First time playing through Collar x Malice: I really dislike Kei Okazaki

[starcandyx]

Discussion

Okay, so I went into this completely blind. Wasn't even aware of the premise before starting. Just beginning Chapter 4 of his route and Kei is making me unreasonably angry? :/ Mind you, I do struggle with justice sensitivity so it might just be a problem with me and projecting the state of our current political climate onto the story's world, but the way he thinks just seems so narrow minded and stupid.

Slight spoilers:

On paper I'd view his ideology as courageous and noble (although a little too self-sacrificing) but in reality? These 'important figures' he protects are mostly just corrupt politicians. In fact, I think it's damn near impossible to be a good politician in the first place since the upper class pick and choose who they want in power based on how much it will benefit them and them only. That's besides the point though. He's directly subscribing to this idea of making sacrificing both citizens (or anyone deemed necessarily) and himself TO save the corrupt and its ridiculous that he will choose to have the heroine killed if she doesn't share this worldview. He does this all without a second thought. I'm worried that his character development will be less about these issues and more about his passive suicidal ideation (at least that's how it comes off).

Before I make my judgement, is this a set-up for him to realize where he stands later on? Do I keep reading through his route or just switch to a different character?

 

[Leviathan_01]

Regarding the part where you mention him sacrificing other citizens, I don't recall that happening in the game. On the contrary, I remember him saving people when there was an explosion in the park. And he didn't want to kill Ichika because she didn't share his views, but because she represented a threat with the necklace, and from his point of view, she could be working with Adonis—at least that's what I remember. Okasaki's route will indeed address themes related to his altruistic suicide (although I think that might not be the right term to describe him XD I think it's just past trauma mixed with conviction and determination to fulfill his duty), but there's an explanation for why he acts this way that will be explained in the last chapters. Each route will address justice in a different way, and I'm totally biased to say anything since this is my favorite otome game, but for me, all the routes are impeccable when it comes to this theme of justice! Perhaps, as you said, you're projecting the state of your current political onto the game, and that's why you're having difficulty connecting with Kei's story, point of view, and convictions. I recommend not doing that and just playing with an open mind; there's a lot you can learn from this game when it comes to justice! But if you really don't feel comfortable, then maybe it's best to switch characters :) By the way, have fun and a great gaming experience with CxM!

 

[Kyoko]

Well I'm bias to Kei as he is voiced by one of my favorite VA Yuki Kaji But yes he always try to tell the protagonist that the other dudes are not "good" people and their justice is wayward. But he also is a "cop" so he has to stand for what he believes in and I kind of respected that. Plus, he later on start to respect the other guys back at the end. It's all in the character development in his arc.

 

[starcandyx]

Regarding the part where you mention him sacrificing other citizens, I don't recall that happening in the game. On the contrary, I remember him saving people when there was an explosion in the park. And he didn't want to kill Ichika because she didn't share his views, but because she represented a threat with the necklace, and from his point of view, she could be working with Adonis—at least that's what I remember. Okasaki's route will indeed address themes related to his altruistic suicide (although I think that might not be the right term to describe him XD I think it's just past trauma mixed with conviction and determination to fulfill his duty), but there's an explanation for why he acts this way that will be explained in the last chapters. Each route will address justice in a different way, and I'm totally biased to say anything since this is my favorite otome game, but for me, all the routes are impeccable when it comes to this theme of justice! Perhaps, as you said, you're projecting the state of your current political onto the game, and that's why you're having difficulty connecting with Kei's story, point of view, and convictions. I recommend not doing that and just playing with an open mind; there's a lot you can learn from this game when it comes to justice! But if you really don't feel comfortable, then maybe it's best to switch characters :) By the way, have fun and a great gaming experience with CxM!

I suppose I'm having trouble with the game because it almost seems like they're trying to make a bold political stance only for it to land flat everytime :/. It almost feels as if they're saying, 'Look at how corrupt the police force and government is! :0 But it is what is, better not disrupt the status quo!'. If the government and police force were painted in a better light throughout the entire game, I think I'd find it easier to just view everything as fiction and stop overlapping it with real life but everytime I try to immerse, they throw another case of injustice (reminiscent of real life) in front of my face. Also, it's during one of Ichika's conversations with Kei's kouhai that it sort of gets into Kei's willingness to sacrifice citizens. His Kouhai essentially says that at some point he used to feel conflicted over how cold he has to be to fulfill his role and that he dislikes the idea of choosing to save a VIP over a citizen (or really anyone) for example. In response, Kei told him that ultimately those figures they protect hold up and protect the country (which just isn't true and the game itself says so ). And when it comes to Kei's willingness to let Ichika die if she doesn't feel the same - If you choose to say that you don't want to die for the country in one of the choices, it leads you straight to a bad ending.
I feel like my views might fall more in line with Yanagi's though so I might just pull through and see if the game offers any more perspectives on the issue.

 

[5HINeegirl]

I felt nothing for him before starting his route but then grew to love him

 

[CheshireSmile]

i hate him too its such a shame because i enjoyed pretty much all the other routes. its been so long i cant even remember why i disliked him so much but he was just kind of annoying