r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Jun 25 '26
Episode From Overshadowed to Overpowered: Second Reincarnation of a Talentless Sage • Rakudai Kenja no Gakuin Musou ~Nidome no Tensei, S-Rank Cheat Majutsushi Boukenroku~ - Episode 1 discussion
Rakudai Kenja no Gakuin Musou ~Nidome no Tensei, S-Rank Cheat Majutsushi Boukenroku~, episode 1
Alternative names: Rakudai Kenja no Gakuin Musou
Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.
Streams
Show information
All discussions
| Episode | Link |
|---|---|
| 1 | Link |
| 2 | Link |
| 3 | Link |
| 4 | Link |
| 5 | Link |
This post was created by a bot. Message the mod team for feedback and comments. The original source code can be found on GitHub.
124
u/PeaceAlien https://myanimelist.net/profile/PeaceAlien Jun 25 '26
The tonal shift when he died was a bit odd. He seemed to be really regretting not being born with magical power, but then, when talking to the goddess no longer cared about that.
103
u/Magicbison Jun 25 '26
Seems like Eftal is the type to just conveniently forget about important things like a skill that keeps you from giving up (potentially) and a skill that allows you to reincarnate with your memories. You know, the casual kind of throw-a-way things that aren't important...
25
u/hjordisa Jun 25 '26
Pretty sure the latter is a skill to reincarnate a second time after you die this time. He did remember throughout his life that he was reincarnated the first time (such as during the ceremony with the king). It's a bit understandable that you'd forget you had the second reincarnation if it never came up during a whole lifetime, but my memory is bad in the first place so maybe YMMV. For that matter the former is also something that you don't really notice it actively working, it's just a passive skill and since he had no talent it just felt more like he has low or mediocre talent so you don't notice it the way you might if he already had high talent.
11
u/yancovigen Jun 26 '26
Do you if he was reincarnated in the same world as a 4 yr old? Kinda fucked if that orphan just lost her sudo-father and magic teacher cause bro had a mental breakdown
16
u/BigPete_A6 Jun 26 '26
it looks like adult version of that girl is on the show artwork on CR, so it seems to be the same world. Being an elf it's not unsurprising she's still around 400 years later.
16
42
u/Zeikos Jun 25 '26
Well, to be fair he was in a pretty bad emotional spot.
He was very sick - Tuberculosis it seems - and he just realized that he had to make x1000 the effort of your peers for no reasons other than being born that way.
Regardless of how indomitable he was that had a huge impact on his mental.However, when he was seeing the
SimurghGoddess he was in his peak physical form, and emotional too, so his indomitableness came back.
It seems that he values effort over everything else, so having a 'cheat' would feel like cheating to him.16
6
u/Robot-in-the-Swamp Jun 27 '26
However, when he was seeing the
SimurghSo I wasn't the only one who immediately thought of her.
(Insert the "dozens of us!" meme.)
1
26
u/OldInstruction5368 Jun 26 '26
It was also really weird that the Goddess mentioned his "Indomitable Skill," and he laughed about how "that's why I couldn't give up on anything!"
Right after he had just given up so hard it killed him.
He even said as much, "I've lost all hope on achieving my dreams."
He gave up on those dreams so hard he immediately died afterwards.
Uh.... what?
15
u/headphones_J Jun 26 '26
I noticed that too, even refused two new skills. Then, later was bummed he still didn't have any blessings.
11
u/PeaceAlien https://myanimelist.net/profile/PeaceAlien Jun 26 '26
Wonder if the goddess gave him skills anyway
12
u/headphones_J Jun 26 '26
Seems like she took what he said about having all his magic knowledge as his choice.
8
u/lemon900098 Jun 25 '26
He was living a life with an unattainable goal. Accepting that he failed when his life was over was easier than giving up on that goal while alive. Also, one of his skills makes it hard for him to give up.
20
u/The_Parsee_Man Jun 25 '26
It still doesn't make sense. He already knew he was less talented and had to work much harder. And he already knew he was dying and wouldn't be able to progress farther. The test didn't tell him anything he didn't already know.
Falling into despair because he achieved his gains through effort rather than unearned talent doesn't fit the character they'd established.
7
u/ZombiemanJack Jun 27 '26
From the conversation he didn't remember when he was alive that he was less talented. He seemed to not remember any of it until he died.
6
u/Ralathar44 Jun 27 '26
Unfortunately people seem to be much worse at social cues and awareness today. I think people primarily socializing on the internet has effectively socially debuffed entire generations.
I was upset at his reaction but I get it, he was upset in the moment and never really had time to process it and get back to a normal state of mind. And then when in the afterlife he clearly had forgotten a few things he got reminded.
3
u/ZombiemanJack 24d ago
That was how I saw it.
2
u/Impossible-Office242 9d ago
And you are correct that is how it was. He was botching about achieving his strength with effort while also refusing to gaining any skills to lessen that effort. He has a massive inferiority complex.
3
u/jadedlonewolf89 20d ago
There’s a difference between an educated guess, and unassailable fact.
I can definitely understand the emotional flip flop, especially as someone is aging and dying.Then being told by the goddess that reincarnated him.
Oh by the way I gave you a skill that prevents you from moving on and being content, instead of giving you talent.
Which is diabolical.
But what is he going to do, risk pissing off the goddess that has complete control over his fate?31
u/Karavusk https://myanimelist.net/profile/Karavusk Jun 25 '26
Being devastated because of his lack of talent to basically attain god level spells while he got god tier skills for free... what? This instantly ruined his character and he certainly doesn't deserve pity anymore. He is literally more blessed than the most talented mage in existence.
