Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World Director’s Cut episode 13 was released on 1st April, marking an end to the first season of the show.
The episode had a significant cliffhanger, which has left the anime-only fanbase heartbroken. Read on to find out what exactly left the fanbase in such a state!
1. Quick Answer
Rem was on the way back to the Capital with Crusch but was attacked by the Sin Archbishops of Greed and Gluttony.
Due to Gluttony’s ability to eat a being’s name and existence, Rem is in a coma-like state with all her memories and name erased from existence. Only Subaru can remember Rem with his ability, “Return by Death.”
2. Who is Rem?
Rem is one of the twin maids working for Roswaal L Mathers. Rem holds both, respect to the point of worship and guilt toward her sister for an incident in the past.
Because of her respect and guilt toward her sister, she used to think of herself as inferior. After Subaru saves her, she falls deeply in love with him, becoming one of his most loyal followers and decides to stick with him no matter what.
Currently, Rem has had her name and memories eaten by Ley Batenkaitos, erasing her existence from the world and putting her in suspended animation.
I. Did Rem die?
Rem is in a coma but not dead. She has been erased from everyone’s existence except Subaru. Unfortunately, his save-point is after Rem’s death, so he can’t go back in time to save her.
He later discovers Rem’s comatose body and speculates that she might be revived by defeating Gluttony.
II. How Did She Die?
Rem was last seen on a carriage on her way to the royal castle alongside many others accompanying the royal trophy. Mid-trip, they were attacked by two archbishops of the seven deadly sins — Green & Gluttony. They were out to get back the colossal white whale, who turns out to be their pet.
On finding out that the whale is dead, they started a rampage and massacred most of the people present. Even though Rem used demon mode to attack them, she failed and was taken out.
Her final wish was,
“I hope that when Subaru learns I’m gone, it sends ripples through his heart.”
Rem, however, does not die but enters a state of suspended animation and is erased from everyone’s minds.
3. Will Rem Wake Up?
Rem has remained asleep throughout season two of Re:Zero as well as the light novel.
Due to this, Fans have been speculating for years how she will wake up from her comatose state.
While she has been forgotten by most, we remember her, and that’s all that matters, for now.
With every new novel update, the lack of Rem’s presence hovers like a dark cloud and is enough to make many believe that she won’t awaken.
However, there’s probably no need for such worries as the chances are that she will return soon.
Tappei has referred to Rem as the “sleeping princess,” which means that she has to wake up one day.
Furthermore, in arc 6, we have already seen Rem’s manifestation as she motivates Subaru, who is amnesic.
Other than this instance, her fate has been in focus throughout this arc.
With Subaru finally heading north to face Gluttony and save everyone, the build-up around Rem’s grand reappearance has started to raise the fans’ expectations.
I. Is Rem’s Name a Foreshadowing Towards Something?
Rem is not a unique word, as we have often learned about it during our studies; however, using it as a name is unusual.
Rem basically is an abbreviation for ‘Rapid Eye Movement’ which is a phase of sleep where you experience vivid dreams.
As this is a fairly known concept, there’s no way the author didn’t know of it before naming his character this. Due to this, many fans speculate that there must be some significance to it.
After theorizing a bit further, there seems to be heavy foreshadowing towards Rem’s tragic or bittersweet end.
Rem portrays a tragic hero in many ways, and her life and way of thinking often resembles something that’s seen only in fairy tales.
For instance, she thinks that Subaru is a grand hero who loves him unconditionally and will swoop in and save her. Even her and Ram’s backstory gives off the same vibes.
Her entire life seems like something straight out of a fairy tale or an extremely vivid dream.
Furthermore, the first syllable of ‘Remember’ is Rem, and in episode 17, conveniently, everyone’s memories of her are erased, and she is put into a deep sleep. (REM means sleep, remember?)
All of this foreshadowing makes fans believe that even if Rem wakes up, the moment will not be as celebratory as one thinks and will probably be accompanied by some bittersweet tones.
4. About Re:Zero
Re:Zero −- Starting Life in Another World is a Japanese light novel series written by Tappei Nagatsuki and illustrated by Shinichirou Otsuka.
The plot is based on Subaru Natsuki, the protagonist who gets sucked into a fantasy world on his way home from the convenience store. He gets attacked by a group of thugs and is beaten to a pulp immediately, but this girl from the fantasy world named Satella saves him.
To return the favor, Subaru helps her find the stolen insignia. They both get murdered by a mysterious force in the end, and Subaru wakes up with his new ability to reverse time upon his death.
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