Image: Netflix
Mb | Jul 27, 2023 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The final episode of "Oooku" highlights the growing divide between the privileged life within the Oooku and the outside world, which struggles with extreme despair and hardship.
The episode begins by depicting the difficult circumstances faced by the women of the town. In their desperate attempts to bear children, these women resort to unpleasant means, which are considered a privilege in a society suffering from a severe shortage of men. The harsh realities they face—such as illness, exploitation, and hunger—are vividly portrayed, underscoring the grim reality outside the Oooku.
Building on the hints of societal collapse from the previous episode, farmers are shown fleeing due to unpaid debts and the lack of male laborers. Legal restrictions prove ineffective against the spreading famine, turning rural towns into deserted wastelands.
The final episode also showcases the growth of Shogun Iemitsu. She adopts a more practical approach, choosing to observe the conditions of her world firsthand rather than relying on hearsay. With her newfound assertiveness, she defends her decisions against Kasuga—something her younger self might have hesitated to do. Arikoto also stands up to Kasuga, using his resources to organize a chrysanthemum festival aimed at lifting everyone's spirits.
The council, acknowledging the need for change, rejects Kasuga's stubborn insistence on maintaining tradition. This shift in attitude becomes even more apparent during the presentation day, when it is revealed that daughters are being designated as heirs in every household due to the lack of men. The council yields to the changing times, recognizing the capabilities of women in handling both physical and mental tasks.
The series ends with Kasuga receiving a reality check, as the world she painstakingly shaped undergoes irreversible changes. Despite her manipulations, the people have learned to adapt and take control of their lives. Kasuga's world begins to crumble, symbolized by her breakdown at the end of the episode, potentially paving the way for a new era.
The episode begins by depicting the difficult circumstances faced by the women of the town. In their desperate attempts to bear children, these women resort to unpleasant means, which are considered a privilege in a society suffering from a severe shortage of men. The harsh realities they face—such as illness, exploitation, and hunger—are vividly portrayed, underscoring the grim reality outside the Oooku.
Building on the hints of societal collapse from the previous episode, farmers are shown fleeing due to unpaid debts and the lack of male laborers. Legal restrictions prove ineffective against the spreading famine, turning rural towns into deserted wastelands.
The final episode also showcases the growth of Shogun Iemitsu. She adopts a more practical approach, choosing to observe the conditions of her world firsthand rather than relying on hearsay. With her newfound assertiveness, she defends her decisions against Kasuga—something her younger self might have hesitated to do. Arikoto also stands up to Kasuga, using his resources to organize a chrysanthemum festival aimed at lifting everyone's spirits.
The council, acknowledging the need for change, rejects Kasuga's stubborn insistence on maintaining tradition. This shift in attitude becomes even more apparent during the presentation day, when it is revealed that daughters are being designated as heirs in every household due to the lack of men. The council yields to the changing times, recognizing the capabilities of women in handling both physical and mental tasks.
The series ends with Kasuga receiving a reality check, as the world she painstakingly shaped undergoes irreversible changes. Despite her manipulations, the people have learned to adapt and take control of their lives. Kasuga's world begins to crumble, symbolized by her breakdown at the end of the episode, potentially paving the way for a new era.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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