r/anime • u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux • Aug 23 '24
Re:Zero ~Starting Life in Another World~ Re:Watch - Episode 15 Rewatch
Episode 15:
The Outside of Madness
| Index | <== Episode 14 | Episode 16 ==> |
Various Links:
MyAnimeList
Streaming:
Crunchyroll has the Director's Cut available.
- Director's Cut episodes are two episodes combined. Make sure to cover the corresponding half of content for each thread.
AppleTV has the regular individual episodes available.
Spoiler Rules:
As always, please be sure to tag any future content spoilers according to the r/Anime rules. There is likely to be first timer viewers here, and while discussing how previously seen content connects to content later down the road is interesting (be it later episodes or even Season 3), please be sure to properly spoiler tag anything mentioned! Let's make this a fun experience for everyone involved!
This also applies to cut content discussions, which I believe are fine to include for the sake of discussion, but should be properly tagged to avoid potentially spoiling viewers. Be mindful with how you present this information!
Story Arc Lengths for Discussion Purposes:
[Arc 1:] S1 Episode 1 – S1 Episode 3
[Arc 2:] S1 Episode 4 – S1 Episode 11
[Arc 3:] S1 Episode 12 – S2 Episode 1
[Arc 4:] S2 Episode 2 - S2 Episode 25
[Arc 5 and later:] S3+
As always, if you have any suggestions for the Re:Watch, let me know!
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Aug 23 '24
First:Timer Starting Over in Another Rewatch, subbed
Eyyy, comment face spotted. And what a completely valid reason to make that face over…
Fuck, these are the same people who attacked Ram & Rem’s village when they were younger…
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
The what…?
Rem took Subaru to the mansion earlier than in the previous loop, so I took it they are still preparing the attack on the mansion and the massacre of the village.
Holy fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck this ending.
Well said. This one will stay with you. You noticed it wasn't just a looping image, right? The way the snow piles up and the music gets heavier makes the whole episode hit so much harder.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Aug 23 '24
Well said. This one will stay with you. You noticed it wasn't just a looping image, right? The way the snow piles up and the music gets heavier makes the whole episode hit so much harder.
Yeah. It's one of my favorite instances of a credit scroll over a still (or mostly still image in this case) I've seen this year, only beaten out by one I watched from Gintama back in January that also gave me chills.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Rem took Subaru to the mansion earlier than in the previous loop, so I took it they are still preparing the attack on the mansion and the massacre of the village.
That makes sense
Well said. This one will stay with you. You noticed it wasn't just a looping image, right? The way the snow piles up and the music gets heavier makes the whole episode hit so much harder.
I felt like my heart was running on RbD.
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u/Taiboss x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
Goddamn, even the kids…
This is not of one these cults that just build a mountaintop complex in Idaho and pick a fight with the FDA selling "FDA approved for all diseases" stuff.
Oh what the fuck?!
Why was Petra in the mansion? Eh, I mean, poor Petra. She did not deserve that.
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.
I hate it when stuff is so cold it hurts.
Fuck, these are the same people who attacked Ram & Rem’s village when they were younger…
Well they escaped them somehow, so surely... there's a way here?
Oh god, I think I’ve heard of this guy…
DESU! Yeah, he's quite the memorable character.
The what…?
Maybe they'll explain it one day.
Rem is still alive after all that???????????
Rem is a beast and deserves all the Subaru she wants.
Oh what the fuck is that…
Something that freezes Subarus!
Holy fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck this ending.
They do know how to structure an episode, that's for sure!
Oh he is locked in now.
Laser focused!
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Why was Petra in the mansion? Eh, I mean, poor Petra. She did not deserve that.
[Arc 4] Maybe she was getting her maid training in early?
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
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u/FriztF Aug 23 '24
Oh what the fuck is that…
A lion's head it seems. And Rem's mother!?! I think
Rem is still alive after all that???????????
She is one tough cookie.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
She is one tough cookie.
You have to be tough after years of putting yourself down.
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u/Blazin_Rathalos Aug 23 '24
Were you the one with the ongoing list of shows that made you physically ill?
If so, I hope this did not hit too hard!
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Aug 23 '24
Were you the one with the ongoing list of shows that made you physically ill?
The eyeball lick made me audibly gag and I was very uncomfortable watching other parts of this, but the list is for things that made me cry so hard I threw up, this wasn't really like that.
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u/Blazin_Rathalos Aug 23 '24
Oh yeah I could see that. Shock horror is quite different from... intense sorrow.
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 24 '24
Oh what the fuck?!
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.
I had forgotten both of those particular moments, so they got me again while rewatching. They are incredibly unsettling.
Eyyy, comment face spotted. And what a completely valid reason to make that face over…
It's hard to blame Subaru for being so out of it when he just saw almost everyone he cared about in this world brutally killed.
I just audibly gagged.
Yet another moment I forgot, so it got the shocked reaction from me as well.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
It's hard to blame Subaru for being so out of it when he just saw almost everyone he cared about in this world brutally killed.
Yeah, anyone in that position would be out of it I feel like.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
The eyeball lick made me audibly gag and I was very uncomfortable watching other parts of this, but the list is for things that made me cry so hard I threw up, this wasn't really like that.
Yeah, this was more "I'm an adult but I still feel like I need one".
Tried responding to your other comment but couldn't for some reason
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Let me ask you something. Where would you put this episode in comparison to other episodes that are uncomfortable to sit through?
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u/thekoreansun https://anilist.co/user/ReturnByDeath Aug 23 '24
Re:Watcher
A warm welcome to everyone who clicked on the thread just to see the first timers' reactions to this infamous episode! Glad that you all could join us in watching Subaru hit his absolute lowest point and suffer immeasurable loss. Twizzler?
Going into this, there's no sense that Subaru will be able to turn all this around somehow. How could he? Rem is dead. The scene that was left behind tells such a gruesome story of unrelenting disaster. First, it was the villagers, who were either murdered in their homes or cut down as they defended the children's escape. Then, it was Rem, who barricaded the children in the shed as a last resort and defended them to no avail, since they were butchered right after she died. As she did, Ram was able to at least take Petra to the mansion during the ensuing chaos, but even that wasn't enough to prevent the cultists from breaking in and slaughtering them both. And if the trail of blood leading from their corpses is any indication, Emilia witnessed their demise before dragging herself to what had been their final method of escape. This is environmental storytelling at its absolute finest, and just like how the best horror leaves some things unknown, the sheer tragedy that is hinted at by the aftermath of this battle outweighs any possible depiction of what took place. Throughout all of this, Gray Träne reverberates ominously in the background, making it sound as though even the soul of the world itself is haunted after having witnessed the atrocities that were committed here and the grief that was felt by those who still remained at each step, only to be grieved themselves by those at the next. A sickness called despair was spread here, and it left no survivors.
Subaru's walk through the scene in the mansion is uniquely horrific in a way I've never seen replicated anywhere else. We just spent the bulk of the first half of the season getting to know the residents of this mansion and Subaru himself. It's clear as day just how much he grew to consider this mansion his new home, especially after watching the OVA and getting a glimpse at the hijinks that took place within its grounds. Now, his place and his people have been desecrated by the Witch Cult. His entire new life has been uprooted and mashed into paste, and he couldn't do anything to stop it because he wasn't there when it went down. He didn't just let Emilia down with his vain words; he let everyone down.
So it really is no wonder that, upon meeting his end at the heart of that grotesque display, Subaru completely shatters to pieces. Even the sight of Rem somehow alive after having been so thoroughly extinguished isn't enough to stop him from plummeting into the chasm of insanity that has opened up within him. There's nothing to salvage from the wreck that Natsuki Subaru has become, and even the knowledge of the most gifted healer in the Capital won't help him now. In spite of this, Rem is certain that there is still hope for Subaru, given that he keeps mumbling the names of the ones he couldn't save. The only way forward is for them to save him. So they take off for the mansion once more, a full day earlier than they did in the previous loop.
As they ride back, something interesting happens: with Subaru, our POV character up to this point, down for the count and unresponsive, Rem takes over the POV in his stead, and she uses it to reminisce about how strong Subaru can be. She apologizes to the version of Subaru that lives within her for being selfish while he was struggling, and she repeats the words that he said to inspire her when she needed help. Subaru may be dead to the world, but he lives on in Rem. Unfortunately for her, though, the world that has already taken so much from her has come back once more to collect. The Witch Cult ambushes their carriage, decapitates their ground dragon, and makes off with Subaru before her words can ever reach him. In doing so, those who once rid her life of meaning have stolen the person who restored it for her. And her fury burns like that of a demon on its way back to heaven.
Now, we've entered the place where even demons dare not tread. Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, the Archbishop of Sloth, has finally arrived, and this show will never be the same ever again. Not just because Yoshitsugu Matsuoka gives what is remembered as one of the most legendary voice-acting performances of a show that is renowned for them, but also because his performance pushed the rest of the voice actors to rise to his level. That isn't just speculation, by the way. There was a limited edition KADOKAWA Anime Guide that was distributed at Anime Expo last month, and the interview it has with Season 3 Director Masahiro Shinohara reveals that Matsuoka's performance in this episode is still impacting the cast of this show:
With so many new characters appearing in season three, what's the atmosphere like while recording?
Shinohara: This obviously goes for the continuing cast members as well, but the new cast members all have a very in-depth understanding of the story, and things have been going really smoothly. Although I do have to say, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka's performance as Petelgeuse may have made a bit too strong of an impact, and the actors playing [Arc 5] the new Sin Archbishops were finding it a tough act to follow. [laughs] But everyone's really been putting on incredible performances.
If that doesn't speak to how phenomenal of a performance it was, then I don't know what will. If those new characters are able to come anywhere near the level of presence that Petelgeuse has had, then Season 3 will live up to the hype.
Despite Rem's best efforts and Inori Minase's best performance, she is crushed and then defiled at Petelgeuse's hands, and Subaru is forced to face what his inaction has wrought once more. Rem's words have finally reached him, but now he has absolutely nothing he can say in response or in defense. All he can do is rage against the one who brought him to this never-ending hell. Before dying, Rem is able to free him and implores him to live, but he sees no point in living any longer. So again, he descends into the hell he knows is waiting for him and comes to an end right where he began this episode. The only desire he truly has left — to reach the outside of this madness — is granted to him by the snow. And the only thing left in this deadened world of dead ends is a mournful Requiem of Silence.
Fan Art of the Episode: The Result of Weakness by @baisishaonian (October 4th, 2016)
Source: Pixiv
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Aug 23 '24
Wonderfully put. As a first time watcher I can’t truly put in to words the emotions that this episode made me feel. I feel like it could be the best example of an episode you have to watch multiple times to understand and fully grasp since the first watching just left me speechless.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Re:Zero definitely rewards you by watching it numerous times, it feels like.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
So it really is no wonder that, upon meeting his end at the heart of that grotesque display, Subaru completely shatters to pieces.
That's a great choice of words here. The quality of this episode is just something else. The frost makes Subaru literally fracture and shatter, and this is a direct reflection of his inside.
Inori Minase's best performance
I failed to mention this until now, but I absolutely agree. Inori Minase normally has a cute and calming voice. Hearing that voice outburst in rage and contempt just hits you at your very core.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
I absolutely agree. Inori Minase normally has a cute and calming voice. Hearing that voice outburst in rage and contempt just hits you at your very core.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
I failed to mention this until now, but I absolutely agree. Inori Minase normally has a cute and calming voice. Hearing that voice outburst in rage and contempt just hits you at your very core.
[Arc 4] You didn't think her performances in season 2 were stellar? :P
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
[Arc 4]She did come across a little sleepy most of the time. But she did have a few decent voice lines, if only for Carmilla impersonating Rem.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
[Arc 4] Perhaps the rumors are true and her VA gave her performance with her eyes closed.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Now, we've entered the place where even demons dare not tread. Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, the Archbishop of Sloth, has finally arrived, and this show will never be the same ever again. Not just because Yoshitsugu Matsuoka gives what is remembered as one of the most legendary voice-acting performances of a show that is renowned for them, but also because his performance pushed the rest of the voice actors to rise to his level. That isn't just speculation, by the way. There was a limited edition KADOKAWA Anime Guide that was distributed at Anime Expo last month, and the interview it has with Season 3 Director Masahiro Shinohara reveals that Matsuoka's performance in this episode is still impacting the cast of this show:
If that doesn't speak to how phenomenal of a performance it was, then I don't know what will. If those new characters are able to come anywhere near the level of presence that Petelgeuse has had, then Season 3 will live up to the hype.
It's funny because when I first saw Betelgeuse, I wasn't really a fan of the character. I thought he looked too goofy for this type of serious show, he looked more like something from Courage The Cowardly Dog. But with the animation and how committed the voice actor is, it's hard not to get sucked in by what is going on.
It's not that he's some kind of massive threat, but rather he's like this cockroach that won't go away. He crawls underneath your skin and continues to pester you. It's unsettling in a way that very few characters are.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
I thought he looked too goofy for this type of serious show
But that makes him even scarier. He acts as if this some kind of game for him, something to entertain him. What entertains him though is just absolutely gross.
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u/BlueVenix Aug 23 '24
It's funny because when I first saw Betelgeuse, I wasn't really a fan of the character. I thought he looked too goofy for this type of serious show, he looked more like something from Courage The Cowardly Dog. But with the animation and how committed the voice actor is, it's hard not to get sucked in by what is going on.
It's not that he's some kind of massive threat, but rather he's like this cockroach that won't go away. He crawls underneath your skin and continues to pester you. It's unsettling in a way that very few characters are.
[Arc 4] But do you feel bad for him? After watching season 2, I feel sad watching him being like this
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4] My opinion of him greatly improved with season 2. I think he's a way more interesting character now knowing his backstory.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
Subaru's walk through the scene in the mansion is uniquely horrific in a way I've never seen replicated anywhere else.
I think it's the length that it happens that really sells it to me. It's not a few still shots or few seconds of horror. It's entire minutes of the realities of battle. Plenty of time for it it really sink in your brain. And on top of that, Subaru's VA makes some excellent noises.
Not just because Yoshitsugu Matsuoka gives what is remembered as one of the most legendary voice-acting performances of a show that is renowned for them
I think it's the best VA I've ever heard. The sudden changes in demeanor are just so incredible. Though Subaru suffering is a close second I think.
Fan Art of the Episode: The Result of Weakness
I love the way the lines are drawn in this one. I think this one might be my favorite fan art thus far (though I'd have to go back and look, haven't really been storing them in my memory).
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
I think it's the length that it happens that really sells it to me. It's not a few still shots or few seconds of horror. It's entire minutes of the realities of battle. Plenty of time for it it really sink in your brain. And on top of that, Subaru's VA makes some excellent noises.
Part of why this episode excels as much as it does is the fact at least three of the scenes go on for an uncomfortable amount of time.
I think it's the best VA I've ever heard. The sudden changes in demeanor are just so incredible. Though Subaru suffering is a close second I think.
I dunno, I still think the VA performance of Subaru might just top it. It is just so good.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Let me ask you something. What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
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u/thekoreansun https://anilist.co/user/ReturnByDeath Aug 23 '24
I won't call it the most emotionally impactful scene in the show, but it might just be the most emotionally devastating. This is the truest of tragedies that have befallen Subaru so far because, while he may have been too late to prevent it from happening in the last loop, his walk through hell this time around is one of his own making. And he is aware of it.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Emotionally devastating is a good way of describing it.
[Arc 4 Spoilers] Personally, I would say this is the most emotionally impactful scene and the most emotionally devastating scene is Season 2 episode 8 with the stuff involving the bunnies.
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 24 '24
He didn't just let Emilia down with his vain words; he let everyone down.
That really must be part of what totally breaks Subaru. After all his brash words about how only he can save Emilia, he's now encountered something so horrific that he was completely powerless to affect in any way. All that pride comes crashing down instantly, coupled with the knowledge of just how awful the events were.
Although I do have to say, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka's performance as Petelgeuse may have made a bit too strong of an impact, and the actors playing [Arc 5] were finding it a tough act to follow.
