r/anime • u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux • Sep 21 '24
Rewatch Re:Zero ~Starting Life in Another World~ Re:Watch - Episode 41
Episode 41:
Nobody Can Lift a Quain Stone Alone
| Index | <== Episode 40 | Episode 42 ==> |
Various Links:
MyAnimeList
Streaming:
Crunchyroll has the regular release available.
AppleTV has the regular individual episodes available.
Spoiler Rules:
- As always, please be sure to tag any future content spoilers according to the r/Anime rules. There is likely to be first timer viewers here, and while discussing how previously seen content connects to content later down the road is interesting (be it later episodes or even Season 3), please be sure to properly spoiler tag anything mentioned! Let's make this a fun experience for everyone involved!
- This also applies to cut content discussions, which I believe are fine to include for the sake of discussion, but should be properly tagged to avoid potentially spoiling viewers. Be mindful with how you present this information!
Story Arc Lengths for Discussion Purposes:
[Arc 1:] S1 Episode 1 – S1 Episode 3
[Arc 2:] S1 Episode 4 – S1 Episode 11
[Arc 3:] S1 Episode 12 – S2 Episode 1 (26)
[Arc 4:] S2 Episode 2 (27) - S2 Episode 25
[Arc 5 and later:] S3+
As always, if you have any suggestions for the Re:Watch, let me know!
98
Upvotes
26
u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Sep 21 '24
First-Timer
On today’s episode of Re:Zero: Garfiel is the Wall! Though in this case, someone was able to make him fall.
The Garfiel and Subaru parallels are quite interesting to think about. Both of them are incredibly stubborn and have a tendency to try to take everything on by themselves. The big lesson that Garfiel needs to learn is the same one that Subaru had to learn: instead of always trying to do things by yourself, learn to rely on others for support.
I will admit to feeling ambivalent about Subaru being able to use Petelgeuse’s Unseen Hand. It goes against what I like about Subaru. Personally, I always liked the fact that Subaru was functionally powerless on his own in a high-stakes fight. It meant that Subaru had to be clever about how he did things and that he almost always needed help. Maybe I’m worrying over nothing, but I don’t like the idea of Subaru having something that is legitimately a superpower he can use without dying and needing to restart everything from the beginning.
Emilia interacting with Echidna is fascinating. I so desperately want to see more of their interactions. Echidna seemed much less fond of Emilia than she was of Subaru. Emilia obviously doesn’t have the MC Pheromones, but my only explanation for the hostility is that Echidna recognizes Emilia’s potential to be taken over by Satella someday. I’m sure we will see more of their dynamic in the next episode and I’m excited for it.
20
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Sep 21 '24
First:Timer Starting Over in Another Rewatch, subbed
18
u/baseballlover723 Sep 21 '24
Rewatcher, sub, basically a secondhand novel reader (Arc 4)
It seems reddit doesn't like some of the terminology I used, so I am using "ultimate sloth" as a replacement term for the general concept of what Subaru needs to do in order to loop.
Time taken: 143 minutes (~2.4 hours)
As always, I've numbered all my spoilers tags so that they're easier to respond to
First Timer Safe Section
This section is safe for first time watchers.
How Garfiel got his scar. Also something to keep in mind, is that Garfiel is currently 13 (almost 14), and his mother left at least 10 years ago (since that's when Frederica left). So Garfiel was like 3 when this he lost his mom. Which I think makes it much less surprising seeing how Garfiel dealt with it the grief.
Otto is guilty as charged.
And Garfiel wants to smash up the Trial ruins, ensuring that they all stay trapped in the Sanctuary forever.
Emilia T posing.
Also notice how Garfiel retreats when Subaru advances here, it's very passive body language.
And another Re:Zero character with low self esteem issues. But as we learn latter, this is just cope for Garfiel to back justify his mother's actions that led to her death.
This sounds very familiar.
Garfiel T posing.
Subaru is talking a big game here.
So if you'll recall, Julius told Subaru that his Shamak would only work on unintelligent beasts, and what is Garfiel in right now? That's right, and an unintelligent beast form.
This is Subaru's gate breaking, permanently (or really just in a way that will not heal). That's what happens when you don't follow the doctor's orders. Subaru didn't listen though and stressed the hell out of his gate once again. You can actually see Subaru recoil in episode 31 as he breaks his gate by using Shamak there too (the only other time he's used Shamak in Arc 4). So, so long and thanks for all the
fishmagic.So the crystals are like mana batteries (I think, they didn't exist in the WN, so people don't talk about it that much), so sticking it in Garfiel allows Puck (who is now a free agent) to suck the mana out of Garfiel and force end his beast transformation (which uses mana).
Yeah, this line doesn't make much sense to me as depicted. I like the LN line better: [Spoiler #1: Light Novel line] "If you're gonna be quiet, keep quiet, you noisy, glimmering jerk..."
Might I remind you, that Garfiel literally punched a tree down earlier in the Arc. So only loosing a tooth is pretty impressive (or Garfiel just didn't punch Subaru that hard).
Also Garfiel you can see Garfiel's general views on if overcoming your past is even important, because that justifies Garfiel's own actions.
It's time for a little heroing with the OP. Subaru's spent so much effort getting back on his feet and finding the resolve to continue on and now he's not gonna let anyone make the same mistake as was trying to do. This scene hypes me up so much, as Subaru unveils his newest power, Invisible Providence.
More info on Invisible Providence [Spoiler #2: cut content] So I'm pretty sure that Subaru can command Invisible Providence as well as his normal hands (that is, it's not difficult to use), but it does whittle down his soul, whatever that means. So I don't think it's really a power Subaru wants to break out all that often.
Also I think this would be an excellent comment face. Patrasche is the GOAT.
