Snake Watches Re:Zero, Because He Too Wants to Die and Escape Reality

[Solid Snake]

WARNING: This thread will contain episodic spoiler content as Snek completes each episode. You have been warned.

Episode 1A

- Is there some sort of special significance in Japanese culture with a grooved-edge yen coin? Like, is it a sign that you're about to die or something?

- This is genuinely so similar to Konosuba's start -- albeit a more serious take on the tropes -- that I'm really curious as to the timing of both shows. Which concept came first? Which group of writers cribbed off the other? I mean, we got someone complaining of having gamed all day, getting killed (maybe? Here we don't really know what happened), magically being summoned to another universe.

- Unlike Konosuba, this guy barely seems fazed at all by his new circumstances in a parallel world. I actually prefer Konosuba allowing the character to feel more feel by freaking the fuck out a bit when it happens. "A realm where demihumans are commonplace," he says, looking at lizard people and others riding lizards, and he ain't even fazed.
Maybe he just comes from a world where Trump's won the Presidency, and so this just feels like a very sweet release.

- Hahaha he can't read the language. That's a pretty nice touch. But he can speak the language, somehow. Heh. That's strange. Lugunica. Is that the name of the city or the country or the world?

- Is his name actually Subaru?!? I am now imagining that he is actually an automobile.

- He just assumes that he's been summoned by an attractive woman and that he's the protagonist. At least Konosuba's protagonist knows he's a jerk and owns up to it. I feel like this guy's going to be much more generic and much less Seinfeld-style self-loathing, which is going to really get on my nerves if they do go a hero route with him.

- AHAHAHAHA okay, seriously, that first scene with him and the thieves is HYSTERICAL, all of it, I forgive you now annoying protagonist (aaaand here comes the love interest)

- Aaaand of course she's tsundere

- Excellent soundtrack with this orchestral music, though.

- I appreciate the cute scene with Subaru and the young lost girl. It's corny and cliche character development, but it works.

- The art of this city is beautiful.

...Well, that half-episode sort of ended on a weird note.
I guess it's okay so far? The art and the music is incredible, and I certainly get the impression it has better production values than Konosuba, but I'm just not really sold on this yet. The two main characters bonded far too quickly, and I'm not really sure if I like them together, and there's too much generic tsundere tropes with the half-elf. The guy adjusts far too quickly to being in a parallel universe and I'm still not quite sure how he got there. The cat spirit will either grow on me or get on my nerves fast.

I did enjoy how medieval stereotypes led her to assume he was better off than he was, and there were some nice moments in there, but it was filled to the brim with the kinds of story cliches that I really appreciated Konosuba for satirizing and debunking, but here it's just played annoyingly straight.

I'll keep watching, though. Maybe it will get better.

---------- Post added at 03:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 AM ----------

Episode 1B

- This protagonist really needs to drop the habit of making idiotic assumptions of other people's intentions if he wants me to like him. It's starting to become rather grating.

- Oh, the string music during this well-deserved beatdown of Subaru is glorious.

- Oh, they died.

- I could see Subaru's time-traveling powers becoming a really annoying mechanic after a while because it's going to erode everyone's character development who isn't Subaru, and while Steins;Gate had the same issue, Steins;Gate at least had a very long prologue that built up all the characters before tearing everything down. Here, repeatedly bringing Subaru back to the beginning is going to repeatedly make everyone strangers again? I'd have preferred if Subaru was sent back to the second time with the apple vendor, but we'll see.

- How is Subaru so capable of understanding he's been sent to a parallel universe, but so incapable of understanding that he's time-travelling right before he dies? Inconsistent. I can't really get a gauge on whether Subaru is supposed to be perceived by viewers as intelligent, or naive, or somewhere in-between.

- Gotta love the stereotype of the nerd who's a social shut-in who's somehow also athletic enough to stand even a chance against seasoned fighters in a fantasy universe

- The old man and Felt are both fun characters, though.

- I wonder why 'Satella' didn't bother giving Subaru her real name, given the two did seem to have genuine moments together in the first timeline.

[phil_]

Originally Posted by Solid Snek

- This is genuinely so similar to Konosuba's start -- albeit a more serious take on the tropes -- that I'm really curious as to the timing of both shows. Which concept came first? Which group of writers cribbed off the other?

