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MY RE:ZERO 2 EPISODE 15 THREAD
Just me rambling about a bunch of nice framing choices, characters and whatnot. This is one episode I've been looking forward to for a while now!
Just me rambling about a bunch of nice framing choices, characters and whatnot. This is one episode I've been looking forward to for a while now!
The starting sequence plays on Garfiel's character flaw of arrogance, having completely ignored Otto's capabilities & existence as he focused on Subaru alone.
In turn, it also shows us Otto's resourceful side as he buys time—& his lack human friends explains his actions in EP32.
In turn, it also shows us Otto's resourceful side as he buys time—& his lack human friends explains his actions in EP32.
One thing I appreciate about this matchup is that Otto, physically, is beyond weak & on the level of Subaru. Only through his wits and his blessing of communication is he able to do anything against Garfiel's brute force.
The audio direction in this scene was stellar, drowning out the concern of his parents—but what I love most is the concept of Otto's character.
Specifically, him being disabled-coded, with late-blooming communication skills resulting in his inability to form human relationships.
Specifically, him being disabled-coded, with late-blooming communication skills resulting in his inability to form human relationships.
The disability is represented via the concept of Divine Blessings. Otto's struggle was a lonely one, which no one could hope to understand.
Perhaps that's why he was so willing to believe Subaru that easily, because he knows what that kind of personal hell is like.
Perhaps that's why he was so willing to believe Subaru that easily, because he knows what that kind of personal hell is like.
One thing I'd like to draw attention to is that Otto, right up until he gives his parents that note, shows no emotions, largely having the same expression.
Only after he gives that "Thank you for everything" note to his parents does that change, crying for the 1st time, having finally been able to communicate with someone else.
For Otto, communication is everything— hence why he punched Subaru to his senses with such vigor in EP38.
For Otto, communication is everything— hence why he punched Subaru to his senses with such vigor in EP38.
What this 20-second sequence tells us is Otto's craving for warmth & a partner through the visuals, him being a stickler for honesty, & a Blessing-specific insult triggering him to the point of doing the unreasonable.
(The cat scene visually references him crushing on a cat, since he couldn't communicate with people—from a Q&A)
Otto finding confidence in himself, not only moving forward despite his Divine Blessing's drawbacks but also making use of it in the scenes to come, is very uplifting!
Otto finding confidence in himself, not only moving forward despite his Divine Blessing's drawbacks but also making use of it in the scenes to come, is very uplifting!
And thus comes Subaru's significance for Otto. Needless to say, somebody actually SAVING him means the world to someone in Otto's shoes. But more than that, the near-death experience made him realize his gratefulness for simply *being alive*, & for the one who granted him that.
So in a sense, Subaru made Otto appreciate his own life, which motivates Otto throughout Arc 4.
Also, the lines at the end of his named chapter are sooo good.
Also, the lines at the end of his named chapter are sooo good.
What I said earlier about Otto understanding Subaru's struggle is evidenced by these momentary flashes Otto has in his mind, of Subaru and his own childhood. The narration or Otto himself don't tell us anything, because they don't HAVE to—the idea is perfectly conveyed visually.
It was cool to see an outside perspective of Subaru (beyond Emilia or Rem's POV).
Ram is also seemingly going against Roswaal, following her own agenda, even going as far as to face off against Garf for it. What could be the reason?
Ram is also seemingly going against Roswaal, following her own agenda, even going as far as to face off against Garf for it. What could be the reason?
I like how this fight also fleshes out Ram and Garfiel's relationship — it explains why someone like him would have feelings on Ram, and Ram's line at the end is almost sisterly towards him.
Now comes one of my favorite conversations in the series. Emilia, left alone by both Puck & Subaru against the memories slowly flooding her, isolates herself at the Tomb. She desperately wants to lean on someone (recall EP36), but has no one for it.
Her self-worth is in shambles, and the kindness & understanding shown to her by Subaru & Puck come off as unreasonable & scary.
This scene, from this point on, is all about getting Subaru's feelings through, re-establishing a healthy communication, & not have her rely on anyone.
This scene, from this point on, is all about getting Subaru's feelings through, re-establishing a healthy communication, & not have her rely on anyone.
I love the directing choice here — Emilia's incomprehension of Subaru's love is conveyed through the shots hiding his eyes, as he tells her exactly why he fell for her.
This is also an opportunity for Subaru, for the first time ever, to vent out his not-so-positive feelings towards Emilia, as he lays his entire heart bare. That's a new side of Subaru, and it's been a long time coming.
However, even with all that said and done, he finishes it with "I love you".
Because the idea here is that love, and thus believing in someone, needs no justification like how Emilia thinks. All the flaws & strengths he spoke of don't mean much in the grand scheme of things.
Because the idea here is that love, and thus believing in someone, needs no justification like how Emilia thinks. All the flaws & strengths he spoke of don't mean much in the grand scheme of things.
Take note of Subaru's words here — his growth is notable, and this conversation feels like a continuation of their quarrel in Episode 13, in a way.
Subaru accepts all of her weaknesses & offers to walk by her side, without doing everything for her (like by taking the Trials).
Subaru accepts all of her weaknesses & offers to walk by her side, without doing everything for her (like by taking the Trials).
To Emilia, Subaru's genuine love for her feels like his suffocating idealization of Arc 3, as she refuses to believe him and take his words at face value. "Don't talk like I'm just some doll!" especially cuts deep.
But it is precisely because he doesn't see Emilia as "just some doll" (anymore) that he left her side (among other reasons), not letting her entrust him with everything.
Finally, the end touches upon the other main source of her struggles—the fear of how she'll turn out after regaining all of her memories, and whether she'll still be herself. If the point of origin is wrong, doesn't that make the path walked and the destination all wrong as well?
Here comes into play Subaru's "homework".
It doesn't matter where Emilia comes from, or how her experiences shaped her. It won't erase the path she's walked until now, won't change his thoughts on her, & no one can decide her path up until now has been wrong until the very end.
It doesn't matter where Emilia comes from, or how her experiences shaped her. It won't erase the path she's walked until now, won't change his thoughts on her, & no one can decide her path up until now has been wrong until the very end.
The last scene's uplifting brightness is a clear, deliberate contrast with their grim first kiss in Taste of Death.
"It was not not like the first time, which carried the cold taste of death. The second kiss... bore the hot taste of life."
"It was not not like the first time, which carried the cold taste of death. The second kiss... bore the hot taste of life."
In the end, Subaru proves his point through actions rather than words. Upon reaching a mutual understanding, what had initially been just her reflected in Subaru's eyes becomes reciprocated (the eye reflection shots being a motif within pivotal moments of SubaEmi's relationship).
Also, the fact that they're getting more and more creative with title cards is so nice to see, symbolizing hope by shining some light on the kanji of "believe".
I miss Season 1 where animation sold emotions rather than static shots, but the camerawork was competent enough that directing and specific angle choices made up for the lack of animation. I'll wait a bit before giving a score, but overall this was a great episode!
