Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8: The Attack Arc ends by setting up Subaru and co's fights

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 was expected to continue focusing on Subaru Natsuki and co as they plan, and possibly even start, their retaliation against the Witch’s Cult. Officially released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the installment essentially did all but that, even seeing Subaru confront his enemy in the episode’s final scenes.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 instead spends a significant amount of time getting all of the set up for the Counterattack Arc out of the way in the Attack Arc finale. While it may not have been as exciting a finale as fans wanted likewise, it’s nevertheless a shrewd move on White Fox’s part, which allows the season’s second half to dive right into the action.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 ends the Attack Arc by setting up the Counterattack Arc’s fights

Brief episode recap

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Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 began with Subaru Natsuki and his allies discussing the Witch’s Cult’s demands. Otto Suwen then revealed he has the Tome of Wisdom here in Priestella with him, saying he had a professional trying to restore it. Likewise, this meant they had everything the Cult was demanding in their possession. Liliana Masquerade and Priscilla Barielle then entered, punishing Al for spending them with them rather than being by her side.

Schult was also with them, revealed to be the person Priscilla was searching the shelters for. Priscilla then announced her intent to join their fight against the Witch’s Cult, which Al briefly protested to. Subaru then spoke to Otto about the Tome of Wisdom, with Otto saying he stole it because he doesn’t trust Roswaal L. Mathers. Subaru agreed that he doesn’t fully trust Roswaal, but added that they need his power for now.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 then saw Otto assert his suspicions that Roswaal has been planning something for the last year, wanting to restore the Tome to see his plans likewise. Otto then said he’d get the book back himself, asserting that he’d be safe in doing so. Wilhelm van Astrea then arrived to tell Subaru that Crusch Karsten had requested his presence. Felix Argyle opened the door covered in blood, crying and asking Subaru not to push Crusch too hard.

Subaru pushes through the pain to give Crusch Karsten some relief in Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 (Image via White Fox)

Crusch was shown to have half of her body afflicted by Capella Emerada Lugunica’s blood, with Crusch’s condition clearly being worse than his. After touching Crusch’s hand, he realized that he could transfer the dragon’s blood within her to him. Crusch begged him to stop since it worsened his own condition, but he wanted to keep going. However, she eventually convinced him to stop and prioritize his own health so they could actually achieve victory in Priestella.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 then saw Subaru leave, with Wilhelm revealing the identities of the cultists he and the others fought. One was “Eight-Arms” Kurgan, the Volakia Empire’s most powerful swordsman, while the other was the previous Master Swordsman and Wilhelm’s wife, Theresia van Astrea. Both were obviously supposed to be dead, with Wilhelm suspecting the forbidden art of corpse manipulation being in play.

Wilhelm asked Subaru not to mention Theresia’s return to Reinhard, also explaining that the Master Swordsman’s divine protection is inherited. In other words, her Divine Protection chose to move onto Reinhard during her battle with the White Whale. Wilhelm added that Theresia would surely target him specifically, asserting that they can keep it safe from Reinhard. Priscilla then revealed her intent to handle Sirius Romanée-Conti and her Wrath with Liliana’s help.

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Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 saw Subaru agree that Liliana’s singing may break Wrath’s spell, with Reinhard confirming by using his own Divine Protection. Liliana was scared at first, but Priscilla goaded her into agreeing by questioning her skills as a songstress. Subaru then addressed the First District, where Capella was. Subaru added that this was likely to be where most of the enemy forces were.

Subaru assigned Wilhelm and Garfiel to the First District likewise, with Wilhelm then asking to fight Capella himself. Reinhard tried to object, but Wilhelm said he could handle it. Subaru then told Reinhard that he’d be fighting Greed, Regulus Corneas, with him, which he accepted. This left Ricardo Welkin and Julius Euclius to handle the various Sin Archbishops of Gluttony. As Subaru preemptively declared their victory, focus shifted to Emilia and Regulus.

Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 saw their wedding already underway, with Regulus celebrating that fate brought them together. However, Emilia wanted to say some words to him before they got married. Regulus also had some rules to discuss, such as not being allowed to smile once they’re married. He furthered that she’s not allowed to show any change in expression once they’re married so her face is never anything but beautiful.

Reinhard gives Subaru the support he needs to beat Regulus in Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 (Image via White Fox)

Regulus began growing angry over Emilia’s attitude, but her words about love calmed him down briefly. Number 184 looked very concerned with what was happening, while Emilia asked why Regulus refers to his wives by number. She argued that it’s nice to be called by name or a pet name since it can express one’s feelings. Regulus grew angry at the mention of Subaru’s name, questioning why his wife was speaking about another man at their wedding.

However, Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 saw Emilia double down on Subaru being her one and only knight and the one who loves her. Regulus told the other wives not to move if they wanted to live, before telling Emilia to carefully explain herself. However, Emilia didn’t back down, saying she wasn’t ready for marriage yet, but knows who she’ll marry once she is. Regulus grew enraged at this, but was interrupted by Subaru and Reinhard’s arrival as the episode ended.

In summation

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Re:ZERO season 3 episode 8 serves as an exciting and thrilling conclusion to the first half of the third season thus far. Likewise, the Attack Arc’s final episode suggests that the Counterattack Arc will dive right into the fighting once it begins airing in February 2025. Although it’s certainly a long wait, fans have a lot to look forward to, especially when it comes to Subaru and Reinhard’s first major team up in the series thus far.