Posted by  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
「バードランドの子守唄」 (Bādorando no komori-uta)
“Lullaby of Birdland”
“Realism” is a term that gets thrown around almost as much as “slice-of-life”, and likewise incorrectly most of the time – but Sakamichi no Apollon is that rare series that earns the descriptor.
I can see where this episode might not be to everyone’s tastes, because it was certainly the least flashy of the five so far. I commented last week, though, on Watanabe Shinichiro’s ability to do a lot while seeming to do very little, and I think it strongly applies here. There was very little overt “direction” in this episode at all – all Watanabe-san did was effectively turn the cameras on his principals and watch them go through some important but subtle self-discovery in a completely non-sensationalistic manner. Not only was this “realism” is the true sense of the term, but even slice-of-life – because he literally made us feel as if we were eavesdropping on a short but important section of Kaoru’s life. Watanabe-sensei has become, in a sense, the anti-Shinbou.
Given all that, “Lullaby of Birdland” doesn’t lend itself to discussion as the previous eps did, which makes my job as a blogger harder even if it’s just as easy to be a viewer. If I were to use one word to describe the episode it would be “lovely” – perfect little snapshots that added up to a rich experience without any flash or grand moments. For example, the short scene where Kaoru played with Sentarou’s sister Sachiko (15 year-old Miyamoto Yume, who played young Monami in the underrated gem Capeta) was quietly brilliant – a lot of credit goes to the mangaka here, I’m sure – as Kaoru treats it as both an excuse not to face Ritsuko and a therapy session. When Ritsuko commandeers the tin-can telephone to gently break Kaoru’s heart as Sentarou eavesdrops, it highlights the fact that all three of them are stuck at that perilous stage between child and adult, wrestling with feelings none of them are really equipped to understand yet.
The fallout from Kaoru’s confession and kiss was certainly still being felt this week, acting as a wedge to drive Karou away from the shop and the studio as he deals with his pain. Meanwhile Brother Jun continues to flirt with Yurika and we’re left to wonder just what goes into the intense curiosity Sentarou has about who Ritsuko likes enough to turn down “Bon”. Does he not realize the feelings she has are for him – is she that dense? And does he feel the same way about her, despite his crush on Yurika? I like that this messy pentangle isn’t the obsession of the show, but is never far from our minds – because it’s never far from Kaoru’s. Of all the potential pairings, Sentarou and Ritsuko is still the simplest and the one that makes the most sense, especially given that Kaoru is likely to end up leaving again in the end. But this is not the main theme of “Sakamichi” – in its own words, “Unlike love affairs, friendship is for life.”
Surprisingly low-key is the entrance of Kaoru’s Father (Terasoma Masaki) into the story at last – and he’s not the only parent we’re to meet, either. The interaction between father and son is too brief to draw many conclusions, except that Dad seems like a supportive and understanding sort. His main role here is to pass along the info that a former housekeeper has crossed paths with Kaoru’s mother in Tokyo, and gotten an address. Kaoru’s hesitation is understandable, especially considering how deeply he’s mired in his own heartbreak over Kaoru, but Sentarou’s interference is predictable. From his perspective not going to see his mother would be an unforgivable act by Kaoru – because it’s something he could never do himself, even if he wanted to.
Again, Watanabe treats the reunion of mother and son – a potentially explosive event – with surprising understatement and restraint. Mom works at “Blue Butterfly”, which can only be a kyabakura, a hostess club – not a highly respectable place, though not as disreputable as most Westerners (who likewise might think Geishas are prostitutes) might assume. After a brief visit to Jun’s dorm reveals that Brother J. is both a confirmed womanizer and has been “missing” for a month – and a mixup that has the college guys drinking water and the high-schoolers shochu – Kaoru and Sen return to the club (slightly hung-over) to meet Mom. Part of me felt that Sen was being pretty rude by intruding on this moment, but he at least had the grace to excuse himself after lunch, and in his own mind I’m sure Kaoru was grateful for the support.
The conversation between the son and the woman who abandoned him is restrained and almost subdued – she obviously feels terribly guilty, and he can’t quite bring himself to ask the question that’s the only one that really matters to him. But there’s an understanding of a sort between them, and a hint of future meeting – in fact Kaoru asks his mother (a singer) to learn “Lullaby of Birdland”, a classic jazz ballad performed by many legends (this is the well-known recording he gives her) so that he might accompany her on it the next time they meet. And with that, the meeting is over and Kaoru and Sen are off to Kyuushu again – with only a few quiet tears shed by Mom for pure drama.
I can see where some viewers might have wanted more emotion here, and out of the ep in general – but that doesn’t seem to be the style of either Watanabe or Kodama-sensei, who’s shared sensibility makes Watanabe a seamless choice to direct her manga. There are really three separate relationship explorations happening here – first loves, parents and children, and male friendship. And none of them dominate the story at the expense of the others, though ultimately it’s Kaoru and Sentarou’s relationship that’s the essence of what the series is about. And in depicting emotions, as with the character and plot elements, the series is more concerned with balance than bombast.
