Summary
RE: Zerois one of the strongest isekai anime, and has shocked and surprised thousands of fans all over the world with its unique take on the genre. The story follows a young man comfortable in his recluse lifestyle, who gets teleported to another world vastly different from his own. The young man, Subaru, realizes that nothing will ever be the same, and the story follows him down a bright path that soon becomes shrouded in misfortune.
It could be argued that Subaru subverts fans' expectations as an isekai protagonist because, he doesn’t check all the boxes and is not technically the hero of his own story. He embodies numerous roles in the series, and it is not easy to put him in a box like other anime main characters. More often than not, Subaru also has it rougher than most isekai protagonists and has some of the best growth in anime. Here are some reasons why Subaru makes a great protagonist.
8Subaru Doesn’t Fit In
From Style To Presence, He’s An Oddity
From the moment Subaru arrives in his new world, he sticks out like a sore thumb. However, it’s more than his appearance. Subaru has some eccentric personality traits that don’t allow him to meld into his surroundings.
7Layers Of Character Depth
Subaru Doesn’t Always Know What’s Right
As the story ofRe: Zeroprogresses, and viewers get a good look at the circumstances surrounding Subaru’s existence, it becomes apparent that he is unlike any other protagonist in an isekai.
The trials and tribulations that a typical “hero of the story” goes through pale in comparison to the almost cruel situations he must endure. On top of this, some of the situations that have negative impacts on Subaru are his own doing. Through constant trial and error, Subaru is pulled to the depths and provides a powerful look at the type of person he is at his core.
6He Works Harder Than Anyone
Against Insurmountable Adversity, Subaru Always Tries
When mostheroes become new citizens of a magical world, they learn to understand the systems in place in that world, either by mastering powerful magic, becoming a master swordsman, or obtaining an unimaginably powerful skill. Most often, there is always a clear path on the hero-in-the-making’s journey to how they become the hero.
This is not the case for Subaru. Instead, he is charged with hitting the ground running. Things get more and more out of hand as he learns of his abilities and what he is capable of. As he grows stronger, Subaru endures rigorous tests on his psyche, body, and emotional state.
5Excellent Character Growth
The Show Doesn’t Ignore What He’s Been Through
Most isekai anime face criticism for protagonists who feel no different when they save the world from when they enter it. While multidimensional characters are not necessary, their impact on the story is unforgettable when they are written well.
Subaru becomes a different person after the first episode as he learns his place in the new world and how dangerous it can be. In addition, realizing what’s happening to him after fatal encounters tweaks his outlook right away.
4Subaru Has Flaws Like Everyone Else
He’s Neither A White Knight Nor An Anti-Hero
It is clear from the beginning that Subaru is not at the top of the social ladder when he begins encountering people in the new world. However,he can be charismaticwhen he needs to be. Subaru can navigate his way through tense situations and achieve a certain level of confidence when necessary.
However, Subaru is far from a picture-perfect individual, having a deep-seated, self-deprecating personality and resentment. AsRe: Zeroprogresses, it becomes more apparent that the story is just as much about what’s on the inside as what’s on the outside. This is evident in how the series unpacks Subaru’s guilt, anxiety, and regret.
3Subaru Is Not Overpowered
He Scales With The World Around Him
One of Subaru’s differences frommost isekai anime protagonistsis that he is not given handlebars for his powers. Instead, he comes into the world with assumptions that wind up with him falling flat on his face in the beginning.
While Subaru develops more and more as the story goes on, in no way does he outclass other entities in the new world. He must work hard to overcome obstacles. Subaru is constantly held back by his own physical and mental shortcomings, which allow him to possess many powerful abilities but not use them to their fullest extent.
2His Genuine Love For His Friends
With All His Issues, Subaru Still Cares
One apparent thing about Subaru is his empathy. Being able to connect emotionally with people helps Subaru cut through tension, but he is unable to get close to anyone due to his inferiority complex.
While he lacks the ability to act immediately most of the time, he has a drive to, at the very least, make sure that his friends are safe. This is pushed to the extreme when his decisions and scenarios outside his control put him and his friends in danger.He makes multiple sacrificesto undo his mistakes.
1Subaru Wins And Loses
It’s Not Sunshine And Rainbows All The Time
Like any story,RE: Zerohas its ups and downs. The psychological trauma that Subaru endures is usually a byproduct of his decisions, whether they work out for the best or the worst.
Most isekai anime paint the main character as being invincible or always having the willpower to push through rough patches.Subaru reacts and evolves from situationslike an average person and constantly admits to not knowing what to do. But he tries and, sometimes, fails anyway. This makes Subaru more relatable as a character throughout the series.