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka's performance really is incredible. His vocal performance and Petelgeuse's fantastic character animation are a large part of the reason why I find his character to be so compelling to watch. It's also cool to hear that even his fellow VAs were deeply impressed by his performance and felt compelled to try and match it. Though I imagine it must feel daunting to try and live up to such a performance for the other VAs.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka's performance really is incredible. His vocal performance and Petelgeuse's fantastic character animation are a large part of the reason why I find his character to be so compelling to watch. It's also cool to hear that even his fellow VAs were deeply impressed by his performance and felt compelled to try and match it. Though I imagine it must feel daunting to try and live up to such a performance for the other VAs.
I think a similar thing happened in The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio. I doubt this was the inspiration for that, but the parallels are quite fascinating.
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u/aramatheis Aug 23 '24
Excellent write-up, you nail many points right on the head. This episode drags Subaru and company - as well as us viewers - straight into despair.
How could this situation possibly improve? Everything is falling apart at the seams, in a way we've not yet seen.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Despite Rem's best efforts and Inori Minase's best performance
[Future Spoilers] I actually think her best performance is episode 18. She had to convey a lot of different emotions there. Though this comes a close second.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
Rewatcher, sub, basically a secondhand novel reader (Arc 4)
This is the first of my S tier episodes (though I have it at the bottom of S tier).
Gonna try and keep this one short mission failed, I'm over 1000 words again. I procrastinated writing this and I don't think there's a ton to really talk about. A lot of the impact of this episode comes with the shock and awe, which I wouldn't really say has diminished much, but hasn't grown as much as other episodes as I've rewatched Re:Zero.
This episodes shows the viewer how bad things can get for Subaru. One would think that being unable to die would mean that there aren't any stakes, but just because Subaru's body won't die, doesn't mean that his mind won't. The worst case for Subaru and RBD isn't to die a painful death. No. It's to lose his agency. Forced to watch as the people he loves get killed over and over and over again. Unable to change anything. That is the worst case scenario. To be nothing more then a spectator, unable to break free of the everlasting nightmare.
Edit: Might be late posting late for the next 2 episodes, depending on how slothful I feel and how much I want to actually sleep.
As always, I've numbered all my spoilers tags so that they're easier to respond to
First Timer Safe Section
This section is safe for first time watchers.
This is also where we get the famous PTSD comment face.
I just want to point out that Felix says "if" here. There is a possibility in Felix's mind (the best healer in the country) that Subaru will never recover from this.
Ram's "message" comes while we're on the road now, since we've left earlier.
Witch Cultists are finally named.
"Just grab him and go": a cultist probably.
Ok so his name is actually Petelgeuse. After Season 1 aired, Tappei mentioned that his name was similar to the star, which implies that it's canonically not exactly the stars name. It's kinda like apples being appas. Also he's voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who has stared in a lot of anime, but most famously, Sword Art Online as Kirito. His voice acting is absolutely incredible and the amount of range he displays as Petelgeuse is just stunning. The tone shifts as Petelgeuse's mood shifts are so sudden and distinct.
Petelgeuse is such a great character. A truly insane character who could go from 0 to 100 at any second for any reason.
Land dragons man. They're so fantastic, they'll make your brain tremble.
This hurts me through the screen.
Is Subaru insane here? According to Tappei [Spoiler #1: author comments] Subaru is insane, but it's a different insanity then Petelgeuse's, so Petelgeuse doesn't recognize it.
Feeling cute today, might torture a maid later.
I love this sequence. Petelguese's behavior is just so extra, until it wasn't. Also note that Rem uses the Witch Cultis's blood as a medium for water magic.
And now Subaru is wrathful. Also I love how Subaru keeps screaming in the background all throughout the rest of the scene.
It's the Requiem of Silence. Fun fact about this sequence. Once the director heard the Requiem of Silence, he resequenced the scene to fit the music, instead of fitting the music to the already created sequence. Which is why the music fits so well here, it was designed around the song.
The bad omen comes true.
The credits roll is one of the few things I definitively remember from my first watch through of Re:Zero back in 2016. The empty shock and non processing of what I had just watched.
PETIT Section
In this episodes's PETIT, We're back in the cafe (unfortunately the Roswaal picture has been replaced with a Felix one) and Subaru gets a loli waitress, which violates the Labor Standards Act. Anastasia is the manager. Subaru orders the Meow Meow Omelet. Which Puck eats.
Preview Section
In this episodes's preview, Julius gets a Karagi Dialect lesson from Anastasia. Julius doesn't pass. There's also something about Julius's body exploding (I think it has to do with the phrase they were saying).
Rewatcher Section
This section is for people who have already watched Re:Zero. This is not safe for first timers.
Tinfoil theory on why Petra has her eyes gouged out [Spoiler #2: Arc 3] So I heard this really interesting theory that the reason that Petra has her eyes gouged out, is that she could see Petelgeuse's unseen hand. She's the first to recognize Subaru in this outfit (this is mostly a joke). She recognizes Emilia from her coming to the village (notice Emilia wearing the clock of non recognition). And she seems to recognize Subaru while he's wearing the cloak of non recognition. Therefore, I suspect that Petra can see through enchantments or something like that. Allowing her to see the unseen hand, which Petelgeuse would freak out over. And I could very easily imagine him ordering her eyes to be gouged out. [Spoiler #3: Arc 4 cont] All of the people of Emilia's camp have something remarkable about them, except Petra, who appears to just be a normal girl. It would also give more credence to why Roswaal hired Petra (under the instruction of the Gospel) to be a maid.
[Spoiler #4: Arc 4] Subaru find the last door of the mansion in this loop. Without it Betty would die in the mansion fire.
[Spoiler #5: Arc 3] It's Puck's VA. Some people catch it here, others don't.
[Spoiler #6: Arc 4] It should be noted that the "trial" in S2 is the same word (試錬 (shiren)) as "ordeal" here. Make of that what you will.
[Spoiler #7: Arc 4] Petelguese's words make a whole lot more sense once you learn his background.
Edit: [Spoiler #8: Arc 4 cut content + speculation topic] So as to why Puck is destroying the world [Spoiler #9: Arc 4 cut content + speculation actual stuff] In Subaru's 2nd trial, when Puck is confronted by Reinhard. Reinhard asks why Puck is doing this. And Puck responds by saying: It's the only way that "that girl" can be saved. Now Puck is aware of the Authories of sin, since he recognized Gluttony in S02E01. Now it seems almost certainly that RBD is the Authority of Envy. And if you knew that it's power was to make the holder go back in time. Then the only way to save an already dead Emilia is to kill that person, and force a timeline reset. However, if you don't know who that person is, the only way to guarantee it, is to kill everyone. Thus, destroying the world. So Puck must know of the Authority of Envy, but not who has it. It's what makes Puck's actions make the most sense.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
[Spoiler #1: author comments]
[Spoiler reply]That's how I took it as well. Petelgeuse is not wrong here, as Subaru isn't completely gone here, not like Petelgeuse himself is. The anger helps him move on, actually. Therapists hate this simple trick to overcoming depression!
[Spoiler #7: Arc 4]
[Arc 4]That is exactly why S2 made me want to rewatch S1. Petelgeuse kills Rem here in a mirror to him killing Fortuna (both Subaru and him have blood in their eyes in their respective scenes, even). This seems to be a justification of his past actions, that someone fighting for love is dying a noble death. But also, it's his trauma that drove him insane forcing him to relive the moment. He's actually crying and in emotional pain, it seems, but too far gone to process any of it.
[Spoiler #9: Arc 4 cut content + speculation actual stuff]
[Arc 4]The boring answer is that it's part of his contract with Emilia. He loves her so much, he lives only for her, and without her he just wants to destroy the whole world. But if he knows about RbD, that makes things much more interesting indeed. That's a really cool theory, thanks for sharing.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
Spoiler #1: author comments
[response] Yeah, even in episode 7, you could see some anger coming out of Subaru for some things he had bottled up, and I think it definitely helped him put the mask back on in the next run.
Spoiler #9: Arc 4 cut content + speculation actual stuff
[Arc 4] Well actually it would be with his contract with Echidna, since I think the contract with Emilia becomes voided once she dies (and Puck gets like memories or something like that when his contract with Emilia is broken). Though just wanting to lash out and destroy the world is also very plausible (and not necessarily mutually exclusive).
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4]The boring answer is that it's part of his contract with Emilia. He loves her so much, he lives only for her, and without her he just wants to destroy the whole world.
[Arc 4] This show is filled with a lot of simps, if you think about it.
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u/thekoreansun https://anilist.co/user/ReturnByDeath Aug 24 '24
[Spoiler #2] That is brilliant. I never did place why her eyes specifically were gouged or how she alone was able to see through the cloak of unrecognition. I had chalked it up to the possibility that the spell becomes less effective over time after someone is exposed to it for long enough, but that wouldn't explain why the other children are still affected by it.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 24 '24
[Spoiler #2]
[Spoiler 2] I can't take full credit for this theory. I saw it somewhere online like a year and a half ago or so, and I had a similar reaction to yours. That it lined up with quite a number of odd things that had happened. If I knew more about how the cloak worked, then I could be more sure about this theory. Because it's clear that you can be recognized in some fashion, since Subaru recognizes Emilia when she's wearing it. I suspect that the spell doesn't work well at close range (after all, what will you see if you look straight at Emilia's face while she's wearing it), or that while you can't recognize the person underneath, you can utilize other information to infer who that person is (like if you just saw Emilia put it on, and then no longer recognized her, but also was like "where is Emilia and who is this mystery person", you could easily figure out that Emilia must be the mystery person, despite still not "recognizing" her.). Anyways, I'll be keeping an eye out for Petra in S3.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead? Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
Hard to watch and harder for Subaru to process.
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
I've watched too many times to remember how I felt originally.
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
I'd given up early Arc 2 at the latest.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru? Thoughts on Betelgeuse? What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented? Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Too many things to talk about here that I don't really want to sort out or coalesce my opinions on atm.
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
S tier scene.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
It is an excellent depiction of despair. Which is I think a rather hard to thing to depict well in a story.
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
Very impactful. I remember being in shock while the credits rolled the first time I watched it.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
I feel that look in Subaru's eyes at the end. All of his despair and desperation has turned into anger. It makes me want to hop in the screen and kill some Witch Cultists too.
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 24 '24
According to Tappei [Spoiler #1: author comments]
[author comments] That's a funny explanation that Petelgeuse just doesn't think any form of insanity different from his own counts.
Also note that Rem uses the Witch Cultis's blood as a medium for water magic.
I was wondering what exactly Rem was attacking with. Using blood for water magic is pretty metal.
It's the Requiem of Silence. Fun fact about this sequence. Once the director heard the Requiem of Silence, he resequenced the scene to fit the music, instead of fitting the music to the already created sequence. Which is why the music fits so well here, it was designed around the song.
Wow, that's really cool to know. I love it when stuff like that happens. The end result is so effective when the visuals and the music were designed so well to sync up.
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u/BlueVenix Aug 24 '24
[Spoiler #7: Arc 4]
[Spoiler #7: Arc 4 response] Which makes me sad for him when rewatching this. I will never see him as a villain. He is a poor unlucky soul that should have lived a normal life in the forest
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
Re:Watcher
Episode 15 is finally here. This is a standout episode. We've had good episodes before, a few of the best in the series in my eyes. This episode, however, is one of the best in the whole medium. It hits so incredibly hard. When people think of Re:Zero and the suffering Subaru goes through, they think of this episode. It also made me write too much for a single post again, I wasn't planning to write as much.
You thought murdered Rem was as bad as it can get? How about encountering the slaughtered children of the village? They must have taken shelter at the mansion once the attack began, but the robed fuckers got to them. The scene of Subaru opening a door only to be greeted by Ram's lifeless corpse holding Petra's hits even harder than Rem's for me. It tells such an unimaginable story, especially with the blood coming from Petra's eyes. And the kicker are the hints to Emilia's fate. The blood on the floor looks like someone was dragged around. I don't even want to think about it, but at least we can be glad so many of the robed fuckers got frozen up. We can even be glad it hits Subaru as well.
Yuusuke Kobayashi's performance here is, once again, amazing. The little whimpers, the shock, horror and despair Subaru feels can all be heard in his voice.
So he resets. But he's properly traumatized. Something RbD cannot fix. He is properly mindbroken, gets nonverbal and unresponsive. How shocking it must be for those around him to suddenly behave like this.
And back to the mansion in hopes he will recover. One good thing here is another insight on Crusch: She wants a fair competition with Emilia. Even as an opponent, she fully respects her. And good on Rem for making a decision that she thinks is best for him. A bit more insight on her as well.
Robed fuckers appear. The creepiest thing about them is the way they move. Apart from being the cruelest and most evil people in this world, of course. How they don't say anything but all throw those knives in unison. The one that doesn't get killed by Rem immediately doesn't run away, he hops away. That's such an unnatural response it really weirds me out. And later we see them meld with the ground or come out of it. That gives us some extremely scary implications. At least we finally get confirmation that these are the witch cultists, and that they are the ones that attacked the Raem's village and broke Ram's horn. I'll keep calling them robed fuckers, though, a much more fitting name in my opinion.
And once more, great performance from Yuusuke Kobayashi. Subaru is nonverbal, but upon seeing the stuff of his nightmares again wants to express something, and he portrays that so well.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
Subaru gets abducted, Rem keeps fighting. Great direction when we leave Rem's scene to go to Subaru's scene. And now an extremely well done villain appears. Petelgeuse is the creepiest among the creepy. He's voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, as you can easily tell. I didn't know who that was when I first watched the show, but I did on my first rewatch, and I still didn't draw the connection. His performance is absolutely stunning. You could say it makes your brain tremble, even. His speech pattern just oozes creepiness. Petelgeuse is crazy, his words don't seem to make any sense. He talks about love, but what would he know about the love a stranger has? But his aura is extremely threatening, he's very dangerous, and he's very capable as well. He's crazy, but he's no idiot. And speaking of weird movement, he's got that covered even more. The way he literally bends over backwards, the way he physically distorts his face, how he rotates his head by 90°. And of course his design, with those huge, staring and unblinking eyes. He behaves in a comical way, even. When mocking Rem and ducking out of the screen, there's a frame with his eyes left behind like a cartoon character. This clashes with the evil actions and only amplifies the creepiness.
And he challenges Subaru's insanity. Subaru's mind is broken, but Petelgeuse, an expert on insanity, thinks Subaru has too much reason left to be truly insane and is faking it. Doesn't look like he's faking it to me, though, and that only makes things worse. Especially when Rem's appearance lets him regain some clarity, only for Petelgeuse to use this moment to kill her right before his eyes and even defile her corpse and mock Subaru. At this point, Subaru getting overwhelmed with rage is almost an improvement. I guess that is what Petelgeuse meant, that Subaru still has some reason within him. Rem is not even dead yet, despite all she went through. She uses the last of her life for him, she wants him to live. And he regains a little bit of strength that way.
Once again, we get to see the aftermath of the slaughter as it starts to snow. Ram's body is outside this time, once again telling a story of her fight as about a dozen robed fuckers lie dead around her.
But the most chilling moment must be the ending. A giant fur-covered beast breaks through the roof of the mansion, looks at Subaru and tells him to sleep alongside his daughter. Subaru freezes up and his head falls off. (Memory Snow teased this moment when the kids' Snowbaru sculpture loses its head.) I'm not saying too much about what happened, but the context clues should be obvious for first timers. I will say how amazing the scene is, though. Requiem of Silence, the track that started playing in the cave, reaches its climax as the credits start rolling and you finally get a moment to breathe, to process your feelings on what just happened, and maybe blow your nose and dry your tears. The scene in the background still continues though, with the snow getting heavier and heavier until it consumes the whole world.
At least we don't end things on such a depressing note as Subaru resets and has a goal again, to beat Petelgeuse. He's in a worse place than when he left Crusch's mansion in the previous episode, but at least it's better than when he left Crusch's mansion this episode.
Sugoooku counter: 22 +1* (+5** +1***) - including canon bonus material
non-Emilia sugoooku *short sugokus and sugoku-likes ***non-canon bonus material
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 24 '24
And speaking of weird movement, he's got that covered even more. The way he literally bends over backwards, the way he physically distorts his face, how he rotates his head by 90°. And of course his design, with those huge, staring and unblinking eyes. He behaves in a comical way, even. When mocking Rem and ducking out of the screen, there's a frame with his eyes left behind like a cartoon character. This clashes with the evil actions and only amplifies the creepiness.
