And let me tell you: if anyone needed a break it’s them.
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- was unquestionably one of 2016’s biggest anime hits. It stands out amongst so many other similar “isekai” anime thanks to its twisting plot and how it plays the inherent danger of its premise completely straight. But if you’re expecting more of the magic-filled time-looping and utterly soul-crushing drama of the main series, the brand new OVA Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow is definitely going to buck your expectations.
Image source: 『Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter
Re:Zero is the story of Subaru, a normal guy who, when on his way back from a convenience store, suddenly finds himself in a fantasy world. Without any clues as to why he is there, he gets caught up in the trials surrounding Emilia, a half-elf girl who is one of the candidates to be her kingdom’s next ruler. Of course, caught up in a cloak-and-dagger political battle in a world he can’t hope to understand, it doesn’t take too long before he ends up stabbed and killed–right alongside Emilia.
Yet it is then that he discovers his power: each time he dies, he is returned to a “save point” in the past–though that doesn’t make dying any less painful. Moreover, his resurrection power is somehow tied to Satella, a legendary evil witch. Each time he dies, her mark on him grows stronger. And should he tell anyone about this ability, all that awaits him is an instant death that there will be no coming back from.
Image source: 『Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter
Re:Zero is a dark-yet-realistic take on the “normal guy transported to a fantasy world” genre. Subaru is as genre savvy as we are–thus he sees himself as the hero of the story where he saves the princess and wins her heart. But while in many cases he does help Emilia, he just as often causes catastrophic problems for her. Subconsciously, he has problems grasping the idea that she is a real person with real feelings–and that she has a far better understanding of the dangerous world of magic and politics they find themselves in. Throughout the story, Subaru learns more about himself as a person and–through numerous tragedies and deaths–starts on his road to being a good person.
The new OVA, Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow, is set almost exactly halfway through this character journey. It picks up just after the end of episode 11 where, after saving Emilia and the Oni maids Rem and Ram from a werebeast attack, he asks Emilia on a date as a reward. She agrees but as he prepares for the date, he finds the summer weather turning suspiciously cold–and Emilia acting more than a little strange herself. And as the date gets postponed again and again–with the days growing ever colder–it’s as if the elements themselves are trying to prevent Emilia and Subaru’s date from ever happening.
Image source: 『Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter
What follows is a sweet little slice-of-life mystery without all the life-or-death dangers all too common in Subaru’s life in the fantasy world. It also serves to flesh out a bit more of how the magic system works in the Re:Zero world–and also foreshadows some of the darker twists to come in the second half of the TV series.
Much of the 65-minute OVA is spent on comedic interactions between Subaru, Rem, Ram, Emilia, and Beatrice–usually punctuated with one of Subaru’s trademark overreactions. It also showcases how Subaru’s unique way of thinking enriches the lives of those around him. In other words, it helps make clear why, even after massive blunders on his part, those around him are not willing to simply discard him.
Image source: 『Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter
All in all, it’s a nice change of pace for the series, allowing the characters to savor their hard-won victory in the form of some much-needed downtime before the next series of all-too-serious drama-filled adventures. There’s no dark, looming threat–no death–just the fun everyday life of Subaru in the castle.
This does wonders for the story’s pacing overall. After all, if a story is nothing but tragedy built upon tragedy, you get used to it–become numb to its effects. However, if there are sustained bouts of happiness spaced throughout the story, their counterpoint to the tragedy makes it hit all the harder when it finally comes.
Image source: 『Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow works equally fine whether watching after the series as a flashback or as an extra set of three episodes between episodes 11 and 12. And while it may not be the emotional rollercoaster you’d expect from Re:Zero, it is still enjoyable enough with its fun humor and character development.
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow was released in Japanese theaters on October 6, 2018. There is currently no word on a Western release.
Top Image Source: 『Re：ゼロから始める異世界生活』公式 on Twitter
Be First to Comment