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I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, so I Became a Space Mercenary
Type
Web Novel (JP)
Genre
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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 509 votes)
5    54% (274 votes)
4    16% (82 votes)
3    8% (42 votes)
2    7% (37 votes)
1    15% (74 votes)
Language
Support Book (#ad)
Author(s)
One entry per line
Artist(s)
One entry per line
Year
Example: 2012
2019
Status in COO
Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
552 WN Chapters (Ongoing)
14 LN Volumes (Ongoing)
Licensed
Yes
Completely Translated
No
Original Publisher
One entry per line
English Publisher
One entry per line
Release Frequency
Every 11 Day(s)
Activity Stats
[Graph]
Weekly Rank: #51
Monthly Rank: #49
All Time Rank: #76
Reading List
[Graph]
On 11159 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #134
All Time Rank: #269

Description

Links are NOT allowed. Format your description nicely so people can easily read them. Please use proper spacing and paragraphs.

When I woke up, I found myself inside a spaceship.

I guess you guys think I’m talking nonsense here, but I also have absolutely no clue about what exactly happened to me.

I was really close to completely losing it, but fortunately, I managed to notice that this place was really similar to the world featured in a game I was playing recently.

Am I dreaming? Nope, it’s no dream. Maybe I actually got sent to a different world or something?

But didn’t those things usually involve getting sent to a magical world with elves, dwarves, dragons and whatnot?

In any case, I don’t know what caused this, but I guess I’ll just have to suck it up and live properly in this world from now on.

It’ll be okay. I got my trusty spaceship so I can probably make some money. It’ll work out! It has to!

This is the story of a man abruptly thrown into space along with his private spaceship. He runs around with it and saves damsels in distress along the way, flirts with said damsels, earns money as a merc-for-hire and uses his gaming knowledge to work his way into living freely and easily.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Mezametara Saikyou Soubi to Uchuusen Mochidattanode, Ikkodate Mezashite Youhei to Shite Jiyu ni Ikitai
Reborn as a Space Mercenary: I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship!
When I Woke Up, I Got the Strongest Equipment and a Spaceship, so I Went and Became a Mercenary in Order to Live as I Please while Aiming for a Detached House
目覚めたら最強装備と宇宙船持ちだったので、一戸建て目指して傭兵として自由に生きたい
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire! (6)
Me, Her, and the Ballistic Weaponry [Antique] (4)
Magical★Explorer (2)
The World of Otome Games is Tough For Mobs (2)
Geek Mob Mercenary Knows His Place (LN) (2)
Assault Colossus of the Nemesis Warfront (2)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Hard sci fi novels
  2. Series I Recommend
  3. Scifi
  4. Read List Bookmark
  5. good one

Latest Release

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06/11/25 Light Novels Translations c549
06/04/25 Light Novels Translations c548
04/25/25 Light Novels Translations c547
04/09/25 Light Novels Translations c546
04/06/25 Light Novels Translations c545
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01/12/25 Light Novels Translations c539
01/12/25 Light Novels Translations ss 1
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123…40
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104 Reviews sorted by


SAMqwerty
SAMqwerty
November 29, 2020
Status: c153
- sent to game world. Isekai into Eve Online / No Man's Sky. Refreshing space theme.

- harem, not a cuck MC.

- money-minded, OP MC with amazing piloting / fighting / trading skills

- no much world/kingdom building, more of exploration focused, but still enjoyable to read as author develops the plot about different guilds, crystal creatures, bio terrorists, AI vs human etc.

- overall very enjoyable, hope translations catch up faster. 8/10.
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Triot
Triot rated it
January 17, 2020
Status: c24
Basically if your familiar with the game Elite Dangerous this WN is basically about a guy that gets isekai to a scifi game world like that. Author doesn't resort to s*avery for harem building like so many authors do lately. MC seems altruistic and competent but also acts more realistic than most other protagonists I'm used to reading about. Wish fulfillment but I don't mind it. Hopefully author brings in some hardship soon though. The story is predictable too. But other than that I've enjoyed it. Spoiler stuff below about... more>> the harem stuff.

Spoiler

If you're concerned about MC and the girls. MC dose end up getting his two love interests through paying off their debt and giving them a job on his ship. MC pay's the girls properly for their work as ship crew and gives them their own rooms. He's paying them based on percentage of mercenary mission earnings and the MC is making money hand over fist so they are actually making way more than the average ship crew. There's no indication that the two girls couldn't just ghost on MC once they make some money. They're not s*aves after all. MC also never asked them to have s*x with him to stay on the crew so its all been consensual and MC has never said he would kick them out if they stopped having s*x.

