The Witch of Lust, Re:Zero is a powerful and enigmatic character in the hit Japanese light novel and anime series Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World. Known as Echidna, she is one of the seven Witches of Sin and is associated with the sin of lust. Echidna is a key character in the story, as she plays a significant role in the protagonist Subaru Natsuki's journey. Echidna possesses an unsettling beauty and has a calm and collected demeanor. She resides in a vast library known as the Sanctuary and invites Subaru into her realm during his repeated visits to the alternate world. Echidna appears to be knowledgeable about the events taking place and offers Subaru information and guidance but often requests something in return.
Since we’ve finally been introduced to all the Sin Witches, I thought I’d close off with some useless but interesting trivia about their names. All the Witches (and Subaru) are named after celestial bodies, which often correspond to different characters from mythology. You can totally skip this part but if you’re curious, read on:
In time, Carmilla became affiliated with the Witches of Sin, a group of other Witch Factor bearers who were ostracized by the people of the world for various reasons. Satella - Carmilla similarly to the other Witches of Sin dislikes the portion of Satella known as the Witch of Envy though she doesn t bear any particular ill will towards the original personality of Satella herself.
Echidna appears to be knowledgeable about the events taking place and offers Subaru information and guidance but often requests something in return. As the Witch of Lust, Echidna specializes in manipulating the desires and emotions of others. She can read people's hearts and exploit their weaknesses, using this power to gather information and further her own agenda.
Re:Zero S2E12 – Something Wicked This Way Comes
Okay, maybe quoting Macbeth in the title is a bit cheesy, but I thought it fit. This episode is one of the darkest in Re:Zero yet, as Subaru returns to the trial and learns the ultimate consequences of Return By Death. We finally meet the last of the Sin Witches, and Echidna reveals her sinister side. With just one more episode before the mid-season break, things don’t look like they’ll get better any time soon!
After dying from Emilia’s kiss in the last loop, Subaru decides he needs Echidna’s help once more in order to save her. He begs the Witch to take him to her, but this instead activates the second part of the trial – Subaru’s “unthinkable present”. He gazes in horror at his own corpse, with Emilia, Ferris, and Wilhelm beside themselves in grief. This is when he slit his throat after realizing Rem was in a coma – but in this world, he stays dead, and the world must move on without him.
One by one, we see the aftermath of nearly every death Subaru’s had thus far. It’s tough to watch, and even the glimpse of an epic battle between Puck and Reinhard has a depressing finality to it. Subaru’s deaths caused immeasurable grief to his friends, and in some cases even caused the end of the world. The implication is that each of Subaru’s deaths creates a new branching timeline, and all but one lead to a Bad End.
Subaru starts losing it, and thinks he must be hallucinating when he wakes up to see Rem standing in front of him. It’s clearly not her, as she’s still stuck in a coma – but even a fake Rem nearly as cute and sweet as the real thing. The music swells, and the Remposter leans in for a kiss – but Subaru stops her, revealing her to be the Witch of Lust, Carmilla, in disguise.
All the other witches soon follow – Echidna, Minerva, Typhon, Daphne, and Sekhmet, the Witch of Sloth. They accuse Echidna of manipulating Subaru with her feminine wiles, which, to be fair, is exactly what she’s been doing this whole time. Dona wants to make a contract with Subaru, offering him all the knowledge she’s acquired over 400 long and eventful years – but, this being a Witch’s contract, there’s a catch! Subaru would have to accept any and all sacrifices in pursuit of his goal, including losing Emilia or not being able to bring Rem back.
Sekhmet looks like she should be the Witch of Lust, not Carmilla
Dona goes into villain mode, monologuing about longing to know the secrets of the universe and twist her sardonic grin into a full-on Joker smile. But our otaku hero still has one more question to ask – what about Beatrice? She made a contract with a Witch that left her stranded and alone for 400 years. Of course, that was Dona’s doing as well. She never specified who “that person” Beatrice is supposed to be looking for actually is, implying the pig-tailed librarian was supposed to choose for herself. But she could never find the right one, and retreated into the confines of the mansion instead. Realizing a contract with Dona will only bring him the same fate, Subaru rejects her and resolves to make a contract with Beako instead.
The episode ends with the sky darkening and Satella crashing the Witches’ Tea Party once again. Sure, it was the same cliffhanger they used in Episode 9, but now we have all seven Sin Witches together for the first time. Knowing what we know about Echidna, Satella, and even Return by Death, how will this play out? Will the Witch of Envy start another loop full of carnage, or will Subaru try to make good on his promise to save her? I can’t wait until next week to talk about it!
