Reaction: TG:re Chapter 156
First Impressions:
I saw the spoilers come up this morning and have been checking for the release obsessively since then. I nearly jumped out of my chair when I saw the chapter go up. I’ll run through the thoughts that popped into my mind while I was reading before I endeavor to make any kind of real commentary.
I cringed when I saw how thoroughly impaled Urie was here:
Urie is an absolute tank no matter what anyone says. I also spotted a nice parallel to Haise on the next page:
I think this chapter was ripe with parallels that I will get into later, but this was a good one that caught my eye. Next, this panel had me screaming:
I was dying after seeing Saiko take a hit like that, but in the next panel we got to see the face of an angry goddess:
This whole fight was tearing me apart honestly. I know the battle between the original Qs is important (and really well drawn), but I hate seeing these youngsters fight. This panel got me especially:
I mean every involved party is in pain:
This chapter was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions. I went from anguish to joy over the course of 18 pages. I guess that’s Ishida for you. Anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter and I am happy to say that it was worth the wait.
Analysis:
I would like to begin by talking about parallels. Many others have written about how the Qs serve as mirrors to different parts of Kaneki’s personality. First, this:
Mutsuki’s desire to be killed by Urie and Saiko in the previous chapter had clearly failed, so he decided to end his life himself. This is very reminiscent of Kaneki’s desire to die doing something “stylish” and his final confrontation with Arima. The interference of the other Qs showed Mutsuki that people genuinely care for him, thus derailing his plan for suicide. It seems like the other Qs also pushed back against some of their flaws. Saiko’s passionate outburst and Urie’s heartfelt show of emotion:
Show them overcoming their respective flaws of inaction and silence. This chapter showed that the flaws present in the Qs are not insurmountable. I do not think any of them are done growing (they still have to confront Kaneki after all), but this was a step in the right direction.
Next, I want to talk more specifically about Mutsuki. I think it is safe to say that he is now on the path to redemption. Based on this apology:
And how he broke down crying at the end of the chapter:
It seems safe to say that he is feeling real remorse and, on some level, is willing to acknowledge what he has done is wrong. This is all positive character growth and a firm step towards a more positive state of being for Mutsuki. I know some people might see this as too rushed or insufficient to make up for what Mutsuki has done. I understand that perspective, and if this is all it takes for Mutsuki to be completely changed and redeemed, then I would agree. However, I think this is only the beginning for Mutsuki. He is now on path that will lead him to redemption. I think looking at Nishiki’s character arc would be a good point of comparison for how a character can walk the road to redemption within this series.
While I think Mutsuki is now heading in a better direction than he was before, I still have some concerns. More specifically, I am worried about his fixation on the past. I would like to draw your attention to this:
As cute and nostalgic as this panel is, I think it represents something that is holding back many characters, especially the Qs. No matter what they do, their life at the Chateau is gone. Shirazu is gone and so is the Haise they knew. I do not think it is impossible for Mutsuki or the other Qs to gain what life at the Chateau represented for them (familial love), but I think clinging to an image of the past will keep them from moving forward.
As a final comment, I would like to express some concern over Kaneki. He was not in this chapter of course, but I am starting to worry about what will happen to him. In a previous post I discussed some theories about what state Kaneki will be in when he emerges from Dragon. I am starting to fear that the generally positive developments going on (Ghouls and CCG teaming up, calming Aura down, reconciling the Original Qs) might be derailed by a crazed or malicious Kaneki. That being said, I have never been good at predicting this series. We all have to wait and see what is in store for next week.