#or jp directors and writers are all boring and use the same formula again and again

[forgloryforhonor]

Watching Aggretsuko reminds me of one of the things I like about GinTae.

You see, When I was younger I used to watch japanese films a lot. Many of those films were basically “workplace romances.”

They’re not the usual romcoms though. In jp films, for almost 2 hours, you are supposed to watch a dude and gal work together for the whole duration of the movie and grow together thru the challenges they face in their jobs or respective town roles. There was always a subtle chemistry and a big dose of friendship in those stories. Moreover the characters’ own goals and improvement are always more important. Respect and belonging go hand in hand with personal development.

If you were lucky, then the couple gets married (i’ve only seen ONE film that had a definite ending like that). And even that marriage was framed as something for their personal benefit as well as for the good of the whole community/town. The one marriage endgame that I saw kind of established them as the young power couple that spearheaded the progress and success of the otherwise dying community.

More often than not, these workplace romcom films (as i like to call them) always ended openly. These endings includes an acknowledgment of each other’s importance and presence in their life. They get a little closer without big “I love yous” or kisses or big declarations to the world.

The endings usually involve just the couple smiling/nodding at each other (and a handshake at best) with that overwhelming open feeling of "we will continue our lives and jobs knowing that we are by each other’s side and we will draw strength from each other.”

The audience (me) are always left to wonder what has become of them or if they eventually proceed to dating/marriage or if they just stay as best friends.

That whole ‘definite endgame’ thing is just not the way japanese pop culture and cinema work in my experience. It’s like jp cinema (in it’s own way) nudges the viewers to remember that life and relationships are always a continuous Work In Progress.

Just because there is chemistry between two characters it doesn’t mean that they’ll definitely stat together at the end or forever (like in most hollywood movies do).

There must be effort, understanding, challenge, work to be done by both sides. The endings show that sometimes that aspect doesn’t have to be spoonfed to the audience all the time.

Keep them guessing. Keep them thinking. Keep them exploring.

Gintama and GinTae reflects that philosophy in its own way and... I just yeah... I appreciate that a lot.

List/description of the movies im talking abt. (I cant remember the titles)

Peaks the rescuers

Naoko

That film where the main dude was a city boy who became a forrester

The conbini movie abt discount bentos

That movie about a city tourism agency of some town where they just showed scenic spots and fun activities u can do in the area

The movie based on the real life story abt how an old town was revitalized by selling plant and tree leaves as food garnish

#gintae #gintae thoughts #im rambling #aggretsuko make me remember things lol #or jp directors and writers are all boring and use the same formula again and again #its quite unique tho #if u come from a hyper romantic culture like me that view on life is refreshing