December 2024 Issue

NPC-1: Hey, have you seen Naruto?

NPC-2: Yeah, it was one of the best shonen I have ever seen.

NPC-1: What aspect did you find most intriguing or thought-provoking, and why?

NPC-2: The most thought-provoking realisation for me was about the villains of Naruto—it made me question and reconsider my entire perspective on the nature of antagonist society.

Let's see how they can affect yours.

Why the Villains of Naruto Are Built Different

Let’s admit it—Naruto’s world has some of the most unforgettable villains in anime history. Unlike your typical "I want treasure, power, and world domination" bad guys, Naruto’s antagonists have something deeper going on, something everyone can't understand. These aren’t just evil-for-the-sake-of-it villains; they’re people with tragic pasts, ideals, and philosophies that’ll make you sit back and question everything you thought was right. And no, we’re not exaggerating. The villains here aren’t just chasing destruction like others—they’re chasing peace. Yes, peace—through wildly extreme, questionable methods, but hey, some points for effort, right?

Let’s break down why Naruto’s villains stand out and how they outshine the bad guys from other series.

Complex and Tragic Backstories

In Naruto, villains aren’t born evil. They’re victims of their circumstances, and honestly, it makes them agonisingly relatable. Their actions usually emanate from heartbreaking events, betrayal, or loss that hit way too close to home.

Take Nagato, aka Pain, for example. This guy saw his parents and best friend get killed during the war, and what did he do? He turned his pain (pun intended) into a twisted philosophy: peace through fear. He even built his wicked psychologies that could support his beliefs.

"We are but men, drawn to act in the name of revenge we deem to be 'justice'."
“Those who do not understand true pain can never understand true peace.”

- Pain

Then there’s Obito Uchiha, a sweet kid dreaming of becoming Hokage. Fast-forward to him watching the love of his life die, and boom, next thing you know, he’s being manipulated and converted into a nihilist by Lord Madara.

Speaking of Madara, his life is a long list of betrayals and failed dreams, so he comes up with the Infinite Tsukuyomi—a giant illusion where everyone lives happily ever after. Creepy? Yes. Effective? Debatable. But Madara isn’t your average villain; he’s the guy who truly believes that he's humanity’s saviour, even if it means brainwashing the entire world (making them see what they like). Add his complex bromance-turned-rivalry with Hashirama, and you’ve got a villain whose backstory is just as epic as his power level

"Talking about peace whilst spilling blood, it's something that only humans can do."
"The only things that truly exist in this reality are merely pain, suffering and futility."

- Madara Uchiha

Sure, other anime villains like Zeke Yeager (Attack on Titan) and Doflamingo (One Piece) also have tragic pasts. Still, Naruto villains tie their pain to a more significant cause: achieving peace. That extra layer of idealism makes them stand out among anything we've seen.

The “Good vs. Evil” Blur

If you’re expecting clear-cut heroes and villains in Naruto, you might wanna reconsider it. The series prospers in the thin line between good and evil, serving as the perfect backdrop for these villains to stand out.

Pain, for example, believed that mutual suffering was the only way to achieve peace. I guess he even lived by the quote, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. Sounds harsh?, but when you hear his reasoning, it’s hard not to see his point. Nagato’s perspective was rooted in the belief that enduring suffering and making significant sacrifices are essential steps toward achieving lasting peace. This viewpoint was influenced by his challenging childhood and his aspiration to resolve the ongoing conflicts that have affected his world. Then there’s Madara, who thought trapping everyone in a fake utopia was better than the endless cycle of war. Sounds poetic, doesn't it? Believe me when I say he got this wisdom from countless miseries and accidents.

Even Zabuza—remember him from the early episodes? The first villain-like being of this masterpiece. He was a ruthless assassin, sure, but his bond with Haku gave us a glimpse of his humanity. This just confirmed for me that this anime isn't going to be like other shonen.

Now, compare this to villains in Dragon Ball (like Frieza) or Bleach (like Aizen). Don’t get me wrong—they’re iconic, but their motivations are usually about power or domination. Naruto villains, on the other hand, hit you with existential questions about morality and leave you sitting there like, “Wait… actually, they do have a point?”

