_edited.png)
Spoiler Alert
I caught a cold, and for the past few days, my body has felt like water spilling out of a vessel. The midterm is approaching, but my physical state has been too weak to push through. For three days, I couldn’t even cook for myself. My mind is racing, but my body remains still, like a car trapped at a dead end with no way in or out. So, I decided to brake, park it on the sidewalk, and read some of my favorite old manga. I believe reading old books and manga has always influenced my mood. I first read Blue Period in high school; at that time in my life, it was an inspiration because I wanted to be an artist, and I felt an unexplainable kinship with the main character. I saw myself in his face. Though now it's beyond mere reflections in puddles, the complexity of the characters, their struggles, and their journey of self-discovery are what make Blue Period my favorite manga.
My favorite arc is when they approach the entry exam for Geidai University. I can feel the intensity of the characters' emotions escalating. When I first read Blue Period in high school, I remember thinking, Wow, their feelings are so intense. The world is not ending, and no one is dying (well, someone did die); why do they feel this way? It has been a few years since then, and now I understand. It's more common to hate yourself in daily situations. If anything, I think it’s easier to feel less on the most normal day in the world, why is everything normal, but you are not? Humans' reactions are usually overloaded when we approach the 'leap.' For Yatora, his sudden shift toward art led to constant self-discovery and disappointment. For us, it's the graduation date looming ahead. We are (or at least I am) approaching our last summer break.
Yatora gets into Geidai on his first try, which is incredible. Not many can do that, but even then, he feels like an imposter among people who are more talented and specific than he is. The weight of expectation, proving yourself, and carving out an identity in an unfamiliar place is suffocating.
All the characters are beautifully flawed and complex. But Yuka remains my favorite and is one of the most layered human characters beyond Yatora himself. Yakumo is also my favorite. He was introduced into the story as a simple character, loud and showing off (loves large pieces etc.), but the more we learn about him, the more complex he becomes. He is a character with depth. His backstory with Sanada helped me understand him more.
Reading Blue Period teaches me that you will always lack something, no matter what you have. Learn, be disappointed, hurt, recover, and learn again. Go on.
Comments