In the Clear Moonlit Dusk ‒ Episode 10
An Episode of Contradictions
Episode 10 of In the Clear Moonlit Dusk once again brings to the forefront a recurring critical question: does the series harbor misogynistic and contradictory elements? This sentiment is echoed by fellow reviewers, indicating a broader struggle to reconcile the show's intentions with its execution. For a story aimed at teenage girls and penned by a woman, the presence of such themes warrants careful consideration, even when women writers can unintentionally perpetuate them.
The Mall Trip and Gendered Perceptions
The episode features Ouji and Yoi on their promised mall trip to find a gift for Ouji's younger sister. Their ease in each other's company is apparent, highlighted by their comfortable banter in a sports supply store. The narrative then points out a specific moment during their gift search: Yoi reflects that at that age, she desired karate-related items like a water bottle or face towel, but "normal girls" are depicted as wanting hair ties and trinkets. This immediately establishes a dichotomy between Yoi and an assumed norm for girls.
Ouji's Past Experiences
A significant flashback during Ouji and Yoi's river walk illuminates Ouji's adolescence. As a tall and attractive boy, he frequently drew the attention of female classmates. However, he often felt uncomfortable around them. He struggled to find common ground, as these girls showed disinterest in his preferred conversation topics, which included club activities, manga, and games—subjects he readily discussed with his male friends. This narrative suggests that these girls were primarily interested in his appearance.
Yoi's Duality as "Not Like Other Girls"
The series draws a clear parallel between Ouji's past and Ichimura's experiences, implying Yoi is unique among girls. She is presented as not shallow and as someone who enjoys things typically associated with boys. Yet, Yoi also embodies numerous classical ideals of femininity. She is demure and shy, seemingly innocent regarding Ouji's romantic intentions when he asks her out. She demonstrates dutifulness to her family and a love for sweets while maintaining a slender physique. Despite an earlier display of self-assertion against a robber, she appears powerless to resist Ichimura when he oversteps her boundaries. Yoi consistently occupies the role of the pursued, lacking apparent desires of her own beyond the vague aspiration of being perceived and treated as a girl, rather than an equal.
Undermining Character Depth
These inherent contradictions are not unprecedented in shoujo manga, a genre whose portrayal of girlhood has been a subject of scholarly debate for decades. However, In the Clear Moonlit Dusk's consistent contrasting of Yoi with other girls who pursued Ichimura and Ouji creates a subtext that other female characters are superficial. The series offers little interiority for these other female figures; even Yoi's friends exist primarily to express admiration for her increasingly "girly" behavior, attributed to Ichimura's attention. This absence of meaningful relationships and internal lives for other characters weakens the show's central premise. Without a clear understanding of what it means for Yoi not to be treated like a girl—beyond comments about her height or princeliness—it becomes difficult to fully grasp the significance of her desire to be considered beautiful and dateable by boys.
A Narrow Perspective
The narrative also operates within a highly heteronormative framework. This strict adherence shapes the character interactions and the very definition of "being treated like a girl," confining the story to a specific set of relational expectations and limiting potential explorations of girlhood.
A Glimmer of Progress
Despite these overarching critiques, the episode does offer a positive development in the relationship between Yoi and Ichimura. Their early scene together features light, free-flowing dialogue. This interaction demonstrates a noticeable improvement in their mutual understanding of relationship expectations, representing a tangible progression after several episodes of stagnation.
