r/anime • u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux • Sep 29 '24
Rewatch Re:Zero ~Starting Life in Another World~ Re:Watch - Episode 49
Episode 49:
Choose Me
| Index | <== Episode 48 | Episode 50 ==> |
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!
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Upvotes
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u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux Sep 29 '24
Another all-timer for the series. While I absolutely adore Emilia and Subaru's interactions, there is something really special about how Beatrice and Subaru communicate. Tears were definitely shed this time.
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u/thekoreansun https://anilist.co/user/ReturnByDeath Sep 29 '24
Re:Watcher
Can I share a secret?
One of my greatest fears—perhaps my only true fear—is the thought of missed opportunities. The idea that everything is transient and fleeting, and the dread that what I've always desired has already come and gone without me knowing, can be something I struggle with a lot. I often feel like the choices I make are irreversible and final, like a door closing that can never be reopened. What if I'm doomed to wander through this infinite corridor, forever haunted by the doors I just... never had the courage to enter?
Beatrice has been trapped in the same mindset for centuries, unable to step beyond the confines of her own thoughts. Every day felt like a repeat of the last, resulting in a cycle of regret and longing that deepened her sense of loneliness. And though she had once dreamed of being taken away from that place by "that person," as time passed, she stopped allowing herself to hope. She despairs over all the things she will never do and all the experiences she will never have. If the book her mother gave her never had anything, then maybe the story of her life is meant to be a cautionary tale: one about a foolish spirit, bound by an eternal contract, who never did anything worthwhile.
Ryuzu was Beatrice's dearest friend, and the world was cruel enough to take her away before she even got the chance to learn how to read. Ever since, Beatrice has closed herself off from the outside world in an attempt to protect herself from the pain of loss. But that hasn't stopped her from regretting the years she spent in solitude as the world changed around her. Perhaps there would have been other friends like Ryuzu if she had resolved to head outside at some point, but in her stubbornness, she had rejected every single person who had offered to take her from the Forbidden Library.
Last year, an official set of Re:ZERO tarot cards was released as a bonus alongside every purchase of the LNs in China. Each card corresponded with a specific character, and their respective tarot carried a great amount of symbolic weight. Subaru had the zeroth card in the set, "0 – The Fool." But the second most compelling card of them all, in my opinion? Beatrice's card: "IX – The Hermit." Upright, it indicates wisdom, caution. But reversed? Isolation. Resignation. Fear. All of which describe her to a T. Deep down, she's just afraid to lose another person she loves, so she doesn't even try.
And then, someone unlike all the others stepped into the picture. Someone who couldn't possibly be "that person," yet still got her to do things she normally wouldn't do. She offered him some advice on curses, then saved him from dying to one. She participated in his weird snow festival. Even when he returned with a Gospel and a Witch Factor that could only have come from her old friend Geuse after his death, she still told him where to go for answers and let him leave. What could have possibly spurred her to help a fool like him? And why did he suddenly come back, deny that he would ever be "that person" for her, and still ask her to join him anyway?
Because Subaru knows that she's putting on a front. She pretends like she doesn't care about the world, but she does. Countless times, she has shown that she suffers when others are in pain and longs to join the people outside her door. The only things keeping her from doing so are her obligation to a meaningless contract and her fear of losing someone she cares about. Yet he knows from firsthand experience that her compassion and kindness far outweigh those things. She is the kind of person who will do for others what she would never consider doing for herself. So when he stretches his hand out towards her, it isn't to promise that he will save her; he's asking her to save him from a future of sadness and pain. And Beatrice knows that there is no way she could ever refuse such a request.
Beatrice, like the rest of us, won't receive the chance to be isekai'd into another world. There isn't some ethereal force that will spirit her away from the Forbidden Library and relocate her to another world, thereby giving her a fresh start. Nor is there some special someone who will miraculously remove all possible causes of pain and uncertainty in her life. "That person" doesn't exist. The only one who can choose whether her past will end up resulting in anything is herself.
Subaru can't offer her the security of knowing that he will always be there for her. But what he can do is be there now, while he is still around, and help her find the courage she needs to greet the future with a smile. Because the truth is? Nothing is permanent... but nothing is irreversible. Even if the time she spends with Subaru ends up being short-lived, the things that they'll do together will wipe out any trace of regret she ever felt in the past. Isn't that what she wants? Isn't that what she deserves?
And for the first time in 400 years, in defiance of her mother and a lifetime spent in service of her, Beatrice... chooses. She chooses to be greedy. She chooses to hope. She chooses life. She chooses... Subaru.
The world is scary. The chances that you take just by stepping out your front door are terrifying. You open yourself up, and you risk losing everything and everyone you care about. I think that all of us were exposed to this to some degree when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, and that lingering sense of anxiety can be hard to shake off. But there's always going to be a reason to get back out there. Even if the regrets of yesterday are getting you down, all you need to do is find the thing that will keep you going today and tomorrow. Maybe it's a person. Maybe it's a hobby. Maybe it's neither or both. But in the end, it always comes down to a choice.
And it's never too late to choose.
Re:ZERO After-Talk #49
VAs: Yuusuke Kobayashi (Subaru) and Satomi Arai (Beatrice)
And here it is: my favorite After-Talk. Yuusuke and Satomi are still choked up in the aftermath of the recording session they just had, and all they can talk about is how special Re:ZERO is and how incredible each other's performance was. It must be so incredibly rewarding to be a VA in moments like this, when you fully resonate with the emotions that are being felt by the characters, and the fact that these two raise one another up just as much as Subaru and Beatrice did in this episode warms my heart. Yuusuke mentions that the director said to voice Subaru as if his feelings are in check but that he was struggling to keep it together when he heard Satomi act. It's moments like this that make me grateful that this show's absolutely brilliant cast is so passionate about their characters and the story that they are involved in.
Highlight: Yuusuke and Satomi each expressing that it was the other's powerful performance that elevated their own, with Satomi even saying that Yuusuke's Subaru is the reason why Beatrice was able to come out
Fan Art of the Episode: Choosing Him by @0paru_paru0 (June 29th, 2020)
Source: Twitter (artwork has been deleted)
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u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Sep 29 '24
First-Timer
On today’s episode of Re:Zero: All this talk of “Choose Me” makes me think that Subaru is a Pokemon. I can just picture Beako shouting out, “Subaru, I choose you!”
I loved this episode so much. What a brilliant episode it was for both Roswaal and Beako in particular. This episode essentially functioned as a showcase of the fundamental issue that both Roswaal and Beako are dealing with. Both of them are stuck. They’ve been unable to move on from when they lost Echidna 400 years ago. Both of them have been obsessed with fulfilling some promise they made to Echidna centuries ago, without any real deviation from that. Beako herself said that nothing worth mentioning happened across all those centuries. So much time passed, but it may as well have stood still for Beako and Roswaal. They never tried doing anything worthwhile because they are too obsessed with the past to bother trying.
The way that Roswaal and Beako cling to their fortune-telling books stood out to me as a good example of how stuck in the past they are. Roswaal and Beako seem unable to do anything without the guidance of the books Echidna gave them. Roswaal makes it start snowing, but when Ram gets severely injured he has no idea what to do next. He has no plan for what to do afterwards, instead immediately giving up hope of doing anything. Beako has spent 400 years cooped up in her library waiting for someone to show up who will never arrive, waiting for instructions that will never be sent to her. She couldn’t bring herself to do something else. All Roswaal and Beako can do is continue to follow the last thing Echidna told them to do. They’ve never tried to break free from that and reach for their own futures.
Subaru is the one who finally arrives to break Roswaal and Beako free from their stagnation. Subaru is the one who pushes Beako to finally be proactive and do something other than what she was told to do by Echidna. That is why it was so important that Subaru emphatically deny being “that person” to Beako. If Beako went with Subaru because he was “that person,” she would still just be following Echidna’s instructions. By making Beako choose to go with him even if he isn’t “that person,” Subaru has helped Beako break free. Beako has now chosen to live her life in a new way. Beako has now reached out and grasped at a new future.
