Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

May 15, 2019

justisr

Recommended

Preliminary (280/? chp)

NO PLOT SPOILERS

While I’ve read the Manga, my review will be based primarily on the Web Novel, which I consider to be the most enjoyable way to consume the Re:Zero story due to the more intimate understanding you receive of the characters' internal thoughts and feelings as the plot progresses.
Thus, art will be excluded from the rating.

Story - 10

Anyone hoping for something quickly gratifying will not find it with Re:Zero. The story is very slow to progress. In fact, 15 volumes in, and questions we’ve been asking since chapter 1 have yet to be answered. On the contrary, it is at a faster pace that ...

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Jun 3, 2016

OtacoMan

Recommended

Preliminary (80/? chp)

Time travel, being transported into an RPG like world and the main protagonist meeting a beautiful girl in this world that has something to do with his fate. None of this is something you have never seen before in the world of anime and manga. However, you have to give credit to the author of this light novel series, I couldn't help but get into the way the author executed this story. After watching the first few episodes of the anime, I just had to read the original light novel which the anime was adapted from.

Each chapter of the light novel series seems to ... end with a cliffhanger or a set of events that just wants to make you keep on going. Though the storyline isn't the most original one you have ever seen, it is certainly one of the most interesting ones out of other RPG like series. With it's excellent art style, fairly interesting characters, and character-based plot, this light novel will surely hook you in no time.

Story (8) : Like I said, these type of being transported into an RPG like world isn't rare in the anime/manga/light novel industry or real life entertainment. On the way home from the convenience store, the main protagonist, Subaru is transported to a fantasy world. Where he meets the beautiful and charming, Emilia. Their paths become intervened as he helps her find her stolen emblem. Only to find out in the end of the day, Emilia and him both were killed. While, someway or somehow, Subaru was able to return to where he first appeared in this fantasy world. Revealing that every time he dies, he goes back in time, thus the timeline is restarted. With his newfound powers, he begins his journey to save Emilia. However once he does, only to his own delight, he finds more problems and more people that seek to harm him or the people he are close with. Sounds familiar? Well, the thing about going back into time after death is something you might have heard before, especially in Tom Cruise's Edge of Tomorrow. I won't argue about the fact that this story isn't the most original, as they aren't many original ideas out there left anymore. As the light novel progresses, you are able to experience more of the protagonist's internal conflict that he has to go through and multiple other problems. As each twist starts to unfold one by one, you can't help but cheer for Subaru. Not only for him to get the girl, but also so that he is able to help and save his friends from tragedy.

Though after each problem he solves, when he dies, he doesn't return to the very beginning of the timeline, instead he appears in a time a few moments after the incident. The only problem I have with the storyline, is that since the story progresses, you don't know what will happen at all. As this light novel series is mainly completely character-based. Instead, you don't have a single idea how this manga series will end. Though by doing this, the light novel can be quite "refreshing", since I don't read many series like this, which gives the series a unique touch towards it. Whether this is a good thing or bad thing, I'm not sure yet, but I anticipated to see more chapters to come.

Art (10) : The art accompanied with this light novel series is detailed, refreshing, cute and gorey all at the same time. With his upbeat and cute artstyle, it tends to mislead the reader in a way to make them expect another story. The colored pages of this light novel series are also quite colorful and bright, they are also really well done. You don't expect any deaths or internal conflict at first, but then you are greeted by the violence of Subaru's countless deaths. In the anime, the first few deaths of Subaru isn't as deatailed as in the manga series.

Not only that, even with the cute artstyle, it's hard to believe that Subaru is going through physological issues even with the cutesy artstyle. I am a big fan of the art either ways. As the mangaka in charcge with the art is quite new to the industry, I can't wait to see the mangaka's future works.

Character (8) : Most of the characters in this manga series are completely lovable and cute. Though Subaru can be quite plan and hard to believe. He is an otaku shut-in, who works out everyday? I get bugged out about this part every once in a while throughout this series, but otherwise, I fell in love with pratically all the characters. Whatever flaws the main protagonist is, compared to many other protagonist from similar series, he is still quite likable. He is heroic, strong and is willing to sarcifice himself for the people he cares for.

