The Value of the “Sold Dirt Cheap” Manga

The secret of the success of the “isekai” fantasy genre in Japanese comics and animation is the flexibility of the concept. Being teleported to or reincarnated into an alternate world allows for infinite possibilities. The alternate world may be primitive or futuristic, barbaric or paradisical, peaceful or war-ravaged. The person or people transported could be anyone and may become anyone or anything in their new world. So the isekai sub-genre also allows for crossing genres, for example, the horror western, the superhero romance, or mecha in a fantasy environment. Author Ryoma’s 2020 light novel series Class Saiyasune de Urareta Ore wa, Jitsu wa Saikyou Parameter falls into the same sub-genre camp as Magic Knight Rayearth, Aura Battler Dunbine, Vision of Escaflowne, Knight’s & Magic, and Break Blade, to name a few: medieval worlds that have giant battling robots. Ryoma’s light novels have been popular enough to spin-off a manga adaptation. One Peace Books will be officially translating that manga, I Was Sold Dirt Cheap, But My Power Level Is Off the Charts!, for English-speaking readers. The first volume will be available on October 8.

Yuta, along with his classmates and teacher, are magically kidnapped to be sold as exclusive state-treasure-level slaves in the alternate world of Falva. Supposedly few natives of Falva possess enough “Ludea” magic to operate the world’s giant mechanical armor suits, but Earthlings frequently possess enough latent magic to pilot “magic suits.” Every member of Yuta’s class is separated and sold to a highest bidder except for Yuta, who is deemed to have so little “Ludea” that he’s discarded as expendable slave labor. Taking a page from the Am I Actually the Strongest? light novel series, the reality is that Yuta’s latent potential only looks small because his power level is so high that it can’t be accurately measured. His true potential emerges when he’s forced by circumstances to pilot a rare magic suit that no one else can use.

Artist Cambria Bakuhatsu Tarou’s manga adaptation of “I Was Sold Dirt Cheap” is a mixed bag, although not entirely due to the artist’s fault. At first glance, the manga is sharp and attractive looking. The line-work is crisp and precise, owing more inspiration to anime than typical manga. Backgrounds are frequently elaborate and highly detailed. However, Tarou periodically draws characters with odd or wonky body perspectives, and periodically a character’s facial expression doesn’t match the character’s emotion or dialogue. Tarou compensates for these periodic minor mistakes by distracting the reader’s attention with frequent use of dynamic, cinematic panels and shot angles.

The source narrative also introduces some flaws in logic and consistency. Once free of his indentured servitude, Yuta is unable to find a job because his Ludea rate is so low. But all the Falvan natives around him also have low Ludea rates, yet they’re able to secure normal jobs and thrive. This discrepancy is one that’s never addressed or explained because the reader isn’t supposed to notice this logical loophole in the original story. Supposedly natives of Flava who have enough magic capacity to pilot magic suits are scarce, yet in the story they seem to be actually quite commonplace. Minor inconsistencies also appear in specific instances. For example, a magic suit pilot refers to Yuta’s magic suit as “some antique garbage,” but according to the story, all of the magic suits on the planet of Flava are antiques. A brief scene in which Yuta pushes a circular lever is illustrated in such a way that in reality would not actually be possible.

A bigger possible weakness is the juvenile simplicity of the storytelling. When Yuta’s class is transported to the world of Falva, none of the students express any fear or anxiety even when they’re told that they’ll be sold as slaves. When Yuta is lumped in with poor, working-class slaves, the story cuts away from depicting what sort of work the slaves are tasked with. Fellow slave Nanami shows exceptional consideration and trust toward Yuta the very first time she lays eyes on him, with no reason given to explain her exceptional trusting kindness. Similarly, Yuta and his companions fall into complete trust with a total stranger because the plot needs to advance. When Yuta and Nanami become runaway slaves, there’s no pursuit and no consequence for their escape. Frequently and extensively the storytelling feels superficial and almost comically simplified although the manga doesn’t seem to be targeted at child readers.

One Peace Books’ localization is commendable. The English-language translation by Jamie Taber is organic and fluid. The first manga volume comes with its first four pages printed in glossy color, matching the original Japanese publication. The 200-page book contains the manga’s first five chapters. The first volume contains a few pages of non-graphic nudity and one scene of lightly bloody violence, making the manga volume suitable for most readers of any age.

The first manga volume of I Was Sold Dirt Cheap, But My Power Level Is Off the Charts! gets off to a bit of a slow start but eventually suggests hints of more complex and dramatic plot turns to come. Fantasy mecha titles aren’t especially common, so fans of the genre may want to check out this presentation. Likewise, devoted fans of the isekai sub-genre will find all their favorite familiar tropes represented within this story. The technical execution of the manga version of I Was Sold Dirt Cheap, But My Power Level Is Off the Charts! is more good than bad since the narrative does a good job of minimizing and distracting from its flaws and weaknesses. At least the first manga volume of “I Was Sold Dirt Cheap” isn’t the best or strongest isekai fantasy manga available; however, it gets enough right to likely satisfy most readers curious to plunge into its universe.