Dreams and Reality

The interaction depicted in Mushoku Tensei season 1 episode 23 is indeed unsettling for many viewers due to the significant age gap and the power dynamics involved. While Rudeus is physically around 16 in this moment, his internal age is that of a 34-year-old man, carrying the experiences and desires of his past life. Roxy, on the other hand, while older than 16, is still considerably younger than Rudeus' mental age. This creates a disturbing imbalance, where a mature adult consciousness engages intimately with someone who is legally a minor, even within the fictional world's context where the age of consent might differ.

The discomfort arises from the real-world implications of such a relationship, echoing concerns about adult exploitation of minors. Even if the narrative attempts to contextualize or explore the characters' emotional states, the fundamental issue of a significant power and maturity disparity remains a valid point of criticism. The viewer's reaction of disgust is understandable, as it taps into deeply ingrained societal norms and ethical considerations surrounding relationships involving significant age gaps, especially when one party is clearly a minor.