“I Parry Everything” is an anime I stumbled upon on Netflix. I vaguely remember skimming through the manga once and then forgetting about it, but once I started watching the show, I found myself binging the entire series without realizing it.
The story is set in a swords-and-magic world and is packed with comedic moments and absurd scenarios. The protagonist, an incredibly oblivious man who happens to be the world’s strongest, is somehow unaware of his own abilities. He operates with only one core skill: parrying. While parrying is considered ineffective in this world, and he hasn’t unlocked any useful skills from the other six magic systems, he’s mastered parrying to such a ridiculously high level that it defines his entire identity as a hero.
By episode 12, the show demonstrates how his years of relentless practice have elevated this seemingly basic skill to incredible heights—like deflecting 1,000 wooden swords with a single parry. That level of mastery? It’s the product of long years (perhaps even a decade) of unwavering dedication.
The protagonist, Norl, is hilariously naive. He knows almost nothing about the world and doesn’t bother to investigate anything, which leads him to blindly trust everything he’s told. Yet somehow, he ends up saving the kingdom. The story is full of misunderstandings and comedic twists, keeping viewers entertained while building anticipation for Norl’s next move.
⚠️ Spoiler Alert!
The following section contains spoilers about the final episode of I Parry Everything. If you haven’t finished the series yet and want to avoid spoilers, feel free to skip this part and come back later!
One of my favorite moments comes in the final episode, where Norl returns home after being rejected as “talentless” from every training institution he attended. Despite being dismissed, his sheer ability to complete every form of training (thanks to his incredibly high base stats) speaks volumes about his potential. The instructors recognize his brilliance, yet Norl himself remains blissfully unaware of his greatness. This dynamic is the heart of the story—his lack of self-awareness is both his greatest weakness and a source of endless comedy. Honestly, I kept wishing someone in this world would just tell him the truth already, but everyone here seems to lack proper communication skills and is overly quick to jump to conclusions.
The Real-Life Lessons from Norl’s Story
Norl’s “obliviousness” works out in the story, but in real life, it often doesn’t. Being unaware of your own talents is, in a way, a tragedy. While the anime resolves this by having Norl’s talent recognized by those around him, real life rarely hands us those opportunities. That’s why discovering your own potential and recognizing your strengths is crucial.
What I admire most about Norl, though, is his ability to persist. Despite being told he had “no talent,” he didn’t give up. He practiced parrying day in and day out for years—possibly five or even ten—and refined his skill to an extraordinary level. He never lost faith that other skills might emerge along the way, and his persistence ultimately paid off.
This unwavering belief in one’s potential and the ability to take consistent action is what we call high self-efficacy in coaching terms. It’s a quality that allows people to achieve their goals, even when others doubt them. Norl’s story reminded me of the importance of this mindset: believing in yourself, sticking to consistent daily efforts (while innovating when needed), and trusting that progress will come with time.
Final Takeaway
Watching this anime left me with one key thought: Believe in your potential and keep moving forward every single day. Consistency is critical, but so is being flexible enough to adjust your goals as needed. One day, you might just find yourself somewhere amazing without even realizing it.
That’s my takeaway from “I Parry Everything.” If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted show with a mix of comedy and life lessons, give it a try!
