Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3 episode 1 was a one-hour and 30-minute premiere filled to the brim with heartwarming reunions, dramatic conversations, and architecture inspired by real-life wonders. It didn’t take long for a smile to crack on my face and for some chuckles to eventually make their way out after watching the return of one of the biggest names in anime.
Real-Life Influence
Seeing so many of our favorite characters gathered together under certain pretenses is one thing for story’s sake, but the episode itself screamed in my face “We’re back!” the entire time while watching it. In turn, it’s actually a good thing.
The premiere itself being as long as a theatrical screening benefitted the season entirely. We saw what happened with the recent season of Reincarnated as a Slime and the drawback it took for how slow-paced it was the first handful of weeks. Re:Zero Season 3, on the other hand, got out in front of those moments and decided to push all of them to the front so it could dive into more serious matters for the rest of the season, which, I cannot stress this enough, was the perfect call. Even Priscilla would approve of it.
The season premiere got all of the sub-plot setups out of the way with heavy dialogue moments in what was rather a seamless way. At no point did I ever feel as if I was bored of hearing everyone talk to each other about certain topics. Whether it was Garfield and both his internal and external conflicts, the Astrea family dilemma, Sirius Romanée-Conti’s introduction, or even Subaru almost feeling out of place amongst the other knights, and everything else in between one could pick from, the script for the premiere was extremely well put together by Masahiro Yokotani.
Is the premiere going to go down as one of the best episodes of Season 3? Not by any means. But it was a good episode to catch fans up on everything that’s going on. It was clear in its explanation of time, what’s being set up, and what’s in store. That’s what you want out of a new season for a series that hasn’t aired in three-and-a-half years. But what took me aback in the best ways, more than anything else, was firstly, the world-building and, secondly, the introduction of energetic new characters such as Liliana.
Venetian Influence
The Venetian influence on what the world will be for this season of Re:Zero was previously teased. But seeing everything in its full fantasyland glory was beautiful. Art Director Ryouka Kinoshita did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was (sort of) watching Re:Zero takes place in Venice itself. The gondolas, the canals, and even Subarau pointing out that the city of Priestella itself is like a maze due to how it was built on the water—the details of Venice’s influence was major in the season premiere.
Episode direction by Masahiro Shinohara, Risa Suzuki, and Gouichi Iwahata, along with storyboarding by the former two and Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, really showed out in this episode to give me that Venetian feel. Beautiful sunsets on the canal and its bridges with camera angles from slightly lower parts of neighborhoods that take little steps up to main bridges and streets were wonderful little details that made me grasp the beauty of Priestella’s setting. I was as excited to see everything and everyone as Mimi was to see Garfield.
Re:Zero Season 3 Episode 1 Wrap-Up
If there was one phrase to describe the season premiere of Re:Zero Season 3 it would be “Magna e bevi che a vita xe un lampo”, which is Venetian that basically means to enjoy the short life you have while you can, especially with how the first hour and 20 minutes lead me to the final 10 minutes of it all.
Episode 1 rating: 8/10
Images from the Official Website
©Tappei Nagatsuki,KADOKAWA/Re:ZERO3 PARTNERS
Anime Corner was provided with a screener copy of Re:Zero premiere.
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