From Overshadowed to Overpowered: Second Reincarnation of a Talentless Sage
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
The Sage of Wind, Ephtal is a reincarnated human, coming from modern Earth. Reincarnated in a new world where magic is real, he decides to devote the entirety of his life in the pursuit of magic. Despite his efforts, though, he discovers that he is absolutely talentless in magic, and breathed his last in anguish. But it isn't the end for him just yet! He reincarnates once again bearing the same name, Ephtal, 400 years later. Having retained his knowledge and power, he steels his resolve and once again sets his sights for the peak of magic! However, in a surprising turn of events, he discovers that magic has terribly declined. In this era where powerful spells are a rarity, his talentless self is now completely unmatched! From the depths of powerlessness to the peak of power, the talentless but peerless mage's journey to the top starts now!
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is largely negative, with significant criticism directed at the writing, pacing, and character inconsistencies. While the core premise and some character designs received minor praise, the overwhelming sentiment is that the show fails to capitalize on its potential, devolving into a generic and poorly executed power fantasy. Viewers frequently found the anime to be predictable, illogical, and ultimately forgettable.
Strengths
- The core premise of a reincarnated sage with accumulated knowledge offers potential.
- Some viewers found the protagonist's approach to using his powers to be satisfying, especially when facing deserving opponents.
- Character designs, particularly for Merlin, were praised as striking and visually engaging.
- The initial episodes were considered decent or even enjoyable by some.
- Animation quality was noted as a positive by at least one reviewer.
Weaknesses
- The writing is consistently criticized for being cliché, predictable, and leaning heavily on overused tropes.
- The protagonist's character is frequently described as inconsistent, acting both intelligent and foolish depending on plot needs, which undermines his supposed experience.
- The world-building is considered lifeless, with the narrative only functioning when the protagonist is present.
- Side characters are often described as illogical, stupid, forgettable, or lacking development.
- The pacing is erratic, and events are telegraphed far in advance, removing suspense.
- The show's tone is seen as inconsistent, attempting to play things straight but often flip-flopping.
- Dialogue and character reactions are sometimes perceived as unnatural, almost AI-generated.
- The anime's animation and art direction are generally described as mediocre or uninspired.
- The premise of being 'overshadowed' and then 'overpowered' is questioned, with some arguing the latter is by default due to others being weaker.
- Plot progression is minimal for much of the season, focusing on common tropes rather than developing the overarching mystery.