By the Grace of the Gods #1

By the Grace of the Gods, or Kami-tachi ni Hirowareta Otoko, originated as a serialized web novel written by Roy, which gained significant traction on the platform Shōsetsuka ni Narō starting in 2014. The success of the digital narrative led to its formal publication as a light novel series in 2017, illustrated by Ririnra. The story centers on Ryoma Takebayashi, a middle-aged Japanese salaryman who passes away and is reincarnated by three deities into a fantasy world where he leads a peaceful life researching slimes.

The physical issue #1 of the manga adaptation, illustrated by Ranran, was published in 2018 to bridge the gap between the established light novel readership and a broader audience. Ranran’s art style was chosen to capture the serene, slice-of-life atmosphere of Roy’s narrative, focusing on character expressions and the whimsical nature of the creatures Ryoma interacts with. The adaptation was well-received for its faithfulness to the source material, effectively translating the gentle, low-stakes tone of the original web novel into a visual format.