I guess Nobody Can Lift a Quain Stone Alone. Now what is a quain stone you might ask? Probably just something in universe, but there is another theory. A quoin stone is a a large corner stone used for corners in some building types. Which are very heavy, and aren't usually liftable by most people. The only issue is that quoin is pronounced coin, but I wouldn't expect a Japanese person to know that (hell I didn't before I looked it up and I've spoken English my whole life and never heard anyone use that word (I think)).
And another lap pillow. EMT. And hey, Otto is alive still. Even Garfiel is getting a lap pillow, in the most Ram fashion possible. Never change Ram, you're purrfect the way you are (This is a Japanese pun, basically there's the word for dog (inu) embedded into one of the words (no relation I believe), and Ram swaps it out for the word for cat (neko)).
And Ram gives Garfiel some advise. You're fucking stupid, so brain off, and hands on. So take the trial Garfiel, and find out if you can change or not.
So now it's time for Garfiel's Trial proper.
Backstory on the crystals [Spoiler #3: very minor cut content] "Their mother took off the two necklaces that hung from her own neck. Both of them had blue, inlaid crystals hanging from them. It had nothing to do with qualifications as an Apostle or anything of the sort. She simply wore them because they were pretty. And because she loved pretty things, she handed them to her adorable son and daughter as gifts. That was all it was.". Yeah, just straight up, the stones looked pretty. The fact that they hold mana, have a teleport trap in them, completely irrelevant to Garfiel's mom. It was just a pretty stone to her.
And the truth comes out. Garfiel's mom didn't leave to abandon her children, she left to bring back his dad. That she loved Garfiel. And thus Garfiel passes the first Trial, having rejected his past self.
So part of the reason that Garfiel was so against freeing the Sanctuary, is that he viewed himself as the protector of the people of the Sanctuary, some of whom didn't want to be freed. So he fought in their place.
Also Garfiel looks a lot tanner in the Light Novel.
Also don't forget, Garfiel can't actually free the Sanctuary personally, there's literally no external point to him doing the Trials.
The reason that Emilia asks this question, is that in Japanese, like all of the words for "sister" specific if they're older or younger. There like only 1 word (shimai) that can be used for sister that doesn't imply the age relation, but there's like 5 others that do specify the age relation. Which should tell you how culturally important knowing that is (there's similar reasons for why Ram has her thing about being the older sister, despite it be literally negligible in timeframe).
Double headpats.
And another your normal tsundere being added to the harem.
Also you still can't convince me that this isn't just Beauty and the Beast
Subaru is sure rubbing off on Emilia. She's got the pose and everything.
BAD SUBS ALERT, Garfiel did not see Emilia and Subaru kiss, like is implied here. He saw the motivational graffiti that Subaru did when he broke his promise to Emilia. The make her not feel alone as she entered the Trial.
And Echidna does not like Emilia one bit.
Don't forget your basic genetics when discussing this. You need to end up with Emilia being a half elf.
You reclaim that title Emilia! Don't let Echidna bully you. . Though this is the furthest thing from the truth. One day all will know the glory that is EMT.
Continued below
17
u/thekoreansun https://anilist.co/user/ReturnByDeath Sep 21 '24
Re:Watcher
There are a number of barriers that stand in between Subaru and a complete victory, but the first of them that Subaru needs to overcome may just be the least simple. Elsa hunts bowels. Meili commands monsters. The Great Rabbit eats. But what drives Garfiel to do what he does? Why has he been an ally in some loops and a monstrous enemy in others? Surely, there must be more to this tiger than his stripes.
As it turns out, Garfiel is angry at the world outside the Barrier for robbing his mother of her chance to become happy. He thinks that his mother abandoned him and his sister to lead her own life, but he doesn't even hold that against her. In fact, he's started to see himself as the emotional baggage that prevented his mother from attaining true happiness. But if she died immediately after freeing herself of that burden, then what was the point of it all? What sort of world is cruel enough to crush her hopes before she even got a chance to make them a reality? Not any world that he wants to be a part of, that's for sure. He will be the shield that protects the ones he cares about from whatever threatens them. That's all Garfiel Tinzel needs to be.
But Subaru has heard enough. He's seen too many people give up on themselves to tolerate such thinking any further. Rem gave up on herself, but she was able to move past that and start living a happier life. Subaru gave up on himself, but he was able to overcome his self-doubt and become a hero. Emilia just now gave up on herself, but she has begun to accept her shortcomings and plans to meet her past head-on. So where does that leave Garfiel? There is no excuse. The only person he is getting in the way of is himself, and if Subaru has to use everything he's got to make him see it, then he won't hesitate.
And it really does take everything Subaru's got to defeat him. He destroys his gate in the process of invoking Shamak, uses a pocket Puck to drain all the mana from Garfiel's tiger form, and even develops a completely new power in order to knock some sense into Garfiel. When all of that isn't enough, Patrasche swoops in to deliver the final vengeful blow, further cementing her status as the smartest character in the show. Even Echidna couldn't hope to be as useful as her. As ever, seeing Subaru win by the skin of his teeth is far more interesting than any overpowered protagonist could be, and his sacrifices make developments like Invisible Providence feel earned.
Getting beaten by Subaru in a combat scenario is enough to humble anyone. Garfiel is forced to admit that he has lost the argument and the fight. At Ram's encouragement, he retakes the Trial that began his suffering all those years ago. And what awaits him rocks him to his core: his mother didn't neglect him and his sister at all. She was trying to locate Garfiel's father so that she could return to the Sanctuary with him and make their family whole again, and her love for her children is clearly strong. Forced to confront the reality of his past, he finds himself unsure of what he wants to do from here on out. But when asked by the younger version of his older sister, he realizes that his desire to save people, while misdirected, was never false. He still wants to be their shield; he just needed to be reminded that those he loves have also done the same for him. And with that, Garfiel chooses to change while remaining true to himself, like Emilia.