Whether the characters are theives or are heirs to the throne, they all have an individual presenoailty that isn't too cliche. Each and every charcter is unique in their own way, and each of their flaws also help to build more personality for the characters. Though even though some characters may some bubbly and positive, some of them have dark sides to them and physilogical issues relating to their problems. For example with Subaru, his deaths and betrayal from other characters are building up inside him. Some times I can see that he wants to give up so badly, but because he is strong, he will not give up. Though I can't help but wonder, when will Subaru one day go mad and just give up? As the pain of each death can be incredibly painful, physically and mentally. Though I quite enjoy seeing Subaru go through his problems, as it adds more color to the story. It isn't common to see something as dark as this happening to the main protagonist in series similar to this.

Enjoyment (10) : This light novel series was simply one very, very fun ride. Even with this series's flaws, I really enjoyed reading it. It was funny, and they were mulitiple times where I can't help but just laugh out loud. The jokes in this series are not at all dumb or cliche, instead they are just plain funny. I also can't help but root for Subaru as he tries to make his relationship as friends with Emilia progress into something more. He is indeed, quite charming at times when he isn't insane from all the problems building within him. Not only does this light novel have an positive and cheerful mood towards this show, it also has a dark theme that comes in every once in a while as Subaru struggles thourgh in internal conflict.

Overall (9) : I would definetly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys time travel or characters being transported into RPG like worlds. Currenly, I am curious what will happen in the future of thie series. Will Subaru return back to the real world? Will Subaru die and not be brought back to life? Will Subaru find out the true meaning to his power? The possibilties are endless. This light novel series is pretty close to being perfect, and I anticipate for more updates of this series to come in the future. The wirting style (from the translatation) is quite refreshing and easy to read. I would also recommend watching the anime after reading this light novel series, or if you already watched the anime, I would also recommend you to read the light novel series. Even though the anime and light novel are already quite similar, the experince can be quite different. In conclusion, I really enjoyed this light novel series, it was exciting, dark and light-hearted all at once.

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Jul 4, 2017

SunsetBlink

Recommended

Preliminary (70/? chp)

Well, this is my very first review, so I don't have a big skill of writing it, furthermore English is not even my native language, so I apologize for the mistakes. By the time of writing I have read first 4 arcs of WN.

Re:Zero is one of my most favourite light novels. It takes very common concept like "Ordinary Japanese High School Student is being transported into alternative world" and adds to this generic thing some originality through concept which is very common in video games — respawn.

Story — 8/10

Re:Zero is more than just cool concept of time travels. The Plot ... is also very interesting. The story unfolds around Natsuki Subaru and his misadventures in alternative world. He is Ordinary High School Student with no supernatural abilities, except for one — He can return to the very specific point in time every time he dies and he dies a lot in this story, full of pain and despair. Overcoming obstacles he becomes more mature and stronger(What does not prevent him from remaining stupid when the story requires it, but i'll leave it for the Character section). The world of this story is full of mysteries, most of which are still unclear, and I'm looking forward to see all the story behind this world. Nevertheless, the story has its flaws, the largest of which is the inertness of the plot. We just don't know what's the point of all that just happened. Subaru just overcomes obstacles that fate sends him and he doesn't has any purpose in this world, except for serving Emilia, i guess...

The story is not over yet, so we'll see what happens next!

Art — 10/10

I have nothing to say about illustrations in this LN. It has very good and enjoyable artstyle. Shinichirou Ootsuka has done his job well.

