Let’s talk about goldfish.

I was thinking about Carassius auratus a lot watching this episode of Kowloon Generic Romance. They’ve been a constant presence over the course of the series, between the cafe which bears their name and the one in Reiko’s apartment. But they were really thrown in our face this week.  I mean, the interpretation that these characters are the goldfish swimming in a Kowloon-shaped bowl, watched by someone, is hardly subtle. And there could certainly be something to it. It fits with a lot of clues we’ve been teased with.

However, my mind goes to the “Goldfish Metaphor”. In literary terms, it refers to the biological trait that a goldfish will grow in size only in proportion to the size of the tank they’re kept in (they accomplish this feat thanks to an environment-sensitive growth hormone). Mayuzuki Jun is a highly literate mangaka and the more subtle shading here would be more in her usual oeuvre. But what would that say about the mystery? Well, Yaomay continually referring to people achieving their full selves certainly slots comfortably in this vein. The implication being that Kowloon as it exists here is keeping them from doing that. The goldfish in the bowl.

Another big theme here is fakery, and the notion that all that glitters is not gold (or diamonds). Reiko finds one in Kujirai’s bookcase – behind a mystery novel she decides to read. “Is it real?” she pointedly asks – fitting for an episode so focused on Yaomay. Is this a diamond, or a zirconia? Either way it seems almost certain to be an engagement ring, though that’s not officially confirmed yet. The fact that Kujirai-B hid it there is interesting in itself. As is the fact that she only had the first volume of the two-part novel, which understandably drives Reiko a bit crazy. And the fact that when Reiko finds a copy of Part II (Xiiaohei popping up seemingly everywhere can hardly be a coincidence), it’s got a weird misprint making it unreadable.

Trying to learn more about Kujirai-B through her books is certainly something I would do in Reiko’s shoes. Yaomay keeps scolding her that by limiting herself (hmm) to Kujirai’s life, she’s stopping herself from becoming the fully-realized version of Reiko. But Reiko is becoming more  comfortable with who she is. She loves Hajime – she’s accepted that part of her. Her friends are her friends (Yaomay at least). Something given – the life she’s living – means something taken away (whatever other life she might have had). Hebinuma makes a similar point in a rather contentious TV appearance with someone named “Sean”.

Then there’s the big reveal about Yaomay, who in fact is living a fake life herself. That makes her defense of the “zirconia sparkle” unsurprising. Yaomay is highly suspicious of Kudou-san after learning of his “I killed Kujirai” comment (almost surely a feint), but the three of them are having lunch together when the proprietress gives Reiko tickets to a revival screening of a classic film. Yaomay’s reaction makes it clear she has a direct connection, and it turns out the lead actress was her mother. And was a huge national star, one who imposed her opinions on her daughter and kept her from becoming her full self (hmm).

Other interesting tidbits this week – there’s Hajime’s nightmare which, unsurprisingly, seems to involve being a goldfish in a bowl. His conversation with Kujirai-B about quirks, and how one needs someone else to point out our own quirks to us. Quirks are another big recurring theme here, and I think the gist of it is that quirks are what makes the “real” individual who they are. Appearances can be faked (just ask Hebinuma-sensei). But quirks, it seems, cannot. We also get a little teaser of Hebinuma’s father – who’s played by Miki Shinichirou. And I still haven’t met a series – no matter how good – that can’t be improved by adding Miki Shinichirou…

Finally, we have that post-credits scene with Gwen. He takes a cab to Kowloon, and the driver seems very surprised. “There’s nothing for you there” he declares confidently. Gwen (“which” Gwen is this?) declares “I’m sure that’s true for some”, exits the cab and heads off towards the hulk of the walled city, suitcase in tow. A gust of wind, a cloud of dust which parts, revealing the wreckage of Kowloon as if an archaeological site in the middle of a desert. Another piece of a puzzle which, if only slowly, is starting to reveal the picture it depicts.