The last section of the anime really elucidated upon the message that the value of people and their contributions of society truly is just a societal misconception and is detrimental to the actual full potential of people. It shows that the concept of NEETs and their non-contributions of society in the perspective of the capitalist aspect that modern societal organization and government is reliant upon is flawed in its interpretation of how they are not valuable and greatly capable human beings. The fact that the NEETs were able to redirect the missiles were able to discredit the idea that they were people that were unable to achieve anything and that they could not meaningfully live in this society and as humans with a calling to do anything.

However, despite the NEETs’ contributions, they were still ostracized and seen an invaluable. This elucidates upon the fact that societal constructs are reinforced by those that are already trapped within them—a feedback loop that only serves to further such misconceptions, even with damning evidence. People are predisposed to rely on heuristics, cognitive dissonance, and the status quo in order to preserve their own places in society—as those that serve the status quo are often those for whom the status quo works.

Yet another anime that has my brain in shambles and so very weirded out. However, the commentary that this anime—which seems to be a very common motif amongst the animated series we have watched thus far in this class—makes about the common era’s society is eye opening and relevant to our organizational structure and discussions surrounding it. This is especially important in the context of our global economy and the culture of the new youths that are being brought up in such a technologically advanced (and thus relatively socially lax, yet technologically overwhelming) world. 

The bringing up of the concept of NEETs and the idea that the reduction of such and the unemployed population is the foundation for “saving” Japan, which is emphasized with how 10 million yen was input to get people to play the “game” of saving Japan, is very much so a capitalist ploy. It is engulfed in the capitalist ideal that production and capital are the very essences of life and are what gives one’s life value and meaning. Without such, one is not useful to the society which you inhabit. 

The game, to me, highly parallels the concept of trickle-down economics that was executed in policy in the administrations of many different conservative US presidents—the most recent being that of US President Donald Trump. The concept follows that with the concentration of money at the top, it will be used by those that lead the economy (or private businesses) to invest into there workers and those others that constitute their businesses. However, as found in the anime, the reality is not so—whilst some people may possess the altruism to put their money back to the community, others find themselves using it for their own personal gain and continual wealth. Society also perpetuates this, as is commented by how the altruistic man that built the perfect hospital died whilst the woman with a not so clean history uses the money to perpetuate her power, influence, and wealth (and to keep her record clean).

The last few episodes of East of Eden finally cleared up some of the questions that have been unanswered since episode one. There are still some things left unexplained, though I assume they will be explored further in the movies. The connection between East of Eden and the content of the article Work Culture is also made more evident in the last few episodes. 

What happened to the 20,000 NEETs is finally explained: Takizawa shipped them off to Dubai to shield them from criticism and accusations after the Careless Monday incident, which, according to Itazu, causes conspiracies to proliferate. He comments that attacks like Careless Monday occur when a nation is weak, so it appears that it is not only Mr. Outside, the mysterious man who is behind the Selecao program, that believes Japan need saving. 

Speaking of Itazu, he is the perfect example of how soceity views NEETs. He is clearly an advanced hacker/programmer. He even said that he was called a prodigy as a child. However, he chooses to stay indoors and use his skills for his own interests. Because his skills cannot be exploited by a corporation, he is seen as lesser and even a burden on society. 

Itazu’s hacking reveals that it was another Selecao who had ordered the missile attacks, though Takizawa was the one who took responsibility for it. The Selecao who ordered the attack was number 10, or Yuki. 

Yuki’s reasoning behind the missile launch is further explained in the last two episodes. Mononobe is another Selecao who introduces Takizawa to Yuki. He reveals that Yuki’s parents were overworked and exploited, driven to their deaths by the burden of labor. Yuki himself took out loans for qualifications but it only led to him getting a 10 yen raise, or less than 10 cents USD. Because of this, he believes that something drastic, like a war, needs to happen to drive Japan to change. 

Mononobe explains that a missile would get rid of the old, lazy people who contribute nothing to society. Yuki’s frustration with the system is valid, despite his actions being inexcusable. His parents, like many others in the labor force, are overworked to the point of death, and others are expected to provide intense labor for pitiful wages. Mononobe’s statements about the elderly also reflect the sentiment that many people hold: if you can’t work, then you can’t contribute to society, which means that you are useless.

Eden of the East was a show I have never heard of, so I had no idea what to expect when going into the show. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t left confused for a good portion of the show, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

The first episode begins with quite a comedic entrance from Takizawa, appearing naked and swinging around a gun right in front of the White House. He saves Saki from being accused of being a terrorist since she threw a coin through the White House’s fences, which can appear suspicious.

After that, they depart for Japan where Takizawa takes Saki to his home, a large shopping mall. It’s revealed that Takizawa has no memory of who he is, and that it appears that he himself wiped his memory. Over the first few episodes, it is revealed that Takizawa is part of a select group of people that were given ten billion yen to “save Japan,” though it is unclear exactly what that entails.

While watching, I was trying to create connections between the shows and the reading. One topic that came up was NEETs, or people that are not in education, employment, or training. The word NEET often has a negative connotation, with them being looked down upon as burdens on society. The fact that Takizawa thinks that he is responsible for killing 20,000 NEETs as a way to save Japan shows how they are viewed as lesser, even detrimental to society.