Can Subaru Read the Books of the Dead? The Secrets of Arc 6 Revealed
The world of Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World is notorious for its complex narrative twists, mind-bending mysteries, and the agony Subaru Natsuki endures throughout his countless deaths. One of the most fascinating—and chilling—concepts introduced in Arc 6: The Corridor of Memories is the Books of the Dead. As fans, we’ve watched Subaru suffer from his “Return by Death” (RbD) ability, but the Books of the Dead present an entirely new layer to his suffering. But can Subaru read these books, and what does it really mean for him and his journey? Let’s dive deep into this unsettling aspect of the series.
What Are the Books of the Dead?
Located in the Taygeta Library of the Pleiades Watchtower, the Books of the Dead are far more than just fancy artifacts—they’re vessels for the memories of the deceased. When a person dies in Re:Zero, their soul eventually returns to Od Lagna, and their experiences are recorded into a book. The concept is relatively simple but profoundly unsettling. These books contain a person’s entire life from their earliest memories to the moment of their death.
How Do the Books of the Dead Work?
To read a Book of the Dead, a person must be intimately connected to the deceased. If you knew someone well in life, reading their book allows you to relive their experiences. It’s not just about seeing their life—it’s about feeling it, being transported into their emotions, memories, and final moments.
But here’s the catch: it’s a traumatic experience. Immersing yourself in another’s life can be a lot to bear, and it often leaves lasting emotional scars. For Subaru, though, the concept of reading a Book of the Dead becomes something more twisted.
Can Subaru Read the Books of the Dead?
Yes, Subaru can read the Books of the Dead. However, his relationship with them is far more complicated than you might think. Subaru’s ability to die and return means that he experiences a completely different kind of life, filled with countless deaths and experiences. But as anyone who has followed the series knows, Subaru is no stranger to suffering, and reading the books of the dead adds yet another layer to his torment.
Re:Zero Book of the Dead Explained: The Darkest Secret of the Pleiades Watchtower
1. Subaru and the Witches’ Books
In the web novel, Subaru makes a pivotal connection with the Books of the Witches of Sin. One of the most significant moments comes when Subaru reads Typhon’s Book of the Dead, offering him a glimpse into her past and expanding his understanding of the Witches. This act, while not deeply explored in the Light Novel, is a vital part of Subaru’s journey. The lore gained from these books shapes his actions and decisions later on, even if it isn’t always explicitly highlighted.
2. The Amnesiabaru Incident
The most devastating moment involving Subaru and the Books of the Dead occurs during the “Amnesiabaru” arc. After being robbed of his memories by the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, Louis Arneb, Subaru stumbles upon a hidden room filled with his own Books of the Dead. These books represent all of Subaru’s failed attempts at life and each death he’s experienced.
Imagine this: every book represents a different version of Subaru, each one burdened by the psychological trauma of multiple deaths. When Subaru begins reading them, he doesn’t just relive his failures—he feels them again, as if they were happening for the first time. The psychological torment that comes with this is nearly unbearable. And as the story progresses, this collection of books will only grow.
3. Reading Meili’s Book
Subaru’s encounter with Meili Portroute’s Book of the Dead is particularly haunting. After Meili’s death, Subaru reads her book and experiences her life as an assassin and her tragic final moments. This experience is a deeply emotional one for Subaru, as the trauma and emotional weight of her life start to bleed into his own psyche. It’s a constant struggle for Subaru to maintain his identity as he faces the weight of others’ experiences.
Why Subaru’s Books Are Different
For most people, reading a Book of the Dead is a one-time, intense experience. However, for Subaru, it’s an ongoing nightmare. Let’s break it down:
Multiplicity of Deaths
Unlike other characters who have a single book detailing their one life, Subaru’s situation is far more complex. He has a library of books—one for each of his deaths. This means that each time Subaru dies, a new book is created, adding more trauma to his already broken mind.
Self-Reflection as Hell
For Subaru, the experience of reading his own books is not just a matter of revisiting memories—it’s the physical and mental agony of reliving his deaths. Each death represents a moment of profound suffering, and Subaru must relive those deaths over and over again. By the end of Arc 6, Subaru has “lived” through over 100 deaths. Each one is like a dagger in his soul, and the emotional weight of that cannot be understated.
The Taboo of Subaru’s Books
Here’s where it gets even more complicated: What happens if someone else reads Subaru’s books? The truth of Subaru’s Return by Death is one of the most guarded secrets in the series. If someone like Emilia, Beatrice, or anyone else were to read Subaru’s books, they would discover this truth. And that’s where the danger lies. According to the Re:Zero Wiki, the Witch of Envy (Satella) would likely intervene to protect this secret, using any means necessary—including violence.
The Future of Subaru’s Books
Fan theories about the impact of Subaru’s books are rife with possibilities:
- Personality Merging: After reading Meili’s book and the Witches’ books, some fans speculate that Subaru could begin to merge traits, skills, or trauma from those whose books he reads. While Subaru doesn’t gain any direct powers, it’s not far-fetched to think that their emotional burdens weigh on him.
- The Scratched-Out Book: A popular theory is that Subaru could, at some point, scrub out or damage his own books to prevent others from reading them. Maybe this is a defense mechanism or a way to hide the secret of Return by Death from the world.
Summary: Subaru and the Books of the Dead
| Book Owner | Did Subaru Read It? | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Typhon | Yes (WN) | Insight into Typhon’s past, lore expansion |
| Meili Portroute | Yes | Experienced an assassin’s life; influenced Subaru’s psyche |
| Himself (Multiple) | Yes | Reclaimed memories; suffered through repeated deaths |
| Reid Astrea | Attempted | Led to the Corridor of Memories and Louis Arneb |
In the end, the Books of the Dead are one of the most haunting and powerful tools in Tappei Nagatsuki’s storytelling arsenal. Subaru’s relationship with them is a constant reminder of his greatest curse—his death—and the emotional and mental toll that it takes on him. As the series progresses, these books will continue to be a source of both revelation and torment for Subaru, ensuring that his journey remains as tragic and complex as ever.
