Thus enters one of my top contenders for favorite Re:Zero character, Echidna, the witch of Greed and while she does not fill that Rem shaped hole in my heart, she certainly does make for a scene stealing character. Hopefully not to the extent that she takes Rem’s place in overshadowing the actual main heroine of the series but if we are to get more of her my only response can be “Yes, Please”. When one considers the witches of Re:Zero we can only base it on the only witch we know of, the Witch of Envy Satella, which does paint them in a nefarious light. To this point we have seen them as a calamitous enemy of the people and Echidna certainly does seem to wish to present the character of a wise fearful character. Indeed if that was all she was then that would be a typical if not boring development but instead we have a character who is far more playful and relatable. The best moment of the episode to me was her ready to play the exposition device for Subaru and a normal protagonist would have sat down and let her worldbuild to her heart’s content. Not Subaru, he just brushes her off by asking to go home and causes her to drop any semblance of the persona she put up to complain about how he is declining a meeting that others would kill to have. Showing that it isn’t so much that Subaru needs to talk to her but rather she wants to talk to him.
I have seen some criticism going around that Subaru should have followed convention as he could ask Echidna about a cure for Rem or inquire about the witches and return by death if allowed. While I see the logic there, two things need to be considered. One is that this has in no way been stated the only time that Subaru can talk to the witch of greed, if anything he has promised to talk to her later. Two is that the current state of Emilia is uncertain so Subaru’s top priority is ensuring her safety. So I can see that refusing in order to go search for Emilia makes logical sense but again it might have been an idea to make sure you can meet her again to inquire about a cure for Rem’s condition. It makes for a good joke that pushes Echidna to show more of her character and I for one just really love seeing the all knowing exposition device get completely flummoxed by someone not having the time or interest to listen to them. As a result I like Echidna a lot for showing that outside her status as witch of greed actually lies a rather normal person while still showing that there is an underlying malevolence that shows she has that title for a reason. Her role in this arc is uncertain as she doesn’t appear to be the villain(If anything her brief descriptions of the seven witches seem to paint them as individuals with good intentions but rather unfortunate results.) but does seem to be a critical figure for this arc if the opening is anything to go by.
I do love Re:Zero but there is most definitely a core problem which is happening with these first few episodes of this season, one which I am confident will be resolved soon but non the less is an issue at the current moment. That is of course the overabundance of exposition that has been laid in the span of these three episodes. I originally thought that as a source reader this would mainly be an issue with me as I am rehearing information I already know, but upon talking to one of my fellow writers I found that despite not reading any of the sources they too were fatigued by the large amount of talking. Re:Zero has had exposition before no doubt but in those cases at least a death loop had been established and there was a healthy variety of developments to keep things engaging. However here we have had three episodes which consist of Subaru and Emilia traveling to locations to hear boatloads of exposition. I am reminded of From the New World which was basically a plot consisting of getting to the next exposition device as even when that exposition is interesting, it makes for a better book than it does an anime.
It is the case that with this episode the setting and goal has at least been established, clear the trial of the witches tomb and the beast people will let the Irlam villagers go back home. We know where we are, what we are doing and who everyone is. All that’s left now is the question of just what is going to kill Subaru and start the loop? Roswaal is too beat up to help and Garfiel(I considered making a lasagna or Mondays joke but I might as well leave that job to the memes.) acting as an enforcer to get someone of mixed blood to clear the Trial. That job being given to Emilia and if the last moments of the episode is anything to go by, Subaru. The end of the episode makes it seem like our boy has been unisekaied which should make good time to give some much needed backstory on why Subaru is the way he is. Even looking at his Dads over enthusiastic morning greeting gives us an idea where Subaru got his eccentric mannerisms from. I know I spent the majority of this post talking about Echidna, just in case you didn’t get the idea I do like her quite a lot, but I want to make two last comments of which one is how the Dona tea joke at the beginning of the episode was way funnier in the source. Here it just went by so fast and I honestly thought it was pretty hilarious when reading about Subaru trying to throw it back up and Echidna being rather miffed at the attempt. I do feel their banter was toned down in the anime which is a pity. Lastly you may think that bit with Echidna licking her finger was fanservice(That presentation certainly didn’t help in that regard) but do take into account that the price she took was the memory of their meeting and there is a certain witch who has been associated with the ability to erase memory.
