Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 1) – Jobless Reincarnation

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation Title

A thirty-four-year-old jobless NEET is killed in an accident involving a truck, but as he lay dying on the operating table, he heard strange voices, speaking in an unfamiliar language. He was about to get a second chance!

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 1) – Jobless Reincarnation

What happened?

When he opened his eyes, the world was bright and out of focus. Slowly, a face came into view. It was a man and he seemed incredibly happy to see him. He even kissed him on the forehead. Then another person became visible – a woman with long blonde hair. She seemed tired but also happy. He reached for her and was shocked to see that his hands were tiny. He was a baby and his new name was Rudeus.

It didn’t take Rudeus long to pick up the new language, although he still hadn’t worked out where or when this was. One day he saw his father, Paul practising with a sword in the garden. It was quite a surprise and caused him to fall off the bench. His mother, Zenith picked him up and placed him on the table where she rubbed his head and spoke as if casting a spell. Well, she was casting a spell. Rudeus couldn’t believe it. He had been reincarnated into a world of sword and sorcery!

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation Episode 1 Mom is a mage

What did you think?

I loved this episode. So far, it’s a fairly standard isekai affair, however, the way that it revealed the details of the world through Rudeus’ discoveries was amazing. None of it felt like exposition. I thought the way that he challenged the beliefs of the time and was able to analyse and make assumptions was a brilliant way to explain how the world works. It also showed us a lot about Rudeus and how he will progress in this world.

Rudeus, obviously, has a lot of issues. His interactions with his parents and the maid showed how unsocialised he is. Even when Roxy showed up to train him in magic, all he could do was try to recall his time playing otome games. There was also the moment that he began his training outdoors. You could see that this was an issue for him. However, my favourite thing was his inner monologue at the end when they were welcoming Roxy to the house and he talked about how he might succeed if he worked hard, how he has a chance to make something of himself. He seems determined to change and make up for his previous life.

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation Episode 1 Rudeus distracted

What have you learnt?

It’s an interesting start to what will no doubt become another over-powered protagonist. We saw Rudeus learning a basic water spell which he then taught himself how to do without an incantation. Because he’s learning from a book, he’s not being influenced by the beliefs of the system. He’s discovering and learning, challenging the standards. Had he been put in a school to do this, it would have been harder to break out on his own.

It reminds me of how processes at a company are done a certain way for a period of time. Any new hires are taught by the existing staff and they then teach the newer hires. Soon, no one knows why something is done a certain way. It has just always been done that way so no one challenges it. That’s one of my pet peeves so I’m fully behind a character that is prepared and able to go against the flow.

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation Episode 1 Rudeus develops magical abilities

Other posts in the series

Series Information

English TitleMushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Japanese TitleMushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu
GenresActionComedyEcchi, FantasyIsekaiMagic
DemographicSeinen

Anime

Season One – Part One
SeasonSeason One – Part One
ReleasedWinter 2021
Animation StudiosStudio Bind
Episodes11
1Jobless Reincarnation
2Master
3A Friend
4Emergency Family Meeting
5A Young Lady and Violence
6A Day Off in Roa
7What Lies Beyond Effort
8Turning Point 1
9A Chance Encounter
10The Value of a Life and the First Job
11Children and Warriors
Season One – Part Two
SeasonSeason One – Part Two
ReleasedFall 2021
Animation StudiosStudio Bind
Episodes12
12The Woman with the Demon Eyes
13Missed Connections
14No Such Thing As a Free Lunch
15Slow Life in the Doldia Village
16Family Squabble
17Reunion
18Separate Journeys
19Route Selection
20The Birth of My Little Sister, the Maid
21Turning Point 2
22Dreams and Reality
23Wake Up and Take a Step
Season One – Side Story
English TitleEris the Goblin Slayer
Japanese TitleEris no Goblin Toubatsu
ReleasedWinter 2022
Animation StudiosStudio Bind
Season Two – Prequel
English TitleGuardian Fitz
Japanese TitleShugo Jutsushi Fitz
ReleasedSummer 2023
Animation StudiosStudio Bind
Season Two – Part One
SeasonSeason Two – Part One
ReleasedSummer 2023
Animation StudiosStudio Bind
Episodes12
1The Brokenhearted Mage
2The Forest in the Dead of Night
3Abrupt Approach
4Letter of Invitation
5Ranoa University of Magic
6I Don’t Want to Die
7The Kidnapping and Confinement of Beast Girls
8The Fiancé of Despair
9The White Mask
10These Feelings
11To You
12I Want to Tell You
Season Two – Part Two
SeasonSeason Two – Part Two
ReleasedSpring 2024
Animation StudiosStudio Bind
Episodes12
13My Dream Home
14Wedding Reception
15Afar
16Norn and Aisha
17My Older Brother’s Feelings
18Turning Point 3
19Desert Journey
20Into the Labyrinth
21Magic Circle to the Sixth Stratum
22Parents
23Let’s Go Home
24Succession

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3 Comments

    • Yeah. I’m excited for season two. Can’t wait to see where they go with this series.

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