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330
26
Finished
Jan 23, 2014 to Nov 25, 2022
8.9/10
Average Review Score
75%
Recommend It
20
Reviews Worldwide
Mushoku Tensei: A Fulfilling Journey about a Broken Personâs 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 âredemptionâ 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 abouthim being whitewashed to being a perfect human being with zero flaws but growing amidst them and learning from his mistakes to do better and find a real purpose in his life, and stick to it as much as possible. Knowing that, Mushoku Tensei is an exceptional story that serves as not just a character journey for Rudeus Greyratâs life in his second chance in this new world, but as a prequel to something even potentially greater down the line. It is a series that explores Rudeusâ character in tons of depth, and progresses well over time with him constantly aging and growing â which prevents the series from ever feeling stagnant for me, as there was always a sense of direction with what the story wanted to accomplish. But it is also a series that fleshed out its worldbuilding and lore so immensely that the world felt alive when reading through the books and I was immersed in the little details of each continent and the cultural differences between all of them, and a series that also features plot elements and twists that are phenomenally executed and written in a way that Rudeus is only a part of the world and what is happening, not being the main guy the world is revolving around. This is a series that excels too in being many different things. It can be a great adventure story like how the Dead End crew were traveling from the Demon Continent all the way back home, or a great slice-of-life story exploring Rudeus living his daily life and getting to actually spend time with people outside and bonding with them naturally, or even his chapters as a parent. It can be a dramatic, action-heavy story, or a purely emotionally complex one like with the whole Paul-Rudeus reunion in Volume 5. The series tackles many themes, and many different tones at different times and pulls them all off really well. Nothing feels forced, thereâs genuine nuance and thought-provoking elements to them that made the story feel even more hearty and polished than what I was expecting early on. The magic techniques, the hearty character interactions and moments, the excellent fights that were well-paced too alongside the detail, the great sense of progression and development for characters and the storytelling, and great payoffs too for character and narrative arcs too throughout this series as a whole. Mushoku Tensei always offered something different with each volume and excelled for the most part in whatever it was trying to accomplish narratively and emotionally. Rifujin na Magonoteâs writing shined immensely here overall, and by the end, I was left satisfied with his work and the journey of this series completely. There are just too many elements to this story besides just Rudeusâ development that shines here, so I can only praise how good the writing and storytelling were from start to finish. Everything felt so well thought out that a part of me felt like he crafted the world and many plot points before he even began writing about the main character and his story to come. Itâs not something I can compliment often for any series, let alone an isekai-based series (which I normally hate in general). Even the 26-volume length it had felt just about right, the series never felt rushed, nor did it feel stagnant, just exceptionally paced and, consistently fun and engaging throughout. CHARACTERS Mushoku Tensei is superbly written from the narrative elements and underlying storytelling and buildup to the future series to come, to the well-thought-out, detailed and immersive world-building that makes the series and world feel real and alive. But what shines for me more than anything are the characters in Mushoku Tensei, especially one very controversial and complex protagonist in Rudeus Greyrat. Rudeus Greyrat in his previous life was a broken human being. An overweight, demotivated, and depressed person who was locked in his room for decades after facing intensive bullying and trauma, to the point of being a reject in society in his eyes, and relying mainly on games, eroges, and anime to help him just live through. A guy that was living but felt dead on the inside and lost his ability to communicate and bond with anyone properly, and a guy who was terrified of the outside world too. He was a person with a ton of regrets about how he wasted decades of his life from being spineless to turning to help and finding the strength to give his life a second chance right there. It's easy to understand why a lot of people hate Rudeus, especially for his perverse tendencies (early on in particular). Since he was drowned in many eroges, hentai, and anime for decades, his social skills and treatment of women were really poor early on and he thought of his second chance as a way to do whatever he wants with no genuine consequences, like a video game. But it is when he makes mistakes that hurt others when he experiences pain in this world and realizes and reminds himself constantly how much a second chance is meaningful to him, that kept him pushing forward and enabled him to grow and mature as a character. His development does not turn him into a saint and a guy with no flaws whatsoever, but he does develop into a pretty outstanding and morally complex character as a whole. A guy who knew he was scum in the past but is living a second life to just feel satisfied and gain closure in a way that he never got to do in the past. To stop blaming everything on others and realize how much accountability he needs to take with his own actions, to go from taking advantage of his parents and thinking of them as evil, to being a father himself and understanding what they went through and how he needs to be in the future to avoid situations like that. To use mistakes as stepping stones to becoming a better person in this world and living a life that he can feel satisfied with by the end, regardless of how flawed or bumpy it can be at times. He does not care to be the strongest person ever just for fun, he grows in a way where he wants to protect and cherish his family in this world, the people that help give him happiness, and more reasons to live. Considering how he failed to communicate at all with anyone in