Why Does Orsted Hate Hitogami? The True Origin of Their Conflict in Mushoku Tensei

Spoiler Warning and Continuity Notes

This article covers major light novel spoilers, including late-story revelations and the side story Old Dragon's Tale. The currently airing third anime season has only partially revealed this conflict, while the manga condenses and rearranges events. The light novel is the primary canon, with deeper lore originating from the author's web novel and side materials.

Who Are Orsted and Hitogami?

Orsted: The Dragon God in a Loop

Orsted is introduced in the anime during Turning Point 2 as the terrifying Dragon God, one of the Seven Great Powers. His overwhelming strength and emotionless demeanor conceal a deeper truth: he is trapped in a repeating time loop, reliving roughly 200-year cycles.

He retains memories from each loop and uses them to pursue a single objective - defeat Hitogami.

Hitogami: The Man-God Who Manipulates Fate

Hitogami, also known as the Man-God, appears benevolent at first. He communicates through dreams, offering advice that often helps characters in the short term. However, over time it becomes clear that he manipulates events for his own survival.

He selects "apostles" - individuals he guides to alter the future in his favor.

The contrast is stark:

• Orsted works in secrecy, burdened by knowledge and repetition
• Hitogami operates openly, influencing people through trust and dependence

The Ancient Conflict: What Happened Before the Story

The Six-Sided World and Its Collapse

According to the author's original web novel (Old Dragon's Tale), the world of Mushoku Tensei was once divided into multiple realms ruled by different gods: Dragon, Human, Beast, Sea, Sky, and Demon.

This balance collapsed due to a series of conflicts - conflicts heavily implied to have been manipulated by Hitogami.

In this era:

• The first Dragon God (Orsted's father) fought against the other gods
• Multiple worlds were destroyed or merged
• The Human God's true role became increasingly suspicious

These events form the foundation of Orsted's hatred.

You can read the original source material here: Mushoku Tensei Web Novel (Japanese)

Hitogami's Role (Confirmed vs Interpretation)

Confirmed by canon:

• Hitogami survives while other gods perish
• He manipulates individuals across time using foresight
• He becomes Orsted's primary target

Strongly implied (from Old Dragon's Tale):

• Hitogami orchestrated the downfall of the other gods
• He deceived the Dragon God into catastrophic wars
• He may not be the original "Human God," but a usurper

Because these details come from a side story rather than the main narrative, some aspects remain interpretive rather than explicitly confirmed.

The Death of the Dragon God: Orsted's Inherited Mission

Before his death, the first Dragon God entrusted Orsted with a final mission:

Defeat Hitogami.

To make this possible, he:

• Sent Orsted into the far future
• Placed him in a time loop technique
• Gave him abilities and protections specifically designed to counter Hitogami

This moment is critical. Orsted's hatred is not simply emotional - it is programmed purpose combined with inherited revenge.

He is fighting the enemy who:

• Destroyed his father's world
• Killed his father
• Continues to manipulate history

Why Orsted Attacks Hitogami's Apostles

Apostles as Obstacles Across Timelines

In every loop, Hitogami interferes through chosen individuals. These apostles unknowingly act in ways that:

• Prevent Orsted from gathering resources
• Disrupt key political outcomes
• Alter events leading to Hitogami's defeat

From Orsted's perspective, apostles are recurring threats.

This explains his behavior in the anime:

• When he meets Rudeus, he immediately asks if he knows Hitogami
• Upon confirmation, he attacks without hesitation

From Orsted's experience, every apostle has been an enemy in past loops.

The Rudeus Exception

Rudeus is different:

• He is not affected by Orsted's fear-inducing curse
• His actions are unpredictable due to reincarnation
• He becomes the first apostle to switch sides

This turning point is explored more deeply in the light novel (particularly mid-series volumes published by Seven Seas): Mushoku Tensei Light Novel Series

Rudeus' alliance with Orsted marks a major shift in the long-running conflict.

Orsted's Time Loop: The Source of His Hatred

How the Loop Works

Orsted relives the same general timeline repeatedly. Each loop:

• Begins at a fixed point in history
• Ends after roughly 200 years or upon failure
• Retains Orsted's memories but resets the world

This creates a unique psychological burden.

