[Discussion] Mushoku Tensei II Ep. 0 (Shugo Jutsushi Fitz)
Please hide WN/LN/manga spoilers.
MAL entry, Anilist. The zeroth episode is a spin-off-ish, focusing on Sylphy after the Calamity meeting with Ariel, becoming "silent Fitz", and struggling with her new situation; as well as the power struggles between Ariel and her brother I-always-forget-his-name for the Asuran throne.
Seemed like they went all in to strike controversy before getting into the story which was a bit of an eye roll. I liked the fight scene. If they they do more around the actual magic and practice of magic with protecting the princess it might be a good season.
It was a nice change of pace to have an episode where Rudeus was not the focus. This series has a bunch of interesting characters and great worldbuilding, so I hope we get some episodes that focus on the adventures of other characters this season. Either way it was a nice re-introduction to the world and story.
The heavily sexual stuff Ariel and Luke talked about in the intro... they're definitely quite perverted lol
LN Meta spoilers
They seemed to skip a bunch of scenes from the LN though... Derek's death didn't even hit in this episode, and Sylphie's pledge to Ariel was barely built up...
I think that they tried to cram a bit too much content into this episode, and as a result a lot of things ended rushed.
Another thing that they cut out is that Ariel is a maso. The bed scene with Sylphie was supposed to awaken her masochism. Still - I love that they set up the dynamic for Sylphy to be the straight woman among two perverts.
It was nice seeing Sylphy again, and what she’s been up to since the calamity. Waking up as you’re already falling through the sky would be terrifying. Understandable that she’s having nightmares from that.
It’s always nice to have an episode that’s not focusing on Rudy, since there are so many interesting characters and places other than him. Regardless, I’m excited to see him again next episode. Going by the next episode title, it seems like he’s still down in the dumps since Eris left. I wonder what he’ll be doing next.
The glasses are like Altair said, to make sex id harder.
The anime doesn't mention address it, but the white hair is due to mana exhaustion. Basically she force consumed so much mana, trying to cushion herself against the fall, that it took a toll on her body.
O wow, so that's what it was. Not obvious at all. Thanks for mentioning it. I kind of like her with white hair and totally sets up the option for Rudy to not recognise her in the near future.
The anime didn't convey well enough that she was constantly using magic to help try and slow down her fall. As a result, a lot of people are missing the connection of the hair color change with the (over)use of magic.
MT LN Minor Spoilers
Don't forget the glasses are a magic item which I'm sure will be revealed later in the show.
I mean yeah, it’s not like I was a fan of it then either. I don’t think it’s entirely fair to say it’s a core part of the show like card games are to yugioh either. The show does not revolve around being creepy. Particularly in this episode, it’s not like it’s preceded or followed by anything that makes it connected to the world or plot building.