School Attack Perpetrator Mentioned Subaru from Re:Zero in Manifesto

An attack took place at a school in Turkey on April 15, 2026, at Ayser Çalık Secondary School, located in the province of Kahramanmaraş. The perpetrator, a 14-year-old student, carried out an armed attack inside the institution, resulting in multiple victims and becoming the deadliest case of its kind in the country’s history.

A manifesto written by the attacker, İsa Aras Mersinli, was found on his computer, in which he used an image of Konata from Lucky Star and mentioned Subaru from Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.

School Attack Perpetrator Mentioned Subaru from Re:Zero in Manifesto

Days after the incident, a manifesto written in English by the teenager on April 11 came to light. In the text, he indicated that he was planning something significant, stating that by the time the document was read, he would have already carried out or be about to carry out an action. The writing drew attention due to its cold tone and the way he described his worldview.

Among the most notable points in the manifesto, the author mentions feelings of isolation and difficulty connecting with others. He claims to have few friends and reports family issues, saying he felt rejected and misunderstood. He also references the character Subaru from Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, stating:

“Just like Natsuki Subaru was very lonely as well.”

In the anime, Subaru does not have many friends and is actually a hikikomori, having stopped attending school. Despite this, the text also reveals contradictions, as he insists that his actions were not directly linked to loneliness.

Another part that generated strong reactions was when he described himself as superior to others. The teenager claimed to have high intelligence, even citing IQ tests, and showed contempt for classmates and the education system, arguing that school did not contribute to his development.

During the attack, reports indicate that the student entered classrooms armed and opened fire. The situation was only contained after the intervention of staff members and a parent, who managed to stop the attack. The perpetrator later died from his injuries after being subdued.

Naturally, the fact that he was an anime fan sparked various discussions on social media, especially due to his mention of Subaru when comparing it to his own loneliness.

via Haberler