Artist Nekomint turns FUNA and Itsuki Akata’s light novel “Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!” into an illustrated adventure of desired normality.

Misato Kurihara was a prodigy and her talents caused a rift between her and those close to her. One day she ran out from from a crowd of onlookers to save a little girl from being ran over, but sacrificed her life. When she opened her eyes, she was in Heaven with God and he offered her a new life in a fantastical world away from modern Japan. She would have her memories and gain some powers due to the realm’s nanomachines her. Misato’s one wish was to become a normal person and God reincarnated her as Adele Von Ascham, a daughter of a nobleman. After years of living at home, her family sent her to Eckland Academy for her education. It was on the way that a band of bandits and orcs attacked the carriage, she used her magic and stopped them with immense force. Soon after, Adele met one of the world’s nanomachines and found out she had half the power of the most powerful creature. The girl hoped that this current life would give her a second chance to experience the things she wanted before but realized it was going to be a struggle once again to keep a low profile.

Readers who know the “isekai” genre or stories about being sent to another world tend to see protagonists who would fight to gain strength, like “Re:Monster”, “Slime” and “Spider”. Adele in “Make My Abilities Average” however wants the opposite and probably would be content with the life Maoh has in “The Devil’s a Part-Timer.” Her longing to be ordinary is the focus but her failed attempts leads to a warrior’s path. Adele’s frustrations and misfortune brings a unique twist to this fantasy manga and brings a relatable feel to the audience of seeking to be who they want to be.

Volume Two of “Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!” manga will hit shelves in December 2018. Its translation publisher Seven Seas Entertainment also has FUNA and Itsuki Akata’s books so readers can check that out while waiting. Volume Four of the light novel will hit shelves in November. The book’s original publisher Earth Star Novel (Earth Star Entertainment) announced in February that the title has been picked up for an anime adaptation and would be the first for the company. Check out Seven Seas’s site for more information on the manga.