Reincarnation into another world, usually one of fantasy, swords and sorcery, has become a common genre in manga, anime and light novels, known as isekai. It’s been a bit of a hit-or-miss situation, with some anime adaptations being great and others downright awful. What is undeniable, though, is the popularity of the isekai genre. Thankfully, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is one of the better ones and has amassed a fan following of its own after the successful first season in 2021. Season 2 of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation opens with episode 0, rather than episode 1, so as to act as a setup for the rest of the season or at least one of its major plot threads. Rudeus Grayrat, our protagonist, is not in the episode, with it focusing instead on his friend Sylphiette, aka Sylphie. Featuring brief yet impactful action, new characters and lots of court intrigue, episode 0 is a strong opening episode.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Season 2) Episode 0 “Guardian Fitz” Recap:
Opening at night with a girl getting out of bed and staring out of bed, the episode then reveals that she is in a large mansion or a palace. The next day, the girl, who is Princess Ariel, is eating with her bodyguards, Luke and Derek, while making small talk with them. The conversation turns more serious though when Derek says that Ariel will one day rule their kingdom, only for Ariel to remind him that she has two older brothers and one older sister. They are ahead in the line of succession to the throne, and she cannot inherit it while they live, so she is content to just live a quiet life and do as she pleases.
Interspersed throughout this conversation are shots of Sylphie falling from the sky, presumably from the teleportation disaster in the first season. A boar–like monster suddenly appears in the garden where Ariel is eating, and it knocks away Luke, and Derek gives his life to protect her, but not before telling her to become queen of the kingdom. Just as the monster is about to kill her, Sylphie uses her magic to break her fall and coincidentally ends up killing the monster, before falling unconscious.
Later, Sylphie wakes up in Ariel’s bedroom, and Ariel reveals that she is in the royal palace of Asura. In turn, Sylphy reveals that she came from Buena Village, only for Ariel to reveal that the Fittoa region is no more, and that locating her loved ones will be difficult, shocking Sylphie. Furthermore, Sylphie herself is to be punished for trespassing into the palace, unless she agrees to disguise herself and become Ariel’s bodyguard.
There is a time–skip and Sylphie, now under the alias of Fitz, acts as Ariel’s bodyguard alongside Luke. It is revealed that Luke is the son of Lord Pilemon, Ariel’s biggest supporter, and that she is to meet with him that afternoon, after mingling in the great hall.
At the great hall, Ariel is accompanied by her two bodyguards, and greets nobles politely, before being reminded by Lord Pilemon of their appointment later that day. That is overheard by Grabel, Ariel’s elder brother and rival for the throne, who then proceeds to subtly mock Pilemon and taunt Ariel. He leaves after telling Ariel that her lovely singing voice is the only reason she needs to appear in public.
Discussing Ariel’s recent activities and Syhphie’s presence as Fitz with his advisor Darius, Grabel finds them both unsettling and Darius reveals Fitz is known as “Silent Fitz” due to never speaking.
Sylphie hears a lot of the nobility badmouth her, and becomes overwhelmed and dizzy by it all, and bangs into someone spilling their drink, but Ariel saves her by starting to sing at that moment. She then makes a toast to the Asura Kingdom’s bright future, and Darius notes her popularity as Grabel looks on.
In Ariel’s quarters, Luke chides Sylphie but Ariel comforts her, saying that they are practically friends at this stage, which makes Sylphie happy. At night, Sylphie struggles to sleep due to nightmares of her falling from the sky, which is noticed by Luke.
While strategizing with Lord Pilemon, Ariel is a little distracted, but she also notes that her only advantage over Grabel is her popularity. She also sees that Fitz has adapted to court etiquette, but Sylphie is unsure as many nobles seem to hate her. Ariel tells her to ignore them and says the only thing that matters is that she likes her. Sylphie then asks if there is any word of her family and friends, but Ariel says there is not, apologizing for not being able to do much due to her limited authority and power. Sylphie, however, thanks her for doing her best, since she could not have done anything alone. Noticing that she is still downcast, Ariel invites her to her bedchamber at night, saying that sleeping together might help with her nightmares. Sylphie is hesitant but agrees nonetheless.
Meanwhile, at an opera, Grabel and Darius are discussing Ariel’s recent moves, with the former suspecting a coup d’etat but the latter dismissing it, saying she is simply gathering support from the knights and guards. Grabel wonders why she is placing agents amongst two groups who lack political influence, and Darius suggests that it is because there are people of common birth in both groups. Darius has a woman on his lap this whole time.
If there is trouble in the capital, it would be incumbent on those two groups to act, and a coup might well ensure that. Darius praises her foresight, suggesting in a roundabout way that they should have her killed. Grabel agrees and commands him to see to it.
That same night, Sylphie comes to Ariel’s chambers as instructed, and is teased a bit by Ariel before the conversation gets more serious. Ariel reveals that she too has nightmares, of the boar monster killing Derek and then her, again and again. She then tells Sylphie to ask for help when needed, as she is doing so herself just now. They then go to sleep while holding hands.
Sylphie is awake later, just in time to thwart the woman from Darius’s lap from killing Ariel. The woman has a blade but is otherwise unarmed, and a fight begins between her and Sylphie, with Sylphie telling Ariel to stay behind her. Sylphie fights using her magic, and eventually manages to blast the assassin out of the room, but not before she is cut by her poisoned blade. She loses consciousness as a worried Ariel tries to keep her conscious.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Season 2) Episode 0 “Guardian Fitz” Ending Explained
What does Sylphie do after the assassination attempt?
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Sylphie is alive and has recovered, and Duke Pilemon suggests that Ariel leave the country under the guise of studying. Ariel agrees, and Luke vows to accompany her, which she thanks him for. However, she releases Ariel from her service, apologizing for coercing her into joining and believing that she cannot help her find her friends and family. She does not want to add to her burden, but Sylphie refuses, saying that she also considers Ariel a friend and that friends help out when they are in trouble.
Moved by Sylphie’s words, Ariel thanks her, and declares that she will become the kingdom’s sovereign. Time passes, and Ariel, Sylphie and Luke are seen moving through a snow storm as the episode ends.
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