After its debut in 2021,Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnationquickly became a sensation in the anime community. It was praised for its stunning animation, character designs, and high-quality production from a newly established studio. Not only did it emerge as one of the year’s most popular anime, but it also rapidly gained recognition as a contender for anime of the year.
Almost as quickly as praise began to surface, so did complaints. Indeed, as fans began digesting the story and its characters —shortly after the airing of its first few episodes— controversy erupted. Initially, there were complaints aboutthe sketchiness of the protagonist Rudeus Greyrat—a perverted thirtysomething reborn as a young boy with magic powers. Then there were complaints about the sexualized nature of some character interactions. Additionally, fans had difficulty with the series' semi-positive treatment of slavery, among other issues. Thebacklash againstJobless Reincarnationeventually matched or even exceeded the praise it received.
To Mushoku Tensei’s Author - There’s A Right and A Wrong Way To Criticize The Series
It’s not unusual for anime to face public criticism. In fact,criticism is an integral part of the industry, and content creators should understand that it’s unavoidable, even for works widely considered masterpieces. For Rifujin na Magonote, the author and creator ofMushoku Tensei, however, there’s a difference between worthy and unworthy criticism. Indeed, in his analysis, the only criticism worth considering comes from those who truly understand the series — those who have read the manga or watched the anime. In other words, valuable feedback comes from people who have invested time in fully grasping the story.
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Magonote recently shared his thoughts on fans who prefer summaries of his work over reading or watching it themselves. In an exchange on his@Magote_rihujinX account, a follower asked about his stance on this issue. Magonote revealed that he doesn’t mind fans accessing his content through summaries for casual enjoyment. However,he draws a line at fans who read or watch summaries and then criticize his work.
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Summaries Do Not Offer a Full Picture of Mushoku Tensei in the Same Way That the Story Itself Does
Whether you love or hate the series, Magonote has a point. WhileMushoku Tenseiis filled with isekai tropes —such as Rudeus being reborn in a new world after getting hit by a truck or developing a signature move— the sum of these tropes, often emphasized in summary videos, does not provide a meaningful understanding of the story. Instead,highlighting these tropes serves as an easy way for summarizers to attract attention— at the expense of Magonote and a serious discussion ofMushoku Tensei.
Indeed, relying solely on summary videos to understandMushoku Tenseiwould limit one’s ability to grasp the full context of the story. For example, while many isekai downplay the protagonist’s backstory before their death and reincarnation,Mushoku Tenseiplaces significant emphasis on it — evenacknowledging controversies like Rudeus’ perversion. If anything, this focus aids in deconstructing his character and showing his development over time into a better, albeit still flawed, person.
More importantly,understanding the full story allows the work to be judged fairly.Magonote isn’t suggesting that all criticism is unwarranted; rather, he argues that uninformed and inaccurate criticism based on hearsay is meaningless. Such criticism not only prevents a genuine reckoning withMushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnationbut also unfairly misguides an otherwise interested audience.
Sources:@Magote_rihujin
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows a man who, after being reincarnated in a magical world, sets out to live his life without regrets. Adopting the name Rudeus Greyrat, he embarks on a journey of personal growth and adventure, armed with both his past life’s knowledge and newfound magical abilities. The series explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the quest to overcome personal failures.
