English Dub Review: Skeleton Knight in Another World “The Wandering Knight Sets Out to Make the World a Better Place”

Okay, so I’m not normally down for the “video game fan wakes up in a video game” anime trope.  But Skeleton Knight in Another World goes beyond meta, and makes it a comedy. Arc makes the show. After a weird intro where two maidens who almost met the bad side of the bad touch, we see Arc is the comedic version of Guts from Berserk.

After the intro song, we get Arc’s proper introduction. The way Arc tries his powers out is the exact way any video game fan who wakes up in their favorite game or tv show would do: test out the powers and limitations. Arc even realizes that if he takes his helmet off, he’s becoming some rando’s XP. In just this brief few minutes, you realize that Takeshi Kikuchi gets how all of us would react.

As the episodes progresses forward, the “anime trope” sense was tingling, and someone who will obviously be a bigger part of Skeleton Knight… going forward. But all there was so far was a conversation with someone else, and her concealing her face, and not even a name yet. Flash forward after completing the trial mission from the board at the Mercenary Guild, we get to where the opening bit started.

Arc just destroys the bandits. It’s not even a fair fight. Arc then saves the maidens, gets them some clothes, and gets them on their way. The first episode ends with Arc, who’s a skeleton, enjoying a giant feast in his room. The next episode should be more of the same.

There’s just something enjoyable about the comedic value of the “some random video game player becoming the video game” trope done right. There’s no “oh no! I have to get back!” or some crap where the show in question takes itself too seriously. Skeleton Knight in Another World, and to a lesser extent Arc, knows exactly what they are. This is an anime about some common fan that’s allowed to let loose, and find out what real power is.

The writing was really enjoyable so far. As stated earlier, the comedy is on point. There wasn’t a point in this episode where I was just waiting for the next scene. The only downside is that the animation isn’t as crisp in all places as I would expect a more modern anime to be. Don’t get me wrong, though. There are points where Arc’s armor looks phenomenal. But if anyone is looking for Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen level animation, move on. Skeleton Knight in Another World is hilarious, and the script will carry this for the length.

Overall, “The Wandering Knight Sets Out to Make the World a Better Place” was a great listen, but kind of a bland watch.