Jul 27, 2015
It is every fantasy reader’s dream to be able to go to another world. However, in this Japanese light novel series, readers can actually learn what it could be like to be born in one. Mushoku Tensei—Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu, or just Mushoku Tensei, is written by Rifujin na Magonote. I loosely translate the full title to mean Jobless Reincarnation—Living Seriously If Going to Another World. This tale of swords and magic features a man from the modern world that is reincarnated into a baby of the Asura Kingdom, a nation within a fantasy world. The good points of this
...
story is not only the fact that Magonote does a splendid job on world-building, but also that he depicts a man from our modern world into a world with knights and adventurers. But he is not just any guy. He is not a genius billionaire playboy philanthropist or even a normal college student stressing about getting a job. The protagonist of Mushoku Tensei is a NEET.
Magonote wrote his fantasy story in the point of view of a 34-year-old NEET, a person who is "Not in Education, Employment, or Training," who was kicked out of his home in modern-day Japan for not attending his parents’ funeral. This NEET ends up being reincarnated into another world after dying in regret of his meaningless life. Being reborn as the son of former adventurers, Rudeus Greyrat starts to realize that he has a second chance and he declares, “This time, I'll really live my life to the fullest with no regret!” Although Rudeus was once a good-for-nothing in Japan, it is moving to see how he makes the most of his new life in Buina Village. Learning from his failures and shortcomings as a NEET, Rudeus applies those lessons into socializing with his new family and friends and setting the goal to actually accomplish something in his new environment. He was not ambitious enough to want to become the hero that would defeat the demon lord, but he still wanted to give his new life meaning by making at least one “small” achievement. Readers are sure to be inspired by a man that once wasted life try his best to become someone to be proud of. I am sure it would make them try their best too.
Mushoku Tensei chronicles basically every important aspect of Rudeus’s new life as he grows up from an infant into a man. It is entertaining to read about how a person from our world reacts to the fantasy world, especially a former NEET that once did nothing but play games and surf the net all day. Rudeus sometimes regrets that there are some things from our world that do not exist in the other world (like soy sauce), but he always marvels at the new things like magic. As Rudeus makes great progress in his magic training due to his natural talent and basic science knowledge, readers can gain insight into the inner workings of this fantasy world that depends on magic. The systems of magic that Magonote creates is very comprehensive and easy to understand, which makes for a very intricate world with powerful nations that have individuals that could act as one-man armies. Rudeus encounters a wide variety of unique cultures and races on his future travels which makes for fascinating interactions and great adventures. But only Rudeus could boast a demon race magic teacher and a half-elf-part-animal-race childhood friend.
The level of enjoyment that an individual can get from reading this series is on par with the fun people get from reading J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. The Japanese light novel series, Mushoku Tensei, is a story that features a character that everyone can sympathize with in a situation that everyone would envy. Magonote has done a great job to depict the actions and thoughts of a NEET being reincarnated into a fantasy world. He also does well in describing this new fantasy world with all of its nations, cultures, politics, continents, geography, and magic. It is almost unbelievable that the story first started out as a web novel that eventually got its own publication. Although the printed version of Volume 1 will not be released in the United States until November this year, Baka-Tsuki.org has been a wonderful source of the translated version of this unusual tale. I hope you can also enjoy reading Mushoku Tensei. Speaking from experience, please be wary of sleepless nights.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
