The koi fish, of courage and love, the beautiful lover boy, Simon
Every time, I read TVMs (TV microscop) analysis on the substack blog, my mind is always on overdrive. Go check the last article on the fish metaphor in Young royals. The essential part of the article on this metaphor is free. It completes the water metaphor (this article is also free) that represents love. To go further, I would like to add a mention of the koi fish that represents Simon, the courageous resilient and beautiful lover boy.
In episode 1 of season 1, when Simon is first introduced home, (19mn30 et sq) with his family eating the infamous pasta with ketchup, he's wearing a T-shirt with a big koi fish in a japanese style. This fish is linked with home, family, love etc. And in episode 2 of season 1, just after the scene when Wille taps Simon's shoulder on the boat when rowing on the lake, at 10mn 54 et sq, we see Simon in the second scene home of the whole series. He wears the same t-shirt with the big koi fish. But we can have a better look at it. There is this big majestic koi fish in a circle but with a part that breaks the circle on the top near a wave. And outside the circle where the big fish is, in the wave at its left, on the bottom of the t-shirt, there is a hint of a second fish, he is almost entirely underwater, we only see the tail emerging from the water (or it is perhaps just a part of the tail's fish dipping in the waves, out of the bubble ? ).
This t-shirt can perhaps really embody part of who Simon is, in introductory scenes. The japanese "koi" that is depicted symbolizes, courage, bravery, perseverance, dedication, good luck, love and beauty. "Koi" in japanese apparently (thanks google) means "carp" but also "love". This fish linked with many legends swimms against strong currents and never gives up when facing adversities, beating the odds. Kois are compared to "samurais" as warriors, fighters. (A possible link with the song "Samurai Swords" by Highasakite when Simon and Wille comfort each other when facing a struggle, a bump on the road on Santa Lucia night ? ) Really beautiful and inspiring symbol. What's your take on it ?