Thread by @psyculturists

I found the attachment between Eris and Rudeus in the first season of Mushoku Tensei fascinating. Let's take a deep dive into their evolving relationship and explore why Eris had to leave Rudeus. (Only covers S1) #MushokuTensei #Psychology #anime #manga

Eris and Rudeus start off with a rocky relationship. Eris, often resorts to violence to express her emotions. Rudeus, on the other hand has low self-esteem due to his past life experiences. This dynamic sets the stage for a rather tumultuous bond (Eisenberger & Lieberman, 2004).

However as they spend more time together their relationship begins to evolve. Rudeus helps Eris improve her behavior and develop her skills, while Eris provides Rudeus with companionship and a sense of belonging (Bowlby, 1969). Their mutual experiences foster a strong connection.

Then the "displacement incident" happened and acted as a catalyst for their emotional connection, leading to an interesting complex bond (Herman, 1992). The incident and their journey together creates a propinquity and spotlights the attachment styles between the two characters.

Propinquity in psychology simply refers to the state of being in close proximity to someone causing the development of an attachment or feelings (Klein et al., 2002). They come to rely on each other not only for survival but also for emotional support.

Rudeus helps Eris become more open and empathetic, while Eris challenges Rudeus to push past his own self-doubt. However, as their bond grows, so does Eris's dependency on Rudeus.

(Ill expand on this topic; in a later thread. This is more relationship focused)

The fight with Orsted & going through the demon continent, brought underlying insecurities to the surface for Eris. As we've mentioned in others deep dives. The concept of change is not a single line; relapsing whether to insecurities/cognitive distortions is normal.

Navigating these foreign & dangerous lands magnified her dependence on Rudeus, and with Rudeus nearly dying it prompted her to reassess the dynamics of their relationship (Rhoades et al., 2012).

Below is The Ecological Theory how the environment can impact us and make us think.

By the end of Season 1, Eris and Rudeus have grown closer, with their relationship becoming a crucial source of emotional support and security. It's evident that they care deeply for each other, yet Eris ultimately decides to leave Rudeus. Why?

Eris's decision is her desire for self-growth, competence and autonomy. In order to become a stronger individual that can walk side by side with Rudeus, she feels compelled to embark on her own journey. This decision is supported by Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

Unfortunately, Eris's quick departure is misinterpreted causing Rudeus to experience a trauma he hadn’t experienced before. The loss of love which with a history of trauma can bring up many psychological, emotional, physical, and even sexual issues.(Levine & Knapp, 2018).

Despite the trauma Rudeus experiences, Eris's decision is necessary for her own growth. By leaving, she is asserting her autonomy and prioritizing her personal growth. This will hopefully and ultimately allow her to return to Rudeus as a more mature and well-rounded individual.

Overall, the relationship between Eris and Rudeus in Mushoku Tensei is a fascinating example of how personal growth and emotional bonds intertwine. By examining this fictional relationship, we can gain insights into the complexities of our own relationships.

#rudeus #eris #MT

It will be interesting to see how their relationship continues to evolve in future seasons! This is one of the many reasons I love this show. I hope you all don't mind me doing more later as i'll be turning some into videos.

Follow for more psychological threads like this <3