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- BirthdayDec 17, 1999
- LocationNiterói, Rio de. Janeiro
- JoinedOct 8, 2019
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Aug 7, 2023
There's no other way to explain it: Above all, Himizu is a story about depression. And not the kind of depression tied to a specific event, but the kind that's always there. It is not known exactly how it started, its growth constant and dangerous.
This manga is never simple, but starts off in a calmer tone, giving room for lots of jokes, especially in the first few chapters. Most are very fitting but one specifically crossed the line for me, making light of something serious (which occurs in chapter 5). With that addressed, here are my main impressions:
Sumida, the main character, can be apathetic, but
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he's not amoral. He has his own interpretation of good and evil, and has moments of concern for those close to him. As for the characters that surround him, two stand out. Chazawa, a classmate who grows closer to him, and Chozo, his best friend with some bad habits. Although both have ambiguous attitudes, I don't really dislike either of them, especially Chazawa. While Chozo's recklessness puts him in extremely dangerous situations, I feel that Chazawa was the most concerned about Sumida's mental health. During the story, both try to help Sumida in some way.
The manga also doesn't skimp on addressing the moral aspect: Several horrible characters appear during the story. While liking or disliking Sumida's friends is more personal, some come across as the representation of evil itself. For me, they help put the author's vision into perspective, especially for things that happened around Sumida but him, being already detached from the world, won't notice.
Specifically about art, it works really well. Furuya's trait is already well developed and increases the sensations of several scenes. His famous 'exaggerated expressions' are versatile, having been used in moments of humor, surprise and tension. Rarely did I feel like they broke the mood.
Now back to the elephant in the room: It's a bitter, hopeless ending at first glance. 'You cannot escape your own mind'. But in the days after I finished reading it, I found myself trying to decipher the meaning in a more positive way. There were even some lighthearted moments during their journey. I can't help thinking about the limitations we have in dealing with someone in a serious mental state. You can offer help and companionship, but they will never understand. Your power to influence them is limited. But you can always try.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 7, 2023
There are two possible perspectives to analyze this film: From someone who consumed the manga and from someone who didn't. While it's impossible for me to pretend I haven't read the manga, I think it's safe to say it's a bad movie on both counts.
Some movie 'highlights' regarding the manga:
1. It completely ignores the horror genre both in design and in feeling of danger, and that bothered me deeply. The manga succeeds in making you afraid or at least worried. The simplistic design of the safeguards in the movie didn't do it for me. The scariest thing was Cybo's robot body, seriously?
2.
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I don't know if it was to save money but the settings aren't even close to being as grand as in the manga. The manga scenarios overwhelm you, make you feel tiny. In the film, everything seems to be zoomed in, the scenarios are neither big or much detailed. I forgot at times that the characters were supposed to be inside a gigantic structure.
3. Dialogs are tell-not-show and feel AI-generated. The characters say everything at the calculated moment so you don't have a single thought while watching it. The movie starts and ends with narration, different from the manga that situates you little by little. And of course, it's worth remembering that the manga has much less dialogue, unlike the super expository film where no one seems able to shut up for a second, and mostly saying obvious things. It amazes me that none of the electrofishers even asked themselves the reason the safeguards hunt the human race.
4. The CGI lacks emotion and something about the texture, or the lack of it, made me feel awkward. Crying characters barely change their expression. The uniforms look FLAT. It's weird. Maybe it was just me. I think CGI can be a great option for a Blame! movie but I don't think it was well executed in that one.
Some positive points: Sanakan's appearance is kinda cool, VAs were good and OST is decent. In some punctual action scenes, I enjoyed the direction choices, and the conclusion is alright. Honestly, I don't think it was made for who read the manga, but for newcomers. It would be nice to have a reboot made by some crazy director obsessed with the manga. Blame! it's an exceptional work with enough world information to allow interesting creative choices while maintaining the essence of the original. Unfortunately that's not what I saw here.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Nov 4, 2022
This story is not for everyone.
First of all, as much as it falls into the GL genre, this story is above all a psychological drama, and does not follow typical requirements of a love story. The personalities and decisions of the characters are not intended for a healthy narrative, whose goal is to educate you about love or sexuality. It's also not about acceptance, and while this is briefly outlined throughout the course, it's not the focal point and I don't recommend it to people who have high expectations for it.
The plot centers on Soko, the woman abused by her husband, and Chiyomi, the woman
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who kills him. The narrative focuses on their individual motivations, as well as the psychological and physical consequences of the crime they committed. It is a raw and realistic story that chronicles the weight of the journeys and the bond between these two adult women brought together by will - or fate - and living in Japanese society.
It is important to point out the clear power imbalance between the two characters: they had very different upbringings, , which makes it difficult for them to understand each other at moments, but it's also a fuel to draw them closer: Even though the two of them pretend to accept themselves, they manage to see right through each other. They both have traumas, fears and insecurities that have never been addressed during their lives, and this social context plays a role in shaping who they are, especially their flaws. At many times, it is possible to be irritated by their actions and thoughts, and even wonder if these people are good or bad after all. But that's a possible coping mechanism for people in stressfull situations, especially when they've been suffering in silence for entire decades.
Still, even if it can seem like it, it's not entirely pessimistic. The author shows several times and with different characters that no one should be defined only by their past, and that even if it seems too late, it is possible to find yourself and move on while trying to find closure, even if it's an everyday task.
More than anything, it's a story about recognizing your own loneliness, and perhaps, learning to ask for help.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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