Does anyone else also hate how reincarnation is often handled?

[SternenklarenRitter]

I draw a line between reincarnation and transmigration. While either can problematically unanswered questions about the who, why, and how, transmigration stories in particular have some really terrible examples of MCs who are utterly thoughtless and devoid of the barest scrap of empathy after waking up in a house, body, and family they have never seen before. Its a pattern; transmigration stories usually have shoddy to absent character development.

 

[Clo]

after waking up in a house, body, and family they have never seen before.

Absolutely right. I've been shows or read stories where it was actually funny how the MC had no idea who the family they just stepped into was, and didn't really feel like learning to know them or who they used to be. They just suddenly became someone else. (and most shows seem totally okay with that?)

I suppose my story counts as transmigration of sorts? My players create VR MMO avatars, who are fully adult, and have entire lives of memories, and the world also recognises them (Yes, they can go home. Yes, their parents might resent them for becoming adventurers and leaving their legacy behind)

But I make a big deal out of it. Not only do the NPCs have feelings about it, but the players ask themselves existential questions about those implanted memories.

Are they any less genuine than their real life memories? They brain doesn't distinguish between them, even if consciously, the player can tell "that happened to Leoric, not me", they still feel like they lived through those events.

I suppose there's a little bit of Total Recall and Darkcity going on in my series.

 

[aattss]

In terms of how the reincarnation happens or who did it, I don't really care? I mean, there are times when stories can tie it into the larger plot and characters, but I'm fine with it being a freak accident because the universe and the cycle of life and death are vast and complicated and chaotic. There are certainly explanations that annoy me more than no explanation. If the author wants reincarnation to happen, I don't necessarily need an in-universe justification.

In terms of what happens with the original soul, my preferred answers tend to be, either the reincarnator is the original soul, just able to keep/regain their memories unlike all the other babies, or they merge. I mean, I suppose I'm fine with the original soul getting ejected or whatever as long as it's meaningful and not played for angst.