English Dub Review: Re: ZERO ~Starting Life in Another World~ ”Offbeat Steps Under the Moonlight“

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Beatrice and Subaru face off against the Great Rabbit and they make a plan to destroy the Great Rabbit. They defeat the Great Rabbit with Emilia’s help as Beatrice seals it off in an isolated space. Afterward, Beatrice and Roswaal have a moment with Echidna in the graveyard. Roswaal reveals to Beatrice that he is indeed the Roswaal that Echidna taught all those years ago. He transferred his soul through his descendants by using magic. Then Beatrice slaps him for burning down the forbidden library and welcomes him home.

Everyone settles their score with Roswaal and they discuss what happens after Subaru gets him to join their group. Otto remarks on the margrave’s leniency and questions when he’ll try another devious plot. Roswaal reveals the oath with a curse of his agreement with Subaru and swears not to harm anyone. Emilia then points out that he hasn’t apologized to them, and so Roswaal apologizes. Then there’s Subaru’s knighthood to Emilia and the afterparty at Roswaal’s relative’s home. Subaru and Emilia promise to talk later during the night.

Our Take:

This final episode was a happy ending for Subaru and the others as they defeat the Great Rabbit and get Roswaal to apologize for his actions. The animation is beautiful and the voice acting is great with some of the moments in the episode. I enjoyed the scene with Emilia’s “serious” talk with Subaru outside of the graveyard about their child from their kiss.

Now the debut battle of Subaru and Beatrice was nice. They whittle down the numbers of the Great Rabbit until they came up with a solution to the Great Rabbit’s multiplying ability. The rabbits devouring each other was ironic with Beatrice’s spell clouding them. I also liked how they worked together with Emilia to defeat the Great Rabbit. It was a nice way to show that they’re stronger together and it converges their storylines. Subaru praising Beatrice and Beatrice calling Subaru by his name was heartwarming. I enjoyed the more subtle details like Beatrice holding Subaru’s hand.

Then there’s the reveal from Roswaal that he is the same Roswaal that Beatrice knew from 400 years ago. The anime has been building up to it and Beatrice’s reaction was good. I do like how they added Roswaal’s younger form to reflect in Beatrice’s eye. Not to mention they revealed Echidna’s face during that scene. She is definitely older than the person we saw in the trials. Beatrice and Roswaal’s conversation with their memories of Echidna and Ryuzu Meyer was nice to emphasize their bond.

Everyone’s revenge against Roswaal with slaps and punches was cathartic to watch even with Ram’s lap pillow. Then the discussion on bringing Roswaal into the group after what he did and their concerns over that. Roswaal’s reveal of his oath made with Subaru over their contest was interesting. It basically assures the group that he can’t harm them ever again. Petra’s refusal to forgive him for placing everyone in danger was good. Emilia’s simple demand of Roswaal apologizing for his actions was good too. Even with the oath to reassure the others that he won’t backstab them again, Roswaal’s apology needed to happen. It’s a basic human thing to do when someone causes trouble. Roswaal may be a great magic user, one that even Puck acknowledges, but in the end, he is still human. The writing in Re: ZERO is always a treat with reminders like this.

Subaru’s knighthood was lovely and well earned after the mansion and Sanctuary incidents. It’s a simple ceremony but offers a bit more with Roswaal’s conversation with Subaru before it. His goal to reunite with his teacher still remains, but he thinks it’ll be on Subaru’s path to get Emilia as the ruler of the kingdom. Then the afterparty was fun with the various shots of everyone either drinking or dancing. Garfiel trying to drink and Frederica preventing him was amusing. Emilia and Subaru’s conversation on the balcony was good at granting them a moment of respite in the hectic events.

Overall with all the suffering at the beginning of the season to get that happy ending was extremely satisfying. There are a few mysteries lingering around like with Echidna and Ryuzu Shima. Hopefully, we’ll get to them in the next season of this isekai anime.