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Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
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Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu

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Japanese: 無職転生～異世界行ったら本気だす～

Information

Type: Light Novel

Volumes: 26

Chapters: 330

Status: Finished

Published: Jan 23, 2014 to Nov 25, 2022

Genre: Fantasy

Themes: Isekai, Reincarnation

Serialization: None

Authors: Rifujin na Magonote (Story), Sirotaka (Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.82¹ (scored by 39,701 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #33²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #170

Members: 91,333

Favorites: 8,516

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Reviews

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Dec 1, 2022

animejas

Recommended

Well-written

Mushoku Tensei: A Fulfilling Journey about a Broken Person’s Second Chance at Living.

Seeing that the light novels are officially done in Japan, I wanted to ramble a bit here and give my thoughts on a series that was initially one I dropped, to end up being one of the best series I have read of all time and one that played a big part in impacting my life forever.

STORY

This series is not a straight-up ‘redemption’ journey, it is about Rudeus living a life with no regrets and trying to live in a satisfactory way by the end without wasting his chances. It is not about ...

Dec 3, 2022

Hypokrites

Mixed Feelings

Well-written

Disclaimer: Before I start with the review, I would like to assure the readers that I am not another reviewer who would judge a story’s worth based on how comfortable I am with its content or voice out hate if such content does not align with my views. Reviews for this story tend to be dichotomous: it either goes along the lines of “MUSHOKU TENSEI IS DISGUSTING AND ANYONE WHO ENJOYS IT IS WORSE THAN SCUM,” or the contrary that goes along the lines of “MUSHOKU TENSEI IS A DEEP AND MEANINGFUL NARRATIVE AND ALL OF YOU HATE IT BECAUSE YA’LL ARE SENSITIVE SNOWFLAKES.” I’d ...

Sep 23, 2014

JustMayonnaise

Recommended

Preliminary (175/330 chp)

WARNING: This novel contains mature content and many plot twists!

"This time I'll really live my life to the fullest with no regrets!" -Rudeus Greyrat

Normally, a review that is written before the manga/novel is finished should be considered incomplete. Having a review written when it lack of information lacks credibility and is unable to judge the worth of the entire story. I wrote this review because the current reviews do not give the novel justice as they're all reviews with a similar point of view. Noticing the lack of variety I decided to post my own review which will side with the other half of the ... readers (and hopefully future readers). I also would like to note that Mushoku Tensei isn't one that needs to be complete to be able to understand how amazing the novel is.

Story: 10
Upon the first volume you will immediately realize this novel is a 10. Mushoku tensei is a very entertaining and extremely detailed novel. I felt as if I was immersed in to the world that Rudeus was experiencing, whether it be the hardships he may be facing or his interaction with the other characters. Often times Rudeus is forced to make difficult decisions, which always leaves you wondering what happens next? After reading the first novel you can tell immediately the amount of effort the writer used to allow the readers to understand visually how amazing and captivating this world truly is. There are also many plot twist which are extremely surprising (BEWARE MANY ATTEMPT TO SPOIL THIS STORY FOR OTHERS!), without a doubt the story is extremely detailed and has many different stand points from multiple events which allows you to understand how each character feels during the events because the author takes the time to write in different perspectives.

Art: 8
The novel didn't come with many images (I believe there is none after volume 6) this is quite disappointing but it's not a big deal (you can check the manga for reference images). The art I've seen so far seems to really suit the novel and it really brings the environment and the characters to life. The one thing that I really loved about this novel is how the author provided a map. Yes a map of the entire world which is extremely helpful and interesting to look at especially for reference during Rudeus' adventure.

Characters: 9
The author allows you to see how the main characters grow and change. Although the protagonist Rudeus has lived about 30 years in his previous life there are MANY times he is still learning and changing, this allows for interesting plot points where his knowledge in his past is both useful and at the same time useless. The characters you meet in the novel seem really static, but without realizing I noticed the characters really changed. The changes are really subtle that they feel as if they happen immediately, but you have to think back to the previous chapters to notice the gradual change. There are minor and or major events that occur, where each event that happens reveals a little more about a certain character. NOTE: This is because the author writes the story from 1-3 peoples perspective, which allows us to be able to understand the characters thought process through each event. Keep in mind although he writes it in a different perspective it isn't as if it's a complete repeat of what happened, he usually gives a 1-3 summary, then quick thoughts about what happened and then moves on with the story, sometimes continuing from the prospective or changing to another.

Enjoyment: 10
Without a doubt this has to be a 10. I love this novel. A good phrase for this would be "never a dull moment" because that’s how i felt when I was reading this. This novel is really entertaining and I highly recommend it to those who have the spare time whether it is before sleeping or while taking public transportation.