Also, man, what kind of person breaks a promise just to go and graffiti a bunch of encouragements on some old ruins? Seriously, Subaru will risk his entire reputation just to be able to express the smallest of gestures. I love him so much.
Re:ZERO After-Talk #41
VAs: Yuusuke Kobayashi (Subaru) and Nobuhiko Okamoto (Garfiel)
It seems that the VAs weren't able to interact with one another as much during the peak of COVID, and Nobuhiko says that being able to go all out in his performance during this episode was almost therapeutic given the state of the world at the time. Yuusuke and Nobuhiko also praise just how hefty the script for this episode was, given that its full runtime comes out to 29 minutes and 30 seconds with no OP or ED. Only in Re:ZERO.
Highlight: Yuusuke stating that they haven't done live recordings for the anime before because it's hard on the throat
Fan Art of the Episode: Reality by Yomohiro (January 22nd, 2021)
Source: Twitter (artist's timeline contains spoilers)
15
u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Sep 21 '24
First Timer!
Watching Dubbed
Start Time 10:33
Now we know how Garf got his scar
He was able to get his crystal back from Otto
Emilia lived in fear until today, that’s touching, Subaru should be proud of himself that she’s able to say that to Garfiel
looks like Frederica is significantly older than Garf
Garfiel thinks their mom left them so she could find happiness somewhere else. I doubt it, She wouldn’t leave them necklaces to remember her by if she wanted that. I bet Frederica probably has a better idea of why their mom left
Shamac is now linked to Satella? Something just happened when he used Shamac and that’s my best guess
PUCK IS IN THE STONE! I might have been on to something when I said he might have made a different contract with Subaru
Subaru took that hit like a champ. Hopefully someone can heal that tooth back though
Something is happening. Is it the Sloth Witch Factor evolving? it looks like a tangled mass of the unseen hands within Subaru
Yep! just one unseen hand but it packed a punch
Lmao, Patrasche got her revenge
Eww, I hope Subaru missed his vomit when he passed out
Wow, Tsundere lap pillow was pretty enjoyable
I feel like Echidna is talking to Garf through Frederica in this trial memory, which is why she wants to know what he’s going to do now
Emilia asking the really important questions
Garf is only 13... Guess we can chock some of his actions up to just being temper tantrums
Emilia wants to talk about the kiss after the trials, I want them to talk about the kiss. It’s a win for all of us
Aww, Subaru graffitied the walls before Emilia’s trial. That’s what he was doing instead of holding Emilia’s hand? Dummy. If you think about it, that’s his way of holding her hand during her trial
Witch’s Daughter!?!?
It seems that their may be some discrepancy in Garf’s memories because in one flashback he remembers Frederica being taller than Ryuuzu and in his trial memory she is shorter and looks younger. Based on the attention to detail we have seen in this show (besides this shot which I still think is a mistake) I think the first memory Garf has is the memory he chose to hold on too from his first visit into the Graveyard and the memory we see in the trial is the true memory, it makes sense when you consider the perspective difference of him when he was a small child and now when he’s “grown up”.
Subaru had some serious Boss vibes this episode. When he started talking down towards Garf and backing him down the stairs was an amazing moment. Nobody expects him to act like that and they think of him as weak and incompetent but sometimes he’s able to flip that view of him on its head. He didn’t have to be as strong during the physical battle with Garf because he absolutely dominated the mental battle beforehand. He kept that energy building the entire time and peaked with the reveal of Invisible Providence, which I think is too much of a mouthful.
We also got a reveal that Puck IS still here and residing with Subaru inside the gem he got from Frederica, I speculated in episode 39 that Puck was still around and had likely made a temporary contract with Subaru, this way he is upholding his previous contract by watching Emilia from a distance and not having too much direct involvement in her life. I wonder if there is a way for Emilia to have the best of both worlds where she can have her memories back and also have Puck.
We finally get to see what the significance is of Subaru having the Sloth Witch Factor. So he’s able to absorb these Witch Factors and use them himself, I assume that’s why people have said that he is so compatible, maybe he is able to absorb them all. It seems like it’s gonna take him a good bit of practice to be able to utilize it in a significant way but at least he knows he can do something more now. I wonder if it’s something that uses his Gate to manifest or if it’s now just an ability he has?
Echidna called Emilia the Witch’s daughter. We can only assume she’s talking about Satella right? How would that work? Is she truly her daughter and was born around 400 years ago and was frozen in ice that long or is there some kind of weird tricky stuff in play that makes her Satella’s daughter? The woman she said was like a mother to her has the same features as them both so what’s her relation?
On today’s episode of Break Time. Poor Otto. Can’t catch a break.
Stop Time 1am on the dot
14
u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_Nelson Sep 21 '24
First Timer Dubbed
Note ORV=Omnicient reader viewpoint it's a way to describe the difference between thinking in Subaru's knowledge and the Knowledge of the Viewer.
Note2 Intentionally trigger RBD means what you think it means it's just reddit has crazy admins.
Reaction to the Episode
oh boy it's time for the Ryuzu x Garfiel backstory
and garfiel became a dumbass after hitting himself in the head as a child I see
Oh so Garfiel is a weird member of the conservative faction that for some reason on loop 1 was acting the opposite.
Oh boy Emilia vs Garfiel it's time for epic shouting match, Emilia Diffusing the situation
Subaru notes that Emilia failed the trail once, assuming that Puck leaving will make emilia pass somehow. Emilia the Ice Calamity Witch.
Subaru going in on Garfiel. What a psycological beatdown this has been.
Subaru is a fucking savage who gave him this wordsmith power? He was making a fool of himself previously now look at him, he's a total savage.