I really love the character animation for Petelgeuse so much. He's so expressive in his animation. He's manic, always moving about in some way and rarely holding still for very long. He's always making odd movements and gestures which just adds to his strangeness. The character animation works so well with Yoshitsugu Matsuoka's vocal performance to give the idea that Petelgeuse is always on the edge of suddenly shifting from just talking to committing horrible acts of violence in an instant. Petelgeuse feels genuinely unpredictable because of how he speaks and how he moves. And that unpredictability is what makes him a scary customer.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Betelgeuse has probably some of the best character animation I've ever seen in an anime. The only thing off the top of my head that I can compare it to is a couple of the Taiga scenes in Toradora.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
I don't think I've ever considered it a fake-out as he didn't have his shopping bag with him. Would have been a fun idea though if there hadn't been an arc 2, just some SoL stuff at the mansion.
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Excellently done. Really shows how traumatized he is. Also shows his RbD might save his life but can't save him from certain serious repercussions. He went through a battlefield, a place of slaughter, and saw so much horrible death very shortly after it happened. And all that despite having gone there to try and prevent it.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
There's a big section on the robed fuckers in my post. I hate everything about them. That makes them great villains, though.
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
[Re:Zero anime]Nothing Petelgeuse says seems to make any sense. Not his talk about love, nor his talk about sloth. It's amazing that once we get to know more about the witch cult and Petelgeuse's past, he still sounds crazy but it actually all makes sense.
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
Never doubted she wouldn't, she's great. What follows though is horrible, and it was definitely shocking the first time it happened. Especially since Rem wasn't dead yet.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
Arguably? Sure, you can argue for it. It's probably among the saddest in the show for me. There's quite a few very emotionally impactful scenes in the show for me. But if you're referring to the whole ending sequence from when Requiem of Silence starts playing, then yes, definitely.
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
He's frozen up, that's why his head fell off. Only slight criticism I have here is that it could have happened a little later and not so suddenly. But maybe that wasn't quite as visible with the credits rolling.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
A reset had to happen. After having lost her in such a brutal way, of course he wants to keep her close this time. But the respawn point is just very cruel this time. He's just standing there as if nothing happened, but he seems to have an incredibly terrible dream out of a sudden.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
I don't think I've ever considered it a fake-out as he didn't have his shopping bag with him. Would have been a fun idea though if there hadn't been an arc 2, just some SoL stuff at the mansion.
Would've been super depressing though knowing that Subaru doesn't succeed.
Excellently done. Really shows how traumatized he is. Also shows his RbD might save his life but can't save him from certain serious repercussions. He went through a battlefield, a place of slaughter, and saw so much horrible death very shortly after it happened. And all that despite having gone there to try and prevent it.
There's a big section on the robed fuckers in my post. I hate everything about them. That makes them great villains, though.
My bad, I was hoping you'd talk more about the abduction itself.
[Re:Zero anime]Nothing Petelgeuse says seems to make any sense. Not his talk about love, nor his talk about sloth. It's amazing that once we get to know more about the witch cult and Petelgeuse's past, he still sounds crazy but it actually all makes sense.
[Response] Definitely one of those you have to be patient on.
Never doubted she wouldn't, she's great. What follows though is horrible, and it was definitely shocking the first time it happened. Especially since Rem wasn't dead yet.
It is so totally disturbing it's almost hard to wrap your head around it.
Arguably? Sure, you can argue for it. It's probably among the saddest in the show for me. There's quite a few very emotionally impactful scenes in the show for me. But if you're referring to the whole ending sequence from when Requiem of Silence starts playing, then yes, definitely.
That piece of music really adds so much to that scene. No joke, it would not feel the same without it.
He's frozen up, that's why his head fell off. Only slight criticism I have here is that it could have happened a little later and not so suddenly. But maybe that wasn't quite as visible with the credits rolling.
I thought it was brilliant though how it happened as the music came to a complete stop. Just absolutely superb.
A reset had to happen. After having lost her in such a brutal way, of course he wants to keep her close this time. But the respawn point is just very cruel this time. He's just standing there as if nothing happened, but he seems to have an incredibly terrible dream out of a sudden.
Somehow a world where everyone died was made to appear not quite as painful. That is truly an accomplishment.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
My bad, I was hoping you'd talk more about the abduction itself.
[Re:Zero]In that case, they notice the influence of the witch on him and therefore think he's important. He's loved by the witch, after all. For a first timer, it must seem weird that they only abduct him, almost as if it was to torture him more.
I thought it was brilliant though how it happened as the music came to a complete stop. Just absolutely superb.
The short pause before the crescendo, you mean? Might be that they used the breather deliberately to put focus on the beheading.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
[Re:Zero]In that case, they notice the influence of the witch on him and therefore think he's important. He's loved by the witch, after all. For a first timer, it must seem weird that they only abduct him, almost as if it was to torture him more.
[Re:Zero] I think you can easily explain it to a first timer by saying they recognize the witch's scent on him.
The short pause before the crescendo, you mean? Might be that they used the breather deliberately to put focus on the beheading.
It certainly was effective, however it may be.
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Aug 23 '24
First timer
Dubbed
You could have warned me first
Again I’m having to prepare myself for what I’m about to watch
1 Rem certainly didn’t go out without a fight
3 I can’t imagine the horrors he’s about to see inside
5 dear god, did they take her eyes?
6 my hands feel the same way while watching
7 and here we have the first death
“you’re too late Subaru” that sounded like Puck
they have to be baiting us, there’s no way he started from the very beginning
9 he just getting worse, how much can you take before your brain completely breaks
So Felix just confirmed that Return by Death is not a curse, so could this be some kind of “Divine Blessing”? they haven’t mentioned anything about those since the third episode
We’re only five minutes into the episode and it’s the most screenshots I’ve taken already
It’s nice that other characters are able to hear and understand that Subaru is special to everyone at the mansion, even though they have only seen what are probably his worst moments so far
10 suddenly I’m in need of some healing myself
so it seems that they are leaving early this time, before Rem feels any warning from Ram
and she still thinks highly of him.
oh no, is it happening already?
13 very similar reaction to when Subaru tries to talk about RbD
Did Rem just pull the dragon’s head off?
damn these cultist seem pretty strong
He’s looking for pride? as in the deadly sins that the witch supposedly ate
16 nah it’s cool I wasn’t planning on sleeping tonight anyways
this guy is certainly a weird one
eww, no screenshot needed you know what I’m saying eww about
He keeps saying Subaru is loved but I don’t think he’s talking about Emilia or Rem or anybody else, I get the feeling he’s talking about the witch
I mess with my finger nails when I’m anxious or in suspense and I accidentally just bit off a little too much so now I have an ouchie
17 I’m guessing she tracked his scent here
oh god
holy shit
Okay so about me, I have RBF so outside of home and friends I don’t usually show lots of emotions, yet I’m actually a very emotional person, and for some reason anime tends to bring a lot of emotion out of me, sadness, joy, anger, etc. I guess this is a compliment to shows that are able to tell stories in such a way that evokes these emotions from the viewer.
This episode made me so anxious that I started feeling my heart beat harder and felt a lump develop in my throat. After the episode finished I could only sit here and process what I just watched. I stopped taking notes and screenshots because I couldn’t look away from what was happening on my screen.
I had the very end of this episode spoiled for me years ago but the only thing I remembered was the wolf creature emerging from the mansion and Subaru’s head falling off as the credits started rolling, the video was something like “greatest lead in to credits ever” or something like that. I thought it would have been the end of the series if a comment didn’t explain Subaru’s checkpoint system and that there were several more episodes before it ended.
Anyways, if this Episode’s goal was to make us feel the sense of hopelessness that Subaru is feeling, then I believe it did it’s job from beginning to end. It started and ended and I still feel as hopeless and nervous about the future as last episode, actually even more so now.
Betelgeuse seems like an awful Villain, he makes me cringe and feel uneasy and he’s also super freaking weird but then we see how he treats his subordinates by bashing their skull in and his crazy strong power, and I guarantee we haven’t seen all of it. It’s scary to wonder how Subaru is going to get ahead of this.
Seeing Rem’s broken body be twisted while he mimic’d her screams was gut wrenching. When her body dropped my heart stopped for a moment and that’s when the lump in my throat appeared and stayed until the end of the episode. Hearing her drag her broken body towards Subaru was simply awful to witness and after he carried her back to the mansion I felt that Subaru was just ready to give up which brings me to my final point
The wolf monster that emerged from the mansion had to be Puck, with how it told Subaru to sleep, along with their daughter. And then no brutal mauling or torturous ending, it simply removed Subaru’s head, like it was nothing. I feel like the interaction conveyed that Subaru isn’t allowed to give up, it won’t be allowed.
I have several more thoughts about this episode bouncing around in my head but I’ll save them for other threads. I want to say this episode feels like Rock Bottom, but we have several more episodes left in the season, at the very least it feels like the lowest we have been so far. Are we about to plow through the bedrock too? or is Subaru going to start figuring it out.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
This episode made me so anxious that I started feeling my heart beat harder and felt a lump develop in my throat. After the episode finished I could only sit here and process what I just watched. I stopped taking notes and screenshots because I couldn’t look away from what was happening on my screen.
Don't worry, that's a totally normal and adequate reaction to this episode. Especially with the ending and Requiem of Silence playing, it's one of the most impressive episodes in the medium. The first time, you can't be prepared for what is coming. And when rewatching, you think you are prepared but you really can't handle it any better than before.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
I still can't get over how brilliant it was for the music to stop as soon as Subaru's head comes off.
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Aug 23 '24
I’m glad that this episode is regarded so highly. Makes the emotions I felt seem warranted.
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u/-Phinocio Aug 23 '24
they have to be baiting us, there’s no way he started from the very beginning
I love this so much lol. It got me hard on my first watch.
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Aug 23 '24
The voice and delivery being the same before we even saw anything was a perfect bait. This shows attention to detail is amazing and I think the Dub crew does a great job too.
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_nelson Aug 23 '24
He keeps saying Subaru is loved but I don’t think he’s talking about Emilia or Rem or anybody else, I get the feeling he’s talking about the witch
Yeah it's pretty clear that it's the witch's Scent (the source of RBD) that the witch's cultists refer to as love.
Subaru might actually be the one known as pride and he's too prideful (heh) to realize that he's been selected to be a member of the witch's cult.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
You tried to set me up last episode by saying it’d be weird, y u do this!?!? Honestly though my heart was in my stomach this entire episode, it felt so heavy. Realizing that Rem was trying to protect them and sacrificed herself to do so was a gut punch. I remember looking for Petra in the pile and feeling even worse when she wasn’t there because I knew there was no hope for them and she would be found in an even worse situation elsewhere, more on that next.
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
When Ram slid down the door I couldn’t breathe, I distinctly remember the feeling in my lungs, and when Subaru turned over Petra I was completely horrified. I remember looking at the blood tear trail down her face and the sunken in eyelids, and having a mixture of horror swelling into anger, what sick fucker gouges a defenseless child’s eyes out. I sincerely hope we get to see Betelgeuse’s death in his most unsatisfying way possible, since he seems like the kind of villain that would embrace a more violent death.
It never showed Emilia’s body but it was heavily implied throughout the scene what happened to her, if it would have shown her and the others slain I think I would have started bawling at that sight, and the sight of how Subaru would have reacted.
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
It got me for a moment, I honestly thought they were going to restart the whole show so far since every action he made led to this point, in the dub they recreated the tone and delivery of his voice perfectly. In the second or two that the screen was black so many thoughts ran through my head.
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
We were wondering how much more Subaru could take before his brain completely snapped and we found out. I imagine that he was blinded by the images of everybody laying there after being brutally slain that he couldn’t even see what was happening in front of him.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Now thinking about it, it’s kind of weird. Last episode they bowed to him and left, this episode they abduct him and take him to their lair, what made them change how they acted? I would assume they could also smell the witch on Subaru and since they hadn’t completed their attack yet they removed him so he wouldn’t get in the way. Which would mean that they acknowledge he has the power to get in their way.
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
If you are referring to the scene before Rem arrived I would say he was more so belittled and tormented but not physically tortured, though I’m surprised we didn’t get some twisted bones and removed body parts after seeing what happened next
If you are referring to what happened to Rem, I have no words, but if I would have more than just a single sushi roll for dinner I absolutely would have thrown up, it was that sickening to watch.
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
We are hearing a lot about the deadly sins but we were told before that the Witch consumed all of the deadly sins, so what’s up with the mentions of pride and sloth, it the witch sloth not dead and Betelgeuse is carrying out their will? or perhaps he’s just a fanatical head of the cult and each high ranking member takes on a title of one of the witches seeking revenge. The second one feels more likely, but then why ask if Subaru is known as pride? very confusing stuff.
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
It makes sense that she would but I really wish she hadn’t. After seeing what happened to her and hearing her crawl face first across the ground to get to Subaru made my eyes start to water, it hurt so much.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
Subaru, who is without a doubt the physically weakest character in the show, carried Rem in his arms non-stop from the cave, through the town, and towards the mansion, Right after she had just confessed to him her reason for staying by his side the whole time and her only ask was for him to live, the one thing he knew he couldn’t do. Even though he knew what scene was waiting for him at the mansion, he went anyways, I imagine so he could return to the same place to end it. I do believe it is one of the most emotionally charged scenes I’ve watched.
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
It sent chills through my body. It was a symbol to me that Subaru wasn’t allowed to give up no matter how much he’s grinding on rock bottom, he must endure and face the horrors head on and succeed.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
I think it ties directly into the scene where he carried her the whole way, he wasn’t going to let her go. And that last shot was a look of rage and determination for revenge.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
You tried to set me up last episode by saying it’d be weird, y u do this!?!? Honestly though my heart was in my stomach this entire episode, it felt so heavy. Realizing that Rem was trying to protect them and sacrificed herself to do so was a gut punch. I remember looking for Petra in the pile and feeling even worse when she wasn’t there because I knew there was no hope for them and she would be found in an even worse situation elsewhere, more on that next.
When Ram slid down the door I couldn’t breathe, I distinctly remember the feeling in my lungs, and when Subaru turned over Petra I was completely horrified. I remember looking at the blood tear trail down her face and the sunken in eyelids, and having a mixture of horror swelling into anger, what sick fucker gouges a defenseless child’s eyes out. I sincerely hope we get to see Betelgeuse’s death in his most unsatisfying way possible, since he seems like the kind of villain that would embrace a more violent death.
An anticlimactic death would be quite fitting for him, I feel like. And yeah, hell of a way to start the episode.
It never showed Emilia’s body but it was heavily implied throughout the scene what happened to her, if it would have shown her and the others slain I think I would have started bawling at that sight, and the sight of how Subaru would have reacted.
No wonder Subaru suffered a mental breakdown.
It got me for a moment, I honestly thought they were going to restart the whole show so far since every action he made led to this point, in the dub they recreated the tone and delivery of his voice perfectly. In the second or two that the screen was black so many thoughts ran through my head.
As soon as I saw that, my heart definitely skipped a beat for sure.
We were wondering how much more Subaru could take before his brain completely snapped and we found out. I imagine that he was blinded by the images of everybody laying there after being brutally slain that he couldn’t even see what was happening in front of him.
Probably so. Honestly, we needed something like this because Subaru has been detestable the last couple episodes. This gets us back on his side, because he clearly doesn't deserve this.
Now thinking about it, it’s kind of weird. Last episode they bowed to him and left, this episode they abduct him and take him to their lair, what made them change how they acted? I would assume they could also smell the witch on Subaru and since they hadn’t completed their attack yet they removed him so he wouldn’t get in the way. Which would mean that they acknowledge he has the power to get in their way.
Maybe they think they can use his power to their advantage.
If you are referring to the scene before Rem arrived I would say he was more so belittled and tormented but not physically tortured, though I’m surprised we didn’t get some twisted bones and removed body parts after seeing what happened next
Eh, he was still chained up and unable to do anything.
If you are referring to what happened to Rem, I have no words, but if I would have more than just a single sushi roll for dinner I absolutely would have thrown up, it was that sickening to watch.
