The explosion of the isekai genre has given anime fans many memorable shows. From early classics like “The Vision of Escaflowne” and “Digimon Adventure,” to more recently released modern titles, the isekai genre offers options for almost every taste. Among these, an intriguing story is “Re:ZERO – Getting Life in Another World” that has earned a prominent position in the anime market.
“Re:ZERO” shares several key isekai elements such as: the main character is transported from his world to a new world filled with swords and magic, an extremely attractive sorceress guides him and a lovely but strong servant.
However, what makes “Re:ZERO” different from other series in the same genre is the special skill of main character Natsuki Subaru, resurrecting from death many times in a horrifying way.
Right from the first episode, Re:ZERO created a completely different atmosphere. At the end of this episode, it is revealed that Subaru, a socially isolated young man and video game fan, has the ability to return to a specific point in the past every time he dies, a something similar to “checkpoints” in video games.
This ability, called “Return from the Dead”, allows him to maintain memories of events before his death, giving him the advantage of being able to change or avoid some of the most tragedies. determined to get better results.
However, this power comes with significant limitations. Although Subaru retains his memories, the other characters do not, meaning he must rebuild important relationships each time he is “reset”. Furthermore, Subaru must die to activate this ability, meaning he must experience the pain and horror associated with death over and over again.
One of the show's most tense moments occurs in the first episode, when Subaru and the half-elf Emilia are attacked by an unknown enemy. As Subaru lay dying from his fatal wound, he believed he was living his last moments. The fear he experiences, not knowing that he will come back to life, is evident and heartbreakingly conveyed to the viewer.
One of the most devastating moments for Subaru occurs when he attempts to save Rem by deciding to take his own life. After discovering she had been attacked by the Witch Cult and was in a coma, Subaru killed himself in hopes of returning to a point where he could save her.
However, he revives at some point after the war with the witch cult, realizing that he cannot change Rem's destiny. This death not only left Subaru emotionally exhausted, but also emphasized the relentless nature of his abilities and the helplessness he often experienced, even with his powers.
So far, Subaru has died 17 times throughout the first two seasons of “Re:ZERO”.
Although it seems excessive, this mechanism is what differentiates “Re:ZERO” from other isekai. The film not only uses Subaru's death to advance the story, but also explores the emotional and physical complexities of a character who must constantly face his own mortality. Through these experiences, Subaru develops a unique power that distinguishes him from other main characters in the genre.
The third season of the anime is currently airing, and while we won't be delving into recent events to avoid spoilers, fans can expect the Subaru death and resurrection cycle to continue. continuity, bringing new layers to his development and the story as a whole.