This entire segment of the song is Amane talking about the commandments of the cult. Read below the spoiler tags.
人は運命を生きよ
"People should live their destiny" or "People should live out their fate" in English. Note that "生きよ" is an imperative form of the verb "生きる" (to live), so it's a command to live one's destiny.
人は卑しきを捨てよ
"People should abandon the lowly"
信じたものに納めよ
"Submit to what you have believed in" / "Surrender to your beliefs."
The verb "納めよ" is the imperative form of "納める" (to deliver, to submit), so it's a command.
道を外れずに果てよ
"(Meet your) End without straying from the path."
"End without veering off the path"
"Finish without straying from the path."
The verb "果てよ" is the imperative form of "果てる" (to end, to finish), so it's a command.
After deconstructing all of the Tarot card imagery, I think this is what's happening with the RGBY!
🔵 The Host
🔴 The Protector
🟢 Gatekeeper
🟡 The Unconscious Mind (The rest of Mikoto's Alters)
This is also a perfect representation of Mikoto's DID
🔵 The Host (Blue) is an alter that usually takes control of the body. They're responsible for most of what happens in daily life, like school, work, and taking care of the body. Sometimes there are other alters who share the job of controlling the body, but the host is usually in charge. If the host doesn't know that there are other alters or doesn't know why they exist, it can be really hard for them to accept that they have DID. The host might think that they're the only one in their body and that they're the "core," but that might not be true.
🔴 The Protector (Red) are alters that help keep the body and other alters safe. They can protect against physical, verbal, or emotional abuse. Physical protectors might try to stop abuse by being aggressive. Verbal protectors might fight back with words. Emotional protectors might comfort other alters who are feeling hurt.
🟢 The Gatekeeper (Green/Yellow) is an alter that controls switching or access to front, access to an internal world or certain areas within it, or access to certain alters or memories. The existence of a gatekeeper is highly stabilizing for a system because gatekeepers can to some extent prevent unwanted switching, failure to switch when necessary, or failure to switch to the correct alter. They can help to prevent traumatic memories from bleeding from the alters who hold them to alters who could not yet handle them. Gatekeepers might police the boundaries between subsystems. Because gatekeepers have control over which alters have access to front, they themselves are often or always near front and so witness everything that happens to the system. They might experience vast amounts of abuse and might present as ageless, emotionless, and nonhuman as a way to process this and cope. Gatekeepers may or may not also serve as an internal self helper.
✦ Source Link for all these descriptions. Thank you G and Fern for all the help!
🟡The Unconscious Mind (The Rest of Mikoto's Alters) I have many reasons to believe that the Yellow color that appears with Mikoto is a simplification for the rest of the system. The song is from and about ALL of them, so the color used is the one representing ALL of them. We barely see the color yellow as for what matters for the plot is the the main RGB alters. They are instead implied in many different ways such as Mikoto's Tarot Card deck.
The language MILGRAM uses is very interesting and deliberate.
✦ The Japanese terminology for DiD closely mirrored the English used in the DSM.
So Kotoko uses:
✦ "DiD" (解離性同一性障害/kairiseidouitsuseishougai)
✦ "Split personality" (二重人格/nijyuujinkaku)
The former is up to date, but the latter implies she thinks there's only 2 Mikotos. (https://youtu.be/gsNJ_hmVXf4?t=858)
Whereas Jackalope used "MPD" (多重人格/tajyuujinkaku) which is an outdated term.
✦ Thank you Ollie for helping me with the Japanese terminologies!
✦ We will end this analysis here for now. Please look forward for the next part!
How did you like the MV for "Backdraft"? Futa is the first character to receive the verdict of "unforgivable/GUILTY" in the first trial, so I worked on it with a sense of excitement and anticipation. The setting of this work is an underground passage filled with graffiti.
I would be delighted if you could pay attention to Futa's actions and the graffiti depicted on the walls while watching. And as for the meaning of "that person" who appears at the end of the MV...? I invite you to delve deeper into Futa's sins and contemplate their significance. [Awashima]
And we'll definitely do just that! Pazu has provided some very interesting background about the essence of Grafitti artwork!
are prisoners in milgram allowed to decorate their cells? if so how do you think each one does it?
