Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1: Subaru and Emilia's trip to Priestella interrupted by Sin Archbishops and others

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 was expected by fans to deal with essentially all of the necessary setup for the Attack Arc given its status as a 90-minute premiere. Officially released on Tuesday, October 2, 2024, and titled "Theatrical Malice," the installment did exactly this, setting viewers up to get thrown into the action from next week on.

This is especially exciting considering Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 and the continuation as a whole is one of the most highly anticipated anime of the Fall 2024 season. Likewise, the premiere doesn’t disappoint, providing an even focus on Subaru, Emilia, and other previously introduced central characters while revealing new plotlines and more.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 introduces Archbishop Sin of Wrath, Sirius Romanée-Conti in a horrifying way

Brief episode recap

Subaru is shown to be taking his duty as Emilia's knight very seriously in Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1's opening scenes (Image via White Fox)

ReZERO season 3 episode 1 begins with Subaru Natsuki making his way through an obstacle course while brandishing a whip, which he seems adept at using. Beatrice then approaches him and commends him as it’s revealed a year has passed since The Sanctuary's events. The two are then approached by Petra Leyte who reveals an unexpected visitor has arrived and that Emilia is asking for both of their presences.

The four of them, Petra included, then met with Mimi Pearlbaton and Joshua Euclius, a messenger for Anastasia Hoshin and Julius’ younger brother. Joshua delivered Anastasia’s message to Emilia inviting her to the Watergate City of Priestella, where a merchant with the magic crystal Emilia desires for recalling Puck was found. Puck left her because his contract blocked her memories, which would’ve stopped her from beating The Sanctuary’s trial.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 sees Emilia clearly upset by thinking of Puck as Mimi and Joshua left, which Subaru notices. Emilia then explains Priestella’s significance as one of Lugunica’s five biggest cities, set in the middle of a lake that threatens to flood the city when it rains. However, there is a gate system that lets the city control how much water they want to let in.

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She also tells Subaru that she wants to see Puck again, and likewise wants to believe in Anastasia’s words and character. She and her party then told Roswaal L. Mathers of their intentions, which he approved of. Subaru visited Rem, still in a comatose state, and spoke to her about that day’s events before the group left for Priestella the next day. On the way, Otto updated Emilia about the current state of the Royal Selection.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 explains that Anastasia and Duchess Crusch Kursten were the favorites initially. Emilia and the others were thought to be there as “fillers” for lack of a better term. However, this has changed thanks to the events of the series so far, which included Priscilla Barielle and Felt making their own advancements along with Emilia and Co’s various exciting achievements.

However, since Kursten lost her memories, she is now at a disadvantage, especially relative to Anastasia who hasn’t lost any momentum. This is why Otto was nervous; to owe Anastasia a debt while she was already the dominant force in the Royal Selection would cause major issues. Emilia’s team then arrives at Priestella, where it's revealed that the city itself was constructed as a trap. However, records explaining why were lost.

Emilia and Anastasia's camps pick up where they left off in Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 (Image via White Fox)

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 then sees the group meet up with Anastasia and Julius, where necessary introductions are made as they explore the inn they're staying at. Otto then explains how someone named Hoshin of the Wilderness came up with this Wafuu architecture style, clearly inspired by Japan. Hoshin both built Priestella and was one of Kararagi’s founders, known for his innovative creativity and advanced ideas.

Subaru suspects that, like him, Hoshin was also someone summoned from Japan to this world. Anastasia reveals that the crystal Emilia seeks is in the hands of the Muse Company’s heir, The Songstress Maniac. Subaru and Beatrice then split off from the others heading to the Muse Company since he was seasick. They later ran into a songstress drawing a large crowd, with Subaru eventually performing an improvised song with her.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 then sees her introduced as Liliana Masquerade, also known as the Songstress. After showing them to the Muse Company, she realizes who Subaru is. This leads to her accompanying them into the meeting and saying that “Kiritaka” was head over heels for her, so she could be of value to Subaru and Co.

