Enjin, the embodiment of humanism in Gachiakuta.
Humanism is a philosophical movement that studies human beings and their concerns. Humanistic psychology emerged after World War II in the United States; against this backdrop of war, dehumanization, and trauma, the humanistic movement seeks to adopt a positive approach. Some characteristics of humanistic psychology include self-actualization, freedom and responsibility, and the search for meaning.
Within humanistic theory, there is a pyramid that every person must follow in order to achieve happiness.
From what we know about Enjin's past (according to the manga), he was an orphan who lived in an orphanage that later became a slave market, from which he escaped and was saved by Alto, the father of Rudo.
Even looking back at Enjin past, we begin to notice similarities with humanism, since both emerged in dehumanizing times and environments where conditions were harsh and survival was difficult.
We also noticed that Enjin found his purpose thanks to Alto (to save children who were in the same situation as he was). We can see his purpose manifested through Umbreaker; umbrellas are usually associated with protection and shelter.
After joining the Cleaners, he picks up Riyo and Zanka, before the main plot begins. After the events of the first episode of Gachiakuta, we also see that Enjin is taking care of Rudo. We can see that, thanks to Enjinβs care and that of the Cleaners, Rudo begins to meet his basic needs according to Maslowβs hierarchy.
Thanks to Enjin, Rudo has found a warm home where he has finally been able to make friends and fit in socially. He feels safe and has learned to trust others.All of this happened after he lost the only person who truly cared about him (Regto).
As I mentioned in my analysis of Zanka, vital instruments are extensions of the soul, thoughts, feelings, and the unconscious.Umbreaker represents Enjinβs desire to protect and provide refuge for defenseless people (usually children and teenagers).
While writing this, I also realized that the name βEnjinβ (engine) could also refer to Gestalt psychology, a school of thought that holds that we perceive the world as a unified whole, rather than as the sum of isolated parts.Β
Enjin thus sees himself as a piece whose function is to bring the others together. Maybe Iβm overthinking it, but I found this detail curious when compared to the definition of Gestalt psychology.