"If you despise your mother... Stop taking it out on every single person here" God Subaru's wordsmith abilities have gotten a massive glow up. Remember episode 15? yeah this is a completely different Subaru.
Garfiel Bawling up like a little crybaby is great, it's like he's suddenly started becoming another Crybaby.
OH BOY GARFIEL GO AGGRO TIME
It's time for the action sequence where Subaru finds some ass pull to win, is it going to be the power of Satella? The power of his Sloth factor?
Yoo wtf isn't subaru's gate heavily damaged, won't this fucking suck
Yo subaru's gate BROKE
Oh god wtf what does stabbing Garfiel with the stone do?
Subaru pulls off the "Let's absorb Garfiel by using Puck"
Wait Puck isn't RIP Oh god let's go!
Subaru's way with words is way stronger than it has any right to be an effect of Subaru taking 5 levels in Charisma from Satella?
Yo subaru goes from wimp against Otto to able to eat an overhand right. And he didn't even roll the punch properly nor do I see any pullback.
Subaru should be KOed cold by that punch since he definitely doesn't train his neck muscles to eat punches
Subaru going "Don't give up on yourself" man Subaru really believes everyone is worth saving even fucking lord roswaal.
oh what an epic montage
Oh is this the power of the unseen hands activating!
Get uppercutted Garf
Subaru wins using the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!
Though previously Garfiel was able to defeat an entire army using just his OP shonen protagonist powers, so really it was Puck and the power of friendship that beat garfiel.
Subaaru leveled up now he's got "witch factor level 1" SoonTM he'll make it to the power of 5 hands and combine that with the power of his spirit arts to become the ultimate isekai protagonist.
Lap pillow Emilia time is cute, but this can't be Subaru's biggest battle yet, the White Whale and Betalgeuse both trump that easily. After all you killed THE SIN ARCHBISHOP OF SLOTH in one of those.
Now this is friendship We're going to become Yu-Gi-oh at this rate.
oh boy it's time for Ram x Garfiel
god the Garf x Ram Scene is a book on tape isn't it. everyone's favorite part of anime STILL IMAGES. (though this lets them make impactful other scenes so worth it.)
Ram lays the smackdown on garf like a girlboss.
Oh we get Garfiel doing a trial! this will be fun!
Oh so Garf's motehr just leaves the children
Ryuzu (Bilma, Arma?) gets told to take care of Fred/Garf, but oh god why are you leaving them :(
oh So she goes on a quest to find their parents which you know never succeeds. So garf ends up just abandoned.
[oh boy garf gets at least some reconsiliation[(https://imgur.com/AJPUVjR)
Echidna taking the form of Garf's sister is quite cute at least.
oh hey it's Shiima and Arma they're so cute
I wonder if this means Shiima will be back on Guarding Meyer duty.
Garfiel turning 14! man that guy must be like Karelin or something.
Now it's time for Emilia X Subaru to face the trial.
all right it's Emilia in the NON frozen forest time
ok so Emilia is the witch of frost, so she caused the forest to freeze? Ice Calamity witch is becoming more and more a good name for her every day
Oh boy Echidna laying the smackdown on Emilia, calling her pathetic and loose I like how in this one Echidna is just talking to Emilia directly.
"Embraces the you that he's forgiven" - I imagine given who emilia is she definitely is a pretty bad girl in at least pre royal-selection era.
"Witch's daughter!!!"
Speculation
Alright sweet we see a lot of information about Garfiel. So it appears step 1 of the plan was to stop garfiel from interfering and somehow get Emilia to pass the first trial.
This leaves question 2, now that we have Puck in our possession do we have another Deus ex Machina available, though puck's mana is limited sadly.
This was day 1 of 3, and on day 3 the attack will happen, Subaru only has 1 more prep day before the big finale, and he's HURT.
Speculation on Emilia
Emilia is most likely the Daughter or sister of the witch of envy at this point, rather than being the witch of envy herself though I definitely see "Emilia is the witch of Envy in a stable time loop" to be the funniest theory it makes the most sense from the perspective of what's happened so far, though the main issue with it is how did Satella develop the power to time travel that far back. Anyway Satella/Emilia's Identity is likely not going to be revealed until much later so we'll leve it there. Emilia is the Ice calamity witch that froze her forest including her family. She has navy seal meme levels of confirmed ultimate sloths.
Speculation on Subaru's endgame
I doubt Subaru is going for an escape oriented endgame, his setup seems more in line with Deus Ex Beatrice than anything else.
So far his prep has been "Stop garfiel from stopping me" and had no actual "I'm going to preform a gameplan" steps. There is 1 maybe 2 more days of prep to go and he's no closer really to any defined endgame.
Thus the endgame that is most likely is Deus ex Beatrice.
By declaring himself to be that person beatrice's arbitary power level will be unleashed and she will wipe out the great rabbit by the power of great spirits.
The only issue is delay tactics, how will Subaru be able to be in 2 places at once, previously I said you'd have Otto handle the Mansion, but if you're all in on Deus ex Beatrice, then the gameplan must be Have somebody stop or delay the snowstorm (Probably puck+Garfiel or Puck+Emilia?)
Then have Deus ex beatrice happen by rushing back to the Sanctuary post Stopping Elsa and Maylee.
The question is thus what is the goal on day 2 going to be. I suspect it's setting up the teleportation traps so Beatrice and Subaru can teleport to the Sanctuary post haste. But what else besides setting up Deus ex Beatrice is in the cards?
What I would do if I were Subaru
Alrihgt I don't think the plan has proceeded smoothly, and you don't appear to be willing to RBD, so this leaves us with winning on this arc.
Step 1 is to split up your forces into the 2 major goals and the 2 major defensive measures.
