PommesKrake

TRIGGER WARNING: This show has controversial content (mainly questionable age differences and sexualization of minors). If you are someone who gets triggered easily over this kind of stuff even if it is fiction, then this show may not be for you, regardless of what this review says. Be also aware that some of the harsher reviews may only be that way because of said controversal content.

The story begins with your classic "guy gets hit by Truck-Kun, dies and finds himself in a fantasy world" isekai setup, nothing special so far. But instead of just "spawning" in this new world as it is the case with most isekai, our main character actually gets reborn (what I personally prefer but sadly don't see as often) as Rudeus Greyrat, the son of two retired adventurers, with all memories of his former life still intact. We accompany Rudeus growing up a second time in this new world, learn about it and get to know the people living in it together with him. Because of his former life as a hikikomori we get this as a mix of an adult man getting adapted to his new life and an actual child exploring the world and learning important lessons.

This first half of the season is mostly setup for plot, characters and worldbuilding and Rudeus is stilll pretty young, so the pacing is rather slow and the show slice-of-life-esque at first, but because of some more thrilling parts being sprinkled in there not necessarily boring even for someone who does not like slice-of-life. The worldbuilding itself is pretty solid, it's your typical isekai fantasy world but still pretty interesting and immersive. If worldbuilding is not your thing you'll have to wait until the second half of the season to get the plot and action really going.

Mushoku Tensei (at least the first season, I didn't read the novel/manga) revolves a lot around redemption and second chances, which can be very beautiful but also a bit of an issue as I've seen many people stating that the characters are unlikeable. A few main characters really do not appear very likeable at first, but this show has some great character arcs so try to keep up with them, they likely grow on you later on. Especially Rudeus is going a long way if you pay attention, even if you view him as just a disgusting perv at first (which he is, but that's not all there is to his character).

Okay, as the trigger warning at the beginning already stated, this show has some controversial stuff in it. Rudeus isn't a saint and his romantic interests are mostly girls at his age... his physical age that is. In other words, many people are bothered by the fact that an over 30 year old guy in the body of a 10-14 year old feels sexually attracted to other 10-14 year olds. I personally couldn't care less, there are worse characters and I don't get triggered so easily. I can only say: it is fiction, do not take it so seriously. Noone gets actually hurt, the romance aspect without the perverted comedy stuff is relatively tasteful, the sexual stuff is mostly consensual and in the cases where it is not the involved characters get what they deserve.

In my opinion, this show was the highlight of 2021, me and my friends couldn't get enough of it and are excited for a second season. If you are able to look over the heavier stuff or don't get bothered by it like us, then I'd definitely recommend Mushoku Tensei to you.