In the Clear Moonlit Dusk ‒ Episodes 5-6

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk: A Professor's Predicament

This week, instead of a lecture hall, I'm writing from... well, let's just say an undisclosed location. Last week's class cancellation wasn't due to a Super Bowl hangover permeating the very air of Seattle, though that was a factor. The truth is, In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is pushing me to the brink, and the added pressure from the higher-ups regarding "gender ideology" isn't helping.

The Prince and the Problem

Episode five, with a community score of 3.8, and episode six, scoring a slightly lower 3.6, continue to present challenges. "The Side of Me I Don't Know" opens with Yoi doubling down on her "prince" persona, a clear avoidance tactic after her gyoza date with Ichimura. She's overwhelmed by her feelings and reverts to playing the gallant figure, showering attention on the girls around her.

This begs the question: what's the motivation behind Yoi's princeliness? Is it a deliberate act, a conscious choice to suppress her feelings for Ichimura? Or is it a subconscious expression of some deeper psychological process? Her friends note that she acts markedly "like a girl" when Ichimura is around, highlighting a clear dissonance in her behavior. The series, however, sidesteps any real exploration of this intriguing internal conflict.

The Jealousy Arc: A Tired Trope

Instead of delving into Yoi's complex feelings, In the Clear Moonlit Dusk veers into well-worn shoujo territory: the jealousy arc. A new character, Ooji, joins the family restaurant staff. His name, a homophone for "prince," adds another layer to the dynamic. He's handsome, kind, and even saves a girl from a groper on the train, instantly establishing himself as a worthy rival. He compliments Yoi's beauty, and the two quickly bond.

Predictably, this sends Ichimura into a tailspin of jealousy. He starts acting out, clumsily knocking over a glass, attention-seeking behavior that feels jarringly out of character. I confess, it's difficult to separate my personal frustration from an academic analysis. This trope – the arrival of a new, attractive figure triggering the male lead's jealous possessiveness – is a recurring theme in romantic shoujo.

It's a trope I find inherently toxic, yet it clearly resonates with many readers. I must try to view it objectively. Shoujo often functions as both a safe space for exploring potentially problematic fantasies and a guide for young women navigating the complexities of love. Are these roles fundamentally at odds? As adult viewers, do we have a responsibility to help younger audiences understand the distinction?

Jealousy in shoujo is frequently presented as a sign of genuine affection. A laid-back male lead might even be criticized for not being jealous enough. In In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Ichimura's jealousy is framed as evidence that he genuinely cares for Yoi, a departure from his previous, more superficial relationships.

Research on the link between jealousy and love yields conflicting results. Some studies associate jealousy with insecure attachment, while others argue that the desire to protect a relationship is inextricably linked to love. Furthermore, the role of jealousy varies across cultures. In Japan, where homosocial relationships are often prioritized over heterosocial ones, jealousy towards a romantic partner's interactions with the opposite sex might be viewed as more justifiable.

None of this makes me appreciate it any more.

Sisterly Advice and Burning Muffins

Yoi, confused by Ichimura's sudden coldness, seeks advice from her older sister. Her sister's advice is startlingly superficial: it's perfectly acceptable for their relationship to be based on appearances, and it's fine if Yoi only likes Ichimura because he liked her first, as long as he makes her heart flutter. She urges Yoi to "go with the flow" instead of overthinking everything. If Yoi keeps rejecting him, he'll lose interest, she warns.

While Yoi has the requisite two female friends, her older sister assumes the role of advisor, a departure from the typical peer dynamic often seen in shoujo. Is this good advice? It feels like a reinforcement of shallow, appearance-based relationships.

Yoi, flustered by her feelings and anxious about whether she and Ichimura are still going to the festival, nearly sets the home economics classroom ablaze. The result? One perfectly cooked muffin, an offering of acceptable femininity to present to Ichimura. The series' insistence on portraying traditional gender roles as Yoi's "natural" state when experiencing romantic feelings continues to frustrate. Gender is a performance that we choose, a…

The Ideology Police

Well, that's all the time I have. It seems I've attracted some unwanted attention. "STOP! YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR GENDER IDEOLOGY CRIMES!"

It's the fuzz! Everyone, scatter! Your homework: don't get caught.

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.