Been watching and reading different KLK analysis stuff, but haven't come across someone talking about Ryuko' anger yet.
It's volatile, it drives her recklessness, it makes her a delinquent. It's a trait that Satsuki and other characters frown on, and something that Ryuko struggles to control. When she fails to control it, it drives her berserk and makes her dangerous. Satsuki, Nui and Ragyo (even to some extent Mikisugi) all take advantage of her anger in order to make use of her in their plans. Anger by all means is one of Ryuko's worst traits and greatest weaknesses.
At the same time, though, I feel like the show makes a point in telling us that her anger is more nuanced than that. Her introduction shows us that she isn't angry about kids trying to mug her. She isn't angry at Mako for turning against her to protect her family's wealth. Her rage stems from being shunned by the only family she ever knew, and then being robbed of the chance of ever bonding with him. Underlying that anger is a lonely, grieving kid that nobody wanted, except as a tool.
Ryuko growing as a character didn't mean condemning her anger, but to put it towards something productive rather than destructive. And it was important that SHE was the one who controls it, otherwise others will use it to manipulate her.
For example, in The Wedding, Ryuko's anger was triggered at first because she wanted to defend the "happiness" Ragyo planted in her. But once she became conscious of
this was a lie
she had something better to protect (Mako, Senketsu, the people she have bonded with--her true family)
she was once again manipulated into becoming a tool for someone who didn't actually care for her
-- Ryuko was able to take back control of her life. And this manifested as RAGE great enough to override the lie's submissive bliss, and flay herself of her false skin. Because dammit she deserves better and how dare ANYONE force her to hurt the people she cares about!
Ryuko's anger was never a monster meant to be killed. It made her vulnerable when she couldn't control it -- but it's also the manifestation of her will, the drive to become better, the means to make her realize her own self-worth and to fight the forces that try to use and objectify her. She learns to OWN her rage, which goes hand-in-hand with learning to love and protect her true self, and those who love her back.
You know, I really don’t mind directing folks to essays I’ve already written ‘cause this helps bring more attention to old posts I like and such, but at the same time...
I put a lot into maintaining my meta pages, and my Kill la Kill pages in particular are my pride and joy.
Like, they’re meticulously organized! I got fourteen whole sections worked out so that anyone can easily find the kinda content they’re interested in.
Wanna read about symbolism in the show? I’ve pooled together everything I’ve got on the subject!
Love character analyses? Well, I got a space for that on my meta page, too!
I even got a whole ‘nother page devoted to organizing essays by character rather than my fourteen categories! So, if you really wanna read more stuff about Satsuki, for example, it’s super easy to do so!
(So long as you’re not on mobile, unfortunately.)
And this is all just scratching the surface! I’ve also got an entire page devoted to discussing specific moments in the series, and there are even handy-dandy little sections for non-episode moments (like the Drama CDs) and for analyses focused on the changes Kill la Kill went through in its production process.
I even have a tiny section right now for the upcoming Kill la Kill game (that I can guarantee you will grow a lot this year!)
And because I know it’s a “love-it-or-hate-it” kinda thing, I keep my Piping Hot Discourse all separated out on its own page (so that you can either avoid it completely or dig right in, depending):
And, really, there’s so much more.
I know these pages aren’t the most accessible if you’re on mobile, but you can just search for “meta update” on my blog and should be able to find them!
tl;dr I’ve been working on another compiled meta book for Kill la Kill, and it will be all nice and cleaned up and such, but practically all of the content is already easily available if you love Kill la Kill discussion and analysis!
Rebloggable list of Kill la Kill meta under the cut.
Some notes:
For additional meta, there is also the analysis page on my (archived) side blog. An FAQ is here.
This list is categorized into fourteen different sections: Character Analysis/Commentary, Character Relationships, Comparisons to Other Media, Design Choices and Symbolism, English Dub, Game, General Commentary, Manga, Merchandise, OST, OVA, Specific Moments, Technical Questions, and The Discourse.
