English Dub Review: Re: ZERO ~Starting Life in Another World~ ”Happiness Reflected on the Water’s Surface”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Garfiel and Elsa fight as Frederica escapes with Rem. Meanwhile, Subaru talks with Beatrice about getting out and mentions that the intruders know about her ability. After assuming that Roswaal’s tome foretold her end Beatrice accepts her fate, but Subaru attempts to get her to choose for herself. However, Beatrice thinks that she never had a choice and laments her loneliness. Subaru can’t say anything about that but he does imply that she’s important to him. Beatrice asks if he could be “that person” for her, and when he says no Beatrice throws him out. Otto and Petra come across Subaru and they explain that their preventative measure isn’t working against one of the beasts. Then Frederica rescues them as they encounter the demon beast tamer, Meili. Frederica fights her as the others try to get to safety.

Meanwhile, Emilia goes through the second trial where she faces a world with a living Mother Fortuna and Petelgeuse. After the trial ends with Echidna saying that she despises Emilia before the world fades. Emilia dives towards the water while remarking that her appearance doesn’t resemble Mother Fortuna’s at all. Outside the graveyard, both villagers greet Emilia instead of Ram. After receiving their thoughts on freeing the Sanctuary and about herself, Emilia goes to the third trial to face a disaster in the future.

Our Take:

This episode was a good mix of action and emotional pain with Beatrice’s loneliness and Emilia’s trial. The transitions were adequate going from Frederica and Meili to the others heading to the escape route. It kept the tension surrounding the mansion. However, the anime cuts to Roswaal’s words about starting everything with his teacher. It establishes the timeline of events in both locations, but it is a little jarring. The fight between Garfiel and Elsa was nice. Garfiel dragging Elsa through the wall versus Elsa’s cutthroat slashes shows off their fighting styles.

After that, there’s the emotional Subaru’s conversation with Beatrice and her lack of choice to stay in the library. It’s a heart-wrenching moment as Beatrice pours her thoughts on the people that have left her behind: her mother, Roswaal, and Ryuzu. The order adds salt to the pain from Ryuzu’s goodbye to Beatrice. Kira Buckland did a good job of conveying her sadness. Beatrice jumping to conclusions with Subaru’s refusal on being “that person” by throwing him out adds a bit of humor to the dire situation. However, it’s most likely that his persistence will pay off in the end. If the trio manages to defeat the large demon beast somehow.

Emilia’s trial with Mother Fortuna and Petelgeuse was bittersweet. Emilia knows full well that they don’t get to have those happy days anymore. Their banter was cute and the picnic was beautiful. She mentions to Archi the people in her life from Mother Fortuna to Subaru and their traits. They make her want to be better as a person. She wants to reach out and help others as many people have for her. It’s a good moment for Emilia as a character. Furthermore, the scene breaks the stereotype of the protected heroine with its execution.

Once the trial ends Emilia dives into the water and it’s a stunning moment. She faces her fear of her appearance after she thinks about the people that protected her namely Puck. The discrimination that comes with her appearance shows in the minor scenes from the first season and Frozen Bond. Emilia accepts that she doesn’t look like Mother Fortuna in some aspects. It’s another moment for Emilia to grow and accept herself.

Then there’s the villager’s relief and encouragement to her once Emilia gets out of the graveyard. Not everyone is jumping with joy that she passed the trial. One villager mentions that they still have their doubts about her. However, she and Garfiel are still doing their best and their efforts are no small feats. It’s perfectly normal and I’m glad that Re: ZERO touches on this master with Emilia’s story. Admittedly I do hope the show doesn’t drag on to get to the fight between Roswaal, Ram, and Puck. The episode gives us a glimpse of what’s happening while the villagers talk with Emilia. However, it hardly scratches the surface for viewers expecting a large-scale magic duel.

Overall it was a good episode continuing both stories at their respective locations. I look forward to seeing how Subaru, Otto, and Petra figure out how to handle the big demon beast.