link9us said:insan3soldiern said:
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what the director intended. I can see how it could annoy people, though as it very much contrasts with the overall feel of the show. But, it's important to note that Shu's relatively "easy" life is also a stark contrast to others around him simply because he didn't grow up in a world (or rather country) where he is forced into war and all the horrors it entails. So, it goes without saying there's a clash there.
I'm finding how different Shu is from, say, Nakajima Youko from Twelve Kingdoms (a character put in a somewhat similar situation) to be interesting given how different their respective backgrounds resulted in their actions in these situations.
Edit: My favorite scene of the episode was the soldier trying to give a terrified Sara her handkerchief back showing that, yes, these people are capable of kindness as well and can be decent people. Of course, for all we know, he could have very well been one of the people who raped her and felt guilty about. That scene could have literally meant ANYTHING....which is really kind of awesome to me.
I was really waiting for someone to quote this. Isane is exactly right, the director did not intend to showcase a character right from the beginning of the series have an instant transformation, when, the world he came from was so much different and his life very easy going as you said. The nature of this show was to really showcase the harshness of the reality that shu stumbled upon and i think the directory captured that moment. Shu will eventually find ouit what "right" and wrong" and act upon it. But you have to remember this series is directing something that is more along the lines of something realistic if it happened to you. Now i know alot of anime depict such action heroes protagonist's.
But this series is much different, the way it was directed first is to show what these children have to go through to survive the hellish world and shu is in the same predicament, their will come a time where things will change. This fortress is build though to where you can't expect shu to just player hero and suddenly take control of a massive fortress, when Hambo has like 1000's of guards that obey him.
You have to think along the lines of "reality" if you were forced into this type of situation, what would you do, how you will you feel, yes you would be angry watching all of these children being turned into slaves and yes you would be angry watching sara being brutally raped and almost murdered. Of course these thoughts would go through your head and either revenge or "escaping" would be on your mind. Depends on what kind of person you are and how much you care for others. But shu has realize the horror that he has stumbled onto and he has learn to live with people in order to survive. One of the prominent themes portrayed in this show i think is survivability "Flight or fight". I am sure some one else can explain it better then i can but i gave it my best.
12 kingdoms is a good comparison because youko was in the same type of situation, but the only difference is, she had an escape route, she was not completely backed in a corner, sure she came to a world that she didn't know nothing bout but she also people that were helping her. Shu has none of them right now, he is in a world where everyone despises him AND he's being forced into a situation he does not approve. He beliefs that all good can come out of something and he is a very strong willed character. Just keep watching the show and watch how things gradually progress. Pay attention to Nabuca, he's one of favorite characters.