‘Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu’ (hereafter ‘Re:Zero’) 4th season “Soushitsu-hen” has quickly reached Episode 6. Subaru and his companions, taking on the library’s trial, find themselves facing a man called “Boufuri” in the second test, who demonstrates overwhelming strength. Even Julius’s refined swordsmanship is like child’s play to this man, who fends him off lightly with a pair of chopsticks. In contrast, Julius keeps getting back up no matter how many times he is knocked down. At that moment, his long-hidden feelings toward Subaru come to light…
※The following text contains spoilers for those who have not yet watched the episode. Please proceed with caution.
“He’s just swinging chopsticks and producing shockwaves – what is this?!”
The previous episode kicked off the second test, with Subaru and the others confronting the mysterious man calling himself “Boufuri.” This episode begins with a flashback from Julius, who was accompanying them.
That flashback revisits a scene from Episode 13 of the first season, “Self-Proclaimed Knight Natsuki Subaru,” at the royal capital. There, Subaru boldly declared himself “Emilia’s knight” in front of the Royal Selection candidates, the Council of Sages, and the Royal Guard. At that time, Subaru made a shameless declaration, only to be fiercely questioned by Julius: “You have just now declared yourself a knight. In this very place where the Royal Guard of Lugunica is assembled, how dare you…” This led to a one-on-one confrontation where Julius thoroughly defeated Subaru, branding him with shame.
Back then, from Subaru’s perspective, it seemed as though Julius attacked him out of wounded pride. But this episode’s opening shows the same scene from Julius’s viewpoint, with an even more intense anger. The only hint of his emotion is his tightly clenched fist, shown silently.
Viewers reacted to this opening: “Nostalgic. Julius’s perspective…”, “Subaru was still so reckless back then”, and “The fact that Julius’s voice isn’t over the flashback made it more evocative.” Some also noted, “Wow! The royal capital scene is newly animated!” while fans who have read the source material were already moved: “It started from Julius’s perspective, so I started crying. Tears won’t stop.”
But the story temporarily puts that aside and moves to the showdown with “Boufuri.”
The first challenger is Julius. Unwilling to draw his sword against an unarmed opponent, he gives his sword to “Boufuri,” only to realize that it is not unnecessary consideration but a harsh truth: he hasn’t even reached that level. “Boufuri” not only catches Julius’s sword with chopsticks but also fends off his fierce attacks with his left hand (his non-dominant arm). Of course, Subaru and the others have no way of knowing, but this proves that “Boufuri” was holding back, and viewers who noticed began buzzing on timeline.
Amazed by “Boufuri’s” superhuman strength, viewers commented, “Those are chopsticks!” “Does he always carry them around to snack?” and even when Anastasia joins in, he doesn’t lose his smile, leading to confusion: “He’s just swinging chopsticks and producing shockwaves – what is this?!” “How can he break a sword with chopsticks?!”
When Anastasia desperately fires off magic, viewers noted, “I’ve never seen Anastasia so desperate.” Indeed, her selfless determination, even to the point of a nosebleed, was a first, suggesting there is something behind it.
Next, Emilia challenged and won under the condition that she would lose if she moved even a step from her spot. But that didn’t end the second test – only the victor can pass. That means Subaru and the others must also defeat “Boufuri” to get through.
Once back, Subaru and the others hold a strategy meeting, but the only progress is learning that “Boufuri’s” true identity is the first Sword Saint, Reid Astrea. Then, after Julius is knocked down by Reid, he regains consciousness and immediately charges alone to face Reid again.
Facing Julius’s all-out attack, Reid now wields his chopsticks with his dominant hand, showing elegant technique. His expression turns grim, and he beats Julius down mercilessly, as if shattering every trace of weakness in Julius’s heart. Clenching his teeth and standing his ground, Julius is kicked and punched ruthlessly, his pride torn to shreds.
Viewers reacted to this painful scene: “Just like how he once beat Subaru to a pulp, now Julius is the one getting beaten to a pulp.” “I never thought I’d see Julius this battered.” They also noted Reid’s terrifying strength: “When Reid switches his chopsticks to his right hand, there’s no playing around. Even with just chopsticks, with that stance, he is the Sword Saint.”
What runs through Julius’s mind is the moment he aspired to become a knight and was appointed, and the irreplaceable time he spent fighting alongside Subaru. Yet he is unable to land even a single blow on Reid and collapses just after touching a fraction of his full power.
