Anime Best in Show

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Favorites

Quick SummaryBest MomentSetupDeliveryOther Posts

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15 – Quick Summary

In Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15, “Afar,” Rudy received a response to the letter he had written to his father Paul. It seemed Paul and his daughters (Rudy’s sisters) Aisha and Norn were fine. But there had been a development – a development that involved Paul, his party, and a mystery guardian. How does this involve Rudy? Will Sylphy be okay with what Paul had to say?

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

Favorite Quote from Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Rudy speaks affectionately to Sylphy

Rudy and Sylphy have both come a long way! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I’m getting a little nervous. When things go well for the main character (MC), it usually means something big and dramatic is coming for them. And things are going well for Rudy. In the previous episode, we saw that Rudy, over the course of his life in this world, had gathered some good friends. That’s an outward-facing indicator of who he’s become. Today, we got an inward indicator.

Remember how Rudy used to lust after any female in his vicinity? Well, in this episode, Sylphy disclosed that, since she tends more towards elf than human, it might be difficult for her to conceive. She said she’d be okay with Rudy having a concubine.

I remembered how Rudy used to be, and how who he used to be would react to such a statement. Delight? Anticipation? Something no doubt shallow and hurtful to Sylphy’s feelings.

But Rudy’s grown. I think the dude was one hundred percent sincere when he answered (06:42), “I’ll do no such thing. What I want isn’t children, it’s the fruit of love with someone I cherish. I love you, Sylphy.”

The Rudy from the first season has grown into a fine young man! Which leads me to suspect something terrible is about to happen! I mean, this is a drama, after all! We can’t have an MC who’s happy all the time.

Favorite Moment from Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Shizuka Nanahoshi lost her calm

Shizuka thought her latest failure sealed her fate. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Sometimes It’s Darkest…

Please be aware: this episode has an after-the-credits scene. Very much worth watching!

This is a tough one. I’ve been sitting at my keyboard for five minutes trying to figure out which moment to pick as my favorite. For me, that’s a long time! It’s not like I’m an emotionally complex man or anything.

In the end, I chose the darkness, because through it, we can better appreciate the light. And wow, can this show go dark.

Remember the episode where Rudy first met Shizuka Nanahoshi in the college? He had last seen her in the company of Orsted. Rudy hadn’t known that she had parted company with that monster. You could just see his personality fly apart in his panic to get away from her. The moment felt terrifyingly real. Just like my favorite moment from this episode.

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Rudy had almost convinced himself that Shizuka was okay

Rudy had almost convinced himself that Shizuka would be okay. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Shizuka thought she had the sequence figured out. She had been studying the art/science/magic of creating seals. After months of work, her latest seal was ready for Rudy’s mana. Based on everything she thought she knew, it should work. The spell should summon something – anything – from our world. The act would prove she still had some hope of coming home.

Rudy felt right away that some component wasn’t right. The seal flamed out. Shizuka sat down at her desk and, In a wooden voice, told Rudy they were done for the day.

Delivery: … Just  Before Full Dark

He felt uneasy as he descended the stairs. But he had almost convinced himself she would be okay when he heard her scream. Racing back up the steps, Rudy yanked the door open. And saw chaos.

Shizuka had completely lost her composure (09:34). Screaming, she tore up her books – and I swear, the voice actor, Shion Wakayama poured such raw emotion into those screams that I felt my throat hurt in sympathy. Shizuka wrecked the room before Rudy could stop her. All he could do was hold her as she screamed that she could not go home.

Worse, when she went silent, she looked as if her spirit had left her. She looked like a husk (10:02). I’d been praising Rudy for how far he’s come. This, though, was far beyond him. He had no idea what to do, and I don’t blame him. So he put her on his back and carried her in search of help. 

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Shizuka had given up.

Though Rudy had been there before, he really didn’t know how to help Shizuka. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream

One of the traits that distinguishes emotionally resonant fiction is, not surprisingly, its ability to portray characters experiencing authentic emotions. Jobless Reincarnation distinguishes itself by showing its characters go through some very dark moments like this one. It demonstrates clearly that not everything that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Sometimes, it breaks you. Denying that; trying to gloss over it; cheapens the human experience.

This moment is my favorite because Shizuka, being Shizuka, could have reacted no other way. Her character had to break like this, not for a plot convenience, but because she’s a realistic character pushed past her limits. And sometimes, what lies beyond our limits isn’t growth or calm acceptance. Not without intervention and healing, anyway.

What did you think of the party at the end? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)

tcrow
Copyright 2022 Terrance A. Crow. All rights reserved.
https://www.crowsworldofanime.com

6 thoughts on “Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 Episode 15: Favorites

    1. Feels that was, doesn’t it?

      And it made me smile to think that in Jobless Reincarnation, the simple option is the world destroying monster!

  1. > He had no idea what to do, and I don’t blame him.
    And when he tried to cheer her up in an fake lively voice he was most likely copying his old parents when they were trying to get him out of his room. So he knew it’s unlikely to work, but he didn’t know any other way. And then, after getting a clue, he pulled a collective Roxy (again copying the methods used on him before).

    Going though stuff and helping others through the similar stuff are different skillsets. Like listening and talking are. I really appreciate that the author does not go into “I did it, so you can do it too. It’s easy, just retrace my steps” like so many books dealing with similar subjects do.

    1. You’re right! And in that “fake lively voice,” I also heard a note of hesitancy, like he knew it wouldn’t work, but he was in a panic and wanted to try something — anything — to help her.

      I’m impressed with Rifujin na Magonote, and your observation about the different skillsets is another reason — one I hadn’t really thought of, so thanks for that!

  2. Being reborn, instead of simply whisked away, Rudy has been able to naturally form connections, while Nanahoshi has been entirely alone. He has roots where they came from, but he’s become part of this new world, while she has steadfastly remained apart from it despite being trapped within it. And yet, there’s more to it than being either born or stolen into this other world. After all, they were both born into Japan, originally, and she had a life there while he did not really. Indeed, in his first life, Rudy was pushed to the fringes of the world, and now he’s steadying Nanahoshi as she stands at the fringes and screams in an agony not entirely unlike his own.

    1. That moment when she lost it brought so many narrative threads together that not only did the viewer part of my brain feel its heart break for her, but the writer part of my brain paused in a moment of admiration for Rifujin na Magonote. I don’t use the word “stunning” very often, but I think it applies here.

Please let me know what you think!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.