The Incompetent Prince Who Has Been Banished Wants To Hide His Abilities~ The Strongest Sage Who Reincarnated Twice, He Wanted To Enjoy This Life, so Took It Easy and Was Banished From the Royal Family. It’s Too Late To Be Told Come Back Now Cause the People of the Territory Have Noticed His Abilities, and Won’t Let Him Return to His Family Home

My Thoughts on The Incompetent Prince Who Has Been Banished Wants To Hide His Abilities~ The Strongest Sage Who Reincarnated Twice, He Wanted To Enjoy This Life, so Took It Easy and Was Banished From the Royal Family. It’s Too Late To Be Told Come Back Now Cause the People of the Territory Have Noticed His Abilities, and Won’t Let Him Return to His Family Home

Okay, that title is a mouthful, but I dove into this web novel hoping for a fun, lighthearted read. The premise – a super-powered MC trying to play dumb – had potential. The reality, however, was a mixed bag.

First Impressions

Initially, the story had a certain comedic charm. Seeing the MC's attempts at incompetence backfire spectacularly was amusing for a while. The translation quality is commendable, making it easy to get through the chapters. I was ready for a fun, silly ride.

What Works Well

The humor is definitely a strong point, at least in the beginning. There's a certain satisfaction in seeing him try to fail and accidentally succeed, especially when the misunderstandings pile up. Some readers found the early chapters genuinely hilarious, particularly those focusing on the MC's interactions with his new territory. Also, the author is good at writing a story that is easy to read and follow.

Areas of Concern

However, as I read more, I started to notice some recurring issues. The MC's character development seems to stall pretty quickly. His attempts to be "incompetent" often feel contrived and, at times, even harmful to those around him. It's one thing to be clumsy, but intentionally putting others in danger for the sake of maintaining a facade? That's where I started to lose sympathy for him.

The family dynamics also felt a bit… lacking. The arrogant older brother and the oblivious king felt like cardboard cutouts, existing solely to make the MC look better. It's a common trope, but here it felt particularly uninspired. I also couldn't help but question the logic of the world-building. Magic seems to have regressed, but the explanation is vague, leaving me wondering why and how.

Final Verdict

"The Incompetent Prince..." had the potential to be a fun, escapist read. The premise is intriguing, and the initial humor is enjoyable. However, the lack of character development, questionable motivations of the MC, and predictable plot ultimately drag it down. If you're looking for a brainless comedy to kill some time, this might scratch that itch. But if you're hoping for a more nuanced and engaging story, you might want to look elsewhere. Overall, I'd say it's a below-average read, not the worst, but definitely not a standout.