English Dub Review: Smile Down The Runway; “Aura”

 

 

 

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Kokoro crosses paths with Chiyuki, wherein a modeling job forces both of them to face certain realities. She also faces adversity in her work with Hajime, to which she receives help from Ikuto.

Our Take

Chiyuki takes every step possible to put herself in a good light and sell herself as a competent model. She comes extra prepared for many outcomes and invests herself into the supporting role when she can. But despite all of her effort and professionalism, she is still continually called out for her height. 

This job proves to be a big test of self-confidence for Chiyuki. The tried and true method of recounting prior advice and experiences for motivation is utilized as usual, but this is where that method is truly pushed to its limits for Chiyuki, or any character thus far. When Igarashi takes every opportunity to single her out and pull her from the shoot, Chiyuki is forced to begrudgingly either adapt or take her lashes. 

When other characters in this show, mainly Ikuto and Kokoro, are faced with this type of conflict, they often respond with an expression of shock that’s exaggerated in that slightly weird way that only fits in the realm of anime. But Chiyuki makes very few of those odd, wide-eyed faces; instead, a lot of her expressions feel far more genuine. She grits her teeth and holds back her tears, all while trying her best to turn her head away. It’s the most human-like way we’ve seen someone cope with frustration, in what might be the most frustrating situation yet. 

The display of her struggle extends into her mind as well, where she tries her best not to envy and deride Kokoro for her talents. There are a few references made to one’s “aura,” the innate image one projects to others. Chiyuki’s aura is never shown visually; perhaps because showing it might cheapen Chiyuki’s struggle a little bit. We’re meant to experience and intuit her constantly-in-flux aura through her actions and expressions.

On the other hand, Kokoro’s aura is shown visually. At first, when she enters, it’s black and whispy, indicating uncertainty and gloom. Then, when she comes back in to start the job, her aura is more solid, the regularly pulsating waves giving off a feeling that she’s more in control. Though, throughout all of this, it remains pitch black the entire time, a specter of her immense self-doubt. This exhibits itself in her behavior, as she is often despondent and lost in thought throughout the whole episode. 

Kokoro is also thoroughly put through the wringer here, probably even more so than Chiyuki. After the modeling job, she and Igarashi have their usual spat, which almost ends the way it usually does. But two things occur in rapid succession that changes the math considerably. 

First, is Chiyuki overhearing this conversation and hearing Kokoro wanting to quit modeling, causing her to have a complete breakdown and sundering all of the composure she had mustered. This serves as a conflicting moment of weakness for Chiyuki, one that is both humorous and depressing. 

But by experiencing Chiyuki’s breakdown, Kokoro realizes how invested Chiyuki is in modeling, and the kind of investment she must show in designing for her to be taken seriously. This rouses a new strength in her, and she becomes far more insistent to Igarashi with her pleas. 

However, Igarashi is still a complete shithead about this and doesn’t back down. It’s at this point that the melodrama begins to wear itself thin. Kokoro had been unable to convince Igarashi up until now because of her passive and submissive personality. But even when she gathers new motivation, Igarashi still stubbornly rebuffs her. But just as soon as one can lament the ill-defined, cyclical nature of this conflict, Igarashi hints at some emotional baggage she has; a new light shines down. 

It doesn’t take long for this emotional baggage to be addressed. Igarashi was a former model who was desperate enough to do anything to make it in that world, including sleeping her way up the ladder. But instead of finding success, her lack of skill still ultimately undid her and her career blew up in her face. This is how she developed her myopic and dogmatic view of the modeling world. It doesn’t make her likable or even that much more relatable, but it does tone down her intensity a little bit, putting her on par with all of the other crazy-stubborn folks in this fashion world. 

Igarashi’s pessimistic and defeatist worldview isn’t allowed to propagate for much longer. Shizuku pops up and reveals herself to be an old colleague. She then engages in a brief but thorough dressing down, making apt comparisons between them and Chiyuki and Kokoro. Shizuku recounts how she said similar things to Chiyuki, but found new wonder in seeing her continue to persist in the face of dogged opposition. This scene gives a distinct hope that perhaps, if she hasn’t already been completely defanged yet, Igarashi might at least lighten up a little. 

But just when it looked like the melodrama kindly showed itself the door, it comes right back in for more. Kokoro makes a big mistake while working at Hajime’s place and he tears into her and tells her to quit on the spot. Every obstacle these kids run into is entirely demoralizing and one step away from completely shutting them out from their dreams. There are no mild infractions here, no opportunities to make mistakes and learn; only serious offenses that threaten to end them.

Fortunately, Ikuto finally takes a stand against all of this and wastes little time in calling Hajime out on his bullshit. Ikuto makes the sort of remarks the audience might’ve been making up until now, asking why he summarily fires everyone who makes one mistake and doesn’t allow them room to improve. Hajime even hypocritically blames Ikuto for constantly causing drama all the time. 

Through this, Kokoro at last gains the strength to dedicate herself to designing. And while all is now going well for her, it results in a new form of conflict for Ikuto. As he’s talking with Toh about his deal, Toh asks Ikuto whether he could honestly compete against Kokoro in the Geika contest, to which he ponders. Immediately after, this hypothetical becomes reality and Ikuto shows signs of giving up for her sake, which would set up the drama for the next leg of his journey. 

This episode was a crucible of self-confidence for the characters, wherein they were made to forge ahead through several difficulties and find their stride. At the same time, it was also a crucible for the show itself, wherein it sort of self-corrected itself and tried to put an end to much of the melodrama that had run rampant until now. I doubt this will mean the end of all melodrama in this show, but hopefully, any future instances can quickly sort themselves out like this.