But the author could have at least had the girls become lovers with MC after they built some romantic feelings instead of rushing it with misunderstandings. It would have came off a little more natural that way.

[collapse]
<<less
6 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
k40235
k40235 rated it
August 17, 2022
Status: c337
altough I liked the story, progression and characters, after some time things got too monotone and because of this it was too boring to read the thing. Around 250 it started to bore me to death so I started skipping (because I read too much I didnt wanted to give up hope) but there was nothing good there and aside from being boring it was also frustraiting to read as well.

just read the manga, it is a sufficent dose for this story
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Sion
Sion rated it
December 19, 2020
Status: c169
This novel is a solid 4 for me, but I'm giving it five stars because the ratings are a bit unbalanced.

I like this novel a lot, one of my favorites currently. Despite being a Japanese web novel, it has a solid plot and it's not about a middle-schooler kid fulfilling his fantasies.

Moreover, it's one of the few good harems I have seen. I like harems, a lot. But unfortunately, it's hard to see good harems in novels, and this novel has one of the better ones.

As for the characters, they... more>> are very likable. They are a bit cliche but in a good way. I honestly like each one of the heroines, and the MC is pretty cool. He is like a normal guy with enough common sense to avoid troublesome things, but kind enough that he can't tolerate some other things, just like a normal person.

In my opinion, you should read the first fifty chapters and decide, but I recommend it fully. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
WiLeY BiGhEaD
WiLeY BiGhEaD
September 22, 2020
Status: v1 prologue
I went in with low expectations and I was still disappointed. This novel suffers from the common issue among bad stories. Inconsistency and a contrived plot. The premise is interesting and the way the MC is portrayed at the beginning is good. But what we are given is totally different. The MC claims to want to live carefully as the world he is in is unfamiliar to him, but he does the opposite at every turn. He treats the girls on his ship as prostit**es and then a few chapters... more>> later is prostrating in front of them asking for forgiveness. He acts naturally like a tough veteran in front of a military lieutenant one time and then the next is played around by her and convinced to join a war when a month ago he expressed wanting to leave for that very reason several times.

There are a lot of personal preference issues I could state (MC turns hardcore beta. I mean who actually prostrates to their hired crew members as their captain?). But the biggest issue here is how inconsistent the MC is as a character. <<less
5 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Krile
Krile rated it
November 23, 2024
Status: c300
Honestly, just don't read it.

I never judge a novel by the first chapters, so I face tanked the first chapters had a bit of fun reading it, just for the author to completely destroy the characters and turn it into the most generical beta japanese isekai MC ever between chapters 260 to 300, it made me so aggrieved I created an account on novelupdates just to warn my fellow cultivators.

Basically your reward for getting even a bit involved in this story, is seeing it falling apart full of plotholes and... more>> become a walking infuriating cliche, with the classic japanese humor of degrading the wet noodle MC.

DO NOT READ IT. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Krozam
Krozam rated it
February 6, 2024
Status: c476
I'm not entirely sure why, but this is one of the novels I enjoy reading the most. Somehow it just hits the precisely right spot for me in terms of tone (pretty light-hearted) and balance of romance/action/slice of life. I suppose the fact that it's scifi instead of fantasy (though it does have fantasy elements such as psionic powers), which is my main genre, and also quite different in tone compared to the few other scifi stuff I've consumed previously, does help keep it fresh. The only thing that feels... more>> somewhat similar is I'm the Evil Overlord of an Intergalactic Empire, but as much a fan as I am of Mishima Yomu's works, I actually like this one quite a bit more. I'm just never bored for a moment, and I feel like I could keep reading this forever if it was sufficiently long. I'll probably re-read this many times in the coming years.

As scifi, it's pretty soft, since the MC isn't too technologically savvy and leaves the complicated stuff for his crew, but it does provide enough explanations not to feel like the author pulled stuff out of his behind. He's clearly taken much inspiration from games such as Stellaris (and probably a lot from EVE Online, though I can't say for sure, as I've never played it), and of course popular shows and movies such as Star Wars. Psionic powers, body enhancements and advanced bladeforging technology that allow people to actually fight with swords against guns bring a nice element of fantasy reminiscent of the Jedi from SW. The settings are reasonably well developed, with each arc expanding the world and explaining more.

