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| THIS IS A MANGA ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS ANYTHING BEYOND THIS CHAPTER. ---------------------------------------- Before touching on this chapter on an emotional level or an analytical level, I'd like to talk about the structure of this arc and later the thematic implications. Even though my theory about the 5th son did not come true, what did occur was the set up of two simultaneous plot lines. While we were distracted by the most pressing, saving Hidemine and surviving the three sons, the topic of Katsuhiro and his mistreatment was obvious and clear, the fifth son was brought up in a rumour that was dispelled by Hidemine who wanted to hide the identity of Kunio. Even though a spontaneous change in story can be extremely exciting without needing to foreshadow it, I think this case was excellently done because of the foreshadowing. It felt obvious in retrospect and it all furthered a complex and multi-layered arc, and an exploration of one messed up family. The trickled-down dissatisfaction from an unloving head who appreciates cutthroat victory and nothing else, three brothers fighting for equality between them but the abandoning of Kunio and Katsuhiro who have now lashed out against everyone. The mistreatment of one spiraled into this bloody mess, a strong message that we should definitely NOT step on other men like this. Although this is obviously a core theme within Fukumoto’s work, this is a compact and explosive example of it. In fact, once Fukumoto wrote in an interview that he writes betrayal and cruel interactions between characters because he can’t stand optimistic shounen where everyone stands up to bullies because it feels phoney to him. People don’t really do that in real life, and they do abandon each other when push comes to shove. I think the brother giving Katsuhiro a wallet and leaving him behind is like a perfect example of this. Few people would abandon their life of power and prestige for another person, the most he was willing to do was pass off a couple dollars. In the best reading it showed where his heart was, but his fear to follow through with a decisive statement and lose everything. Yet, by focusing on how hard it is to stand up for others rather than making it idealistically easy and to bake that into Fukumoto’s concept of what it means to live true to ourselves and find fulfilment regardless, it makes an inspirational argument that by finding that courage to pursue our empathy and compassion, it will make the world a better place for everyone. For us and those we are compassionate to, as here, this situation wouldn’t have occured. But to stress again, it’s never easy, and there will always be highs and lows. That empowering realism is certainly a gigantic appeal of Fukumoto. To actually talk about the chapter, it seems that Kunio is the fifth, illegitimate son. He was taken in to be raised by the Kamui household at five and, while already abused, when it was discovered that he had a mental disability his identity was hidden, he was confined to a single room and treated as nothing more than a servant. It is already heartbreaking, to me it was the gnarliest act of Hidemine yet, far worse than kicking out children for being weak in his eyes. What he did was torturous and dehumanizing, and going further, he made them fight for food to teach them to be cutthroat. But Kunio refused to play the zero sum game created by his father, he would only eat if it wasn’t taking from Katsuhiro. “Kunio was just that kind of person.” It's a tragic backstory, it's powerful and made me teary eyed; almost reminding me of a One Piece backstory, quick and extreme but effective! Crucial to understanding where these people came from! Two brothers banding together, the biggest underdogs in the family sharing kindness to each other where it is much needed, and being beaten to near death and starved. It almost makes them appear as the heroes, cleansing the world of this horrible family and taking revenge for all their suffering! Of course, it really isn't that way, the brother who was already shot in the face was humanized by his kind actions even if he faltered. The bespeckled bro is not a ruthless killer, he's afraid to cross that line. Maybe Mustache and Hidemine are truly awful, but even if Katsuhiro and Kunio had it the worst, the other brothers were a product of their circumstances too, taught awful things and pushed to fight amongst each other. Further, not long ago Katsuhiro unnecessarily slaughtered yakuza begging for their lives. That’s not to say he’s a monster, he’s not, and the scary thing is in this crushing situation, no one is. Well, maybe Hidemine is, he had to become this way and learn these lessons somehow but we may not go there. |
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