A Selfless Man in a Selfish World - The Importance of Kim Kitsuragi in Disco Elysium
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- A character analysis of Kim Kitsuragi, with a focus on his selfless nature and how he inspires Harry to be a better person through the example he sets for him.
Huge thanks to Paul Looney for allowing me to use his fan song "God, Please" for this video! You can check out all of his music at the link below:
/ @paullooney3650
A student of mine said I reminded him of the Kitsuragi character, so naturally I had to look this up. I had no idea this virtual universe existed. This has me pondering...
That's awesome! As a fellow teacher myself, I must say that there are few characters in video games better to be compared to than Kitsuragi. He's the best!
I sure hope you're an english/literature teacher, because this is a GOLDMINE in that regard. Although, being compared to an almost universally loved character is a good thing regardless.
@@Zarmdthecoolest I am an English Lit teacher. Good call :) I'll have to find out if more students in his cohort like this too or if he's unique in his preference.
This game is definitely one that will trick students who think they hate reading into realizing the power a narrative has. It’s all fun and games on the surface but every single character has so much depth it’s impossible to not become engrossed in the world of the story. Considering the subject matter I doubt you could work it officially into the curriculum, but if you ever have units on Russian literature they make a great comparison to the type of world this game builds
That's one hell of a compliment. You must have made an impression on that student - good job, teach.
Something I noticed as well is Kim's jacket in martianase not many people wear that bright of clothing most of the people (not including Harry's clothing options) wear pretty muted colors even Harry himself wears a dark green jacket. Kim however wears a bright orange bomber jacket which stands out in the darkness. I might be over analyzing this but it might be to represent that in Harry's journey Kim is a bright spot, someone he can rely on
That's a great observation - I think you might be onto something there! You're absolutely right - pretty much everyone in Martinaise wear muted colors, so Kim and his orange bomber jacket really stands out. It definitely could be a nod by the developers that he's a bright spot in Harry's life. Excellent catch!
Considering the art house vibe off the devs i trust that the designe and colours off kim wear all very much intentional specially with other imagery of kim showing him in good light like his white halo on his picture
Kim it's a powerful being, capable of inducing others to snap their own necks, just by repeatedly nodding.
Having Kim as a positive influence was very well done by the devs. During my first playthrough I was trying to get into the harbour. Using Cuno's place didn't work, then I got to measurehead. Now I intended to learn his racist nonsense, so I can beat him with fact and logic (tm). That is... until the voices in Harrys head told me Kim was worried. Suddenly the plan changed. I just couldn't bring myself to dissapoint Kim like this, even if it made the investigation harder. I was pleasant and polite to Kim from the get-go, but this was the moment I truly realized how much I was willing to work in the game to get his approval and do right by him. It certainly helps that Kim is incredibly patient and understanding, no matter how much of a mess Harry is.
Eventually I got into the harbour after Kim went to sleep... by stripping my pants and shoes and succeeding the jump that way. Surprised him the next by walking straight to Evrart with a card I... borrowed.
It takes serious skill to write a character like this as it hasn't to convince Harry, it has to convince the players. Seeing how much love Kim gets: They succeeded greatly.
Thank you so much for the awesome comment! You're 100% right - the true success of Kim is that the developers crafted a character who we wanted to do right by, who we wanted to to earn approval from, to the point where we, in turn, made sure Harry did the same.
Funny enough, I did a similar thing with Measurehead. I intended to beat him in a debate, but once I realized how Kim felt, I decided to fight the guy instead. Spin kicking him is still one of my favorite moments of the game, I laughed so hard. Of course, Kim doesn't approve of that either, but at the time I figured it was better than learning Measurehead's ideology.
@@owlbatross9187 I tried that too, but failed. My Harry was an empathetic smart boy, but physically weak. But I'm sure Kim appreciates beating a racist and continuing with the case much more than accepting his ideology. ^^
my take on Kim, is that him being considered only the selfless and reliable partner is like a shackle on his true self
a darker edge is that Kim is caught up in the ideology of the coalition which he works for as RCM... throughout the game, he feels the need to hide who he is, what he is passionate about and how he really feels behind a veneer of professionalism...
id say it goes two ways with positive influence, because the chaotic nature of Harry encourages him to open up and be a little more proud of his own passions and eccentricities... it allows him to become more than a reliable and selfless partner, but also his own person.
He actively dislikes everyone single character over 9 and under 24.
"The Lieutenant trusts you." As a lieutenant, he trusts you as an officer.
"Kim *truly* trusts you." As a person, as a confidant, as a workmate, and dare I say it, a friend, he really, truly trusts you.
Well said - that's a perfect breakdown of those two prompts! Such a great moment!
Genuinely felt bad when Kim sounded annoyed by me. Kim's the best companion character I've ever seen. He truly is awesome.
Same here! Anytime my Harry got on his nerves, I felt incredibly bad about it haha. I totally agree, he's the best companion in all of video games! Such a good dude and such a great partner.
No video game has made me feel as terrible recently, as this game when you fail the authority check in the church... good lord.
man is not a bro.
he's THE bro
THE bro indeed! Well said!
I really really love Kim! His soft voice (which makes it all the more impactful when he sounds angry or annoyed) even with the French accent (which I usually don’t like that much) makes the superb character writing perfect. I need a Kim in my real life
I think we all need a Kim in our lives! You raise a great point about his soft voice - when he sounds angry or annoyed it really drives that emotion home.