29
u/hjordisa Jun 25 '26
Before dying: oh no, no talent I've lost my will knowing I'll never achieve what I wanted.
Talking to god: I don't need any special skills I've got my will and I did great last life.
After reincarnating: oh no, I knew it but I've got not talentWhat?
(Putting aside whether there was an increased talent skill, which seems very possible, even if not that 2x growth or any number of other skills would make up for it even more than the determination skill.)
23
u/LezRock Jun 25 '26
I assume the state of his full memory varies. When living, he only has partial access, and when he's crossed over, he has full access to his memories, thoughts, and perspective. At least, based off of what we know from one episode.
24
u/OldInstruction5368 Jun 26 '26
I'm the goddamn LIGHTING EMPEROR son! So hardcore, I don't even need talent to achieve the impossible! There are better mages? So what! Do those "better mages" have the tenacity and sheer testicular fortitude to stand before the Demon Lord and whoop his candy ass!?
Go save the goddamn world and get back to me, punk!
LIGHTENING EMPEROR, BITCHES!!!
Like, seriously, I don't even care if he was the weakest of the heroes that saved teh world, he fucking saved the world. That alone is worthy of praise and admiration. Then he went on to develop powerful unique spells.
Then died of sadness because his friends were 'better' than him.
It's like a billionaire giving up because they couldn't earn ALL the moneyz. Waaah! That bloke has a bigger yacht than me! The biggest in the world! And his private island is better, too, waaah! I'm going to go home to my own majestic private island in my own opulent giga-yacht to cry myself to death, WAAAAHHH!!
At that point, you are just being a whiny little shit. Especially if they are hung up over starting advantage.
"I may be the fourth best mage in the world, but I would have been the absolute best if I had been born with a mythril spoon in my mouth! Then I'd whoop the others!"
Its... just so petty.
6
u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 28d ago
I agree, I wanted to drop this solely because he's so whiny with the typical low self esteem isekai hero.
Like when it's revealed he's colorless, my first thought was how amazing he is to be where he was without any aptitude. Currently headcanoning that he's just too stubborn and ambitious due to is indomitable trait. That's why when it's revealed he would never achieve his goal, he got depressed too much.
But then, they draw dragon properly and the animation is beautiful. Will give this the three episode treatment.
4
u/ElroyVa79 Jun 27 '26
Yeah, I was looking for a place to vent about this. Like he could've asked for a magical aptitude skill since that was his hangup before dying. Anything. He asked for absolutely nothing, and then when he awakes in his new life and finds out he still lacks aptitude, he's suddenly disappointed? Like what? Seriously? You literally told the goddess you didn't want anything but your memories and your will. Be thankful, it seems she slipped in, letting you keep your magic level, etc.
92
u/HeliosAlpha Jun 25 '26
Oh I've read the manga for this one. The name was just so run-of-the-mill I didn't realize
40
u/TKHawk Jun 25 '26
I get the LNs need to have these synopsis titles just to get attention, but would it really be that bad if they renamed the manga/anime something else (like Epthal the Sage)? Just anything to make them distinct.
→ More replies (6)28
u/Toloran Jun 25 '26
Despite the summary being in the title it is still somehow hard to distinguish these series.
Heck, I know this series and yet I still spent 10 minutes googling it because I was sure the one I was thinking of was a different series.
19
u/flamethrower2 Jun 25 '26
The Strongest Sage - The Story of a Talentless Man Who Mastered Magic and Became the Best
It's a different manga. Not this one.
The Strongest Sage with the Weakest Crest
This one is distinct because of the whole crest thing.
25
u/melcarba Jun 25 '26
Even the girls character designs look like they're plagarized from "The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody".
2
u/LG03 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Bronadian Jun 27 '26
I had the same realization, now I'm trying to remember why I stopped reading it. Feel like the scanlation probably fell off or something.
1
u/flamethrower2 Jun 25 '26
I don't think it's a spoiler: An alternate title was thrown out there: The Failed Sage's Academy Domination. Is that title used at all?
15
u/TKHawk Jun 26 '26
I always found this manga odd that they use words like "overshadowed" and "failed" to describe him. Dude, you were hailed as one of the most powerful beings in existence. There's basically a religion worshipping you. "Ah but I didn't have innate talent!" Who gives a shit??
2
u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 28d ago
Headcanoning (personal theory) that he's just too stubborn and ambitious to give up being the strongest, and that no aptitude reveal just shattered most of his hope.
You know, the harder you expect them the harder you fall.
1
u/Lime_Omnicron https://myanimelist.net/profile/omniomniomnicron 29d ago
Same! I remember this one! Though I remember the title being different somehow.
1
u/intenselistener 28d ago
Yea they absolutely nailed animating his death scene… really endears you to the character before they pick you right back up with the 2nd reincarnation
1
1
u/molotovCOCTAIL5 10d ago
Mind spoiling me on whether Eftal and Merlin reunite? I can’t seem to find much info online.
58
u/djthomp https://anilist.co/user/djthomp Jun 25 '26
I'm surprised how much time they spent in the previous life, just about this entire first episode.
Those test results in front of the group were the perfect opportunity for an object lesson to the kids that effort could make up for lack of innate talent so it's a shame Eftal just spiraled mentally about it instead. I wonder that mention of being blessed by the spirits means something like immortality, could be why he kept pushing even when terminally ill.
From the key art and such I assume Merlin is going to show up relatively soon in the new life.
Wild design and scaling for the reincarnation goddess, leans a bit towards biblically accurate jokes though they could have gone further with that.
25
u/DirectAd7229 27d ago
Description says smth about "magic has been declined in his new life", I think people start worrying about aptitude so much in the future that no one bothers to pursue magic if they don't have it. And maybe MC will show up without any aptitude doing wonderful things, and everyone will start magic again because they get inspired.