Unfortunately, due to Tumblr’s limit of 250 hyperlinks per page, the Character Analysis/Commentary section, as well as the Character Relationships section, the Specific Moments section, the Technical Questions section, and The Discourse section, have separate, individual lists. The Ryuko and Senketsu portion of the Character Relationships section has a separate list as well.
My main writing for the series has been focused on Ryuko and Senketsu. To find specific posts for specific characters, please see the By Character page, where posts are organized by character rather than broad categories.
Any post with a number in parenthesis beside it has been included on that page number in my (free!) Compiled Meta Book, NOTHING BUT KILL LA KILL ESSAYS, which features 80+ essays on the series across over 350 pages. If there is also a ✦ beside the number, the post has been significantly rewritten or added to for the meta book, and I would recommend reading the book version instead.
A ☂ beside a post is a warning for High Salt Content. That post is probably very negative. Proceed with caution!
I encourage disagreements and discussions! (You can even be rude, though I encourage that a little less.)
This list is only updated periodically. Check out the ramblings tag for the most recent content.
If I've linked a response of mine to an ask/post/etc. of yours that you don't want on this list, please let me know, and I will remove it immediately.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS/COMMENTARY
See here
CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS
See here
COMPARISONS TO OTHER MEDIA
“Cradled in Love,” from Poets of the Fall (33)
DARLING in the FRANXX: Favorite Moment from Kill la Kill and DARLING in the FRANXX?
“Enchanted,” from Taylor Swift (37)
FLCL: Lemon Pop and Raw Lemon
Gurren Lagann, Re: Cutie Honey: Kill la Kill Ending Salt ☂
Princess Tutu/Kill la Kill Ending Comparison (41)
Promare: What Kumoricon’s Promare Panel Told Me About Kill la Kill
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Exact Opposite of Kill la Kill? ☂
Re: Cutie Honey: “Your father loved you without a doubt.”
Space Patrol Luluco and Kill la Kill Crossover Idea
Space Patrol Luluco Episode 7
Space Patrol Luluco's Finale vs. Kill la Kill's Finale ☂
Steven Universe Gem Fusion and Life Fiber Synchronization (43)
Steven Universe: Ryuko and Amethyst Parallels (45)
“Stronger Than You,” from Steven Universe
Sukeban Deka (317)
The Shape of Water: Elisa/The Asset and Ryuko/Senketsu Similarities
Venom: A Live-Action Kill la Kill
DESIGN CHOICES AND SYMBOLISM
Are Flashes of Red Light Associated with Kamui?
Berserk Form Design, Glad the Berserk Form Never Showed Up Again
Character Designs in Kill la Kill
Cherry Blossom Symbolism, With GIFs (50)
Early Design for Synchronized Senketsu: Holding Ryuko’s Hands, Further Analysis (313), Even More
Evil Eyeshadow (309)
Please note: Yes, this trope certainly has some Unfortunate Implications.
Final Volume Cover Art (54)
Framing Differences: Episode 5 vs. Episode 13
J.J. Abrams's Style Lighting, More
Junketsu’s Design: Why is it Different for Satsuki, Ragyo, and Ryuko? (58)
Junketsu-Shinzui (61)
Honnouji Academy’s Toilets (3-sentence Ask)
Kamui Coverage
Kill la Kill and Symbolism
Kill la Kill and the Red String of Fate (66)
Kill la Kill’s Visual Presentation
Life Fiber Synchronization: Human-Clothing Unity
“Ocean of Light”
Personalized Bowls
Ryuko and Scarves (76), Ryuko’s Red Scarf: Sushio’s 2016 Fall Fanart
Ryuko's Altered Memory
Ryuko’s Motorcycles (79)
Additional Commentary: It’s come to my attention that Ryuko’s second bike may be a reference to Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira. In SUSHIO CLUB LOVE LOVE KLKL, there’s an image based off an Akira film poster featuring this bike.
