Wakamono Tachi Episode 8

Last cluster - youngest in the family

This episode focuses mostly on Tadashi and his place in the family. I gotta say this episode was very cheesy, but still got to me easily but because those siblings, and all the actors' chemistry is so real you can't help believe in it.

So Tadashi made a big mistake and wants to run away from owning up to it. He's very childish and just wants an excuse to blame it on others. Yes the betrayal he felt was real and harsh, but the way he dealt with it is more like a coward. We did learn early on that he was never good at facing problems, and usually just runs away from them, however there comes a time when no one can cover for you. That threat of suicide never really felt as a threat more than a way for him to expose his self loathing and get the attention.

I think what elevated the episode to me was the ending. Sometimes saying sorry is not enough. Also sometimes having someone writing you off from their life is MUCH worst than keeping a grudge against you and blaming you for your misdeed.

On another note, there is a nice subtle reflection that we saw earlier in the show, that gets highlighted here. When Asa-nii wanted to take Tadashi to apologize for his wrongdoing and own up to his mistake, Satoru said to not do it because it'll prove that Tadashi was behind and and may get sued. This is very western way of thinking, or as we call it "the suing" (I didn't invested I heard it from many americans :P). It reflects on Asahi's way of thinking which is, own up to it no matter what the consequences are (their house deed is still in the possession of Takako's siblings.. they may get kicked out of their house at any time.. all this to make a point and make Satoru apologize).

I think most of us today would lean towards the suing culture, and are becoming more individualistic as a global society, and this is affecting even the most socialistic communities so the existence of someone like Asahi is becoming exceptional despite his shortcoming ;)

Read More