#michael kaiser analysis

[miyamiwu]

On Kaiser’s Trauma

I’ve thought it over, and I think there’s really no way for Kaiser to awaken this match. Be it scoring a goal or getting one over Isagi, he is not winning. I don’t see it at all.

I’ve reviewed the previous character development arcs, and one thing Kaneshiro has been staunch about is that internal development comes first before external development:

Chigiri - Chigiri had to get over his fear of losing his old self by putting his leg at risk again before the narrative rewarded him with a goal.

Bachira - Bachira had to overcome his fear of being alone before being rewarded with, not a goal, but with a friend who met him where he was.

Barou - Barou had to experience his arrogance being crushed and overcome the subsequent resignation he felt before he could reclaim his role as “main character.”

Hiori - Hiori had to first come at peace with giving up soccer entirely—something he had been hesitant to do, even when it hurt him, because he didn’t know what else to do—before discovering what soccer really means to him.

Yukimiya - Yukimiya found salvation when Isagi saw him as he was desperately fighting for a chance while he could still see.

It’s a bit different for Isagi’s main rivals, though:

Nagi - Nagi got motivated to put in an effort because of Isagi -> Got stronger during Second Selection -> Went back to old habits just to beat Isagi once -> Regressing in the rest of the NEL arc

Rin - Rin had to stop seeking answers outside of himself -> Unleashed his true ego during the U20 match -> Subconsciously sought affirmation from Sae at the end of the match -> Felt rejected by Sae -> ??? (The current match against PxG is ongoing, so I don’t know how he is right now)

Nagi’s and Rin’s development arcs are not linear, and currently both are in the lower curves of their arcs. This is because they haven’t fully solved their internal problems. Until Nagi finds a reason to push himself outside of beating Isagi and until Rin gets over his brother issues, they can never fully grow.

Likewise, Kaiser, who is undoubtedly also a main rival, has to first fucking get therapy process his childhood trauma before he can truly awaken.

But trauma is not easy to overcome. In fact, you don’t even really “heal.” Kaiser “getting over it” in just one match is impossible. As such, I don’t see him winning. At least not now.

Isagi throwing Kaiser’s words back at him by calling him a “clown” has gotten some people to think that Kaiser’s awakening is imminent. After all, a similar thing had happened to Barou before when Isagi called him “donkey.”

But Kaiser is not Barou. Both may be arrogant, but one of them didn’t grow up under violence. And as I’ve said before, internal development comes first. Barou’s internal problems, compared to Kaiser’s, are much easier to resolve.

And unlike Barou’s, Kaiser’s problems are not confined within soccer. They seep into his every being and in all aspects of his life, as we can see in how he treats himself and others off the field.

To begin, let’s talk about what Kaiser thinks of himself:

Alternatively, Hoshi’s translation of Kaiser’s monologue goes like this:

These guys are “humans.” Different from me, they were born wanted “humans.”

Having been abandoned by his mother and growing up abused by his father, Kaiser’s sense of worth is so low that he thinks he was born without it—which is wrong. Everybody is born deserving to live.

But Kaiser thinks otherwise. He sees himself as not even human because nobody wanted him alive. Still, he has this strong desire to live—a desire that had first made itself known to him at this moment:

Right before this, he had looked so dead inside:

He didn’t flinch when the cops came to arrest him. He didn’t try to fight for the escape money he had stashed away. He was so passive and tired and helpless that he might as well be truly dead.

But at that moment his father was about to destroy his soccer ball? A fire lit up inside him. A fire so bright and strong that he got to beat seven cops while handcuffed.

That fire was the love he had for soccer. All his life he’d been in a passive position, but when he fought for what he love, the reins of his life got transferred into his hands.

And in that moment, Michael Kaiser, for once, was truly alive.

Now, he’s living his life in constant search of that fire—or “proof of his existence,” as he puts it.

However, Kaiser has misunderstood what that fire is. After all, how can he recognize love when he’s never been loved?

Only pain and violence are familiar. Thus, it is honestly no surprise when he misattributes “proof of existence” to “inflicting malice on others, living on inside them as a scar.”

For Kaiser to grow, he has to redefine “proof of existence.” How can his own existence depend on the number of people he defeats? That’s unhealthy. And as with Rin’s problem, it’s just seeking answers outside of himself.

But for Kaiser to even begin redefining it, he must first learn to recognize love for what it is.

Love was the fire that was lit inside him. He must go back to it. (Like how Bachira awakened by going back to how he used to play as a child.)

Love is also the main thing that sets Isagi apart from him—the former having been raised by loving parents and having companions sincere to him—so it’s crucial that he learns this if he wants to defeat Isagi.

How can he do this? With the way he was raised, I don’t think Kaiser can learn love on his own. He has to learn it from others. But before that, he must see himself as “human.” While he still views himself as “non-human,” Kaiser won’t be able to connect deeply with “humans” and welcome any love from them.

And this is the crux of his problem...

Kaiser has made attempts to be more “human,” but...

... he’s going about it so horribly wrong 😭😭😭

@galaxynajma also sent this question:

What do you think is the new reason for why kaiser does this every morning: His morning routine consists of: standing before the mirror naked, gazing at himself while having a conversation (to himself), getting into the mindset that nothing is impossible, and then smiling while thinking ‘this is me’. (Trivia from Blue Lock wiki)

“This is me” is Kaiser reaffirming to himself that he is becoming more “human” when he sets out to achieve the “impossible.”

How to be Human 101

Okay, fuck, to be completely honest, I have no idea! I didn’t expect to get this psychological while I was writing 🫠

I had… written myself into a corner. But anyways, I’m gonna try seeing this through...

So, I’m no psychologist, but… I relate on a deeply personal level with Kaiser’s “human vs non-human.” But in my case, I had used the words “normal vs not normal.”

(This is gonna get a little bit personal, but bear with me!)

This distinction was something I strongly felt during my peak depression years. I felt like nobody truly understood me because they hadn’t been through what I had been through. Whatever the doctors said just went from one ear to another because I couldn’t trust them. In my head, I had categorized them as one of the “normal” people—their lives were so put-together and they were so in control and on top of things! Not like me, who was drowning.

I also slowly distanced myself from friends because they, too, were the “normal” ones.

One friend, however, stuck around. She didn’t mind me going missing for months without a word. And whenever I showed up again from who knows where, she would always excitedly welcome me back as if I never even left. And this was the friend who I thought to be always better than me in every way because she was prettier, smarter, and had a better financial status. So I never really expected her to get me.

But oh, she did. I found out that she wasn’t “normal,” too. She too had her own problems, and we got to share our sorrow with each other...