Senketsu and Daruma
Senketsu and Oni (And Why You Should Include Senketsu in Your AUs) (82)
Additional Commentary: I’ve also heard it mentioned that some of Senketsu’s early transformed designs resemble traditional oni. Additionally, Sushio stated at Trigger’s 2014 Anime Expo panel that early Kamui designs looked like Devilman.
Symbolic and Narrative Use of Fire, Warmth, and Heat in Kill la Kill
Wedding Symbolism
Why Does Houka Cover His Mouth with Clothing?
Why Does Satsuki’s Transformation Sequence Have Confetti?
Why is Kill la Kill called Kill la Kill?
Why Does Ryuko Eat a Lemon?
Why Does Senketsu Have an Eyepatch? (85), Eyepatch as a Counterpoint to Purity (88)
ENGLISH DUB
David Vincent as Senketsu, More (237)
Dub Response, More
“Senketsu” Pronunciation, More
Volume 4 English Release (107)
Script
“You said you wanted blood. You getting full now?” (Episode 2) (96)
“Oh my God, would you quit analyzing me?” (Episode 5) (98)
Ryuko Calls Senketsu Her Friend (Episode 5) (101)
Ryuko Confides in Senketsu (Episode 13) (104)
Ryuko Tears Off Junketsu (Episode 21)
“I don’t know what it’s called, but Mako and Senketsu are more than friends!” (Episode 22) (113), Gifset Comparison (111)
“But… since you guys were so close, I wanted to make sure you were doing all right.” (Episode 25)
GAME
Can I Hope For an Ending Where Senketsu Doesn’t Die? (Speculation), More
Do You Like That the Game is Focused on Satsuki? (And How Canon is the Game to the Anime?)
First Story Mission Gameplay Reaction
Goop Plays Kill la Kill the Game: IF (Satsuki Episodes 1-4)
Goop Plays Kill la Kill the Game: IF (Satsuki Episodes 5-8)
Goop Plays Kill la Kill the Game: IF (Satsuki Episodes 9-10)
Goop Plays Kill la Kill the Game: IF (Ryuko Episodes 1-4)
Goop Plays Kill la Kill the Game: IF (Ryuko Episodes 5-8)
Junketsu’s Role in the Game? (Speculation)
Junketsu-Shinzui's Powers, Coloring (Speculation)
Localization: “That’s one for us… Ryuko!”
Made with Love
“Quick” Ending Thoughts
Ryuko: OOC in Regards to Killing?
Ryuko Story Mode Thoughts (Speculation)
Shiro as the Tutorial Person (Speculation)
Story Speculation
GENERAL COMMENTARY
Could Kill la Kill Work as a Kids’ Show?, More
Ending Salt: Why Kill la Kill’s Ending is Disappointing ☂, More ☂
“Fate, Freedom and Fabric: An Analysis of Kill la Kill”: Response
First Half Better Than the Second Half?
Full-Series Podcast: 10 in the Chamber
I Don’t “Get” Kill la Kill
I Got Something Totally Different Out of Kill la Kill
Including Senketsu in Fanfiction: Post-Series Possibilities, AUs (82)
Life Fibers: Contradictory Messaging, Even Without Considering Potential Allegory
Kill la Kill: A Magical Girl Series?
Kill la Kill Does Not Have a Happy Ending.
Kill la Kill Prequel Proposal: Focused on Kinue Kinagase, Kinue-Raises-Ryuko Headcanon, More, Even More
Reforming Honnouji Academy?
“The clothes aren’t even frosting. They’re sprinkles.”
The Erasure of Senketsu's Story ☂
MANGA
Kill la Kill Manga Volume 3, Chapters 8-17: Thoughts and Impressions
Kill la Kill Manga Volume 3: Translation Notes, Anime Differences
Kill la Kill Manga Volume 3: Worth it?
