Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou, known in English as Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest, originated as a web novel serialized by Ryo Shirakome on the user-generated content site Shōsetsuka ni Narō starting in 2013. The story follows Hajime Nagumo, a student who is summoned to another world with his classmates but finds himself betrayed and cast into an abyss, forcing him to evolve from a weak individual into an overpowered anti-hero to survive. The raw, gritty nature of the protagonist's transformation resonated with readers, leading to its official publication as a light novel series with illustrations by Takayaki beginning in 2015.

The physical light novel volumes are published in Japan by Overlap under their Overlap Bunko label. Takayaki’s character designs are noted for their sharp, distinctive aesthetic that reflects the darker, action-oriented tone of the narrative, contrasting with typical high-fantasy tropes of the era. The series saw significant growth following the release of its 2019 anime adaptation, which broadened its international appeal and solidified its standing as a recognizable entry in the isekai subgenre.