Re:Zero Season 1 Review: Isekai Anime with Dark Twists
The art and animation in Re: Zero are visually impressive. The color palette and character designs, particularly those of Roswaal and the Oni sisters, are striking and memorable. The fantasy world is beautifully realized, and the occasional use of CGI is well-integrated. Action scenes are well-animated, and the characters’ expressive faces, while sometimes exaggerated, add to the show’s charm. While the animation quality varies, the overall look is polished and modern, especially for a 2016 anime.
The plot of Re: Zero, while not flawless, is engaging. While some information gaps remain, such as Satella’s reasons for summoning Subaru, there aren’t any major plot holes. The story is divided into arcs, sometimes with abrupt transitions. The early arc focusing on Subaru saving Emilia from Elsa is followed by the Roswaal mansion arc, with each subsequent arc presenting a new survival or rescue challenge. While some arcs might feel overly long or disjointed, the overall premise maintains viewer interest.
Re: Zero establishes a distinct atmosphere through its use of violence. While often effective in creating suspense, the level of violence, particularly in the Petelgeuse arc, might be excessive for some viewers. The show balances thriller elements with more extreme depictions, but this aspect could be off-putting.
The show’s thematic elements are somewhat uneven. While classic shounen themes like courage and hope are present, they lack depth. More nuanced themes like jealousy and redemption are touched upon but not fully explored. Re: Zero’s strong world-building partially compensates for its thematic weaknesses.
Re: Zero’s soundtrack is exceptional, featuring memorable opening and ending themes by Konomi Suzuki and MYTH & ROID. “Redo” and “Styx Helix” are particularly noteworthy for their energetic rock sound and powerful vocals. Kenichiro Suehori’s instrumental OST is equally impressive, with tracks like “Call of the Witch” and “Requiem of Silence” perfectly complementing the show’s atmosphere.
The voice acting is outstanding, with Yuusuke Kobayashi’s portrayal of Subaru capturing the character’s emotional range and intensity. Other notable performances include Satomi Arai as Beatrice, Mamiko Noto as Elsa, and Inori Minase as Rem. Veteran voice actors like Takehito Koyasu and Yukari Tamura further enhance the cast.
Re: Zero boasts a diverse and memorable cast of characters, from the eccentric Roswaal to the gentle Emilia and the mischievous Puck. Ram, the snarky Oni maid, stands out as a fan favorite. However, the characters also suffer from some weaknesses.
A lack of deeply relatable characters, poorly written female characters who often feel like male fantasies, and Subaru’s often annoying personality detract from the overall character experience. While characters like Ram and Krusch are well-developed, others, such as Emilia, lack depth and agency.
Subaru, while intentionally written as annoying, can be excessively so, especially in the first season. His arrogance and chauvinistic tendencies can alienate viewers. While the second season improves his character, his flaws in the first season significantly impact the viewing experience.
While Re: Zero offers compelling world-building and the tragic backstory of Rem and Ram provides emotional depth, the show’s enjoyment is hampered by Subaru’s character and instances of sexism.
The portrayal of Wilhelm van Astrea’s relationship with his wife, Theresia, is particularly problematic. The show romanticizes Wilhelm’s misogynistic behavior, framing his actions as heroic rather than toxic.
Another instance of sexism occurs when Subaru makes a dismissive comment about women’s roles. These examples highlight a pattern of casual sexism that detracts from the show’s overall quality.
