Mushoku Tensei Author Calls Out Fake Anime and Manga Fans

Summary

The author of *Mushoku Tensei* recently criticized the rise of shallow critiques within anime and manga communities, where fans often form opinions based on limited sources like summaries or short clips instead of fully engaging with the content. This issue reflects a broader cultural trend of reduced attention spans, with many people preferring quick, dopamine-driven content over long-form storytelling. The author urges fans to engage deeply with the material before offering critiques, advocating for a more thoughtful and informed approach to fandom discussions. The rise of 'clip-watchers' and shallow participation is a growing problem in modern fandoms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mushikui (the author of *Mushoku Tensei*) calls out people who critique series without properly watching or reading them, relying instead on shallow sources like Wikipedia or short TikTok videos.
• 😀 The rise of people critiquing content they have minimal knowledge of is linked to the increasing popularity of short-form content, which doesn’t provide the depth needed for informed opinions.
• 😀 Mushikui emphasizes that to critique a work properly, one must engage with it thoroughly—watch or read the entire series, not just skim through highlights or brief summaries.
• 😀 The problem of shallow engagement with media is seen not only in anime and manga but across various forms of content, including in the way people engage with social media.
• 😀 Authors like Oda (from *One Piece*) have also pointed out the lack of reading comprehension in fans, reinforcing the idea that meaningful engagement is crucial.
• 😀 Short attention spans, driven by platforms like TikTok, are causing a decrease in the willingness to engage with stories in a long-term, focused manner.
• 😀 There is a significant rise in 'clip-watchers'—people who only watch viral or action-packed moments from a series, rather than experiencing the full narrative.
• 😀 The *Dawn of Dawn* community is used as an example of a fanbase where many people are more familiar with viral moments than the actual story, leading to a lack of deep understanding of the series.
• 😀 Mushikui's statement is a strong defense of thoughtful critique, urging fans to educate themselves about the content they wish to discuss, rather than engaging out of social trend or superficial knowledge.
• 😀 The call for better media literacy is becoming increasingly important in today’s content-driven society, where people are often more interested in joining conversations than in understanding the work they are talking about.

Q & A

What is the main point of the author's post regarding people critiquing anime or manga?

The author of 'Mushikui' calls out individuals who critique or discuss anime or manga without fully engaging with the material, often relying on limited information from sources like Wikipedia, short TikTok videos, or summary videos. They criticize these people for presenting inaccurate or superficial knowledge.

Why does the author believe reading comprehension is a significant issue in today's anime and manga fandom?

The author points out that many fans have poor reading comprehension, leading them to misunderstand or misinterpret the content. This is compounded by the rise of short-form content like TikTok, which shortens attention spans and discourages in-depth engagement with series.

What is the connection between the rise of short-form content and people's inability to engage with longer stories?

Short-form content, such as TikTok videos, offers quick dopamine hits, which contributes to people losing the ability to sit through longer, more complex narratives. As a result, many viewers only engage with highlights or action-packed moments and miss the deeper, slower parts of the story.

How does the author view the current state of fandoms in general, particularly the 'Dawn to Dawn' community?

The author believes that fandoms, like the 'Dawn to Dawn' community, are suffering due to people joining because of hype or the desire to fit in, rather than genuine interest or understanding. Fans often only know the most surface-level aspects, such as transformations or key moments, without comprehending the deeper narrative.

What is the author's opinion on the way people critique series like 'Mushoku Tensei' without proper knowledge?

The author feels that people critique series like 'Mushoku Tensei' based on incomplete or inaccurate information. They emphasize that it's essential to actually read or watch the content before offering criticism, especially since some people tend to form opinions based on viral moments or superficial understanding.

What example does the author give to illustrate the lack of reading or engagement among fans?

The author mentions the rise of visual novel and manga communities where some fans express openly that they do not enjoy reading at all. This has led to a trend where even reading a book or engaging with a full narrative seems like a burden to some, further contributing to shallow fandom participation.

Why does the author respect the stance taken by the creator of 'Mushoku Tensei'?

The author respects the creator of 'Mushoku Tensei' for being outspoken about the importance of proper engagement with the material. Despite controversies surrounding the series, the author admires the creator for encouraging fans to be more literate and thoughtful in their critiques.

How does the author suggest people should approach series they want to critique?

The author suggests that people should fully engage with a series by watching or reading it thoroughly before critiquing it. They emphasize the importance of education and comprehension in discussions, rather than relying on second-hand knowledge or shallow impressions.

What does the author mean by 'mediate literacy' in the context of anime and manga critiques?

'Mediate literacy' refers to the ability to engage with a work of fiction in a meaningful and informed way. The author stresses that to critique a series properly, fans need to have read or watched it in its entirety and gained a deeper understanding of its content rather than relying on superficial knowledge.

What are the broader implications of the author's message for modern-day fandoms?

The author's message highlights a larger issue in modern fandoms, where many people engage with content for social reasons rather than a genuine passion for the material. This has led to shallow participation, where people follow trends without really understanding or appreciating the series they claim to support.