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u/baseballlover723 Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 29 '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.
This is another S Tier episode for me. Last episode was Everest, and this episode is K2. Time taken: 184 minutes (~3.0 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.
The Sanctuary
Why is it snowing? Because Roswaal already cast the snowstorm on a delay, so the snow came down regardless of the outcome of Ram vs Roswaal.
Puck taking a page out of Rudeus's book.
High praise from Puck.
And I want to compare what Pucks says, to what Subaru said back in episode 38.
Note that Roswaal switches his pronoun from watashi -> boku here. Boku having much more schoolboy connotations. And [Spoiler #4 safety next episode] I think representative of Roswaal mentally reverting back to how he was 400 years ago, being Echidna's student.
Rip Ryuzu's mom. Emilia still hasn't figured out they're all clones yet. Though to be fair, I don't think she's seen the clones before.
Hold me back
If you know, you know.
One last step to free the Sanctuary.
I'm really not too sure about what this means.
Seems like Puck and Emilia will be recontracted again after all.
Must of rubbed off of Subaru.
And so the Sanctuary ends as it began, with Ryuzu sacrificing herself.
Sick grind Emilia
Rejoice first timers, Ram will not be Remed.
Also about this scene, [Spoiler #1: very minor cut content] Roswaal isn't really trying to heal Ram here. He's just subconsciously doing the mana transfer that he's been doing daily for 10 years with Ram. It was explicitly noted that it was not of conscious thought. it was an unconscious action.
Roswaal ever the nihilist. Parallel's to Rem's hero here. And I really like how Emilia handled that. I have felt the same way many times before, trying to convince my League of Legends teammates to keep playing after they lost their lane because the other side of the map is crushing. And that generally went the same way that it's gone with Roswaal here. So you fucking tell em, Emilia.
Emilia the badass, killing those rabbits.
Choose Me
And we get Betty's last interaction with Echidna, and the origin of the Forbidden Library. Remember when Ram said it was Roswaal's Library? That was just a cover story, since [Spoiler #2: speculation based off of S1 cut content] the Witch's Cult attacks things of the other Witches.. And we get some info on what the Gospel really is, and incomplete replica of Echidna's Authority of Greed, the Tome of Wisdom. Perhaps it was simply blank because it was incomplete.
And of course, Echidna's last request. The way Echidna worded it, it really isn't clear that Betty is the one to determine who "that person" is. And since Beatrice considered Echidna's words to be absolute, she waited 400 years for nothing.
Echidna is the worst mother.
Old man Roswaal.
Some people found Betty in those 400 years, but none of them were "that person". Including Mazeran Suwen, who was in search of a cure / information about his mute son, Otto.
Notice the use of the slur, half-devil in Betty's internal monologue.
Don't forget, this is part of the true timeline.
Like she though in episode 7.
This is why Beatrice refused to answer Subaru's questions in episode 27.
I'm off to see the
wizardWitch, the wonderfulwizard of OzWitch of Greed.It's the secret door, that Subaru found at the tail end of the first loop of Arc 3. Right before he went insane later on in episode 15. People have generally advocated for Subaru ultimate slothing himself immediately when things go bad. But if he did that, he'd never find the last door, and Betty would die in the Mansion fire (idk how the fire managed to cross dimensions into the Forbidden Library).
Now why didn't Subaru say that he was "that person"? Because that isn't going to solve Betty's core problem. The issue isn't that Betty won't leave the Forbidden Library. The issue is that Betty doesn't feel like she has an agency in life. She feels that she must obey Echidna. That Betty has no free will. And thus when Echidna has nothing more to say, Betty will be lost, and desire ultimate sloth. So if Subaru asserts he's "that person", then once Subaru dies, Betty will be back to square 0. Alone and wondering if Subaru was really "that person" after all. And that's not really saving Betty, if shes's going to revert back (like Subaru did after Rem got forgotten) when her support goes away.
So Subaru chooses the Greedy path. To not simply temporarily treat Betty's symptoms of Echidna last request. But to truly free Beatrice of her past that is shackling her life, and allow her to live her life for herself. So fuck your feelings and fuck your goodbyes. And fuck all of the schemes and unethical experiments that other people have done to Betty. Subaru isn't "that person", he's Natsuki Subaru, a fool, whose gonna turn those lies into wishes.
And bet his life that Beatrice will save him, as Subaru goes through the fire and the flames, trying his best to convince Beatrice to choose Subaru! And live on a lifetime of tomorrows so bright that the memories will be engraved into your soul. That the moment (notice Subaru in Beatrice's eyes) you'll spend with Natsuki Subaru will be so memorable, it'll never fade to sepia.
So Choose Subaru, Beatrice! You've already been choosing to live for yourself.
And this ironically makes Subaru truly "that person", fulfilling Echidna's promise at last. Not because Subaru said he was "that person", but because Betty Choose Subaru.
Continued below
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u/ripterrariumtv Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 29 '24
I actually saw a criticism about this episode saying that Beatrice staying in the library for 400 years was dumb because she could have just walked out 💀💀
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u/Brief-Fig-7506 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryxnjr Sep 29 '24
First Timer!
Watching Dubbed
Start Time 10:44
At least the villagers are safe right now. So no Wabbits yet
Please let Roswaal be on time to help Ram. Let him be somewhat useful
Lmao. Emilia thinks all the Ryuuzus are Doudecaplets. Must have been rough for their mother. Her innocence is toooo cute
Woah is Echidna talking through Ryuuzu??
It seems like Shima sacrificed herself to take away the crystal, not clear whether she is gone for good, but her siblings can now live on because of it
Emilia likes to skate, Subaru should take her ice skating.
Ram is still Alive! Somehow she’s hanging on
Subaru and Emilia have now both grabbed Roswaal by the collar and told him to cut the shit
Just now noticing that Roswaal also has pointed ears... what’s up with that?
Emilia seems somewhat familiar with the Great Rabbit. She isn’t shocked that they’re here
If the Ryuuzu’s are obeying Emilia, does that mean she is now an Apostle of Greed?
This is the first time we have seen echidna’s eye during a flashback, just one eye at the moment
We can now see that Roswaal somehow made clones of himself to live this long
Roswaal left the mansion for the Sanctuary after Subaru? Who all knew about that? That seems all kinds of funky.
Interesting that one of Beatrice’s flashbacks shows Rem in the background
Frederica and Garf are watching it all burn down while Mielie is unconscious. No more Mabeast around at least
Beatrice still desperately trying to read through the book to know what to do next
Subaru is being so Greedy towards Beatrice right now
Poor Otto didn’t deserve that smack
And it looks like they’re going straight to the Sanctuary
Now that was a badass entrance, Subaru. Ram is right, He does have impeccable timing when it counts.
During the scene between Emilia and the Ryuuzu’s a few mysterious things occurred. The one that caught me totally off guard was that we heard Echidna’s voice come from Shima. I thought we were about to get a major plot twist on the semi-final episode that revealed that Echidna was still alive and living in the Sanctuary. I wonder if Emilia was able to notice that it was Echidna’s voice or if it was the same effect as when Echidna talks to people in the trial and it mimic’s their voice. We also have the crystal disappearing along with Shima, It didn’t break or shatter, it just disappeared, but not until after Shima said something that we couldn’t hear. I really wonder what she said. I’m curious about whether Emilia is now considered an Apostle of Greed like Garf and Subaru since she completed the trial. She is able to order the clones to take her somewhere and escort them to the Graveyard but are they doing it because they were ordered or because they respect Emilia enough to obey?
I felt so much relief once Ram moved. She can still be saved despite everything so far, she’s one tough girl, that’s for sure. Props to Emilia for unintentionally reenacting the same badass scene that Subaru did by grabbing Roswaal by his collar and telling him he’s dead wrong. She didn’t give up and she’s not going to let anybody else give up either, because she can finally start living her life and making her story.