“He’s lucky to be alive.” “I guess he wouldn’t kill him.” Julius regains consciousness while being carried down the stairs on Subaru’s back. Subaru tells him that Emilia passed the test, and Julius feigns calm but is inwardly unsettled, immediately getting agitated. He tells Subaru to put him down, but Subaru, worried, resists. Julius struggles on his back and ends up tumbling down the stairs.
“Don’t come!”
Subaru rushes toward him, and Julius shows a “miserable face” like never before. It reminds Subaru of the time he was defeated by Julius and branded with shame. Viewers murmured, “That’s how he used to be,” and remarked, “Julius raised his voice. I’ve never heard that tone from him…” with solemn expressions.
Nevertheless, Subaru approaches Julius and says: “You knew you couldn’t win halfway through, didn’t you? You got hit, kicked, knocked down, but you still had to keep going. That was the only way to let it out! Thanks to someone here, I’ve learned that lesson a long time ago!”
He continues, “I’ll lend you my shoulder, and I don’t think it’s shameful. That time, I… So I’m not going to leave you alone on these stairs!”
Those words surely made Julius realize, “As I thought.” His feelings toward Subaru from that day were not mistaken. “Subaru… I’m sorry.” As Julius apologizes, the scene in the royal capital when Subaru made his bold declaration flashes in his mind.
“Probably no one would believe it. At that moment, a liar who turned everyone in the royal capital’s great hall into enemies. A statement that even the speaker himself couldn’t hide a certain flightiness and momentum behind. And yet… there was one man who was moved by it.”
Ever since that day, Julius had held admiration for Subaru. The fist he clenched at the beginning was not anger, but the outburst of a soul stirred.
“Subaru often lands critical hits on Julius – well, on most men – with his words. Hearing that, anyone would fall for him.” “The exchange between Subaru and Julius, and the revelation of Julius’s feelings toward Subaru from his perspective, made this an emotionally heated, magnificent episode.” Everyone was drawn into the intense development.
When Julius tries to stand up on the stairs, viewers responded: “Julius standing on his own is so cool.” “Stubborn Julius is so cool…” “Thanks to someone, Subaru has truly grown stronger.” And they watched the two from behind, noting, “Subaru and Julius are alike.”
For Julius, the fact that Subaru was the only one who remembered him must have been a miraculous salvation. The reason Julius willingly cooperated in the White Whale battle despite their earlier duel becomes clear, making this an episode that makes fans want to rewatch from the first season.
The next episode airs on May 20th. What will happen in the battle against Reid…?
◆Broadcast Information for TV Anime ‘Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu’ 4th Season
■ “Soushitsu-hen” (11 episodes total) – Currently airing from April 8th (Wednesday) on TOKYO MX, AT-X, and 21 other stations nationwide.
■ “Dakkan-hen” (8 episodes total) – Begins August 12th (Wednesday).
Staff
Original Story: Tappei Nagatsuki (MF Bunko J “Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu” / KADOKAWA)
Character Draft: Shinichirou Otsuka
Director: Masahiro Shinohara
Scenario Supervisor: Tappei Nagatsuki
Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Haruka Sagawa
Monster Design: Keitarou Chiba
Prop Design: Gou Kawahata / Noritaka Suzuki
Art Setting: Kaoru Aoki (Bibury)
Art Director: Ryouka Kinoshita (Bibury)
Color Design: Izumi Sakamoto
Photography Director: Miki Miyagi (T2studio)
3D Director: Kentaro Ijima (FelixFilm)
Editing: Hitomi Sudo (REAL-T)
Music: Kenichiro Suehiro
Music Production: KADOKAWA
Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa
Sound Effects: Yuuji Furuya (Swara Pro)
Sound Production: Magic Capsule
Animation Production: WHITE FOX
Production: Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 4 Production Committee
Cast
Natsuki Subaru: Yuusuke Kobayashi
Emilia: Rie Takahashi
Beatrice: Satomi Arai
Ram: Rie Murakawa
Rem: Inori Minase
Julius Euclius: Takuya Eguchi
Anastasia Hoshin: Kana Ueda
Meili Portroute: Eri Suzuki
Shaula: Fairouz Ai
Reid Astrea: Tomokazu Sugita
Lye Batenkaitos / Roy Alphard: Kengo Kawanishi
Louis Arneb: Konomi Kohara
(C) Tappei Nagatsuki, KADOKAWA / Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 4 Production Committee
《Kigasawa Masashi》
