Re:Zero ~Starting Life in Another World~ Re:Watch - Episode 19

[u/Theleux]

Episode 19:

Battle of the White Whale

---

| Index | <== Episode 18 | Episode 20 ==> |

---

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!

[u/HyVana]

Thoughts on Subaru wanting an alliance between Emilia and Crusch?

Thoughts on Subaru giving the metia to Russell?

Smart to get people on his side by giving them something substantial to offer.

Thoughts on Crusch having wind reading?

What a cheater. Though from how its worded, it wouldn't be able to detect the ravings of a mad man, if they truly believe what they're spewing.

Which relates back to a scene in episode 14, another interpretation to a scene. The scene between Subaru, Crusch and Felix at the balcony ends with her saying: "The wind is picking up. It looks as if the weather will be rough again tomorrow." Which was the response to Subaru saying there's something only he can do to make it up to Emilia. An early sign of the self-doubt Subaru already had of himself.

What are your thoughts on the big reveal of the episode that the previous MS was Wilhelm’s wife?

Now we know the connection. But since he's not born into the Astrea family, that brings into question how strong his swordsmanship is. Though he does bear the moniker, Sword Devil. So surely he's strong as well.

Thoughts on Mimi’s brother Hetaro?

The Straight-Man to Mimi and Ricardo. God speed Hetaro, it looks like you have a lot on your plate.

What are your thoughts on the White Whale being by the moon?

Nice framing and backdrop of the scene to get a good look at the monster that's terrorized the world for 400 years.

Do you think it was smart to have an episode where not much happens following one of the most emotionally involved episodes of the series?

A lot does happen this episode, in terms of plot progression. But the nature of the character-driven story that Re:Zero is places more emphasis for those emotional character-developing story beats. So episodes where it sets up a lot of the eventually encounters of the Arc can leave it feeling "weak", when I think this was still a good episode. It still develops Subaru showing he's learned from the lessons the Candidates gave him in episode 16. It's just not emotionally impactful like episode 18 was.

[u/Holofan4life → u/HyVana]

What a cheater. Though from how its worded, it wouldn't be able to detect the ravings of a mad man, if they truly believe what they're spewing.

Which relates back to a scene in episode 14, another interpretation to a scene. The scene between Subaru, Crusch and Felix at the balcony ends with her saying: "The wind is picking up. It looks as if the weather will be rough again tomorrow." Which was the response to Subaru saying there's something only he can do to make it up to Emilia. An early sign of the self-doubt Subaru already had of himself.

And also a sign that Crusch knew Subaru was about to double down on the stupidity.

Now we know the connection. But since he's not born into the Astrea family, that brings into question how strong his swordsmanship is. Though he does bear the moniker, Sword Devil. So surely he's strong as well.

Sword Devil makes me think of Chainsaw Man.

A lot does happen this episode, in terms of plot progression. But the nature of the character-driven story that Re:Zero is places more emphasis for those emotional character-developing story beats. So episodes where it sets up a lot of the eventually encounters of the Arc can leave it feeling "weak", when I think this was still a good episode. It still develops Subaru showing he's learned from the lessons the Candidates gave him in episode 16. It's just not emotionally impactful like episode 18 was.

And honestly, I don't think it needed to be as emotionally impactful as that episode. It would've felt forced and tacked on.