Overall: 10
Here is the part where I persuade you in to reading the novel. I found the novel an easy read something that anyone can pick up. The content is mature and isn't intended for younger readers. There are many points that happen to leave the reader thinking WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THIS OR THAT, but it all happens for a reason. Thanks to the great details provided by the author, I was never left in a situation where I had to wonder why a situation occurred. Everything that was shown was thoroughly explained which I loved since often times in many novels I'm left with why, what or how...? I rarely read novels because I normally prefer manga's but if you're like me and you want something that is amazingly detailed with how the characters are and how their thought process is this novel is meant for you. The novel sells through its characters, meaning that if you don't like the characters then you're likely to dislike the novel.

Final thoughts:
Although it would be extreme to say this manga is the best, but it isn't one that you will regret reading. I'm often in a situation where I have to choose between finding out the rest of the novel or just do some plain ol' studying (easy choice novel of course). I highly recommend this novel to everyone to at least give it a chance, there are MANY volumes out already so there is more then enough plot to go around.

Dec 9, 2015

hoopla123

Recommended

Preliminary (270/330 chp)

Edit (11/18/2016): This review has been edited to reflect on the series as a whole after the latest arcs that have not been included in this review during the time it was written (the arcs being Overthrow the King Dragon King, Jobless Oblige, The Ancient Dragon's Old Tale and a bunch of Redundancy Chapters.)

If you have stumbled upon this review, you are probably having trouble deciding whether or not to read this novel. This is where I come in and let you know why I believe this novel is one of the best Web Novel/Light Novel the medium has to offer.

-THE FOLLOWING IS A ...

Nov 7, 2014

Robertest

Recommended

Preliminary (213/330 chp)

This one is a "Must Read book".
Is well written with a lot of details to help you get immerse in the story and the world of Rudeus.
realistic character development not just the MC but also the other characters, it is a slow change resulting of the different realizations that each character reach as they grow up and not just a twist of personality caused by a major event. Great twists in the story. Well is not finish that's is the only bad point and that the MC is a pervert. I pretty much read every chapter publish so a can assure you the quality ...

Nov 24, 2015

Aszao

Not Recommended

Preliminary (130/330 chp)

Moderator Edit: This review may contain spoilers.

Hi there, you want to know if this novel is worth it? Then let me tell you the reasons why this novel is overrated and why the MC is one of the worst that exist.

First of all, i read many volumes, at least 200+ chapters. I thought that i should give it a chance, maybe the story and the MC will improve. But that was unfortunately not the case.

The MC: Rudeus Greyart - A NEET, who masturbates on the funeral of his parents. Ok. This is how the novel starts. I think, wait what??!?! Why?! Did his parents do ... something? Maybe he isn't a bad person, just a wrong education, bad influence etc. But this was not the case.
He spent his life lying, leeching, doing nothing. Just watching loli-porn all day and masturbating.
His siblings see him and throw him out of the flat, which he really deserved.

After he gets a new life granted, he decides to do everything better. To become a better person. To respect his family, which he did not in his previous life. I believed in him, i thought he seriously tried to change and become a better person.

So i continued to read, until chapter 200. And NOPE, he is still the same person he was before. Still a coward, still having malicious thoughts, why did the author invent such a bad person?

One example, his parents get abducted. What does he do? He does nothing, he totally forgets the people that gave him as much love as possible. The people that tried to raise him to a good, honorable man. The people that would die for him. He travels for some years, makes some wives, goes to school, enjoys his daily life not thinking one moment if his parents are fine. Not a single second he thinks of his parents, just leaving them. He KNEW that his mother was kidnapped, that she might be a slave by now. But he does not care a single bit.

After his father asks him why he did not search for his mother he gets angry and beats him up. Ok?! Not even feeling shame for what he did, he gets aggressive. He beats him up in front of his 4 year old sister that gets traumalized after that. Good job mate

Another example, he sees slaves, naked, in a prison cell. They were previously raped and tortured. What does Rudues Greyart, the MC, think? Of course how nice it would be to have one of them in his bed. SERIOUSLY?! They were fucking raped and he thinks with his ****.

A third reason: He is a pedophile. Thats not my conclusion, he himself says and knows it. He, a 50 year old guy lusts after 7 year old girls. So lets sum it up.

A MC, that does not give a single shit about his family. Someone who constantly thinks bad about people, having one of the worst personalities ever. Lusting after little girls. Has 3 wives but earns 0 money, still leeching off other people.

Fucking Japan, producing this shit and still getting good sales.

Jul 11, 2023

ogblynz

Recommended

Before I start, I want to emphasize that this is not just my top 1# of all time, but it stands unrivaled by any other piece of work. It is a true masterpiece without contenders, and I must admit that my opinion may be slightly biased. However, let me attempt to articulate the indescribable qualities that make Mushoku Tensei so special.

