No Game No Life

No Game No Life (Japanese: ノーゲーム・ノーライフ, Hepburn: Nōgēmu Nōraifu) is a light novel series by Yuu Kamiya. It is published under the MF Bunko J imprint with six novels released between April 25, 2012 and April 25, 2014. The author and his wife, Mashiro Hiiragi, adapted the novels into a manga series for Monthly Comic Alive in 2013. Later that year, an anime adaptation of No Game No Life by Madhouse was announced. It premiered on AT-X between April and July 2014, and was simulcast outside of Japan by Crunchyroll. The No Game No Life franchise was localized in North America by several companies: Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the manga, Sentai Filmworks the anime, and Yen Press the light novel series.

The series follows Sora and his younger step-sister Shiro, two hikikomori who make up the identity of Blank, an undefeated group of gamers. One day, they are challenged by the god of games to chess and are victorious. As a result, the god summons them to Disboard, a world which revolves around games. Intent on maintaining their reputation as the undefeated gamers, Sora and Shiro plan to conquer the sixteen ruling species and to usurp the title of god of games.

The series began receiving recognition in 2014. The light novel circulated 1.1 million copies and ranked in the yearly magazine, Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!; all three of No Game No Life‍ '​s mediums made appearances in top selling charts. English reviewers for the anime were generally turned away by the first episode, citing the unlikable protagonists and the heavy exposition. However, reviewers who have completed the series generally praised the character dynamics, game strategies, and animation, while panning the fan service featuring the underage Shiro.

Plot

Sora and Shiro are two hikikomori step-siblings who are known in the online gaming world as Blank, an undefeated group of gamers. One day, they are challenged to a game of chess by Tet, a god from another reality. The two are victorious and are offered to live in a world that centers around games. They accept, believing it to be a joke, and are summoned to a reality known as Disboard^{[Jp. 1]}. There, a spell known as the Ten Pledges prevents violence and enforces the rules and outcomes of games. The two traverse to Elkia^{[Jp. 2]}, the nation inhabited by humans, and befriend the duchess Stephanie Dola. Learning about Elkia's decline, Sora and Shiro participate in a tournament to determine the next ruler; after winning the crown, they earn the right to challenge the Disboard's other species as humanity's representative.^{LN 1.4} Their next goal is to conquer all sixteen species in order to challenge Tet to a game.

Characters

Sora (空) and Shiro (白)

Sora is an eighteen-year-old male who excels at strategies and cold readings while his eleven-year-old step-sister, Shiro, excels at calculations and logic.^{LN 3.0} The two are known as the undefeated gaming identity Blank (空白, Kūhaku, stylized as『　　』) due to their trademark of using only spaces in their in-game names. Following the death of their parents and feeling ostracized by the world, the two suffer from a degree of agoraphobia and became hikikomori.^{LN 1.0} When the two are separated from each other, they begin to suffer panic attacks.^{LN 1.1} After Sora and Shiro are summoned to Disboard, they decide to uphold their undefeated reputation as Blank by defeating Tet. Sora is voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka and Shiro by Ai Kayano.^[1] A 2014 poll by Charapedia ranked Shiro and Sora as two of the most intelligent anime characters.^[2]

Stephanie Dola (ステファニー・ドーラ, Sutefanī Dōra)

Stephanie is a teenage girl and granddaughter to the previous king of Elkia, the nation inhabited by humans. She has a lot of explicit knowledge but lacks the intuition to win games.^{LN 2.1} Her grandfather was infamously known for losing games and giving up Elkia's land. As a result, Stephanie strives to restore her grandfather and humanity's honor. When Sora and Shiro are crowned, she becomes their assistant and deals with Elkia's economics and politics. They discover her grandfather kept hidden records on the other species which becomes an asset to their victories;^{LN 2.3} her experience with Sora and Shiro improves her skill to the point that she can win against normal humans.^{LN 4.1} She is voiced by Yōko Hikasa.^[1]

