Ichimoku Ren

If you are a big fan of Jigoku Shoujo like me, then you know who I'm pertaining to. Yeah, he's one of Ai's associates. And yes, he's gorgeous.

Jigoku Shoujo, or Girl from Hell, is one anime that's a hundred miles away from reality. It can be the wish of someone who experiences cruelty in this very inequitable world. It is about sending people to that hideous turf of Hades. If a person has animosity against someone and wants that person to be eliminated, he/she can contact the hotline to hell. Ai and the rest of the gang will do the dirty work for him/her. One needs only to wait in front of the computer, and when the clock strikes 12 midnight, a website will appear on the screen. The complete name of the loathed person should be typed on the blank space, and Ai will appear to offer a contract. Mind you, this contract will get the better of that person who contacted her sooner or later. If one person is cursed, two graves are dug, as Ai Enma puts it.

One particular character interests me. Ichimoku Ren. Aside from his astounding good looks, Ren appears to be the most empathetic of all of Ai's associates. Today's episode on Animax revealed not only his past, but a folklore of Japan which I was not aware of until recently. He was a Tsukumogami.

He was used in numerous murders. Blood flowed on his metallic body. Being a katana, there was nothing he could do but witness the injustice use of his sharp blade. When the battle finally ended and no life was left except his, Ai found him. She gave Ren a human-like body.

I think one of the many reasons why the world seems very hostile is because we sometimes prefer to be just the 'eye'. Sometimes we forget to use our hands, our feet, our hearts. Though he was reminded not to be totally attached to their clients, Ren could not help but be involved. He knew that looking will not change a thing. And though he works for Ai whose business is filling up all available spaces in hell with people, he felt his current existence is better than before. Don't look at the dark aspect of Ren's job, because he doesn't. The most quintessential of all is the fact that he now was given the opportunity to do something about the situation.

He's now more than just a spectator.