Kill la Kill Manga Chapter 2: Ryuko Rubbing Her Face on Senketsu, More
Kill la Kill Manga Chapter 7
Kill la Kill Manga Chapter 9: "Senketsu would never betray me...."
Manga Differences
MERCHANDISE
Garage Kit: “Ryuko Matoi and Kamui Senketsu Life Fiber Synchronize Lovey-Dovey”
Febri Volume 21: Toshihiko Seki Interview
Final Cover Design: Life Fiber Synchronization Hug?
Final Volume Cover Art (54)
Kamui Bansho: “Ryuko Matoi and Senketsu’s Passionate Partnership”
Miku Sawai’s “Kimi ni Dake I Love You”
Ryuko Matoi and Satsuki Kiryuin Perfume
Senketsu’s Date with Ryuko, No デート Anything?
Sushio’s Drafted Final Cover Design
Talking About Composite, The Complete Script Book, The Art of KLK Volume 3
The Complete Script Book Tag
OST
“Before my body is dry,“ Part II (118)
"Before my body is dry" Fan Lyrics
“Before my body is dry” Rap, The Rap is Good, Actually
“Before my body is dry” Unreleased Music Box Arrangement (121)
“Blumenkranz” Analysis, Part II (123)
Ending Themes: “Sorry, I Can’t Be a Good Child” and “New World Symphony”
"Kiっ9=KELL"
“Light your heart up”
“Sirius”
“Suck your blood” (127)
“Till I Die” (132)
“Till I Die”: “And smile me with starry eyes”
“Till I Die”: Mica Caldito Cover
OVA
Cherry Blossom Symbolism (50)
Hallelujah Breakdown, Pair Look: “Matching Clothing Worn By Couples”
How Come Mako Could Power Honnouji Academy? (135)
“I’d never be able to face Senketsu.”
“Outgrowing Sailor Uniforms” ☂, The "Outgrowing Sailor Uniforms" Metaphor is Hurtful ☂
OVA Ending Scene (146) ☂, With GIFs, Further Writing (151) ☂
Hello! I've seen a lot of people trying to figure out Nonon's primary instrument. I'm a studying music educator, who has spoken with many international musicians (professors and students) about their experiences. I've noticed many fan theories on Nonon's instrument comes from a western, specifically American point of view.
I'm going to provide some insight and possibilities for her instrument, as well as likely outcomes for what she plays. I'm going to talk about how music students study in the rest of the world, East Asia specifically, then talk about what this means for Nonon, as well as provide canon evidence.
First thing's first: Why are American headcanons usually wrong?
The biggest culprit of this is that in the United States, we study music very differently from the rest of the world. We choose on instrument and start playing it around the age of 10, unless we have private lessons (then we may start even earlier). We continue with that instrument for the entirety of our musical, lives, and don't add instruments until we are older (usually high school, or f chosen, college). Playing an instrument is treated as a leisure, so many students drop out early or start late. We also study many subjects, and the only time we have for music is in music class, or in our private lessons.
However, in many countries, this is not the case. A student will start out as a musician at a very young age, I have been told commonly it is around 5-8 years old. Most, if not all of the students will start on piano. They will become skilled at this instrument, then be required to audition for a specialised "Junior High" music school (I say Junior high because it is the closest equivalent I can give). This audition is very competitive, and many students don't make it. By this time, the student must choose if they want to move into another instrument, be a conductor, or be a composer. All students will continue their studies on piano, and the school is focused only on music.
Once they have completed Junior high, they audition again for a specialised music High school. This is again a very selective process, and very few students make it into the programme. At this point, the students are more skilled than many students entering music colleges in the United States. At this point, students who have chosen to move onto another instrument drop their studies in piano. However, composers and conductors continue their studies in it.
Although not necessarily relevant to Nonon right now, many of these high schools prepare students for even more selective conservatories; there are usually only 3-10, the larger numbers being reserved for countries with very large populations.
