I Picked Up This World’s Strategy Guide, Vol. 1

Gr 7 Up–While out procuring herbs for her shop, Sana stumbles upon a magical book that holds the secrets to people and items from around her world and events yet to come. This dangerous tome is the strategy guide for playing a game she didn’t know she’s living inside of! Sana initially classifies the book as dangerous, but after realizing the knowledge can save those for whom she cares deeply about, Sana embraces the power in its pages and unwittingly sets down a path from item shopkeeper to heroine. Ai’s full-color illustrations are sometimes unpolished, but there are beautifully illustrated moments of majestic scenery, emotionally important shots of the heroine, and lovely character work of Sana and the supporting cast. The character perspective of starting from inside the video game, unaware of its existence, is a fun take for the isekai manga genre.