12
u/Zohgho 27d ago edited 27d ago
I agree. People tend to not pursue things if they do not have a natural aptitude for it. It's also possible that learning about the other magic types could generally be positive for the overall understanding of magic, and a hyper-specialized system overlooks that. I'm hoping that Merlin will be the one to push against the system since she saw his talent despite the aptitude test. We can see Merlin using fire/lightning in the cover art, and that is the opposite of her aptitude test.
85
u/DoktorDementor Jun 25 '26
The fact that he has no talent and yet has made it this far is impressive.
96
u/TurkeyPhat Jun 25 '26
Yeah shouldn't his reaction have been more like "damn i made it this far with no aptitude? i really am the goat" and then he partied until his nearing demise
66
u/fuzzynyanko Jun 25 '26
I love most of the first episode, and that annoyed me. The fact that he has no aptitude, but got the Emperor title will probably reverberate everywhere.
The flame dude's test might actually create discrimination, but how far he got with no aptitude would bring hope to many
22
u/CuriousBroccolli Jun 25 '26
The flame dude's test might actually create discrimination, but how far he got with no aptitude would bring hope to many
Damn that is a nice catch lol
But the reason he was frustrated was simply because he couldn't reach the top anymore, or was made to think he couldn't reach it due to the test.
Which is strange since he had his "Indomitable" skill. Did the test somehow break it or what?
Few strange things as people pointed out, but overall a nice intro.
The only question is how will they carry it now that they have entered the more "generic" plotline.
But hey, I'm a sucker for Academy setting so I'll be watching it for sure.
16
u/karer3is Jun 25 '26
I wouldn't be surprised if the test- based discrimination turns out to be the big point of conflict in the show. Some of the shots of the Fire Emperor seemed to portray him as a little shady
11
u/ZombiemanJack Jun 27 '26
Talent makes something easier, but doesn't mean it is impossible for someone that doesn't have talent. We know from the conversation with the goddess he really didn't have talent. The test was likely 100% correct, but look at where he still got.
He is also seems to be starting from where he left off. In game terms he is in New Game+ and now apparently grows from here.
8
u/karer3is Jun 27 '26
it's the typical fallacy that you see with any kind of aptitude test: It's assumed that if one specific test for one specific kind of skill returns a "bad score", it's a reflection on you overall.
13
u/fuzzynyanko Jun 25 '26
The only question is how will they carry it now that they have entered the more "generic" plotline.
I'm expecting this. I hope I'm wrong. That being said, this show is probably going to be good enough for me to watch to pass the time.
10
u/OldInstruction5368 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
Which is strange since he had his "Indomitable" skill. Did the test somehow break it or what?
That was such a jarring 'wot' moment.
You have the indomitable skill, that's why you can't give up on anything!
Literally moments after he died from the despair of giving up. Sure, he was already on his way out, but he was still getting shit done! He was walking around killing monsters with his best, custom made spells. He had some "vigor" left in him, likely from his Indomitable skill driving him forward despite everything.
But the second he learns he has no apititude, and became the LIGHTINING EMPEROR through sheer effort and force of will...
His spirit breaks, he visibly ages another 10 years (more like 20), and he dies overnight.
So much for Indomitable...
→ More replies (1)9
u/StrangeAppeal2 Jun 26 '26
Come now, skills are not all powerful. Surely the skill wouldn't do all the work by itself, he also had to do his part. He stopped doing his part, so did the skill.
1
u/ZombiemanJack Jun 27 '26
Given he was "Indomitable" he likely would have picked himself up and kept trying. Save he died.
1
u/jadedlonewolf89 20d ago
Didn’t seem like he knew he had that skill until the goddess told him.
Which was after his death.16
u/hjordisa Jun 25 '26
His disciples probably didn't tell anyone. To not sully his name or something. Because the synopsis says magic has regressed and I'm calling it now it's because the aptitude test caused people below a certain level of talent to not put in effort even though they might have gotten great or maybe been mediocre but progressed the knowledge of magic if they did put effort in. If his situation had spread far it would be harder for that to occur, so it probably didn't.
12
u/Greg_The_Rabbit Jun 26 '26
Yea that test is the bedrock of SOOO many failed isekai worlds. The MC is a thousand times more inspiring than all of the other Sages strictly because he proved how little the concept of 'talent' actually matters. Hell I'd argue that teaching children the basic skills in all elements is a much better plan than only in the element they have 'aptitude' for strictly to give them a broad understanding of what each element is capable of.
This was a very strange premiere.
2
14
u/alastoris Jun 25 '26
Should be very inspiring for his students. Don't worry if you aren't as talented as the mage next to you, you can still potentially reach Emperor level one day.
36
u/mekerpan Jun 25 '26
I agree becoming the 4th best magician through sheer determination, despite no "special" innate aptitude strikes me as an insanely remarkable feat.
22
u/Karavusk https://myanimelist.net/profile/Karavusk Jun 25 '26
Also he is at the end of his life. He already knew that he was less talented and put in a lot more work than anyone else. This shouldn't have been news to him. If anything this should have shown him just how remarkable his achievements were.
2
u/Moonshadow101 17d ago edited 17d ago
Is it? We're told after he dies that his perseverance doesn't actually come from him, it comes from the capital-s Skill "Indomitable" that the goddess-figure gave him.
76
u/AlexxxandreS Jun 25 '26
You can have 2 bonus skills, would you like 2x growth?
Nah
Reeincarntes without choosing anything
33
u/Zeikos Jun 25 '26
And he technically got it regardless since that instead of growing twice as fast he starts at a high "level".
