Gaikotsu Kishi-sama, Tadaima Isekai e Odekakechuu

After falling asleep while playing an online game, a man wakes up and finds himself transported to that game's world as his in-game character, Arc. He wastes no time adjusting to his new environment, but soon realizes that he is using the skeleton avatar he chose when creating his character, which forces him to hide his visage to avoid unwanted attention.

Arc goes to the nearby castle town of Luvierte, hoping to become an adventurer and take on quests to earn money. With his overpowered abilities, Arc embarks on a fantastical journey—exploring diverse territories, looting various monsters, and helping people get out of sticky situations. However, his seemingly innocuous actions may soon involve him in a brewing large-scale conflict that will forever alter the fate of the realm.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Arc Main

Maeno, Tomoaki Japanese

Lalatoya, Ariane Glenys Main

Fairouz Ai Japanese

Ponta Main

Hieda, Nene Japanese

Chiyome ing

Tomita, Miyu Japanese

Goemon ing

Takeuchi, Ryouta Japanese

Glenys ing

Minaguchi, Yuko Japanese

Eevin ing

Ookubo, Rumi Japanese

Domitianus ing

Ishida, Akira Japanese

Ceriana ing

Yamane, Aya Japanese

Ferna ing

Aida, Rikako Japanese

Iizuka, Aya Producer

Usui, Hisato Producer

Yamaoka, Yuuki Producer

Yoshida, Kento Producer

Reviews

Jun 23, 2022

KANLen09

Recommended

Looks like I have to play the Devil's Advocate in this one since everyone HATES this to oblivion.

AYEEE BONE ISEKAI DADDY IS BACK...yet again, not like so, that many people are hating this the way that Goblin Slayer is much maligned from the get-go. And yes, I will it that Overlord (that has Season 4 coming up next season) plays a huge part in novelist Enki Hakari's only derivative work that is this show, while actually playing the "goblin rape game" much earlier than Goblin Slayer, and the plot to Gaikotsu Kishi-sama a.k.a Skeleton Knight is simply just that. And you thought that Goblin Slayer ... was the first to do this (well, technically it is through anime).

It must be said that there're two camps in this one:
- The overt haters whom feel that everything done in this show gets a free , from the unnecessary and over-the-top rape to the simple-minded run-of-the-mill standard OP MC that doesn't question his very own existence of why he's literally Isekai-ed to begin with, only to know that this is his starting point and so thus says the story of his adventures in another world.
- The minority (like myself) that likes this show for all of its flaws, yet somehow "choose to believe" that we would get an alternate Ainz Ooal Gown-like skeletal character that displays similar themes to the former and being self-aware that everything "falls into place" quite nicely for his progression like a typical RPG character in a world so vast that he's able to do things on his own.

Givem by the source material's title, one would've led to believe that this is also the influence derivative of Kei Azumi's Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu a.k.a Tsukimichi (focusing on the "Isekai e Odekakechuu" portion) since that source material also came out on Syosetu much earlier than this series (2012, as compared to Gaikotsu Kishi-sama in 2014), so it's very clear that Enri Hakari had clearly thought this through for his lone work to be a copy-paste of similar works like those mentioned, but that's where the similarities end for nothing more than just a ing resemblance. And this is where lots of people have many issues with this show, and let me address these issues in distinct detail.

Arc for a OP MC, he's just like Ainz when comparing against his true skeletal nature in the fantasy-like world, but yet doesn't have enough personality to plan and think of his journey in the fantasy world he's been Isekai-ed to, and this has to work in a two-fold way: purpose and motivation. Normally in an Isekai series like Tsukimichi or even Overlord for that matter, the MC has a purpose of why he/she's been transported to another world because of reasons unexplanable that they have to find the answers for themselves, while gaining allies and crushing enemies along the way to get to the desired answers that they've been looking for. Enri Hakari however, plays this game differently with Arc being the stereotypical Isekai-ed player whom is like your stereotypical simple background NPC in an RPG with no backstory or whatever, and only serving as a guide to progress the story that he's been in, thus letting the story weave itself with actions done. The context of my understanding is that we've seen too many Isekai stories do this the same time over, but depending on the series' stature, they can either or fail to contravene back to the origin story of why they're here in the first place. Thus, giving Arc a character that's without a backstory of his own (just the simple Isekai formula over and over) can feel empty and purposeless, but that I believe is also the charm for motivation for Arc to do the things he likes to do: to roam around towns and cities, get in trouble by saving helpless folk (which I have to agree that the rape aspect happens too much for nonchalant drama), and ultimately help people serve their purpose with his moral behaviour and massive magic. Arc is just a character that feels shallow no doubt, but the extent of his reach is with reasons justifiable, and IMO I don't mind an predictable-yet-exaggerated MC that knows what's he doing to provide his own source of entertainment mixing comedy and seriousness for motivation, and that I feel, is just about enough.