So, I guess what I’m trying to say here is that...

It’s not really a matter of erasing the distinction between “human” and “non-human.” It’s enough, for now, that Kaiser finds another “non-human” like him, and with whom he will slowly start to feel “human”—worthy of living and being loved.

I know Kaneshiro isn’t fond of therapy talk, but for Kaiser, I think it’s a must that he gets to open up to someone. He doesn’t have to share the full story. He just has to be sincere about it.

And who is the closest “non-human” that we have around Kaiser who’s also unwanted by his family?

Ness.

This doesn’t even have to be about shipping. And I know their relationship is looking pretty grim right now because of how Kaiser has been treating Ness since the beginning, but...

...I still believe that this, at least, was real.

Together, they can learn what it is to be “human.”

In summary, for Kaiser to awaken, he must first resolve his internal problems. To do this, he must...

Find a fellow “non-human.”

See himself as “human.”

Recognize love for what it is.

Redefine his “proof of existence”

Thank you for coming to my TED talk, *bows

---

Okay, so I don’t normally do this at the end of my posts, but I just recently launched my Alpha Reading Service. If you liked my analysis above and would like me to review your story the same way, do check it out!

Or, if you don’t need any alpha reading, consider tipping me on Ko-fi instead. Thank you!

[witch-from-a-block-of-flats]

Kaiser's backstory is a heartbreaking masterpiece.

I'm not talking just about the panels that we saw but more about the buildup and hints we as fans picked up along the way. The whole time we theorized about Kaiser's backstory I had that little voice in the back of my head that was like: "we probably exaggerate it, it's not going to be that dark, we can't be 100% correct".

And oh boy I wish we weren't.

Color blue as a sign of impossible and unhealthy perfectionism? Tattoo around the neck as a symbol of mental health struggle? Old, dirty ball as a hint towards poor family background and potential abuse?

It was all there and now that we've seen leaks from chapter 260 I'm kinda glad that authors didn't just decide to trick us in the name of reveal nobody could expect. Also, it wasn't done for the cheap shock value. We were introduced to more serious topics in NEL starting with Hiori and then going even darker with Snuffy. Everything fits with theme of experiencing the real world which is dark, unfair and unforgiving.

Kaiser's backstory despite many hints and signs in the past hits like a truck and leaves you speechless. Many of us knew or at least suspected what was coming but seeing it drawn so graphically right in front of you is just... it's a lot to take in. I dare say it leaves even bigger impression on you if you were reading fan theories or making them yourself because it made you think more about this character. He was interesting enough to made people care about what happened to him before Blue Lock. We wanted to know, so we started connecting the dots only to be terrified but the result.

Clever foreshadowing and graphic reveal. I don't even have to talk about how Kaiser's past explains a lot about his character and actions, we've already seen it in every clue authors have left for us.

I love Blue Lock's writing so much.

[pomeness]

Rambling about Alexis' selfish-Ness [chara analysis ig]

Ness doesn't actually care about Kaiser.

Or well, he does, but in his own, selfish way.

He cares about the image of Kaiser existing in his mind, which consists in the material proof that magic exists and that Ness' dream did not, in fact, go to waste. Everything Ness has all ever believed in life finds its vessel in Kaiser, and Ness is desperate and stubborn enough to never letting that go.

He doesn't really see Kaiser for who he is (and that's also thanks to our mr male manipulator who literally STUDIED on mf psychology books what buttons to push to make Ness bond with him, like ok we get it but what the fuck).

Ness was chosen first as Kaiser's first "support system" (intended as someone whose role was to support kaiser's goal) but eventually ended up as the first person to indulge and feed Kaiser's narcissistic traits (and delusions).

Ness is used to Kaiser being mean to him and he lets him because, in his mind, he is still special. He is like "yeah he is mean to everyone, but I got more privileges than the others. I'm closer to him than anyone else will ever be. I'm the only one to actually know what's best for him" -> except he does not. He does not know Kaiser, he has no clue what's best for him. (he is my delusional puppy)

Ness people pleases and masks 24/7 so that he can keep being useful to Kaiser. So that his dream would not get thrown away. He doesn't even let Kaiser see his own real self, how is he supposed to know the real Kaiser?

Ness is the glass protecting the blue rose from the outside world: fragile, almost useless, if not to keep said rose safe from dust.

It will also cut when broken.

With this post I absolutely do not intend to victim blame. Ness was love bombed and manipulated and he did NOT deserve his first best friend to turn up being [gestures] that. But I still wanted to make light on some other traits that Ness has shown. He is not just a victim and he is stronger than some people give him credit for [insert mitski scream here].

He really needs to see that the real magic is within himself and that he should. Stop biting into a rotting carcass (kaiser ily but damn u kinda infected this boy).

Either that or he'll end up pulling an anakin skywalker at the end of ROTS type of move lmfao.

[bisqueri]

What if Kaiser is very weary of any physical contact not initiated by himself... Thinking about his past hair always looked chopped messily as if he himself did it. Thinking about how he asked Ness to do his hair instead of going to a hairdresser. Thinking about how when Kaiser handed Ness those sharp scissors he also handed him his trust.

[boinin]

Blue Lock Chapter 263

What a wild (and wordy) chapter. I have a few rambly thoughts on it.

Firstly, on translations - as someone who posts meta and likes sticking to canon in my fic writing, the official translation is the one I tend to share panels or quotes from. While I'll hold it's a better source for nuance, the consequence is some truly clunky dialogue choices. Karasu's trashtalking to Isagi suffered this week - the PO2 version on the right flows far better:

Getting called a "non-dunce shooter" isn't going to have Isagi rocking in the corner anytime soon, even if it better reflects the original Japanese.

On the flip side, the official translators went harder on the Kaisagi shipbaiting this week. While you could argue Isagi's only talking about the match, his line of thought is more distinctly about Kaiser in the official release...

The last example, I'm split on - the official translation made me laugh, but Kaiser squeezing an unnecessary f-bomb into his dialogue detracts from the sense of wonder at his transformation. Tracks with his habit of saying ex-fucking-cuse me though.

Either way: what a gorgeous panel.

The other things I liked? Rin continues to talk in childish terms about football. He'd mentioned before how he views other players as toys; this week, he's cranky that he hasn't had the ball in a while. Boo hoo!

Not to depress anyone, but who else bets Sae was really good at sharing the ball with Rin when they were kids? 🥲

The last panel sets up Kiyora to do something audacious next chapter, which I'm super hyped for. He's a loose canon with seemingly no loyalties, besides a grudge against Isagi, so I have no idea what to expect!

