RE: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – 04
…in the library with the loli…
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Hey, three of my favorite characters from the manga have shown up. They’re right on time to bring us the rest of the story; with just enough exposition and some slightly off kilter moods going on underneath… |
RE: A Different World
again, in the library with the loli…I sense a trend here…
Upon first waking from his “magically induced healing coma” Subaru gives us our first vital clue – he still loves giving us obvious exposition. It’s like he’s terrified that the world won’t work according to whatever game manual he is trying to follow. Flag-crusher indeed. That aside, I get the feeling Beatrice was keeping him trapped in that infinite hallway for very good reasons. She’s testing him. Everyone is testing him at this point, that is for sure. But I think that she’s the primary way it happens. She’s not human, at least according to her admitting as much, but what order of being is she? I’m guessing something you summon?But, does she regret not being able to get close to him?
…in the bedroom…with the tsunning…
Regardless of what she is, or how close she can get, Subaru is still capable of surprising her, both with his simplistic demeanor and how well be over-rides her Door Control. Odd little imp that “Betty” is, she’s in charge of the mansion’s library and is contracted by Roswaal-sama to do just that. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here…Subaru will find himself working much more closely with the household maids, Ram and Rem. They are quite the pair when it comes to working the mansion and keeping tabs on a fella. Both seem to be skilled in their own areas, but I’m suspicious of subterfuge in future. Now I don’t know if Subaru could ask for better teachers, but I’m pretty sure he’s not that hep to learn, either way. Now, I’m also willing to be that neither of those two are human either…but what, as with Beatrice, that isn’t quite known yet.
RE: A New Life
…in the dining room with the margrave…
There is quite a lot going on with the March Lord Mathers. I’m going to pick at that title a bit cause that’s what I find the most interesting. The author had a ton of peerage titles to pick from, but he chose that one after all. I don’t know if his manor is on the borderlands, or why it seems to have little in the way of staff (saving on animation are we, White Fox?). He’s said to be a powerful magician with, if Rem is to be believed, access to either banned or damned tomes of magic (and who says they can’t be both damned and banned!?). His appearance suggests pure anime villainy, and his spying on the MC certainly doesn’t assuage our suspicious of that. Powerful and directed…
…in the wardrobe….with the measuring tape…
All in all the Kingdom of Lugincia has seen better times, that is for sure. It has a missing king, then a rather convenient epidemic sweeps the line of succession into chaos, and a group of so-called wise men are in charge of selecting a new king. So anyone and anyone that might have any sort of claim on the throne is playing the game. Emilia is part of it, and Roswaal is backing her claim. It looks like he has the power-base, and the will to use it, along with enough influence to keep the ball rolling. All of this is going to go on, “until the king returns” which is just short hand for a much bigger storm is on the horizon. This whole “game of throne” issue is just keeping track of who is and who isn’t loyal. A royal boondoggle…
…in the pantry with his wounds…speaking of boondoogle…
RE: From Zero
…in the garden with Emilia-tan…
At this point it’s not like he has to start over again. But this is where most of his real work begins. I’ve always dug this pair during this part of the story. This cautious (but not really all that cautious), but still endearing courtship is what really sold me on the series to be honest. It’s clear that Emilia would love the attention he is more than willing to give, and it’s clear that because of her station few really have been able to do it as genuinely as Subaru is during these scenes. She’s lonely and he’s a bit of a hound-dog with the floppy ears. But stuff is holding them back, of course. Now, I’m not going to try for a two part reading of the boy. He’s a mildly enlightened idiot – there is no other reading of him. He’s self aware enough to know that anything he gets he has to maintain, so asking for the least amount is probably best for right now. Besides, this job gives him the chance to trip all the flags. Maybe get the lay of the land. Or realize he could just loaf about and no one would bat an eye…stupid gamer…
…in the study with….well, let’s just give them their privacy…
What come into the rest of this is how he fits into the bigger scheme of things. We’ve got two or three really good candidates for who summoned him, but we’ve got nothing in the way of connection to motive. I mean, yeah, someone want’s to put someone on a throne; but really there are better ways to get that done. Even a big shot mage like the Margrave can find a better way without summoning a boy that resets time each time he dies. So, the game here is beyond the throne? Or something worth more than to someone or something. I would look at Puck, but I can’t quite connect the dots. Both he and “Betty” can get a literal read on Subaru and don’t sense any malice from him. So does that mean Puck didn’t summon him? And if he did was it only for a spare set of hands to pet with? So far, I’m not willing to wager anything on anyone. But, there is still another story as the Margrave wants to use Subaru as a spy? But on who, for who? On Emilia? Again, another time, another story, as the boy has to face a rude awakening…
..in the bed, without his wounds…
Betty and Bubby…
Ok, I’ll keep it short here at the end. As you can tell I love the drill loli and it’s such a bonus that she is voiced by one of my all time fave’s in Arai Satomi (Kuro from Railgun). Her performance was worth the wait. Also, special bonus for Rem and Ram being voiced by Chino and Megumi from Is This Order a Rabbit?? All three (four) of these characters are only going to continue to get more interesting, and much more of the plot is going to unfold. So…how did Subaru die this time?
