42797


There have been quite a number of series whose English titles use peculiar
forms of **Re**. I don't mean normal usages like _Rebirth_ or _Requiem_.
Here's some I chose from an [alphabetical listing at
MAL](https://myanimelist.net/anime.php?letter=R&show=50):

  1. Re Boot
  2. Re-Kan
  3. Re: Cutie Honey
  4. Re:_Hamatora
  5. Re:Creators
  6. RE:Map
  7. Re:Zero (and several spin-off series)
  8. ReLIFE
  9. Rewrite (although normal, seems to conceptually fit here)
  10. Re:Monster
  11. Tokyo Ghoul:re

It is likely that some of these are just using the prefix "re" as often done
in English, to mean either "again" or "concerning". What makes these seem odd
to me is the variety of ways they use off-kilter orthography. Is it done as a
marketing ploy to attract attention? Or is there some underlying Japanese
concept that maps particularly well to English "Re"?

A Japanese student grows up learning three alphabets (two Japanese and the
Latin one) plus Kanji. I wonder sometimes if this variety can lead them to
think flexibly in how they choose to build titles in English.


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2017-05-28T05:12:26.590
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2018-08-27T21:36:09.453
2018-08-17T13:31:12.267
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question
japanese-language culture
Why all the "Re" in titles?


For the meaning of the word "Re:" in the title, depends on the Anime

(there seems to be a lot of explanation in the comment section of your
answer).

But the reason on why there's an influx of it being used is the fact that it
currently sells when used in a light novel, manga, or anime title.

It's like how in gaming after _DayZ_ was out, there was an influx of zombie
survival games. or if you want an Anime comparison, it's like how after _Sword
Art Online_ , "Trapped in another world" anime popped up each season (starting
the 'isekai' genre craze).

I'm not saying that everything with the word "Re:" in it is a cash grab, it's
not; but it's more of a marketing strategy.

The earliest usage (that I can find) of this is in _Re: Cutie Honey_ (2004)
and later _Re: Hamatora_ (2014) which is an OVA, and a second season
respectively. The most impactful usage of "Re:" though is in _Re:Zero_.


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2017-10-13T05:08:42.123
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2018-04-26T01:49:52.290
2018-04-26T01:49:52.290
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answer