Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 09 – Quick Summary
In Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 episode 09, “Lament,” Shizuka Nanahoshi fell into a coma after Sylphie tried to detoxify her. Now, Perugius ordered his court to search the archives for a cure. But no cure seems forthcoming. Why did Sylphie’s treatment have this effect? What can Rudy do to help? And even if he comes up with an idea, will the king let him try it?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 09
He asked the king to contact who, now? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I can write a lot of words trying to describe what story craftsmanship looks like. How it builds to an emotional impact. How the writer uses ebb and flow; word choice; all that. And yet, that description would fall short.
Instead, do you mind if I show you what story craftsmanship looks like?
Shizuka reached the end of her rope. More on that below (because, come on – what other moment compares to that for my favorite?). She poured out her soul, and Rudy heard her.
The Rudy of the first season might not have been affected. But Rudy, husband to Sylphie and Roxy, father of Lucie, heard her. He responded to her. Rudy, the responsible, well-adjusted adult, decided to help her. You could see it in his eyes.
And then you heard it in his voice when he said to Perugius (10:28), “Not to rush things, sire, but could you contact Dragon God Orsted?”
Hearing him say that, I sat straight up in my chair. Everything Rudy had been through flooded back – especially his reaction upon seeing Shizuka for the first time after being brought back to life. I didn’t need any flashbacks. I didn’t need any explanation. The story had taught me who Rudy was, and I knew what it took for him to ask that.
That’s story craftsmanship. And someday? I vow to reach that level. I just wish I could achieve it sooner rather than later!
Favorite Moment from Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 09
Writers have to hurt their proverbial children. Some writers are better at that than others. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Shuzuka Nanahoshi Gave It Her All…
I’ve been avoiding emotionally heavy fiction this year. It’s why I decided not to review Saga of Tanya the Evil II, despite how much I love that series. With the world the way it is, I’ve had to divert all my emotional shielding to real life, where it can blunt the damage long enough for me to maintain a calm public facade.
And write a novel like Duty of Prisoners (affiliate link) that answers the question, “Can Nazis ever be the good guys?” Spoiler: They can’t. Ever. In any world, in any time, in any universe. But I digress.
With that mind set, I approached this episode as a whole. I was prepared to read about Shizuka dying, but I got something far more emotionally impactful. I got her alive and in existential despair.
She held on for a long time. But no strength lasts forever. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Now, a lesser writer would have used sentimentality to pull on the ole’ heart strings. But Rifujin na Magonote isn’t a lesser writer. He didn’t use sentimentality. Instead, he used authenticity.
I didn’t want to watch the scene. I like Shizuka, and I don’t want her to die. So I’m already a basket case over her condition. Then she planted by first barb by saying (05:46), “I know they’ve got magic, but they don’t even clean cuts.”
“Oh, crap,” I thought, sternly instructing myself not to tear up. “She’s going to ease us into her despair. This is bad.”
And of course, by “this is bad” I meant “this is going to be emotionally devastating.”
Shizuka’s a strong young woman. She’s thrown herself into finding a way home. Instead of weeping mass sitting in a corner somewhere, she devoted herself to experimentation. Recent episodes even showed she had reason for hope!
Delivery … And It Wasn’t Enough
Hope – something that’s overrated on one hand, and indispensable on the other. Emotions are strange things.
Shizuka went on, her control cracking, then washed away by the torrent of her despair. She spoke of how lucky Rudy was to have what he had – statements that hammered him with insight and truth. She lamented that she did not want to die in this place, alone, far from her family.
Then she delivered the line that did me in.
Shizuka, the powerful young woman who had fought so hard to save herself, broke down and said (09:49), “Somebody… help me.”
I’m all about strong women characters. I hate damsels in distress. They annoy me. Shizuka’s despair worked precisely because she was no such thing. She had tried everything; she had hoped and fought and drove herself to exhaustion. And it wasn’t enough. Now, on the verge of death, she asked for help.
It was just a subtle movement of his eyes. But it communicated his resolve. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
As soon as she mentioned wound hygiene, I knew where she was going. That’s exceptional character development. And as soon as she uttered those words, I anticipated the look of resolve in Rudy’s eyes. How could he not, being who he’s become, have reacted to her plea? That’s exceptional story craftsmanship. Okay, character, too, but it set the stage for the next part of the narrative.
I am continually glad I kept with this series. It’s a masterclass in fantasy. It’s even a masterclass in outstanding writing in general. And by “outstanding,” I mean writing that punches me in the gut at the worst (i.e., the best) times.
What did you think of meeting Kishirika Kishirisu again? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 09: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 • Mushoku Tensei III: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu – Episode 9 discussion
- Anime Evo: Mushoku Tensei Season 3 – 09
- DoubleSama: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 9 Review
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 01: Burn Bright, Mad Dog
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 02: Howl, Mad Dog
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 03: Life Back at Home
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 04: A King-Class Water Mage
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 05: Celebration
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 06: Another Domestic Disaster?
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 07: Phase Four
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 08: The Flying Fortress
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 09: Lament
- Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 Episode 10: An Audience with an Immortal Demon King
