Demon beasts, also known as Witch Beasts or MaBeasts, are monstrous creatures central to the world of Re:Zero. These creatures were created by Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony, to solve the problem of hunger. However, their existence has brought great devastation to humanity. In the anime adaptation of Re:Zero-Starting Life in Another World, several of these beasts make notable appearances, each posing unique threats to the characters.
MaBeasts Revealed in the Anime
Re Zero’s anime introduces us to several Demon Beasts, also known as Witch Beasts or Mabeasts, each with unique abilities and terrifying traits. Here are the same ones revealed in the anime:
1. Wolgarm (Demon Dogs)
Known as Juggernauts, these demon beasts appeared in Season 1. They possess the ability to place mana-stealing curses on their prey and are equipped with razor-sharp teeth. Subaru, the maids, and Roswaal fought these creatures in the forest outside the mansion. Breaking their horns allows humans to control them.
2. Snow Blight
This demonic gorilla (Snow Blight) was seen in the Frozen Bonds OVA. With arms the size of tree trunks, it manipulates snow to kill its prey. Emilia ultimately defeated it by using her Flowers of Ice ability to drain its blood.
3. Guiltylow (Shadow Lion)
This creature has the head of a lion, the body of a horse, and the tail of a snake. It hunts silently and lives in areas with high concentrations of mana. Unlike other MaBeasts, it is stealthy, making it especially deadly.
4. Three Great MaBeasts in Re Zero
The Three Great MaBeasts are unique creations of Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony, and serve as natural disasters in the world of Re:Zero:
White Whale
A massive creature at least 165 meters long with skin as hard as stone. It can release two types of mist: the Mist of Mental Contamination, which drives people insane, and the Mist of Elimination, which erases victims from the memory of the world. The White Whale can divide into three bodies to distribute damage.
Great Rabbit
A swarm of countless small, mana-starved rabbits that act as a single entity. They devour any living creature they encounter. Unless all rabbits are killed simultaneously, they will endlessly multiply.
Black Serpent
The deadliest of the three, the Black Serpent curses the ground it crosses, rendering it uninhabitable for other creatures. It infects its victims with countless diseases and burns the skin of those it touches. Unlike the other two, the Black Serpent is completely uncontrollable.
These three demon beasts have caused untold devastation to humanity and are central to the story’s conflicts.
Demon Beasts Revealed in the Manga and Light Novels
The manga and light novels expand the lore of Re:Zero by introducing many more demon beasts with unique characteristics:
1. Dimril and Knickerbocker
After the Wolgarms were exterminated, these two species of demon beasts moved into the forest near Roswaal’s mansion. Not much is known about them yet.
2. Black-Winged Rat
A small, rat-like creature with wings and red eyes. These creatures rely on numbers to become a threat.
3. Abonsconda (Double-Headed Serpent)
A snake as large as a human arm. While its bite is deadly, it is considered one of the weaker demon beasts.
4. Wagpig (Rock Pig)
A massive hippopotamus-like creature with skin as hard as a rock. It’s short and thick leg can crush its enemies.
5. Possum
A bizarre demon beast that attacks enemies by inflating itself and exploding, showering blood everywhere. This causes chain reactions, as nearby Benescy will also explode.
6. Sand Worms
Endemic to the Augria Sand Dunes, these massive creatures can swallow multiple people whole. They have corrosive saliva that disintegrates their prey.
7. Hungry Horse King
This terrifying centaur-like demon beast has a mouth in its chest, eternal flames on its back, and a giant horn in place of a head. It uses echolocation to locate prey and can generate fire-based attacks. Its cry sounds like a human baby, adding to its unsettling nature.
8. Courtesan Bear (Orange Amok)
A small, parasitic bear covered in flowers. It hides in flower gardens and attacks anything that disturbs it. Despite its size, it is highly deadly.
9. Feathered Mole
Native to the Augria Sand Dunes, Feathered Moles are a unique species of demon beast. Their bodies are covered in wing-like structures resembling bird feathers, and the majority of their heads have evolved into a prominent horn. These creatures are capable of flight using their wings, but their survival is intrinsically tied to their horns—if the horn is broken, the Feathered Mole will perish.
10. Orthrus
Orthrus are enormous Witch Beasts with two canine heads lined with sharp fangs. The Orthrus shown in the story had broken horns on both heads, standing around 4 meters tall. Their jet-black fur and eyes devoid of sanity create an unsettling presence. Equipped with pointed claws on their forefeet, they can easily slaughter human beings. Orthrus made its appearance in the Frozen Bonds OVA, where it briefly battled Emilia before the fight was interrupted by the Snow Blight.
Daphne’s Philosophy
Daphne’s portrayal in the novels paints her as a tragic figure. Her efforts to solve world hunger reflect a distorted sense of empathy, with her creations becoming a curse upon humanity. Her brief appearances provide deeper context to her decisions and the unintended consequences of her powers.
The world of Re:Zero is rich with lore surrounding its demon beasts, showcasing their role as both adversaries and symbols of the Witch of Gluttony’s despair. While the anime introduces a few iconic creatures, the manga and light novels dive deeper, presenting a more extensive and horrifying bestiary. Each demon beast, whether featured on screen or in the pages of the novels, adds to the richness and danger of the Re:Zero universe.
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