Re: Zero Season 3 Episode 7 Review

We’ve reached that stage in Re: Zero Season 3 where things have sort of fallen into a lull of sorts. This isn’t necessarily a complaint – in fact, traditionally, Re: Zero is a considerably slower show than many of its anime counterparts, and if anything, these past few episodes have reflected the series’ usual pacing. However, compared to the explosive beginning that this season had, these last couple of weeks have required a little more patience.

This week, however, though the series didn’t break into a sprint by any means, the episode was imbued with so much emotion and stakes, it made each scene as thrilling to watch as any battle or conflict that a faster-paced series could have offered. There’s a lot to talk about this week, so let’s get right into our review of Re: Zero Season 3 Episode 7 – spoilers ahead!

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The Review

Image by White Fox

The episode begins with a standout scene for Emilia. Seriously, this is one of my favourite moments that this character has ever had. I’ve always argued for Emilia’s efficiency as a character – I wasn’t sure I was buying this whole ‘damsel in distress’ thing she has going on, considering she’s arguably stronger than many characters in the show, and unless I’m mistaken, she’s certainly stronger magic-wise than Subaru. It was refreshing in this opening scene to see her take some agency and not concede to the ‘damsel in distress’ role, while also simultaneously reinforcing her trust in Subaru. The scene just screamed ‘healthy’ – despite the fact that she’s been kidnapped by such a horrible man.

We also get a little more dimension to Regulus’ wives this week. Whereas up to this point, I wondered whether or not these women were content with their captivity under Regulus, it seems like this week, they have some sort of humanity and personality to them. They are, in fact, wishing for Emilia’s escape, in a move that’s somewhat selfless, considering they would undeniably be punished if she were to flee. I hope we get more from these women, as their dynamics with Emilia and Regulus respectively are slowly becoming some of the most interesting elements of the season – please don’t let this season end before we learn a little more about them.

The episode then cuts back to Subaru and friends, and in an intriguing turn of events, the season turns to a greater battle than our heroes have faced in the physical battlegrounds of the last few weeks. The battle of Priestella is now a battle of morale, as Subaru and his team acknowledge how important it is to swing the mood of the city’s denizens in order to win the war, as well as limit the effect that Sirius’ power has had on them. Sure, we love the fighting in this show, but it’s interesting to see a battle of words take centre stage, and it does make sense. Civilian morale is a really interesting focal point to choose for the upcoming conflict – great writing all around here.

Image by White Fox

And who better to rise to the top as the ultimate hope for Priestella’s citizens than Subaru himself? Now, to be fair, he sort of steps up as a hopeful figure by process of elimination, after a lengthy process during which every other character explains why they can’t do it. However, I do feel like this is the perfect catharsis for Subaru as a character. It’s not only a nice reminder of how much he’s done for everyone since the show began, but it’s also especially poignant when you remember that this is an isekai, and Subaru’s life in his original world would have never seen him in such an important, impactful position. Again, this whole season has just felt excellently written, major props.

As frustrating as Al was this week, what with how he tried to derail Subaru’s focus on Priestella over Emilia, he did provide one of my favourite quotes from the season – ‘your loss isn’t just your loss anymore’. In many ways, this quote sums up why this season of Re: Zero has felt a little different from the rest of the series. Sure, the stakes have been high before, but the consequences were fairly contained to Subaru’s friends and bystanders who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This season has so many lives on the line, a whole city at risk – it all feels bigger than anything we’ve seen before in the show.

We then hear a backstory from one of Regulus’ wives, and this guy might just be one of the most deplorable villains in the series – and that’s saying something with this anime. I get it, we all hate Lye for what he did to Rem, but Regulus is just insanely cruel, on a scale that seems unique compared to the other villains. I’m started to become less interested in hearing more about him, and just anticipating when he’s eventually defeated. I wouldn’t be opposed to giving him a little more depth though, maybe a sympathetic side behind the evil, but that is gonna be difficult to do after what we heard this week.

Image by White Fox

In what was a very strong episode up until this point, it also ends on one of the highest notes of the season, and potentially, the series so far. Subaru takes to the microphone and rallies the hope of Priestella’s civilians in a truly inspiring scene. I know that people have had their reservations about Subaru as a character, and I get it – he’s had his typical, isekai protagonist moments in the past seasons, but this season has been such a shining time for him as a character, I can’t see anyone hating him anymore. I do wonder what the Sin Archbishops think of his speech though – hopefully next week, we’ll get a look at their reactions.

Right before the episode ended, we also see that Reinhard has returned to our heroes’ side, and is ready to bring this battle back to the physical front. This episode was a step away from the action done right. There’s such a huge fight brewing outside on the streets of Priestella, and yet, great writing and emotional stakes managed to make me content with staying inside, and focusing on conversations between the series’ major players. I still can’t wait to dive back into the fray next week, but this week was an enjoyable break from an otherwise intense season.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Re: Zero? The show has been doing so well so far, and it doesn’t look like it’s letting up any time soon! If anything, next week is going to bring the show into an even higher gear than before. Let us know what you thought in the comments!

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Where to Watch Re: Zero Season 3?

Image by White Fox

Re: Zero Season 3 is set to air on Crunchyroll weekly, every Wednesday starting October 2nd 2024. The season is scheduled for 16 episodes weekly, meaning we’ll be keeping with Re: Zero through the Winter season also! Great news for fans of the series!

See also: Re: Zero Season 3 Episode 6 Review

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