I wanted to answer this and waited for otums social media account to return but it didn't... ;-;
A lot of MILGRAM's architecture is based on Art Deco from what we have seen so far. Most likely it would look like this sketch they made!
We do know that some of the prisoner get to keep their personal belongings, but it doesn't seem to be consistent. For example, why is Futa not allowed to keep his phone but Kotoko can keep her brass knuckles?!
I think decoration wise,
Haruka's requests are interesting and most likely be related to his childhood before the murder. A plush bun, etc. I don't think Haruka is the type to order toys.
Yuno seems like the type of person that doesn't care about material goods. So her room will probably be sparse.
We know some prisoners requested toys. We don't know who exactly requests them but it's most likely Futa. As we have mentioned in this blog, Futa enjoys games and has childish tendencies. Yuno is also a candidate because she had put effort in connecting with the prisoners on T1.
Mu seems to request accessories, etc. So it's most likely her room would have fashionable items in them.
Shidou might be the same as Yuno. He's a man ready to die.
Mahiru might have a cute tea set to be honest. But so far the requests we've seen from her is about connecting with the prisoners that resemble a sleepover. She seems to be very naive and won't participate in dirty games. She might request flowers.
Kazui looks the same as Yuno and Shidou. Maybe a shot glass or something seeing how much he likes to get drunk.
Amane is most likely full of textbooks and school materials. Maybe a cat sticker or two.
Mikoto bro is too busy having a mental breakdown and has no time to customize his room.
Kotoko would be sparse as well. Maybe some weapons like the baton. I wouldn't be surprised at this point if she has a rope.
There's also this theory from otums that I think people would find interesting if they never saw their twitter!
This is just my personal analysis, but it seems that there are 2 main criminals that Kotoko is pursuing in this MV. I will try to divide them so it's not confusing.
An accident and to call the police for any information.
Body Found near the Home of Another Female Victim.
Possible Connection to Series of Murders of Girls
The body was found near the home of another female victim, and the police are investigating a possible connection to a series of murders of girls committed by the same perpetrator.
New evidence in the case of the abandoned and murdered girl's body?
Report: Police (this afternoon)
The same tire marks found at the scene where the victim's body was discovered were found near the scene of the crime. The perpetrator likely abducted the victim in a car, killed her, and then abandoned her body in the vicinity of her home.
Kotoko's notes about the killer's movements.
Shocking revelation: The heinous criminal behind the crime is the privileged son of a high-ranking official!
Killed 10 people in just about 2 years.
Victims are elementary school students. Hidden by a cover-up.
"Since he was young, he has been aware of his environment, and his parents are satisfied. His thoughts are unknown," according to the voices around him.
He lives in a tower apartment located in the city. It seems that the suspect's name (A) was not revealed, and no investigation was conducted based on his bodily fluids.
According to sources, there may have been concealment due to his father's pressure. The victim may have been run over by a car or killed by hand. However, due to the fact that suspect A is his son, there is a lack of consistency in the handling of the case.
It's interesting to note that this killer's face is visible.
Posing as a Bank Employee for Theft? Deceived an Elderly Person and Fled with 500,000 Yen
#crime #theft #breaking news
This morning, a man visited an elderly person's house in Tokyo posing as a bank employee and deceived them out of 500,000 yen in cash. The police are currently searching for the suspect. The man is described as being in his early to late 30s, around 170cm tall, of medium build, and wearing a black suit resembling that of a salaried worker.
According to a statement from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the man posed as a staff member and visited an elderly woman in her 80s in Tokyo at around 9 a.m. this morning. He lied and said, "I might have accidentally handed over someone else's envelope at the bank counter yesterday, so please let me confirm the contents," and fled after the woman handed him an envelope containing 500,000 yen in cash. The suspect is believed to have been observing the woman and bank staff since the previous day and had followed her to her home.
Currently, the police, who received a report from the victimized woman, are rushing to identify the suspect.
This is the 40th victim of 'It's me' phone scam.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced early this morning that over forty cases of phone scams known as "It's me(?) fraud," in which the caller claims to be a family member in trouble and asks for money, have occurred in Tokyo over the past week. At least 1,500,000 yen in damages have been confirmed in eight of these cases. The scammers often disguise their voice to avoid being identified, and they use a common tactic of calling the victim to a designated location to receive cash.
