Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

[KrayZ33]

Synopsis
Suddenly, high school student Subaru Natsuki has been summoned to another world on the way back from the convenience store. With the biggest crisis of his life being summoned to another world, and with no sign of the one who summoned him, things become even worse when he is attacked. But when he is saved by a mysterious, silver-haired girl with a fairy cat, Subaru cooperates with her to return the favor. When they finally manage to get a clue, Subaru and the girl are attacked and killed by someone. Subaru then awakens in the place he was summoned and notices he gained the ability "Returns by Death" and has become a helpless boy that only has the ability to rewind time by dying. Beyond the despair, can he save the girl from the fate of death?

(Source: jCafe, edited)
http://myanimelist.net/anime/31240/R...sekai_Seikatsu
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EP1 + 2(?):

First week had a double episode and I liked it alot. I'm just hoping that the production value won't fall off *that* hard because I prefer it when shows end with a big bang (Schwarzes Marken, to some degree) instead of the other way around (Akame ga Kill).

I'm already hyped about the next episode because the setup is already alot different from what it was before he died the first and second time.
So it doesn't feel like we are seeing the same things over and over again when he dies.

The only problem I had was that he seems to be really "slow", he didn't grasp that he's being revived each time he dies. I'm just hoping he does understand it this time around.

[shinta|hikari]

The biggest problem with this story is it fails terribly at suspension of disbelief, and I'm not talking about the supernatural aspect.

How can someone be that dumb? The hero beats up a few punks and bows down to get his ass handed to him for no reason. See a knife? Run away. Why the hell would you bow down? Comedy of this type, especially if it leads to real results (him getting hurt, meeting people, dying in the end because of said meetings), is cringe-worthy.

I don't even want to get started about him not noticing he looped back, or not even trying to confirm the repetitive anomalies around him when it happened. It's not as if he lost his memory FFS.

How do you expect people to believe that this supposedly hikki gamer guy is working out for no reason? Because he said so? His motive is utterly ridiculous. Watching the house in Japan doesn't involve fighting off burglars. Why not make him a martial arts geek who is bad at socializing? Now that makes more sense.

What the hell kind of reaction did he have after he got summoned with his groceries? In Konosuba, a gag story, it actually made sense because someone explained the situation to the hero. In this case, he got warped somewhere randomly, and first thing he wants to do is use magic to save someone, who would've actually died if he failed (and he did. Luckily someone else helped). A little bit of shock, anxiety, and reflection would've made this much more believable.

And the tropes. God, the tropes. And they didn't even try to twist or subvert any of them. Grimgal did much, much better in that sense.

Normally, I wouldn't care about such flaws because they are in about 90% of what's out there, but this show is really annoying because it somehow got a huge budget and a great animation team working on it despite these critical problems. It even had a double episode release! I wish Konosuba had a budget this high, even if I know it doesn't need it.

[KrayZ33]

In this case, he got warped somewhere randomly, and first thing he wants to do is use magic to save someone, who would've actually died if he failed (and he did. Luckily someone else helped). A little bit of shock, anxiety, and reflection would've made this much more believable.

He thinks this is somewhat of a game... maybe even a dream, why would he be shocked.

Him feeling lost was shown pretty well though.
He got his ass kicked from A to B to C and then back to A again and he didn't understand anything of it.
He's completely lost and the half elf is like the only person he can go to now because his surroundings are rather hostile (mostly because he has 0 money)

How do you expect people to believe that this supposedly hikki gamer guy is working out for no reason?

That's somewhat of a weird question, because nowadays, half the population is working out "for no reason" other than wanting to be fit (gamers included)
Most (well maybe not most, but more than just 1/100) streamers are actually fit af' and would beat me to a pulp even though they play 8h/day. Guess he's just one of them.

No need to question every little thing, seriously. Sometimes I wonder if people are even trying to enjoy something, or if they try to be negative on purpose for some weird and twisted reason.

[shinta|hikari]

Because what if it isn't a dream? In dreams, you do stupid shit because you don't have control, but he clearly did. "I thought this was a game or a dream so I did whatever" is a weak excuse. His reaction is more like a dude lost in a foreign city than someone warped to a different world, clearly 2 very different things.

That said, this can be explained by his fantastically low intelligence, which is the most unbelievable thing.

