I believe The Great Passage is a series that asks a lot of questions about and of the audience. It goes without saying that thematically, this material is at about as far a remove from standard anime fare as it’s possible to get. I don’t imagine there was much expectation that this would be a mainstream hit, but in today’s NoitaminA commercial considerations are far from irrelevant – is there any potential audience left? But I also think it tests the open-mindedness of the audience, because once you dig underneath the premise Fune wo Amu is far more universal and mainstream for anime that it first appears.
Ultimately, The Great Passage more than anything else seems to be about passion. That might seem like a funny thing to say about buttoned-down and rather geeky dictionary editors in an already reserved Japanese society, but it’s true. The series uses the word “Karma” in this way (a slightly unusual context for it to my Western ear) this week, and it really boils down to people searching for something in their life to be passionate about. Matsumoto-sensei and Araki-san have found theirs – Sasaki-san too, probably – but the younger generation is still searching. In Majime’s case he already has the passion, he just needs the outlet – but for Nishioka, it’s more of a genuine void that he’s seeking to fill.
“Passion”, of course, can manifest itself in many ways, and Majime’s feelings for Kaguya are another expression of it. Nishioka seems to be trying to fill his emptiness with passionless romance, but for Majime (as aptly named a character as you’ll find) it’s serious business. So much so that Kaguya can’t even ken the true meaning of his magnum opus of a confession – she suspects it might be a love letter, but can’t really understand its flowery language (and this is clearly a bright young woman). The misunderstanding between the two of them is rather predictable, as is the outcome – but it’s still charming in a rather innocent and old-fashioned sort of way.
The tragic thing for Nishioka is that just that when he’s become passionate about The Great Passage, he’s being forced to leave the project – and to salt the wound, this is as a result of his newfound conviction having saved it. Things are already hard enough for our ragtag club, what with Matsumoto and Araki both looking past the time when they’ll be directly involved and the demands of the revision having been dumped on them. Add Nishioka’s forced departure to the mix and the dictionary editing department is in big trouble – which of course is exactly what the corporate types intended to happen.
There’s another expression of passion in this episode – the Genkai (Sea of Words), the first modern Japanese dictionary. It was compiled as a one-man crusade by the Meiji scholar Ootsuki Fumihiko, who devoted his life to its publication (and that of the follow-up Daigenkai, completed by adoring proteges and published a few years after Ootsuki’s death) – and if that’s not passion, I don’t know what is. It seems one of the messages of Fune wo Amu is that what comes easily is rarely what’s truly worth accomplishing – that it’s the struggle and hardship that tests whether we have the passion to finish the job. That’s surely a worthwhile message for an industry in the state anime is today, though whether there’s anyone out there to receive it is a dubious proposition.
Ronbb
November 18, 2016 at 10:17 pm“That’s surely a worthwhile message for an industry in the state anime is today…”
So true.
Earthling Zing
November 18, 2016 at 10:50 pmI love Kaguya’s interactions with Majime, they make a sweet couple.
SixFlags
November 19, 2016 at 4:47 amI am actually a bit disappointed that this series, which has been so down to earth so far, “resolves” Majime and Kaguya’s relationship via a love letter and (blatant) mutual confession so fast. It would have been nice to see the transformation of their relationship from aquaintances to a couple in a more subtle way.
elianthos
November 19, 2016 at 7:41 amThe outcome had been rather predictable since their shared dinner last week imho but it was still a lovely way to see it play out, with Tora the Cupid cat earlier and then the moonlight entering his room right before Kaguya does. And she really does have a taste for difficult endeavours hasn’t she :D. Hooray for low key connection over deep core values. That’s also ‘karma’.
– I really like the show’s spin on the concept of karma as a higher calling, mission or passion btw. Was actually going to refer this yesterday in my YOI comment yesterday if it hadn’t been spoilery.
– Still wondering if Nishioka can find a way out of being transferred or at least use his new position to contribute from afar… and how much Ootsuki Fumihiko’s dictionary story will end up foreshadowing our vocabulary nerds team’s achievement.
– the ocean of words CG scenes are just so evocative.
– Nishioka ‘ s ‘passionless’ romance: do you think so? Going by what we got so far and especially their phone conversation she cares and gets him, he knows and appreciated she knew but was not pressing the issue with him (there was fondness in the shift of his expression) even as she was sneaking out of the office to check on him with her call. Plus it’s implied they have been going out for a while if not since they were at uni. By their interaction and considering how dangerous is dating within the same company… why still bother out of habit and convenience or if there is not at least some enduring genuine affection? Feels more like so far they’ve been shown as ‘simply’ comfortable with each other as a long standing couple to me 🙂 .
skeedo
November 19, 2016 at 10:02 pmthe way the confession played out in the live action movie was handled better. it gave kaguya more depth of personality which I found to be a little lacking in the anime version. still, both versions were enjoyable to watch.
GiGi
November 20, 2016 at 11:46 amIt has become a routine for me to watch the episode then rush right over to see if I have missed anything by reading your review. Like you, I enjoy this show tremendously and know for sure that this series will help me to feel less lonely while traveling for business. Did you know there is a movie of this story? Joe Odagiri played Nishioka.
Guardian Enzo
November 20, 2016 at 11:48 amIndeed, that movie won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Picture in fact. Thanks for following and I’m glad in some small way to be able to enhance your viewing experience!