Sorbetās and Gelatoās Black String of Fate
āYou and I are bound by the black string of fate.ā ā Ozu from Tatami Galaxy
Iāve been thinking about the concept of āthe black string of fateā from Tatami Galaxy (åē³åē„č©±å¤§ē³») as opposed to āthe red string of fate.ā
Thinking about the doomed fates of Sorbet and Gelato and their relationship cut short, I think the black string of fate is more fitting than the red string of fate.
Originating from Chinese Taoism (specifically the matchmaking deity YuĆØ LĒo/ęč), the red string of fate is a trope used nowadays to signify two people destined for marriage or as their one true love.
Playing on this concept, Tatami Galaxy creates a symbol of the complicated relationship between the protagonist and Ozu with the black string of fate. To summarize the meaning of this symbol, the black string of fate illustrates how, no matter what happens, no matter the timeline, and no matter how chaotic life becomes, the protagonist and Ozu will always be drawn together, for better or for worse.
In almost every timeline where the protagonist gets a ābad ending,ā he blames it all on Ozu for being a bad influence, the two of them dragging each other down.
Additionally, I think there is a certain queer reading between the protagonist and Ozu, especially since they are always described as being bound by the black string of fate (imitation of the red string of fate/marriage), and with Ozu sometimes cross-dressing and/or flirting with the protagonist. But thatās something to unpack in another analysis.
So how does the concept of the black string of fate relate to Sorbet and Gelato?
Based upon everything weāve learned from Prima che il Gelato si Sciolga, perhaps they wouldāve lived longer if they hadnāt met each other. Gelato couldāve left La Squadra to their fates, and Sorbet couldāve decided to not act if he didnāt have Gelato by his side.
And yet, their connection and chemistry is nearly instantaneous. Itās only with the strength they find in each other as one soul to rebel against the Boss, leading to their inevitable doomed fates.
Gelato would follow Sorbet wherever he goes, even if they would both die. And, Sorbet would only follow through on his plan if Gelato was with him, even if he would drag Gelato down with him. After all, they consider each other as one soul. If they were going to do something, they will do it together. And itās because of this that they led each other to their deaths.
So rather than the red string that signifies the union of souls as marriage, the black string signifies the union of doomed partners.
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