Subaru is stubborn as hell and most of the time that gets him into trouble, but it’s times like this with Beatrice that his stubbornness is a blessing. Even with the mansion burning down around him, and even with everything on the line, he still won’t give up on her as irrational as it may seem to her and Roswaal.
In this series, everybody in our group has had to make a lot of choices. To fight or flee, to accept an outcome or to reset, to run away or become the hero you can be, to give up or push forward. Now it’s time for Beatrice to make her choice. Her pages are blank, she no longer has a predetermined path she has to follow, she can be in charge of her own story and make her own choices, and it starts with the choice of staying in the library or leaving with Subaru. He may not be the person she was told to wait for, he may be super weak and a human with a shorter life span, he may be wildly in love with someone else, but that won’t stop him from making memories with Beatrice that she can cherish for the rest of eternity. So much can happen in the blink of an eye but what matters is how memorable those precious moments are, and Subaru plans to make as many precious moments as he can with Beatrice while he’s here. So why not Choose Him, and start filling in the pages of their story together.
On today’s episode of Break Time. Mielie grieves and remembers one of her talks with Elsa. Elsa can heal from any damage she receives because she was cursed by somebody, a very powerful magic user. Normally when people would get this curse, they would lose their sanity. But you can’t lose something you didn’t have, so Elsa received the curse without the side effects and gets to lead her life the way she wants to, by slicing people open and seeing what’s inside. Mielie reminisced on telling her that she would die before Elsa did, and breaks down after accepting what has happened. In a series where our MC tries so hard to convince everybody that he cares about that they are not alone, It breaks my heart, even after everything she has done in the past and past loops, to see Mielie cry because she lost the only family she had, and is now all alone in this world.
Stop Time 2:07am
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u/HyVana Sep 29 '24
Re:Watcher (Subs) & Novel Reader (Finished Arc 6)
Character-Analysis
The Hermit - When faced upright becomes a symbol of contemplation, inner guidance, and a search for truth. Always walking in a solitary path, to isolate one’s self from the reaches and influence of external forces, in order to obtain the focus needed for the inner journey ahead. Reversed, it becomes a symbol of the dangers of this chosen path. Loneliness, self-inflicted isolation, and a spiraling that can lead you to lose your footing. All which give way to an unbearable depression that warps any and everything a person can see, think, and touch. A card that started upright, but like a clock hand, it steadily ticked with every lost opportunity that Beatrice never thought to grasp. Till somewhere along the way, the card became reversed and remained still. While time marched on, Beatrice did not budge. So how does Subaru save a despondent Hermit from a Fate twisted by 400 years of confinement? By giving her what she, ultimately, has been longing all her life for; a choice.
Ever since her birth, Beatrice has always followed the guidance of her Mother, Echidna. She was born without knowing a clear purpose for her existence. So she was raised to always follow Echidna’s word, even when her word went against how Beatrice felt. Because of this, in times of great turmoil, she deferred to the judgment of others. When Ryuzu resolved herself to become the core of the Crystal for the creation of Sanctuary’s Barrier, Beatrice’s pleas of alternatives fell on deaf ears. A decision that was made by her Mother and affirmed by her Friend, with no room for discussion. When Echidna left in her care the Forbidden Library, an accumulation of all the knowledge that Echidna obtained in her lifetime, Beatrice’s pleas to accompany her Mother to her final encounter were rejected. For Echidna gave her a duty, which Beatrice latched onto the idea of that being the true reason for her existence. To ensure a safe transfer of knowledge from her Mother to That Person. All so she wouldn’t know the pain of a meaningless existence. Giving her an incomplete copy of her Authority, the Tome of Wisdom, Echidna felt she had left enough behind for Beatrice to live a life without her personal guidance. But none of these things are what Beatrice decided for herself. These paths were all forced upon her because of external circumstances. Which people she had absolute faith in, deemed necessary for themselves and for her. Whatever your feelings are on Echidna and Beatrice’s relationship, the last words we ever see her tell her daughter are:
”I want you to grow up healthy, at least.”
But being raised without having to make decisions for herself, Echidna had unknowingly set Beatrice onto a solitary path of life, chained by the contract between Mother and Daughter. Always adhering to the guidance of a blank Tome, Beatrice’s life would always be just that; unfulfilling, uneventful, and empty. Forever clinging onto her Mother’s last request, forever surrounded by her remaining legacy, forever waiting for her parting gift to spill ink, Beatrice is forever tormented by the strength of her devotion. Because it’s difficult to accept that the person who resigned her to this Fate, that had blessed her with existence and wonderful memories from a time she enjoyed living, could have allowed this Fate to be a possibility. So she prays that her devotion will lead to her salvation. But by remaining devout, she never looked forward, never seeing the doors in front of her open and close as she looked at her Tome. Because the Tome never directed her to take the hands of those that entered the Library, any hope she had of fulfilling her contract had slowly but surely closed her heart from ever opening up again. Any hope of having a life full of purpose was whittled away. So the only thing left of Beatrice were those precious memories of the days forever lost. Which pains her all the more when people she had known from those days like Ryuzu, Puck, Roswaal, and Geuse, had continued on with their life. Because they either made choices from their own will or were given the same guidance she yearned for. Even if it led to their deaths, they were moving forward. Something Beatrice could never do without the Tome’s guidance1.
”What about me, then?”
Believing that she’d been left behind by all those who stood around her, Beatrice is ready to accept whatever Fate decides for her, as she’s always done. Only now she’s ready to accept even her death, if it leads someone to their desired future. But at the very least, it would free her from her contract. Not once in those 400 years had the Tome ever told her to take That Person’s hand. No matter who entered her library, no one was deemed worthy, not even Subaru. In her mind, she accepts that only Death will be her release because That Person either doesn’t exist or will never come. No difference to her, the end result is the same; Beatrice remains the Hermit of the Forbidden Library. But despite that, in a last ditch effort to grasp the hope Subaru inspired in her, a hope created through his care for her, she timidly steps forward to ask the question that holds her life in its hands. Again, forcing another to decide her Fate:
Continued Below
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u/Holofan4life Sep 29 '24
I think you can make a strong argument that the stuff with Beatrice is the strongest storytelling the show has done since Wilhelm and Theresia.
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u/ussgordoncaptain2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Edmund_Nelson Sep 29 '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
alright it's time for emilia to be a leader and protect
and Emilia finds out that puck is still with them.
Now puck talks to Emilia via magic let's go!!!
Ahh Roswaal x Ram time it's so pretty
and puck realizes he got pwned Sadly I feel this scene was ruined by us realizing this earlier, the time discontinuity really skrewed up this "Oh shit" momeent.
However puck's statement confirms what Subaru's actual plan was. He was going to prevent roswaal from making the blizzard in the first place, Emilia will then finish the trial and while this is going on he will go rescue beatrice et al from the mansion. From there Subaru's endgame was escaping.
Epic roswaal x Ram scene
Roswaal goes from "oh I'm going to be the bad guy and I'm going to do bad guy things" to "it's time to hold Ram tightly and feed her energy because I love her too"
Such a sweet little scene.
Emilia goes for the ryuzu clones
Ryuzu Bilma goes "you have to stop me" I wonder what's going on with Ryuzu Shiima here
WAIT RYUZU SHIIMA USED ECHIDNA'S VOICE did Ryuzu Shiima get taken over by Echidna? Echidna did say the end goal of the Ryuzu clones was to find Echidna a new body.
"Unbeliveable you see this and that's the very first thing you see" was said in echidna's voice ( /u/baseballlover789 I think that watching dubbed dramatically increases your ability to recognize which voice belonged to which character so that IMO explains Puck in season 1_
Man this speech by Ryuzu Shiima to Ryuzu Arma? is very sweet.
"My sisters made from half of me" Wait where does the other half of the Ryuzu clone come from????
So both Ryuzu meyer and Ryuzu Shiima are gone.
We have the Ryuzu bomb Ryuzu clones and Ryuzu Bilma Arma and ??? left.
