RE: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – 09
“…there are things you want to ask me”
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Well, if nothing else this was a great story that continued the relationship between Subaru and Rem. Some of the stuff was a bit derpy though? Let’s find out. |
A Friend to Small Children and Animals!
Okay then, one out of two is a decent start
One of the things I’ve loved about this show is how it’s made clear attempts to cleave away from the obvious gamefication of it’s starting gimmick. Since it’s opening it has spent good time to build a road towards it’s own story; using tone and characterization, along with filling in a fantasy backstory of surprising effectiveness with little else but stories about stories, some innuendo, and maybe even some outright fabrications…but that’s a story for another time. But I say that to say, yes you could have dismissed this show cause “herp derp how do I Save Point?” was the central point of the first episode, However we all know it’s moved beyond that. But, it may have take a step back during this particular outing.
Subaru is a good lead character. Here is a guy that realizes from first hand experience that he isn’t the Hero of Destiny. The best he can hope for is Hero of the Moment, and even then, he’s trying to fake the qualifications. I like that. It rings true enough. All of us want the world (no matter where that world is) to acknowledge that we at least deserve a shot to be the center of our own story. Subaru has the one special ability and it’s a shit one when you get right down to brass tacks. It sucks to die…and when Beatrice points it out he is quick to remind himself as much as he is informing her of that oh-so-true little fact of life…
..does the magic faerie erase the curse?
I love reading to much into things sometimes…. If it were really this easy to erase the curse from existence, then it wouldn’t be that good a story would it? Plus there is that line that gives me a hint of something haunting and final, “But after this, I’ll have no more to do with you again”. Subaru bowls right over it, and she gives silent approval right after that, but I cannot help but think this is foreshadowing. He’s never had to fire that “Bubby would disapprove” cannon, and I still think it’s a huge bluff on his part to use it.
But let’s get back to the plot at hand… once clear of the curse, he hightails it to Rem and Ram, and then sprints out back to the village for his revenge trip. Someone there is responsible, so he takes this as part of his “protect Emilia” clause. This carries the story forward, but there is some really scary connective tissue between this scene and the next couple I’ll begin to explore here: the word is proximity. Bea had to get really close to sense the curse’s presence, the presence of the shaman, who I assume is sort of a mini boss?
The Demon of the Moment
Carry a blessing with you…
..but don’t forget ye old ball and chain…
But before going to far into connective tissue, let’s handle some of the derp. One of my favorite shows of season’s past was Hitsugi no Chaika and it’s sequel Avenging Battle (with the caveat that the second one was Derp City, Derpania). It’s just a coincidence that I covered both shows as well as this one! However one of the least strong points of Chaika was how uniform some of the monsters were. And while the story would explain that away as the critters being stamped out of a magical DNA factory, it never quite sit well with me how “samey” the whole affair looked, especially as the two shows went on…
The “mabeasts” of this show looked the same, and it really took me out of the combat moments (along with that weird landslide/Rem-vault). I can understand the need to keep a clean model sheet on the animation side, but dammit, fantasy needs to have a sense of bespoke richness to it to give it that lived in feel; that sense of not being factory made which lends to many shades of science fiction to it. I like the crossroads of magitek, don’t get me wrong, but the design of the beasts along with how, well, bog-standard monster encounter the whole affair was combined to be a bit laughable, and as I said, that took me out of the show…
But that hardly matters, cause Subaru really does need this Big Hero Moment…
But even in that respect I’m getting far ahead of myself. I mentioned proximity earlier, didn’t I? Subaru is going to count on Rem’s sense of fantasy smell to find him, to find him by the witch’s smell? What about the cursing puppy? And I mean that! What the hell is up with a cursing puppy, Irene!? You called that, and I dismissed it! But, doesn’t the puppy smell the same way? The mabeasts? How do these rules work? Is it her horn?
It’s gotta be the horn!
I think they proved that Subaru could at least keep up with an accomplished fighter. I don’t know if the show is giving us some red herrings this time around or not, but they’ve done pretty good at building a mood, no matter what my complaints about the derps are. They also fill out bits and pieces here and there really well. I dug Rosewaal’s up-up-and-away magic trick, and the fact that it looks like he’s really really testing the boy out with a cat’s away, mice will play routine. His household has been shaken up, and he’s not above some unusual ways to clean the place up.
