Kagerou Project Comparisons ~ Ayano (crying) in the classroom + References & Analysis
{Old commentary + theories, proceed with caution!}
Konoha no Sekai Jijou pv [May 2012] * Ayano debuts here for the first time * in between, the 1st various initial official character profiles are released. these were published on Jin’s website, the 2012 Disintegration Book, etc. * Manga’s 1st route began not long after [June 15 2012] ** and now we have 2nd Manga Route′s ending’s bonus chapter [2019] * Ayano crying in the classroom is seen at around 2:52 timemark. In Toumei Answer pv [2012], before Manga Route’s start; * we also saw Ayano folding paper cranes in the same classroom ** the same paper cranes show up in “Additional Memory” pv [2018] along with elsewhere in the pre-2016 fandom era main canon; *** and now, again, in the 2nd Manga Route’s ending’s bonus chapter. very related (bolding/italics/caps mine for plot-related emphasis): “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes”:
The short novel is a fictional retelling of the story of Sadako Sasaki, who lived in Hiroshima at the time of the atomic bombing by the United States. Sadako was 2 years old when the atomic bomb (Little Boy) was dropped on August 6, 1945, near her home by Misasa Bridge in Hiroshima, Japan. She was at home when the explosion occurred, about one mile from ground zero. In November 1954, when she was 12 she developed swellings on her neck and behind her ears. In January 1955, purple spots had formed on her legs. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with leukemia (her mother referred to it as "an atom bomb disease"). She was hospitalized on February 21, 1955, and given a year to live.
After being diagnosed with leukemia from the radiation, Sadako's friend told her to fold origami paper cranes (orizuru) in hope of making a thousand of them. She was inspired to do so by the Japanese legend that one who created a thousand origami cranes would be granted a WISH. Her wish was simply to live. In this retelling of her story, she managed to fold only 644 cranes before she became too weak to fold any more, and died on the morning of October 25, 1955. Her friends and family helped finish her dream by folding the rest of the cranes, which were buried with Sadako.
However, the claim in the book that Sadako "died before completing the 1000 cranes, and her two friends completed the task, placing the finished cranes in her casket" is not backed up by her surviving family members. According to her family, and especially her older brother Masahiro Sasaki who speaks on his sister's life at events, Sadako not only exceeded 644 cranes, she exceeded her goal of 1000 and died having folded approximately 1400 paper cranes. Masahiro Sadako, says in his book The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki that she exceeded her goal. Mr. Sasaki and the family have donated some of Sadako's cranes at places of importance around the world: in NYC at the 9-11 memorial, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at The Truman Library & Museum on November 19, 2015, at Museum Of Tolerance on May 26, 2016, and the Japanese-American National Museum three days later.
After her death, Sadako's friends and schoolmates published a collection of letters in order to raise funds to build a memorial to her and all of the children who had died from the effects of the atomic bomb. In 1958, a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane was unveiled in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, also called the Genbaku Dome, and installed in the Hiroshima Peace Park.
At the foot of the statue is a plaque that reads: "This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth." Every year on Obon Day, which is a holiday in Japan to remember the departed spirits of one's ancestors, thousands of people leave paper cranes near the statue. A paper crane database has been established online for contributors to leave a message of peace and to keep a record of those who have donated cranes.
* Obon Day is referenced numerous times in relation to Kagepro’s plot as well and is literally the day “August 15th” can occur on in multiple instances. It is implied to be happening during the timeframe of Kagepro’s main plot / on August 15th of that year (confirmed by Kenjirou multiple times when speaking to Momo).
* Jin has actually expressed a disappointment before / seemed upset (on his twitter) that some Kagepro fans on the Japanese side of the fanbase don’t respect Obon Day.
In Jin’s interview with SPICE magazine [Jan 2019] he mentions:
(INTERVIEWER): ──So it seems that “summer”* [*in the seires/also in regards to Jin’s music production] hasn’t ended yet.
JIN: No, it won’t end. Ever since Kagerou Project started, I haven’t had days off during Obon (bitter smile). I can’t go visit graves because I ended up making 8/15 into a key-date! I’m really sorry for my ancestors! Well, when it ends, I’m thinking of going over it* [*visiting?].
(INTERVIEWER): ──You have to put off the date, huh (laughs). We also have Buddhist services during equinoctial week.
JIN: That’s right (laughs), I have to do my best from now on too.
BONUS COMPARISONS: Toumei Answer pv; May 30 2012*: *after Konoha no Sekai Jijou pv + included on the “Mekakucity Days” Music Route album [May 30 2012]: [*animated by earlier pv artist Wannyanpuu, NOT Sidu]
^ FRIENDLY REMINDER: Retaining Eyes (Yakitsukeru) does not wear Ayano’s scarf.
BONUS (MY THEORY):
THE REASON RETAINING EYES DOES NOT WEAR A SCARF
- IS BECAUSE SHE ALREADY “GAVE” IT TO SHINTARO KISARAGI.
- IN THE 2ND MANGA ROUTE’S ENDING + END OF LOST TIME MEMORY PV [MUSIC ROUTE] / ETC SIMILAR SCENES. * However, when “the time” is “repeated”/reloaded, she (if as Retaining Eyes or Ayano in the “real world”) wakes up with it again unless/until Shintaro can remember.
* Mekakucity Actors Route [1st anime] would later not air until April 2014. * Retaining Eyes Ayano is visible / seen in the very first episode (Shintaro’s dreams) among other scenes (as scarf-less Ayano). + JIN “HAD THE ENDING DECIDED FROM THE BEGINNING”. - from Jin’s Library Live Q&A Report (confirmed by Japanese fans).