Accumulated Failure and Frustration

Across countless loops:

• Hitogami continues to evade defeat
• Apostles derail Orsted's plans
• Key allies die repeatedly

This transforms Orsted's mission into something deeper than duty.

His hatred is shaped by:

• Repetition of loss
• Inability to permanently change outcomes
• Constant interference from an unseen enemy

Unlike a single lifetime of revenge, Orsted's hatred spans centuries of lived experience.

The Mechanics of Their Conflict

Why Hitogami Fears Orsted

Hitogami has a powerful advantage: he can see possible futures.

However, Orsted is a blind spot.

Because of the Dragon God's intervention:

• Hitogami cannot perceive Orsted directly
• He cannot fully predict outcomes involving him

This makes Orsted uniquely dangerous.

Why Orsted Needs Preparation

Despite his strength, Orsted cannot simply attack Hitogami immediately.

To reach him, he must:

• Navigate political and historical events correctly
• Secure key allies and resources
• Avoid premature interference from apostles

This is why Orsted builds influence behind the scenes instead of acting openly.

Anime vs Light Novel: Key Differences

Anime (Season 1-2)

The anime presents:

• Orsted as an overwhelmingly powerful but mysterious figure
• His hostility toward Hitogami as unexplained
• The concept of apostles without full context

The official anime story page summarizes events but avoids deeper lore: Mushoku Tensei Anime Story

Light Novel

The light novel expands:

• Orsted's time loop
• His mission from the Dragon God
• The long-term conflict with Hitogami

Web Novel / Side Stories

The deepest lore - especially about:

• The ancient world

• The origin of Hitogami

• The fall of the gods

• comes from Old Dragon's Tale, written by the original author.

These details are essential for understanding the full reason behind Orsted's hatred, but are not fully adapted into the anime.

Is It Really "Hatred"?

Confirmed Motivation

From canon dialogue and actions:

• Orsted's goal is to defeat Hitogami
• He consistently acts against him across loops
• He eliminates apostles without hesitation

Interpretation

Calling it "hatred" is partly interpretive.

It includes:

• Duty (assigned by his father)
• Strategic necessity
• Personal resentment built over time

Unlike emotional revenge stories, Orsted's behavior is often cold and calculated.

Emotional Layer

However, his persistence suggests more than obligation.

After countless loops:

• He has seen the same tragedies repeat
• He has failed repeatedly
• He continues anyway

This persistence strongly implies deep-seated hatred reinforced by experience, even if he rarely expresses it outwardly.

Consequences of Their Conflict

The Role of Rudeus

Rudeus becomes:

• A former apostle of Hitogami
• A key ally of Orsted
• A variable that changes future outcomes

This is one of the most important developments in the story.

The Long-Term Goal

Orsted's ultimate objective is:

• Reach Hitogami's domain
• Kill him permanently
• End the cycle of manipulation

Hitogami's Countermoves

Hitogami responds by:

• Choosing new apostles
• Targeting key individuals (including Rudeus' family)
• Attempting to alter fate in his favor

The conflict evolves into a long-term strategic battle rather than a direct confrontation.

Confirmed Facts vs Fan Theories

Confirmed

• Orsted is the son of the original Dragon God
• Hitogami is his primary enemy
• Orsted is trapped in a time loop
• Hitogami uses apostles to interfere with the future

Strongly Supported (but partially interpretive)

• Hitogami orchestrated the fall of the ancient world
• He deceived the Dragon God and other deities
• His identity may not match the original Human God

Unresolved or Ambiguous

• Hitogami's true origin
• The full nature of his power
• Whether fate itself can be completely overcome

Why This Conflict Matters

The Orsted-Hitogami conflict is the hidden backbone of Mushoku Tensei.

It explains:

• Why certain events repeat or feel inevitable
• Why Rudeus' actions become increasingly important
• Why the story shifts from personal growth to world-scale stakes

Without this conflict, many late-story developments would not make sense.

The bottom line: Orsted's hatred is inherited and repeatedly earned: Hitogami destroyed the Dragon World's future, killed Orsted's father, and sabotages every loop through disposable apostles. Defeating him is both Orsted's mission and the only way to end the cycle.