An Analysis of ShinKane in Psycho-Pass: The Movie
After streaming through Psycho Pass S1 and Psycho Pass: The Movie, one cannot deny the fact that there most certainly is a relationship worth bringing up between Kogami Shinya and Tsunemori Akane, be it platonic or romantic. Although the author explicitly said that their relationship is viewed more as one that is grounded by ātrust that surpasses romantic love,ā their dynamic throughout the series still makes the ship worth the emotional investment, or in fandom jargon: it has the potential to sail.
The interaction between Akane and Kogami in Psycho-Pass: The Movie basically supported, if not confirmed, our suspicion of a romance between the two. The main giveaway was their tension, and how they made the most out of their time together. At this point, Akaneās attachment to Kogami, more than that of seeking justice, is clear as day. She most certainly had intentions of meddling into the matters between the government and SEAUn, but needless to say, she also saw it as a leeway to ācatchā Kogami. What I love about the movie is that ācatchā could have meant two things ā to catch a man who has gone to the other side of the law, or/and simply to see and talk to him after his long absence. Kogami was still the gentleman that he is when they met ā recklessly putting his life on the line by shielding her from the droneās wrath. Iād like to think that he knew it was Akane at the start of their spar, because for a second, you could see his face hit a realization.
Iād also like to think that if his encounter was really a threat, he would have done more. Akane was then firm with her resolve to arrest Kogami, but ended up teaming up with him. Perhaps she sensed, as philosophically close as they were, that Kogami was fighting against her supposed party for greater and more rational reasons. It is important to note that despite having been separated for quite some time, their trust is still bulletproof. Not once have they thought that the other is with malicious intent.
The fan that I am, here are some notable scenes from the movie that screamed ShinKane:
1) Trust without hints of hesitation: he agreed to the team up without any question, saved her from the drone, drove her to their HQ, and lent her his military jacket to hide her involvement with the government.
2) She offers him her pack of Spinel. The over-thinkers that we females are, it would be nice to know what ran into his mind when he saw she had a pack of Spinel. The answers can go a lot of ways, but I love how it implies that she hasnāt forgotten him.
3) They both couldnāt sleep. We donāt exactly know the reason. Yes, it may be due to their predicament; sensing that something ominous was at bay, or perhaps because they had a lot of things in their mind that they wanted to say to each other, but assume that the other is asleep. As Kogami sensed her walk her way to the balcony, he followed soon after. Akane then started talking to him without even looking behind her, also sensing that he couldnāt get the sleep they both needed.
4) Akaneās opinion mattered to him. My favorite conversation between the two was when Akane compared and contrasted him to Makishima. It just means that all throughout the years of trying to understand him, she has come up with a moving analysis. Iād like to think that Kogami, in the momentary calm of the night, may have realized that Akane most certainly is one of the few people who knows him more than he may even know himself.
5) Parting ways. The first thought that crossed his mind was to make her escape. They were rather raw with their camaraderie here ā Kogami tells her to escape and do her fair share of investigation, but really, itās also because the HQ was going to be a warzone, and he wouldnāt want Akane killed in action. Better him than her, the martyr that he is. Itās almost as though the movie wanted us to feel like all these were more than just their superficial and dutiful intentions.
I took the case to solve it but also to see you.
You need to escape to investigate the chairman, and because itās going to be dangerous here.
Lastly, at that moment, it was as though Kogami sensed the real reason for Akaneās strong disapproval of leaving without him and said āDonāt worry. Do you really think Iāll die that easily? If we both survive this, come try to catch me again.ā Because it mattered to her that he would live. Moreover, the last statement played around with their cat and mouse game, be it with the intention of arresting him, or just simply seeing him. Kogami exhausted his reassurance in this scene, because he knew just how much Akane wanted him to stay alive.
6) Smile of relief. Following their last encounter and the dangers he put her into as she went back to Shamballa unattended by him, he smiles when he sees her alive and well. Even after being heavily tortured, it mattered to him that she stays alive as well.
7) Last look at each other. After Kogami fires a bullet to free her from her handcuffs and tells her to go after the Chairman, they paused for a glance at each other, almost as though they knew it would be their last encounter in who knows how long.
