Interesting that they used Rashomon in this episode because it kind of gives certain implications for our two characters. Also, I’ve read Rashomon before so I understood the story more on a deeper level. I loved Kondo reciting the first few lines of the short story, and he summarized it, but I’ll add more details for context.
Yes, the story is about a servant of an ex-samurai. Because of customs, he cannot serve under another master and is now homeless with no money. He sits under the Rashomon (a gate) until the rain stops, wondering what he’s going to do next before he starves to death. He contemplates becoming a thief but hates the idea. Then, he hears a strange sound and sees a light inside the tower behind him and heads inside and sees a room full of corpses. And inside the room is the old woman. The servant watches as she tears out the hair from the dead bodies and the servant rushes into the room sword in hand, angry at what she was doing. The old woman defends herself by saying that she’s poor and is collecting the hair in order to make wigs, in order to survive. She tells him that her actions are okay because the hair she’s stealing from is from people who did bad things in life, like a woman that had been selling snake meat pretending it was fish meat. It’s okay because she has to survive. The servant then steals the old woman’s kimono and runs off to the nearest town to become a thief, deciding it’s okay to rob her because he needs to survive as well. And while before he had been sick of the idea of becoming a criminal to survive, he then decides to choose that over death. The story is pretty short and it doesn’t leave much answers and much ambiguity, but the story basically shows the gray area of morality when situations become so dire.
One thing the servant had was the courage to make a big decision in his life, and he chose the life of a thief to survive. He had the courage to take a step and move on in his life, and when you connect that with Akira and Kondo, it can have two different implications. One, they both find the courage in themselves to move on from their self deprecation and take the step to make their lives happier. In Akira’s case it would be her friendship with Haruka and running. With Kondo, it would be learning that his age isn’t a factor for happiness in life and move on to do the things he loves, which would maybe be writing?, maybe making amends with his wife (if he can), or…something. I’d still like to learn more about Kondo and what exactly is his problem, thank you very much. OR….or, the show is also going to tap into that gray moral area and them talking about Rashomon is foreshadowing them crossing that moral line and taking that courage to start a relationship with each other, and survive. Last week I said that Akira and Kondo complete each other because they each represent something they want in life, and them coming together would be their salvation? I always think up more than one theory and can never pick one!
But it was pretty funny that in the beginning of the episode Kondo repeatedly mentioned he and Akira were friends, I guess trying to force that thought into Akira’s head so she would understand it was nothing more. But it’s not that convincing when he’s so adamant about repeating it and still getting embarrassed to be around her. Though, I also felt like they were more comfortable with each other, especially during the Rashomon scene. But maybe that was because it was about books and Kondo is The Book Man. But Akira was a clever one and used the friends excuse to get his number. Damn, girl, get it!!
“We’re friends, so give me your number!” “Shit…”
But it looks like Akira is taking that first courageous step, as she invited Haruka to the festival and I hope we see that next episode. Haruka’s talk with that handsome senpai gives her hope, so I hope it’ll be the step that’ll rekindle their friendship. Though I wonder if they’ll run into Kondo there? Ooh…….
Also, Yoshizawa and Yui becoming a couple? Totally unexpected but really cute! I ship it! Happy blondes!
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