Negative Positive Angler

The anime "Negative Positive Angler" has partained a significant amount of potential for drama, where it explicitly describes realistic aspect of the real-world. As such, the title itself explains that everything in the story starts at the negative aspect to the positive aspect. However, the title itself is the biggest contradiction to what could've been one of the biggest drama of all time. (Yes, I am referring to being at the level of Your Lie in April or I want to eat your pancreas). Explaining at the end, I will share my opinion why it is somewhat a loss of potential.

The first episode emphasizes the life of Tsunehiro, and how his depression progressed as gradual as his critical disease (where in some time, it'll kill him), and how it led him to debts, and more problems relating to being an outcast that inclined suffering he kept all along with him. As these proceeding factors of suffering continue to affect him to an extent where the only solution is the obvious. The first half of the episode teaches us how excruciating it is to be in his shoes, while not necessarily relating it to a person having a particular disease (or mental health problems), but anyone who has deep suffering inclined with being an outcast, having health issues, and debts, and the such, which are being experienced by majority of the people due to factors apprehended, can actually threaten life as gradual factors such as depression CAN potentially influence death. It is also apprehended how we must be inclusive to the point of being truly understanding of the perspectives to the "different" people, as they have more experience that led them to be different. Which is why many people could be considered by the roles of the good, the bad, the neutral, or whatever, is because of the factors that shape them. The second half of the episode is where Takaaki (and the group) manages to save Tsunehiro from his constant attempts of the obvious. While he was underwater, all he thought was that the suffering will be over, but Takaaki said otherwise. Then, they went to a place where they shore to fish, and Tsunehiro becomes particularly curious, questioning things related to his saving, why they are fishing, and the such. The second half teaches us that despite an outcast being outcasted by society, there will always be people who "fish", and are created for the purpose that will come to help people like Tsunehiro, but very few, since they are the people who also experienced the similar things as Tsunehiro (or in some cases by acts of kindness). Just like fishes, fishing people is hard, but those who are willing will never stop until they will be able to get one. As people in this world are common, the different will always be partained as different with prejudice, but there are those whose hearts and minds conquer judgement, and is willing to lend a hand to the different (Specifically Takaaki). The group itself weren't fondly particular with Tsunehiro yet (except Takaaki and Hana), where they were the ones who initiated in influencing Tsunehiro to become a fisher. The first episode started negatively, but ended positively, somewhat.

The next episodes (2/3) pertained to teaching Tsunehiro how to fish, and the gradual interactions between the characters that led to more fondness of each other. The lessons teaches us that these people who opt to save others, will always do their best to teach, help, and develop those that are same as Tsunehiro, and how hope could be possible for the people of the sake as Tsunehiro. As such, the more Tsunehiro understood the purpose of fishing, he began to become interested, which where his development slowly mixed with the story. Which tells us that development is possible in learning, and how trying to find or understand the meaning of something, can produce purpose or motivation to anything that could be possibly attained. It also explained regrets, which may be accounted to the past life of Tsunehiro that involved those mentioned above, like debts, and how he always runs away from his problems. Just like the real-world situation, anyone in the shoes of Tsunehiro may always opt to run away from problems, and not confront them, because problems are inevitable, and they are a pain in the ass. Well, convenience is always key to a more relaxed life, but there are times where we are tested by problems to see if we are able to conquer it.

The next couple episodes (4/5/6) focused more within the relationship of Takaaki and Tsunehiro and Hana (4/5) others (5/6), where Tsunehiro ran away to escape from debt collectors (a source of his problems), and where Takaaki doesn't let him run away again (to remind him that there is someone whom he can trust) so he chased him to the extent of finding a lost sheep. Takaaki lended his hand to Tsunehiro to help him recover from the expense of his suffering, just with a payback at a later time. With a foreshadowing of Takaaki's character, Tsunehiro managed to create an agreement with him for the sake of confronting his problems. As such, Tsunehiro tries to work with himself towards various aspects he is facing (especially financially), and gradually embracing change with others through fishing, where he becomes fond of the others (like Ice and the group). It teaches how trying to socialize may help lessen loneliness. It also teaches us that being someone like Takaaki will encourage a more fostered inclusivity between people. It also also teaches us that running away from your problems will not truly solve problems. It also also also teaches us that embracing change will foster positivity or reward (at some point). (Also also also ?)

The next episodes (7/8) focused more on the others, particularly the "shop owner" and the "who is this guy" guy.. Well, their stories are particularly relevant to each other, and thoroughly explained why they are inclined with fishing, which was fresh storytelling of their accord. It also explained there why the group was formed, and why they are fishing (again). It embodies their reasons for fishing, and why they find it fun, and why being together makes sense. Episode 8, is more of a dramatic episode as it explains the relationship of the "shop owner" and his child, and how the separation between the wife and the father made affect to the child. The episode itself embodied the distance between the father and the child, where the child really shows interest in the father-son activity, but the father lacked something (reason) that affected the child's view to him. As such, the others were open to fish with the child, and also to let the father (shop owner) know what to do to strengthen his relationship with the child. As such, the episode ended more positively as the father-son managed to get it off. The moral of the episodes (especially 8) are more into the engagement of relationships that assert its purpose. Why are they being in a group, fishing together? Why can a simple divorce significantly affect a child? Or his relationship with the parents? Why are they doing things, and continuing it? Just like that, it teaches us the value of relationships, and how we must treasure it (especially family matters), as it can significantly affect the growth or development of a child (or a person).

