Key points
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Re:Zero
the new season sees Subaru and Emilia face the forces of evil in the attack arc. - Each story arc of the show offers quality, depth and character development.
- Subaru's journey includes battles, camaraderie, and redemption, showing growth and complexity.
Re:Zero the new season promises to be one for the ages, with the anime seeing Subaru Natsuki return for a new adventure. In the show's current events, the dark fantasy isekai sees the main protagonist and his muse, Emilia, face multiple evil forces in the Attack Arc. Along with a cascade of familiar characters, the fight for justice and answers continues only for the mischievous and brash Subaru.
In the entirety of Re:Zero anime, there have been many story arcs that have taken place, originating from the light novels. While some arcs only cover a couple of episodes, others can last an entire season, with the adventures of Subaru and his friends taking a long time to flesh out major events. Full of colorful characters, dynamic animations and an enriched narrative, some of them the best story arcs of the show stand out from their peers. However, each story arc still provides quality and depth to the overall story.
5 Subaru's introduction to a new world
The protagonist finds friends and enemies in Lugunica
- Arc length: Anime episodes 1-3
The beginning of Re:Zero he aimed to impress the audience and succeeded by introducing Subaru to a foreign fantasy land different from his own. When Subaru is transferred to the Lugunica region, the out-of-place character wanders the land and discovers half-elf Emilia, the love of his life, and Puck, the spirit. As he intertwines with Emilia and figures out the lay of the land, Subaru becomes involved in the search for Emilia's missing insignia. This leads to non-stop action, as Subaru suffers his first Death Return at the hands of Elsa Granhiert, the Intestine Huntress.
While Subaru aims to protect Felt, Old Man Rom and Emilia, the overconfident protagonist recruits the knight Reinhard van Astrea after many deaths to help defeat the evil assassin. Despite only being 3 episodes long, the show's first story arc offers an intriguing introduction to the world of Re:Zeroshowing the comedic dynamic between the naive Subaru and his new friends. Even in the opening episodes, epic fights and conflicts between characters arise Re:Zero a sight to behold. In just three episodes, this story arc draws viewers into the isekai premise while providing plenty of mystery for both the audience and Subaru.
4 The attack on the Archbishop of Sin in Priestella
Familiar faces reunite in a story arc still in its infancy
- Arc length: Anime Episodes 51-Ongoing
Although only one 90-minute episode was released, Re:Zero the most recent arc promises a lot of quality and action as more chaos eradicates Subaru and his group. Taking place in the town of Priestella, Emilia's party is invited by Anastasia Hoshin, who makes mention of a crystal that Emilia desires to restore Puck to full health. Throughout their adventures, the group interacts with familiar faces like Reinhard and Crusch Karsten, with the show's iconic comedic tone shining throughout the arc's opening episode.
Despite this, problems emerge in the final sequence, where the Archbishop of Sin representing Wrath, Sirius Romanee-Conti, kills Subaru and several others in a massacre, resulting in a significant cliffhanger that left audiences on the edge of their seats. In this whirlwind episode, the Attack Arc promises to showcase the ever-growing number of Archbishops of Sin ready to cause harm to Subaru and his friends. However, the story arc is only just beginning in the anime, leaving much to be explored in the coming episodes, although early signs point to a promising story arc on the way.
3 Adventures at Roswaal Manor
Death, deception and camaraderie at Emilia's house
- Arc length: Anime episodes 4-11
As Subaru continued his journey, he ended up at Roswaal Manor, interacting with fan favorites such as the Oni sisters, Rem and Ram, Roswaal L. Mathers, and the hardened spirit, Beatrice. While the protagonist has fun when interacting with his new friends, this story arc has a good dose of Return through death, deception, and agents of evil working to destroy Subaru. While characters like Roswaal and Rem appear pleasant and joyful on the surface, both are shown to have a menacing side, with the famous blue-haired waitress killing Subaru based on his suspicious behavior.
Throughout the arc, Subaru works to gain favor with his new companions, including Emilia, making for comical yet compelling viewing. At the climax of the arc, Subaru begins to show his usefulness as he saves Rem and the village of Arlam from a pack of Mabeasts, showing growth from the beginning of the show, where he appears oblivious to the thoughts of others. While compelling, much of the arc sets the stage for future events, serving as an introduction to many characters who will influence the proceedings while showcasing Subaru's greater understanding of his power.
2 The fight to win back Emilia
Subaru attempts to make a U-turn in his actions
- Arc length: Anime episodes 12-25
In the second half of the first season, tension and difficulty arrive at Subaru's door, as he distances himself from Emilia over her actions in the royal selection process. After making a fool of himself in front of hundreds of high-ranking officials, including a beating by the knight Julius, Emilia casts Subaru aside due to his selfish attitude, leaving him lost. As a result, Subaru reacts with the help of many friends, including Rem, Crusch and even his enemy, Julius, fighting obstacles, such as the White Whale and the Witch Cult, who aim to eliminate the inhabitants of Roswaal Manor, including Emily.
During Subaru's redemption arc, he faces many trials and tribulations that push him to his limits. However, Subaru learns to trust the people he meets on his journey to help him fight his battles. One of the many great aspects of the story arc is the amount of jaw-dropping battles that take place. Thus, the thrilling battle of Subaru and Crusch's army against the White Whale turned out to be epic, while the elimination of part of the Witch Cult brought a feeling of euphoria after Subaru's problems with the group at beginning of the arc.
1 The battle in the Sanctuary
Subaru and Emilia face the witch of greed and her disciple
- Arc length: Anime episodes 26-50
Season 2 of Re:Zero proved to be one for the ages, as Subaru and Emilia faced a series of obstacles that pushed them to their limits. Throughout the second season, the fourth narrative arc of the anime brought the protagonists face to face with Echidna, the Witch of Greed, inside the Sanctuary. This arc has become famous for paying off Re:Zero the greatest villain ever, as Echidna profoundly influences the events that occur. While the scheming witch plotted against Subaru and Emilia to gain knowledge, Roswaal acted as a secondary antagonist, inflicting despair and chaos on Subaru, the Sanctuary, and the inhabitants of Roswaal Manor to break the protagonist's will.
In a rollercoaster of emotions, the arc sees many characters at their lowest ebb, with Emilia and Beatrice shown vulnerable as they deal with the ramifications of their past and the influence of the Witch of Greed. As the protagonists try to resolve the emerging crisis, new characters – such as the headstrong Garfiel Tinzel and Roswaal Manor maid Frederica Baumann – come into the fold. While proving complex with all the changing moments, Re:Zero brings to a close an ambitious season full of intense emotion, ongoing mystery, and character development that puts the show on the right track for the future.