Main Insights
- The Witch Cult operates in secrecy, divided into factions headed by founders Petelgeuse and Regulus.
- Each Sin Archbishop embodies one of the Seven Deadly Sins, possessing distinct traits and abilities.
- Subaru and his allies confront an increasing array of Sin Archbishops, affecting the dynamics of the Royal Selection.
Subaru has endured numerous nightmares inflicted by the Witch Cult’s elite members, known as Archbishops, who bear titles inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.
What precisely is the Witch Cult, which Archbishops have been introduced in the anime so far, and what are their ultimate goals?
An Influential Organization in the Narrative
The Witch Cult and Its Divisions
Long ago, figures called the Witches of Sin represented the Seven Deadly Sins. For over 400 years, the Witch Cult has thrived in obscurity since the active days of witches. The origins of this secretive organization remain largely undisclosed, but many believe its members are devoted to Satella, the Witch of Envy. One of the cult’s founding figures, Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, led the moderate faction over a century before Subaru’s entrance into the central universe of Re:Zero, while Regulus Corneas, the Sin Archbishop of Greed, commanded a more radical faction.
These opposing factions ultimately clashed in an event historical records refer to as the Permafrost of Elior Forest. The Witch Cult’s secretive nature means little is known about its hierarchical structure or objectives; however, they are treated as a severe threat, prompting knights to eliminate any cult members they encounter. Some speculate that the cult’s ambition is to resurrect the Witch of Envy, though this theory remains unverified. Archbishops are selected based on compatibility with something known as a Witch Factor, leading to a scenario where many Sins lack representatives upon Subaru’s arrival in the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica.
The Witch Cult emerges as a formidable antagonist in Re:Zero, responsible for numerous malevolent events that alter the narrative for their own ends, as illustrated in season 2, which reveals their involvement in the Permafrost of Elior Forest—an event that transpired a century before Subaru’s arrival. During this time, Pandora, the Witch of Pride, partnered with Regulus Corneas to breach the seal and unleash what lay hidden in Elior Forest, a refuge for elves, including Emilia and her guardian, Fortuna, who was tasked with safeguarding the seal.
In a tragic twist, Petelgeuse, previously acquainted with Fortuna and Emilia, fell victim to madness due to his inability to coexist with the Sloth Witch Factor. Pandora deceived him into killing Fortuna, and her relationship with the cult remains relatively unexplored. As a consequence, Petelgeuse’s madness shaped his introduction in the story, and Emilia suffered the loss of her guardian, resulting in her grief-fueled desire to freeze the forest. Additionally, Subaru’s connection to these events deepens through the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, who consumed Rem’s name, erasing her existence and leaving her in a state of suspended animation. Thus, the Witch Cult holds considerable sway over the universe of Re:Zero and the lives of its characters.
Structure and Members of the Witch Cult
Sin Archbishops and Their Roles
The precise count of Witch Cult members remains uncertain, as they employ more guerrilla tactics than a formalized approach. The cult’s lower ranks are often seen as expendable, sacrificed to fulfill the desires of high-ranking officials like the Sin Archbishops. Each Sin has a designated Archbishop, except for Envy, with Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti serving as the Archbishop of Sloth. He commanded a force exceeding a hundred members, organized into ten groups of twelve, each led by a specially designated leader, referred to as a “Finger.”These Fingers wielded greater power than standard members and could hold their ground against formidable opponents like Rem. Their primary purpose was to act as backup bodies for Petelgeuse when his original form was compromised.
|
Sin |
Archbishop |
Speech Pattern |
|
Avarice/Greed |
Regulus Corneas |
“It’s a violation of my rights!” |
|
Sloth |
Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti |
“My brain is trembling.” |
|
Wrath |
Sirius Romanee-Conti |
“I’m sorry, thank you!” |
|
Gluttony |
Lye Batenkaitos/Roy Alphard |
Uses “we”and “us”in references to themselves |
|
Lust |
Capella Emeralda Lugunica |
“…meat scraps…” |
|
Pride |
Not Yet Disclosed (Anime) |
– |
As season 3 introduces a multitude of Sin Archbishops, viewers can expect their roles and activities to further expand as Subaru and his companions navigate the repercussions of their actions amid the Royal Selection. It is rumored that the Witch Cult is on the hunt for the remains of a witch believed to be hidden in the city of Priestella, although the specific witch in question remains unclear.
Re:Zero is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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