And what says tropey more else than having elves as the central root cause of the problem in this story, which after watching both SAO and Goblin Slayer, it's already known to be a mindless trope that's used for nothing more than edgy story plots just for hype. And Arc's companion character Ariane Glenys Maple is simply just that: an elf warrior whom has knowledge of the world's wicked doctrines of slavery and extortion against elves since they make for easy targets of manipulation and prostitution (which this debacle doesn't seem to end in many stories like it), and saving her kin from the horrid oppression of their treatment. The whole elves scale has nothing wrong with it, though I feel that its use is only justified because of the standards of what Goblin Slayer has put as through to ensure that if you watch a story involving elves, you can't help but hearken back to it for the never-forgotten treatment that is a nightmare then, and still is now. As usual, with female characters, the appeal is always in the physique, and Ariane has the unmistakable woman appeal that would be a love-potion kind of nauseating effect to those looking for some fun with her. But Ariane is headstrong and an elf woman of honour, and seeing her position as the two commit together in saving the elves, you can't help but like her character a teeny bit, although being weak to liquor is often the easiest way to identify the cutesy side of her.

For one, pet characters like the cotton-tailed fox Ponta don't get enough love, which the world refers them to as "spirit characters". If there is one character you can't help but to gleam it, it would certainly be Ponta for being this massive beast that has gone out of control, only for Arc to encounter and heal it, thereby signaling its attachment with him and being a character to signify his goodwill, something that's rare since spirit creatures are never meant to form attachments with humans and even beastkin. Ponta is easily the highlight of the show, and what's there not to love about pet companions that can help the characters out to smell and alert danger? Just put it as the poster pet, and there you go.

Skeleton Knight's world is very evil, wicked and filled with disillusion of a stereotypical kingdom that places no regard for people other than their very own, and that's not just to say that the royal family has infighting as well to rid even their own kin if the objectives don't align. It's the usual selfish behaviour which justifies the work that's needed to be done through many backdoor deals like betrayals and assassinations, just to prove a point that the world that the "heroes" (Arc, Ariane, plus others like ninja girl Chiyome) are in for a sinister plot that needs to be dealt with. Yet again, you can bet that this storyline serves no favours to the overarching plot that's shrouded by the shallowness of the character writing, that somehow in its entirety, comes together to concoct a show that knows what it wants to be, and acts out accordingly to Keikaku. It's not wrong, but to the many, it'll feel like Skeleton Knight is a mish-mash of many storylines and genres done together, that the result is one inconsistent mess of a show that doesn't know what it's trying to be, and all for a make-believe sham.

However, I have to give credit where credit is due, and that's with the production values of Skeleton Knight. Starting with the acclaimed director that is Katsumi Ono, he's heralded the storyboarding for the original Yu☆Gi☆Oh! and 5Ds, directed the entirety of the Symphogear series (except the first) and most recently, the Hypnosis Mic rap battle anime, so you know that he's a perfect fit for over-the-top good or bad story and plot that doesn't care about anything else than making it stand out in the most magnifying way possible, and he most certainly has done that. Despite being a 2D-3DCG mix studio, Studio Kai's production is generally good for the most part, and I've pretty much gotten used to the 3DCG from the studio's days of starting out anime production majority in 3DCG with Netflix's Mushikago no Cagaster a.k.a Cagaster of an Insect Cage. And being a co-production with HORNETS (which has assisted in Satelight's Winter 2020 show Somali to Mori no Kamisama a.k.a Somali and the Forest Spirit), honestly I can't tell the difference of an alliance work that still manages to pop its production, though it's probably safe to say that it got the job done as intended.

