Return of the Former Hero - Reviews

The story revolves around a man who goes back to a fantasy world to build a harem – straightforward concept. The novel achieves what it sets out to do, but it lacks originality or profundity. There's no hidden depth, no profound message, just a shallow portrayal of an otaku's daydreams on the surface. The writing is grammatically sound, with ordinary language, and the dialogue is unremarkable – neither particularly bad nor exceptional. It's a bland read, essentially plain and unadorned. While some might enjoy this simplicity, most people have discerning tastes.

I appreciate the creativity in how he designed his own magic circle for teleportation between dimensions, and I admire his bold approach with his harem members. After all, what's the point of having a harem if you don't engage with them at all?

While those aspects are intriguing, the overall story lacks depth and excitement for me. It feels rather平淡, leaving me constantly anticipating something significant that never quite arrives. I do enjoy the characters, but my interest in the narrative itself is有限. Initially, I gave it three stars, but I'm not entirely convinced it deserves even that. In summary, it's a decent read if you're looking for a casual pass-time, but there are better options out there.

The main character, Amagi Haruto, is a Japanese high school student who mysteriously found himself transported to another world a few years ago. Initially, he was coerced into serving as a weapon against the Demon King and manipulated politically. Before he could truly explore or enjoy his new surroundings, he was hastily sent back home. With a lingering fascination for the magical realm and an aspiration to build a harem, Haruto employs his newfound knowledge of magic to devise a plan to return.

However, fate seems to have other plans, as he inadvertently arrives in a parallel world where the Demon King still reigns and a Hero is活跃. This unexpected twist provides a sense of relief from the potential interference of real-world politics, allowing him to pursue his desires unhindered.

While the story lacks grand ambitions and doesn't claim to be a literary masterpiece, it offers a lighthearted blend of slice-of-life and action, propelling the reluctant hero forward. Haruto's libido drives much of the narrative, accompanied by comedic moments that keep the pace light. The harem aspect resembles a collection of anime archetypes, as Haruto attempts to win over various girls representing diverse genres.

In terms of entertainment value, the story earns a modest 3 out of 5 stars, lacking the hook to propel it to a higher rating.

The primary complaint people have about the main character (MC) is that he allegedly makes decisions based on his physical desires. It's important to note that he is only 16 years old and was a virgin until entering this new world. In a scene where he's at the royal palace, some got upset because he allowed a maid to attend to his needs despite her being naked and embarrassed. However, it's unrealistic to expect someone without prior experience, like a sage or someone who has been intimate with numerous women, to have such self-control.

The MC isn't portrayed as a pervert forcing himself on others; he waits for the girls to approach him willingly before engaging in intimate relations. Critics argue that he lacks motivation to become a hero, but there's already an established hero in the story. Moreover, he has already saved the world and faced political manipulation due to his power, which led to his involuntary return. This might explain why he's hesitant to embrace the role of a hero, fearing a similar tragic end.

The MC is incredibly overpowered (OP), but he tries to remain低调 to avoid attracting unwanted attention from ambitious nobles, royalty, and religious figures. Despite his efforts to keep a low profile, he doesn't tolerate being pushed around easily. For instance, when he encounters the demon kin (his second harem member), who challenges the hero, he easily defeats her after a duel in which the hero and his party are outmatched.

It's unfair to blame the MC for not being able to unravel complex schemes, given that his expertise lies in combat, as he was primarily focused on that during his time as a hero.

The author seems to be torn between choosing an erotic novel or an adventure one, almost as if they're avoiding explicit content. However, this approach results in a lackluster story, with underwhelming sexual elements. It would have been more effective if the author had committed to one genre, making it either a decent erotica or an engaging adventure; instead, the end product is an average tale with unsatisfactory sexual scenes, leaving readers wanting more.

This isn't really a conventional novel; it reads more like the naive daydreams of a 12-year-old Japanese boy. It leans heavily into harem fantasy, with subpar writing (whether due to the translator or the original source, I'm indifferent). Unfortunately, the storytelling fails to engage, lacking humor, suspense, well-written action sequences, and meaningful character interactions. People shouldn't come in expecting much from the premise, but I had hoped for a hidden gem – alas, it didn't deliver. For these reasons, I've given it two stars instead of one.