I enjoyed how they framed his appearance in the last panel. Beforehand, they show Isagi and Kaiser (loosely) co-operating, but we get a glance at some of the others too.

It lays out the dependencies really nicely:

Noa, the BM coach, monitoring his team evolving at a rate of knots...

Karasu, PXG's strategist, who earlier commented on how much of a beast BM has become and whose value as a MF is suffering because...

Shidou, despite already scoring, has been rendered completely ineffective by...

Kunigami, assigned to mark Shidou and performing more effectively than he did vs Ubers while in a defensive position. He links back to Noa as his so-called "vessel", but he's not embodying Noa's ego all that much right now. Another source of chaos and anticipation...

It's just really well-done visual storytelling, so I wanted to point it out.

Now we've got another week or so to ponder what Kiyora might bring to the storm 🔥

[chodzacaparodia]

All these parallels between Kainess and Nagireo's relationship are insane. And chapter 234 gave us something new again.

I really like that in both cases their shared dream is shown.

Kaiser and Ness:

And Reo and Nagi:

However, for now I have the impression that Ness and Kaiser's sharing of the dream is somewhat one-sided.

Kaiser has his dream to cast down the rest of the football world into despair. And Ness wants it too. However, for now (and will this situation change at all? I'm not sure) Kaiser does not include Ness in his dream. Yes, Ness can help him achieve his goal, after all, he has the same goal and Michael is the main object of Ness's dream. But is Ness actually included in Kaiser's dream? Ness is more of an enabler for his dream than a part of it. Kaiser wants to defeat everyone, but with Ness or with his help? I'm leaning towards the second option. Unless the next chapters focus even more on their relationship, which I would really like.

And in the case of Reo and Nagi it is slightly different, because here the situation is certain. They are part of their dream. Their goal is to win the World Cup together, side by side. One boy's dream will not come true without the other boy's presence. Reo and Nagi's sharing of the dream is two-sided.

But none of this changes the fact that sharing a dream is a beautiful concept. When partners strive for the same goal together... because they both want the same thing.

AHHH this drives me crazy

[pistatsia]

Ness-

Just looking at him makes me feel sick. Kaiser is really the centre of his universe, huh. Ness doesn't care about Isagi, doesn't care about Noa, doesn't care about his stake - all he wants is for Kaiser to be happy.

His happiness is in Kaiser's happiness.

I was afraid that eventually in the manga their relationship would come down to Kaiser going too far/losing completely ugly at some point (which would play well with the whole 'naked king' theme) and Ness becoming disillusioned with him, but apparently I was wrong. But that's even worse, isn't it? Ness doesn't believe he can be loved just because he's like this - a funny guy who looks like a puppy and gets happy and angry too easily. He thinks love has to be earned, and he tries and tries and tries, every day doing everything he can to keep Kaiser looking at him. I tried to convey that thought in float, and it's- It's just awful, isn't it? All of Ness's feelings are centred on Kaiser, his every achievement is for Kaiser, his every action, thought, character, deed is for Kaiser. He centred all of himself on him, completely subordinated himself to his desires and dissolved in him without a trace.

Now imagine that because of losing to Isagi, Kaiser leaves him behind, blaming him for it? Who will Ness be without Kaiser? Would he be Ness we know? Would he even exist without him? I'm sure Ness himself thinks the answer is no.

Without Kaiser, Ness would just wither away.

Also very interesting is that Ness looks happy talking about Kaiser moving to Real - he agrees with it. This is something I've been curious about for a long time (ever since Kaiser's motivation for Blue Lock was revealed), as I was surprised that Ness was so calm about the fact that the main person in his life was going to leave him indefinitely, leaving him alone. I mean, he's actually reasonable in that respect. He not only understands that this is how sports work, but he also accepts those rules. For what? For Kaiser's happiness, of course. But honestly, that just makes me feel worse.

It means that for Kaiser's happiness, Ness is willing to suffer endlessly in loneliness while he plays at another club.

Only to see at least the ghost of a smile, only to hear a shadow of praise, only to catch a fleeting glance.

[corioheinous]

Currently writing a post-Blue Lock aged-up kaisagi fic on ao3 and have been struggling so hard with creating a solid foundation for both characters’ Characterizations. but man did it become easier when I realized how many possibilities there are to explore when making Isagi juuust a little bit obsessed with Kaiser. Like we all know Kaiser is a lot a bit obsessed with Isagi (read: tearing his hair out and choking himself over it every other week) but I think it’s fun to explore Isagi’s quieter, most likely unwelcome obsession with Kaiser. Because at the end of the day, all toxic yaoi situationships are at least somewhat of a two-way street.

There’s a great paradox in which Kaiser embodies everything about a professional football player that Isagi wants to become (and look I know Noa exists but they’re not. they’re not foils in the same way okay that guy is pushing 40) while simultaneously being the most infuriating and annoying bastard in the world to him. Isagi recognizes Kaiser’s raw talent and the years of practice he’s put into developing his techniques as both very intimidating qualities to have in a rival and inspirational ones. Because they’re not impossibly far out of reach; these techniques (particularly metavision) are ones Isagi already employs on the field everyday, just has yet to master them at the extraordinary level Kaiser has. Isagi wants to beat Kaiser at his own game, using his own moves, and has unconsciously allowed Kaiser to become a sort of model for him in the process. Despite the fact that he hates the guy’s guts, he’s mirroring his best qualities to the point where even fans can see that they would synchronize well together if they just let themselves.

But Isagi would never let himself. He’s stubborn. He despises Kaiser. He probably sees a rosebush growing on the side of the road and lets it ruin his day. He’ll probably bear ill will toward anyone with blue hair and pronouns for years down the line. Which is why it’s so fun to be writing a more mature version of Isagi, one who has probably put a lot of that childish resentment behind him. Because when you remove his resentment toward Kaiser, you’re still left with some irritation, yes, but the bulk of it is admiration. It’s Isagi letting Kaiser rile him up more than he pisses him off. It’s Isagi wanting to butt heads with Kaiser both on and off the field. It’s Isagi buying a shirt/hoodie/pair of boxers with a rose pattern on it for no reason he could possibly fathom on his own. It’s a quiet, repressed brand of obsession that might take them both off guard when it comes to light, but it’d be a beyond brilliant moment when it does.