Character — 7/10

So we came to my favorite part — characters. You see, Re:Zero is kind of time travel story which means all relationships Subaru makes can be easily reset, so Subaru gets the lion's share of development. From a naive and selfish child he becomes... mature and less selfish child, I guess. He has to face many difficulties and stay sane. He has some mental breakdowns throughout the story, he sees death of his friends, disgusting monsters and other horrible things, he doesn't know if it'll be his last life and doesn't want to feel the pain all over again. But he has a very special friend who will be on his side no matter what happen. Yeah, I'm talking about Rem — The best girl of 2016 and possibly the whole millennium. She supports him throughout first 3 arcs and becomes his motivation in 4 and subsequent arсs. Lovable(ness? I dunno) of Subaru is the subject of numerous disputes. Some of my friends has dropped the book(and the anime) because of his stupidity and whining. He constantly suffers and cries. But hey, let's face it. He's just 17-year old NEET who has been teleported into another world and the only power he has been gained is Returning By Death. You know, dying is hurt, like really, really, really hurt. And, you know, watching your loved ones death is also hurts. I personally find Subaru a very realistic character and if I were him, i would probably just went crazy. But apart from all this, something is very confusing to me. He's able to do some political stuff like it's just a piece of cake, but he's not able to understand that interrupt important negotiations with his pseudo-chivalrous outcry is probably not the best idea. So yeah, Subaru is smart when plot requires it, but if plot requires him to be stupid, he's stupid as hell. I won't write anything about secondary cast, but each has some story behind, own moral principles and world view.
(Especially Garfiel and Echidna, love them)

Enjoyment — 13/10

nuff said.

Overall — 9.5

I recommend this LN to each and everyone of you. In my opinion, Re:Zero is the best "Isekai" light novel. Some will love it, some hate it. Re:Zero has its flaws, but they don't interfere with enjoyment of this series.

So, that's it. Once again I apologize for mistakes, if there were any. Hope this review helped you somehow.

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Feb 6, 2021

FudouMasamune

Recommended

Preliminary (492/? chp)

Re zero is the one isekai that can truely be considered a masterpiece. This is a review of the Web Novel and not the Light novel.

Story 10
The story is about a shut in otaku named Natsuki Subaru who gets sent to another world which goes the way no other isekai goes from his experiences with manga, anime and video games he has experienced. The first two arcs of Re zero are slow there is no denying that and that would be a reason some people may drop it before getting to the best moments and arcs. The story at the moment is nothing like I ... have ever experienced before, the main villain? we may of seen them once or many times, the story? it keeps expanding as we go, there are some clear goals and motives to keep the characters moving from arc to arc, something may get told to us in a early arc and won't get explained or revealed to 5 arcs in the future, this is proof that the author Tappei Nagatsukii has a clear goal and doesn't make it up as he goes along. To me this is one of two (the other being Shingeki no Kyojin) in which the story has been masterfully crafted throughout the start to the current arc 7. Arc 3-6 phenomenal and I can't wait to see the final 5 arcs and the conclusion to re zero.

Art 10
I will be talking about the LN illustrations in this case and they are phenomenal, well detailed and at times brutal to the point of feeling the despair of the main character. It also helps visualize how some of the characters look like if the detailed explanations don't help. Not much to say on this category.

Characters 10
There are so many characters in Re zero but I will focus on my favorite protagonist of all time Natsuki Subaru. A character who's only strong point is return by death. He constantly has to rely on the help around him, which is really fresh in the stale OP isekai genre. At first he is a selfish character doing things for his own benefit and to make Emilia fall for him but that changes in arc 3. He tries his best to save everyone even going so far to reset and try again. Even the decision of killing himself is made into this decision which causes inner conflict on whether he should do it or not. The mental suffering and loss of empathy when people die is done so well. It is simply painful to read but beautiful character development. Not to shine a light off the other characters, every other single character has a backstory, they might not be explored straight away but they will be eventually no matter how long it is into the story. Villains aren't made into good people all the time and are evil without it being generic, it's really good to see a villain who doesn't have a good reason for the stuff they do. There are also villains who do have a good motive which makes them morally grey which is also great, a good mixture of good and bad is a fresh feeling.

Enjoyment 10
Watching people die over and over again in the most painful ways may make me sound insane, but re zero has set its self up perfectly in a way where the readers want to see what can be worst than this death or that death. If you want detailed deaths that will make you feel disturbed or weak in the stomach you will get it. A thing which is never really explored majorly in the anime (not sure about LN) is the lore, the lore in this world is so deep you may be able to make an 1000 page book just on the lore explored so far, with arc 7 in a different country I am sure the lore will get even deeper, deeper than anything I have seen before. Also the way Subaru finds a way to get himself and others to the next save point is amazing, after every chapter you will be thinking what he must do which creates great conversation amongst readers.