his past for a long time, pushed his frustrations to others, and struggled with his treatment of women early on, he really did grow leaps and bounds by the end in a believable manner without just whitewashing every single trait of his in the past. He was definitely an unlikeable person to me early on, but even before this series, I always believed that unlikeable characters can still be phenomenal characters, and Rudeus is one I could call a phenomenal character by the end. He might not have grown in ways some people might expect with a âredemptionâ story, but the whole point of this story is to learn from his mistakes and grow from them to live a proud, satisfying life in this new world. Even if some of the morality and relationship elements clash with our world and their standards nowadays. Beyond him, the other characters feel incredibly fleshed out and are enjoyable to read through, especially given how many of them are as morally complex to read like Rudeus. Eris was a spoiled brat who mistreated everyone when nothing went her way and was abusive, Ruijerd was a person that went to overly extreme lengths to fulfill his promises in a stubborn, clouded fashion, without trying to understand the kids and their strengths himself. Paul was incredibly talented but was lazy to fulfill his potential in the past, and a sleazebag who still was trying to be a good dad despite not being mature enough early on to understand how to tackle that situation (especially with him having a son like Rudeus who was mentally older than he was). So many characters have complex issues or flaws, but despite them, still manage to grow, develop and live in ways that feel satisfying for me to read through. Besides Eris, Roxy and Sylphie are also fantastic heroines, and the other side characters were great too. None of the development elements felt forced too in this story, all were subtly done without having any character feel static whatsoever. One real aspect I loved, was how fleshed out each character felt and how I can easily imagine the journeys everyone were undergoing even when the series hadnât focused on them for a long time. The series focuses mainly on Rudeus, but the writing is so strong, that I can imagine many of these characters be protagonists of their own series in this world. There are Eris and Roxy manga spinoffs for example, but those can be applied to Paul and his past journey as an adventurer with his party, Ruijerd and his journey of redeeming the reputation of the Sperds, Norn and her journey to find her worth amidst her two more talented siblings, Orsted and his journey, etc. That is a good indication of how well these characters were written and treated, all having depth, realism, and great development elements to read through. For such a complex and dysfunctional cast on the surface, this series has one of the best groups of characters I have read in light novels for sure. ART Like the story and characters, one huge way that the series evolved over time was with Shirotaka's art. The illustrations and volume covers early on were solid for the most part. But the illustrations from Volume 7 I would say onwards, went from solid to amazing and complimented the growth and progress of Rudeus' journey extremely well. Seeing illustrations of Rudeus and his family in the first volume, to how much they grew alongside the quality of their art was outstanding and even made me emotional when reflecting on the illustrations after finishing the series. In general, the art is fantastic, evokes tons of emotions well and captures the storytelling well. The art really benefitted from this series having their characters grow up, that's for sure. There is even a map, which is nice to have for a series that does a great job with its world-building in general. Just comparing the earlier covers with the ones by the end can tell how well the art evolved with time. FINAL THOUGHTS "You only realize the real value of something you discarded when you get the chance to pick it up again." - Rudeus Greyrat That quote summarizes my experience with Mushoku Tensei. I was one of those people that picked up the series without warnings, read the start of it, and felt grossed out to the point of dropping it early. But I gave it a second chance and moved forward through the difficult times and what I got by the end was a personal, gripping, and emotional rollercoaster of a story, filled with tons of adventure, action happiness, heartbreak, complicated moments, and more importantly, tons of heart. As a guy who was a shut-in for a couple of years and felt like there was no hope for me to recover the rest of my life and even had no willpower to brush my embarrassment aside and communicate with my loved ones about the depression and anxiety-riddled years I went through, this series opened my eyes and gave me that strength I needed to let go of my pride and open up to everyone. And to find the motivation to not give up while I still have the chance to live and push forward. To wake up and take a step. Even if the road down the line continues to be extremely bumpy and motivations might lose a bit of strength from time to time because of that, it is still important to never give up and still find a way to enjoy life. Don't aim for a perfect life with no mistakes, but a life where I can feel satisfied by the very end. Because of this series, I finally gained the confidence to abandon being a perfectionist, speak to my family after ignoring them for years, and not wallow in my self-pity anymore and grow up. To that, I'm grateful that I got to read this series and glad to have experienced the complex, bizarre yet touching, endearing, empowering, and genuinely life-changing journey that is Mushoku Tensei. It makes me happy that I gave it a second chance, to see what value this series offered underneath all the layers of controversial elements that people criticize deeply on the surface (sometimes even superficially or untruthfully, without adequately exploring what the series was trying to portray and using stuff out of context to make the seriesâ image look even worse in the process). Itâs definitely not for everyone, and I would not recommend it casually for anyone to read, but it is still one I would proudly call my favorite series. A massive thanks to Rifujin na Magonote-sensei and Shirotaka-sensei for their wonderful series here, canât wait to see the Redundancy portion be adapted and see where the franchise as a whole goes from here.
