Return of the Former Hero - Reviews

I don't believe this novel suits my taste. It lacks depth and fails to inspire; the protagonist is quite one-dimensional, fixated on his desires. He consistently loses focus, even in life-threatening situations, due to his constant preoccupation with sexual thoughts. The plot feels forced, primarily serving to advance his relationships with women or provide opportunities for intimate encounters with his harem. Even the potential for a compelling antagonist was rushed, reducing them to a mere tool for the harem's adventure.

The story lacks direction, coherence, or a meaningful progression. It seems to revolve around trivial activities and casual encounters rather than a clear goal or engaging narrative. While some isekai stories captivate with their power dynamics and character growth, this one doesn't deliver that. The main character isn't particularly strong; his past as a defeated demon king conqueror is more of a facade, masking his lack of actual combat skills or ambition beyond his sexual pursuits. He's academically and physically unprepared, choosing not to develop further because of his preoccupation with sex, leaving him somewhat underdeveloped as a character.

Until now, there has been no provided reason for why the protagonist must return after defeating the Demon Lord. All that matters to him is sex, sex, and more sex. To me, such a character comes across as foolish – he's perverted, mentally weak, and even susceptible to princess schemes. Despite having multiple partners, he continues to indulge in his fantasies.

Alright, let me address the main issue I have with this series. The protagonist spent three years training or fighting, ultimately defeating the demon lord. However, he was then compelled to return to his own world. I'm curious, how exactly were they able to force him back? Since he was the sole hero who accomplished that feat, it doesn't make sense that someone else could have easily done it. Unless there's some specific mechanism, like the summoner having control over his return, I find it hard to believe.

Despite the interesting premise of a hero returning on his own, the series as a whole is average, neither outstanding nor exceptional. The only real selling point is that unique plot aspect. Otherwise, it might not be worth the time investment unless you're a die-hard fan of this particular genre and have read many similar stories. I give it three stars for its innovative hero's return and the author's effort. Additionally, I've noticed some issues with the writing or translation quality, though I don't mean to offend anyone with that observation.

I concur with the sentiment expressed by nwms8. The story is painfully lackluster, and the main character's portrayal is disappointing. He comes across as a懦弱 individual with an immature mindset, despite being trained to confront the demon king. Moreover, his character lacks credibility due to his constant indulgence in disturbing and perverted fantasies, which are not befitting of his supposed maturity and responsibilities.

To those leaving negative reviews, it's important to note that this novel carries genres such as "Action, Adventure, Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Harem, Mature Romance, and Shounen." If you dislike these specific elements, likening a poor rating to disliking a Western film due to the absence of cowboys might be an apt comparison. What was your expectation when choosing a novel with those tags?

In terms of its classification, this particular "Mature Ecchi Harem Romance Comedy with Shounen Action Fantasy Adventures" offers a satisfactory experience. The main character often relies on unconventional thinking, but the narrative provides a reasonable explanation for his actions. He has earned his place and seeks enjoyment, occasionally eliminating obstacles that interfere. Along the way, he even offers guidance to the new hero.

Regarding the spoiler, my understanding is that the protagonist was sent back home initially because rival factions intended to exploit him. He didn't resist as he believed he could return, and by then, he had compiled a list of desires from Earth.

Typically, I, along with most reasonable individuals, tend to steer clear of harem stories involving a ten-inch pole. However, after reading about ten chapters of this particular novel, I found myself completely captivated. I'd like to clarify that if you're seeking an Overlord-level world-building experience, this might not meet your expectations. Nevertheless, I genuinely enjoyed the story. It's a bit of a wish-fulfillment tale, but it executes it in a refreshing, non-generic way. The characters are well-developed and entertaining. I would definitely recommend it to others.