The TV anime Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 4th season aired its 15th episode (episode 81) on Wednesday, September 2. The episode, titled “一途な星” (“A Single-Minded Star”), continues the “奪還編” (Recovery Arc) as the season barrels toward its climax.
Last week’s installment ended on a shocking note: the first Sword Saint, Reid Astrea, was revealed to be the Gluttony Archbishop Roy Alphard? Not quite—his body might belong to Roy, but Reid’s iron‑willed spirit has taken complete control of it. After being devoured, Reid used his overwhelming willpower to usurp command of Roy’s body and gain a physical form, allowing him to descend from the tower’s second floor. Fans were left in awe: “He took over?!” “Reid is just too strong.” “The difference in soul level between Reid and Roy is massive.”
Shaula’s Unshakable Devotion
With Reid now standing in the way, Subaru turns his attention to the scorpion‑like demon beasts. After looping back via Return by Death, he asks Shaula, “If I told you to die, would you?” He intends to eliminate her before she mysteriously transforms into a scorpion. Subaru feels powerless for even considering such a request, blaming himself. But Shaula, oblivious to the circumstances, answers without a moment’s hesitation: “If it’s for my master, absolutely!” Her usual high‑spirited demeanor hides a depth of loyalty that has simmered for 400 years—waiting alone, day after day, for the master she had never even seen. She would prepare meals at an empty table, hoping. Now that he is finally here, she can’t bear to lose him.
Yet one rule remains stubbornly hidden. When Subaru presses for the fifth rule of the trial, Shaula repeatedly lies, “There isn’t one!” But this time her bright tone cracks. Tears well up as she admits, “Because if I told you, you’d figure out how to clear the trial! Then our time would end…” The words trail off into uncontrollable sobbing.
Fans were moved: “She waited 400 years, and now it ends in just a few days—how heartbroken she must be.” “She’s truly devoted… it’s painful.” “Please, let Subaru save her!”
Subaru’s own resolve hardens. He manages to extract the fifth rule: “The destruction of the trial is not forbidden.” Without hesitation, he leaps from the tower to trigger Return by Death. Shaula, though beginning to morph into a scorpion, still rushes after him, desperate to save him—unaware of what he’s doing. Subaru looks back with a warm smile and says, “So… I’m allowed to save you, right?”
This moment ignited a wave of praise: “This is the most heroic Subaru has ever been.” “The way he repeatedly throws himself into death—this is pure determination.” As Subaru keeps retrying, fans worry for his sanity, while others are blown away by Kawaiku Kengo’s vocal performance as Roy slowly dissolves into Reid’s authoritative tone. “The shift in his voice is incredible.”
A Book That Bears Subaru’s Name
But the challenges pile up. No matter how many times Subaru loops, he can’t avoid a confrontation with Reid, can’t defeat him, and can’t leave the tower without triggering Shaula’s transformation. The repeated retries take their toll—his fear mounts until his legs refuse to move. He grows disgusted with his own weakness, the Subaru who has lost his memories. Just as despair sets in, he notices a strange reaction from the library shelves. Crawling toward it with everything he has, he pulls out a book whose title reads “菜月 昴” (Natsuki Subaru).
Fans were stunned: “Why is there a book with Subaru’s own name?!” “Something huge just got uncovered.” “I’ve got goosebumps.”
The game board might be about to change drastically. The next episode airs on September 9—don’t miss it.
Staff & Cast
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Original story | Nagatsuki Tappei (MF Bunko J / KADOKAWA) |
| Character draft | Otsuka Shinichiro |
| Director | Shinohara Masahiro |
| Series composition | Yokogawa Masahiro |
| Scenario supervisor | Nagatsuki Tappei |
| Character design / Chief animation director | Segawa Haruka |
| Monster design | Chiba Keitaro |
| Prop design | Iwahata Koichi / Suzuki Noritaka |
| Art setting | Aoki Kaoru (Bihou) |
| Art director | Kimura Ryouka (Bihou) |
| Color design | Sakamoto Izumi |
| Cinematography | Miyagi Ki (T2studio) |
| 3D director | Iijima Kentarou (FelixFilm) |
| Editing | Sudou Hitomi (REAL-T) |
| Music | Suehiro Kenichirou |
| Music production | KADOKAWA |
| Sound director | Aketagawa Masato |
| Sound effects | Furuya Tomoji (Swara Pro) |
| Sound production | Magic Capsule |
| Animation production | WHITE FOX |
| Production | Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 4 Production Committee |
Cast:
- Natsuki Subaru – Kobayashi Yuusuke
- Emilia – Takahashi Rie
- Beatrice – Arai Satomi
- Ram – Murase Ayaka
- Rem – Minase Inori
- Julius Juukulius – Eguchi Takuya
- Anastasia Hoshin – Ueda Kana
- Meili Portroute – Suzuki Eri
- Shaula – Fairez Ai
- Reid Astrea – Sugita Tomokazu
- Rai Batenkaitos / Roy Alphard – Kawaiku Kengo
- Louis Arneb – Kohara Konomi
（C）Nagatsuki Tappei / KADOKAWA / Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 4 Production Committee