Jibril (ジブリール, Jiburīru)

Jibril is a flügel^{[Jp. 3]}, a powerful angelic race known for their ruthlessness.^{LN 2.1} Jibril is over 6000-years old and is the youngest and most powerful of her species.^{LN 5.2} She won Elkia's library from Stephanie's grandfather in order to store her books and use it as a home.^{LN 2.2} After losing to Sora and Shiro in a game of Shiritori, she becomes their slave, but is treated as an equal.^{LN 2.2} She often provides magic or transportation necessities for the protagonists. Later on, she begins publishing novels based on Sora and Shiro which makes them famous among the flügels.^{LN 5.1} She is voiced by Yukari Tamura.^[1]

Warbeast^{[Jp. 4]}

The warbeasts are kemonomimis with high physical abilities; their nation is known as the Eastern Federation^{[Jp. 5]}. They are ruled by a nameless Miko, a logical woman who helped the Eastern Federation flourish for the past fifty years.^{LN 3.4} She possesses a rare ability called Blood Destruction which augments her physical abilities by taxing her body. She allies herself with Sora and Shiro who promises benefits for humanity and warbeasts.^{LN 3.4} She is voiced by Naomi Shindo.^[3]

Meanwhile, the warbeast embassy in Elkia is represented by Izuna Hatsuse (初瀬 いづな, Hatsuse Izuna), an eight-year-old child and ambassador of the warbeast.^{LN 2.4} She has a childlike demeanor and uses the copula desu, but also possesses high intellect and Blood Destruction.^{LN 3.3} Following the alliance between humans and warbeasts, she is a constant companion to Sora and Shiro whom she adores and trusts. She is voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro.^[1] Alongside her is her grandfather, Ino Hatsuse (初瀬 いの, Hatsuse Ino).^{LN 2.4} He believes Sora has selfish ulterior motives and dislikes him. After the alliance between humans and warbeasts, he works alongside Stephanie to formalize the union.^{LN 4.1} He is voiced by Mugihito.^[3]

Kurami Zell and Fil Nilvalen

Kurami Zell (クラミー・ツェル, Kuramī Tseru) is an eighteen-year old girl and considered the slave of the elf Fil Nilvalen (フィール・ニルヴァレン, Fīru Niruvaren). Though Kurami's family were the Nilvalen family's slaves for generations, her relationship with Fil is similar to daughter and mother.^{LN 3.2} Meanwhile, Fil is considered a failure of a magician but is secretly highly skilled.^{LN 5.0} She is willing to betray Elven Garde^{[Jp. 6]}, the nation inhabited by elves, for Kurami's sake; the two conspire to have Fil obtain a political position of power in order to abolish slavery.^{LN 3.2} Sora manages to convince Kurami to be his ally by sharing his memories with her.^{LN 3.1} Kurami is voiced by Yuka Iguchi and Fil by Mamiko Noto.^[1]

Dhampirs and sirens

Dhampirs^{[Jp. 7]} are a species with similar characteristics to vampires: they drink body fluids from other species for nourishment; excel at transformation, illusion, and dream magic; and are weak to sunlight. Their weakness to sunlight can be spread through bites which deters the other species from sharing blood with them.^{LN 4.0} Meanwhile sirens^{[Jp. 8]} are an all female species with the body of a mermaid. They require the life of a male from another species in order to reproduce; their magic allows them to seduce anyone of their choosing. Both species live in a nation called Oceando^{[Jp. 9]}. Centuries ago, the dhampirs and sirens used the Ten Pledges to create a mutualistic relationship between the two; the dhampirs were allowed to feed on the sirens and in return, a male dhampir is to mate with the siren's empress who can reproduce without killing. Eight hundred years prior, the empress went into hibernation and the mating rituals killed all but a single male dhampir.^{LN 4.1}

Puram (プラム, Puramu) is the last male dhampir and as a result, disguises himself as a female;^{LN 5.4} his magic skills are considered above average within his species.^{LN 5.2} After consuming Sora and Shiro's sweat, he becomes fond of their taste. He makes a deal with the sirens to lure Sora and Shiro in an attempt to have one of the two races enslave humanity. Sora and Shiro deduce his deception but decide to save both races regardless.^{LN 5.4} Since then, Sora and Shiro have Puram accompany them on their adventures.

