditional legends as their storytelling medium.

"When Marnie was There" is another studio film drawing from Japanese tales of spirits and supernatural phenomena. While not as directly based on a specific myth as other Ghibli productions, it's imbued with the spirit of Japanese folklore, particularly in depicting relations between humans and spirits.

Mononoke Hime: Ancient Spirits of the Forest in Anime

"Mononoke Hime," also known as "Princess Mononoke," is one of the most revered films of Studio Ghibli, directed by the unparalleled Hayao Miyazaki. The movie is rich with references to Japanese legends and myths.

The character of Shishigami, also known as the Forest Spirit, stands out. It is a nod to the kami, spirits from the Shinto religion believed to inhabit various natural objects. In the film, Shishigami is depicted as a guardian of the forest, symbolizing balance in nature. Its ability to grant or take away life mirrors the believed power of kami. When the Forest Spirit loses its head, it becomes a force of destruction, emphasizing the notion that harming nature leads to chaos and devastation.

San, often referred to as Mononoke, is a human girl raised by wolves. Her strong bond with the wolves and her determination to protect the forest reflect traditional Japanese beliefs in the sanctity of nature and harmony between man and nature. Although San isn't a typical character from Japanese legends, her character is reminiscent of yōkai or obake, creatures capable of shape-shifting.

"Mononoke Hime" is filled with subtle references to Japanese folklore, from animal spirits defending the forest to Shinto rituals and practices. Through these elements, Miyazaki showcases the beauty and depth of Japanese culture and underscores the importance of coexisting with nature.

Inuyasha: The Fabric of Japanese Mythology at the Heart of Anime

The historical and spiritual context: "Inuyasha" is set in feudal Japan, a time replete with legends, spirits, and demons. The very character of Inuyasha, a half-demon (hanyō), is deeply rooted in Japanese folklore. Hanyōs are figures often found in folktales, offspring of a spirit and a human, suffering due to their dual heritage and sharing traits of both worlds.

The Shikon no Tama (Jewel of Four Souls) is a stone central to the anime's main plot. It's portrayed as a powerful artifact that enhances demons' powers and turns half-demons into full demons. In Japanese mythology, many such relics and talismans possess extraordinary powers. The Shikon no Tama references the Buddhist concept of the four souls (aramitama, nigimitama, sakimitama, and kushimitama) representing different spirit facets.

Throughout the anime, we encounter a plethora of demons and spirits. Examples like Shippō, a kitsune (fox demon), and Sesshōmaru, Inuyasha's elder brother and a full demon, are direct lifts from Japanese folklore. Kitsune are frequent characters in Japanese tales, being wise creatures with multiple tails. Another is Naraku, the series' main antagonist, whose name references Naraka (Sanskrit: नरक) that is the realm of hell in Indian religions. According to some schools of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, Naraka is a place of torment.

Land of Dragons and Legends: Japanese Mythology in "Dragon Ball"

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  Turtle Hermit and Kamehameha: Master Roshi, also known as Turtle Hermit, employs a martial arts technique named Kamehameha, which translates to "Turtle Wave." While the technique isn't directly linked to Japanese mythology, the idea of an old sage or hermit teaching a younger hero is a recurrent theme in many Japanese legends.

  
  
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  Wukong and Son Goku: The name of the main character, Goku, and his signature tail find their roots in the Chinese tale "Journey to the West." In this legend, the central character is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, boasting immense strength and a tail. Like Wukong, Goku can ride on a cloud and wields a staff that can extend in length.

  
  
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  Yamcha and the Desert Bandit: The character Yamcha is initially introduced as a desert bandit, referencing traditional Japanese stories of bandits and lone warriors. His companion, Puar, resembles Japanese mythological creatures called "bakeneko" - cat spirits.

  
  
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  Korin, the mysterious blue cat residing at Korin Tower and one of the oldest, wisest, and most seasoned martial arts masters in the Dragon Ball world, draws from elements of Japanese culture and mythology. In Japan, cats are frequently seen as magical entities. For instance, the "maneki-neko" is a popular cat figure that waves one paw and is considered a luck-bringing talisman. Although Korin isn't a direct representation of the "maneki-neko," his wisdom and magical abilities align with how cats are often portrayed in Japanese culture.

