{Spoilers}
If you've had a quarter/midlife crisis before, I think that this season really embodies that. I love Aggretsuko episodes because they're on the shorter side, but with the pace and the message behind each episode they really pack a punch and deliver a well-executed story. I mean, if you think about it, in 10 episodes they covered a really overwhelming theme answering the question of "what's my dream?" "what am I doing with my life?" that a lot of us ask ourselves. Is our daily life fulfilling? Are we living every day to the fullest?
This theme of self-doubt and questioning first appears when Retsuko's mom comes for a visit after nagging on the phone. She really wants Retsuko to go for an arranged marriage meeting, but Retsuko is strongly against it. She doesn't think she's ready for marriage. She does go for that first arranged marriage meeting, but she just doesn't know if he was the right guy. So she doesn't pursue that relationship, but when she finds out that he's moved on and found happiness with someone else she's also strangely melancholic.
This kind of pushy dynamic goes on with her mom with more proposed arranged marriage meetings and even a mingling singles party which doesn't go too well. But, because of one of her fellow coworkers, she realizes that marriage is something that she really does want.
Kind of unrelated, but ya know since Aggretsuko encompasses all of the aspects of life as an office worker, Retsuko has to train a new recruit. And he's terrible. He's also kind of the next generation. He's too sensitive towards other people's innocent comments towards him and is kind of threatening/intimidating. I don't know how she dealt with him being so crazy, but I'm glad that Anai finally found his place in the office as the bento guy.
Something unexpectedly deep about this season were the driving metaphors. As a ploy to delay anymore marriage meetings, Retsuko tells her mom she's going to get her license. While this in and of itself is a tool to achieve freedom, Retsuko realizes that while she can drive now that there's no real place she wants to go. And I think this is too relatable to the point that it's scary. I think because I just go with the flow a lot of the time, it's scary to get caught up in everything and to eventually realize that you don't know where you're headed anymore.
At the driving school, Retsuko meets this super cool guy named Tadano. Well, he's just kind of weird. He can't get past the theoretical portion of driving and he always seems sleepy. And for the longest time Retsuko thinks he's unemployed. Actually he's a super forward-thinking AI-developing CEO. And he doesn't want to marry Retsuko per say because he doesn't see the point, but he wants them to stay together forever. And because Retsuko is confused as to what she wants for a while, she blindly follows him and internalizes the thought that marriage isn't necessary.
Thank goodness she came to her senses and was able to realize what she actually wanted in life. Which meant goodbye to Tadano.
It was a little bittersweet. Especially since I really wanted Retsuko to be happy and you know get married and such. But, not everything in life is about romance. So, Retsuko's life will go on and she'll continue to be the queen she is.
But! If there's a season 3 you bet I'm rooting for smol boi Haida!
Overall, would definitely recommend. It's a pretty short watch with 10 episodes at around 15 minutes each. It's too relatable if you're going through a life crisis and are trying to find yourself. And it's just a really heartwarming watch.
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