Very good in most aspects - but has a VERY significant problem

This is not a bad show. In fact, it is a quite competently made work that shines on most levels. The artwork is gorgeous, the animation is good, and the world feels incredible to look at and take in. There is a good amount of well executed comedy, and there are some relatively intense scenes that are handled quite well.

So what's my problem? The main character. My problem with him isn't that he's unlikable or that he's a pervert, or even that he feels sexual attraction towards and sexually harasses several prepubescent girls - it's that the show doesn't take this subject matter seriously enough, at least in my opinion.

Let's make one thing clear: it doesn't matter that he has some trauma from his previous life that left him emotionally stunted. That is not an excuse for sexual harassment of children, and frankly it's insulting to people with similar childhood trauma that wouldn't grope an unconscious 10 year old or fantasize about grooming a kindergarten age girl into becoming an ideal girlfriend.

Any argument putting forth the idea that this is a fantasy world with a different/archaic moral system is ignoring the fact that the main character is not someone from this fantasy world. He doesn't have the perspective of someone from there, he actually grew up and lived the majority of his life on Earth. On Earth (at least in most modern nations) it is not at all acceptable to interact with small children in a sexual manner. He knows better and yet still acts out on his sick desires in spite of this.

I have heard some people say that the story is some sort of redemption arc where the main character is on his way towards becoming a better person (i.e. not a pedo). I cannot vouch for the validity of this claim when it comes to the LN/WN/manga, but what I do know is that this certainly doesn't seem to be the case in the anime. The episode where the main character regreted the way he acted towards his cousin on his birthday is often brought up as an example of character development - and while this might show some development in regards to him learning the importance of consent, it certainly does not help his case in regards to the accusations of pedophilia. Towards the end of the series he is caught peeping on her while she is bathing. This scene is played for laughs, but it makes it clear that the main character has not yet learned that he should not be acting so sexually charged towards such young girls.

So does this mean that I hate all morally ambiguous characters? Nope, not at all. The problem I have with this series is that it seems to want to tackle serious topics like sexual assault, rape, and pedophelia but ends up not being clear enough about how these things are not very poggers.

I don't have much to comment on other common criticisms about the series. Misogyny is commonplace in this world and pretty much every male character in the story is a massive piece of shit. Despite that, I don't believe this is as much of a valid point of criticism for the series.

Overall, despite my very harsh criticism on what I feel to be a very important topic, I did enjoy watching it in spite of its issues and I am looking forward to watching the second season.