The Mushoku Tensei series is a hugely popular, classic isekai reincarnation anime, but did you know that there's currently a rumor going around that "Mushoku Tensei = Dragon Quest 5" theory? In fact, rumors are circulating that the storyline and theme of the fifth installment of the nationally popular Dragon Quest RPG are significantly similar to Mushoku Tensei. While both are set in fantasy worlds, is it possible that this isekai reincarnation anime could have similarities to an RPG released over 20 years ago? Based on this simple question, I'd like to compare Mushoku Tensei and Dragon Quest 5. Dragon Quest 5's high level of completion has influenced numerous animations, so perhaps Mushoku Tensei was inspired by this work. Let's examine the "Mushoku Tensei = Dragon Quest 5" theory by comparing specific similarities.
The widely rumored "Mushoku Tensei = Dragon Quest 5" theory
First, I'd like to briefly summarize and introduce the "Mushoku Tensei = Dragon Quest 5" theory currently circulating. This theory has mainly been circulating on social media, but since so many people have been talking about the similarities between the two works, many fans may have already seen it on social media.
Is the story development approaching? ?
One of the commonalities is the similar story development. The protagonist of Dragon Quest V begins his adventures as a child, encounters various people, and overcomes events such as marriage, the birth of children, and the appearance of his parents. This development is certainly similar to that of Mushoku Tensei.
Same Theme
Dragon Quest V also depicts family bonds throughout the story. The thematic structure of the story, which deals with the changing ways of dealing with family and resolving one's own existence through the death, marriage, and birth of parents, is exactly the same as that of Mushoku Tensei.
What is Dragon Quest V?
Although Dragon Quest V and Mushoku Tensei are said to share similar storylines and themes, there are likely many fans who are familiar with Mushoku Tensei but not with Dragon Quest V. So, from here on, I would like to introduce what kind of game Dragon Quest V is.
Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
Dragon Quest V, officially titled "Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride," is the fifth installment in the legendary "Dragon Quest" series, which is said to have first popularized RPG games among the general public. The latest Dragon Quest game currently on sale is "Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age," so this is actually six games removed from the series.
Released for the Super Famicom in 1992
Dragon Quest V was released for the Super Famicom in 1992. Since it's been about 20 years since the game was released, many fans may not even know that the Super Famicom was the console on which Dragon Quest V was released.
One of the Dragon Quest series' greatest masterpieces
Dragon Quest V is one of the most popular titles in the Dragon Quest series, and is still considered the most popular masterpiece in the series. Some fans also claim that Dragon Quest 3 is the best title, so it seems that Dragon Quest fans generally agree that either Dragon Quest 5 or Dragon Quest 3 is the best. Either way, there's no denying that it's a highly acclaimed title.
Depicting the Protagonist's Life
One of the greatest features of Dragon Quest V is that, unusually for the Dragon Quest series, it fully depicts the protagonist's life. While the Dragon Quest series generally follows the hero as he grows into his full potential and defeats the Demon King, Dragon Quest V's story begins in the protagonist's childhood, depicting the life of a human being rather than the hero's adventure.
Adapted into a CG Animation Movie
Due to its overwhelming popularity, Dragon Quest V was also adapted into a CG animation movie. While the CG animation itself was good, the story deviated significantly from Dragon Quest V, resulting in a somewhat unsettling ending. However, when asked which Dragon Quest series would be adapted into a movie, this was the first to be chosen, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Dragon Quest V's General Story
From here, I'd like to revisit the general story of Dragon Quest V in order to specifically consider the similarities with Mushoku Tensei. By reviewing the story of Dragon Quest V, you'll be able to better understand how Mushoku Tensei and this game are similar, so be sure to check it out.
A Journey with Father to Find Mother
Dragon Quest V begins with the protagonist, a naive young boy, traveling with his father. Initially, the protagonist doesn't know his father's purpose, but he soon realizes that his father is on a journey to find his missing mother. Finding the missing mother is the goal that runs throughout the game's story.
Interactions with Childhood Friends
During his quest to find his mother, the protagonist meets a certain girl. The two become friends through a mutual friendship, as their fathers were acquaintances. As childhood friends, the two share many childhood experiences, including sneaking into abandoned castles to hunt ghosts.
Father's Death and Slavery
The protagonist's childhood led a relatively enjoyable life of adventure. However, one day, while attempting to rescue the prince of a kingdom kidnapped by monsters, his father, Papas, was killed by the monsters holding his son hostage. Having lost his father, the protagonist and the captured prince end up working as slaves for the cult to which the monsters belonged.
Escape from Slavery and Farewell to a Best Friend
As the protagonist continues his life as a slave, he grows into a young man. It seemed as though his short life as a slave would end there, but one day he seizes an opportunity to escape and succeeds with the prince and a young girl named Maria. He travels for a while with Prince Henry, who has become his best friend after a long life as a slave. However, Henry leaves the protagonist's group due to his mission to inherit the kingdom.
