Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation‘s return to the airwaves has reignited debate about Studio Bind’s plans for the anime as a whole. With Season 3 now in full swing, Mushoku Tensei‘s original creator, Rifujin no Magonote, has provided fans with an important update about the series’ future.
On X (formerly Twitter), the author of the original Mushoku Tensei light novels clarified what their involvement with the anime’s fourth season would be, in the event that Studio Bind decides to green light it for production.
“I don’t have the decision power on whether to make Season 4 or not,” stated Rifujin no Magonote, who is commonly refered to as “Rifujin-sensei” by his fans. “But, if it’s decided to make it, I’ll do my utmost to help as much as I can.”
Mushoku Tensei’s Rifujin no Magonote Says Season 4 Is Out of His Hands – But He’s Ready to Help
Initially serialized as a web novel in November 2012, the Mushoku Tensei series is now a bestselling light novel series featuring illustrations by Shirotaka. The novels revolve around a 34-year-old shut-in who is given a second chance at life after being “isekaied” to a fantasy world as a newborn infant. With the memories of his old, failed life intact, the protagonist enthusiastically begins training in magic and eventually gains employment as a magical tutor to his future partner, Eris Boreas Greyrat.
The first English-language version of Mushoku Tensei was released in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 24, 2015, making it one of the first major isekai franchises to acquire a significant Western following. However, this international popularity is mitigated by a fair amount of criticism levied at the series and its anime adaptation from Western audiences.
Over the years, the work has sparked controversy due to Rudeus’ treatment of female characters in the series, which has been accused of normalizing sexual harassment and abuse. Rifujin no Magonote has directly addressed such critiques on past occasions. During the airing of Mushoku Tensei Season 2, the author responded with public affirmation that, “no matter what people say, I’ll write what I want to write,” in reference to the light novels.
Notably, a rift appears to have formed between some Japanese and Western fans due to perceptibly more negative reactions from the latter section of the fanbase. The debut of Mushoku Tensei Season 3 has also brought on a fresh wave of critiques, prompting Japanese fans to unite on social media in “Rifujin-sensei’s” defense.
“We’re on your side…you don’t need to worry about overseas viewers,” writes Phrolova (or @wuva635) on X. “Keep making your work for the fans who’ve been cheering you on all this time, and for the Japanese fans….we’ll support your work with everything we’ve got.”
Rifujin no Magonote’s resolve to keep working on Mushoku Tensei has remained firm despite the backlash. “Thank you, but without being told, I mostly ignore the ‘antis’ comments anyway,” they wrote on X. “I’ll write the work I want to create for myself. I’ve been doing that all along, and that’s what I’ve been saying.”
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation and its official epilogue sequel, Redundant Reincarnation, are both available in English from Seven Seas Entertainment. The titular anime series is currently streaming on Hulu and Crunchyroll.
- Release Date
-
January 11, 2021
- Network
-
Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, BS11
- Directors
-
Sayaka Tsuji, Yoshitsugu Kimura, Ayumu Uwano, Yui Kanbe, Takahiro Tamano, Chihiro Kumano, Ouri Yasukawa, Mihiro Yamaguchi, Michiru Itabisashi, Kento Shintani, Nao Miyoshi, Shingo Fujii, Asahi Oka, Fumiaki Kataoka
- Writers
-
Kohei Urushibara, Atsushi Takayama, Hirohisa Saito, Muneo Nakamoto
-
Yumi Uchiyama
Rudeus Greyrat’s Former Self(voice)
-
Tomokazu Sugita
Pilemon Notos Greyrat (voice)
