Synopsis and review of the Water Magician Volume 1 and 2 Arc 1. Anime Release: 3 July!

In this article, I’ll be breaking down the full story and reviewing the Japanese light novel The Water Magician with spoilers. Last Updated on 24 June, 2025.

Hello! I'm excited for the anime release of The Water Magician on 3 July.  Here’s a full summary and review (with spoilers!) of the Japanese light novel The Water Magician.

Book Overview

Book title: The Water Magician

Japanese name: 水属性の魔法使い

Author: Tadashi Kudou

The Water Magician is a Japanese web novel serialized on Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It follows Ryo, a Japanese teenager who dies in a traffic accident and is reincarnated into a fantasy world called 'Phi', with only water-based magic. He retains his memories and knowledge from his previous life and requests to live a quiet, secluded life. However, he wakes up alone in a forest full of dangerous monsters.

It’s a classic isekai setup with a focus on growth, exploration, and battles against magical creatures and demons.

As of now, four arcs have been published in Japanese, and four volumes of the Central Provinces Arc have been translated into English. An anime adaptation is planned for Summer 2025.

Water Magician also has a manga adaptation. You can read my comparison between the manga and the novel here.

Here's an overview of the story, including spoilers from Volume 1 and 2 my final thoughts on Volume 1 and 2. 

The synopsis for the other books in Arc 1 is here.

Volume 1

Reincarnated after dying from overwork

Nineteen-year-old Ryo drops out of university after losing both parents and begins working at his late father’s company. Exhausted by overwork, he dies in a traffic accident.

In the afterlife, Michael, a man who introduces himself as an angel, offers him reincarnation in the world of Phi. Magic exists in this world and can be improved through training. Ryo is given water-element magic and is told that the magical ability is ’somewhat' rare and innate in Phi. He requests to be placed somewhere isolated, away from people, to live a slow life.

However, Michael fails to mention two important facts:

1. Ryo's magic is powerful.

2 . He possesses a rare hidden talent: eternal youth.

• Ryo: The protagonist, originally a Japanese office worker, is reincarnated into the fantasy world of "Phi." He specializes in water-element magic and has been granted the hidden talent of eternal youth, though he is unaware of it.
• Michael: A handsome man with long blond hair who reincarnated Ryo into the world of Phi. He provides Ryo with basic knowledge of the world’s magic, along with a starter kit including a house, food, books, and a knife.

Survival in the Forest of Rondo

Ryo wakes up in a cabin in the forest, protected by a magical barrier. He begins his new life, training his body and practicing water magic. Over time, he expands his territory and eventually reaches the sea.

Despite his efforts, Ryo is defeated by water-resistant aquatic monsters in the sea and even ambushed by a troublesome "assassin hawk". Using knowledge of molecular science from his previous life, he studies and refines his water magic, while also receiving sword training from a friendly Dullahan. Following some training, Ryo finally defeats the hawk. 

At this point, Ryo also encounters an intelligent and enormous dragon and holds a conversation with it. He learns the geography of the region from the dragon — the forest is surrounded on three sides by sea, and to the north lies a massive mountain range. He realizes the angel placed him in a nearly uninhabited part of a subcontinent called Rondo.

Saving Abel

20 Years After His Reincarnation... 

Thanks to his immortality and relentless training in the forest, Ryo becomes immensely powerful. One day, he rescues a shipwrecked adventurer named Abel on the coast. To help return Abel to his homeland, Ryo sets off on a journey beyond the subcontinent — his first time venturing out since his reincarnation.

• Dullahan: Ryo’s swordsmanship mentor, who is implied to be the King of Water Spirits. When Ryo sets off on his journey, Dullahan gifts him a wizard’s robe as a parting present.
• Abel: A skilled B-rank adventurer and swordsman who often engages in witty banter with Ryo, forming a comedic duo dynamic.

volume 2

New Life in the City of Lune

During Ryo and Abel's travel, they fight beasts and eventually cross the northern mountain range, reaching the Kingdom of Knightley. Abel realizes Ryō surpasses him in both swordsmanship and magic.

