Sylphie

Our Boy Rudeus is Getting Married!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei S2 Ep 13 Review

After going on hiatus for the fall and winter seasons, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is back with the second half of its sophomore season. And the above song can accurately describe the current emotional state of Rudeus Greyrat. He’s reunited with his best friend/love, Sylphie, and thanks to her, he’s cured of the last two years of depression and impotence! Not wanting to lose her like he thinks he lost Eris, he straight-up asks her to marry him. Regardless of his faults, there’s little denying that Rudy has earned this chance to be happy.

One problem, though. He has no idea how marriage works in his new world and no home to live in. What he does have is friends who have his back.

Rudy Got his Game Back

Now Rudy has his confidence as a man back, it shows. All his friends at Ranoa University notice it. He’s smiling more, carries himself with greater confidence, and even gives Lilna and Pursena that trademark, lecherous grin of his, though nothing comes of it. His heart belongs to Sylphie. And while he still doesn’t explain what he was suffering from in the anime, it makes up a little for this. The comments from people like Cliff and the Beast Girl duo imply that they put two and two together. 

There’s one problem, though: now that Rudeus has asked Sylphie to marry him, he’s realized he has no clue what to do next. He’s not lacking money, but he’s been homeless since he was ten. Thus, the first thing he does is find a home. Though, given its size in the anime, it’s less a house, and more like a small mansion!

Who You Gonna Call?

No, seriously. It’s bigger than the home he grew up in. Big enough for at least a dozen or more people to live comfortably in. It’s the perfect place to spend the rest of his life with Sylphie. There’s one problem, though: it’s haunted by something that kills anyone who sets foot after sunset.

The majority of the episode centers around the trio of Rudy, Cliff, and Zanoba trying to clear the house a la Ghostbusters. Sadly, while it does its best to build up tension due to their unseen foe, it doesn’t stick due to who the group is. One is a guy who can cast spells without incantations, another is an elite healer in his own right and the final member has super strength and can tank anything thrown at him. Zanoba pretty much manages to handle the monster all on his own. However, the big surprise is saved for when they catch it. As Rudeus and Zanoba discover for themselves, it’s not a monster. It’s a magically-powered doll capable of moving on its own. In other words, it’s the magical equivalent of an automaton, robot, droid, etc.

It’s never explained in any version of Mushoku Tensei who made the doll, so the anime didn’t skimp on that. In the end, it doesn’t matter. After finding it, Zanoba and Rudy realize if they can reverse-engineer it, they can make their own line of doll bots to do anything (including robot maids.) And since he can’t really help with anything else, Zanoba begs Rudy to let him handle the research himself. It’s touching to see how dedicated the man is to dolls as an art, even if others find it weird. It makes you want to root for him.

The New Greyrat Household

As for Rudy, he gets a small mansion for himself and Sylphie. And, having read the light novels and manga ahead of time, I can say that it’s not too big for the two of them. When the time comes, it’s going to be home to a large family and pets. And despite Sylphie worrying that she’s being selfish by continuing to protect Ariel, Rudy reassures her that she’s anything but. If she wanted it, Rudy would give her the moon and the stars for what she did for him. 

This was another slow episode, but I can’t complain. Not every Isekai is all about the action. It’s the slower moments that people tend to remember, and it’s in this area that Mushoku Tensei has always excelled. It goes out of its way to build its cast in a believable manner, hence why it’s one of the best Isekai out there. The sole complaint I would have is that, unlike in the source material, their new home is set up in a more remote area outside Ranoa. That’s just a nitpick, though. 

Next episode, we’re going to have a wedding reception!

I Give “My New Home” a 4/5

Rudeus+Sylphie Forever!!!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2, Ep 12 Review

It has been a long and winding road for poor Rudeus to get where he is now. His first girlfriend left him without explaining things first and made him impotent. He had no luck finding a cure for his problem at Ranoa University, which only made things worse. However, all that changed when he realized two things: one, that “Fitz” was a girl, and that she was his childhood friend, Sylphiette. These two have been through hell and back, but it was worth it. As the first half of season two to Mushoku Tensei comes to a close, Rudeus finally sees an end to his suffering. In other words, he gets his rizz back.

Rudeus Still Can’t Get it Going!