Episode 9 was more into partying.. no lessons particularly but I guess it's to enjoy moments together, and find yourself reservation to treat yourselves after a hardwork, or a bad day, or serve others for each other's happiness. And how a simple moment such as a hot-pot party will be stored in the memories.

Episodes (10/11) were the most impactful of all the series. The drama that should've been, was prolonged to these episodes. The episodes catered about the relationship of Takaaki and Tsunehiro, and their backstories. Knowing the relationship of these two, they always had something impactful within them as Tsunehiro can be seen as the saved, and Takaaki as the savior. To explain, ONLY Takaaki tried to swim when Tsunehiro was drowning to save him. He was also the one who lended a hand to Tsunehiro about shelter, food, financial matters, and the such. He was also the one who saved Tsunehiro everytime he tries to run away from his problems. ONLY Tsunehiro was the one amongst them with the most problems. He always ran against the problems. He always thought that fishing is absurd, but Takaaki proved him otherwise. And all that dramatic sequence mentioned in the previous episodes. However, this is where things take a turn. Takaaki needs saving while Tsunehiro was the one who saved him. Why? Takaaki's backstory tells us about the relationship between him and his brother, and why he is accounted to everything that has ever happened to the brother. Yet, he keeps that to himself and as a form of response, he tries his best to not do what he did to the brother to Tsunehiro. (Or rather trying to improve from mistakes). However, Tsunehiro was visited by a relative of Takaaki, which tells him to visit the g**** of his younger brother, which then led to the spicy part, their fighting. Tsunehiro mentioned regarding the hospital case, but managed to tackle about the things regarding his brother, and of course, Takaaki becomes angered as to what does Tsunehiro know about him, then Tsunehiro replies the same. Truly, even though they can be accounted to as savior and the saved, Takaaki was truly the one who needed saving. The angered situation led to one running away from his problems, as faced by REALITY. Guess who? Yes, Takaaki. The episode pinpoints their relevant situation, and their interconnectedness which made them the most important part of the story. The lesson is that relationships must not always be one-sided, but often in understanding and by empathetic nature. It also tells us that each one of us carries a burden that unexpectedly becomes a reason why, what, and when, of something. (For example, why Takaaki is running away from his past instead of confronting it). Then, Takaaki and the group were distant to each other.. while Takaaki was living in the life under his car, Tsunehiro was taking shifts for him. Which may serve as a purpose that in the absence of one, we must be there to serve its absence, so everything may be fulfilled until the absent becomes present, or basically just service for one another. Yet, the biggest thing is the understanding, that impacted most as even when Takaaki was gone long, their relationship weren't minced at all. It conveys the strength of their relationship with each other, and how their empathy led to understanding that tried to solve the problems.

Episode 12. The finale. Takaaki and Tsunehiro met unexpectedly. Their words managed to capture their thoughts, and they just met coincidentally. As much denial the other pertains, it wasn't coincidence at all. Everything happens for a reason. You can influence someone so much that they will always remember what you have influenced them, just like Takaaki and Tsunehiro. The first half of them were being awkward, there was obviously one of them trying to mention regarding the situation, yet couldn't. However, just as how they influenced each other by fishing, they were able to communicate with each other by "fishing" each other. The once angered situation between them was ingrained with each other's interests and lingered memories. It tells us that the things we do is not only for show. As the episode goes by, they tend to become more connected to each other, where they finally felt comfortable talking to each other by fishing large fishes, celebrating their victory, and the such, just like the usual other episode. The second half is the most dramatic part of the entirety of the show. Where there is mention of backstories that made them empathetic to each other. The emotional aspects were fascinating as despite the time minutes being shorter than the expected Your Lie in April kinda episode, it was able to capture the idea of the dramatic moment. Tsunehiro finally acknowledged Takaaki for saving him and telling him that fishing is fun, Takaaki went emotional because of remembering his brother, and they went to be forgiving of each other. Then, it went to the finality of the episode where they (Hana and Tsunehiro) lend their goodbyes as Tsunehiro goes back to his parents and to get treatment (as part of their emotional talk earlier), and then after 2 years, he was fine and all, and a happy ending as supposed.

WHY IS IT A FAILED DRAMA POTENTIAL?
The anime thoroughly left significant signals about it being a dramatic anime. Starting off with the episode that teaches us realistic life problems, into more episodes having characters that have their own stories relating to past, family, and purpose, and the ending that teaches us the negative-positive angle of life, as much as these aspects were mentioned, it wasn't truly captivated because most of the episode were given to unneccessary moments such as fishing (OFTEN) and their moments together. If Episode (1/8/10/11/12) were supposed in the process of EACH EPISODES (that involve the group's variety of stories that could've captivated more meaning), we could've reached a conclusion that led to a more purposeful yet emotionally essential. Also, Tsunehiro's start was very strong, especially when talking about Takaaki-Tsunehiro's relationship, and how I think it should've ended more emotional, but since it started negatively and ended in a positive note, the ending just leaves questions that are left unanswered, especially pertaining to his disease. There were also things that were left unassessed, for example, after the two years mark, ice and the group were gone ? Where did they go? How about Hana and her backstory? and so on and so forth. There are just so many wasted potential that could've led to a greater aspect of this anime. Overall, it was pretty chill, I won't deny that. It's the kind of anime that keeps u thrilled because it's feeling so real like you're with them fishing. It could've been something like Your Lie in April or I want to eat your pancreas if the episodes were more into plot, and could've reached an ending that far surpasses our expectations.