#doksoo

Kim Dokja as Subaru Natsuki

My main decision for giving KDJ the role of the regressor is because he best suits Subaru's stereotype of "guy who gets thrown into another world." He brings about the most change and suffers quietly for the ones that he loves, becoming a beacon of hope for those around him by being an ordinary person.

Subaru is also very clever and knowledgeable, which I think fits KDJ well. I haven't read the light novel yet, but his knowledge of the stars is quite suspicious.

Also I wanted Kim Dokja to have a turn at experiencing the horrors, YJH had enough in TWSA. (Besides, Subaru's new outfit is very cute on him.)

Yoo Joonghyuk as Julius Juukulius

Yoo Joonghyuk beats the shit out of Kim Dokja. That's one of the reasons LOL.

I didn't want to make him the Master Swordsman (Reinhard) because he's still aspiring. Julius and Subaru's growth and banter is very reminiscent of what YJH and KDJ has, and they inspire the other, supporting each other through thick and thin.

I think the metaphorical death of people forgetting him suits him a lot.

Han Sooyoung as Emilia

This was a tentative decision mostly because her personality is so incredibly different from Emilia. I think if this AU were to ever be expanded, she would bring about the most change to it.

The purple and cat motifs sold it for me, too. I'm sorry, I'm a simple human being that's not very creative.

I also love the idea that 1863 Han Sooyoung (acting as the Witch of Envy) was the reason for the regressions in this AU too. She wants for Kim Dokja to love himself and see the value his life has to others.

Exploring Other Roles

I also think that YJH and KDJ could also act in the role of Emilia. If anything, I think they suit it very well.

YJH is generous and upright like Emilia is and depending on the circumstances he would probably be gullible, too. His Witch of Envy counterpart would probably be Secretive Plotter.

KDJ being Emilia would highlight the more sinister nature of the witch. Him being the Demon King of Salvation and all, it would be interesting if he leaned into his role as an outcast more. Without a doubt, his Witch of Envy counterpart is Oldest Dream.

Why didn't I pick the obvious option and have YJH be the regressor? Trust me, it was my first thought too. It was the most accurate option, especially if OD or 1863 HSY were the reason for his regressions in this AU. Simply put, even if it was more accurate to ORV, it didn't really feel right to me considering the development of the story. YJH didn't feel Subaru enough for me to make that connection.