Upon further reading, I've reconsidered my review. However, I still stand by my rating of 2/5 for the following reasons:

1. The main character (MC) possesses immense power but often behaves childishly, blushing at women and relying more on impulse than logic, which is inconsistent with his supposed strength.

2. His lack of resilience to peer or social pressure demonstrates an immature character that lacks composure. This aspect makes for strained comedy, likely catering to a younger audience unfamiliar with a broader range of literature.

3. The plot is highly unrealistic, focusing on a harem theme with sexual content without any substantial development or connection between the characters. The dynamics are shallow, reducing to sporadic encounters that border on the juvenile fantasy of a 12-year-old aspiring to sexual experiences.

I pondered for a long time as to why I adore this novel despite its seemingly straightforward premise – a guy and a group of girls battling monsters and engaging in romantic moments. It's not groundbreaking; it follows the well-trodden harem formula. Yet, I found myself constantly returning to the site daily, eagerly awaiting updates.

The answer hit me: the story executes the formula flawlessly. In today's harem narratives, they often fall into two predictable categories: either a dramatic rom-com where multiple girls vie for the protagonist's affection, causing chaos and indecision, or an overpowered protagonist saves the day by overwhelming force or mind control. At first glance, this series seemed poised to lean towards the latter, but it avoids that trap.

The hero possesses strength, but it's more akin to being a skilled gamer rather than a godlike figure. Each character stands out with unique personalities and reasons for their attachment, keeping the harem aspect grounded without unnecessary drama. The story remains consistently lighthearted, focusing on the fun and sweetness of the situation, like a delightful dessert after a rich main course.

This novel is my go-to after diving into heavier fare with intense battles, epic quests, intricate alliances, and shifting loyalties. It's a refreshing change to unwind with a pure, enjoyable harem experience.

I truly appreciate this aspect because the main character (MC) genuinely shows concern for the girls he encounters. In many harem isekai stories with overpowered protagonists, it's common for them to accumulate an array of women without giving much thought to their well-being beyond specific scenes. However, in this particular story, the MC goes out of his way to buy gifts for all of them just because he cares about them, without expecting anything in return. Although they do reciprocate his kindness, it's because they have feelings for him, not because he compelled them to. This level of emotional connection stands out as refreshing.

In reality, MC supports the girls, fostering their strength, rather than just being a one-dimensional cheerleader. Although he possesses extraordinary abilities, such as slaying a demon king during his heroic days, he exercises restraint due to his background. He refrains from spreading modern technology not out of choice, but because his limited education – having been summoned at just 12 years old – prevents him from doing so easily. He genuinely cares for the girls and isn't afraid to challenge conventional norms, distinguishing himself from typical, indecisive protagonists often portrayed as weaklings. This character may be formulaic, but it offers a lighthearted escape from the intense plots found in other novels, making it an enjoyable read during leisure time.

Indeed, the story stays true to its premise of the former hero expanding his harem. However, the issue lies in the pacing. The author tends to introduce subplots or significant revelations at a glacial pace, with these developments occurring roughly once every 20 chapters. It's unclear whether it's deliberate slow-burn storytelling or simply an oversight. As a result, it feels somewhat frustrating, leaving readers hanging. My rating has suffered due to this, but perhaps with more translated content, I might be able to appreciate it better.

Typically, harem stories tend to deteriorate as they progress, but this one defies the norm. In fact, each chapter leaves me eager for more. The protagonist is incredibly cool, and the supporting cast of charming girls possesses depth with their unique personalities and plans. It's a breath of fresh air compared to the usual harem formula, and I hope to see more stories like this in the future.

This narrative presents an intriguing concept where a protagonist is sent back to his origin planet due to political intrigue. It's a relatable situation for the unfortunate hero, who then decides to defy the circumstances and tries to return. The concept itself is appealing, but the writing could be polished, and the pacing might feel hurried – a common trait in web novels, which may persist until an adaptation with a more deliberate tempo.

Despite the unclear details about his means of transportation, it's established that he remains an overpowered hero. If you enjoy stories about characters transported to other worlds, entwined with romance and thrilling adventures, this tale might pique your interest.