  
  

Through the Eyes of the Gods: Mythological Echoes in the World of Anime

Japanese mythology, filled with gods, spirits, and creatures, has for centuries influenced the stories and culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. Its presence in anime underscores not only the creativity of its creators but also a deep need to connect with roots and heritage. In a world where technology overshadows tradition, anime becomes a bridge connecting contemporary viewers to ancient legends, reminding them of the values, dreams, and fears of their ancestors.

However, it's not just nostalgia and respect for tradition that make anime draw from mythology. Mythological elements provide rich, multidimensional contexts that enrich stories and add depth to characters. Thanks to them, stories become universal, becoming equally important to a viewer in Tokyo as to one in Toronto. After all, regardless of culture or era, the desire to understand our past and connect with it is innate to every human being.

The visual representation of Zom 100 is a unique and creative way of depicting the life of a zombie in a post-apocalyptic world. The series incorporates a combination of vibrant illustrations, dynamic animations, and upbeat music to create a contrast between the dark setting and the cheerful tone of the story. To enhance humor, horror, or action, the series also employs various visual elements such as exaggerated facial expressions, comic relief, gore, suspense, and fast-paced movements.

Zom 100's unique visual style has had a significant impact on the anime industry, particularly in the genres of comedy, horror, and action. By infusing the zombie theme with a fresh perspective, the series has challenged the notion that zombies are merely mindless killing machines. Through its portrayal of zombies with personalities, emotions, dreams, and hobbies, Zom 100 has made these creatures relatable and endearing to audiences. Moreover, the series has demonstrated that zombies can have exciting adventures in a perilous world and that they can form meaningful friendships and alliances that offer support and care.

Anime series that have zombies or similar themes can take inspiration from the visual representation of Zom 100. By doing so, they can create their own unique and appealing style and story. For instance, the visual representation of Zom 100 can be used by other anime series to add more comedy, horror, or action to their plot, characters, and setting. It can also be used to explore various aspects and possibilities of the zombie theme, such as their origin, evolution, diversity, and morality. Additionally, the visual representation of Zom 100 can attract and engage a broader and more diverse audience that enjoys different genres and tastes.

Konnichiwa minna!!!. I hope you guys are following the making of one of the best modern shounens, which is Jujustsu Kaisen. Great fights, compelling stories, and hype moments make this anime a treat to watch. The return of the menace, Toji Fushiguro, was a marvel to experience after what he had done during the hidden inventory arc. But don't you think he went out a bit too soon?What would have happened if he had stuck around and helped the sorcerers? How would the outcomes at Shibuya change? Let's find out as we explore this scenario.

Scenario Set up

Now for giving Toji his consciousness, we assume that during the seance, due to Toji’s heavenly restrictions, the procedure malfunctioned, and along with Toji’s body, his consciousness also took over the poor grandson.

Recap

• • Toji awakens.
• • He beats Inno as he is being attacked and kills the granny.
• • Toji wonders in Shibuya, confused at what happened.
• • Stumbles upon Megumi’s domain.
• • Enters and, seeing the situation at hand, talks a bit with Naobito and goes on to destroy Daegon with playful cloud.
• • They exit the domain.

Now, Toji recognizes his son Megumi and asks for his name, and upon hearing it, he decides to help them out, as deep inside the monstrous body there is a small part that is glad that Megumi was not sold to the Zenin clan and thus decides to help them retrieve the man who made it possible. During this conversation, they are interrupted by Jogo.

Fight with Jogo

Now, unlike in the original story, Maki, Nanami, and Naobito won’t be burned to death by Jogo instantly. Instead, Toji would immediately take a stand to fight Jogo. Others who are injured are advised by Megumi to meet Shoko for recovery. On resisting, they are informed by a menacing and confident Toji that he can take on Jogo alone as he prepares the playful cloud for a fight.

