Some ReZero books are really depressing. Some others are about the good guys destroying the bad guys. It has to be said, this author can really create some awful detestable villains!
This volume was incredible! It very nicely continues the battle for the Water Gate City with the first of two parts where we get to see two different battles take place of the five happening in the city total! The conclusion sets up the next volume nicely and every part was satisfying to read!
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
Subaru figuring out the abilities Regulus possesses while not backing down once really shows how much he’s grown since the first four arcs, showing how tenacious and resilient he can be even when faced with someone who basically has invincibility!
When Regulus was finally defeated, his final moments and his death were so gruesome yet so satisfying that it really fit his character and made me feel relieved once he finally died. The hint that Subaru gains the Authority of Greed as well as Emilia never realizing who Regulus is was the cherry on top to the conclusion of that fight, and Lilliana’s backstory during the fight with Sirius was really sweet and had me looking at her in a whole new light!
I also really liked the parallels with her standing on the control tower to sing to the crowd of people to snap them out of Wrath’s authority with Subaru doing the same only a volume before showing how both characters can really make a difference in people’s emotions toward dire situations.
All in all, this volume was incredible and I can’t wait to read the conclusion in volume 20, as well as the beginning of arc six considering the amazing things people have said about it! Cannot wait to see the rest of arc five animated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Usually I turn to re: zero to make me feel things- mostly upsetting things- and while this one certainly still accomplishes that, it was the adventure elements, bite-y satire, and sociopolitical relevance that really stood out to me in this volume. I had no idea this author could write such a witty, funny, swashbuckling binge-read! Finished this one around Christmas; wound up pulling an all-nighter to do so and I had an utter blast. Reminded me surprisingly of reading Brian Jacques's more action-heavy Redwall novels as a kid. This volume is best read next to a cozy fireplace, if you've got one. If not, a blanket and tea will do just fine for a surrogate.
Subaru remains one of my favorite protagonists ever- such growth from him, lately, and I adore his Katniss energy this arc! Emilia is splendid in this one too. I didn't expect how subversive her storyline would get, and was pleasantly surprised to see Tappei building on some of those yummy feminist themes he's seeded throughout the story so far. Emilia really comes into her own in this one, and her empathy/willingness to fight for other girls who are struggling was just as badass to read about as it sounds. I love her.
Liliana also deserves a mention- she's always been a fun bardic character, but I did not expect her perspective to make me actually cry. Something about her finding the solution to her artistic/emotional disillusionment in nature, I think. A beautiful sentiment and so true to life. Tappei has always reminded me of old-school writers, but this is the first time his prose brought to mind Mary Shelley for me. What a flex. Can't wait to read more :)
(4,5) Como eu não lia há muito tempo, demorei pra me reacostumar com a escrita e ritmo da obra, mas depois do prólogo a leitura deslanchou. Apesar de achar que esse arco 5 vai ser muito melhor no anime por conta da grande quantidade de lutas, gostei muito do que vi aqui.
As duas lutas principais desse volume possuem um desenrolar bem fluido, mesmo sendo tão longas, e com muitas reviravoltas. Achei genial como o arbítrio do Regulus funciona.
Enfim, foi um ótimo volume, agora estou curioso para o próximo, que concluirá este arco.
Ótima conclusão do Regulus, incrível esse último capítulo. Não gostava tanto dele, nem da introdução nem muito do design, mas esse volume me fez enxergar valor no seu personagem. Pelos altos e baixos, eu dou 3,5.
I’m really loving this arc. The only reason I didn’t give this one a five stars is that it gets hard to try to imagine all those fight scenes while reading. Anyways except for that, character writing was amazing- especially those bad characters left me with awe.. and disgust. One of my favourite parts of this book was Regulus’ monologue.
All those fights, resolutions… everything was smartly done. I’m so glad I’m reading this series.