The more I look at it the better this chapter becomes.
Random example: that last splash page. Page 10 clearly shows two flights of steps down the embankment to the water. But as Touko looks up at the end she sees only the lower one—the top flight is now gone.
It’s just barely possible that the angle of the shot puts those steps just out of frame, but as far as Touko is concerned there’s literally no way to follow after Yuu.
Random observation: Yuu is unbelievably cute.
Good eye for detail. Nakatani Nio is masterful with using lighting, environment and framing both symbolically and to set mood and atmosphere. What's said between them in this chapter is nothing earth shattering or particularly special as far as manga confessions go. It is the visual story telling that makes this chapter a masterpiece.
There are so many small details that make this scene so powerful:
The instance where the weeds are literally binding the terrified Touko's feet to the ground as she tries to go after Yuu.
The way the contrast between the dark and light frames traps the characters that are paralyzed by their own fear, isolating them from the rest of the world and each other.
How we can no longer see Touko's eyes once communication has broken down between them.
There are too many great little symbolic details to list, but this chapter really shows off Nakatani Nio's craft like few others have.
In the final shot Touko stands alone in the shadows with her head cast down, no longer able to see the final flight of stairs leading up from the ditch she stands at the bottom of. The text in this final frame simply reads, "Yuu has changed," but the message is very clear. Yuu has changed leaving Touko behind where she no longer knows how to reach her. She stands alone, lost in her fears unable to go after her.
I really hope who ever is in charge of the visual direction of the anime adaption knows what they are doing or all of this sort of visual story telling will be lost.
last edited at Jul 31, 2018 2:25AM
