December 11th, 2024
On Mayonaka Punch's Main Character Arc and Theme
Anime Relations: Mayonaka Punch
[Spoilers of Mayonaka Punch ahead.]
There's something intriguing about a story with an inherently flawed character. Initially, my impression of the conclusion to Mayonaka Punch was negative, given its apparent complicity with Masaki, the anime's protagonist, and her infamous punch. It even seemed as though the story was written to appeal to some idealized YouTuber audience member who might have gone through a similar "cancellation" experience—an event they would perceive as an injustice. Indeed, to facilitate the possibility of self-insertion, the anime never delves into the origins of Masaki's anger or provides concrete depictions of the circumstances surrounding her rage and the punch; we only hear vague accounts from both sides.
In the first episode, Masaki implies that the punch either didn't happen or was exaggerated by the other two members of the idol group Hype Sisters, from which she was expelled. Later, in episode 11, when Masaki reunites with the girls, a new video is taken, showing Masaki and Otomi trading playful blows while intoxicated with alcohol. Otomi lands a slap, to which Masaki responds with a spirited punch. This same footage is uploaded by Hype Sisters with no regard for Masaki's already tarnished reputation. So was it all a misunderstanding—one the duo exploited for ulterior motives? Consider Masaki's reaction in episode 1 to Kikka and Otomi's "open letter" announcing her removal from the group, which was posted without warning or her consent. Let's not forget that they kicked out the primary creative force and true producer of the channel. These details hint at a subtext suggesting that Kikka and Otomi's actions may not have been entirely innocent.
But does this justify Masaki's physical violence? In the end, we often see the protagonist resorting to physical and verbal aggression as a means of coercion and punishment against the vampire members of her Mayonaka Punch group—though, in line with the anime's genre and target demographic, these moments are presented comically and not meant to be taken seriously. Amid all this ambiguity, it’s clear that the anime struggles to maintain a consistent tone and approach, swinging between being a typical (but occasionally heartfelt) comedy show and an underwhelming work of social critique (especially since the onus on Masaki's professionalism is never properly addressed). Yet, considering its intimate moments of sentimentality, where Masaki grapples with guilt and remorse, the show does allow room for nuance. When she tries to record an apology video to restart her career, the sheer brutality and harassment of the internet frighten her, ironically motivating her rebellion. It’s not unthinkable that the incident of the punch was distorted by recordings and exacerbated by online discourse—factors that discouraged her from accepting a verdict of guilt she deemed unfair.
As I revisited scenes from the early and final episodes, my perception of the narrative shifted. I began to consider: what if the story was never interested in excusing or condemning Masaki for her mistake? Given that the anime concludes by reaffirming the punch as an iconic element of the titular channel, this approach could even be read as a cynical jab at the online populace, which feels entitled to harshly judge public figures whose personal lives they barely understand. Of course, the anime would never overtly adopt such a subversive stance, as its primary goal is still to evoke pleasant feelings. Perhaps the true message of Mayonaka Punch is: “what did or didn’t happen is none of your business. Just stop bullying this person.” This is emotionally understandable, but perhaps immature as a stance to take to life.
From this perspective, it’s hard to say that Mayonaka Punch communicates its ideas clearly or convincingly. Nor would it be much better to simply assume the show was negligent in holding Masaki accountable for her mistakes. Either way, a critical analysis ends in dissatisfaction with the anime’s plot. However, with that said, the emotional experience it offers, alongside its impressive production quality and characterization, still grant it undeniable merit.
There's something intriguing about a story with an inherently flawed character. Initially, my impression of the conclusion to Mayonaka Punch was negative, given its apparent complicity with Masaki, the anime's protagonist, and her infamous punch. It even seemed as though the story was written to appeal to some idealized YouTuber audience member who might have gone through a similar "cancellation" experience—an event they would perceive as an injustice. Indeed, to facilitate the possibility of self-insertion, the anime never delves into the origins of Masaki's anger or provides concrete depictions of the circumstances surrounding her rage and the punch; we only hear vague accounts from both sides.
In the first episode, Masaki implies that the punch either didn't happen or was exaggerated by the other two members of the idol group Hype Sisters, from which she was expelled. Later, in episode 11, when Masaki reunites with the girls, a new video is taken, showing Masaki and Otomi trading playful blows while intoxicated with alcohol. Otomi lands a slap, to which Masaki responds with a spirited punch. This same footage is uploaded by Hype Sisters with no regard for Masaki's already tarnished reputation. So was it all a misunderstanding—one the duo exploited for ulterior motives? Consider Masaki's reaction in episode 1 to Kikka and Otomi's "open letter" announcing her removal from the group, which was posted without warning or her consent. Let's not forget that they kicked out the primary creative force and true producer of the channel. These details hint at a subtext suggesting that Kikka and Otomi's actions may not have been entirely innocent.
But does this justify Masaki's physical violence? In the end, we often see the protagonist resorting to physical and verbal aggression as a means of coercion and punishment against the vampire members of her Mayonaka Punch group—though, in line with the anime's genre and target demographic, these moments are presented comically and not meant to be taken seriously. Amid all this ambiguity, it’s clear that the anime struggles to maintain a consistent tone and approach, swinging between being a typical (but occasionally heartfelt) comedy show and an underwhelming work of social critique (especially since the onus on Masaki's professionalism is never properly addressed). Yet, considering its intimate moments of sentimentality, where Masaki grapples with guilt and remorse, the show does allow room for nuance. When she tries to record an apology video to restart her career, the sheer brutality and harassment of the internet frighten her, ironically motivating her rebellion. It’s not unthinkable that the incident of the punch was distorted by recordings and exacerbated by online discourse—factors that discouraged her from accepting a verdict of guilt she deemed unfair.
As I revisited scenes from the early and final episodes, my perception of the narrative shifted. I began to consider: what if the story was never interested in excusing or condemning Masaki for her mistake? Given that the anime concludes by reaffirming the punch as an iconic element of the titular channel, this approach could even be read as a cynical jab at the online populace, which feels entitled to harshly judge public figures whose personal lives they barely understand. Of course, the anime would never overtly adopt such a subversive stance, as its primary goal is still to evoke pleasant feelings. Perhaps the true message of Mayonaka Punch is: “what did or didn’t happen is none of your business. Just stop bullying this person.” This is emotionally understandable, but perhaps immature as a stance to take to life.
From this perspective, it’s hard to say that Mayonaka Punch communicates its ideas clearly or convincingly. Nor would it be much better to simply assume the show was negligent in holding Masaki accountable for her mistakes. Either way, a critical analysis ends in dissatisfaction with the anime’s plot. However, with that said, the emotional experience it offers, alongside its impressive production quality and characterization, still grant it undeniable merit.
Posted by Sheklon | Dec 11, 2024 7:06 AM | 0 comments
Private Entry