Negative Positive Angler Episode 8 — Where's the Trauma?

Do you ever feel like a show has lost its plot? That’s how I feel after watching Negative Positive Angler episode 8. I was so excited over this anime, and now I feel as disappointed as homophobes when they find out that Astolfo is a dude. “Finally! A show that understood the nuances of angling and how it interplays with mental health,” I thought. But with less than a month left, it feels like Hiro’s plight has been largely forgotten. Worst of all, we’re being presented with a pretty sterilized version of angling, and that’s a shame.

Japan is one of the meccas of sport fishing. Not only does the country lay claim to several unique angling techniques, but there’s also a myriad of species to catch. But all the Everymart crew fishes for is sea bass, sea bream, and baitfish. This is taking place in Japan! Where are the scenic mountain views with streams full of wild trout and salmon? Am I asking too much for an episode that features a tuna chase off the coast of Okinawa? Give me some bass fishing at the base of Mount Fuji!

Negative Positive Angler Episode 8 — A Family Affair

Machida took the spotlight in this episode, and with him came a story of divorce and loss. For twenty minutes, we saw a dad struggle to connect with a distant son through goby fishing. The show captures the awkwardness and uncomfortable distance a divorce can bring; and it does that in the most eloquent of ways. But, as someone who didn’t lament his parents’ divorce, I may not be the target audience for this episode. So I probably failed to grasp a lot of the emotions others would in this episode.

But for those who have healthy emotions and don’t overwhelm their negative feelings with tarpon trips, seeing the fragility of a post-divorce relationship most likely moved them. Honestly, it’s one of the saddest things on Earth that most younger kids long for their parents to get back together, and while they don’t understand why this can’t happen, they always seem to comprehend it won’t happen. This was evident when Machida’s child told him he had to come home if he caught a fish of a certain size. Yet, when he catches it, he releases the fish because he knows it isn’t feasible.

Where’s the Show Going?

Fishing heals. That’s not just my view on things; there’s data to back up that statement. Organizations like the National Health Service in the UK have prescribed angling as a remedy for mental health. People over the world would vouch for that. I would vouch for that. Everyone heals differently, and maybe Hiro is slowly making progress off-camera and we’re not privy to it. But at this point, that approach seems like a waste of potential.

Some might argue that the show dedicates entire episodes to characters with minimal screen time because of their impact on Hiro. However, this is a twelve-episode anime; time is limited, and it’s running out. Despite the occasional introspection and rumination, we haven’t seen much of Hiro. There are a few moments that demonstrate he’s still struggling. While I typically appreciate subtle storytelling, I believe a more direct approach was needed here. That would have been way more effective in engaging viewers.

Screenshots: Crunchyroll
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