Villains Who Could’ve Been Naruto

Here’s what makes Naruto villains hit even harder: they’re mirrors of the protagonist. I mean, actually, what is going on? How can some seem-to-be villains have similarities with the main protagonist? This was my viewpoint, but many of them show us what Naruto himself could have become under different circumstances.

Remember Gaara? He started as a psychotic loner fueled by hatred, but his story was eerily similar to Naruto’s. The difference? Naruto found friends, while Gaara found… chaos. Yeah, it might sound exaggerated, but undeniably, he had nothing but chaos in his early life.

Then we have Obito, who’s literally “Naruto gone wrong.” He gave up on his ideals after life kicked him down one too many times. And let’s not forget Sasuke, who danced on the line between villain and anti-hero, showing us the cost of revenge versus reconciliation.

Other anime villains, like Shigaraki (My Hero Academia) or Meruem (Hunter x Hunter), also parallel their protagonists, but in Naruto, these parallels drive the entire story forward, making every fight feel personal and meaningful.

Redemption Arcs that Hit Hard

One thing Naruto does better than most of the so-called shonen, is giving its villains a chance to redeem themselves. They’re not just evil for the sake of it (I mean, who is born evil and wants just to destroy everything) —they’re flawed people trying (and often failing) to do what they think is right.

Itachi Uchiha? First, he’s framed as the coldest killer ever. Then, plot twist: he’s actually a tragic hero who sacrificed everything for his little brother. Nagato? He literally brings people back to life after Naruto convinces him his philosophy was flawed. And let’s not forget Zabuza, who, in his last moments, mourns the loss of Haku and reminds us that even the darkest hearts can feel love.

While redemption arcs exist in other anime (looking at “Zuko, Vegeta”), they often focus on each of their personal growth. In Naruto, redemption ties directly to the villains’ big-picture goals—peace, forgiveness, and understanding.

Philosophical Punches

If Naruto villains were just tragic and redeemable, that’d be impressive enough. But nope—these characters also present a philosophy so thought-provoking that it compels you to contemplate the validity of their perspective.

Pain’s idea of the “cycle of hatred” is a heavy reminder of real-world struggles to end violence. Madara’s belief that humanity can’t achieve true peace without control is terrifyingly thought-provoking. And Obito? His downfall proves that one tragedy can completely derail even the most optimistic person.

Other anime touches on profound themes—like Meruem in Hunter x Hunter exploring morality or Griffith in Berserk embodying ambition—but Naruto villains always circle back to one question: can peace exist without sacrifice? That recurring theme ties them together in a way that’s rare to see.

Conclusion: Villains Who Stick with You

The villains in Naruto aren’t just bad guys—they’re fully fleshed-out characters with dreams, flaws, and enough emotional depth to leave a mark. The series turns battles into meaningful clashes of philosophy and emotion by focusing on their idealistic (but flawed) pursuit of peace.

Ultimately, these villains remind us that even the darkest hearts can seek redemption and that every conflict has two sides. Whether they’re breaking your heart or challenging your morals, the villains of Naruto make one thing clear: they’re in a league of their own.

Oyasumi Punpun is a manga everyone has heard of, but not that many people have actually read. It is quite infamous for being very dark and for having extremely heavy subject material. It is a bit controversial. But everyone who has read it, does consider it to be an incredible work of art.

In this article I want to convince you to give this manga a try.

Oyasumi Punpun or Good Night Punpun is a slice-of-life manga that follows the life of Punpun Onodera. The story starts off with Punpun as a kid and we follow his life through the years and see him grow up. Over the course of 13 volumes, we follow the ups and downs of his life. It is a deeply personal story that feels very emotionally raw, almost as if all of his bare emotions have been laid in front of the reader. It follows Punpun’s loss of innocence and shows the difficulties of transitioning from a naive boyhood to a convoluted adulthood. As he grows up, he comes face to face with the dark realities of the world, and he sees how messed up society is. He is forced to confront all the ugly and uncomfortable truths about his own self and about the world around him. It’s a story about loss and about grief and about human relationships and how fickle they are and about how people we look upto are not as impressive as we might have thought them to be.

In telling this story, the author, Inio Asano, uses some techniques that elevate this manga to a different level.

