AFTERWORD
Hello and thank you, Tappei Nagatsuki here. Yes, that is my name, and it’s a pleasure to have you here, whether you’re one of the people who knows me as a gray cat or not.
Thank you to everyone who’s followed me all the way through Re:ZERO Ex 2. I really doubt there are many people reading these “side stories” who haven’t read the main story, and I’m thrilled to have fans so dedicated to my series.
I’ve now published ten books in almost exactly two years, give or take a month. It’s your collective encouragement and support that have allowed me to manage this. Thank you so much, and I hope you’ll continue reading.
Now, as for this volume specifically, it’s a sort of spin-off using characters who have appeared in the main series. Just like with the previous Ex book, none of the actual main characters of the regular series show up here.
This story takes place about forty years before the events of the main series. As a writer who adores prequel material, I really enjoyed doing this. Our protagonist, Wilhelm, along with some of the supporting cast, may yet make appearances or be name-checked in the main series, so have fun looking out for those cameos.
They say people are their histories.
Perhaps you could consider who Wilhelm will become in forty years, i.e., at the time of the main series, and how he will have gotten that way. By taking what an author has written and imagining subsequent events, I think you can come to enjoy the story even more.
Thanks to all the readers who have supported me as I create this story, a TV anime of the series is going to be released.
The creation of an anime requires the dedication and cooperation of a great many people, and production is proceeding well. As the original creator, I’m trying to help out where I can, and of course the entire production team wants to make the series something that longtime fans will recognize and enjoy.
It’s a fact that you can get more detailed information about the anime on the official homepage—but you could also consult the belt around this book. I hope you didn’t throw it away!
Okay, I’m running out of pages, so it’s time for the traditional offers of gratitude.
To my editor, I-sama, thank you for being so quick to give me the green light on all kinds of outrageous requests. It wasn’t enough that I got a geezer on the cover of the last book; you actually let me have one as a main character for this spin-off, and for that I’m very grateful. It gave me a chance to tell a good story.
To my illustrator, Otsuka-sensei, thank you for another volume of beautiful illustrations. There was a large cast, and the fact that this story was set in the past means there were a lot of characters who will only appear in this novel, making your task very difficult. Yet you were as quick and accurate as ever in your character designs—truly impressive. I look forward to continuing to work with you.
To my designer, Kusano-sensei, you’ve done wonderful work as always. When I see the cover illustrations from Otsuka-sensei, I always find myself wondering eagerly what you’re going to do with them. After ten volumes together, I’ve come to trust your work, and this was no exception.
To Daichi Matsuse-sensei and Makoto Fugetsu-sensei, who do the Re:ZERO manga, thank you for creating such an enjoyable version of this story that takes my world and gives it colors and shapes. I apologize for asking you guys to help publish, including your comic, three books at once. Thank you again!
In addition to all of the above, I want to thank the MF Bunko J editorial division, the sales staff, and the proofreaders, along with all the bookstores. These books wouldn’t exist without all of you.
And finally, I want to extend my deepest thanks to my readers for all your heartfelt messages and letters of encouragement. It’s thanks to all of you that I’ve managed to publish ten books to date. I hope we’ll go on together for a long time.
I hope I’ll see you again in Volume 8 of the main series.
November 2015
Tappei Nagatsuki
(Writing with fingerless gloves, hands shaking with the cold.)
“Right, now that this blood-soaked and altogether too manly main story is over, it’s time for everyone’s favorite, the Notes Corner! Hey, Wilhelm, don’t look so serious. Come on, give the people a smile.”
“…We don’t have time for banter. I don’t want to get my butt kicked by your attendant for not doing what I came here to do. I’m going to start now.”
“Gosh, you get so embarrassed when you have to be out in public…”
“Hey…!”
“Okay, here come the notes. First of all, the anime that’s got everyone’s attention. There was some information on the belt running around this book, but maybe some careless people threw it away without looking at it, so let’s make sure we fill everyone in.”
“It’ll start broadcasting in April 2016. Some new key visuals have been released. They’ve also talked a bit about the story, and it’s sounding pretty good.”
“You’re looking down your nose again… The names of the show’s staff, cast, and production committee have all been revealed. I’m supposed to let everyone know to get more details on the official homepage, but that seems like a lot of work to me. How was that?”
“I’m sure they’ll forgive you for that bit at the end. Stay focused. The anime isn’t the only thing we have to talk about, Flower Girl.”
“You’re one to talk, you good-for-nothing… But, ahem, of course you’re right. Two different installments of Re:ZERO manga are being published at the same time as this book, one in Monthly Comic Alive and one in Monthly Big Gan Gan. You can enjoy them all together!”
“The next book is Volume 8 of the main series, set to be released in March. Don’t be late for it.”
“And that’s everything! Now, how about some tea? Or would you like to go somewhere?”
“As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t matter… Wait, that’s not what I meant to say! Let’s go.”
“Oh, bleh! You don’t have to get so embarrassed… Although I do admit it’s kind of cute.”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login