For some reason, it feels like I’m gonna forget this show faster than usual. Idk, it’s just a feeling.
Usually when we’re watching a piece of media. There’s a certain structure we expect. A format that almost all modern media follow to be best of their abilities. First, there’s the introductory stage. You get introduced to the cast and the world. There’s some exposition sprinkled here and there. You’re fed as much information as possible. Then there’s the conflict loop. Which most of the time looks like something along the lines of;
Conflict buildup ⇒ High point ⇒ Payoff
First, there’s a burning issue that has, is or will disrupt the natural state of things. Then the highpoint where the protag(s) actively involve themselves in that problem. Then end of the tunnel at the end. Now lay character development on top of this loop and you’ve got what we call character arcs. The characters may change for the better, or worse or even stay the same. The author may call the shots towards whichever side they fancied.
After all of that is the ending. The true ending or the grand payoff you could say. Or perhaps a rabbit hole if any sequels are planned. We’re so used to seeing this formula in the content we watch that it’s pretty much etched into the back of our minds. These days, we sort of expect shows to follow a loop like that. There might even be times when we’re dissatisfied when shows do things that are way out of the box.
NHK is one like a black sheep. Most of the time it stuck to the formula. But there were times when it felt like the show was testing foreign waters. Trying to experiment. The ending sure was one of these. Unlike almost every show I’ve ever watched. The ending of NHK felt… real. Real as in; that’s how it would’ve ended if the story took place for real. The ending wasn’t tragic. Nor was it blooms and butterflies. It was in all senses of the word, neutral.
In the end, even after so many events, Sato as a character didn’t change a lot. Just like real people, even if we experience unexpected or special events. They often change us but in really really small ways. Most often than not, we simply revert back to our old selves after the high runs out.
I’m happy the show didn’t definitely tie a knot between our couple. Hell, it’s an overstatement to even call them a couple. But that’s how life is I guess. Nothing really happens the way you want it to. Things just flow. And sometimes it flows in directions you yourself are satisfied in and sometimes not. It’s hard to predict anything. I think that’s what the show was going for. Without going down that path, that emptiness you feel, won’t be there, would it?
When I watched this, this show felt like it was calling me out. Like it was revealing things I knew but wasn’t ready to accept. Life doesn’t always work the way you want it to. Just like how our couple just lives on. Things don’t happen out of anything and expecting others to do something for us isn’t gonna lead us anywhere. If we want to move forward. That’s on us.
This is why I honestly loved the show. It didn’t try to feed us with a sense of satisfaction just because the show was coming to a close. It held on up until the very end. Never trying to shy away from what it was trying to say. This in all its glory managed to hit me hard. The show was depressing. Not in the usual tragic way though. It was more like; so that’s how life is like huh, kind of depressions. Honestly, I’m surpri… Sur… Puru Puru Pururin… Puru Puru…
I’m already feeling the edges of my mind slipping away… It’s only a matter of time… Till I… Till.. I… Puru Puru…