A highly controversial series that manages to be one of my all time favorite anime. Some phrases I’ve heard people describe this anime are pretentious, confusing, and poorly written. Time and time again I’ve made it my duty to dispel these claims. For it’s an impeccable feat that a show was able to exceptionally portray themes of growing up and taking on the world after highschool. Showing such a daunting period of our lives that’s typically portrayed as daunting in a more optimistic light. This is a show that gets better with each rewatch. During my initial viewing I was perplexed by all the various themes at play, that I let the show kick my ass. Taking mental notes and preparing myself for the next round. Though as it aired, I and many others, while understanding the general narrative, were doing our best to fully understand the bigger picture and what could happen next. This is a show that keeps you thinking and on your toes as it dishes out a flurry of double entendres, unique world views, and giving perspective credence to unpopular opinions. How can a show that touches on various existential subject matter be able to have a message clear as day for how to live your best life?
Sonny Boy is an utterly creative, and inventive expedition that requires the viewer’s utmost patience and thoughtfulness to get the full experience. The story tackles various subject matter in dangerously meta-ways that usually pertain to growing up and acclimating to society after highschool. As well as philosophical topics such as death and what it means to truly be alive, if ignorance is truly bliss, just how much control do we have in our lives, and how one’s inability to move on can hurt others more than themselves. The ideas and topics go far beyond what I mentioned, and due to the abstract presentation of the show’s themes, what one person might see as a logical explanation can be completely left field from somebody else’s. Although the concepts the show presents can be left up to personal interpretation, the story itself is rather straightforward.
Nagara is a third year middle school student who has a terrible home life and no future aspirations. It’s implied that he initially thinks life is meaningless upon refusing to help a dying bird, possibly alluding to himself being suicidal. A genki know-it-all transfer student takes an interest in Nagara, and tries befriending him. Moments after their introduction to each other, their school goes, “adrift” into a black void, where the students have powers, and find themselves struggling for a purpose in this new world as returning to their old world seems less and less likely. And that is all I will touch on for the premise, for I hold the initial viewing experience for Sonny Boy in such high regard. The events placed throughout the show can mean different things to different people. Making the discussion always fun and a great way to postulate the different perspectives and feelings this show evokes in people. Even the director Shingo Natsume admitted to the staff having a mixed reaction towards the ending. One portion feeling extremely positive about the end, and the other feeling depressed by it. I fall into the former camp of considering my belief that this to have one of the most uplifting messages in all of anime, and though I won’t spoil anything, I’ll say that the feeling and message I took away from this is what I assume many first time viewers of EVA also had. And for the record I do prefer this over EVA, but I digress.
I can speak for most when I say this in regards to more anime than just sonny boy, but I was euphoric upon finding out that we can’t read or hear the thoughts of the characters. Okay well, we can in one episode, but that’s not the point. The point is, the show isn’t lazy with its characterization of the cast. You get a feel for Nagara being depressed through his reluctance to help the bird, a feel for Mizuho’s standoff vibe with her confiding in her cats and away from everyone else, a feel for Yamabiko’s loyalty through his tale, and a feel for a certain blue monkey who’s exceptional ability at baseball. The characters all have fine-distinctions that make their inclusion and departure from the story felt throughout. It’s through the cast’s developing an understanding of their predicament and seeing them grow, or stagnate in some cases, that the show feels surreal.
One of the best parts of this series is how each episode is distinctly unique from the last. Not that it’s an episodic series, but the show isn’t afraid to jump forward in time or show various other universes outside the one of the main events we follow. It’s in these episodes that we have some of the most gorgeous, refined, and hypnotic visuals I’ve seen in such a long time. As if rewatching this show isn’t already a blast, the visuals make it an absolute pleasure. From bright and sunny beaches, to a vast golden grain field, to hyperspace, to the most abstract location you can imagine, the art, animation, and background left me pausing and admiring the art numerous times. The character designs are also unique. Looking life-like but lacking detail in their face and body. Each character is easily distinguishable on their silhouette alone. With the colors being bright, distinct and simple, this show does a phenomenal job of using complementary colors. And fret not for the soundtrack is also just as delightful as I’ve put it on in the background many times, and have the ED (both versions) forever imprinted on my memory after watching this series three times as of writing this.
Back to the question at hand, How can a show that touches on various existential subject matter be able to have a clear message for how to live your best life? I think the most obvious message from the story is to not remain stagnant in your life and that just because times may be hard for you now, doesn't mean that they'll always be that way. And that it's always worth seeing what the future holds for us, and to tackle our fears head on. The changes Nagara makes at the end of the story is tremendous in how realistically we must take life with both its success and failures as it goes. I can see why some people may see Nagara's smile at the end as off putting or artificial. But to me, he looked like he was mentally equipped to take on whatever the world was ready to throw his way. As for all the vast worlds and lessons they took from each world, it always was full of struggle, but they still made it through. The real world is just another struggle he has to deal with and much like the previous worlds, he managed to conquer and overcome them even if those around him failed to take a step back and see things for what they truly are. And lastly, If you could dream for eternity, eventually you would get very bored because nothing was dictated against you. You'd want to stop being lucid just to have a genuine experience, regardless of how mundane it is. Like I said, it’s one of the most optimistic anime out there, contrary to popular belief. If you don’t see it that way, that’s okay, because that’s part of the fun.
