The Great Cleric

After watching the final episode today, I was considering a four-star rating. It's refreshing to see a hero who isn't an overpowered protagonist from the get-go, one who doesn't defeat everyone with a wave of a magic wand. Luciel truly earns everything he gains; the entire first season depicts the 4 years the hero spends in the new world, so his growth doesn't happen overnight. He's constantly training and improving throughout, yet in the end, he still can't defeat his master, leaving room for further development. Everything unfolds believably over a significant period, making sense in many ways, with several interesting storylines that make me want to continue with the series. Moreover, Luciel is quite likable; he possesses a well-defined moral compass, making it easy to root for him. I also found myself drawn to other characters, particularly Brodo, but also Cattleya and Rumina. However, the main reason why the series falls short of 4 stars is its humor, which simply didn't resonate with me. It felt silly, repetitive (enough with the substance x jokes and Maso-zombies), and cringe-worthy at times. The series could have done without the whole substance x subplot, as it seemed like a cheap ploy to boost the main character, something I felt he didn't need. Humor is subjective, but when it doesn't align with your tastes, it can significantly impact the viewing experience. Unfortunately, this was the case for me, leading to a rating of 6.4/10. (21/09/2023)