Re: Zero Season 3 Is So Close, I Can Almost Taste It
The excitement is palpable as we inch closer to the much-anticipated return of Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World. After leaving fans on edge since its last season, the third season is finally set to premiere in October 2024. Announced at AnimeJapan 2024, the anime has teased its fans with trailers, new characters, and a few notable production changes. With just a few months left, the wait for this high-stakes anime is almost over, and the newest chapter promises to be as gripping as ever.
Key Production Changes for Season 3
One of the most significant changes for this season is the shift in the directorial team. Masahiro Shinohara will be taking the reins as director, succeeding Masaharu Watanabe, who directed the previous seasons. Shinohara will be bringing a fresh perspective to the story, while the series will retain some familiar faces in production. Notably, Haruka Sagawa will serve as the character designer and chief animation director, replacing Kyuta Sakai. Fans are eager to see how these changes will influence the overall aesthetic and pacing of the new season.
Here’s a look at the core production team for season 3:
Director: Masahiro Shinohara
Scenario Supervision: Tappei Nagatsuki (the original author of the light novels)
Series Composition: Masahiro Yokotani
Character Design and Chief Animation Director: Haruka Sagawa
Music: Kenichiro Suehiro
Animation Production: WHITE FOX
Despite these changes, the essence of Re: Zero remains in good hands, with WHITE FOX continuing as the production studio. This consistency bodes well for the series, which has long been praised for its high-quality animation and captivating character design.
Meet Liliana Masquerade
Fans can also look forward to meeting new characters, such as Liliana Masquerade, voiced by Aya Yamane. Liliana is a bard and songstress from the city of Pristella, known for her captivating voice and lively personality. She brings a sense of unpredictability and excitement to the cast, balancing her musical talents with a somewhat erratic and high-spirited demeanor.
Aya Yamane shared her enthusiasm for the role, expressing how honored she is to be part of the Re: Zero’s world. “Liliana is a girl who makes her living as a bard. Bright and intense, with a strong sense of herself, I will try my best to convey her charm through my acting and singing!” she said. Fans are eager to see how Liliana’s character will impact Subaru’s journey, especially as she plays a role in recounting his past victories and struggles.
The story of Re: Zero
continues to unfold with the third season, which promises to bring new challenges and crises for Subaru and his companions. After the events of season 2, Subaru and Emilia are finally able to enjoy a brief moment of peace following their victory at the Sanctuary. However, their respite is short-lived as a letter from Anastasia, another royal selection candidate, calls them to the city of Pristella. What begins as an innocent invitation quickly spirals into a dangerous situation, as new enemies emerge and tensions rise.
The season will cover the ‘Attack’ and ‘Counterattack’ arcs (also known as Arc 5 and 6), which manga readers are already familiar with. These arcs see Subaru and his friends caught in the crossfire of a larger conflict, and once again, Subaru will be forced to use his “Return by Death” ability to protect those he cares about.
The latest trailer revealed glimpses of the city of Pristella, as well as some of the new threats Subaru will face. While specific details are being kept under wraps, the stakes appear to be higher than ever, and both Subaru and Emilia will be tested in ways they haven’t experienced before.
The Cast Returns for Season 3
One of the most exciting aspects of season 3 is the return of beloved characters, alongside a few new faces. Fans can look forward to seeing Subaru Natsuki, Emilia, Beatrice, Otto, and Garfiel as they dive headfirst into the latest trials. The main Japanese and English voice cast includes:
Subaru Natsuki: Yusuke Kobayashi / Sean Chiplock
Emilia: Rie Takahashi / Kayli Mills
Beatrice: Satomi Arai / Kira Buckland
Otto Suwen: Kohei Amasaki / Zach Aguilar
Garfiel Tinsel: Nobuhiko Okamoto / Zeno Robinson
In addition, fans will see antagonists Regulus Corneas (voiced by Akira Ishida), Capella Emerada Lugunica (Aoi Yūki), and the Sin Archbishop Sirius Romanee-Conti (Chika Anzai), who will challenge Subaru and his companions in ways that will push them to their limits.
A Worldwide Premiere
Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World Season 3 will have a worldwide premiere on Crunchyroll, with the first episode scheduled to air in Japan and internationally on October 2, 2024. The season will consist of 16 episodes, with a special 90-minute episode kicking things off. After the premiere, regular episodes will follow every Wednesday, beginning October 9, 2024. The first eight episodes will air consecutively, with the remaining episodes scheduled to air from February 5, 2025.
For longtime fans, the premiere marks the culmination of years of waiting since the conclusion of season 2. For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to jump into one of the most beloved and complex isekai anime series.
Conclusion
With its intense drama, intricate world-building, and fascinating characters, Re: Zero has captivated audiences from the very beginning. As we prepare for the highly anticipated third season, fans can look forward to a continuation of Subaru’s harrowing journey, filled with both familiar faces and new challenges. The countdown to October has begun, and Re: Zero Season 3 is shaping up to be an unforgettable chapter in the series.
