The manga adaptation of The 100th Time’s the Charm: She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode?! makes its English language print debut this month. In a far away fantasy land, Lady Alphina is accused of plotting to murder the beautiful prophetess known as the Saint. With no way to fight these false accusations, she finds her engagement cancelled and on a one-way trip to the guillotine. But with her death, time rewinds and she reawakens a few days earlier! So far, Lady Alphina has lived this loop 99 times – but now on her 100th time everything changes! Reborn with the power to read other’s minds, she sets out to use this newfound ability to turn her fortunes around.
Originally a light novel series, this comedy fantasy manga already has a following in Japan and currently has anime adaptation in production. With an established fanbase following its digital release, this edition from Panini marks the series’ print debut.
It would be fair to say the tropes of time loops have been well covered. Beyond the pioneers of the genre like Groundhog Day, it has been explored in many manga and anime properties including Haruhi Suzumiya, Fireworks and Summertime Rendering to name a few. But The 100th Times the Charm skips over lots of the tropes you’d expect by having all the time repeats happening before the story starts therefore having them act more of a setup to the main story rather than a plot device.
This conceit allows the series to focus more on the characters which is where the series strength lies. It would be easy – given the premise – to create a cynical protagonist who has been traumatised by such an experience. But Alphina is an engaging and fun character who does not seem to be jaded by going through her death 99 times. Rather she maintains the wit and carefree attitude she is shown to have in her earlier life that drew Prince Lionett to her. Her eventual ability to read minds also provides some insights into the characters who are being forced against their will to go through with her execution. The Saint makes for a great villain with succubus-like tendencies as she controls the bodies and actions of those around her including Prince Lionett.
Manga artist Roharu Kai is a strong fit in the art department and does brilliantly in bringing the light novel designs to life. Their characters are highly expressive, and they are particularly good at showing the dual emotions on display. This rings particularly true with the prince and other higher ups who are being controlled against their will and the manipulative Saint who presents an innocent façade but is devious and cruel on the inside.
The 100th Times the Charm makes great use of its premise and is an easy/entertaining read. Fantasy manga fans who like a light-hearted approach to storytelling will appreciate this series.
The 100th Time’s The Charm Volume 1 is out now from Panini Manga (9781804912966, p/b, £9.99)
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