AFTERWORD
Hello! It’s Tappei Nagatsuki with the mouse-colored cat! No, not with, also!
Thank you for joining me in the main series’s twenty-second volume! I was surprised by how big the number was getting, but it was quite the shock this time as well. There were moments of doubt where I was like, wait, am I writing the twenty-first book or the twenty-second? But wasn’t I writing during those months…?
I talked about the numbering for the series in the afterword last book as well, but this time is about how quickly time seems to pass. Light novel series tend to publish at a faster rate than standard literature, and Re:Zero is no exception.
Just between us, since Re:Zero first came out in January 2014, it has maintained the same publishing pace without slowing down once in that whole time. Twenty-two main series books, and a stunning nine side stories! With thirty-one total books out, it really makes you feel like being a full-fledged author. And if you’ve bought all thirty-one of those books, then I’m sure you could call yourself a professional reader. Reading thirty plus light novels is really something. Truly, thank you.
Now then, I used that pretext about time passing to mention that Re:Zero is still publishing on approximately a three-month schedule, but…I have something I’ve been looking forward to sharing with all of you.
That’s right! Right before the second season of the Re:Zero -Starting Life Again In Another World- anime is about to start!
The broadcast has been delayed until July! I am truly sorry to everyone who was looking forward to it! The world is in a bit of turmoil due to a certain loathsome virus.
It is unfortunate that just when it seemed like we would be able to deliver the continuation of the story, after almost four years since the last anime, this had to happen. It is a disappointment for the author as well.
As pro readers like you who have stuck around for this story understand, the second series of the anime covers a very important arc in the Re:Zero story (Was there an arc that was unimportant, you ask? Let’s skip that question.).
It is a part that we want to be extra sure is done well and that we want to be well-received, so this is a result of the courageous decision by everyone involved with producing the anime. And so, the anime’s broadcast has been delayed, but that time will be spent to make it all the better, so please look forward to it!
Leave the bitter disappointment and spoiled, childish complaints to the author.
Grrrrrr! It’s not fair. Curse you, virus…!
And while I am still quite angry at the virus, please allow me to turn to the customary thanks.
To my editor I, I’m sorry, as a result of an incredible confluence of events, the manuscript work schedule turned into a real mess this time. While fears were spreading everywhere, it was truly a relief to be able to make the deadline. Thank you.
To the illustrator, Otsuka, I troubled you so much again. Reid is an important character within the Re:Zero universe, so it was really gratifying to get such a wonderfully fitting design for him! And thank you for the Pleiades Watchtower design for the cover illustration! I tip my hat to you for creating such a powerful “ancient tower” feeling.
To the designer, Kusano, thank you for the vivid design and working around an illustration with so much information in it. It’s amazing how the title doesn’t get swallowed up at a glance.
In Gekkan Comic Alive, Atori and Aikawa’s comicalization of the fourth arc and Nozaki’s Love Ballad of the Sword Devil are both being published! Thank you as always for the gorgeous and intense developments!
To everyone else at MF Bunko J’s editorial department, all the proofreaders, and all the bookstores, thank you very much for all your work. Let’s all get through this together!
And finally, my deepest gratitude to all the readers who continue to support this series.
Unfortunately, I had to share the unfortunate news of the anime’s delay, but I would be grateful if you reread the books, rewatched the first anime, checked out Isekai Quartet, and just generally got motivated for the new season while we wait out this delay!
And with that, what does the twenty-third volume hold in store? Stay tuned to find out, and let’s meet in the next volume!
March 2020
<<Face-to-face with a PC, not giving in to the rain or a cold>>
And with that, it’s time for me and Master to cuddle up!”
“Not happening. This is the announcements section! I’m wrapping up my work, and then I’m out.”
“Booo! You’re no fun at all, Master! But—but that’s just part of your charm! I’m not going to give up! Hey, sexy!”
“No one would call me that even if they were trying to be nice! Whatever, just get this over with already!”
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.”
“I’m not listening, I’m not listening. And while I’m not listening, the first announcement has to be…”
“Re:Zero’s second anime adaptation has been delayed to July!”
“Don’t say that so cheerfully! Everyone’s disappointed about that, and the author’s pretty depressed, too!”
“That doesn’t really change the facts, though. That’s why I’m going to just get excited for the future. I can’t wait for July.”
“…Maybe I should take a page out of your book when it comes to positivity…”
“Eh?! Did you just fall for me again, Master?”
“I said nothing of the sort. Next! Huh, a Re:Zero mobile game has been announced!”
“Ooooh, finally?! Re:Zero’s been showing up in all sorts of places, so I was honestly wondering when we’d get our own game. The world’s been waiting for this!”
“That long-awaited game is planned for release in 2020! The details will be announced at a later date, but you’ll be able to use Return by Death to explore all sorts of What-If scenarios… Wait, isn’t that Hell for me?”
“As expected! There’s no man better suited to Hell than you, Master!”
“That doesn’t make me feel better! Anyway, Volume 23 of the main series, where I’ll experience another new Hell, is planned for June! Also, is it not considered cruel and unusual punishment to make me do the announcement about how I’m going to experience Hell?”
“Honestly, everything about you shines in my eyes, so whatever you say sounds like a proposition to me! And my answer is yes, of course!”
“Then trade places with Emilia now.”
“I refuse!”
“Damn! …Also, it’s not that I forgot, but the second OVA, The Frozen Bond, that showed in theaters last year is going to be up on Square Enix’s Manga UP! starting in the spring.”
“The story about that thieving cat and that other cat!”
“You’re making it sound like it’s all about cats, but it’s about Emilia meeting Puck! …And with that, the announcements are done nice and quickly. I feel really tired for some reason, though…”
“Ah, in that case, I’ll give you a massage, Master! And then I can lock you in a grapple and carry you back, and we can make it back for cuddle ti—”
“And we’re done! I’m gonna go find Emilia and Beako!”
“Awwwww! You’re no fun, Master! But that side of you is just my type!”
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