The notion of consequence has been on my mind a lot lately. I don’t know how anyone could watch unfolding events in the United States and not feel that way – what we’re seeing in public life right now is a new reality, where actions and words seem to have no consequences whatsoever. What would once shock and outrage is now met with shrugs, and the most transparent of lies and misstatements are dismissed by the free press as par for the course. When the truth has been devalued to the point where it loses all meaning, the path ahead is a dark one indeed.
All of that is obviously way, way more important that anything happening in any anime. But anime is the main premise of this site, and watching Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru brings all this to the fore for me. My gold standard for outrage where anime consequence is concerned is Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, the series where in the words of my fellow RC blogger Samu at the time, “Everyone except the MC is a total shit and I hate them”. That could be a problem in itself, but the main problem was that the author was squarely in the camp of the total shits. Then we have Shingeki no Bahamut: Virgin Soul, where the laughable redemption of a genocidal sociopath was treated as a natural development. The fact that SSSS.Gridman also has a character who reeks of future redemption they don’t deserve is a sobering cautionary note when getting too excited about that show’s strong start.
All that is a roundabout way of saying that for all it’s doing right, the fact that Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru seems to have no idea that its co-lead has been a total shit for the first four episodes is pissing me off. Call it scar tissue or whatever you like, but we don’t watch anime in a vacuum – our perception is a composite of our prior experiences. I don’t mind that Haiji has been a total shit – there are plenty of other characters here I like. What I mind is that Kaze ga Tsuyoku (and this is surprising, given that this is the author of the very smart Fune wo Amu) doesn’t think Haiji has been a total shit.
After this episode, I’ve pretty much given up on there being any consequences for Haiji, because Miura-sensei has laid her cards on the table. Haiji is the good guy, selflessly dragging his slacker and self-hating housemates out of the darkness and into the light, and the real bad guys are stiffs like Kakeru’s old track teammate Sakaki Kousuke (Kawanishi Kengo). All the kumbaya stuff this week pretty much put the nail in the coffin on this situation changing (one can’t even call it a redemption, since in Miura’s eyes Haiji’s done nothing he needs to be redeemed for), so at this point my choices are to like it or lump it – accept it and move on or call it a deal-breaker and move out.
The truth is, I really don’t want to do the latter, for any number of reasons. The most obvious is that this is a good series apart from this glaring problem, and it’s also a two-cour one with plenty of time to make me forget about all this. I think with the rest of the reluctant runners pretty much falling in line, Haiji in jerk mode is probably going into hibernation (it already started this week, in fact) and the series proper is going to more focused on the actual effort to qualify for the Ekiden. And in truth, Haiji hasn’t done anything nearly on the level of Charioce or even the total shits of Shigatsu – he’s just an asshole. And we all know plenty of those, if we’re honest.
Still, for all that, the more this series focuses on the likes of Kakeru and the other housemates the happier I’ll be, because I like them a lot more than Haiji. Kakaeru and Sakaki’s backstory filled in a lot of blanks in the past, and Kakeru remains the character (so far) with the closest thing to a real arc. And I quite like most of the supporting cast, especially Ouji and Hirata-sempai. It would also be nice to see Musa get some development as more than comic relief, because there’s a ton of potential in his storyline – he’s going to face a lot of bias about his supposed “unfair advantages” if he decides to compete seriously in collegiate athletics.
The other factor that’s probably going to be most critical in determining whether Kaze ga Tsuyoku succeeds as a story is going to be the depiction of the Kansei miracle – how is this ragtag bunch of misfits going to achieve the seemingly impossible? I’m less worried about this one given Miura’s work in her follow-up Fune wo Amu – she doesn’t seem to be an author who glosses over the dirty work or portrays monumentally difficult tasks as remotely easy. As that theme continues to be on the ascendancy (presumably) in coming episodes, this series should start to really take off along with it.
Darrel
October 25, 2018 at 12:52 amThink you are mixing things up. Gridman is being written by the same writer as the original Bahamut. Virgin Soul was written by Shizuka Ooishi, who has no connections to Gridman as far as I remember.