The empress of the sirens, Leila Lorelei (ライラ・ローレライ, Raira Rōrerai), used the Ten Pledges to put herself to sleep without revealing the requirements to wake her up. While she slept, Amira (アミラ) takes her place in leading the sirens.^{LN 4.2} Realizing the empress is a masochist who desires a la douleur exquise, Sora's immunity to the sirens' seduction magic allows him to successfully awaken her.^{LN 5.4} Subsequently, the empress used Sora's hair to create a siren daughter.^{LN 5.5}

Other characters

• Tet (テト, Teto) is an old deus^{[Jp. 10]}, a magical entity born from wishes and prayers. During the era when the sixteen species were at war with each other, a human named Riku Dola^{[Jp. 11]} and his Ex Machina^{[Jp. 12]} wife, Shuvi Dola^{[Jp. 13]}, imagined the existence of a god of games; this resulted in Tet's birth. Due to Riku's efforts, Tet comes into possession of an object know as the Star Grail, allowing him to become the god of Disboard. Using its power, Tet cast the Ten Pledges on the world, ending the war and making the world center around games.^{LN 6.5} He is voiced by Rie Kugimiya.^[1]

• Azrael (アズリール, Azurīru) is the first flügel and considered their leader after the death of their creator, the old deus Artosh^{[Jp. 14]}. Since then, Azrael has become despondent towards life and tries to give meaning to the flügel's existence to prevent their suicide.^{LN 5.2} She is able to converse with the flügel's homeland, a sentient floating island called Avant Heim^{[Jp. 15]} which is part of a species called the phantasma^{[Jp. 16]}.^{LN 5.1} Following her lost against Sora and Shiro, her powers are reduced to the levels of a human which gives her a new perspective on life.^{LN 5.3}

Publication and conception

No Game No Life is a light novel series written and illustrated by Yuu Kamiya. It is published under the MF Bunko J imprint; six volumes were published by Media Factory between April 25, 2012 and April 25, 2014.^[4][5] In August 2014, Yen Press announced No Game No Life will be one of its titles published under its newly launched imprint, Yen On, in 2015.^[6] Non-English localization include Brazil and Taiwan;^[7][8] distribution in China was banned due to the government viewing the series as a threat to communism.^[9]

No Game No Life was conceived during the serialization of A Dark Rabbit Has Seven Lives.^{LN 1.A} Kamiya's original idea was a fantasy setting with battles; since he disliked drawing battles, he replaced it with games. He had intended to turn the idea into a manga series, but an unspecified illness made him unfit to handle the workload. While hospitalized for treatment, the author imagined how his idea would work as a light novel, and settled for that medium instead.^{LN 1.A} Kamiya began writing the first volume and was advised to break it into three parts due to its length.^{LN 2.A} In the middle of writing the second volume, Kamiya moved to his home country, Brazil, for further treatment for his ailment; in order to meet the volume's deadline, his wife drew some of the illustrations in the novel.^{LN 2.A}

After the third volume, a new editor was assigned to the series.^{LN 3.A} Kamiya noted the third volume contained a lot of plot progression, and was going to balance it out in the fourth volume with more lighthearted and carefree events.^{LN 3.A}. Volumes four and five were written as a single volume; since volume four lacked a climatic ending, Kamiya had to restructure the story.^{LN 4.A} This, along with communication problems with his new editor, and other problems in Kamiya's life caused a month delay in volume four's release.^{LN 4.A} After completing volume five, Kamiya was asked to submit volume six's manuscript before 2014 for the anime adaptation, and to complete the volume before the anime's premiere.^{LN 5.A, 6.A}