Killed while saving a stranger from a traffic collision, a 34-year-old NEET is reincarnated into a world of magic as Rudeus Greyrat, a newborn baby. With knowledge, experience, and regrets from his previous life retained, Rudeus vows to lead a fulfilling life and not repeat his past mistakes. Now gifted with a tremendous amount of magical power as well as the mind of a grown adult, Rudeus is seen as a genius in the making by his new parents. Soon, he finds himself studying under powerful warriors, such as his swordsman father and a mage named Roxy Migurdiaâall in order to hone his apparent talents. But despite his innocent exterior, Rudeus is still a perverted otaku, who uses his wealth of knowledge to make moves on women whom he could never make in his previous life. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Before diving into this review, I want to make it clear that Iâm not here to praise or condemn Mushoku Tensei based on personal discomfort. The discourse surrounding this series often falls into two extremes: either labeling it along the lines of âMUSHOKU TENSEI IS DISGUSTING AND ANYONE WHO ENJOYS IT IS WORSE THAN SCUM,â or the contrary that claims âMUSHOKU TENSEI IS A DEEP AND MEANINGFUL JOURNEY AND ALL OF YOU HATE IT BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE SENSITIVE SNOWFLAKES.â It is either irredeemably vile or praised as a misunderstood masterpiece. I intend to take a more balanced approach while addressing the controversy that surrounds it.My goal is to inform readers who are considering giving Mushoku Tensei a try and maybe offer each side a wider perspective. The reason Mushoku Tensei inspires such polarized responses is because it attempts to be more than just another escapist fantasy. It positions itself as a story about redemptionâa character-driven narrative set in a world that gives its protagonist a second chance at life. However, before exploring whether it succeeds in that goal, itâs important to acknowledge its foundations. Mushoku Tensei is undeniably trite. It borrows heavily from familiar tropes and themes common in the isekai genre, often prioritizing appeal over originality. Yet, author Rifujin na Magonote succeeds in crafting a protagonist with a coherent and believable backstory, whose motivations align with his character. The worldâthough formulaicâshows effort in its historical, cultural, and political layers, providing a solid narrative foundation. In terms of isekai, Mushoku Tensei is arguably one of the best. But given the generally low bar in the genre, that claim comes with an asterisk. Isekai as a genre has a reputation for being derivative and formulaic in nature. The premise limited to ideas around a reincarnated protagonist with a purposeâbe it slaying a demon lord or simply indulging in fantasy wish-fulfillment without having a conceivable plot. Mushoku Tensei couldâve easily fit into this description, but it did something different. It used the idea of reincarnation to create something meaningful: redemption. However, it ultimately fails to do so through reckless writing decisions. Mushoku Tensei is, first and foremost, a redemption story. It doesnât try to hide thatâeven marketing itself as such. A protagonist portrayed as an unforgivable bastard in his previous life and shows his regret in life living as a deadbeat. At his lowest, he decided to do one last act of humanity before Truck-kun claimed him as another victim, and lo and behold, he reincarnated in a new world where he can start anew. Unfortunately, that ambition is also where the narrative stumbles. Though Mushoku Tensei is built around the idea of personal growth and atonement, it often undermines its own premise through inconsistent and at times questionable writing decisions. This disconnect between intention and execution forms the core of the controversy surrounding the series. Rudeus as a Character: Addressing the Controversy As mentioned, Mushoku Tensei is a controversial title. Before diving into the story, I want to address the controversy. Feel free to skip ahead if you'd prefer. The backlash mainly stems from two things: the main character being a pedophile and the authorâs objectification of womenâespecially children. While these themes are common within Japanese light novel media, Mushoku Tensei is centered on redemption, making these writing decisions especially questionable. Pedophilia is evil. I think everyone can agree on that. I won't be deconstructing pedophilia as something to be taken personally nor provide thought-provoking commentaries about its evil. It is a sensitive subject, and whether or not it deserves credence in Mushoku Tensei's narrative is still debated. Yes, disturbingly creepy scenes are all over the novel series, but that doesn't decide its overall worth. If personal incapability to cope with unsettling scenes decide a poorly-written story, then works like Nabokov's Lolita would be dismissed, regardless of its critical acclaim. The key lies behind the authorâs intent and how they handle a subject matter. For instance, in