Please, no spoilers about the manga ending. ~GE
not sure whether to give this comment a thumbs up because, as per usual, Enzo is a god and saved us, or a thumbs down because it was originally a spoiler-filled comment
F*ckin hell this show’s good. I’m not gonna talk about the actual episode though.
You see, I got a little impatient and decided to start reading the manga. Currently up to volume 7 (9 or 10 in total, I think). Read the first 4 in English and the other 3 in Japanese. The anime didn’t seem the least bit spoiled because of it. In fact, such is the quality of the anime, that it compliments the manga almost perfectly, becoming a bunch of vignettes about the characters’ lives (complete with an awesome soundtrack, obviously). It compresses the story yet gives perfect focus to the more powerful moments, almost subconsciously most times. They key thing, one which you emphasized on, is the way it understates key parts without undermining.
Only bit I can propably nitpick on is the introduction of Kaoru’s dad. That was a bit too downplayed considering how much was built up by Kaoru in prior episodes. It’s pretty accurate to the original, but in the context of the anime alone, you’d expect a bit more overflow in the emotion department.
Anyways, here’s to another week of waiting.
I had to look up the song on ITunes because I couldn’t remember how it went. I hope they manage to fit Kaoru and his mom playing it.
It’s starting to become obvious to me that this must be a remembrance of a time in Kaoru’s life and of people he no longer is in touch with. Bittersweet, with a first love and rejection. A friendship, a new passion. Even when it is not going in directions I would prefer, it is a special story. I do think the situation with Jun and Mariko is not going to end well.
One thing about Sentaro and Kaoru’s mom. He may have been unintentionally rude, but I think he also just wanted to experience their meeting vicariously, since he is not able to meet his own mother. It probably means much more to him than he is even willing to admit to himself.
That’s an interesting take on Sentarou and Kaoru’s Mom.
I concur. That is a very astute observation, and probably correct, given the likelihood that Sentaro doesn’t even know the real reason why he tags along.
I believe Mariko is the name of Kaoru’s bratty cousin. The name you want is Yurika.
Anybody knows the song during the train ride back to kyuushu?
Lullaby Birdland, the same record Richie gave his mom.
The Bromance is strong in this one, though the light flirting between Sentarou and Kaoru’s mom amused me.
I can’t believe we’re only 5 episodes in.
Good grief they literally sprinted thru manga on this episode – four chapters were covered. However, one major plot point was completely skipped – the reason that Kaoru’s mother left. That question WAS asked, and pretty much fully answered in the manga. I won’t spoil the conversation, other than to say it was not due to any fidelity issues between his parents.
I know the manga and i find it inredible irritating that they skipped the reason why his mother left and why she could not take him with her. Like you said, it is one major plot point after all.
I guess what I enjoyed most about this episode is that while it is filled with emotion, it does not dwell into full-blown drama. That is, the emotions felt more muted, but they made a much bigger impact on me because of it. Yeah, that may seem sort of contradictory, but I guess I appreciate more subtle realism and not the overdone histrionics often seen in anime. That doesn’t mean that there wasn’t drama in this episode. This episode was quite chock full of it: the ups and downs of young love, the guilt and regret of a parent, the still blossoming friendship between two boys, etc. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.
On another note, I was slightly disappointed that there was no real jam session scene in this episode, but I guess I was spoiled by the earlier episodes. Still, in its absence, the director went more the route of some serious character development along with introduction of a couple of new characters. And now that the main character dynamics have been set along with a serious web of unrequited affection, the cogs are slowly yet surely turning. How it’ll finally end up, I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll have a blast finding out.
The atmosphere in this episode is truly amazing……
Somehow it is really heart-warming
“And with that, the meeting is over and Kaoru and Sen are off to Kyuushu again – with only a few quiet tears shed by Mom for pure drama.”
IF you know the manga you will understand that her tears were not there just for pure drama. She was more or less forced to leave him.
Every boys first love is there mother.
His mom DID look suspiciously like Ri-chan in that picture. . .
How can Kaoru’s mom afford expensive dinners like that?
Expensive? It was just curry – that’s not normally that pricey. And working at a seemingly decent enough hostess club she probably makes good money.
That awkward moment when your father comes to your room a find a guy hidding in your bed.
“dad! no, it’s not what you think!”
“There are really three separate relationship explorations happening here – first loves, parents, children, and bromance”
Fixed.
I just love how Ritsuko did exactly what Kaoru had done earlier in the series: Previously, Kaoru invited Yurika to hang in the hopes that she and Sentaro would get together, leaving Ritsuko. In this episode, Ritsuko invited Yuriko over in the hopes that Yurika and Jun will get together, leaving Sentaro for herself.
Unlike Kaoru though, Ritsuko doesn’t seem to feel any guilt over what she’s doing, but that’s probably more because Sentaro doesn’t understand what’s going on between Jun and Yurika. Sentaro hasn’t been moping simply because he hasn’t realized it. Contrasting Kaoru’s situation, Ritsuko was fully aware of Sentaro’s feelings for Yurika, hence Ritsuko ends up crying because of Kaoru’s actions. Does that make Ritsuko’s actions any better? Hm….
Also Kaoru’s dad has pretty awful vision XD ahah