Re:ZERO Season 4 Part 2: Shaula and Subaru’s Deep Bond and The “Zero Star” Connection Fully Explained
There are plenty of emotional relationships in Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World, but after watching the events of Season 4 Part 2, I honestly think Shaula and Subaru share one of the most heartbreaking connections in the entire series. On the surface, Shaula looks like comic relief—a cheerful guardian with endless energy and almost embarrassing affection for Subaru. But the deeper Arc 6 goes, the more you realize her story is built on loneliness, impossible loyalty, and centuries of waiting.
As someone who loves the way Re:ZERO hides its biggest mysteries behind character interactions instead of flashy reveals, I found Shaula’s role far more emotional than I expected. She isn’t simply another girl who likes Subaru. Her existence is connected to some of the oldest mysteries in the world, including Flugel, the Pleiades Watchtower, and even the strange astronomical symbolism that Tappei Nagatsuki has carefully woven into the series.
If you’re only following the anime, here’s why Shaula’s relationship with Subaru may become one of the defining emotional moments of Season 4 Part 2.
The Moment Everything Feels Wrong
When Subaru finally reaches the legendary Pleiades Watchtower, expectations are completely different.
Everyone expects to meet the mysterious Sage Flugel—the legendary figure whose name has echoed throughout Re:ZERO’s history for centuries.
Instead, they encounter Shaula.
Rather than questioning Subaru’s identity, she instantly treats him like someone she’s been waiting to see for hundreds of years. She happily calls him her master without hesitation, completely ignoring his confusion.
At first, it almost feels like a joke.
Then the series quietly explains something much darker.
Shaula doesn’t recognize people by their appearance.
She recognizes them by something much deeper.
According to her, Subaru carries exactly the same spiritual presence and scent as Flugel.
Whether that’s because of his soul, the Witch’s Miasma surrounding him through Return by Death, or something even more mysterious is still one of Arc 6’s biggest unanswered questions.
Four Hundred Years of Waiting
What makes Shaula so tragic isn’t simply her affection.
It’s the amount of time behind it.
For approximately 400 years, she has remained inside the Pleiades Watchtower following a single command:
Wait for her master.
That’s all.
No normal life.
No freedom.
No family.
No chance to leave.
She guards the tower exactly as ordered, eliminating intruders while believing one day Flugel will finally return.
Then Subaru arrives.
From Shaula’s perspective, the waiting is finally over.
From Subaru’s perspective, he has absolutely no idea why this stranger already trusts him more than anyone else.
That difference in perspective is what makes every interaction between them surprisingly emotional.
Shaula Is Much More Than She Appears
One of the biggest surprises in Season 4 Part 2 is learning that Shaula isn’t simply an eccentric girl living inside the tower.
She possesses an incredibly dangerous true nature.
| Character Trait | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guardian of the Watchtower | Protects Flugel’s legacy and follows ancient rules. |
| Apprentice, not the Sage | Despite historical myths, she insists Flugel deserves the credit. |
| Witchbeast Origin | Her real form possesses overwhelming destructive power. |
| Absolute Loyalty | Her devotion never changes, regardless of Subaru’s condition. |
This combination makes Shaula fascinating.
She can destroy armies if necessary.
Yet around Subaru she behaves almost like an excited pet finally reunited with someone she loves.
That contrast never stops feeling strange—in the best possible way.
Why Her Love Feels Different
One thing I appreciate about Re:ZERO is that every important relationship gives Subaru something emotionally unique.
- Rem believes in the person Subaru wants to become.
- Emilia encourages him to keep moving forward despite his failures.
- Shaula accepts him before he proves anything.
She doesn’t care whether he’s strong.
She doesn’t care if he’s confident.
She doesn’t even seem concerned if he remembers his own past.
For her, Subaru simply existing is enough.
That unconditional acceptance becomes surprisingly important during Arc 6, especially as Subaru begins questioning his own identity.
Without diving too deeply into spoilers, there are moments where Subaru isn’t even sure who he truly is anymore.
Shaula never hesitates.
She already made her choice centuries ago.
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Stars
One detail I’ve always loved about Re:ZERO is its obsession with astronomy.
Almost every important name means something.
- Subaru is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster.
- Shaula comes from Lambda Scorpii, one of the brightest stars in Scorpius.
- Many Sin Archbishops and legendary creatures also carry names inspired by real stars.
Because of this, the Pleiades Watchtower itself feels like much more than a random dungeon.
It almost feels designed specifically around Subaru’s existence.
Whether that’s coincidence or evidence of Flugel’s long-term plan remains one of the series’ greatest mysteries.
So… Is Subaru Actually Flugel?
This question has fueled fan discussions for years, and honestly, I still enjoy reading every new theory.
The three ideas that appear most often are:
- Subaru eventually becomes Flugel. This theory suggests Re:ZERO is built around a massive time loop. Subaru is eventually sent hundreds of years into the past, adopts the name Flugel, creates the Watchtower, and unknowingly prepares the world for his younger self. It sounds crazy, which is exactly why it feels possible in Re:ZERO.
- Subaru inherited Flugel’s soul. Rather than literally becoming Flugel, Subaru may simply share the same spiritual essence. That would explain why both Satella and Shaula recognize him immediately without requiring physical proof.
- Flugel intentionally manipulated history. Another interesting interpretation is that Flugel planned everything in advance, leaving Shaula and countless others trapped inside a centuries-long scheme. If that’s true, Subaru may actually become the person forced to clean up someone else’s mistakes.
Personally, I still lean toward the first theory—but Tappei Nagatsuki has fooled readers before, so I wouldn’t be shocked if the real answer turns everything upside down.
Who Killed Meili Portroute in Re:ZERO Season 4 Part 2? The Watchtower Loop Mystery Explained
The Most Painful Twist
The hardest part of Shaula’s story isn’t her love.
It’s that she can’t always control what happens next.
The ancient rules protecting the Watchtower eventually force her into situations where duty becomes stronger than emotion.
Watching Subaru realize that the person trying to protect him is also capable of becoming his greatest threat creates some of the strongest emotional tension in Arc 6.
Instead of seeing a monster, Subaru sees someone who has suffered alone for centuries.
That difference completely changes how he approaches the conflict.
Saving Shaula becomes just as important as surviving.
For me, that’s where Arc 6 truly separates itself from earlier arcs.
The fights matter.
The mysteries matter.
But the emotional choices matter even more.
Final Thoughts
Every major Re:ZERO arc introduces unforgettable characters, but Shaula quickly became one of my personal favorites.
She represents everything that makes this series unique: mystery, tragedy, loyalty, and emotional complexity wrapped inside a fantasy world filled with impossible questions.
Whether Subaru eventually proves to be Flugel, a reincarnation, or someone entirely different almost feels secondary compared to the emotional impact of Shaula’s devotion. She waited centuries believing her master would return, and when Subaru finally appears, her happiness feels completely genuine—even if the truth behind it remains uncertain.
Season 4 Part 2 doesn’t simply expand Re:ZERO’s lore. It reminds us that behind every ancient legend is someone who has spent years carrying hope, regret, and unbearable loneliness. Shaula embodies all of those emotions at once, making her one of the most memorable additions to the series.
If the anime continues adapting Arc 6 with the same care, I genuinely believe viewers will look back on Shaula as far more than a mysterious guardian. She may end up being one of the emotional pillars of the entire Re:ZERO story.