[popponn]

things about michael kaiser.

kaiser is genuinely interesting and i really want to see more of him really. despite the vendetta i have against him for touching isagi's chin. so im rotating him in my head for a bit here for reasons. this is more of me observing and putting down what i perceive so far, especially with his personality. some are hcs and assumptions. manga spoiler up to uber match ending btw.

this guy is teasing isagi a lot and does not shy away from touching isagi when doing so. their literal first meeting, that one headpat—like is it more of a display of power? very likely.

but then look at how his face was at his teammates during vs barcha, then vs manshine, and in that screening room with ness. this guy is cold, like his expression change between cold, expressionless, or pissed. with sheeting and smug as an extra.

then come the vs uber + fragile ego theory (his volume cover that use glass chain instead of iron as usual, a pretty popular theory)—and yeah if his confrontation with chris and lorenzo is any indication. yeah, this guy got something going on there

which is where after this, as there is no backstory for him yet let's start headcanoning and/or analyzing his behaviour and lil bits of info. first thing first noa.

in barcha, part of this guy's strategy is staying away from the masters' 1v1. which is smart, very cool and understandable. shows that kaiser is not all smug and drive the point even more that he is talented and smart too. is in line with isagi's perception of him, a very good player—paraphrased btw.

but then vs mc came and stuffs gets interesting. after nagi's miracle goal, chris and noa enter the field. if you look at his face around here, he is clearly not happy.

and i think this is where kaiser's fragile ego really starts to show. nagi—the 'shitty baby chick'—pretty much 'win' against him and isagi and scored what pretty much is a super goal. a flashy one.

and now chris and noa, the #2 & #1 is in the field.

remember kaiser's goal? the one where he want to get out of bm via auction. and if anything so far, NEL shows us that you have to stand out to win higher bidding.

put it simply, probably the reason he is not happy at that point is that his chance to shine more is pretty much getting heavily hindered already.

and this is more headcanonny, but this guy definitely has a complex and a tendency. the said tendency is pretty much spelled out by chris—"going against the weaker one, but escape the stronger one". and even tho kaiser get pissed and go head to head with chris—probably due to a bruised ego, which would be a point that would came up again later—this tendency seems to be in line with him wanting to go out from bm.

"he can't shine with noa there"—if this was isagi or barou or rin, i highly doubt this sentence would appear at all. which is interesting because undoubtedly, so far, kaiser is shown as someone who is as strong if not stronger than isagi. but this, along with the line that kaiser said about him only feeling happy when putting people down, only shows his reluctance in 'fighting' noa. opting to just be in another club to reach the top.

i think this has potential to be read as "kaiser's ego is all about destroying other people" (aka the already corrupted mean girl esque guy get even worse and corrupted) or "kaiser will get schooled by the plot and isagi" (aka character development baby, in 'true? ego awakening' kind of way that might or might not be similar to various bluelockers). but as of now, uber is just ending and rin just appeared again. pxg and backstory not out yet so who knows

back to topic, calling kaiser's ego 'weak' right now is not wrong tho. it is easily bruised—it has been repeatedly so far, by chris and isagi during vs mc as the two most in the face examples.

but on another side, kaiser really is not an all talk guy. he is effective, definitely put himself on a high standard, and is not a lazy player (quite harsh on himself, if that uber goal of his was anything to go by). (personal bias and opinion, but i really hope his character will grow even after NEL. this guy is entertaining as hell to watch and he is like an onion. writing wise, i really like him.)

then there is his vendetta (?) with noa. while how and what their bond truly is hasn't been explicitly shown or talked about, there is definitely an odd, pretty antagonistic relationship as a mentor and a pupil there. noa seems to held a certain expectations for kaiser while kaiser seems to not like when noa meddles or comment on him. (and tbh, while isagi is the one 'chosen' by noa so far, i would be 0 percent surprised if noa in a way 'use' isagi to shape kaiser too. rationality, something something, rivalry, something. i will go back to this after i sleep maybe)

idk how far it goes but this guy sounds like a theater kid and he is dramatic. idk what to do with this.

so far we dont even know his age and height. and it's uber match ending......i will update this list one day. hopefully.

kaiser also has two popular theory going on about his back story. 'really poor like noa (and that's why in that one cover the ball under his feet is dirty)' or 'really rich because he seems pretty spoiled and unknowning of the harsh world (hence his weak ego)'. personally, i think both theories have their strength and weakness. so i will just shut up about this.

but back to kaiser's ego—which seems to be the biggest peek into his personality as a whole so far—i really wonder how will the theme of 'fragile ego' will eventually intertwine with his theme of 'doing the impossible'. like, blue rose, the sheer concept of kaiser impact being that OP, his overall capability in changing the flow of a match—this guy is just a reasonable and believable deus ex machina sometimes, for the lack of better wording.

but, truly, the fact that his friendliness and teasing persona is more of a facade. while the 'truer' part is more angry and cold is just chef's kiss.

it makes one really wonder about his speech about envy to yukimiya and his attitude. like this guy is disgustingly cocky towards those he saw as below him, is bothered when someone goes against him, and really dislike it when someone is better or manage to put him down.

and then there is still his comment about isagi—who still keep going even though kaiser repeatedly prove to him that kaiser is superior. like, again, this guy is so interesting in the way while there are conflicting aspects of him, i genuinely think they make sense. this is the guy who keeps looking up and put a high and harsh standard on himself, all while actively choosing to face people he knows are inferior to him instead of actively going up and clashing against stronger opponent. all while being very very skillful and talented.

while honestly there is a very sad undertone here, if my gut is right, this approach of his is really... cowardly? pathetic? in blue lock setting. like, the fact that he is not the main character aside, with this sort of personality and mindset? yeah no way he is becoming the best in the world.

all in all, a very interesting bastard that is more than what meets the eye. isagi being surprised of his play being so good feels relatable now.

very hc territory, but the classic trope of 'flirty confident guy with issues' being twisted this much is so fun. the issue genuinely makes me squint my eyes.

yeah okay, this guy have issues. i smell insecurities. with high self standard that must be hell. (hc, unconfirmed. still no kaiser backstory or height info or bday in sight so far.)

[miyamiwu]

Here’s my theory:

Kaiser will goal, but not on his own.

As I said in my Kaiser trauma meta, internal development comes first before external development. Kaiser is currently undergoing internal development; specifically, he’s at the Redefining Proof of Existence stage.

He now recognizes what his true ego is and remembers what the ball really means to him.

But knowing is one thing. Actually applying what you know is another.

Look at Nagi. Look at Rin.

They’ve been around for much longer, but their issues still aren’t resolved. No way is Kaiser beating them to it.

Besides, for Kaiser to even complete the Redefining stage, he must first complete the Recognizing Love stage—which is preceded by the Seeing Himself as Human stage. (“Love” here doesn’t have to be romantic.)

Everything that made me feel like I had become ‘human’… Strip it all away...