First and foremost, this series is heavily character-driven, and the entire journey is an emotionally rewarding experience unlike anything I've encountered in fictional media. We witness a person who has hit rock bottom, regarded as the scum of society, being granted a second chance at ... life. Through this second chance, he gradually grows beyond his fears and breaks down the barriers that once held him back. Along the way, he interacts with a diverse array of people and forms both short-term and long-term relationships. It is a transformative journey, taking him from a life of self-deprecation and escapism, confined to the solitude of a room, to an adventure that spans the fantastical wonders of a vividly imagined world.

What sets Mushoku Tensei apart is that it is not merely a token second chance at life; it delves deep into the protagonist's experiences, inner struggles, and personal growth. His life becomes the narrative itself, and it is executed in a way that is unparalleled in any other work. The story takes a slice-of-life approach for extended periods, allowing the pace to become extremely slow. This deliberate pacing enables readers to delve profoundly into the protagonist's core essence, understanding who he truly is, and witnessing the gradual, nuanced changes that shape his character. As a result, he evolves into one of the most inspiring fictional characters I have ever encountered.

True personal transformation does not happen overnight; it occurs through incremental shifts and realizations over an extended period of time. While the majority of the story unfolds in this unhurried, slice-of-life manner, there are pivotal "turning points" scattered throughout the narrative that significantly alter its trajectory. Each of these turning points is exceptional, but the fourth one reaches unimaginable heights, possibly standing as the greatest plot twist in fiction.

The cast of characters in Mushoku Tensei is nothing short of fantastic, encompassing a range of likeable personalities and deeply flawed individuals. The world in which the story unfolds is richly developed and beautifully explored, cementing its place as one of the finest fantasy realms I have ever encountered. The Diary and final arc of the series represent the apex of storytelling, captivating readers with their narrative prowess. However, it is the ending that defies description. It is my favorite ending and character conclusion of all time, leaving me in tears for a solid hour. I cannot even fathom how I became so emotionally attached to this fictional character.

In summary, Mushoku Tensei is an extraordinary work that surpasses any measure of excellence. It has not only captivated my imagination but has also left an indelible impact on my life. On a scale of 1 to 10, this series goes beyond any rating, scoring a resounding 100. It has truly changed my life in ways I never thought possible.

Dec 3, 2022

MangagnaM

Recommended

Mushoku Tensei - Jobless Reincarnation, a series that had everything I wanted from a fantasy LN series and left me feeling empty for weeks after finishing it for good.

It is a series with a main character that while problematic, actually is more compelling to read through than many other main characters I read about in the last few years as he actually has tons of issues that were built up through decades of his life, and had to spend a long time in his journey trying to just live in a way that he can feel proud of by the end. It may not be ... perfect, he is actually open to making mistakes and letting his inner weaknesses succumb him at times, but he still wants to do all that he can to not have regrets with his second life. Man was tough to read at first but the more the series went on, the more I grew attached to his journey and desire to change, and to protect the things he cared about that he discarded in his past. The series is a make or break for many purely because of his controversial traits that I see many call him out for, but I still found his character to be captivating despite his flaws. In fact, I kind of felt like a parent just reading through this series as I observe this kid try to figure out how to navigate through life. Felt proud when he accomplished progress that he never could achieve in the past, angry at his mistakes but wanted to see him overcome that and do enough to make himself feel content. I just admire stories that spend time with growing on characters, from their age to their personality and goals. Helps that his journey had an excellent ending too.

Besides just Rudeus, the other characters from Roxy/Eris/Sylphiette, to even his friends/enemies and just random characters that show up once every 5-6 volumes, all had enough depth and thought put into them to not make them just forgettable NPCs. Everyone had traits that stood out, or some background details that made them memorable. Most of these characters, having flaws in their own rights that they try to overcome or live in spite of them, which makes them even more interesting to read through for me. Whenever I got to read first-person perspectives of what side characters went through, I was always blown away with how well-thought out the author was with fleshing out each character possible, and make them feel like they are actively doing something even when the series hadn't focused on them for a long time.

On top of great character writing, the series got quick, quality action scenes to read through with high stakes, brilliantly executed plot twists in the middle and end of the series, a great sense of adventure when relevant, quality slice-of-life with Rudeus bonding with characters, which were greatly needed for him to heal and gain more and more belonging with the world, superb family drama in various volumes like 5 and 11 to name a couple, and much more. On top of that, there was the top-tier world building that felt immersive to read through, intricate work put into the magic system and lore of the Six-Faced World for the time being, etc.

Finally, as a person who gets easily bored with lengthy light novel series because they tend to drag out too much, or lose its hook with time, this series is one of the few that actually maintained its strong, engaging quality from the start all the way to the very end. You could tell that the author knew clearly how to approach the series by not having the series stagnate at any real point, instead feeling fresh consistently in different ways. Helps that the author can execute many themes well at different times. Rudeus and company growing up does help the series' progression too in that aspect.

