I have many things I want to say. And we're only getting started with Kaisei's Shinigami 😭 Takamasa-sensei's writing is so detailed and well-done.
First of all, Kaisei's choice to change the main character from a middle-aged man in debt to his son who gets criticized for the same things is very fitting. I don't recall seeing Kaisei being compared to his father, but he probably does that to himself. He doesn't want to become someone like his dad, but part of it might feel inevitable. Even when he's distanced himself from his dad, he's still carrying Issho's baggage.
That also got me thinking, how much of Kaisei's rakugo career were achievements he wanted to accomplish himself versus expectations Issho put on him. Kaisei used rakugo to escape from his dad's shadow, but that just put him in another layer of generational trauma. Now I think he's trying to use this iteration of shinigami to find himself and get away from Issho's business. Is he trying to get away though? Maybe not... I really want to see how different this shinigami is from his promotion test... Sensei please 🙏 show me to meeee
ALSO, his NAME!!! What a pleasure it is to see beautiful precious child Kaisei, or should I say HARU!!! I had to see the kanji and I was absolutely blown away. His surname 青梅 (Oume) means "young (green) plum blossom", I'm not making this up. I was going crazy when I saw that plum blossom was in his given name. And Haru is such a cute name, the kanji means "spring". The intention of him having resilience is so important because mom knew he was going to have a rough life, but she's doing her best, they're all doing their best 😭
The anime just had an episode about how Akane got her name, and now we're learning how Kaisei got his name 🥹 The timing is so perfect, they know exactly what they're doing I swear.
The color page reminded me of the other cover page Kaisei was on with kitty cats, this time with some plum blossoms. Moue-sensei thank you for this beautiful art, and thank you shonen jump for giving Akane a color page this week I'm very grateful.
continue of last year's pride month submission, i will post another meme of akahika and never post anything else after again (/jk im too lazy and busy to do anything on schedule huhu)
it's funny that akane banashi is still a battle shonen through and through because we get the traditional moment where all the rivals are like "this newbie.... she has what it takes to surpass me... I CAN'T LET HER DO THAT.... I HAVE TO GET STRONGER" but it's about her doing the world's greatest knock knock joke performance
do you ever think about how Kaisei witnessed Maikeru's Shin'uchi exam and was filled with dread because even with praise from Issho, even when passing the Shin'uchi test, it wasn't enough to meet Issho's insane standards. So what would that mean for him, the one bred to carry Issho Arakawa's legacy?
And then literally all of Kaisei's fears came true, except he didn't even get praise from Issho. Just utter humiliation. That was crazy.
Issho understood Kaisei's art more than anyone at that point. He not only sabotaged him during his exam, he purposely let Kaisei spend months practicing, preparing, performing, all while 100% intending to make sure he fails. The entire time, Issho intended to stab him in the back. For the plot. Most normal mentor ever. Totally well-adjusted old man behavior.
In the end, students of the guy his Master hates more than anyone get more respect from Issho than Kaisei ever has in his LIFE because Issho knows he's entitled to Kaisei's loyalty in a way no one else is, not even Ikken. He takes full advantage of the fact Kaisei is HIS child, HIS student, purely for his own benefit/artistic vision/lingering guilt.
"Kaisei" could have been any unfortunate kid, but for Kaisei, he only has Issho. That's the real tragedy of it all.
Imagine the audacity for Issho to approach him in the middle of his despair and confusion, standing in the rain much like Shinta Arakawa was after his expulsion, clasp his shoulder in a mockery of comfort, and smile as he says, "You understand now, don't you?"
As if Kaisei did not understand from the first day he was left out in the cold in front of Issho's house, waiting for his mother's savior to finally let him in. He was reliant on Issho then, and BECAUSE of how Issho trained him, ISOLATED him, even, with "only listening to the art," he still is now. It was all by design and it pisses me off so bad!!!
He's not a good parent, and he's not a good teacher. He's a manipulative piece of shit. He invites Kaisei out to a fancy dinner under the pretense of celebrating Akane's achievements, but uses it as an excuse to subtly chide Kaisei for feeling disappointed or upset about what happened. To indirectly tell him, "yes, I know you're hurting, and I made it so, but you have to grin and bear it, or else maybe you don't really deserve to be my protege" Yah man my eyes would be going blood shot red too.
LOOK AT ISSHO'S SMILE HERE. I WOULD START GOING VIOLENT.
And when Akane rightfully gets mad at Issho for his typical bullshit, he leaves the room and has KAISEI convinces Akane to participate at the Isshokai. Why not? After all, he had just finished GOADING KAISEI WITH THIS DINNER. He KNOWS Kaisei will be desperate for an opportunity to prove himself. Of course he gets to immediately leave the room when Akane starts asking questions when he has the luxury of his perfectly trained dog to do all the emotional work for him!!! And Issho gets to pat himself on the back afterwards when they both do a phenomenal job!! OHHH my god he makes me so mad.
Maybe Kaisei didn't expect Akane to grow as much as she did, but in the end, it doesn't change anything. As long as he's still seeking that man's approval, he'll never be free.
TL;DR Kaisei is built like an Eldest Daughter AND a Shojo Male Lead. Kaisei you have to break out. Kaisei can you hear me.
anyways whatever you do don't think about hikaru staring at akane for a little bit longer than is necessary while akane drinks from the water bottle she gave her after a stunning performance once again. and absolutely don't think about about akane leaning on hikaru for support as motion sickness starts to hit her exhausted body on the rocking cruise ship. god forbid you imagine hikaru holding on to her, keeping her steady as she guides them back to their room after the show. or even letting akane lay on her lap back at the hotel room while she gently scratches her head to distract her from the pain. don't even bother considering how much pleasure it would bring hikaru to have akane rely on her as her senpai, even for a little bit.
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