He is so close to getting it. Yes, those titles, glory, and pride aren’t what prove his existence and aren’t what make him human. But…

Fighting to prove my current glory won’t allow me to prove my existence any further...

He got to this conclusion by still thinking he needs to actively prove his existence. He believes that he still needs other things to make him “human.” He’s just replacing those superficial titles with his newfound ego to justify why he must exist and…

It’s honestly depressing.

Oh Michael, you are already enough.

You don’t need a goal to prove that you are worthy. Just being alive means you deserve to exist.

And until Kaiser realizes that… he cannot win.

So on his next attempt to goal, he will miss. And it will crush him.

The first stage of development is the Finding Non-Humans stage. And this is where Ness comes in.

Ness still hasn’t shown any growth in this match, and it’s time for him to step up. All he needs to do is create a situation where Kaiser can have a non-moving ball for a few seconds, enough for Kaiser to shoot it without anyone getting in his way. Remember, Kaiser can already do his new shot. He just can’t do it yet with moving balls.

Kaiser being able to goal in such an “easy” circumstance would also leave him, by the end of the match, at just the right level of threatening to Isagi while still having room for growth.

Kaiser is Isagi’s only rival on the world stage, and for him to remain a rival, he must do something in this match. But a perfect goal would kill off all his chances for growth. A semi-perfect goal, however, would give him something else to strive towards.

So Kaiser will goal, but he can only do it with Ness paving the way for him.

[pomeness]

Thoughts about Kaiser and Shidou + potential parallelisms [edited]

Idk this may make sense to me only bUT! I need Shidou's backstory so I can complete the puzzle of all the silly parallelisms between him and Kaiser.

I really feel like Shidou was. Made to feel meaningless, which is why he has the urge to leave a sign of his existence in this world with his "genes". He cannot separate the field from his life, as if football is *all* his life as ever revolved about, or as if he's been using it to survive the world.

And we've seen that Kaiser actually does something similar. He clings to football with claws and fangs because the idea of going back to what it was before nauseates him. Yet he cannot escape his trauma. Kaiser is such a beautifully complex and realistic character. He's been on survival mode for years and hasn't stopped yet.

(And maybe Kaiser will start to finally escape this vicious circle in the next chapters? Just like Shidou has now toned down his impulsivity and can actually play with people without getting red-carded the second someone gets in his way. For example: past sd would've prolly axe-kicked kuni right in the face if he got marked like that.)

I also like how violent both Shidou and Kaiser were once introduced to actual, semi-professional football. Kaiser reacting badly to kidness vs Shidou casually resorting to violence towards anyone who either slightly reacts to him negatively or straight up bores him.

I love how Shidou: If you're chill, I'm chill

vs Kaiser: If you're chill, I'll actually commit manslaught3r

and asdhhshdf Idk if it makes sense but I think they're equally similar and opposites. It's like they're sorta different faces of the same coin.

Another thing they're different on is that Kaiser tends to take things on a personal level vs shidou moving on the second after smt happens.

And. Ugh. They're. So interesing together. I need them to interact more, although they would absolutely despise each other because of how different their philosophy of life is. Like shidou would prolly find kaiser "childish" for not moving on from his trauma vs kaiser would think of shidou as dumb and inferior for his different approach to proving his own existence.

Also this may be the kise brain braining but if Sae managed to train Shidou then no one can stop him from training kaiser as well LMFAOOO that trip to spain will indeed be fun !

EDIT: ALSO!!! the fact they both have this weird ass concept of the "Impossible". Like Kaiser being like "I will overcome the impossible" vs shidou's "Impossible? that's not in my vocabulary".

Also their empathy level is both underground lmfao. Slay, ig.

There may be more but UGH. This is it for now.

[oliveraiku]

I think that despite and past the initial childish disappointment that Isagi wasn’t the one to score the victory goal, it does make sense that Yukimiya was the one to seal the deal.

Why? Three factors.

1. We saw it already with Barou AND Rin in the second selection and the U-20 match respectively, how good Isagi is at exploiting someone else’s strength (and luck) and turn it into an advantage for himself. Which in turn means that when Yukki refused to collaborate with Isagi, for a rational plan in order to score, it was a foreshadowing for the fact that despite his protagonism, Isagi would be using Yukimiya, exploiting his inferiority complex, his will to beat Isagi and prove him wrong, and his fear of being forgotten.

Even Ego, here in chapter 196, actually explains why it makes sense for Yukimiya to score the goal in those circumstances, but not in the others - because once again, this match isn’t about Yukki’s goal, but Isagi’s realisation of protagonism and how to use that of other’s.

2. Yukimiya has simply a better physical spectrum than Isagi. Isagi says it himself, that what he misses is not the insight - but the physical prowess to actually make justice to it (which is what I believe next chapters will be about, especially if the next match is against Barou’s team - which makes sense, so that Isagi and Kaiser can have the last match showdown with Shidou and Rin).

3. The fulcrum of his whole match was not the goals, but rather Isagi realising how Protagonism works and if Yukimiya, Reo, Nagi, Kunigami and Kaiser were not present in the same limited space it would have not been possible. Currently, these are the people that besides Rin and Barou, have a ‘personal’ hang-up on Isagi, and his prowess, and therefore challenge him as a player the most. The Bastard Munchen VS Manchester is not about winning, but showing how Isagi, once again, acknowledges that despite having an edge on others he cannot push it, because he’s still lacking something, he is still evolving. In a twisted sense, this was about Isagi showing that even if Yukimiya is the one to score, he is still on Isagi’s palm, and that his protagonism does not stop at scoring (making himself memorable, which is the core of Yukki’s), but instead it goes over the single action performance. The whole match is Isagi’s playground.

And he’ll make sure to devour everyone on it.

[boinin]

Blue Lock volume cover analysis

An examination of unusual features and chains among the 28 volumes released to date. Subject to revision.

Like this? Want to reference these points in your own analysis on Reddit, YouTube, wherever? Go ahead! A shout out to this post is appreciated. Straight up plagiarism isn’t.

Volume 8: Mikage Reo

Reo's chains are noticeably shaded green. Guess whose eyes glow green when they're fired up...

In addition, @thyandrawrites has a theory that Reo ties/reties his hair up as a way to maintain emotional composure. The volume covers tend to represent the character's personality or struggles in some sense. If so, this is an early nod to the emotional trials Reo endures during the series.

Volume 10: Tokmitsu Aoshi

No chain weirdness here, but Tokimitsu is surrounded by black gunk in his cover. This may be a visualisation of his anxiety and the way he copes with it: running at speed and bulldozing through his opponents.