[KrayZ33]

His reaction is like that because he thinks a dream just became reality.... as I said, he thinks it's a game - at least in the beginning.

How's that an excuse? It's just what it is and how it was shown, he basically said so himself when he demanded better starting gear and when he refers to stuff happening as "events".

That's part of the comedy going on, which is why he begged for mercy too instead of running away. He's not supposed to panic like a normal human being because that's not the character he is and not the character this story is about.

[David75]

I also suppose he does not have precise recollection of the pain he felt dying.
If he did, he would start either being afraid and close himself from his surrounding, or become a tad clever and start thinking.

[shinta|hikari]

@Krayz - That's my whole point. He is unbelievably stupid. This comedy (and the story, at least for 2 loops now) you speak of revolves around that premise. If you're fine with that, then good for you. I'm not.

[KrayZ33]

Did you enjoy any movie up to this day?

And yes, it's the exact same thing. There is absolutely no realistic character in 95% of the movies out there, whether they are about action, romance or whatever genre you pick. This doesn't mean 95% of the movies are bad though.... most of them are probably more fun to watch than the other 5% that tries to portray realistic characters.

People should really stop losing their shit just because the main character of a show, that means someone who should be fun to watch, is not reacting like the boring guy next door which noone cares about.

If I wanted him to run away from danger and lose his shit, I'd watch the helmet cam of a soldier in one of the wars going on right on youtube.

edit: just to make it clear, yes he is stupid and he should've realized the loops by now - but that and the comedy stuff going on have nothing to do with each other.

[shinta|hikari]

Did you enjoy any movie up to this day?

Yes. I don't even mind stupid characters, to be honest. I loved Konosuba, for one. The problem is this show's execution is very poor, for reasons I've already stated. It's half-assed. It tries the same comedic style as Konosuba but also wants to deliver a serious story with stratification and deaths. It's annoying to watch a character die repeatedly because he's stupid if the deaths are supposed to be taken seriously.

EDIT: I don't particularly want him to be a boring, cowardly person. He can be a charismatic and analytical guy like Manato. He can be weak and kind like Bell. Heck, he can be an ass like Kazuma. I just don't want slapstick comedy driven by a stupid protagonist wrapped in a high budget "serious" story.

BTW, no one is losing their shit, well, except you. I only listed down and explained my complaints. Relax and enjoy the show without getting too carried away by opinions of other viewers.

[KrayZ33]

BTW, no one is losing their shit, well, except you. I only listed down and explained my complaints. Relax and enjoy the show without getting too carried away by opinions of other viewers.

Haha,
I'd believe you if you weren't so upset about this, see your first post, there is no way that you were "calm" and didn't write yourself into a rage.

It's annoying to watch a character die repeatedly because he's stupid if the deaths are supposed to be taken seriously.

He didn't die 'because' he's stupid... he's stupid "right now" because he STILL didn't realize he's looping. Who knows, maybe we'll actually see him grasping it in the next 10 minutes.
It's not a question about opinions either. It's about people not realizing what they are watching and why things are the way they are.

"Hulk is always angry" because that was funny and a nice joke, not because it's canon and the way it works.
Deadpool is joking around because he's Deadpool, even though that's the reason why the movie didn't end in the first 5 minutes.
etc. etc.
Does it make the MC stupid that he begged for his life instead of running away when he could (thugs scene)? No, it was clearly just comedy.
If they wanted, they could've told the same story with him running away and bumping into each of the girls... but they didn't because it doesn't flipping matter, because it's a comedic scene.

These scenes are there to lighten up the seriousness... why not take them for what they are.
They didn't want to start this show with someone losing his shit for the first 40 minutes. That is all.

[shinta|hikari]

The thing is, Krayz, we're always gonna run into this argument. We've done it for many shows now, and honestly, I'm tired of it.

I admittedly like to pick things apart. I don't feel really strongly about it when I do. You like to defend things you like. It just so happens I like fewer things than you do. The problem is, I always feel the urge to reply when you address my posts, which is honestly starting to wane now. It's like a merry-go-round.

Please, just think that I'm a bit too picky and let things go. I don't particularly enjoy having to explain my opinions when the counter argument is always "I think it's okay because a lot of other things are like this." I just happen to be the person who actually does think that most of these other things suck, and I'm gonna stay that way.