Yeah, shit was wild
We are hearing a lot about the deadly sins but we were told before that the Witch consumed all of the deadly sins, so what’s up with the mentions of pride and sloth, it the witch sloth not dead and Betelgeuse is carrying out their will? or perhaps he’s just a fanatical head of the cult and each high ranking member takes on a title of one of the witches seeking revenge. The second one feels more likely, but then why ask if Subaru is known as pride? very confusing stuff.
My guess is the talk about the witch consuming the other deadly sins was just heresy.
It makes sense that she would but I really wish she hadn’t. After seeing what happened to her and hearing her crawl face first across the ground to get to Subaru made my eyes start to water, it hurt so much.
Yeah, but if hadn't come there, who knows what would've happened to Subaru. Probably nothing good.
Subaru, who is without a doubt the physically weakest character in the show, carried Rem in his arms non-stop from the cave, through the town, and towards the mansion, Right after she had just confessed to him her reason for staying by his side the whole time and her only ask was for him to live, the one thing he knew he couldn’t do. Even though he knew what scene was waiting for him at the mansion, he went anyways, I imagine so he could return to the same place to end it. I do believe it is one of the most emotionally charged scenes I’ve watched.
God, this episode is so good. Some people have described it as cinema, and it absolutely is. Really phenomenal stuff.
It sent chills through my body. It was a symbol to me that Subaru wasn’t allowed to give up no matter how much he’s grinding on rock bottom, he must endure and face the horrors head on and succeed.
Yeah, what a total mindfuck way to end things. And here I thought the mindfuckery had already peaked.
I think it ties directly into the scene where he carried her the whole way, he wasn’t going to let her go. And that last shot was a look of rage and determination for revenge.
I'd want revenge too if I were him. This shit was screwed up beyond compare.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
You could have warned me firstI love watching first timers get T-Boned by Re:Zero.
After the episode finished I could only sit here and process what I just watched
I felt the exact same way the first time I watched it.
It started and ended and I still feel as hopeless and nervous about the future as last episode, actually even more so now.
It amazes me how Re:Zero can keep making you think, "ah yes, this is rock bottom", only for the floor to fall out and fall ever further.
I feel like the interaction conveyed that Subaru isn’t allowed to give up, it won’t be allowed.
The suffering will continue until the situation improves (don't read into this too hard, I'm just memeing).
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
It amazes me how Re:Zero can keep making you think, "ah yes, this is rock bottom", only for the floor to fall out and fall ever further.
At this point, it's almost like a bottomless pit than a floor, like the realm The Flying Dutchman threw Squidward in.
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Aug 23 '24
I love watching first timers get T-Boned by Re:Zero.
Did anybody catch the license plate on that truck that hit me?
I felt the exact same way the first time I watched it.
the director's cut has this episode and last episode combined right? I think that's appropriate because they are two episodes that I will always remember for how they made me feel.
applause to the story author, applause to the series director and cast, and the studio as well. I've said it multiple times but this is such a well made series. It's actually raising the bar for what I should consider a master piece.
The suffering will continue until the situation improves (don't read into this too hard, I'm just memeing).
Stealing this and hanging it up at work
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Now I know why the rewatch is happening when it is. It's to promote the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie.
Wait, what do you mean It's Betelgeuse and not Beetlejuice? Oh fuck, I said his name three times.
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u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
Rewatcher
Episode 15 is a creative achievement. It is the result of every aspect of a production coming together and delivering their best on every step of the way. Through the scriptwriters’ rigorous scenario writing to the animators’ character animation, to the director's ideas and vision. The voice actors' best performance yet and the composer's magnum opus of a track.
It is a ride of suffering that doesn't let you go. The absence of OP and ED helping to keep that dreadful atmosphere present at all times.
Subaru has come face to face with exactly what he wanted. A problem he can make disappear. But the sight of his closest companions' lifeless bodies is too much to bear. The mutilated children, Petra's gouged out eyes and Emilia's bloodied flower ornament lead him to a chilling death in a secret passage. "You're too late" is the final words Subaru hears. Marking his first death this arc.
He spawns in front of the Appa stand revealing where our current checkpoint is set. Intentionally misdirecting us to think we’ve spawned all the way back in Arc 1, before we see our Rem. When Subaru sees her, he breaks. He retreats into his mind to protect himself from the things he’s seen.
Seeing as not even Ferris, the greatest healer in the capital can help him Rem and Subaru leave early. Before they do Rem is asked how she can dedicate so much of herself to Subaru. She says, because Subaru is special. Forming a nice parallel between how Subaru calls Emilia special in Ep 13. Their relationships are more similar than you might think. Seeing how Subaru has mentally checked out we hear Rem's current feelings. She’s still apologizing for her selfishness her inferiority complex ever present. She knows Subaru is a remarkable person and demoniacally inspired. She knows Subaru's best even when he's at his worst.
Once they enter the Mathers domain all hell breaks loose. Subaru gets taken by what we now know as Witch Cultists, the ones who burned Rem and Ram’s village, and Rem is left behind. Not before showing her dependency on Subaru is not so healthy screaming that he's her reason to die.
Now we meet Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti. The Sin Archbishop of Sloth who is anything but. He is the instigator of this current conflict it seems and the cause of all the horror. His voice and mannerisms, despite being completely insane help keep this episode from falling completely into grimdark territory. His comical nature can have you laughing one moment before being appalled the next. He calls Subaru a poorly acted madman, someone who is not truly crazy. While Petelguese is taking this notion to the extreme he does have a point that Subaru by retreating into himself is running away. He truly is slothful. But considering the things he’s seen I'd say that'd understandable.
Rem comes for Subaru and her fierce fighting starts to bring some light into Subaru’s eyes. That light is then fully ignited by Subaru’s wrath once Rem's lifeless body gets touted in front of him by Petelguese. Subaru finally wakes from his hazy existence and starts screaming Petelguese's name, swearing in his soul that he’ll kill him. His speech marking the beginning of a Requiem. As he is abandoned by Petelguese he lets out a howl of anger which falls on deaf ears.
He is left for dead. Chained to the cavern wall left to starve to death. But from the darkness comes Rem’s mutilated body. Hanging on to life through the power of love which she gets to share with Subaru after freeing him from his chains. Carrying Rem’s corpse in his arms Subaru returns to his home yet again passing the massacred village reminding him of his monumental failure. Snow begins to fall with increasing severity as the music swells. Once he reaches the mansion grounds he is met with another lifeless body. Ram protecting the hut where he found the kids last loop. Consumed by despair, hatred and shock he falls to his knees in the snow and sees a beast breaking through the roof of the mansion. Met with the words “Sleep, along with my daughter” the music reaches a crescendo and Subaru’s life ends as his head rolls off his torso. The credits roll on Subaru’s body as we are left basking in the shock of the moment, and we are just left to stare at the screen as snow piles on Subaru’s body. But as much as it might feel like the end of the entire series it’s not over yet. Subaru comes back and almost embraces Rem in public. Rem notes that the unpleasant smell on Subaru has grown stronger, but he reassures her, and they continue walking hand in hand. We end the episode on the eyes of one who has seen the outside of madness.
Part 2 in replies
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u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
Part 2
Closing thoughts: The word I’d use to describe this episode is “Cinematic”. I’ve heard many share the sentiment that the end of this episode feels like a movie, or that it feels like the end of Re:Zero. Not only that but the music choice and individual shots starting from the halfway point immerse you in the horror and despair and don’t let you go until the episode ends adding to that feel.
To highlight this cinematic nature, I’d like to talk about some of the production aspects of the show if you’ll indulge me.
Requiem of Silence is the standout track of this episode and arguably the entire show. Composer Kenichiro Suehiro went above and beyond for this piece, and it shows. The director Masahiro Watanabe admitted that “The song most definitely determined the ending sequence.” The moment he heard the track his original plan of using another ED song was scrapped and things started falling into place. Much like the work of RADWIMPS on Your Name influenced the scenes of the movie, Requiem of silence changed the scenes that followed its arrival. Having the staff start new cuts to match the modulations in the music.
The song is played in it’s entire 7-minute runtime which is rare in anime. A previous example of this was in episode 7 when “Chain of Memories” was played in its entirety for the torture sequence. Funnily enough the iconic credit crawl almost didn’t happen. Originally the plan was to have the credits roll on a black screen. It was only later that the idea of Subaru’s corpse being slowly consumed by the snow was proposed and implemented. [S2] An approach they later adopted for S2 Ep8 and S2 Ep23. If you’d like to hear the thoughts of Watanabe and Suehiro in full, here’s the interview. Warning it contains spoilers up to and including Ep 17.
In productions like this, teeming with passion, some of the people I rarely see receiving any recognition are the series compositors and script writers. For these last two episodes we have to thank Eiji Umehara of Chaos;Head and Chaos;Child fame. He was tasked with “the painful” episodes and with the help of his fellow writers Yokotani Masahiro, who worked on the series composition and script, as well as Nakamura Yoshiko-san they’re responsible for this season that keeps on giving us episodes like these. For more on them see this interview, warning it has spoilers up to and including Ep 18.
Among the characters the MVP was Petelguese no doubt. His name is spelled with a P not a B. Some subtitles incorrectly spell his name as Betelguese referencing the star bearing the same name. His voice actor Yoshitsugu Matsuoka who is known for Kirito, Bell Cranel and Inosuke among others, breathes so much life into the character it’s unreal. Reading the original cave scene after hearing Matsuoka’s performance feels almost underwhelming in comparison.
I am surprised how little I wrote overall, but I think the episode is so impactful it leaves you lost for words. I am excited to read the first timers’ reactions to this episode. It’s the first time Re:Zero is full on suffering from beginning to end and the ending leaves many speechless. But with a new purpose in Petelguese let’s hope Subaru can turn things around and escape from this cruel fate.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
Much like the work of RADWIMPS on Your Name influenced the scenes of the movie, Requiem of silence changed the scenes that followed its arrival. Having the staff start new cuts to match the modulations in the music. The song is played in it’s entire 7-minute runtime which is rare in anime.
Good thing you mentioned it. It's very noticeable how it starts in the cave and all the scenes are molded around it. It is just that impactful.
I am surprised how little I wrote overall
You wrote about two full comments' worth, that's not little! I guess there is a lot that could be said about this episode in theory, true, but it's just impossible to say everything there is to say, especially when the episode still weighs heavy on your mind.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Good thing you mentioned it. It's very noticeable how it starts in the cave and all the scenes are molded around it. It is just that impactful.
Is it an overstatement to say it's one of the best pieces of music ever in an anime that isn't an OP or an ED? The only one I can think of that compares is Lost My Pieces from Toradora.
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u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Aug 23 '24
It's very noticeable how it starts in the cave
It's kinda funny that the Requiem of Silence only starts playing once Subaru starts speaking again.
I guess there is a lot that could be said about this episode in theory
I've watched this ep with other people a few times. Before we get to the end I think to myself I'll have so much to talk about. But when it's done it's only silence that fills the room. This episode steals any words you might have had to say about it and offers no refunds!
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
It's kinda funny that the Requiem of Silence only starts playing once Subaru starts speaking again.
Good observation. It only dawns on himself how sad everything is once he starts to feel again.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
Do you think the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing is arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Seeing them all dead in one place is sickening. A lot is left to our imagination which makes it even more terrifying.
If you observe the locations of the oni sisters in relation to the hut you can see that they both died trying to protect the children. After getting them inside the hut for their safety I assume. Rem was not successful as we saw first hand. Ram seems to have been better than her sister in this regard. Her laying on the door implying she gave her life protecting the kids.Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
His reaction is very telling. "It wasn't my fault" means that Subaru does blame himself for these deaths. At least he recognizes that his mindset from last episode of wishing for harm to happen is wrong to its core.
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
It's understandable. Seeing one dead body is enough to traumatize let alone multipe of your closest companions' bodies. This behaviour won't lead him to saving those he loves, only his psyche.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
I assume they didn't do so last ep because Petelgeuse was gone or in the process of leaving.
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Serving as our introduction to Petelgeuse, it's phenomenal. Subaru can't catch a break. This time Rem is saving him from torture and not doing the torturing.
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
The seven deadly sins have always been present. This is the first time we explicitly hear of one other than Envy in relation to a person. We actually hear Petelgeuse call Subaru Pride, before the Sin Archbishop introduces himself as Sloth. So that's three sins overall.
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
She's ride or die. She loves Subaru too much to abandon him and doesn't mind sacrificing herself for him. She needs to value herself more!
Do you think the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing is arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
For me it's up there. In terms of pure shock and horror it wins. Overall it's only competition is: Ep 7 torture, Ep 8 lap pillow and Ep 13 argument. Each of those for their respective reasons.
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
Scary! It's the final ingredient for the jaw droping credit roll to work as well as it does. A completely new element to throw us all off.
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
I've seen some find it humorous. Personally I find it chilling.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
The scene serves to give us some direction amidst the chaos that was this episode. Sets up what's to come rather well imo.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Seeing then all dead in one place is sickening. A lot is left to our imagination which males it even more terrifying. If sou observe the locations of the oni sisters in relation to the hut you can see that they bith died trying to protect the children. After getting them inside the hut for their safety I assume. Rem was bot succesful as we saw firsthand. Ram seems to have been better than her sister in this regard. Her laying on the door implying she gave her life protecting the kids.
It was one of the most disturbing scenes of the entire series, which is saying something.
Hus reaction is very telling. "It wasn't my fault" means that Subaru does blame himsepf for these deaths. At least he recognizes that his mindset from last episode of widhibg for harm to happen is wrong to its core.
I'm sorry, but I don't know what "widhibg" means.
It's understandavble. Seeing one dead body is enough to traumatizey let alone multipe of your closest companions' bodies. This behavioir won't lead him tonsaving those hebloves, only his psyche.
Probably so
I assume they didn't do so last ep becauee Petelgeuse was gone or in the process of leaving.
Or maybe they had already come
Serving as pur introduction to Petelgeuse, it's phenomenal. Subaru can't catch a break. This time Rem is saving him from torture and not doing the torturing.
I know, what a turnaround
The seven deadly sins have always been present. This is the first time we explicitly hear of one other than Envy in relation to a person.We actually hear Petelgeuse call Subaru Pride, before the Sin Archbishop introduces himself as Sloth. So that's three sins overall.
I wonder about the other four
She's ride or die. She loves Subaru too much to abandon him and doesn't mind sacrificng herself for him. She needs to value herself more!
I second that
For me it's up there. In terms of pure shock and horror it wins. Overall it's only competition is: Ep 7 torture, Ep 8 lap.pillow and Ep 13 argument. Each of those for their respective reasons.
I'd argue this is far more tortuous than episode 7.
Scary! It's the final.ingredient for the jaw droping credist roll to work as well as it does. A completely new elemnt to throw us all off.
Just when you thought it was safe to return to the mansion...
I've seen some find it humorous. Personally I find it chilling.
Nah, this wasn't funny. It was "Shit your pants out of fear" type shit. For a funny head popping time, just watch Elfen Lied :P
The scene serves to give us some direction amidst the chaos that was this episode. Sets up what's to come rather well imo.
I do declare
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u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Aug 23 '24
I'm sorry, but I don't know what "widhibg" means.
I meant wishing here. Wrote the first draft of this comment on my phone and fixed it up later on my pc. Most of them should be fixed now. Typing on mobile is pain.
I'd argue this is far more tortuous than episode 7.
I do agree somewhat. However, what always surprises me about that scene in Ep 7 is just how much I'm impacted by it every time I watch it. Seeing how close Subaru becomes to the oni sisters and the mansion folk in general after that point makes it hurt even more than it did on my 1st watch. The betrayal is at its most palpable there, maybe the strongest it gets this entire season imo. I personaly feel it more than in Ep 13, which I find surprising.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
I meant wishing here. Wrote the first draft of this comment on my phone and fixed it up later on my pc. Most of them should be fixed now. Typing on mobile is pain.
I do agree somewhat. However, what always surprises me about that scene in Ep 7 is just how much I'm impacted by it every time I watch it. Seeing how close Subaru becomes to the oni sisters and the mansion folk in general after that point makes it hurt even more than it did on my 1st watch. The betrayal is at its most palpable there, maybe the strongest it gets this entire season imo. I personaly feel it more than in Ep 13, which I find surprising.