The artwork in this manga is incredible. Asano utilized photography and computer graphics for the backgrounds of the manga. Most of the characters are drawn in a semi-realistic way, except for Punpun himself. He is drawn in a very cartoonish way, almost like a doodle made by a 5-year-old. This juxtaposition of ultra-realism and a doodle-esque artsytle creates this incredibly surreal effect. The manga is full of absurd, surreal imagery, and it is used very effectively to generate a wide variety of emotional responses from the readers, ranging from confused to straight-up horrified.

What is also very interesting is that we never get to see Punpun’s face throughout the entire manga. The reason he’s drawn like a bird is so that the readers don’t end up creating any assumptions about his personality on the basis of his appearance. He is like an empty canvas on which the readers can project themselves. It is because of this very reason that the story resonates so deeply with so many people. Because it is as if when Punpun ends up becoming a horrible person, it is the readers themselves who feel their own selves to have been reduced to a hollow shell of a human being

In all the different forms that Punpun is depicted throughout the manga, we never even get to see him talk in a panel. Nowhere in the manga is Punpun drawn with a traditional text bubble. Every other character’s dialogue appears in text bubbles, but Punpun’s dialogue appears as a separate panel that is entirely black with white text. This also makes the readers feel like they themselves are speaking his words, heightening their emotional engagement.

On rare occasions, Asano breaks this rule, integrating Punpun’s dialogue directly into the artwork. These moments are visually striking and often deeply unsettling, leaving a lasting impression on the reader(I won’t spoil this for you, but you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about once you get to that part in the manga).

The supporting characters in Oyasumi Punpun are equally compelling. They are flawed, deeply human, and painfully real. Every interaction feels authentic, capturing the messiness of human relationships. Not every character gets a perfect resolution, and not everyone’s dreams come true—a reflection of life’s harsh realities.

Moreover, the plot is incredible. Asano is a genius in the way he tells this story. You don’t realise how carefully he has planned everything until the very end. Asano meticulously stacks all the narrative layers on top of each other, and when we finally end up realising it, it’s already too late as he knocks it all down, and they come crashing down in this emotionally powerful and haunting experience that will make you feel sick.
When characters go back and visit places that we have already seen early on in the manga, there’s a sense of deep sadness and pain. You feel hurt for all the dreams that were shattered and all the promises that could not be kept. A place that once gave Punpun and his friends their most magical memory ends up becoming where Punpun experiences the lowest point of his life. The innocence of a promise made in their childhood ends up becoming corrupted and becoming this ugly, toxic thing in their adulthood.

This story makes you feel hurt, but you cannot stop reading it.

Another thing I love about this manga is its ending, It could have very easily been considered to be a romantic tragedy, but Asano goes above and beyond to remind us that there was nothing beautiful about it. We often end up romanticizing suffering (especially when it’s in a romantic context), but Asano reminds us of the bitter reality of it all. And we are forced to sit in silence and contemplate all of its ugliness.

Oyasumi Punpun is like this beautiful Renaissance painting, but it is as if someone has splashed black ink all over it. And because of that, it sticks out and becomes unforgettable because of its imperfections.

It is a work of art that could only work in the medium of manga. Giving these panels color or giving Punpun a voice would take away a large part of the atmosphere of this story and its personal and intimate nature.
If there's any work that can highlight how special manga is as an art form, then it is Oyasumi Punpun.

It has a lot of things to say about life, the world, and the human condition and I think it is a story that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. So, with a fair warning about some very heavy and depressing things (self harm, abuse, depression,sexual assault and the like), if you feel that you are in the right headspace for it, I would definitely recommend reading Oyasumi Punpun.

The reason AOT is critically acclaimed

Many people I know will be shocked to see this title, as they know me as the AOT glazer, and I genuinely am one. Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyoujin) is one of the most influential and popular anime of modern times. But I am not one to ignore faults in things I love.

Let us make a venn diagram to differentiate between popular and good anime. :)

I will not talk much about why I think Attack on Titan is one of the best anime ever created; this article is about criticizing the show, not praising it.

In my humble but superior opinion, the ending of the show is subpar compared to the other parts of the show, and I am not alone in this take. Even though the ending could have been much better, I do not personally discount a masterpiece due to the last 3 or 4 chapters.To the people who have watched the show only once, I encourage you to rewatch it and marvel at the masterpiece created by Hajime Isayama. You will gain much more from rewatching this show than you could imagine.

