InRe: Zero, Subaru Natsuki bears the painful burden of protecting those he cares about through his Return by Death ability, which allows him to reset the world when he dies. Throughout the series, he learns painful lessons, survives extremities, and perseveres, all while growing and evolving through the relationships he builds with those around him. In particular, Rem andSubaru’s co-protagonist Emiliahelp him overcome his fears and self-doubt. Yet, there is another character in the anime that shares many of these traits, aside from Subaru’s ability to redo the world.
Garfiel Tinsel shares similar burdens and desires as Subaru.His experiences with loss and abandonment create deep scars that he must overcome. Having initially avoided the outside world, Garfiel’s worldview is narrow, and he is new to life outside his village. When Garfiel’s path crosses Subaru’s, he can immensely grow from their relationship, much like how Subaru grows from his connections. Their journeys are parallels to one another, as Garfiel’s internal conflict mirrors Subaru’s, showing how Garfiel could be a fitting protagonist for the series.
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Garfiel Hasn’t Left His Village Once Before Subaru Came Along
Although In Different Ways, Both Subaru and Garfiel Are New To The World Around Them
Garfiel’s life inRe: Zerois defined by his deep-rooted connection to his village, a place that he had never left prior to meeting Subaru. This isolation stems from a desire to protect his home and an underlying fear of the outside world. The village represents safety to Garf, but it also confines him, limiting his understanding of the world beyond his village’s borders. His reluctance to venture outside reflects hisstruggles with trust and the abandonment he experiencedas a child. Due to this, he creates an emotional barrier around himself that keeps others at a distance.
Subaru’s arrival catalyzes Garf’s growth, challenging his perspective and pushing him to confront his fears. Unlike Garfiel, Subaru had traveled through various landscapes and realms before arriving at Garf’s village, granting him a wealth of experience and willingness to embrace change. However,Subaru wasn’t as adaptable during the start of his journeyand had similar reservations as Garfiel. While he was excited about exploring the world he ended up in, it quickly turned on him as he became made aware of his new ability.
Thisled Subaru down a difficult pathbefore finding those he could rely on. Both Subaru and Garf experienced beginnings in places of emotional turmoil, but through their interactions and growth, they learn to face their fears head-on. This shared journey highlights how connection and understanding empowered Subaru and Garfiel to explore and tackle the unknown, ultimatelyleading to strong character developmentfor both of them.
Garfiel and Subaru Share Similar Burdens
Garf and Subaru Have Parallel Backstories
Garfiel and Subaru carry with them similar burdens, including their struggles with isolation and the weight of their responsibilities. Both characters deal with feelings of abandonment that shape their identities and influence their actions.Garf’s past is marked with lossand has left him emotionally guarded and protective of what he had remaining. Similarly, Subaru deals with his past traumas, feeling pressure to safeguard those he loves and make the most of his time with them. This is likely spurred by how Subaru took his previous life and parents for granted.
As their paths come together, it becomes clear thatGarfiel and Subaruaren’t that different from one another. Garf’s initial defensiveness slowly gives way to vulnerability as he learns to trust Subaru, who has faced his own demons. In doing so, he learns the truth about why his mother left and why his sister left, allowing him solace in knowing he had never been truly abandoned.
Garfiel’s Growth Mirrors Subaru’s Evolving Character
Garfiel and Subaru Have Much More in Common than They Thought
Garfiel’s journey inRe: Zeromirrors Subaru’s in that theyboth undergo significant transformationsas they confront their fears and pasts. At the outset, Garfiel is shown as a fierce protector, driven by his desire to safeguard his village at all costs. However, this protectiveness tended to manifest as aggression and avoidance, leaving him isolated. Yet, as Garf interacts with Subaru, he learns that his true strength lies in opening up to those around him.
As the story continues, it becomes clear that Garfiel and Subaru are more alike than they had initially thought, and they form a strong bond. Subaru’s unwavering determination inspired Garfiel to confront his emotional barriers and take a step outside his comfort zone, as Subaru had learned to do. With a journey and burdens so similar to Subaru Natsuki,Garfiel Tinselcould have potentially made an intriguing protagonist inRe: Zero.
