Wait! What’s that I hear? The new anime adaptation alarm is going off! From the sounds of it, we should brace ourselves for another impossibly long light novel title from the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website. That’s right fans, not only is another descriptive title getting adapted, but it’s a hardcore gamer isekai. First published in November 2019 by author Hamuo, our newest television anime is Hell Mode – The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing (Japanese title: Hell Mode – Yarikomi Suki no Gamer wa Hai Settei no Isekai de Musō Suru). The series debuted (in print) in Japan on the Earth Star Entertainment label in July 2020 with illustrations from artist Mo.
Hell Mode Story
The story was translated into English by J-Novel Club in 2021. Here’s how they describe the story:
“‘Level up even while offline’?! That’s not a game on ‘easy mode’—that’s just an AFK game!” The online game Yamada Kenichi had been playing religiously is shutting down its servers, leaving him with a void in his heart. He looks for a new game to fill it, but everything he finds is way too easy. The kind of game he likes — the kind punishing enough to make players want to spend thousands of hours on it — just isn’t around anymore.
“What’s this? ‘You are invited to a game that will never end.'”
Kenichi stumbles upon an untitled game, one promising incomparable challenge with unprecedented potential. Without hesitation, he selects the “Hell Mode” difficulty. Lo and behold, he finds himself reincarnated in another world as a serf! Now called Allen, he sets out to unlock the secrets of his mystery-laden Summoner class; without the convenience of walkthroughs, game guides, or online forums. He must grope his way to the top of his new world!
Promotional Video
Unfortunately, no further details have been revealed regarding the production of this series. What we do have, however, is some artwork celebrating the announcement. This artwork is below, while the promotional video for the adaptation is above.
While yes, it is another isekai (which there is no shortage of in the upcoming year) about a hardcore gamer, there’s no reason to dismiss this right away. There is always potential in these series, and I can wait until we know more before I decide if this is trash or treasure.
Sources: AnimeAnime, Anime News Network
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