Ok I just wanted to say a few things about Reki’s character and how I appreciate how he’s being handled in the show.
I think it’s obvious by now that Reki has signs of depression, and what I wanted to point out was how it’s something that’s been happening from episode one. Reki’s feelings and insecurities are not something that writers are pulling out of their ass in order to set up a weak plot point. They carefully instilled it in his character before working him up to a breaking point.
!!!!TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of Self Harm!!!!!
I just saw this post by @aslightlysaltylemonbar which points out many things about the characters, specifically stating they can see “Reki's combination of determination and low self esteem escalate to self harm”.
Op is entirely right, but I believe Reki has been self harming all along, but in more subtle ways that aren’t expressed as often through the media.
Episode one:
This strikes me as very important in Reki’s character as this takes place before getting to know Langa, and before he reaches a peak in his insecurities which eventually sends him into the downward spiral we see him in now (episodes 7-?)
Manager Oka asks Reki if he needs a break after Reki seems to spasm and twitch, faltering in his job of restocking the shelves. He continues however, and we get the heart breaking line: “You know what sucks about the way you say ‘I’m fine?’ The fact you never really are.”
This is a form of self harm in and of itself, wether it’s conscious or unconscious. Reki is obviously needing a break, but he continues to stock the shelves as if he’s punishing himself for the previous nights failures.
This behavior is seen again in Episode Seven, but in a much worse degree:
As Reki tries in vain to complete the trick Langa had performed effortlessly, he throws himself into damage, fall after fall before he lays on the ground as it starts to rain. The picture of the ‘X’s portrayed above was taken before multiple more shots of Reki bailing from his board and landing in compromising positions like as shown in the second image, him thrown violently into the metal gate which would be enough to at the very least bruise a rib or two. (I say this with confidence as my dad recently broke three ribs only tripping into something similar)
Keep in mind, this is only one example of the mutliple tumbles shown in this montage, not to mention the previous that came before that are alluded to by the supposed 10 ‘X’s shown on screen.
This is a form of self harm. Undoubtedly so. The repeated notion of putting oneself in danger and pushing yourself to the max when you know you are no longer operating under your best and safest self is a form of self harm that’s not often recognized in the media. I feel like this scene showed Reki’s beginning decent into his downward spiral very well. He continuously pushes himself and puts himself in danger, putting himself into positions where he’s getting hurt and losing the strength and motivation to carry on in a safe manner in favour of hurting himself over and over in the guise of ‘perfecting Langa’s trick.’
This could easily be something he’s doing unconsciously, and if that’s the case I entirely agree with @aslightlysaltylemonbar ‘s analysis linked above, that Reki will begin to purposely find himself falling into self-destructive tendencies.
Especially with the final scene from episode 9 in which Reki hands in his pin:
Reki says: “it’s okay... now.” When questioned by the guard to whom he had handed his pin.
I’m not going to suggest anything too dark in writing, but I’m sure those of you who might have bothered to read my 12am analysis might understand what I’m implying by adding this in. As someone who deeply identifies with Reki’s character, this hit a little too close to home for me, and while I don’t suspect Sk8 to take any such dark paths or explore the entirety of depression and it’s nature, it was the first worry that popped into my head at this scene.
As I mentioned, this is simply me going on a 12am insomnia induced Rant about why I love Reki’s character and they way he’s been portrayed throughout the show. I don’t even know if this is comprehensible but please lemme know what you think. If anyone has any other thoughts or wants to scream with me please reach out!!
