Dis/joint

“Disjoint”

Liz and The Blue Bird Poster

Do you know disjoint and joint sets in math? Where two sets have totally different elements in it, it is called “Disjoint”, it will become “Joint” if we have the same elements in both sets. Or do you know about color combination theory? When you mix two different colors, it will create a new color. I thought of those theories as two different individuals, with different personalities but have one similarity, one ambition, and one feeling to reach one goal, create a beautiful harmony.

This is “Liz and The Blue Bird” or “Liz to Aoi Tori/リズと青い鳥”, a story of a fairy tale with the same name. It represents Mizore and Nozomi friendship, they both are the members of Kitauji high school concert band, preparing their last performance in high school. They both got the chance to play duet in the third move of the piece of music that they will bring into the stage of sound and notes. Mizore was a quiet brilliant oboist and Nozomi was a cheerful charismatic flutist. But their friendship was confusing, filled with fear of falling behind and afraid of letting someone go.

They first knew each other in junior high school, Mizore’s solitariness was captivated by Nozomi’s cheerfulness, through day by day they got closer, and Nozomi became the whole world for Mizore. The disjoint appears first in their movements at the beginning. Nozomi always took the lead, every movement, every step, every gaze, every breath, every blink, everything that Nozomi did was mimicked by Mizore. But, there was a gap between them, Mizore always walked a half away from Nozomi, unable to match her rhythm. It was a realization after you listened carefully to the soundtrack “wind, glass, bluebird” at the beginning of the movie. The steps and the music was overlapping.

“Obsessed” might be the best word to describe Mizore’s feeling. Nozomi was everything for Mizore, but for Nozomi she was not, such an irony. Mizore’s obsession was unhealthy because it affected her play. In break time, Mizore was recommended by the teacher to apply for music college. Mizore hesitated about it, “If Nozomi does not apply, neither will I”. Until, Nozomi, who was afraid of falling behind also wants to apply. But, when Nozomi told the teacher that she also wanted to apply for music college, the reaction was not the same as she showed to Mizore. Finally, Nozomi realized she just held Mizore’s back. And Mizore realized she must learn to become independent, decide what she wants to do. Both of them are “Liz” and “Blue bird”, they both learn to set each other fly free, not by ruining their friendship, but strengthening it with love. 

In the end, they can set each other free. They were still supporting, more confident, believe in themselves and create a perfect harmony. Their steps became more confident and synchronized with the soundtrack “wind, glass, girls”.

Well, this had happened to me too, being obsessed with someone, mimicking whatever my friend does. After I watched this movie I realize, this is my life, I can not be like this until the rest of my life. I need to take my own step, I learn sometimes if you love something, you must learn to let it go. You can still be friends with them, you can laugh, you can cry but this is not as “mimicker” this is as yourself. Not as endings but as transformation into healthier friendship.

Beside the fantastic story, I want to write down my deep sincerity for all the staff that were involved in this anime movie production. They show us those ethereal moments, smooth movements of animation, congruency of colors, unreal abstract panels, realistic drawing of instrumental music, and orchestral music. Even though there was not much dialogue in it, each of the characters’ emotions showed on their faces, movements, and voice. How the animators added the small details that most of us will not notice. The dynamic and passive movements of the skirt, the bouncing hair swing movements, the blink of eyes, reflection of the light, silent atmosphere corridor, the small blue bird that appeared between the cut scenes, all of those are such precious moments for me. (Ke)