Subaru Natsuki hasn’t been this happy in a long time. A year has passed since he was first summoned to this fantasy world. Gone are the sloth and envy that held him back: these days he’s working out, being himself, and helping everyone around him with his boisterous, flirtatious personality. When the calculating Anastasia Honshin invites Lady Emilia to Priestella, the Watergate City, he comes along as her proud knight. Loyal friends, trusted allies and friendly rivals gather in the walled town of the thousand channels, something between Neo-Venezia and Tenochtitlan. Priestella is full of wonders: boats propelled by water dragons, free-spirited singers, magical business opportunities, and areas built by isekai’d Japanese of the past. In Priestella, our heroes follow a lead that might allow them to restore to health Puck the cat spirit, the amnesiac Crusch of House Karsten, and perhaps even the loyal Rem, now in a coma. Of course, the royal selection is still going on, and the deep wounds of the Astrea family might play a part in it. But something else might turn the entire city into a trap. Darkness is coming to Priestella. Nightmarish, cutting deep, hard to look at, just on brand for this series. Are you prepared?

Re:Zero triumphantly opens its third season with an hour-and-a-half-long episode that just flies by. Priestella is just fun to look at and explore, like Aria‘s Neo-Venezia or Tezuka‘s Metal City, and quite a few interesting characters are coming by. Now that I trust the story’s direction, I’m more than happy to go along for the ride, enjoy their banter, and pay attention to the subtle clues. What is going well, deep down? And what is going wrong? This tale of death and restart has a lot of traits I usually dislike: it builds harems upon harems upon harems, the worldbuilding feels like the show is making it up as it goes, and there are questionable gore and fanservice elements. I was tempted more than once to stop watching, especially at the beginning. But I’m glad I didn’t because Subaru’s story also has some of the most powerful, heartfelt moments I have experienced watching anime. Moments that are indicting, moments that fill me with wonder, or become a bright icon of repentance, courage, or mercy. Characters and scenarios become richer and deeper as we explore them. I have come to feel towards Subaru like I would towards an incorrigible, well-meaning younger brother, and I’d been missing him. So far, this new chapter is all I could have hoped for. Hang in there, hero. I’ll certainly be watching.

Re:Zero can be streamed on Crunchyroll.