Aoi Bungaku Series

I feel as if the series of short stories was a way to allow the viewers to reflect on their own lives as well as others’, in a very beutiful way.

My favorite stories were the first and second stories.

The first story was centered on a man who fell into depression and faced ailienation. Seeing the things he does and his background; I understand why he did the crazy things he did. Do I feel like some of it could have been avoided? Yes. But nonetheless, I still see what lead him to that point atleast.

The second story was centered around a man who killed the ... husband of a woman and became her husband. Afterwards his wife made him do horrible things and there was a random addition; the talking boar. Not gonna lie I interpreted this as him being schizophrenic and hallucinating because let’s be real if you’re in the jungle with no human contact ofc ur gonna go crazy. I feel like his other ‘wives’ were just random women..

I really liked this anime because lots of people interpreted what was shown in different ways as they watched and I enjoyed reading everyone’s opinions!

This anime explores several literary works rich in meaning and symbolic imagery but I will focus my discussion on just one (No Longer Human) by the Japanese author Osamu Dazai. in order to avoid digression as my central point remains the same even if my words branch out

My primary motivation for watching this work was my deep admiration —one could even say obsession — with No Longer Human, the only novel that has ever truly brought me to tears. A profoundly psychological novel, it is considered a semi-autobiographical work published just a month before the author’s suicide which lends it a tragically personal and heartfelt ... tone
The novel spans 176 pages and is told through notebooks written by the protagonist "Oba Yozo" a young man who suffers from a severe sense of inner alienation and a deep feeling of not belonging
It addresses existential and philosophical themes such as alienation, psychological conflict, addiction and self-collapse. It is a striking example of existential literature that moves through the realms of nihilism, anxiety and meaninglessness

When I began watching the anime I expected the same harrowing experience in a visual illustrated form. I anticipated the same bitterness and emotional maturity the novel had instilled in me. Instead I was met with profound disappointment. I felt as though I were watching scattered snippets of a person who had failed to grasp the essence of the story, settling instead for a shallow retelling of events without diving into their true depth
How could a novel of such weight and depth be compressed into four fragmented episodes. it was an unjust and unfortunate reduction of the original work. The adaptation felt worlds apart from the profound experience the novel offered me. it was merely a faint shadow

Perhaps this gap stems from the inherent dilemma of translating between expressive mediums or from the philosophy of aesthetic experience or even what is known as the theory of psychological ownership, where one’s experience with the original work becomes part of their consciousness making it nearly impossible to replicate

Later, after watching the other episodes that adapted works I hadn’t yet read, I found the experience somewhat better. But once I went back and read the original texts of those works I again noticed just how shallow and weak the adaptations were

In conclusion, this anime offers a superficial adaptation of rich literary works and cannot serve as a substitute for reading the originals. If you’re not particularly interested in literature and are simply looking for something with a lightly philosophical or psychological tone, you might find it satisfying. But if you’re a passionate reader and someone who seeks to plunge into the emotional and psychological depths of a story, you might like me find yourself facing a disappointing experience — one that feels careless with your emotions

Encouraged by this all positive voices, I decided to check is it really worth to meet mentioned title. Aoi Bungaku, known also as Blue Literature caused in me wave of disgust than delight on epic masterpiece, which it is praised in every possible way. I’m not sure I watched exactly the same anime…So, it’s time to tell about concrets…

It might seem those 12 episodes escaped my memory but, unfortunately, mistake. First history called No Longer Human / Ningen Shikkaku, which was written by Dazai Osamu was literally zenith of everything. Some people search in it biographical conditions, but if that so, author must had ,,interesting” ... life. Peculiar visions, schizophrenic tendency – yes, it difficult to be bored. Finishing this arc, I really haven’t known what creators have on theirs mind. After turbulent was about ¾ anime to the end…

Second - Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita – or In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom says about some woman and rogue who lived in the mountains, it takes place a few centuries ago. If I’m right, it something doesn’t right, does it? What is in this era do all the technical innovations, known only our generations. We should write history textbooks another time. What’s more, that woman was really…scary. She tricked her lover – love is blind, whatever. Only positive? They keep a hog which can speak. Since then I want to a have hog as a pet too.~

Together, there are a six stories, but what’s up with the rest? You must see on your own. If, despite its flaws won your hearts, it’s still right. In my opinion it bring only disappoint. This, many facepalms and full of curses hurled at the characters? Highly individual matter.
Very confused, Aya.