The good news is that now that knows that Fitz is Sylphie and that she loves him, Rudeus doesn’t hesitate; he tells him he loves her back. Which isn’t a lie. On the one hand, he does feel a little guilty that he tried to “mold” her into his ideal woman when they were kids. On the other hand, though, he has fallen in love with her over the last year. So, they finally kiss, and it looks like they’re about to take that next step. 

Then, the bad news comes. 

DANG IT, ERIS!!!!

Rudeus’ thoughts aren’t shown directly in the anime, but in the manga and light novels, it’s at this point that he starts thinking how he can’t screw things up again. Then, his thoughts drift back to Eris, and, like a curse, he can’t go through with it. He’s so worried he’ll mess things up that he can’t get it up. 

To his credit, though, Rudy learns from his disaster with Sara and is upfront with Sylphie. While it’s not shown in the anime due to time constraints, he tells her everything that happened with Eris. And to her credit, Sylphie understands and is sympathetic to him. She knows how much he must have suffered in silence, and wants to do everything in her power to help her.

Ariel, on the other hand, isn’t as understanding at first, not getting why this is a problem. While it does make her seem a little less likable, she does realize how rude she was being to her best friend and quickly apologizes. 

The biggest surprise, though, is that it’s not Ariel who comes up with a solution, but the guy in their group that’s had little involvement thus far: Luke. He not only defends his cousin’s problem, but he’s the one who comes up with their ultimate plan for Sylphie to get her man. 

If anyone asked whether or not the Bro Code transcends the Multiverse, then this moment supports that idea.

Breaking Out the Nuclear Missile

Luke’s plan is the romantic equivalent of a nuclear missile: an aphrodisiac. Eagle-eyed fans might remember it as being the same one that Rudy bought for himself when he was tutoring Eris in Roa. Since Fittoa’s destruction, though, it’s become incredibly rare and valuable. He did plan on selling it for funds, but he decides Sylphie needs it more than they do. 

Luke hasn’t been that involved in the plot of the series thus far. However, it’s his moments in this episode that show why he’s so trusted by Ariel and Sylphie. Fingers crossed, he and Rudeus don’t ever come to blows over anything.

At any rate, Sylphie wastes no time securing her man for good. She makes a beeline for Rudeus’ bedroom with some food, drinks, and her pocket nuke. Like earlier, the episode has to cut down on the moment due to time constraints, but it makes up for it in the end. Once they both take the love potion, it’s not long before they feel this…release. Something turns on in their minds, and they can’t keep their hands off each other. Then Sylphy takes a note from Ariel’s book and seals the deal with a smooth line: “Take me as you wish.”

Viewers who hoped to see at least the start of what happens next but didn’t shouldn’t feel too bad. The light novels and the manga both left their night up to people’s imaginations.

RUDEUS GOT HIS W RIZZ BACK!!

An interesting change to the story unfolds once Rudeus wakes up. In the original source, he finds Sylphy sleeping next to him. However, in the anime, he wakes up and finds himself alone. It’s a fake-out meant to make viewers worry if history repeated itself to increase the tension, and while it works, it seems a little cruel. In its defense, though, it only makes Sylphie coming back after going to thank Ariel and Luke, only for Rudy to embrace her, feel all the more heartwarming. The man is cured at last, thanks to his Goddess of Love!

The biggest shocker comes in the episode’s final moments, though. People who read the manga and light novels know this was coming, but it was a surprise that the anime chose to include it at the tail end. Rudy goes to meet Ariel at last, and he shows how he’s truly gotten his rizz back. He straight up asks Ariel to let him MARRY SYLPHIE!!!! 

On the one hand, it’s sad to know that this is the last time we’ll see Rudeus until the second half of the season in Spring, 2024. On the other hand, though, HE WENT STRAIGHT FOR THE KILL! RUDY’S GETTING MARRIED!!! 

This first cour was a mixed bag in some aspects, lacking much of the action of the first season. However, it’s moments like this that made the journey worth it in the end. Rudy’s not only overcome the pain of Eris leaving, he’s getting married! W RIZZ, RUDY!!!

Also, spoiler alert: Sylphie’s going on the list of best waifu’s for 2023. 

I Give “Convey to You” a 5/5

Sylphie Steps Up and Gets Her Man!

Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei S2 Ep 11 Review

Rudeus Greyrat might be considered intelligent by everyone he meets, and they’re right. Even barring the fact that he has all his memories of his past life to work with, he’s a brainiac. However, when it comes to love, he’s got the IQ of Naruto Uzumaki. It took him years to realize Hinata loved him, and it didn’t help how shy she was about her feelings. However, Sylphie doesn’t have the luxury of waiting that long for Rudeus to wise up and figure out who she is. Thus, it falls to her, Ariel, and Luke to come up with a plan to get him to realize the truth. Sylphie steps up to get her man!

Sylphie, Ariel, and Luke Decide to Go for the Jugular

Ever since the library incident, things have been tense between Rudy and “Fitz.” Despite knowing that “Fitz” is a girl and the key to curing his ED, his respect for “him” is too great. Combined with his low self-esteem and self-deprecation, he refuses to act on his feelings. He even denies knowing anything about “Fitz” to Luke when he confronts him about it.

However, this is the last thing that Ariel, Luke, and Sylphie want. 

While the series makes it no secret that Sylphie has loved Rudy since they were kids, the depths of her feelings become obvious in this episode. When asked about her intentions, Sylphie can’t help but describe her fantasy of sleeping with Rudeus and having kids, knowing how great his sex drive is. It makes up for the lack of focus on her inner concerns regarding all the women in Rudy’s life by being hilarious. And the look on Ariel’s face says it all: “Sylphie, you got it bad!”

Ariel’s own interest in this matter is two-fold. While she doesn’t hide the fact that she wishes to recruit Rudeus to her faction, she also wants her best friend to be happy. For all her political savviness, Ariel truly is a kind person. So, the three devise a plan to help Sylphie confess that is, frankly, insane.

Sylphie Plans to Do What?!?

The plan remains the same across every version of Mushoku Tensei. Sylphie asks Rudeus with a fake plan to get a flower in the nearby woods, then a sudden storm forces them to take shelter in a cave. There, Sylphie hopes to recreate the moment when Rudeus found out that she was a girl, hoping that it will jog his memories of her. 

Much of the episode’s humor stems from the series of misunderstandings that have plagued them since coming to Ranoa, though. Sylphie and her cohorts are operating under the impression that Rudy’s forgotten about her. Thus, they’re resorting to recreating one of the most embarassing moments in both their lives. The humor stems from the fact that viewers know that, in truth, Rudeus never forgot about Sylphie. Next to finding his Mom, finding Sylphie has been his biggest priority for years. The only reason he didn’t recognize her is due to her now-white hair and the fact that she never told him. Had she done that, it would’ve saved them both a lot of time.

Making the situation even funnier is that Rudeus’s dependability leads him to get in his own way. First by almost clearing up the rain, then by refusing to look at “Fitz” as she undresses. Plenty of viewers will no doubt be ready to pull their hair out at how dense he’s being.

It’s all worth it in the end, though.

In the manga, this scene is interspersed with Rudeus memories of Sylphie as he proceeds to undress her, a sign that he’s finally catching on to her true identity. While the anime doesn’t do the same, it makes up for it with the lack of music, highlighting the importance of what’s going on. When he finally figures out who she is, though, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been a long and difficult road to get to this moment, but seeing Sylphie break in tears of joy as she confesses her love in Rudy’s arms makes everything worthwhile.

Not the Best Time to End the Episode

Then, the episode ends on a cliffhanger. We don’t see or hear Rudy’s response to this confession. It’s meant to give people something to look forward to in the mid-season finale, but it unintentionally undercuts the importance of what happened. The light novels and manga ended this moment by having Rudeus return her feelings and the two proceeding to have their first kiss. Not including that here makes the moment feel anti-climactic in nature.

Regardless, it’s genuinely satisfying to see Sylphie finally step up to get the man she loves. While some may take issue with how she could’ve saved a lot of time by telling him from the getgo, it’s important to keep in mind two things. First, she was under the impression that Rudeus had forgotten about her after all that time. Secondly, had she done so right away, then Rudeus might not have fallen in love with her the way he did.

When they were kids and Rudy found out Sylphie was a girl, he wanted to stay with her and mold her into his dream girl, which is all sorts of messed up. By getting to know her as “Fitz” for over a year, Rudeus genuinely fell in love with her. 

