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Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5: Favorites

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Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5 – Quick Summary

In Jobless Reincarnation II episode 5, “Ranoa University of Magic,” Rudy and Elinalise finally arrived at the Ranoa University of Magic. A school official greeted him cordially enough. At least at first. Then he said Rudy would have to undergo a test – or more precisely, a duel. There’s another silent spell-caster at the university, and the official wants to see how well Rudy stacks up. Who is this spell-caster? How will Rudy compare? And why is Elinalise still hanging out with Rudy now that they’ve arrived?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5

Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5: Rudy has become quite the polite young man

I have to wonder if “Fitz” would have done a little better if she hadn’t been so completely freaked out over seeing Rudy again. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

There’ve been a few times this season when I wondered if Rudy was faking his humility. I know he was being nice to build a solid reputation. But how deep was that desire? If pressed, would he abandon that facade?

To be sure: I never considered Rudy to be a cruel person. Pervy, yes. Very, very pervy. But never cruel. Still, I wondered: if pressed, how would he react?

We got a couple of hints in this episode, and one of them was my favorite quote. When Rudy more or less brushed aside “Fitz’” attack, he realized that he had just embarrassed an upperclassman. He didn’t want to make people think he was a show-off. I also got the sense he really didn’t want to embarrass Fitz. So, he offered Fitz his hand and said (06:13), “You let me win because I’m new, didn’t you?”

Man, it’s good to see them back together again – even if Rudy still doesn’t know it!

Favorite Moment from Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5

Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5: Fritz was not joking

Fitz, taking a moment to make sure the gorilla understood her clearly. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Sylphie Is Too Endearing

Okay, we’re all friends here, right? So it’s okay if I’m honest about how I reacted to this episode? Good. Here it is.

I’m six decades old, and this episode made me freaking giddy.

A lot of it’s because Sylphie is such a dear young woman. There’s not a malicious bone in her body. She got along fabulously with Zenith, who’s another character I adore. It’s so good to see Sylphie in a good place: well-respected, trusted, and with no small amount of renown.

Then there’s the whole dynamic of Rudy reuniting with her and not knowing who she is — even thinking she is a he! He thought he recognized her wand (05:25), and something about her demeanor made him pause. But he’s still pretty much in the dark. 

But I tell you: just seeing them interacting together again felt so right. They have great chemistry. I’m really looking forward to how Rudy reacts when he realizes that no, he’s not gay for reacting to Fitz’ (21:50) “I won’t tell” – he’s just falling for Sylphie all over again.

Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5: I think Sylphie is having fun

Gotta say I’m curious how she can see at night with those shades! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream

I laughed out loud (again startling my cat, who is starting to avoid me when I’m writing – unless she’s hungry) when I read this comment by SonOfJenova in the Reddit thread:

That’s what makes Sylphie best girl for me. He fell for her twice.
The second time he even thought it was a guy.
He’s just Sylphiesexual…

Delivery: Sylphie May Be Endearing, But She Packs a Punch

One of their interactions was an example of how good they are together. It also represented a reversal of roles, which fit the narrative perfectly.

Rudy caught something white fluttering above him. That something turned out to be a pair of panties. Rudy was innocent – I’m a witness, and I’m sure you are, too! But the gorilla dorm mother and a dozen or more girls all accused him of being a pervert. They hurled insults at him.

Did you see his expression? All of the trauma he had tried to put behind him resurfaced. That was a visually effective way to portray a growing PTSD response. In that moment, I had to wonder: would Rudy snap and wipe them all out? Dude’s powerful now — he could do it. Or would he mentally collapse? 

Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5: The baseless accusation threatened Rudy's calm

Rudy was on the verge of panic or mental collapse. I’m glad Fitz showed up! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Fortunately we didn’t find out. In a reversal of roles from the first season, Fitz ran up and told the dorm mother it was her fault. She had been folding Princess Ariel’s panties and had dropped one. I honestly breathed a sigh of relief. Okay, I cheered. Not only was Rudy saved – but the rest of them were no longer in danger (even if they didn’t know what he could do if he panicked). 

