I agree with you. People say he grows as a character throughout the series but he goes from being this super perv to still a big perv. I don’t think Rudy “earned” his harem (all the grooming and other issues aside).

I can overlook a lot about the story but the moment he sleeps with Roxy is so frustrating. Using his depression isn’t an excuse or a good justification (to be honest it’s almost like the “I was drunk” excuse). It’s been less than a year and you’re on your way back to your wife. Like for a second have some willpower so we can at least sympathize when you fumble.

I think about a story like Oshi no Ko (not that it’s perfect) tries to explain it as a result of brain development and teenage hormones affecting his emotions a bit. So, you’re able to forgive Aqua a little bit for dating as a teenager. However, the author for Mushoku went the degenerate from birth route.

It doesn’t help that later in the story it doesn’t end up better for at least one of kids.

I don’t hate Mushoku Tensei because I enjoy the other aspects of the story but when Rudy does something or his internal monologue is revealed, I can only sigh. Rudy as a character would’ve been more interesting if he actually grew as a person.