For now, anime-only fans will have to wait another week to see how things turn out. For those who’ve read the manga and light novel, though, they can be content with knowing that whatever pitfalls this episode had will get overshadowed by what’s to come next week. Good on you, Sylphie. You did it!

I Give “I Want to Tell You” a 4.8/5

Who is Silent Sevenstars? The Answer Freaks Rudeus Out

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2 Ep 9 Review

One of the biggest mysteries in the Mushoku Tensei is the cause of the Mass Teleportation Incident. It destroyed Fittoa, led to the death and stranding of countless people, and affected the lives of everyone Rudeus knows. One of the big reasons why Rudy went to Ranoa University was the hope of learning the truth about it. In this week’s episode, he finally manages to gain a big clue when he meets a certain someone known as Silent Sevenstars. However, the person he meets isn’t just someone he didn’t expected, but someone who freaks him out.

Rudy Gets PTSD Flashbacks 

It’s been months since Rudeus started attending Ranoa University, and both of his goals have hit a wall. He’s no closer to curing his impotency, nor has he managed to learn more about the Mass Teleportation Incident. At ‘Fitz’s’ suggestion, he decides to consult with their mysterious classmate, Silent Sevenstars. They’re someone who have created countless things that he recognizes right away as things from his world, making him suspicious about their true identity. However, not even he was expecting to learn who this person was. Silent Sevenstars is the young woman who was with…Orsted.

Seeing this living reminder of one of the worst moments in his new life, Rudeus understandably has a panic attack. Whereas some series would use it for comedic purposes, Mushoku Tensei plays it solely for drama. His near-death experience at the hands of Orsted deeply traumatized him, so much so that he passes out from shock. Thankfully, Sylphie continues to be the angel he needs in his life by watching over him until he comes to. It’s then that Rudeus learns some vital information about the incident that changed his life.

Nanahoshi Shizuka Got Isekai’d the Old-Fashioned Way

The surprises keep coming, as Silent Sevenstars reveals their true identity. Her real name is Nanahoshi Shizuka, and she’s a Japanese girl. The same girl whom Rudeus saved from Truck-Kun as the last act of his first life, though he keeps that knowledge to himself. What’s more important, though, is that, unlike Rudy, Nanahoshi got isekai’d the old-fashioned way: by summoning. 

Here is where Rudy gets his first big clue about the Incident. While Nanahoshi doesn’t know who summoned her or why, both of them piece together that the Teleportation Incident was a side-effect. A backlash resulting from teleporting someone from another world. In other words, it wasn’t Rudeus’ fault.

Nanahoshi also explains that Orsted found her and took her in as his companion a la Doctor Who, teaching her everything about this world and giving her the means to protect herself. Unlike Rudy, she can’t use magic, which makes it hard to defend herself. She also limits using her knowledge to her advantage because, truthfully, she doesn’t want anything to do with this world. 

Nanahoshi is an excellent contrast and foil to Rudeus in the story of Mushoku Tensei. Both got Isekai’d, but by different means. Both are considered knowledgable, but Nanahoshi only uses it for her own benefit. Most importantly, though, Rudeus wants to stay in this world, whereas Nanahoshi wants to go home. Despite their differences, though, they both agree to work together to learn more the Incident and find a way to get her home.

Spoiler alert: don’t expect them to learn the full truth about the incident. That’s something whose purpose they’ll never truly grasp.

Sylphie Just Wants Rudy to Love Her

The other major plot point of this episode revolves around Sylphie and her growing frustration over Rudy seemingly not remembering her. Granted, she never told him her true name out of fear that he really didn’t remember her, but it continued to hurt her. Seeing him spending time with Pursena at the episode’s start only adds fuel to the fire, but it’s the events of this episode that almost fan it into an inferno. 

Seeing Rudy and Nanahoshi speak in a language she doesn’t understand (nice touch), Sylphie starts to grow upset and jealous. When Nanahoshi poorly explains how the Teleportation Incident might have been her fault, though, she snaps. She lashes out at Nanahoshi while venting how the Incident took everything from her and Rudeus. She acts like it’s more because of how much Rudeus suffered for it, but her attitude gives it away. Deep down, she’s resentful of being separated from Rudeus by his parents and then the Teleportation Incident. She’s spent eight years apart from her best friend and great love, and the sight of the person she thinks repsonsible sends her into a murderous rage. If Rudy hadn’t explained things, Sylphie might have killed Nanahoshi in cold blood.