The authors of the webnovels RE:Zero and Konosuba are based on are friends. So it's more they both read and watch the same stuff, and both decided to do a take on it.

Originally Posted by Solid Snek

- I wonder why 'Satella' didn't bother giving Subaru her real name, given the two did seem to have genuine moments together in the first timeline.

Because spoilers, that's why. She has a good reason, though. An understandable one, in any case.

As for the bunch of stuff about Subaru being an insufferably arrogant child who instantly recognizes and accepts "Oh, parallel world," and decides he must be the protagonist, but can't figure out a time loop; you gotta understand what kind of modern stock character he is. You're supposed to recognize him as the kind of nerd who reads nothing but light novels and manga, has no real life experience outside of video games, and spends all day on the internet trash talking the protagonists of said media for not instantly solving all their problems by doing x, y, and z, which is totally what he'd do in their situation. For him, being transported to fantasy land is a way more familiar experience than, say, preparing for a job interview. And that's the way lots of the characters in the media he consumes are (assume he reads Konosuba, as a short cut). So, since he's like those worthless protagonists who end up with a harem and a kingdom, and he's going through the same things they did, he must also be a perfect fit for this new world, worthy of a harem and a kingdom, because that's just how these things go.

And then he's wrong.

And then he's not wrong, dammit. (Actual spoiler, it will spoil things).

And you're supposed to just assume that from the first few minutes. Almost like the author expects you to be like Subaru and just see yourself. Man, that was longer than I meant it to be. That all folds up neatly into "Issekai Protagonist" in my brain, but it kind spills out like a road map once I open it.

[Solid Snake]

I understand what they're aiming for with Subaru, but it just strikes me as utterly nonsensical. I'm the epitome of a dork who plays videogames and enjoys fantasy worlds and if you dropped me into one of those worlds at random I sure as hell am not immediately celebrating my circumstances with an intuitive understanding that I am the protagonist in a parallel universe. Ironically, I think the time travel thing would be easier for any person to wrap their heads around, insofar as you'd have a pretty clear-cut memory of dying and then 'wake up' in an exact moment you experienced before.

Anyway!

Episode 2

...So Subaru finally runs into the extremely convenient circumstances (literally, insofar as he walks into the knife) necessary for him to put two and two together and realize he's time-traveling. Huzzah! He calls it 'Return from Death' but the way that scenes set up him up to name the 'Time Leap' I was really hoping he'd name it after something from 'Steins;Gate.'

- Jeez, this guy is obsessed with Satella. He should probably give it a rest. The degree in which his imagination runs wild with assumptions about her is somewhat grating. It's only Episode Two, so there's still time for me to figure this out, but in general I'm not really sure how much this narrative intends for me to like or admire Subaru. Am I supposed to relate to him? Laugh at him? Laugh with him? Sigh in disbelief?

- I don't really understand why Subaru keeps running into the same three thieves in every timeline. Shouldn't he be attempting to avoid them? Or has he been explicitly targeted and is he being tailed? You'd think he'd just avoid walking in deserted alleyways for a change.

- I bet I'm end up shipping Subaru with this red-haired swordsman.
"He closed our distance like it was nothing," indeed.

- The swordsman and Subaru clearly have the hots for each other. Don't tell me I'm the only one who's seeing this. They are drooling for each other. I will not accept alternative explanations.

- Running into an antagonist in a chance encounter when they have no memory of the two of you being enemies is a great advantage. ...Which is immediately completely negated by her ability to sense his emotions.

- Yes, Subaru, it is totally realistic and not at all remotely nonsensical for you, a nerd from Planet Earth, to be capable of effortlessly dodging the daggers of a trained thief with wind powers without being even slightly injured.

- Apparently, everyone in these slums are huge fans of Lance Armstrong.

- Looks like Subaru's interaction with his future boyfriend messed up the timeline a bit and had the opposite effect he intended; it's the major change between these timelines that would explain 'Satella' showing up at the Loot Store early this time.

I'm glad for the last-second plot twist, as I really hope we don't spend too many more episodes relieving this one day over and over again.

