Review: #855
Title: Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World Ex Vol. 2
Series: Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World Ex – 2nd volume
Author: Tappei Nagatsuki
Read Before: no
Number of Pages: 245
Comments: The second volume of Ex is also a prequel, and also stars someone related to Crusch. It follows Wilheim many years ago, during the Demi-human War when he gained the nickname of Sword Devil. While we already got a fairly sizable chunk of the backstory in Volume 7 of the main series, Ex fleshes it out a lot. Therefore, while 95% of the content is new, it slots neatly with the remaining 5% of scenes that we’ve seen but not with new understanding. We already know that Wilheim wasn’t likeable when he was young, being arrogant while extremely gifted with the sword. It’s dialled up significantly here and it takes a fair while of the novel before he finally starts to thaw and embrace the responsibilities of a knight protecting the people that he cares about. However, that is also where Ex struggles. It spends so much time on Wilheim’s early exploits as he rises through the ranks, his interaction with the rest of his squadron, and the battles against the enemy that the ending is glossed over. The complicated Demi-human War is shown until the heat of the moment and then the reason for its conclusion is quickly glossed over. The scene in which Wilheim and the Sword Saint reveal the true feelings is as quick and brief as it was in Volume 7 and it feels like a missed opportunity. There are still plenty of great scenes, dialogue and interactions though that makes this one of the best volume in the series.
Rating: 7/10