Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation author Rifujin na Magonote is now in hot waters after addressing the slavery issue depicted in the anime. As he explains that the character of Rudeus supports enslavement after purchasing an enslaved child, Julie, in the series, the mangaka starts to face backlash. Later, Magonote issues an apology, though he stands firm that he wrote Rudeus’ character as someone who doesn’t see anything bad about slavery.
Mushoku Tensei was originally an internet web series by Magonote with illustrations by Shirotaka, published in 2012 until it had a print release in 2013. After a year, it was adapted into a manga by Yuka Fujikawa. Studio Bind produces its anime adaptation and is now in its second season, which started airing in July 2023.
For those unfamiliar with the issue surrounding Rudeus, the series’ protagonist purchased an enslaved child after his student, Zanoba, lacked the talent to create figures despite being passionate about it. The kid’s role is to help the two make dolls after being sold into slavery because of debt.
Now, the issue of slavery has concerned some viewers, especially since Rudeus came from the modern world before he was reincarnated to the Six-Faced World. So, to address the issue, Magonote posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) to defend his character.
As translated into English, he said Rudeus doesn’t “have much hatred” for enslaved people. He also explained that not all slaves were unhappy compared to before they became slaves. Though he admitted kidnapping is bad, slavery isn’t as terrible as it seems. He even stressed that people shouldn’t “flaunt” their “righteousness” in a culture they’re not familiar with.
The Backlash Against Rifujin na Magonote’s Statement
However, when Anime News Network shared its article about Maganote’s comment on slavery, it quickly received backlash. Though some come to Mushoku Tensei’s defense, others show their hate about it.
One fan even called Rudeus and the series were the worse ever. “Seriously I hoped that all of this was skipped from the anime adaptation, she isnt even useful in any ways for the story or Rudeus and have no impact at all,” another said.
Alternatively, someone asked why people care so much about fictional atrocities played by imaginary people and set in an untrue world. “Pretty reasonable take if you live in that world I don’t see any problem,” another claimed.
Rifujin na Magonote Apologizes Over the Backlash
In another tweet, Magonote revealed he didn’t condone slavery himself, so he would like to apologize. “But it's true that I wrote Rudeus as someone who has no aversion to slavery,” he continued. “I've written it in a mild setting so that it can be accepted, so there's no point in justifying yourself.”
He also shared that many advised him not to apologize and cleared that in Japan, what he said wasn’t recognized as an apology. So, probably, for him, he didn’t apologize at all.
The issue of slavery has been a sensitive topic for many since time immemorial. But as Mushoku Tensei may have a great story to tell about Julie, fans may have to give it a chance.