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: Metanorn Regular with 139 comments
As heads up, something to note here. The King is not actually missing, he and everyone of his direct decedents are dead. Cruchyroll unfortunately screw up a bit here because they did not understand/missing the original nuances of the dialogue. It’s not first time that ahs happened before of course. Just thought you should know. 🙂
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Lol so they just happen to be ‘missing’ permanently XD. Gotta say Subaru tries way too hard for Emilia (well some may say its not ‘too’ hard but he clearly tries really hard at any rate). Emilia isn’t rejecting him either (seems like she enjoys his company too) so its all g for him… and then he Re;Zero’s again XD what a life.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
They are “missing from life”. They are “permanently missing dinner and indeed all forms of refreshment”
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Well, that’s what I get for turning my back on the fan translated manga I guess. So…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
An epidemic that only strikes one bloodline doesn’t sound natural. I suspect someone targeted them with a magical plague. Margrave Mathers no doubt has the ability to do that and he’s got his own candidate for the now vacant throne. But did he do it? I’m sure there are others who could do it; we just haven’t met them yet. And he’s considering whether or not Subaru would make a good spy. Upon whom?
I think we’re about to enter into some deep political games.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
An epidemic of poisonings would still be a natural thing to do if you wanted to get rid of them. It seemed to me noone thought that the absence of the king and his heirs was particularly accidental.
A side note: I liked the pun in CR’s episode title of the Mansion Family…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
I got the impression it was an epidemic of illness. I’m sure their world is familiar enough with poisons that if the royal family had been poisoned it would have stated that they were poisoned.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Ah!!! I almost forgot but this really caught my attention. Subaru calls Emilia ‘Emilia-tan’ forgive me of my horrible knowledge of Japanese honorifics (esp if I’m wrong) but ins’t ‘tan’ that honorific that otaku’s use to refer to their idol’s or waifu’s etc. Also it is my understanding that ‘chan’ is derived from purposely mispronoucing ‘san’ in a cute baby talk kind of way, while ‘tan’ is similar but even more extreme. I’m not sure how Emilia would feel/react to being referred to in such a way, in anycase its probably a good thing she didn’t recognise the ‘tan’ honorific this ep XD.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Honorifics have many different cases that apply to a variety of situations. But you have formal, informal, “baby-talk”, and other.
-chan is a baby talk one that has become an informal one. So -tan has come in to replace it. So, you’re not wrong in your guess at all.
Well, Emilia could dismiss him and tell him not to talk to her any more, or she could do what she did. That indicates that she doesn’t hate it. That was a risky first maneuver on Subaru’s part, and it paid off…
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Emilia has indeed warmed up to Subaru a lot (well that happened on the other timelines too except when he screwed up and called her Satella which btw I think is a nice name just like Subaru did). Subaru is like a man who breaks all the norms to her, and completely new existence to her so I’m not surprised she’s fascinated (or even feels liberated by his strange demeanor) by him and gives him lots of slack (it could also go the other way with a strong rejection of such an unconventional character, but Emilia is too nice <3) Oh and thanks giving more clarification on honorifcs, that's always interesting ^.^.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
As I say below, I think that Subaru’s taking a lot of advantage of Emilia’s lack of knowledge on the subject. If Emilia knew the context, I am sure she would be pretty insulted at the -tan honorific. As it is, she’s mostly just confused at it, and he’ll get away with it.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Good ol’ Subaru finding all the loopholes and lack of ‘common sense’ since its aa different world.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Who knew Kuroko Shirai would be invading… er… I mean, who knew Satomi Arai would be joining the cast? It’s impossible anyone could mistake that voice. As for the inquiry of Beatrice’s species, I’ll jump the gun and assume she’s a fairy. Besides, can anyone look at her eyes and still believe the possibility she’s human? It’s a dead giveaway to the contrary.
Much good that will do following the script of a game to the letter when you’re in an actual, unpredictable fantasy world. At that point, it serves as nothing more than a less than reliable collection of guidelines.
So Subaru’s restarts don’t occur only when he’s at death’s door. Then I take it during the whole day, something happened that shouldn’t have.