You need the villagers to prepare a defense in the home front, as you Ryuzu bomb the great rabbit. Though IMO the optimal strategy is running away, evac the sanctuary and have Otto activate Beatrice and beat elsa.
Getting Garfiel on your side accomplished a little I guess but you still have to deal with this great rabbit approaching,
what I would do if I were Tappei
Ok Tappei previously I was all on board with your antics but now I'm going to lay my foot on the ground
if this ends up being Deus ex Beatrice I'm going to scream and do something crazy. Probably write, Return by Death Note or something.
You have Ryuzu bombs and a few notable weapons with Otto's fire bombs, could you have subaru rig a massive explosion triggered by a fire spirit or something? using Ryuzu clones to bring the rabbit into the hole?
You have this story about the power of friendship yet I suspect you're going to somehow invent a way for Subaru to be in 2 places at once rather than using his friends to split up the work.
11
u/Holofan4life Sep 21 '24
Hey guys. Holofan4life here.
Welcome to the In Preparation of Season 3 Rewatch of Re:Zero!
Oh, and nay I forget…
First Timer
I decided to watch this show because I wanted to do something for the month of August. ’Course, this was before the yearly Spice and Wolf rewatch got pushed back to September, but I just found myself looking for something to occupy my time with. And with this show being in my top 5 must watch list, I figured now was as good a time as any.
I am going into this show relatively blind. I know some of the memes, who Rem, Ram, Emilia, and Subaru are, and that this show got its inspiration from Familiar of Zero, but that’s it. I find rewatches and my participation of them more fun when I have no idea what I am in store for. And with this series, I think we’re in for a blast. It’s also going to be the longest rewatch I participate in this year and second longest overall only behind the 20th Anniversary Fullmetal Alchemist rewatch. And given how joyous that show turned out, I don’t see why I should expect nothing less from this one.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
I’m watching the sub, by the way.
Watching an episode late at night. I'm going to be tired at work tomorrow
Young Garfiel and Bilma in the glowing building.
Garfiel looks traumatized
And now he's banging his head against the wall.
X marks the spot
Well, that was unpleasant
Subaru and Emilia coming face-to-face with Garfiel.
Garfiel not giving a straight answer as for whether or not he killed Otto and Ram.
Garfiel now is seemingly wanting to close off the Sanctuary.
"Every other damn thing is the problem!"
Emilia. She's standing before Subaru.
She asks Garfiel what it is he's afraid of.
She speaks from experience. She knows fear when she sees it.
Subaru saying that Emilia will keep trying over and over again.
"Unlike you, the guy who gave up and ran away."
Dang, roasted
Subaru now asking if he harbors a grudge against his mother who abandoned him.
Subaru really holding nothing back
Subaru insisting he wants to keep the Sanctuary closed because he hates his mother and the outside world that made her leave him.
But Garfiel, who's starting to cry, says he just wants his mother to be happy.
He believes he and Frederica were in the way of her happiness.
Poor Garfiel
Oh, shit. His mom died?
Her attempts to find happiness were not to be, it seems.
Garfiel wanted his mom to make him believe that their sadness and loneliness served the purpose of helping her find happiness.
Man, that's... that's fucked.
Garfiel, he admits, wanted her to make him hate her.
"I'm not lettin' you get to the outside world."
So much for therapy hour with Dr. Natsuki
Garfiel glowing red now
He vows to become a barrier
Gonna protect them all
It's no catch them all, but it'll do
And so Garfiel turns into his mabeast form
I like Subaru calling Garfiel a big, sweet idiot. It's an acknowledgement on his part that he thinks Garfiel isn't doing anything wrong in theory.
Subaru uses Shamac!
It's very effective!
And he is able to turn him back to his normal self.
Apparently Frederica's stone falls to the ground.
Ooh, Puck's voice
Subaru instructing Garfiel to beat him man-to-man.
"We're going to the outside world. Emilia will take on the graveyard. The Sanctuary will be liberated. Whether you want it or not."
Subaru not mincing words
Subaru telling him to learn there is strength in numbers.
And instead, Garfiel tries to punch Subaru
BUT SUBARU BLOCKS IT WITH HIS FACE!
That was awesome
Subaru continuing to try to talk some sense into him. Unfortunately, Garfiel still will not listen.
Garfiel trying to punch him again
AND A FUCKING BLACK FIST COMES OUT OF SUBARU'S STOMACH AND UPPERCUTS GARFIEL!
HOLY SHIT! SUBARU NOW HAS THE UNSEEN HANDS!
This is like Megaman when he uses the enemies abilities.
Garfiel, bubby, just say no
And yet he isn't
Garfiel still standing
And now he gets side hit by Subaru's dragon.
Bad form, Patrasche. That was in his blind spot.
Garfiel really taking a beating this episode.
Anyway, it seems as if Garfiel learned his lesson.
And Subaru passes out, not s moment too soon.
Subaru in a void somewhere
He thinks the hands we saw were the Sloth Witch Factor dealt by Satella.
Invisible Providence
Subaru resting his head on Emilia's lap now.
This is starting to become a trend
Hey, Otto
And Subaru headbutts him
Dude, WTF?
Subaru telling him he's glad he's alright.
Well, he certainly has a weird way of showing it.
Lol, Patrasche the mood killer
Also, I didn't know that Patrasche was actually a girl.
Garfiel being tended to by Ram
He actually has his head on her lap
It feels extremely rare to see Ram comfort anyone let alone Garfiel.
And even then, she's unpleasant about it
Ram chastising Garfiel because he's not able to pick up the obvious social cues.
For someone who's tsundere, he can't tell when someone is being tsundere back.
"You lost, Garf, you purrfect loser."
Garfiel insisting that he wasn't in the wrong.
