MANGA REVIEW | "It’s That Reincarnated-as-a-Virus Story" - Vol. 1
I don’t blame Kalaku Yuki for the afterword in their premiere volume of It’s That Reincarnated-as-a-Virus Story. One look into the premise, and you’d absolutely think this was a twist on the current happenings of this world of ours. Thankfully, not only does it take a far better route than what a COVID Isekai could be, but it’s actually clever with its overall presentation. Needless to say, It’s That Reincarnated-as-a-Virus Story will easily infect your curiosity!
The story begins with the reincarnation, after a virus researcher mysteriously dies during some off-the-clock experimentation. He transforms into the very virus that killed him, and first takes over a rat’s body. Through the rat, he learns all of its skills, as well as new talents that only a virus can do. But once he gets used to that rat body, a wolf comes along and eats him.
Fortunately, that’s not the end of It’s That Reincarnated-as-a-Virus Story, as he now takes over the wolf’s body! Here, he comes across the adventuring newcomer Elena, who is having some trouble with goblins. After saving her, the infected wolf walks Elena to her town, where he starts to come up with an idea: become an adventurer to improve their abilities! But first, he needs a body that more human…ish.
There’s a very long & thorough thought process that goes through this newcomer to the new world, as he takes on a new form after coming across each host. With every move he makes as a virus, new abilities come flooding into him via each animal or being it takes on. It brings to mind Kumoko from So I’m a Spider, So What?, whose talents kept on rising with every initial attack made. The only difference here is that the spider stays a spider (mostly); the virus keeps on evolving and overtaking other creatures.
It’s when he’s in the wolf body when he realizes his potential in his new surroundings. He makes a (very chatty) friend, finds a possible new place to live, and even discovers a purpose for what he can do in his new life. The virus also is quick to realize the hoops and hurdles he’ll need to jump through to get there, which is why there’s no time to rest on his laurels as he finds a more humanly host. And when he does, he also finds what sort of power his virus can do to those surrounding him.
Quickly, the narrative in It’s That Reincarnated-as-a-Virus Story shows that this particular virus isn’t a deadly infection; it’s more of a mind control sort of thing. But it also does a fun job showcasing the good the virus does to those around him. This is done well during a battle between the goblins and the orcs, with the virus now leading the charge as Lord Hobgoblin. Using his words to spread his virus, he not only physically makes the goblins more stronger, but also spiritually.
Pirota’s art also goes a wonderful job displaying the emotions in every character. Even as a rat or wolf, the way the virus thinks and feels is done in a way that’s both cute and funny. It’s also humorous seeing Lord Hobgoblin going from a rough, tough bastard of a character to a loving father figure in a blink of an eye, with his virus-infected bug-eyed face bringing a warmth that confuses even the goblins on the lowest part of the totem pole.
It’s That Reincarnated-as-a-Virus Story really took me by surprise. Although it may be another isekai series, it does enough interesting things to make it one to stick around for. We’ve all seen slimes, cute cats, and even vending machines become the strongest in their worlds, so why not let a virus have a go? Let’s see where this bug takes its readers, and hope its journey to the top doesn’t get stopped by a cup of NyQuil!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Tomo Tran of Kodansha Manga