Overall, this series is special to me and is one of the best light novels I have read. A top-tier, well thought out fantasy series where the isekai elements actually make sense for Rudeus' character without just the MC being super generic, virtue signalling and OP. Characters have depth, moments and plotlines have depth and the world has depth too. Carefully crafted and masterfully executed. Glad that the first season got a top-tier adaptation too, to go alongside these fantastic books.

Feb 2, 2016

Guity3

Not Recommended

Preliminary (126/330 chp)

Should you read this? That's sorta the big question here and for those of you who only want to know that it should be covered in the first part very rapidly. If you want more in depth this will be getting rather long as I explain each point a little more. For a story such as this I don’t think a number scale really shows a good representation of whether or not to read the series, this story is incredibly long and a wish fulfillment to the extreme, as such I would say it is more important to be the target audience than an objective ...

Oct 3, 2014

ththth12

Recommended

Preliminary (212/330 chp)

This is both my review and the answer to some other reviews, so here it goes;

1. The world in these novels shares a lot of common things with other fantasy stories, yet has enough unique features to make it interesting to read. It’s very fun to learn and experience it together with the main character.

2. This story is certainly wish fulfillment; just like almost every fantasy story. Most blatant ones being something like Harry Potter. And that’s perfectly fine, because we read these stories to experience wish fulfillment. MC in this story is not Gary Stu; just having powerful magic power does to make you one. He ... has few advantages; he uses them fully, and works very hard for his power. MC makes mistakes, and does not succeed in everything. He is not a noble hero, and never becomes one. And most importantly, he understands that just having a great power does not solve all of your problems, or makes you invulnerable.

3. MC actually uses his brain, thinks ahead, and avoids any unnecessary danger. He does not seek conflict or attempt to solve everything with force, and this is why he mostly fights with opponents he can handle. It’s really refreshing compared to usual shounen protagonist not caring their lives; and that’s one the reasons this is seinen.

4. There is a lack of usual shounen clichés. There is no sudden powerups, and fights are fast and deadly. Nobody reveals the secret of their techniques in the midst of fighting. Everyone has to train years to gain any skills; there are no shortcuts for heroes or villains. While this is technically harem, there is no usual harem clichés either.

5. Characters grow emotionally, especially MC. There is no magical transformation, it takes a long time and feels natural. MC grows from a human trash into a decent human being who cherishes his family. Side characters like Chris, Luke and Zanoba can start with very bad first impressions, yet they can show unexpected depth, and slowly and subtly grow up.

6. The story takes totally unexpected shifts and yet it makes sense when you think about it. The plot does not always progress the way you expect, which keeps you interested. This is mature story; it takes risks and deals with some things other LNs usually avoid. Like MC actually getting some, getting married, and even having a child. Yet the story keeps going.

7. MC is certainly a pervert, but that’s problem only if you are a prude. The world in this series has some different moral values, yet not everyone accepts everything. MC is actually quite morally upright compared to values of others around him, and for what he could do. He does not abuse his powers, and does his best to remain faithful.

I recommend this story to anyone who wants to read mature fantasy story with interesting adventure and unexpected plot twists.

Aug 18, 2024

AlchemicElixirs

Recommended

An absolutely phenomenal fantasy series, after bingeing the anime I found myself craving more Mushoku Tensei, and I was not disappointed. The light novels are brilliantly written, and maintains a similar feel to the anime (which is to expected lol)
Turning point 4 came as a complete shock to me and really propelled the already great series into new heights. After turning point 4 the story really found its stride and the ensuing arcs were some of the best in the entire seires (anime onlines have a lot to look forward to!)
The ending was also perfect and made me tear up, that's all I'm gonna say.

So ...

Feb 2, 2023

Pancreso

Recommended

The book in question boasts some of the finest worldbuilding in any light novel that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The world created by the author is rich and immersive, drawing the reader into its depths with ease.

From the very start, the book hooks you in with an introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the novel. It may start slow, but it's incredibly enjoyable and far from boring.

However, the pace does slow down as the story progresses, but it's not to the detriment of the book. Far from it. In fact, the story takes on a whole new life ...

Mar 26, 2015

blazingraz36

Recommended

Preliminary (Unknown/330 chp)

|| Novel Recommendation And Review ||

Novel - Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu
Authors - Rifujin na Magonote (Story), Sirotaka (Art)
Genres - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, War, Tragedy etc.

