The third season of the TV anime "Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" (Re:ZERO), based on the popular novel written by Nagatsuki Tappei, illustrated by Otsuka Shinichiro, and published by MF Bunko J (KADOKAWA), will be broadcast on TOKYO MX and 21 other stations nationwide from October 2nd. After the trials in the "Sanctuary" depicted in the second season, Emilia, Natsuki Subaru, and others will once again face a harsh fate in the water gate city of Pristella in the third season. We interviewed Kobayashi Yusuke, who plays Natsuki Subaru, and Takahashi Rie, who plays Emilia, who have been appearing in the TV anime since the first season started in 2016, about their thoughts on the third season and what went on behind the scenes of the recording.
◇The trials of the second season are a source of support for the heart; the bonds cultivated finally bear fruit in the third season
--In the second season, Emilia and her friends were shown overcoming various difficulties and overcoming the harsh trials of the "Sanctuary". What scene left an impression on you?
Takahashi: For me, Emilia's trial was a particularly memorable one, as I spent time with Mother Fortuna and Juice as a young Emilia. I think Emilia's "lost memories" depicted in the OVA (original video animation) "Re:ZERO − Starting Life in Another World: Frozen Bonds" were also connected to this story in Season 2. It was one of the episodes that really explored Emilia, so I feel it's a reliable, emotionally supportive scene that will make me want to continue using it to play Emilia in the future.
--What was the recording like at the time?
Takahashi: After that episode, there is another trial, and there is a scene where Mother Fortuna, Juice, and Emilia have a picnic together, but in that Emilia is a bit more grown up, and there are subtle differences in her acting. In the anime, I played the role of the grown-up Emilia first, but I thought, "If this was the process, she would become the Emilia of today," and I worked on the role with the hope of delicately and carefully solidifying her character and making her more convincing as the Emilia of today.
Kobayashi: For me, the scene in season 2 where Subaru was punched by Otto and it became the starting point for him to cooperate with him was very memorable. After all, Subaru was the only one who knew everything with his ability "Return by Death," and he was in a situation where he couldn't talk to anyone about it, but then someone appeared who would follow him even if he didn't tell them everything. In season 1, Rem played that role, but after Rem fell asleep, I think Subaru had the feeling that "I don't want to lose any more." In that situation, Otto, who approached him with great passion, was very reassuring, and it became the starting point for a sudden reversal from there. That episode was very big.
--That will lead to season 3, won't it?
Kobayashi: Yes, that's right. In the third season, the bond they built in the second season finally bears fruit, and they all face it together. I think Otto may have been the first to form what could be called a bond. I thought Otto was the heroine, but he made a move like the main character. Who would have imagined that in the first season (laughs).
Takahashi: He was cool.
◇Subaru is the only one who should be near Emilia! A relationship of trust that doesn't need words
-- In the second season, it feels like the relationship between Subaru and Emilia has changed.
Takahashi: The scene where Emilia sees the letters Subaru wrote on the wall of the tomb to encourage her as she continues to fail the trials is memorable. I feel very sorry for Echidna when I say I wrote it on the wall of someone's grave (laughs), but on the day that Subaru was planning a surprise cheer with the I character, Emilia asked him to stay with her until morning, which led to a misunderstanding and a fight. When I was acting, I was expressing her opinion as Emilia, saying, "Why did you break your promise?", but it was resolved in that way.
--The subtitle of episode 40, which depicts the fight between Subaru and Emilia, was "Otto Suwen / Reasons to Believe."
Takahashi: Because of that subtitle, I feel like a change has occurred, that it's okay to "believe" without saying everything in words. Until now, Emilia would have said, "I wouldn't know unless you tell me, Subaru," but after this episode, it feels like she's started to believe in the person, not just in words.
--The trust between the two of you has deepened, hasn't it?
Takahashi: That's right. I wonder how difficult it must have been for these two, who were not the type to build trust as a matter of course, to be able to build it as a matter of course. They were born and raised in different places, and yet they can now "trust" each other without words. I think it's truly auspicious that two people who are so straightforward and clumsy can trust each other. As a viewer, it was difficult, but they've come this far. I think it's because they've clashed so much.
Kobayashi: I also remember the argument scene at the tomb as memorable. In the first season, they acted without really thinking about the other person, which resulted in a huge clash, so this time, rather than forcing it, I wanted to "properly persuade" them, thinking about how they could make them understand. I think that's why they were able to have an argument. Also, Subaru had overcome his trials and said goodbye to his parents, so to put it in a superior way, I really think that Subaru was able to persuade Emilia because he had grown up.