Since we’ve finally been introduced to all the Sin Witches, I thought I’d close off with some useless but interesting trivia about their names. All the Witches (and Subaru) are named after celestial bodies, which often correspond to different characters from mythology. You can totally skip this part but if you’re curious, read on:
Typhon is named after the asteroid 42355 Typhon, and Echidna is named after its moon. In Greek mythology, Typhon and Echidna were half-human, half-snake demigods who are the parents of many of the most famous Greek monsters, like Cerebus and the Hydra.
Daphne is named after 41 Daphne, a large asteroid in our solar system. In Greek mythology, Daphne was a naiad, a female freshwater spirit associated with brooks and streams.
Minerva’s name comes from 93 Minerva, another asteroid. Minerva is also the Roman name for Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom and war.
Sekhmet is named after 5381 Sekhmet, an asteroid that orbits between the Sun and the Earth. It is also the name for the Egyptian goddess of war and healing, and is usually depicted as a lioness.
Carmilla is named after 107 Carmilla, one of the main belt asteroids. She is a minor character in Virgil’s Aeneid, and has no relation to the lesbian vampire book (that I’m aware of).
And finally, Satella’s name doesn’t come from any one particular cosmological body, but it’s most likely a corruption of the Latin “Stella” which means “star”.
Also, Subaru’s name is also a reference to astronomy – it comes from the Japanese term for the Pleiades star cluster. (So we can all get the car jokes out of our system, thanks.)
Roughly four hundred years after Carmilla's death, a teenager from another world named Subaru Natsuki entered the dimly-lit and foreboding Tomb of Echidna and was subsequently warped into her dream realm. Echidna appeared before Subaru and offered the young man access to her vast knowledge of various affairs. Subaru Natsuki had a blessing known as "Return by Death" bestowed upon him by the Witch of Envy that reset time every time he died, essentially allowing him to cheat death. The Witch of Greed was deeply interested in Natsuki's power and began manipulating him into forging a contract with her that would allow her to study the blessing. Trying to spike his curiosity, Echidna told Subaru the names of the Witches of Sin as well as brief descriptions of their personal histories. On the topic of Carmilla, the Witch of Greed briefly spoke about the Witch of Lust's attempts to bequeath emotions on non-humans while conjuring an illusory silhouette of Carmilla for Subaru to see. Shortly after meeting with Echidna for the first time, Subaru bested the trial of the past.
Echidna takes pleasure in delving into Subaru's mind and extracting his past trauma, utilizing his vulnerability to her advantage. Despite her cunning nature, Echidna shows a genuine interest in Subaru's experiences and seeks to learn more about him. She is fascinated by human behavior and desires to understand the complex workings of their hearts. This curiosity sets her apart from the other Witches of Sin, as she appears to possess a semblance of humanity beneath her mystical powers. Throughout the series, Echidna's true intentions remain ambiguous. While she offers Subaru her assistance, she often seems to have ulterior motives. Her actions are driven by her lust for knowledge and the desire to accumulate as much information as possible. Echidna is unapologetically selfish and manipulative, always ensuring her own interests are prioritized. Despite her morally grey nature, Echidna's character is beloved by fans for her complex personality and intriguing role in the story. She adds depth and mystery to the narrative, serving as a foil to Subaru and challenging his beliefs and motivations. As Subaru navigates the dangers of the alternate world, his interactions with Echidna become increasingly important, forcing him to question his own desires and motivations. The Witch of Lust, Re:Zero offers a fascinating exploration of the sin of lust and its consequences. Echidna's character is multifaceted, representing both the allure and dangers of lust, as well as the complexities of human desires. Her presence in the series adds an element of intrigue and unpredictability, making her a compelling and memorable character in the Re:Zero universe..
Reviews for "The Witch of Lust and the themes of love and obsession in Re:Zero"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Witch of Lust Re:Zeero". The story was confusing and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to create a complex plot. The characters also lacked depth and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, there were too many unnecessary and graphic scenes that added nothing to the overall story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-executed fantasy novel.
2. Sarah - 3 out of 5 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch of Lust Re:Zeero" but sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. While the concept of the story was interesting, the execution fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The character development was also lacking, making it difficult to form any emotional attachment to them. However, the world-building was well-done and kept me somewhat engaged in the story. Despite its flaws, I can see why some readers may enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me.
3. Emma - 2 out of 5 stars
"Witch of Lust Re:Zeero" was a major letdown for me. The writing style felt clunky and awkward, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with unnecessary twists that only served to confuse the reader. The main character lacked depth and I found it hard to root for her. Overall, I found the book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read. I would recommend looking elsewhere if you're seeking a captivating fantasy novel.