(Note - this review is made till i read till volume 9)

Introduction :-
The Moment when you get the chance to relive your life, What will you do? Not only that, you are reincarnated in the world of fantasy, will you try to get back? will you become the strongest in the universe? will you enjoy life like a normal? there are countless possibilities you could choose from. But, Not for the main protagonist, his life sucked in his previous ... life so he decided to never make mistake like he did in his previous world. The story follows the adventure of the lesser noble called Rudeus Greyrat who seemed to be reincarnated from real world to the world of dungeons and dragons.

Views :-
To be honest, this is my first LN and i am really proud i choose this. i read its manga but it wasn't detailed as the novel. This novel makes you jump into that world and it feels like you are experiencing it there-in. The story was well paced and in flow. That author has written the story to the point of reality, no what i meant is that if the possibility of fantasy world, how would it feel, the emotions, the adventures etc. It shows the point of reality in that made up world, thinking yes that could happen. Story takes great leap to the Epic tales, with how he was born, he grows, takes step to the world of adventure and reaching to the point of Greatness.Everything is divided into phase of his life, certainly making you feel that we are growing with him. This is one great Novel that i would give 10/10 any day.

Synopsis
A 34-year-old NEET gets killed in a traffic accident and finds himself in a world of magic. Rather than waking up as a full-grown mage, he gets reincarnated as a newborn baby, retaining the memories of his past life. Before he can even properly move his body, he resolves to never make the same mistakes he made in his first life ever again and instead live a life with no regrets with the new one that was given to him. Because he has the knowledge of a middle-aged man, by the age of two, he has already become a magical prodigy and possesses power unthinkable for anyone his age and even older. Thus begins the chronicles of Rudeus Greyrat, son of swordsman Paul and healer Zenith, as he enters a new world to become the strongest mage known to man, with powers rivaling even the gods themselves.

Story(10/10) - Yes, the story is really beautiful, it gives us the vibe of reliving our own past like a present. Better yet, the story doesn't get sidetracked but continues like a flow in a timely manner. Being it in the fantasy world, it doesn't lack any of the action and adventure that we crave for, it takes simply perfect and meticulous time for him to venture the world. Unlike other stories which directly shows people traveling to adventure without characterization, this story starts from the beginning giving him, the main character a sort of personality and how that psychology that he developed from the start pays off in the future.

Illustrations (8/10) - I don't know how to base the artworks since i have always reviewed the manga, certainly the illustrations that are provided do give a basic idea of the world. It certainly helps you to imagine the world, the surroundings, the people, the culture etc. Though it seemed that it lacked with the illustrations since i couldn't see much or none illustrations from volume 4-5 till volume 9. Since i am newbie in Light Novels, i can't base the illustrations for it but they are indeed drawn beautifully.

Enjoyment (10/10) - I have very well enjoyed it and since the time i started it, it took me around 6 days to complete around till volume 7-8. I couldn't stop it, it was very entertaining and i was craving for more, i wasn't not able to satisfy myself with just 1 chapter per day(originally what i thought cause i never intended to read LN) but the story was so beautiful, in Rudeus language i could say i was seduced by the story and my Little boy(not that tongue emoticon just my brain. little cause i am not that smart) could not stop my craving or addiction. With this, I conclude that i Enjoyed it a lot, and i will continue to do so.

Overall (10/10) I loved this a lot and this is just my opinion though cause it may differ from person to person, but i would say it is certainly this is a gem that i would recommend all to read it.

Jan 27, 2021

AsymmetricSquid

Not Recommended

Preliminary (17/330 chp)

Spoiler-free review.

First I'll do my review without spoilers, and below I'll put one with spoilers. At first, this light novel/manga was all right, but the more you read the worse it gets. A lot of people really like this story and praise it as "the only isekai with actual character development" and things like that, and while that's true for the first few volumes, but after volume 7 or so, the author throws out any more character development in favor of other things. The story is mediocre, and the characters, which were good at first, turn really flat and 1 dimensional later. I was incredibly ...

Jan 3, 2024

HarryTheRizzard

Recommended

Well-written

Just a heads up, Mushoku Tensei is extremely divisive and deals with pretty uncomfortable subjects so if you don't like that stuff you likely won't enjoy it.

Right off the bat I'll say Mushoku Tensei has an incredibly detailed world, one where I often found myself wanting characters to keep info dumping about a subject to each other and got mad when they stopped. The way Rifujin details things often gives a clear picture in your head like no one else if it's something physical, or he'll go into great enough detail, I dare say, close to Tolkein, he has clearly spent a long time to ...

Oct 27, 2014

Vudude

Recommended

Preliminary (Unknown/330 chp)

Mushoku Tensei is the kind of story you read when you want to escape from reality for a bit. It's a wish fulfillment fantasy in the ultimate sense.

Story 9/10
The story is well-written with good pacing and interesting twists and turns. Some parts of the story drag on a bit with very obvious foreshadowing with a "reveal" at the end, but these parts aren't long compared to the rest of the story.

