Why Does Al Hate Ram in Re:Zero? Canon Answer Explained
Al does not actually hate Ram in Re:Zero. Arc 9 reveals that he believed Rem should already be dead, reframing his strange reaction to the twins.
Spoiler Warning and Canon Scope
This article contains spoilers for:
- Arc 3 (anime Season 1 / Light Novel Vol. 4-5)
- Arc 7-9 (web novel continuity)
The light novel is the official primary canon, but many details about Aldebaran (Al) are currently only fully explored in the web novel. Where differences or uncertainties exist, they are clearly labeled.
The Scene That Started the Confusion
The idea that Al "hates Ram" comes from a single, tense interaction during Arc 3.
After Subaru is publicly humiliated at the Royal Selection, Rem waits for him outside. Al - Priscilla's knight - approaches and speaks with her. At first, he mistakes Rem for Ram due to their similar appearance.
When Rem corrects him and reveals:
- She is Rem, not Ram
- And Ram is alive elsewhere
Al's demeanor abruptly changes. In the web novel version of this scene, he reacts with visible disgust and agitation, remarking in a way that suggests something is deeply wrong.
This moment is partially present in the source material but toned down or omitted in the anime adaptation, which is why many viewers never notice it.
What Makes This Reaction Suspicious?
Al's reaction isn't normal confusion - it's closer to:
- Shock at an impossible outcome
- Hostility toward the situation itself
- A sense that something has gone "off script"
At face value, it can look like he suddenly hates Ram. But that interpretation doesn't hold up when you look at the full context.
What Canon Actually Confirms (Arc 9 Revelation)
The real explanation comes much later.
In Arc 9 of the web novel (latest canon material as of July 2026), Al explicitly acknowledges that:
- Rem "should have died" in the past
- Her survival represents a deviation from an expected outcome
- Subaru is implied to be the reason for that deviation
This is shown during Al's confrontation with Subaru, where he reflects on Rem's existence as something that shouldn't have happened according to his knowledge.
What This Means for the Arc 3 Scene
Recontextualizing the earlier moment:
- Al sees a blue-haired maid -> assumes she must be Ram (the one who should be alive)
- Learns she is Rem -> shock
- Learns Ram is also alive -> contradiction becomes undeniable
His reaction isn't "I hate Ram."
It's closer to:
"Someone who should be dead is standing here."
Does Al Have Any Personal Grudge Against Ram?
No confirmed canon evidence supports that.
Across all currently available material:
- Al never expresses consistent hostility toward Ram as a person
- He does not target her emotionally or physically out of personal dislike
- Later interactions suggest recognition and familiarity, not hatred
In fact, a side story complicates the idea even further.
The "Ram's Flirting Refusal" Side Story
In a short story included with special releases, Al meets Ram before the Arc 3 events and:
- Already knows her name without introduction
- Acts as if he has prior knowledge of her
This implies:
- Al's awareness of Ram predates their "official" meeting
- His behavior is influenced by hidden information, not emotion
Why Rem Matters More Than Ram in This Context
The key to understanding Al's reaction is Rem, not Ram.
Rem's "Intended Fate"
Arc 9 strongly suggests:
- Al believed Rem should have died before their Arc 3 encounter
- Her survival contradicts information Al treats as certain
This aligns with what we know about Subaru:
- Subaru's Return by Death allows him to rewrite outcomes
- People who "should" die can survive because of him
From Al's perspective, Rem's existence proves that an outcome he treated as certain did not happen.
Ram's Role in the Twin Dynamic
Ram, by contrast:
- Was always expected to live
- Does not represent a contradiction
So when Al reacts negatively, it's not about Ram herself - it's about:
- The impossibility of both twins being alive
- The collapse of whatever predictive model or knowledge Al relies on
Al's Knowledge: What We Know So Far
Al's reaction only makes sense if he has foreknowledge.
Canon confirms several unsettling facts about him:
1. He Possesses Special Knowledge of Events
Al consistently demonstrates awareness that he shouldn't have:
- Recognizing people he hasn't met
- Expecting specific outcomes
- Reacting to deviations
2. He Has an Ability Similar to Subaru's
Al's Authority allows him to:
- Loop or reset under certain conditions
- Experience repeated scenarios
However, his ability is not identical to Subaru's Return by Death.
3. He Was "Created" by a Witch
In Arc 9, Al reveals he was created for a specific purpose tied to a Witch (strongly implied to be Echidna).
This connects him to:
Artificial existence
Predetermined roles
Knowledge of "ideal" outcomes
So Why Did Fans Think He Hated Ram?
The misconception comes from three factors:
1. A Single Intense Scene
Al's disgusted reaction is easy to misinterpret emotionally.
Without later context, it looks like:
- Personal hatred
- Sudden hostility
2. Anime Omission
The anime adaptation removes or softens key details:
- Less emphasis on Al's reaction
- Reduced ambiguity
This leaves viewers relying on partial information.
3. Lack of Early Explanation
At the time of Arc 3:
- There is no explanation for Al's behavior
- His motives remain completely mysterious
Only much later arcs clarify what was happening.
Interpretation vs Confirmed Canon
To stay precise, here's what is confirmed versus inferred:
Confirmed Canon
- Al reacts negatively when learning both Rem and Ram are alive (Arc 3)
- He later states Rem "should have died" (Arc 9)
- He possesses unexplained knowledge about Rem's expected fate
- He has an Authority involving looping or resets
Strong Interpretation (Supported by Evidence)
- Al expected only Ram to exist in that moment
- Rem's survival triggered his reaction
- Subaru's actions caused the deviation
Unresolved Questions
- How exactly Al's knowledge works
- Whether he has seen multiple timelines like Subaru
- Why he was created and what his "correct" world looks like
Anime vs Light Novel vs Web Novel Differences
Anime (Season 1)
- Includes the Rem-Al conversation in simplified form
- Omits or tones down Al's more disturbing reaction
- Provides no explanation
Light Novel (Official Canon)
Contains the scene with clearer nuance (Vol. 5)
Still does not explain Al's motives at that stage
Web Novel (Most Detailed)
- Preserves the full intensity of Al's reaction
- Provides later explanation in Arc 9
- Currently the only place where the Rem revelation is explicitly clarified
The Bigger Narrative Role of This Moment
This scene is more than a character quirk - it's an early hint.
Foreshadowing Al's True Nature
Al's reaction signals:
- He operates under a different understanding of reality
- He acts on information about outcomes he should not know
- He reacts to deviations like a system detecting an error
Connection to Subaru
Both characters:
- Interact with time or causality
- Experience repeated events
- Alter outcomes
But where Subaru embraces change, Al appears disturbed by it.
Why It Matters Going Forward
By Arc 9:
- Al becomes far more central to the plot
- His perspective on "correct" outcomes clashes with Subaru's
The Rem/Ram moment is one of the earliest clues to that conflict.
The Bottom Line
Al does not hate Ram. His Arc 3 reaction is triggered by learning that Rem, whom he believed should already be dead, is alive alongside her sister. Arc 9 confirms that expectation but leaves the source of Al's knowledge unresolved.