Forum - View topicEP. REVIEW: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation III
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jmckenna15
Posts: 187 |
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Richard gets it mostly right when he talks about Rudeus as a character. He is a deeply flawed person trying to find happiness in this world, but he does become a better person throughout these episodes despite the number of ways he trips over himself in the process. I remarked in this forum during Season 2 that S2 Rudeus is so much a better individual than S1 Rudeus because he has found some degree of happiness and shows caring and compassion to those that he loves -- family, friends, lovers alike. It's not a power fantasy, or a hero's journey, which is what makes Mushoku Tensei so refreshing compared to other isekai.
I do like his little introspection at the end of episode 4. It's clear that he still feels guilty about cheating on Sylphy with Roxy, and that the only reason he has the happy family life he has right now is because Sylphy forgave him and Roxy for what they did. But he also knows that he has to act like he's worthy of that forgiveness rather than just use words which he knows would be "empty". That's a level of maturity not many people even in the real world attain. I do take a slight issue with the "child slavery" bit though, even if Rudeus mainly saw it as just a thing that exists in this world and one he cannot change on his own. As was stated in the show itself, Julie is not a slave, as they did not do anything to her that would be an outward confirmation as such in the eyes of that world. She is their apprentice and almost an adopted daughter by this point (if you'll forgive the cross-anime reference, I'd argue Sitra in Jaadulgar fits the model of slave more than Julie does, despite the gentile nature of that particular relationship). Plus, Julie's alternative was to die in that cage, so she objectively has a better life because of Rudeus -- tying into the theme of Rudeus wanting to do right by others. So i think it is a bit harsh to use that as a particular fault point given how he sees Julie and how that arc played out. |
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IronWish
 Posts: 263 Location: Ukraine |
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Wow, episode 3 is a monumental achievement even by Mushoku's standards. It managed to wipe out all the good will first two episodes have built in under 3 minutes! Well, it did most of the work in in the first 30 seconds, but then two minutes later Sylphie had asked Roxy how Rudy was in bed last night and that absolutely fried me. But remainder of the episode is no slouch! We've got entire extended cast yapping how great of a guy Rudeus is for 20 minutes, and at the end f***ing panty shrine makes its first appearance this season. Now with extra lighting! I'm not even as mad as I sound, it just a whiplash between what MT can be at its best vs what it is at its worst is too powerful.
I like that Richard's review is at least partially written not about content of the episodes but about all the surrounding discourse, and that it's a pretty measured response, if maybe tad bit too charitable to show's writing then I would be. And man, le discourse is BAD this time around. First season had stirred a shitstorm, but it was at least somewhat grounded, it were people who've watched it, liked it, and couldn't understood how anyone could have issues with it on the one side, vs people who've watched it, got a major ick from Rudy's behaviour, and couldn't understood how anyone could enjoy it on the other side. So, like, people have talked about actual content of the show. But this time around things got deranged. Firstly, we've got overzealous fanbase, who've echo-chambered themselves into believing that MT is masterfully written and should be considered among all-time greats of all the fantasy works. And secondly, we have people who haven't watched it at all, but though internet osmosis got convinced that this is Redo of a healer 2: Epsteinic boogaloo, and that show mostly consists of Rudeus going around places and sexually assaulting children. I do feel like existence of second group is some kind of second order effect of the existence of the first group: you willingly push recognizability of your favorite show to the point where it attracts attention of the out-group who has no predisposition to accept it for what it was, and it always ends up bad. I call it "never pass the Monogatary threshold" rule. No that I've vented out about stupid stuff, I want to discuss the actual anime.
While all these points Richard has outlined are correct individually, this highlights my main criticism of MT: all the moral complexity of Rudy as a character is completely divorced from the actual plot of the story! It's neither tale of the flawed person becoming better, nor tale of the flawed person facing tribulation caused by their flaws. Horrible things happen to Rudy seemingly at random, but any bad thing he does personally has minor short term negative consequences at worst, but woks out perfectly fine later on, if not outright gets him rewarded. In a hand of more skilful writer some dramatic irony could've been achieved here, basically making its moral into "there is no such thing as karma". But that's not the case here either. |
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FanGamer24
Posts: 335 |
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I’m not sure how you recognize Rudy’s hardships and also argue that Karma doesn’t exist for him. Yeah he doesn’t always get punished but most of the things people get mad at him for is just stuff he thinks about but never actually acts on or things they wholesale made up which is just silly.
