Re:Zero is one of those few anime sequels nowadays that introduces unique combinations of many compelling concepts, philosophical human ideologies, realistic emotions, extensive world-building, scarily good horror, that all takes place in a world with fantasy elements. It's had these moments that genuinely gave me goosebumps with its overall presentation of a psychological-driven reality, while also adding in bits and pieces of nostalgic, emotional, and heartwarming moments through the eyes, of our main protagonist, Subaru, and with many more in-depth, important, and fleshed-out characters. In other words, Re:Zero is a rarity among Isekai that proves it can be taken seriously.
Through progression of time, Subaru has been in a state of cold isolation, depression, and suicide, while always recklessly preserving through destiny and fate itself, all for the sake of those he cherishes. However, this season of Re:Zero isn't mainly about a tragic hero attempting to save his loved ones.
After being sent into Echidna's Windows XP background, Subaru seems to be more familiar with his position in reality. He's already experienced death itself, suffering, and despair while also experiencing the feeling of accomplishment, happiness, and affection for Emilia and Rem. Subaru's power, "Return by Death", seems to have been a blessing or a miracle to him. Being able to change one's destiny and future is what led him to save his loved ones from a cursed reality... But did he ever save himself?
Subaru is a fine example of how to write a flawed character. Even though his ideology is very similar to that of a shounen protagonist, wanting to save and protect those he cares about, his experiences with many introduced characters like Echidna have shaped him into who he has become.
This season is more focused on the Sanctuary's trial, or Echidna's trial's, Subaru, in a way, is very similar to Echidna, being greedy and selfish. She's manipulative, like Satella. However, it's still a fact that she "shares'" the burden with Subaru. But in reality, the story presents that Subaru was being selfish and greedy for many different reasons. Echidna, being the witch of greed, is essentially greedy for her own entire existence, being thirsty for knowledge of the vast world, which leads to how manipulative she can be. Subaru's standpoint includes how he was greedy to save others, not himself, but from the fact that he was lost, confused, scared, and clouded by his power, "Return by Death" led to his own judgment of constantly dying, suffering, and sacrificing himself, not knowing how much personal turmoil had taken over his own existence.
While Subaru was able to have endurance against reality, was he able to accept himself first, rather than others? Can Subaru trust those who have changed his life? Was he able to accept the reality forced onto him?
While all these questions flooded my head, I can still say that Subaru has a good sense of determination in his heart. He has genuine intentions and motivations while at the same time, maintaining his realistic persona and questionable decision-making. But also Subaru has his fair share of flaws as a character. He's overconfident at many things he tries to do, which is rather a given and logical for having a power like "Return by Death." Even his "special power" is considered weak, yet he is an immortal being. But most of all, Subaru's character isn't written in a way that makes you want to inherently feel sympathetic for him, but rather to express that... he's finally tired and lost in a horrid reality.
He's been doubtful of himself because of the regret that had flooded his heart, but he's been able to overcome his misgivings.This season wanted to emphasize that he hasn't yet fully overcome his obstacles before him. Subaru has been isolated and chained away by what seems to be unbreakable barriers, but he was never technically "alone." He's followed a path that has allowed him to gain friendships. But he's also had a multitude of personal problems and turmoils that, unfortunately, not many will ever understand his feelings and hatred because of the barriers that have ensnared him.
Subaru starts to follow this path where he can't decide if he can trust certain characters like Echidna, Roswaal, and Garfiel. Not only that, the further he involves himself with Emilia, the more disoriented and astray he becomes, because this time, he doesn't know a way to save "them." He starts to realize the "bigger picture" because of Beatrice and "that person". While all of these setbacks and "trials" Subaru is going through, It seems as though no one may succor, aid, or even understand all the battles Subaru is clashing with.
The anime community has been emotionally impacted because of the amount of credibility and weight his story holds. Subaru's been through so many phases. He has wanted to give up, because of how disoriented reality is, but he can't. Even though he wants to give up, he has no choice but to keep on living for the sake of those he adores. He essentially goes crazy and insane beyond human emotion. And after all of this, It felt as though he's been the only one shattering, but reality barges in, then the realization that came into his mind flings into him saying, "You think you were the only one suffering by your power?" And during the end, he finally learns the weight of his misgivings about the reality he was forced into by essentially admitting…
These weren't the same words from S1. These were the words of a person who was lost in time, but eventually came to realize the importance of self-worth and how cardinal and important his life is to others...
Though, at the same time, it's terrifying almost. Even though he knows that he is loved by others, he still feels alone at many times during the series. It's even more terrifying than knowing you are alone yet no one understands you. In Subaru's backstory, we are shown that he's always wanted others to like him. He's putting up a facade, because he has never accepted nor understood himself. His overconfidence manipulated him to believe in a fake reality where he's a "wise" man. But no, he was just lost in a endless loop of hell and terrified of the vast world full of hostility pointed right at him.The story explains major elements like anxiety, "love", and insecurity that are constantly present during the show which adds many toppings and layers to the psychological horror of Re:Zero.
But as the story progresses, Subaru has resisted constant temptation right at his hands, wanting him to essentially go down the "IF route." Thankfully, he's grown immensely in decision-making. He's starting to develop in a more realistic and relatable way throughout the series from the results of last season, and the payoff in Episode 4 was presented in a rewarding fashion, with bits and pieces of sentimentalism. Subaru is starting to understand himself, he's starting to put away the facade and the insecurity he's been carrying all this time.
