Reincarnation × Survival of the Fittest! A Kindle manga filled with unforgettable quotes

"Busukai e Youkoso"– Review and Impressions, A high school girl who took her own life because she was “ugly” is reincarnated into the “Busukai.” This unique fantasy, featuring deadly battles in another world and soul-piercing quotes, is a hidden gem now available for free on Kindle. Here's a deep dive into what makes it so captivating.

Summary

The word she heard the most in her life was “ugly.” A high school girl, who was indeed considered ugly enough to deserve such harsh words, ultimately took her own life.

When she next opened her eyes, she found herself in a place called the “Busukai（Ugly World）” — a realm that offered one final chance to become truly beautiful and find happiness. Having never been able to challenge anything in her previous life, she decides to take on the first and last life-or-death competition open only to the ugly.

However, what awaits her is a brutal world of unimaginable conflict, where everyone is desperately trying to become beautiful by devouring those more attractive than themselves. In this world, the inhabitants are ranked by levels. Everyone starts at Level 1, with the same face and no name. Upon reaching Level 2, they gain a unique face and name — appearances and traits change depending on the level.

The protagonist, who had never fought anyone in her life, had no idea how to fight. Yet, when she unexpectedly faces off against a Level 2, she unleashes an incredible power and emerges victorious. Not only that, she even manages to defeat a formidable Level 3 named Sonoko by joining forces with Sunako, a Level 4.

During the battle, the protagonist levels up to Level 2, gaining a new face and the name Kaeko. Naturally averse to conflict, Kaeko is deeply moved by Sunako’s way of life and asks to become her apprentice.

However, the cruelty of this world doesn’t end there. As Kaeko struggles between her ideals and the harsh reality, she begins to lose sight of who she truly is…

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Review | What Makes “Busukai e Youkoso” So Compelling?

Isekai Reincarnation: A Harsher Reality Unfolds in the “Busukai（Ugly World）”

“Busukai e Youkoso（Welcome to the Ugly World）” begins with a high school girl who takes her own life and is reincarnated into a place called the Ugly World.

The Ugly World is a brutal realm where those who were considered ugly in their past lives must fight for their lives in hopes of being reborn beautiful.

In this world, there are no clear rules or laws. To be reborn as beautiful, one must polish their body by consuming the “beautiful” women that are supplied as resources. The ugly are processed into various forms of material, and the beautiful are fiercely fought over. As a result, the weakest—Level 1s—are constantly hunted by those of higher levels.

The differences between each level are as follows:

To rise through these levels, one must consume something called “Kin” to strengthen themselves. However, there is significant individual variation. Some remain at Level 1 no matter how much Kin they eat, while others—like the protagonist, Kaeiko—evolve to Level 2 after consuming just a single fragment.

Either way, everyone needs Kin to evolve, and they all strongly desire to be reborn beautiful—this is trulya survival-of-the-fittest world.Since there are no laws like in the previous life, the Ugly World isa wild, anything-goes kind of place.

However, even in the Ugly World, a hierarchy exists—there's always someone stronger. Above Level 4 are elite clans that control entire nations, and they constantly battle to claim the land directly beneath the Supply Gate. This is a fight between nations to obtain more Kin and secure the highest position in the world.

In other words, no matter how much the participants are ranked, they’re still seen as property of these powerful clans, used and discarded according to each nation's interests. Only Kaeko wishes to change this world—she wants everyone to become stronger, and more beautiful, in their own way.

A Pure-Hearted Protagonist and a Cast Full of Personality

Kaeko, the protagonist, is endlessly sincere and kind-hearted. She even shows respect to those she defeats. She believes everyone deserves a fair chance and doesn’t seek conflict unless necessary.

This is perfectly symbolized in Kaeko’s first battle in the Ugly World. After defeating a Level 2 named Manko with her own strength, she not only refuses to eat her—but also gives Manko back her arm, which had originally belonged to Sunako, a Level 4. Thanks to this, Manko and her companions, who were meant to die, are able to survive.

Someone as pure and kind as Kaeko is rare in the savage Ugly World, and she’s likely to become a key figure who changes everything. Even as a Level 2, she already emitsan aura powerful enough to overwhelm even higher-ranked opponents,and I can’t wait to see how much stronger she’ll grow from here.

Since individuality itself becomes a source of strength in the Ugly World, the higher the level, the more distinct the characters become. Encountering these vibrant personalities through Kaeko’s journey is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the story.

Sunako, the Level 4 whom Kaeko trains under, is a one-of-a-kind woman who turned the worst adversity into her strength and achieved the impossible. Meanwhile, Tokiko, the “entrails” of the Asagiri-family, who oversees Kaeko’s promotion battle to Level 3,possesses the ability to manipulate time.

Haiko, the “Mad Inventor of Darkness,” is the creator of Expanded Alternate Body (Motion Capture), a technique used by Tokiko, and she also wields a skill called Kogetsu Nijou Keisan,a technique that steals everything youbelieve in.

この他にも紹介しきれないほどたくさんの個性的な登場人物がいるので、是非お気に入りのキャラクターを探してみてください！

Quotes That Pierce the Heart – Lessons This Story Has to Offer

“Busukai e Youkoso” is especially known for its many emotionally powerful quotes. At first glance, it may seem like nothing more than a cruel action manga set in a brutal world, but the words spoken by those who suffered in their past lives strike deep.

There are truly countless unforgettable lines— here are just a few carefully selected ones.

“Don’t expect too much from yourself. Nothing good comes of it—it only tightens the noose around your neck. Is following rules what makes you an adult? No, a real adult doesn’t mock others for their mistakes.”

“It’s okay to not be better than others at something. In fact, that very frustration is what will transform your future.”

Source: From Episode 20 of "Busukai e youkoso"

These were the words Sunako casually said when her disciple Kaeko overslept. It’s just so like Sunako to speak with such nonchalance—and it really shows what makes her such a powerful character. While oversleeping isn’t exactly good, this moment teaches us that living life strictly bound by rules or constantly comparing ourselves to others only makes things harder.

“Whether someone is praised for their skills and seems successful, or struggling because things didn’t go as planned— if you break it all down, they’re simply receiving the results of the time they invested in the past. That’s all the present really is.”

Source: From Episode 47 of "Busukai e youkoso"

This quote comes from Tokiko, during a “special lesson” she gave as thanks to Kaeko, who had saved her from both Level 3 Haiko and Level 4 Sunako. She spoke about the concept of time. It’s easy to get caught up in what we see on the surface, but this moment reminds us that the time we invested in the past has shaped who we are now— and the time we invest now is shaping who we’ll become in the future.

"A person’s thoughts and values are born from the pain they’ve experienced. That pain transforms into awareness and prayer, and eventually becomes the meaning of life itself."

Source: From Episode 49 of "Busukai e youkoso"

This is a line spoken by one of the spirits residing in Genko’s mental core (something like her heart), during her advancement test from Level 2 to Level 3—after she had broken out of her shell thanks to Genko. The idea that pain could become the meaning of life was a truly eye-opening concept.

Recommended For

• If you love action and fantasy...
• If you're drawn to thought-provoking quotes or philosophical themes...
• If you're intrigued by quirky, unconventional characters...

Then this work is highly recommended—not only for fans of action and fantasy, but also for those who enjoy lines that pierce the soul or explore deeper meaning. While Level 1 Kaeko might come off as a bit shocking or even off-putting at first, the more you read, the more the story draws you in. So please, dive into the world of Busukai e Youkoso and let yourself be immersed.

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Please note that this work contains violent scenes.

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*The information on this page is current as of June 2025. Please check the official website for the latest distribution status.