#jamil analysis

So first of all, we have the songs name: 蛇と瞬き (Hebi to matataki), which is translated as “Snake and Blink” or “Blinking with the Snake.” Now 蛇と(hebi to) means “snake and” or “snake with.” The ‘snake’ in this title is no doubt Jamil himself as Jamil is a generally snake-coded character in a similar manner to how Jafar was. 瞬き (Matataki) is more interesting though, as it can be translated as “blink (of eyes)” or “twinkling (of stars); flicker (of light); blink (of light).” As such, this song isn’t necessarily referring to just a blinking of one’s eyes, though this does call Jamil’s signature spell’s requirement of eye contact to mind, but might also be referencing a twinkling of stars, flickering of light, or blink of light. However, if we interpret as ‘Snake and Blink’ or ‘Blinking with the Snake’ with blinking/blink being taken to indicate one’s eyes we can apply this to Jamil’s character and how he often hangs back, observing, but with an automatic amount of danger simply due to the snake reference and characterization. Furthermore, blinking/blink may also reference his signature spell which involves eye contact with the victim.

So, lyrically speaking, the song starts out fairly simply with a discussion of Jamil’s general state. The lyrics translate out into something along the lines of:

Gemstones and magic alone cannot bring about my deepest wish

There's never an end to these miserable days

I breathe like I’m gasping for air,

While greed rears its ugly head.

As my desire grows, it just feels too narrow here.

This is a light that won’t ever disappear, an anger that won’t ever wane, 

If it were to be revealed, Ah, ah, ah-

All of this pretty much lines up with what we know about Jamil. He has a million and one wishes, the deepest of which can never be fulfilled no matter the gemstones he has been exposed to or the magic he has. As such, his life is miserable and it's like he’s practically having to gasp for air to survive as he shoves down all of those dreams, but he can’t keep them completely hidden no matter how much he may need to. Notably, these lyrics also imply that, to a certain degree, he may be at least somewhat disgusted by his own dreams (hence the use of the word ‘greed’). This could possibly be because of his relationship with Kalim that stands ever on the line between friends and foes.  Nonetheless, it is quite obvious that Jamil is discouraged from openly pursuing his own dreams, wishes, and even talents lest he overshadow Kalim. Bluntly put, he is a servant and must remain beneath the Al-Asim’s, but also confined to serving Kalim, forever. It’s so bad that even when Jamil goes to school, he can’t escape this situation and his life has begun to feel narrow because he cannot grow beyond his current position due to societal rules.

Finally, in the last lines of the first section, the light that never disappears probably references the power, intellect, talent, and hopes that Jamil has. No matter how much people push and try to shove them down so that the status quo of Jamil’s servant status remains unshaken, those will never fade. But Jamil is mad about the senselessness and unfairness of his situation. In fact, his bitter anger will never wane and, at this point, he just wants to let it all out no matter the cost. This is also a slight call back to the previous one in which he mentions his greed rearing its head out as he gasps for breath. Bluntly put he can’t hide these feelings, or even his innate talents, anymore no matter how ugly or problematic they may be for everyone else. It all comes together and threatens to overwhelm him and, as he starts to overblot, they finally do.

As the shadows dance all around, listen to the incessant voices

To grasp freedom in my hands

As if it were a curse, off to the far reaches we fly

Ah-ah, It’s still not enough

Blinking with the snake.  

The chorus here is probably dealing with Jamil giving into his overblot. Temptations, intrusive thoughts, and the like are often described as ‘voices’ and for Jamil, those thoughts are incessant. The dancing shadows indicate how attractive but dark these thoughts are. However, it's important to remember that when overblotted, it's been indicated that the characters might not fully be themselves. Rather, they seem to be experiencing some form of magically-induced psychotic break that is also something of a power-trip. And for Jamil, who is used to having to always bow and do as he’s told without ever getting recognized for his own virtues and talents, having that amount of power is no doubt intoxicating. So he grasps this newfound freedom, even if it is possibly a curse that will condemn him should Kalim’s family ever learn of it. The line “off to the far reaches we fly” probably indicates breaking free and flying away to the end of it all. Even if that end might be Jamil fully losing himself to the overblot. This might also align with the magic flying carpet which is a recurring theme from both Scarabia and Aladdin. Then finally we have the end “Ah-ah, It’s still not enough. Blinking with the Snake.” And here we have the overblot coming to fruition, because it isn’t enough. The overblot cannot safely be sustained and Jamil is back where he started in a great many ways, still blinking with the snake. Seemingly innocent and unassuming, but ever dangerous. 

The stars are shattered again, and with them, my hope.

Every sliver of hope on a new dawn just gets dragged down each time

I wove together a patchwork illusion over this tasteless reality

But even if I were to overwrite it all, it just feels too dark here

And that future that is all blotted out, but maybe someday this vertigo will clear, 

if it were to ever be destroyed, ah, ah ah-

With a thirst unable to be quenched, my dry throat trembles

One day I’ll tear through this sky, and what I’ll see beyond this….

So here Jamil is post overblot, and he knows that despite the fact he’s gotten through to Kalim, his situation hasn’t really changed. He’s still a servant. He still has no power. And for what probably feels like the thousandth time, his wishes have been destroyed. I would imagine this is likened to the stars here due to how far off his hope probably seems to be to him. However, Jamil refuses to go down silently and starts to live his life in the illusion that he has made for himself where at least at school he has some power and can stand independent of Kalim without comparison. But in the end, it still feels too similar. Nothing has changed. Life is a dark place for him, and the future is still so bleak. And there’s that niggling thought again. If he could just destroy this status quo, perhaps he could quench his thirst for recognition. So he pushes forward, determined to break free of what his current future looks like and see what’s beyond all of this.

As shadows flicker in and out, follow where the scarab leads

To grasp freedom in my hands, I can only pine since it's all a lie

Ah-ah, I just want to know why.

Blinking with the snake.