The Executioner and Her Way of Life

Have you ever felt that you were lacking in some way or another? Have you been told so and left behind believing it to be so? Well, we can all relate to that feeling. Human beings aren’t perfect, and we all lack in some regard whatsoever, which is perfectly fine. Perfecting what we have and overcoming our weaknesses is what’s important. Wanna check out a series about it, in Isekai format, no less? Then let’s cut to the chase!

“The Executioner and Her Way of Life,” also known as “Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road,” is a 12-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 2nd of April until the 18th of June, in Spring 2022. It was produced by Warner Bros. Japan, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, Egg Firm, SB Creative, and Creek and brought to life by Studios: J.C.Staff, this series features the genres of Action, Adventure, and Fantasy. It received a rating of R - 17+ for its violence and profanity.

The Anime series hails from the Light Novel of the same title, which began publication on the 12th of July, 2019, and is still ongoing. The English publication has been done by Yen Press, under the Yen On imprint, since the 9th of March, 2021. What started as a web novel on Shousetsuka ni Narou came a long way before winning the Grand Prize at the 11th GA Bunko Taishou, 2018.

In classic Isekai fashion, the Anime starts with a very average male student named Mutou Mitsuki. He soon finds himself transported into another realm where there’s stuff to be done, of course! It turns out he was summoned there by the King of that world, in need of some “remarkable power” Mutou supposedly possessed. We all know the drill, and things aren’t going to be easy for him because he ends up being thrown out due to lacking a "Special Concept." His Isekai dream is not going well, and he decides to mope around and happens to encounter a priestess named Menou.

She proceeds to explain how Japanese people like him are termed as “Lost Ones” and that they never fail to have these Special Concepts. On the bright side, she claims to be part of a church that focuses on helping abandoned Lost Ones integrate into their new society. She even invites him to come to spend the night at said church with her, where the two of them can uncover the true nature of his hidden ability. Surprise, surprise; they eventually learn that Mutou's Special Concept is both incredibly powerful and dangerous. This is where the seemingly angelic Menou's true intentions come to light: Is she there to help Lost Ones or just do the absolute opposite?

Now, nobody ever said Mutou is the MC. In fact, he is just another supporting character to two solid female leads. Going by the synopsis alone, this is a very generic Isekai that follows almost all the overused tropes. Don't let that fool you because the reality is far different, but with some likable Isekai aspects. We are sick and tired of getting the same old tropes every single season, but this series shines as a beacon of hope for us all. It breaks out of the overused mold and delivers something pretty unique, but unfortunately got overshadowed for no good reason. If you are done with OP male MCs who dominate their worlds without much effort, give Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road a try. Bonus: it has a good yuri ship!

This is one of the most unique and refreshing Isekai to grace us in recent years, taking a completely different route from the tiresome tropes of your typical Isesaki. No overpowered male MC who can solo everything, no harem of girls after his heart, no excessive fan service, and no tiresome cliches that make all the Isekai anime seem similar. Instead, here you will be treated to two female protagonists who are both strong and independent, an exciting world with significant buildup, intriguing magic, and solid villains who can really send chills down your spine.

If you enjoy the general Isekai that follows a more or less standard format, this show may not appeal to you as much. Within this fantasy setting, you can experience a well-written, capable and robust MC who relies on her strengths and has much to learn. Even then, it's a nice change of pace and a getaway from the many generic tropes that get repeated every Anime season. An excellent female protagonist is rare, and that’s part of this Anime’s appeal.

The story is solid and well-written, too, with no use of fan service or lame jokes to drive the plot or enhance the characters. This is still an Isekai, so expect many of its other elements. The fact that Menou is hellbent on finding a way to kill Akari (co-female lead) while slowly but surely developing feelings for her is undoubtedly something you haven't experienced before.

The remainder of the cast is unique, likable, diverse, somewhat memorable, and possesses distinct personalities which add to the story. The world might as well be a character, too, because it almost feels alive, and the lore is a magnificent work of art. Another point of greatness is the nearly endless possibilities for the story’s direction, all of which are vivid and interesting. It will spark great interest and suspense, tempting you even to grab the Light Novels.

The series is well-paced, too, giving you ample time to understand the world and characters. The Art and Animation do not disappoint either. The Art style may not be very unique, but the Character designs and sceneries are nice and neat, overall good on the eyes. The color palette is beautiful and vibrant, and the eyes are gorgeous. The Opening theme is "Paper Bouquet" by Mili, which just slaps! You probably won’t be skipping this one. The Ending theme is "Touka Serenade" by ChouCho, which is decent. The OSTs are nothing legendary, but they’re okay, and that’s good enough. The voice acting is stellar as well; no complaints there!

The Executioner and Her Way of Life is the kind of show you'd look forward to more with each episode. The characters can really draw you in, and the world around them is just a work of art. Remember, this is not your typical Isekai; it features female leads and includes Yuri. As long as you have no qualms with that, this anime is highly recommended! The combination is a great show that’s definitely worth your time.