I love Nezumi and Shion more than anything. Trust me.
But their relationship was always secondary to the novels being a political statement.
This is an actual interview with Atsuko Asano, about her inspiration for city of No.6. She quite literally said one of her inspirations for it was the political environment in the USA, following 9/11.
For her to choose to continue this series right now, after so many years, is probably not a coincidence.
Their struggles are eerily similar to what many real people face in our world all the time.
I have a feeling there will be some pretty important themes in this new series.
I hope those who read it can appreciate every element of it - not only our beloved characters, but the reason they have a story to begin with.
Random page from my journal so I have an excuse to ramble about some character thoughts. Youāve been warned
The dynamic of being intertwined and tied to someone who brings both emotional pleasure and fear is something Iāve been thinking about a lot, which always leads me back to these two.
In the novels, especially, those conflicting and intense feelings are very well portrayed through Nezumi. I think itās an aspect of their relationship that I havenāt seen appreciated enough.
To love someone so wholly, yet entirely against your own judgement - is an extremely precarious position to be in. Very often in the novels we are given context on why itās so out of character for Nezumi to devote himself in the way he does to Shion. Values, his own moral code, and instinct, keep him distant. Constantly haunted by deep distrust. Yet, he is uncontrollably, undeniably, tied to him.
Time after time, risking his safety, shouldering his fear - just to grow closer every day. Despite convincing himself he shouldnāt. Despite telling Shion himself not to get attached. Allowing himself to be wounded, allowing himself to drown in the emotions he thinks weaken him. All for one simple fact - itās pleasurable.
A selfish desire, for companionship, to just feel the warmth of another person.
After so many years alone, itās not a surprise he canāt consciously shut off the mental survival mode thatās kept alive to that point. But, one person can do it for him. Itās such a soothing thing that he hardly realizes when itās happened.
The moment Shion places his hand on Nezumiās neck always stood out to me for this reason. He had dropped his guard unknowingly, soaking in the quiet company he had grown used to. Then, suddenly, such a sensitive vital part of him was in the hands of another. Frozen in fear, it sent Nezumi into a mental spiral - while for Shion, it was simply a soft touch of affection. A terrifyingly tender gesture.
Moments like these between them happen frequently, each one revealing a different layer under the two of them. When someone you love unknowingly causes you pain in these small ways, it can become a ādeath by a thousand cutsā scenario. Youāre suffering, lashing out in your pain - but the only one who can treat it is the person whoās inflicted it. Both Nezumi and Shion have hurt each other many, many times - and every time, they couldnāt help but find comfort together once more. Intertwined by fate and desire, to their own ruin.
Nezumi said Shion became the shackles that bound him. Itās an apt summary of the dynamic. But - I do think itās both ways. And more importantly, I think itās a lot more tender, yet somehow scarier, than that. Maybe Iāll dive into that sometime, too. For now though Iāll wrap up my sleepy thoughts. If anyone reads this far, marry me
I was having a hard time finding this song uploaded anywhere, but I had the CD, so Iām going to try posting this here. Definitely my favorite of Nezumiās songs.
fan translations are quite mixed online so I did my best
So, Atsuko Asano broke her silence on No.6. Iām really shocked more than I can say - half of my life has been spent waiting for this. I was really overwhelmed when I found out, honestly. But instead of going into that, thereās something kind of endearing sheās said here that I want to talk about.
She talks a bit about her relationship and indulgence in dark chocolate. Specifically, how only when she is writing a story about boys with a complicated relationship - and when she was writing No.6 - she craves darker, more bitter chocolate.
She said something like part of her indulgence comes from the balance of intense bitterness, mixing with the sweet undertones beneath. That she doesnāt really know why, but wonders if that taste is somehow connected to their fate.
I think this little moment sheās shared here is more significant than it might seem at first. Artists are complicated people - but when they feel connected to something, thatās where all creation happens. Whether itās something significant like the state of the real world, that inspires large scale novels to depict that horror - or if itās simply a guilty indulgence in the flavor of chocolate, it shapes their work all the same.
Iām sure there are many feelings inside her that led to this decision, to continue carving out the path in front of them here. Years ago, sheād spoken on real world tragedies as inspiration for No.6 - but she said after some time, she began to enjoy writing about the boys alone; their evolving connection became an indulgent divergence to the overall dark intent of the novel.
As with every acquired taste- initially the harsh flavor is overwhelming - but over time and exposure, the sweetness deepens into something much more pleasant, and you find yourself craving it more and more.
It really does feel like a perfect metaphor for Nezumi and Shionās dynamic. And I hope her love for bitter-sweet chocolate continues to bleed into their relationship.
Kinda love that Nezumi was on the āweird nonbinary nameā train like 10 years before it was cool.
Every time you see someone named Moss, Egg, or Bone being questioned on their choice, remember one of Shionās first thoughts about Nezumi was āyou named yourself fucking Rat?ā
This is an old edit of mine. I tried to match every lyric to significant concepts in the series since it all fit so well.
also. I made this when I was in the worst era of a complicated and painful relationship, and having severe mental crises about the state of our world :ā ) The latter has only gotten a million times worse but yknow. at least my partner and I are still kickin and gay despite everything.
You once told me of a leopard you read about in a book. He died at the top of that mountain, and you believed that leopard knew he could never go back down.
And I said that you are not a leopard, that you could change your destiny.
tangentwithtanner
yousharknotpass
jbbartram-illu
dededos
annaxmalina