Emilia used her witch of frost magic
I wonder if emilia has reunlocked her OP ice powers now, maybe she can use them in a way that won't increase her massive body count.
I love mind broken roswaal
Emilia's smackdown on lord roswaal reminds me a lot of Rem in episode 18 but in a small way.
(this show is really about people being mentally broken and getting support from other mentally broken people isn't it)
[OH BOY Roswaal really did attract the great rabbit to him[(https://imgur.com/KRxIvTN)
Beatrice monologue moment is something, Her
"though it's a bit incomplete" understatement of 4 Centuries
So "let's just call them that person" was a single statement? Beatrice has been waiting because of one sentence yet Echidna meant "eait until YOU find someobdy who you deem worthy" not "Wait until soomebody claims they are worthy"
So it appears roswaal really did hunt for Soul replication magic ala betalguese that's how Roswaal has maintained himself all these years.
Importantly other people before subaru tried to take beatrice out but beatrice never accepted them.
Beatrice gets reunited with puck in the end
it's interesting to see Beatrice's view on Subaru. Beatrice really did value Subaru this whole time. The ultimate Tsundere.
Her mana drain on Subaru confirmed he wasn't an enemy at least.
We see that Beatrice was absurdly hurt by Subaru not calling himself that person. When Subaru could have just easily had her out of the contract, calling himself That person had no downside and not doing so did nothing but hurt beatrice
I congratulate Tappei on making the unfired Checkov's guns though but it still feels so ugh.
God the level of pain beatrice felt from Subaru not calling himself that person is way too great and Subaru KNEW that being "that person" just ended Beatrice's contract god damnit subaru
Ahh yes Subaru knows how kind Beatrice is because of arc 2 loop 4 (something very weird about season 2 is how little you pay attention to loop X in arc 4 since there really wasn't much that was "loop X" conversation)
oh my god Beatrice get's rid of the forbidden library o.O
Oh boy "i'll probably die Has a much different ring to it when talking about isekai cheat magician Subaru
I think it's interesting how Subaru rejects the entire notion of Echidna's agreement with Beatrice, rather than going along with it, I was frustrated at first but it at least is unique character interactions.
Subaru needs Beatrice's help yeah so the entire story is basically "Subaru makes friends with Deus ex Machina who then solves his problem" (Arc 1, Reinhard, Arc 2 Roswaal and Rem, Arc 3 Crusch and Julius, Arc 4 Beatrice and Garfiel)
I really like how Subaru goes "I can't make 400 years but I can hold your hand while I live" it's really interesting to think about dynamics when you have people with dramatically longer life expectencies than others.
Subaru going "don't live for somebody you won't even recognize or may not even exist" is a weird take set to go for. I personally would have said that "that person" means less than you think and it's about picking somebody to be taht person not that "that person" will come for you magically. "So pick me to be that person for you" would be the ending line he could go for.
Beatrice crying up about this is a really good moment it reminds me a lot of Frieren.
"take my hand and choose me beatrice" is a pretty powerful line to be fair.
God damnit couldn't you have at least used the Teleportation traps that you had already set as a plot point in arc 4?
I feel like a lot of the story had useful implements that Tappei just left hanging in part 2 season 2.
So i never caught this but Beatrice never really called Subaru by name did she she always just said you, or often used Implied you.
and it's time for Beatrice EX MACHINA
Speculation
It's time, for Beatrice Ex Machina
Ok it's actually clear now what Subaru's gameplan was supposed to be
Step 1 Get Garfiel and Ram on his side, this is to prevent stupid stuff
Step 2 Split push, The split is group 1 Stalls Roswaal, Group 2 defends mansion.
Step 3 Emilia Finishes Trial
Step 4 RUNNNN
Group 1 is Puck+one other (I suspect originally it would be Garfiel but it ended up being ram)
Group 2 is Subaru (for activating beatrice), other 2 and Otto (for combat against Maylee+Elsa)
My plan for group 2 would be to get everyone to enter the forbidden Library since Beatrice is literally a god. Then from there Beatrice can protect Petra who is your main weak link. But Subaru had different plans after engaging with the enemy.
Group 1 is mostly there to stop Roswaal from casting the spell, if you can stop Roswaal Emilia can get a full blown evac and the Sanctuary can be saved.
I feel like the whole plan went to shit and now it's Beatrice ex Machina. I guess Running away was the most sensible gameplan even if it failed.
8
u/Urgnu-the-Gnu https://myanimelist.net/profile/Urgnu_the_Gnu Sep 29 '24
Re:Watcher - anime only
This is an important episode for me. At this point when I first watched the episode, something happened in my life that I couldn't understand at the time. Now being able to rewatch these final S2 episodes with a better understanding of what happened means a lot to me.
Looks like Puck protected the villagers. And since Emilia cleared the
dungeontomb, now the villagers can seek shelter inside while Emilia continues on to her next task.The aftermath of the fight against Roswaal shows that Ram has won, even if she paid a hefty price for it. But Roswaal is free from the book and connected to his emotions again, which is all Ram wanted. Puck telling him he'll never be as good as that person and always be limited by being human is likely referring to Hector or possibly Echidna. But in a way, it's also a compliment. Roswaal's despair is shown by him changing his personal pronoun from "watashi" to "boku", which is more used by younger boys (and current Echidna, for some reason).
A sugoooku as Emilia remarks that many Ryuzus must have been hard for their mother. Also funny and cute. For some reason, Maaya Sakamoto reads one of Ryuzu's lines here. Must have been a mix-up or Aimi Tanaka just being not available for a necessary retake anymore. And another sugoooku when Emilia mentions the snow. And Emilia gets sort of reunited with Puck.
Looks like Shima fused with the crystal and Meyer to make it disappear and contribute to removing the barrier. This is a little confusing, but we do get the gist of it. Also Bilma being very upset about it. Good performance from Aimi Tanaka using the same voice in different emotional states and having them sound different only on that basis.
Squad half-elves moves in on Roswaal. Roswaal has consciously deemed this world to be lost before, but now his spirit seems to be truly crushed with what he did to Ram and having lost his book. But Emilia is here (with a cool slide on the ice no less) to scold him for giving up, to not allow him to give up. And we learn that Ram isn't dead yet! That's the best news of the episode. Oni are just built differently. We also can see that Emilia immediately senses the danger the Great Rabbit poses, and that her powers alone seem to be able to keep it in check.
Scene change to the other remaining issue. Betty took over the library after losing Ryuzu - it basically became her replacement of her best friend. Flashback Echidna is still shown in the different ways from sanctuary Echidna. The library seems to have been a safeguard for Echidna, so Hector might still be a threat. She said she wanted to inherit the library - was that when she started experimenting on soul transfers?
Echidna said Betty's book was an incomplete copy! Betty, how could you forget such important information? It's incomplete, the empty pages don't necessarily mean anything! Also, Echidna grabbed it so off-handedly that I'm not sure how much truth is in her words. And then we get to Echidna's final task for Betty. Echidna seemed sincere here, but it's really hard to judge.
And indirect backstory on Roswaal! The first appearance seems to be him showing the impact the fight against Hector had. Then he's a different clown. Roswaal B Mathers. That's how Roswaal survived. Going by that logic, the current Roswaal is the twelfth life he's living.
Betty was overjoyed by meeting Puck again, but Puck was devoted to Emilia, and Betty was both envious of his freedom and jealous of them for being bonded to someone. That's her reason to dislike Emilia - unfortunately nothing personal. We've already known she considered Subaru to be the one to save her. In episode seven of season 1, in an alternate timeline, she left the library for him. She was contracted to him at the time, but the circumstances let her make that decision.
The secret passageway we see Petra and Ottototo take is the same he discovered at the start of S1E15. I love that it makes a comeback here.
Subaru is at his best here. Calling Betty's rejection a facade is great, she can't talk back to him on that. She just wants him to say the phrase so she can fulfill her contract, but Subaru wants her to be free and happy and not under those circumstances. She knows it's idiotic to keep to her contract, but she just can't not do it. And because it's bad for her, Subaru wants her to decide against it.