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However, this had the opposite effect in the end due to Kiritaka getting the wrong impression. Unfortunately, this leads to them running into the Sin Archbishop of Greed, Regulus Corneas, whom Emilia did not fully recognize despite having met him in her memories. Yet confusingly, Regulus allows them all to leave unharmed, teasing that he and the Witch’s Cult were planning something.

Upon returning to their inn, Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 sees the group meet Rachins, one of the thugs whom Subaru first encountered when coming to this world. Reinhard van Astrea then appears, revealing that Rachins is allied with him and Felt. They head inside, seeing Crusch, Felix Argyle, and Wilhelm van Astrea waiting for them, which also reveals Wilhelm as Reinhard’s grandfather. Anastasia and Julius are also present, with Felt arriving later.

Anastasia made it clear she specifically didn’t invite Priscilla because she doesn’t listen. Anastasia then reveals that she invited everyone to discuss the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, whose death would both return Crusch’s memories and wake Rem from her state. Garfiel then steps out due to feeling inferior to Reinhard after having his attack so easily stopped, haunted by visions of the Bowel Hunter Elsa Granhiert taunting him for being too weak.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 sees Priscilla also interrupt the Priestella trip alongside a pair of Sin Archbishops (Image via White Fox)

This leads to him saving some children, one of whom looks peculiarly similar to him. It's revealed that this child’s mother is Garfiel’s mother who had apparently survived the accident that befell her, but now doesn't recognize him. Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 sees Subaru and Wilhelm speak with each other that night, discussing his late wife and how famous Subaru now is thanks to his incredible achievements.

Wilhelm also discusses his issues with his grandson Reinhard, where it's revealed that they had a falling out at Theresia’s funeral. However, at breakfast the next day, the two make up and begin to repair their relationship before being interrupted by Reinhard’s father Heinkel, who is Wilhelm’s son. He's also introduced as the vice-captain of Lagunica’s Royal Guard, albeit in name only. Heinkel then implies that Reinhard was responsible for Theresia’s death.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 sees Emilia get involved, completely shutting down Heinkel's confidence and bravado until his master Priscilla and her knight Al arrive. They depart shortly after, with Priscilla simply wanting to cause and witness this strife between the Astrea family men. Julius then explains Heinkel’s power as the head of the Astrea family, as well as why Wilhelm is disgraced.

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15 years prior, a member of the Royal Family was kidnapped, and Wilhelm was away leading the search when Theresia fought the White Whale and later died. Later on, Subaru, Emilia, and Beatrice run into Liliana again, who is performing while Priscilla dances and draws a crowd. Priscilla invites Liliana to join her camp, but she rejects, saying her fate is to be a nomadic bard and, like the wind, she could not be imprisoned by anyone or anything.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 sees Subaru split off from the others to grab snacks before being interrupted by the appearance of the Sin Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius Romanée-Conti. Subaru essentially calls out and asks her to hurry up, prompting her to reveal she captured a boy who lives in Priestella.

It then becomes apparent that Subaru and all the others hearing her are under some spell of hers, unbothered by her holding this clearly terrified boy hostage. As the boy hits the ground and dies, everyone else in the crowd suffers the same injuries and fate. Subaru's Return by Death then brings him back to the point just before he leaves Emilia and the others, saying he feels sick as the episode ends.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1: In summation

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 gives Sirius Romanée-Conti (right) a horrifying introduction in its final scenes (Image via White Fox)

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 1 is incredibly effective as a premiere for the series thanks to its 90-minute runtime. Essentially all of the setup for the Attack Arc is handled in the premiere, leading directly into the introduction of Sirius and Regulus as Subaru and co’s seemingly main Sin Archbishop enemies.

Season 3 episode 1 also does a good job of introducing plotlines to be focused on and built up throughout the season. This includes Wilhelm and Reinhard’s relationship, Garfiel reuniting with his mother, Liliana and Kiritaka’s involvement in Subaru and co’s efforts, and more. While the wait was long, the series’ return gets started on the right foot by setting viewers up to dive into the action from episode 2 on.