Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 1) – The Brokenhearted Mage
Rudeus travels North in search of his mother. However, he’s a broken shell of his former self since Eris left him. Determined to move on, he disbands the party and takes a very dangerous quest alone… well, he tries to!
Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 1) – The Brokenhearted Mage
What did you watch?
It was treating dipping my toe back into the world of Mushoku Tensei last week with episode zero, but now it’s time to really do this! So, this was the official first episode of the season and focused once more on Rudeus as he attempts to find his family after they were scattered around the world in the great teleportation disaster that flung him and Eris to the far reaches of the Demon Continent. Not only that, but he’s still reeling after Eris disappeared the morning after their first time together! How will he cope? I can’t wait to find out!
What happened?
Rudeus sat at the back of a carriage a broken man. Even when another adventurer tried to talk to him, all he could manage was short sharp responses. If anything, he just didn’t want to talk. He was on a trip North in search of Zenith, his mother who had been teleported somewhere in this direction. With almost nothing to go on, he was prepared to search the entire region alone since Eris, Ghislaine, and Ruijerd had all gone their own ways. The adventurer offered to tell Rudeus about the regions of the North and how there was a strong focus on Magic. That just got him thinking about Eris since he had met her as her magic teacher.
After arriving at their destination, Rudeus found somewhere to stay for a month and then made his way to the adventurer’s guild. He disbanded his party and found a quest to take on. However, it was an incredibly difficult one, especially for a solo adventurer. Luckily, the adventurer from the carriage stepped in and offered to take Rudeus into her party for the quest. He reluctantly agreed and found himself at odds with a younger adventurer who reminded him of Eris. After appearing to be an easy win, the quest quickly turned as they found themselves surrounded by grizzly bears. Rudeus was about to give up when Suzanne saved him. He noticed everyone around him fighting for their lives and remembered what that meant. It was time to get his life back on track.
What did you think?
While I completely understood Rudeus’ mood for most of the episode, I was starting to worry that it would go on and on. Seriously, is there anything as depressing as a heartbroken teenager? Thankfully, Suzanne saw what was going on and offered him a chance to regain his senses. However, I’ll bet she wasn’t expecting him to be quite as powerful. I was so pleased to see him snap out of his funk and unleash a monster fireball attack on the bears. I don’t doubt for a second that this won’t be the end of Rudeus’ troubles as this series has shown us time and again. There are no quick fixes. Hopefully, it’s another life experience that he can call on when it happens again. It was a solemn episode but ended with a nice moment as the guild chanted Rudeus’ name.
What was your favourite moment?
It has to be the moment that Rudeus regained his composure. He was constantly trying to find a way to put himself in danger. I liked the argument he had with Sara where he was offering to help on the frontlines and she kept telling him that he should stay at the back as the party had decided. Of course, she probably had no idea that he was just looking for a way to feel alive again and facing death was the only thing he could come up with. I did feel like things could have gotten a little more dire before Rudeus stepped up, but I was also glad that his mood didn’t cost any of the party members their lives. That would have been yet more pressure for him to absorb.
Who was the most impactful character?
For me, it was Suzanne. Some could argue that Sara’s approach to Rudeus could have been more profound, especially as he saw her as being similar to Eris. I wonder if they will end up in some sort of romantic entanglement. Anyhow, back to Suzanne. She saw that Rudeus was in a funk. Being a little older, I’m quite certain that she knew what it was and how to handle it. That was why she kept rebutting Sara’s angry responses to what she perceived to be Rudeus being rude. Suzanne was the person that Rudeus needed. She was calm and understanding. Even when he couldn’t shake her hand before the quest, she didn’t take it personally. She knew it would come when Rudeus was ready and he just needed time and a little perspective to make it happen. I liked Suzanne and hope she’s going to be around for a while.
Was there any conflict?
People versus bears! Actually, the main conflict was between Rudeus and Rudeus. More specifically, his head and his heart! His heart was broken. He knew that, but even so, he continued on his quest to find Zenith. His heart had put up a shield in an attempt to stop anyone else from getting close to him. That’s why he responded with short answers and withholding information. If they knew more about him, they may end up liking him. Then, he might be fooled into lowering his defenses and that would open him up to the potential of more heartbreak. His heart sought to protect him. However, his brain knew that he couldn’t keep it up. Was it a coincidence he woke early for the quest? His brain knew that he needed to get out there and made sure he was ready. I know, I’ve experienced that feeling where you wake up early because you don’t want to miss something important.
