Rem and Ram: Beloved Isekai Maids

Welcome to the Solaris Blog! ヾ( ʚ̴̶̷ .̫ ʚ̴̶̷ )ノ”
Rem and Ram, the twin maids from Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World are beloved characters for many reasons and with the new season underway, the list will only grow.
In season 1, Rem had significant character growth. Her journey from a potential antagonist to a devoted ally was powerful to viewers. When Rem gave her emotional confession to Subaru, she left a lasting impression on viewers and solidified herself as best girl.
When season 1 concluded, Ram was nowhere near as popular. She had much less screen time and development. It was much harder for fans to connect with her character. Rem's gentle and caring nature contrasted with Ram's more sarcastic and blunt demeanor. Rem was an angel and Ram was a bit of a…
Rem’s more nurturing attitude and support for the struggling protagonist doesn't take a lot to find endearing. After all, guys only want one thing.
Season 2 took Rem out of the picture and changed perspective on Ram. With more screen time her harsh way of speaking and cold atmosphere became endearing. Tough love is still love, it just takes a bit more time to understand.
Both Rem and Ram have distinctive and appealing character designs, despite the many similarities. Their contrasting personalities with Subaru and sisterly bond created a dynamic that fans enjoy. I just miss the cute back and forth banter we got to witness in season 1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a collaboration cafe used character stands to block seats forcing social distancing. The Rem and Ram one perfectly captured the unique speaking pattern.
The twins playing crucial roles in Subaru's development and overall plot makes it frustrating at times that Emilia is supposed to be best girl. Ram's guidance and Rem's support help Subaru navigate the challenges he faces and overcome the physiological trauma he must embrace.

The combination of strong character arcs, emotional depth, and appealing designs make them stand out characters not only in the series but in anime overall. Rem and pink haired Rem will be the Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley of the 2010’s. They will still be remembered and maintain a passionate fan base for the next 30+ years.

With season 3 of Re:Zero currently airing, new figures of the duo are guaranteed. Good Smile Company’s Pop Up Parade L figure line brings us a large serving of Rem and Ram charm.

Pop Up Parade was supposed to be a figure line to bridge the gap between cheap, low quality prize figures and expensive, detailed scales. The main problems collectors faced were relatively small figures, inconsistent quality and uninspired designs. When Pop Up Parade was new, pricing was very cheap, on par with most prize figures. These days, PUP still provides a budget friendly alternative to scales but as prices increase, they are less appealing.

To address collector concerns, Good Smile created the PUP L line, focusing on bigger sizes, better detail and added value. At a higher price point than regular Pop U Parade and other non scale figures lines like FuRyu’s Tenitol line, Pop Up Parade L could be considered a premium non scale brand. If we do a quick comparison of Rem, the differences are very apparent. Looking at the regular PUP

…it’s not bad but also not all that amazing. For the L version…

…right off the bat, the amount of detail on the apron alone is leaps and bounds better. Is it worth the price? That is for you to decide.

These figures capture the essence of the beloved twin maids and capture the contrasting dynamic perfectly. Rem, with her gentle and caring demeanor, is depicted in a pose that is friendly and open. Her expression shows a smile.

Ram is given almost the same design but with a few subtle differences. By placing her hand on her hip, the pose is portrayed with a more confident and assertive stance. She also has a more stern expression. The two are both giving a curtesy, but their personality is allowed to shine through.

They both have a decent amount of fine details, from the sculpting of their hair to the folds in their clothing. Good Smile has layered the outfit to look realistic and is significantly better than lower quality prize figures.

The paint job is very clean and looks great. The blue and pink are vibrant and shadowing is utilized well. The Pop Up Parade line has been a little more consistent with quality recently and it adds a lot.

Both Rem and Ram are available for pre-order and should be released towards the middle of 2025. These Pop Up Parade L figures are great representations of the characters and allow their personality to shine through. If you have been waiting for a good budget friendly option, I don't think you can do better than this!

Thank you for reading.
Hope you enjoyed.

by Timothy

Addicted to Kancolle Arcade. If I'm not raging with my fellow teitoku, you can find me hiking, playing the drums or taking pictures of random park benches to satisfy my love of anime pilgrimage!

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