Rintaro Okabe is a great example when it comes to analyzing emotions using Appraisal Theories of Emotion. Okabe fits well within the framework of appraisal theory in several ways. Around episode 12, Okabe repeatedly watched his childhood friend Mayuri die after altering timelines. Mayuri is Okabe’s closest friend, so her safety is very important to him. The relevance of the situation is extremely high, which triggers a strong emotional response. Okabe initially believes that he has control over the timeline changes through his invention, the D-Mail (how he does time travel between different timelines), but quickly realizes that he cannot control Mayuri’s fate. This perceived lack of control deepens his despair. Additionally, he believes that no matter what he does, Mayuri will die in every timeline, which creates hopelessness. He loses faith in a future where she survives. This appraisal leads to despair and helplessness, as Okabe feels trapped by fate and his inability to save Mayuri. Here, Okabe’s emotion of despair aligns with appraisal theory, as it results from his high valuation of Mayuri’s survival, his inability to control the situation, and his expectation of future failure. His experience is a classic example of appraisal-driven despair, where the mismatch between desired outcomes and perceived control leads to emotional devastation.

The second one is that, to save Mayuri, Okabe realizes he has to let Kurisu die in the Beta worldline, a choice he finds overwhelming. Both Mayuri and Kurisu are important to Okabe, but to preserve Mayuri’s life, he must sacrifice Kurisu. This moral conflict elevates the stakes and increases emotional intensity. Although Okabe can ‘choose’ between saving Mayuri or Kurisu, his actual control over the situation is minimal because the choice is framed as mutually exclusive. His sense of agency is compromised because neither outcome is acceptable to him. Okabe feels a deep moral responsibility toward both friends, leading to intense guilt over having to choose between them. The situation presents an ethical dilemma that increases his emotional strain, resulting in overwhelming guilt and regret. His appraisal of the situation leads him to feel that his actions, while necessary, are morally wrong, resulting in guilt. This situation aligns with the moral component of appraisal theory, where a person’s evaluation of their actions as morally wrong or harmful leads to guilt. The appraisal of his lack of control and the moral dilemma intensifies these emotions.