Otaku USA Magazine
Curb the KONOSUBA Wait with These Fun, Funny Fantasies

KONOSUBA is coming back!

Yes, you heard right — there’s more KONOSUBA on the way! The isekai comedy announced its return today. Sadly, we don’t know much beyond that there will be more, but that’s already a bit deal. It’s also going to be a big wait for the next chapter of Kazuma’s story. So what do we do in the meantime?

To keep the fantasy/comedy hype train rolling, try this trio of shows. Are there any others you’d throw on the list?

 

Slayers

Slayers

If you’re doing a fantasy/comedy run-down and don’t put Slayers on the list, you’re just not doing your job. The 90s anime classic has been enjoying an extended anniversary celebration, with new albums from Megumi Hayashibara and new art from Rui Araizumi. But under the long-running hype, it really is as worth it as people say — especially if you like the comedy of KONOSUBA.

The silly series stars small but fiery (in more ways than one) sorceress Lina Inverse and her swordsman beau Gourry Gabriev. Unless it doesn’t — when her best boy isn’t by her side, she’s accompanied by the busty, “ohoho”-ing Naga the Serpent. No matter the party, she’s out for food, loot, and a chance to blow something up.

 

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

What happens when Gainax and Madhouse make an anime together? A dimension-crawling fantasy full of pop culture references and ties to one of Kyoto’s most legendary historical figures. Also a lady named Mune-Mune whose name means exactly what you think it does. In other words, KONOSUBA levels of madness with a Gainax twist.

12-year-old protagonists Sasshi and Arumi travel between alternate versions of their local shopping arcade, mirroring different popular hobbies and genres. There’s a Medieval version, a prehistoric one, a film noir take… and even a dating sim. And behind it all is a sad story seated in Japanese history and folklore. Will they ever get home, or is Sasshi too into the adventure to let that happen?

 

Isekai Quartet

Isekai Quartet

Is this cheating? Probably. But KONOSUBA fans should give Isekai Quartet a look if they haven’t already, for obvious reasons. Plus, even if it didn’t make a showing in the chibi crossover, the series would still fit the brief.

Isekai Quartet heard you like isekai, so it put isekai in your isekai so you can try to get home twice at the same time. The stars of KONOSUBA, Re:ZERO, Overlord, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil find themselves in a Very Normal Japanese High School. There, they’re run through Very Normal Japanese High School Activities. Why? Will they ever get home? Which home will they get home to? And will Roswaal ever stop doing that thing with his voice? There are two seasons available, so you can watch and find out for yourself!

The next phase of KONOSUBA comes out… eventually.

Kara Dennison

Kara Dennison is a writer, editor, and presenter with bylines at Crunchyroll, Sci-Fi Magazine, Sartorial Geek, and many others. Beyond the world of anime, she's a writer for Doctor Who expanded universe series including Iris Wildthyme and the City of the Saved, as well as an editor for the critically-acclaimed Black Archive series.

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