As the episode ends, there’s this moment where Sylphie’s struggling to keep up with him while walking. From a narrative standpoint, this is symbolic of how Sylphie feels this growing distance between her and Rudy. It’s something she desperately wants to avoid, but she’s too scared to tell him the truth. If she wants to be happy, though, then she needs to tell him soon, or she might lose him forever. Hopefully, the first half of the season will end with them figuring things out.

All in all, this episode serves as further proof why Mushoku Tensei works best as a slow burn. There was no action, but the drama kept people riveted until the very end. It’s why the anime remains so popular this year. 

I Give “The White Mask” a 4.5/5

Operation: Doll Maker is a Go, Rudeus

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime Reviews, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei S2, Ep 6 Review

It’s been a while now, and Rudeus has adjusted to life at school. Every morning he wakes up, does his exercises, spends time with Zanoba, takes classes, and then does reserach on teleportation while spending time with Sylphie in her alter ego. It’s not the most exciting life, but given what’s happened in both his lives, he’s earned it. However, there’s one problem: Zanoba won’t stop asking him how to make figurines and dolls. And when his normal methods won’t work, Rudy has to resort to means that would be frowned upon in modern life: slavery.

The Sylphie-Rudy Relationship Grows Cuter With each Moment

Last week, we saw how Rudy reunited with his childhood friend, Sylphie, but was completely oblivious over her true identity. Out of shyness, and a bit of a desire to tease him, Sylphie’s keeping him in the dark for now, but he’s slowly starting to catch on. Everytime he’s in her presence, his heart starts beating faster and he blushes a lot. Since he doesn’t know she’s a girl, though, that just leaves him confused about his preferences in romance.

Sexuality aside, seeing Rudeus and Sylphie have the chance to enjoy the school life they always wanted is genuinely endearing. After all the hell they went through, they’re able to live a semi-normal life, even if only for a short while. At this rate, Sylphie will be in the running for 2023 waifu of the year.

Zanoba Really, Really Likes Dolls

Zanoba is like the Mushoku Tensei equivalent of Pygmalion. In Greek mythology, he was a sculptor who shunned the company of women in favor of his craft, until he fell in love with his masterpiece and she was brought to life by the gods. Given how his superhuman strength prevents him from making meaningful connections with others, it’s understandable why Zanoba would be in a similar boat. 

At any rate, despite his desire to create dols and figurines, Zanoba’s strength makes it impossible for him to with his own two hands. Feeling bad for his student, and at the advice of Sylphie, they decide to go recruit some outside help to teach magic and aid Zanoba in his work. As an aside, the way Sylphie asks to come along makes the entire thing sound akin to a date, something that Rudy remains ignorant to. 

Here’s the catch: they don’t go to hire someone. They go to buy a slave.

Don’t be so Judgy

No one needs to be told in the modern day that slavery is bad; it’s a moral drummed into our heads since childhood. However, before we judge Rudeus and Zanoba for buying a slave, it’s important to remember the context:

  1. This is in a world where slavery continues to exist. Rudeus may not like it, but he knows it’s impossible for him to get rid of it, even if he had an army.
  2. Given who Rudeus and Zanoba are, whoever they get would be a slave in name only. In truth, they’d be an assistant, or partner and treated as such.
  3. Given how they’re looking for a young child to teach skills such as reading, writing, and magic, as well as providing with everything a child would need, they’d be better off with them than they would otherwise.

In the end, the trio ends up purchasing a little dwarf girl. Since she doesn’t have a name, they choose to name her Juliette, or Julie, after Zanoba’s late baby brother. However, here’s where Rudeus’ empathy comes into play again. When they first meet Julie, Rudy sees right away that she’s given up on life. That was the mindset he had in his first life, and the one he’s trying to overcome since Eris left him. So he helps her in the best way possible, by making her say she wants to live. 

This is what makes Rudeus a good protagonist. He knows what it’s like to feel like everything’s hopeless. Thus, he knows the best ways to give people the will to live again. This time, it ends up gaining him and Zanoba what amounts to a little sister. She’ll be good for Zanoba, in particular. 

Yet another good episode, even if it was a bit slow. Then again, much like in real life, it’s the slower moments people may remember the best. 

I Give “I Don’t Want to Die” a 3.5/5