ReZero s2 e18-19 (e44-45)
Added 2024-12-24 13:00:07 +0000 UTCComments
oooh, this is super helpful/insightful!
MC
2024-12-26 06:20:20 +0000 UTCRoswaal has always been a fascinating character. I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding him since Season 1, so now getting to the root of who he is and what drives him is so satisfying. Just like Petelgeuse served as a parallel to Subaru's flaws in Season 1 that he had to overcome, Roswaal plays the same role in the main antagonistic role of this season. Roswaal essentially is who Subaru could have become if he chose to rely on and abuse his Return by Death. Someone so disconnected from the world and his own humanity.. Roswaal functions under this mindset: everyone is just fundamentally weak. That's the harsh lesson that he learnt when he lost Echidna. So if we're all just fundamentally weak, nothing we do matters. Unless we focus everything we have on one desire. Because realistically focusing on only one thing is the only way we can ever succeed. If Subaru's desire is to be a source of strength for Emilia.. then Roswaal believes he can't do anything unless he focuses everything on just Emilia. Protecting and saving Emilia takes top priority, so he must use everything he has just to protect that desire. His own life, the needs of others, none of that matters. If possible, it would be beneficial to use the needs of others to his advantage for the sake of Emilia. With the added context of Return by Death.. Subaru has the advantage of unlimited tries. So the lives of other people shouldn't matter, cos he can just redo everything right? And if there ever is a possibility that other people can't be saved despite having unlimited tries.. then that is the reality Subaru must accept. Because protecting his desire should be all that matters. So sacrifices must be made. That is essentially the mentality that Roswaal believes in and has been trying to force onto Subaru this entire time. By forcing Subaru into this impossible scenario where he can only save one or the other (the mansion or the sanctuary).. he is conditioning Subaru into a mentality where he is capable of making sacrifices cos the ends justify the means. But Subaru is fighting back against that ideal. He is choosing to be greedy and is fighting to save everyone. And he is also going to do this without needlessly sacrificing his own life either. Because as he learnt from Satella, he needs to love himself more and place value in his life more. Stop struggling against it all alone, stop sacrificing yourself for others and learn to rely on other people. You matter too.
Reuben Filimaua
2024-12-24 13:48:35 +0000 UTC