What have you learnt?
Rudeus had a number of mental issues when he came to this world and rather than the author resolving them quickly, they have become an integral part of the story and that makes it far more compelling. Sure, fantasy quests are amazing on their own, but adding the human element and putting extra pressure on the hero that people will be able to relate to makes him that much more fascinating. Most people can’t imagine what it would be like to fight a monster or be surrounded by a pack of angry bears, but I’ll bet most people have experienced heartbreak and loss. Even in the most fantastic settings, if the characters have things that the audience can relate to you will pull them in. You might not agree with everything Rudeus does but you know what he’s going through in certain situations.
Other posts in the series
- Season One
- Part 1
- Episode 1 – Jobless Reincarnation
- Episode 2 – Master
- Episode 3 – A Friend
- Episode 4 – Emergency Family Meeting
- Episode 5 – A Young Lady and Violence
- Episode 6 – A Day Off in Roa
- Episode 7 – What Lies Beyond Effort
- Episode 8 – Turning Point 1
- Episode 9 – A Chance Encounter
- Episode 10 – The Value of a Life and the First Job
- Episode 11 – Children and Warriors
- Part 2
- Episode 12 – The Woman with the Demon Eyes
- Episode 13 – Missed Connections
- Episode 14 – No Such Thing As a Free Lunch
- Episode 15 – Slow Life in the Doldia Village
- Episode 16 – Family Squabble
- Episode 17 – Reunion
- Episode 18 – Separate Journeys
- Episode 19 – Route Selection
- Episode 20 – The Birth of My Little Sister, the Maid
- Episode 21 – Turning Point 2
- Episode 22 – Dreams and Reality
- Episode 23 – Wake Up and Take a Step
- OVA
- Part 1
- Season Two
- Part 1
- Episode 0 – Guardian Fitz
- Episode 1 – The Brokenhearted Mage
- Episode 2 – The Forest in the Dead of Night
- Episode 3 – Abrupt Approach
- Episode 4 – Letter of Invitation
- Episode 5 – Ranoa University of Magic
- Episode 6 – I Don’t Want to Die
- Episode 7 – The Kidnapping and Confinement of Beast Girls
- Episode 8 – The Fiancé of Despair
- Episode 9 – The White Mask
- Episode 10 – These Feelings
- Episode 11 – To You
- Episode 12 – I Want to Tell You
- Part 2
- Part 1
Series Information
| English Title | Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation |
| Japanese Title | Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu |
| Medium | Anime |
| Released | Season 1 Part 1: Winter 2021 Part 2: Fall 2021 Season 2 Part 1: Summer 2023 Part 2: Spring 2024 |
| Episodes | Season 1 Part 1: 11 Part 2: 12 + OVA Season 2 Part 1: OVA + 12 Part 2: 12 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
| Genres | Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Isekai, Magic |
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I was a bit miffed to see Rudy so despondent, despite however much time must have passed for him to get to the interior of this northern continent. I mean, after pulling himself up and out of his depression at the end of the previous season, I would have thought he’d be in a bit better shape by now. Then I was confused to see him suffering from a panic attack, but I understood the experience, at least. I was exasperated to see him so ready to die and how drawn out his recovery was in the middle of the fight, and then the people who saved him hail him as their hero for getting off his duff and saving them in return. Finally, I was sad to see him burn Eris’ hair. But, ok, we’ve gotten Rudy back in action, complete with another potential romantic interest. Now, to get on with finding his mother.
Agreed, it would have made a little more sense had he now rebounded at the end of the first season, but then travelling alone for a long time probably wouldn’t have been much fun.
I wasn’t sure which one he was going to burn Roxy’s panties or Eris’ hair. Rudeus is a complicated guy!!!
I was surprised to see him ready to give up too, but it was certainly a relief to see him come back at the end. It might have been more interesting had someone died because of his funk, but I guess they needed to build him up. I wonder if they’re setting him up for another serious knock back.
Rudy’s emotional trauma still comes out to play when things are down. Roxy to the rescue! Tho, I know people will gripe about the age gap. I think one more blow, like a party member dying might have sent him over the edge.
Yeah. He would have absolutely blamed himself, however, it would have given him some real impetus to snap out of it. Maybe someone getting injured would have been enough.