Leon

Re: Zero Season 4, Episode 8 - Spoiler Warning WELL, HERE WE GO. WE FINALLY BEGIN VOLUME 23. AND WHAT. A. FUCKING. EPISODE. IT WAS. LIKE, WOW. THE PERFECT WAY TO START WHAT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VOLUMES. The episode starts off by lulling you into a false sense of security, with Subaru excited to have been isekai'd. The first half did the job well of getting Subaru up to speed, as in the novel, conveying each character's emotions including Ram confronting Subaru. That was done extremely well. But man. Then the second half. The second half is so, so, SO GOOD. I don't want to spoil too much, but the direction builds up to the moment where Subaru is killed for the first time by being pushed down the stairs after trying to unlock a cheat ability. Then he Returns by Death, and thinks he's having precognitive dreams, like in the novel. But the subtle shift in atmosphere, omg. The way the episode begins to show Subaru becoming isolated from the rest of the group, especially when he overhears Ram and the others talking behind his back. It's sublime. AND THEN WHEN HE IS PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS A SECOND TIME. NAH. YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUSLY NOT READY FOR IT. IT WAS BRUTAL. THE EPITOME OF "RUINS". AND THE WAY YOU HEAR NOT JUST THE VOICES OF THOSE HE'D OVERHEARD BUT ALSO RUI'S VOICE SAYING "MEMORIES ARE WHAT SHAPE PEOPLE." 10/10. And then when he Returns by Death, holy shit. It conveys his sheer panic to perfection. It's just a complete rollercoaster, both the scene of Reid fondling his heart with his chopsticks and then the Witch of Envy heart-grabbing him after. I just can't even put it into words, man. And of course we get Subaru thinking about the cups scene too!!!! Insane voice acting. Insane boarding. The episode ends with Subaru attempting to leave the tower, with an extra anime-only scene showing Shaula about to transform, due to the tower rule being broken. Opening plays. No ending. The episode is technically extended by around 20 seconds. Title: WHO ARE YOU My rating: 9.25/10

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