Highlights

• Episode 8 depicts the Teleportation Incident, which changes Rudeus and his friends' lives forever.
• Episode 17 shows Rudeus finally reconciling with Norn over common struggles after years apart.
• Episode 18 shows Rudeus facing a difficult decision to try and reunite his family.

When it comes to worldbuilding and character development, few isekai light novel adaptations have been as consistent and detailed as Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. Looking at the quality of the episodes released in each cour and season, there is no doubt that Studio Bind's anime retelling is doing justice to the source material of Rifujin na Magonote.

That said, there are a few episodes that serve as standout moments in Rudeus's journey by virtue of representing critical moments in his new life. Most of the events that occur at these turning points have major implications for his exploits and relationships in the series, which is why they are considered some of the most the best episodes of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.

5 Season 1, Episode 8: Turning Point 1

The teleportation incident changes Rudeus' life forever

During the first chapters of the 1st season of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, Rudeus grew accustomed to his idyllic life with his new family, until he was sent to Roa to tutor a young aristocrat, Eris Boreas Greyrat. Despite Eris's violent tendencies and confrontational attitude, the two began to grow closer as students and mentors over the two years they spent together.

Following Rudeus's 10th birthday, the duo went on an adventure with their sword instructor, Ghislaine Dedoldia. Unfortunately, their outing was cut short when a mysterious cloud of mana appeared in the air above them. In a blinding flash of light, Rudeus, Eris, and most of the residents of the neighboring Fittoa region were unintentionally transported to random locations around the world. This event would later come to be known as the Teleportation Incident, and it had major implications for the rest of Season 1.

4 Season 2, Episode 17: My Big Brother's Feelings

Rudeus sees his own past mirrored in Norn

The arrival of Rudeus' sisters, Aisha and Norn, altered the dynamics within his household following his marriage to Sylphiette. Norn, in particular, struggled to reconcile with Rudeus, as she had witnessed him assaulting her father years earlier. After choosing to let Norn stay at the Ranoa Magic Academy dormitory as per her request, Rudeus was distraught to discover that she had become a recluse.

Since this was a problem that Rudeus personally related to in his past life, he decided to confront Norn's class to find out why she was avoiding everyone. While speaking to his classmates, Rudeus was disturbed to learn that Norn was always being compared to him and his achievements, which took a huge toll on her mentally. This led Rudeus to seek out and talk to Norn to acknowledge his own flaws, which helped the two siblings reconcile after years of separation.

3 Season 2, Episode 18: Turning Point 3

A difficult choice presents itself to Rudeus

A little over a year after arriving at Ranoa Magic Academy, just as things were finally calming down for Rudeus, he received a letter from Geese summoning him to join the search for his mother, Zenith. The timing could not have been worse, as he was expecting a child with Sylphiette and had been making considerable progress in his research and other exploits at the Academy.

Unable to choose a course of action, Rudeus consulted Hitogami, who reiterated his previous warning not to travel to the Begaritt Continent, as he would live to regret it. On the other hand, Rudeus knew that he would feel the same regret if he chose not to save his family. Unsure of what to do, Rudeus almost decided to stay, until Norn's desire to go in his place reminded him of the importance of this chance to reunite his family. He then promised to make the trip while asking Norn to look after everyone back home.

2 Season 1, Episode 17: Reunion

Rudeus reconciles with Paul after fight

When Rudeus met his father, Paul Greyrat, for the first time after the Teleportation Incident, their encounter turned sour as they did not agree on how they had both spent their time following the tragedy that tore their family apart. This eventually culminated in Rudeus brutally attacking Paul with a huge crowd of onlookers present, and he only stopped after noticing a terrified young Norn watching the situation from afar.

Father and son took some time to recover after their first heated encounter, and Paul soon apologized for being harsh with Rudeus after being persuaded by Geese to reevaluate his expectations of his son. After acknowledging their own faults and promising to put their feud behind them, Rudeus and Paul finally reconciled in a rare moment of tenderness between father and son.

1 Season 1, Episode 21: Turning Point 2

A fateful encounter with Orsted nearly decimates the Dead End

As Rudeus, Eris, and Ruijerd neared the end of their journey, they had to cross the Red Dragon Mountain to reach the Fittoa region of the Asura Kingdom. As they traversed treacherous terrain, the trio encountered Orsted, the Dragon God and one of the Seven Great Powers. Despite somehow knowing who Eris and Ruijerd were, Orsted was unable to identify Rudeus.

After inquiring about their familiarity with Hitogami, Orsted ferociously attacks all three Dead End members, defeating them almost effortlessly. He then turns his attention to the injured Rudeus, who uses the last of his mana to conjure a final attack, which Orsted dispels with some difficulty, before killing him. Although Rudeus is healed by Orsted due to Nanahoshi's intervention, this encounter would leave a great mark on all three Dead End members and fuel Rudeus' future distrust of Hitogami.