--As the actor, do you also feel like, "I'm glad for you, Subaru"?
Takahashi: I told him, "Emilia, you shouldn't let go of such a good person." In the first season, Subaru also said, "I hope you'll slowly grow to like me," which is amazing, isn't it? It shows how much he respects Emilia, who doesn't really understand love. But he continues to tell her that he likes her and wants to treat her specially. He always tries to find the right words to properly convey the meaning to Emilia, who has always taken the word "special" as a negative thing. From Emilia's perspective, I honestly feel that she still doesn't understand love at all, but I'm sure she's comfortable with their current relationship, and I really treasure Subaru, who doesn't rush her. I might be a bit of an extremist, like, "Subaru is the only one who should be near Emilia!" (laughs). Kobayashi: Of course I feel glad for her. In the final episode of the second season, when Subaru is appointed as Emilia's knight, I was overwhelmed with emotion. He has always wanted to be special to Emilia, and being a knight is one of a kind. Emilia has said that it was dangerous, but she still wanted him to be by her side, and by becoming a knight she showed that.
Takahashi: Until now, Emilia didn't know what Subaru would do, and I think she was full of anxiety, but now she feels that "Subaru will definitely do something about it," and that is, simply put, "trust." I think it's a great change.
◇Emilia-tan is so tough! Subaru has also become a cool guy, and his relationship with Beako has also changed.
--The third season will be held with the bond that was born from Emilia and Subaru's growth. The story begins one year after the final episode of the second season, but how did you approach the recording?
Takahashi: Each time, how do you face the original work? Each actor has their own way of thinking. Personally, I read the original work before the second season because there were many parts that were better if you knew what was going to happen next. For the third season, I read the original work for each scene whenever I get a script. The depth of expression in Nagatsuki-sensei's writing pushes me forward with the feelings I had when reading the dubbing script. In the third season, there are scenes where each camp and people fight individually, so it feels like I'm connecting the scene I'm in charge of to the next one. I felt like the cast members were connecting each other's concentration gears.
Kobayashi-san: I also try to read the original work within the scope of the script I received, but I really felt that the dialogue was a little different. The words to Emilia and Beatrice somehow hinted at what had happened during the one-year hiatus. In particular, Bearko has become very attached to Subaru, and she talks to Emilia on an equal footing. It's very comfortable to be able to have that kind of exchange. It's really encouraging because you can feel at various points that the Emilia camp is coming together as one. Up until now, everyone was working hard individually and there were times when they felt lonely, so it feels like a sense of teamwork is finally emerging.
Takahashi: That's certainly true.
--Once again, please tell us what you think are the charms of Emilia and Subaru now that we're entering the third season.
Takahashi: I've been itching to play Emilia after she overcame the trials of the second season. It's like Emilia's feet are so grounded (laughs). Emilia is so tough! In the third season, the choices Emilia makes should change, so I hope you'll look forward to seeing her in action, having gained a new toughness.
Kobayashi: Although it's said that Subaru has grown, he still has a lot to learn compared to the other knights who are candidates for the royal election, and he is very aware of this. However, he continues to struggle to get on the same level as the others, and he is achieving results. I think his approach to getting results is unique, and I myself had many moments when I felt he was very cool while acting. So I think more people will fall in love with Subaru in season 3. I hope he continues to become a cool knight.
--In season 3, I'm also curious about the relationship between Subaru and Beatrice.
Kobayashi: Beatrice is the one in Emilia's camp to whom Subaru is most open. Beyond the contract, having someone who accepts everything from him allows Subaru to be unreasonable in a good way, and he can accept that he can rely on her when he can. I feel that Beatrice is the one who pushes Subaru the most in season 3. As for Beatrice, I think you'll cry not only in episode 1, but also in episodes 2 and 3. I also cried while acting.
--Is there anything about Subaru and Beatrice's relationship that Emilia envies?
Takahashi: It's not that kind of relationship. I think Emilia is okay with not having them tell her everything in words, so I get the image of an Emilia who doesn't pursue things too deeply, thinking things like, "Even if there's a secret, there must be a reason," or "As long as Beatrice is listening, I'm relieved." That's fine, or rather, that's good.
--You really have your feet on the ground.
Kobayashi: You're totally engrossed in it.
Takahashi: You're really engrossed in it!