Volume 11: Ego Jinpachi

Ego's cover depicts him totally immobilised by the four chains bound to his neck. To date, no other character has been more restrained by the chains. This likely represents that Ego's fate is utterly dependent on the outcome of Blue Lock. His cover also suggests that Blue Lock (and football) consume Ego's life.

Volume 12: Shidou Ryuusei

Shidou's chains have a blue glow, much like Sendou's in volume 27. This glow is far closer to Shidou's collar however. It could imply that Blue Lock is the beginning of Shidou's pursuit of football.

He's also depicted with demon wings. The collar or chains don't impede his movement significantly, unlike other characters. In addition to portraying his incredible physicality, this could also visually represent how Blue Lock has failed to subdue Shidou.

Volume 16: Oliver Aiku

Aiku's chains are wrapped tightly around his arm and he's pulling them taut. The chains themselves appear rusted and cracked, most notably on his collar. This could represent Aiku's relationship with football. He grew jaded with being a striker in high school. Becoming a defender, then the match against Blue Lock, revitalised his enthusiasm. Hence, the chain is holding fast: he's just as ensnared by football (and Blue Lock) as the others.

Volume 17: Itoshi Sae

Sae and his chains are bathed in radiant gold light, which is associated with both divinity and wealth. His chains crumble in one place, and remain barely intact. I offer two interpretations for this. Firstly: unlike the others, Blue Lock does not have a strong impact on Sae—his success as a footballer is completely independent of it.

Secondly: if we take the chain to represent Sae's footballing career, the crumbling chain could allude to a time when football negatively impacted him. Perhaps whatever happened in Madrid? But he came back stronger, as the rest of his chains appear even more golden.

Volume 18: Teieri Anri

Anri is the only character depicted without chains or a collar. While working with Ego is a prison sentence in its own right, the artwork suggests that her ambition and future isn't connected to the outcome of Blue Lock. It can also be interpreted as a nod to the hierarchy within Blue Lock. Anri is Ego's boss and thus, she is free while he is constrained. However...

Zoom in on the reflection on her phone screen. It appears to reflect a wide grin—which can only be one person's. Taking into account her passivity in chapter 247, this detail positions Anri as Ego's accomplice: willing to do his bidding, no matter how amoral.

Volume 19: Michael Kaiser

Kaiser's collar and chains are made of glass, through which his blue rose tattoo is visible. As chapter 243 told us, a blue rose represents the impossible to Kaiser. Glass chains suggests that his ego or ties to football are fragile, and could be broken easily. Symbolically, glass can also represent transparency. As a character, Kaiser is upfront about his talent and desires. Nobody is in doubt about his footballing mantra or his intent to undermine Isagi.

Volume 20: Alexis Ness

Ness's chains are entwined with blue rose brambles, all but for a short length to the top right of the image. While Ness came to love football independently, seeing it as magical, the rose brambles show that his connection to football is now inseparable from his devotion to Kaiser. It also reflects that Ness would not be a professional footballer without Kaiser, as per chapter 242/243.

Volume 24: Hiori Yo

Hiori is the only character shown holding the end of his chain, which is secured by a football-shaped weight. This suggests that Hiori himself is the one in control of his career, rather than external forces. Football is a burden to him, albeit something he can carry. Therefore, Hiori is not ensnared by the chains (or Blue Lock) to the same extent as other characters. Appropriate for a character guaranteed to succeed as a footballer, but who ultimately may not choose to pursue it.

Volume 25: Niko Ikki

Niko's volume cover is hilarious. I'll leave the explaining to Tomo-tan, who lays out the humour and genius of Niko's cover in this great Reddit post.

Volume 26: Don Lorenzo

Members of the New Generation World XI have no chill when it comes to their covers, and Don Lorenzo is no exception. His collar shows bite marks, as though chewed through. Gold teeth are good for more than caramel popcorn, apparently.

Lorenzo's chains are accompanied by what looks like electricity. This suggests that football reanimated Lorenzo from near death, as per chapter 216. It's a visual nod to his playstyle, which resembles the incessant pursuit of a zombie. Guess we can call him Snuffy's Monster.

Volume 27: Sendou Shuuto

A blue glow appears on Sendou’s chains, halted from travelling further by his fist. This may represent the threat Blue Lock poses to Sendou's footballing career. He's already been kicked as the striker of the national team; now in the Neo Egoist League, he must battle for a place on the new U20 line-up. No easy feat, as his sweaty face implies.

Another detail worth mentioning is that the trajectory of one of Sendou's chains appear to align with the chain Aiku's pulling in his cover. This similarity, and the fact that they're both holding their chains, may be interpreted as a nod to their status as former U20 teammates—likely the only ones that will make the new team, going off the latest NEL auction table.

[moonartemisia]

Okay just a quick moment of thought. Would it be possible for Kaiser to take the offer at Real Madrid (¥2000 up chances if he ever). Since he rigged the scores high around ¥350M, if he took that opportunity. He and Sae would be in one impeccable team although in this case; it is NOT a good meet up for KaiSae. One, to think Kaiser's level can be a hindered factor on Sae's, we cannot identify Sae's past reasons as to why his dreams changed his he got into Spain. Lastly the second thought I think it'll be either Sae will live up onto his foot and Kaiser is Kaiser as he is. Or it'll be another egoist stepping stone once he come across Sae by any moment.

I'd like to take an interesting theory of where other people theorized Sae and Kaiser might've met before. But what do you all think?

[shreddedleopard]

Kaiser’s Ego

I’ve been thinking a lot about Kaiser recently, and why I both love and hate him, and why his character rings so true.

This is mega rambling and repetitive probably, so apologies in advance, but I had to get my thoughts down.

I believe that Kaiser’s ego is broken. To explain, first let me share a definition of ego spat out by Google:

Three phrases stand out to me in relation to Kaiser:

Superiority to others

Self-respect

Personal worth

Kaiser is a character who seems so desperate to cling on to that first thing - superiority to others.

When faced with Isagi, Kaiser immediately works on destroying Isagi’s own personal worth. Kaiser quickly recognises that Isagi has a very similar skill set to him, meaning he has the potential to surpass and even replace Kaiser in his specific spot in the team (that position being the game master, mainly). He has literally made himself the king of this BM team; the director of his very own show; he is in control and occupies the central spot. But the player most likely to dethrone him is Isagi, and because of that, immediately Kaiser knows he must show this threat his rightful place.

It’s interesting to me that Kaiser so quickly goes into fight or flight mode when faced with Isagi. It’s not just friendly competition; at times, it doesn’t even feel like a healthy rivalry. It’s absolute war - Kaiser is obsessed and unhinged, and deals with Isagi like his personal well-being is under threat.