From this point forward, I'll dive deep into the details, and major spoilers will be present. Proceed at your own risk.

Foreshadowing

Fun fact: Do you remember when kid Eren wakes up under a tree at the start of the series?In the manga, the dream he was having and the last moments of his life were the same. (unfortunately, the anime creators decided to change that part)
Attack on Titan excels in its masterful foreshadowing, weaving intricate hints throughout the story that pay off in astonishing and meaningful ways

This symbolizes a loop, as the first time and the last time we see in the manga are connected by the same panel. Remember this panel because I will refer to it later in this article.The first chapter is named “To You, 2,000 Years from Now,” foreshadowing the two-thousand-year loop of induced suffering in which the world is trapped.Chapter 122 is also named “From You, 2,000 Years Ago,” indicating the start of the latter part of this endless loop of suffering.

No explanation is needed—just a masterpiece doing what masterpieces do.

Brief history

Let's discuss the different seasons and how the audience received them. Season 1, released in 2014, was received well by the newly created fandom. Most liked it but perceived it as an above-average show with a somewhat unique and creepy concept.Season 2 took another 4 years, and many previous fans started caring less and less about the show. But it was season 2 when the real AOT experience started. The mind-bending plot began to reveal itself little by little, which enthralled the fans and solidified the fandom. By the time season 3 part 2 hit the world, it had already cemented itself as a modern masterpiece.

The Downfall

Change of studio

It was season 4 when many problems started to surface. First of all, the beloved Wit Studio, which handled the show until that point, had decided to pass on the baton to MAPPA for the 4th season, which, understandably, led to quite the panic in the fanbase. Many were worried that the continuity and vibe of the show would change, and many feared a downgrade in the quality of the animation.

By the time the first episode was out, it was clear that some of the fans would not like how MAPPA had handled the show. The show had a different art style, which was expected, but due to the time pressure, the show experienced visible animation inconsistencies.

MAPPA's use of CGI for the Titans was a cost-saving measure to meet tight schedules and a topic of discussion. The usage of CGI in anime is usually frowned upon as it makes the movement look clunky or janky. At this point, though, in my opinion, CGI has an undeserved bad reputation and can work if done right. Many anime fans hate CGI for the sake of it and are unaware or ignore that CGI can also look good.

While some people didn't like the CGI Titans, many were impressed by the way CGI was used for the Titans.

Many were also annoyed by the decision to split the final season into multiple parts. The long breaks between parts created a sense of disconnection, and the pacing of the narrative was affected by the wait. Fans following the series for years were left with a fragmented story, sometimes diminishing key moments' emotional weight. Season 4 was titled the final season, which needed to be more accurate because many expected that the conclusion would be reached in the same year as when season 4 started airing.

Controversion plot points

Now, let's talk about some plot points that many were iffy about

Historia’s child

Historia’s pregnancy felt abrupt and underexplored. The anime revealed little about her motivations, the identity of the father, or how this tied into the larger narrative.

Many, including me, believed the child was Eren’s; it seemed the only plausible explanation. Mind you, Historia is a very important character, so her having a child is no small matter. The disappointing reveal of the child’s father was surprising. It was the random farmer who had no objective relation to the zoomed-out plot of the story. What? Why would Isayama do this?

An interesting theory I found explores the idea of Eren re-activating the Rumbling by touching Historia's newly-born baby, as it will probably inherit the Beast Titan, considering that Zeke died without being eaten. If this turns out to be correct, Isayama had no choice but to conceal the details of Historia’s pregnancy from a narrative standpoint.

This theory was formulated before the series’ conclusion, rendering this and other theories useless.

Historia doesn't even marry the farmer, which is inconsistent with her character if we assume he is the real father. After all, she knows very well the hardships an illegitimate child goes through.
To many, this feels like a missed opportunity, a failed attempt at a different ending. It almost feels like Iseyama had no room to use the child in the story's plot, even though he intended to earlier. It's as if…. He was forced.

Now, let us get to the central part, the show's ending. This is the most controversial ending to an anime that I have witnessed. The ending opened a whole new can of worms, which would be impossible to cover in this article, but I will cover all the main parts.