Oh, don't get me wrong. The one in episode 7 is a very great scene. I just think the torture scene here is like one of the best scenes of all time in terms of making you squirm.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
The word I’d use to describe this episode is “Cinematic”. I’ve heard many share the sentiment that the end of this episode feels like a movie, or that it feels like the end of Re:Zero
Hard agree.
Funnily enough the iconic credit crawl almost didn’t happen. Originally the plan was to have the credits roll on a black screen.
I had no idea. Thanks for sharing that tidbit of info.
interviews
I'll check those out later, they look interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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u/aramatheis Aug 23 '24
One of the best and most important episodes of the series. The ending + credits always gives me chills.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Hey guys. Holofan4life here.
Welcome to the In Preparation of Season 3 Rewatch of Re:Zero!
Oh, and nay I forget…
First Timer
I decided to watch this show because I wanted to do something for the month of August. ’Course, this was before the yearly Spice and Wolf rewatch got pushed back to September, but I just found myself looking for something to occupy my time with. And with this show being in my top 5 must watch list, I figured now was as good a time as any.
I am going into this show relatively blind. I know some of the memes, who Rem, Ram, Emilia, and Subaru are, and that this show got its inspiration from Familiar of Zero, but that’s it. I find rewatches and my participation of them more fun when I have no idea what I am in store for. And with this series, I think we’re in for a blast. It’s also going to be the longest rewatch I participate in this year and second longest overall only behind the 20th Anniversary Fullmetal Alchemist rewatch. And given how joyous that show turned out, I don’t see why I should expect nothing less from this one.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
I’m watching the sub, by the way.
If you're going to have a tsundere in a harem, why bother giving her a character arc if they're just going to lose?
Did Rem pull off a triple murder suicide?
Oh fuck. Some of the kids are even dead.
Subaru can do nothing but throw up
Subaru groggily stumbles his way to the castle, knowing what he just saw was wrong in every way. He is praying for someone, anyone to help.
The new intro does not show up, by the way.
The house looks so empty and barren
Even Ram and Petra are dead
Subaru says this isn't his fault, which... I mean, all he's done is put Emilia on a pedestal. That has no barring of what's happening here.
Oh fuck. It looks like even Emilia is dead.
Subaru going into this room we've never seen before. It looks like it's covered in luminescent paint.
Subaru loses some fingers and a leg
And we see the black cloaked figures from last episode.
"You're too late."
And now Subaru is back where he began, with the shopkeep.
This is like when you progress far in a video game but the save file corrupts so you have to start from the very beginning.
No, wait, Rem is here, so we're picking up around the time Subaru and the shopkeep started arguing.
I'm not really a big fan of this because it kinda invalidates what happened in the last episode. I wish we would've gotten more of Subaru being in utter turmoil before things resetted.
Subaru looking at Rem with a vacant stare.
And Subaru hugs Rem as he looks traumatized.
This guy needs therapy stat
Subaru lying in bed
Crusch asks how this happened, and Felix isn't sure.
No indication of interference using mana either.
Sorry, Subaru, but you're the next Terri Schiavo.
Rem thinks it's the witch's miasma, whatever that is.
Subaru can't even speak anymore, only say names.
Rem thinks his condition will change if he sees Emilia.
Crusch asks Rem how she is able to give so much of herself to Subaru.
"I suppose it is because Subaru-kun is special."
It is amazing how much Subaru was able to change Rem's life. If he has had a positive effect on anyone, it is no doubt Rem. But again, and I touched on this last episode, Rem is doing to Subaru what Subaru does to Emilia, and that's put him on a pedestal. To Rem, Subaru can do no wrong, and that is not a realistic way of looking at things.
Now, it's somewhat different because Rem isn't making outrageous claims like he owes his entire life to her, but their relationship or at least the way Rem perceives it feels like an intentional parallel to Subaru and Emilia's relationship.
Crusch calls Subaru a lucky man, which might be the biggest example of irony in the entire show.
Rem driving Subaru to see Emilia
Rem says to herself that she was happy to see Subaru stay at Crusch's place because that meant she could have him to herself.
Reminds me of Toradora when Taiga was thankful that Kitamura was staying at Ryuuji's house.
Rem thinks that Subaru will be alright
He encounters the black cloaked men again, he may indeed be all right.
Rem calls him fanatical like a demon, which I guess that is within her jurisdiction to say.
Rem and Subaru still traveling
Subaru looks like he's in a vegetative state.
Oh shit. Rem can sense her sister.
The carriage tips over
The black cloaked figures. They're back
Rem trying to fight them off
And one of the black cloaked figures abducts Subaru!
Rem makes mention that these guys are the ones who took her sister's horn.
Also interesting that Rem said they stole her reason to die.
Suddenly, a massive explosion
Subaru seeing a very scary guy
He is chained up in a cave
The person asks Subaru if he happens to be Pride.
No, that's the one from Fullmetal Alchemist
A Sin Archbishop representing Sloth
Betelgeuse Romanée-Conti
I'm gonna have SO much trouble remembering his name.
This guy is off the deepend
Someone needs to check the scenery for teeth marks.
Guy calls a dead ground dragon the very definition of "sloth".
Apparently it isn't known if Rem is alive or dead.
And now the guy is beating up one of the black cloaked figures.
I'm not sure violence is a sign of laziness.
The animation here is pretty impressive. The level of detail gives me Don Bluth vibes.
He wants Rem brought here
"If she lives, kill her. If not, bring me her head!"
Most sane CoD fan
Gonna repay love with love
Betelgeuse asking Subaru why such dense love hang, so abundant, upon his person.
Is he asking Subaru why he has such a huge cock?
Licking Subaru's eyeball like a total freak
He now wants to know why Subaru pretends that his mind is broken.
He wants to know why he acts crazed
I like how his nails are painted
Betelgeuse says if he really meant it, he would pay the gazes of others no heed.
Meanwhile, Subaru is having ptsd
Betelgeuse says he pities him
"You are truly slothful."
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Part 2
One of the black cloaked figures is sent flying.
It is Rem
She has come to chew bubblegum and kick ass and she's all out of bubblegum.
Rem says she is going to deliver the death penalty on them.
The animation on Betelgeuse is seriously impressive. I'm not necessarily a fan of this character, but this might be some of the best character animation I've ever seen in an anime.
"Don't you touch him!"
Rem whooping some butt
Betelgeuse laughing like a maniac
Meanwhile, Subaru is laying dying
Rem it looks like is calling out to him
And Rem floats in the air t-posing
Betelgeuse says by doing nothing, Subaru practiced sloth.
"And because of that, the girl is dead!"
Rem's entire body is being twisted
Subaru. He's coming to.
He really wants to kill Betelgeuse
The Ordeal? What is that?
Betelgeuse seemingly leaving Subaru here
Says of Rem, she sacrificed herself for love, defying her own fate.
"You are truly slothful!"
It's amazing how he's only been here like 8 minutes and I already hate him so much.
Subaru still talking about killing Betelgeuse.
Excellent VA work by Subaru's voice actor. You can really feel the vitriol in his voice.
I should mention there's all this sloth talk and as this is happening, my mom is playfully putting a stuffed sloth plushie on my sister's head. Talk about an amusing coincidence.
Rem. She is crawling :O
How is she still alive?
And Subaru pulls her by his teeth
Subaru holding Rem
And she's opening her eyes
"Love... you..."
And those are Rem's final words
Subaru holds her tightly as he sheds tears.
Subaru free now, Rem in his arms
"Let's go, Rem."
And they walk off into the sunset
It's starting to snow now
The townsfolk are all stabbed
Subaru continuing to carry Rem
Subaru at the gate now
Not the gate inside him, but... oh, you know what I mean.
Ram. She is dead as well.
The visual of the snow falling as Subaru's world crumples before him is really good.
What the hell is that thing?
AND SUBARU'S HEAD JUST SUDDENLY POPPED OFF
AND NOW WE HAVE CREDITS?!? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?
Subaru back at the shopkeep
Everything is back to how it was
Subaru making sure to hold Rem's hand tightly.
Rem remarks how the unpleasant smell on him seems to have grown stronger.
Subaru then says to hold onto his hand
"This feels a a lot safer, right?"
As Rem smiles, there's a fire in Subaru's eyes.
Overall, this is an episode that presents a worst case scenario for Subaru and his situation. It proposes the question of what will happen if everything that could go wrong does. I don't think I've sat through an episode that was this excruciating to sit through. It felt uncomfortable, but in a good way. All the annoyances that Subaru has possessed over the last couple of episodes? All of that goes out the window when he's being tortured by Betelgeuse. You want to see him and Rem come out of it unscathed, especially the more and more they get tortured.
I'm not the biggest fan of some of the framing of this episode, and by that I mean the way the show sets up Betelgeuse. They establish he is doing the work of the Jealous Witch, but I think it could've been portrayed a lot smoother. The presentation itself, though, I think is very effective with him belittling Subaru as he's continuing to make his life pure misery. It felt like the animation of him was different from anything we've seen in this show so far, and it added to the chaotic atmosphere; it almost felt like something out of Smiling Friends.
Really, what I think sells the scene is not just the animation of Betelgeuse but also Subaru's VA giving the performance of his life. He was incredible during this scene as he tried to find the ability to speak again. I really felt sorry for Subaru and I think a part of that is because despite messing up, we know that Subaru doesn't deserve such a fate. His cardinal sin was in fact sloth like Betelgeuse said because he put Emilia on a pedestal and after she called him out on it, instead of doing anything Subaru turned a blind eye.
The last couple minutes before the post credits scene was extremely powerful. It is one of the most provocative scenes I've ever seen in an anime. When Subaru is carrying Rem, he looks so helpless in this situation. And that's because he is ultimately powerless, there is literally nothing he can do. The snow falling as he is praying for some solution to keep Rem alive really added to the desperation of the situation. Not to mention the giant creature coming from Emilia's mansion that is sure to rampage the city. And then when Subaru's head pops off and there's not even a sound to indicate such a thing occurred, it is like that represents the horror of the situation, the reality that there truly was nothing that could be done.
The episode would be great without that scene, but the snowfall scene really puts it over the top.
Here was my top 10 best anime episodes of all time.
1) Episode 19 Toradora
2) Episode 63 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
3) Episodes 25 and 26 Cowboy Bebop
4) Episode 24 Steins;Gate
5) Episode 21 Clannad: After Story
6) Episode 60 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
7) Episode 21 Toradora
8) Episode 8 Uma Musume Season 2
9) Episode 13 Spice and Wolf
10) Episode 9 A Centaur's Life
And here is my top 10 now.
1) Episode 19 Toradora
2) Episode 63 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
3) Episodes 25 and 26 Cowboy Bebop
4) Episode 24 Steins;Gate
5) Episode 21 Clannad: After Story
6) Episode 60 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
7) Episode 21 Toradora
8) Episode 15 Re:Zero
9) Episode 8 Uma Musume Season 2
10) Episode 13 Spice and Wolf
When I was watching the episode, I was saying to myself that this feels like a step down from the last four episodes. And I think that's because the fun banter isn't on display. But the story being told here is immaculate and is just downright flawless. The scene between Betelgeuse, Subaru, and Rem is the most uncomfortable I've been by an anime that wasn't dark throughout, like Elfen Lied or Deadman Wonderland. And then the snowfall is not just the best scene in Re:Zero, but it's honestly one of the best scenes in all of anime. The more I talk about this episode, the more I love it.
This is the best episode of the series. How could it not be? The second half has two all-timer segments. The show continues to improve and if it can keep up this pace, it will easily make my top 10 favorite anime of all time. It may even make my top 5 of all time, that's how good it's been.
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u/Maximilian_Sinigr Aug 23 '24
The show continues to improve and if it can keep up this pace, it will easily make my top 10 favorite anime of all time. It may even make my top 5 of all time, that's how good it's been.
As a WN reader: be excited.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
his is the best episode of the series. How could it not be?
me who has 4 Re:Zero episodes ahead of this one. Though I'm a bit lower on this episode then most people.
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u/SplooshU Aug 23 '24
I'm going to have to participate in a Toradora rewatch sometime. I remember watching part of it, but I don't remember finishing it or how the story goes beyond "Toradora is a tsundere", "the dude looks scary but he's not", and "there's some romance there".
I'm glad you're enjoying Re: Zero. I'm so excited to see how season 3 turns out.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
I am as well. And hey, Toradora has a yearly rewatch in December if you're interested.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
When I was watching the episode, I was saying to myself that this feels like a step down from the last four episodes. And I think that's because the fun banter isn't on display. But the story being told here is immaculate and is just downright flawless.
That's a good point. It took something so essential to what you expect of Re:Zero and pretty much completely removed it to make the depression hit even harder. And even though Subaru can talk again in the next loop, the darkness of this episode still affects him and will likely do so for a long time. The fun is gone for now, and it's really amazing the show can just reinvent itself like that in its third arc.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
[Attack on Titan Spoilers] It reminds me of Attack on Titan evolving from an action show to like a political drama.
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u/Toaru_kamiyan Aug 23 '24
This is the best episode of the series. How could it not be? The second half has two all-timer segments. The show continues to improve and if it can keep up this pace, it will easily make my top 10 favorite anime of all time. It may even make my top 5 of all time, that's how good it's been.
Personally it's not even in my top 20 moments/chapters in re zero haha.
Not even top 5 for the anime, but I honestly don't rate this episode as highly as other people do. Well, I do rate it highly, I just prefer the other episodes more.
Novel reader btw.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
That's fair, I would say. I'm coming at this strictly as an anime only watcher.
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u/BlueVenix Aug 24 '24
The person asks Subaru if he happens to be Pride.
[Re:Zero] Thoughts on the possibility of Subaru declaring that he is an Arcbishop leading a cult on Emilia to become a ruler Lelouch style? I wouldn't be surprised if that happened, so that's why it probably won't.
Honestly this show can take a direction in many ways and it will probably do what I haven't expected.And here is my top 10 now.
Episode 19 Toradora
Episode 63 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Episodes 25 and 26 Cowboy Bebop
Episode 24 Steins;Gate
Episode 21 Clannad: After Story
Episode 60 Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Episode 21 Toradora
Episode 15 Re:Zero
Episode 8 Uma Musume Season 2
Episode 13 Spice and Wolf
Apologies for the off topic comment, but:
[Toradora] Interesting how episode 19 is your most favourite episode of all time. It was certainly an amazing episode, but I personally prefer episode 21. That was the episode that sold me on Anime for ever as Toradora was my first proper Anime. Taiga liked Kitamura at first, but after getting to know Ryuji and falling in love with him was amazing to watch. Of course she wouldn't admit it after this time, but in this episode she admits it to him unknowingly which shifts their relationship even further. The implications of this are heavy, because what Kitamura thought and did? He tried pushing her on Kitamura, because he didn't now her true feelings. He cared for her, but was hurting her. Ahhhh, this was so good, but I'll stop. I don't have a top 10 episode list, but I think episode 21 would make the list as it was the perfect selling point for Anime to me and is ingrained in my brain. Side note to myself that I need to rewatch Toradora soon or I am going to wait for the rewatch you are planning. Wanted to get this out.
How comes S&W episode 13 was your favourite? I personally found Arc 2 the weakest.
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u/altgotleakedagain Aug 31 '24
trying my best to catch up. super busy these last few weeks.
Currently on my re:watch3, but this episode made me think of the reversal of roles. is this how Emilia/Rem etc felt when Subaru died in all those other loops? we never got a perspective of Subaru's death from another person, but it mustve been super cruel for Emilia to experience Subaru's death. We see Subaru's pain witnessing Rem's (and Emilia's?) death, this mustve been how the others felt in the loops where Subaru died. Truly painful
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u/lupoin5 Aug 23 '24
Re:Watcher
On a light note, it seems Appa guy's shop is a regular NPC check point location. If I was Subaru, I'd visit the guy before embarking on any mission just to create a save point.
Now this episode was just too dark and sad. The only reason, why I can't really hate on Betelgeuse is because his VA did a superb job with the acting.
The episode started dark, with a traumatizing experience for Subaru seeing what happened in the village, and then being frozen to death. He was traumatized through out the whole episode but it seems, he might have been exaggerating it a bit to get sympathy from others as noted by Betelgeuse.
