Content Warning: This article contains discussions of sexual harassment and assault.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnationis no stranger to controversy with a reprehensible protagonist whose perverted personality is right at the forefront. The story follows Rudeus Greyrat, a man who used to be a societal outcast who was afraid to leave his home in the modern world and gets reincarnated with his memories intact into a world with magic.Having a morally bad protagonist is not an inherently bad thing, but it does require a level of care for the message being sent that is sorely missing from this anime.
While it may seem to position itself as a redemption story or a commentary,Muhsoku Tenseirefuses to provide real consequences for Rudy and largely allows him to simplycontinue the same harmful behaviors without apology or accountability, and gain affection or admiration despite it.
While Rudeus is able to overcome most of the faults he had in his first life and show some real growth, one area where there is absolutely no improvement is his relation with the other sex. Though it is certainly not the first time the story has done so, Episode #7 of Season 2 hammered home the point that this story is not one of redemption, but of plain and simple power fantasy and wish fulfillment with a morally bad (and fairly sexist) protagonist.
Mushoku Tensei Downplays Assault Through The Actions Of Its Protagonist
When It’s About Women, Rudeus Shows No Growth At All
This episode followed Pursena Adoldia and Linia Dedoldia, Rudeus' classmates from the Beast Tace, who smashed a figure belonging to Rudeus' disciple, Zanoba. However, the figurine had been sculpted by Rudeus himself, and it represented one of his great loves, Roxy. Enraged,Rudeus ties up, gags, and gropes the girls,then leaves them confined to the extent that they urinate on themselves.
What makes things worse is that Rudeus admits that he simply wanted to test if he could cure his current illness (erectile dysfunction) by groping the girls. Furthermore, the victims and Sylphiette are shockingly unbothered. Sylphie actually proceeds to threaten the girls with non-consensual permanent body writing on their faces, and at the end of this ordeal they start calling Rudeus “master” or “boss” and become friends.
Jobless Reincarnation Will Make Its Protagonist Even More Hated With The Most Controversial Storyline
Mushoku Tensei’s new season will adapt a historically controversial topic that will potentially divide the fandom even more.
While some depictions of assault can have value to teach important lessons and perspectives, none can be found in this. The setup of the episode, in which Linia and Pursena were framed as deserving of being ‘put in their place’ in the most degrading and sexist expression of the phrase, and the resulting acceptance of the act from the women and bystanders,only serves to excuse and downplay Rudeus’s assault.
Unfortunately, this scene severely undercuts any growth the character has experienced and will experience later in the series (especially afterthe devastating loss he suffers) and reduces the women inMushoku Tenseito tools of wish fulfillment for Rudeus, that they would easily forgive or love a man that degraded and abused women.
There Is No Redemption For Rudeus Greyrat
Mushoku Tensei’s protagonist proves he is not just morally bad, he is also uninterested in real redemption. His behaviors are dominated by his own self-interest, andRudeus repeats many of the same offenses throughout the series without remorse. Often the only consequences he receives from women around him are painted in a tsundere light, to shift the focus to their general shy or contrary attitude rather than his actions. In this case, he never apologizes or loses favor with Sylphie, Linia, or Pursena, and he even continues to attempt to grope Linia and Pursena when they become friends, with only comedic slapstick violence in response.
It must be said, however, thatthe author ofMushoku Tenseinever meant for Rudeus to have any redeeming qualities. Rifujin na Magonote wanted Rudeus to feel as ‘real’ as possible, to make his journey of redemption more relatable. Unfortunately, by season 2 of the anime, the lack of any consequences for Rudeus' actions have blocked any chance for true redemption, tacitly implying he’s done nothing wrong. Another example is that Rudeus has a neutral stance toward slavery (which is present in his new world).
Still, seeing women like Sylphie written as unreasonably forgiving of Rudeus’s behavior makes it clear this is not a story of redemption; it’s just a story about a bad person’s wish fulfillment and one that seems to downplay the impact of sexual assault. Though Rudeus saves his comrades at times, it is largely these displays of power that earn him affection and not any acts of accountability, or deep internal change.
Rudeus’s assault on Pursena and Linia is a primary example of howMushoku Tenseinegates any growth its protagonist might experience with his persistent, unchallenged abuse of the women around him.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Cast
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows a man who, after being reincarnated in a magical world, sets out to live his life without regrets. Adopting the name Rudeus Greyrat, he embarks on a journey of personal growth and adventure, armed with both his past life’s knowledge and newfound magical abilities. The series explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the quest to overcome personal failures.