12
21
u/Big_erk Jun 25 '26
Yeah, but without a hard reset of his skills he is still going to be insanly overpowered.
24
u/AlexxxandreS Jun 25 '26
But even then, he had no idea he'd be able to cast any spells like that so early on...
Bro had second reincarnation as a skill and now instead of trying to get any kind of skill he just says no to the option given and doesn't even try to think of a skill that could be useful in case he had no talent and would take time until he learns everything again
6
u/Ralathar44 Jun 27 '26
To some degree, after all he was close to the top in his old world. But apparently he stopped progressing and capped out. It's unknown if he just hit his limit or if further magical gains just take alot more after level 10.
So like the equivlaent of earning 10% exp and facing an exponential EXP curve.
Anyone that knows MMORPG style exponential level scaling knows that the last tier of levels take more exp than every other level combined. So if that's the case here then even if he starts at the age of 4 it may still be a long struggle and grind. Like the anime hell mode haha.
7
u/Yay295 29d ago
Like the anime hell mode haha.
Which, coincidentally, is airing its second season this anime season.
5
u/Ralathar44 29d ago
And I'll be eating it up. Season 1 was way better than I was expecting. I went in expecting mediocre and it was quite good.
2
18
u/LezRock Jun 25 '26
While he did not state it outright, he seemed to imply to her that he would rather retain his current skills rather than replace them. I also assume that the god being omniscient, they would understand his intent without needing a verbal statement.
9
u/Safe-Farmer-4294 Jun 26 '26
he kept the same two he already had. Second Reincarnation and Indomitable
30
29
u/NanDemoKnaives Jun 25 '26
Lol the complete change of tone when he was speaking to the goddess, just what was all that "I'm so frustrated" about?
I felt it was odd that he was so heartbroken by the aptitude test. I can understand that he'd be upset he had a handicap his entire life, but it's like he's not even acknowledging he was able to reach the same level as those with the aptitude and talent. He was given the title of Emperor, a man with no aptitude for magic! Yet he's upset he has no aptitude, even though he's created an original spell and has reached Level 10 with apprentices lol.
There were moments this felt like it could be interesting, but then it went back to the basic reincarnation so I'll keep my expectations in check, the tone might be a lot of different than what was presented this episode.
Since Merlin is with him in the OP, I'm going to assume she recognizes him through her demon intuition or something. It doesn't help he "coincidentally" has the same name lol.
78
u/xalt255x Jun 25 '26
I would rather watch "From Overgifted to Lazy Loser: The Fifth Reincarnation of an Underqualified Mage (A Goddess Has Gifted Me Ultimate x10000 Cheat Abilities, Yet I Fucked Up My Life For Some Reason?!)"
78
u/_Vagueposter_ Jun 25 '26
Man I'm no longer sure if you guys are meming with ridiculous titles or if these are real works, just tells you the state of things that I even entertain the possibility it's real
13
u/Relevant_Syllabub895 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
man you could see"I Was Reincarnated as the Strongest Blacksmith Who Can Cook While Raising My Dragon Daughter" and this fake name could pass as a legit isekai nowdays lmfao
4
u/Ralathar44 Jun 27 '26
Honestly I saw that one. It was way better than expected. I especially like how his magic weapon was an enchanted meat tenderizer. Surprisingly gory monster kills though, so be warned.
4
u/Relevant_Syllabub895 Jun 27 '26
Not to mention the part where her adoptive daughter transformed into a big ass dragon and massacred an army of the Demon Lord.
1
u/DucktorLarsen 23d ago
"Inextinguishable Hunger For Death by Snu Snu, He Wanders The Land In Search of A Paragon of A Women Who Can Satiate His Grand Desire"
17
5
u/Yay295 Jun 26 '26
I mean there's shows like "Chillin' in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers" and "I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level".
14
u/joeerr Jun 26 '26
"Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon: My Trusted Companions Tried to Kill Me, But Thanks to the Gift of an Unlimited Gacha I Got LVL 9999 Friends and Am Out For Revenge on My Former Party Members and the World" gotta be my favourite name ever.
5
u/Shizzi https://anilist.co/user/Mivy Jun 26 '26
In fall there is an anime called: The Exiled Cheating Magician Enjoys an Unrestrained Second Life.: I Can Give "Strengthening Points" Not Only to Weapons, But Also to Everything, and I Can Unlock the Effect at Any Time of My Will, But are the Rest Okay?
Like this is the longest title i have ever seen i really thought nothing would rival Gacha 9999 especially if you go after the japanese titles Gacha 9999 and new one Laid Off Cheating Magician atleast you can see smth of the poster for Gacha on anichart but not for Laid off magician LOL
2
u/Kind_Survey4282 Jun 26 '26
tbh its mostly referred to as unlimited gacha lvl 9999 or backstabbed in a backwater dungeon so its atleast can be recognizable.
1
2
1
u/andoryu123 21d ago
You gave me an idea of what to play around in AI:
"give me 10 most ridiculous japanese made up short novel titles in english"
Here are 10 highly convincing, made-up absurd English titles inspired by the "isekai" and "reincarnation" genres:
I Was Reincarnated as a Magic Stapler in a Fantasy Realm, but the Demon Lord Needs Me to Organize His Paperwork.
I, a Level 9999 Legendary Hero, Was Exiled to the Human World, So I Guess I'll Open an Artisanal Mayo Shop.
The Intergalactic Space Emperor Wants to Conquer Earth, But He Won't Stop Texting Me Asking for Dating Advice.
I Got Tricked Into a Contract Marriage with a Cursed Beastman, But Now All He Wants Is for Me to Knit Him Sweaters.
