Unosuke, Inspector Zenigata, Luke Skywalker
favorite thing about them: I genuinely love how he looks--his aesthetic. If he were an anime character he’d have arguably my favorite character design. It all works together so well--the scarf, the pistol, and even the way he presents himself in his kimono. I love how he’s equal parts foppish and intelligent. He’s the youngest brother, he’s the smartest brother, and he’s going to make sure he’s one good looking gangster damn it. I also love the brief comedic touches Nakadai adds to the character that really scream “yeah this is the youngest sibling alright”.
least favorite thing about them: Well...he is a gangster, and a bastard at that. A lovable bastard, but a bastard nevertheless. (Alternatively: He’s a character that deserved more focus. I feel like he has potential to be fleshed out more, but I know Kurosawa’s whole point was not making a sympathetic gangster ala Matsunaga from Drunken Angel. Not saying Unosuke should be sympathetic—but rather explored more from a character front.)
favorite line: "Who’s banging that prayer drum? I don’t need any prayers…” (Here I think the audience gets that Unosuke is self aware and knows that he’s getting what he deserves. It’s bits like this in the movie coupled with Nakadai’s acting that I think flesh out the character a bit for me.)
brOTP: Sanjuro and Unosuke, because Kurosawa robbed us of a great bromance that could have been. Mainly, though, because they recognize each other as equals and seem to see each other as necessary threats. Unosuke even calls Sanjuro “two-bit” like some sort of nickname at some points.
OTP: None. Tbh I think Unosuke would probably be a pretty shit boyfriend considering.
random headcanon: Unosuke is a spitting image of his father, except his father was actually a good man. Another is that he has a drive to prove himself and is more insecure than he comes across.
unpopular opinion: I think in general I probably like this character moreso than Kurosawa intended for the audience to—but I don’t think I’m alone on this front. You cast a charismatic actor in a villain role--what do you expect, exactly?
song i associate with them: His theme (which sounds like something out of The Jungle Book so it’s appropriate), and a certain Nancy Sinatra song (for obvious reasons).
favorite picture of them: Dat jawline tho.
favorite thing about them: His devotion to justice. I love the fact that he’s willing to work with Lupin when he recognizes that there are bigger criminals to take down and does have respect for him.
least favorite thing about them: His ego tends to get the better of him.
favorite line: None—he has too many good lines to pick just one.
brOTP: Lupin and Zenigata. It’s a delightfully love-hate relationship for the both of them and Lupin referring to him as Pops cements it.
song i associate with them: Zenigata March variation. I think it encompasses all the aspects of his character.
favorite picture of them: Does this count?
(courtesy of just-zenigata-things)
favorite thing about them: I like how Luke has limits, interestingly enough. He’s willing to believe in the best in people up to a point—in the OG trilogy he wants to believe in the good in his father but recognizes that it may be too late for him. Regardless, he keeps that hope. It’s a realistic bit of character building that people can emphasize with.
least favorite thing about them: He’s too stubborn at some points and that costs him quite a bit over the course of the story. Also he was originally whiny but then again—he changes over the course of the story.
favorite line: “You failed, your Highness. I am a Jedi like my father before me”. Beautifully poetic line and gives me all sorts of feelings.
nOtp: Luke and Leia for obvious reasons.
random headcanon: Luke wonders quite often what could have been if his father had survived and carries the grief of his death for decades.
song i associate with them: Binary Sunset
favorite picture of them: Kevin Wada, baby.
