Story
First off, I'd like to say that Mushoku Tensei is a long road. The show does not immediately throw our main character into an adventure as you would normally expect from an isekai anime. Rather, it puts a greater emphasis on world building and the cast of characters. Once truck-kun puts our main character out of his misery, we follow Rudeus along as he transforms from an infant to a child all the while introducing information about the new world alongside his growth. It does not pile us with crappy monologue to world build but instead puts actions into words through Rudeus' experience with magic. Not only does this build a deeper connection between the viewer and the characters, but also allows more time to become immersed into the show. It takes baby steps in introducing this new world instead of shoving introductions into one single episode, something that several shows unfortunately incorporate too often.
Character
It is crystal clear from the beginning that our main character is not meant to be liked. In his previous life, Rudeus was a complete failure of society. He mooched off his parents, skipped their funeral, and never accomplished a single thing in his life. However, maybe we were never meant to like him in the first place. His flaws as a human being not only makes him relatable as a character, but also leaves room for him to change. Remorse and regret haunt Rudeus, and he sees this second chance at life to correct himself, slowly but surely. The link between Rudeus' past life to his present lives up to the theme of reincarnation, something which MANY MANY isekai animes simply refuse to acknowledge. Through his willingness to learn new languages, it also goes to show that he is willing to work hard and refuses to repeat the habits of the life he had lived previously. Contrary to what many people seem to believe, Rudeus is not overpowered. It is clear that Rudeus has been shown to have countless flaws, one being in battle where he is unable to thrive in close-range combat. His skills as a magician were not passed down to him by some divine power, he had learned and trained himself how to utilize the magic in the unfamiliar world in which he was thrust upon. It is undeniable that he was born with an advantage from the rest, having attained the memories from his previous life, but he has to continuously apply himself with dedication and training to get stronger. His growth may be contradicted by the several perverted tenancies that he contentiously displays throughout the series, but rather than showing that he's incapable of change, it merely goes to show how far he has to go.
Comedy
The controversy around Mushoku Tensei makes sense, it deals with several hateable themes such as sexual assault, slavery, and pedophilia in not so appropriate ways. Surprisingly, what many consistently forget is that Mushoku Tensei is in a medieval setting. Rather than white washing the societal problems that other shows seem to do, Mushoku Tensei dives headfirst into the problems of the past. It is not afraid to sacrifice that E for everyone rating to delve into the f*cked up society and culture that was once seen as normal in the medieval times.
One thing that I'd like to say is that comedy is subjective, and what you find funny may be completely unnatural to someone else. As such, this specific side of the show is one of the main reasons why Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is getting mixed feelings. It's not a comedy like Konosuba per se, but it has its fair share of comedic moments that are undeniably qualified as inappropriate. If you're one who can't bear with a pedophile of a main character and perverted jokes, then you may not find the show as promising as the score reflects.
Animations/Sound
Mushoku Tensei's setting is animated in rich natural textures with beautifully animated effects. Studio Bind does an exceptional job in incorporating ink-like paintings into the setting all the while maintaining a consistent usage of lighting to match with the tone of every scene. All of these elements combined together not only create a show that is bearable for the eyes, but also immerses you into the unfamiliar world. The music directing in the show is unique in that it incorporates the OP song with snippets of different scenes every episode. The soundtrack is typical of a fantasy show and there is not much to be noted besides the usage of a few arrangements to the last scene of a couple episodes.
Conclusion
Mushoku Tensei is NOT FOR EVERYONE. It prioritizes comedy over dramatic moments and disregards several imaginary borders that most animes would not cross. It is not an emotional rollercoaster that will pull at your heartstrings, do not expect badass fight scenes or numerous amounts of blood and gore. It is better characterized as a comedic adventure rather than a seriously dramatic show. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly a fun watch for anyone looking for a typical isekai anime that does not fail in its execution.
Two quotes to describe this show:
-"I wish I could've atleast lost my virginity."
-"If I live and try as hard as everyone else, get back up when I fall, and keep facing forward... Maybe I can do it. Maybe even I... Maybe a jobless, reclusive bum like me can get a do-over at life, and can get serious about living."
PS: Where the hell is the comedy tag on this show?
Overall: 8
Story: 7
Art: 7
Sound: 7
Character: 9
Enjoyment: 8