Viewing this season partly felt like connecting a huge puzzle in an entertaining manner. Major loose-ends were being tied together throughout the progression of the story, which really put a smile on my face. The overall storytelling and plot progression really brought impact and complexity to the story. I started to understand its lore and premise much better by how it emphasizes on characterization. Examples being the ideology and motivations of Roswaal and Echidna. I was impressed by the world-building that the story managed to introduce, which was one of the major factors that allowed the story to evolve into something much more. Examples being the introduction of the "Great Rabbit." Re:Zero managed to bring more importance and thrill to characterization, world-building, foreshadowing, and to its narrative. The intensive dialogue occurring in each episode brought amazing suspense, fluidity, and thrill with each scene. It delivered clear and shocking cliffhangers every episode. As such, It doesn't rely on one-note gimmicks but rather progresses the story instead, without leaving the viewer behind.
From a general perspective, Echidna seems reminiscent of a mother figure towards Subaru. She's observant of him, and aided him with his past... yet actually, their relationship is that of a bank account. Roswaal seems to be more of a father-figure towards Subaru. He wants him to follow the same path he went through, yet it is shown that he and Subaru were never clearly on the same page in the story. Ultimately, we are met with the crooked actuality, showcasing that Echidna and Roswaal view Subaru as a tool, nothing more, nothing less.
There were several characters introduced to Re:Zero. But we still don't know much about them. All we were introduced to were slight glimpses of their personality, and how insane their mindsets are. But because of these character introductions and reintroductions It added more substance to the story itself. Things like the "Great Rabbit" were explained thoroughly and why creatures like it exist in the first place. More characters now seem to hold a purpose and importance to the story in a way that adds more fluidity and chemistry to the story that now has evolved into something that has surpassed its own prequel.
It has a good balance of everything. It isn't overly dramatic, nor isn't underwhelming. Important factors like these make headway for the overall foundation and theme of the story, leaning more towards the suspenseful side. Each buildup methodically spurring is what really carried the suspense. For example, the buildup of Echidna's monologue brought to the story was thought-provoking and shockingly impactful to the overall theme of the story. The overall presentation of the "Castle of Dreams" radiated an eerie atmosphere. Re:Zero had many insane and thrilling scenes that added spice to the plot, it still managed to stay on track with keeping it's overall theme present throughout the entire story. The story managed to establish meaningful relationships between characters such as Subaru with Otto, Emilia, Roswaal, Beatrice, Echidna, and Satella. Specifically Roswaal, I was in awe of how crooked and complex his ideology was. He seemed fishy a lot throughout the first season, but I usually put him off the hook most of the time. And I'm glad I did. Roswaal, What a mad lad.
This tale is certainly "dialogue-heavy" for many viewers, as for some though, the dialogue made this season memorable specifically because of Echidna's monologue, Roswaal's philosophical aims, and Subaru's backstory. It touched and supported its driving force. However, writing wise, it does lose itself within complex scenarios, especially with the dialogue and complicating narrative perception, which is a sound argument. Because of its shortcomings, there weren't as many action-driven scenes as before, more so obsessed with dialogue, backstories, and cleaning up major questions and mysteries of the anime, which is the correct way to avoid major plot holes to the story.
For further notice, if you are not a fan of complex and fast-paced dialogue like something out of the Monogatari series, you'll probably be disappointed with this sequel of Re:Zero.
I was rather impressed by the visuals seen in Subaru's backstory because of how properly sentimental the overall atmosphere was, which partly serves as appreciation for its wondrous musical score. Because of this, highlights would have to be Episode 4 and Episodes 12-13 personally. Specifically, what caught my eye was the soundtrack, opening, and ending themes. I'm very delighted to see that the producers didn't change most of the OST's due to the fact that it emphasizes so much on development and atmosphere.
Re:Zero truly has a charm of its own.The franchise itself has managed to bring and smoothly execute compelling ideas to the table, while gaining a loyal fandom and immense popularity. It stays consistent and entertaining because of all the meticulous ideas it manages to introduce. All throughout, it stays honest, bestowing us a long-awaited sequel, topping its successor, which truly is a delight to witness. Re:Zero understands "unpredictability." It takes an immeasurable amount of twists and turns with its characters, action sequences, dialogue scenarios and plot twists. Garfiel, Roswaal, Beatrice, Satella, and Echidna being a fine example of this. You can't really tell who is "righteous" or "evil" firsthand through Subaru's perspective because of multiple new characters involved and how mysterious some characters are that were already introduced back then. White Fox knows their general set of viewers scarily well. So far, I'm really pleased to see the overall direction it is moving towards, not from how this sequel ended, but the overall improvements it had managed to successfully execute.
There's still a plethora of questions which haven't been answered yet, and that's precisely why it keeps me entertained and invested in how the story progresses as a whole. All in all, If you dislike season 1 as a whole, I won't recommend this anime to you because of how much complexity and dialogue is added to the story. To people who want to understand how thought-provoking season 2 is, I highly recommend that you rewatch this season to further your understanding of how the anime progresses. Maybe not right away, though be sure to come back. Don't fret, the rewatch value of this anime is pretty damn splendid to say so myself. And as a fan of this story, I'm thrilled to see what Re:Zero has to offer in the foreseeable future.
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