Art 8/10
Not really relevant seeing how it's a novel, but the cover pages looked nice I suppose?

Character 8/10
The characters are an interesting bunch, at some times being well-written and well-developed, and other times being ...

Dec 15, 2016

unknownzzz

Recommended

Preliminary (261/330 chp)

Everyone who reads this will be like:

"I would be completely satisfied if my life's biography was like this".

____

I am a speed reader. I Read all the 261 chapters within 7 days.
Story flow is great, timeline is great; A real piece of art.

Notes:
...

Apr 11, 2024

TheScarletCutter

Mixed Feelings

Well-written

For a very long time, Mushoku Tensei was one of the most exciting LN series I’ve gotten into when it came out. It has a very interesting case where it takes some very basic ideas from your typical Isekai and how it uses them in a compelling way. It creates a story that shows how you can learn from your mistakes and how your journey goes despite your mixed vision. This would make for a very good series… Or in this respect, you SHOULD have one. While I’ve been very curious every time a chapter has been released, as time goes on, this has turned ... out to be one of the most disappointing series ever. I don’t even mean that in a sense that makes it horrible but in the end, this falls under a definition of “wasted potential”. It has interesting elements, sure, but it doesn’t utilize them quite well.

Before I get into my problems, I should first explain what the plot is about. Mushoku Tensei starts with a 34-year-old fat bastard who has been kicked out of his family and wandering around the streets. Eventually, he would get killed by a truck and teleported to another world. And in that world, he is first reincarnated as a child named “Rudeus”. With this, he sets his goal on when to redeem himself after knowing what he was in the past. Now looking at this, it would make for a compelling story. A guy who got his ass kicked so many times to the point where he got reincarnated and starts everything from scratch is something I truly admire a lot. I really like how even for a power fantasy, it sets up a presentation where it shows you how you could challenge yourself. It may be hard to understand, sure, but I’d say it’s a great plot to look at.

However, that’s where my possible praise towards the series ends here. Look further at the series and you’ll notice something off. Now what Mushoku has to offer seems great. But I find that the amount of fanservice involved felt either grating or unnecessary. I must admit that Rudeus being a weirdo isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I think it’s part of his character as it adds more challenge to his progression. The problem is with how it’s handled. The series for the most part uses him as a goofy molester with little insights to place. He gets away with disgusting shit with very little consequences and that’s almost out of character. I’ll explain Rudeus later on. But I feel like Rudeus isn’t the only victim of this. Other characters that act as weirdos also tend to be gross with next to no context. Do you know the scene about the Roxy figurine? That’s my example of how the fanservice went wrong. The series tends to reallocate a lot of its story elements into what feels averagely gross.

Hell, even ignoring the juvenile fanservice entirely, the series’ very important aspects are pretty mid. It is way too plot-driven for its own good. You know how the story is about a reincarnated being setting his journey to learn from his mistakes? In this respect, that element is barely present in the series. The series doesn’t utilize much on that and instead, relies too much on drama that felt either cheap or filler. That aspect I’m talking about is admittedly present, sure, but the story tries too hard to use it by throwing in elements of surprises that aren’t even terrible but tend to keep the writing quality in check. Another problem I’d like to point out is the exposition. Mushoku takes too long to set up what contributes to the plot and even if we get there, what we want to see is rushed all thanks to the previous problems I just talked about a while ago.

Although these problems do invade the series from left to right, there is one more scene I would like to cover, and that in itself manages to save the series, even though it’s not too big or anything like that. Of course, what I’m referring to is the dance scene. It’s not your average dancing presentation where it is for style, it also adds charm to it that connects with the series’ main objective well. It truly shows the nature of Rudeus’ progression and elevates the amount of characterization he has alongside his chemistry with Eris (and too bad, the potential of both Rudy and especially Eris is thrown away later on).

The characters… Oh boy, now where do I begin with them? Let’s start with the main cast, most notably Rudeus, the key character, and the neet, Roxy, a goddess and mentor of Rudy, Eris, the goblin slayer, and Sylphiette, the childhood friend.

Starting with Rudy, he’s honestly weird. I already mentioned how he has interesting characteristics hindered by a certain gimmick. He’s supposed to be the kind of boy (or man) who sets his goals to achieve what he needs in order to refrain from what he did wrong back then with his obsession being his big obstacle and while that is interesting, in practice, him being a weirdo with little consequences for the most part gets in the way of his development. He pretty much molests girls he sees and yet, almost all of them weren’t addressed. But this doesn’t matter because, after all, it’s “part of his character” from now. Yeah, no. That’s like saying “Oh but mom, that “dildo” you call it is still a toy so it’s still kid-friendly”. It doesn’t work like that. The worst part? Rudy hasn’t changed at all. The first 10 chapters pretty much cemented his intended development. After that, he kinda remains to be the same loser he is. Not a bad character by any means, I’ll admit that he gets some development from the middle portions of the series but still, we could see better.

