A Partial Review of Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu Part 2

As of the writing of this review, only six episodes of the second cour of Mushoku Tensei have been released. This review will serve as a snapshot in time, providing a brief analysis of the show's current state.

The Production Quality and Rushing

The second cour of Mushoku Tensei has turned out to be more rushed and less focused compared to its predecessor. This has led to a reliance on cheap perversion to fill the gaps in storytelling. The production team is adhering to a more aggressive schedule, which has resulted in some shoddier segments of less important animation, particularly in background movements. However, it is clear that the producers are prioritizing the quality where it matters most. The show still boasts impressive visuals, though it falls short in comparison to works like Violet Evergarden.

The Meandering Plot and Perversion

The second cour of Mushoku Tensei is more meandering than its predecessor. The starting arc was cohesive and strong, but as with many naro-kei (one-shot) stories, the plot begins to devolve into the author wandering about ideas and penning them down. Rarely do naro-kei authors think in concrete arcs, especially for an early work in this genre. The series attempts to tell multiple POVs (points of view) simultaneously around a cataclysmic event. Instead of using non-chronological storytelling techniques, like those used in Baccano's frenetic scenes and timeline switching, the director has opted to follow the original content. This approach introduces pacing issues and reliance on the author's ability to bait and switch the audience.

Impact of Perversion and Storytelling Techniques

The pacing suffers because the goal seems so distant that the audience loses focus. To combat this, the show relies on a higher rate of perverted scenes, which can be gratifying for a certain audience but can also feel repetitive and less entertaining. The subtext of perverted scenes is often used as a means to highlight the flaws of the main character. However, the abundance of such scenes can shift from "hard truths about human life" to "the show relies on the horny to carry the narrative." This approach only serves to perpetuate the idea that the audience is in it for the sexual content, rather than the narrative substance.

Broader Context and Comparison to Other Isenai Works

Naro-kei stories, like Mushoku Tensei, often face controversy due to their portrayal of sexual content. This reflects the broader issue within the isekai genre, which can be criticized for catering to the desires of a specific demographic. As an isenai fan of the older generation, it is disheartening to see the shift towards power fantasies and "waifus and fapbait." Mushoku Tensei is seen as a rare example that touches upon the value of acknowledging one's failings from the previous life, but this ideal is overshadowed by the prevalent focus on sexual content.

Conclusion and Future Hopes

While Mushoku Tensei is a good show, it lacks the profound themes present in works like Log Horizon and .hack//SIGN. It is, however, a standout among naro-kei works and provides solid entertainment value with impressive animation (sakuga). However, there is a lingering uncertainty about whether the remaining episodes will improve the show's direction and quality. Only time will tell if this show can surpass its predecessor and deliver a more satisfying experience.