A Returner's Magic: A Gift or a Curse?

A returner's magic should be special. The concept of a returner's magic being special is an intriguing one. It suggests that those who have returned from a different world or time possess a unique kind of power. This power is often portrayed as something extraordinary, granting the returner abilities that are beyond the reach of ordinary individuals. In many fantasy and isekai stories, the returner is someone who has been transported to another world and then makes their way back to their original world. During their time in the alternate world, they often acquire skills, knowledge, and experiences that set them apart from regular people.

The animation quality is… serviceable. There’s a bad 3D CGI dragon, which might be warning for what’s to come in terms of monster design, and many of the shots have a sparkle filter to spice up the framing. It’s fine.

There s a bad 3D CGI dragon, which might be warning for what s to come in terms of monster design, and many of the shots have a sparkle filter to spice up the framing. All the kingdom names, all the heartstring-tugging nods to lost comrades-at-arms and lovers, all of it comes off sounding trite and stereotypical as we spend the first half of a cold open acting like any of this stuff matters to anyone.

During their time in the alternate world, they often acquire skills, knowledge, and experiences that set them apart from regular people. This newfound power, combined with their familiarity with both worlds, makes them special upon their return. The special nature of a returner's magic can manifest in various ways.

A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special – Episode 1

What’s it about? At the end of a phyrric war in The Shadow World, only six warriors survived. More than 150 million fought and died trying to defeat the dark and evil dragon, Boromir Napolitan (that’s actually his name) and 99 percent of the world’s mages are dead. Desir Herrman contemplates his next steps in life after a ten year war that cost him everything he has ever held dear when he realizes Napolitan isn’t quite vanquished yet. The six heroes perish in an explosion of mana as the dead dragon’s heart ignites. Desir suddenly finds himself 13 years in the past, back as a freshman at Hebrion Academy.

Returner’s Magic wants to be very serious about slaying a great evil dragon with swords and magic. Our heroes would look great in the most generic knockoff copy of Dragon Quest. There’s Rafaello, the shield boy who protecs! Priestess girl, she’s here to pray! Noble magic man, he wears glasses! Warrior guy, can’t actually talk in full sentences, has an axe!

Combining their powers, they manage to strike down Boromir Napolitan (again, that’s really his name), and now that the dust is settling they are talking about their next steps to bury their dead, memorialize and pray for them. Desir has lost his lover and is overcome with hollowness knowing there’s nobody and nothing waiting for him. Characters talk about rebuilding the League of Western Kingdoms and the mages at the Magic Tower.

None of this means anything to me.

All I need to know is that Boromir Napolitan (I really will have to emphasize, that’s really his name) was in the shadow realm, and he needed to be beat up or the whole world was going to be overtaken by some kind of miasma. All the kingdom names, all the heartstring-tugging nods to lost comrades-at-arms and lovers, all of it comes off sounding trite and stereotypical as we spend the first half of a cold open acting like any of this stuff matters to anyone.

It’s like watching one of those really fake epic movies in a show like “Titanic in Space,” but it’s actually the show.

And then halfway through, we get to the gist of it. Desir gets thrown back in time to the first day of school so that he can relive the next 13 years knowing the horrifying war that’s coming, and I’m guessing he’s now going to save all the people he cares about using what he now knows (primarily the big fact that Boromir Napoli—goddamn, that’s really his name—tan will literally explode and kill everyone when he dies).

The animation quality is… serviceable. There’s a bad 3D CGI dragon, which might be warning for what’s to come in terms of monster design, and many of the shots have a sparkle filter to spice up the framing. It’s fine.

Nothing is falling apart, but that’s mostly because the showrunners were able to recycle some cuts three or four times, which either points to them really wanting to emphasize Desir’s girlfriend is dead or that this wife guy really has nothing much else going for him aside from that.

Far as narrative issues go, Desir being a commoner in a world where nobles are given preferential treatment makes this story about classism, but will it actually say something? The classism angle can just as likely be just a convenient ploy to make sure Desir can’t just stand up at school and yell “Nobody panic, I’m from the future,” and gives him a measure of scrappiness in his fight for survival.

More than likely, the ingrained power structures are more likely going to be a convenient contrivance to the story more than anything. Give this show a few episodes and he’ll probably have mostly won over his classmates, including his noble-born girlfriend to be, with his unflappable charm of main character energy.

The premise and characters are so melodramatic and rote, I can’t really say any of this is riveting entertainment. But hey, at least Desir isn’t reborn from modern day Japan or something. That would otherwise check off all the boxes.

I guess if you’re really, really wanting a high fantasy story about magic and swords that isn’t about some dude from Japan explaining why curry rice is miracle food or something, you could watch this, or you can have good taste and go watch something better.

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And then halfway through, we get to the gist of it. Desir gets thrown back in time to the first day of school so that he can relive the next 13 years knowing the horrifying war that’s coming, and I’m guessing he’s now going to save all the people he cares about using what he now knows (primarily the big fact that Boromir Napoli—goddamn, that’s really his name—tan will literally explode and kill everyone when he dies).

It can be a physical or arcane power that surpasses the abilities of others, allowing them to perform incredible feats. This could include superhuman strength, the ability to manipulate elements, or even control over time and space. Their magic may also be tied to their knowledge of the other world, giving them an advantage in solving problems or understanding complex situations. Furthermore, a returner's magic being special can also refer to the way their abilities are perceived by others. In their original world, they may be seen as mysterious or even divine, gaining admiration and respect from those around them. Their special magic might also attract the attention of powerful individuals or organizations who seek to harness their unique abilities for their own purposes. While having a special magic as a returner can be seen as advantageous, it can also come with its fair share of challenges. The returner may struggle to find their place in the world they once knew, feeling disconnected from the people and places they left behind. Their special magic might serve as a reminder of their time in the other world, making it difficult to fully adapt to their old life. In conclusion, a returner's magic being special is a captivating concept in literature and fantasy. It adds an additional layer of complexity to the character and their journey, making them stand out from ordinary individuals. Whether it is their extraordinary abilities or the way their magic is perceived by others, the special nature of a returner's magic adds depth and intrigue to the story..

Reviews for "The Returner's Gift: A Magical Advantage in a Modern World"

1. Jessica - 2 stars - A Returner's Magic Should Be Special was a huge disappointment for me. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, with very little happening in each chapter. I found it difficult to stay engaged and ended up losing interest halfway through. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them. Overall, I was expecting more from this novel, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.

2. Mark - 1 star - I regret picking up A Returner's Magic Should Be Special. The plot felt predictable and unoriginal, with cliched fantasy elements that have been done countless times before. The writing style was also subpar, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Furthermore, the main character was unlikable and lacked any real motivation or growth. I found myself struggling to finish the book and ultimately found it to be a waste of time.

3. Emily - 2 stars - A Returner's Magic Should Be Special failed to captivate me. The world-building lacked depth and felt underdeveloped, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and chaotic action scenes. Additionally, the dialogue felt unnatural and forced, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. Overall, this novel didn't live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.

The Returner's Magic: Unleashing Hidden Potential