REVIEW: ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ Season 2 Episode 22 — “Parents”

With the teleportation circle to the sixth stratum found, the party was ready to take the final step towards finding Zenith. But what awaits them across the threshold is a terror none are prepared for in Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22, “Parents.”

When the party steps through the final teleportation circle, they are treated by a cavernous hall. Coiled up at the far end is a hydra. This huge monster’s scale and power are instantly impressed upon the viewer as it rears up, uncoiling its many heads. The beast feels every bit as powerful as mythology originally described it.

But even as the creature roars, another element of the room comes to take the party’s attention. There, behind the beast and trapped in crystal, is Zenith. With his wife in sight, Paul (Toshiyuki Morikawa) loses all control, recklessly charging forward to the horror of his party members.

Paul’s rage at seeing his wife imprisoned by the monster is infused with primal ferocity. His screams as he charges at his foe are felt as much as heard. As his party struggles to catch up to him, he blindly hacks at the hydra’s heads. To the terror of Rudeus (Yumi Uchiyama) and Roxy (Konomi Kohara), they soon discover that the creature is protected against magic, making long-range support a non-option. Elinalise (Rie Tanaka) can barely save him from a lethal blow thanks to her strong shield arm. As the hydra begins to regenerate its lost heads, the party opts to fall back, although they practically have to drag Paul out of the fray.

Once back through the teleportation circle, Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22 shows Paul and Rudeus having a heated exchange. Paul lashes out at Rudeus for his calm, detached demeanor. His mother is a prisoner, and in Paul’s eyes, Rudeus doesn’t seem to care. However, this is far from the truth. As Rudeus explains, losing his temper gains him nothing.

But inwardly, he also acknowledges that his connection to Zenith isn’t as deep as one might think. Despite her being his mother, he hasn’t seen her in over a decade. Plus, much of the work of raising him was done by Lilia (Lynn, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury), and Roxy handled his studies. So, while Rudeus cares about Zenith, his bond is not nearly as deep as Paul’s is. While it doesn’t get stated here, it is easy to assume some of Paul’s deep-seated need to save Zenith is also born out of his guilt for betraying her all those years ago.

Once everyone is calm, the party puts their heads together to devise a plan to defeat the hydra. Roxy provides details from her magical studies to help them overcome its magic defenses, and Rudues suggests a plan of attack born out of Greek myth. It’s not the most solid source, but there is logic to it. With the plan now set and everyone’s roles identified, the party returns to the hydra.

Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22‘s second battle carries all the intensity of its first but in a far more controlled way. It is enthralling to see the group coordinating their attacks as they chip away at the hydra’s threat. Even with their plan in place, the monster is still a perilous danger. Its many snapping maws and furious fire breath are delivered with a potent visual touch.

When the beast is down to its final head, it lashes out at Rudeus, who is saved by Paul’s quick reactions. Staring at the hydra’s eye mere feet from him, Rudeus lunges at the monster, driving his arm into its eye. He casts his rock spike spell with his hand within the monster’s skull. Several conical protrusions burst from the creature’s head as it roars and snaps its head away. This sudden movement tears Rudeus from his feet, pulling him into the air until his arm finally lets go, sending him plummeting to the ground. As he falls, Roxy casts a fire spell to keep the monster from healing his wounds, sealing the hydra’s fate.

As Rudeus lands on the ground, we see his entire left arm has been ripped off. In his agony, he manages to stumble through a healing spell. Not strong enough to grow the arm back, but it can stop the bleeding, removing any danger to his life. He is greeted by a new horror when he rises to his feet. Everyone is stone still, staring at the severed torso of Paul. Once more, Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22 delivers the pain and horror of the team excellently. Rudeus’ complicated feelings towards Paul feel lost in the sudden pain of seeing his father dying.

With the hydra gone, the crystal that held Zenith shatters. Their objective has been met, so what remains of the group heads back to town. As they arrive, they are initially greeted with cheer as Lilia and the others see Zenith with them. However, upon realizing Paul is absent, the mirth turns to sorrow. The moment plays out with little dialogue as the show lets music bring the character’s feelings to the viewer along with the visuals.

As Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22 closes, we see Zenith finally recover her consciousness, but something is wrong. She doesn’t seem to recognize Rudeus, and her ability to speak is also absent. Whether these are momentary lapses or ongoing issues remains unsaid, giving viewers a gripping hook to keep them eagerly awaiting the next episode.

Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22 delivers everything you could ask for from the series. Great action, complex relationships, and powerful moments that will bring tears to anyone invested in its cast.

Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 22 is streaming on Crunchyroll.