TNT: Isekai and Tensei

Hey all I’m back with a quick information post on some terms I realize I didn’t explain for some readers. It’s all about Isekai and Tensei!

Isekai, Tensei?: I’ve been throwing these terms around and I really should’ve made an explanatory post a long time ago. My apologies, I do get busy with devouring enough material to keep writing this blog in addition to my book and game reviews.

Isekai is a term that the Japanese have termed for a genre, which literally translates into “Another World”. It revolves around the idea of a character, or characters, being transported in their current bodies into another world completely, often a brand new dimension. Some examples of this is Death March, Shield Hero and Arifureta. There are of course plenty of examples, some I’ve even covered in other columns, but those are some quick and easy ones.

What is Tensei?: Well Tensei translates into “Reincarnation”. However there are couple branches of the genre. These can be termed as Reincarnate and Transmigration.

Reincarnate: This is to completely be born again, from infancy. This is the most standard and typical Tensei route, but there can be some differences between stories. Sometimes characters will remember everything from their past life, other times it’ll just be hazy memories or nothing at all until an event shocks them into remembering. Mushoku Tensei is a good example of this occurring. Rudeus grows up from infancy with memories of his past life. And that influences him greatly in his new one.

Transmigration: This is a little different, as this involves someone’s soul taking over another’s body, often right as they would otherwise die. Genius Doctor: Black Belly Miss is an example of this, although there are plenty of other examples out there you could find.

That’s it for this week’s Translation Necessary Thursday!

Light Novel Thursday: Mushoku Tensei by Rifujin na Magonote

This week on Light Novel Thursday I’m covering a series that I really love, it’s Mushoku Tensei -Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu by Rifujin na Magonote.

Plot Synopsis: A 34-year-old Hikikomori NEET otaku was chased out from his house by his family. This virgin, plump, unattractive, and penniless guy found that his life was heading towards a dead end. He recalled that his life could actually become much better if he can get over the dark history of his life.

Just when he was at the point of total despair, he saw a truck moving at a high speed with 3 high school students in its path. Mustering all of his strength he saves them, but ends up getting run over by the truck, which kills him.

The next time he opens his eyes, he had been reincarnated to a world of swords and magic, as Rudeus Greyrat with his previous life’s memories intact. Born to a new world and a new life, Rudeus declared to himself, “This time, I’ll really live my life to the fullest with no regrets!” Thus begins the journey of a newly made man.

Plot: Like I said I really like this series, and that’s because while Rudy is a failure in his previous life he realizes that he was a failure for his arrogance in that life. So he always tries to be humble in this new life. It makes him a really likable character. It also helps that his new father is a natural playboy and Rudy inherits that gene from him. The first volume covers his first seven years of life, while later volumes cover relatively less time as the story goes along, by the time you reach the third volume Rudy is only ten years old.  The series is also slightly Harem like, but not nearly along the lines of other Harem series.

Characters: Rudy is a blast to read, and the rest of the characters are awesome as well. My favorite other than Rudy is probably Zanoba, a prince from a minor kingdom who is obsessed with “Dolls”. Rudy is also quite a bit of a pervert, but he isn’t nearly as open about it as Ise from High School DxD is. However you never feel too creeped out by Rudy.

Art: The artwork is pretty great, nothing spectacular though like No Game No Life’s artwork though.

Overall: If you enjoy a story about redemption and love adventure stories, you have to check this one out.

For those who like: Fantasy, Redemption stories, Perveted Main Characters, Amazing Characters, Great World Building comparable to Brandon Sanderson’s work.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, but if you hate all of that you are no fun whatsoever.