I Shall Survive Using Potions! is Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear’s less fight-oriented cousin.
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear and “big sister isekai”
Over the years, isekai has spawned multiple subgenres. We have the initial fantasy isekai (like the classic Inuyasha), video game isekai (popularized by Sword Art Online), overpowered isekai (In Another World with My Smartphone), monster isekai (That Time I Reincarnated As A Slime), villainess isekai (My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!) and many more. Including one of the more bizarre, if heartwarming subgenres we’ve seen so far in what could be called “big sister isekai” — a combination of “overpowered isekai” and a “cute girls doing cute things'' anime.
Kuma Kuma Bear was the quintessential example of this subgenre, with its protagonist Yuna slaughtering her way through a fantasy bestiary one moment, and cooking confectioneries for orphaned children the next, all in pursuit of an easy and fulfilling life. Over the years, we’ve seen other takes on this formula — like the elven high fantasy antics of In The Land Of Leadale, and the deceptively clever and business-minded Saving 80000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement — and it seems like the fans of this subgenre have another show to check out this season.
How does I Shall Survive Using Potions! compare?
I Shall Survive Using Potions! (written by the author of Saving 80000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement and Didn’t I Say To Make My Abilities Average) features an office worker Kaoru Nagasa, who died due to a godly OSHA violation, and is sent to a fantasy world with an overpowered ability of her choice as a compensation. Hoping for an easy life, she befriends the goddess responsible for this new world, and asks to be able to miraculously and instantaneously create any potion she desires, unaware that this world has very little magic, and even less healing potions available to the populace. Shenanigans ensue.
Unlike many of its predecessors, I Shall Survive Using Potions! has little interest in battle scenes, and it shows — while overpowered, Kaoru doesn’t really fight, solving every conflict through non-violent (though often deceitful and underhanded) methods and clever applications of her overpowered ability, all while juggling the attention of powerful organizations and nobles and collecting any stray children she comes across.
In a genre so oversaturated with level grinding, fighting Demon Lords and multi-species harems, it’s sometimes important to be able to kick back and enjoy the little things in life — like robbing a corrupt noble, bringing modern Japanese cooking to a medieval pseudo-Europe, and telling literal royalty to go stuff themselves. It’s the kind of an isekai life many of us would want, after all!
Fans of Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear are getting a new seasonal anime. As a treat.
Summary:
“Big sister isekai” is a combination of “overpowered isekai” and a “cute girls doing cute things” anime.
I Shall Survive Using Potions! is Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear’s less fight-oriented cousin.
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear and “big sister isekai”
Over the years, isekai has spawned multiple subgenres. We have the initial fantasy isekai (like the classic Inuyasha), video game isekai (popularized by Sword Art Online), overpowered isekai (In Another World with My Smartphone), monster isekai (That Time I Reincarnated As A Slime), villainess isekai (My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!) and many more. Including one of the more bizarre, if heartwarming subgenres we’ve seen so far in what could be called “big sister isekai” — a combination of “overpowered isekai” and a “cute girls doing cute things'' anime.
Kuma Kuma Bear was the quintessential example of this subgenre, with its protagonist Yuna slaughtering her way through a fantasy bestiary one moment, and cooking confectioneries for orphaned children the next, all in pursuit of an easy and fulfilling life. Over the years, we’ve seen other takes on this formula — like the elven high fantasy antics of In The Land Of Leadale, and the deceptively clever and business-minded Saving 80000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement — and it seems like the fans of this subgenre have another show to check out this season.
How does I Shall Survive Using Potions! compare?
I Shall Survive Using Potions! (written by the author of Saving 80000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement and Didn’t I Say To Make My Abilities Average) features an office worker Kaoru Nagasa, who died due to a godly OSHA violation, and is sent to a fantasy world with an overpowered ability of her choice as a compensation. Hoping for an easy life, she befriends the goddess responsible for this new world, and asks to be able to miraculously and instantaneously create any potion she desires, unaware that this world has very little magic, and even less healing potions available to the populace. Shenanigans ensue.
Unlike many of its predecessors, I Shall Survive Using Potions! has little interest in battle scenes, and it shows — while overpowered, Kaoru doesn’t really fight, solving every conflict through non-violent (though often deceitful and underhanded) methods and clever applications of her overpowered ability, all while juggling the attention of powerful organizations and nobles and collecting any stray children she comes across.
In a genre so oversaturated with level grinding, fighting Demon Lords and multi-species harems, it’s sometimes important to be able to kick back and enjoy the little things in life — like robbing a corrupt noble, bringing modern Japanese cooking to a medieval pseudo-Europe, and telling literal royalty to go stuff themselves. It’s the kind of an isekai life many of us would want, after all!