Volume list

Manga adaptation

After reviewing the drawings made by Yuu Kamiya's wife, Mashiro Hiiragi, in second light novel volume, his editor suggested the two collaborate on a manga adaptation of No Game No Life for Monthly Comic Alive.^{LN 2.A} Due to Kamiya's work on the third light novel volume, the manga serialization was delayed by a volume; the volume it was supposed to premiere in contained an apology page illustrated by Hiiragi.^{LN 3.A} The series premiered in the March 2013 volume of Monthly Comic Alive and since then, is published irregularly in the magazine.^[16] Media Factory collected the individual chapters for the tankōbon release; there is currently a single volume which was released on November 22, 2013.^[17] In March 2014, Seven Seas Entertainment announced its licensing of the manga series and released the first tankōbon volume in October 2014;^[18] the title is stylized as No Game, No Life.^[19] The series has also been localized in Taiwan.^[20]

Anime adaptation

On July 27, 2013, Monthly Comic Alive announced the anime adaptation for No Game No Life was green lit.^[21] It is directed by Atsuko Ishizuka and animated by Madhouse.^[1] The series premiered on April 9, 2014 on AT-X; it was later broadcast on five other broadcast stations and several streaming networks.^[22] The final episode premiered on June 25, 2014.^[23] Media Factory released the series in six DVD and Blu‑ray volumes between June 25 and November 26, 2014.^[24] The opening theme for the series was "This Game" by Konomi Suzuki and the ending theme is "Oracion" by Shiro's voice actress, Ai Kayano.^[25]

Crunchyroll simulcasted the series, Anime Network broadcast on their cable network and made it available on their website, while Sentai Filmworks acquired the license for digital and home media release in North America.^[26][27][28] In the United Kingdom, MVM Entertainment licensed the series for distribution and in Australasia, Hanabee Entertainment licensed the series for its video on demand website.^[29][30] In France, the series was also simulcasted on Anime Digital Network and is broadcast on Viacom International Media Networks' J-one channel.^[31][32] In China, the series is made available on PPTV.^[33]

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka and Ai Kayano, the voice actors for Sora and Shiro respectively, hosted an internet radio show on Hibiki Radio called No Radio No Life.^[34] It was broadcast weekly between April 8 and July 29, 2014 and switched to a biweekly schedule since then. Twenty-six segments are planned and three CDs are slated for release between July 2014 and February 2015.^[34]

Episode list

Reception

It was reported in April, 2014 that 1.1 million copies of the light novel were in circulation.^[57] The yearly magazine Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, listed the light novel and the protagonists of No Game No Life on its polls.^[58][59] In 2014, No Game No Life was the top ten selling light novel series with several of its books appearing in the top thirty selling volumes list.^[60][61] Seven Seas Entertainment's localization of the manga was able to reach The New York Times Manga Best Sellers and ICv2's charts.^[62][63] The anime series saw similar success and its home media made appearances on Oricon's weekly selling charts.^[64][65] In April 2014, No Game No Life was one of the top recorded anime series on Sony's Torne;^[66] a poll by AT-X ranked the series as one of 2014's top anime series.^[67]

Anime News Network had four editors review the first episode of the anime:^[68] Carl Kimlinger expressed doubt about the premise of the show, but liked the over-saturated visuals and the concept of the protagonists cheating against cheaters; Rebecca Silverman called the characters unlikeable and criticized the expositions for lacking in action, but noted her issues may be resolved in further episodes; and Theron Martin described the plot as wish-fulfilment, noted Sora has too much character for a hikikomori, called Sora's relationship with Shiro creepy, and concluded the series may turn out well if Sora is not an indomitable character. The fourth reviewer, Hope Chapman, expressed absolute disdain towards the series. She expressed hatred towards Sora's character, noting the misunderstood nerd turned respected genius aspect is lazy wish-fulfillment and how he thrives in a world for "misanthropic Shut-ins". Chapman likened the over-saturated colors to vomit, called the character designs hideous, and concluded her review with "nothing has made me roll my eyes, gag, or feel more irrationally angry this season than this insulting self-insert pandering trash heap".^[68]