Ryo arrives in Lune, Abel’s base, and—thanks to Abel’s recommendation—is registered as a D-rank adventurer.

He moves into the adventurers' dormitory and becomes roommates with Nils, Eto, and Amon. 

• Nils: A cheerful swordsman who becomes Ryo’s roommate. He is later promoted to E-rank adventurer in recognition of his contributions during the Great Tidal Wave incident.
• Eto: A calm and composed priest who also shares a room with Ryo. Like Nils, he is promoted to E-rank adventurer for his role during the Great Tidal Wave.
• Amon: A young swordsman who first meets Ryo during a beginner's dungeon training session and later becomes his roommate. He is also promoted to E-rank after the Great Tidal Wave.

Battle against a Demon.

Ryo also becomes deeply engrossed in studying alchemy at the local library. One day, while researching alchemy at the library, Ryo detects the presence of a powerful demon named Leonor. A brutal battle ensues, and Ryo barely escapes with his life.

Meanwhile, Abel and his party are caught in a massive water wave disaster while exploring a dungeon. This incident prompts a full-scale academic investigation by the kingdom’s top magical research teams. Abel is recruited as an escort for the royal investigation team by his old acquaintance, Lord Arthur.

Meeting Sera

Ryo meets Sera, an elf drawn to the magical aura he emits. She asks to remain by his side. When the investigation team is suddenly teleported to a deeper dungeon floor and ambushed by high-level demons, Ryō rushes to their rescue after hearing about the crisis, saving many lives. After the commotion, Ryo returned to his peaceful life, practicing alchemy at the library and sparring with Sera in mock battles.

• Leonor: A demon Ryo encounters at the library. She uses fire magic and wind spears and possesses regenerative abilities.
• Sera: An elf and B-rank adventurer whom Ryo meets at the library. In a sparring match, she defeats Ryo by combining swordsmanship with wind magic.

Review of Volume 1 and 2

In the early chapters, the story focuses entirely on the protagonist, Ryo, who leads a solitary survivalist lifestyle deep in the forest. He trains in magic while building the foundations of his daily life, using his modern-day knowledge to experiment with magical theories and gradually expanding his range of activity.

This portion of the story may divide readers. If you enjoy watching steady, incremental character growth through hard work and trial-and-error, you’ll likely find it engaging. However, others may find the lack of supporting characters and the slow plot progression tedious or overly drawn-out.

After a long period of isolated training, Ryo gains power far beyond that of 'ordinary' people in the outside world. While this sets up a familiar "isekai protagonist" trope, it’s handled with balance—his power is limited to a single attribute: water. As a result, each battle against opponents wielding fire, wind, or unique techniques becomes a test of ingenuity. This “single-element, strategy-based combat” is one of the novel’s standout points.

Ryo is also portrayed as a hard worker, making his growth feel earned and convincing.

As the story progresses, Ryo eventually leaves the forest and starts interacting with others in nearby towns and cities. The Central Nations—a politically and culturally complex region—are introduced gradually, with detailed depictions of their systems and beliefs. These elements give the story a sense of depth, and the worldbuilding expands steadily throughout the series.

Some readers may find Ryo’s personality or motivations a bit inconsistent. For instance, his early wish to live a “slow life” lacks convincing justification, and his actions often come across as spontaneous or aimless. Without a clear driving goal or strong personal philosophy, some may find it harder to connect with him emotionally. There are also moments where Ryo’s interactions with others feel awkward, giving the impression that he doesn’t quite fit in.

Final Thoughts

This story may not be for everyone, and the protagonist’s personality may not appeal to all readers. However, if Ryo’s character resonates with you in the first volume, you’re likely to enjoy the rest of the series. For the right audience, this is a deeply satisfying and immersive story. 

REVIEW and Synopsis of VOLUME 3 of The Water Magician

The Water Magician, Light Novel, manga, anime episode 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.