Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 3) – A Friend
Now that Roxy has freed Rudeus from his self-imposed prison, he’s going out to play for the first time. It’s great, but then he sees three boys bullying another. He steps in and makes his first new friend in forever!
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Episode 3) – A Friend
What happened?
It was Rudeus’ first trip outside of his house alone. His parents were relieved and nervous, prompting Paul to have a little talk with him about strength and honour. He marvels at the world outside his garden but then comes across three boys throwing mud at another boy. When one picks up a rock, Rudeus pelts them with water. They run off, leaving Rudeus to help their target. Rudeus is amazed to see that the boy has green hair and pointy ears.
His new friend, Sylph is amazed at Rudeus’ magic and asks if he could teach her. He agrees and continues to challenge the ideas that are prevalent in this world. Eventually, he even manages to teach Sylph how to use magic without incantations. Everything is going great, but then a sudden rain shower has them running back to Rudeus’ house for cover. The maid has prepared a bath and Rudeus tells Sylph to get undressed and hop in before he catches a cold. Sylph is not keen on that idea!
What did you think?
It was a much slower episode but continued to explore Rudeus’ character and push the boundaries of what can be achieved in this world. I liked that Rudeus was a little disappointed that Sylph could perform magic without incantations as that takes away what was so special about him. In a way, it’s good because it means that he can’t just sit back. He’s got to push himself on.
There was one moment that didn’t quite feel right for me. I’m talking about the bath. Sylph didn’t want to get in the bath and kept saying no. Now, I understand where Rudeus was coming from in terms of health and because he thought Sylph was a boy, I get the way he acted, except after everything he went through with the bullies and how they would strip him and mock him, I don’t think he would do that to someone else, boy or girl. Them saying no should have been an instant reminder of what he went through.
What have you learnt?
One of the things I enjoy in this series is the relationship between Paul and Rudeus. Paul obviously cares, but he’s also quite the macho ladies-man. This results in him trying to give Rudeus advice that is probably wildly inappropriate. It’s great because I know I’ve said things to my boys and instantly wondered if that was the best information to give them at that point. Basically, it makes them feel real. The argument was another great example, but I was glad that Paul realised he was in the wrong.
This all stands as a great reminder that characters should have relationships with one another and where possible, you want to put little details that seem real. Oftentimes, it’s the little details that people will connect with. It’s said that everyone in a story must have a goal that drives them, but they also need to have relationships. Otherwise, you just have a bunch of characters that exist in the same space but don’t really belong together. Try to vary them too.
Other posts in the series
Series Information
| English Title | Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation |
| Japanese Title | Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu |
| Genres | Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Fantasy, Isekai, Magic |
| Demographic | Seinen |
Anime
Season One – Part One
Season One – Part Two
Season One – Side Story
| English Title | Eris the Goblin Slayer |
| Japanese Title | Eris no Goblin Toubatsu |
| Released | Winter 2022 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
Season Two – Prequel
| English Title | Guardian Fitz |
| Japanese Title | Shugo Jutsushi Fitz |
| Released | Summer 2023 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
Season Two – Part One
Season Two – Part Two
| Season | Season Two – Part Two |
| Released | Spring 2024 |
| Animation Studios | Studio Bind |
| Episodes | 12 |
| 13 | My Dream Home |
| 14 | Wedding Reception |
| 15 | Afar |
| 16 | Norn and Aisha |
| 17 | My Older Brother’s Feelings |
| 18 | Turning Point 3 |
| 19 | Desert Journey |
| 20 | Into the Labyrinth |
| 21 | Magic Circle to the Sixth Stratum |
| 22 | Parents |
| 23 | Let’s Go Home |
| 24 | Succession |