Because of these similarities, the police suspect that these crimes were committed by the same group. A 23-year-old woman in Tokyo was told by a scammer that he had been in an accident on the way to the hospital because of a cold, and she fell victim to this scam.
Luxury Bicycles Stolen: Man in Tokyo Arrested for Repeatedly Cracking Combination Locks
A man living in Tokyo has been arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department for stealing high-end bicycles from both domestic and foreign brands. He repeatedly cracked combination locks using a method that involved checking online information about used bicycles and targeted unlocked bicycles. The police plan to charge him with theft and other crimes soon.
The woman received a call from a man claiming to be her eldest son, saying that he had caused an accident and needed money. The next call came from the same man, asking for 1 million yen, saying that he had been hospitalized because of the accident. He instructed the woman to hand the money over to a lawyer at a train station in Tokyo. The woman followed the instructions and handed over 1 million yen to a man who got on the same train.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, there have been similar cases in which residents of Tokyo have been targeted by scammers who claim to be their sons or other family members. In one case, a scammer claimed to be a colleague and said that he needed settlement money. In another case, a scammer said that he had been fired from his company and needed money.
The suspects have admitted to the crime during police interrogation, stating that they "sold the stolen items to a brand item purchasing store, and used all the cash obtained there for food and drink expenses." It has also been reported that the suspects have a prior record of theft.
Anon on Top:
It's just stress, cut him some slack.
Anon on bottom:
People like this will just do it again.
The police conducted a stakeout and identified the suspect's home. The next day, the suspect visited an elderly person's home pretending to be a bank employee, convinced them to hand over cash, and then fled. In the second incident that occurred earlier, the elderly victim (82) was pushed and fell, fracturing her left ankle, resulting in a five-week recovery period. The police obtained information on the suspect's clothing and facial features from the first victim and identified a man with a history of assault charges from nearby security cameras.
When the photo of the suspect was shown to the second victim, she confirmed that it was him.
The suspect, 34-year-old Mikio Oshii, who resides in Tokyo, was announced by the police. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is calling on the elderly to "never hand over money to anyone who claims to be a bank employee," focusing on banks in residential areas.
◆ A wanted thief was assaulted by an unknown assailant
Early yesterday morning, a nearby shop employee reported hearing screaming and seeing a man lying on the ground. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the man had lost consciousness after being beaten on his face, stomach, and other areas, and was taken to the hospital. The police are currently trying to identify the suspect.
At the scene, there were footprints believed to be from the suspect who attacked the male victim, and a pair of men's sneakers that are widely circulated. Investigators are narrowing down the search to male suspects. A young man wearing a hood was also seen in the area at the same time, and investigators are exploring the possibility that he was targeted and involved in the incident.
According to previous investigations, the male victim was wanted throughout Tokyo for theft and assault charges and was identified as the suspect, Mikio Oshii.
The article above seems to be about Kotoko's Assault against Mikio Oshii. Kotoko wears mens clothing and shoes to avoid detection whenever enacting vigilante justice.
These ones I'm not sure where they land, but I translated them since they seemed important.
Paper bag robbery, 20s male and female arrested.
The police arrested a man and a woman in their 20s who reside in Tokyo on suspicion of theft, as they allegedly snatched a paper bag containing a recently purchased bag and other items from a woman who had just come out of a department store on the street in the early hours of last night and fled the scene.
Yesterday evening, a female suspect snatched a paper bag from a woman who had just come out of a department store on the street, while on the road. The female suspect fled the scene in a car driven by a male suspect who was waiting nearby.
The entire process of the crime was captured on nearby security cameras, and as a result, the two suspects in this case were identified.
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 46-year-old man working for a major advertising agency on suspicion of violating the ordinance on prevention of public nuisance by targeting high school girls during their commute at a train station in Tokyo and filming up their skirts with his smartphone.
The man was caught red-handed by a police officer who noticed him filming up a girl's skirt while standing on an escalator during the girls' commute time. Over 200 upskirt photos were found on his smartphone, and he had been arrested three times in the past for similar offenses.
One of the man's colleagues said, "I had no idea he had a criminal record. He said he was going to pick up his children once a week and leave early, but I never expected him to do such a thing…" and expressed shock at the news.
