Mushoku Tensei Season 2 is upon us, but what has happened so far? Here's a recap for Mushoku Tensei Season 1, with the ending explained!
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Mushoku Tensei Season 1 Recap
Mushoku Tensei is one of the shows that consolidated isekai anime's recent popularity.
Despite being one of the worst offenders in an often-problematic fantasy sub-genre, it garnered a keen following who looks forward to Season 2.
So, here's what has happened so far:
Rudeus' Early Years
The story of Rudeus Greyrat begins when an unemployed man in his thirties is killed and reincarnated into a magical world with his memories intact.
In his new life, he's a magically gifted child named Rudeus.
Early on, he befriends Roxy, a young adventurer, who becomes his magic teacher.
He also becomes close with a half-elf child called Sylphiette. The two dream of studying at Ronoa Magic Academy together but lack money.
Leaving Home
Through a relative, Philip Boreas Greyrat, Rudeus gets a tutoring job. At first, Rudeus' pupil and Philip's daughter, Eris, is hostile.
After many adventures, Rudeus and Eris become close. Both learn a lot about magic and fighting.
Mana Disruption
After two years as Eris' tutor, Rudeus has his most eventful birthday yet.
A cloud of mana envelops him and Eris, and they both get stranded in the middle of the Demon Continent.
For the first time, Rudeus encounters a deity known as the Human God, who instructs him to trust and help the person who has saved him.
When Rudeus comes through, he finds that Ruijerd, a member of the feared Superdia race, has rescued him and Eris.
Across the Demon Continent
Rudeus, Eris, and Ruijerd band together. The former two want to help Ruijerd clear his people's names. Meanwhile, Ruijerd will help the two children return home.
The three of them present themselves as a group of adventurers in order to move around more easily.
A Series of Adventures and Almost-Encounters
While Rudeus is trying to make his way out of the Demon Continent, Roxy and her party enter it in search of him.
Meanwhile, Rudeus' father, Paul, is traveling in search of his family members, who are missing.
Most notable among Rudeus' adventure is the party's detour in Doldia Village where they are accused of being smugglers. Eventually, Rudeus helps the villagers identify the true culprit.
Back home, Eris' grandfather is blamed for the mana surge and gets executed.
Rudeus and Paul's Reunion
After a lot of misadventures, Paul and Rudeus finally meet. However, the reunion doesn't go as planned.
Paul is angry that Rudeus never tried to write home and find out what happened to his family and neighbors.
Rudeus struggles with these accusations and doesn't know how to reply.
Eventually, the father and son are able to have an honest discussion.
They depart on good terms, with Rudeus promising to look for the rest of the family after taking Eris back home.
More Reunions
Pax, Shirone's seventh prince, tricks Rudeus into going to the palace in an attempt to lure Roxy to him.
While a captive, Rudeus meets Lilia, Paul's second partner, and his half-sister, Aisha, whom Pax also holds as prisoners.
Zanoba, the third prince, eventually resolves the tension. Lilia and Aisha are free to go home.
Encountering the Dragon God
One of Rudeus' most climactic encounters is with Orsted, the Dragon God.
At first, Orsted mistrusts Rudeus due to his connection with the Human God.
Orsted's attack leaves Rudeus hurt but immune to the Dragon God's many curses.
Ultimately, Orsted's companion convinces him to spare Rudeus who now walks into the climax of Mushoku Tensei's first season.
Back Home
The party finally arrives home. Ruijerd departs and Rudeus reunites with his old friend, Ghislaine, only to find that Eris' entire family is dead.
Another branch of the Greyrat family offers Eris an arranged marriage to preserve the line.
Instead, Eris goes to Rudeus' tent, initiates sex, then leaves with Ghislaine the next morning, resolving to grow stronger.
Rudeus is distraught but sets out to find the rest of his family members and friends.
Elsewhere, Sylphiette, who has survived the mana surge, tries to convince a yet-unknown group to recruit Rudeus.
Mushoku Tensei Season 1 Ending Explained
If you thought a few episodes in the middle were messy or disjointed, Episode 23 brought almost everything together, covering a lot of material in a short time.
For those already bracing themselves for Season 2, here's a breakdown of the ending for the isekai anime:
Why Did Eris Leave Rudeus?
Eris leaves Rudeus to become stronger and more independent and rejoin him on equal terms.
Already from Episode 22, Eris returns home to find that everything she once cared about is gone.
Her future seems bleak, as she's expected to participate in a marriage of convenience to help her people.
In defiance, she initiates sex with Rudeus instead, only to leave him the morning after.
As it turns out, Eris left Rudeus accompanied by Ghislaine, in hopes of becoming stronger.
She feels that, so far, Rudeus has done everything to protect her, despite being a bit younger.
His near-death experience a few episodes earlier made her feel powerless, so she believes it's her turn to protect the only family member she has left.
Eris' flight, therefore, becomes a frustrating case of miscommunication.
While she believes she's doing the right thing, even whispering to a sleeping Rudeus that she'll come back for him, Rudeus wakes up thinking she's left forever.
Eris' wish to grow on her own after relying on Rudeus for so long is understandable, but she might as well have explained these feelings to her beloved.
As is usually the case in such a situation, a simple chat would have fixed that, but an anime has to ensure enough drama, we suppose.
Where Are the Main Characters Now?
Paul has managed to reunite with Lilia and Aisha, while Zenith is in the Labyrinth City of Rapan on the Begaritt Continent.
Rudeus is devastated by what he perceives as Eris' abandonment, but he has a dream about Zenith, which causes him to realize he must save his mother.
Roxy also leaves for Begaritt with her party the moment she learns about Zenith's whereabouts, suggesting a possible reunion between her and Rudeus.
Elsewhere, Sylphiette tries to convince an unknown group to recruit Rudeus, setting the tone for Season 2, which will probably arrive soon enough!
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