Part 2/14:
The episode begins with a noteworthy observation: some of the bleakest, most brutal, and "grim dark" worlds in Japanese media are crafted by creators who themselves seem to be wholesome, whimsical individuals. Junji Ito, for example, is a pioneer of nightmares and phobias yet exudes a playful demeanor. Similarly, Kentaro Miura, creator of Berserk, and Miyazaki himself, are portrayed as individuals whose personalities starkly contrast with the darkness they depict. The point posited is that some of the most disturbing stories are born from minds that harbor innocence and cheerfulness—an intriguing contradiction that underpins many of Japan’s celebrated creators.