I feel like Toji will have a little more trouble taking down Jogo as compared to Daegon, considering he only has playful cloud at his disposal. I still see this as a comfortable win for Toji due to the overwhelming strength, power, and reflexes he is granted due to his heavenly restrictions. Toji can easily dodge every attack thrown by Jogo, as he can even sense changes in air density to sense the opponent and react accordingly. Along with this, he has the boon of 0 cursed energy, which makes him undetectable by Jogo, opening up scope for surprised attacks. And if you are wondering what would happen if Jogo used domain expansion, then that would be an even easier win for Toji, as he is not constrained by the guaranteed hit condition inside the domain, and he can simply leave the domain as confirmed later in the story. After the usage of the domain, Jogo would be exhausted, thus giving Toji an even easier win over him.

Now let us get over some significant changes that will take place.

• • Sukuna won’t be resurrected. So Yuji would most likely be out of commission due to his fight with Choso.
• • Megumi won’t summon Mahoraga, as even if he were encountered by Haruta, he would easily fend him off as he would be in better condition.
• • Nanami and Naobito won’t die! (Maki doesn’t get those badass scars.)

Meet with Mahito

After exorcising Jogo, as Toji advances towards the 5th level, he meets up with Mahito. Mahito is taken aback by the man in front of him, as he does not sense any cursed energy from him. Underestimating Toji, Mahito starts shit-talking about humans, to which Toji, like a true boss, just gives a menacing smile. During the exchange itself, Mahito launches himself forward to attack Toji, which Toji easily evades and kicks Mahito’s soul out into a pillar. As Mahito tries to get up, he is in disbelief. How can this man hurt him? As he looks up, he sees Toji take his stance and prepare the playful cloud.

Now, a whole lot of you would ask, How can Toji hurt Mahito? Well, because in the later part of the story, it was revealed that the master of soul split katana (which Toji was) can even sense the souls of inorganic matter, implying he has a greater understanding of the soul. Along with this, Toji completely outclasses Mahito in physical capabilities, which means Mahito can’t one tap Toji. Also, he will eventually be joined by Todo, which further confirms Mahito’s defeat. From the above points, we can conclude that Toji claps Mahito.

One of the most important changes would be that Nobara would probably be alive, as Mahito would be too worked up with Toji to give any attention to Nobara.

Finale

As Toji moves towards exorcising Mahito, he sees Geto come out of nowhere and absorb Mahito. Kenjaku starts explaining his plan and prepares to attack. At this moment, Toji is joined by the sorcerers from both Tokyo and Kyoto as everyone prepares to fight Kenjaku.

At this moment, taking into consideration Kenjaku’s future fights, I don’t think Kenjaku can fight off all of them by himself. Even if he gets help from Uraume’s ice powers, it will easily fend off when Yuki arrives with Garuda. Taking on Yuki and Choso was difficult enough for Kenjaku, but when you include Toji and other sorcerers like Nanami and Maki, it seems very difficult for Kenjaku to Win. Which means the sorcerers would be able to retrieve the Prison realm. Now the story will also change drastically, but we won’t be discussing that here as we decided to cover it until the Shibuya incident.

Adding Toji to the team not only changes the complete outcome of the arc but also many casualties. Toji, couldn’t you have waited 1 minute more before attacking Megumi?

I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading

Power Progression is one of the key factors that make a shonen series successful. The patient waits for the protagonist's new form or power while he is getting his ass handed to him, the suspense and build up leading to a massive reveal of a new power - nothing gets more hype than this.

However with the amount of shonens available today, the power progression becomes repetitive, predictable and boring. Let's take a look at the way different shows handle power distribution and progression.

The OGs

Most people start their anime journey with something like Dragon Ball, Naruto or any other anime they catch on Cartoon Network at night. Shows like Dragon Ball and Naruto are undoubtedly the foundation of Shonen as it exists today, with Dragon Ball practically being the first shonen (technically Astro Boy was the first but no one’s seen that).

Dragon Ball

Let's talk about Dragon Ball. Anyone who’s watched Dragon Ball knows the hype when a new form is revealed. Goku going Super Saiyan for the first time against Frieza, Gohan unlocking Super Saiyan 2 against Perfect Cell , or Goku shedding his eyebrows against Majin Boo to go Super Saiyan 3. All of these are defining moments in not only Dragon Ball but anime itself as a medium. You enjoy these moments but eventually, a pattern becomes apparent.

