Hey, everyone! I, Tappei Nagatsuki, also known as the Mouse-Colored Cat, am deeply indebted to you all!
Thank you for purchasing and reading Re:ZERO, Volume 12! Sorry for delivering this greeting in smaller characters than usual. Er, those who have read the book should understand, but this time, we really, really packed every page, line, and sentence that we could!
Seriously, not a single line was wasted! This might have been my most nerve-racking work to date!
Now then, inside this twelfth volume, which was such a ferocious battle for the author, I must say that Subaru had a pretty hard time, too. Those of you who have been with me since the Web novel probably waited a long time for this, when unescapable consequences for Return by Death are finally touched upon.
Subaru was buffeted by the circumstances and by the people around him, and finally even Return by Death gave his heart a pummeling, but I urge you to get your hopes up for what happens next in Volume 13!
Well, that was brief, but you can see the space allotted to me this time around, so let me quickly move on to the established custom of giving thanks!
Editor I, this time everything really was right up to the line, but I am confident that no matter how close we cut it, Subaru had it worse. Thank you for believing in me. Volume 13 will be rough, too!
To Otsuka the illustrator, this time we had the final two Witches and the reappearance of the Beast Master, etc. Thank you for the adorable, stylish illustrations. Otsuka, your drawing ability is always of help to me, but truly thank you very much for helping make this such a strong volume!
To Kusano the cover designer, I am honored that you whittled things down to such a good-looking cover that’s so stylish, it’s almost un-Re:ZERO-ish. (?) They truly feel like “dark sisters.” Thank you very much.
Handling the comic versions, Daichi Matsuse and Makoto Fugetsu are publishing comics in the same month! With Fugetsu’s version finally completing Arc 2, and Matsuse’s version finally reaching “From Zero,” it’s a stampede of exceptional developments. The feeling of both reaching the places they were always meant to is incredible! That said! As we are sticking together for a while longer, I ask for your best regards!
As for others, such as everyone in the editorial department of MF Bunko J and everyone involved in distribution at bookstores, thank you very much as always. Each time, I truly feel the greatness of your cooperation ever more strongly.
And finally, to all those readers who have bought this book, enjoyed this tale, and cheered on our anguished hero, my greatest thanks of all goes to you.
I’m working hard for Re:ZERO in 2017, too! Please show me the same patronage as before!
Well, let’s meet next at Volume 13! Thank you! Ohhh, thank you!
February 2017 <<Motivation blazing right after attending
the Re:ZERO Series Closing Event>>