Letter from Father
During an adventure with Henry, the protagonist finds a letter from his father. Inside is a message: "I need the power of a legendary hero to find my mother." In order to rescue his mother, his father, Papas, had found a legendary sword that could only be wielded by a legendary hero, but he was unable to find a hero capable of wielding it. The protagonist attempts to equip the legendary sword, but is unable to do so, so he must search for a hero capable of wielding it.
Marriage
After Henry leaves the group, the protagonist searches for the legendary hero alone. During his journey, he encounters a beautiful woman named Flora. Initially, the protagonist completes a task given to him by Flora's father in order to marry her. However, while completing the task, he reunites with his childhood friend, Bianca. Ultimately, after struggling to decide whether to marry Bianca or Flora, the protagonist decides to marry one of them and holds a wedding ceremony (the player is free to choose who to marry; the author recommends Flora).
Return to the Kingdom
The hero married one of the heroines, but no clues about the legendary hero remained. In the midst of this, the protagonist somehow finds his way to the kingdom where his father ruled as king. Although his father never told his son this fact, the protagonist's father, Papas, was actually the king of the Kingdom of Granvania.
The Birth of a Child and a New Tragedy
The protagonist inherits his father's kingdom as king, and the heroine gives birth to twin children. While the years of joy are filled with succession, the happy times do not last long. Suddenly, a monster attacks the kingdom, and the heroine is abducted. The protagonist rushes after them, but is defeated by the monster and turned to stone along with the heroine.
True Hero
After spending many years as a stone, the protagonist somehow manages to have the curse lifted. Surprisingly, it was his own children who lifted the curse. After some time passed, the children, now strong and strong, equipped themselves with the legendary sword left behind by the protagonist's late father and began their journey to save their father and mother. As evidenced by the fact that they were equipped with the legendary sword, the protagonist's children were descended from the hero. Since the protagonist does not have the blood of a hero, it becomes clear at this stage that the heroine he married was from a family descended from a hero.
Bringing Peace to the World
Finally, the protagonist and his friends manage to untie the heroine, the children's mother, and reach the Demon King to save her. Unfortunately, the mother is killed by the Demon King just before she can save them. However, inheriting the will of his parents, the protagonist succeeds in defeating the Demon King. As a result, peace returns to the world, and the protagonist's deceased parents rejoice in the protagonist and his family's happiness from heaven.
Dragon Quest V and Mushoku Tensei
The story of Dragon Quest V is as above, but have you noticed many similarities to Mushoku Tensei? The protagonist sets out on a journey with his father to find his mother, and along the way, his father dies while protecting him. He also marries his childhood friend (in the Bianca route), and has a child midway through the story.
Portraying Life in a Fantasy World
One of the major similarities between Dragon Quest V and Mushoku Tensei is that both works are dedicated to depicting life in a fantasy world. This isn't to say that Mushoku Tensei copied Dragon Quest V; rather, both works strive to focus on the life of a single character in order to portray a fantasy world more realistically. Evolving with the same goal often results in similar results, a phenomenon known as convergent evolution.
Meetings and partings with various characters
As a result, both works progress over the vast timescale of a person's life, and encounters and partings with various characters are depicted in striking detail. In a work that depicts the short period of time it takes for a hero to achieve a single goal, it is difficult to depict long-term human relationships, such as meetings and partings. However, this is a unique feature of this work, which is set over the vast timescale of a person's life.
Influences the viewer's outlook on life
Furthermore, because viewers can relive the protagonist's life, the depictions depicted in the work are full of themes that can be applied to our own lives, such as the death of parents, one's own marriage, and how to deal with children. The unique feature of this life-relive type of work is that it can influence the viewer's outlook on life.
Does reincarnation in another world originate from games? ?
Dragon Quest 5 is not an isekai reincarnation game, but it is an RPG in which players can freely control their characters. As a result, players feel as if they have been reincarnated into another world from the real world. While isekai reincarnation works have become popular in animation recently, their origins may have originated from RPGs that allow players to experience other worlds while still in the real world.
A Hitogami appears in the CG animated movie version of Dragon Quest 5!?
Furthermore, the CG animated film of Dragon Quest 5 features a being similar to a Hitogami. Not only does this character offer a bird's-eye view of the world, but he also possesses superhuman abilities, making him very similar to a Hitogami. Given the similarities between Mushoku Tensei and Dragon Quest 5, the CG animated film may actually be a better choice for fans who want to enjoy the original.
Summary
So what did you think? This article introduced the similarities between Mushoku Tensei and Dragon Quest 5. While the story development and theme are very similar, enjoying Mushoku Tensei as an animated film and Dragon Quest 5 as a game are fundamentally different. Therefore, while there are many similar elements, the two works offer completely different types of enjoyment, so if you're a fan of one, be sure to check out the other.