“What about the stuff he did in his first life?” He got beat up by his family, kicked out onto the street then died. What more do you want? I agree that this isn’t really a redemption story but what it has that other Isekai stories lack is actual character development. Rudy does improve, his flaws don’t disappear but it’s crazy to argue he doesn’t become a better person as the series goes on. Honestly I’m still enjoying the series. Yeah things are going great for Rudy so far but everyone who’s been paying attention knows that it’s only a matter a time before that other shoe drops. I’m curious if it will be Eris’ arrival or some other natural disaster. |
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SinisterOracle
 SubscriberPosts: 909 |
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When the fudge are we going to see Eris again?! I don’t remember seeing her in any meaningful way during season 2. Then we start season 3 out on the best two episodes and now we’re back to the Brady Bunch. Wtf.
And how the hell did Rudy become a king-class water mage within the span of 30 seconds? |
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freebird1994
Posts: 95 |
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Oh boy i can already tell this forum is going to be a crapshoot reminiscent of season 1. Will we hit 1000 posts before the end of cour 1? we shall see.
I do like describing this series as just some guys second shot at life. People keep trying to label this show as something greater than it actually is, which tbf is partially on the fault of the fans of the series hyping it up but realistically it's just some dudes life. Like he goes on these adventures incidentally(crossing the demon continent, traversing the labyrinth, etc.) and he's making a name for himself in deed and abilities but for means and goals that have some minor and personal purpose. I mean as it stands right now there is no grand goal the series has set into motion, no one piece at the end of the grand line or no desire to eventually become hokage. That's not to say Rudeus doesn't have goals in general, he wants to try and heal zenith from whatever's afflicting her, there's the overarching threat that orsted might return, but they're not like "once this goal is achieved stories over" types of things. I don't even mind episodes 3-4 being slower paced and very slice of life comfort episodes. It's good character dynamics and interactions as everyone tries to adjust to the life they have at their disposal right now. And If for no other reason these are also the most blatant "calm before the storm" episodes i've ever seen. |
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THE DOG CATCHER
Posts: 29 |
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It is crazy to think we will have 2 of the best Isekai genre returning in the same season with Jobless and ReZero! First 2 episodes were pure peak and a wonderful way to reintroduce Eris. I am ready for the new journey to kick off and see where the story goes.
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Jabootu
Posts: 443 |
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That's like asking how Eris mastered the Blade of Light in 30 seconds during her sparring match with the Peacock guy. How did Rudy do it? The same way he did when he duplicated (and surpassed) Roxy's spell as a little kid during his graduation: Years of dedicated hard work. This episode alone talked about how Rudy has trouble letting go of his relentless training schedule. Well, training schedules. He's got a lot of plates spinning. Best moment of this call back: Panning past the now robustly sheltered horse as they prepare to throw lightning spells around. Roxy isn't making that mistake again. |
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Jabootu
Posts: 443 |
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I mean...doesn't that describe Frieren as well? Why can't a show about "some dude's [or Elf's mages] life" be worthy of being hyped up, as long as it does it well enough? I get that might not be to everyone's taste, but then, why should it be? (Admittedly, I'm speaking as a guy whose all-time single favorite anime is K-On!!) |
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Panino Manino
 Posts: 868 |
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Oh boy.... 
Forget all the sexual things (there will ever be a day when people are able to write about Mushoku without having to dedicate half the ink to disclaimers and mea culpa?), think about Rudeus as an old and classic japanese breadwinner salaryman. Anyway, forget about that dude, I want to mention Sylphie. It'll be sad to watch Sylphie for the rest of the story. She has deep psychological problems and weakness that are showing in episode 3 and 4. Is not just Rifujin being a pervert or bad writer, no, is just him making the character stay consistent. It's sad. |
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Panino Manino
Posts: 868 |
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It's less people thinking or saying that "MT is masterfully written" is more the critics not accepting that some people can find things to like and talk about.
Like I said before, all this talk about "Rudeus is a pedo", e "Rudeus is a pervert" is all the critics seem to talk about. The people who watch, read and even like know all about it, don't need repeating, don't need to be discussed every episode. Rudeus and this series have much more to talk about and complain.
This new season is BIG HYPE! It'll have more action like in the first Season.
That spell classifies like a "King" thir because of the complexity and Mana required to cast, and Rudeus is beyond this. His Stone Cannon is a basic spell, but the way Rudeus uses it and the Mana he is able to put it, it becomes in practice Emperor Class.
I had warned people before, if you want to see Eris, don't. She'll only appear in a single episode this Season, maybe half an episode. Maybe, is she appears in the end. Depending on how fast this Season adapt the chapters Eris will not appear in this Season anymore, she'll only come back Next Season. And are you sure you want to see more of Eris? Is she gets back to Rudeus and Rudeus's house... you know what will happen, right? |
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IronWish
Posts: 263 Location: Ukraine |
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TBH, its more of a general cultural problem, where you can't just like things, but things you like should be objectively good and morally infallible. And on the other hand, you can't just dislike a thing, you should affirm to yourself that not liking a thing makes you a better person than anyone who likes that thing. But I agree that excessive focus on Rudeus as a sex pest is a bit silly, since besides being kinda a creep in general his last actual sexual misconduct was what, groping Eris back then when they were kids? Like, half the time he's not even the worst sex offender in a room, there is an actual serial rapist in the cast! She's a student council president and a princess! So I'd rather people focus on his other personal failings, which are numerours.
