I Don’t Know Martial Arts

My Thoughts on I Don’t Know Martial Arts

"I Don't Know Martial Arts" had me hooked from the start with its unique premise. Two modern-day friends transmigrating into a martial arts novel? Sign me up! The initial chapters promised a hilarious and refreshing take on the genre, blending wuxia with meta-commentary and rom-com tropes. While the overall rating is decent, I wanted to delve deeper into what makes this novel tick.

First Impressions

The setup is undeniably strong. Our protagonist, Myoha, is a rom-com enthusiast, and his best friend is a BL fanatic. Their interactions are gold, especially as they try to navigate the murim world with their genre-savviness (or lack thereof). I found their meta-conversations, like dissecting the difference between an obsessive top and a Grand Northern Duke, genuinely funny and relatable.

What Works Well

The humor is a major draw. Myoha's dense nature and straightforward personality, combined with his "comforting skills" (aka flirting), create some hilarious scenarios, particularly with the male leads. I also appreciated the author's depiction of the friendship between Myoha and his best friend; their chemistry is fantastic, and their shared fanaticism for their respective genres is wonderfully portrayed. The initial plot, with Myoha and his friend trying to survive as poor siblings in a martial arts world, had a lot of potential.

Areas of Concern

However, as I read further, some issues started to surface. The plot seems to lose its way after a certain point, and the MC's actions become increasingly frustrating. While I initially enjoyed his denseness, it eventually felt hypocritical, especially regarding his relationships with the various male leads. The harem aspect, which was initially appealing, is not well-executed. Some love interests are sidelined or given unsatisfying conclusions, which left me feeling disappointed. Additionally, the villain's obsession with the MC felt forced and lacked a compelling foundation.

Final Verdict

"I Don't Know Martial Arts" starts strong with a unique premise and humorous interactions. However, the plot loses its way, and the character development becomes inconsistent. While the novel has its moments, the unsatisfactory handling of the harem and the forced villainization ultimately left me feeling disappointed. It's a fun read initially, but be prepared for a potential decline in quality as the story progresses.