ANIME REVIEW: ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ Season 2 Part 1 (Spoiler)

So, here I am, diving into the adventures of Rudeus once again in Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Part 1. And let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster, folks!

Our hero, Rudeus, is on the hunt for his dear ol’ mom. He’s trekking through the icy northlands, hoping to stumble upon where he needed to be. But, as luck would have it, things take a wild turn one fateful night. Picture this: a not-so-pleasant discovery that shakes the whole direction of the show. Yep, that’s how we kick things off.

Before we jump back into Rudeus’s wandering journey, the show treats us to a zero episode that takes us back in time. We get to catch up with Sylphettie, who literally crash-lands into Princess Ariel’s garden. It’s a dramatic entrance, folks, with Sylphettie struggling to understand what’s happening. But boy, does it pull you back into the story after the season break.

Now, let’s talk romance. Rudeus crosses paths with a talented archer named Sara, and sparks fly. They decide to spend the night together to affirm their feelings, but here’s the kicker: Rudeus is still carrying the baggage from his last romantic encounter with Eris. Yep, it left him feeling, well, not up to par, if you catch my drift. Sara isn’t thrilled, to say the least, and she storms off, thinking it’s her looks. Awkward, right?

But wait, it gets worse! Rudeus tries to fix things, but his not-so-brilliant idea is overheard by Sara. Ouch. She’s hurt, and Rudeus feels like a total goof. So, what does he do? He skips town with his adventurer buddy Soldat the next day.

The show excels at portraying the messiness of emotions and misunderstandings in a way that’s all too relatable. It’s like watching a Shakespearean comedy of errors, but with a sprinkle of fantasy.

Fast forward a couple of years, and Rudeus is still adventuring with Soldat’s gang when he meets an elf named Elinalise Dragonroad. Now, here’s where things get interesting. Rudeus doesn’t remember her, but we do. She’s the one who traveled with Roxy in season one. She hands Rudeus a letter that changes the game – an invite to a prestigious magical academy.

This is where the story unfolds, folks. Rudeus heads to the university with Elinalise, and there’s Princess Ariel, her bodyguards, and a whole lot of drama. Sylphettie’s there too, but she’s changed so much that Rudeus doesn’t recognize her. Yet, they start spending time together and growing closer.

But not everything’s sunshine and rainbows. There’s a storyline about Rudeus buying a slave to help with training, and it’s all kinds of problematic. Seriously, why introduce slavery like this? It’s a head-scratcher, until Rifujin na Magonote commented on slavery in his series on X (Twitter) stating, “About Rudeus: He doesn’t really have any feelings of hatred for slavery. He feels like, it’s not necessarily the case that all slaves are universally unhappier as slaves than they were before becoming slaves.”

And just when you thought it couldn’t get weirder, Rudeus assaults and kidnaps a couple of beast girls over a figurine. But no one bats an eye at his bad behavior, not even Sylphettie, who finds the girls in his room, moaning and soiled. It’s beyond absurd.

Thankfully, the show gets back on track with the growing bond between Rudeus and Sylphettie. Their relationship blossoms despite Rudeus’s questionable choices, and it leads to a beautiful, sad, and joyous climax. The way it explores trauma, acceptance, and reconciliation is simply fantastic. It’s a heartfelt finale that leaves you with all the feels.

So, there you have it – Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Part 1. It’s got its ups and downs, but the emotional moments are worth the ride. Just be prepared for Rudeus’s questionable decisions, and you’ll be in for a wild journey.

Catch Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Part 1 on Crunchyroll, and don’t forget to buckle up for the emotional rollercoaster!