English Dub Review: Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World “Stick Swinger”

Overview

The Great Pleiades Library doesn’t seem to have the answers Subaru seeks, so he decides they must go further.

Our Take

Picking up from the previous episode, the story dives deeper into the mysteries surrounding the tower as Subaru and the others uncover an enormous library tied to the memories of the dead. The episode leans heavily into lore and atmosphere, gradually revealing unsettling details about the tower’s rules, strange mechanisms, and the dangerous secrets hidden within its walls. While much of the runtime focuses on exploration and exposition rather than action, the eerie sense of discovery keeps the episode engaging throughout.

Several character-focused moments help balance the heavier mystery elements, especially through interactions involving Subaru, Emilia, Meili, and Shaula. The episode expands on the backgrounds and personalities of certain figures connected to the tower while continuing to tease larger truths without fully revealing them. Shaula remains one of the standout presences thanks to her unpredictable behavior and comedic energy, while the introduction of a powerful new figure near the end immediately shifts the tone and creates anticipation for what comes next.

Overall, this was a slower but highly intriguing episode that prioritized worldbuilding, lore, and character interactions over major plot progression. The atmosphere of the library and the constant stream of unanswered questions gave the episode a strong sense of tension, even during its quieter moments. While the pacing may feel dense for viewers hoping for nonstop action, the episode succeeds at building curiosity and setting the stage for what looks to be a much more intense confrontation ahead.