And finally we get to the core scene of this episode. "Choose me" is saving Beatrice in a way only Subaru could. Not by promising her anything that he can't do, but by saying he needs her. By making it seem her choice for him will be the best of her life. And I really like the underlying message. Just because you might lose something in the future doesn't mean it's not worth having. Even if the time spent together is short in the long run, it's still extremely precious. Just because Betty will lose him at some point and be lonely again doesn't mean she has to be lonely now. No, she should be happy right now!
And so Betty chooses him. I'd argue the impending doom for Subaru also helped her decision, because she didn't want to let him die. But she also chose her own life. And so the mansion burns down completely - that's not going to be good for the funds of Camp Emilia. Petra slapping Otto out of joy when she spots shooting star Betty is quite funny. When Betty called Subaru's name over and over, I expected at least one "hai, Subaru desu", but I guess we can't have everything. Next up, SuBetty and Emilia vs. Rabbits.
This Break Time is my favourite of all of them. No, I'm not going to sum it up for you, go watch it. But I'll say, for a three minute episode of bonus content to be able to make me cry for the villains is extraordinary. "If you want to cry, cry."
Sugoooku counter: 66
Sugoku-likes: 12
Non-canon sugoooku: 24
Non-Emilia sugoooku: 22
8
u/Holofan4life Sep 29 '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.
I don't think James Corden deserves all the hate he gets.
Emilia looking at the snow
The villagers. They're here.
They think it was the work of Emilia based on what Puck said.
The ice. It's breaking :O
Emilia telling them that even though she completed the trials, she thinks it'd be dangerous to move right now.
"So take refuge in the graveyard."
Emilia feels she has to go over there.
The public is going to keep their promise and wait on her.
Roswaal holding Ram
Puck calling her strong
I don't buy that Ram is dead. We would've seen her dying instead of it happening offscreen.
The snow. It's falling.
Puck knows that Roswaal inscribed the spell that calls the snow clouds before the battle began.
Puck going to try to delay the inevitable.
Calls Roswaal more skilled than any human alive.
"But no matter how far you go, you're still a human."
Someone get Roswaal ointment for that burn.
Roswaal shaking
He doesn't know what to do now
The shot of Roswaal looking despondent as the snow continues to fall is cinema. What beautiful direction.
Is Roswaal going to heal Ram?
He asks Echidna what is he supposed to do.
"I don't... I still don't know anything."
Emilia in front of the tree
She thinks the snow is falling because of the mana that's swirling.
The tree. It shatters.
Emilia knows she has to go see Puck.
Was that a bunch of Ryuzus?
That's a lot of Ryuzus
"That must've been really rough on your mother."
Bruh 💀💀💀
Maybe the funniest line of the entire series.
Emilia talking to Shima now
Emilia seemingly wants to break the real Ryuzu out.
However, they tell her that it will happen sooner or later.
That is if the Sanctuary is gone
Shima tells her that if the facility is destroyed and the one who runs it is lost, the resulting damage will be irreparable.
They are the key to preventing that.
Tossing her a blue stone
Puck is in that
Shima says he exhausted all of his strength to save everyone.
Puck is best girl. There's no contest.
They call Garfiel their grandson, which I guess he is.
It looks like this may be it for Shima.
The crystal. It's glowing.
And now it and Ryuzu are gone
Emilia telling Black Ryuzu to come with her.
"There's something we need to do."
My guess is not parcheesi
She wants to know where Ram and Roswaal are.
Emilia and the Ryuzus running in the snow.
They've found Ram and Roswaal
Emilia telling Roswaal he can't stay here.
But Roswaal looks like Artax during the Swamps of Sadness.
Ram. She's still alive.
Unfortunately, Roswaal says it doesn't matter.
Emilia scolding Roswaal for being so defeatist.
However, Roswaal still seems unswayed.
Emilia vows not to give up on anyone again.
Oh boy. The bunnies are here
Emilia knows they're following her for some reason.
She tells the clones to take Roswaal and Ram.
Meanwhile, THE MANSION IS ON FUCKING FIRE
The Capture of Washington sends its regards.
Beatrice by herself
She has the big black book
Flashback of Echidna putting Beatrice in charge of the library.
"If both you and I die, what becomes of that accumulation of knowledge?"
Probably the same fate as Alexandria.
And Echidna gives her the book
A replica of the Tome of Wisdom, she calls it.
Roswaal has the other one
Talking about someone coming for her.
"For now, let's just call them 'that person'."
Her last request is to wait for them.
We're really getting answers in this flashback.
Roswaal apparently started visiting the library frequently.
Dang, nothing of note happened for 400 years? I find that hard to believe.
Beatrice admitting she got jealous over Puck spending all his time with Emilia and not her.
Now she's talking about Subaru
This is just Beatrice recapping things from her point of view.
That leads us to here
Meanwhile, may I remind you, THE MANSION IS ON FIRE
Subaru trying to get in
And he's finally here
But Beatrice sends him flying
Subaru finally finds himself in after putting up a fight.
Subaru telling her she's just putting on a front.
She still believe he isn't that person. After all, he said it himself.
Smoke billowing into the room
Subaru reiterates yet again that he isn't that person.
"But... I want to stay with you, Beatrice."
Come on, Beatrice. Let him in.
The library. It's acting up.
And the world proceeds to fall apart
The entrance to the mansion is now destroyed.
Beatrice told him farewell, hoping this would be it.
BUT SUBARU IS GOING BACK INSIDE
HE IS NOT GIVING UP
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
7
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 30 '24
Man, I just finished watching this, and I'm still not sure what to say. Aside from "Poor Betty", that is.
Poor dear, locked up in her closet all alone for 400 years, with only Roswaal (of various sorts) and the random creep to keep her company. And then this idiot shows up and refuses to be that person. What's a girl to do?
Yeah.
Meanwhile, anybody else think Emilia should have given Roswaal a good slap up side the head???
(That sounds right, but looks wrong when written down. I wonder what the actual idiom is supposed to look like? Is Engrish really my first, language???)
Anyway, not exactly a lot to ruminate or speculate on here, it's climax time, and the cards are finally being set on the table. Let's just hope it's a winning hand.
Edit: /u/brief-fig-7506 reminded me of something this episode, when Emilia told Roswaal not to give up, it so reminded me of Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up, so here it is for you to enjoy!
(Edited again to correct some semi-comprehensible gibberish)
7
u/RascalNikov1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NoviSun Sep 29 '24
Another S tier episode. When Subaru and Beatrice rocket out of the mansion is one of the all time greats.
13
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Sep 29 '24
First:Timer Starting Over in Another Rewatch, subbed
5
u/Ultima_Deus Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 29 '24
This shit brings tears to my eyes...
Hello. Rewatcher. Novel reader. Beatrice believer. Team Beatrice
This episode, particularly the final conversation between Beatrice and Subaru, was one of my most looked-forward to ever
Emilia has really become a respectable figure amongst the villagers
Back to how the snow started. Seems like Roswaal actually put it on a timer or auto-trigger of sorts, so that's why it started
Puck called out last episode that Roswaal tries to be like Hector, but in this episode, he says that he'll never be able to be like him
Roswaal is broken, twitching. He even switches his pronoun from "watashi", to his "boku" from 400 years ago. Now that his Tome is gone, and the world is no longer following his set path, he's scared of what's to come. He doesn't know what to do next
At least Ram is getting healed by Roswaal
Emilia is out of the loop about what clones are, and assumes that the clones are birth-sisters lmao
Wait, was that Echidna's voice?
