Snowprincess ❄ ( Sakuma's version )

Art dumppp :)

Send me a ⚡️ and character name for an opinion and headcanon by me!

This made me laugh sm. Thank you for reminding me of my months long Kisaku debt. This answer now doubles as...

Rambling about Kidou/Sakuma (03/?)

I'm gonna use this as an opportunity to talk and explain about things people might not entirely understand or notice!! First is my favorite scene ever and the most memorable one for me

*Analysis of the Kisaku scene in episode 56

I do agree that this line can be taken literally, and that it can be confusing for some, "How can Sakuma say it? What does he mean?" So to explain this scene, I will break it down again to two topics,

First, the scene from Sakuma's standpoint

This scene is as important for Sakuma as much as it is for Kidou. How can Sakuma so comfortably say that Kidou is better off with Raimon?? The answer is, because Sakuma has sorted out the way he perceives Kidou.

The way Sakuma feels about Kidou in the anime is very often, delivered in the metaphor of eyes, specifically the action of watching (It's very strong!!).

Sakuma previously doesn't know how is he supposed to see Kidou due to Teikoku's old system under Kageyama; the system that sets Kidou as invicible and without weakness. But he finally does post Shin Teikoku. He now sees Kidou as a human being like everyone else; and Kidou as someone who is his best friend that cares deeply for him and everyone. And like I always say, Sakuma's role as an important character in Kidou arc is as someone who knows intimate details about Kidou others don't as they grew up in the same old system. The writers convey it in how Sakuma can tell how Kidou is just by seeing him. And because Sakuma has let go the old image he had of Kidou, he's now ready to prioritize Kidou's happiness. He has secure attachment in their relationship.

Second is, Kidou's standpoint

Now why does Sakuma say this?

My favorite way to explain this shortly is that Kidou plays as Yuuto in Raimon, instead of playing as (heir of) Kidou

This is because Kidou was assigned to Teikoku by his adoptive father, as Teikoku is the school for rich kids. Kidou initially transferred to Raimon to avenge his Teikoku teammates, but grew to love Raimon's soccer style. But is in doubt because Shin Teikoku happened, and Kidou worries that he betrays his old friends. Kidou loves BOTH Teikoku and Raimon. Sakuma's role in this scene is to encourage Kidou to pursue his OWN happiness, instead of fulfilling a role. That's why Sakuma encourages Kidou to stay in Raimon.

Honestly even if it's minor this episode's title does it disservice by making it about Endou and Gouenji when it's all about Kidou and Sakuma + Teikoku's relationship....

*When Kidou dissociates in episode 92

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WANTING TO WRITE ABOUT THIS!!! I haaaaveeee always been wanting to talk about Sakuma's "We need your playmaking!" line because it's also something people don't necessarily understand from that scene. This ask is a good chance because I want to include our convo from the other day

CONVO TRANSCRIPT Gayuma (@/Soccerpunching): They really were all in a high stress situation all the time too so not like you can ever blame anyone for acting the way they did. And sakuma was literally always gouging the best way to help his friend, like any kid would… I'm so sorry you live in the torture chamber universe aww Kari (me): Yeah you can literally see and hear the fear Sakuma feels that his biggest concern is confirmed at worst moment possible?? and i thought abt it just now but what Sakuma said was less to put burden on Kidou’s shoulder but rather to ground him back to reality as Kidou is at a dissociative state even if it might or might not the best thing to say but again Sakuma is freaking out as well… 😭 (this is smth i educated myself on than experience so i might get things wrong. Feel free to correct me) Gayuma: Oh no, yeah. You were right. The fact that he kick a soccer ball LIGHTLY is sakuma aiming to ground him. If someone in that situation can't hear you, you'd aim for physical touch in a way that wouldn't overwhelm someone. Like a tap/pat/squeeze. In insane soccer terms, kicking a soccer ball lightly on someone's chest. In the first place he knows that kidou couldn't hear him anyway as he was literally calling out to him multiple times before he zeroed in at kageyama but since this is kidou it actually helped that he forced in the words by using a direct order that kidou always answers to. Sakuma who knew kidou for a long time already knows that, for better or worse (for worse mostly), the harsher wording shakes kidou harder than comfort words would in a high stake and stress situation. Criticism from a person whose opinion matters to him shakes his core.

Adding to your point back then, (and saying it again) Sakuma's role in Kidou is someone who knows him from Teikoku's old system. It means Sakuma knows how does Kidou see himself. Due to the way he was raised, Kidou is someone who constantly puts responsibility on his shoulders. In this case, it's "I'm the playmaker and the brain of the team that keeps it in order". What Sakuma says does NOT mean that he's still depending on Kidou, but rather a way to ground Kidou by reminding Kidou who KIDOU THINKS he is!

Also this is a very cool portrayal of dissociation with how Sakuma looks and sounds more distant from Kidou's first person POV. And it's also a very cool way to convey Kidou's eye motif, which is his also his point of view! But I will make a post for it for another day...