And where else to give credit than the music, and being exuberant in the most ear-piercing way ever. A few of you would heard of PelleK before, but if like myself that you're new to who he is, PelleK is a very popular YouTuber who's done many notable and popular song covers since 2011, ranging from Anisongs to even world-renowned mainstream songs, and Skeleton Knight is his first ever big break in being officially recognized as an Indie singer, the likes of MindaRyn and such. I can tell you that his OP is just as over-the-top as it comes, packed with SFX because why not, and contrary to popular belief that having sound effects in an OP breaks the flow of the titled song, but in Skeleton Knight's case, it is an ABSOLUTE BANGER with PelleK's high-vocalized insanity that's a perfect marriage with the SFX for that intended bombastic effect, and it is honestly cool to hear another YouTuber having a debut with an official Anisong that doesn't disregard the reputation he's built for all his life. One of my favourite girl idol groups are back, and DIALOGUE+ didn't spare their vocals with the ED, which has been composed and produced by kz of livetune Vocaloid fame, who's been in composing song collaborations for high-profile artistes like ClariS and Maon Kurosaki. Honestly though, this OST is definitely a link by being over-the-top superlicious, and if you have to highlight what's great about Skeleton Knight, the music aspect would be it.

When all is said and done, while I can agree with the general press that Gaikotsu Kishi-sama a.k.a Skeleton Knight has nothing new to offer to change the perception of the Isekai genre in its entirety with edginess being its prime that reeks of mediocrity and burning flame dumpster fire, it does the one thing that it knows best. And that's to be a fun and adventurous Isekai that doesn't question origins, yet leaves behind the possibility that one can carve out his/her own adventure filled with surprises and wonders, saving the world, dismembering enemies with insane power, and above all, experience what it means to be an otherworlder in a free-roaming world akin to an RPG.

This is generally not a pleasant watch, but if you can stomach this, it's honestly low-key decent.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jun 23, 2022

Mythologically

Mixed Feelings

If I had to describe Gaikotsu Kishi in one word, that word would no doubt be "infuriating."

Gaikotsu Kishi-sama, Tadaima Isekai e Odekakechuu is the most generic power trip isekai imaginable, but this time with a twist: the main character is a skeleton! Incredible. It truly is an ingenious choice, as without being a skeleton Arc would be the least interesting character of all time. Besides for Arc's overly formal speech patterns, I struggle to come up with even a single aspect of his personality. He has no discernible motivations for anything he does, and neither does he seem to care about much of anything. After ... being isekai'd he just decides "oh okay I'm gonna live here now :)" and that's it. The entire reason the second half of the show happens is because he goes "oooh elf! fantasy! woohoo!" and decides to tag along with Ariane and see what happens. It's like the author literally could not care less. Speaking of Ariane, she is the only other actual character in this show. Her defining features? There's two of them, and they're both on her chest. Classic anime moment.

These two dogshit characters act out an equally dogshit plot. Arc is supposed to be pretty much the most OP being in the universe, and that is demonstrably true given that every time he fights he wins in like one attack. But now our not very intelligent author has hit a roadblock: "how do I create any sort of tension or conflict when my main character is super duper OP?" To solve this predicament, the author has decided to have Arc literally just sit there and do nothing. Arc sees a group of ruffians kidnapping elves? He just sits there and watches when he could kill them all in one hit, just so that Ariane can have her epic entrance. Some weak as shit minor antagonist has popped up in episode 11? Arc has to just stand there and watch him talk for literally the entire episode, when instead he could kill the guy in 0.25 seconds. This, of course, is because we wouldn't have a 24 minute episode if Arc just killed the dude. In that same episode, some beast creature is about to clobber a ed out Ariane. What does Arc do? Does he use his instant teleportation skill to block the attack? Does he just kill the monster before it can attack? Nah. He just stands there, so that some other side characters can show up to save the day. There is no justifiable reason for anything to happen the way it does, other than that the author is lazy as hell and has no idea what he is doing. Everything anyone does is done for the sake of plot convenience. The characters are quite literally used as plot devices, rather than being actual characters with coherent thoughts and motivations.

In conclusion, I hate this show and it pissed me off. Thanks for reading.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Jun 23, 2022

Stark700

Not Recommended

when the Overlord franchise took the world by storm with a talking skeleton back in 2015? What if we have another talking skeleton as a protagonist living his life in a fantasy world? No, I'm not talking about Aiz but rather Arc, a skeleton knight covered in armor. Don't let your eyes full you because he's not a disposable game avatars from Dark Souls. Arc is a skeleton knight with an ambition but also a character who takes opportunities for his deeds. Still, what makes you want to get invested into Arc's character and the show itself?

