Reading through D-Genesis which is an extreme example of a LN written from multiple POVs got me thinking about this. I can’t think of a single instance where I like the multiple POV type of writing. I enjoy a bonus chapter from a fresh POV well enough, but in the main body I want to follow a single protagonist and I find it tiresome to emotionally adjust to a new protagonist in short order.
What do you all think about this? Are there any LN with multiple POVs that are good?
I’m the same way! I thought most people preferred the multiple POV style but i completely agree with you.
In addition to having to adjust to a new POV, I absolutely hate that when you finally find yourself invested in a certain POV, the author switches POVs again.
There is a variation of this which I dislike even more. When the same event is shown from multiple POVs. I can be interesting and give some insight, I’m not against it outright, but in 99% of cases it’s just redundantly repeating the event itself instead of just focusing on the new POV. There really is no need to explain what is happening in detail again. Especially not when the new POV is placed in the very next chapter.
I think the specific thing you are talking about here works so much better in visual form than in text. It is a lot quicker to parse and understand something like a manga panel where different characters are simultaneously having different thought bubbles and/or facial expressions. In fact, this is often used as a source of humor in many misunderstanding series. Memes also make use of this difference (example)
By comparison, in text, you need to write it out from one character’s POV, switch to a different character and recount those same events but with a different internal monologue. It’s just clunky by comparison, and feels like a chore to slog through.
You’re the mod of the anime community, for Gods sake. Use an anime example!
It can be good when there are multiple groups split up experiencing different parts of the same event. Or when it’s a small chapter giving or commenting on something that has happened from someone else’s point of view.
But I agree for most of the stories I read I prefer just following one person and having the side stories / alternating POV at the end.
So I’m A Spider So what? -
Tap for spoiler
When the big Human vs Demon war is happening you see the different battles from people points of view, for some you also get the two opposing sides so you can see their personal feelings on the battle and their emotions.
Death March To A Parallel World rhapsody - I believe there are some small chapters (1-3 Pages) that are just comments/notes from a demon about what’s happening to a superior.