The female leads, however, are pretty much the worst offenders of the series. But first, let me make an exception. I like Roxy and she’s a decent character overall. Her role as a mentor is solid and her dynamics with Rudy are passable. Not the greatest but they definitely hold value. The other girls… not so much… Eris is stupid for the wrong reasons. In fact, she’s the worst character in the whole story. Her dynamics with Rudy are cliched and make no sense. On one hand, her rudeness is off the charts, and just pushes him. On the other hand, her confessions seem rather silly and rushed. And that’s ignoring how she’s been cockblocking Rudy for half of the series, Hell, Rudy would be a lot better venturing around without her. Sylphy, while not as bad as Eris, is just really boring. Yeah, she’s a big friend (or love interest, if any) of Rudeus but that’s about it. Half of the time, she’s merely a plot device to push Rudy’s character further with no unique substance within herself.

Side characters are ones I either don’t care or get annoyed at. Half of the side cast is just there to keep the story’s pacing in check. They aren’t too bad like heck, I prefer most of them over the main cast, but you know, they’re just walking mannequins with brains and feelings. The other half is what also pisses me off. Remember when I said that Rudy is a weirdo for giggles? Most, if not all of that logic applies to those bastards. Again, they are creeps with nothing else and they become big pushovers at this point. Now, of course, there’s another exception I have in mind and that would be Ruijerd. Ruijerd is interesting because of how he guides half of the main cast and how his development is connected to his backstory. Not much to say here honestly, he’s also a decent character.

I genuinely have very mixed feelings about the series but there’s one last aspect I would like to talk about and that is the batch of volume cover illustrations the light novel contains. While yes, they’re superficial and are not counted, they are the best parts of the series. The art style is very pleasing to look at. The details are excellent and the coloring is both balanced and adequate. The character designs, even for non-isekai standards, have a lot of heart to them and fit well with each character, regardless of simplicity and complexity.

And those are my opinions on Mushoku Tensei’s light novel. The real question is: is it good or bad? To me, that’s a difficult question. On one hand, it has among the most enticing build-ups a series could ever hope for all because of how it creates its intended story. But on the other hand, it’s filled with a handful of decisions and exposition that tend to limit its writing. To me, Mushoku Tensei is alright. It offers what tends to be pleasing and it actually tries. It’s just that how it tackles its plot point as well as the character writing tends to be on the mixed side. Apart from 1 and 2 characters, the cast could have been a lot more logical with their statistics and objectives. While the art covers are amazing and something I can’t forget, overall, this series… exists, and that’s how it is ‘ahem’ at least to me.

Aug 9, 2024

McShiggy

Recommended

I want to write this review because for the first time ever, I felt like I changed as a person when finishing a series.

I don't really want to get into analysis but more so review, so I wont be able to fully give you my thoughts on certain parts. With that out of the way, lets get into it.

The story of MT is one that really just felt alive and immersive to me. Unlike most other Isekai's the MC, Rudeus, takes on a similar perspective to most readers on an isekai world. He views those around him as NPCs and just basically uses this second ... chance he's given to do things without consequences. The realization that his actions have consequences towards other sentient and living human beings also helped the readers realize the same thing: that Rudeus wasn't in a world tailored specifically for him to be the hero, but rather just participate in another world's storyline. Yes, you heard that right, the author, Rifujin na Magnote, acknowledged the fact that most Isekais feel like they revolve around the MC. He acknowledged the fact that Isekai's feel like a game, rather than their own world, and that's the charm of MT's world-building that makes it so special and unique not just compared to other isekais, but other fantasy anime in general. It does all this while still keeping the fact Rudeus is needed to be an Isekai'd character for this story to work.

Lets talk about Rudeus Greyrat. Yes, I'd agree that his character in the earlier episodes/volumes was definitely uncomfortable to watch, but that's what makes it special. Magnote-sensei is not afraid to portray realistic human flaws in a character. Rudeus' lack of respect for women and his selfish attempts at standing out reflect this. Over the course of the series, we see him learn to interact with others, and truly make an attempt to communicate, in contrast to his previous life where he made no effort at all. This is great writing to truly convey a character's development. It sets pre-conditions you could say for his development. His shortcomings and regrets he had in his first life transition well into his characterization and development in his second. This could be seen coming into fruition in his last meeting with the Hitogami, where Rudeus finally saw himself as complete, and made the most out of his life. He holds no regret or wishes to go back in time and fix stuff. Thus, his conclusion, "I walked past the Man-god, and simply headed straight, without turning back..." In my opinion, the greatest character conclusion to graze fiction.

