On the surface, the HIDIVE exclusive series The Executioner and Her Way of Life puts a fresh take on the isekai genre by exploring the consequences that the actions of usual isekai protagonists have on the worlds they visit from the perspective of the supposed indigenous people. However, the anime complicates this with some truly unique plot twists.
The fantastic world of the series was influenced over the centuries by the arrival of individuals called “Lost Ones” from a parallel world called “Japan”, called “Lost Ones”. While their influence was initially positive, the Lost Ones can lose control of their powers and cause huge catastrophes. During one of anime’s biggest opening twists, The Executioner and Her Way of Life has its isekai hero die at the hands of the true protagonist, the indigenous Menou, an executioner tasked with killing Lost Ones.
Later, Menou meets another Lost One who is apparently impossible to kill, Akari Tokito, and she has to journey with her. Despite that, the story’s focus remains Menou, which is unusual for an isekai story. Moreover, the anime later introduces the possibility that Menou is also originally from Japan, but this remains a mystery throughout the series.
The Executioner and Her Way of Life‘s Hero Is As Unique As They Come
Based on the light novel series by Mato Sato and Nilitsu; produced by J.C.Staff
The relationship that Menou soon builds with Akari and the subsequent journeys they have together later impose some new potential interpretations. A mixture of narrations and in-story scenes early on put into question where Menou actually comes from and even alludes to the possibility that Menou and Akari might have known each other in a previous life. While these developments potentially eliminate the series’ already unique perspective by potentially adhering to the isekai norm, they are actually needed to make Menou and Akari’s tragic relationship even more heartbreaking.
Menou is destined to execute Akari, but because of Akari’s unprecedented powers, Menou must pretend to befriend her, which naturally leads to legitimate feelings, thus making Menou’s job that much more difficult. The twist of Menou’s supposed true origins adds the nuance that their relationship might be even deeper than it’s already been deepening on screen as they journey together.
Regardless of what happens in the end, the effectiveness of The Executioner and Her Way of Life won’t be negatively impacted if Menou’s origin changes. Menou’s relevance as the protagonist of the story and the twisted relationship she has with Akari already transcend the isekai norm. In fact, Menou potentially being from Japan lends itself to a whole other interpretation of the series’ conspiracy and its implied ramifications for the better.
The same can be said of how much Japanese culture has clearly impacted Menou’s world, shedding light on the rarely explored after-effects that the exploits of isekai heroes can have in the worlds they visit. All these elements contribute to making The Executioner and Her Way of Life quite different from the many isekai out there, and HIDIVE‘s exclusive series will hopefully gain more recognition as a result.
The Executioner and Her Way of Life is available exclusively on HIDIVE
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