Summary
Re:ZERO – Starting Life In Another World revitalized the isekai genre, combining time travel and psychological depth. The series stood out for its unique premise: the main character dies, and time resets, creating a suspenseful mystery. The success of Re:Zero paved the way for more complex isekai series like That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime.
There are a few rare examples of a single anime series that can be credited with contributing to the rise in popularity of a genre: Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World – is one of them, and with a third season on the way, There's never been a better time to pick it up.. Isekai is a genre that has been tested in combat, with a strong growth in influence after its release. Zero's acquaintance. Since then, the proliferation of lighthearted series and often redundant premises has left the genre unappreciated.
There's nothing wrong with simply enjoying a simple work, but Re:Zero has a special appeal that makes it unique among isekai. Its loyal fanbase has been excited since the new season was announced at AnimeJapan 2024, because Re:Zero is a series that can satisfy a particularly unimaginable itch.
Combining the suspense, tension, and time-traveling appeal of the classic psychological sci-fi series Steins;Gate, Re:Zero both breaks and honors isekai conventionsAs the trailer above shows, it can captivate the entire anime fan base – even the ones who hate isekai.
Re:Zero started strong and stayed that way
From the first episode, Re:Zero declared its position in Isekai
Starting with the protagonist Subaru Natsuki being suddenly thrust into a parallel world, the story seems to start like any other isekai. By the time the first episode, which lasts about 50 minutes, ends, the anime's distinct appeal is fully apparent. Whenever Subaru dies, time is reset to a certain point, and figuring out how to control these jumps is an ongoing mystery. Eventually, Subaru ends up at the castle of Emilia, a royal candidate a person who looks very much like a notorious witch.
As Subaru settles into his new world, he begins to care for those around him. But the high-stakes game of royal advancement combined with growing confusion over the connection between Emilia and the witch she resembles inevitably puts everyone Subaru loves (and himself) in mortal danger. Subaru begins to use his time-resetting abilities to protect those around him, but in the process, he experiences the emotional pain and fatigue of watching loved ones die over and over again and must relive the same days over and over again. The result is a heartbreaking yet inspiring journey with one of isekai's most refreshing concepts.
Re:Zero Shows the Potential of Isekai — and Revives the Genre
Re:Zero's Undeniable Appeal Has Opened Isekai to New Audiences (And New Ideas)
Combining time travel, psychological complexity, and enduring heartbreak, the series breaks away from the conventional world of isekai, becoming a fish out of water like Subaru himself.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Re:Zero was instrumental in the massive library of isekai stories today. It certainly made isekai more popular, but the unique combination of influences also makes this genre more interesting. It paved the way for more complexity in isekai anime: for example, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime. The success of Re:Zero (and of course Steins;Gate) also led to a warm reception and popularity for series that combined time travel and isekai elements (such as Erased, Tokyo Revengers, and Summertime Render) even though they were not isekai themselves.
There's a reason Re:Zero is considered one of the best isekai of all time. Looks can be deceiving, and potential viewers shouldn't be fooled by Re:Zero's cute cast of characters. Combining time travel, psychological complexity, and unrelenting pain, it breaks away from the usual world of isekai, becoming a fish out of water like Subaru himself. Like Subaru, it learns to breathe and grow.
With the third season coming soon, it's clear that anime fans, even those who aren't normally drawn to isekai, should give it a try. Re:ZERO – Life in another world and join in the anticipation.
