I feel like I grew out of Mushoku Tensei.

I think a Trash Taste episode convinced me it was going to be the GOAT of anime epic fantasy, and I bought into it. Watched every season of the anime, and then read the light novels.

I quit about ten volumes in, when I realized the women were not real characters.

Japanese light novelists just cannot write a woman into a scene without shining a spotlight on her boobs and her complicated feelings about a male character.

my favorite feature of this show is that they don't shy away from showing raw realities of the world they built. there's death, loss, love, lust, hate, sympathy, etc. When watching the show it's not just about the story or plot, it's also about the emotional journey of the MC and the world he builds around himself.

it's not a wholesome show, but that's because life isn't wholesome, it's brutal and confusing, and challenges your ethics and morals.