According to the police investigation, the man has admitted to the charges, saying, "I knew it was wrong, and even though I knew I would eventually get caught, I couldn't stop myself. I just wanted to forget about the stress from work."
There are some suspicious scenes as well with Serial Killer boy. Things that Kotoko shouldn't seem to know. For example, the old lady's body appears a few frames before the end sequence. The murder weapon and how he killed them. A black haired girl that was shown last minute. Why is she important and why does she only appear here? Is she Kotoko or something?
The articles made no mention about the killer's modus operandi or murder weapon. It's possible Kotoko got that information when she met the reporter but she has been hinting to have seen the hammer and the lady in white earlier before that.
This is just speculation of course but...There's also the article about the paperbag couple. Kotoko is 20 years old and this boy seems to be of the same age. Are they...related somehow? Or is it just coincidence? Kotoko's hideout seems to be in a warehouse too.
It's unlikely they are connected but I also find it interesting that the appearance of the serial killer is very close to Fuuta.
This is just one of many parts of my comprehensive analysis of Mikoto Kayano.
Mikoto Kayano is what I would call a high-concept character. What does high-concept mean?
✦ High-concept works tend to be attention-grabbing and appeal to a broad audience, often because they can be easily understood and appreciated on a surface level.
✦ The idea behind the character design may be simple or generic on the surface, but upon closer examination, it reveals intricate details and nuances that add to its complexity and depth. This can make the character design stand out and be memorable to audiences, even if the character's appearance is initially unremarkable or conventional.
Examples of high-concept: (For the inexperienced)
✦ In terms of illustration, Composition (Golden Ratio, Rule of Thirds, etc.) is like a puzzle that the artist puts together, with each piece adding to the overall picture. The main focus is usually in the center of the image or off-center to create visual interest, and other elements are arranged around it in a way that enhances the story being told to reward the inquisitive.
✦ In video games, Platinum’s Hideki Kamiya (Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, etc.) is known for this exact concept. You can finish the game by just casually engaging with mechanics, but if you look deeper into the systems, you are able to execute flawless stylish moves that are very rewarding to execute.
Whenever designing characters, Japan tends to place a strong emphasis on the following:
✦ Name Symbolism - The names are usually a great clue to what a character is about. This includes potential wordplay.
✦ Blood Type - Determines the type of personality they have and their chemistry with the rest of the cast. Think of it as the equivalent of Zodiac signs.
✦Mikoto Kayano Name Breakdown
✦ Kanji - 【榧野 尊】
✦ Katakana - 【カヤノ ミコト】
✦ To get the definitions for the kanji used in this document, I used Goo and Jisho.
【榧】Kaya
✦ Japanese nutmeg tree (Torreya Nucifera)
✦ Flowers bloom around April, and elliptical fruits are produced in the following autumn. The fruit is used for edible oil and hair oil, as well as for food. The wood is hard and used for construction materials, furniture, Go and Shogi boards, and as a carving material.
✦ The flower language for Kaya is “effort”
✦ In Go, the concept of "building a house" refers to creating a territory on the board by enclosing a certain area with your stones. This can be seen as analogous to building a house, where you create a defined space for yourself to live in. The process of building a territory requires strategic thinking, and players must balance offensive and defensive moves to secure the most advantageous positions on the board.
✦ In Shogi, there is a similar concept called "castle." Where certain pieces are used to create a fortress-like structure around the king, making it difficult for the opponent to attack and capture it.
‼️ I feel like anyone with DID/OSDD understands what it feels like. I hope this could be a good allegory for you to use? Although I have shown this example to people with systems, feel free to leave your own thoughts too.
"Kaya no soto" (茅の外) is a Japanese idiom that literally translates to "outside the fence made of kaya grass". The phrase is used to describe someone who is uninformed or ignorant of a situation, or who is excluded from a group or organization.
The kaya grass referred to in the idiom is a type of sedge grass that grows in Japan and other parts of Asia. Historically, it was used to make fences and walls, and was seen as a symbol of exclusion or separation.
The idiom "kaya no soto" is often used in situations where someone is unaware of important information or events, or is not involved in a particular group or community. It can also be used in a humorous or self-deprecating way to indicate one's own ignorance or exclusion.