Character shift

The most surprising for many was the change in Eren’s character. Eren’s shift from seeking freedom to orchestrating his death for his friends felt inconsistent with his character development throughout the series to many.

EREN’S CHARACTER QUICKLY SHIFTED FROM A FREEDOM SEEKER TO A MARTYR.

His infamous line about not wanting Mikasa to move on ("I don’t want her to love another man!") felt immature and out of character for someone who had supposedly matured.

Many fans even embraced him as an anti-hero when he started the rumbling and were devastated seeing him in such a light. They felt betrayed; somehow, Eren did a 180 turn, and all the character development was moot. However, this is not a clear-cut flaw, as it can be argued that it displays human nature. This portrayal could reflect that even the most determined individuals are flawed and driven by emotions they can’t fully control. I personally don't find such radical change feasible, though I can see the other side. Many people were also simply pissed seeing him turn from a guy who gives no fucks to a “crybaby.”

People also believe that he underutilized the power he possessed. Fans expected Eren to use the Founding Titan’s full potential to secure Paradis's freedom and that of himself. Instead, his passive acceptance of predetermined events undermines his previously proactive and headstrong nature. However, Eren’s decision to accept the future he saw as predetermined events is one of the many variations of the Temporal Paradox.

Even when Eren died, Eren’s passive acceptance of his death felt out of character, making the scene less impactful. He didn’t resist or even seem to defend his actions, which some fans found anticlimactic.

To me, everything after the rumbling started felt Forced. It felt rigid.
It was like Iseyama had driven himself into a corner.

Why had he confined himself to such a rigid way of storytelling?

How Iseyama messed up

Yes, the heavy reliance on foreshadowing in the show was a significant factor. While foreshadowing can enhance a story when used effectively, it created challenges for the ending in AOT. The previous foreshadowing became a double-edged sword.

The show contained many intricate foreshadows, tying future events to past moments. While this added to the show's WOW factor, Iseyama now had to find an ending consistent with the foreshadowings. Some of these are-
1) Eren seeing the future through the Paths in Chapter 1.
2) Grisha’s cryptic remarks about Eren’s future actions.
3) The cyclical nature of violence and oppression is repeatedly emphasized in the story.
This limited his creative flexibility and made deviations feel inconsistent. Any attempt to break from the foreshadowed path risked undermining the story’s internal logic.

Overwhelming expectations were also a significant factor in the disappointment faced by the end of this show. By Season 4, Attack on Titan had evolved from a straightforward survival story into a dense narrative exploring themes of freedom, morality, war, and fate. The fanbase expected a conclusion to tie all these elements together while remaining consistent with the story’s tone and character arcs. Balancing these complex themes with a satisfying resolution for all characters was almost impossible. Any ending would inevitably alienate part of the fanbase.

This is not to say that Iseyama's ending was the best he could do with his working situation. Many believe that alternate endings created by the fan base, like “AoT no Requiem,” had the potential to surpass the original ending. The final straw was the decision to rush the series prematurely. While we do not know who decided to cut the series short, be it Iseyama or someone else, it no doubt contributed to the lack of quality of the ending.

Conclusion

While Attack on Titan has undeniably earned its place as a groundbreaking and influential anime, its flaws(particularly in its final chapters) have sparked debate among fans. The series excels in foreshadowing, thematic depth, and character complexity, but these same strengths became constraints, limiting the creative freedom needed for a universally satisfying conclusion. The shift in Eren’s character, the underexplored subplots like Historia’s child, and the rigid adherence to predetermined narrative elements contributed to an ending that felt rushed and, for many, unsatisfactory. Despite these shortcomings, Attack on Titan remains a masterpiece that redefined anime storytelling and left a lasting impact on its audience.

Introduction:

You’re a huge otaku eh? Think you’ve seen it all? Nah, you have just been stuck in the mainstream world. While the mainstream giants always hog the spotlight, there’s a whole world of underrated anime quietly flexing their brilliance in the shadows. These shows might not have the flashiest protagonists or get meme-d a lot, but trust me, they will make you wish you had found them sooner. So, here are five underrated anime that everyone should definitely watch.

