CONTAINS SPOILERS: I'd like to start this off with the fact that this anime took me months to go through and I'm not a commitment type of watcher when it comes to series. This review will be cluttered and unrefined because I can't be bothered to recollect EVERYTHING about this anime. This is also my first review, and would love some template ideas I could use for the future!
Main Ideas:
Through the grueling process of giving Subaru as much faith as I possibly could for such a cowardly protagonist - he REALLY surprised me at the end of this first season. That brought the score back up from my original entry for sure. Subaru was such an unlikeable main character that I had to grow to love more over time. I struggled with him and got frustrated
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every time he died and had to rebirth. I rolled my eyes over some of his choices - and realized, damn, if I were in his situation I don't think I'd be much better off. That thought finally grazed my brain about 16 episodes in. The main character taking the time to finally appreciate the others around him, think more critically, and become more accountable of his flaws got my attention to focus on the screen again. I'm just glad the pacing got better and better so I can take off on the next season with some DREAD.
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BECAUSE WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN REM STOPPED EXISTING AGAIN!???! I LOVE SUFFERING WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER!! I LOVE SEEING HIM BE MOLDED INTO A STRONGER PERSON THROUGH PAIN! _Sisyphus with the boulder coded. _

Character Opinions & Slop:
So far, again, Subaru has been a push and pull kind of character. Thankfully the side characters in the beginning were amazing to sit and watch - as well as witness their growth. Rem is TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD, first off - and her sister Ram is a wonderful counter balance to her energy towards Subaru. Both extremely entertaining. Roswaal at this current moment is still an enigmatic character, and I'm keeping my eyes peeled on him because of his presence. I just do not trust that twink...and I wouldn't be surprised if Roswaal ends up being something else entirely by season 2. (We will see).
Emilia, my sweet girl, is a good love interest - don't get me wrong.
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However, compared to Rem I feel she's lack luster. Perhaps that's on purpose. Having our main character grow love with her rather than just have someone fall deeply in love with him at the get-go would be too rewarding for him. Besides, we already received a hefty reward gaining Rem's trust after how many times she wanted to kill Subaru beforehand. I LOVE how deadly she is, but at her core she's a lover girl. More Characters I loved:
- Beatrice is my most relatable character so far, funny enough. I'll leave that up to anybody who reads this part to guess what kind of person I am if I relate to her.
- Crush Karsten, my strong gal! I think I just enjoy her presence in any episode she's in. Almost acted as a grounding for Subaru to get his head on straight.
- Wilhelm Van Astrea is a character with a backstory that's VERY underrated in my opinion.
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His sheer tenacity to take down the whale and taking his chance to avenge his beloved wife was A BEAUTIFUL NARRATIVE to include. Oh my God, he is my goat. - Puck, man, what a guy. He's beloved and cute one moment
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and then the stuff of nightmares the next. My jaw DROPPED during that one scene and you all know WELL which scene I'm talking about. Now as a side note to the revealing backstory between Puck and his contract with Emilia - I wasn't all that interested to learn about that portion of either of their storylines. I had a feeling Emilia's background was already filled with her being outcast by society and all this other stuff, but it didn't feel necessary to include peaking into how they bonded in the episode The Frozen Bond. That's just me though!
My Favorite Moments: (DEFINITELY SPOILERS AHEAD)
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This.. 'nuff said. In fact any moment between Subaru and Rem that involved a monologue and a connection filled my heart with joy. Rem you sweet, beautiful, amazing character.
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Again, absolutely jaw dropping during this scene. The horror and gut wrenching realization of what all transpired during this sequence was IMMACULATE.
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The Wilhelm storyline was full of love, vengeance, and finding peace that moved me just as much as the main plot did, if not MORE. The tribute dedicated to his wife was tear-jerking! The writer really built up the tension and the reward for the characters' efforts was so very worth it.
Final Thoughts and Hopes for Season 2
Overall I'm glad I could get through the establishing plotlines no matter the growing frustrations I was facing in the plot - because that was the entire point! You get frustrated with the main character and PRAY for his chance to change. You struggle with the obstacles he has to face right alongside him the entire time, and the reward is seeing an unlikeable character turn into a beacon of faith. My hopes for the next season's watch are that he can keep growing stronger and stronger... but I know that's going to come with a lot of horrifying actions following that. We still have a long way to go to reach the Witch. God, I'm so scared.
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PLEASE, LET REM BE FOUND. PLEAAAAAASE!!!!!!