Obviously, Subaru’s developing a crush on Emilia but personally, I wish he’d drop the “tan” honorific when he’s addressing her. It’s one I rarely hear in spite of the number of anime I’ve seen and sounds weird and out of place when I do hear. You’d sooner hear “san” or “sama” in its place.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Who knew about Arai Satomi? I did, some months ago. But I didn’t make that very clear in the post, but I did say she was worth the wait (and I didn’t mention it when I blurbed the show for our Spring catalog). But yeah, she’s a fairy of some sort, if that world has them that is. If not, some sort of other dimensional terror being that assumes the shape of an unassuming loli to better dominate the world and all we hold dear….
Subaru is picture perfect “To Much Genre Savvy” with a potential dash of “Wrong Genre Savvy”. He needs to get off the rails as soon as he can, cause I don’t think Emila/Rosewaal’s gratitude will get him very far.
Nope, his Reset by Death is reset by death. So he died in the middle of the night…somehow?
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
-tan is out of place and almost never used because it is extremely familiar and at the same time almost infantilizing. To the point that almost anyone who is called it unbidden is extremely insulted. Subaru is taking (a lot of) advantage of Emilia’s lack of cultural knowledge to try to be overly familiar with her.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
It is very infantilizing.
But I’m not quite sure what cultural norm they’re going by in the show. It seems like the basic, “it’s fluid” dodge that lot’s of “trapped in a fantasy” stories get away with; oh look we poked fun at calling an apple an appa this week, let’s make sure to call a rabbit a schmeep next episode…
I will say this. The way you’ve presented it is correct in most, and let’s face it all, respects, but not at all interesting as a story. So, let’s say she does understand it, Puck does, and we really can’t stretch it that much to say he has Modern Japanese Earth knowledge as Puck is to much an unknown unknown. So all the honorifics from here are true there; that was played out before hand during the dining scene, remember? Mather’s refers to Emilia as “sama” and Subaru points it out.
So, she’s aware, and she looks like she kinda likes it. A ton of responsibility has been placed in front of her, and she’s not doing very well with it; losing the insignia and all. So having this sort of playful wordplay with the guy that saved her is probably appealing in some regard.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
This is also definitely a possibility, and it’s hard to account for how someone who’s got maybe a crush on a particular guy would act. Like we see very often, people love mingling with a very different class. So it’s possible that Emilia likes the attention she gets from someone not bothered by her perceived status.
And oh is that status a flimsy thing. A claimant to the throne can be such a heady position, but eventually you gotta be put on it. And if someone else gets it, uh oh, now you’re a threat.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 139 comments
Damn my response was lost again.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 139 comments
For what it’s worth I don’t he using as way to insult her as much as it is a petname. Puck in manga likened it to how he himself called Emilia “Lia”. He been pretty respectful her so far and hasn’t many any aggressive moves. It’s more of his otaku habits lingering in.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 139 comments
* He been pretty respectful her so far and hasn’t any aggressive moves.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Yeah, “san” would have been alright to use I suppose but “sama” would be too distant and formal (He’s trying to get closer to Emilia not the reverse direction). I personally like Subaru’s use of “tan” simplily becuz its different lol and thus fresh to my ears. I think the last time I heard “tan” used was in Welcome to the NHK and in that context the MC was using it for this mascot character and it sounded creepy, but its alright here in Re;Zero. While Skylion has a good point about how the cultural norm is going to be similar between the worlds, I don’t believe Emilia grasped the full meaning behind “tan” she was completely confused and didn’t show any negative reaction. Perhaps “tan” is one of the slight differences between the worlds. Even if its not different considering how scarce we come across “tan” its reasonable to assume its similar in their world (not to mention they would probably lack ‘otaku’ too)
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
So Subaru’s reset by death has kicked in, but he initially seems to have no memory of dying. That would indicate someone murdered him as he slept. And that would seem to indicate someone backing somebody other than Emilia for the throne saw him as a major player in their game of throne and wanted him out of the way.
But exactly how much time reset? Was it just one day or more? If it was more than one, that would seem to indicate he undertook (perhaps unknowingly) the Margrave’s spy mission, failed and paid the penalty of a failed spy. I suppose next episode we’ll learn about this latest death of his.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’m a bit ahead in the manga, and I don’t think there is much going on to give away the plot as of yet. For right now, the reset is a plot device used to test his resolve, perhaps?
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I thought what they were trying to find out was if Subaru was a spy whose mission was to spy on Emilia / Margrave, not whether he was a suitable spy for them to employ.
