Re: Zero – Starting Life Another World is known for having quite an engaging plot, moving at times, and developing characters. However, within the realms of fiction, the series touches upon disturbing issues like spouse abuse and psychological abuse. Domestic Violence in Re: Zero Season 3 gives more insights into how abuse is expressed in relationships, to the male and female partners alike, and how it impacts both
Regulus Corneas: A Portrait of an Abuser
One of the most striking examples of domestic violence in Re: Zero Season 3 is based on Regulus Corneas, the Sin Archbishop of Greed. It’s important not to confuse oneself with having some sort of twisted vision of relationships, where control, manipulation, and dehumanization are the key components of maintaining that relationship. All of Regulus’s wives are mistreated, being named only by numbers, and prohibited from showing some feelings, for instance, smiling or laughing.
This dehumanization is due to his capacity of despotism, concretely, the need to command and exert total mastery over his subordinates. The space dedicated to Regulus’s story is tragedy and ruthlessness: starting from the murder of the girl he once loved just to see her die and force her to marry his enemy. Her subsequent mental breakdown and suicide initiated the process of the man’s complete narcissistic personality disorder. Eventually, he wed 290 women whom he domineered into submission through his Authority of Greed.
Subaru and Emilia: The Thin Line Between Love and Coercion
While the actions of Regulus are blatant abuse the dynamic of Subaru Natsuki and Emilia is an example of coercion that is not as clearly apparent. Subaru’s feelings towards Emilia are portrayed as noble but are stalkers and bordering on domestic abuse by love-bombing.
In Season 1 Subaru only has eyes for Emilia; Subaru willingly sacrifices himself numerous times to protect her and gain her approving look. While it is earnest, he can come off as excessive as he tries to make Emilia reveal her feelings though she is reluctant. Sometimes Subaru pursues this emotion inappropriately, he tells his love to Emilia in public by embarrassing her to show how far he is willing to go.
Understanding Abuse in Domestic Violence in Re: Zero Season 3
Re: Zero is a provocative show that makes the viewers concerned about women’s abuse and manipulation within the family. One of the major focuses of the series is to demonstrate that abuse can occur in different ways, while Regulus represents the most direct form of abuse in the shape of control through violence, Subaru is depicted as an emotionally abusive partner to Emilia.
The sinful wives of Regulus depict the fullness and power Of physical and psychological abuse. They are victims of abuse controlled by their abuser completely and they are forced to fear and obey their abuser. On the other hand, Subaru and Emilia showcased how noble a motive may be, it becomes entirely manipulative if boundaries are crossed by Domestic Violence in Re: Zero Season 3
Why These Themes Matter
By portraying these dynamics, Re: Zero makes spectators think about what abuse means and what it brings. It illuminates how people in the relationship can be hurtful using control, coercion as well as emotional mistreatment, even if the relationship seems to be quite well-functional.
When analysing Season 3 of the show, viewers are again reminded how bad it is to ignore signs of abuse by myself and other people, as well as support victims who struggle with the aftermath of trauma. Re: Zero makes the audience step into the uncomfortable side and feel for people who have to endure such struggles.
As the story unfolds, Re: Zero brings the same ideas about relations and power, and how to see the main signs of abuse and help to make people more open-hearted and receptive. Despite the show’s fantastical setting, its characters explain that domestic violence is very much a reality.