The Principle of a Philosopher by Eternal Fool “Asley”

I must say, it's not bad. Despite the title suggesting the protagonist is foolish, he displays intelligence, strategic thinking, and careful planning. His constant banter with his trusty Siberian Husky, Pochi, adds a lighthearted touch even during perilous situations. The character's learning pace may be sluggish, but his persistence over 5000 years is commendable.

The score of 8 out of 10 reflects the主角在改变和领悟上的迟缓，但正是这种慢节奏为他重新找回失落的人性—诸如价值观、善良、体贴和公正等，在与世隔绝的漫长岁月中得以展现。这是一个值得阅读的故事。

The primary issue with this novel lies in its sluggish pacing. The story tends to drag due to an excessive amount of unnecessary dialogue exchanged between the protagonist and his dog. It feels like a significant portion of the book could be condensed if we removed much of the trivial banter. Despite this, the overall narrative and battle sequences are commendable, with the MC showcasing impressive skills and unique magic. To fully appreciate it, it might be best to accumulate several chapters and read them in one sitting.

This is an adventure tale set in a fantasy realm, narrated from the viewpoint of the protagonist, Asley, a logical and analytical individual who has spent millennia in isolation as a shut-in, studying magical arts. Driven by his dog familiar, Pochi's persistent nudging, Asley ventures out of his comfort zone into the real world. Despite being a relatable character dealing with common struggles, the story avoids gloominess through the humorous antics of Asley's feisty familiar, who diffuses dull moments with unexpected comments.

The story stands out for its balanced portrayal of Asley's powers, acknowledging both his strengths and weaknesses. The pacing is well-managed, with a logical progression that keeps readers engaged without overwhelming them. Most characters have depth, even though their development is primarily seen through Asley's eyes. The plot unfolds gradually, requiring readers to piece together clues like a puzzle, often resulting in amusing misdirection.

Romance isn't the main focus, but it exists in a subtle and minimalistic way, with Asley's lack of experience providing comedic relief. The adventure aspect features Asley, initially reluctant to travel, facing various challenges that test his skills and keep the story engaging. Humor, particularly the playful banter between Asley and Pochi, adds a lighthearted touch, making it a delightful read.

Lastly, the story serves as a guide to communication, showcasing both effective and ineffective approaches, with vivid illustrations of the consequences. However, the author leaves room for improvement when it comes to relationships, as the portrayal of women remains absent.

In summary, this novel offers a balanced blend of adventure, humor, and life lessons, with a unique take on the protagonist's journey and the importance of interpersonal skills. If you're looking for a captivating tale with a touch of comedy and valuable life lessons, this might be worth checking out.

Please remember that I've already read the entire series in its original Japanese version. While the series as a whole is exceptional, individual books might seem less impactful due to its gradual pace. Initially, it appears directionless, but skillfully weaves plot threads early on, addressing them incrementally. Virtually every named character holds significance, with their own stakes and motivations contributing to the overarching narrative. The core storyline gains momentum around volume 5 (Chapter 130), but prior to that, numerous enjoyable subplots and humorous moments keep it engaging.

In terms of translation quality, the older translation by Estelion's Secret Imouto is abysmal. It's essentially poorly edited machine translation, turning into a half-hearted adaptation of the manga a few chapters in.

On the positive side, the newer translation by Divine Dao Library stands out. It's excellently crafted, maintaining consistent names and terminology, and the localization is smooth without losing the original nuances. It's worth noting that they redid the initial chapters done by Estelion's Secret Imouto, so start from the penultimate chapter listing.

Update (June 7, 2020): The Divine Dao Library translation, currently up to Chapter 82, has experienced a slight dip in quality since Chapter 40. Occasional editor and proofreader comments, although infrequent, can be distracting.

Update (October 10, 2021): The Divine Dao Library translation has progressed to Chapter 225, and the overall quality has improved over the past 100 chapters. The jokes are now localized more heavily, enhancing the humor in the translation.

Update (September 15, 2024): The Divine Dao Library translation has now completed the main web novel content and is currently engaged in the additional side stories released alongside print book editions. The translation remains consistently strong throughout.

A tale revolves around an immortal teenager who has secluded himself from human society for millennia, unaware of the monumental events unfolding during that time. One day, accompanied by his chatty canine pal, they embark on an adventure. Their journey combines their innate abilities, ancient wisdom, fortuitous circumstances, and a knack for getting involved, leading them to be chosen by various forces to play pivotal roles in a new wave of world-altering events. Alongside the main duo, the narrative focuses on several other well-developed characters with their own individual journeys.

The story predominantly unfolds from the protagonist's perspective, occasionally shifting to third person. The straightforward language suits the story's tone, though it can feel abrupt when abruptly changing conversational topics. Humor, while present, can be misplaced in serious scenes but generally provides comic relief. The meat of the plot begins around chapter 130, with earlier chapters setting up key characters, world-building, and the buildup to the central conflict.

The English translation by Divine Dao Library is commendable, effectively handling honorific removal without compromising character interactions or consistency in terminology. Dialogue clarity is maintained, and emotions in critical scenes are conveyed, although cringe-worthy moments remain cringe-inducing. On the other hand, Estelion's Secret Imouto's older translation is subpar – their understanding of the text is questionable, and their English is poor, possibly relying on machine translation. Their adaptation attempts, by placing dialogue in manga panels, disrupt the reading experience and consume unnecessary bandwidth.

The novel also boasts a manga adaptation with stunning visuals, capturing virtually every detail. Though it progresses slowly, given its position within the second major arc, it's worth checking out alongside the text.

The initial concept of this novel sounds intriguing: a young man with limited magical aptitude stumbles upon immortality, devotes 5,000 years to mastering magic and research, and then returns to a world that's stagnated rather than progressed. It could have been the foundation for an engaging story featuring a clueless, yet powerful protagonist, much like an OP sage. However, the execution falls flat. The litRPG elements become a crutch, burdening him with debilitating titles that hinder his abilities, and his character development remains one-dimensional, bordering on cartoonish. The inclusion of superficial litRPG tropes adds no substance, and the poor translation quality, along with the unnecessary manga illustrations, detract from the reading experience. I had higher hopes for this story.