Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation - Season 2

The second season of Mushoku Tensei brings a ton of character-building, extensive world-building, significant family drama, and its fair share of controversy. This time around, I'm wondering how much I can justify for myself and if there was anything that genuinely bothered me. We saw a journey from a mentally broken young man with a problem no guy would wish for, to the latest member of the "Two-time" champions club (a nod to Dr. DisRespect's infamous announcement). I also thought it was an interesting choice to air the "Parents" episode on Father's Day. I find myself agreeing with Norn's frustration about what her brother sees in younger girls. When I consider the controversies from the first season, it seems Rudy simply prefers petite girls, which is fine at a certain age. However, it also hints that the author might be indulging in a particular physical type (with actual children featured in the first season). I'm not saying the author has a problem, as some claim, but it's a bit troubling. It's worth noting that a certain subset of people who prefer this body type might overlap significantly with those who have unhealthy, criminal interests. Despite this, the way the author presents these controversies feels surprisingly believable and understandable, making them easier to overlook in the narrative context. Although I despise cheating, I understand that sometimes people have room in their hearts for more than one person, and polyamory evidently exists. As long as everyone agrees, it can work. Since this is an isekai, I can't fully apply our rules and moral values here. The more I think about it, the less it bothers me, although it does leave a slight aftertaste. The progression of events is a bit bittersweet, especially considering how emotional I was at the end of the first half — such a sweet romance. However, the second part makes sense in its own way. Rudy was saved twice in terms of his mental health (and once physically), and I genuinely believe in their emotional connection. Despite these issues, the quality remains on par with the first season. There might be fewer battles and less exploration of the magical fantasy world, but the animation and music are excellent. The drama is intense, with many emotional moments that kept me glued to my seat. I even enjoyed the part where Rudy is a student at a magic academy, which usually triggers my aversion in anime. Considering the uniqueness of the world and character development, which few other anime can match, I’m leaning towards a high rating. Despite the controversies, I understand and partially excuse them. So, I'll give it a high score again, though slightly lower than the first season. The magic academy part wasn't as thrilling, but still, an 8.5/10. The third wife - sorry, I mean season - has been announced, so let's see what Rudy has in store next. (06/30/2024)