REVIEW: ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ Season 2 Episode 16 — “Norn and Aisha”

With Aisha (Yûki Takada) and Norn’s (Saya Aizawa, Brave Bang Bravern!) arrival, Rudeus’ life (Yumi Uchiyama) is quickly becoming more complicated. The growing difficulties surrounding his sisters aren’t his only problem in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Episode 16, “Norn and Aisha,” as some of his friends get him mixed up in uncouth dealings.

The core focus of this episode is establishing Norn and Aisha’s places in the narrative. How the two girls fit in is vastly different. Rudeus has to figure out how best to approach them. These early interactions do a great job of setting up nuanced, complicated situations for the narrative to navigate.

Before the episode dives into these themes though, it takes a moment to say goodbye, once again, to Ruijerd (Daisuke Namikawa). Before he leaves, he has a brief discussion with Rudeus about Eris. Her absence is noted by Ruijerd, much to Rudeus’ discomfort. For obvious reasons, Eris isn’t a comfortable subject for Rudeus to discuss. While Ruijerd assures Rudeus that whatever happened between them is likely a misunderstanding, Rudeus seems determined to move on with his life.

As the episode hits its stride, it focuses on the girls. The obvious struggle Rudeus has before him comes from Norn. Since Norn’s only memory of Rudeus is his confrontation with their father in season one, it’s easy to understand why she’s uncertain of this stranger she’s been left in the care of. She only knows Rudeus’ temper, having seen him strike her father. As a young child, she undoubtedly did not know the circumstances surrounding that interaction. She sees only a strange brute her father has sent her to.

Making the situation worse is how Aisha treats Norn. Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Episode 16 wastes no time establishing the harsh criticism Norn suffers from her sister. With worse grades and a less outgoing personality, Aisha has no problems finding fault with her sister. While Rudeus tries his best to smooth over these difficulties, habits take time to break. To escape her many discomforts, Norn requests to live in the University of Magic’s dorms. While letting her be alone worries him, Rudeus grants the request. He doesn’t want to stomp out Norn’s wish since she manages to summon the courage to make it.

While Norn’s awkwardness towards her estranged brother creates an easily recognized problem, Aisha comes with her pitfalls, even if Rudeus doesn’t notice them as clearly. Along with her harsh treatment of her sister, Aisha is quick to manipulate when she sees something she doesn’t like. When Rudeus grants Norn’s request to live in the dorms, Aisha takes offense.

She claims Norn is getting preferential treatment despite getting what she wants, too. This makes Aisha look petulant. She then plays an underhanded card, accusing Rudeus of not liking her as much as Norn because her mother was a “concubine.” This instantly shifts the conversation to assure Aisha that this isn’t how Rudeus feels and that he loves them equally.

Whether or not this is a simple insecurity on Aisha’s part or a well-rehearsed ploy to divert attention can only be known with time. But it feels icky. As if Aisha knows this is a way to diffuse criticism. If this behavior does become a pattern, it will be interesting to see how Rudeus deals with it.

Between all these problems, Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Episode 16 sets up a complicated and nuanced situation that will be delicate to traverse. While the show has handled such situations skillfully before, it doesn’t always manage to address things the way it should.

With a month passing since his sisters arrived, Rudeus has been stressed, particularly where Norn is concerned. She doesn’t seem to be making friends and often refuses to acknowledge him when he sees her on the university’s grounds. His gloomy demeanor doesn’t go unnoticed by Linia and Pursena, who attempt to cheer him up. The duo gifts him with a bag they instruct him not to open up till he is alone.

After class, Rudeus runs into Luke, who informs him that Ariel wishes to speak with him. His demeanor screams that the discussion will not be good. As it turns out, the bag is filled with underwear from first-year girls taken by Linia and Pursena. This startles Rudeus as he assures Ariel he has nothing to do with the plan and happily hands the bag over so the purloined undergarments can be returned. When Rudeus confronts the pair about their plan, the episode falls apart.

Everything about Rudeus’ lecture towards the girls implies his only source of frustration with them is that he got caught up in the affair. He didn’t seem to care what they were doing, just that it looked like he was involved. While Rudeus did similarly when he was much younger and on a much smaller scale, it would’ve been nice to see a bit of character growth and have him displeased with the action in principle. Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Episode 16 doubles down on Rudeus’ disinterest in general right and wrong.

As the trio’s meeting comes to a close, Norn walks by. Startled to see Rudeus, Norn pauses, appearing to gawk. This sets off Linia and Pursena, who call out after the unknown underclassman. Rudeus points out that Norn is his sister, immediately changing the pair’s tone. Rudeus never gives a lecture about mistreating underclassmen. Just that they should leave his little sister alone.

Given the horrible trauma Rudeus suffered in his past life, one would think hazing would be unforgivable to him. Alas, this isn’t the case. This lack of concern for those outside his circle hurts Rudeus’ character, reminding the audience how unlikable he can be where others are concerned.

Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Episode 16 sets up some complicated relationships that could pay off with some great storytelling. However, it also falls short of handling some situations in a way that feels right, allowing its cast to come off far less favorably than one would hope for.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Episode 16 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.