Re:Zero stands as one of the most popular Isekai series in the world right now, in big part due to its refreshing take on the ever-popular genre. Though it does check a lot of the boxes most Isekai do, Re:Zero adds its own unique twist to the formula. Unlike other Isekai protagonists, Subaru doesn’t really stand out compared to the outstanding individuals he meets during his adventures. What he lacks in strength and ability, he manages to make up for in his communication skills and charisma.
What really sets Subara apart is his Return by Death ability, which resets time back to a fixed point once he dies. Subaru has been able to use this involuntary power to navigate through a myriad of consequential decisions, often managing to ensure the best possible outcome time after time. As a result, Re:Zero’s narrative deals with a lot of repetition. But rather than get stale, this serves as an incredible narrative device that gives viewers a deeper look into the series’ world, lore, and characters.
Trial & Error
Most series have their protagonists deal with problems promptly and successfully, but Re:Zero takes a more devastating approach. Subaru enters a volatile, dangerous world he’s constantly underprepared for, and as a result, often gets caught in the middle of things he can’t possibly hope to overcome. Return by Death ensuring that Subaru relives certain moments over often reveals various layers to a given conflict, mystery, or problem.
Having to constantly deal with consequential failures, alongside the deaths of those closest to him understandably takes a heavy toll on Subaru’s mental state. This not only contributes to Subaru’s development as a character but also adds in some much-needed tension that keeps audiences invested in the plotline. Watching how Subaru not only deals with the situations at hand, but also how he handles and approaches each failure the next time around is a big part of why Re:Zero’s formula works.
By playing a given conflict or situation various times in different ways, the series also organically works in some much-needed exposition. The Kingdom of Lugnica has a rich history and a ton of lore that is only delved into when plot points or characters make it necessary to. By playing out the different scenarios in a given route, more about the kingdom and the surrounding world are made accessible to both Subaru and the audience.
Every Re:Zero arc introduces its fair share of mystery and intrigue while pitting Subaru in a seemingly impossible situation with no solutions. Seeing him gradually find the best possible outcome to these scenarios allows the series to explore every possible angle in a given arc. In this way, the constant repetition is beneficial to the narrative, as it steadily develops the overarching plotlines each arc introduces.
The Impact on Character Building
Re:Zero’s characters benefit from its repetitive nature the most. As with the various plotlines that are made clearer with each loop, many of Re:Zero’s cast are allowed development that they don’t get in other timelines. Fan favorites like Rem, Emilia, and Beatrice get plenty of opportunities to develop because of this. The various alternate actions they take give viewers a look into their multifaceted personalities.
Seemingly one-note characters like Roswaal, Petelgeuse, and Puck benefit from this format as well. The natural progression of the plot, as well as the various developments made with each loop, give more insight into their abilities and motivations, while also providing audiences with a means of familiarizing themselves with these characters past their outward personas.
While having a narrative that heavily relies on trial and error seems like it’d get stale, Re:Zero avoids this issue through multi-layered character and world-building. The various revelations made or worked towards in each loop aren’t only beneficial to Subaru, but are an excellent way of getting out some much-needed exposition and building up intrigue at the same time. The cause of Subaru’s Return by Death ability still isn’t completely clear, but at the very least, seeing it in action keeps things interesting.