I Reincarnated as the Underdog in a Depressing NTR Game, but Even Though I’m Just Living Normally, the Cheerful, Tsundere, Mysterious, and Pure-Type Heroines Are All Expressing Intense Feelings Toward Me

That’s strange, I’m just living normally, though? One day, I died from overwork, or so I thought, but when I woke up, I found myself in the world of an NTR eroge I had played in my previous life, “Kimi ni Saku Shiki”. However, I was reincarnated as Yuzuriha Kyosuke, the so-called stepping stone protagonist who has the main heroines stolen by the true protagonist, Manaka Kazuki. In that case, the one who should end up happy with the four beautiful girls who are the main heroines of this game, known as the “Shiki Sakura”, should be Kazuki, the true protagonist. Then, I’ll give up on romance and leave it to Kazuki, the true protagonist, and at least try to live properly so I’m not lonely even if I’m alone. With that determination, I was just living normally, but before I knew it, I, who was supposed to be the stepping stone, was the one receiving intensely heavy feelings from the heroines. And the true protagonist, Kazuki, was heading towards ruin. ──That’s strange, how did it come to this?

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on I Reincarnated as the Underdog in a Depressing NTR Game, but Even Though I’m Just Living Normally, the Cheerful, Tsundere, Mysterious, and Pure-Type Heroines Are All Expressing Intense Feelings Toward Me What a mouthful of a title! But beyond the lengthy name, "I Reincarnated as the Underdog..." presents an interesting premise that immediately grabbed my attention. The idea of being reborn into a depressing NTR game as the loser, and then *not* having things go according to the original plot, is genuinely appealing. It's like a delicious rebellion against the typical power fantasy. ### First Impressions The story starts with the protagonist recognizing his unfortunate fate and actively trying to avoid it. This self-awareness is a breath of fresh air. Instead of leaning into the expected tropes, he aims for normalcy, which ironically throws the game's established relationships into delightful chaos. The reincarnated "blonde bastard" antagonist, confident in his knowledge of the game's events, only to be repeatedly rejected, adds a layer of comedic schadenfreude that I thoroughly enjoyed. ### What Works Well The subversion of expectations is definitely the strongest point. It's refreshing to see a story that acknowledges and actively dismantles the NTR genre's problematic elements. The protagonist's efforts to become a better person, coupled with the heroines' unexpected affections, create a unique and engaging dynamic. The humor derived from the antagonist's repeated failures is also a major draw. ### Areas of Concern While the concept is strong, I hope the execution remains consistent. The potential for the story to devolve into a generic harem, despite its initial promise, is a concern. Maintaining the focus on subverting the NTR tropes and exploring the characters' genuine emotions will be crucial for long-term success. ### Final Verdict Overall, "I Reincarnated as the Underdog..." offers a compelling twist on the reincarnation and harem genres. Its humorous take on a typically dark premise, combined with a proactive protagonist, makes it a promising read. I'm eager to see how the story develops and whether it can maintain its unique charm throughout. If you're looking for a lighthearted and self-aware story that defies expectations, this might be right up your alley.