The entirety of Dragon Ball can be summed up by the following chart:

Needless to say, it gets a bit boring. Also, the side characters really get left behind. Take for example, Piccolo. Remember when he was an actual threat and a powerful ally? Now he’s just cannon fodder used to buy time against the big guns.

Naruto

The orange-wearing, ramen-loving dork is a stranger to no one. Naruto has been one of the biggest shonens of all time. Now while Naruto’s power system is more diverse than DBZ, it also follows a similar trope of ever stronger enemies. While there’s nothing wrong with it and some even might consider it necessary, it results in the show becoming vastly different from where it started. This is in general a problem with linear power scaling. If the series goes on for too long, the grounded characters become god-like, while the side characters are left behind.

The Creatives

Series like Bungo Stray Dogs and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure have a different approach to this conundrum. Let us take a look at JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

JJBA

Aside from it’s Gayness, JoJo is known for a few other things as well- one of them being it’s unique power systems. Stands offer a very unique form of power leveling- the characters get stronger when they mature mentally and understand their powers better (not applicable to Parts 1 and 2, the characters just hit the gym and get beefed up for peak performance).

As a result, you see characters working with their limited resources in different ways to tackle different things.

Take for example, Jolyne Cujoh, the protagonist from Part 6. Her powers include transforming to threads (literally). Such a power at first doesn’t seem all that useful, but we see the protagonist go toe to toe against people who can manipulate gravity to their will; all thanks to her creativity with her powers.

The beauty of anime such as JoJo is that rightfully said in the panel below:

Bungo Stray Dogs

Let's talk about Bungo. Now, BSD as a series has a pretty non-existent power progression system. The character's powers do not increase with time. When it comes to their special abilities, the cards they are dealt are the cards they play with.

With Bungo Stray Dogs however, teamwork is really what makes the difference. A character’s abilities are limited, but different characters working as a team unlock wild new possibilities.

The main character, Atsushi’s ability, ‘Beast Beneath the Moonlight’ allows him to turn into a tiger and while is great for offense, leads little room for defending himself. Akutagawa’s Rashoumon on the other hand is great for ranged attacks and close quarter defense.

The 2 are formidable on their own, but pair them up and they can go toe to toe with the deadliest foes with ease.

Similarly, Chuya’s gravity manipulation is undoubtedly the strongest ability in the series, but leads him to lose control and potentially end the world. Pair him up with Dazai and you get a duo who can quite literally manifest a black hole and control it.

Conclusion

Linear power scaling is a great way of power progression in long running series. You see the characters grow alongside you, and seeing their growth makes you feel a personal connection with them.However, linear power scaling often becomes repetitive and carries the risk of making the series drift too far from its roots. While this is not always bad, this does leave less room for creativity and side characters get left behind.

Non-linear power scaling allows for creative solutions and always leaves room for more possibilities. Further different power combinations can lead to vastly different results and this makes character interactions way more interesting.

Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara honki Dasu (which I will be referring to as MT from now on for convenience's sake) is a Light Novel Series written by Rifujin no Magonote, which translates to Unreasonable Backscratcher, (this surely has a deep meaning that I am not wise enough to comprehend). Having originally written it as a Web Novel on the site Shōsetsuka ni Narō, it got very, very popular (number one ranked work on the site from October 2013 to February 2019). This got it a Light Novel adaptation and a recent anime adaptation, and it got very popular, which is great because I absolutely adore this series. But having read both the Light Novel and Web Novel, I don’t have any content left to consume in the series. That was when I was struck by a brilliant idea,

“If you have no content left to consume, then create the content yourself."

- Markio

…well now that we got that out of the way, let's move on with the article.

The Six-Faced World

All events of the MT storyline take place in the Human World, which is a part of the six-faced world. As one would expect, the six-faced world consists of seven worlds. It is in a hexahedral (die-like) form, and each of its sides consists of one world, namely:

• • Dragon World
• • Demon World
• • Beast World
• • Ocean World
• • Sky World
• • Human World

And The Void World, a world of white nothingness at the center of the die.

Since this isn’t a thesis (and I have a deadline to meet), I will only be covering the Human World.

