Regarding the issue of "human alienation", various creators always seem to have endless stories to tell. Among these expressive creators, Yuasa Masaki may not be the most profound one, but he is definitely the most aggressive and impactful one. He has no scruples about the so-called sense of balance and never restrains himself, thus greatly expanding his creativity. He is a very imprinted and violent creator.
Generally speaking, a creator's work tends to grow with him. The author will face new dilemmas in a new life stage, become interested in a new life theme, and touch and explore through creative methods. Similarly, when we compare "Devil Man" with "Beast Claw" 12 years ago, it is not difficult to find that in this new work, in addition to the focus on personal destiny, it also begins to emphasize social alienation and its reflections. human contradictions. In the narrative of light and dark lines, the contents of these three levels are often intertwined.
1. Identity anxiety
Generally speaking, this work is trying to answer the question before Miko commits suicide: the so-called like a human being, the so-called kindness, the so-called justice, the so-called right thing. That is, the difference between humans and animals and how humans should treat themselves. Disagreements arose immediately: some saw demons as emotionless, just pure animals, while others saw love and self-sacrifice in them. The former is a kind of general human arrogance, the latter is a kind but confusing concern, because the distinction is really blurred. In the final analysis, the evaluation of being "like" a human being is more of a value judgment. The so-called demons are not a species independent of humans and demons, but are just demons that are closer to humans in concept; those human villains who have been relegated to inhumans are only because they show the evil of human nature and make us unwilling to go. Accept the fact that they are human. After all, accepting them would mean that there is something evil in our common human nature, an insult to each of us ourselves. Therefore, real reflection is always more difficult and requires more courage. "Faced with ignorance, the gods themselves are silent."
Under the topic of identity anxiety, there is another interesting episode. The fight between Miko and Miki over the name "Miki" is essentially a fight for proof of existence. In the end, the reconciliation between Miko and Miki, or even sacrifice for her, may be the key to solving identity anxiety: it doesn't matter what I was in the past, what matters is who I want to be in the future.
2. Social division
After identity anxiety has been clarified, we can see the overall context of alienation, the fragmentation of society.
Japanese creators are very keen to discuss human alienation, integration, and the boundary between human and inhuman. It may be because with the development of the times, the differences between people gradually make people feel that they are even greater than the differences between people and animals. Especially in a society like Japan with an extremely developed subculture, any maverick seems to be acceptable, but in fact they are still inevitably marginalized and classified as an anti-social force. Asuka falsely claimed: "The demons we are fighting against are humans. They are very dissatisfied with not being recognized by the world, so the cells in their bodies have mutated." Such a statement is not inconsistent with the Nazi era. , is nothing more than hoping to divide human beings into different categories through some artificial standards. The reason is that the stable bottom of the society, which has not accumulated wealth in the process of industrialization, is under economic and cultural oppression. From a social psychological point of view, the gradual disappearance of the sense of identity caused by this oppression becomes the origin of division and alienation. This is a historical and contemporary issue.
Faced with this injustice and alienation, many people choose to embrace violence, alcohol, drugs, or promiscuity, which leads to more discrimination and other social problems. In the film, both Akira and Miko were possessed in the underground joyous arena where the demons danced wildly. So he asked the "bad" young people to use the form of RAP to dissolve this dangerous cultural symbol, and used their kindness to prove that the act of "creation" is the only weapon against the inherent boredom of life.
Starting from the seventh episode, the film begins to involve more social perspectives. We have already seen this situation in "From the New World" that the social formation cannot be maintained due to the collapse of the sense of security between people. After all, mutual non-harm is the first program of the social contract and the foundation of social existence. In fact, this guarantee is very fragile, it can almost be said to be composed of a thin layer of fantasy, as long as a little agitation and intimidation, the hostility will spread in a chain reaction. This approach couldn't be more efficient in eradicating a highly organized species such as Homo sapiens.
3. Both sides of human nature
Too lazy to write. I am tired of analyzing human nature every day.
I just feel that the sentence written by Miki touched me very much:
"It's easy to put down a person, but it's hard to understand him.
Family members who have been with us all year round sometimes show new sides.
In any case, when I think that no one in my life can understand me, I feel very lonely.
However, I want to understand each other. Expect deep understanding. With the courage to believe. "
Kind words like this.
The last question: the English name of this work is "Crybaby", which refers to the incredible ability to empathize - the immobile person who can hear the crying voice of others. He can maintain the mind of the devil, probably because he can still cry for others. As for Asuka, it was another Crybaby who finally learned to cry like a human, but it was too late.
The above is the film review before the ninth chapter of this work. As for after watching Chapter 9...
And write a fucking movie review, I'm going to send Yuasa the blade now! !
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