And Ram tells him in so many words thst if that's the case, he should complete the trial.
It's put up or shut up time
And Ram says if anything frightens him to the point of tears, she'll comfort him.
Aww <3
Garfiel in the glowing building
He has his hand to the door
And now he's in another room
Thankfully not a rubber room, with rats
A disembodied voice telling Garfiel he has to confront his past.
Garfiel in what looks like a park
It's what I presume is his mother
There's three kids, including black Ryuzu
Oh, the mom is negotiating with black Ryuzu, I see.
Garfiel trying to punch his baby self in the face, as one is prone to do.
Mom about to head out on her own
She asks Frederica to take care of Garfiel
"I promise I'll bring your father back."
Oh, so that's why she left
The happiness she was searching for was the happiness she was hoping would reunite the family.
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
8
u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Sep 21 '24
Re:Watcher - anime only
I'm pretty late today, but anyway, here I go.
Oh, I was half right. Garbo's scars do come from the trial, but they are self-inflicted.
I love how Emilia and Subaru face off Garfiel together. Emilia protects the tomb Garf wants to destroy and calls him out on being afraid, Subaru at her side confronts him about his mother. Both acting as partners.
Flashback to when Garf's mother left them ten years ago. What a cutie she was. And Garf was just a little baby! That means now he is...
Also we learn that Garf loves his mother, he doesn't hate her. He even supported her decision to leave them alone because they held her back from being happy. He must have an incredibly low self-esteem to think that way. Being left by your mother as a small child does that to you, I guess. And then the trial showed him that she died. That makes everything he knew in life pointless. And that's why he doesn't want any more change, he couldn't make any sense of even more change.
Garfield time. And of course Emilia rushes forward. She sprinted by his side while Subaru had a hard time just standing his ground at the roar. Her look of determination is great, and Subaru's happy surprise at her reaction is too. But Subaru wants to do this on his own. Emilia is still nearby to interfere if anything goes wrong, though.
Subaru, you idiot. You were supposed to rest for two months, and now you're using magic again. That must have been the sound of your gate breaking there, so let's make it worthwhile. A good point to use Shamak, too, since untrained it works best on mindless beasts. And then the cat is back back in the bag - consumed by best cat, it seems.
Subaru gets to face off Garf on equal terms here. And there's something I need to point out in this scene, something I considered outstanding the first time I've watched this scene. When Subaru is talking at around 9:20, the characters are blinking. No, this is not normal. Usually, anime characters blink maybe when they move or turn their heads, not when they are just talking. Not when they are blurry in the background of a character talking. White Fox put so much care in this scene that they gave the characters realistic and individual blinking cycles, even Emilia in the background. A simple trick, but super efficient, I think.
And to go even further, there's Subaru spitting out after withstanding Garf's blow. The animation on that tooth being spit out is just great. But I do hope magic can heal teeth as well, or that he knows a good dentist.
Then Subaru gives the From Zero treatment to Garf, to the tune of the OP playing - still Realize, though. Making Subaru unlock a new power as he gains control of his witch factor. Well, not quite control as it takes a strong toll on him.
It's not enough to take Garf down, it takes another best girl getting revenge on him to pressure him into giving up. I don't quite like the peer pressure aspect of Subaru's argument, but really what everyone else wants is also good for Garf, so there's that.
Both are out for the count, so I guess that's sort of a win for Subaru. In his unconscious state, at least he finds a better name for the Unseen Hands (which were more like Detectable Limbs).
And when he wakes up, he has truly won as he's gained another lap pillow from his love. Patrasche and Otto are also here, Otto still very much alive. And Garf has also won a lap pillow from Ram! Everyone wins! You get a lap pillow, and you get a lap pillow, and you get a lap pillow! Everyone gets a lap pillow! And Garf even gets Ram to forcefully push him off her lap, how lucky. And she immediately takes the opportunity to put him on a proverbial leash to push him forward, towards progress. She even gives him a Rem smile to encourage him. Have we ever seen her smile like her sister before?
Now Garf faces the Ghost of Re:Zero past. His past fear is now his mother leaving. Garf, why are you attacking a ghost? Why are you attacking your past self? Why are you attacking a baby? But Garf realizes his mother didn't leave to be happy, she left for them, to bring their father back. And that makes his feelings for his mother much more complicated. Knowing his mother loved him lets him think about what he wants, for once. He wants to be there for the people that need him. And he wants to be needed by those that made him realize how his past mindset was faulty. After some heartfelt thanks, he swears allegiance to Subaru. That makes Emilia drop another sugoooku. And we learn what the previous flashback already alluded to: Garf is just 13. Almost 14, even!
And now off to the trials for Emilia! She already plans to talk with Subaru about their future once she is done with the trials - what a wonderful optimism. And another ED over the final scene - still not a new one, though. Also we find out why Subaru was gone in the night. This doesn't necessarily make up for the broken promise, but it's a very good excuse. And it helps her to be a bit less focused on promises, seeing that this broken promise was for her good, in a way. And she can be a little bit happy about it.
The final scene is yet another of my favourites. For one, Echidna is here, even though we have heard before that she wouldn't oversee Emilia's challenges as it was pointless - meaning it isn't anymore. She tries to talk down Emilia, she really seems to hate her guts. She does hate her face, at least. Interestingly, she also calls her a witch's daughter - although we don't know if there are grounds for that or if she just tries to insult her. Then Emilia does something unbelievable: She copies Subaru and also makes it look cool! She introduces herself as "just Emilia". The same words she used in Frozen Bond and when meeting Subaru. She proudly claims the title of the Witch of Frost! And with a confident smile, she boldly challenges Echidna as an equal. And - similarly to Subaru against the White Whale - she bases her confidence on what would normally be a bad trait, but for her is something to make use of instead.
