Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation: Season 2/ Episode 9 “The White Mask” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
As Sylphie continues to wrestle with her feelings, she introduces Rudy to someone of his past who causes him to have a dramatic and visceral reaction.
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General Information
This section Includes information about the Director, Writer, and Cast.
| Release Date (Crunchyroll) | September 3, 2023 |
| Director(s) | Kento Shintani |
| Writer(s) | Atsushi Takayama |
| Previously Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Sylphie | Ai Kayano |
| Ariel | Ueda Reina |
| Luke | Okitsu Kazuyuki |
| Rudy | Yumi Uchiyama |
| Nanahoshi | Shion Wakayama |
Plot Recap
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Why Haven’t You Told Him Yet? – Sylphie, Ariel, Luke
Sylphie’s crush on Rudy is anything but subtle, and there comes a point when Ariel and Luke can’t help but question what is going on with it? Sylphie, fearful she was forgotten, reveals she hasn’t told Rudy it is her, and both Luke and Ariel are confused as to why. However, neither wishes to get personally involved, as this is Sylphie’s life. However, it seems they are rooting for her, even if Luke was cold to his cousin previously.
Silent Sevenstar – Rudy, Sylphie, Nanahoshi
With Rudy hitting a snag between the concepts behind teleportation and summoning, he goes to a resting Sylphie for help, and she takes him to Nanahoshi. In case you forgot, we met her in the increasingly referenced episode 21 of the first season, where Orsted killed Rudy. However, it is revealed that Nanahoshi pushed Orsted to bring Rudy back to life – information Rudy didn’t know until now.
But before she reveals that, Rudy freaks out and has an anxiety or panic attack that makes him faint. After he awakens in Sylphie’s lap, everything is explained to him. Nanahoshi is not only Japanese, but we learn she might have been the girl Rudy saved when he sacrificed his original body. Yet, while he was reincarnated and has lived roughly 18+ years in this world, Nanahoshi only appeared five years ago.
On top of that, it appears she doesn’t age, and regarding her relationship with Orsted? It isn’t clear why he took to her as he did. Maybe it was because she wasn’t from this world, so there wasn’t a sense of hatred coming from her? It’s hard to say since Nanahoshi often doesn’t know something or is intently vague on the details.
All we know for sure is she wants to go back, for she fears if she does anything that changes the way the world works too much, she’ll be erased. The problem is that she doesn’t have the mana required to do the experiments needed to look into a way back home, so Rudy being introduced via Sylphie is a blessing.
Let’s Make A Deal – Rudy, Sylphie, Nanahoshi
So, here is the deal: Rudy will use his mana to help Nanahoshi with her experiments, and in return, she will reveal what she has learned from being by Orsted’s side for more than a year and anything else she knows that could help Rudy on the quest Man-God gave him. Most of this is said in Japanese, which Sylphie doesn’t understand, leaving her feeling left out.
Yet, when Nanahoshi casually says she thinks she may have caused the mass teleportation event, Sylphie comes out of character, seemingly desiring to kill Nanahoshi. Luckily, even without mana, Nanahoshi has magical rings to defend themselves with, giving Rudy time to calm Sylphie down.
Ultimately, though, it is established that Nanahoshi is just as much a victim as Sylphie, and while Rudy may not trust her, Sylphie doesn’t have to be jealous or worried about Rudy’s safety or heart.
Review
With Commentary
Notable Performances or Moments
All Nanahoshi Revealed
Alongside giving us a nice dose of character development for an established, though not seen in a while, character, we also got some world-building and clarification. It has been five years since the mass teleportation event, and at least two people from Japan ended up in this new world. Rudy was killed, so he was reincarnated, and one person, perhaps one of many, were somehow put into limbo until five years ago, and now they don’t age and are potentially immortal.
Does any of that make sense? No. But it is nice that, especially in a fantasy show, it isn’t trying to retcon what didn’t make sense but further develop what was established so that you aren’t reliant on theory.
Highlights
How It Juggles Having So Many Characters
There are a slew of plots going on currently, ranging from Ariel’s exile, the assumed turmoil in the Greyrat family, Sylphie’s crush, Rudy training Juliette, and then all the characters we haven’t seen thus far, or in a while, and the question of what they are doing? How is Eris, and where is she? What about Zenith? We have yet to see her. How about Roxy?
Yes, there are a litany of characters within the world of “Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation,” and yet, while you may ponder what is going on with this person or that storyline, you rarely feel overwhelmed or underserved. Rather, as shown recently, there will be an acknowledgement of the past to remind you something or someone isn’t forgotten, and as shown in this episode, there are details to be added, but they will only be added when the time is right.
On The Fence
Waiting On Sylphie To Confess
A part of me understands that, after five years of dealing with the trauma of her parents’ death, paired with her survival depending on a princess who originally blackmailed her into submission, Sylphie didn’t have the time to focus on dating and maturing, beyond what was necessary to serve and remain protected by Ariel. Also, it should be noted that everyone is maybe in their mid to late teens, and so they are still experiencing their firsts and how overwhelming that could be.
Rudy may have had sex before, but Sylphie hasn’t. Rudy may have also been in love with Eris, but for Sylphie, it doesn’t seem she has had a crush since Rudy.
With that in mind, while it is frustrating she is dragging out telling him who she is, you get it. Though he has hinted he knows she (as in Sylphie) is okay, hence him not still looking for her, at the same time, he has changed and experienced so much of the world, without being some semblance of sheltered. How could she keep up? Can she even will herself to do the things he has learned or be the type of woman he may want or need?
While the frustration won’t subside anytime soon, I do hope with the next episode being titled “These Feelings,” it means she at least confesses to him by the end of the episode.
Episode Directory
| Previous Episode – Season 2/ Episode 8 “The Fiancé of Despair” | Check Out The Character Guide | Find More Episodes From The Series |
