English Dub Review: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation: “Dreams and Reality”

Overview: Rudeus (Madeleine Morris, Ben Phillips) and Eris (Lindsay Seidel) with a heavy heart bid goodbye to their Ruijerd (Christopher Wehkamp) as he makes his departure, while another goodbye fractures the group even more so. 

Our Take: The heavy toll that the magical explosion is truly starting to set in for our main group of heroes. The trauma associated with his home and town being destroyed is made heartbreaking with Rudeus reminiscing of his childhood memories. To make the gut punch even worse is the departure of Ruijerd from the group, which is saddening with how much he has grown while also helping Eris and Rudy develop over the course of their journey. His treatment of them in childlike fashion shows just paternally protective and caring he has become of them, despite them coming into adulthood. Even with all the emotions swirling in the air, like the Superd reaffirms, it feels like it’s far from the end, with both merely going their separate ways to continue down their own paths. 

Ghislaine finally makes a return, with her and Alphonse establishing the state of Eris family, breaking the news of her parents demise and her grandfather’s execution at suspicion of being the root cause of the magical explosion. It’s Eris’ composure and maturity, even more so than Rudeus, that really drives home how strong and hardened she is in wanting to think things through and decide what she wants for herself, with Ghislaine supporting her freedom. On Rudeus’ side, he receives one silver lining in that Sylphiette is still alive somewhere. 

Eris and Rudeus also take their relationship to the next level with them having sex in an intimate scene that is indicative of how much Eris needed that physical comfort for what she is going through, but how they have slowly become more romantic throughout their escapades. Rudeus’ immense satisfaction and hilarious gratification in finally fulfilling his pervy goal, is cut short with Eris’ sudden departure with Ghislaine, with nothing but a note and her cut hair left behind. The note speaks volumes about how much distance Eris is trying to put between her and Rudy, not even allowing Alphonse to disclose her location, and wanting to truly forge a way ahead that not only establishes her independence, but is entirely her own. Rudeus’ feeling of immense loss at separating from his love but her cold departure after their intimacy with one another acts as a saddening end for our young sage accomplishing his mission.