The characters are interesting enough - hardly packed with layers and depth, but they're a fun bunch, the character interaction always entertains me. Naturally, most of the central characters are women, and by the latest chapter, the MC's harem (including all of his crew and a couple of them outside of it) is almost at double digits. The MC himself is very likable: he's good to his women and friends but merciless towards his enemies, not so smart that he'd feel difficult to identify with but not annoyingly dumb either, strong but not without rivals (except when it comes to piloting), masculine compared to your typical Japanese MC, and his moral compass is quite relatable.

Well, in conclusion, it's well worth checking out if you feel like reading something light-hearted with a moderate amount of action, and don't dislike harems. I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you give it a shot, you're likely to find out pretty quickly whether it's up your alley or not.

BTW, if you read the LN up to the latest volume, it's quite fine to continue with the WN afterwards - the LN adds a few scenes here and there, but you won't find yourself confused by any major continuity disconnects. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
JamesBunny
JamesBunny rated it
July 21, 2023
Status: v4
I dont like rating novels 1 star because I understand how hard it is to create a story (and have over 11 novels) but at the same time, the ruining of such a interesting premise makes me unable to look past the efforts the author made. There are not many Asian hard sci fi novels that I find (ones with spaceships and planets etc) So when I first came across this I binge read 4 volumes before finally realzing the hard truth. THIS IS LITTERLY A TERRIBLE ISEKAI RESKINNED IN... more>> A SCI FI SETTING. It's worse then most isekai I have read to top it off. Ill make a quick list as to why I hate this novel for tricking me into hours of reading this thinking its a cool sci fi story.

-MC takes advantage of vulnerable women, even a literal homeless teen that was about to get r worded. This is probably the biggest issue I have with this series and why its worse then most isekai. 3 volumes in AND THE PLOT IS STILL PICKING UP GIRLS FOR THE HAREM, THE AUTHOR EVEN HAS A MINOR TRY TO SLEEP WITH HIM (with a side plot of getting more s*upidly op, more on that later).

-The sci fi element is almost worthless all things considered. The entire series could take place in a isekai world and the characters would act more or less the same. As a sci fi fan, I would be fine with all the harem nonsense but the sci fi lore and plot is a background and not the focus of the series. The author does redeem himself every now and then by adding cool lore, such as the food date chap, but that doesn't make up for the entire series. The COMBAT is the other thing that really upset me. Unlike in me, her, and the ballistic weaponry, (a much better sci fi adventure novel you should read instead) the spaceship combats scenes (imo) are boring due to how over powered the MC is. That isnt a bad thing if done right, but the combat is just bland. "Im rich and I have a op ship and max sheilds and max guns blah blah blah enemies all dead, whelp time to get 500 morbillion dollars." In MHBW, even though the MC is op-ish, the author for that puts effort into creating a setting that feels alive, like "beam jammers" and electronic warfare being a huge part, not to mention the BISHOP system. IN THIS NOVEL however the author does nothing creative at all just generic "my lasers and sheilds better then you so I win."

-The money game and opness of the MC is boring. Theres litterly nobody he runs into that can even hurt his ship, and he never is even poor enough to consider doing somthing intresting to gain money other then blow up ships. 4 volumes in and theres no real over arching plot that is even a threat to the MC either. "Just read more it gets good" 4 VOLUMES IN AND THE PLOT IS BEACH EPISODE WITH A MINOR WHO WANTS TO JOIN THE HAREM how am I supposed to keep reading when nothing indicates it will get good ever.

Tldr; read "me, her, and the ballistic weaponry" instead. It is actually creative with the sci fi element instead of copy pasting isekai tropes and making it somehow worse then normal isekai. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
HorrorIsland
HorrorIsland rated it
May 29, 2023
Status: v3c79
I'm dropping this here. It get more than the one star minimum because the composition/ translation is perfectly readable. It doesn't get more than that because the MC and plot are both so utterly boring. The MC has the depth of a 12 year old gamer, wanting mainly to drink Coca-Cola, but willing to grind through mercenary tasks (blow up all the ships / pummel all the monsters) for the rewards and bang all the NPC-like "maidens-in-distress" that he stumbles upon. His stereotypical thoughts about "man's romance" and breast size... more>> are tedious and shallow, and he seems uninterested in most everything he encounters. He starts out with both OP weapons and plenty of wealth, and so plot seems to be an endless cycle of earn money, rescue a female, and spend money -- over and over, without any tension or pleasure. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
llltiagolll
llltiagolll rated it
December 10, 2022
Status: c379
Its a 3, 5 to 4, 5 stars, the plot is certainly is kinda forced, but there is actually a reasonable explanation for why it is, avoiding spoilers its because the MC is higher dimensional being.