Overall 10
If you want something that isn't your typical isekai or something on par with dark storytelling like berserk you have your answer. Fantastic characters lore and arcs that get better, give this a try although you have to get past the first two arcs to see why re zero is a masterpiece.

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Nov 29, 2020

Hazeee

Recommended

Preliminary (91/? chp)

WARNING MINOR SPOILERS BUT YOU DONT REALLY NEED TO WORRY!!

After finally completing re:zero arc 4 from the web novel I've finally had the courage to make a review.

This review is going to be based on the Web novel, I do own the Light Novel but seeing as it isn't caught up to arc 6 I'm going to specifically talk about the Web novel in this review.

Story - 10

Re:zero separates itself from the other OP isekai tropes or generic story such as, "I want a harem" "I must become the strongest" It furthers away from that path, This story is simply a kid trying ...

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Oct 16, 2016

ap1001

Not Recommended

Preliminary (Unknown/? chp)

[Spoiler Warning]

Go to another world stories are easy to write, it is an undead horse that will keep having people ride it, hit it, mock it, praise it. At this point even "subversions" have become its own cliche.

So anyway, Re:zero, a show that is pretty bad, which was basically torture porn for 2-cour. A lot of people already shat on the anime so I may as well do it for the source.

At the time of writing, I have finished all the LN and gotten into the next arc of the WN, and ohhhhhhhhhh god is it horrible.

Plot - 3

First of all, the writing is ... terrible and no it is not the translation's fault, the actual writing is bad, as it is hard to keep track of what the scenario the author is describing. It is very bland, descriptions lack the whimsical charm of LN but are not artistic enough to be taken seriously. In addition the pacing is atrocious. Three arcs in and around 10 theoretical vols, we still have no idea what's the story behind this world or get any progress in the king election. In fact the story introduce a bunch of witches who explains...roughly nothing important, and serves only to provide more mystery.

And that is what Re:zero is, it is a dumb mystery that is really generic if they just explain it straight to you. In fact 3 arcs in, the main plot could be explained pretty much as "yandere girl (probably Emilia as a twist) likes scum, so fuck up world for scum, probably due to time travel or something."

And there is no funny plot or hijinks or anything interesting besides the shitty mystery and torture porn.

Character - 2

Oh boy Subaru, fan boys defend him for being "super realistic teen" and all that garbage. But then you find out he is the chosen one, oh yes, turns out the book that the witch cult have prophesies his action or something like that. And he have high compatibility with witch powers, what ever that is.

Did I also mention the witch did all the crap for him to make him feel better about himself?

Yeah, excuse me for not sympathizing with a scummy whiner whose the source of the problem!

Oh yeah, and his whining never get better, in arc 3, he had a talk with his father in a dream illusion. And you would think he is now a changed man as his father says he is proud of him. Nope, next few chapters he is sprouting hate speech at the twin tail loli from the mansion for saving him, being a vile scum once more. This isn't realism, this is an edgy teen with bipolar disorder. And you know what the author rubs it in by saying, he meant to create such a scummy character and it was quote on quote a deconstruction and criticism. I don't think making a straw man counts as criticism, as much as I hate these go to another world story, few of them sink to the despicable low of Subaru, at this point you are no longer making a deconstruction but a hate fic. Not helped that Subaru suffers or succeeds on a whim, when he fails it is because a random bullshit pop up, like the rabbit monsters in arc 3, when he succeeds it is through luck because a character suddenly does exposition for him telling him literally what he needs to do next.

Yeah fuck Subaru, as for the other characters, they don't get much spotlight cause this is Subaru's story so we are stuck with this asshole forever.

Overall - 3

This novel is garbage, whether in WN or LN format. There are ways to have a scum MC, if you are tongue in cheek about it and satirizes it. But that is not what this is doing, this is having torture porn and scum MC while being 100% serious, resulting in everything being unlikable and characters acting like they are complete morons.

