Source, Image used under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976
Not All Anime Are the Same
I’ve got a little bit of news for you: anime is not all the same. Shocking, right? I meet a lot of people who say they are anime fans, but that’s a bit like saying, ‘I like movies.’ Some movies are good, and some are garbage.
Comparing Two Isekai Anime
Recently, I tried out two different ‘Isekai’ type anime: ‘Re:Monster’ and ‘Mushoku Tensei.’ If ever there were two different anime with the same tags, it would be these two. Both feature a character who was a ‘loser’ in the real world and ends up being born in an alternate fantasy world. They both have a fair amount of fanservice and a ‘harem’ feel, with the main characters attracting an increasingly large number of women. The main characters are also ‘Mary Sues,’ becoming increasingly powerful as the story progresses. The biggest difference is that one felt like I was watching a dumpster fire, while the other made me actually enjoy hitting the ‘next episode’ button.
Source, Image used under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976
Re:Monster: A Strong Start, But…
Now, I’m not going to go into great detail on either, but I will say that ‘Re:Monster’ starts off strong. However, by the second or third episode, I felt the power dynamic was off. By the 6th or 7th episode, I kept thinking, ‘This dude is already godlike; why are you giving him more power?’ After that, it’s like watching someone play a game on cheat mode where there is absolutely no challenge. Not fun at all.
Source, Image used under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976
Mushoku Tensei: A Balanced Approach
Mushoku Tensei is different. It shares all the same tags as I mentioned. Our main character starts off as a baby (who doesn’t realize he is a baby). His first view in the world is of a beautiful woman’s breasts, and he is filled with lust, thinking lewd thoughts. He tries to grab the breasts, only to find out he has baby arms and other baby parts, and that the woman is his mother. This leads to the baby’s first cry, which is quite funny. The story continues from there. As an infant, he likes to stare at his maid with a lewd look on his face. When his tutor arrives, he steals her panties and watches her in the bath. The guy is quite the pervert.
However, he also has a heart. Ridiculed in his past life, he was a shut-in with no friends. He may talk a good game about trying to “get the babes,” but in the end, it’s all about connection for him. He forms genuine connections with the girls in his “harem.” They aren’t hanging on his every word or lusting after him as happens in many “harem” type anime. Instead, he makes interesting friends who are women he could pursue…when he’s older, because no four-year-old can date a young woman, older girl, or even a childhood friend. That’s the fun. There are lots of options and potential, but no sleazy stuff or obvious fighting over him.
The same can be said for his power levels. Starting magic at the age of 2 and becoming a “master wizard” by the age of 5, he is certainly an “overpowered” character. But this is tempered early on. He is indeed a powerful entity and prodigy, but he also has a long way to go. While his magic is strong, his fighting skills aren’t, and it’s shown that he can be easily taken down by many with fighting skills. This provides just the right balance—powerful enough to be interesting but not overpowered to the point of being boring.
The world is interesting too. There are powerful characters who have a small sphere of influence. You get to see glimpses of world-class figures early on, but they are hidden for the most part. They are talked about as monsters, deities, or nightmares but never a direct threat or part of the narrative. Gradually, the threats come closer, and our powerful prodigy wonders what he has gotten himself into. He questions whether he will be able to help his friends and whether he will be able to go to the University.
Summary
Money issues, family issues, training issues, girl issues, world issues—they are all there, but they are held together by an interesting main character who is two parts charming and one part pervert. Overall, it makes for an interesting blend.
Why Am I Not Telling You Much About the Storyline?
Because I don’t want to give spoilers! Watch it for yourself. It may not be for everyone, and certainly don’t watch it with your girlfriend. However, if you’re looking for a fun watch, I’d definitely give it a try.
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