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2018 at 6:27 amOh, did I? Thanks, that’s a relief in a sense – though it’s not as if the original Bahamut was anything all that spectacular. The first half of VS was better, the second was way worse.
minagi
October 25, 2018 at 1:51 amConflating effing Donald Trump with a completely dissimilar anime character who is ways off from being “a total shit” is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen at an anime blog… Nothing personal.
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2018 at 6:25 amThat’s fine – I think I made my point pretty clearly but it sounds like you stopped after the first paragraph. Seems to happen a lot these days…
minagi
October 25, 2018 at 2:46 pmNot likely, since the phrase I quoted doesn’t appear in the first paragraph. What I’m saying is, I’m with the author on this one and you’re letting unrelated crap twist your perception of this anime. I get it, I hate Trump too, but what that has to do with Haiji, I don’t know. In anime there’s tons of cases where hardened criminals are suddenly supposed to be treated as good guys simply because they sided with the protags. That’s what I’d call total shits, not people like Haiji.
I dont get what it is that you complainers want to happen to him. Does he have to go to jail or something for you to be satisfied? He’s already gotten blowback from the guys and without him the quest this anime is about doesn’t seem likely to get anywhere. I want to see them get to Ekiden, not just some drama about hurt feelings.
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2018 at 3:10 pmI can’t engage with that, honestly, because the answers to every point you raise are in the post. If you say you read it I have no reason to disbelieve you, but it’s pretty clear there’s no common ground to be had so good night and good luck.
minagi
October 25, 2018 at 11:20 pmAgain, not likely, because I don’t see anything in your post about what consequences you’d like to see happen to Haiji. All you’re doing is complaining that there probably won’t be any. You don’t have to “engage” with the rest of what I said, but could you at least answer that? Do you want the slowly forming team to break up and fail? I don’t see a positive program in your desire, because shafting Haiji is also going to kill the Ekiden project. Or maybe you want them to drop him and find another 10th member? Or see him fail because of his injury flares up? That would be pretty nasty to wish on someone even if you don’t like them. Other than that, I’m out of ideas.
In my case I’ve had times in my life when I’ve been an aimless slacker, and looking back it wouldn’t have been a bad thing if someone had come and coerced me into doing a challenging project with them. I’m sure I’d have resisted at first, but having a goal is not a bad thing, even if it’s not something you personally invented. I think the author may think similarly.
Simone
October 27, 2018 at 6:00 pmThere’s different layers of realism though, both of the setting and psychological. In DBZ, Vegeta becomes a good guy even though he’s blown up entire planets, but it’s DBZ. They even literally know that the afterlife exists, they’ve been there. This show instead seems extremely realistic, so one tends to judge the characters by how they would be IRL. And had I met someone like Haiji in college, yeah, I’d have told them to fuck off. I don’t think he’s evil or irredeemable, but I don’t side with him either – I think he should have someone telling him how to get a grip and stop bothering other people. If he likes running so much he should just find himself a solo marathon to aim for. The problem is, it’s hard to enjoy a story when the main conflict hasn’t me invested. I couldn’t care less if they win the race, it’d be both unrealistic and not something that any of them actually care about in the first place.
animealex
October 25, 2018 at 5:54 amOh boy, is US politics and the seemingly apathy of many of it’s citizens a trigger for me. I was two hours (!) trying to articulate my frustrations and then decided to delete everything, because, this is not a politics blog and nothing which I wrote would in any form comment on the episode at hand. Plus it would probably start a flame war and I don’t want that. But still: Get out and vote people of the USA!
After reading last weeks comments I finally got the hangup regarding Haiji’s actions and the narrative. I really didn’t see it as much of a problem, because he (as a character) entertains me, but I confess it now troubles me, that his actions don’t have any negative repercussions. Like I said last week, for me his character will be judged by a) how he reacts when one of his schemes fails or b) we find out there are lines he wont cross. If neither of this does happen, well…
Also does Kakeru have a gambling problem? Or am I understanding this wrong?
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2018 at 6:29 amGambling? I didn’t get that sense – what made you think that?
animealex
October 25, 2018 at 6:43 amIn the first episode it was mentioned that he lost his rent money at Mah-jong and now we see him playing at a Pachinko parlour. Or was that supposed to be the same scene and the Mah-jong part was a translation error?
