Okashi na Tensei

Sweet Reincarnation

Characters

Pastry Morteln

MAIN

Marcarullo Doroba

MAIN

Luminito Aidilichpa

MAIN

Licorice Hubarek

MAIN

Squale Kadrecek

SUPPORTING

Helm

SUPPORTING

Josephine Morteln

SUPPORTING

Petra Hubarek

SUPPORTING

Sheet Beatwin

SUPPORTING

Casserole Morteln

SUPPORTING

Cointreau Doroba

SUPPORTING

Glacage Aidilichpa

SUPPORTING

Agnes Morteln

SUPPORTING

Brioche Salgret Leteche

SUPPORTING

Sweet Reincarnation Season 1: A Bittersweet Isekai Adventure

Sweet Reincarnation (known as Okashi na Tensei in Japanese), a delightful yet surprisingly complex isekai anime, premiered in the Summer of 2023, captivating audiences with its unique blend of fantasy, politics, and pastry-making. Based on the light novel series by Nozomu Koryu and illustrated by Yasuyuki Shuri, this 12-episode season, produced by SynergySP with assistance from Studio Comet, aired from July 4 to September 19, 2023, on TV Tokyo and other networks. While the show promises a sugary journey, it delivers a layered narrative that balances lighthearted moments with heavier themes of leadership and survival. Here’s a detailed look at Sweet Reincarnation Season 1 and why it’s both a treat and a challenge for isekai fans.

A Recipe for Reincarnation

The story follows a talented pastry chef who meets an untimely demise in a bizarre accident involving a collapsing candy sculpture. Reborn as Pastry Mille Morteln, the nine-year-old heir to the impoverished Morteln dominion in a medieval fantasy world, he carries his passion for sweets into his new life. Voiced by Ayumu Murase in Japanese and Trina Nishimura in English, Pastry dreams of creating a “land of sweets” to bring happiness to his people. However, his ambitions are quickly tempered by the harsh realities of his new world: a poor village, scarce resources, and constant threats from bandits and political intrigue.

The premise sets Sweet Reincarnation apart from typical isekai fare. Unlike protagonists who wield overpowered magic or combat skills, Pastry’s greatest asset is his confectionary expertise—a seemingly mundane skill that he must adapt to a world where sugar and ingredients are luxuries. Fans of Ascendance of a Bookworm will find parallels in Pastry’s struggle to acquire resources, much like Myne’s quest to create books. Yet, as the season progresses, the show pivots away from its dessert-driven hook, diving into themes of governance, strategy, and survival, which both enriches and complicates its identity.

A Mixed Batter: Plot and Pacing

Sweet Reincarnation Season 1 consists of 12 episodes, each approximately 23 minutes long, streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video. Directed by Naoyuki Kuzuya, with scripts by Mitsutaka Hirota, character designs by Tomoko Miyakawa, and music by Hiroshi Nakamura, the series boasts a solid production team. The opening theme, “Brand New Day” by Sana from Sajou no Hana, and the ending theme, “Fūmizekka” by YuNi, add a vibrant touch to the show’s atmosphere.

The season begins with a strong focus on Pastry’s culinary aspirations. Episode 1 introduces his reincarnation and his determination to recreate the sweets of his past life, despite the scarcity of ingredients like sugar and milk. He explores crops suitable for dessert-making and discovers rare ingredients in the capital, setting the stage for a cozy, food-centric isekai. However, by Episode 2, the narrative shifts dramatically to a battle against bandits threatening the Morteln domain. This early detour into action and strategy catches many viewers off guard, as the promised “sweet” focus takes a backseat to political and military challenges.

Episodes 2 through 7 delve into Pastry’s efforts to protect and rebuild his village alongside his father, Casserole, a skilled but poor swordsman, and their retainer, Feuille. Pastry must learn to fight, unlock his magical potential through a Sanctification Ritual, and navigate the complexities of noble politics. While these episodes showcase his ingenuity—using his modern knowledge to improve agriculture and devise battle strategies—the lack of baking scenes disappoints fans expecting a dessert-filled adventure. As noted in a CBR article, “With seven episodes released so far, fans who tuned in hoping to see an anime about decadent desserts are starting to wonder: Where are the actual sweets in Sweet Reincarnation?”