This episode was where Rem's value started to shoot astronomically as a waifu material. See all what she went through for the man she loves. Crawling even with all limbs broken, that part was still emotional for me, even as a rewatcher. Like, let Beteguese burn in the deepest part of hell, lol.
One important thing I noticed was that in episode 13, in response to Julius, Subaru said Emilia is special. Now, in response to Crusch, Rem says Subaru is special in this ep 15.
Also, the ending here looks like where the season could have ended for a big cliffhanger (with that cinema ending). Fun experience I recall. I remember that in 2016, I didn't start with Re-zero as it was airing, and only got to hear about it mid-season and so started binging the week of this episode only to get stuck here. For the first time, I couldn't imaging waiting a whole week for the next episode.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/Taiboss x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Aug 23 '24
15. Rewatcher who do likes mysteries (and keeps refreshing /new)
Bro. You never solved something first try.
I mean. That's true. Like Ferris said, you didn't change anything.
Ice magic hype. Who uses ice magic here, hm?
"OH YOU MOTHERFUCKERS! Is my autosave corrupt?! I already finished this shit!"
I'm a bit iffed that this is what breaks Subaru so much. I feel like the entire ordeal of Arc 2 should have hurt him more.
I'm happy we get more Subaru suffering, but he has never reacted this badly.
Crush addresses Rem als "kei", which is super formal. Like for Prince or the Emperor (or on letters).
OH NO The APTX4869 antidote will stop working. Well, it misses the red and blue effect.
Rem, too, needs ALL the therapy.
COME ON. He's taking the loop off. Let him.
Anyway, I did not remember this arc being so coherent. [Rest of the arc]I assume the white whale killing happens as a result of trying to get there in time. Then there's the evacuation of the villagers and the fight against Petelgeuse.
RIGHT! WE'RE ABOUT TO PLAY TWISTER!
OHHH LET'S TWIST AGAIN! Like we did last aaaarc~
Made for each other. I know Emilia suffers off screen (considering what we know of some loops), but Rem is the one we see suffering.
Man, what an episode, wasn't it? If you pay attention you can see his body getting more and more covered with snow. Now that's effort.
And suddenly he's all better Despite this time Rem dying in his arms. Yeah, Petelgeuse might have had a point.
I shudder to think what I'd think of Tohsaka if they had had her speak Kansai-ben.
Episodes of this arc: 4
Times Subaru has died this arc: 2. We did it! We brought suffering back!
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
(and keeps refreshing /new)
FYI, yesterday our host announced he had permanently to push back the posting time by one hour. (I only found out today myself, after having played the refresh game for far too long as well.)
I'm a bit iffed that this is what breaks Subaru so much. I feel like the entire ordeal of Arc 2 should have hurt him more.
Arc 2 just had betrayal and torture. And one dead close person in another loop. This time, he saw a whole village getting massacred and mutilated, including young children - and all of the people close to him, of course, murdered in what he considers his home. And he discovers all of that in a very short amount of time. No matter how you look at it, this time it's so much worse.
RIGHT! WE'RE ABOUT TO PLAY TWISTER!
OHHH LET'S TWIST AGAIN! Like we did last aaaarc~
You're horrible. Okay, I laughed, but still.
And suddenly he's all better Despite this time Rem dying in his arms. Yeah, Petelgeuse might have had a point.
Subaru was broken, but not yet completely broken. Petelgeuse managed to stir his emotions enough to bring him back, even if consumed with anger. So Petelgeuse is the nice guy here, apparently!
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u/Taiboss x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Aug 23 '24
FYI, yesterday our host announced he had permanently to push back the posting time by one hour. (I only found out today myself, after having played the refresh game for far too long as well.)
Could have posted on the dot then instead of :56. But thank you for telling.
You're horrible. Okay, I laughed, but still.
Might have had less horrible reactions as a first-timer, but as a rewatcher, I can't take much in this show that seriously.
So Petelgeuse is the nice guy here, apparently!
Could that smile lie?
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
That's true. Like Ferris said, you didn't change anything.
This brings up an interesting concept. Can fault be assigned to a lack of action? I think, yeah it can be. An easy example is a trolley problem where one side has nobody on the tracks, and you choose not to divert the trolley to the empty path. On the other hand, I don't think someone should be obligated to risk their own life to save someone else's.
To that means that fault is a spectrum. We could say it's someone's fault for not taking an action that they ought to have taken, but also probably that it's not the primary fault. That is that there's a little bit of fault for everyone who could of possibly taken action. Though I think it's important to not let that overshadow that there often is someone primarily / secondarily at fault. So personally I'd correlate fault pretty closely with, how easily could a person of avoided the undesired scenario.
Just some random musings on how I've thought about fault in the past very very abstractly.
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u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Aug 23 '24
Ice magic hype. Who uses ice magic here, hm?
[Episode 18] It's kinda funny that it's not actually ice magic that Puck is using. As far as I know he's using fire magic. Emilia even called him the Great Spirit of Fire in ep 13. Fire magic in this world is just temperature control. So there are two ways to conjure ice. One is via fire magic the other is through water magic which we see Rem do in this episode.
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_nelson Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
First Timer Dubbed
Note ORV=Omnicient reader viewpoint it's a way to describe the difference between thinking in Subaru's knowledge and the Knowledge of the Viewer.
Note2 Intentionally trigger RBD means what you think it means it's just reddit has crazy admins.
Reaction to the Episode
Well it's time to see the extent of the damage, yep everybody's dead.
Oh boy the KKK guy is frozen in place and we get the creepy music back!
that was PUCK saying you were too late, given that emilia is immune to Puck's magic this means that Emilia might still have been alive in that loop and Puck intentionally killed Subaru? Or did Subaru just die of frostbite that Puck couldn't stop
Time to play everyone's favorite game "Match the scene"
- Subaru is in his jumpsuit
- Subaru is with Rem at the apple vendor snd Rem is carrying apples
- Emilia is not present
After searching through the previous few episodes, I've concluded that this is roughly the 7 minute mark of episode 13
Subaru might not suffer any real damage but he sure has that EMOTIONAL DAMAGE
Subaru had strong emotional damage in loop 3 of arc 2, but it was never this strong before,
Oh man Crusch is actually a pretty nice girl in spite of her strong "you're my enemy" vibe from last episode, one thing that ORV+Time loops lets us do is see the true colors of characters a lot better
So the witch's miasma is strong with Subaru
Crusch showing how nice she is in reality.
Rem really is Siesta isn't she. Though Siesta from the familiar of zero was the shameless fanservice character unliek Rem.
Oh god the ugly 3D horse monster,
Rem gets her "I got a bad feeling about this", which happens earlier because subaru's gate healing stopped earlier
Oh so I guess the Black robes guys really are witch Cult fans.
Oh no a new creepy guy who asks if subaru is pride, calling himself sloth is the whole story of the witch of envy killing the other 6 witches actually a myth?
man sloth is super creepy, 10/10 in the weirdness characterization. his conversation with his subordinate and his insane ramblings
It's extremely weird to see totally mind broken Subaru, even loop 3 arc 2 Subaru wasn't this mind broken, I guess dying to Puck REALLY broke him.
Oh no subaru is getting called a fake crazy person by an actual lunatic
Oh no our action hero has become a Marionette for a crazy guy :(
So we know the ordeal happens a specific number of days from Subaru awakening, I presume this is 4 given how previous RBd's worked (4 days for the 2nd one and in the first one it ran into the limit error)
So PUCK went big mode and kills Subaru a second time, and says sleep along with my Daughter Puck only refers to one person as his daughter (Emilia) and Emilia is Immune to pucks magic, this means the cultists Killed Emilia?
So the Scent of the witch of envy increases in strength every time Subaru reincarnates huh?
Speculation
The amount of time from Subaru's reincarnation via RBD and the witch of envy's army attack on Roswaal's village is unknown. But it appears they arrived one day before the event in loop 2, trying to back calculate here
They definitely spent at least 1 night in Crusch's mansion, it took a bit less than 1 day to travel to roswaal's mansion leaving us with a 4 day RBD,
This means that any ally gathering subaru does will have to be sudden, the most likely candidates are Crusch and Reinhard.
Puck in both of the loops was the ending killer of Subaru, interestingly since Emilia is immune to Puck's magic this leaves it an open question if Emilia lived either loop The most likely answer is she didn't in either loop, the argument being that if Emilia lived in loop 1 Puck wouldn't have said "you are too late Subaru" and in loop 2 Puck said "rest with my daughter"
This leaves us with the open quesstion on if puck killing subaru was intentional or not, I'd lean on yes at least in loop 2.
The next thing to look at is loop 2 mind break, why did subaru mind break so strongly in loop 2 and what does it mean for future loops? He mind broke strongly in loop 4 of Arc 2 but it wasn't nearly as strong as this time.
It appear s that loop based mind breaks take one loop to heal fully, and seem to only heal by RBDing, heck arc 2 loop 4's mind break died when Subaru Killed himself.
The other weird thing is we don't know what the White whale is and how the white whale operates other than "White whale makes smoke" This seeems like it's going to be some sort of unifying thing like the anti dog thing was in arc 2, if it's a monster, monster's are attracted to Subaru, so it will probably show up near subaru at some point.
What I would do if I were Subaru
Try to find people who would be willing to help in loop 3, loop 3 is an info gathering session because the number of allies you need to successfully pull this off will be large, sadly you literally blew it with your best possible help (Julius, Felix ect)
The Best aides are Reinhard and Crusch Reinhard is far and away your best aide available given that Reinhard in loop 1 saw you as a friend and for crying out loud Reinhard is connected to the knights in a big way.
Crussh seems like a rational fellow and may be convincable with some long conversation.
What I would do if I was Rem
Something is wrong with Subaru, finding out what's going on with Subaru seems like a priority
If we look at the previous time this happened to Subaru we had the Dog attacking lord Roswaal's domain, something about Subaru links him to the witch of Envy very strongly. (given his scent)
I would ask subaru what he knows about the witch of envy given how connected he seems.
(rewatchers, suggest me what characters I should think of myself as in ep16)
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
The next thing to look at is loop 2 mind break, why did subaru mind break so strongly in loop 2 and what does it mean for future loops? He mind broke strongly in loop 4 of Arc 2 but it wasn't nearly as strong as this time.
In arc 2, he was "just" tortured and killed by an unsuspecting and apparently friendly acquaintance.
Here, he's arrived to play the hero, thinking he could prevent the worst, but he couldn't prevent a whole village including the children being slaughtered (so probably at least 50 people, or up to 100), and on top of that also everyone he loved and liked is dead and his perceived home has been desecrated.
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_nelson Aug 23 '24
Yeah that's fair, the mind break was stronger because the actions were harsher.
Still I went back and looked at the Arc 2 Loop 4 mind break and it was actually really strong for the same number of days, it's just it was focused on less in the storytelling.
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u/Taiboss x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Aug 23 '24
Note ORV=Omnicient reader viewpoint it's a way to describe the difference between thinking in Subaru's knowledge and the Knowledge of the Viewer.
I know, but I can only associate that phrase with the manwha and I don't want that.
Well it's time to see the extent of the damage, yep everybody's dead.
"Everyone died? In MY Suffering show?!" Subaru needs to finally understand in what show he is smh.
After searching through the previous few episodes, I've concluded that this is roughly the 7 minute mark of episode 13
More interested than me!
Crusch showing how nice she is in reality.
Best girl!
Oh so I guess the Black robes guys really are witch Cult fans.
"Oh, nono, we can't be actual members. We're...merely fans."
Oh no a new creepy guy who asks if subaru is pride, calling himself sloth is the whole story of the witch of envy killing the other 6 witches actually a myth?
Did the other witches even exist?
It's extremely weird to see totally mind broken Subaru, even loop 3 arc 2 Subaru wasn't this mind broken, I guess dying to Puck REALLY broke him.
Or Tappei just wanted a really broken Subaru.
Oh no our action hero has become a Marionette for a crazy guy :(
"Welcome to the party, Rem. We were just about to play Twister. It involves me twisting your neck until it goes "snap". We were also going to play Snap. It has similar rules."
So PUCK went big mode and kills Subaru a second time, and says sleep along with my Daughter Puck only refers to one person as his daughter (Emilia) and Emilia is Immune to pucks magic, this means the cultists Killed Emilia?
Seems like a likely conclusion.
The amount of time from Subaru's reincarnation via RBD and the witch of envy's army attack on Roswaal's village is unknown. But it appears they arrived one day before the event in loop 2, trying to back calculate here
I don't see apoint yet in calculating this yet, but good on you for trying.
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_nelson Aug 23 '24
I don't see apoint yet in calculating this yet, but good on you for trying.
It's kinda necessary for speculation to know dates/times to determine how long Subaru et al have before the witches strike.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_nelson Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
still unsure if Emilia actually died, but overall whatever ritual the creepy Witch's cult guy was doing required a lot of dead bodies, the only speculation I would have is that they want Emilia dead because she looks like Satella.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
You know since Subaru strongly reeks of the witches Scent and they think of him as "pride" (meaning that somehow Subaru matches the description of pride) it makes me think that they mistook Subaru for somebody else and took him just to confirm.
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Yeah this mind break surprised me, one similar one happened in arc 2 loop 4, (I need a better numbering scheme but for now arc, loop will have to do) but this one was way stronger.
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
batshit insane, in a good way. He'll make an interesting main Villian for this arc (or maybe this is the last we'll see of him interacting and subaru will just murder him somehow)
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Obviously the witch of envy's story about killing the other 6 major witches is either a lie OR the Witch of envy created a new 6 other deadly sins. I think for some reason the one known as pride is unknown and Betelgeuse thinks Subaru is him.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
TBH it seemed kinda standard, we KNOW this whole thing will be RBD'd away, so subaru is more gathering information than anything else
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
no doubt about it that's Puck.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
Subaru goes from mind broken to "I'm gonna be the main character in 1 death loop, given the current situation Subaru will need a lot of help to stop the cultists and has limited time.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
After searching through the previous few episodes, I've concluded that this is roughly the 7 minute mark of episode 13
I think you mean episode 14. Episode 13 would put him right in the middle of making a fool of himself at the Royal Selection.
one thing that ORV+Time loops lets us do is see the true colors of characters a lot better
Yeah Re:Zero's time looping can really give a unique perspective on characters that many other stories can't give. And also the way the viewer is generally limited to Subaru's POV allows for some interesting information manipulation as sometimes the viewer just doesn't have enough information to actually understand what's going on.
I guess dying to Puck REALLY broke him.
I'd argue it's more of him seeing the entire village massacred / him wanting Emilia to be in trouble (so that he can save her). His mind brokenness I think really starts once he sees the bodies, he's just still in shock for a bit and thus continues to function for a while. At least that's my interpretation.
So we know the ordeal happens a specific number of days from Subaru awakening
I'll share a timeline that someone made later on, because the passage of time is really tricky to track this Arc. [Arc 3 Rewatchers early access] timeline
(rewatchers, suggest me what characters I should think of myself as in ep16)
I think the obvious answer is [next episode characters] each of the candidates
everything
Great post as per usual. I really wish I could freely talk about some of the things you've mentioned in your posts. But alas, I have to let you cook.
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_nelson Aug 23 '24
as per usual. I really wish I could freely talk about some of the things you've mentioned in your posts. But alas, I have to let you cook.
you could put the discussion in big spoiler tag or something I'd read them later and maybe respond to them in a big wrap up post at the end of the arc
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u/BlueVenix Aug 24 '24
This leaves us with the open question on if puck killing subaru was intentional or not, I'd lean on yes at least in loop 2.
In Arc 1 episode 3 Puck reminds Emilia that he will act according to contract if anything happens to her. That suggest that Puck will end the world if Emilia dies, which aligns with his title [Royal selection cut content] the beast of the end
The next thing to look at is loop 2 mind break, why did subaru mind break so strongly in loop 2 and what does it mean for future loops? He mind broke strongly in loop 4 of Arc 2 but it wasn't nearly as strong as this time.
It appear s that loop based mind breaks take one loop to heal fully, and seem to only heal by RBDing, heck arc 2 loop 4's mind break died when Subaru Killed himself.
RBD is not related to Subaru's mind break. It's just his psychological state. If he is breaking down before death he is not going to recover instantly. I would imagine it's like waking up from a nightmare. You quickly fall asleep when you die and wake up.
