English Dub Review: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation: “Route Selection”

Overview: Rudeus (Madeleine Morris, Ben Phillips) takes Man-God’s help in locating and reuniting with his family with him questioning if he has made the right decision and where it will lead him. 

Our Take: Man-God has always been a curious figure up to this point and there has been an air of mystery surrounding him and his intentions in helping Rudeus along his journey. His trustworthiness only becomes more precarious especially as he seeks to slowly but surely build trust with Rudeus, remaining a cause for suspicion. While Rudeus has gotten good results on account of following his advice and although he decides to follow his advice, he does it with an air of reluctance and skepticism, before, during and after his meeting with him. It shows that Rudy is not gullible but still open-minded enough to test his instructions to see if they will lead him to reuniting with Lilia, Aisha and Zenith and allow him to actually trust him. 

When Man-God’s advice eventually leads to Rudeus saving Aisha, it shows Man God’s reaffirming foresight into the future. However, it is not until the topic of Rudeus’ identity comes into question with the water sage choosing to follow the pale figure’s advising in not revealing his true identity that it shows he is leading him down a great path but at the same time leave you guessing as to if the seas ahead will be nothing but smooth sailing or filled with rough waters. It was a smart choice considering Aisha’s less than stellar opinion of her famed brother, Rudeus, and his pervy ways, despite her mother, Lilia, trying to convince her otherwise. Aisha is an amazing character added to the Greyrat lineage with her strong yet kind personality while being yet discerning and sharp as whip. It makes for a fun humorous reunion with Rudeus as she, unbeknownst to her, rips into her brother’s deplorable characteristics, showing just how embarrassed he is. Aisha’s feelings about Rudeus also transition to a sweet and romantic moment with him and Eris, showing how much she unconditionally loves all parts of him and sees no issue with any of his traits, which just confirms how truly perfect and precious she is and how Rudy is not with how creepy he acts. 

After being alarmed that Roxy is in the kingdom of Shirrone, where they are staying, Rudeus decides to head off alone to see his old teacher. Of course, there is only one problem with that. Roxy is not in Shirrone, or at least she should not be. Yes, it is just some prick of a prince in that of Shirrone’s seventh prince, Pax, who has a hard on for Roxy. Pax wants to lure Roxy out by trapping Rudeus in a magic circle that negates magic. Of course though, the runt is not thinking with his brain very much in how she remains unaware that her former student is captured in how failed to communicate that to her. But the most crucial and looming questions remain: Did Rudeus make the right route selection? Did Man-God’s advice lead Rudeus astray or did Rudeus follow it incorrectly somehow? These inquiries make for an exciting cliffhanger as Rudeus ponders the very same.