Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 23) – Wake Up and Take a Step
Rudeus is struggling. When Eris left, it crippled him and sent him spiralling back into his old ways. Would he find a way to get back on his feet or is he doomed to repeat his past life? Only Rudeus can answer that!
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 23) – Wake Up and Take a Step
What happened?
As Eris continued on her new path, she confided in Ghislaine that she truly loved Rudeus and would one-day cross paths with him again. However, the entire time since the mana disaster, she had relied on him. He watched out for her, protected her, and fought for her. She felt like he would always be there. Then, they met Orsted. Rudeus died and there was nothing she could do to stop it. If she is to stand side by side with him, she must get stronger. Maybe even strong enough to defeat the dragon god!
After a drinking contest with Kishirika Kishirisu, which they lost spectacularly, Roxy paid off Kishirika’s debt and intended to make her work it off. Kishirika offered to give her a demon eye, but Roxy laughed it off and asked to know where Rudeus’ family were. Of course, she had no idea that Kishirika was who she claimed to be until she looked into Roxy’s request. She confirmed that Lilia and Aisha had been reunited with Paul and Norn. Zenith was someplace she couldn’t see, but she could see the whereabouts. Then, she looked into Rudeus and said that he was looking glum!
Of course, Rudeus was devastated by the way that Eris left him. Alphonse had allowed Rudeus to sleep it off after what happened but then revealed that he needed Rudeus help to rebuild the city. He also said that he intended to claim that Eris had died in the mana disaster as his sole focus was on Fitoria. Rudeus told him to leave him alone then and get back to work.
As Rudeus played through his memories of his old life, he saw how he lost everything and then turned away anyone that was willing to help him. He was completely lost and saw no way to move forwards. It wasn’t until he thought about his new life that he found the strength he needed. A memory of Zenith, his mother telling him that she loved him was more than enough. Rudeus gathered his things and took a step towards his future, leaving his past behind.
What did you think?
For an episode that bounced around between a number of characters that we’ve seen throughout the season, this was a great episode. The fact that it was all centred around Rudeus and his struggles to overcome his depression made it all click together beautifully. We got to see a little more of his past life and it showed us how hard it must have been for him. He shut everyone off and gave up on life. The worst part is that it actually happens and sometimes the outcome is worse.
I’ve been wondering what happened to Zenith for a while now, concerned that she hasn’t been able to contact anyone since the mana disaster. As a skilled mage, she should be able to look after herself. So, the fact that Kishirika couldn’t see her points to her being trapped somewhere magical. That raises the stake impressively and leads into what I hope will be another fantastic season.
What have you learnt?
Well, that was bloody fantastic. This series has been inspiring. From a storytelling point of view, it was incredible and will no doubt warrant a couple of rewatches as I try to fully pick apart why it worked. My initial gut is that as with most great shows, it focused on character above plot. More than that though, the characters were all flawed, which added to the realism and made them relatable. You might not like them, but you can understand them.
From an entertainment standpoint, this is amazing and I defy anyone to watch it and not be drawn into it. This is a fantasy epic and it’s just getting started. I’m not entirely sure how I’m going to replace this in my viewing schedule. It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable ride and I hope we get many more seasons.
There were a number of fantastic lines and some incredible imagery that was hard to ignore. It showed us how Rudeus felt in his past life and how he was unable to move on. He said it himself that you just don’t get over something like that in an instant. It takes time and for him, it wasn’t until his second life that he truly found the strength to move on. Rudeus has been dealing with some internal demons for a while now and I don’t believe this is the end for them. He may have taken the first step, but he’s got to keep moving or he’ll fall back!
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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So, Zenith is trapped somewhere magical, and I’m thinking underwater somehow. It felt like Rudy’s dream of her was some sort of telepathic sending from her. And Sylph seems to have found her way into what I assume would be that magic school Rudy was wanting to take the both of them to, though she looks a little older than I expected, or perhaps simply more different from her younger self of several years ago. It’ll be interesting to see how Rudy, alone, manages to find each of them. And I think the question I had has been answered, whether Eris was being cruel or if she simply did not realize what she was doing to Rudy. But the best moment, I think, is when Rudy simply gets up and leaves behind that traumatized boy he once was in his previous life.
Kishirika said something about a labyrinth city so it sounds like it’s going be some sort of dungeon full of monsters and other crazy things which is a great development in my books.
It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how Rudeus finds her although, he’ll no doubt bump into Roxy at some point so they can go together.
Yeah, I was surprised at how much older Sylphiette looked, but it’s entirely possible that she grows at different rates as she’s half-elf.
The moment Rudeus got up and walked away from his past was very powerful. The way they built up to it by showing us his past again was amazing. I can’t wait for the next season.
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