The B-Rank Adventurer with a Scary Face Becomes a Father for the Hero and His Friends is a newly translated Isekai manga coming from One Peace Books on September 9, 2025. Originally based on a web novel by Enji with Kazuharo Hara as illustrator, the manga adaption came to life with illustrator Cogeme. I found myself awww‘ing often at the interactions between the main character, Gray, and his six orphaned children. The (sometimes brash) humor kept me entertained while the sprinkles of mystery had me wanting more.
The first volume is 184 pages long, consisting of six chapters with a small afterword from the illustrator.
Read on for a blurb and quick review:
Gray, the B-rank adventurer, was a background character in the RPG known as Bright Fantasy … or at least that’s what he thought. After saving orphans from being attacked by goons, he resolves to provide for them as a father. But one of the orphans is Iska, the other world’s future hero, and his choice will greatly change its destiny.
Even though I’ve reviewed a few manga from One Peace Books already, I can’t call myself an expert. When I go into manga reading, I’m not looking for anything overly complicated. I prefer simplistic art styles to help me understand better with the monochrome coloring. Something with an easy-going plot is right up my alley, with humor and intrigue throughout. I don’t even particularly care if there’s romance involved (unless it is directly a romance manga).
All that to say, The B-Rank Adventurer hits that sweet spot. It’s not your traditional Isekai manga, with a young protagonist shown transported to another world. Instead, we’re thrust into Gray’s universe when he’s older and has already grown up after his transport. All of his skills are built through study and practice, while his scary appearance makes him lonesome. One of the first mysteries readers might find themselves puzzling at is Gray’s previous life. His old name is secret despite two flashbacks, and the circumstances of how he lost his family are not forthcoming.
Perhaps an even more intriguing mystery is who are the kids? When Gray first finds them, they’re living in the slums with no guardians, struggling to eat and with one of them ill. They’ve clearly been bullied by thugs and need someone to take care of them. Perhaps due to Gray’s previous life’s family past, he grows a soft spot for these six kids (the oldest being only thirteen). While they all seem innocent enough, Gray’s run-in with a local spider-themed gang begins the first hints towards the kids not being who they seem. Readers are still kept in the dark, so I really have nothing to spoil.
Sincerely, my favorite parts were seeing Gray get excited and bashful over caring for the six kids. The younger ones gravitated towards him, being the first to call him “Daddy” and attaching to his legs. His interactions with the older children are endearing too, since he can really talk to them. Especially when Iska and Fio express interest in becoming adventurers just like him one day.
This first volume is a good start for the story in general, introducing a plethora of main and side characters. I loved how each new character would get a quick little name and blurb. All their designs are different enough to be recognizable, too, so I wasn’t worried about not knowing who a character was. I hope in future volumes some of these characters show up more/become more important. I was especially intrigued by Sasha and Loux, as well as the Valkyries. Of course, I’d happily read more about each child instead of side characters that may or may be important to the plot.
As of right now, this manga seems more like slice-of-life than anything. I’d be curious to see how that changes as the story evolves.
As for the art style, I didn’t find anything special about it. It’s not overly detailed or anything, with straight-forward lines and backgrounds. A lot of the expressions are similar or the same throughout. This helped me focus more on the story and characterization, but I could understand why some people would want a style more advanced. I did love Gray’s “scary” face though.
I’m not super picky and gave this manga a comfortable five out of five stars. It’s not groundbreaking, but it was nice.
The B-Rank Adventurer with a Scary Face Becomes a Father for the Hero and His Friends Volume 1 is available to order on Amazon.
Thank you One Peace Books for the e-copy of “The B-Rank Adventurer” in exchange for an honest review.