But the gorilla wasn’t going to let it go. She still intended to punish Rudy. That’s when Fitz gave us my favorite moment. The instant the gorilla said she still intended to make an example out of Rudy, Fitz’ wand came out. In a very clear, very authoritative voice, Fitz said (20:07), “I’m telling you he did nothing wrong. So take your hands off him… Or would everyone here prefer a trip to the infirmary?”

She meant it, too.

Man, it’s great seeing those two back together again.

What did you think of Rudy meeting Zanoba again? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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10 thoughts on “Jobless Reincarnation II Episode 5: Favorites

  1. I get the impression that Rudy does not believe Elinalise about her “curse,” and I am getting more and more poleaxed each time he does not take these things at face value, despite gaining more experience in this world. I imagine if she ever gets her curse lifted, she will suddenly go on a streak of abstinence.

    Sylphie left me dumbfounded as well. I mean… I simply cannot conceive of why she wouldn’t just tell Rudy the truth of herself! Why draw this out?!

    Otherwise, I must admit, I completely forgot about Rudy’s last time in school. I would think that everything he’s experienced since reincarnating would have cleared up most of his trauma, but I am suddenly uncertain, especially with a slight bit of spoilers I picked up online, concerning events to come which might or might not forcibly remind him of all of that.

    Luke seems to have a grudge against Rudy, and it’s been long enough for him to have interacted with Eris, who may be a bit bemused at this point concerning her and Rudy. As far as she knew, she gave her first time to Rudy, then parted ways under much better circumstances than he experienced. She still loves him, and probably remembers a certain promise made concerning when he turned fifteen, which, he is now.

    Meeting the daughter of that beastman chief is an interesting detail. You know something is going to come of that, though her attitude as an alpha in his face is a bit unwarranted. I wonder how she’ll react when she learns that Rudy is a friend of her people.

    Finally, this has to be the first time that Rudy has been perfectly innocent of any perverted behavior of which he has been accused, ie, the whole panty thing outside the girls’ dorm. But being innocent probably just irritated that gorilla girl even more. We have not seen the last of her, I am certain.

    Oh, and I have to laugh: this is the second time Rudy has thought Sylphie was a guy.

    1. Interesting observation about Rudy. I’ve actually been thinking about that because of something I ran into recently. I realized that a mental habit I had picked up in high school still blinded me to some nuances of my life — and that stuff happened over forty years ago. That suggests to me that the trauma Rudy experienced could indeed still affect how he perceives things — and likely does.

      As far as why Sylphie doesn’t tell — that’s a really good question. I’m not sure I have a good answer. The best I can come up with is that the princess has presented her as Fitz, and disclosing she’s not at all who she seems could put the princess in a bad position. I’m not sure, though, but I have confidence that the narrative will provide (or imply — showing and not telling, maybe) the real answer.

      The problem with trauma? Especially something like PTSD? It’s likely he will never recover. The flashbacks may become less frequent, and he can learn techniques to manage his condition. But he’ll likely always live with the effects. That’s why I don’t understand why so many people want to go easy on bullies. The damage they inflict can last a lifetime.

      Or maybe I do understand, and I’m protecting my diminishing opinion of human nature by not admitting it to myself.

      By this time, I think Sylphie’s just amused at Rudy’s confusion. I mean, they had a ton of time together, and I think she approved of his plan for them to stay together. She can’t match his magic power, but her emotional intelligence dwarfs his.

  2. We’ve got to stop watching the same episodes and making the same observations…

    It’s funny when you think that Rudy first thought Syphie was a boy back when they were kids and he tried to get her in the bath. Wonder how he’ll react this time when he finds out.

    1. I hope not — but I could see it happen in Rudy’s context.

      Though what I would hope would happen is that he’d finally recognize her! I mean, sure, her hair’s white now. And maybe living with the princess has changed her voice’s cadence, and she’s older now so her voice would be a little different…

      Well. I guess I just talked myself into understanding how Rudy could be mistaken!

        1. I wish I had a good sense for what the man-god is up to. It seems clear he’s using Rudy for his own purposes, but I’d like to know a little more about what those purposes are.

Please let me know what you think!

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