Astra Lost in Space:

If you’re looking for an anime that throws high schoolers into space and leaves you wondering, “What just happened?” every five minutes, then “Astra Lost in Space” is the one for you. Imagine waking up one day, ready for a boring school camping trip, only to be yeeted 5000 light years from home with a bunch of strangers. Just pure chaos and a whole lot of “Okay, we are screwed.”

These students try to survive with limited supplies and mediocre survival skills. They navigate through the most obscure planets you couldn't have imagined, even in your wildest dreams. And the romantic side plot just makes this a hundred times better! Despite all the craziness, what really makes this show worth watching is its emotional depth. You’ll laugh, cry, and question how these kids are handling the stress way better than how you handle waking up in the morning. So definitely give this show a watch, and I can promise you that this is a journey you won't regret taking and something that will stay in your heart forever.

The Royal Tutor:

Imagine a teacher being so good at their job that they could probably convince someone that the earth is actually flat. “Heine Wittgenstein” is a born genius who looks like he cannot be allowed to ride an attraction in the amusement park, and most definitely not like someone who can be left to handle an entire kingdom’s education system. Well, how the turntables because he can do both.

He is a two-foot-tall royal tutor who raises the kingdom's princes to be good future rulers. But he is not any ordinary tutor. One moment, he’s giving life lessons like Mahatma Gandhi and the next, he’s having a roast session that leaves the princes questioning all their life choices. And then about the princes - there’s the studious one, the tsundere, the shy one, and the flirty one.

So, if you’re in the mood for a show that’s equal parts laughs, life lessons, and unexpected wholesomeness, “The Royal Tutor” is the perfect pick.

Migi and Dali:

This story is about a set of twins, “Migi” and “Dali”, who one day go, “You know what? Let’s pretend to be ONE person because our adoptive parents only want a single child.” But the dumb parents don’t even suspect anything, even though they are both clearly mirror images of each other. And yes, this anime has an actual plot where the twins try to find the identity of the murderer who killed their biological mother. Even though this is the dumbest set of twins you will ever come across, they somehow manage not to get caught by their parents. And what if their plans fall apart? They manage it with the most ridiculous excuses and last-minute scrambling. These scenes will have you rolling on the floor with laughter and screaming, “How are they still getting away with this?”

So, if you are in the mood for some fun but also serious case-solving, this is the show you must binge.

Plastic Memories:

“Plastic Memories” is a sci-fi love story set in a world where humans live alongside robots called “giftias”. But the sad part is that these giftias have a painfully short lifetime, and their memories are wiped out once their lifetime is over, leaving behind an empty shell. In other words, viewers with hearts are strongly advised to stay away (unless you’re ready to have it shattered into a million pieces). In this story, the protagonist falls in love with a giftia but is unaware that her lifespan is ending very soon. They both genuinely enjoy their time together, and even the giftia learns what “love” is. But they do have to say goodbye. Goodbyes are indeed heartbreaking, but as Dr Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." And this anime taught me an important lesson. Relationships are always worth cherishing, no matter how fleeting or short they are.

Do not sleep on this anime. This is an absolute tearjerker that will leave your heart in pieces. Each moment is so beautifully crafted that you will find yourself cherishing the experience despite the heartbreak.

Kiznaiver:

To describe this anime in simpler words, it’s a group of high school students who share each other’s pain. Not metaphorically, but literally. This anime takes place in a city called “Sugomori”, and a group of teenagers were forcefully turned into test subjects for the “Kizna System”. It is a scientific experiment that links physical and emotional pain. Now, as this group starts getting along well with each other, things get messy. Imagine having to share your every embarrassing moment, every insecurity and every awkward crush with people you barely know. It's very hilarious and painful. And that’s how Kiznaiver is. But behind all this chaos, the story's central theme is about understanding who we are- how even our flaws are a part of us.

Please give Kiznaiver a shot. It’s one of those shows that hits you hard, showing you just how messy and beautiful human connections can be. With its unique twist and deep emotional moments, it’ll have you thinking about the true meaning of friendship.

Conclusion:

To wrap it all up, I recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and giving these underrated gems a chance. For they will leave a lasting impression, and some might even become your new favourites. After all, the most unforgettable journeys always lie on the path less trodden by.

Introduction

Hello once again! I am back here with another masterpiece. This time, we will be taking up the epitome of isekai, “Re:Zero-Starting life in another world”, specifically we will be taking up a fascinating psychological aspect, i.e., a separation and deep isolation from the world and the people around you, the true depth of which most fans are unable to realize in their first few runs of the show.

