*Before you read, there are some spoilers, so don't read if you don't like them*
Yes, its another Isekai. Honestly though, Re:ZERO is unlike any other Isekai I've ever watched in my life and I'm glad I picked it up. *Well, I just finished what seems to be the first season as Season 2 was "announced". Yes, I watched half of the season at the end of December but finally finished the latter half in April. I needed to finish it*.
But anyway, away from my inability to retain track of completing what I set out to finish, Re:ZERO is a masterpiece in my eyes. Yes, the story is not perfect, but legitimately everything else is. The art of every animation from the action to the emphasis put into Subaru's facial expressions when he "resurrects" after every gruesome death and traumatic event is powerful in of-itself. The music and sounds that capture every emotion both the viewer and the character(s) feel is elating. The OP's and ED's also entice the viewer with the dramatic darkness that opens up and ends the episode. But even then, the OP doesn't always show up, which benefits those who look to hop right into the next episode. I mean I did. Watched half the season, episodes 12-25 in about 6 hours. If the OP was placed in every episode, run time's might've needed to be longer anyway. Besides the point sound was stellar. I felt as if by the end of episode 25, I basically knew every character cover to cover and what they'd gone through. There was a perfect balance between building the characters and paving way to the story as well.
Story: 9/10
Why do I not give Re:ZERO a 10 for it's story... It's simple. REM IS BEST GIRL.... Kidding (she definitely is though). The ending seemed like it could've used a little more *oomf* to it. It was still a grand conclusion to all of Subaru's struggles to find his way into Emilia's heart even though Rem was basically there for him the whole time. The constant anguish of Natsuki did wonders to set the stories' groundwork. His troubles aiding Emilia, dealing with the unrest that seemed to follow him all the time, the memories Subaru needed to accumulate in order to create a quality result, it all attributes into making the story the roller coaster ride it is. Either way, the story would've been incredibly boring if it wasn't full of hardships like basically every other Isekai that I know of. That's why Re:ZERO is unique compared to the others of its genre.
Art: 10/10
The image of Subaru carrying Rem's body through the wintry climate only to reach the mansion to cleanly get his head sliced off by the end-days Puck.... Those images as the credits rolled still stick to me. Not because of how sinister it was but how the viewer gets to see what happens. That was the climax for me in the visual department for this anime. Every death that Subaru endures and returns from; the way his emotions and expressions are drawn and animated. It's powerful, human emotion; White Fox did an outstanding job capturing the atmosphere that was set by the characters in what I think to be flawless work on the emotions Subaru and the others showed. The settings were also drawn to perfection.
Sound: 10/10
The music, it always set either a joyful or vile tone for a scene or act. Yeah, the art that went into showing Rem's unresponsive body held by a newly killed Subaru was sketchy enough, but the tune that played while in the still frame invoked the true essence of Natsuki's agony, that he might not ever find a resolution to said predicament's he kept bumping into. The OP and ED illustrate musically the very basis of Re:ZERO and what it's all about. The voice acting in terms of dubbed is pretty good compared to some of the other shows I've seen (yes, I watched this dubbed... CURSE ME).
Character: 10/10
Above all else, the way in which Subaru, Emilia, Ram and Rem, etc. are portrayed is the strongest asset to ZERO. You become attached to the characters at points where you can't believe what they're doing or a small mistake that becomes bigger than expected drives you mad. Each characters personality is made with excellence, especially Subaru who has to carry the burden of all the trauma not just he, but all the other's he cares about deal with if certain actions take place or not. Subaru's deteriorating mental and psychological health provide viewers with insight into the peril that surrounds him. And as the story goes on, all the characters change. A prime example is Rem, who at one point wants nothing to do with Subaru to the point which he keeps using Return by Death for she continuously kills him to the everlasting love that Rem grows for Subaru for everything he's done for her. Character building in Re:ZERO is some of the grandest I've ever seen in any anime I've watched.
Enjoyment: 10/10
When I watched, I couldn't stop. I went from episode to episode without a single break until I put up watching anime for a bit for a "hiatus". But when I returned for episode 12, I didn't take it an episode at a time, I dove right in and watched from 12-25 all in a short amount of time without pause for anything. I couldn't be forced away from watching, basically nothing anyone could do wouldn't have been able to make me abandon this anime again. What makes it even more enjoyable as the ending we were given isn't actually the end and another season is coming.
So overall, this is one of my top 10 anime of all time. I've only finished 50ish so far and have a lot more in line to watch, but I feel like Re:ZERO can stand the test of time in my book. I'll more than likely marathon it again before season 2 airs.
