But then again Horiko has no real feelings of loyalty towards Yozo. I don't think he has malice towards Yozo but he has no loyalty towards him as a person. While he may do things that benefit you and seem like a friend, it's still all about him. But is there some way that they are using him too?įlatfish seems like your typical frienemy. I'm curious about the women in Yozo's life though. I understand that is a prominent feature in more collectivized societies than the one I live in (the US), but I also think it exemplifies my point from the previous posts about the darkness of post-war Japanese literature. I didn't think he was a cause of Yozo's continued spiral, but I think he serves as an interesting foil, the society man who wants the appearance to be pristine, no matter what kind of internal turmoil the individual feels. I think he wants to get Yozo on a path towards integration in society and success out for personal motives more than anything. His small deceits about money, his desire to save face, his ingratiating manner made me dislike him immensely. In Flatfish I found a character I can root against in favor of Yozo. In fact, his cartoons even degrade to the basest material over time. I don't think Yozo could possibly have created works like that. But great works of art share a part of the universal human experience. And I know that leads to a whole 'chicken and egg' discussion about why widely accepted classics have become so important and revered over time, shape our expectations for more modern art, etc.,etc. The best art, the truly meaningful art, the masterpieces, all strive to reach a really deep place that connects us all.

I don't think the reverse could have happened and I think that's why he is only able to produce cartoons.

No longer human yoshiko