Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation: Season 2 Episode 20 – Review/ Recap

Multiple reunions make this a heartfelt episode but don’t expect the final reunion to be with Zenith.

 Plot Recap

The Big Man Now Seems So Small – Rudy, Paul, Geese, Elinalise

No sooner than Rudy and Elinalise arrive, they find Geese, who takes them to Paul, and once again, Paul and Rudy have a notable reconciliation. Paul has become older, is still physically strong, but mentally has weakened, and to hear his son will have a kid soon, is married, and has come to help despite his obligations, it leaves him touched.

The façade of being the top-rank warrior is set aside for a moment that allows Rudy to be reminded his father is human and makes it so Geese’s request to take it easy on Paul becomes unnecessary.

Reconciling and Making Preparations – Rudy, Paul, Lilia, Elinalise, Geese

However, with Elinalise, that is a bit harder. Thankfully, on sight, Paul issued an apology, and while we don’t get the details of what he is apologizing for, the apology seems to be accepted. Mind you, not to the point Elinalise will move on completely from what happened, but at least the wheels can begin turning, which will make things easier in the labyrinth.

But, what will surely make the journey far quicker than expected is Rudy bringing his teleportation circles book, which Geese is quick to read and implement regarding how they will proceed in the morning.

Now, as for what happened that night? Beyond jokes of Elinalise surprisingly not sleeping with Rudy, there is another reunion: Lilia and Rudy. It’s sweet and simple at first, especially as Lilia asks about Alicia. However, Paul makes things dirty as he brings sex into play and gives more than enough information to not only allude to his past intimacy with Lillia but it continuing, even as Paul seeks to rescue his wife.

A Love That Knows No Limits – Rudy, Roxy, Paul, Elinalise

Despite the labyrinth being S-ranked,  the first few levels are a breeze. Paul is mighty and a bit of a show-off, and Rudy has magic that easily makes the monsters die. However, the monsters never caused issues; it was the teleportation circles.

In fact, we’re told Roxy accidentally stepped onto one that has left her trapped for approximately a month – leaving many to assume she is dead. However, Rudy senses her, and before her death becomes fact and not a shared opinion, he rescues her.

Cast Guide

Character’s Name	Actor’s Name
Rudy	Yumi Uchiyama
Paul	Tomoyuki Morikawa
Geese	Yôji Ueda
Elinalise	Rie Tanaka
Lilia	Lynn
Roxy	Yoshimi Ohara

Review

Highlights

Rudy and Paul’s Relationship

While we have seen Rudy and Paul reunite before, there is something different here. It isn’t Rudy lashing out but coming back matured, perhaps beyond Paul’s expectations, and while the two have had their differences, that is still his son. So, to know his son is about to have a kid, is married, able to hold down raising his siblings, and still present this aura of maturity and peace? Even if Paul cannot take full credit, he can still show pride.

Roxy Reunion

I’m not going to lie to you, with not seeing Zenith in forever, that was my main focus, so Roxy wasn’t even really on my radar. However, seeing her there, on the brink of death, literally peeing herself out of fears she was about to be crushed or eaten, and Rudy showing up? Oh, that was magical, no pun intended.

Though it does push you to wonder, what may change in their dynamic with Rudy being separated from Roxy longer than he was Sylphie and Roxy being his first love or crush? He still has feelings for her, clearly, but he is married and soon to have a kid, so will the anime stick to the book and keep Rudy flawed, or pursue a more redeemed version of Rudy?

On The Fence

Still Not Exactly Knowing What Happened Between Paul and Elinalise

Is it a big deal to know what happened between Paul and Elinalise? No. More than likely, he cheated on her with Zenith, pitted them against each other, iced her out, or maybe even left her for dead? It’s hard to say, but having an idea of who Paul was combined with Elinalise not often being the type to seem like she has hate or anger towards anyone makes this something you can’t just step past and let go of.

Background Information

Episode Title	Into The Labyrinth
Release Date	June 2, 2024
Network	Crunchyroll
Director(s)	Hiroki Nagashina, Masami Isuma
Writer(s)	Atsushi Takayama
Previous Episode	Season 2/ Episode 19
Series Page	Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Character Guide	Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Cast & Character Guide

Other Noteworthy Information

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. How did Roxy last so long, never mind how would Zenith last if she has allegedly been down there for years, compared to Roxy who was about to die after a month?