The Spring 2023 Light Novel Guide

The Reincarnated Mage with Inferior Eyes: Breezing Through the Future as an Oppressed Ex-Hero

What's It About? 

Good grief. After spending years traveling across the world, saving towns, defeating demons, and then finally killing the demon king, my party—the people I considered comrades—decided to kick me out. I'd honestly thought that they'd be different. They wouldn't be like the rest of the world, who irrationally hate people like me, with Amber Eyes. But...I was wrong. In the end, it's not their fault, though. It's just how the world was back then. I was sure that with more time and understanding, the world would shed their preconceived notions about those with Amber Eyes and treat us as they would anyone else. I held on to this hope as I used my unique

magecraft to reincarnate myself two hundred years into the future. Now, it's time to find out if my guess was right!

The Reincarnated Mage with Inferior Eyes: Breezing through the Future as an Oppressed Ex-Hero has a story by Yusura Kankitsu, and art by Ruria Miyuki. English translation by Geirrlon Dunn. J-Novel Club, $7.99 digital. Available now.

Is It Worth Reading?

Rebecca Silverman

Rating:

The Reincarnated Mage with Inferior Eyes is the very definition of “good enough.” It bears many similarities to The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest in that its protagonist, Abel, was underappreciated in his first life, so he arranges for his reincarnation. He hopes that two hundred years in the future, the stigma against people with amber-colored eyes will be gone. The sad truth is that things are just differently bad. Also, Abel is now in a pre-pubescent body, which comes with a few other issues…and leads to the single worst thing in the novel. This would be a one-paragraph mention that he has sex with Lillith—the demoness he saved in his first life, and who is in love with him. Honestly, it has zero bearing on the rest of the story. It's also uncomfortable to think of a boy who is self-described as not having entered puberty and having a sexual relationship with someone much older.

But that's the least important part of the book. The rest of it is a standard reincarnation fantasy. Abel is grossly overpowered compared to the mages of the present day, and the world has experienced an industrial revolution, which he views somewhat negatively. Most interesting is the way the magic system works and how it's linked to eye color; it's not especially innovative, but it is at least somewhat different from other light novels. Abel isn't insufferable as a protagonist (that badge goes to Eliza, the second heroine); he's smart and knows how much to hide from those around him, which makes him actually seem as intelligent as the book wants us to believe. The writing isn't amazing, but it reads quickly and smoothly. It's free of the overwriting and repetitive descriptions found in lesser, light novels. There are a lot of mildly ecchi illustrations that are generally pleasing to look at, aside from some overly exaggerated depictions of breasts. This book isn't going to start any revolutions, but it's a decent way to pass the time, especially if you're looking for a quick-reading power fantasy.