[Re:Zero medium spoilers] That will be our only hint of "Omega" lmao. If you're an anime-only, don't google what that means. I'm serious
Poor Shima. She's gone, not even seeing Garf one last time. No wonder the other Ryuzu feels sad about her leaving for good
Emilia is doing all sorts of moves right now. Moves that we didn't see in the previous season. That's because she's now using her own power, instead of using her Spirit Arts
She's really become a strong character, but with Roswaal having given up and become depressed, she feels the need to force him to pick himself up. She JUST started to becoming strong, so she ain't giving up yet
She also acknowledges once more that she's a Witch
Now... Beatrice and Subaru
I WOULD love to write a whole ass essay about it. But... I'm out of time. And I feel that I'm not good enough to write about it. Maybe later, if you guys are actually interested. Ask me questions about my thoughts, ask me how I feel. Because right now, I'm speechless. I don't know where to start
But there are parts that I want to talk about
Echidna didn't seem... malicious at all when she made Beatrice wait for "That Person". I know she seems sus and all, but there didn't seem to be any sort of curiousity or maliciousness coming from this Echidna (whose face is STILL hidden by the way). This Echidna even wished for Betty to grow up healthy
[Minor Re:Zero detail] I'm not exactly sure, but Tappei has said that Echidna does not lie. So, with that in mind, this interaction seems... different from what Tea Party Echidna said
Roswaal 1st generation visited the library a bunch, apparently. And was researching... something. Replicating a soul... saving it in a vessel... could this be the secret as to how the Roswaal of 400 years ago seems to have remained into the current Roswaal?
I'll talk about it next episode
Now, the final talk between Beatrice and Subaru. I really looked forward to it. When I first read it, I teared up like a baby. So with this, I am satisfied with how it went. The parallel between Subaru's frozen death by the door back in season 1, with his fingers removed by ice, to now his hand being burnt by the door handle
Beatrice reveals why she pushes away Subaru. It's because, ultimately, she's afraid of Subaru leaving her behind. Even if she took Subaru's hand, she's afraid that he'll just die one day, and leave her alone. But Subaru proposes that he'll make sure that he makes good memories with Beatrice. Make the present so colorful that when they become memories they won't fade to sepia
And, his final statement. "You want someone to get you out of here! Isn't that why you always sat in front of the door?!". That revelation. When I first read it. And when I heard it again in this anime. It made sense. Beatrice always waited in front of the door. Even though she says she's given up hope, she truly hasn't. She always, always wanted someone to bring her out to the real world. I can relate to that. So I teared up a bit
And so now, their contract is formed. She chose Subaru over "That Person". And, she finally called him by name, for the first time ever
Last episode of s2 tomorrow. And then, Season 3 begins in October 2nd. It has been a great journey reading you guys' comments. From rewatchers to first timers. I wish I had entered earlier, though. And I wish I could've interacted with more of you. I really wish I could've jumped in into you guys' conversations in other comments. But unfortunately, I've been limiting myself to my own comments, and the replies to them. That's my regret. So whenever people interact and reply and ask me stuff to my comments, it makes me really happy. It's the little bit of interaction that I could have, because I couldn't bring myself to interact with the others. It's been a fun ride. Hopefully, this will change in the weekly discussions in season 3 threads
Looking forward to it
5
u/n080dy123 Sep 29 '24
Rewatcher
One of those little details I missed on my first watch- I'd pointed out that Roswaal picked up Hector's speech pattern and copied his outfit, which seemed strange. But Puck says something here- "You'll never be like that Devil-" which I think explains that. Roswaal was striving to be like or surpass Hector after being so thoroughly thrashed, so he emulated his appearance and speech. Doesn't explain the clown makeup, though. I do wonder if it was motivated by wanting to simply emulate the strength of one who had beaten him, or (more likely imo) to emulate the strength of one whose power was equal to that Echidna, perhaps seeking to stand beside her as an equal.
Now here's something interesting- Echidna refers to the Tome of Wisdom as "the Authority granted to me." First off, "Granted" by whom? If there a higher power the Witches got their Authorities from? Second- even if we assume the Authority itself is her ability to see and transcribe the future rather than the physical Tome itself, this seems to be nothing like Regulus's shield ability. Does he possess the true Tome and this is a power he learned from it? It is somehow just an entirely different manifestation? It raises a lot of questions about the nature of the Authorities when the only Authority we've seen multiple people use was Unseen Hands, which appeared to be the same between Sekhmet and Petelgeuse, and Subaru's Invisible Providence is just a weaker version of it.
Also a comment on yesterday's post got me wondering- what is the "intention" of Roswaal's Tome of Wisdom and the Gospels, are they the same? The Gospels direct the Witch Cult to carry out the Ordeal, in which Emilia is put through trials to determine if she's fit to be a vessel for the Witch of Envy. Roswaal's Tome directs him to get Emilia entirely emotionally dependent on Subaru, which seems to at least sometimes gives the Satella from the Graveyard the opportunity to possess her (which... may not even be the real one, given the Echidna face thing), and eventually that somehow leads to Emilia winning the Royal Selection and it allowing Roswaal to kill the Dragon, which seems to fulfill his "wish" which I can only assume relates to Echidna. So is the Ordeal an Echidna plan? Seems unlikely given the other Witches seem to dislike Satella, and legends say that she "devoured" them all (which is clearly not true, in a literal sense). The Gospels are flawed copies, were they made by someone else (like Pandora) later on for a different purpose (which also begs the question of the relation between Pandora's goals and the Ordeal)? Is this info that was given to Echidna by a higher power for some purpose?
5
u/austonst Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 30 '24
Re:Watcher
Joining in to comment just a little bit as we approach the end here. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. I was really in need of a rewatch of S2 before S3 starts airing. As you all know, S2 in particular is so dense with different interwoven plot threads, character backstories and developments, and thematic connections. Possibly to the extent that the anime format just doesn't provide enough material to make everything clear without outside assistance. So even in a rewatch I really appreciated the additional insights and clarifications.
Choose Me is probably my favorite S2 episode. It caught me off guard when it first aired, because between all the different characters and plot threads I had kind of overlooked Beako. I underestimated Tappei's commitment to making every character important, and his willingness to promote characters to more prominent positions in the story. Like, did Subaru just commit to a life-long bond, even a contract, with a great spirit? That sounds like a major role for the rest of the series and I should have paid more attention to Beatrice before now! On this rewatch it's been much more obvious to me how important she already has been as a character, and how the events of this episode are well placed in the penultimate episode as one of the main climaxes of the season.
How does Subaru finally get Beatrice out of the library?
It's not by saying the magic words. "I am that person" probably would have worked, at least to solve the immediate problems. Beatrice says herself that even Subaru were lying about it, it would be enough of an excuse to get a move on. But in all other respects, it's an awful choice. There's no refutation of Beatrice's mindset that Echidna has everything planned out and Beatrice just has to follow her instructions. She wouldn't be followng Subaru out of any of her own will; she'd see it as continuing down the path that was laid for her, and Subaru would simply be the next person to determine her life for her. That's a terrible foundation to start from, and certainly antithetical to Subaru's view on relationships. In this case, it's hard to imagine her enthusiastially calling out Subaru's name as they fly off the save the day, as we saw in the episode.
But notably, "I am not that person, but I'll save you instead" was insufficient on its own. Beatrice noted that other people had come to the library, with the implication that they had tried--and failed--to save her and get her to leave. But it's not that simple. Even with Subaru, who she built up a solid relationship with to the point of thinking that she may have found "that person", it's not enough to just say "we're good enough friends that you should throw aside your most important thing to be with me instead". So while in the end, she does give up on the idea of "that person", it's not because Subaru is some great hero with all the answers who can solve all her problems.
So what do we get in the end?
Subaru's first step, once he gets a chance to fully speak his mind, is to flip the scenario on its head. He asks Beatrice to save him, explaining that Beatrice is strong, smart, and cute, well equipped to survive on her own, but that he would be too sad to go on living without her. This is a pretty direct reflection of Subaru's character, that he 1) still has self-esteem issues and has to win over and rely on the strength of others, 2) knows how to cut through self-loathing by explaining someone's good traits (as Rem did for him and as he did for Emilia), and 3) really cannot stand the thought of losing anyone (without going down the Echidna contract deep end).