Anime News Network's Carl Kimlinger published a positive review for the complete anime series.^[69] He wrote that the premise presented many flaws but were balanced out by other aspects: Sora and Shiro's "over-powered hero" archetype is balanced out by their flawed lifestyles, motives, and their "visible delight in crushing their enemies"; Stephanie Dola's mistreatment with gags and Sora and Shiro's growing respect towards her; and the harem aspect with Sora's apathy and interesting female characters. Regardless, Kimlinger praised the plot's "big games", calling them the reason to watch the series and described them as "steeped in trickery and strategy"; he added that despite knowing the protagonists would win, the fun is seeing how they do it. Kimlinger wrote the over-saturation art style will be an acquired taste for most viewers and praised how the animation really shines during the "big games", calling it an impressive display of fluidity and timing.^[69] Kotaku's review was also positive;^[70] the reviewer praised the protagonists' dynamic, echoed Kimlinger's sentiments about the games, liked the animation, but noted his dislike for fan service featuring Shiro. The reviewer ranked the series to be the top five anime series of 2014, and recommended the No Game No Life for viewers who like smart characters and gamer humor.^[71][72] Similarly, TAY Kotaku also praised the dynamics, game humor, and art style; the reviewer had mixed feelings towards the harem aspect and sexual humor, and agreed with Kotaku's dislike for the fan service featuring Shiro.^[73] IGN echoed previous opinions, praising the character dynamics and also panning Shiro's fan service.^[74]

Notes and references

• ^LN represents the Light Novel of the series in the format of X.Y, where X represents the volume and Y represents the chapter. Chapter A represents the afterword of the novel.

Japanese

1. ↑ Japanese: 盤上の世界, Hepburn: Disubōdo
2. ↑ エルキア, Erukia
3. ↑ 天翼種, Furyūgeru
4. ↑ 獣人種, Wābīsuto
5. ↑ 東部連合, Tōbu Rengō
6. ↑ エルヴン・ガルド, Eruvun Garudo
7. ↑ 吸血種, Danpīru
8. ↑ 海棲種, Sērēn
9. ↑ オーシェンド, Ōshendo
10. ↑ 神霊種, Ōrudo Deusu
11. ↑ リク・ドーラ, Riku Dōra
12. ↑ 機凱種, Ekusumakina
13. ↑ シュヴィ・ドーラ, Shuvi Dōra
14. ↑ アルトシュ, Arutoshu
15. ↑ アヴァント・ヘイム, Avanto Heimu
16. ↑ 幻想種, Fantazuma
17. ↑ ゲーマー兄妹がファンタジー世界を征服するそうです, Gēmā Kyōdai ga Fantajī Sekai o Seifuku Suru sō Desu
18. ↑ ゲーマー兄妹が獣耳っ子の国に目をつけたようです, Gēmā Kyōdai ga Kemomimikko no Kuni ni Me o Tsuketa yō desu
19. ↑ ゲーマー兄妹の片割れが消えたようですが...?, Gēmā Kyōdai no Kataware ga Kieta yō desuga...?
20. ↑ ゲーマー兄妹はリアル恋愛ゲームから逃げ出しました, Gēmā Kyōdai wa Riaru Ren'ai Gēmu Kara Nigedashi Mashita
21. ↑ ゲーマー兄妹は強くてニューゲームがお嫌いなようです, Gēmā Kyōdai wa Tsuyoku te Nyū Gēmu ga Okirai na yō Desu
22. ↑ ゲーマー夫嫁は世界に挑んだそうです, Gēmā Fusai wa Sekai ni Idonda yō Desu

References

External links

• Official anime website (Japanese)
• No Game No Life (light novel) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• No Game No Life (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• No Game No Life (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia