Analysis: Relationship (Shinkai Hajime x Ogawa Ayumi)
Disclaimer: The characters and plot of "Good Luck!!" (2003) do not belong to me. All views expressed in this entry are personal opinions and are not affiliated with the actual opinions of the cast, crew and other members involved in the production of the drama. The images are screencaps taken from episodes provided by the JTV Fansubs group.
WHEN STUBBORN SPARKS FLY
Shinkai Hajime x Ogawa Ayumi
Fandom: JDrama
Title: "Good Luck!!" (2003)
Relationship Type: Romantic love
Relationship Status: Mutual, canon
Definitely my favourite couple in the series, the relationship between Shinkai Hajime (Kimura Takuya) and Ogawa Ayumi (Shibasaki Kou) depicts the journey of two highly independent individuals with similar personalities as they learn to compromise and commit to each other. One of the biggest reasons why I love this pairing is because of how refreshingly uncomplicated and realistic it is. (All the angst, misunderstandings and lingering burdens of the past are instead used to define the complex relationship between Kouda Kazuki and Togashi Noriko.) However, this pairing is not without its depth, and through a simple analysis, I would like to explore some of the aspects that I think define this pairing.
"You suck."
- Ogawa Ayumi (Episode 1)
They are equals. One of the aspects of their relationship that is introduced to us in the very first episode itself is the equality between Shinkai and Ogawa. Both are established as relative rookies at their jobs, having newly been recruited after training, and both have somewhat conflicting views with their new mentors. Shinkai develops an instant dislike of Kouda Kazuki when the senior captain snidely insults Captain Mizushima, who Shinkai highly respects (Episode 1). Ogawa does not hesitate to speak her mind to Shinkai about taking better care of the plane (Episode 1) and is later cautioned by direct supervisor and fellow mechanic, Abe Takayuki, against being so outspoken towards the pilot as he sees her as being out-of-line in her supposedly insolent behaviour towards her superiors (he implies that the crew aboard the plane is considered of a "higher status" than mechanics because the crew is the "star of the show" while the mechanics are the "backstage people"). However, Ogawa clearly does not see things the way Abe does, and from the get go seeks to establish herself as an equal to Shinkai by harshly criticizing his piloting skills during his first ever emergency landing (Episode 1). Her blunt comment clearly has an effect on Shinkai, who later retaliates by humiliating Ogawa and implying that he does not trust her abilities and judgment as a mechanic:
Shinkai: We are flying with hundreds of people's lives! You could not possibly understand that feeling!
Ogawa: I understand it better than anyone else! Even us...we are staking our lives on our maintenance.
(Episode 1)
As their confrontation reveals, both are highly professional individuals who uphold their responsibilities with immense consideration, and see their careers as their lives. It does not matter if they work in different sectors under different working conditions; they connect with each other because they both have the same pride and principles regarding their work. Her impassioned reply lingers in Shinkai's mind and clearly ashamed of his hot-headed behaviour towards Ogawa, he seeks to better understand her position by visiting the aeroplane hangar, acknowledging her stake to equality. Through pure coincidence he meets her in a sushi restaurant and humbling himself before her, he apologizes to her while revealing his true thoughts about his position as a pilot and her position as a mechanic:
Shinkai: They're not completely different worlds, but the same. Just now, while speaking to you, I realized
that it is not just us [pilots] flying in the sky.
(Episode 1)
Shinkai has acknowledged Ogawa to be his equal, and for the first time, Ogawa looks beyond her own prejudiced perceptions of showy pilots and sees Shinkai for who he really is, without the trappings of his career. While she had previously confronted Shinkai paying no heed to protocol and position, she was not fighting him. Instead, she was defending her pride as a mechanic, fighting against her "image" of a pilot. His sincerity and warmth shattered all her misconceptions. Shinkai was not just a pilot, he was like her; both individuals with their own dreams and passions for the future. For the first time, Ogawa's eyes are opened, and she sees him, not as a stereotyped image, but as a living, breathing person who is not someone "out to get her" and someone she would have to battle against, but someone who is a teammate, and in every way her equal.
"I want to see her."
- Hajime Shinkai (Episode 5)
They are honest with each other and do not shy away from each other. This is a major reason that their relationship is as refreshingly simple as it is despite the odds against it. Shinkai, as a boyishly charming co-captain, who is warm, good-nature and kind, and incredibly good-looking, is the center of every female cabin attendant's attention, which really does not endear him in Ogawa's eyes. On the other hand, because her parents' death, Ogawa faces opposition from her relatives in finding a relationship in an industry they have never forgiven or approved of.
Then, there is Ogawa's rival love interest, cute cabin attendant Fukaura Urara, who is intent on getting Shinkai as her boyfriend, constantly flirting with him and flattering him (Episode 1) in hopes of gaining his attention. However, from the get go, it is clear that Shinkai regards her as nothing more than a friend or even a younger sister, whom he refuses to use, hurt and take advantage of (Episode 5) even if she is the one who puts herself on the line. Shinkai shows no interest in reciprocating any of the attention or affection bestowed upon him by the cabin attendants and is even expresses discomfort about it, often declining to go to their parties (Episode 1). Despite this, he isn't entirely anti-social and does seek to enjoy the company of the people he is truly close to, like Chief Togashi, whom he goes to for advice (Episode 1) and Ogawa, whom he finds all sorts of excuse to go out with, simply because both are too embarrassed to admit to ever going on a date.
And while they do often hide their true affections for each other behind bickering, both Shinkai and Ogawa are honest when it counts. One very cute example would be:
Shinkai: You and Kouda-san looked like you were having so much fun. It annoyed me. It was a horrible
feeling.
Ogawa: Me too.
Shinkai: Huh?
Ogawa: I was annoyed too. Seeing you together with that woman, it was a horrible feeling.
(Episode 5)
Jealousy on both sides, it could have so easily derailed into misunderstandings that would have ruined their relationship. However, despite the risk of looking like a fool, Shinkai honestly admits to his jealousy upon seeing Ogawa with Captain Kouda. And rather than leaving him hanging or making fun of him, Ogawa reciprocates by confessing too that she was jealous of seeing him with Fukaura. Both are rewarded when this leads to the opportunity for Shinkai to ask Ogawa out on an actual date (Episode 6).
Their willingness to trust each other with their honest feelings becomes even more obvious when it is contrasted against the relationship between Captain Kouda and Chief Togashi. Although both couples have dates planned, only Shinkai and Ogawa ever meet up with each other simply because Shinkai takes the chance to call Ogawa, in spite of it being in the middle of the night, and ask her to meet with him even though all his instincts tell him that she is most probably going to reject him (Episode 6). And Ogawa certainly does not disappoint, agreeing to meet up with him, and staying with him in spite of him falling asleep on her (Episode 6). On the other hand, despite being on the phone with her, Captain Kouda is not willing to take the same risk that Shinkai had, and ask Chief Togashi to meet him. Because of this, he misses out on a meeting with her (Episode 6).
This honesty also extends to more serious issues. Shinkai reveals his own terrifying experience on a plane during his training as a pilot when Ogawa confesses to be afraid of flying (Episode 3) and Ogawa in turn talks about her own rituals in hopes of sharing her experiences with Shinkai and cheering him up after his stressful rescue mission (Episode 4). By willingly giving up parts of themselves in order to connect with each other, they both create a bond that speaks of shared emotion and empathy rather than shallow care and sympathy. It is this honesty that allows them both to let their guards down around each other and understand each other in ways that others cannot. This also allows them to see through their barriers to the root of their emotions, such as the way Shinkai realizes that Ogawa is not strong enough for the Honolulu flight (Episode 3), and to restore faith in themselves where faith had been lost, like Ogawa knowing exactly what to do and say to convince Shinkai that he can fly again after his accident (Episode 9).
"Can you trust in him and wait for him?"
- Togashi Noriko (Episode 6)
They are prepared to wait for each other. Throughout the drama, Shinkai is renowned for his hot-headed personality, a trait that is more than apparently obvious when problems crop up. He is often caught up in the heat of the moment, and speaks impulsively without thinking, like his confrontation with Captain Kouda regarding a doctor's urgent need to land in Narita despite the risks that they would have to take to do so (Episode 6). He also usually has the urge to solve his problems as quickly as possible, believing that it is no use delaying when you have got to some problem to resolve. When he knows he has made the wrong judgment, he is quick to apologize. He does not hesitate to humble himself when he realizes that he has misunderstood Captain Kouda (Episode 6). This trait extends even to his friends, which can be seen when he literally pushes Fukaura to speak to Captain Kouda during their coincidental meeting in a restaurant (Episode 5). Yet, when it comes to Ogawa, he is more than willing to curb his impulsiveness, and wait until she is ready to tell him what he wants know, until she is ready to reveal more of herself to him. Even though he is clearly curious about Ogawa's fear of flying, he does not push her for more details nor take offense when she chooses not to tell him (Episode 3). Instead, he reassures her that they are still connected and that even when they are apart (both emotionally and physically), they never truly lose that connection:
Shinkai: Where you are, can you see the sun?
Ogawa: Yes, I can see it.
Shinkai: I'm looking at it too, the same sun. It's kind of odd. It feels like we're near [each other].
(Episode 3)
This exchange happens right after Ogawa has kept Shinkai in the dark about the reason behind her fear of flying, at a moment when it seems like they've drifted apart. Yet, simply by mentioning how they are looking at the same sun, Shinkai is essentially telling her that they are closer than ever in spite of the obvious gap. He also renews his vow to take her on an aeroplane, implying that he is willing to wait until she is ready, and that he has not given up on her. Shinkai then demonstrates his patience once again with Ogawa when she does eventually reveal the real reason behind her fears:
Ogawa: I thought you'd be a lot more surprised, saying, "You lie!" or "Seriously?!"
Shinkai: You must think that I'm really stupid. I knew something was up the moment you said
you were afraid of flying.
(Episode 8)
From Shinkai's calm reaction, it is clear that he has always suspected that Ogawa had been half-deceiving him, but he never confronted her about his suspicions. Instead, he has patiently waited for her to be ready to tell him herself, preparing himself for being there for Ogawa the moment she chooses to trust him with the truth. He does not doubt her and he does not blame her for lying to him, but he supports her and is there for her as she struggles to face up to her past that has caught up with her all too quickly.
Ogawa on the other hand, is renowned for her impatience. She does not deal well with people who are being stubborn and refuse to see reason, like Fukaura (Episode 5), and she rolls her eyes at people who do not seem to listen to her despite the countless number of times she has reassured them otherwise, like her aunt and uncle (Episode 3). She is also the type to take control of her situation or circumstance as evident in her motivations to become a mechanic so that she can ensure, with her own two hands, that she is doing something for the safety of aeroplanes. All things considered, she isn't the most patient with Shinkai either, quick to speak her mind and tell him off when she believes he is being stupid, like his stubbornness in apologizing to Captain Kouda which nearly resulted in the end of his career as a pilot (Episode 2). However, Ogawa does grow and change in her interactions with Shinkai. When Chief Togashi first voices the question of whether Ogawa would be willing to "trust in him and wait for him", Ogawa is unable to give an answer (Episode 6), but hours later, her answer is loud and clear when she meets up with Shinkai in the middle of the night and sits with him even though he has fallen asleep on her despite the fact that she has work the very next day (Episode 6). And, she more than proves her willingness to wait for Shinkai during his absence after his accident (Episode 9).
There are many ways to interpret Ogawa's motives on why she does not visit Shinkai in the hospital. The only time Ogawa ever sets foot in the hospital is the night immediately after his accident, but she never gets to see him because she is stopped by Shinkai's father, who explains to her that Shinkai does not want to see anyone in that particular moment (Episode 9). I have always believed that Ogawa does not visit Shinkai because she more than understands the kind of pain he is going through (as Ogawa is also the type of person who does not want to be seen in her moment of weakness), and instead chooses to wait for him until he is ready to face up to the consequences of his actions. The night at she visits him in the hospital, she is shown waiting outside his room, implying that she probably bore first hand witness to the intense anguish he was suffering through as he cried alone in his room (Episode 9). But, what is certain is the fact that though she does not visit him, Shinkai is always on her mind and she is still waiting for him weeks later (Episode 9). And when Shinkai finally returns home to his apartment, Ogawa is the first visitor to grace his doorstep on the very same day that he arrives home, implying that she was keeping an eye on his progress (Episode 9). What follows between them is an amazing testimony to the change in Ogawa:
Shinkai: You know what? I didn't think that we would ever meet with each other again.
Ogawa: Why?
Shinkai: I just figured... Somehow...
(Episode 9)
Instead of getting angry at Shinkai for apparently doubting her, Ogawa just keeps her silence, and waits for Shinkai to continue. This is a stark contrast to her previous attitude where she would have flared up defensively at such an insinuation. And she holds strong despite her own turbulent emotions during their exchange:
Shinkai: You must know, right? I can't fly ever again.
Ogawa: I didn't know that. Don't be disappointed. Remember to keep your promise.
Shinkai: What promise?
Ogawa: You've forgotten? You said that you would take me on an aeroplane. And that you would
show me the beautiful sky.
Shinkai: Well that... Its impossible. But don't worry. Kouda-san and Jane-san are both here.
And there are standby pilots-
Ogawa: It can't be anybody else but you. It was you who promised me, you know.
Shinkai: It can't be helped since I can't ever fly again! Really, why are you being like this? To think that I
was finally coming to terms with the fact that I have to quit. And you had to say all this
unnecessary things. Go home.
(Episode 9)
Shinkai has clearly lost faith in himself, something that Ogawa is extremely pained by, so she tries to persuade him the only way she knows how, she stubbornly and patiently pushes Shinkai's buttons, and then waits in silence while he lashes out at her. She does not take offense and she does not lose her temper. Instead of walking out on him, she drives him to the riverside where the taking off and landing of aeroplanes is clearly visible (Episode 9). And through it all, she stays by his side, supporting him even as Shinkai regains his lost confidence and restores his self-esteem (Episode 9). She believed in him where everyone else had given up, waited for him to return even though he had been wandering lost and put her own needs aside as he relied on her presence to regain his strength.
'"I want to fly with you."
- Ogawa Ayumi (Episode 10)
They believe in each other despite their own fears. I really, really love how the complexity of unconditional trust is shown in this drama, especially between Shinkai and Ogawa. Even though it would seem to be much more reasonable to do so, Shinkai never once offers to fly with Ogawa as a passenger. Instead, he always places himself in the position of the pilot that flies the plane she is aboard, which brings about the aspect of the unconditional trust between pilot and passenger, a unique take that can only be done within the context of a career in the airline industry. It is a faith that is often taken for granted, but when a passenger flies aboard an aeroplane, he or she is essentially putting his or her life in the pilots' hands. No matter how advanced technology is, the essential ingredient to a safe and comfortable journey is the responsibility and reliability of the pilot.
By offering to take her on an aeroplane, Shinkai is basically asking Ogawa if she is willing to trust in him and put her life in his hands. By promising to take her somewhere aboard his plane, he is promising to protect her with his literal own two hands, and he is offering his willingness to take full responsibility for her life should she choose to rely on him. Ogawa's response is symbolic of the growth of her trust in him. During her first flight to Honolulu (Episode 3), Ogawa stubbornly tries to stick it out despite her obvious fears, but she eventually gives in to Shinkai's reassurance and does not fly aboard the plane (Episode 3). This can be interpreted in more ways than one. It could be seen as the fact that she has not yet properly conquered her own fears of flying, and that's why she does not manage to last through the flight. However, it can also been seen as a symbol that Ogawa has yet to fully commit herself to the growing relationship they appear to have built and is still unsure of herself, which is most likely the reason why she seemed to fear losing the connection between her and Shinkai when she calls him the next morning (Episode 3). However, the tables are turned when Shinkai meets with an accident and loses confidence in his own abilities to continue as a pilot (Episode 9). Now, it is Ogawa who reminds him of his promise to take her aboard the plane (Episode 9) and it is Ogawa who insists on flying with Shinkai during his pilot exam (Episode 10), the one flight that would decide Shinkai's future. This is a far cry from the previous Ogawa, who had the irrational fear of flying even when the plane was in its best condition and the pilots in charge were at 100% health. With the flight being Shinkai's first real test of his physical abilities after his accident, it would be a dangerous flight where the risks had heightened, yet Ogawa is willing to conquer her fears and put her life on the line to be with him. Although there was a slim chance that he could fail, Ogawa trusted Shinkai as her pilot, and she trusted him with her life.
Another unique aspect of unconditional trust that is depicted in the series is the trust between a pilot and a mechanic, which characterizes the way Shinkai grows to trust Ogawa. Shinkai may be honest and open, but in no way is he naive. From a very young age, he has learned to fend for himself and for his family, the death of his mother during his brother's birth forcing him to take control of his emotions and his situation, all alone with nobody to depend on (Episode 8). In the early stages of their relationship, he does not know Ogawa and therefore, sees no reason to trust her, as a person and a mechanic:
Shinkai: Then Captain, let me ask you. Can you trust her and fly [the aeroplane]?
...
Shinkai: The Captain also agrees, so please recheck the engines. Otherwise, we can't fly.
(Episode 1)
This is a clear demonstration that unless the pilot fully trusts the mechanic, he will refuse to fly the plane and put, not only his own life, but the life of the passengers on the line. Shinkai is someone who admires people who have proven themselves in his regard, and at this point, Ogawa has proven nothing to him, so she is in reality nobody in his eyes. This is a stark contrast to their exchange in the aeroplane during Shinkai's test flight:
Shinkai: As a mechanic can you guarantee that? Its not that I don't trust you, but 300 lives,
including your own, is at stake here.
Ogawa: There will be absolutely no effect on the operation system. Trust me, and fly the plane
without worries.
Shinkai: I understand. Thank you.
(Episode 10)
Her defense to his veiled accusations (Episode 1) is the starting point of his regard of her, and Shinkai proves himself to be patient, persistent and amazingly tolerant as he puts in all his efforts to getting to know her better despite being ignored most of the time (Episode 1). After they have built a strong relationship, Shinkai now knows Ogawa. Not only has she proven herself in his eyes, she has also become someone incredibly precious to him. Their relationship as a mechanic and pilot is symbolic of the growth of Shinkai's trust in Ogawa, and just as she conquers her fears and puts her life in his hands, he is willing to rely fully on her and stake his life, reputation and future on her.
"And I do want to take you [on a plane]. No matter what happens, I want to take you on a plane.
We'll fly right through those clouds, and I'll show what the sun looks like up close.
I will definitely fly [again], definitely. After all, I promised you, didn't I?"
- Hajime Shinkai (Episode 9)
In conclusion, I absolutely love this pairing because their relationship is one that is unique to the drama. Their careers define them as individuals, which in turn influences the way their relationship unfolds. And while they do change and compromise for each other, they never truly lose themselves, and instead develop to become more fulfilled in their individual personal lives through the growth of their relationship.