Lolita, Nabokov uses pedophilia to reveal the true moral decay of a character, all while weaving a deeper narrative without normalizing their behavior. Similarly, The Monogatari Series exaggerates its portrayal of such themes as a form of satire. In Mushoku Tensei, Rudeusâ damning flaws were intended to be a character foundation to create a redemption story. However, the intent and execution behind that decision falls flat. Rifujin na Magonote never addresses this flaw with the depth or intention it could have, reducing it to mere fan service rather than an integral part of Rudeus' growth. Rudeus ultimately has a solid foundation. Although his competency as a mage was his most identifying development, his identity didnât revolve around that alone. He is still a very much flawed and vulnerable character with room for growthâan element needed for redemption. He was introduced in his previous life heavily flawed as a person, socially and especially morally; a shut-in, free-loader, drop-out, even refusing to attend his parentâs funeral so he could beat his meat to child porn. Chekovâs gun was loaded, reborn to redeem himself. Unfortunately, the story undermines its own redemption arc the moment Rudeus shows no guilt or remorse for his past life post-reincarnation. Some flaws are resolved, others dragged out, but the most damning is left completely unaddressed. Itâs emphasized through repeated scenes and monologues, suggesting narrative importance, yet never serves as a turning point for growth. Chekhovâs gun is left unfired. Rudeus continues indulging in pedophilic fantasies, rendering that trait narratively pointlessâa shallow display of lechery with no thematic weight. The redemption arc collapses further when every woman is objectifiedâbe they adult or childâbefore Rudeus even considers his second chance at life. Nearly every female character is sexualizedânot by Rudeus, but by the authorâexcept the grannies, although Iâm sure it has nothing to do with the authorâs preference for women, right? Itâs difficult to redeem pedophilia, a sexual preference seemingly inherent in oneâs mind. However, despite the lack of guarantee of scientifically grounded treatment, this flaw could have been used as a powerful element to explore the depths of his evil and personal transformation. Rufujin had the opportunity to depict Rudeus slowly confronting the depravity of his desireâmaybe using his new relationship with his female friends and family to realize how vulnerable women and children are, thereby challenging his warped worldview. But the author either lacked skills and experience to execute this journey, or just plainly didnât see anything wrong with that aspect of the protagonistâs character. That's why I didn't understand the decision to make Rudeus a pedophile in the first place. The story didnât need thatâratherâthe story would have thrived in its absence. His terrible qualities as a family member in his previous life would have been the perfect conflict he needed to resolve, but it was overshadowed by the emphasis the author placed on Rudeusâ interest in children. It's a thoughtless decision made by an amateur author who didn't understand the intricacies of what he was writing nor realize how hard it would be to create a string of developments that would allow Rudeus to deviate from the aforementioned problem. Either that or he made that decision to gratify those desperate for fanservice. I wonât deny that Rudeus experiences growth in other areas. Although many of the changes were just him acting his physical age to avoid suspicion, his maturity in other areas are commendable. He overcomes his social trauma by stepping foot outside for the first time, discovers a sense of purpose in life through his competency in magic, andâafter a pivotal moment in the storyâacknowledges his shortcomings as a member of a family in his past life. However, there remains a lecherous omission of his character arc: he never grew past his deviant sexual desires. While Rudeus practiced proper manners, kindness, and sympathy, it is important to remember that propriety alone does not equate to morality. Regardless of personal growth, when the most damning flaw is left unaddressed, it undercuts the entire premise of a redemption narrative. Worldbuilding: A Strong Foundation Poorly Built Upon As previously mentioned, Mushoku Tensei relies on a formulaic plot and a generic framework to construct its world. It's important not to conflate the light novel with the anime in this regard. Studio Bindâs meticulous planning and research enriched the adaptationâs settingâgoing so far as to develop distinct languages with their own writing systems, adding authenticity and depth to the world. In contrast, the light novel shows little effort in these same areas. Aside from its well-structured magic system, most aspects of the worldbuilding feel underdeveloped or glossed over, missing the opportunity to elevate the story beyond its conventional fantasy trappings. The world is rich in culture, diverse in races, and nuanced in political