This is one of those shows I call a 'Filler Anime'. It's not that it's full of filler episodes, but more the anime kind of exists as a show that feels like it's there to just kind of fill out the regular anime release schedule. This does not mean it's a bad thing, there have been plenty of anime like this released I have enjoyed over the years. Older examples of this I would point out would be something like Chrono Crusade. It's a good show and worth watching, but it is not going down as a classic and is pretty reliant on tropes and trends of the time. This is the category I would file this anime under.
Reincarnating into the future, Gaeas wished to be born with a new magical crest that was more suited for combat, and felt his work in this age was done as most of the demons had been wiped out. The era he comes back in, Reborn as Mathias Hildesheimr, seems to have regressed. Some catastrophe happened, and Demons used it to spread false information about magic to gradually weaken the human race so they can make their comeback. At first, I was a bit worried because it felt like this was going to be one of those shows where one character is just so far beyond everyone else all tension is gone, but the show does handle the premise very well.
Our hero is indeed far stronger than pretty much everything else in this world, but he's taking on more of a mentor role to the rest of the world to help restore the knowledge of people's Magical Crests, as well as teaching the lost art of wordless magic. On one hand, having him around does lower the stakes, as he could always step in and clear up pretty much any problem on his own, but that's not the role he gives himself. The show does a great job at keeping him in that mentor position over the others.
And while all the characters are pretty simple and basic, every member of the party is at least likable. By and large, the show keeps things light-hearted, and they all play well off each other. A personal favorite of mine is Iris, the Dragon who changed herself into a human form to travel with the group. There came a moment where they bring up having her turn back into a dragon as a kind of distraction, only for her to say, “I forgot I can turn into a dragon” as though she forgot that she was a dragon. This is the kind of humor you get out of this show, and it never really feels out of place.
That said, it can be hard to get invested when the tension does start to rise. I like that our powerful mage does eventually start needing help in fights, as he can't do all this on his own, but it does come late and the actual conflicts go by really fast. The main villain of the season, for example, is introduced in episode ten and dealt with two episodes later. That has been the case the whole season, he is beaten with magic that we are just now learning exists for this fight. A lot of the actual plot elements don't seem to stick around long enough to leave an impact.
In a few years, I am not likely to remember much about this show, but I don't think it's going to fade from my memory entirely. It's a fun show that gets a good number of laughs, some pretty fun fights, and a lot of likable characters with a pretty interesting use of an overpowered lead. If you are looking for something good to watch while waiting on the next big anime you are hyped for, it's worth your time, and I am looking forward to the second season if it ever comes.