TLDR: I don't wanna do this back and forth again, so please kindly stop quoting and arguing with me for the same reasons. I'll be forced to ignore it like I do for one other poster here in the forum, something I'd rather not do.

[KrayZ33]

......

Don't know why you even started writing your first post then?

I just posted some counter"arguments" (more like offering a different "view") as to why he acts the way he does and about the stuff you had trouble understanding.
If I'm not supposed to, why even bother adding "?" and not just say "I would've prefered if this story was different because I like serious stories with serious characters that are like me / or the person I have in mind"

Not much I could've done then, right?

And then there is the issue I have with you picking things apart because they aren't the way you *believe* they should be - like that "gamers/shut ins" do nothing but gaming and hate sports and working out. I'm just saying that's not how it is and thought you'd start to realize that you were extremely biased.
I had absolutely no problem believing that he worked out... maybe because I actually know alot of people working out in their free time and I was actually glad about the fact that he did, because it always bothered me that every "Nerd"-MC is a freaking low life that can't handle physical shit just because he likes to play videogames.

[shinta|hikari]

Because my first post didn't address yours at all. That's just my opinion of the show, which doesn't affect yours. Neither did I criticize anything you said.

Once you start quoting me and try to explain things that all boil down to opinion, we're going to keep entering this never ending loop, one I'm tired of. The thing is, neither of us have "trouble" understanding anything. It's not even a matter of interpretation. We just like and value different things, and arguing about that is pointless.

I am very particular with execution, for example, while you are quite lenient with it as long as the story delivers entertainment. We will never agree on this. Using the shut-in thing as an example, sure, there may be shut ins in the world that randomly train their bodies. But are they common? Why even make him a shut in? Why not use a more believable excuse for his training, like the one I mentioned? Is it a big deal? No. But I like pointing those out. So unless you get strange enjoyment from hounding my posts, I'd politely ask you to stop.

And please, stop hurling accusations about my preference. I've been very clear as to my complaints, but you like twisting them into this strange image you have of me, like me liking serious stories with serious characters despite knowing how much I love Konosuba... I'm really tired of this, in particular.

EDIT: About the question mark, it's something called a rhetorical question. I was trying to emphasize the absurdity of the elements I pointed out.

[KrayZ33]

I am very particular with execution, for example, while you are quite lenient with it as long as the story delivers entertainment. We will never agree on this. Using the shut-in thing as an example, sure, there may be shut ins in the world that randomly train their bodies. But are they common? Why even make him a shut in? Why not use a more believable excuse for his training, like the one I mentioned? Is it a big deal? No. But I like pointing those out. So unless you get strange enjoyment from hounding my posts, I'd politely ask you to stop.

What the fuck man? You ask QUESTIONS... why shouldn't I answer them? Stop asking questions then.

I can tell you why they (probably) didn't use YOUR example, but am I allowed to now? Because you asked me to stop.
I'll do it anway, because I see no reason why I shouldn't after you ASKED for it.

They didn't use a martial arts fanatic that can't socialize because it would affect the whole story.
Would a martial arts freak be that calm when he enters a new world? No - he'd lose his shit.
Would a gamer that watched anime, manga played games take it more "lightly"? Yes he would
Can a gamer also work on his body? Sure he can.
Is it common in anime? No it's not, does that mean it's stupid, or unlikely? No.
Why does he even have to be "socially awkward" in your world? He has/had no problems running up to people and looking for information. He's obviously not someone who is troubled by talking to someone else.

He's a human being with too much free time on his hands that he didn't spend on gaming 24/7. (in a way "only" 20/7 )

EDIT: About the question mark, it's something called a rhetorical question. I was trying to emphasize the absurdity of the elements I pointed out.

rhetorical questions only work when the answer is obvious, you chose situations that are only obvious in *your* way of thinking... and as you said yourself, in your opinion. That's not the point and time to use rhetorical questions because it will trigger people to comment on it if they disagree.

[shinta|hikari]

Sigh. My (rhetorical) question was, why is he even a hikki in the first place? That was the part I wanted them to change. If they didn't want to, then he should at least be socially awkward, because that's how most hikkis are. They don't interact with people.

I'll answer this myself, because it is a rhetorical question, after all. They made him a hikki to make him identifiable to the audience, a cheap overused tactic which I personally dislike.

