Thoughts and Analysis on "Shitsuren Karuta" Part 2 | Ayase's Love Hidden in Coffee and Milk
In my previous post, I mentioned that I planned to write about episodes 3 and 4 together.
However, episode 3 resonated with me so deeply.
The more I watch it, the more discoveries I make.
I wanted to share this perspective sooner, so this time I decided to summarize it as
thoughts and analysis on episode 3 alone.
Official Website: https://www.mbs.jp/shitsuren/
The Metaphor of Coffee and Milk
There is a scene inserted midway where Ayase pours milk into her coffee.
I think this is a point that any film lover would definitely react to.
In visual works, "milk" is a very symbolic prop, and it serves as various metaphors depending on its color and how it is used.
For example...—
・In "Analyze This," black milk represents death or trauma
・In "Star Wars: A New Hope," blue milk is a sign of change
・In "Get Out," the handling of cereal and milk represents racial division
・In "A Clockwork Orange," white milk represents violent infantilism
Given this context, this direction must not be a coincidence.
So, as a film lover, I thought about it.
The cold, bitter coffee is Ayase's own chilled view on love. The milk poured into it can be interpreted as her pure feelings of love for Hikari that she held during her college days, or perhaps a "hope for love" that she cannot fully deny.
Please read the rest with that in mind.
Ayase's Emotions and "Stalled Love"
In fact, Ayase is hiding her romantic situation from Hikari.
That, in other words, is proof that she still hasn't been able to give up somewhere deep down.
Meanwhile, Hikari is moving forward in her relationship with Riku, and Chinami is also taking steps toward her next love.
Among the three, only Ayase continues to vaguely hold onto the feelings she has had since her college days.
The smile and profile as she savors those emotions. The beauty of that expression is truly our Konatsu Kato...!
And what is cruel is that Hikari accepts that "feeling" of Ayase's as "kindness."
The poignancy of this story is condensed right here. It's what you might call emotional.
Also, the cut of Ayase during the scene where Hikaru comes out.
That split-second dilation of her pupils was incredibly realistic.
It is truly amazing to be able to convey so much through the details of a performance.
Emotions Told Through Props
In episode 3, the use of props was as skillful as ever.
In the scene where Ayase lets out a big sigh of jealousy.
The board game 'Haa tte Iu Game' (The 'Sigh' Game) is placed on the desk.
Thinking back, even to Murata's first approach,
Ayase had replied with a 'Huh?'
This repetition of the word 'haa' (sigh/huh)
subtly visualizes the fluctuations in her emotions.
The playfulness with props is really interesting.
The Final Move and the Shift in Relationships
Towards the end, there is another scene where she adds milk to her coffee.
I want you to recall the metaphor from the beginning again.
Cold coffee = Ayase's values regarding love.
By adding milk—her pure feelings for Hikaru—to it,
she is trying to accept her daily life somehow.
Her internal conflict regarding love.
But then, Murata appears.
And Ayase—
stops her hand from adding the milk.
This is clearly a metaphor for
'stopping her pure romantic feelings for Hikaru.'
Furthermore, Murata's remark.
'I'm not a fan of coffee.'
At this point, no further explanation is needed.
The subsequent developments were, in a sense, inevitable.
Ayase goes out for a drink with Murata.
Summary
Episode 3 is not an episode that moves the story forward significantly.
However, because of that,
this episode had a very high density of foreshadowing and metaphors.
The structure is such that the more you watch it, the deeper your interpretation becomes.
I can't yet predict how things will turn out, but
this work has a very clear idea of the "expressions and scenes it wants to show."
That is precisely why I am looking forward to the continuation.
For now—
I will stop the self-imposed rule of "writing everything together" from the next episode onwards.
I will write about good things at the right time.
I appreciate your understanding. m(_ _)m
Karuta that appeared in episode 3
Hi: "You're a person with many secrets, aren't you?"
Yu: "It seems I won't be able to see the sunset for a while."