Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-

Episode 6

The big mystery from last episode – what chain-dragging person or thing killed Subaru in the darkened hall – gets answered as this episode ends, and the person's identity shouldn't be too surprising given the hints dropped over this current arc. Another equally big question still remains, though: why? Why is the culprit intent on killing Subaru? Is he getting too close to something or perhaps someone? And why was there a particular need to hunt him down even when it seemed like he was leaving?

Those answers will apparently have to wait until next episode, as this one just leaves us with tantalizing clues. Subaru's conversation with Beatrice reveals that the sickness he experienced the night before could have resulted from a curse (although I am still not ruling out the dog bite), and Ram's reaction to Subaru sharing a Japanese fairy tale, “The Red Ogre Who Cried,” also seems mighty suspicious, especially given how Rem reacted last episode to Subaru's comments about demons. The hair colors and dispositions of Ram and Rem also seem to mirror the tale, and Ram specifically tells Subaru not to tell the tale to Rem, suggesting that they both may be something more than they appear. But if that's the case, then does Roswaal know about it? I can't imagine that a capable mage wouldn't know. Is he sheltering them, and if so, to what end? And does the whole bit about the dragon making a pact with the rulers of the kingdom have anything to do with any of this?

Questions, questions. But that's at least half of what makes this series fun. The other half is the ongoing lighthearted antics, which the series is careful to mix up with each trip through the time loop. This time around, Subaru and Puck practically have their own impromptu comedy routine going as they playfully comment on Emilia, but all of Subaru's interactions with the girls are fun to one degree or another. And the reason for that, as I'm coming to appreciate more and more, is Subaru. For all his weighty concerns, he can also let loose and be genuinely playful; this isn't the standard forced shtick we see too often in this kind of fare. He is bold but not too pushy, confident but also capable of being self-deprecating, and above all, sincere in everything he does. He likes Emilia and doesn't hesitate to let that show. That's actually refreshing. The series is also consistently finding a nice balance between its lighter fare and more grim content, and the transitions are smoother than normal too.

And boy, does this series know how to use its cliffhangers effectively! I'm definitely eager to see the next episode after the way this one ends.

Rating: B+

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.