The latter half of the season attempts to balance these elements. Pastry occasionally returns to his culinary roots, crafting treats like a tarte Tatin to cheer up his friend Squale or experimenting with limited ingredients. However, the show leans heavily into political drama, with arcs involving a scheming noble, a kidnapping, and tensions with the neighboring Hubarek domain. The season finale sees the Mortelns emerge as heroes, thwarting a major threat and rescuing Princess Licorice, but Pastry’s dream of a sweets utopia remains a work in progress.

Strengths: A Fresh Take on Isekai

Despite its deviations, Sweet Reincarnation shines in its character-driven storytelling and world-building. Pastry is a compelling protagonist—his youthful optimism and determination to spread joy through sweets contrast with the grim realities of his world, creating a relatable underdog. His relationships with his family, particularly his father, Casserole, and his friend Licorice, add emotional depth. The show’s exploration of governance, resource management, and diplomacy offers a refreshing twist on the isekai formula, appealing to viewers who enjoy strategic narratives like Log Horizon or That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

The animation, while not groundbreaking, is serviceable, with vibrant character designs and occasional flashes of creativity in the food scenes. The soundtrack complements the tone, balancing whimsical moments with tense battle sequences. The voice acting, particularly Murase’s earnest portrayal of Pastry, brings warmth to the character, while the English dub, led by Nishimura, captures his determination effectively.

Shortcomings: An Identity Crisis

The primary criticism of Sweet Reincarnation Season 1 is its struggle to reconcile its premise with its execution. As an Anime-Planet review notes, “This show has an identity crisis. It’s trying to be a slice of life, isekai, political, war, action, rom-com, and cooking show all in one. But it doesn’t really go all in with any of them and ends up being pretty bad at them all instead.” The series only features Pastry making four desserts across the season, with two being nearly identical, which feels like a missed opportunity given the title’s promise.

The animation quality also draws criticism, particularly the use of faceless background characters, which some viewers found distracting or budget-conscious. Action scenes often rely on still frames, undermining the intensity of battles. Additionally, the pacing feels uneven, with early episodes rushing into combat and later ones bogged down by political subplots, leaving little room for the cozy, dessert-focused moments fans expected.

Reception and Legacy

Sweet Reincarnation Season 1 garnered mixed reviews, earning a 6.5/10 on IMDb and a 6.72/10 on MyAnimeList. While it didn’t compete with blockbuster isekai like Mushoku Tensei, it carved a niche as a lighthearted summer watch. Fans appreciated its unique protagonist and heartfelt moments, but many echoed the sentiment that the show strayed too far from its culinary roots. The source material, with 27 light novel volumes and 10 manga volumes as of August 2023, provides ample content for future seasons, fueling hope for a more sweets-focused continuation.

As of July 2025, no official announcement has confirmed a second season, though the series’ dedicated fanbase and extensive source material keep anticipation alive. A Sportskeeda article suggests that Season 2, if greenlit, could explore Pastry’s ongoing quest to build his dreamland of sweets while addressing unresolved conflicts, such as the scheming noble Lutoroute.

Final Thoughts: A Tasty but Underbaked Dish

Sweet Reincarnation Season 1 is a charming yet flawed addition to the isekai genre. Its blend of pastry-making, political intrigue, and coming-of-age themes offers a fresh perspective, but the lack of focus on its titular sweets leaves viewers hungry for more. Pastry Mille Morteln’s journey is endearing, and the show’s heart lies in his determination to bring happiness through his craft. For fans of character-driven isekai with a touch of strategy, it’s a worthwhile watch, but those seeking a cozy baking anime may want to temper their expectations.

Stream Sweet Reincarnation Season 1 on Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV, and dive into Pastry سابقہ