Guardian Enzo
October 25, 2018 at 9:44 amOh! I didn’t notice the distinction- I just assumed he was flashing back to the same scene.
You might be on to something, but if this is supposed to be a serious plot twist, it was too subtle for me to pick up.
animealex
October 25, 2018 at 1:34 pmSorry, just rewatched the scene in the first episode. The subtitles say he lost his money at a Mah-jong parlour and the audio didn’t mention Mah-jong so I guess they used the translation of Mah-jong parlour to say that he visited a gambling den and was actually playing at a Pachinko automaton. I mean gambling money at Mah-jong isn’t really in Kakeru’s age category, is it. So false alarm. My bad.
Flower
October 25, 2018 at 9:26 amTo be honest … for me Haiji is beginning to become a deal breaker for the series for me, which is a pity – most everything else about it is really good, with a superb studio and the rest. But to be frank Haiji is beginning to rapidly become insufferable for me. -_-
Reminds me of David in Glasslip and (as you pointed out) the angle/behavior presentation of the entire cast except the poor MC in Shigatsu. (Both series which I eventually dropped as well despite the numerous other excellent aspects of them as well.)
Hope next ep has something different … somehow. I don’t want to see such a good package spoiled by one rotten piece.
Yukie
October 25, 2018 at 11:57 amI’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop for Haiji…but more likely, we’ll be getting some kind of backstory that will explain why he’s so desperate. Personally, I’m waiting for his mask to fall, since everything he said so far feels incredibly disingenuous. Or maybe I’m just cynical and can’t really understand how someone really believes they can make their dream come true when it hinges on making 9 other people act the way you want them to.
I do like that since this series has 2 cours to work with they’re taking the character development slowly, so the entire series feels like a mystery novel unraveling. Even with Kakeru we haven’t seen the entire picture. And because of that I’m hopeful we’ll see more of the other characters like we did with Ouji in this episode (loved how they showed Ouji’s dislike of jocks in the cafeteria and then have it echoed in his speech).
Collectr
October 25, 2018 at 9:10 pmI’m less unhappy with Haiji as a character. To me, he’s like an early prototype of Nishioka in Fune wo Ame, who was also, at times, quite manipulative in order to get things done. I don’t feel that the anime is trying to force me to like or admire Haiji. Rather, by introducing a bag-of-**** antagonist, I feel like Kakeru is getting the “like him, he’s the hero!” treatment. Well, it is a sports anime.
I found it interesting that Ouji was given the task of rebuking Sakaki. Up until then, Ouji had been comic relief – a stereotyped, chair-bound otaku, as shown in the lunch scene. But in this episode, it’s he – not Haiji, not Kakeru – who drives the point home. This gives me hope that the other comic side-characters will be taken more seriously as the show develops.
foodie
October 25, 2018 at 11:27 pmIf you’re so interested in US politics then write a separate blog about it. I dont come here for your amateur hour analysis on the American pysche.
animealex
October 26, 2018 at 2:56 amThat’s a bit harsh, don’t you think? Enzo has always been a blogger who doesn’t write recaps and strictly formal criticism about the anime at hand. He’s an “associative author” (at least that’s what I call it), who filters his opinion through his lens of personal perspective. Most authors do that, but few show (and acknowledge) it so open. And he has, among other things, in the past talked about current political influence like recent US or Japanese developments and how they shape his view on an episode or a series as a whole.
Whether you agree with him or not, is another matter. But please be civil about it.
Guardian Enzo
October 26, 2018 at 6:14 amGood luck with that argument in the last line, but I do appreciate the support.
Guardian Enzo
October 26, 2018 at 6:11 amSorry, guess you’re out of luck.
Say
October 26, 2018 at 1:30 amEnzo, you probably have a low tolerance for manipulative characters. To me too, he’s like an early prototype of Nishioka in Fune wo Ame. I, at least, don’t think it should be punished for being manipulative tout court. His fellows are people without a engaging goal in life, this is the only plausible reason why they treasure more the cheap rent than their ‘freedom’. Because this freedom is the freedom of doing NOTHING meaningful.
