Hellstar Remina - Vol. 1 Ch. 4 - Chapter 4: Under Her Tongue
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Fuck you remira. Just die. If you died earlier, you wouldn’t have had to suffer the rest of the planet eater
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While reading, I had a thought that the cultist might be from the Remina planet given that some evidence of life was shown through shadows and how he popped out of nowhere. Now I am sure of it after whatever's the shit he did to her on her cheek.
I had my suspicions before but after this chapter I'm pretty certain that this story serves as a metaphor for sexual assault. Or more specifically having ones autonomy violated.
The very first thing that happens is Remina's dad naming the planet after her, without her consent. She did not like this, but she had no control over it happening. And everything else in the story stems from this.
All the major characters in the story, aside from Remina herself, are male. And these men all hold are certain possessiveness over Remina. They represent the different ways people violate others autonomy:
Her Dad is a parental figure, nurturing but also inconsiderate of her feelings and makes decisions about her without asking, such as naming the planet after her . He comes from a good place, really only wanting the best for his daughter. He even apologizes for not talking to her about it first and supports her in whatever she chooses to do. But he still made that initial mistake of forcing the association with the planet upon her.
The manager persuades her to become an idol, which I think she only does because she likes him. This in itself is not a violation of her autonomy at all. And the two genuinely do care for and respect each other. But it's still interesting to note that she becomes an Idol. This is a role that has historically been defined by extreme abuse and pressure to act in the way fans demand you too. As a career, it's as far away from self-autonomy you can get.
The fan club president represents this. He doesn't know Remina. He simply believes the Remina idol in his mind is the real Remina, and that through sheer devotion, Remina will love him back. He views Remina the way an enthusiast may view a super rare trading card. He wants to protect it and will give his life to do so. But when Remina doesn't return his affection, he leaves, the illusion he formed in his mind shattered. Because Remina didn't act in the way he wanted.
Finally we have the Rich Kid, who full on tries to rape Remina. The clearest and most physical depiction of autonomy being violated.
The planet Remina seems to be a metaphor for those who assualt others. The sense of dread I've been getting everytime Remina approaches, consumes, stares at, or licks a planet - it's the dread of bodily violation. Junji Ito is truly a master of atmosphere. Planet Remina doesn't just make me scared, it makes me disgusted. It's repulsive, and the fact that there's seemingly nothing you can do to stop it's destructive... touching is deeply disturbing.
Then there's the mob. The people riled into a panicked frenzy by impending doom. It's been clear for a while now that they don't really care about killing Remina - deep down they probably understand it won't do anything. They simply enjoy exerting power over Remina. They enjoy hunting her, torturing her. The black hooded man having a toungue and eyes like Planet Remina's is meant to be a metaphor I think. To show that the people are doing to Regina what Planet Regina is doing to Earth.
And then, finally, of course there is Remina herself. I haven't really finished my thought process on her yet, but I feel like she's really just written to be a victim. She's passive and doesn't really do or say much. She's not so much a character as a doll to drive home the metaphors on assualt and autonomy more. I am hoping that she does something important by the end of this story.
The very first thing that happens is Remina's dad naming the planet after her, without her consent. She did not like this, but she had no control over it happening. And everything else in the story stems from this.
All the major characters in the story, aside from Remina herself, are male. And these men all hold are certain possessiveness over Remina. They represent the different ways people violate others autonomy:
Her Dad is a parental figure, nurturing but also inconsiderate of her feelings and makes decisions about her without asking, such as naming the planet after her . He comes from a good place, really only wanting the best for his daughter. He even apologizes for not talking to her about it first and supports her in whatever she chooses to do. But he still made that initial mistake of forcing the association with the planet upon her.
The manager persuades her to become an idol, which I think she only does because she likes him. This in itself is not a violation of her autonomy at all. And the two genuinely do care for and respect each other. But it's still interesting to note that she becomes an Idol. This is a role that has historically been defined by extreme abuse and pressure to act in the way fans demand you too. As a career, it's as far away from self-autonomy you can get.
The fan club president represents this. He doesn't know Remina. He simply believes the Remina idol in his mind is the real Remina, and that through sheer devotion, Remina will love him back. He views Remina the way an enthusiast may view a super rare trading card. He wants to protect it and will give his life to do so. But when Remina doesn't return his affection, he leaves, the illusion he formed in his mind shattered. Because Remina didn't act in the way he wanted.
Finally we have the Rich Kid, who full on tries to rape Remina. The clearest and most physical depiction of autonomy being violated.
The planet Remina seems to be a metaphor for those who assualt others. The sense of dread I've been getting everytime Remina approaches, consumes, stares at, or licks a planet - it's the dread of bodily violation. Junji Ito is truly a master of atmosphere. Planet Remina doesn't just make me scared, it makes me disgusted. It's repulsive, and the fact that there's seemingly nothing you can do to stop it's destructive... touching is deeply disturbing.
Then there's the mob. The people riled into a panicked frenzy by impending doom. It's been clear for a while now that they don't really care about killing Remina - deep down they probably understand it won't do anything. They simply enjoy exerting power over Remina. They enjoy hunting her, torturing her. The black hooded man having a toungue and eyes like Planet Remina's is meant to be a metaphor I think. To show that the people are doing to Regina what Planet Regina is doing to Earth.
And then, finally, of course there is Remina herself. I haven't really finished my thought process on her yet, but I feel like she's really just written to be a victim. She's passive and doesn't really do or say much. She's not so much a character as a doll to drive home the metaphors on assualt and autonomy more. I am hoping that she does something important by the end of this story.
