Reviews

Warning: I use an actual fucking show to explain my points. The word ‘edgy’ is quite frequently used as criticisms for things that try to be dark. This is an edgy show. But what do I mean by that? What is the difference between dark and edgy as far as shows and characters go? In this review I will be using 2 examples of exceptional dark shows/characters in comparison to this show to explore this aspect and explain why this show fails to enthrall me. For these examples I will use Daredevil and Thorfinn from Vinland Saga. The biggest difference I think between these two similar concepts is the handling of tonal levity and the usage of these tones in relation to theme. In a dark show it is important to have lighter tones and scenes to juxtapose the darker content, however it is important that the aesthetic of the show as a whole cannot be breached. In Daredevil, the scenes of friendship, love and happiness are just as sharply written, and just as important to the themes and characters as the darker moments. They enhance the twisted shit that happens through characterization. Because we know Matt Murdock is a good guy and because we are invested in his relationships, we can care when things get dark and go to shit. In Rising of the Shield hero, the difference between the dark moments and the happy moments are night and day. You can’t claim to be dark and mature but then have a bunch of moe loli waifu bullshit. It’s tonal whiplash. In one scene you have a girl facing the corpse of her friend who suffered from torture and enslavement and in the next you have a chicken who turns into a little girl playing hide and seek with a princess. The juxtaposition is too great, too sudden and too wide. You need time to grow darker, which boils down to good pacing. But what really sets dark and edgy apart is theme and intent. Daredevil is so fucking good because of its themes (especially in season 3). It handles religious idealisms and the importance of faith. About the justification of violence, responsibility and the morality of vigilante actions. About the value of human life, the law, sacrifice, guilt, parental failures and pleasure. Matt Murdock is always at odds about these questions just as he is in physical conflicts with his enemies. Dark, mature and gory content is a tool to enhance these themes and its characters. The brutality of the violence makes us question the morality of using it. Daredevil’s struggle of his dilemma of killing Kingpin questions the previous themes set up and pushes the themes of human value and guilt further. The dark content is not the main attraction but rather tools used for telling a grander and more meaningful story. What does Rising of the Shield hero do with its dark content? What themes does Rising of the Shield hero present? The way I see it, edgy shows and movies are dark just for the sake of being dark. Any themes it might have are secondary and nothing but justification. Next, I want to talk about the difference between edgy characters and dark characters using Torfinn from Vinland saga. The biggest difference in this area of the conversation has to be the characters certainty of identity or the struggles within them. Tormented characters like Thorfinn and Matt Murdock will do disagreeable things that hurt those around them. The situations force them to question themselves or choose the wrong path. Thorfinn has lost everything and claims the path of revenge. We feel great sympathy for him but we know very well that by choosing unrelenting violence he is disregarding and disrespecting what his father was trying to teach him. He abandons his family and any pleasures his life could have had for the sake of vengeance. When he reunites with Leif he is faced with a choice to let go of this pain and we see him struggling to consider it. For if he agrees then what were all those years of suffering for? Dark characters fall. Now look at Naofumi. What internal struggles does he go through? Throughout the entire show everyone says that his cold nature is only a facade and that he really is a caring and kind person. When he faces a challenge he can’t overcome he just gets stronger automatically because he’s the protagonist. He never wavers in his resolve and is always kind to those around him. How can I believe this is a tortured man when he’s giving headpats every episode? Now I’m not saying a dark character can’t be more positive and kind, let’s look at Malcolm Reynolds from Firefly. This is a man who is funny and always helps people out. But only barely, he hesitates and hates himself for this compassion. Everytime he does good, it is a struggle for him. I wouldn’t go so far as to call Naofumi a Mary Sue, but every ‘dark’ action he does is dictated by circumstance and not due to any personal struggle. In the end I think the difference is simply the quality of the writing. There are still edgy characters that fit the description I set for dark characters, but fail at it miserably. Also this show makes you question if Raphtalia is his daughter or girlfriend. What the fuck?