[shiney]

It's only Episode Two, so there's still time for me to figure this out, but in general I'm not really sure how much this narrative intends for me to like or admire Subaru. Am I supposed to relate to him? Laugh at him? Laugh with him? Sigh in disbelief?

I strongly encourage you to feel however you want about him as long as you promise to continue watching the series. I wanted to strangle him around midway through the season and in a weird way I am glad I felt like that. I don't think I can really non-spoilery explain it. So I won't.

[Solid Snake]

Well, let's keep watching, then.

Episode 3

- Subaru breaks the fourth wall during his monologue in a way that's all the more grating for me. Re:Zero can't seem to tell what it wants to be at this point...a serious narrative? Satirical parody? Unfortunately, I actually was just starting to enjoy his monologue as a moment where the poor guy finally showed some authentic agency and then that moment just took me out of the scene.

- Puck's cool, though.

- What a badass battle sequence. Kudos to the animation team for rockin' that one.

- YES SUBARU'S BOYFRIEND SAVES THE DAY
oh that ship be SOARIN' through the skies

- Reinhard you are the best

- "I guess you heard my heart's cries for help, friend!" oh you two better start making out right now

- Aww, that scene where she reveals her name and her little laugh there was pretty cute. Good job, Emilia's voice actress!

- Oh shit, he's going to die again?!? After all that?!? I'm going to get sick and tired of watching this day replay over and over again.

- "I would be glad to take him home as a guest." YES YOU SURE WOULD, REINHARD
"Please take good care of Subaru" they just met today and he's SO infatuated I can't be the only one seeing how literally every one of Reinhard's comments is in some way related to his future boyfriend

---------- Post added at 05:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------

Episode 4

- "What a profoundly aggravating man you are." New girl who reminds me of Elise from Fire Emblem Fates, you're awesome already.

- Oh, wonderful, here comes the twin maid fanservice. Every time I'm about to feel remotely sympathetic for Subaru, he's gotta fuck it all up by acting like an immature idiot around every new person he meets in this world. '

- Why the hell do all these animes have to encourage their male protagonists to practically endorse sexual assault as an initial reaction to meeting an attractive woman? He practically mimics groping them and it's just like, eww, fuck off, Subaru.
...You see, this is my headcanon for Subaru has him lusting like mad over Reinhard. He actually has more chemistry with Reinhard because he interacts with him as a normal human being interacts with another human being.

- Subaru loves cats. This explains everything.

- "It would seem you're quite dumb, I suppose." Betty, you are the best. Please continue mocking Subaru every moment of every day

- Okay, so Emilia's in contention to become royalty. Interesting. I had thought her whole 'half-elf' reveal was intended to imply that she was of lower social standing, but that does not seem to be the case, given her relationship to this flamboyant Mansion-owning Baron character.

- Subaru can ask for anything he wants, and he asks to work. Clearly, I was never intended to understand this character. Just ask for money, Subaru!

- Of all the superpowers to possess, Beatrice's thing with doors has to be the strangest.

- So does Rem's pink-haired sister have a name?
...And, wait. What happened to his wounds? WHAT A CLIFFHANGER

(This episode was not as great as the last few because there was no Reinhard.)

---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:21 AM ----------

Episode 5

...Oh, now I get it! That's actually really clever! Subaru died and went back to a new point in time pre-injuries. But we have no idea how he died. That's actually a fascinating mystery. At least Subaru didn't go all the way back to the apple vendor this time. And, now he can actually ask for something worthwhile as a favor instead of just settling for an employment opportunity.

- Okay, the pink-haired twin is Ram. Good to know.

- Oh c'mon Subaru. Use a bit more imagination. You have a second chance at your request and you're going to do the exact same thing all over again? The same routine that somehow got you KILLED?!? At least fate is going to prevent us from watching the same scenes over again.

- Rem seems pretty cool, but I suspect at this juncture that her master the Baron figure has something to do with Subaru repeating this sequence of events.

- ...Uhh, Rem, why did you burst out into a smile when Subaru started talking about demons?!?!?

- I don't think it's much of a moral victory if the only reason she's going out with you is to motivate you to actually take your job seriously, Subaru.

- Okay, sooo...he was poisoned? But that ending didn't really answer anything at all.

