Mukodono 2003, Episode 2

 The Actors
Rape-Huggist: Nagase Tomoya ♂
Rape-Huggee: Hoshino Mari ♀







The Context
This rape-hug actually has no context. By which I mean, it is almost a meta-rape-hug. Mukodono 2003 is a dorama about an actor who tries to live a normal personal life, and on occasion we see him on TV or billboards, or in this case - acting a single scene from a dorama he is in. And sure enough, the one scene they chose to represent is of an isolated rape-hug. I love that the directors and writers decided to run with this. Stick with what you know, right?


The Result
Nothing resulted from this, apart from a queasy feeling in my stomach. You see, this would have been a perfect opportunity to comment on the status of the rape-hug in Japanese TV. Several of the other episodes in this dorama make really stinging observations on the ridiculousness of celebrity status and on Japanese media. Sure, it is mostly a stupid dorama, but a few times I was thinking "can they do this?" And then they just let this rape-hug slide by.

The Depiction



The filmography is perfectly stereotypical for this dorama inside a dorama scene. Sweeping shots and closeups of their faces. The actual impact isn't shown, however, opting instead for a series of quick cuts (similar to an overproduced music video during a difficult dance move that the lead singer can't actually do). And this includes the upper-arm grab. You see this occasionally in Japan - not even just on TV. Seriously, I have seen couples walk down the street with the male almost dragging his girl down the street by her forearm as if she was a child who just drew on the walls with crayon. I wouldn't think women would like this kind of treatment. But then, what do I know about women?
I also appreciate the closeup of her face where it looks like she has died inside. See, shouldn't it be a hint that no rape-hugee is ever visibly happy during the rape-hug?


Awkwardometor ☆☆☆
It's difficult to rate this one, however, the awkwardness is in the fact that everybody treats it so normal. I sometimes feel like a schitzo who sees horrible murders all over the place but noone else seems to notice. Am I going crazy? Does noone else see this? Rape-hugs are driving me towards insanity. 


Video
Watch the entire over-preoduced scene, and after the scene ends observe the pan-out which shows all the people working on the dorama sitting around - not one of whom seems plussed.

 

Nisennen no Koi, Episode 5

The Actors

Rape-Huggist: Kaneshiro Takeshi ♂
Rape-Huggee: Nakayama Miho ♀


 

The Context

This is the 2nd rape-hug betwixt these two characters, the first coming in the 2nd episode during an undercover assassination attempt by the main character. She was very confused by this first rape-hug, but by the 5th episode she has realised that he is a spy so she probably has been able to explain away that event. 

The next rape hug comes when he has been injured, and because he can't go to the hospital she harbours him at her house and nurses him to health. Then while she is rebandaging him, he makes another lunge towards her. 

Note: Although Kaneshiro is Japanese, his character is from a made-up former Russian-like country, so this is an interracial rape-hug. Progress!

The Result

By now, she has already committed treason for this man. Basically this dorama is about the lengths a woman will go to prove to herself that she isn't a whore. And it wasn't even her fault - she was rape-hugged for christ's sake.

The Depiction

This is a very rare rape-hug in the the actual contact is not shown. Usually, Japanese doramas like to focus on the point of impact and the split-second reactions. Here, the camera actually cuts away to the bandage falling to the ground. Presumably she is so taken aback that she has dropped the bandage, and we watch it unfurl like a roll of toilet paper thrown over the house of the old lady who gives out apples for Trick or Treat.

Also rare is the lying-down position - a technically difficult rape-hug postion.

Awkwardometor ☆☆☆

Similar to the previous rape-hug, I find it amazing how supremely awkward Kaneshiro's character is. He's a goddamn spy with ice in his blood. He has girls fawning over him, and he's a cold blooded killer who in the first scene of the dorama snaps his own brother's neck. You never see James Bond rape-hugging anyone. It would be more awkward if the actual impact was shown, and that she has basically committed herself to him has to be factored in.

Video
This may be one of the more disappointing videos of a rape-hug, but do have a watch if you enjoy watching a roll of gauze fall to the floor.