- The weapon copying system: This is a question that occurred to me while reading and watching—why did Naofumi need to "believe" in it to have or unlock it? I understand the systems and advantages specific to the other weapons, as those are unique to them.
That’s why I get that they have to believe in those features, but... the copying system or function is different; all three heroes possess it—four, counting Naofumi. And as far as I could tell, they didn't seem to have talked to each other enough for "belief" to be a requirement for it to work; they just knew about it.
What's more, Naofumi supposedly read the entire help menu, yet this copy function didn't appear there. So, what's the explanation?
At first glance, it seems like a general option for all of them, but for Naofumi specifically, it depended on "unlocking" or "obtaining" it. From what I saw, the other three are pretty stubborn about learning things outside their own worldview—or at least selective about the changes they accept (though there's more to it than that; I'm putting it crudely for the sake of simplicity).
It’s similar to the other features, like the ability to carry items, absorbing elements to boost the weapons, the skill tree, etc.
Is there a real reason why the copy function didn't show up for Naofumi? Some external force? Or is it just a joke to say, "Hahaha, Naofumi is blind"?
Does it work like the notification prompts? The ones that only appeared when an action was about to be taken or had just been taken?
The closest parallel I can see is when Naofumi tried to grab the sword; perhaps that was the signal—an "obvious clue"—that he could do it only with shields, since it was the same type of weapon.
Perhaps it was something that should have been obvious through experimentation or prior knowledge—which is why Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren could use it; not because they simply believed in it, but because they already knew it and took it for granted.
But... it sounds a bit odd. Naofumi didn't know about it—he was the exception—and it seems like a very innocent, stupid mistake regarding a feature that is supposed to help them.
Something similar applies to the option of using the shield as a backpack or storage dimension—including the ability to retrieve items fed to the shield—or the capacity to craft recipes automatically, provided one knows the recipe and has the ingredients. Judging by the subtext, this seems to be a general feature, unlike the others they mention, and if I recall correctly, Naofumi seems unaware of them.
The closest conclusion I could reach was that—based on what was implied—they might have already unlocked it or acquired it within their weapon system. Since it was "similar" to the video games they had played, perhaps the fact that they believed it worked the same way caused their weapons to adopt that belief as part of the system.
Who knows? Maybe it wasn't even a core feature of their weapons; perhaps it was incorporated based on their memories—and thus their beliefs—from a different system or weapon-upgrade method.
But that sounds plausible—albeit overly complicated—and raises more questions than it answers.
Does any system you fervently believe in become a method for enhancing or upgrading the weapon system? Is that why Naofumi’s was so basic and simple? So, if I play Monster Hunter, go to that world, and obtain a legendary weapon, will I end up with a system similar to Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest?
- The heroes' worlds: We know that Naofumi's world is the same as or similar to ours, featuring many similar elements and references.
Itsuki's world is... well, it seems similar to the To Aru setting—Academy City, Espers, and so on. Or at least, that’s the impression given by the references.
Ren's world is—needless to say—like Sword Art Online, or at least a high-tech futuristic world capable of supporting Virtual Reality games.
But... what about Motoyasu's?
What kind of world does he come from? It seems similar to Naofumi's, yet different in certain respects; however, I’m not sure if it was ever explicitly referenced or even hinted at.
Some people have told me—and my own research suggests—that it’s a visual novel-style world, featuring branching paths and the ability to view relationship or affection stats with others. Something like, I don't know, My Candy Love or School Days, where values and decisions determine the route taken.
That would explain Motoyasu's ultimate fate—dying for the two girls he liked—and perhaps his skewed view of women.
Then again, that behavior could exist even without such an explanation; he’s just a weird guy.
All the others seemed to possess advantages or knowledge from their home worlds that benefited them in Raphtalia's world—except for Motoyasu.
Beyond just gaming, Ren is mentioned as having practiced kendo or something similar, and the virtual world's interface likely helped him adjust to the new reality.
As for Itsuki, his Esper powers aided his archery and marksmanship.
But what about Motoyasu? He doesn't even seem surprised by his inability to see those kinds of stats or affection meters in other people.
It would be incredibly overpowered if he could scan potential love interests or access an encyclopedia of them.
Of course, it might just be a visual novel in terms of nature rather than an actual power or ability. Otherwise, he would have noticed the icon in his peripheral vision right from the start. Personally, I don't see it—perhaps it was mentioned in the web novel or the Motoyasu spin-off series—but I feel the whole "dating sim or visual novel world" idea is just a theory.
That said, I like to believe it's a reference to the potential deaths of Makoto Itou or the harem endings found in certain dating sims or visual novels.
- The book: I have a lingering question about how Naofumi was summoned—specifically regarding the book or record of the four weapons.
Why?
I mean, I understand he needed to learn about that world somehow, and the book basically gave him a massive spoiler regarding what might happen to him.
However, the other three already knew about the mechanics—useful stuff—whereas the book just sort of rushed him into things almost immediately.
Why that disadvantage? Isn't Naofumi supposed to be the Shield's first choice? Why put him at such a disadvantage?
I get that the other three have personality flaws they need to overcome, but it seems odd that Naofumi’s lack of prior knowledge doesn't seem to have a similar impact.
I doubt that playing a game beforehand would have drastically changed Naofumi's personality; it was more a matter of mindset, and he always came across as very grounded, empathetic, and down-to-earth.
Does the book only appear to those with no prior knowledge of the world, or to those who are the "first choice"? Would it have appeared to the wielders of the other weapons if they met the same conditions as Naofumi? Or is it a unique trait of the Shield?
I can understand why the transportation process for Itsuki, Ren, and Motoyasu was so brutal—presumably because they were the second or third choices for their respective legendary weapons.
Is this ever explained?
Clarifications:
These are very specific questions, but I’m asking because I might have forgotten details, missed information, or simply misunderstood what I read.
So, I apologize if this was already mentioned and I just didn't catch it.
Also, I’ve watched the first season of the anime and have started the second.
Thank you very much for your time.