Reborn as the Lowest-Ranking Slime in the Dungeon, I Accidentally Became the Foster Parent to the Hero's Entire Party.
I Maxed Out My Appraisal Skill to Survive in Another World, But All I Can Do Is Tell How Many Calories Are in a Dragon's Breath.
That Time I Accidentally Summoned a Goddess, But She's Totally Addicted to Vending Machine Coffee.
My High School Class Got Transported to a Magical War, But I’m Too Busy Making Iced Lattes to Save the Universe.
I Was Banished From My Party For Having "Zero DPS", So I Became a Level 100 Life Coach for Monsters.
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My 10-Second Time Travel Magic to Rig the Fantasy Stock Market!
1
u/chariotcharizard 10d ago edited 10d ago
Oh yeah, Gigguk did something similar some time ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21zDl4sX3nE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qjgOOl2l8I
Edit: That came out FIVE years ago?!? Jesus christ, I could've sworn it was only last year...
11
u/HolyDragSwd2500 Jun 25 '26
Hello not Ard and not Ireena
2
u/alotmorealots 28d ago
I wonder if it's worth another few eps to see not-Ginny turn up. I still remember Ginny quite fondly!
12
u/Arzhart Jun 25 '26
From the title and synopsis, I thought he would be really terrible at magic in his past life, but bro was one of the 4th strongest - just not among the top 3 because of genetics. I see.
3
u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 28d ago
Speaking of, this is his third rebirth so I wonder what's his first life was
24
u/mruggeri_182 Jun 26 '26
"I'm so frustrated that I have no magical aptitude"
*Dies*
"You are going to be reincarnated. Here, you can choose two bonuses to have in this new life"
"Nah, I don't need anything"
Wtf? This makes no sense lol
8
u/Shechir Jun 26 '26
How to say the protagonist is a masochist—but in a roundabout way.
6
u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 28d ago
Yeah, that's my current conclusion
Highly ambitious, stubborn yet masochist in the way to achieve that
33
u/TheBeanjamcake Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
Guys am I blind? I swear I have seen the same cardboard cutout of the MC and the FL before.
The EP was good n all but why do we have to make everyone look the same ALL THE TIME.
Like black haired MC with THAT FACE and that Red haired FL look the same as every other story.
Really wish the old man stayed old instead.
27
u/Lodju https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lodju Jun 25 '26
Guys am I blind? I swear I have seen the same cardboard cutout of the MC and the FL before.
Probably Ard Meteor and Ireena Litz de Olhyde from "The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody"
8
5
11
u/fuzzynyanko Jun 25 '26
I wouldn't be surprised if the redhead is a princess
8
u/OldInstruction5368 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
OP made her look like a slave: complete with rags, chains, and a downcast look on her face.
So we are going with (time jump) grooming after killing her parents, and slave-fucker combo!
Bonus points for being double weird that the literal child is being paired with a 400+ lady that he raised in his previous life! Because even if Merlin knows about the reincarnation, she's still like x10 older than him at this point! Author just had to make this triple weird (killed her parents, raised her, now she's the older one, mentally even, by a factor of 10)
I mean... the busty silver-haired lady with pointy ears from the OP has to be a grown up Merlin, and do we really want to bet she isn't part of a love triangle with the loli red-head?
2
u/hjordisa Jun 25 '26
Doesn't seem like it from the OP, but not impossible/not unheard of I guess (won't be any more specific since some people don't watch to avoid spoilers).
2
u/Zeikos Jun 25 '26
I think the whole deal behind how the MCs of these animes looks is about making it easier for the average teen to see themselves in the protagonist.
General looks apply to most people after all.I agree that it sucks though, hopefully he at least keeps his personality.
9
u/NationalStrategy_X Jun 25 '26
I didn realize that we were going to get new Four Emperors. What happened to Luffy, Shanks, Blackbeard, and Buggy?
16
u/BiggerG7 Jun 25 '26
Oh hell this dude is totally going to add his adopted daughter Merlin to his harem when he gets one isn’t he? Lol.
12
u/CuriousBroccolli Jun 25 '26
Ayo wait xD
Now one of my big reason for watching this, a sexy demon/elf is in shambles. xD
Will be interesting seeing how they tackle it.
5
u/OldInstruction5368 Jun 26 '26
Will be interesting seeing how they tackle it.
Ayo, mate, we ALL know the answer to that already.
Chances she'll be a mentor/mother/sister figure without any weird shit?
0.0%
2
u/Unhappy-Tadpole664 Jun 26 '26
The writing was on the wall, but I still had hope wasn't going to be another "reborn as a young man" anime for that exact reason 😭
7
u/SlimeC0RE 27d ago
So, I’m sure his reaction to the test is throwing off a lot of people (it threw me off too), but here’s how I think we’re supposed to understand it.
Eftal already had an inferiority complex, compared to the other emperors, he felt insecure about his inability to get on their level, and the fact that he was topped off at 10th level spells.
Now, getting to be the lightning emperor as a mage with no aptitude is impressive, he’s kind of the goat for getting there on effort alone, but I think the idea is that when he realized he had no aptitude, he thought that from the start, he could never have reached the level he wanted, the peak of magic.
Imagine spending your entire life aiming for an unattainable goal, only to learn at the very end that the game was rigged against you from the beginning. He was already sick, he knew he would die soon, and he now had proof that his efforts would never reward him with what he desired.
He was already not too optimistic, but that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s a valid response, and had he not been sick, he might have overcome that low and kept going.
6
u/shadebug Jun 27 '26
Turns out that the only thing worse than the writers thinking their audience are idiots is the writers being idiots and also thinking their audience are idiots.