【野】 No
✦ Field or plain. "野営 (yaei)" means camping, and "原野 (genya)" means wilderness.
✦Field, cultivated land. "野菜 (yasai)" means vegetables, and "田野 (denya)" means rice field.
✦ Folk, civilian. "野党 (yato)" means opposition party, and "在野 (zaiya)" means out of office. [Antonym] Morning.
✦ Natural, wild. "野生 (yasei)" means wild, and "野鳥 (yachou)" means wild birds.
✦ Rough, uncivilized. "野蛮 (yaban)" means barbaric, and "粗野 (soya)" means uncivilized.
✦ Ambitious, exceeding one's status. "野心 (yashin)" means ambition, and "野望 (yabou)" means aspiration.
✦ Classified area. "視野 (shiya)" means field of vision, and "分野 (bunya)" means field of study.
✦ Abbreviation of "下野の国 (Shimotsuke no Kuni)". "野州 (Yashuu)" means Shimotsuke Province. 【Kanji 2】Sho Countryside villa, summer house.
✦ The kanji 【野】 means "field" or "wilderness" in Japanese. It can also refer to "rough" or "uncivilized" behavior or nature. In some cases, it is used to indicate that a plant or animal is in its natural, wild state. It can be combined with other kanji to create words such as 野菜 (yasai) meaning "vegetables," 野生 (yasei) meaning "wild" or "untamed," and 野球 (yakyuu) meaning "baseball."
✦ Added to nouns representing people to express contempt for their uncivilized behavior. "野幇間 (daiko)" means wild street performer, and "野育ち (no sodachi)" means someone who grew up in a rough or uncivilized environment.
✦ It can also be used to combine with words like spacious farm or field to create an expression. "朝早くから野に出て働く (asa hayaku kara no ni dete hataraku)" means going out to work in the fields early in the morning.
✦ High value or rank; noble. "尊厳" (dignity), "尊属" (noble family), "尊大" (majestic), "尊卑" (social status), "独尊" (supremacy).
✦ To respect and cherish. "尊敬" (respect), "尊崇" (reverence), "尊重" (esteem), "追尊" (posthumous honor), "自尊心" (self-esteem).
✦ A word expressing respect for the other person's matters. "尊翰" (esteemed writing), "尊顔" (honorable face), "尊兄" (esteemed elder brother), "尊体" (respected body), "尊父" (honorable father), "尊慮" (thoughtful consideration).
✦ A word used to express reverence for Buddha or noble people. "三尊" (three pure ones), "至尊" (supreme honor), "釈尊" (Shakyamuni Buddha), "世尊" (World Honored One), "本尊" (principal image of worship).
✦ One very interesting to note is Mikoto’s name and its association with deities. To be specific, the Three Pure Ones. They are often portrayed as elderly deities robed in the three basic colors from which all colors originated: Red, Blue and Yellow (or Green) depending on personal interpretation of color origins by additive or subtractive means.
✦ The impression Mikoto’s name gives is, “Someone who has a strong sense of hard work and dedication.”
But here are also possible interpretations of his name:
✦ Noble of the Torreya Fields.
In this interpretation, the name can be seen as suggesting a person who is noble and respected in the fields where Torreya trees grow.
✦ Revered One from the Kaya Field
In this interpretation, the name emphasizes the noble or revered status of the individual who comes from a place where Kaya trees grow (Kaya Fields).
✦ Honorable Torreya Tree Guardian
If we consider 尊 (Mikoto) as representing honor and reverence, it could be interpreted as someone who is an honorable guardian or protector of the Torreya trees or the fields they grow in.
✦ Divine of the Torreya Fields
In this interpretation, Mikoto as "divine" signifies someone who possesses divine or sacred qualities, and is connected to the fields where Torreya trees grow.
✦ Divine One from the Kaya Fields
This interpretation suggests a person with sacred attributes originating from the Kaya fields.
✦ Divine Torreya Tree Guardian
The name could be interpreted as someone who is a divine or sacred guardian or protector of the Torreya trees or the fields they grow in.
✦ A lot of Mikoto's name meanings is about PROTECTION.
