Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World (Japanese: Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活, Hepburn: Ri:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu, lit. "Re:Starting Life From Zero in a Different World") is a Japanese light novel series written by Tappei Nagatsuki and illustrated by Shin'ichirō Ōtsuka. The story centres on Subaru Natsuki, a hikikomori who suddenly finds himself transported to another world on his way home from the convenience store. The series was initially serialized on the website Shōsetsuka ni Narō from 2012 onwards. Seventeen volumes have been published by Media Factory since January 24, 2014, under their MF Bunko J imprint.
The series' first three arcs have been adapted into separate manga series. The first, by Daichi Matsue, was published by Media Factory between June 2014 and March 2015. The second, by Makoto Fugetsu, has been published by Square Enix since October 2014. Matsue launched the third adaptation, also published by Media Factory, in May 2015. Additionally, Media Factory has published two anthology manga with stories by different artists. An anime television series adaptation by White Fox aired from April 4, 2016 to September 19, 2016, starting with an hour-long special. The first of two OVA based on the series was released on October 6, 2018, and the second OVA was released on November 8, 2019.
In March 2017, game developer 5pb. released a visual novel based on the series. A second season was set to premiere in April 2020, but was delayed to July 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.[6] The second season premiered on July 8, 2020, in a split-cour format with the second half airing in January 2021.
The novels and all three manga adaptations are published in North America by Yen Press. The anime adaptation has been licensed by Crunchyroll, which released the anime on home video through Funimation in the United States and Anime Limited in the United Kingdom. The light novels have sold more than three million copies, while the anime series has sold more than 60,000 copies on home video.
The light novels have been praised for their fresh take on the "another world" concept, but have been criticized for awkward dialogue and redundancy. The anime series has been praised by critics for its "culturally complex world" and for the actions of its characters. The series received awards at the 2015–2016 Newtype Anime Awards and the 2017 Sugoi Japan Awards, and was nominated for Anime of the Year at The Anime Awards 2016.
Subaru Natsuki is a NEET who does nothing but play games. One night, after visiting a convenience store, he is suddenly summoned to another world. With no sign of who summoned him, he soon befriends a silver-haired half-elf girl who introduces herself as Satella, and her companion Puck. Satella mentions that her insignia was stolen by a thief named Felt.
When he and "Satella" are mysteriously killed, Subaru awakens and discovers that he has acquired an ability which he names "Return by Death," enabling him to reverse time by dying. He greets "Satella" again, only for her to be offended at being addressed by the name "Satella," which in fact refers to the "Witch of Envy," and is considered a taboo. With the help of Reinhard (a knight) in another timeline, Subaru saves "Satella's" life from the assassin Elsa; she reveals that her real name is Emilia, and as a token of gratitude, Felt returns the insignia to her.
While recovering at the margrave Roswaal's mansion, the mage Beatrice drains Subaru's mana. After waking up, he meets the twin maids Ram and Rem, as well as Roswaal, who hires him as a butler at Subaru's request.
Roswaal reveals that Emilia needed the insignia to qualify as a candidate in the upcoming royal election. After mysteriously dying again, Subaru decides to investigate the circumstances leading to his death, and tries to recreate these events. Following a series of traumatic deaths and revivals, he learns that a curse had been placed on him, then deduces it came from a village he had visited earlier, while also resolving Rem's intense hatred for witches. Eventually, the village is threatened by creatures known as mabeasts, demonic beasts that are rumored to have been created by a witch to wipe out humanity, so Subaru, Rem and Ram have to rescue the villagers.
Later, Emilia is summoned to the capital by two members of the Crusch's Camp, Wilhelm and Felix who is also a part of the Royal Guard for the start of the royal selection. There, Subaru and company meet the other royal candidates: Priscilla, Crusch, Anastasia and Felt; and their knights, Aldebaran, Julius, and Reinhard. Felt initially announces that she will not participate in the election, and Subaru declares himself to be Emilia's knight. Following a public fight with Julius which leaves Subaru badly injured, he gets into a huge argument with Emilia, and she decides to cut ties with Subaru, leaving him behind.
After recovering, Subaru decides to train under Wilhelm, while Felix advises him to make up with Emilia. Rem then warns Subaru that something is occurring at the mansion, and against Crusch and Felix's warning, Subaru decides to return to the mansion. There, he discovers many dead bodies, including that of Rem, much to his horror. After dying and respawning, he is ambushed by a wicked group known as the Witch's Cult and meets the insane leader, Petelgeuse, who then tortures Subaru and kills Rem using an ability called the "Unseen Hand". Having later been killed by a monstrous Puck, Subaru respawns and curses Petelgeuse.
Knowing that the mansion and village will be attacked, Subaru seeks help from the other royal candidates, but they all decline. While gathering an evacuation, he encounters a legendary beast called the White Whale. Rem sacrifices herself to allow Subaru to escape. After returning to the mansion, Subaru encounters Ram and Emilia, who have no recollection of Rem. Disturbed by the situation, Subaru reveals his "Return by Death" ability to Emilia, only for her to die afterward. Subaru shocked by what just happened asks Beatrice to kill him, she declines and sends him to a place where she can't see him. Puck, enraged, transforms and kills Petelgeuse and his cult, then freezes Subaru to death as punishment for Emilia's death. After respawning, Subaru, having fallen into utter despair, has a serious conversation with Rem, asking her to run away with him. Rem, however, strongly encourages Subaru not to give up and confesses her love for him, already knowing that his heart is for Emilia. With newfound resolve, Subaru then decides that he will start again from zero.
Subaru and Rem later battle against the White Whale, after successfully striking an alliance with Crusch and Anastasia's camps. Following a long and hard-fought battle, Wilhelm ultimately kills the White Whale, thus avenging the death of his wife. Eventually, with the help of his new allies, Subaru is finally able to defeat Petelgeuse and his cult, saving the lives of Emilia and the villagers. Having reconciled with Emilia, Subaru confesses his love for her, leading Emilia to tearfully thank Subaru for saving her. However, when Subaru questions his confession regarding Rem, Emilia gave no recollection of Rem for the second time, much to Subaru's shock.
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