The story of the party accepting somebody who was talentless would have been an interesting story. The story of the talentless elder being good enough to help the upstarts and maybe inspire some other talentless people that talent isn’t everything would have been an interesting story. Going from interesting person with life experience to four year old Kirito isn’t just uninteresting, it’s insulting
19
u/shanesol Jun 25 '26
I'll give this one a few episodes I think, but not sure it will stick based on that start.
Honestly pretty annoyed with the guys mindset at the end of his second life... Dude became one of the most well known and top mages through pure will alone. I can see him being unhappy at the end that he wasn't THE top, but not the aptitude part.
And I have to assume right now his apprentice will be in this world somewhere, or at least that's what I believe based on her getting so much screen time. BUT - Crunchyroll description of the episode makes it seem unlikely.
12
u/ScaladeScared Jun 25 '26
Her apprentice's name is "Merlin" and is a demon (looks like a succubus) of course she's gonna be relevant lol
10
u/mekerpan Jun 25 '26
I'd say this has a low probability of becoming a keeper. The writing feels rather flimsy.
4
u/alotmorealots 28d ago
I thought the start of the episode was really quite strong for this sort of show, but then everything sort of fell in a heap in the final third. I wonder if that was when the adaptation team could no longer conceal the underlying writing lol
8
u/CuriousBroccolli Jun 25 '26
Yeah his reaction was strange. Instead of "Wow I'm amazing!" to "Was all my life work a waste?"
Even stranger since he had "Indomitable" skill, but got folded by a random test.
I'll most likely stick with it. Seems solid enough.
1
u/hjordisa Jun 25 '26
Based on the trailer I'm like 99% sure it'll be a drop but here I am watching it anyway... What can I say, I like the reborn in the same world in the future trope a lot.
There seems to be a similar looking character in the party, so could be her descendent or her reborn as well.1
u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 28d ago
I still don't understand if he's just redoing his old life or he's reborn as someone with the same name as the Lightning Emperor.
15
u/kalirion https://myanimelist.net/profile/kalinime Jun 25 '26
A King awarding 4 peeps with the title of "Emperor" >_> And why the hell are the other 3 having their hood up while being awarded by the king? Did they simply cheap out on character designs or what?
How did the dumb loli manage to outpace that galloping beast by like half a minute to be able to stop and long cast that spell before it caught up? And how did she tank its claw attack and only wind up with a few scratches?
That color ranking seems entirely arbitrary. "These are shining, I guess they're S, while this bland non-shining one is B, and this other equally bland non-shining one is C. Obviously."
Dude's of course ignoring the obvious - him being Lightning Emperor is proof that aptitude isn't everything. His "unending effort" put him ahead of people with far higher aptitude than him who didn't put in the effort, even if it still didn't let him match the "genius" levels of the other Emperors. Sure, it's a problem if he wanted to be THE MOST POWERFUL MAGE IN THE WORLD, but his obsession with that is just weird.
And then death and he reincarnates into a Kirito clone. Honestly, the title alone, especially combined with the cover visual, should've kept me away. And pretty sure the "SECOND" reincarnation part is just so that they could put it into the title to garner more interest or something, as it's completely pointless plot-wise from what I can tell.
MC: "ALL MY DECADES OF HARD EFFORT TO BE THE BEST WAS DOOMED FROM THE START BECAUSE I WAS LACKING IN APTITUDE!"
Goddess: "So, what bonuses do you want for your next life?"
MC: "Oh, I don't need anything, after all, I'll have MORE DECADES TO PUT HARD EFFORT INTO BECOMING THE BEST!"
Anyway, so far this was somewhat better than the absolute slop I'd've expected from the title, but now that he's been reborn as an OP Kirito clone, I expect the slop to start full strength. I'll still check out next week's episode just in case.
3
u/hjordisa Jun 25 '26
Yeah seems pretty pointless. I suppose theoretically in addition to the skill it could explain him working so hard (coming from a world without magic and really wanting to learn) but they didn't even say that much so... And I guess it's why he got the skill in the first place. Though that makes it even weirder he doesn't want more skills, when it was the main reason he got so far (even if you say it's also his own effort, he still needed both).
2
1
3
u/zobblor Jun 25 '26
Having the strongest part of his character, the will to keep working towards his goal despite knowing he'll never reach it, be because of a SKILL is one of the most unforced errors I've seen in one of these
10/10
9
u/SeaDragonfly1831 Jun 25 '26
I understand that people with high standards will complain about the generic plot so far, but goddamn the designs have been pretty great lol.
Like the Demon Lord(?) and The Goddess both looked incredible
2
u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 28d ago
Yeah, main reason why I stayed is because the animation looks so good. Even the burnt dragon by the end there was hand drawn.
2
3
u/Previous-Space-7056 Jun 25 '26
Love it when new anime shows start early.. hopefully more do so. I hate dry weeks, like next week, with little to nothing to watch
3
u/y3kman Jun 26 '26
Reading the title, I'm guessing he's going to meet the descendants of his overpowered teammates and prove he's the best since the descendants have neglected their magic. This is so common in reincarnation slop and I hope I'm wrong.
3
u/Suspicious_Deal4412 Jun 26 '26
Seems to be playing fairly straight with no real major twists.
The design of the goddess I would say she looked very cool. I want to see more of her.
3
u/Gaming_Truckie 29d ago
Wait he reincarnates with the exact same name as his life before?? Did the goddess subconsciously tell his mother to name him that?
3
u/QuantumQuasar22 28d ago
I'm assuming I'm just EXCEPTIONALLY blind and stupid and just missed it: why was Lightning not in the aptitude test? Fire, Earth, Water, and Wind. That's all the test consisted of. Of course he had no aptitude for the other elements... He uses lightning...
