Subculture Anime Blog

Nozomu meets two new students, a hikikomori and a stalker!

Summary:

Kafuka once again encounters Nozomu trying to kill himself, this time by jumping in front of a train. When Chie asks Nozomu why he wanted to die this time, he explains that he believes that his identity has been stolen through his cash cards. Chie assures him that this isn’t possible, and mentions a student that he needs to visit. When Nozomu makes it to the student’s house, he meets Kafuka who lives in the same neighborhood. After they both enter the house, they see that the student refuses to leave her room. Nozomu explains to to Kafuka that the girl is a hikikomori , but she doesn’t believe him because she has only seen those on tv. Kafuka insists that the girl is a guardian spirit, so the two agree that they must shut her in the house. The girl inside becomes frightened by the measures the two go through to keep her inside, and bursts out of her room. Moving her hair to the side, Nozomu sees that the girl is actually quite beautiful. After getting her name, Komori Kiri, Nozomu insists that she should tell him first if she wants to die.

On another day at school, Nozomu believes that Kiri has not come to school again. However, he opens one of the lockers to see that she is actually hiding inside. Chie brings Nozomu’s attention to another student, Tsunetsuki Matoi, who has been labeled as a stalker. However, Kafuka suddenly appears to suggest otherwise. She insists that the girl is only in love, and her actions were only to show her affection. Later, a boy named Takeshi becomes shocked when Matoi bursts into his room. He tells her to leave because they have already broken up, but Matoi insists that they were in love. Nozomu suddenly appears, and explains that true love is actually displayed through double suicide. Nozomu tells Matoi that if she would ever like to die, he would do it with her anytime. The next day, Matoi appears at school, and continually stares at Nozomu. After constantly being chased by her, Nozomu fears that he has become a victim of deep love.

Impression:

Oh man, I LOVE this show. If people weren’t satisfied with the humor in the last episode, they will probably be able to get the jokes in this one. The reason I love shows like this, is that they shed light on the real negative events that happen in the world, yet show how ridiculous they are at the same time. It is somewhat common knowledge that things like hikikomori and stalkers exist in Japan, though some people may be like Kafuka, and believe that they only exist on tv. Of course, it is ridiculous to say that these kind of things only happen in Japan. It is probably just as common here in the states where I live. Stalkers are a somewhat common thing, and there are lots of kids who shut themselves in their rooms because of depression or anxiety. I believe that most people would not think that the things that happen in this show are realistic, and probably just see them as jokes, but the events are real. If they weren’t, the story would probably not have been created.

I think to really enjoy this show, you have to be able to realize how these characters think. I for one, know exactly where Nozomu is coming from. Thinking about suicide is not that uncommon, and he only sees that the world is full of negativity. I think people who watch this show can probably relate to one of the many characters that are introduced. For one, I know a few people like Chiri, who have a sort of obsessive compulsive disorder. As for me, I can relate to Nozomu so much that it is probably scary. I also love Kiri, who we have just been introduced to. She represents many people who are afraid to face society, even though it is just because they don’t have enough self confidence. I read the first few chapters of the manga, so I can tell you that there will be a few more students introduced in this same fashion. Look forward to those, and maybe you can find the character that you relate to!