Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Review (2016): Worth Streaming on CocoFlix?

The Perilous Portal to Another Reality

"Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" isn't your typical Isekai. It instantly shows that it's unique in differentiating itself from other typical Isekai with an unexpected protagonist, Natsuki Subaru. Already, Subaru is described with mysterious silver hair and a benefit-charged step, bewildering him with the aim of providing novelty and depth to the directionless protagonist. Of course, with almost every Isekai with a mysterious benefactor starts a mysterious quest, and a naive protagonist who is bewildered, with classic fantasy genre roles. However, Re:Zero deviates from the classical formula of the Isekai genre by introducing the disturbingly complex phenomenon that plagues almost everything Subaru engages with. While this mechanically-induced phenomenon is never explicitly addressed as a mechanic, it still serves the purpose of progressive plot development and, in effect, torments the protagonist psychologically. The introduction of this phenomenon adds a sense of dread that almost everything in the world Subaru is currently in is a mystery, and engages the audience with a level of complexity that stands in stark contrast to the genre. Many would describe the narrative as being dark and "heavy," almost the complete opposite of what one would come to expect from the genre. This, in effect, proves that beginning a series with a premise of complexity serves the theme and draws the audience into the struggles Subaru faces. The rest of the world is tightly packed and politically complex, with murky magic systems and unpredictable enigmas that make the world exciting and keep the protagonist on his toes.

Unpacking the Psychology and Artistic Craft

At its heart, "Re:ZERO" is a character study, particularly of its protagonist, Subaru. Unlike a protagonist who is a chosen hero and endowed with great power, Subaru is described as the “least special person in the story” who is simply an average person placed in extraordinary situations. His initial dramatic actions provoke a lot of debate, and critics call Subaru a "most complex character of the year" that "makes you cheer for him and acts as a reason to despise him." This is very important, as his moments of growth and emotional breakdowns are hard to process, but allow the audience to relate to the situations, which are rooted in real life struggles. The supporting cast of the series is also amazing and has enormous amounts of depth. The crew, that is slowly revealed to the audience to have an amazing amount of details filled backstory, also have a lot of depth. These characters have behaviors that define their habits and define who they are individually, but also leave the audience to solve the character's deeper personality. The series also looks amazing. The series' attention to detail in design and animation is praised. A lot of attention is given to sustaining high quality standards. There are a few moments that receive a lot of recognition due to direction awards. The series sustains high quality standards when switching from high action types of visual storytelling to more emotionally focused moments. There are also awards for the screenplay specifically. The series also creates a very suspenseful moment that rewards the audience that takes the time to carefully study the details of each episode and reward multiple viewings to find details that have been previously missed.

The Binge-Readiness Test for the Streaming Age

Compared to on-demand streaming, “Re:Zero” is challenging in the best sense of the word. It is dense and the emotional beats can be tough to get through. That’s why, although audience ratings are high, viewers say that getting through an episode may be a “struggle” which is why many people do not recommend it. However, for those that go through with it, the payoff is unbelievable. It has a crazy amount of fans and has earned the right to be at the top of the list for the most watched shows on Crunchyroll with major titles beside it. Many people think that skipping the first couple seasons and starting at the Director’s Cut is a better introduction to the series because it improves character development which is a large part of the show. It can be inconsistent in how quickly things are happening, but it keeps the audience interested. The show balances things like creating a mystery, drama, and action and will do that with a strong psychological influence that will hook a new audience that is tired of shallow entertainment. This is why you should take the time to check it out.

A Challenging Journey Worth Considering

"Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" has grown to be one of the most popular entries in current day animation, but its popularity is a subset of its animation and storytelling techniques that generate tremendous emotional responses. As an extension of the existing Isekai genre, "Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" uses subversion to tell a compelling story and captivates the audience with its emotional depth. Although “Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" demands viewer participation, such emotional depth is what draws its critical acclaim with numerous awards for its directing, writing, character development and the series as a whole, with exceptional audience scores. “Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-” examines the theme of failure and the journey to personal growth without shying away from the emotional abuse through repeated failures and the arduous path. It produces a gripping story with incredible depth in a cruel and dangerous fantasy world through one of the most compelling characters in existence. For those willing to dig through a plot that places character development and emotional depth above other rewards, “Re:ZERO” is a worthwhile journey.