I think this might be because it is. This is all speculation but, for Kaiser, it’s not about a love of football. It’s about being the best at something. We’ve yet to see Kaiser’s back story, but I think whatever it entails, he grew up with the mentality that love is conditional. It’s my theory that he had parents or guardians who were only ever present or interested in him when he was able to beat his competition and rise to the top in something. This is both similar and different to Hiori’s backstory. Hiori has parents who are pushy and overly-invested in Hiori’s sporting career. They lavish him with attention; it’s just the wrong sort; it’s pressure. But it fits Kaiser to have had parents who were either absent or disinterested, and for a young Kaiser, it became a fight for attention or recognition. His existence might only have ever been acknowledged when he beat the competition, surpassed expectations, did something exceptional. He had the idea reinforced that to be worthy of anyone’s time or attention, you have to meet certain conditions. You are not just born deserving of anything; the only way to receive it is to fight for it, and to come out on top.

If we look at Kaiser through this lens, so much of his behaviour suddenly makes more sense. He is so aggressive towards those who threaten his position because in his eyes, they’re not just competing for his spot as the best at football; they’re competing for the basic human needs of love and respect. If he is beaten, if he is not literally the best on that field, then he will be shut out by those around him, left unwanted and unworthy of love.

So let’s link back to that last phrase - personal worth. Kaiser’s personal worth is not something that exists in and of itself. Personal worth is not something he naturally has - it is tied to his performance; in this situation, it’s football. Compare this to someone like Isagi, who we saw way back at the start of the manga being welcomed home by supportive parents who showed him love and respect and gave him a warm meal despite the fact that his team lost. Isagi therefore knows he is worthy of these things despite his performance in any sports or school etc. As opposed to Kaiser, who in the same situation, would return home only to be ignored.

As a child, parental love is vital for someone to develop self esteem and personal worth. If Kaiser was made to compete for this, then his whole concept of self esteem and personal worth are linked to what he does, how hard he fights, what he can achieve. As opposed to Isagi, who will have a sense of self esteem and personal worth regardless of his position or performance on the pitch.

Therefore, we can surmise that Kaiser fights for his position as the centre of his team from a place of fear, in contrast with Isagi, who fights from a place of passion and love of the sport. They may appear similar in their grit and determination - their drive to win - but that drive doesn’t come from the same place. Isagi doesn’t view others as dangerous threats to be scared of. He’s not venomous and obsessed the way Kaiser is both on and off the pitch, because after the game ends, he can still walk away from a match with his self - respect and personal worth in tact, ready to fight again, whereas for Kaiser, these things are both made and destroyed on that playing field. He simply cannot afford to lose in a way that is different to Isagi.

His sense of self worth and self esteem is in tatters beneath this outer illusion of confidence and disdain for those around him. In the above art, he’s watching Isagi, who has his sights focused ahead of him. This is because Isagi is focused on where he’s headed, while Kaiser is obsessed with comparing himself to those around him - this is how he measures his own worth. If he’s not better than all of them, then he’s worthless. He’s surrounded by material displays of importance, love and affection, and yet the football at his feet is battered and barely patched up. Kaiser plays for these displays of love and adoration, because he believes this is the only way to receive them. He’s trying to patch up what’s missing for his battered inner sense of self, just like the patches on his battered football. Compare this to Isagi, who is only surrounded by the basic items he needs to play the sport he loves, with a shiny, fully intact football. Isagi plays simply for his passion for football, not to make up for anything lacking in his life outside of it. Ignore everything else that’s going on in this artwork; focus on the footballs. They represent the egos of these two players who, on the surface, might seem almost identical in their drive to win.

‘Ego is the only weapon that lets you fight back.’

‘The haves and the have-nots.’

Whilst on the surface it may look like Kaiser is all ego, in actuality, it’s the very thing that will be his downfall, because it’s what he lacks compared to Isagi. It’s broken.

This idea of the ‘broken’ or at least very much ‘breakable’ or ‘fragile’ ego of Kaiser’s is repeated on his volume cover:

His collar and chains appear to be made of very breakable glass, as opposed to other player’s metal. If the chains do represent the idea of the ego, then this imagery for Kaiser fits perfectly.

We can also see why he’s branded himself with that crown - another illusion of importance when inwardly he’s always chasing that feeling of mattering somehow. The blue rose sprouting from it - representing the unobtainable - is symbolic of the fact that Kaiser will never be able to find that feeling of self-worth and importance when he seeks it externally, because it has to come from within him. He has to understand that he is worthy and important simply for existing, not because of anything he does or achieves.

[pistatsia]

I also wasn’t a fan of ness backstory but would love to hear your personal opinions on why you didn’t like it as much?

I HAVE SO FUCKING MUCH TO SAY-

T/w for excessive amount of hate and oversharing lmao

Well, in the beginning I'd like to say that I grown up in some shitty circumstances which resulted in me having some, uhhh, Ness-classical problems so I may be biased here 😭 Rather not "may" but "will". How can I continue to relate to him when he's like that. Like that's not a representation I wanted. Where's emotional deprivation? Where's emotional abuse? Where's his unsuccessful attempts to get his parents and siblings love because no, lol, no 7 yo child will just accept that he's outcast and be ok with that. He should have tried to adjust to them, he should have tried to reach them, satisfy, do at least something for them to care about him BECAUSE THAT'S HOW CHILD PSYCHE WORKS. And where else would he get this people pleasing towards Kaiser if not from the family? Kids need love for survival, it's not optional. It's a need. They can't just say "oh yes my parents and siblings are stupid I'm going to be alone from now on!".

Okay, now in the order.

First of all, we get the scene of Ness mother saying him he should cure his finger himself, even comforting him while saying that with her "chance of you dying from it is incredibly low". Bad words, bad phrasing, bad everything, it's like to say "dentist just gonna use this drill to take your rotting teeth off" to a kid but still - it's not direct scolding or hate. It's bad, but care. And like, yes?? It was quite a normal parental behavior, even if not really sensitive? You can't be near your kid all the time, they should know how to help themselves because one day you WON'T be there for them. It's a normal way of raising a kid if you don't want for him to grow up weak-willed and helpless. Bad way to approach that, but still. She even mentions that he shouldn't bother her with every LITTLE cut - she'd care for him instantly with something serious. Since we get this flashback from Ness from his following age, we can conclude that he still cherishes that memory as something which hurt him deeply and which was incredibly cruel from his mother to say, forming his personality. And that's��� At least strange.