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Feb 27, 2023

FifthHydra

Recommended

Funny

Preliminary (4/? chp)

I jizzed, I had jizzed to this.

A jizz that wouldn’t subside, a jizz that kept repeating, a jizz with no end, a jizz that wouldn’t end――

Over and over again, many many times over, jizzing to the storytelling over and over, reading them more and more. 1000 times, orgasiming. 10,000 times, skeeting. 100 million times, jizzing in my pants. And before knowing it, losing count.

Agony, terror, turbidity, ruin, hatred, madness.
Exhausted, shaken, twisted, corrupted, contorted, decayed, anguished; a dick smashed to pieces.

And yet, there was still a conclusion I wanted to reach.
...

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Aug 12, 2019

JakGeass

Recommended

Preliminary (8/? chp)

Re: Zero is one of my favorite novels. As I had first seen the animation and only then I started reading the light novel, I realized the superiority of the novel compared to the anime.
The work has some cliches, mainly because it is an isekai, but they do not hinder the use of the work. The big difference of this light novel is the protagonist's respawn scheme that makes him go back in time several times to fix some problem that occurred with him.
Plot:
Very well written and developed, the events always leave you wondering what will happen and you do not want to stop reading.
Art:
The ...

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Mar 19, 2021

ReZeroCultLeader

Recommended

Preliminary (18/? chp)

This is the best book that I have ever read and that I may ever read in my life. it is probably the best book possible. when someone thinks of art, the thing they should think of is not the Mona Lisa, it should be the Re:ZERO light novel. the Re:ZERO nearly brought me to tears at many parts because of how well written it is. this is truly a literary masterpiece that puts every classical and historical and famous work to shame.
Story: absolutely incredible, truly something that could only be thought up by a divine genius who has surpassed human limitations. this story is ...

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Dec 11, 2021

pastelwishing

Recommended

Preliminary (190/? chp)

This is my first review, I'm half asleep and I have no idea what I'm talking about enjoy~

"What matters isn't the beginning or the middle, it's how it ends."

Around 3 and a half months ago I binge watched both seasons of Re:Zero and immediately fell in love, okay maybe immediately isn't quite the word there, but honestly the fact I didn't fall for it immediately is just another reason I adore it now! Immediately after binging it I moved on to the novels, and now after getting up to date I can safely say they do not disappoint!

It's a story about learning to love ... yourself

Story - 10

Re:zero is one of the best stories I've ever read, and frankly it just keeps getting better and better for me. A story that's end goal is still not entirely clear, with more mysteries left behind than answers given. It's about Natsuki Subaru, being whisked away to a different world, with medieval culture, magic, and cute girls. He must have gained some OP power along the way right? Well yes but no. In Subaru's own words "I actually get a time leaping ability and it only activates when I die, the prerequisite being so pitiful is so typical". RBD is used to its best as a story writing factor rather than a plot point. We see what different characters will do in different situations, or how they'll react to different things, it's utilized to help characterize a large portion of the cast in ways that would otherwise be impossible. (I feel this mechanic particularly shines in arc 2). After Subaru is summoned to Lugunica he quickly acts comfortable, and frankly happy, I mean if you had a chance to start over wouldn't you take it? But when things don't go his way and he ends up hurting those around him it becomes clear to both him and the audience that this show is the typical adventure isekai we're used to.
Now I'm a sucker for three things: gore, wholesome moments, and character development. And don't you know it re:zero's story checks all three boxes with ease. There will be chapters that can be so intense enough to physically make me gag (there have been many), while some of the cheerful banter the characters share can be enough to make me feel as though I'm chuckling alongside them. Running gags that you don't realise you've grown attached to until arc 6. Every conversation, and moment is written wonderfully. Of course if you ask a re:zero fan what their favourite aspect of the series is chances are they'll say the character development, but I'll save that for another section.

Art - 8

The art is fine I really adore all of the character designs, and I mean all of them. Though they can be quite pervy. Some illustrations feel out of proportion or stiff but most of them are quite impactful with the moments they depict.

