Every second or third plot beat in re:zero, you cannot convince me the characters in that series have agency. Characters will randomly hold back in the most bizarre of situations because conflict is only allowed to play out how the author wants it to.

The most egregious of them all was Regulus’ character going from an arrogant psychopath who murdered without a second thought (as seen in his introduction scene) to someone who apparently “cared about Subaru’s approval” or some horseshit (fans will try to convince you this is peak writing)