ANIME REVIEW: WISE MAN'S GRANDCHILD THE COMPLETE SERIES

Wise Man's Grand Child the Complete Series
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 15
Running Time: 300 mins
Release Date: 18/5/2020
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes


In 2020 it seems to be the year of series where the main character dies in real life and is resurrected in another world, one which might become very real; two spring to mind, That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime and How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord, and as usual the unexpected happens.

After watching the first episode I got a Fairy Tail vibe about the story. It's about Shin who is a magic-user who has learned all he knows from his stepfather deciding to enrol at a magic academy to become a fully-fledged magic user, but from the start, Shin finds a lot of obstacles in his way.

Strangely enough, when I saw the bishonen looking men I thought of Kyo Kara Maoh! as well. These characters are as rich as their given names and Shin ends up going to the entrance exam to meet them, though not all appreciate him being there. There's the surly and brooding Kurt von Rietsburg, the noble and cuddly August von Earlshield (Aug to his friends), a prince at the academy who likes that Shin is so casual when he meets someone (Ichigo from Bleach comes to mind). Shin doesn't resort to flattery to gain his friendship or trust even when he finds out he is nobility.

During the exam, at the training room instead of Shin being the candidate unlikely to make the grade, it's more a case of him being more powerful than his competitors. One candidate who is annoyed at not getting the top spot is Kurt who is the sort of character who never takes no for an answer and likes to win whatever the cost.

The setting is very Hogwarts with Shin as the hinted at wise man's grandchild here who turns out to be the best magic-user at the academy. A good part of the story is devoted to Shin's early years and how manipulative, yet influential Kurt is. The general story might seem cliche, but the character styles and the animation is well done. The English voice actors go well with their respective characters and the settings look like a lot of thought has gone into them. There is lots of drama, a touch of humour and loads of dazzling magic to look forward to.