(no subject)
So, I just figured out the ending of the first season after about. . . four years.
One of the most interesting things is that Takemoto is the narrator, the most accessible character, in the whole series and he eludes the audience for so long and so well. Of course, we're following his thoughts where even he can't realize what's going on with himself.
I took forever to even trace his father to his problems, much less seeing how much of an impact he had on Takemoto's life. But he does a number of things that linger with Takemoto unconsciously. In a linear format, Takemoto loved his father and mother, and led an unassuming childhood. When his father died, he asked Takemoto to take care of his mother, giving more reason for Takemoto to pull closer in with the only person he had left to him. This gave Takemoto a purpose, something he could blindly throw himself into. Then Mitsu, his mother, married another man. Takemoto is stunned by this and is cut free to do what he likes, but has no idea what he wants or even who he is.
It's funny to notice that he likes playing with his hands. His father was the one who liked to work with his hands. This trait lingered with Takemoto though he manifested it differently. (It's odd to see the juxtaposition of his father playing with kites and rubber-band planes, air elements, while Takemoto works with wood, earth elements.) Takemoto continually plods around, doing what he needs to without any real idea. He's a wanderer long before he runs away. Takemoto also likes to hide himself. He doesn't intentionally keep everyone out, but he doesn't let his confusion or his real emotions show through. What can he show if he doesn't even know what he's hiding? Takemoto lives to be unoffensive so no one looks to him and see this whole person - It's all very unconscious.
Finally, he realizes what he's hiding. It takes the humming of a bare refrigerator for him to realize, "Oh, that's me." Takemoto can't cope, so he runs. He's been hiding from himself for over a decade; his fear is understandable. The trip has a number of important experiences, but they are all building blocks for a foundation he hasn't laid. Then comes the train scene. . .
It's obviously the key scene, but why it is eluded me. Why is he calling on his father and that memory? He can see what life his father led, and he doesn't think it's sad or pathetic or anything like that. The meaning of his father's life isn't meaningless because of his dying so young. His death wasn't a bond meant to ensnare Takemoto - His father may have very well wished he could ride the North Star with Takemoto knowing he couldn't. It wasn't a life that was trapped. The meaning to Takemoto's life isn't to carry on his father's legacy. . . Takemoto doesn't realize what his life is for, just that he should live it. Without reservation, live.
The change in Takemoto isn't his personality doing a one-eighty though. At best, he does find a way to complete himself then stops holding himself back. Takemoto loses the need to think everything over a million times to make sure he's not going to draw attention to himself.
. . . This makes absolutely no sense. BUT I GET IT. Questions? Comments? . . . Clarification? So, hey. I feel like updating him now.
One of the most interesting things is that Takemoto is the narrator, the most accessible character, in the whole series and he eludes the audience for so long and so well. Of course, we're following his thoughts where even he can't realize what's going on with himself.
I took forever to even trace his father to his problems, much less seeing how much of an impact he had on Takemoto's life. But he does a number of things that linger with Takemoto unconsciously. In a linear format, Takemoto loved his father and mother, and led an unassuming childhood. When his father died, he asked Takemoto to take care of his mother, giving more reason for Takemoto to pull closer in with the only person he had left to him. This gave Takemoto a purpose, something he could blindly throw himself into. Then Mitsu, his mother, married another man. Takemoto is stunned by this and is cut free to do what he likes, but has no idea what he wants or even who he is.
It's funny to notice that he likes playing with his hands. His father was the one who liked to work with his hands. This trait lingered with Takemoto though he manifested it differently. (It's odd to see the juxtaposition of his father playing with kites and rubber-band planes, air elements, while Takemoto works with wood, earth elements.) Takemoto continually plods around, doing what he needs to without any real idea. He's a wanderer long before he runs away. Takemoto also likes to hide himself. He doesn't intentionally keep everyone out, but he doesn't let his confusion or his real emotions show through. What can he show if he doesn't even know what he's hiding? Takemoto lives to be unoffensive so no one looks to him and see this whole person - It's all very unconscious.
Finally, he realizes what he's hiding. It takes the humming of a bare refrigerator for him to realize, "Oh, that's me." Takemoto can't cope, so he runs. He's been hiding from himself for over a decade; his fear is understandable. The trip has a number of important experiences, but they are all building blocks for a foundation he hasn't laid. Then comes the train scene. . .
It's obviously the key scene, but why it is eluded me. Why is he calling on his father and that memory? He can see what life his father led, and he doesn't think it's sad or pathetic or anything like that. The meaning of his father's life isn't meaningless because of his dying so young. His death wasn't a bond meant to ensnare Takemoto - His father may have very well wished he could ride the North Star with Takemoto knowing he couldn't. It wasn't a life that was trapped. The meaning to Takemoto's life isn't to carry on his father's legacy. . . Takemoto doesn't realize what his life is for, just that he should live it. Without reservation, live.
The change in Takemoto isn't his personality doing a one-eighty though. At best, he does find a way to complete himself then stops holding himself back. Takemoto loses the need to think everything over a million times to make sure he's not going to draw attention to himself.
. . . This makes absolutely no sense. BUT I GET IT. Questions? Comments? . . . Clarification? So, hey. I feel like updating him now.