is a Japanese light novel series written by Miraijin A. The series originated on the ShÃ
Âsetsuka ni NarÃ
 website, before being published in print with illustrations by Jimmy by Kodansha beginning in July 2020. As of February 2026, eight volumes have been released. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Natsumi Inoue, began serialization on the Magazine Pocket website in June 2020. As of January 2026, the manga's individual chapters have been collected into twenty volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Studio Mother aired from April to June 2024. A second season aired from September to December of the same year. A third season has been announced.
Plot
A Japanese salaryman dies and reincarnates in another world as Ars Louvent, heir of a noble family and discovers that he also possesses the skill to appraise the talents and aptitudes of other people. With his special powers, Ars identifies and convinces powerful individuals who excel in various subjects, from magic and swordsmanship to strategy and diplomacy to become his servants and allies in preparation for an imminent war for the throne's succession. When he demonstrates his prowess, he is promoted to the Lord of Canarre, and soon has to go to war with the neighboring Duchy of Seitz against a wicked lord.
Characters
Main
Heir to the House Louvent who rules the town of Lamberk, Ars is a noble who is the reincarnation of a Japanese salaryman who possesses the ability to appraise other individuals and measure their talents. Making use of his powers, Ars begins drafting notable individuals with remarkable skills as his retainers in order to bolster Lamberk's fighting force.
Originally an orphan from the Marca race who suffers with discrimination from other races in the country, he is recruited by Ars as his first retainer. Despite suffering prejudice at first, Ritsu's loyalty to Ars and outstanding gift for combat and leadership makes him earn the trust from the rest of the Louvent family and he becomes the commander of their army.
Another orphan rescued and taken in by Ars after he bought her from a group of slave traders. She excels in magic and becomes the leader of the Louvent family's magician platoon. She sees Ars like a little brother.
A child living in the Louvent family's territory, he is recruited by Ars due to his natural gift as a tactician, eventually becoming his army's strategist.
Ars' fiancée who excels in politics and diplomacy. Ars becomes wary of her at first due to her high ambition stat, which makes her prone to deceive and betray others, but eventually she truly falls in love with Ars and decides to support him with her skills, becoming his wife and closest confidant.
The head of House Louvent; he is Ars' father who is loved and respected by his family and subjects. He dies of illness when Ars is still a child, making him the new head of the family.
Former noble that traveled the world drinking and spending her savings. She was discovered by the Shadows and recruited by Ars as a strategist and tactician. She is the older sister of Thomas Grunzeon, adviser of Valmarque, one of the two sons of the Duke of Missian. She gets along well with Charlotte.
The leader of a band of mercenaries called Shadow. Although he looks and sounds like a girl, he is really a guy. While in disguise, he usually poses as a waitress. He uses shadow magic to conceal himself in the darkness where enemies cannot detect or see him, but can still hear him. He later becomes Ars's retainer.
Secondary
Ars' mother.
Lysia's father and Ars' father in law.
Ars' younger brother.
Ars' younger sister.
Oldest son of the late Duke of Missian, he wins a war of succession with his brother with help from Ars and his retainers. He is Lenge's father and Vasmarque's brother.
Couran's brother who challenged him for control over Missian. He is executed after he loses the war against Couran, Ars and their allies. Vasmarque is also Lenge's uncle.
Vasmarque's right hand man and Mireille's brother. He possesses immense strength and is convinced by Mireille to join Ars' faction after the war.
Son of Couran Saremakia. Despite how overconfident and stuck up he is, he never goes as far as to boss others around or force people to listen to his options; however, he is not fond of using deception.
Daughter of Fraedor Bandol. She is also a mage who wields magic that rivals to that of Charlotte's. Although at first part of Vasmarque's forces, she and her father later deflect to Ars's army due to them not wanting to harm innocent people to ensure their victory.
A lord who was forced to work for Vasmarque for the safety of his kidnapped pregnant wife. After Ars rescues his wife, he allies with Ars in turn.
The leader of a company that is made out of combat mercenaries. He is on neither side in the war and only helps just to get money. Nevertheless, he helps Ars's army defeat Jean and Dan.
A warrior who wields an axe that only he can carry and relies more on strength rather than strategy. He was originally part of the enemy forces, but deflected to Ars's side after losing to Ritsu, becoming his apprentice in the process.
The lord of Castle Rolto and one of Vasmarque's allies. He murdered his father so he can become a lord himself. He is defeated by Clamant and he surrenders.
Jean's right-hand man. He is a strong fighter and evenly matched with Ritsu. He is defeated by Ritsu and surrenders.
Media
Light novel
Written by Miraijin A, the light novel began publication on the novel posting website ShÃ
Âsetsuka ni NarÃ
 on October 31, 2019. The series was later acquired by Kodansha, who published the series with illustrations by Jimmy under their Kodansha Ranobe Books imprint beginning on July 2, 2020. As of February 2026, eight volumes have been released.
In March 2022, Kodansha USA announced that they also licensed the light novel series for English publication.
Volumes
Manga
A manga adaptation, illustrated by Natsumi Inoue, began serialization in Magazine Pocket on June 26, 2020. As of January 2026, the series' individual chapters have been collected into twenty volumes.
In November 2021, Kodansha USA announced that they licensed the manga for English publication, with the first volume being released in September 2022.
Volumes
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on May 9, 2023. It is produced by Studio Mother and directed by Takao Kato, with scripts written by Yasuhiro Nakanishi, character designs handled by YÃ
«ko Yahiro, and music composed by Kujira Yumemi. The series aired from April 7 to June 23, 2024, on the brand new Agaru Anime programming block on all JNN affiliates, including CBC and TBS. The opening theme song is performed by True, while the ending theme song is "Finally" performed by Kana Hanazawa. Crunchyroll streamed the series worldwide outside of East Asia. Medialink licensed the series in East (excluding China and Japan) and Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.
Following the final episode of the first season, a second season was announced, which aired from September 29 to December 22 of the same year, on the same programming block. The opening theme song is "Skillawake" (stylized in all-caps) performed by PassCode, while the ending theme song is "Familiar" performed by Yuki Tanaka.
A third season was announced after the airing the final episode of the second season.
Reception
By November 2021, the web novel has over 30 million views.
In the 2021 Next Manga Award, the manga won the U-Next Prize and ranked 18th in the web manga category.
Richard Eisenbeis wrote in Anime News Network that the anime's first episodes are "simple and predictable pattern". He noted that the introduction of Lysia "breaks the pattern things get more interesting" adding that Ars' reaction to Lysia's ability makes his weakness clear, thus, adding stakes and drama to the story. He concludes that the anime blends comedy and heartwarming moments, highlighting the hope that one good leader can bring peace and prosperity to a failing empire.
See also
Notes
References
External links