Let me guess, at first, she will smash him really hard for not getting the memo on "we are totally a thing now, see you whenever I'm strong enough, love you, bye, kissing emoji". And then after some plot contrivances she will, sigh, smash him really hard and will be a third wife. |
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jdnation
Posts: 2534 |
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Knowing Eris, she won't even blink at the fact Rudy has two wives, and she'll just muscle past them and demand to be made the Alpha-Wife, having taken his virginity first, and also being the strongest one. In this world, which is a reflection of our past, people were practically adults after 14, polygamy is still practiced and the richest, strongest dudes got the benefit, or burden, depending on how you look at it. Christianity largely ended that in our world, and the Milis Faith is the equivalent of that with regards to practicing monogamy. Rudeus was a contrarian in his old life after being bullied and being a shut-in Otaku. Intentionally pathetic and reprehensible, but also deep down didn't like that about himself. Many traits he has tried to rid himself of. His loli/panty fetish remains, but the sexual habits tend to be the hardest to let go of. That is assuming he even cares, but given his penchant to hide his panty shrine, he acknowledges that even in this other world, it isn't acceptable. Likely the long game of being a married man of many years will alleviate it. But at the same time, his ego will be stroked by having a harem of the best women - which makes sense as he has put in the effort to be super smart and super strong and made achievements and saved lives, including most everyone there, so he is respected and recognized by all and that all the girls want him and don't mind sharing if that is the only way to have him makes sense and even lines up with present day trends and women's behaviour in our world from data. You don't have to like that aspect of Rudeus, I don't, even the story takes time to remind you of this being outside our moral norms, but the story and world are consistent and this is what is presented well. Harems are an age old anime trophe, usually not meant to be taken seriously, as 100 girlfriends pushing the envelope demonstrates, Mushoku Tensei is actually approaching that idea seriously. In this other world it is feasible, and Rudy is just the guy who departed far from society into fantasy that he would naturally follow through with it... But even he had enough formation to resist the idea at first and give it all initially to Sylphy and in other cases of Roxy and Eris, while he is still partly responsible, they both took advantage of him too under their own agency. So while it is fair to criticize Rudy, one should equally criticize the girls too... Except Sylphy... she's the best girl! |
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Rooby VTuber
 Posts: 5 Location: Australia |
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Nice nostalgia episode with Rudeus and his family back home with a few funny moments.
That was awesome magic Roxy was able to teach. |
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egozi14
Posts: 152 |
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Tbh I don't think many idolize nor hate Rudy that much by now. I've mostly if not only seen that take being discussed on western review sites and being mentioned mostly by the reviewers like some mantra, while the only eastern side on the map I've seen to have issue with the series in general was China. I think Rudy is more of an interesting character because of his faults and thanks to that he's in a way more realistic and relatable. Most of us aren't some heroes but rather selfish people who don't always realize that till something make us take note of it, Also, while Rudy not exactly trying to be an hero (at least for most of the series), or an antihero despite kinda end up like that in many random situations, I think he just represent what people are like in general, selfish with their own perspectives and values on stuff over some casual by-the-book hero who feel forced to take the good guy route just cause it's by the book and due to its lack of personality and backbone, In comparison to that, even Rude Rudi is golden (boy) that give the series its personality exactly cause he's your untypical MC, and you can't always tell what he will do. |
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Jabootu
Posts: 443 |
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I think one thing that doesn't get discussed or acknowledged enough is Rudy's major viewpoint changeover, from his initial belief that he was more or less in a game that he could min-max to get the endings he desired, to the sudden crashing realization that this was a real world with real people and that there were no do overs. We saw that event happen, and it certainly chastened him greatly, if not suddenly changed him into a different person.
As for the pedo stuff, obviously there's no excuse for that even if Rudy thought the people around him were basically game characters. (Although Eris had no issues paying Rudy back for any such stuff. And one of the good things you can say about Rudy is that he's in no way a bully.) However, I would think he'd be growing away from those tendencies now that he has actual healthy sexual relationships with adult women. He's no longer the guy who spent decades alone in a room with no human contact and playing porn games. That's almost entirely because of Roxy and is why he continues to idolize her so much. In the end, I don't think the show is particularly trying to make you like or dislike Rudy, it's trying to make him understandable. At that goal I think the show works magnificently well. |
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