The anime adaptation of FUNA’s popular light novel series, “I Shall Survive Using Potions!” has unveiled its first promotional video and a new key visual. The video introduces a new cast member, Nao Tōyama, who voices Celestine, the goddess who reincarnated the protagonist, Kaoru, into a new world. The anime is set for an October debut!
The video also previews the ending theme song; Love is a Potion, which is performed by Haruki Iwata and Moeka Koizumi, known collectively as “Harmoe.” Anime Expo 2023 will host the world premiere of the first episode on July 3, featuring “a gaint anime banner” and the distribution of posters and postcards.
A few years ago, if you asked a person in the anime community what’s their favorite isekai series, their reply would be, “What’s an isekai?” Today, isekai is one of the most famous genres in anime. This genre has given us insanely good animes like Mushoku Tensei, Re: Zero, and KonoSuba, but can “I Shall Survive Using Potions!” live up to expectations? Let’s take a look at everything we know.
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Light Novel and Manga Adaptations
I Shall Survive Using Potions!, written by FUNA, first gained attention through serialization on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2015. Later on, Kodansha acquired the license and began publishing it, with illustrations by Sukima, starting in 2017. The manga has nine volumes as of 2023. J-Novel Club publishes manga in English.
The manga adaptation of I Shall Survive Using Potions! was illustrated by Hibiki Kokonoe and serialized on the Niconico-based Suiyōbi no Sirius platform. A sequel to the manga adaptation was released, titled “I Shall Survive Using Potions! Continuation.”
It doesn’t stop there. A spin-off manga, titled “I Shall Survive Using Potions! Hanano and Lotte’s Journey,” was published. This spin-off, illustrated by Sukima, expands the world of “I Shall Survive Using Potions!” and explores new characters and adventures.
Nobuaki Nakanishi directs the anime at Jumondo Studios. Chisato Kikunaga designs the characters, Takayo Ikami writes the scripts, and Hiroaki Tsutsumi es the music.
The Plot and Cast of the Series
The supervisor of Earth messes up big time, causing poor Kaoru Nagase to lose her physical body. Talk about a bad turn of events. At least this Goddess isn’t heartless as she decides to reincarnate her into a whole new world.
That sounds like a fresh start, right? Well, not quite. Determined not to settle for less, Kaoru demands the ultimate power: the ability to whip up potions with any desired effect, anytime she wants. She also asks for a magical Item Box, the gift of every language, and even the body of her fifteen-year-old self. With these abilities, Kaoru must learn to live in this new world.
The cast includes Rin Kusumi voicing Kaoru, Tomoyo Takayanagi voicing Francette, Moeka Koizumi voicing Emile, Haruki Iwata voicing Belle, Natsuki Kitagawa voicing Layette, and finally, Nao Toyama voicing Celestine.
Worth a Read?
The manga is said to be very poorly paced. A lot of foundation-building happens in the first 15-20 chapters, which doesn’t give time for the story to develop properly. From getting isekai’d to her first threatening situation to already revealing an important ally, the first volume of the manga throws everything and anything at your face.
One good thing about Kaoru is that she isn’t written like other main characters who make saving the world or doing good for others a personality trait. Instead, she’s somewhat realistic. She uses her abilities for her benefit and her benefit only. I mean, she needs to survive in a different world.
That being said, I hope the anime can turn this manga into a satisfying watch because, undoubtedly, this premise has a lot of potentials. If “That Time I Got Reincarnated Into A Slime” can deliver a great watch, then so can “I Shall Survive Using Potions!”