conflict. The only other gripe I have is a one-dimensional history. Everything built upon one line of history, a legend foreshadowed to be repeated. While not a critical flaw in the writing, it becomes tiring to hear how such events and cultures were built upon Laplaceâs intervention, diminishing the complexity a world of this scale deserves. Side Characters: A Weak Support Past Rudeus as a central figure to the story, there arenât many characters whose depth and narrative relevance can stand on par with our protagonistâs. Look no further than Paul, Gisu, Orsted, and Hitogami. Unlike our main character, Paul, in spite of his failures as a father and husband at times, acknowledged his shortcomings and didnât run away from his past. He faced them head-on, redeeming his character, and was met with a complete and satisfying character arc. Gisu, meanwhile, hid his complexity behind a simple guise and utilitarian worldviewâbelieving his actions served the greater goodâyet still expressed remorse, highlighting internal conflict born from uncertainty rather than inherent villainy. Finally, Orsted and Hitogami, whose characters and conflict upscaled the plot so much, they took the main character role away from Rudeus. Syphy, Roxy, and Eris: Rudeusâ Trophy Collection The three love interestsâSylphy, Roxy, and Erisâcould have been great characters. Their introductions and small personal journeys void of Rudyâs intervention allowed them to shine. However, once they become involved with our main character again, they are reduced to damsels in distress whose goals were ultimately turned to bearing our big-dicked protagonistâs children. I mean screw the âwho will win the haremâ theme, let my boy wife up all three love interests, I guess. I was disappointed, especially with Erisâ development. Unlike the other two, she had her own journeyâconsciously making the choice to separate herself from Rudeus so she could grow independentlyâand for a time, she did. Upon reuniting with Rudeus, she held her own well enough. But apparently, Redeusâ big dick energy was a force so strong, it can collapse any semblance of female agency. Erisâ journey as a swordswomen and as a person ultimately feels futileâforgotten in favor of her being a trophy in Rudeusâ collection. Forgotten Protagonist: The Cost for a Grander Plot Orsted and Hitogami, to their credit, are arguably two of the most intriguing characters in Mushoku Tenseiâs world. Their deep-rooted enmity, backed by ancient history, cosmological manipulation, and clashing motives, is ripe with potentialânot only for the ultimate fate of their world, but as an avenue for Rudeusâ growth. Orsted, the Dragon Godâcold and fearsome, bound and cursed by duty and existenceâacts with a sense of responsibility that shows a more complex figure beyond his stoic demeanor. Hitogami, the Human God, operates through charm and manipulationâhis benevolent façade masking his selfish and malicious core. These opposing forces could have served as a rich backdrop: enhancing Rudeusâ arc, challenging his values, and pushing him toward maturity. Instead, the narrative pivots in a direction that ultimately places Rudeus on the sidelines. As the tension between the two gods takes center stage, Rudeus ceases to be a protagonist and is reduced to nothing more than a toolâOrstedâs errand boy, caught in a war he barely understands. The focus shifts toward a more celestial conflict, abandoning the character-driven and introspective story that was promisedâthe redemption of a deeply flawed man. The issue isnât that Rudeus gets pulled into a grander plot. Itâs that the story gives up on his character arc completely. Instead of using the conflict between Hitogami and Orsted as an avenue for moral growth, it uses him as a mouthpiece akin to that of a personal secretary. The Rudeus whose journey was once built on psychological conflict and a troubled past falls flat. His development stagnates, redemption is forgotten, and what remains is a character no longer driving the story but being driven by it. Final Thoughts If you can look past the ill-intended use of pedophilia, excessive perversion, and misogyny, Mushoku Tensei might still be worth your time. For all its faults, it remains one of the more polished and ambitious titles the isekai genre has to offerâthough, given the genreâs baseline of mediocrity, that may not be saying much. But if you canât stomach lecherous portrayal of pedophilia and underlying misogynyâconsider this your way out. I read Mushoku Tensei so you donât have to. Instead, Iâd recommend The Beginning After the Endâan isekai light novel that tackles reincarnation and redemption with far more nuance, restraint, and respect.
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 atlife. 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.
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 beperfect, 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.
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. Soif you haven't already, go read Mushoku Tensei! you won't be disappointed.