Okina Baba Books In Order

Publication Order of So I'm a Spider, So What? Light Novels Books

Publication Order of So I'm a Spider, So What? Manga Books

Okina Baba is a Japanese author best known for his light novel series So I’m a Spider, So What? (Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?). This series gained popularity for its unique storyline. The main character is reincarnated as a spider in a fantasy world. It blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and humor. Okina Baba’s work also stands out for its innovative approach to the isekai (subgenre of portal fantasy) genre. This offers fresh perspective by having the protagonist navigate the challenges of their new world in a non-human form.

The success of Okina Baba’s So I’m a Spider, So What? Series led to led to adaptations in manga and anime, further expanding its reach and impact in the world of Japanese light novels and beyond.

In 2017, the manga adaptation secured the 18th spot in the third Next Manga Awards under the web category. As of July 2018, the combined print count for the light novels and manga reached 1.2 million copies. The series also garnered significant acclaim, placing third in the tankōbon category of the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! 2017 rankings, and climbing to second place in the 2018 rankings.

In 2018, it was reported that the book series would be adapted for the big screen. Expo, Kadokawa confirmed these plans, stating the adaptation would be a TV series initially scheduled to launch in 2020. However, the release was pushed to January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This 24-episode anime was produced by Millepensee, directed by Shin Itagaki, with script supervision by Okina Baba and Yūichirō Momose. Kii Tanaka was responsible for character design, Shūji Katayama composed the music, and Jōtarō Ishigami oversaw production. The show aired from January 8 to July 3, 2021, on AT-X and several other channels.

In the first book in the series, a magical battle in another realm casts a spell into our world. Tragically, it kills an entire high school class in Japan. Each student is reborn in a new world. The main character becomes a spider, specifically a Small Lesser Taratect.
This new world is like a fantasy RPG. Actions level up stats and grant skills. The spider, with no guide, must learn to survive. She’s stuck in a massive underground maze, full of dangers.

At first, she is terrified and disgusted by her new life. Eating other creatures is a horrifying thought. But hunger changes her. She quickly adapts, adopting a survivalist mindset.

“If it tries to kill me, I’ll kill it first,” becomes her rule. She starts to use her spider skills smartly. With web-spinning and venomous bites, she faces her foes.

We see the world’s mechanics through her eyes. Her journey is about fear, adaptation, and strategy. She evolves, learning to use her new abilities to survive in the labyrinth.

The story also follows some other characters from the same class who are reborn in different forms. Fei becomes a baby earth dragon and is adopted by a prince named Shun. Katia, reborn as a duke’s daughter, was a boy in her past life in Japan. Their teacher, Ms. Oka, finds herself reincarnated as an elf. The two storylines intersect at times. For instance, an egg discovered by the spider, which she has to leave behind during an attack, turns out to be where Fei, the dragon, hatches from.

The dungeon environment focuses on monsters battling and eating each other. It raises questions like what the bottom-tier creatures eat and how such a massive dungeon, spreading under continents, supports life.

Okina Baba has written a fast-paced and captivating story. The main character is very relatable, bringing life to even the less exciting parts of the tale. Other characters, though not as deeply explored, add their unique flavor to the story. They face unusual situations, providing breaks in the main plot.

The book is rich in detail, with each action leading to a well-thought-out reaction. It could have been confusing, but the clear and logical writing makes it enjoyable and accessible. The main character’s perspective helps clarify any complex parts of the story.
In Volume 2, the story continues right where the first volume ended. Our main character, the spider, is trying to escape the Lower Stratum. This area is home to powerful monsters, and she’s aiming for the Middle Stratum, which is a bit easier to navigate. However, there’s a big challenge waiting for her there: the labyrinth in this part is filled with fire, which is one of her biggest weaknesses.

The Middle Stratum is a tough place for our spider hero. It’s filled with fire-type enemies, and the intense heat constantly reduces her health. Magma is everywhere, making her spider threads useless. She has to find a way to not only stay alive in this deadly environment but also to get stronger and level up.

Despite the tough conditions, she surprisingly starts to thrive. After several narrow escapes and battles with new foes, she becomes much stronger than she ever imagined possible in the Middle Stratum. As she gains confidence, her inner thoughts become quite amusing to follow. However, this newfound confidence slightly reduces the suspense that was so gripping in the first volume.

In the second book in the series, the story uses the same dual perspective introduced in the first book. It focuses on the fact that Komoko was reborn before her classmates. This creates some interesting situations, full of dramatic irony that goes on into the third volume. For example, there’s a moment where Shun, after witnessing Fei’s rapid growth into a powerful dragon, wonders how much more powerful she would have been if she had grown up in the Great Elroe Labyrinth.

This light novel excels in character development, more so than its anime adaptation. Characters other than Komoko get more spotlight, allowing them to be seen as real individuals. Sure, they might seem typical at first glance: Shun as the beloved hero, Hugo as the aggressive rival, and Katia as the patient friend who’s a love interest. But in the light novel, these characters are more than just simple types. They’re not just “generic.” The author, Okina Baba, infuses them with depth and emotion, making them relatable and interesting.