The manga adaptation of Arata Shiraishi’s light novel series, That Inferior Knight, Level 999, has reached its conclusion. Square Enix’s Manga UP! platform announced the final chapter was released on Monday, February 10, 2025, marking the end of Chihiro Yamazaki’s manga adaptation.
A Tale of Misunderstanding and Overwhelming Power
That Inferior Knight, Level 999 tells the story of Yuan, a 16-year-old boy raised by the two strongest humans in the world: his father, a sage, and his mother, a martial artist. Despite his lineage and incredible abilities, Yuan was raised to believe he is weak. This leads to a series of hilarious misunderstandings as he embarks on a journey to become a knight, completely unaware of his true power.
The Plot Unveiled
Yuan’s perception of his own weakness is drastically different from reality. He possesses immense strength, capable of pulverizing rocks and hunting dragons, which he casually dismisses as mere “lizards.” This disconnect between his perceived weakness and actual strength forms the core of the story’s comedy and action.
Yuan’s Quest
Driven by his desire to become a knight, Yuan leaves home, shaking the world with his unknowingly immense power. His journey is filled with encounters where he effortlessly overcomes challenges, much to the bewilderment of those around him. His strength is so great that he is able to defeat enemies with a mere flick of his finger.
The Manga’s Trajectory
Chihiro Yamazaki launched the manga adaptation in July 2019 on Square Enix’s Manga UP! platform. The series has been published in English by Manga UP! Global. Square Enix released the 10th compiled book volume on August 6, 2024. The original light novel series, illustrated by Kazutomo Miya, saw its second volume published by SB Publishing in July 2019.
Where to Read
That Inferior Knight, Level 999 is available on various platforms, including:
- Manga UP! Global: The official platform where the manga was serialized.
- MangaBuddy: This site offers online reading of the manga.
- MangaDex: A popular platform for reading manga, offering a wide selection of titles.
- MangaFire: Another online platform where the manga can be accessed.
- MangaBat: This website provides access to various manga titles, including “That Inferior Knight, Lv. 999”.
- MangaLife: MangaLife is a site where you can read manga online for free.
- MangaPark: MangaPark provides an online platform to read “That Inferior Knight, Level 999”.
- Amazon: The Kindle Store offers digital versions of the manga.
- MangaPlaza: Offers officially licensed and quality translated manga.
Volumes
As of August 2024, the series has 10 volumes. The digital version of the manga is also available as a chapter serial on Amazon.
Reception and Themes
That Inferior Knight, Level 999 blends action, adventure, comedy, and fantasy elements. The series falls into the Shonen demographic, targeting a young male audience. Key themes include:
- Misunderstanding: The central conflict arises from Yuan’s skewed perception of his own abilities.
- Overpowered Protagonist: Yuan’s immense strength, hidden beneath a facade of weakness, is a common trope in the isekai genre.
- Coming-of-Age: Yuan’s journey to become a knight is also a journey of self-discovery, as he gradually uncovers the truth about his past and his potential.
Popularity
The manga has garnered a significant following, with a popularity score of 2633 on AniList. On MangaUpdates, the series holds an average user rating of 5.7/10 based on 70 votes, with a Bayesian Average of 5.87/10.
Critical Response
Some readers find the premise repetitive after several chapters. One reviewer on MangaBuddy noted that the story becomes boring due to the repetitive nature of an overpowered main character who believes himself to be weak.
A Look at the Characters
Yuan
The main protagonist, Yuan, is a kind-hearted boy who grew up in the mountains. He is the son of the world’s strongest sage and martial artist but was raised to believe he is weak. Despite his perceived lack of talent, Yuan possesses incredible strength and unknowingly performs extraordinary feats.
Yuan’s Parents
Yuan’s parents are a sage and a martial artist, known as the strongest couple in the world. They raised Yuan to believe he was weak, hoping to prevent him from becoming arrogant or reckless. Their overprotective nature and unconventional parenting methods contribute significantly to Yuan’s misunderstanding of his own strength.
The Isekai Influence
That Inferior Knight, Level 999 shares common ground with the isekai genre, where characters are transported to or reincarnated in another world. While Yuan doesn’t experience a typical isekai scenario, the theme of an overpowered protagonist navigating a world with skewed perceptions aligns with many isekai stories. The series also incorporates elements of magic and martial arts, further enhancing its appeal within the fantasy genre.
Final Thoughts
The conclusion of That Inferior Knight, Level 999 marks the end of Yuan’s comedic and action-packed journey. While the manga adaptation has ended, fans can still explore the original light novel series to delve deeper into the world and characters. The series’ blend of action, comedy, and fantasy, coupled with its unique premise, has resonated with readers, making it a memorable addition to the manga landscape.