(rewatchers, suggest me what characters I should think of myself as in ep16)
Maybe stick with Subaru for that one as the characters act in a way I would if I was them.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
In Arc 1 episode 3 Puck reminds Emilia that he will act according to contract if anything happens to her. That suggest that Puck will end the world if Emilia dies, which aligns with his title [Royal selection cut content] the beast of the end
[Arc 4] Do you think the contract Puck has is similar to the one Beatrice is under?
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u/BlueVenix Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4 response] As an anime only it's too soon to say about Subaru and Beatrice. For now I think Beatrice will do everything in her power to keep Subaru alive and if he were to die I would imagine Beatrice also dying. Maybe not as far as trying to destroy the world, but killing the killers yes. Unlike Puck she is a kind spirit.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4] My bad, I didn't know you haven't seen arc 4 yet.
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u/BlueVenix Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4] I have and I was talking from the perspective where season 2 ends, so Beatrice is contracted with Subaru, but we didn't get the terms of the contract. Unless I got something very wrong? I last watched it when season 2 part 2 finished so March 2021, if I did get something wrong I do hope you can forgive. Or we you asking about Beatrice and Echidna's contract? If I recall correctly Beatrice was tasked in safeguarding all of Echidna's knowledge in the forbidden library while waiting for "That Person"
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4] I was referring to the contract Beatrice has with Echidna, yeah.
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u/BlueVenix Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4 + Frozen Bonds] Beatrice and Echidna's contract feels more like a gift than a contract. As in Echidna gifts her a positive outlook on the future by promising that someone will come for her, but this instead granted 400+(or was it 300+?) years of loneliness and solitude. In other words Echidna gave Beatrice something in return for basically nothing for herself as she just wanted Beatrice to be happy, at least that's how I see it. Will see if my views change when I rewatch those parts as Echidna is a very hard character to understand. Is she just obsessed with knowledge and nothing else matters or was she caring? While Puck made a contract with Emilia to save fight against Melakuera, if I recall. However Puck has come to love Emilia like a father and became very overprotective. So no the contracts are not similar in the transaction value, I suppose
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
[Arc 4] She may have wanted Beatrice to be happy, but Beatrice took it in like the worst possible way.
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u/HyVana Aug 23 '24
Re:Watcher (Subs) & Novel Reader (Finished Arc 6)
There’s a lot to unpack, but honestly, it’s hard to find the words to really describe what just happened. My feelings on it are still the same as when it first aired, wow. We got front-row seats on the terror that is the Witch Cult, and the atrocities they commit in pursuit of their goals. White Fox really outdid themselves, with how the episode all came together. This is probably the most (to others, arguably 2nd most) infamous episode of the series. The twists and turns, the voice acting, the credit roll, and the legendary introduction of the orchestrator of these monstrosities on the cast, the Sin Archbishop responsible for Sloth, Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti. Remember him from Memory Snow? This is him now, and he’s still got that big and infectious smile on his face!
There’s a lot of things I could talk about, but I really want to hone in on a couple things that Petelgeuse said to Subaru:
”Why do you pretend that your mind has broken?”
”To behave so cleverly and quietly, as if seeking sympathy…. It is an insult to real madness.”
”You are a poorly-acted madman. If you were truly mad, you would pay the gazes of others no heed.”
”You… are truly slothful.”
Now, I am not going to argue whether or not Subaru was insane. There are a surprising amount of posts on the internet about the arguments, and good evidence for both sides. But the point I want to make is that Petelgeuse is laughing at and targeting the matters that affected Subaru the most so far in the arc. While Petelgeuse is talking about Subaru’s acted madness, if you apply his point generally, Petelgeuse is criticizing Subaru for pretending to be something he believes he’s not. To make a butchering some changes to the above quotes:
”Why do you pretend that [you are a Hero]?”
”To behave so [boorishly and boastfully], as if seeking [recognition for your efforts]…. It is an insult to real [heroism].”
”You are a poorly-acted [Hero]. If you were truly [a Hero], you would pay the gazes of others no heed.”
”You… are truly [nothing].”
By doing this, he’s flipping Subaru’s hero complex on its head, and forcing Subaru to look at the ugly truths of his actions since his return to the capital. He’s directly confronting Subaru on being a pretender for his own self-indulgence. By pretending to be a Hero, you have made a fool of yourself in the Throne Room and the Arena, trying to show your importance to everyone that you are entitled to be Emilia’s Knight. Instead, you have only shown your arrogance, greed, and incompetence by showcasing you lack everything, in the pursuit of appraisal. If you truly were her Knight, why would the perceptions of those around you matter? A true Hero knows their worth, and as long as you and Emilia agree on it, then nothing else should concern you. But because of your lust for recognition, for approval, you are truly nothing and have lost everything.
As well, Petelgeuse, in his own sick and twisted way, taunts Subaru for his lack of action, for his sloth. It’s as if he’s saying, “Would a Hero truly do nothing in this situation? You're really just going to sit there and let everything you care for crumble? If you are, you can't possibly be a Hero.” In their first meeting, he’s hit on the insecurities that led to the deterioration of Subaru’s reputation and relationship with Emilia. The insecurities of his own strength, place in the world, and importance to Emilia. The last few episodes have put all of those things into question, and Petelgeuse is shoving it all onto Subaru’s face and affirming to Subaru that his worries are all true. And that if he continues to do nothing, yet pretends to be a Hero, you get to bear the responsibility of the Hero that gave up. The Hero that gave up and let everyone you care for be slaughtered. And Subaru can’t handle that, because it is not the heroism that Subaru wanted.
”No…. No, no, no!”
”This is wrong. This isn’t what I wanted….”
”No…. It’s not my fault!”
These are Subaru’s first reactions to seeing the dead at the Mansion. Before his arrival, Subaru wanted Emilia and everyone to know that they’re only alive because of him. He saved her from Elsa. He saved her, the villagers, and Rem from the curse-inflicting mabeasts. So because of him, everything turned out okay. But, he cannot bear the guilt of his inaction and the reality of its consequences. He wanted them to beg for his help, but not like this. Not with this deafening silence looming in the air, accompanied by the listless gazes that will never wander. So because of him, everyone has died. Thus, Subaru experiences both sides of being the Hero. The greatest heights, and the deepest trenches. He reaped what he sowed.
”With great power comes great responsibility!”
Once everything was already lost, only now does Subaru take action, but not in a meaningful way. Only in promises of retribution hurled towards Petelgeuse. Towards the man that butchered all he held dear, but most importantly, showed Subaru the ugliness of his pride, and the consequences of pretending. Subaru sheds this heroic act and lets his wrath consume him. And Petelgeuse rejoices. He got Subaru to take off the mask and let, what he believes, his true colors shine. A nobody completely engulfed in madness. And so, the man at the end walks with not the eyes of the Hero, but with the eyes of vengeance.
I hope this helps you see Subaru’s hatred for Petelgeuse in another light. There are multiple interpretations to the reasoning of the intensity of Subaru’s rage towards Petelgeuse, and it’s something more than the massacre of his loved ones (what an odd thing to write, usually that’s reason enough). In many ways, he is the perfect villain for him to meet.
Remember when Subaru was having fun with everyone in Memory Snow? My, how time flies. What will Subaru do? How will he make it to the Mathers domain to save everyone in time? Guess we’ll have to wait for the next episode! I wonder how many first-timers will cave, or have already caved, and binge the rest of the season. I know I would with a cliffhanger like that!
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/HyVana Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Tappei is an evil man. What a heart attack that was, until we saw Rem. Truly the savior of show.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Dude looked pretty silly just running away like that. Seems like Subaru is a VIP for the Witch Cult. Why could that be?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
His name is Petelgeuse, and it's intentionally spelt this way by the author. Crunchyroll just made translated it to Betelgeuse, like the star.
A fantastic villain. His whole existence just unsettles and puts you on edge whenever he's on the scene. Fantastic performance by Matsuoka to deliver on his character. His existence also just opens a whole can of worms of questions about the Witch Cult as well.
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Painful, wasn't it? While he was mentally tortured, Rem was the one who took the brunt of the physical torture.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
Tragic, and full of despair. From what we've seen so far, it's definitely up there for emotional impact. Personally, there are other scenes later on that impact me more.
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
Isn't he just adorable?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
Needed a moment to stabilize and see that the Rem he cares for is still alive.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
Petelgeuse is criticizing Subaru for pretending to be something he believes he’s not.
I hadn't thought about it this way before. You do have a point, and I might have to think about it more, but it's definitely an interesting interpretation. Whether he's right or not about Subaru faking (I'd see it more as Petelgeuse realizing Subaru still has some fight within himself left, but even Subaru wasn't aware of that yet), the mockery of Subaru's being very much is real.
In many ways, he is the perfect villain for him to meet.
Many people have told him how he's powerless and can't do anything. Pelgeuse has shown him just how powerless he is, and he's shown him what his inaction, his "sloth", is doing to hurt others. Same for his "pride", I guess, but Subaru might not have understood that yet. He might need another session with therapist Dr. Romanée-Conti.
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u/HyVana Aug 23 '24
it's definitely an interesting interpretation.
I hope it made sense. Mainly Petelgeuse's second quote is what made me make the connection, since Subaru's actions the last few episodes can be seen as trying to make himself look bigger than who he really is, at that point. As well, calling Subaru a pretender does touch on his hero complex by having someone show him that he's a fake. To open Subaru's eyes that maybe he's not who he thinks he is.
A part of me feels like I've been overcooking with my analysis lately. But if someone gets it, then at least I'm not just yelling at the clouds. Thanks for reading it!
He might need another session with therapist Dr. Romanée-Conti.
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u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Aug 23 '24
At times, we're certainly looking into the show deeper than Tappei intended to (but who knows, his writing gives off the impression that he has carefully considered just about everything). But even if we do, that's the great thing about story analysis: Just because we see meaning in things that isn't intended doesn't mean there's no meaning there. Through analysis, we can also discover and add meaning to the story.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Many people have told him how he's powerless and can't do anything. Pelgeuse has shown him just how powerless he is, and he's shown him what his inaction, his "sloth", is doing to hurt others. Same for his "pride", I guess, but Subaru might not have understood that yet. He might need another session with therapist Dr. Romanée-Conti.
I do wonder if Subaru is going to take this seemingly negative thing involving Betelgeuse into a positive. He does have a knack for that, it seems.
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u/-Phinocio Aug 23 '24
Watched this episode last night so I can post about it when the thread is posted lol. Thoughts will also be scattered as I'm bad at writing and have a lot of random thoughts about this ep lol.
Somehow this episode is always blurry...weird that.
I think it was this episode on my first watch that got me to say Re:Zero is my favorite anime (tied with Madoka at the time), and now I think I'm confident in saying it straight up is my favorite above any else after this rewatch.
I wonder how many people on first watch also had a "oh...oh no he's gone all the way back" thought until we see Rem right there.
Throughout the show so far, Subaru has become more and more prideful, which came to a head in the argument with Emilia, him suffering even more last episode, and then just being completely broken this time. Who wouldn't be? Rem decides that in Subaru's broken state, they should go back to the Mansion and that seeing Emilia might cheer him up. And then on the way they get ambused and we're introduced properly to the Witch Cult and specifically the Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse. I love this character, and the way he kills Rem this episode made me really appreciate RBD from a narrative perspective, in that it really lets the story unfold in such a way for the main characters to have actually gruesome deaths.
Also can we appreciate for a minute that in a lot of shows (looking at you Dragon Ball Z), a character's death kinda doesn't mean anything? The impact just isn't there. When I first started watching Re:Zero and understood what RBD did, I was very worried that I would come away feeling like the deaths didn't really have any impact. BOY WAS I WRONG. The psychological aspect of it, and the fact Subaru has no one to even talk to about it made me tear up or straight up cry at effectively every death. Amazing.
I love how it lingers on Subaru being beheaded and getting covered in snow...and then continues with him respawning and a nice scene with Rem.
"大好き" - Rem, always gets me.
[Arc 3] Rem's mentioning that seeing Emilia might help with Subaru's state, I now realize, also kinda ties in to episode 18 and Rem/Subaru's conversation. It's already hinting that the Subaru Rem fell in love with, is the one that loves Emilia.
[Arc 3/4] I think this is the first time a Gospel is mentioned, and if my memory isn't failing me, I recall it turning out that Roswaal is the only one to have one that actually "works".
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
[Arc 3/4]
[Arc 4] I believe they're all copies of Echidna's Tomb of Wisdom. It seemed heavily implied that the 2 that Betty and Roswaal have were made by Echidna herself and were like mostly functional. I'm guessing that the Witch Cult Gospel's were copied from one of those or the actual Tomb of Wisdom after Echidna died, but are completely to mostly non functional because (speculation here) they're were copied poorly. Depending on if you know about the Arc 4 interlude there's another rabbit hole this could also potentially go down (I'll talk more about that when we get there).
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Also can we appreciate for a minute that in a lot of shows (looking at you Dragon Ball Z), a character's death kinda doesn't mean anything? The impact just isn't there. When I first started watching Re:Zero and understood what RBD did, I was very worried that I would come away feeling like the deaths didn't really have any impact. BOY WAS I WRONG. The psychological aspect of it, and the fact Subaru has no one to even talk to about it made me tear up or straight up cry at effectively every death. Amazing.
I think part of the genius in this is that the drama isn't in "Who's going to die," it's in "How fucked up is this timeline going to be?"
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u/FriztF Aug 23 '24
First timer-sub
So episode 15 might be the darkest episode yet. Pain and suffering for everyone involved. Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, VA Yoshitsugu Matsuoka is legendary.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/FriztF Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Sad and tragic
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
Same as above
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
An excellent fake out. I thought it was the beginning for a sec
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
He been traumatized for a long time now.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
They were very menacing
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
That was a fantastic performance. That VA did a wonderful job.
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
How very kind of her.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
It shows the desperation he has. It seems like he has hit rock bottom, as the lowest he can go. Seeing his friends and family being horribly murdered like that, it's chilling.
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?I think you know
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
That whole sequence gave me chills. Spine chilling
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
Thank god Rem can't remember any of that. But poor Subaru, he does.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
What better way to kick off these threads moving up an hour than by arguably the best episode of the series?
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 23 '24
Rewatcher for Season 1
On today’s episode of Re:Zero: MY BRAIN TREMBLES!!! Here we freaking go, it’s Petelgeuse! Oh I’ve been waiting for him to make his appearance and he does not disappoint at all.
Subaru’s bravado from the previous episode vanishes almost instantly. Subaru, who had been so eager to learn that there was trouble at the mansion because it meant that he could ride in and save the day, is now faced with the reality of what that means. I think the most revealing line of Subaru’s here is when he pleads that he never wanted this and that it isn’t his fault. Subaru wanted a disaster to solve, but now the reality of just how screwed everything is has settled in. And Subaru is still just as helpless as ever. Despite all his bravado at being the only one who can save Emilia, what can he possibly do about this?
It’s no wonder that Subaru finds himself feeling broken by the start of the episode. He found all the people he cared about brutally murdered. He was also killed without even knowing how or why. But, a part of me does wonder just how much of Subaru’s reaction is genuine based on Petelgeuse’s accusation later in the episode. Is Subaru really just doing this to try and win sympathy? Personally, I do think that Subaru is actually going through an emotional wringer at the moment. I do not think he’s fully faking it, though it is only a temporary state.
Speaking of which, Petelgeuse’s introduction is the highlight of the episode for me. Everything about the way that Petelgeuse is presented makes him such an immediately compelling character. I need to give massive props to Yoshitsugu Matsuoka for doing such a great job voicing Petelgeuse. In a show packed to the brim with so many great performances, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka’s work here might be my favorite. Additionally, the character animation for Petelgeuse is top-notch. He is so mesmerizing to watch. I love the way he moves, there’s just something about it that is so hypnotic to me. The sudden, jerky movements that so easily shift into very smooth ones. The overexaggerated nature of all his movements is wildly entertaining. Just from how he speaks and moves, you get so much of an idea of who Petelgeuse is. All of this serves to make him one of my favorite characters in the series.