History and Mythology

As per mythology, the God of Creation created the six-faced world as he was nearing the end of his life. He decided to build a world before he died but realized that he was too weak to create a stable world. Apparently, even gods can’t escape the effects of aging; the new world he created was unstable. So, he kept creating worlds, each one turning out as unstable as the one before, till there were six. As all six were unstable, he came across the bright idea to merge all six worlds, and the resulting world was stable (don’t ask how). He then divided his soul into six alter-egos and inhabited each of the six worlds, therefore creating the six-faced world. Despite being as believable as other mythological stories, it is an interesting read, and it is nice to know that the author even gave the origin of the world some thought.

The Human World

Congratulations! After scanning through the filler content above, you have finally reached the meat of the article. Give yourself a pat on the back. The Human World consists of five continents, one being 3000 feet above sea level.

• • Central Continent
• • Demon Continent
• • Millis Continent
• • Begaritt Continent
• • Divine / Heaven Continent (I think you guys can guess which continent is floating in the sky)

Now, before going in-depth about the ecosystem and culture of different continents, let’s first discuss the history of the human world. When the human world was initially made, it was occupied by humans alone, and ruled by the Human God. It was considered the most developed civilization among the worlds, and due to humans being short-lived, innovative ideas were more commonplace. But all went into disarray once the Dragon God’s War started, which I will not (and cannot) explain in this article. You can read up on it in the wiki if you enjoy getting spoiled. During this war, all the gods, except the Human God, were killed. In these dire situations, the Human God rallied all the other races and brought them all to the Human World. So, I guess you should thank the first Dragon God (and the war) for making the Human World as racially diverse as it is.

Also, here’s a cool map of the Human World.

The Central Continent

The Central Continent is the largest continent of the Human World, and can essentially be compared to Asia. It is a geographically diverse land consisting of mountain ranges, plains, snow-ridden lands, and forests. Being so large, this continent is further divided into three parts by a vast mountain range running through its middle.

Red Wyrm Mountains

This enormous mountain range runs through the middle of the continent, which roughly divides the continent into three parts: North, West, and South. You can see the same in the map attached above. The name of the Mountain Ranges originates from the Laplace War (a war started by Laplace) when Laplace released wyrm dragons in the mountains to prevent humans from crossing.

The Mountain Range is divided into two sections; the North-western part is called the Red Wyrm’s Upper mouth, which trails off into two more ranges, one heading to the East while the other to the South. The one that goes to the East is known as the Crying Wyrm mountain range. The one going South is called the Red Wyrm’s Lower mouth, and these three ranges neatly divide the Central Continent into its three major regions.

The North

To the North of the Red Wyrm Mountains lies the Northern territories, which are extremely cold and frequently receive heavy snowfall. This region can be compared to the Arctic regions or Greenland. The soil here is infertile, and the region is generally weak and poor, at least compared to other kingdoms on the continent. The small kingdoms here are often at war with each other for resources and power. This region is also filled with strong monsters, so warriors often travel North to train. Clearly, in this world, for a lot of people, their safety is a small price to pay for more power. Experienced adventurers often frequent dungeons to kill strong monsters.

The Magic Nations Alliance is an alliance of the three strongest nations in the North, and it’s the stabilizing factor in an otherwise volatile region. It consists of The Ranoa Kingdom, the Duchy of Neris, and the Duchy of Basherant. The Kingdom of Ranos is most famous for having the Ranoa University of Magic, the largest magic school in the world. It also happens to be the place where Rudeus Greyrat went to find a remedy for a sensitive issue of his.

Other notable regions are the Sword Sanctum, the headquarters of the Sword God Style School of Swordsmanship, and the Kingdom of Biheiril.

The West

The western part of the continent is a very prosperous region and home to many powerful kingdoms. It is abundant in fertile plains and rivers, leading to its military and economic prosperity. This region is not popular with adventurers as its monsters are generally weak and are regularly eliminated by knights of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Asura holds absolute authority over the West, and it can mainly be divided into four regions: Fittoa Region, Milbotts Region, Donati Region, and Wisir Region. These four regions are ruled by four different families and engage in the usual politics and power struggles.

