Banished from the Hero's Party

“I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside”

In a world where heroes and legends are revered, our protagonist is cast aside by the very hero party he once fought alongside. Left to pick up the pieces of his shattered dreams, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. However, as he strives to move on and start anew, the ghosts of his past continue to haunt him.

Rediscovering Life: Banished from the Hero's Party | An Anime Review | Pinnedupink.com

Will he find the strength to confront his past and embrace the possibility of a brighter tomorrow? This is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of love in the face of adversity, and the title speaks for itself.

"Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside" is an anime TV series produced by Wolfsbane and Studio Flad. Megumi Shimizu wrote the series' script, Ruriko Watanabe created the characters, and Yukari Hashimoto composed the music. Makoto Hoshino was in charge of directing it.

The series aired from the 6th of October until the 29th of December in 2021 on several networks, including AT-X, Nippon Columbia, Kadokawa Media House, BS NTV, Kadokawa, and KBS Kyoto. Funimation obtained the international license for the series, excluding Asia, and they announced that an English dub would be produced in October 2021, which premiered the following day.

This captivating anime consisted of 13 episodes and was adapted from a light novel with the same title. Each episode lasted 23 minutes, and the series belonged to the adventure, fantasy, and romance genres, targeting the Shounen demographic. It received a PG-13 rating, making it suitable for viewers aged 13 and older.

The light novel series was authored by Zappon and featured illustrations by Yasumo. It debuted online in October 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website, Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Kadokawa Shoten later acquired the series and published it under their Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint from June 2018 onwards.

Since May 2018, Kadokawa Shoten has been serializing a manga adaptation of the series with illustrations by Masahiro Ikeno in the Shonen manga magazine Monthly Shonen Ace. Yen Press has licensed the light novel and manga in North America. The second season of the TV anime series by Studio Flad is also scheduled to premiere in January 2024.

In a distant land, away from the chaos of demons and warfare, near the border of Zoltan, Red, a D-Rank adventurer, finds solace in a serene existence. With relentless perseverance and dedication, he achieves his dream of opening an apothecary and embracing a peaceful life in the countryside. However, his world is shaken when Rit, a princess of Duchy Loggervia and an adventurer in her own right, unexpectedly becomes his live-in partner and assistant, putting her former life behind.

Meanwhile, Red, known for his honesty, kindness, and widespread admiration, harbors a secret known only to Rit: his actual name is Gideon, and he is the brother of Ruti Ragnason, the renowned "hero" and a former member of her party. Unfortunately, Ares Drowa, known as the "Sage," cast Red aside from their group after deeming him weak and inconsequential following their battle against the Demon Lord. Despite Red's efforts to move on and start a new life alongside Rit, his past refuses to release its grip on him.

Alongside Red, we are introduced to Rit, a charming young woman who develops romantic feelings for him as they spend time together. She has a carefree lifestyle and carries her own mysteries and past, which are gradually revealed throughout the series. The romance between the two is incredibly heartwarming and pure, evoking a mix of emotions that leaves a lasting impact. Every time they are together, my mind and heart are on the verge of bursting with overwhelming emotions.

Meanwhile, Ares Srowa takes on the role of Red's primary antagonist. It becomes evident that he possesses borderline psychotic tendencies driven by intense jealousy. “It is comparable to having one's own guild leader scam them and permanently ban them from an online MMORPG.”

Ares treats Red similarly harshly, expelling him from the hero party. This act not only showcases his dangerous nature but also reveals his selfish and greedy sociopathic traits, guided solely by personal agendas. As the story progresses, we witness his deep-seated resentment towards Red, emphasizing the show's intention to make us despise him, and successfully so.

The series effectively showcases Ruti's character development as she overcomes her hero's blessing. She faces various challenges and proves to be a captivating protagonist, but the other party members could have been explored and developed further.

One significant criticism revolves around the animation quality. While I understand that slice-of-life series prioritize different aspects over flashy visuals, the action scenes in this series fell short. The animation studios involved were unfamiliar to me, and unfortunately, the fight scenes were underwhelming, too.

There were moments when the fluidity of the action sequences was compromised, resembling slideshow animations. Budget constraints may have influenced the adaptation. Interestingly, the slice-of-life moments between Red and Rit were surprisingly well-animated, which is rather peculiar.

The soundtrack to this series is quite ordinary. As someone familiar with many fantasy anime, I don't particularly think it stands out. However, both the opening and ending songs suit the anime's theme well. They have a calming tone that complements the relationship between the main couple. Yui Nishio performs "Iki o S Koko de S Ikiteku" (Breathing Here, Living), which is the opening theme. JYOCHO, in contrast, performs the closing theme, "Minna Onaji" (All the Same). It's worth mentioning that this series marked Ryōta Suzuki's first leading voice role.

I approached this show expecting a fantasy slice of life, and it delivered exactly that. It establishes the premise and atmosphere effectively, setting clear expectations for the journey ahead. Red and Rit's relationship is well-developed and a highlight of the series.

Unlike some shows that become monotonous or suddenly switch genres, this one keeps a consistent and engaging narrative. It takes us on a satisfying journey without veering off course. Overall, it is an underrated fantasy anime that provides enjoyable entertainment. I recommend it to anyone on the lookout for a chill series.