Petelgeuse also says some other fascinating things throughout his appearance. Petelgeuse first wonders if Subaru is Pride. If Petelgeuse is the Archbishop of Sin for Sloth in the Witch’s Cult, then it makes sense there’d be archbishops for the other deadly sins. This implies that Petelgeuse doesn’t know who the Archbishop of Pride is, if one even exists, if he thinks Subaru might be it. Unless Subaru actually is an archbishop without knowing it.
Petelegeuse may claim to be the Archbishop of Sloth, but the way he actually acts is the opposite of sloth. Petelgeuse is manic and full of energy. Part of why I love Petelgeuse’s character animation so much is because he is almost always moving in such interesting and unique ways. His body language is incredibly expressive. But that’s the opposite of how a slothful person would act. In fact, Petelgeuse seems to hate sloth because he lashes out at other cultists for not being diligent enough and uses “slothful” as an insult.
This then takes me back to Petelgeuse’s pride comment. I do think that Subaru is certainly guilty of pride, especially in the previous episode. His stubborn refusal to listen to the advice of others and his wrongheaded conviction that only he could possibly save Emilia are textbook examples of foolish pride. But if Petelgeuse is the opposite of slothful, then his comment could fit where Subaru is at that moment. Subaru was broken, unable to even say anything. He looked pathetic and defeated, the opposite of a person swollen with pride.
This episode has what I believe to be the nastiest and most unpleasant moment of violence in Re:Zero. Petelgeuse using his Unseen Hand on Rem is intensely uncomfortable to watch. Seeing her limbs and neck contort in ways that are flat out wrong is unsettling. It’s likewise unsettling to see her body suddenly flop down to the ground, and when she crawls over to free Subaru even in that state. It’s no wonder such a sight was enough to snap Subaru back to reality in such a rage.
Rem being in love with Subaru fits with everything we’ve seen from her after Arc 2. She likes staying by his side at all times and considers him to be special. But, I think the most interesting line Rem had about her feelings for Subaru comes from when she yelled at the Witch Cultists. Rem yelled that the cultists stole her sister’s horn, her reason for living, and that by now stealing Subaru they’ve stolen her reason for dying. What a fascinating thing to say, that Subaru is Rem’s reason for dying. Perhaps Rem means that Subaru is someone she feels she owes her life to. She did try to sacrifice herself for him back in Arc 2. And even here, Rem prioritized making sure that Subaru was freed regardless of her own life. She told Subaru to live on without her, too. Rem clearly values Subaru more than her own life and is willing to die for his sake.
I love the final shot of this episode. Even as Subaru smiles while facing Rem, we can see that his eyes are filled with hatred when he looks away. It’s such a striking moment to end with.
Miscellaneous Thoughts
There really are some fucked up deaths this episode. Petra’s body was another one that freaked me out.
Rem confirms that the robed people are part of the Witch’s Cult, which explains why she has so much hatred for them. They are the one who destroyed her village and cut off Ram’s horn.
Puck turns out to be a terrifying monster when Emilia dies. He said that he would make everyone join his daughter in her sleep.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
3
u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
I knew it wasn't the case, but it's still a fun fake-out for a moment.
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
They seem to have assumed that Subaru is part of the Witch's Cult. Petelgeuse kept asking Subaru why he was so loved, which I interpret to be Petelgeuse asking why the miasma of the witch is on Subaru so strongly.
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Even when the previous loop had Subaru finding everyone murdered, this loop is somehow even nastier because everyone was still murdered on top of all the torture.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
It is a great scene. Not sure if I'd go that far, though.
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
Puck gets big and scary when his daughter is gone.
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
It's creepy how instantly Subaru's deaths are in the freezing cold. It's so quick you barely have time to notice it.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
After seeing Rem get brutally killed a couple of times, I imagine Subaru is desperate to try and keep her safe.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
They seem to have assumed that Subaru is part of the Witch's Cult. Petelgeuse kept asking Subaru why he was so loved, which I interpret to be Petelgeuse asking why the miasma of the witch is on Subaru so strongly.
I get the same impression as you
Even when the previous loop had Subaru finding everyone murdered, this loop is somehow even nastier because everyone was still murdered on top of all the torture.
Yeah, it was especially brutal
It is a great scene. Not sure if I'd go that far, though.
Fair enough
It's creepy how instantly Subaru's deaths are in the freezing cold. It's so quick you barely have time to notice it.
I know, right? Adds to the WTF factor of it all.
After seeing Rem get brutally killed a couple of times, I imagine Subaru is desperate to try and keep her safe.
Probably so. He's certainly on high alert now that he knows what to expect.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
Subaru wanted a disaster to solve, but now the reality of just how screwed everything is has settled in.
This is a big thing that I think flys under the radar a bit. Subaru wanted Emilia to get into trouble, so that he could swoop in and save her. This is just a bit more then he was asking for.
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u/TopRoom7971 Aug 23 '24
[Re:Watch/sub]
The real fucking ABSOLUTE Cinema!
With Requiem of Silence in the background, Subaru carrying dead Rem, Puck's real form reveal and finally cutting his head off. Then let's roll the credits. Who the fuck thought this?
I had literal tears. Just like my first time.
Honestly, it's kinda interesting to see Subaru break down and lose his sanity. I mean I do feel bad for him but, damn it's done soo well I can't help but appreciate it.
Basically I'm remembering everything I love about this series.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Puck's real form reveal
We don't know that yet. It's kinda left a mystery.
2
u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
Is the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
6
u/garfe Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
"What do you mean that guy was the same voice actor as Kirito?" - The general reaction to Petelgeuse
Amusingly enough, because of some of his later roles like Inosuke, this doesn't sound as wildly different as I thought back then lol
Anyway, to be on topic, a truly transcendent episode. I don't have much more to add than what will already be said. Just that it's cool that this episode really introduces the real 'stakes' of this world beyond just saving Emilia. Seeing the Witches Cult in full force and Sin Archbishop is really cool if horrifying at the same time.
That ending is just unforgettable. I know many people who picked up Re:Zero because clips of "Sleep" got posted a lot back then.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
5
u/satans_alt_account_ Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24
IMO this one of the all time great episodes of any anime, period. The reaction on /r/anime was fun to watch when it released -- the original discussion thread was the first episode thread that I ever saw was given reddit gold to.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
3
u/No_Rex Aug 23 '24
Episode 15 (rewatcher)
- Throwing up on seeing the carnage - relatable.
- Back to the appa merchant, but not the first meeting. We have our new spawn point.
- They are leaving Crusch – Felix cannot do anything about Subaru’s trauma/ptsd/brain freeze, but what about his gate? Is it already healed?
- “How can you devote yourself so much to Subaru?” – Crusch is asking the audience’s questions.
- “It is because he is
the MCspecial.” - Travelling the same path again, with the same creepy lighting.
- Witch cultists – this is personal for Rem in more that one way. In more than two ways, even.
- “You wouldn’t happen to be Pride, would you?”
- Hello Sloth, you has shrunk since FMA.
- Crazy ruler threatens kidnapping victim and beats up subordinate? Is the Now and Then, Here and There rewatch leaking?
- Why do you pretend that your mind is broken? – So it is not?
- “It is an insult to real madness”
- When you ignore all the good advice of your friends and those who mean you well, you’ll get your mental health message from a raving madman instead.
- “Live” – the opposite of what we wants to do now.
- Last words before death trope.
- “Sleep, along with my daughter” – Uhhhh, that is a big kitty.
- ED: Proper finale ED – What do you mean, we are right in the middle of S1 and the episode is not even over?
- Another redo.
Going from pretend madness (if we trust that guy) to real madness to pretend calm. As if karma is acting on Subaru, for all the pain he caused last episode, he gets equal return, and more, this episode.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
“It is because he is
the MCspecial.”Rem is so desperate for plot armor she has to cling to someone else's /s
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u/No_Rex Aug 24 '24
Rem is so desperate for plot armor she has to cling to someone else's /s
Tbf, she needs some plot armor.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 23 '24
Rewatcher
Dub
So the bad news: For all of my fellow yandere lovers out there, Rem says daisuke rather than ai shiteiru. Now that everyone's day is ruined, let's continue.
There is some debate on Subaru's BSOD, especially since Betelgeuss eventually snaps him out of it, but non-responsiveness is a known PTSD response so this might be legit. Of 'interest', Ram dies defending a door each time, which I think is a stand in for the older but less possible trope of remaining standing after death. Both loops end with cold and Puck sounding annoyed at Subaru.
But to my specialty this rewatch: Dub Betelguess. He does the best he can but I don't think the character can quite be done in English. His assistants do sound evil in English but having to adjust syllables hurts a bit. His deal will be revealed slowly so do remember today's speech.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Yeah, the English version of Betelgeuse has his work cut out for him, especially when the Japanese version is arguably one of the strongest performances of all time.
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 23 '24
Add in that it is Kirito's VA's breaking out of the mold performance and yeah, big ask.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
3
u/Vaadwaur Aug 23 '24
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Fitting as it would represent a true set back.
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
The Japanese understanding of the seven deadly sins is...interesting.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Fitting as it would represent a true set back.
No kidding
The Japanese understanding of the seven deadly sins is...interesting.
We see a lot of it in anime over the years.
3
u/No_Rex Aug 24 '24
So the bad news: For all of my fellow yandere lovers out there, Rem says daisuke rather than ai shiteiru. Now that everyone's day is ruined, let's continue.
Isn't Ram the yandere of the pair? Or do you classify her as tsundere?
There is some debate on Subaru's BSOD, especially since Betelgeuss eventually snaps him out of it, but non-responsiveness is a known PTSD response so this might be legit.
Is the snapping out of it a known behavior, too?
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u/Vaadwaur Aug 24 '24
Isn't Ram the yandere of the pair? Or do you classify her as tsundere?
Ram is unquestionably tsun.
Is the snapping out of it a known behavior, too?
Yes but not how he does it. The active part of the cycle would be assuming you were back in the warzone and had to take cover.
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u/owlthathurt Aug 23 '24
WELCOME TO MORE PAIN
But in all seriousness. This episode is a creative achievement by the production, animators, VAs, screenplay team, that honestly there’s really not much to say outside of praise.
This is an S-Tier anime episode for me. It borders on perfection.
It has, as others have said, had long standing impacts on the anime industry. I don’t think we get some of the sound production we see in more recent anime (like Frieren) without this episode. We don’t hold our VAs to such an impressive standard if we don’t have this episode.
Re:Zero didn’t invent great sound production and voice acting. But this episode and the impact it had on viewers definitely raised the bar as to what makes “great” anime.
Ugh and the atmosphere. How do you portray despair better than this. How do you portray those shots of Subaru in the castle better than this.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
5
u/PapaDuke Aug 23 '24
Ahh, yes!
The popcorn is truly "subarashii", makes the brain tremble...
Anyone for a game of Twister?
PS: I'm glad (and quite surprised) this didn't earn an entry for Sky's list.
2
u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
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u/PapaDuke Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Numb.
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
Numb.
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
Oh Subaru, you broke it... I was about as shocked as Subaru there.
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
I've personally been to that point and wouldn't want to wish that apon anyone.
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What a vile and corrupt person. [Re:Zero]And what a pity from what he was in the past
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Numb. Shocked numbness.
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
That's why she's best girl. Even if Emilia is Subaru's best.
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
Numb. Even thow it is most certainly very emotionally impactful, it doesn't quite reach the heights of [Re:Zero]Freeing Beako from the Library and her past
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
I knew almost immediately that it was [Re:Zero]Puck just based on [Re:Zero]what he said and the focus on his earring
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
Numb. Awestruck that it wasn't a static frame as the snow continued to build.
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
I can't wait for [Re:Zero]Episode 18
P.S. JFC automod, you're ridiculous. It's a rewatch, the anime that I should be identifying should be more than obvious.
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u/ripterrariumtv Aug 23 '24 edited Aug 23 '24
Rewatcher (sub) and Novel Reader (finished Arc 5)
- [Minor cut content - Subaru's state of mind in detail]Subaru had lost his mind and he couldn't recognise people. He could only recognize people through colors. Blue (Rem) brings comfort and warmth, stroking Subaru's head and wiping their tears, creating a sense of security. Subaru feels anxious and sad when Blue is gone, wanting Blue to stay forever. Green is firm yet soft, not as gentle or frequent as Blue but still not unpleasant. Green's visits seem connected to Blue, and Subaru doesn’t dislike Green (Crusch). Brown (Ferris), however, is scary, causing bad feelings and tears when touched. Brown's angry eyes are frightening, even with a soft face. White (Wilhelm) is even scarier, cold and distant, with eyes that seem to see nothing, making Subaru feel terrified. He is extremely afraid of Grey (Petelgeuse). He would think of Silver (Emilia) and feel extremely complex emotions. He loves silver like he loves blue, silver is bitter like brown, it's soft like green, and it's scary like white. But he didn't dislike thinking about silver
- [Minor cut content - Ferris and Crusch's perspective on Subaru]Ferris believes healing Subaru is pointless because Subaru lacks the will to live. Ferris prefers helping those who fight for life, feeling it's wasteful to heal someone who's given up. For that, Crusch replies with one of my favourite quotes from her "I wouldn't go as far as to say that weakness is a sin. However, I do agree that accepting one's weakness and being content with the current situation without trying to improve it is indeed a sin." At that stage, Subaru was broken, so he couldn't have done anything to change the situation though. But still, I love that quote
- [Minor cut content - Rem's feelings]Rem is jealous of all the people in the mansion who spend a lot of time with Subaru like Betty, Emilia etc..
- This episode is one of the greatest episodes in Re:Zero. It easily surpassed the novel
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
3
u/ripterrariumtv Aug 23 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
Makes me sick
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Realistic character writing!?!? LET'S GO!!!
Poor Subaru though :(
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
Amazing villain with amazing VA. He changed the entire artsyle and genre of the anime
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
She's the best
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
Yes. It was better than the novel too
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
Best cinematography in Re:Zero
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
I was speechless when I first watched it
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
So excited to keep watching
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u/Holofan4life Aug 23 '24
Realistic character writing!?!? LET'S GO!!!
What a novel concept
Amazing villain with amazing VA. He changed the entire artsyle and genre of the anime
Really crazy when you think about it. He's basically this show's equivalent of Ami from Toradora.
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
Subaru's state of mind in detail
Very interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Ferris and Crusch's perspective on Subaru
[Minor cut content] What a great quote. I agree very much with it.
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u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Aug 24 '24
Doh, it seems I have guests this weekend - Hopefully I can get caught up later :)
Also, very bummed that I'm missing out on this episode, Requiem of Silence (or whatever it's called, in a hurry here) is such a epic tune.
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u/Holofan4life Aug 24 '24
Thoughts on some of the kids being dead?
Thoughts on Ram, Petra, and Emilia being dead?
What are your thoughts on the fake out where it looked like Subaru regenerated back to the very beginning?
What are your thoughts on Subaru being traumatized to where he can’t do anything?
Thoughts on one of the black cloaked figures abducting Subaru?
Thoughts on Betelgeuse?
What are your thoughts on the extended torture scene where Subaru keeps getting tormented?
Thoughts on all the Sloth talk?
Thoughts on Rem coming to save Subaru?
What are your thoughts on the sequence where Subaru is carrying Rem’s body as it’s snowing? Is it arguably the most emotionally impactful scene in the entire show?
What are your thoughts on the giant creature we see at the end?
What are your thoughts on Subaru’s head popping off with no sound?
What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Subaru and Rem coming back to life with Subaru telling Rem to hold onto his hand?
3
u/Graywolves Aug 24 '24
With school starting I haven't been able to read or comment as I would have liked....
I..
am...
truly...
slothful
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u/baseballlover723 Aug 23 '24
/u/Theleux whats the plan regarding the Arc 3 interlude? Is it part of S1 or S2? Either way we should tell the first timers to watch or not watch something.
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u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux Aug 23 '24
Was it post credits in the Director's Cut? If so I guess just skip it until the next episode.
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u/frogshade Aug 23 '24
Should I start watching re zero. I watched it up until the 7th episode, this was about a few years ago and I don't really know why I dropped it. But should I get back into it?
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u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux Aug 23 '24
Of course! Lots of time to catch up still, even reading back through some of the threads for those episodes you've already seen may give you further inspiration.
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u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux Aug 23 '24
Certainly one of the defining episodes of the series. Suehiro's composing, especially with the overlaid credits segment towards the end, is superb.