---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------

Episode 6

- I guess I missed Subaru losing his left arm in that final sequence? But, I absolutely have to watch this episode immediately, I need answers as to what the hell's going on.

- So, why doesn't Subaru just reveal to the gang at the mansion the nature of his powers? He knows enough about them that he could probably convince him that he's been reliving the past few days.

- Beatrice, you're the best. Never stop abusing Subaru, who deserves all your slings and arrows.

- Finally, Subaru, you're learning! But I do wonder if choosing to simply be a 'house guest' will actually have negative repercussions with his relations with the twins and the Baron, who might see him as a bit of a parasite at this point.

- My suspicions were right. Ram and Rem are acting all cold and aloof.
- This is also a clever way to ensure that Subaru actually has spare time (in the form of repeating the same days over and over again) to learn the new language.

- I...don't really understand the point behind this whole ogre story.

- Dammit; nearly at the end of the episode and I'm still not getting any answers.

- IT WAS HER?!?!?!?!
WWWWHHHHHAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT

---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 AM ----------

Can't Stop Watching Now: Episode 7

- Damn, clever move with your phone there, Subaru.

- Apparently, [SPOILER] didn't trust Subaru, which I feel contradicts at least one of the previous timelines -- I get the impression that Subaru may have been killed by different characters from the household in the previous iterations, as I don't think [SPOILER] would attempt to harm Subaru in the second timeline where they appeared to have bonded.

- Oh that was painful to watch. I'm never going to like [SPOILER] now, am I? This crossed a line into something downright malicious.

- I wonder why 'the witch's smell' is so prevalent on Subaru. Could he be related in some way to Emilia's rival? Maybe the antagonist of this story is also from our Earth, and that's what [SPOILER] has noticed? At any rate, this still feels inconsistent with [SPOILER's] characterization, something's really missing here.

- So, it seems he can't tell anyone his little secret. That's unfortunate. But even if Subaru can't tell Emilia about the time traveling, he should be able to tell her about [SPOILER] having malicious intentions towards him, right? I mean, there has be some loopholes around this.

- ...Man, this dysfunctional family is really dysfunctional, and they're tearing each other apart.

- This is getting really sad.

- ...Still, you've known for all of a few days, Subaru. I don't really understand why he's so attached to 'saving' them when [SPOILER] just tortured him. You're weird, Subaru.

- What's the significance of Ram and Rem holding Subaru's hands in some flashback, though? I don't quite understand that one.

[phil_]

It's like he's writing what we're all thinking!

Er, what we all were thinking.

It's pretty funny how everyone has the same questions while they watch this.

[Solid Snake]

Episode 8

...Okay, I still don't understand Subaru's obsession with the Maids' hands. Anyone care to explain that one for me?

- Apparently, once properly trained in the Dark Arts, Subaru will be able to use Shadow magic. I'm guessing this is another sign that he's related in some way to the Jealous Witch.

- I do not trust this Baron character. I do not trust him at all. He's behind all this in some capacity.

- The Jealous Witch has already destroyed half the world? Half the world?!? Damn Subaru, pack it up, you ain't got a shot in hell.

- This desperation act of yours to try to please everyone just increases the probability that [SPOILER]is going to find you suspicious and kill you, Subaru. You are not smart. You do not think through your plans very well.

- That scene with Emilia and Subaru is conclusive evidence that this is not the true timeline and Subaru's going to die again. At least he finally got to let it all out, though. Also, Emilia, don't steal Reinhard's man.

- Where is Reinhard, anyway? And why hasn't Subaru thought to seek him out for some answers, or to learn what happened to Felt? It seems strange that Subaru's completely forgotten about Felt and her old man, at any rate.

- THE FLOWERS ARE POISONOUS SUBARU, RUN, RUN FAR AWAY


Episode 9

...Dangit, I'm going to actually start liking Subaru because he's actually capable of relating to villagers and treating commoners like people, aren't I?

- What the hell is radio calisthenics?

- THE BARON TOUCHED HIM. THE BARON TOUCHED SUBARU. That's obviously the twist. Subaru's gonna think "Oh it must've been one of the villagers," but the Baron's touched him every time and he's suspicious as hell. Plus, something Subaru's doing this time around has led him to change his plans.