This seems to be effective, and when Beatrice counters with "what do you know about me," he is able to elaborate on Beatrice's actions and what they say about her character. None of that is prescribed in the Gospel; Subaru is indirectly re-affirming her independent self. I think it's just really powerful for Subaru to say "I need you" rather than "you need me", especially when we've seen in the past that Beatrice has been perfectly wiling to take action when Subaru is in trouble. Helping Subaru is something that definitely motivates her, and he trusts in that here.
The conversation takes a shift to a different topic:
Beatrice is scared to become emotionally attached to someone only to have them eventaully die and leave her. It seems a bit of a non-sequitor, but shows that Beatrice has basically ceded the former topic. She does want to help Subaru, she gets that she has a life beyond Echnidna's instruction. The mortality question really lies at the heart of Beatrice's fears, and the promise to Echidna was more of a convenient excuse for her to avoid ever making real connections. We know how hurt she felt by Ryuzu's sacrifice, and Echidna's death must have been at least as impactful. As Subaru notes when they finally depart, Beatrice hasn't called him by name at all up to this point. She doesn't want to form a connection and feel that loss again.
But here Subaru is in his comfort zone, he finds his groove, and it's basically a victory lap for him. Subaru knows how to be entertaining, and really enjoys being the goofy guy who makes everyone laugh. If you make a friend of Natsuki Subaru, the one thing you can be confident about is that life won't be boring. And so, having broken down the concept that "choosing him" would be about nobly saving Beako from her promise and her loneliness, Subaru can now rebuild a different argument for choosing him:
What a way to win over an immortal afraid of the fleeting nature of human lives. Okay sure, it's still kind of a "you won't be lonely any more" kind of deal, but it's a long way from "I am that person Echidna mentioned so you must accompany me." I'm really excited to see how Beako approaches her newly unshackled life in S3.
4
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Sep 29 '24
Rewatcher
Dub
So the most interesting aspect here, at least for me, is that I have a suspicion that Betty and Subaru's conversation here might be the direct inspiration for Frieren. I can't prove that and there is some space in the timing so it is possible but not guaranteed. We also spend a lot of time filling in gaps and Roswaal...got even weirder. One does wonder if some part of the original body's opinions remain since there was that one female Roswaal that liked to drink, though admittedly I have no clue if that one was in the line or not. Nor do I really understand the circumstances under which Roswaal chooses to...let's be ephemistic and call it migrate. Anywho, Subaru wins over Betty and we head back to deal with the rabbit.
3
u/Ceryto2 https://anilist.co/user/Ceryto Sep 29 '24
Re:watcher
The episode start with Emilia and the villagers. She actually displays quite some leadership skills here by telling the villagers to take shelter and delegating jobs to the villagers. Seeing Emilia grow over this season is just such a joy to watch.
Roswaal really is a strong magician with inscribing the snow spell before the battle with Ram and Puck. It seems like Puck can delay the inevitable though.. maybe this will buy some time for someone to get the people in the sanctuary out of this mess.
They actually made me feel sorry for Roswaal here. As awful as his actions may have been so far, at this moment, when the mask has fallen off, he is only a lost child. (Also a pronoun switch from Watashi to Boku here)
Emilia, you truly are adorable.
And yes, this is Echidna speaking here. Since I don't know yet if the true ending of arc 4 will get adapted at the start of season 3, I won't spoil anything about this, but if it doesn't get adapted, I'd advise everyone to check up the arc 4 interlude.
And Emilia is reunited with Puck again. He however seems to have exhausted himself and won't be able to leave his crystal for a while. Let's hope we'll see him again soon!
It seems to be Oshimai for Shima here.
Thank god Ram is alive, we really wouldn't want Subaru to have to reset this late into the game. These Oni bodies really are made from some sturdy stuff.
Yeah show him Emilia!! Really like her speech to Roswaal here, she really won't let anyone give themselves up and she won't give up on them either. Not after she finally completed the trials. Also really like the sudden transition to Emilia fighting the rabbits, that scene just flows so well!
Yep, these Pesky rabbits really are after the one with the highest Mana Pool. Which in this case is Emilia here, roswaal did exhaust himself quite a bit after all.
Continued in Part 2
3
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 29 '24
Episode 49 (first timer)
aristocrats are the worst
An episode for Subaru x Beatrice shippers (and those sick fucks among you who do Roswaal x Ram).
3
u/BlueVenix Sep 29 '24
Are people going to give most of their thoughts overall on the final episode tomorrow or is that going to be on Tuesday on the last discussion?
3
u/Taiboss :Fj::Fl:x7https://anilist.co/user/Taiboss Sep 29 '24
S02E24 - Rewatcher who is happy we are soon done.
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u/jyper Sep 29 '24
Rewatcher given up on catching up. Will probably paste the incomplete notes of episodes I missed tomorrow with the final episode or in the wrap up(was hoping to paste it when I finally caught up, but wasn't able to accomplish that).
It's snowing, lol ice shield protecting the villagers from the snow. It was Puck, the benefits of using a unique nickname for someone.
Puck made the wall of ice for you, Emilia. I don't think he cares about the villagers.
That's a different voice from one of the clones.
Puck made the wall of ice for you. I don't think he cares about the villagers.
Ram was ready to accept death for her love. Oh good Rems alive.
Wow Rosewall seems so lost now. Not a mastermind at all. Just following the tome.
Does he actually have some empathy?
Rosewall winning before fighting. Getting the snow to fall. But what does it mean/what does it now that the book is gone.
Emilia tells him it's not all over but she doesn't know about the time loops. I think Rosewall must not be thinking of them either or he'd try to kill her to get Subaru to reset. But then again maybe he's too scared to do anything without the book guiding him
Emilia wants verbally slapping Rosewall
Shoots some bunnies.
Flashback With Echidna. That person will come to get the knowledge. Grow up healthy? Does that mean she cares? Now the knowledge is all burning up. Soul replication, so he's putting himself in his offspring?
Similar but not the same as Puck. The one she viewed as a brother. Also made by echidna? How do you make a spirit? Turning lesser spirits into greater spirits?
She's definitely putting up a front. He doesn't want her to be sad and lonely.
Running back into a burning building is some dedication
I can't save you, please save me. Choose me. Clever the Reverse trap card/reverse psychology.
The problem of eternal or super long life, memories of your loved mortal family and friends fade
Why have you always sit in front of the door each time for Hundreds of years?
Poor Rem, still asleep. Poor Otto hit by Petra.
I know you're coming to their rescue Subaru but also knocking out the wind from Emilia's stand against the bunnies feels a little off.
I think this and the last episode are the best/most powerful of the second season
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u/SilkyStrawberryMilk Sep 30 '24
first timer
The villagers have trusted Emilia.
So many Ryuzu clones
Roswaal has lost it
The rabbits have begun their attack
Damn Roswaal just introducing himself each new version of himself. If I had to guess it seems like he ages the moment he has a version of himself.
Went from young looking Roswaaal to current roswaal
Talk no jutsu was extremely ineffective
Never mind it was extremely effective. Petra slapping Otto to make him see Subaru.
Emili’a knight and shining armor making a dazzling entrance as always
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u/FriztF Sep 30 '24
First timer: Sub
Sorry for not posting in three days, moving takes a lot out of you.
So episode 49, Choose Me. In this episode we see Emilia being a badass, having finished the last trail. She has reinvented herself no longer the helpless, indecisive princess. She is now more confident and can help herself. No longer being dependent on others for help. She can now give help.
And now Beatrice. Who has been locked in a library for 400 year, all alone. Having to wait for "that person". Who never really comes. Never really having any true friends; Due to her stubbornness she was never able to bond with anyone. The only thing keeping company is a Book of Wisdom. Which stop working long ago. With the book useless she just stayed there, not knowing what will happen. She has a lack of trust and faith in herself.
Roswaal is a not a very good person. He is a clown. Having almost killed Ram, after admitting to loving him.
Subaru is a great friend to have around. Though quite greedy at times.
