The Re:Zero Name Pun Explained

gamerant.com:

If there's one thing that fans of anime should know, it is that names are extremely important. Not just in anime, but in general; however, the concept of names is particularly interesting in the context of Japanese media, in the wake of the growth of various entertainment industries.

In the case of popular isekai light novel and anime series Re:Zero (and most isekai in general), a name is a straightforward marker of what to expect from the series in question. However, is "Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World From Zero" as straightforward as this implies? Perhaps not. Here is a run-down on what is really at play when we say "Re:Zero".

Re:Zero: Here’s How Subaru’s Return by Death Works

For those who are unfamiliar, Re:Zero follows 17-year-old shut-in NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Subaru Natsuki who is one day whisked away to an alternate world after leaving his room for the first time in a long time to buy some snacks from a nearby convenience store. Upon realizing his situation, Subaru is excited by the premise of living in a magical alternate world where he might be the hero, and quickly attempts to start his adventure by befriending an elf girl who defended him from thugs.

However, things turn very dark as the two are both inexplicably murdered, but Subaru is left confused when the events of that day repeat themselves. Soon, Subaru has the shocking realization that he can travel back in time by dying and retaining the memories from each cycle.

Given the concept of revival, rebirth, reincarnation, return, etc., present in the fabric of the premise, the use of the prefix «re-» in the title is an obvious nod to Subaru's ability to, as he says, Return By Death. Use of the prefix in this manner is not