I mean, I also have a story when I cut my finger really deep as a 5 yo and my dad said smth like "go and spit on it and don't bother me" but I won't say it was turning point in our relationship lol But it was valuable in addition to all of other fucked up shit. Otherwise I wouldn't have remembered it at all.

I'm not saying that my experience is the only relevant but child's psyche, especially with some predisposing towards anxiety and personality disorders, has basically the same algorithms. Because till the transitional age child is like a clay, not having it's own form yet. He just adjusts to his family and surroundings.

Memories like that are the ones which CAN be turning points but ONLY in addition to other. They can't be, like. Definition of how your relationship were. It's one small insignificant episode.

Reaching the next scene - Ness reading his book and asking his brother and sister AGAIN about some magical something. Do I need to say that any kid would be irritated if their younger sibling will go and whine around about something you don't like, and again again and again when you have not once said that "that's nonsense I don't like"? It's a normal reaction for kids. They're not grown adults to control their each and every action understanding Ness fragile psychology.

Also, I mean- he got that fantasy book from somewhere, right? He is little kid ~6 or 7 yo, I believe there's few ways for kid to get one. Even if it was gifted by his grandparents or family's friends, or taken from the school library, it's not that his parents have teared the pages from this book. He reads it quite calmly, not hiding - and even demonstrates it to his siblings. His parents allowed him to read such books. No one was REALLY against him reading about something he liked. Not understanding, yes, being bad emotionally repressed family, yes, offending him in some way, probably not really caring, but… It's not that bad as Ness tries to show, at least from the side of his mother and siblings.

Secondly - snowman 💀. Lol, Ness, sorry but have you heard about Rin + Sae drama? About Barou and his little sisters because of which he probably has this obsessive compulsive thing with cleanliness? I love my little brother deeply, but for god's sake he was awful as a kid, the type that will put the hand in the fire and in socket just because I said "you can't do it it's dangerous". Even if we really got along despite the different attitude towards us from our parents, we still fought, and screamed, and got scandals over the laptop. It's a normal part of growing up with siblings.

Not just normal, but obligatory.

And… Ness' brother and sister actually tried to get along with him till some point, even if in their own way. They tried to make him fit into their world because somehow, but they loved him, and wanted him to be more or less happy and near them. They couldn't understand his passion for magic, they couldn't realize - but they had their parents as example, and they knew that while two of them fit into their parents world, Ness doesn't. And thus both magic book scenes and snowman one were a normal reaction from young kids - Ness irritated them, being too loud, and speaking some nonsense because of which they couldn't play and research together, all three of them. That wouldn't be a normal reaction from grown ups, but once again - they're kids. Siblings. Destined to ruin each other's things lol

Thirdly - no one with dirty hands should enter the house, go and wash them. ????? How is that even??? Maybe they'll also ask him to take his shoes off in the wardrobe? The cruelty of parents.

His mother even explains him why he should wash the hands before coming in. Like- I don't want to dig into psychology of two-frames character, but she looks incredibly emotionless and deathly tired. She has three kids and work at home for god's sake. And she STILL finds time to explain Ness how sounds and snow works, probably trying to comfort him somehow. She loves him, just as she loves her other kids - she tries to comfort him in her own way.

Should she have had three children if she didn't feel the need to take care of their every issue, including emotional? No. Does she cut down her children and husband when they offend Ness? Also no. Is it possible to understand her? Absolutely yes.

Through his dad indeed is a jerk lol but I feel that he's not really present in the family? It's usually her and Ness and his siblings. Imagine having a full ass house, in which she works full-time, three 5-9 yo one of whom is constantly injuring himself, and with two others probably fucking up their experiments and her work as well without her husband around. Like…

And the fact that Ness doesn't analyze anything at all, placing himself in a victim position not trying to understand that world doesn't revolve around him and other people don't understand him by default and act the way they think is right and good for him, is, uhhh. Note that "understand" doesn't mean "forgive". It's just about a critical view to the world.

Aaand regarding the kainess flashbacks… I can't say anything because it was just bland and stupid.

Overall I got a feeling that this was just lazy writing with cute kids fanservice so we'd be more invested in the last game with PXG. I mean, those scenes with milk, shower and oversleeping? I can imagine there any other pairing in blue lock - nagireo, bachisagi, kunigiri, etc etc etc. There's nothing special, nothing unique for us to actual feel something towards kainess. It's just a template into which familiar faces have been substituted - and totally OOC.

No toxic dynamic, especially the codependent one kainess have, works like THAT at the start. Even at the sugary period when one non-self-aware manipulator instinctively tries to bend other to himself being nice and everything. Ness behavior towards Kaiser also makes no sense - those things are ALWAYS growing from experience. From the need to please your parents, to try to track your every word, walking on a thin ice.

But Ness never shown such things in his flashbacks, never taking back from telling each and everyone about magic and him being a football player. Then where did this attitude got from? Just from loneliness? It still doesn't work like that THIS HIGH like to the level of enduring physical pain and alcohol in the face.

I low-key hope that Ness is unreliable narrator, so we actually DO NOT see the way his real relationship with Kaiser were at this time. We see only memories and impressions, and his memory saving only good from them - thus it may (PLEASE) happen that from Kaiser's POV it will be totally different.

The last thing about kainess I SOMEHOW liked (because I'm sure it wasn't intentional writing from Kaneshiro) is the way Ness reacts to Kaiser choking. Because he pays no reaction to it - and no real friend/lover would react like that for the sight of your dear person suffering. He doesn't care about Kaiser as of Kaiser - the thing I suspected from the beginning but didn't really liked because that's so predictable and dull. He doesn't even know about Kaiser's habit of choking himself. He doesn't really worry about Kaiser - he worries only about his idol, which he doesn't see a human behind. This was a fun thing to think about prior to this chapter because of the potential of angst from Kaiser's side who'd feel how this "love" is synthetic to the core, but I'm not sure I'd love to see this in the manga. But at least this would be yes, realistic, logical and painful, especially in that "Yoichi's magic" and naked king theme.

The only thing I really 100% liked without any whining from my side was that "undescribable feelings/undescribable sadness" frame because lmao 🤝🤝🤝 At least here you get it Ness. This frame is engraved in my memory.

At this point I feel that I dislike backstory not because it was necessary bad or stupid, but because I hate the thought of Ness turning out being so… Flat. So ridiculously touchy, so stubborn for no reason like a ram since a very childhood, so lacking critical thinking skills. So limited, so self-centered (which is visible even in that Kaiser choking himself scene).

Such a completely uninteresting character, predictable and causing only indifference towards himself.