The ninth light novel’s core focus is on the perception versus reality of Izaya Orihara. Before this point in the novels, there are a lot of questions floating around about Izaya. The reader is provided with little information regarding Izaya’s backstory or motivations for why he acts the way he does. This volume offers an explanation for why Izaya turned out like he did, all while deliberately juxtaposing the perceived Izaya with the real Izaya.
The perception of Izaya is primarily revealed to the reader through dialogue with other characters. At this point in the story, Izaya has been kidnapped by Amphisbaena, and to conceal his identity, he refuses to speak. This further disconnects how Izaya is seen by both the reader and other characters from the real Izaya.
Oddly enough, there is a strong focus on his relationships with women through the eyes of other characters. On the very first page of the prologue, Nakura is speaking with Kasane about Izaya and brings up how “he always did have a fair number of female followers who seemed to worship him.” His sisters call him a “playboy” and a “philanderer.” Earthworm makes numerous sexual advances on Izaya, pressing her chest against him, touching his thigh, and licking his face. It is explicitly stated that “Izaya Orihara’s physical appearance was right up Earthworm’s alley,” and her underlings call him “good-looking.” His past relationship with Mikage is questioned, both by Eijirou and Earthworm. In fact, nearly every character that speaks about Izaya brings up his relationships with women. It isn’t as if this has never been touched on in prior light novels, but there is an unusual emphasis on it in this volume. Interestingly, this is how Izaya is viewed by other characters, and is intentionally contrasted with the real Izaya. Although the novel repeatedly frames him as desirable to women, the emotional core of the volume centers around Shinra.
Although Izaya’s dialogue with other characters is about as mendacious as usual, the novel supplies more insight into his thoughts than in prior volumes. The first glimpse into the real Izaya is when he is speaking with Celty on a rooftop. Although his words are clearly meant to provoke Celty, they also hold some truth. His bitterness and jealousy are palpable. When Celty questions his flippant attitude toward his friend’s injuries, Izaya states, “When I got stabbed and told Shinra about it, he said, ‘So long,’ and hung up the call. If I seem distant, it’s only because I’m matching his level of concern.” Later, he questions Celty calling him and Shinra friends, saying, “Out of everything in this wide, wide world, the only thing [Shinra’s] truly paying attention to is you. Shizu-chan and I might think of Shinra as a friend, but he barely notices us. In the end, he’ll always prioritize you.” Although he later tries to claim this is a result of Shinra being “bewitched” by Celty, Izaya is clearly hurt by being overlooked by Shinra. Additionally, Izaya asks Celty if she was “enjoying [her] time with Shinra last night,” and when she reacts negatively he states, “I would have figured that you’d take my statement as positive acknowledgment that you and Shinra have a very cozy relationship.” This isn’t the first time Izaya has made suggestive comments regarding Celty and Shinra’s relationship. Izaya’s jealousy towards Celty is at its peak in this volume. It becomes obvious that this is more than Izaya simply trying to irritate Celty, but is instead rooted in a personal grudge. He is bothered that Celty is the one that Shinra prioritizes, rather than him. This is especially relevant for a character like Izaya, who casts himself as an unbiased observer.
Almost halfway through the volume, the reader is given a flashback that outlines how Shinra and Izaya met in middle school. Although Izaya is still guarded at that age, it is clear his facade isn’t fully formed. This gives the reader more insight into the real Izaya, before all the walls were formed. He is described as “passive,” “removed,” and “isolated.” Izaya meets Shinra and cannot seem to figure him out. Throughout the flashback sequence, Izaya’s inner thoughts are included. Most of these consist of Izaya trying to figure out what makes Shinra tick. For example, Izaya thinks to himself, “What a weird guy. I’ll have to keep observing him. But it’s dangerous to get too close. Gotta be cautious.” This is among the most transparent lines of thinking the reader is ever given access to from Izaya. Beyond this, the text reveals occasional moments of deeper emotions. After bantering with Shinra, Izaya reflects on how easily his walls could be broken down: “The thought that all kids from other elementary schools might be this way was a very depressing one, but Izaya convinced himself this was a property unique to the Kishitani boy.” When the two argue about the gambling ring Izaya is running, Izaya is described as “truly annoyed.” Similar to Izaya’s inner monologue in the present timeline, these instances only supply limited insight. However, any insight is significant for a character like Izaya, whose motivations are shrouded in mystery.
The climax of the flashback sequence is Shinra getting stabbed. In the present timeline, Izaya tends to react to chaos and violence with excitement. Even when he is in moments of grave danger, he is able to maintain his composure. Contrary to that, Izaya’s composure entirely collapses here. He rushes over to Shinra, immediately trying to call for an ambulance. Izaya listens to Shinra’s commands without question. He tells Shinra to refrain from talking and to take it easy. It is only when Izaya realizes that Shinra is okay that he regains his composure, suggesting that he takes the blame for the stabbing. It is explicitly stated that Izaya “was alarmed enough at this moment that he couldn’t accurately understand his emotions as it happened.” It’s unsurprising that anyone, let alone a child, would react with panic when seeing their friend get stabbed, but it contrasts sharply with how Izaya acts in the present. When reflecting on this moment, Izaya states that Shinra’s stabbing might be “the one single event that had a clear and undeniable effect on shaping who I am as a person.” Izaya’s feelings here are complicated. He also bears some jealousy towards Shinra for how “firmly, confidently alien he was.” Izaya is similarly described as “alien” by his elementary school classmates, but seemingly has more inner conflict regarding his detachment. Izaya is constantly seeking connection with others, using his machinations as a means of engagement. Meanwhile, Shinra is unbothered as long as he has Celty.
Debatably, Izaya’s most vulnerable moment in the entire light novel series is the telephone pole scene. After bringing Celty’s head near her, Izaya considers how angry Shinra might get at him for doing that before laughing and slamming his fist into a telephone pole. This is a pivotal character moment for Izaya. It isn’t as if Izaya is unaware of the consequences of his actions. Throughout the series, he repeatedly states that he understands the impacts of his behavior, but he just doesn’t care to change. In this volume, he tells Celty, “Even I understand that my actions and personality have rightfully earned me some enmity.” The telephone pole scene, however, is an outlier. It is a rare instance where he is shown grappling with the possible repercussions of his actions, becoming distressed enough to externalize it. Most importantly, this is something that has not happened. This is a consequence that Izaya has not and does not end up facing, but just the thought of it is troubling to him.
All together, this contrasts the perceived Izaya, who is framed as a womanizer, with the real Izaya, whose emotional core is Shinra. This begins to paint a picture of Izaya’s feelings towards Shinra that can easily be read through a romantic lens. The text highlights his romantic and sexual appeal to women before shifting attention to how important Shinra is to him. The moments of real Izaya provided in this novel almost exclusively surround Shinra. This novel frames their friendship as the most human part of Izaya, revealing several emotional vulnerabilities. It confirms that Shinra is Izaya’s only true friend, calling him “A friend by the definition of the rest of the world, not Izaya’s own twisted standards.” Izaya holds resentment toward Shinra for how he treated him when he was in the hospital. He is jealous of Celty for being Shinra’s top priority, as well as Shinra himself. He is fascinated and perplexed by Shinra when they first meet. Izaya is so distressed at the thought of how Shinra might react to him bringing the head near Celty that he punches a telephone pole. It becomes evident that Izaya holds very strong, yet mixed, feelings towards Shinra. Although Narita has come out and stated that he considers Izaya straight, the intentional juxtaposition in the ninth light novel enables Izaya to easily be read as queer.
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