There’s no question that the view Ajin presents of human nature is not an especially optimistic one. As grim as things have been over the first six episodes, if anything they’re getting even worse the more we find out about what’s really happening (and about the people driving it). That makes the direction things seem to be headed with Kei (who was largely absent this week) all the more interesting, because depriving us of a rooting interest in him would seem to tilt Ajin over into Nihilism, pretty much, and the narrative kind of rudderless.
That’s for later, though – for now Kei’s character remains an enigma for one more week. The focus this time around is on two villainous types, Tosaki and Satou. We get a little backstory on the latter, and why he’s dedicated himself so strongly to this cause. It seems the government isn’t simply conducting hideous experiments on Ajin, but selling off the right to do so as well to the highest bidder (and it’s easy to see why those untroubled by decency or a conscience should find that opportunity so valuable). That means a financial windfall for those few chosen to be in the inner circle, which is important to Tosaki because he apparently has a fiancee who needs expensive medical care.
I thought for a moment that there was disgust in Tosaki’s eyes when he saw for the first time what was being done to the Ajin, but no – it was just greed. If the fiancee story was an attempt to make Tosaki seem sympathetic it failed utterly, but I don’t think it was. And it also explains his willingness to use an Ajin as his assistant – he has no moral horse in this race one way or the other. Ajin aren’t evil, they’re simply useful – and Shimomura is no exception. It does seem as if Tosaki’s handlers at SEELE are tough guys to work for, and he’s scrambling to stay in their favor after letting Kei escape. Desperation forces him to hatch a plan that involves kidnapping Ogura and trying to find out what he knows in order to try and bring Kei and the man with the hat to his bosses.
As for Satou, he’s in planning mode too. His strategy to use the media to his advantage was one I didn’t see coming, and he certainly hammed it up pretty good in telling the story of what’s being done to Ajin in Japan. But of course this is not a man who cares what normal humans think, and he has no intention of trying to win them over – his real aim is to use the media as a platform to get a message out to the Ajin in Japan and set up a secret meeting.
That works just fine – and it seems there are only about a dozen or so Ajin out there, at least ones willing to expose themselves. But what’s Satou’s ultimate goal here? It certainly isn’t making peace with humans, and gathering Ajin together seems to suggest trying to find a way to be as much of a threat as possible. I don’t know how Satou will respond to the Ajin unwilling to join his crusade of hatred, and I’m not sure exactly what he intends to accomplish by going to war (if indeed that’s his plan) but clearly Satou is not a man to be taken lightly.
As for Kei, we see only a few moments of him – drowned and revived, dragging himself up a cliff at the shoreline. Just what exactly he plans to do next is just as pivotal a question – will he seek out Kai again, despite his resolve not to do so? It would seem any alliance with Satou is a near impossibility, which doesn’t leave Kei with many options. The change in tone surrounding Kei is one of the oddest parts of Ajin, and I’m quite curious to see how he’s portrayed in episodes to come. He certainly doesn’t look like the sympathetic protagonist he once did, but I look at it this way – as long as he tries to do the right thing, does it make any practical or moral difference why he does? Ultimately, maybe that’s the question Ajin intends to build around.
Flower
March 2, 2016 at 1:36 amHmm…for some reason I thought the Hannibal he was comparing himself to was from the A-Team TV series…didn’t he mention something like the other Demi human being like Murdock? Though I must admit that Hannibal Lecter was the first thought that came to mind too….
The series not having an especially optimistic outlook on human nature is horrifically dry and understated. (Though I must admit it made me chuckle.)
gilraen_tinuviel
March 2, 2016 at 4:35 amYeah, I’m sure it’s reference for The A-Team. He even used a phrase: “I love it when a plan comes together”.
Tanaka thought too Satou was making reference to dr. Hannibal Lecter, so was confused if he’s Clarice in the other man’s eyes then (and telling us maybe what he thinks about Satou deep down). Satou was visibly amused but told Tanaka he had thought about Murdock’s role for him and for himself as John “Hannibal” Smith (he thinks of himself as a commander, wrongly convinced anti-hero, who helps weaker than him).
Guardian Enzo
March 2, 2016 at 8:19 amYup, I missed that – Tanaka’s “Clarice” threw me off. I don’t remember any of the character names from The A-Team, to be honest.
gilraen_tinuviel
March 2, 2016 at 9:57 amWell, it’s not your fault, because I too thought about Hannibal Lecter first. So I think it was the author’s aim – to threw off readers/ viewers (I don’t know how it was in the manga) and toyed with their expectations.
I don’t know how popular is the American TV series form 80’s in Japan, tho. Is it an obscure reference or not?
Guardian Enzo
March 2, 2016 at 10:56 amWell, they definitely know who Mr. T is. Beyond that I couldn’t tell you.
say
March 3, 2016 at 11:25 amIn the manga it was the same: Tanaka missed the reference to the tv series and was taken aback by ‘Murdoch’. It’s more like Sato sees himself as someone in charge and he also quoted the character (“I love it when a plan comes together”).
Say
March 2, 2016 at 1:19 pmWhat an actor, Satou-san!! I’m looking forward the next ep.
sonicsenryaku
March 2, 2016 at 5:14 pmthis show is good…….. that’s my public announcement for the day. You know, the more i see how the directing of this show is handled, the more i start to understand why Ajin took the cgi route. It’s trying to feel like a live-action thriller; It’s a good idea for a story such as ajin but it’s too bad the cgi is not up to snuff
Gina
March 3, 2016 at 10:58 pmIt’s interesting how Kei does not fit on any side, and there’s a sudden disjoint where he was missing for most of the episode and it did not even strike me as odd. Certainly, Satou-san has the chops to lead the show too, I was especially curious when he said that he had to act angered towards Kei. What does he have to lose in this race?
Say
March 5, 2016 at 9:54 amHi, Gina. Kei was acting in a way that Satou didn’t expect. He really had two options: to win Kei over or to scare him to death (as ironic as it sounds). Who can’t be his ally shouldn’t became his enemy, expecially an ajin, so since Kei’ve claimed for a peaceful life I suppose that threatening him was the easiest path to choose.