Side characters. Again, MT does really well at bringing its side characters to life, and not making them feel like NPCs. Each character struggles with a conflict that is well fleshed out and directed. Take Eris for example, she was a noble enough to become spoiled, but not noble enough to be of importance to the Boreas Greyrats to be taught proper etiquette, her family essentially gave up on her. The harem works really well and feels like it is necessary to the story. Each wife is given screentime during his childhood days that set up well for the future romance. This made each marriage and wife feel not only necessary, but also expected.

Final thoughts

Mushoku Tensei truly is a show that feels created by an Alien. Both the fact how weird it can get, and how masterful the writing and worldbuilding is. It truly feels out of this world. Emotionally, this level of writing is unmatched. I genuinely felt like I was Rudeus' friend, watching him grow up and also change as a person, while also cheering him on on his endeavors and disagreeing with him and being disappointed at certain decisions he makes. The conclusion is the best part in my opinion, and everything leading up to it just felt right. The conclusion didn't leave me empty and asking for more, instead it made me really glad I got to experience Rudeus' story and was left satisfied. Even thought it's apparently a prequel, the ending of MT gave me what most anime/manga/novel series fail to give: Closure.

All in all, MT was a masterpiece. McShiggy OUT!

Apr 29, 2024

EdySilva

Recommended

THE PINNACLE OF ISEKAI THAT REDEFINES THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FANTASY GENRE!

You're probably already tired of knowing that Mushoku Tensei is an isekai and that, nowadays, the isekai genre has become the most saturated of all. I myself underestimated Mushoku Tensei because it was an isekai and today I bitterly regret having taken so long to read it. Mushoku Tensei is a superlatively beautiful masterpiece and I'll tell you why I think so. I've written this humble review and ... it doesn't contain any spoilers that might detract from your reading. I hope you enjoy it!

Story (10): Mushoku Tensei is a high-quality book that explores serious themes of second chances/redemption and coming of age. The protagonist is not an inherent saint or hero. He is a totally despicable person and this is a story about his attempt to be better in his new life. Is he going to magically become a different person overnight? No, he will evolve over the course of the story. The story itself is fascinating and the writing that accompanies it makes for a phenomenal long-running series. Anything can happen in this new world in which he has been reincarnated, there are risks, twists and constant oppositions. I take my hat off to Rifujin na Magonote for creating the most epic story of self-discovery and second chances ever.

Mushoku Tensei has several strong points. In particular, I think the work's strongest point is its characters. You feel that in Mushoku Tensei they are really human, because you will always see characters with flaws, who make mistakes and learn from them, who are not overpowers or perfect, but characters with layers, with depth and who, despite all their personality problems or mistakes they make, are still interesting characters. Everyone is unique and well-written, each has their own concerns and goals, they follow their own story and that's why the goodbyes are so impactful. It's surreal how many characters I liked in this book. They don't depend entirely on the MC to be important or to grow. The interactions they have with each other are simply perfect.

Another thing worth praising about Mushoku Tensei is its incredible worldbuilding process. Mushoku Tensei has the best worldbuilding process I've ever seen in a story. There's magic, knights, different species of intelligent creatures with cultural diversity, guilds, adventurers and everything reminiscent of a good MMORPG. Only by reading the Light Novel will you realize the absurd care and affection the author has taken in building the world, and the way the various territories affect the characters is masterfully crafted. The powerscaling is very well balanced. All the characters have weaknesses and understand that they can't win everything on their own. All of this makes the story much more exciting to read.

Another notable aspect of Mushoku Tensei is the way the romances develop. Unlike many other works, here the couples in the story seem like real couples. They have couple scenes, clearly show their affection for each other and face challenges together. The author always shows the povs and monologues of both main characters to justify their actions, which adds a genuine emotional dimension to the narrative. The series also manages to skillfully balance drama, comedy and action. The emotional moments are very well executed and often intertwined with hilarious ones, making for a diverse and captivating experience.

Art (10): Honestly speaking, Mushoku Tensei has the most beautiful art style I've ever seen in a light novel. The designer, Shirotaka, exuded a spectacular artistic style throughout the work and managed to successfully portray all the characters' emotions in the illustrations. The covers he gave to each of the 26 volumes are so well detailed that they impress and leave you spellbound.

Pleasure - (10): This was the most sublime and pleasurable story I've ever read in my life, I'm sure I'll never forget it. It resonated deeply in my core. The gift I received of being born in the same century as Rifujin and Shirotaka is of immeasurable value.

Overall rating - (10): In short, Mushoku Tensei is a fabulous work of art that will give you a divine experience. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable fantasy story that's totally out of the box, who has a fantastic worldbuilding process, incredibly striking characters, charismatic and extremely well-developed.