The harem is nice, the SciFi is satisfying, the plot is decent, it isn't a masterpiece but it definitely doesn't deserve the 1 and 2 star many people gave, there is plenty of novels way worse in this site.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Relix01
Relix01 rated it
August 16, 2021
Status: c287
Intro: I started reading this raw from early 50ish ch because of the quality of translation. So that may explain most of harsh reviews coming from early chapters.

☆Selling Point: Spaceship battle which we'll get to see MC's driving technique & skill, Interesting Plot, Funny interaction with characters (mostly females) ☆

▲Caution: OreTUEEE-type of MC, no indication of final goal for the story to progress, a bit heavy on Harem & relationship with heroines (almost introduction of female characters for each arc) ▲

Setting: This is an isekai novel where MC suddenly transported... more>> inside a game. The game knowledge & equipments he has gave him advantage in battle. Just like other mediocre isekai, he received gifts/talents
Spoiler

able to learn languages without chip transplanted inside body which every species have, ability to slow-down time like in matrix (only noble class can have this), & fast-learning

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which will be discovered later in the story. But with that said, he doesn't use his knowledge or abilities so much because the universe are much different from what he knew. The story doesnt yet explain why he got transported, and even if MC knows some game story event, Author doesnt focus on that (like preparing something for big battle/end game) but just letting the original story flow.

Characters: MC is slightly overpowered, but doesnt just wreck a havoc & do whatever he want. He is not hungry for women, a very reasonable young guy who likes to have freedom & trouble-free which he has not attain yet
Spoiler

due to his "problem magnet" & "trouble over women" trait. This 2 elements are not just happened to be there, but is his identity. (Later in story, Emperor of the universe mentioned every individual transported to their world have unique traits)

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. But with that said, he's a bit dense so unless the woman strike first or openly telling him she likes MC, he'll not know <<less
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Bamboocha
Bamboocha rated it
July 4, 2021
Status: c88
It's one of the rare JP novels where MC is not a total beta. MC is the proud owner of OP starship in a different dimension but is very similar to the game he played. Half of the story is mostly about him chasing space pirates and doing few other mercenary missions and the second half is the daily life of him and his crew members which double as his harem members. Harem part is not the annoying kind with women throwing themselves at him and there are only a... more>> few of them. We are also spared the usual 100 chapters of the JP MC crying over how it is bad to kill bandits/pirates, how all life is precious. In addition, MC is not a forever virg*n that is afraid to even place a hand on the shoulder of his harem member. There are no explicit s*x scenes, it's mostly all behind the scenes but the author is making the reader know it's happening. There is pretty much no fantasy besides few elements like elves are real but the rest is pretty much sci-fi. <<less
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Kirito23
Kirito23 rated it
May 4, 2021
Status: c247
This novel is just a joy to read

the author does use some cliche moments but manages to give them a personal taste by making the MC unusual cliche encounter chance a running joke the character mock the MC for. Most people who have given This novel a low review have only read 5 or 6 chapters. Because this novel doesn’t just dump a crap ton of world building and character building right away which makes the react of the novel just boring.

And for the people moaning it’s just a typical... more>> MC start, well of course it’s only to be. It very difficult to just come up with a unique start since the start has to include the same things in every novel to engross the reader to invest time in reading the main bulk of the content, for example, explain the situation the MC enters the world and basics of that world and to give the MC a side character to interact with since having a MC alone makes it even harder to explain why the MC can establish himself in the new world, he has just been dumped in.

the author has also done well in making a into a game style novel different by only making the MC knowledge semi useful. Like making it so the world has similar characteristics but making the actual universe it the one he knew in the game.

Also all in all 10/10 novel, one of the most enjoyable to read with many moment that Made me look nuts on the train for laughing while reading my phone lol. It’s just a shame the translator is nearly caught up the the official release for the web novel. Also will be very surprised if this doesn’t get a anime in a few year <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Casual Novel Enthusiast
Casual Novel Enthusiast rated it
January 11, 2021
Status: c10
Not great, not horrible.

That said, if you come into this novel looking for something different than your typical Japanese isekai LN, then you'll probably be disappointed. It may be wearing a different skin, but it feels the same underneath (at least from all that I've read/will read).

Honestly, thought about giving the novel a 2-star review in light of the grocery store conversation between the elf girl and the MC. If civilizations have advanced to the point that warp drives exist, I doubt that the simulated gravity on the spaceships is... more>> too weak for drinking carbonated beverages. As for the cost of real meat vs artificial, the argument for why that is lunacy is too long for me to bother writing. However, I'm leaving it at the 3-stars because it's not a major issue.

