After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World

After drinking too much at my retirement celebration, I woke up to find myself inexplicably transformed into a beautiful young boy in another world. In this world where magic reigns supreme, there’s a catch – only women can use magic. The value of men lies in their ability to produce magically powerful offspring, recognized only through the demanding role of a ‘stud’ in a challenging setting. Somehow, when I engage in procreation, both the children and their mothers gain peculiar powers. Before I knew it, my surroundings were filled with women. Is this some kind of cheat?

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World This novel presents a fascinating, if uncomfortable, premise: a world where women wield all the magical power, relegating men to… well, let's just say their roles are less than ideal. It's a bold concept, and while it grabbed my attention, the execution left me with mixed feelings. ### First Impressions The initial hook is strong. A retired protagonist finds himself in this bizarre, matriarchal society where a man's worth is tied to his ability to produce magically potent daughters. I was immediately curious to see how he'd navigate this world. The early chapters did a decent job of setting up the power dynamics and the inherent inequalities. ### What Works Well The world-building, despite its flaws, is arguably the strongest aspect. The author clearly put some thought into the societal structure and the implications of a magic system exclusive to women. I appreciated the attempt to explore the societal ramifications, even if it didn't always land gracefully. Some have praised the author for slowly fleshing out the world with detail and consistency. ### Areas of Concern However, the novel stumbles quite a bit. The central issue, for me, is the treatment of men within the story. The premise itself is inherently problematic, and the novel doesn't always grapple with the ethical implications effectively. The main character's passivity is another major sticking point. He often seems to accept his circumstances without much resistance, even in situations where a more proactive response would feel natural. Furthermore, the translation appears to have inconsistencies with pronouns, titles, and other gendered terminology that can be very confusing given the importance of gender in the story. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers might find the following content to contain spoilers. The treatment of the main character by some of the female characters, particularly the physical violence he endures, is also troubling. The fact that this abuse is often hand-waved or excused is deeply unsettling, and it makes it difficult to connect with the protagonist. There are also some issues with the plot. The main character is forced to marry into the Royal family and is told he must produce a female heir or his wife will be forced to have sex with another man. ### Final Verdict "After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World" is a flawed but intriguing novel. It presents a unique premise and some interesting world-building, but it struggles with ethical implications, character development, and translation quality. If you're willing to overlook these issues and are interested in a story that challenges traditional gender roles (albeit in a potentially problematic way), it might be worth a try. Otherwise, proceed with caution.