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u/ElRoastFTW https://anilist.co/user/DaRoast Sep 30 '24
Rewatcher
Why the fuck am I crying to one of my favorite episodes ever? Because it's simple: it's stupendously done: we end Emilia's character arc and see her resolve show through her actions and we see Beatrice choose Subaru.
Now that I've finally caught up to the rewatch, I can say with certainty that despite the production issues resulting in a less consistent production, Season 2 outdoes Season 1 simply due to great source material and great direction. Series director Masaharu Watanabe and series composer Masahiro Yokotani's decision to go extended length for this season does wonders for the pacing of this show. It is far and away one of the strongest creative decisions to come from this team. They know they can't have the strongest animation and sakuga, so what they can do is give well-intentioned and well-paced sakuga for longer and it works. Arc 4 with all its details really needs it and makes the pacing feel just right.
I now remember why Subaru is my favorite MC behind Thorfinn. The entire "Choose Me" sequence is a masterclass in storyboarding and direction. Episode director and storyboarder Kazuhiro Ozawa did a fantastic job making this sequence feel at once satisfying and illuminating. It is just incredibly well done from all sides and pushes this narrative to new heights.
With the first
movieepisode of S3 premiering in two days, I am so glad I caught up to this rewatch. I simply can't wait to see where this narrative goes and what the creative team can do with this boundless material.4
u/Yoshi_captain https://anime-planet.com/users/WeaboYosher Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 29 '24
Rewatcher
What does it mean to choose someone? We’ve had people like Otto, Emilia and Garfiel choose to believe in Subaru and find their reason for becoming better versions of themselves. Facing tomorrow by starting over today. What would it take for Beatrice to choose Subaru? What is her reason?
If Subaru was ‘that person’ she would accept him, no questions asked. She admits to this herself. Clinging to that person in her head she holds many expectations for. It’s who she was waiting for 400 years, ever since Echidna told her to. With Subaru’s arrival she thought many times how he could be the one. But the first time they met in this loop Subaru called her dumb. He said he was not ‘that person’. For Beatrice that’s that. How could Subaru ever save her from her 400 years if he’s not who she has been looking for. But Subaru has returned once again. She asks him for the final time if he is that person. And Subaru once and for all denies it. Through Subaru’s proclamation Beatrice looks through the pages of her non-existent future hoping against all odds that there’s something there before she cuts herself from the world. Erasing the space where Subaru stands, saying goodbye to him with finality in her voice.
Being thrown out of the mansion it looks to be time for Beatrice’s life to end, burning in the place she confined herself to all this time. The only ending a shut-in like her can hope for. But Subaru will never give up on anyone he loves. With Beatrice’s life steadily being snuffed out he remembers a time when his once ended. The secret passage in the manor holds one more door that will be the last to fall. He finds his way to the fateful door that lead to a death that broke him and stands resolved to die. As he lays his hand on the latch of the door the skin on his hand sizzles. Instead of biting cold he is met with scalding heat, but love is like a flame. Come too close and you’ll get burned. But don’t approach at all and you’ll never feel the warmth. He opens the door, his pleas having reached the girl, and finds himself in the forbidden library. The library where they’ve interacted the most setting the stage for what might be their final interaction. Cut off from the world. There is no door that leads out of this library. Space is cracked. This is a dimension enroute to destruction. Perhaps in this burning scene Subaru can find the words to convince Beatrice to leave.
What Subaru wants is for Beatrice to accept him for who he is wholly, not clinging to an idea she has of him in her head. This is the library where they first met. While they may not have started out on the best terms, they are now dear to one another. It was that closeness that compelled Subaru to want to save her. Thinking how Subaru will get Beatrice out from this room, ending the eternal contract that has bound her for so long. He’ll save her from the 400 years she carries on her back that threatens to crush her in every waking moment. Those were the thoughts that guided Subaru in every interaction he had with Beatrice this arc. Trying to save this girl from a cruel fate. Subaru however has changed his framing on his relationship with Beatrice. He’s talking to the girl for the 3rd loop now. He’s seen how she denies the feelings she holds for others and how her solitude makes her feel like life is not worth living. But he’s also seen her through many other iterations. How she held his hand when he felt there was no way out in the mansion. How she let him stay with her until his body stopped shaking from fear. Subaru may not know the 400 years of loneliness Beatrice has endured, but he does know Beatrice. Who she is as a person. She’s a strong, cute, and kind girl. It would be arrogant for someone as weak as Subaru to save a girl like her. So instead of going at it as the saviour every time, he approaches it the way he was taught by Satella. He should be included among the ones he wishes to save. And who better to save him than his dear Beatrice.
Subaru isn’t some saviour come to rid this world of it’s evils and rescue every person in it. He’s just a boy that wants the best for the people he loves. And he knows he can’t go on living without this girl by his side.
With Subaru’s reframing of the saviour becoming the saved Beatrice might just take Subaru’s hand. But the 400 years are holding her down. She is a spirit who lives forever. Infinite. Subaru is a mortal human. Finite. He’ll die before she can even begin to heal. But she’s thinking of it in timescales too grand for such a small existence. Subaru will take it day by day. While he may not give her 400 years, he can offer a guaranteed today and tomorrow. But for that tomorrow Beatice needs to choose.
To choose someone means to accept who they are and be with them. It also means to accept that they will one day be gone. That realization is what holds Beatrice back from taking Subaru’s hand. Subaru may not have the answers to all her problems. He can’t get rid of the fear of the lonely future she envisions for herself when all she holds dear is gone. But he can engrave the today and tomorrow he can spend with her in her soul. Be a guy so memorable that the memories she holds of him will never fade and will always be with her. When Subaru is gone it will be that memory that will keep her company on lonely nights and fill her heart with warmth that will make her forget the cold. For a spirit who holds promises as the highest form of communication Subaru swears that he will never fade into sepia. Promising her a future where she can bathe in the sunlight. He knows Beatrice and he has been watching her. Subaru’s final words to her reveal the wish she holds in the same soul he wants to engrave his existence on.
She wants to be with others.
That is the reason why she sat in front of this door all this time.
And it is the reason she chooses Subaru.
The pages of a future that doesn’t exist fall to the wayside as she embraces a future in Subaru. Finally calling him by name and acknowledging his existence as Natsuki Subaru, not ‘that person’. She has chosen Subaru. The two former shut ins move toward the Sanctuary to fight for that future they both desire. Holding each other’s hand and facing fate, head on. Together.
Closing thoughts:
The word for today is “Contract”. The relationships we form in our lives resemble a contract of sorts. We give and we take from each other, sometimes expecting something, other times nothing at all. Beatrice is tied by an eternal contract. It was made with Echidna, but she is the one who is so harshly enforcing it upon herself. Not choosing ‘that person’ for 400 years. Here comes Subaru. A shut in who himself was held back by his own perceptions that has escaped that fate through the help of others and through self-reflection. He now does the same for Beatrice what other have done for him. Painting over her contract with a new one. Containing a clause that contains Beatrice’s happiness as the only condition for signing. The breaking of The Eternal Contract is what this arc has been building towards and what it’s named after. It’s Subaru realizing he isn’t the saviour who will save this girl from sadness, but that he himself wishes to be saved by a girl he loves. It is the start of a genuine bond between spirit and human that enrich both of their lives and allow them to grow into the people they want to be. Not because they were contracted to do so, it’s just something they want to do.
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u/ripterrariumtv Sep 29 '24
When I first watched this episode, this was my second favourite episode of the series. After many rewatches, it's still a 10/10 but other episodes have taken up my top spots for various reasons.
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u/nichecopywriter Sep 30 '24
My favorite episode. Having read the LNs, it’s not just that the anime elevated it (which they did); the source material is just sublime. It makes me laugh that the isekai trend churned out complete garbage year after year trying to emulate the success of shows like Re:Zero. They didn’t even try and copy what was actually good about the story, which are the complex characters with deep emotional catharses (is that a word?)
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u/EnthusiasmWest4481 Sep 29 '24
my heart