As for how far he went back, it was a significant amount of time, to when he first woke up in Margrave’s house after the fight with Elsa.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…the length of time is more explicit in manga. They might be holding off how much time passed for several reasons. 1) My reason: it’s not that important – quality over quantity 2) They’ll probably use it as some sort of WHAM moment, which feels really silly 3) They’ll just tell us matter of fact next time.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
I suppose the Margrave could have been wondering if Subaru was spying on Emilia, although I got the impression he was considering using Subaru as a spy. Well, we’ll find out which it is at some point, and probably sooner than later.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I got the same impression you got, but I now kinda think the opposite viewpoint fits the scene best, and the manga seems to back that up. However we (me included) are skipping over the next bit where both Ram and Roswaal dismissing any sort of relationship happening between Subes and Emilia, because “both are children”. I mean, sure be right on dismissing the boy as a spy, but right on dismissing the relationship? Drama says you can’t be right that many times in that short a space of time…
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
The real question here is ‘does Subaru ever catch a proper break?’ Does 5 days of vacation from death and subsequent ReLife count as a good enough vacation? I personally think Subaru deserved a full fortnight 🙂 Also do you regret spoiling yourself on the plot by reading the manga Skylion?
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I do regret it a bit…just a bit more so than reading Kuro Miko ahead of the show, as that’s just a lovely experience no matter what. But I like seeing how White Fox brings it all together with the VA ans the Music and how the animate bits and pieces here and there. So, it’s a trade off.
As for vacation. They guy get’s his guts ripped out…I don’t even want to try to figure out how much time you need off to get over that type of violence. I had bowel surgery 25 years ago, took me out for two weeks and I was still a touch tender a month after…So….?
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Well to be fair he wasn’t physically fine afterwards due to his Return from Death trait but the psychological wounds would have been scarring. I personally don’t know how painful it would be to have my belly ripped open but if I did in a non surgical way wouldn’t I be dead anyway? and if its surgical you’re sedated and stuff so you wouldn’t die from it. btw is KumaMiko safe for 9-10 year olds to watch? cuz I might watch it with my cousin’s sometime. Otherwise I’ll definitely watch it by myself. (I’m not watching it this season cuz I didn’t want to follow too many shows and Kumamiko looked good so I didn’t want to have to painfully wait for it every week either, I mean I’m already doing that for Kabenari, netoge no Yome, Mayoiga and Rezero. Flying witch doesn’t count becuz its so chill there’s no pain in waiting and Big Order doesn’t count becuz I’m not insanely hyped for it unlike the other 4 shows I mentioned earlier. I’m only watching Big Order too see where it goes and talk about it)
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I would not have much trouble showing Kuma Miko to kids, you might have to explain somethings or skip a scene or two. I would always advise watching anything first before showing it to kids, just to make sure yourself, as that’s just always for the best; never trade someone else’s experience for first hand experience.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
The only thing I’ve seen so far that’s probably not suitable for kids is the explanation in Ep. 1 of where their talking bears come from.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…goodness…
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
oh wow, they went there…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
Well where did you think talking bears came from? Language is hardly a trick that can be taught like those performed by circus bears. And that’s the kind of explanation fairy tales and folk tales would have given before they were cleaned up.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Oh no , pls staph I haven’t even watched it yet… don’t tell me its about THE BIRDS AND THE BEES. I’m not even sure what to expect anymore from kumamiko. And yeah its true that before fairy tales and folk laws were cleaned up they contained a lot of content we would probably consider not safe for children nowadays XD.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Don’t worry too much about it. Personally, I consider just about everything shown on free TV suitable for children. That’s the world: kids need to learn about it. You can use it as a teaching moment if they ask, and fit the answer to what they know and their maturity level.
skylion won’t like me saying this, but I think they might not be that interested in Kuma Miko, tho. It’s a fun show, but I think it might be talking over a 10-year-old’s head a little much, especially things like this last episode. If you were looking for something to watch, and you’re not watching Anne Happy, I’d really recommend that. I think it would work a bit better.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Yeah, I’m pretty much the same way. I even typed out two paragraphs to explain why, then deleted them cause I didn’t feel I could explain it right. If it’s behind a paywall or past a child’s bedtime, then don’t show it to a child.
Won’t like? Nah, I’m cool with you being wrong like always 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I dunno, after the first episode, it feels like it’s getting a bit bogged down. And this last episode, it felt like Machi’s explanation of business practices lasted for way too long, and didn’t really have a point. Was she trying to convince Hibiki to go to the other store? Was she possessed by the spirit of the clothing store? It didn’t really feel like it made sense in the show.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
..yeah, it didn’t make sense in the manga either. Shows do roll snake-eyes every now and again…but that doesn’t mean the game is over.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Alright then Highway I’ll bring out Anne Happy when they ask me to entertain them every once in a blue moon. (And no I wasn’t watching Anne Happy, it completely flew over my radar).
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Well I’ll bring it out after I’ll done a quick check up on it myself and after we finished watching Barakamon. 😉
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
What’s a person gotta do?
🙂
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
I am interested in all these new characters and how Subaru is going to survive this time against a killer he can’t identify. Also, what is it all going to do to his mind going back over and over like this?
Also, we need to get some past on Emilia, her supporter, and this whole claim to the throne, stat! Political Intrigue, yum! 😛