But the real star of the show is the last act of bravery and zeal we get cliffhangered with. I don’t think he’s going to die again this time around. Somehow, Ram, or Emilia or both are going to come running in as a last minute rescue, or perhaps the margrave himself will fill out calvary detail. That would pull some nice double duty as we need to see him in action and we need some more of his story; he’s a bit unfilled at the moment. But for Subaru, that sort of Save The Ally Moment might become a dangerous trademark of his. We shall see. But that’s all from me this week, I’ll leave you with a mild NSFW bit….
About skylion
All around nerd that enjoys just about any anime genre. I love history, politics, public policy, the sciences, literature, arts...pretty much anything can make me geeky...except sports. Follow me @theskylion
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I take it that puppy is a familiar for whoever sent it out to curse people. Next is wondering why that person chose to do so and what benefit is to be reaped from it.
Subaru, praised or condemned. How vote you? That’s the second time he’s blackmailed Beatrice into doing what he wants. It’s begging for karma to come around and bite him in the rear end.
If not for what’s shown before, I’d have been concerned for Subaru’s well-being at the cliffhanger. He’s died so many times, it’s become fairly easy to tell when or not it will happen again. So, this possibility is him simply rendered unconscious.
No insight yet but Rem’s little berserk burst suggests she loses herself to primal instincts if her adrenaline is high enough.
Rem says it’s for protection. Nonsense! That’s a weapon specifically made for offense. Nothing defensive about it.
Hahahaha! You lost the bet and now it’s time to pay up!!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Bald spotted puppies are bad news, kids. Next time, beware of monster herding bald spotted puppies.
I think that he is depending on Beatrice way to much, and isn’t asking the right questions. We don’t know much about magic in the world, but it can’t come without some sort of price. He’s not appreciating the value of the knowledge he’s getting. So yes, rear bitage..
The ball and chain was one hell of a meta-joke to me. She insists is for protection, the best defense is a good offense, and we/Subaru know/s that. She doesn’t know that Subaru knows that…she’s not attacked him in this loop.
Did you see the puppy coming?! Did you!? Ah well, I have to pay…
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Yeah, that ball and chain man. Subaru was probably thinking “sure its for protection… and preemptive attacks on the innocent little me too…”
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 35 comments
A certain someone go away and the barrier suddenly collapse. the kids gathered in a neat circular formation with bitemarks and another one that had no flashback whatsoever were place somewhere else to lure the MC away. Fishy cannot describe this CLOWNish smell. agenda though is still unknown
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Well, I would like to say I called it, but there were others along with me who saw it too. I didn’t exactly expect it to actually be the dog itself, I thought that was simply a medium or familiar that was used, but it IS indeed nice to be right.
As for the ending, I don’t think Subaru is dead this time, but I’m happy that we finally have an ending to this arc, but with enough questions to go on to the next part of the story. Don’t think I haven’t noticed Roswaal’s inconspicuous touches, and what his part to play in this could be.
Rem went total oni this week, but I was expecting it sooner or later. Now we just have to find out how all this will contribute to the overall plot. Why did the mabeasts do this? Were they sent by someone? If the witch is behind everything going on with Subaru himself, what reason would she have to seen the mabeasts? So many questions are still unanswered.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Yeah, I also thought the shot of the bald puppy biting Subaru was too prominent and emphasized too much to not be suspicious. Show ▼
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…and how did the security of the village get tampered with or collapsed on it’s own?
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Easy,
Little girls sees cute puppy on other side of the fence looking like it’s hurt. She rescues puppy, bringing him past the barrier. Evil puppy uses telekinetic powers to take out barrier from the other side.
Hah!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…geez, don’t rub it in…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
No, no, no… Add the salt in the wound! Add the salt!! 😛
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
HAHHAAHAAHAHA Irene you’ve just made my day with that comment. I’ve seen that plotline in fiction too much and every time it irks me so.