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A Very Niche Story That Won't Appeal to Everyone
Entertainment: When it comes to the entertainment value of this work, it's tough to give a definitive answer. As the title suggests, this is an ultra slow-life story. The plot revolves around Eizo, who has become a blacksmith in a new world, and we literally follow his day-to-day life in painstaking detail. Each day is filled with repetitive activities: trips to the forest to gather water, hunting for food, a bit of smithing, preparing meals, and building furniture for his home. Occasionally, there’s a trip to town to sell the weapons and accessories he's crafted, but that’s about it. While a few endearing characters are introduced to brighten things up, the overall pace is so slow that it will either appeal to a very specific audience or completely fail to engage others.
Language Learning: The level of Japanese is approachable, though it’s not the ideal choice for beginners. The main challenges come from the highly specific vocabulary related to blacksmithing and the techniques used to craft various weapons. I’d recommend this book to readers with a solid N2 or even N1 level for a more comfortable experience.
Overall: This is the kind of story that either works for the reader or doesn't. You have to be ready to enjoy the mundanity of a very repetitive and somewhat uneventful daily routine, which at times can border on tedious. It requires patience, but I can also understand why some might appreciate its unique atmosphere and charming characters. Personally, I struggled not to get frustrated by the slow pace, feeling like I could be spending my time on something more dynamic and eventful. Yet, despite this, I still find myself wanting to see what happens next! The simplicity of this everyday life, told without embellishment, draws you in, and you start to feel attached to the characters—as if they’ve become a second family.