Game of Familia (Volume 1) – Protect the Family, Save the World!
High schooler Sasae Hatsushima has been summoned to another world along with his stepmother and two stepsisters. They are that world’s only hope to defeat the undead army threatening to destroy everything.
Game of Familia (Volume 1) – Protect the Family, Save the World!
What happened?
When Sasae’s father re-married, he gained a remarkable new family. There was Kanae, his new stepmother – the ultimate house wife/business manager. Nothing fazes her. Kanae brought with her two younger sisters, Manako – karate champion, and Hinana, a gifted youngster who was about to go to university at just twelve years old. Sadly, Sasae’s father died three months after remarrying, leaving him with his new family. Sasae already felt average, but when surrounded by such incredible levels of excellence, he felt decidedly useless. Then, during dinner one evening all four of them were transported to another world.
Before they had time to assess the situation, they met the person who summoned them. However, she was tired from the summoning, so when the undead attacked, she sacrificed herself so that they could run. Her only request was that they saved her world. After arriving a fortress, Kanae discussed the situation with their leader. Warriors were split into groups of four. There was a Swordual who wielded a mithril blade, the only thing that can kill the undead, a Sorcerer who provided magical support from the rear, a Guardian who protected the Swordual, and a Healer. Kanae needed to decide who would take on which role, but it wasn’t as simple as that!
Everyone other than the Swordual would need to make a pact with a spirit, and that came with a price. For women, the spirit would take the womb as payment. For men, it would be a limb or worse. That was why the forces occupying the fortress were all women. How could Kanae decide who should pay a price like that? Luckily, Sanae came up with a plan that might work. He suggested that Kanae, Manako, and Hinana would all be Sworduals. That way they wouldn’t need to make a pact with a spirit. He would assume all of the other roles. The leader of the fortress believed it was ridiculous, but Sanae had a plan for the spirits too. He just needs to convince them to give him their power!
What did you think?
First thing to note about this series is that it is classified as erotica. Not ecchi, erotica. And, while there is a lot of sexual assault, not least from the undead, I’m not sure I would have considered this more lewd than ecchi. Maybe that’ll change as the series goes on, who knows? Anyhow, this was a wild ride. After the first volume, it’s pretty much set its stall for how things will progress for a while. Sasae has taken on the role of the character who will do anything to ensure his step-family can remain as pillars of strength and virtue. He will be the shadow to their light.
Despite being distinctive average (his words), Sasae managed to convince the three strongest spirits to give him their power. It was all thanks to his quick analysis of the situation and ability to impress them with his words. He basically accused them of sitting out of the fight since they never give anyone their power. Amazingly, he had managed to convince the three of them to meet with him at the same time, convincing him that he could win them over. It wasn’t easy, but it cost him his left eye, which the Fire Spirit, Meltiroh inhabited, his blood which the water spirit, Aquasphia inhabited, and half of his body, which was inhabited by the Earth Spirit, Kenrogha. Part of his deal was to entertain them, by taking them on the adventure with him.
I’m enjoying the way he talks with the spirits and how they are starting to wonder if Sanae is really as average as he claims to be, and who his father really was to impart such a devious mind and strange teaching. The first volume was very much an introduction to the characters and to set out how things will work. I think the next volumes will show us more of the undead scourge and we’ll also get to see just how far Sasae is prepared to go to protect his family and rally fighters to their cause. I think this is going to be interesting, and probably a lot of fun!
Series Information
| English Title | Game of Familia |
| Japanese Title | Game of Familia: Kazoku Senki |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, Erotica, Fantasy, Isekai |
Manga
| Author | Mikoto Yamaguchi | |
| Artist | D.P | |
| Volumes | Ongoing | Chapters |
| 1 | Protect the Family, Save the World! | 1-4 |