See, this is exactly what I'm saying.

You're argument is always gonna be "it's fine the way it is."
Mine is always gonna be "it could've been better."

There's no point trying to resolve this. We can't convince each other, so replying to me is pointless. As I've mentioned in many other threads, I dislike doing pointless things.

This is also derailing the threads for no other reason than you wanting to reply to me. So, I'm honestly out. Probably for all similar discussions.

[KrayZ33]

How is it derailing the thread when we are talking about the characters and the situation they are in....

This isn't really about what you think about this show for me anyway, it's about laying down your opinions about something as "facts" and you are even being offensive about it , ridiculing anyone who thinks otherwise (and that's the problem alot of people on the internet have and what's really sad about it, here too)
If you didn't want to do it, then you should start thinking about how you write it.

and

You're argument is always gonna be "it's fine the way it is."
Mine is always gonna be "it could've been better."

Is not true either, your point is not about "it could've been better" it's about "it could've been the way I preferred it" and that's the only problem I had with your post which is why I, once again, offer a different view on things (that isn't made up on the fly but rather actually something I and maybe someone else thinks)

[shinta|hikari]

What facts? I've always only stated opinions. See, this accusation thing is really getting old. Do I really have to tag every sentence with "I think" to make it acceptable for you?

"Better" is subjective, Krayz. So is "fine." However, "true" isn't subjective. At the very least, it pretends it isn't.

It is derailing the thread because I'm not interested in discussing this anymore. I'm honestly asking you to stop hounding me. Please just say that you will and get the final word in. I welcome it.

Can't we even agree to disagree? Please agree to at least this.

[KrayZ33]

What facts? I've always only stated opinions. See, this accusation thing is really getting old. Do I really have to tag every sentence with "I think" to make it acceptable for you?

Yes, because if you honestly believe your first post was about "opinions" than I don't know what to say anymore other than that you are lying to yourself. I'm accusing you because you are doing these things, not because you are not. If you didn't - I wouldn't because why would I? I've got no beef with you.
You are doing it most likely unknowingly, or maybe I just can't express it the way I would like it too.
Maybe you don't realize it because that's the way talking is done on the internet - with no respect towards each other.
Whenever I read you "opinions" though, I feel offended for thinking differently.

Can't we even agree to disagree? Please agree to at least this.

I could, if I knew to what... because if it's only about how we like/dislike the show, then yes.
But that is actually not the only thing I'm trying to point out.

[shinta|hikari]

Another accusation. Honestly, what have I ever done to you?

Every thing I say in this forum is an opinion, unless I say something like a date when an event happened. I don't even know how you interpreted my first post as. Was it supposed to be my attempt at being God and declaring truths?

I don't want to accuse you of anything, but your recent replies are making it seem to me like this is some sort of personal vendetta. I honestly hope that is not the case. I'd rather you not continue, but if you have to, please do it via pm. You yourself admitted in your last post that this isn't even related to the show anymore.

[shinta|hikari]

Episode 2.







----

So it's confirmed that Subaru is an idiot. While I'm not a fan of his character type, I liked almost everything else the 2nd episode presented, particularly Felt. DFC, tube, wakilicious, and a tomboy!? I really felt it with her (pun intended).

Elsa is freaking scary. She is like a boss character that the protagonist meets at the very start of an RPG. It doesn't help that none of the name characters so far seem to be anywhere near her level, with the possible exception of Sakamoto, I mean, Reinhard. Fortunately, she didn't dig too deeply about his reaction and "let it go."

I wonder if there's a limit to his looping ability? If there isn't, he can just gather info for now and pick the best possible ending. History can in fact be changed, proven by his encounter with Reinhard.

His first step in the next episode should be convincing "Satella" to trust him. While a tsundere, she seems to be the most reasonable of the lot. With his lack of communication and negotiation skills, it'd be impossible for him to persuade Felt, a born street rat and an ambitious thief. Good intentions are meaningless to her type.

Looking at the opening, Subaru is eventually gonna get a harem. I wonder if his reset ability will ever get nullified? The OP suggests that the looping will last throughout the cour. If so, is it really gonna be a harem? Or will he have to lose his previous conquests when going for a new one in a new loop, much like Keima?