Rifujin na Magonote, author of the light novel series Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, recently took to X to recommend Satoshi Mizukami’s manga Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer.
He revealed that he read the series during the most difficult period of his life and had once thought, “Maybe I’ll die once it ends.” After reaching the finale, however, he found himself thinking, “I can’t read this and then die. That would be a betrayal of the work.” He ended his recommendation by urging “all humanity” to read it. The deeply personal post attracted considerable attention and even received a response from Mizukami himself.
Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer was created by Satoshi Mizukami and began serialization in Shonengahosha’s Young King OURs in 2005. It concluded in 2010 and was collected in 10 volumes. A TV anime adaptation aired in 2022, but received a poor response, with Mizukami himself lamenting his limited influence.
The story follows Yuuhi Amamiya, an ordinary college student who awakens one morning to find a talking lizard named Noi Crezant in his room. Noi claims to be a knight tasked with protecting a “princess” from an evil mage plotting to destroy Earth. He asks Yuuhi to become a Ring Knight, swear his unwavering loyalty to the princess, and join the battle to protect the planet.
Mushoku Tensei author Rifujin na Magonote said the manga had a profound impact on him. Following it during a period when he felt he could no longer go on gave him something to hold on to. He had originally thought that he could die after seeing the story through to its conclusion, but when the finale arrived, he instead realized, “I can’t read this and then die. That would be a betrayal of the work.” He urged everyone to give the series a read.
The post quickly sparked discussion among readers and fans, eventually drawing a direct response from Mizukami: “Thank you for following up. It looks like I won’t have to slit my throat and apologize in a rain of blood. Man, I’m glad I drew it—and that I was able to read Mushoku Tensei...”
Mizukami’s joke about slitting his throat and apologizing in blood referred to a connection he had previously identified between the two works. In Mushoku Tensei, the older Rudeus once says, “You read it in a manga, didn’t you? Anyone who talks about whether they believe or don’t believe is always lying.” Mizukami explained that the “manga” referenced in that line was actually Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer.
At the time, he jokingly wrote that if Rifujin na Magonote responded, “Actually, it was a different manga,” he would have no choice but to slit his throat and apologize in blood.
After Mizukami quoted the post, Rifujin na Magonote replied, “No, thank you! I’m alive thanks to you!” He added that despite owing so much to Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, he had always felt apologetic for referencing it without permission and without clearly identifying which manga the line referred to.
Rifujin na Magonote later published another post confirming that Mizukami was correct: the manga referenced by the older Rudeus was indeed Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer. He concluded by writing, “Please support Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer.”
As the exchange between the two creators spread, more readers joined the conversation. One X user wrote, “Creative works really can save people.” Having also found encouragement in many works, including Mushoku Tensei, the commenter said the author’s experience resonated deeply with them.
Another user called Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer their favorite manga, saying, “I think I learned many of the most important things in life from this series.” Despite having read countless manga, they said no other work contained as many scenes and lines that moved them so profoundly. Other users encouraged newcomers to “give it the benefit of the doubt and read at least through Chapter 10,” hoping that more people would discover the series.
Discussing what makes the series distinctive, another reader described it as a supernatural battle manga built around the idea that “the fundamental nature of every power is the same—it is how each person uses it that differs.” Rather than focusing solely on its battles, the manga places greater emphasis on its characters’ outlooks on life, setting it apart from the more conventional battle series of its era.
The unexpected connection revealed by the two creators has brought renewed attention to Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, a series that concluded more than a decade ago. Readers who originally came to the conversation through Mushoku Tensei have since joined in recommending and discussing the manga across social media.
Our editorial team also wholeheartedly recommends Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer. If the story has caught your interest, consider giving the manga a read!