‘Re:Zero – Starting Life in a Different World’, otherwise simply referred to as ‘Re:Zero’, is a story that covers the adventures of its protagonist Subaru as he jumps into a different world. He also discovers that he possesses the ability to ‘Return by Death’, and uses it to save the people around him. The Re:Zero series started as a Japanese light novel written by Tappei Nagatsuki and drawn by Shinichiro Otsuka. The first anime season began broadcast in April 2016. There are two seasons of this anime series, and the second half of the second season was broadcast in Japan from January to March of this year. In addition to the anime version, OVAs and related games have also been released. Due to various factors such as the exciting nature of the story, Re:Zero has gained a very high level of popularity among all kinds of fans of Japanese animated works. But could it be the right story for you now? This guide to the characters and setting of this fun isekai world should give you a great idea!
The Main Story and Setting of Re:Zero
Subaru Natsuki, the hero of Re:Zero, is an ordinary Japanese high school student who suddenly finds himself being transported to another world on his way home from a convenience store. When he was being harassed in this unfamiliar world without any special abilities, Subaru was rescued by a silver-haired girl and her cat ‘Artificial Spirit’ Puck. In order to repay the silver-haired girl, Subaru promises to help the silver-haired girl find her lost property.
When Subaru first awakened after his death, he found that he had returned to the original point in time when he first arrived in another world. He slowly discovered that he had the ability to “return by death” after any death. After overcoming many deaths for the purposes of accumulating experience, he finally succeeded in repelling the enemy and regaining the lost property, and he also knew the real name of the silver-haired girl. But by that time, he then fell into a coma because he was so seriously injured.
Subaru was brought back to the house of Lord Roswaal by the silver-haired girl, where he met Ram and Rem, the twin maidservants, and Beatrice, who was in charge of guarding the forbidden library of the house. Later, Subaru entered the residence as a male servant and truly started his new life in this other world. Everything was peaceful at first, but Subaru gradually realized that something was wrong. Whenever Subaru wanted to tell the others about his “return by death” skill, he would be pained by something terrifying, leaving him unable to say anything about his abilities. Thus, Subaru decided to solve everything by himself. After many attempts and deaths, the silver-haired girl and all the others he knew ended up dying. He was exhausted physically and mentally, and almost went crazy from this turmoil. He still used the ability of Death Return again and again, and finally one day realized that the ability of Death Return originally came from Satella, the Witch of Envy! This discovery will lead to many unexpected events in the future.
Subaru Natsuki
A 17-year-old ordinary high school student with fierce eyes, and the hero of the series. Originally having no special abilities, he realized that he had the ability to ‘Death Return’ after experiencing several deaths. After being rescued by the silver-haired girl Emilia, he worked as a male servant in the house of the Earl of Roswaal, but later found that he was unable to tell others about his ability to “return to death”, and so decided to investigate it alone.
Emilia
A Half Elf girl with silver hair and cyan pupils, her character is helpful, not candid, and naturally dull and slow. Because her appearance is very similar to the Witch of Envy, she is often excluded by the crowd. Subaru Natsuki has decided to protect her and repay the favor for helping him.
Ram
The sister of the twin maid, a young girl with red eyes and short pink hair parted to only show her right eye. She attaches great importance to her sister Rem and is very tough, but shows extreme loyalty to Lord Roswaal, who also trusts Ram very much.
Rem
The other sister of the twin maids, who has an opposite hair parting to her sister Ram that only shows her left eye. She has short aqua-blue hair and blue pupils. She has an impulsive side to hold a strong hatred of the witch and any related people. Ram lost her horn during the Witch Cult’s attack on the Oni Clan, when she fought to the last moment protecting Rem.
Beatrice
Beatrice, who is responsible for guarding the forbidden library of Roswaal’s Mansion, has the body of a young girl. Created by the ‘Witch of Greed’ Echidna, she has been stayed in the forbidden library for more than 400 years. Arrogant, but sometimes gentle and lovely. She like Puck the cat spirit very much, and call Puck her brother. At first she was unfriendly to the actor Subaru, but later she helped Subaru in a series of incidents related to the “Death Return” ability.
Roswaal L. Mathers
The lord of the Roswaal Mansion, Roswaal L. Mathers is a nobleman of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica who is also the owner of Ram and Rem. Very skilled in the magical arts and possesses great power. Lord Roswaal dresses up in a guise that looks like a clown, and has a very odd manner of speaking.
The story of Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World contains many scenes of death and bloodshed. It is recommended to those who can handle such heavy content. Of course, watching how the main character of Subaru sticks to his goal to the end with his own strength, moving forward little by little in with great hope is also one of the charms of this series. If you are interested in giving it a try, we recommend that you not miss it!
