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「どいつもこいつも」 (Do itsumo koitsu mo)
“All of Us”
In the final analysis, i still feel like Yofukashi no Uta is about introversion, and everything else is symbolically supporting that theme. Introverts will know that at times in life the world treats you like you’re broken – like your essential nature is a disease that needs treatment. They’ll also know that extroverts don’t understand what it’s like to be an introvert (any more than we understand them) no matter what they say. The difference, of course, is that by our very nature we’re content to leave them the hell alone, and by theirs they insist on trying to “help” us.
None of this is to say that common ground can’t exist. And indeed, sometimes opposites do attract, and do fall in love. But introverts usually have a lifetime of conditioning to believe that they’re broken, and should be trying to fix themselves. For someone like Kou that means someone like Mahiru (Ono Kenshou) is a person to be admired and aspired to. Eventually most introverts figure out what it is they need to do to get by in a society built for extroverts – at work, socially, and romantically. But it’s a matter of managing their nature, not changing it. It’s not a thing that can be changed.
Based on the evidence so far it hardly seems as if vampires in this mythology are a society of introverts. But they are people who don’t seem to give a shit about what society expects. I think the draw for Kou is to escape from the expectations of a society he feels he’ll never fit into, and still feel like he’s fitting in somewhere. But apparently that means he has to fit in within a year, because that’s the time limit (somewhat arbitrarily) after the first time they’re bitten by which one have to become a vampire or the deal is off for good.
Kou, in middle-school boy fashion, doesn’t find this too troublesome at first. But Akira points out that if he doesn’t turn in a year, in theory at least the vamps will kill him, because then he’ll just be a human kid who knows a lot about vampires. What Akira doesn’t seem to realize is that as Kou’s confidante, in theory at least her head is on the block too – she knows more than she’s supposed to, surely, though the vamps may be unaware of that. What’s not totally clear is whether this solely (or truthfully) comes down to his falling in love with Nazuna, or whether she could instigate it unilaterally if she chose.
The truth is, of course, that none of this comes naturally to Kou, above and beyond the fact that he’s fourteen. Not falling in love, not being friends. Before he said he doesn’t understand about being in a fight, which I think is the single most enlightening thing he’s said in the entire series. The aforementioned Mahiru is an old friend of Akira and Kou’s – or at least he thinks he is. Even mid-trovert Akira was never sure whether the socially rapacious Mahiru was their friend, since he always seemed to be surrounded by a clowder of them. But Mahiru just assumed the three of them were tight.
Mahiru is a genuinely nice guy, but everything that’s Greek to Kou comes naturally to him. He’s become a night owl himself – hanging with friends, yes, but mainly because he’s hooking up with what looks like an adult woman for sex. When his path crosses with Kou’s one night (despite Kou trying to duck him) Mahiru behaves as if they’re reunited besties. And Kou is touchingly thrilled by this, because Mahiru is everything he was brought up to believe he was supposed to be and isn’t. It’s a reminder that even if we’re uncomfortable with the expectations of society, introverts still crave its approval. Like I said, we’re conditioned from an early age.
Somewhat alarmed by Akira’s warning, Kou has become rather fixated on the idea of kick-starting his conversion process. And Seri – quite turned on my his genuine innocence about all such matters – arms him with a set list to stage a date with Naz. It predictably goes disastrously wrong, not only because this isn’t someone Kou can even pretend to be but because that’s not who Nazuna is either. That said though, the question of just who Nazuna is remains a rather disturbing one at the heart of Call of the Night, and nothing we’re seeing is doing anything to dispel the uneasy uncertainty surrounding the answer.
“Eventually most introverts figure out what it is they need to do to get by in a society built for extroverts – at work, socially, and romantically. But it’s a matter of managing their nature, not changing it. It’s not a thing that can be changed.”
Reading this is an awakening for me. I have spent the last few years trying to change my nature so I can fit into society and make friends. (And failing at it, I might add.) But this makes me reflect and realize trying too hard ended up pushing everyone aside. Maybe things would’ve been better if introverts can just act casually at their own comfort like the way Nazuna and Kou had been.
Remember – you don’t have to change as long as you can adapt. You’ll make lots of friends, I did – the sort of friends who understand when you need space, and when you don’t.
I’m thinking that date would have went better if he just chose a better movie. You’d think he would have a better understanding of Naz’s tastes by now.
I’m introverted and live alone and don’t have any regular friends. I just think that’s what works best for me. I’ve pretty much given up on trying to adapt to society.
From what Nazuna brought up during the Kiyosumi message session when she arranged for him to do the message in exchange for money and a kiss, Ko and Nazuna have been together for at least a month. So, there are no excuses for him not knowing her likes and dislikes to a degree.
I understand Ko’s situation with the stakes raised against him but, he still deserves some chastising for not being more observant to his surroundings and who he interacts with. Recalling what Nazuna indicated with the Kiyosumi message session, Ko and Nazuna have already spent at least a month together. That’s more than enough time to understand that everything Seri suggested runs counter to who Nazuna is as an individual. So that date under such conditions was doomed to failure.
I’m introverted myself and self-aware enough to know Seri’s suggestions definitely wouldn’t work with me. None of them are my style.
Ko has to learn that he needs to meet his goal through his own avenue, one that he’s comfortable with. Because taking and acting on advice to the letter from someone whose personality traits are the polar opposite of him (He’s introverted and Seri’s clearly extroverted) is no different than adhering to the conformity imposed from his previous lifestyle that he wants to distance himself from.
And so another character from the OP appears. I was skeptical when Kensho Ono was cast for the role but he seems to be doing justice voicing Mahiru Seki. When the name Kensho Ono comes up, my mind immediately thinks of Slaine Troyard (Aldnoah Zero), Ryuunosuke Akutagawa (Bungo Stray Dogs) Mikaela Hyakuya (Seraph of the End/Owari no Seraph) or Shikadai Nara (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations).
As an introvert, I will confess it took me well into 30s to get proficient enough for work, and not even today, enough for romance. But I get by with little help from my ( few) friends.
I am happy Kou messed up his first attempt at dating. He has no experience just questions. Also regardless if you are an introvert or extrovert, without experience under your belt you are doomed to fail at anything. This is a good thing all creatures learn through mistakes. As I always say trial by fire embrace the inferno.
I am having a hard time warming up to Mahiru, partly because I am an introvert too. Just the thought of Mahiru constantly seeing bothering Kou is exhausting.
Although, it would be a small twist to find out Mahiru‘s special friend is a blood sucker as well.
I also don’t think Akira’s head is on the chopping block. I also don’t think the other vamps will kill Kou, Since the other vamps rolled out the red carpet for Kou, plus their body language and communication doesn’t indicate malice just curiosity.
.
You did see that one vamp get her arm sliced off last episode right? Anyways it wouldn’t be malice, it would be their nature. At this point I’d be very disappointed if one of them doesn’t get staked or at least talk about being hunted in the past.
worse still, Kou might have to witness someone killed by one of the pretty seductress of the night…