Character - 10

Now we get to the part I loved most in this show; the characters! We'll start with the main one then. I adore Natsuki Subaru as a character. He's a "flawed" character. Now what do you think of when you hear "flawed character"? I feel that it's a pretty over-used term these days. Perhaps a perverted protagonist who's not the smartest but his heart's always in the right place? Or an anti-hero going against the world to save those he loves? Well that isn't Subaru, because frankly his heart isn't always in the right place, he's a good person, don't get me wrong, but he's also the kind of person who'll help a lost child if only to impress a cute girl. Does this make him any less of a good character? Nope, it's what makes him the best character in the series.
But that's the entire point of the series, to watch Subaru grow, to work out his flaws and learn from them, not erase them. Its a really tender character arc that I'm disappointed to say is gone unnoticed far too often. But it's not like the plot is at a stalemate, quite the opposite. Every arc introduces anew development for Subaru as a person, comparing arc 7 Subaru to arc 1 Subaru makes the difference blaringly obvious. The one that's caught in spiral of self hatred, pushing himself to ensure the expectations of others are met and the one who has grown, the one who will fight not only for others but for himself. Majority of the side characters are well written as well. In particular Beatrice's character arc really stands out to me. Subaru asking her to take him by the hand, let go of the past, and embrace the future. Because no one deserves to be trapped inside.
And as far as I'm concerned both Emilia and Rem are great.

Enjoyment - 10

Re:zero just makes me feel satisfied, even though I'm not satisfied in the slightest (I need answerssss). It's the first series I've read where I truly truly wish I could read it for the first time again, because you'll never see it the same way. Parts where I used to cringe now make me tear up, and I continue to notice new details with each reread. I've gagged, cried, and laughed. I can say with certainty that it is a series I love.

Overall - 10
It's an all out amazing series, its not for everyone but it definitely has the abilities to change your life.
"Its more satisfying to hear a single "thankyou" than a lot of "sorry's"

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Jun 28, 2021

Natsuki_Kazuma_1

Recommended

Preliminary (483/? chp)

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu:
I indeed enjoyed the story,premise and the characters.
beautifully written not just the main story but the side stories as well. currently arc 7 is going on. The story has lot more chapters are left to be covered(4 more arcs left). many mysteries are still unresolved. Hope that it can keep up the hype. As for characters they are still developing with each chapter,their development is a joy to watch. The story with only halfway done can be declared as the best isekai. the story only becomes a joyride after arc 1 and by extension arc 2. so till then please bear ...

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May 12, 2021

Pairedecar09

Recommended

Preliminary (63/? chp)

This is one of the first & greatest Light Novels I have ever read.

I started reading this after I finished watching first season of the anime & there is much details that anime had cut out & so far I am enjoying so much as I am on volume 10.

Story 10: The story starts with a shut in boy named Subaru Natsuki who was suddenly summoned in another world with no knowledge & with one ability which allows him to back in time whenever he dies. What I love about Re Zero is the story is very detailed & explains how the world Subaru is ...

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Nov 21, 2022

CautiousShadow

Recommended

Preliminary (171/? chp)

Review based on reading Arc 5 and Arc 6 of the web novels (which is suggested after watching season 1 and 2 of the anime.)

Re: Zero is quite possibly my favorite anime right now. For a simple premise, of Returning by Death, it really has deep character growth and a massive world to explore. You essentially read about a boy, who doesn't believe in his own self worth, gain self confidence over time. There are huge obstacles to over come, and really creative solutions to huge problems. You will fall in love with certain characters, and you will begin to understand ...

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May 10, 2024

Marl-Karx

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (500/? chp)

Starts out promising but quickly loses focus and descends into mediocrity. The premise has potential and the story beats are fine but the writing is severely lacking on a technical level, most notably in the web novel. The light novel is better but not free of the issues, and apparently has numerous inaccurate translations. In both stories it feels like the story quickly loses its broader direction. Dialogue is often boring or painful to read, the endless flirty banter does nothing to establish sympathy or connection to the characters. Many locations give the impression of existing only as a backdrop for character actions, without establishing ...

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Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
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