You want to see the consequences…weren’t you pleased to see what happens to people who sign in lured by a cheap rent without reading the contract?
Guardian Enzo
October 26, 2018 at 6:12 am“Lured in” – your words, not mine. A deception, plain and simple. That’s something to be admired?
Simone
October 27, 2018 at 6:05 pmManipulative characters can be fun, but it depends on context and tone. A very close example could be Hiruma from Eyeshield 21. He too builds a team with deception and manipulation – in fact, he straight out blackmails people. So what’s the difference? Well, first, Hiruma has sort of a character arc along with the people he cobbled together, and gets more humane. And second, ES 21 is a comedic series, Hiruma has literally demon ears, they play football against teams including one “high schooler” who looks like Uvogin from the Phantom Troupe and can break arms and legs with a single hand. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top stuff. Even Hiruma’s blackmail is nigh supernatural in its reach, you’d expect him to have secret information on world leaders seeing how much intel he controls. So it’s just hard to take anything about it seriously. It’s fun, it’s ridiculous, and you go along with the ride. Here there’s nothing of that.
Say
October 26, 2018 at 1:32 am*he should
Yann
October 26, 2018 at 2:46 amThe fact that Trump doesn’t wanna do anything about a journalist getting cut up in little pieces because of $100 billion weapons deal is perfectly in line with what US policies have been for decades.
I hate the fucker, but let’s get real… He’s not the problem, he’s the symptom. It’s been centuries that actions don’t have consequences for rich white people. If you wanna get concerned about something, start with American exceptionalism and imperialism.
I liked this episode btw! 😛
Spencer
October 26, 2018 at 6:03 amThe connection between Trump and Haiji in this post is laughable. Trump is a hundred times the bastard Haiji will ever be.
Guardian Enzo
October 26, 2018 at 6:13 amDidn’t I make that unambiguously clear in the post? Literally like 4 different times?
Orin
October 26, 2018 at 10:24 pmMy stance on Haiji hasn’t changed, and the author is definitely on his side. I also didn’t like the red-haired Shinji, who was a little bit too caricatural for my taste.
There’s a lot to like in this anime so I’ll keep watching it probably until the end, and the fact that is has two cours to work with is encouraging.
Future Imp
October 28, 2018 at 1:40 amHaiji & his antics, so far still leaves me feeling indifferent.The thing about Haiji, for me, is like the thing about Kakeru.
The Kakeru type in anime tends to follow a trope and its portrayal of body language and expression have often left me either indifferent or in the will drop series soon camp (when it’s an MC doing this).
But I’d say ep4 has me warming to Kakeru.
A lot of things are how they choose to do it. Characterization for this series has plenty of holes and missed opportunities as you’ve already mentioned.
kiwi
October 29, 2018 at 4:50 pmI still have cold feet about this one… I suppose my expectations were too high, what with the ‘fune wo amu; author and everything, but I desperately wanted this to be like a college Haikyuu (curse you, stylistic influences of production IG). So far I haven’t felt the same spark in this show that Haikyuu possesses… mainly because I don’t feel a real connection to the MC yet..
I’ve seen some people call Haiji chaotic GOOD, which is completely different than how I’ve interpreted him…. more like chaotic bastard lmao. He completely manipulated these people to live with him, obscuring his true intentions, which is completely underhanded imo. He has no right to force these people to run with him– it’s slimy, plain and simple.
And I’ve said it before and I shall say it again… How hard would it have been to write a female character that was also in college, and not underage? Sigh.
Guardian Enzo
October 29, 2018 at 6:58 pmChaotic neutral at best. And as any D & D-er will tell you, that’s one of the mast dangerous alignments there is.
Alice
October 30, 2018 at 10:58 pmHmm I’m conflicted on Haiji.. on one hand he is definitely a manipulative asshole. But on the other hand, as a slacker myself who wants to get better, characters like Haiji who will do whatever it takes to pull you along with him are kind of appealing. I do agree that the show frames him as the good guy, with no consequences whatsoever, too much for comfort, but there is something inspiring about the idea of someone incredibly driven pulling people who don’t have much drive to do something great. Also, I like running and self improvement, so I might be a bit biased… but that’s my two cents.