I wonder. He had a previous partner called Eyes that from what the game hints died in duty. Maybe when he saw Harry get shot that triggered something within him
That's a great theory, you might be right about that! Would definitely explain why he dives to Harry's defense so quickly, despite the fact that there are so many other dangers around him.
Kim must be protected at all costs
Definitely! He's the best man in Martinaise!
@@owlbatross9187 He is not a true Vachiolere. Revachol doesn't deserve him.
I always viewed Kim’s portrait as, you worded it, a bright spot. He has a white circle behind him, as he’s the only light he has left in the darkness. Kinda like a Dolores Dei painting.
That's a great observation! I'm just noticing that now, but you're absolutely right - even his portrait reflects the fact that he's a bright spot in the story!
He is the rarest thing in a broken world: A good honest cop. And despite your failings, he sees your worth....provided you aren't beyond redemption.
Well said! He's the GOAT video game companion. I can't imagine doing a bad Harry run - I'd feel terrible seeing how Kim would respond to all of it!
There's a moment during tribunal, where Kim makes an impossible shot. It's well established throughout the game that Kim isn't good at shooting to the point that he need to bribe to pass his shooting evaluations. Shot he takes is downright impossible, being a small eyeslid in an impenetrable armor. Moreover, this shot saves the day, taking down the main threat behind Mercenaries and preventing "hornets from getting into beehive".
It's a downright Deus Ex Machina moment, which wis any other character would've felt cheap. Yet for Kim it doesn't. Through the goodness of his character, his patience, his support he more then earns this miracle.
Trully, there was no better written companion in any RPG.
Great point! Yeah, with any other character, any audience, especially as well read and mature as Disco Elysium's, would have called BS on his miracle shot against that mercenary. But because we had grown to love Kim so much by that point, to the point where he felt like a true friend to both Harry and the player, he'd totally earned it.
after playing it myself I got OBSESSED with Kim Kitsuragi. He's just such a great character, he's charming without speaking too much, sarcastic but helpful and supportive, very factual but cares deeply about other's wellbeing. It feels like he's the only one in this game who's not obsessed with one thing (except for maybe solving the case), thus having a clear mind and even tho he has his own opinions, feelings, it's secondary when talking to Harry. I think at one point he even says "It doesn't matter what I think." which can feel very supportive but also distant. Even if I remember incorrectly, it feels like something he would say, but it's his way to express his support no matter the topic
Been playing rpgs for 30 years, he's my favorite supporting character in all that time. Incredible implementation, somehow works with all play styles. A springboard and a safety net in an things.
Well said! Yeah, from a supporting character perspective he really is the GOAT. He really does work with all the play styles - no matter how you kit out your Harry in terms of stats, or how you approach his personality in game, he just works so well with the overall narrative
I once took psychedelic drugs in front of him and let him know, and he replied: "Good for you."
Kim is an unattainable ideal to whom we must aspire
Got that right! He's the GOAT video game companion!
Best boy ever.
Hell yeah! He's the man!
Best companion in any game ever.
Got that right! He's the man!
Kim is excellent companion all crpg fans wished for. Such an amazing calming mentor and character
Absolutely! He's the best! Easily one of my favorite video game companions of all time.
Kim Kitsuragi 🛐🛐
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!
I was somewhat touched, too, when I saw that he really trusted me, i had done what i could to achieve that, because from very early on in the game i liked him so much. It just felt so good to have him at my side. One of the most memorable videogame characters of all time for me.
Great Video, thanks for that.
Oh yeah, seeing that he really trusts you is far and away one of the most heartwarming scenes in the game. Definitely one of the best video game companions of all time - if not THE best.
Glad you enjoyed it! I have more Disco Elysium videos on the way!
Actually Kim still strongly recommends you if you solved multiple difficult cases and proved to be the best detective even when you aren`t sober.
Interesting! In that case, I guess you REALLY have to screw up to get the bad ending!
@@owlbatross9187you have to be lonely to get the bad ending I assume
@@owlbatross9187 ye something like that
harry's husband for sure
Got that right lol! Conveniently, I'll be dropping a video on Harry's (former) fiance on Friday!
Homosexual heterosexual life partner.
Never fuck with Kim Kitsuragi.
Got that right! I mean, that shot he fired off in the Tribunal should make that perfectly clear!
The only achievement in DE I've never obtained is to achieve the worst lvl of relationship with Kim.
I just don't have the heart.
finished my second playthrough tonight, had the "kim really trusts you" modifier, but i rolled a 2 and i hadn't saved in a really long time before the start of the tribunal. junior officer cuno was certainly a different ending than my first playthrough lmao
I really could use a Kim in my life...
We could all use a Kim in our lives! He's the GOAT companion!
Finished disco elysium... Time to watch all the awesome essays!
I loved your video and I enjoyed the flow of the essay. Subscribed, can't wait to watch more :D
i just discovered your channel. really well made videos, specially this one, keep it going! ❤
Thank you, I appreciate it! I have more Disco Elysium videos on the way! It's one of my all time favorite games and I have so much more to say about it!
Another amazing video! You are awesome bro
Thanks man, I appreciate it! I had a lot of fun putting this one together!
"I hope you have a Kim Kitsuragi in your life" 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