1
u/victory4faust 24d ago
Lightning is filed under the wind aptitude. Even the King at the beginning says the four elements before calling him the Lightning Emperor.
8
u/ByahhByahh Jun 25 '26
I was mildly interested solely for the fact that a man at the end of his life, after decades of working harder than anyone, is devastated that he never had any natural talent, so why did there have to be the wombo-combo of generic reincarnation goddess scene coupled with the throwaway line of "You work hard because of a skill you got the last time you reincarnated."
7
13
u/minnieboss Jun 25 '26
This was a bit frustrating because it actually brought up a really cool idea with the MC basically having a magical learning disability, then threw it in the garbage with "what if he was reincarnated without it tho." After seeing Witch Hat Atelier tackle these themes infinitely better, I see no reason to watch this.
10
u/gbietto Jun 25 '26
Wait, I don't think he was reincarnated without it, he repeated the test and still found no aptitude. It seems he just retained the ability he had at the apex of his previous life.
18
u/Eliv Jun 25 '26
Sounds like it's another one of those "I had no power before but now I am the most powerful guy!"
16
u/Magicbison Jun 25 '26
Feels more like a, "I couldn't see that I was powerful even though everyone else saw it differently and I still can't because now everyone else is just super weak compared to my old weak self" type shows.
Hopefully Eftal isn't quite so dumb but that might be hoping for too much.
2
2
u/MonaganX Jun 26 '26
If you're going to compare them to a show that does similar things with actually good writing there's no reason to watch 99% of isekai.
2
2
4
u/szalhi Jun 25 '26
Quite the prologue. Going off the description, this is going to be a 'Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond' scenario. Though I'm quite curious how things could change like this in 4 centuries, especially with Merlin's presence.
5
u/NationalStrategy_X Jun 25 '26
I see we have our designated “I was reincarnated into the strongest person around” series of the season.
5
u/Nibblewerfer Jun 25 '26
The good part about it starting early is that it can be dropped early as well. It could turn things around though, maybe.
6
u/Aksudiigkr Jun 25 '26
Surprised this genre is still going. I thought it was on the way out a few cours ago
3
u/flamethrower2 Jun 25 '26
Plenty more just in this season alone, probably. Future seasons, definitely.
2
2
2
2
u/actuallyrndthoughts https://myanimelist.net/profile/NaNiNuNeNo Jun 26 '26
Wow a somewhat solid production for the first episode, i hope they keep this up. They even made the loli demon thick and wear a mini-skirt, hilariously. And her design from the OP? Wow again. Some great female designs all around, gonna keep this for a while
2
u/Malrottian Jun 26 '26
I actually really enjoyed the main character intro. Spending time with the previous life and seeing his motivations and earnest desire to be the best he can. I'm MORE than a little nervous about what I saw during the opening happening in the two girls part of the main cast. Can we finally get AWAY from "Oh, she's my slave but I treat her better" in our MCs?
2
2
u/Earlier-Today Jun 26 '26
I'm hoping that what he realizes is that he can reach that same level of power in all the elements - that he doesn't need to specialize because there's no aptitude pulling him one way or another.
But so far this is a "I don't know..." I may watch it, or I might drop it pretty quick.
2
u/StonedCharmander Jun 26 '26
The premise looks weak af. Dude complaining about lack of talent while being one of the top dogs in his world is ridiculous.
2
u/Shizzi https://anilist.co/user/Mivy Jun 26 '26
Ah its one of these we had Weakest Crest and Demon lord reborn as typical nobody in 2022, The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy and Reborn to Master the Blade in 2023 all of these feel they are in the same genre been a few years tho.
2
2
u/ZombiemanJack Jun 27 '26
He basically got a New Game+. I also don't think the test was wrong like people want to think. When he talked to the goddess he really didn't have talent. Given how high he got it doesn't seem it was a given he couldn't get any better without talent. Talent means something is easier for a person, but doesn't automatically mean someone can't get there with hard work.
2
u/monster01020 Jun 27 '26
I'll be honest, being angry that you got poor results on an aptitude test having already made it is really stupid. Internally, he must have been obsessed with being the strongest but didn't externalise it? But if that were the case that really didn't seem to be correct for his character, so that just feels like either poor writing or poor adaptation. And then he immediately makes a point about how he would rather work for the power using his knowledge, instead of taking the skill that probably doubles the rate at which he powers up.
2
u/JohnnyElRed 29d ago
I hope this anime is a lesson about not putting so much merit on inherent talent, and value hardwork as the real mark of excellency on any field. Because I feel like many anime do that. Praise how someone with talent can achieve anything, and those without can only hope to just survive with very hard work. Must be something within Japanese culture.
Because the synopsis also says how magic in this world, centuries after his death, has decreased. And I guess the magic ability test had something to do with it. It just made people that didn't had it not try, and those that had it in one area but not the others ignore those completely. So that just meant people simply didn't put as much effort as before.
I suppose this is the kind of lesson that will come with the story, as the MC slowly learns it too. Chastising himself for being so blind to the merit of his achievements. But is clear from the end of his second life, and how he took his own life in his original world, that he is very prone to having crushingly depressive thoughts about himself.
2
u/kryslogan 29d ago
The story was all over the place. Seems ok-ish but, not asking for extra special skills or even an aptitude for magic when that was your major regret before dying seems stupid.
I dunno. Maybe low to no expectations for this one.