What does this mean for Nonon?
This means that Nonon, coming from a wealthy family and living in Japan, more than likely studied music this way. Her primary instrument is most certainly piano, and she probably took up conducting in Junior high, and thus would continue her studies in piano.
However, Honnouji Academy seems to be designed not like a specialised music school, but more like a school in the United States. There is lots of evidence suggesting that Nonon was very interested in how music is studied in my country, considering that marching band is very uncommon outside of the United States.
What is the canon evidence that this is the case?
Video with main evidence is here and here.
First off, let's talk about marching band. Upon observing the marching style of the students, I noticed that they are marching what is called "Big Ten" or "Military" style. This style involves high-steps which has the knees bend so that the toes can point toward the ground. Nonon's use of this style is most likely due to the fact that Nonon would have been introduced to marching band through the US military performing in Japan. It is very unlikely that a drum corp, which uses "corp style"--walking with a straight back facing the audience and rolling your feet to accomplish movement--would show up in Japan.
Furthermore, Nonon's instrumentation is very clumsy, indicating that she doesn't fully understand how those instruments work (therefore it is unlikely that she plays them). Her percussion line is absolutely MASSIVE, clocking in more snares than cymbals and basses put together. If she was a percussionist, she would understand the sever balance issues with this. Furthermore, her brass section consists only of trumpets and an unholy amount of tubas (will be referred to as sousaphone from now on, since that is the technical name for the instrument). Although low bass is desirable for support, having the same amount of sousaphones as trumpets causes a great unbalance of sound in the brass; too much bass.
Finally, and the biggest offender in my book, is that Nonon marches double-reeded instruments. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU DO NOT MARCH BASSOON. Not only are the instruments incredibly difficult to march with because of the small mouthpieces, but they are incredibly sensitive to weathering and will break rather easily. They are incredibly expensive to replace and not heard on the field, so they are almost always excluded from the orchestration. (Also she marches recorders which isn't a a thing.)
All of this evidence suggests that Nonon doesn't play either woodwinds, brass, or percussion, which are the three main sections in instrumental band. I am excluding voice and string instruments from my analysis because there is no evidence to indicate she has any interest or training in any of those. I firmly believe she started out on piano and became a conductor during Junior high.
What is the further canon evidence to suggest that Nonon is a conducting student?
Evidence can be found in the first minute of this video and in this gifset.
The scene with Nonon's introduction, she is shown sitting on a couch with stuffed animals and instruments. Clearly, Nonon is in leisure; she is not practising or working on music, she is simply talking and waving her baton. The fact that she goes back to conducting in her natural state suggests that conducting the the musical expression which she is most familiar and comfortable with. Therefore, it would be easy to assume that is her primary expression (and it can be further assumed that since she is a conductor, piano is her primary instrument).
The next scene that really stands out to me is the scene where she is discussing with Houka in private, and she turns to conduct a chamber orchestra. First, we see her score, which clearly has a well-defined symbology which she uses to indicate musical expression. Conductors which have been conducting for several years develop their own symbols this way. Since Nonon has her own, and she is in high school, it can be assumed she has been conducting since she was in Elementary school or Junior high.
Then, of course, there is the conducting itself. Nonon's conducting style is not indicative of beats, rather, it is indicative of phrase style. Many students who first learn to conduct struggle with this; they tend to want to indicate beat more than musical expression. Here, we see Nonon very clearly demonstrating the musical phrasing and style she wishes her students to repeat. She is relaxed, and conducting with ease and comfort. This would suggest she has several years of conducting experience behind her, therefore she would be a conducting student. As we know from earlier discussion, conducting student's primary instrument is piano.
Therefore, Nonon is a pianist.
If you have any questions or want to add to the discussion, feel free to send me an ask or add on! I especially encourage feedback from music students who are in Japan.