As expected, I am once again typing this just a few hours before the deadline. So let’s just get into it without further ado!

The Lonely Horror of Re:Zero

Alright then, first let us talk about horror in general. Broadly dividing there may be two ways of serving horror: firstly, the physical horror- The gore, blood, cutting, and smushing of bodies piling up on one another, the intestines flowing from one another, the scenes difficult to sit-through and not for the weak hearts, that is what physical horror suggest.

You may argue that yes, Re:Zero does, in fact, depict some mild physical gore and horror. However, it’s not worth much of an appreciation. But believe me when I say it, that your sanity is at the mercy of the animators and their guidelines. The body horrors, as written in the Light Novel of Re:Zero are something far more graphic and harder to read through, as compared to their visual depiction in the anime. I’ll attach some of them as well to satisfy your curiosity.

The rabbit death scene

Light Novel Reference 1

“He screamed. He rolled onto his back, sending his voice toward the heavens. That very moment, he sensed something furry enter his mouth, ripping out his tongue. His throat was violated, opening a path from his windpipe to his stomach, from which his viscera could be voraciously eaten. He was being chewed away.

Fangs invaded from his anus, crashing inside his body against those that had entered from the mouth. As if in a contest, they raced left and right to consume his inner organs, making mincemeat out of Subaru Natsuki. He was alive. He was being eaten alive. He could feel his flesh being torn into fragments.

He wasn't afraid. He couldn't feel pain anymore. He didn't even know where his mind was. He was being eaten. He was being consumed. His left eye was eaten. His ears were gone. His inner organs had been torn away, and just then, the skin of his face was ripped off. A hole was opened in his skull, and fangs thrust into his brain-”

Regulus kicks a stone through Subaru’s leg

Light Novel Reference 2

“As he spoke, Regulus lightly tapped a paving stone with the tip of his toe.With a gesture that made it seem like he was only adjusting the fit of his shoe, he shaved the top of the paving stone right off. The resulting debris flew toward Subaru’s legs—instantly causing his right leg to explode.“—Eh?”

A horrid cross section was revealed as if he’d been gouged by a massive beast’s claw, neatly exposing Subaru’s white bone, pink flesh, yellowish fat, and gray-colored blood vessels, which had been savagely severed.

Incomprehension. Comprehension. A moment later, the pain reached his brain.“?!! Daaagh! Agaaaagh?!”

His vision went pure white as terrible pain shot through him. It was as if a number of sharp needles had been stabbed into the crown of his head.

Screaming, Subaru failed to break his fall as he tumbled to the ground. He then tried to stanch the leg injury with his hands. It was no use. The wound was too big. Subaru’s hands alone could not plug it.”

Reference 2 Ends

Secondly, the “not so apparent” or, more aptly, the invisible form of suffering the many fail even to notice the presence of. A deceptively fast undercurrent of unease running and eagerly waiting to drag us down into the vast unending abyss of despair. The true master of Re:Zero’s writing is in its psychological depth, which digs deep into the bedrock of aspects such as anxiety, depression, escapism, insecurities, and much more. This psychological horror of Re:Zero targets the otaku audience, specifically the Hikkikomoris (as one myself), and it knows the workings of the subconscious SCARILY WELL. In fact, it is not an understatement to say that better than we ourselves do.

Subaru falling into despair after multiple RBDs in arc 2

Spoiler Alert for Anime

Personal and Romantic Loneliness

The first season of the series well encompasses this aspect of loneliness. At the beginning of the series, we know that our protagonist is left helpless in this unknown and strange world, oblivious to everything, with no one to rely upon and trust and no one who would rely upon and trust him.

Throughout the second arc, we see him getting killed again and again by Rem as a result of “Witch’s miasma” engulfing him, a symbol of distrust for the girl who has a tragic history with the Witch Cult. His every move down to the pause between his sentences was being monitored by the two faithful and cautious twin maids

To win the twins trust and not get murdered, he tires himself out both physically and mentally. This is where the second instance of his loneliness is depicted. The boy, traumatised by the betrayal of his expectations as his murderer turns out to be Rem of all people, develops PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

He is forced into isolation, unable to trust even Emilia, and has to do everything by himself, knowing that even his slightest mistake will result in him being brutally disposed of. In my personal opinion, the psychological workings and writing of this arc have gone way underappreciated as compared to its successor arcs of the story.