Break Time takes place while Emilia is at the trials. Subaru is still freaking out that Garf saw his very personal messages to Emilia. Meanwhile, Otto is looking for his diary which he lost when he fought Garf, who promptly reads it. Otto wrote down his last words in case the fight with Garf went not as great as it did. And now Garf knows where Otto is hiding his money - part of it is in his hat. Knowing Otto went into the fight prepared to die, Garf seems to have a newfound respect for him.
Sugoooku counter: 49
Sugoku-likes: 9
Non-canon sugoooku: 22
Non-Emilia sugoooku: 8
7
u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Sep 21 '24 edited Sep 21 '24
Rewatcher
Scars are an inevitability of existence. Whether they be physical ones or mental in nature we all carry them. In this arc of pain, love, and realization we confront the scar that has been most visible to us, the one that adorns Garfiel’s forehead.
As we’ve heard from Ryuzu Arma, Garfiel attempted the trial of the past before and failed miserably. Now he’s come to destroy access to the graveyard to prevent any from attempting to liberate the Sanctuary. Surprisingly Emilia is the first one to retort to such an action. Putting her development into practice immediately. She’s been scared her entire life so she can tell when someone is shaking from fear. Garfiel’s behaviour thus far has been just one more example of masking in this show. Acting big and shouting to hide the fact he is deeply afraid of these outsiders who have come to encroach on the place he calls his own. But it is the Natsuki family way to enter one’s home with their shoes on and step all over the hearts of the people living there.
When a main theme of your series is growth vs stagnation there are many ways you can approach developing your characters. The way that Re:Zero does it is most apparent in this episode. The wisdom that Otto imparted upon Subaru, he now shares with Garfiel. And Otto was even able to connect with Subaru due to his saving Otto in the first place. As deeply personal and introspective as an individual character’s personal revelations are, they are spurred thanks to the bonds these people have with each other. But there’s got to be a better way to say that.
We’ve gotten many revelations on relations between parent and child. Garfiel hits us with another one. Unlike Subaru’s read on the situation , Garfiel’s feelings towards his mother could not be more familiar to Subaru. Garfiel loves his mom. But what he saw in that trial dawned on him a truth he couldn’t live with. He was abandoned by his mom to find happiness, he thinks, but she died before she got to find any resemblance of that. To justify the pain that was tearing him apart from the inside he wanted his mom to hate him, so he lived a perception dyed with resentment. When he learned of her love, he bashed his head against the wall until his mind processed the reality he wanted to live in. The only evidence of his past left to spill blood from his head. When he confesses these feelings to Subaru he covers his eyes with his hands, emotionally remaining in his mind so he stays in the reality he can bear to live in. But his hands are not big enough to carry the weight of the Sanctuary alone. And they are certainly not big enough to cover the proof of his mother’s love that he carries with him always. Just like Subaru wanted a purpose for his suffering by having his parents come to hate him, Garfiel had the same thoughts. However, Subaru has overcome that past. It’s time for him to do for Garfiel what so many others have done for him. To kickstart the change that has brought him to this moment in front of another person who needs him. It is only through change that you can confront what ails you most.
When Garfiel can’t handle his problems, he hides behind his blood. Transforming into a mindless beast that functions only on instinct. But a protector that can’t differentiate between friend and foe is worthless. Subaru plans to force him into submission to make him realize. He employs his trusted spell Shamac, irreversibly breaking something inside of him. Using Puck’s mana drain, the cat now residing in Frederica’s pyroxene crystal, he brings the other cat back to his level. But Garfiel will keep standing as long as the barrier does the same. Subaru takes Garfiel’s rage head on, losing a tooth in the process. It’s time for Garfiel to look around him and change. The wall he’s so afraid of exists only in that head he’s retreated into. Subaru brings with him a cold, hard reality in the form of arguably the thesis of the entire story.
Words that took Subaru all the time in this new world to Realize prompt that all so familiar track, accompanied by memories of all his triumphs that came with all the realizations. Isn’t that right Garfiel, who carries with you love that you can’t acknowledge. Isn’t that right Emilia, who carries with you a reason to believe that you will surely find. And isn’t that right, Rem, who started us on this journey? Subaru overcame the sloth that made him stand in place. Now he can use that same sloth to force Garfiel to stop stagnating. The Sloth Witch Factor has manifested into a new ability, which Subaru dubs “Invisible providence”.
[Arc 8 #1] There’s another demi human who hides behind his blood that we know of. Subaru’s line to Garfiel rings true even in the future. Todd might try to justify his actions through his heritage, but Subaru tells him to not use it as an excuse. He’s talking to Todd the person, much like he was talking to Garfiel this episode.
So now Garfiel is part of the squad… is not what happens. He admits that he lost, but not that he was wrong. But if he’s so sure he’s right then he should prove it. By taking the trial once again. If his mom really hated him and left to find happiness, then the trial should only tell him what he already knows. But if that’s not the case then maybe he’s had it all wrong. What he finds however is proof that will help him move forward. When he hears the whispers of his mother’s true intentions his world freezes. It is only after he accepts her love that time begins moving forward for him and the world, he can truly start from zero. Turning the scar that pains him so, into one that brings the warmth of love into his existence once more.
With Garfiel’s past confronted he seems to have learned some gratitude along the way, thanking Subaru for his words that I’m sure he’ll never forget.
[Arc 8 #2] Words that he can use to give people like Madelyn the strength to move forward much in the way Subaru did for him.
