As if answering the call for summer, Crunchyroll’s newest isekai has quietly broken out onto the scene, which should come as no surprise for a series as relatively laid-back as The Water Magician. With many fast-paced and action-packed anime that plan to debut during this sweltering season, the entry is a welcome one with its easy-going narrative and pacing.
Based on the light novel by Tadashi Kubo, it was initially published on an online forum alongside other user-generated stories before being picked up by TO Books. A manga under the same name would debut in 2021, illustrated by Bokutengo and serialized under the same publisher as the novel.
A Refreshingly Low-Stakes Isekai With Beautiful Water Graphics
The Water Magician is an Easy-Going Anime That Focuses on the Journey, Rather Than the Destination
The Water Magician’s first episode was released on July 3rd by Crunchyroll, starting the slow but steady journey of Ryo, a young man who is classically warped to a new world after being taken out by Truck-kun. During the transmigration, he encounters a strange being who calls themselves an angel, and helps Ryo to get started on his new life.
Tadashi’s novel is fairly slow-paced, taking its time to expand upon the world through its characters, both through Ryo’s interactions with them and by their own journeys.
Using his knowledge of the modern world, Ryo gets used to a more dated timeline in a fantastical world filled with beasts and magic. Granted the gift of manipulating water, Ryo trains day in and day out to make it useful for his standard of living and to combat the beasts that inhabit the forest around his home.
The Water Magician’s anime condenses the light novel’s story to a considerable degree, speeding through the process of Ryo’s experimentation with magic, but highlights the strong points where he utilizes it around the house and in combat. Although the anime produced by Typhoon Graphics and Wonderland doesn’t boast high-tier graphics, the animation for Ryo’s water magic is stylized beautifully.
Tadashi’s novel is fairly slow-paced, taking its time to expand upon the world through its characters, both through Ryo’s interactions with them and by their own journeys. The Water Magician’s story doesn’t introduce a deep plot that’s world-ending or high stakes, instead taking its approach to evolve political intrigue and the knowledge of its civilizations.
The Water Magician is the Perfect Anime to Vibe Alongside
It’ll Be a Quiet, Peaceful Entry in Contrast With Other Summer Hits
In comparison to some of the other anime debuting over the summer, The Water Magician may lose out in terms of animation and stylistic individuality. Although the water graphics are positively stunning in the first episode and the opening, there are scenes that look a bit static and don’t successfully pull off the unique camera angles it’s attempting.
But The Water Magician excels in providing an easygoing show that’s perfect for turning off the gears in one’s mind, enjoying Ryo’s excitement and the development of his magic while learning more about the world. The pace may feel off as the anime adapts the light novel’s story, and events may be pushed forward to fit the short episodic entry.
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Between its soft and peaceful soundtrack to the simple narrative, The Water Magician is a nice getaway from the rest of the shōnen anime. For an isekai, it’s also a bit of an oddity for its alternative pacing and focus on character-driven narrative rather than a goal.
Whether for escaping the rush of other series or a show to turn on in the background, The Water Magician is a refreshing story to dive into. Future episodes will continue to appear on Crunchyroll every Friday.
