I’ve read “Mushoku Tensei - Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu” a number of times over the years, and been aware of it since it first started being translated into English. I even gave the novel a read once and was mesmerised by how garbage it was (light novels, whether a feature of the translation or otherwise, unanimously have poor writing). Each time I’ve read “Mushoku…” I’ve come away with a different impression, and it’s likely due to the relative importance I’ve placed all it’s disparate elements in my mind. On one hand you have an engaging fantasy story with some good ideas and competent execution, on the other hand you have the sex based comedy which can be rather tedious1. Having just read the 68 chapters back to back, I think there is enough content now that the more irritating elements of “Mushoku…” don’t stick out as much.
Light Novels and their adaptations are extraordinarily inward looking – a pot-pourri of various ideas and themes, at this point of unknown origin because of how many light novels exist with similar qualities and their incestuous reverence. So no, if you are coming to “Mushoku…” for “originality” or “creativity” then you are looking in the wrong place2. But, if you are looking for a story that takes it’s story elements and gives them a decent amount of breathing room, and has a plot that is wide in scope with relevance for the inhabited world, then I think you should give “Mushoku…” a try. I primarily refer to the magical disaster arc here as I was impressed with ground covered and the credence given by the story that this event was a big fucking deal with a large impact on the world. We even get some powerful moments of emotion and character development, even if it does feel like it’s all subsumed to the goal of making the MC seem like the best thing since sliced bread. The setting does remain rather undeveloped, which may have been a requirement for having the characters travel across a continent in good time, but the author clearly has a mind for scenario and the branching impact of action (e.g. first entering the adventurers guild, reuniting with Paul, the parallel adventure of Roxxy etc…). This is all occurring on the backdrop of lore that is typical for a fantasy setting, and strangely convoluted at points, but still present enough that there is some suggestion as to where the plot could move forward. If someone could explain to me why “saint” is a lower tier of mastery then “emperor” that would also be appreciated lol…
My primary issue with “Mushoku…” at this point may be intimately linked with it being a light novel and thus, being a bit of a mixed bag. In the current arc, what on earth is going on? The tonal whiplash from dour fantasy adventure to whacky school high jinks has been palpable. I still can’t work out how seriously the MCs impotence is being taken by the story, which may be one of these things that just translates better in the novel itself. With the update speed, I do worry that “Mushoku…” will exhaust those that have a lesser interest in it’s comedic chops and want to see the resolution of the broader mysteries in the plot.
In conclusion, “Mushoku…” is decent. It lacks coherency, which may be part of it’s charm, and it’s very much an adaptation of a light novel (for all the good or ill that means to you). But when the story gets going it’s an enjoyable fantasy adventure with some quality scenario writing and snappy premise. Let’s just hope it’s ends within 10 years lol.
Find below my responses to comments made in other reviews. I didn’t want to bog down my opinion on the manga with broader points about criticism and fiction.
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