The summer 2026 anime Mushoku Tensei III: Jobless Reincarnation aired its thirteenth episode, titled “Diary,” on September 20, 2026 at midnight JST — and the internet has barely recovered since.

About the Series

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is based on the web novel by Rifujin na Magonote, serialized on Shōsetsuka ni Narō since 2012. It follows a 34-year-old shut-in who is reincarnated in a fantasy world as Rudeus Greyrat, determined to live his new life to the fullest. The TV anime’s first season premiered in January 2021; Season 2 (2023) covered the “Quagmire,” “Ranoa Magic University,” and “Teleportation Labyrinth” arcs. Season 3 began on July 5, 2026, opening with the “Eris Training” arc before moving into the new “Chaos Breaker” arc featuring the Armored Dragon King Perugius.

Ominous Signs Before Broadcast

Before the episode aired, original author Rifujin na Magonote posted on social media: “I’m going out to buy something strong to drink before tonight’s Mushoku Tensei. I’ll need it if I can’t bear to watch.” Voice actor Yuma Uchiyama, who plays Rudeus, added: “I’ll watch with steeled resolve.” Fans were already bracing themselves.

Episode 13: “Diary”

The episode adapts the contents of a diary written by Old Rudeus — the mysterious elderly figure introduced in the previous episode — presenting a harrowing vision of a future that never should have been.

It opens with dead animals found near Rudeus’s home, followed immediately by Roxy collapsing and being diagnosed with Magic Stone Disease, a fatal illness that slowly petrifies the body. Viewers were stunned: “She’s infected within the first minute of the episode.”

The Loss of Roxy

Rudeus travels to the Milis Holy Kingdom with Cliff and Zanoba to retrieve a holy scripture containing a cure. They obtain it, but are ambushed on the way back — Cliff is fatally wounded, and Rudeus kills for the first time. By the time he returns home, Roxy is already dead. “I knew it was coming, but seeing it animated still hit like a truck.”

The Loss of Sylphiette

Rudeus spirals into alcoholism and spends a night with a prostitute, which Sylphiette witnesses. She cries, “Why am I not enough for you?!” and leaves the house days later, following Princess Ariel to the Kingdom of Asura. Rudeus pursues her, but Sylphiette is executed alongside Ariel’s faction — stoned by the public. In his grief and rage, Rudeus burns the Kingdom of Asura to the ground.

Hitogami’s Revelation

Hitogami then appears, casually telling Rudeus: “Thanks to your stupidity, I was able to kill Roxy.” He also reveals that Roxy had been pregnant at the time of her death, then pats Rudeus on the shoulder and vanishes. Rudeus vows to hunt down and kill Hitogami. He captures Eris and interrogates her about Hitogami, but gets no answers.

Further Losses

Nanahoshi also appears briefly in a scene that viewers interpreted as her taking her own life. Later, Rudeus returns home to find it engulfed in flames — his sister Aisha and Zanoba are killed. Then, in a battle against the immortal demon Atofe Raibak, Rudeus is nearly defeated — and Eris throws herself in front of the killing blow to protect him.

Sword King Ghislaine tells Rudeus afterward: “My lady just wanted to be by your side.” He finally understands Eris’s feelings — far too late.

Old Rudeus’s Final Decision

Having lost everyone he loved, Old Rudeus lives on for years as his hatred of Hitogami slowly fades. With little time left, he makes one final choice: to transfer himself back to the past and thwart Hitogami’s plans, even if only slightly.

Fan and Cast Reactions

Responses after the broadcast ranged from devastated to awestruck. “I’ve never been this wrecked by an anime episode,” wrote one viewer. “I thought my heart was going to be crushed.” Another called it “a legendary episode I never want to watch again.”

Praise for the production team was equally effusive, particularly for anime-original sequences added to the adaptation: “The anime-original ending was too good — thank you so much,” and “Thank you for animating all of it. The staff are incredible.”

Voice actor Yuma Uchiyama posted the day after: “I still can’t shake it… I felt the full commitment of everyone involved in every department. It was an extraordinary episode. Please look forward to Episode 14, ‘Resolve.'”

Broadcast Information

• TOKYO MX / BS11: Every Sunday at 24:00 JST
• KBS Kyoto: Every Sunday at 24:45 JST
• Sun TV: Every Sunday at 25:30 JST
• AT-X: Every Tuesday at 22:30 JST
• Streaming: ABEMA and dAnime Store simulcast every Sunday at 24:00 JST

Episode 14 is titled “Resolve” (覚悟). After the carnage of “Diary,” fans are watching closely to see what Rudeus — and the series — does next.