Understanding Ichimatsu's and Karamatsu's brothership. Part 2
As of season 4 we've seen less of Karamatsu doing his cool guy persona, which as a result means Ichimatsu hasn't abused or even picked on Karamatsu.
But it's actually much more than just "Karamatsu dropped the persona, so Ichimatsu dropped the abuse."
Now, at first I thought Ichimatsu dropping the abuse was sudden and possibly a change made by the staff to make the show more marketable, but if you look in the previous seasons we see that it's been building up to that moment.
By season 3 Ichimatsu is still showing his distance for Karamatsu: In episode 2 he shit talks him and wants him thrown in jail. In epsiode 8 he hates that he's paired up with him and even pushes him aside when the lift comes.
But near the end his harassments slows down and becomes nothing more than brotherly jabs. In episode 23 Karmatsu asks him for fashion advice, and Ichimatsu genuinely gives him his opinion.
The only jab he makes at Karamatsu is how while the hoodie does look cool, it's uncool when Karamatsu wears it. Which to me is just sibling banter, especially compared to earlier seasons where he expressed his hate of him.
In episode 25 he throws his towel at Karamatsu for singing, but nothing else. He doesn't fight him, or even yell at him after the fact. He just sits down, unlike Choromatsu who fought Osomatsu for throwing his towel at him.
What could cause this change?
We all know that famous scene of "Exclusivematsu" that caused Karamatsu to drop his "perfect brother" mask and reveal his true feelings, but even before that Ichimatsu didn't pick on Karmatsu. He had been content to leave him alone, focusing on picking the pizza and ragging on the others.
When he goes get his chance to rag on Karamatsu, he instead says:
Yeah, he's asking Karamatsu why he's not picking a pizza, but I also think at this point he's realized that he might not know his big brother as well as he thinks he does. He's trying to take his chance to see more of Karamatsu than the latter lets on.
Why? Because he's seen that there actually is more to him. He's seen instances where Karamatsu has dropped his mask, dropped his persona, and shown a more serious side to himself.
He's seen times where Karamatsu didn't let his brothers push him around anymore. Where he stood up for himself.
And he's seen Karamatsu stick up for others.
I think that last one stuck with him. By season 2 he's still abusing Karamatsu, but there's times where he's actually civil with him. I think this is best seen in episode 10 of the second season.
Yes, Ichimatsu is taking advantage of Karamatsu like the others, but when he's made aware that Karamatsu actually hates it, he actually apologizes!
You could argue that they're all being manipulative to get Karamatsu to keep doing favors, but to me they seemed genuinely sorry and genuinely shocked when Karamatsu insists that he doesn't mind.
Even Choromatsu was convinced by him.
This also wasn't a "it's Karamatsu, so I can treat him like shit" moment either. Because at the end of the episode, when it's decided Choromatsu would be the brother that does things for everyone, he's more than ready to ask Choromatsu for favors.
By now he's seen two contradictory sides of Karamatsu: One side that's ready to put his brothers before himself, and another hidden one that's not afraid to speak about his wants.
So it's no wonder by the time of "Pizza" he's asking, "what's going on in your head?"
Probably seeing "Exclusivematsu" and hearing Karamatsu's real thoughts is what leads his softer approach to Karamatsu throughout the rest of the season. Then sometime in the time between season 3 and 4, maybe he's figured out that there's more to Karamatsu than just "the piece of shit that has self confidence despite the fact that we all grew up the same, and I can't have that self confidence," which is why he hasn't bothered him this season so far.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL THAT'S CAUSED THIS CHANGE! No, no, no! Like any good relationship, both sides have to put work into them.
Another part of this change came from Ichimatsu's own growth: In the beginning of the series Ichimatsu put himself out there as the "dark, anti-social" guy that needed no one but himself. We soon learned that that wasn't true and he's actually someone that's afraid to interact with people outside of his family.
Then in season 3, episode 17, Ichimatsu actually goes on his own to interact with others:
Not only did he try to talk to people, but he volunteered on his own!
And yes, while two of those people were his childhood friends, two other people were characters he hadn't interacted with much. That's not an easy feat for someone with social anxiety to do.
This is a big improvement from season 2, episode 5 where he volunteers and fails.
Now, by episode 25 of season 3 he has his shy, social anxiety back, but that's ok! It's not a character regression, but rather this is how shyness is: It's a battle that can't be won overnight.
I mention this episode though because in it Ichimatsu interacts with Dekapan and Dayon. Dekapan was a character he actually struggled even saying hello to back in season 1.
But here now he's, uh, "playing" with them, and actually enjoyed his time with them by the end.
Then by the time season 4 rolls around, he's able to express his wants and thoughts more openly, instead of being a Tsundere.
Slowly, but surely, Ichimatsu is opening his fragile heart up to others, allowing them inside his once closed off walls. He's learning that he can be honest with others, especially with the people he's known most of his life.
He's found his own confidence, and he did this by still being himself. In finding this he no longer has a reason to put Karamatsu down, or destroy his things.
Notice how in Season 4, episode 1, not only is Ichi ok with standing near Karamatsu, but later they pair off to find a fan. Not once does Ichi seem to mind. The only time he complains is when he's paired up with Osomatsu later on.
I think both of their growth has helped Ichimatsu see past his jealously and he can now live along side his big brother an equal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phew. Finally done. I hope that it was worth the wait, and that everyone that reads this enjoys it.
A huge, huge, HUUUUUGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEE thanks to @ballstickler !!!!! Thanks to them answering my question, I didn't have to go back and rewatch season 3, which would have either delayed or cancelled this essay if I had to.
Everyone say thank you to them!!!!! Cause I can't thank them enough!!!
discoholicmusic
baratheonpilled
ellievsbear
izzy806
2087
areudirty
