WHY
DVLMN:CRBBY’S ‘DONKEY’ SCENE IS A STROKE OF GENIUS by @rishabh_SSW
Let’s start this essay by stating the facts. DEVILMAN
Crybaby is an enigma, at least on the first look. It is one of those anime shows
which I would rather not watch again from start to finish. I would prefer to
watch it in moments, or pieces. I will just start one episode and start
watching it. It does not hurt you because you know the context already. Some
standout moments make this ‘Jumping-Skipping-watching’ possible. Like the nudity
and gore, which I am proud of Masaki Yuasa for. As for why I do this, its
because I don’t want to deal with the emotional tragedy underlying the whole
show.
But there is also one more thing underlying all the
individuals. And that should be obvious by taking the first look at the first
episode. And that’s conflict. Conflict amongst humans, conflict between ideals which
goes off the rails and becomes conflict between humans and demons. [You should
not be reading this anymore if you have not watched this show, (Which you
totally should!)].
Now, getting to the meat of the essay, there was one scene
in Episode 2, in the start of third quarter, famous for the ‘Donkey’s Bray’ also
famous as a donkey scene. It is a masturbation scene involving the character of
Miko, who gets hot and bothered by thinking of updated Akira Fudo. She is on
her study table, when her mind goes in a different direction, which I agree could
happen to anyone. Teenage minds, fantasizing about hot individuals! [Can you
tell I am getting old?]
Now, I will explain, why the Donkey Scene is Pure Genius.
Teenage girls getting sexualized. That is not a big deal in
Anime and manga. Hell, Anime/Manga with Echhi tag thrives on this factor. If
people do not go out and take unsavory actions against budding ladies, or anyone
for that fact, I am all in for anyone who want to suppress their dirty desires.
There is a clear line in fantasy and crime, which may seem like two different ballparks,
but the former inspires the latter.
Now, how does it play out? Well, the shot starts with Miko
sitting at her study table, completely immersed in studying. Everything is pink
around her, representing her innocence. She has lot of cute pictures in the
background, and she is still in her school uniform, representing her diligence.
We can also see everything is cleanly sorted out, with lots of books having
numerous volumes. At first, I thought it was manga, but she has bookmarked some
of them, which forces me to think it is reference books. Suddenly, a heavy
monotone drops and Akira’s bulge flashes in Miko’s mind. She stops writing and
stares blankly at the paper. The same monotone drop happens and this time Akira’s
ripped body stretching comes into her mind. She closes her legs to control her desires. We know she is trying hard because the cloth of her skirt crumples
between her legs. Just a moment later, she gives in to temptation, and puts her
hand between her legs. So far, the scene is following the typical sex scene. However,
we have not seen in any conventional anime girl masturbating. Most of the shows
like to throw themselves around towards protagonist, but this is different but
natural way to achieve satisfaction.
Miko doesn’t just put her hand on her crotch, but she presses
hard against it. Masaaki Yuasa, I salute you again to show the natural human
twitching of that moment.
In the next scene, the background music called ‘Who Is She’
start playing, it’s a haunting tune which sets the dark mood of the scene. She
sees Koji looking at her while he lowers the window of his car. Then we see a
flashback of Miko modelling for Koji. Now this is a very interesting moment for
me. Miko, during the jump cuts, goes from modelling sexily, to having sex with Koji.
It is clearly implemented when her frontal shot zooms to Koji clicking pictures
of her butt and then groping her. What interests me comes later.
Miko lays on her bed and starts masturbating. All the
buildup goes to waste, when Miko’s moans are replaced by donkey’s brays. All the
mood is killed by it. But, that WAS the point.
Anyway, Miko continues to masturbate while wearing her uniform.
Thinking about Akira triggered the moment she had with Koji, which is how
Humans work. This might also be Miko’s desire to have sex with Akira. As I
said, conflict. She did what she liked, but now she wants to do with someone she
likes.
Anyway, back on the track. We see a tracking shot take place,
pushing Miko out of the picture, but her “moans” are still loud and clear. The camera
pans across the complex she lives in, different parts of the residence are
shown, while Miko’s moans serve as background. This represents her desire to be
number one and take her title back as “Miki” from Miki Makimura. She wants to
be the focus, but she can only represent that in her true form. One is true to
themselves when they are either confident or vulnerable. In this moment, Miko
has nothing to hide, as she is in her own room. When she becomes a Devilman,
she becomes powerful and confident, which again results in her being true to herself.
Ending the scene, Butterfly, one of the street rappers hears
her moans and take a pause from walking.
I think the title of the episode “One hand is enough” plays
along with it. In the beginning of the episode we see Akira knocking all the
rappers in the river, uttering the title phrase. In the middle of the episode,
we see him dreaming of his parents leaving him, while he stretches his hand to
stop them. In the last example, we see Miko pleasing herself with one hand,
while she plays with her breast with another. Two kinds of stimulus, both equally
required.
Masaaki Yuasa made a sexy scene, which we almost never see,
and made it borderline laughable. It may be a skippable material for most
people, but for me, it was a stroke of genius.
I know how I described the whole scene, I might have expanded
on it too much, but that is how I could break it down. I should also mention
that I have only seen this iteration of Devilman franchise, so please don’t hurt
me if you think I misrepresented any past form of Devilman Media.
Anyways, if you liked this Anime Essay, Please let me know
on twitter @rishabh_SSW and let me know if you would like me to do more of
these Anime Essays.
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