The South

The southern region is fertile, with numerous rivers, large expanses of plains, and vast forest regions. Many kingdoms are located north of the King Dragon mountain range, but they constantly engage in war, and this region is known as the ‘Conflict Zone’. These kingdoms regularly meet their demise and rebuild themselves, but to the south of the mountain region, kingdoms are more stable and have greater autonomy over their lands. The King Dragon Realm is a powerful kingdom with control over the southern regions and four major vassal states. Of these four, one of them is the Shirone Kingdom, where Rudeus went to save his stepmom and younger sister.

The Demon Continent

Moving on from the relatively tame Central continent, we move on to the extremely harsh Demon continent. Like seriously, you wouldn’t want to be teleported thousands of feet in the sky above this continent like a certain someone. This continent is inhabited by many demon races, like the Migurd and Superd, and the main language spoken is the Demon God Tongue. Due to high mana density, the monsters who inhabit these lands are very strong, despite being small-fry in front of Rudeus’ party. Surviving a day here would be as tough as surviving in Ohio.

The two main regions of importance in the Demon continent are the city of Rikarisu and The Wind Port in the South. Other minor regions that can be found are the Petrified Forest, the Migurd village (the village of Roxys), and the Gaslow region. The Wind Port is the only port in the Demon Continent and connects to Zanto Port in the Millis continent.

The Millis Continent

The Millis Continent is mainly divided into two major sections, which is represented by the species living there. The population of humans is about the same as that of beast people, where the humans live in the western plains, while the beast people live secluded in the eastern forests. As one would expect, the main languages spoken here are the human God tongue and the Beast God tongue.

Holy County of Millis

This is the second oldest and most powerful kingdom after the Asura kingdom. It is also the homeland of the world’s largest faith, the Millis Religion. Millishion is the capital of the country and is considered the most beautiful place in the world (probably self-proclaimed).

The Great Forest

A woodland region that covers the northeastern half of the continent. This forest is extremely dense in trees and wildlife and receives three months of torrential rains every year. This forest is home to various races: the beast race, hobbits, elves, and dwarves. The beast races are mainly divided between two major clans, the dog-like Adorudia and the cat-like Dedorudia, who live in a village deep in the Great Forest. The beast people treat most humans with hostility, as humans kidnap and traffic beast people on a regular basis. They are then trafficked to Asura nobility, who buy them for huge sums of money.

Holy Sword Highway

The Blue Dragon Mountain range is the border that separates the Holy Country of Millis and the Great Forest, thereby separating the two human and the beast races. The Holy Sword Highway passes through the mountain by a very narrow path wide enough for only two carriages. This highway connects all major regions of the Millis Continent, including the two ports, the Great Forest, and the country of Millis. The highway got its name from the famous story that Saint Millis created this highway with a single swing of his sword (despite the fantasy setting, I find this story unrealistic).

The Begaritt Continent

Begaritt is a continent in the southwest, which has a large number of dungeons. Due to high mana density, the monsters of this land are as tough as those of the Demon Continent. The region seems reminiscent of the Sahara desert due to large expanses of sand and harsh climate conditions. The majority of the people who live here are adventurers/ex-adventurers, and the major language spoken is Fighting God Tongue.

The Maze City of Rapan is the most prominent city on the continent, which was built inside the rib cage of a behemoth monster. This city consists of two ports, one connecting to the western side of the Central Continent, near the Asura kingdom, and the other to the southern side of the Central Continent. A rather barren land that people rarely visit, and where even fewer live.

Heaven Continent

The Heaven Continent is 3000 meters above sea level and is connected to the Central and Demon Continent by an extremely steep cliff. Very little is known about this continent due to its unnatural location (climbing thousands of meters into the sky is no joke), and people rarely ever visit this continent. It is known to be inhabited by the Heaven race, and the language spoken is the Sky God tongue. Images are unavailable due to obvious reasons.

Conclusion

Despite all my efforts, this did end up becoming a sort of thesis, and I could probably write even more, but that would just bore you out (if it hasn’t already), and I am already tired as is. I hope this article, or maybe a guide, was able to evoke some appreciation for the world-building that this series has to offer and would make you want to get into the series.

A little treat for those who stuck around till the end.