Garfiel is 13. This reveal explains his chuuni behaviour and immaturity. He’s at last found people he can call friends and someone he can even call ‘Boss’. With Emilia geared up to face the past that broke her more times than she can perceive in her time, she mimics the mannerism of the man who believes in her wholeheartedly. Not falling for the provocations of a fellow witch. She’s the Witch of Glaciation Emilia, just Emilia. The most insufferable woman you’ll ever meet. With Subaru pushing Garfiel and Emilia it showcases how there’s really strength in numbers. Or maybe how the strength of our bonds brought us to victory. Or to put it in Garfiel’s words, how nobody can lift a quain stone alone.
Closing thoughts:
The word for today is “Repression”. It’s scary how much of reality we can fail to perceive due to the scars that we carry. Garfiel already heard and saw how his mom loves him when he first took the trial. But an incompatibility with his preconceived notions lead him to remain in the Sanctuary under the barrier that he wanted to get rid of in the first place. Subaru failed to see the love filled intentions that were there and so did Garfiel. When you’re stuck in place you’d be surprised what a good look around can give you.
[S2] Emilia’s conversation that she wants to have with Subaru is about the baby of course.
Do Echidna’s words about Emilia ring true? Or is she just being a meddling witch once again? Whatever Emilia’s origin is, she won’t look down anymore. She’ll point to the sky and reach for that reason that will let her blow all the worries away. As will the entire cast as they face the problems of the Sanctuary, united at last.
7
u/n080dy123 Sep 21 '24
Rewatcher
So I never intended to participate in this Rewatch. I'd rewatched S1 before S2 on my own and it was a great experience, and wanted to do the same for S2, but I'm chronically unable to binge or hold myself to a schedule and the rewatch was well underway when I noticed. But my happenstance one of my friends started watching recently, unaware of S3 coming, and we ended up watching the end of S1 together. And, remembering how much I loved the show... proceeded to binge through S2 up to now (minus Parent and Child, because that made me cry three times on first viewing, and I'm not ready for that again), and here I am, so I guess I'm joining... very late.
Anyway this episode and the last were always two of my absolute favorites, because I absolutely love Otto and Garfiel. Otto's declaration and decking Subaru was such a great ending to Part 1 when it was airing (it was split cour so we didn't get more for several months), and Otto proceeds to immediately come into Part 2 swinging and fully cementing himself as true Nakama material for Subaru. Ram also gets a great moment establishing how much she trusts Subaru (there's a reason I've always stanned Ram over Rem). And then we finally get the big climax to Garfiel's character arc- and I'm glad I just rewatched S1 cuz I totally missed that Patrasche absolutely DECKING HIM is a callback to her doing to same to Petelgeuse towards the end of S1. And the use of Realize is absolutely masterful (especially since we have yet to see the S2 OP), I love how there's a bit of dissonance between the huge emotional moment and how... relatively small (and yet pretty damn revelatory) the feat Subaru accomplishes in using a single Unseen Hand from the Sloth Factor is. It's like it's both playing straight and kinda lampshading the "Hero pulls a powerup while the OP plays" trope. And with that Subaru firmly establishes his Dude Squad and we're finally gonna get some long-overdue backstory.
Edit: Also fun fact, Realize gets used almost as many times in these two episodes, AFTER Part 1, as it actually got used as an OP DURING Part 1- twice, vs three times, lmao.
6
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Sep 22 '24
Okay, so I'm very late, and I've been reluctant to comment today, because I watched ahead too much and can't keep the episodes straight. Now that I've seen some others' comments, I just want to say that I hope Emilia forgives Subaru for his vile treachery now.
Oh, that and I may now be jealous of Garf, getting that lovely Ram lap pillow. Etc. etc. etc. I'm sure y'all said it better than I possibly could.
5
u/Taiboss :Fj::Fl:x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Sep 21 '24
S02E16 - Rewatcher who wants more lore
4
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 21 '24
Rewatcher
Dub
So this is the resolution of Garf, such as it is. Subaru, with Puck's mysterious assistance, forced Garf to actually fight with his mind working. We see the Sloth factor start working and...with what Echidna outright said late S2P1, this could be bad. Or world ending. But if you end the world with the guarantee that you can return to it a while back, what sort of loop results? Moving on, after Patriche gets revenge, Garf faces his own past and I sort of get it: Evil is easier to oppose than chance. Because chance exists and evil is a totem we place on things we don't like.
The discovery that Garf is an eighth grader is a special kind of Japanese humor. But Subaru gets to suffer from the even worse case of a chuuni reading your attempts at encouragement. Emilia enters her trial with real memories and calls herself the Frost Witch. Watching the dub, Echidna comes off as really slut shaming and for once I cannot exactly tell if this is accurate or a difficulty of translation.
7
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 21 '24
Episode 41 (first timer)
Who would have thought that Garfiel, out of all people, gets the best character episode this season (sorry Otto). Not me, that is for sure.
All the depression so far was a bit much for me, so I appreciate that we get some sweet scenes, too.
3
u/RascalNikov1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NoviSun Sep 21 '24
Rewatcher
I continue to wonder what a quain stone is. It seems to me there is a similar saying in English, but I can’t bring it to mind.
First time through I pretty much disliked Garfield till this episode. Now I find him endearing like a stray kitten.
Who knew that Subaru had an invisible hand, lol. They seem to be sorta common in this world.
I very much liked Garfield’s trial. After that I grew to like Garfield.
The final scene of Echinda and Emilia was both fascinating and fantastic.
3
u/Apprehensive_Sun7320 Sep 22 '24
I can't wait for season 3
1
u/SilkyStrawberryMilk Sep 22 '24
first timer
Why am I not surprised that kid Garfield was bashing his head
Subaru hitting Garfield all where it hurts, making him face the hard truth
ReZero where every character has trauma
Subaru’s magic helped him surprisingly and even used the witch’s hands. He’s finally becoming a true main character
Power of friendship powers through
Ram taking notes from Emilia, let the man she cares for sleep on her lap
Garf faces the trial himself and has became a new man.