- Wait, wait. It was the dog?
...My idea was better, Re:Zero.
(Unless the Dog is some manifestation of the Baron's magic all along.)

- That monologue of Subaru's would've worked much better if we had actually spent any time as viewers getting to know those kids, instead of just being told who they are.

- "It's for protection." Oh, Subaru, you are up shit creek without a paddle now.

- This is a weird promise and a strangely romantic sort of moment for Subaru to share with the woman who tortured and brutally killed him in another timeline. I am confused!

- I feel like there's no consistency as to Subaru's strength against foes except whatever the plot demands of him. He's just a kid from Earth but he's holding his own against demonic dog-monsters?!? And he was surprisingly competent against Elsa, too, at certain points in their brawl. But in other scenes he's completely outclassed and incapable of much of any resistance.

- "You're strong!" Shouts Subaru, clearly forgetting he's experienced this all with her before.

- INSANE HORNED REM IS BEST REM and she saved Subaru it's taken me only two episodes to go from disliking her to lovin' her she's THE BEST please Re:Zero creators have her do that sinister laughter every episode

- Subaru does the selfless sacrifice thing again for Rem but this time I'm happy he saved her.
If he dies again and we have to restart from the bed four days ago again I will be aggravated but at least this time he knows what the source of the trouble is.

[Gregness]

Originally Posted by Solid Snek

- What the hell is radio calisthenics?

*snip*

- I feel like there's no consistency as to Subaru's strength against foes except whatever the plot demands of him. He's just a kid from Earth but he's holding his own against demonic dog-monsters?!? And he was surprisingly competent against Elsa, too, at certain points in their brawl. But in other scenes he's completely outclassed and incapable of much of any resistance.

Well, radio calisthenics is just publicly broadcasted play-along bodyweight training, so the implication is that even if he was a shut-in NEET, he worked out enough to be stronger than you'd expect.

Originally Posted by Solid Snek

- INSANE HORNED REM IS BEST REM and she saved Subaru it's taken me only two episodes to go from disliking her to lovin' her she's THE BEST please Re:Zero creators have her do that sinister laughter every episode

IT BEGINS.

[Solid Snake]

Episode 10

- So basically, Subaru's 'sacrifice' was worthless because Rem has unnatural demonic healing powers and she was never at risk of being cursed? If so, advice to this entire extended family unit at the mansion here: Communicate with each other, it will save you all tons of headaches moving forward.

- "In less than half a day, you will die," and now I'm wondering about the cruelest possible fate for cursed Subaru: What if he constantly respawns at a 'checkpoint' like the one at the beginning of this episode, where he's already fated to die in the near future? To relive the same painful death over and over and over again, and have no way to stop it...I'm guessing Re:Zero won't go that route, but it's an interesting way his powers could come back to haunt him.

- DEMON REM IS BACK and better than ever folks

- Subaru's gotten a sword. How much do you want to bet that, instantaneously and without any training whatsoever, he's going to become some incredible swordsman.
...Aww, the kids gave him presents! I don't know if there's a main protagonist in a story I simultaneously dislike and appreciate more than this guy.

- Damn, Ram, that's some Grade-A quality wind magic you're tossing out.
And Ram finally asks the fifty million dollar question. Why is everyone else so impressed with Subaru?
Looks like we're going to eventually learn some backstory as to why Ram lost her horn. (Also, that's ironic, given her name.)

- So apparently, the Jealous Witch (or the mastermind behind these attacks that are being blamed on the witch) is aware of Subaru's ability and attempting to restrain his ability to tell others about his powers.
...Current thesis: The Jealous Witch is another personality or another side to Emilia that's been locked away. The Witch needs to exploit Subaru's abilities to ensure Emilia stays alive in the timeline while she plots her own comeback.

- Way to ruin your brand-new sword, there, Subaru.

- "Men are about guts, and women are about beauty!" Yeah, Subaru, now might not be the best time to be a sexist jerk, given that Rem and Ram's been doing like 99% of the work against these dogs

- Rem for Snek's Best Waifu 2016

[Arcanum]

This is the best thread.

Can't wait to read your reactions to things that answer your questions/concerns.