Watching Skeleton Knight in Another World is like ... taking a journey as you venture into a world of unknown with our protagonist. If you put yourself in Arc's shoes, it becomes that much easier to understand his character and the story. That's because Arc himself is a laid back individual, who despite his appearance, isn't that much different from your typical otaku.

Before you click play on the first episode, there's a few warning disclaimers I have to throw at you. Yes, this anime has some sensitive themes that relates to sexual harassment. It's actually a common trend to see characters (especially the elf race) being abused by thugs and bandits in their world. The first episode made it clear that Arc himself doesn't tolerate abuse inflicted on defenseless women so he springs into action to save them. Nonethless, just be aware that the episode has an recurring theme of Arc saving characters who are or have been violated. Second, Arc himself is an adventurer and that show itself doesn't seem to have any sort of endgame goal. He's not trying to defeat a tyrant, escape from this world, or become the game's most powerful avatar. Arc just wants to help the helpless so it's clear the anime has a loose plot, something that may hold viewers back from fully committing to the story.

I can't read the author's mind but it seems they wanted to flesh out Arc's character as much as possible before we get a look at its other cast . The most prominent of them is an elf named Ariane, who only gets short frames of screen time before making an official debut. Being an elf, she knows that her race is often subject to slavery, abuse, and violence. In her role, Ariane developed her fighting skills to defend herself and free other elves in her quest. The story intertwines her and Arc together on this adventure. Their first meeting isn't exactly friendly as Ariane holds a deep resentment towards humans while also lacking trust in Arc. But as their adventure ventures on, it shows that the two grew to care for each other. The anime doesn't make it clear how far their relationship develops although there are obvious hints of Ariane having feelings towards Arc. However, don't make an assumption that they become a couple or lovers. This isn't a romance tale in the slightliest.

The author who managed to craft such a vibrant and colorful world didn't manage to capitalize their talent when making the rest of its cast. Outside of Arc and Ariane, is there really a character that truly felt relevant? Ponta may be listed as a main character but they literally have no personality as a non-human pet. The ninja girl Chiyome is introduced late in the show without much context about her character at all. The rest of the characters are mostly standalones that you'll see maybe once or twice and then disappear to be never heard again. Even Juliana felt like she's a disposable character despite her royal status. It appears when the author wrote the cast, they didn't put much effort into their personalities at all. Most characters in this show feels like NPCs you encounter on a side quest from a video game.

A lot of this show relies more on its premise and honestly, it felt like the show lacked a true purpose. The main protagonist Arc is just there to do his good deeds while being accompanied by a pet and strong elf woman. Even if we put ourselves in his shoes, it will quickly feel like a chore of repetition. Let me ask this: do you ever get bored doing endless quests in an MMORPG? That's the familiar feeling I get from the overall progression of this show's plot and truth to be told, it really holds the anime back.

At least the world setting has a colorful vibrant feel built on fantasy themes. Despite the amount of questionable content in the show, the world setting gives off a JRPG-like vibe that makes you feel like at home. The setting looks like it's been handcrafted along with its character designs. Obviously, Arc is the most noticable character with his skeleton features and armor. His appearance goes beyond just the looks as his personality also stands out among everyone. The elves in the show are delicate and as you may expect, appealing. Ariane and her mother are just two example. Unfortunately, the anime always puts the female elves in a vulnerable state so they represent the damsel in distress. Oh and as I said before, be aware of the sensitive content. There's fan service but presented in a more shocking matter than the traditional way. Watching this anime pretty much convinced me that some humans are more monstrous than the actual monsters themselves.

Skeleton Knight in Another World is what you would get when the author wanted to tell a story for a skeleton knight but ended up getting to nowhere. Despite the colorful aura the anime gives off, there's quite a bit of controversial material. If you're uncomfortable with such content, then it's best to drop this from the first episode. Believe me, those content will feel like clockwork. However, it's not just the controversial content of this anime that holds itself back. It's what practically everything besides the technical elements that gives this show the score it deserves.

Reviewer’s Rating: 3

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