©Janome/Kodansha/”Twilight Outfocus” Production Committee
It’s reassuring that Ni and Ichikawa remain the same. This does not mean that they are monosyllabic characters; it does mean that they are monosyllabic characters. Like most real-life people, both boys have multiple aspects of their personalities that manifest at different times. Ichikawa is alternately irritable and sweet, while Kim’s movie star looks like she’s hiding a huge amount of insecurity. But they both enjoy showing each other aspects of themselves. While the episode doesn’t shy away from the physical attraction and desire that make up their relationship, the real draw is how they get to know each other on a surface level.
It’s also clear that while they’ve matured, their basic selves haven’t changed since they first met in elementary school. Koichikawa cries after missing out on Oscars for his first movie because he wins a silly children’s award that’s so awesome he It almost feels like a parody of itself. But if you think about it, we probably all know that one smug little kid who was convinced that adults had nothing to offer them, only to be brought back to reality by the harsh truth. For Ikawa, it might just be the fact that no adults take his job seriously, but whatever it is, it’s crushing him. Jin told us that he’s always been a likeable guy, but he seemed confused by Ichikawa’s reaction to winning first place. It never occurred to him that he could do something for himself; even his second-place entry was based on his family’s dumpling business, not a passion project like Ichikawa’s. Their first meeting sets the stage for their next step: Ichikawa helps Jin discover something new about himself.
There’s something good about the fact that Ichikawa can only be blamed for King’s entry into this film. Not because it’s a good irony, but because it helps him see something other than himself. While I don’t necessarily think Ichikawa is self-centered, he does tend to let his own enthusiasm overpower other people’s ideas; the whole idea of the production BL Movies are a great example. But in watching Jin’s work and the films he created, Ichikawa discovered a new way of looking at things. he probably won’t like Jin’s work (although I’m not sure that’s entirely correct), but some small part of him probably wishes he created them. Surprisingly, their personalities complement each other, and Jin seems to be the only one who can truly break out of Ichikawa’s school self. We see this as they sit on the stairs: while Jin talks and tries to figure out Ikawa’s feelings, the latter pulls the elastic band out of his hair. Before long, he was able to express his emotions, and that was because he felt comfortable and safe enough with Jin to be his more vulnerable self at home.
The romance is more bittersweet because we know Kim is about to graduate. Ichikawa feels conflicted on both sides: his boyfriend is leaving, but his main rival in the movie club is also leaving. I have no doubt that Jin will make sure to stay in touch, even if Ichikawa just moves back to the dormitory. But that’s where Ichikawa’s insecurities come to the fore: above all, he’s afraid of losing Jin. He probably doesn’t have to worry, but just knowing that he can worry is probably the biggest reassurance we can ask for in this storyline.
grade:
Twilight out of focus Currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