Goroawase (ごあわらせ) is a Japanese wordplay technique that uses the first kana character of each word to create a new word or phrase. For Mikoto’s name (カヤノ ミコト) these would be the meaning:
✦ カミ (KAMI): "kami" (神) can mean "god" or "deity."
✦ ヤミ (YAMI): "Yami" (闇) means "darkness" or "shadow."
✦ ヤコ (YAKO): "Yako" (夜光) means "night light" or "luminescence."
Mikoto also has symbols that connect him to the Polaris Binary Star (if I am remembering this correctly). Let me show you a visual about Mikoto as a character.
✦Mikoto Kayano's Blood Type: AB
Mikoto Kayano's is Blood Type AB. The only one. It already represents him as an outcast and someone highly unique.
In Japan, the concept of blood type personality theory, known as ketsueki-gata, has gained significant popularity since its introduction in the 1920s. Although the theory has no scientific basis, many people in Japan believe that an individual's blood type can determine their personality traits, temperament, compatibility with others, and even influence their career and romantic prospects. The idea is not dissimilar to the way some people in Western cultures view astrological signs.
Blood type AB is one of the four primary blood types in the ABO blood group system, along with A, B, and O. According to Japanese beliefs, people with blood type AB possess unique characteristics due to the combination of both type A and type B antigens. These traits can be both positive and negative, and individuals with this blood type are often perceived as:
✦ Creative and artistic: Type AB individuals are thought to be highly imaginative, innovative, and capable of thinking outside the box. They may excel in fields that require original ideas and creative problem-solving.
✦ Rational and analytical: People with blood type AB are often seen as intellectually curious, possessing strong analytical abilities and a keen interest in understanding complex subjects.
✦ Calm and composed: Type AB individuals are believed to maintain a sense of emotional balance and are not easily swayed by external events or circumstances.
✦ Ambiguous or mysterious: Due to the mix of traits from both type A and type B blood groups, individuals with blood type AB may be seen as enigmatic and difficult to predict.
✦ Diplomatic and adaptable: As type AB individuals carry characteristics of both A and B blood types, they are thought to be adept at navigating social situations and building bridges between conflicting perspectives.
✦ Aloof and detached: On the negative side, people with blood type AB might be perceived as emotionally distant or reserved, which could make it challenging for them to form close relationships.
✦ Indecisive and disorganized: The blending of type A and type B traits may lead to difficulty in making decisions, a lack of focus, or trouble maintaining an organized lifestyle.
✦Mikoto's Character Design and DID
Mikoto is often described as someone who is "Mass produced" and an "Everyday Man."
But despite this, Mikoto's hair is a great way to describe his complexity. Based on what we know, here's how I would break it down.
You must be wondering why the Ahoge is seen as a separate identity. With character design, they are considered as a character by themselves. When you register them for ownership, the Ahoge or "Character Mark" would be the one registered. The rest is considered generic.
This is Mikoto in a nutshell. Try removing the ahoge, he is almost unrecognizable.
In short, this is genius character design. More explanation about the RGBY colors later on.
✦ We will end this analysis here for now. Please look forward for the next part!
This was my first time directing an MV for the second trial. I always ponder over the visuals that suit each prisoner and each MV. With this energetic sound and adorable lyrics, I had to find a balance! As a result, Muu ended up becoming a bug. 🐝
Creating a non-human form that encompasses both eerie, beautiful, scary, and cute elements proved to be even more challenging than I imagined. Especially, after receiving the results of the first trial, I felt it was an unavoidable path to depict the birth of a monster. I also had fun experimenting with cell processing techniques. Even though Muu ended up becoming a bug?! I hope it surprises and delights you.
[akka]
I was told way back that the belts contain the names of the prisoners. But I have seen Fuuta's Rune name enough times that I was unconvinced. I decided to translate it.
Just to be sure, I also checked the full size Backdraft album art. Here is what it says.
And while we're at it.
I still think that their punishment is based on how much they got guilty. If they're Forgiven/Innocent they don't get a checkmark.
The interrogation cards should show a checkmark if a prisoner got guilty. Fuuta's first few T2 cards were a mistake and MILGRAM twitter confirmed this.
The translation for this, even if imperfect (it was really hard for me to see the runes due to being half-blind)
MILGRAM THIRD PRISONER FUTA
20 AGE
5 foot 4.56 Height