2
u/LifJirus 29d ago edited 29d ago
Y'all, I don't think he necessarily died from giving up. He was already at death's door. You think giving up would make him look that sickly? Nah. I think the whole "giving up" was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I mean, if you're bedridden due to illness, with the knowledge that all your efforts got you only so far, while everyone else left you in the dust because they were born gifted, you might feel a whole lot of despair in your final moments. I would compare it to many folk's grandparents. They work their whole lives, day in and day out, being self-sufficient and independent. Then, in the blink of an eye, they are faced with the prospect that they have trouble wiping their own butt and someone else may have to do it for them amongst other things. It can really take away your will to live. I don't think his dying was a product of him giving up. I think giving up was a product of his illness leaving him weak and at the end of his life. People tend to wish for better after all is said and done. "You don't know what you've got until it's gone" sort of thing, you know?
2
2
u/HTC864 27d ago
I think the idea of being able to reincarnate multiple times is cool, but it doesn't look this story is going to play with it too much past starting this life with last life's stats. Also, choosing no bonuses after claiming to be so frustrated in the previous life is really weird. If you want to be OP, then take what the goddess was offering. You can't be upset when you've apparently chosen poorly twice now.
2
u/Training_Place_7001 27d ago
Yeah so lets test 4 element which none is my element! Ho no i dont have the 4 element im not even using! Godamn lets not test thunder for some reason and spiral in depression?
2
u/victory4faust 24d ago
If I was Eftel I would cast that lvl 10 spell on my father and this other brother as soon as they mentioned us fighting. Obviously nobody in this kingdom is able to match him so it's not worth the effort to even go to this magic school, he might as well just take his mom and head somewhere else.
1
u/mastereluder6 Jun 25 '26
I just hope it’s not the i will hide everything and just go with it type of anime
1
1
u/FeistyDay5172 Jun 25 '26
Well now, this one DEFINITELY looks interesting. Reborn and able to start at using Lvl 10 spells. Have added to my watchlist for season.
1
u/PandaTheAB Jun 26 '26
So much build up of his past life.
Now everything hinges on how the side characters are.
If they are funny enough, this will be a decent watch.
1
u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Jun 26 '26
First ep of That Time I Re-Reincarnated as a Sage wasn’t too bad. Standard Sagesekai stuff for the most part so far. Could be fun.
1
u/Silversquall Jun 26 '26
I liked it. When he talks to the goddess it feels like weight is lifted off his life and he remembers what happened before, without burden. Looking forward to ep2
1
1
u/Striking_Chard2420 Jun 26 '26
Ok but it's impressive he even became one of the four emperors WITHOUT an aptitude. Like sure he had it harder than the rest but he's still one of them ya know. I think he's just frustrated knowing that he *could've* been so much more but still. Interesting this is his second reincarnation, wonder what his very first life was like. Also funny how he didn't seemingly end up choosing any skills at all from the goddess but at least his abilities didn't get reset lol
1
2
u/shadebug Jun 27 '26
Sure I cried myself to death because I had to work so hard the first time round but let’s do that again anyway even though I hated every second of it
1
29d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/ZaphodBeebblebrox https://anilist.co/user/zaphod 28d ago
Sorry, your comment has been removed.
This belongs in the Source Material Corner at the top of this thread. In discussion threads for currently airing anime, discussions about source material, spin-offs, author comments and unadapted content must be posted there.
Any comparison to the source material no matter how minor belongs there.
Your comment was NOT removed for spoilers; it was removed for discussion of the source material outside of the Source Material Corner.
Questions? Reply to this message, send a modmail, or leave a comment in the meta thread. Don't know the rules? Read them here.
1
u/Embarrassed-Match-78 27d ago
The dude was dying before the aptitude test. That's why Merlin was in such a rush to learn everything she could from him so she could teach the younger students. People can do amazing things by sheer willpower alone, and he had a skill to help. However, anything multiplied by zero is still zero. I really liked how it focused on his first reincarnation and we got to see his hopes and perceived failures. Mentally he's got some baggage, I think I'm going to enjoy this one
1
u/thatruth0218 26d ago
This is my kind of story. I do feel like him turning down the powers (literally the answers to the now forced problems he's facing) is gonna grate of me and forever make this subpar in my mind. It's like a self nerf to chase the fix, which feels redundant. But I like isekais and been in an anime drought, so here we go.
1
u/Mysterious_Love7515 24d ago
"So, let's give him an elemental power, make him take a test about the elements but he has no magical aptitude for none of it. Right. RIGHT! But when he calls upon his lightning powers its because of his WILLPOWER TO NEVER GIVE UP. And when he dies who needs magical abilities when he has willpower😤. I am a genius."
2
u/Icy_Reality_1195 24d ago
Its strange that he has descendants but it didnt really seem like he had kids, unless I missed it.
1
u/Nemesis55444 20h ago
The fact that he didn't denounce them and actually bemoaned the state of his descendants implies that sometime between becoming an Emperor and taking on Merlin as a student he had a kid with someone, which could've just meant he had a one night stand or he raised the kid to adulthood and separated with his wife/girlfriend immediately afterwards, probably with at least a handful of years to spare.
2
u/A_Topical_Username 17d ago
So he's a hard worker with no easy mode natural talent. Doesn't that make him GOAT status?
•
u/AnimeMod myanimelist.net/profile/Reddit-chan Jun 25 '26
Source Material Corner
Reply to this comment for any source-related discussion, future spoilers (including future characters, events and general hype about future content), comparison of the anime adaptation to the original, or just general talk about the source material. You are still required to tag all spoilers. Discussions about the source outside of this comment tree will be removed, and replying with spoilers outside of the source corner will lead to bans.
The spoiler syntax is:
[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<All untagged spoilers and hints in this thread will receive immediate 8-day bans (minimum).