Asahiro Kakashi is the artist for the manga adaptation of the Okina Baba’s So I’m a Spider, So What? light novels. He recently posted a popular Twitter thread praising the Mushoku Tensei fan service. He said that despite it, the show has great storytelling. The “affirmation of vulgarity” and matter-of-fact depictions of intercourse that the series has, were especially praised.
Some of the tweets said:
“Watching the anime adaptation of Mushoku Tensei reaffirmed to me that it’s both a Shо̄setsuka ni Narо̄ novel landmark as well as a work with a certain eccentricity about it. I’ll try to write down just what’s so outstanding about it.”
He explained that it’s different because it doesn’t use fan-service just to attract engagement. Rather, it’s due to the type of setting and presenting it as a matter of fact kind of thing.
“Mushoku’s eccentricity is in its “affirmation of vulgarity”. Stories that have come out later tend to unconsciously tone down the sexual depictions, perhaps because they’re used deliberately as “fanservice” to hook readers in. However, in Mushoku’s case, intercourse is depicted frankly as a matter of course. Parents who already have a child will go at it every night in an attempt to conceive a second baby, and members of royalty will get themselves off with a maid in front of a child.”
He also explained that when depicting the Middle Ages culture, there’s no way to escape from the “adult scenes”.
“Mushoku depicts it unassumingly. It even calmly portrays women doing lewd stuff. It’s because it was serialized for free that it was able to overcome the taboo.”
Continuing, he also praised Rudy for the type of character he is. Instead of being affirmed for his negative traits, he tries to improve in his own way, and is instead “accepted”, with “warts and all”.
“Rudeus grows. However, his essence as a middle-aged pervert does not change. Even so, he’s allowed to live a life that “bears fruit.” In this, there is a sense of forgiveness towards others. It is the antithesis of the kind of hate that inspires people to browbeat and ostracize someone because of their hopelessness. Although I’m sure that some people will feel a visceral disgust at a vulgar pervert, the theme of this work is that even someone like that can be forgiven.”
I might have gushed too much, but I think it captures the spirit of the Buddhist quote: “Sinners are even more in need of salvation than good people.”
Mushoku Tensei fan service has been a hot topic for a lot of criticism for some, so it’s a great thing that the author sees the show in a different light. Also, you shouldn’t take the values that exist today and apply them to shows representing the past. People can have the ability to separate the actions seen, from the values that they hold themselves. Regardless it’s nice to see a view of an author of a different work.
In case you haven’t checked Mushoku Tensei out yet, the story goes:
When a 34-year-old underachiever gets run over by a bus, his story doesn’t end there. Reincarnated in a new world as an infant, Rudy will seize every opportunity to live the life he’s always wanted. Armed with new friends, some freshly acquired magical abilities, and the courage to do the things he’s always dreamed of, he’s embarking on an epic adventure—with all of his past experience intact!
It only has 8 episodes so far, and it’s definitely worth a watch! Read all our Mushoku Tensei articles here!
If you have been a fan of this seasons shows Mushoku tensei or So I’m a Spider, So What? Then be sure to also vote for them in our weekly poll here!
Source: Asahiro Kakashi Twitter via Anime News Network.
©理不尽な孫の手/MFブックス/「無職転生」製作委員会
