The novel has been translated to the 52.7% of Chapter 1, Volume 1.
Otonashi Madoka is a second year high school student with the same age as the male lead of the series, Ryouto. She is a famous seiyuu idol and columnist. Due to her father's influence, she had garnered a lot of attention since she was a child. Outgoing and cheerful, she is the complete opposite of her friend, Amanogawa Shigure. Outwardly she maintains a perfect smile and impeccable behavior, but to her close friends and family she is playful and has a fiery temper. As side note, she cannot hold her own against alcohol and often cries and completely let her guard down when she is drunk.
As was in Ryouto, Madoka is also a dynamic character in the series. However, unlike Ryouto, whose character was based on normal build-up and development like a skyscraper, Madoka's character was that of an onion, her personality slowly deconstructed and revealed as Ryouto's character grew. In fact, there's so many facets of her personality that I don't think I can cover too much here.
As stated early in the novels, Madoka had a huge presence to the people around her, and this was the catalyst for Ryouto's growth. In school, Madoka was so popular that any boy talking to her intimately would result in the wrath of the FFFs. As Madoka had to work right after school, Ryouto wouldn't have a lot of chances to meet Madoka at home, so the only place where they could meet and interact was during work.
Madoka is the representation of the Japanese working career woman who loves her work and the interaction between her and the people around her. She enjoys bringing smiles to her fans. Unlike what some sexists might say, Makoda shows that women are perfectly capable of holding out in their careers. Even though they may be somewhat emotionally sensitive, they are able to differentiate between their work and personal life.
The author uses Madoka and the Amanogawas to show us the typical life of a seiyuu idol. Unlike what we have normally seen in the life of typical idols shows, the life of an idol is nothing of glamour. Seiyuus work closely with the supporting staff so they appreciate what the people behind the scenes have done. This is a recurring feeling that appears quite frequently in the series.
Madoka does not reject the double personality she has, a public persona and a personal persona. She readily accepts them both. However, as the novels went on and more conflicts are presented, we find her struggling to keep up.
From my personal experience, there are two circumstances when a girl gives up on something for another. One is when she understands the former is unobtainable. The other is when she understands the former will never leave her. Of course, it's quite hard to know what the heck is going on in the minds of girls, so I could understand Ryouto's reaction (from Volume 5) when he heard the following from Madoka in response to hate-mail and a half confession from both sides, among other things.
(The following is all from Madoka, with Ryouto's thoughts omitted.)
"Liking someone, is something wonderful, isn't it?"
"......My job, is to make people like me, right?"
"Liking someone, gives one an huge amount of energy. So, one cannot like another halfheartedly. You won't feel a thing if you don't pour your entire heart into it."
"Even though it seems that I was joking, but when I really got into a character (during voice acting), I might really end up liking the other person."
"However, in the other way around, if me, Otonashi Madoka, really liked another person, would I be able to restrain this feeling and completely get into another character, to like (some other character during voice acting)?"
"I think I'm still not mature enough, so I have to work even harder."
Ryouto was confused, but he let it go since Madoka became happier.
As the novels went on, Madoka's presence shrunk and expanded with the events unfolding around her. However, I guess this was how love was complementary. As Ryouto grew independent and stronger mentally, he came to reduce his dependence to Madoka and allowed her to depend on him instead.
It goes deep down if you had someone whom you can depend on without worries, wouldn't you want to depend on them instead?
Instead of a typical female lead character, the author used Madoka's deconstruction and remodelling of her presence and personality to convey subtle cues into the changes around her.She is the modern woman, trying to do what she needs to do, and what she wants to do.
A 2D character with a 3D personality, you might say.
No comments:
Post a Comment