*Side Note* If you're looking for a good Sci-fi WN, try The Legendary Mechanic. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Dark_Ethernal
Dark_Ethernal rated it
December 28, 2020
Status: c175
A well written space-fantasy novel which has good romance, not rushed story, detail info about things, nice characterizations, etc. Overall a funny and enjoyable story which is worth reading
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
BobrykRori
BobrykRori rated it
December 8, 2020
Status: c160
Maybe some people remember a game "Space Rangers" (космические рейнджеры) (2003). Old and very good game.

MC and story kind of smth like that. Why SR and this plot can be similarity, U ask?

  1. MC own his spaceship.
  2. Many star systems.
  3. Orbital bases.
  4. Strong enemy.
  5. Pirates, businessman, loot after liquidation ships.
  6. In the SR player anything can do - only victory is matter. Player can kill pirates or merchandisers or harass warriors`s ship. Player can be good mercenary or evil bastard.
  7. Etc.
I love SR and I like very much this story
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
TimeVoid
TimeVoid rated it
October 7, 2020
Status: c121
To be honest, I am tired of reading those isekai rpg that always use the word magic & status. I have enough of those MC who use it all the time in almost every chapter in the isekai genre. The question is why isekai does it have to be associated with magic/status ? Magic is not special at all and it give plain boring outcome that is predictable based on their spell/skill name. It's too repetitive that almost every Author use the references of Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy or some... more>> jrpg magical fantasy games.

Then as soon as I discovered this translated novel, I will say that this is the novel I was looking for !. It is a hidden gem or a treasure. Yes that's right, It is a mecha and scifi genre with no status, magic that standard isekai MC's use. His journey is not to defeat evil god or maou (demon king) but to find a possibility of returning home. He is not on a single plain boring town/ city isekai, he is on a freaking colony!! And even more he is stranded in another universe on outer space!!. (Wow!)

I suggest to everyone to give this novel a try in case of anybody experiencing burn out of those magic/status type MC. <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
LongFashi
LongFashi rated it
April 22, 2025
Status: c546 ln v11
Reading this felt like reading someone's playthrough of end game plus with end game item that's there for the next start being mc's ship.

Is it the best thing ever? No, is it a fun read? Yes!

For once MC isn't a densest thing in the universe. And that's rare for japanese isekai that aren't 18+. There isn't anything too explicit in that regard but gives you enough hints to know that it is indeed that kind of relationship that MC is having with his group. Rather than going nowhere for 20... more>> volumes and suddenly MC did the thing after last time skip and then story ends like in some other stories like these...

Other than that it's a fun space adventure where MC goes from place a to b takes missions and takes his new job as a mercenary seriously. Some would even argue MC is too serous. But let's face it, if you die or get captured by enemies in this case space pirates. Death would be the best outcome. So MC being ruthless at times to them is fair in this case.

Overall I would say it's a good enough story and if you like light novels it's a fun read as well. P.s harem members aren't here just for the show that becomes irrelevant after new one joins the group. Each gets their role on the ship and has to learn what to do in that role. So that's something new for this genre at least. Also light novel is nice as well even thought it is behind wn version. In other words, whichever versions you pick it up it's gonna be good enough at least for as a light read. <<less
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Overdrive
Overdrive rated it
August 15, 2022
Status: c360
This is one of the better japanese novels and that by itself is pretty enticing

You see the MC actually gets sh*t done and its quite refreshing.... he has enough money to "retire and have a laid back lifestyle" But doesn't do that and I can't express how glad I was when that was introduced

On the flip side, the author eventually looses an aim for the MC and ... more>>
Spoiler

just makes the grand goal finding soda....

[collapse]
and that may make a lot of people loose intrest. But fret not because we still get an active MC after that

So all in all, give it a go if you have free time and it may pique your intrest cause it's one of those rare sci-fi novels and it doesn't get repetitive as of chap 360 <<less
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Teramir
Teramir rated it
August 15, 2022
Status: c24
Ugh, now I feel obligated to give a 5 star because of all these 12y old virg*ns giving this novel a 1star. web-novel community has gone to sh*t I'm telling you...

MC is a decent guy and his waifus love him. The elf girl is a tsundere and it's cute. Not everyone is a beta-male who gets turned off by a girl being needy and tsuntsun. It is a trope for a reason. Some gentlemen like spoiling their girl. Needless to say the elf girl is actually quite capable and loving... more>> anyway. Best girl. Deal with it.

The world building and the description about the ship designs are prefect btw. The author obviously has decent knowledge about sci-fi ship design and world building.

4/5 good junk novel. Try it. <<less
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