Rem coldly suspecting Subaru

Onto the romantic aspect, which is a bit harder to identify and separate from the crushing loneliness caused by Return By Death that fell upon Subaru during the 3rd arc of the series. In this arc as well, it is the separation from his beloved half-elf who had SEEN a very deep part of his core and had rejected it because she didn’t like what she saw.

It is a direct invalidation of his heart and his feelings, and he is cut off from the only thing he was striving for throughout his excruciating ordeal in this world. Yet he is forced to live on. He is forced to overcome his inadequacies, those which people like us would rather DIE on.

In looking inside the otaku personality’s innate, pride-borne resistance to self-reflection and growth and highlighting how it leaves its victim isolated, the series manages to tap into this rich vein of Psychological horror. Since dying is not even an option for Subaru, he has no choice but to painfully overcome all of these inadequacies, conquer his personal demons, and in the end, meliorate himself to be loved by his beloved half-elf

A Subaru with a shattered ego

The Loneliness of an inexplicable and irreversible loss

Who is Rem?”
The true horror of these words had not set into both us and Subaru until we knew that even the only power he had in his hands had refused to allow him to go back and save one of his utmost loved ones. Despite being Subaru’s nightmare in the second arc of the story, Rem’s unconditional trust and love were something he won through his diligent heroism. She was someone who got to know Subaru in and out and, in his eyes, saved him from the most bottomless pits of despair. Upon realising that no matter what he does, Rem has been permanently lost, was something that truly broke him inside out.

The icing on the cake was that no one was even there in the first place to acknowledge that loss. It was as if she, who was so dear to him, never existed in this world. He was once again left alone with no one who had actually understood his pain and suffering, even if it was to only a small extent. As the LN indicated, Subaru had gone suicidal as a result of this loss, almost wanting to leave everything behind and escape from this reality. Had it not been for Emilia's thoughtfulness, he may have tried to do the impossible once again.

Rem after her memory and identity were stolen by gluttony

The loneliness of “Return By Death”- An unfathomable planar Isolation

While we talk about the different aspects of loneliness, there is something that can never be noticed by the ones that Subaru loves, something that can never be truly comprehended by them, that “something” that goes behind the scenes when all of Subaru’s brilliant plans are wonderfully working in order to counter any situation.

The loneliness and isolation that haunts him due to his fate bound by “Return By Death” are something that surpasses our normal comprehension. One can only Imagine the state of mind of Subaru after all those excruciating deaths and mental agony that he goes through all alone, seeing his loved ones die in horrific ways again and again and again, but never getting to tell anyone or getting acknowledgment for it. Subaru must and has to use the knowledge gained by “Return by Death” all by himself. Satella does not allow him to share even the slightest hint of his power with anyone, threatening to crush his heart or kill his loved ones in the process.

Subaru after some REAL hell

The Raw emotional breakdown of Subaru to Echidna, while he was finally able to blurt all of those emotions for “Return By Death” he enclosed deep within his heart, was of great therapeutic relief. However, the problem is that the one who is aware of his deepest pains and suffering is just someone who wants to use Subaru to sate her own greedy curiosity and does not care about anything else.

Echidna comforting Subaru

A bit of trivia.
Spoiler Alert for light novel Arc 6
In a part of the light novel, due to circumstantial reasons, Subaru’s hands are badly scratched by nails. Upon seeing them, Beatrice asks him why he did that “again”?, indicating Subaru does the same too habitually. That indirectly suggested that a part of Subaru’s mind had gone permanently insane after arc 4.

Conclusion

Well then, after cutting a few corners here and there, I have managed to put up this article barely before the deadline(Yay !). But to conclude, I hope that I have given you a taste of the true depth lying behind the story of Re:Zero. The Psychological aspects and the depth behind each element of Re:Zero is something impossible to give justice to, in a single or a few articles. However, I hope this gave you a good insight into what put this show on a plane of its own from the rest of the genre. Anyway, now I am going back to wasting my holidays again. Adios!