Way of the Househusband: A Perennial Quarantine Pick
How I fell in love with this anime on everyday life
Warning: contains spoilers for Way of the Househusband below!
Hello! I’m back and I’m currently on some form of a writing burst lately. If you’re reading this, I am also hoping that you’re safe, vaccinated, and healthy.
Anyway, do you ever find yourself watching shows or movies that you enjoyed in the past over and over again? As if that piece of culture is your comfort show or comfort movie? Well, that’s the case for me and Way of the Househusband. Throughout the lockdowns, I find myself gravitating towards this show— especially if I want to be inspired and motivated when it comes to establishing good habits that help with my mental and physical health.
The show is about Tatsu, an ex-yakuza member known as “The Immortal Dragon.” He mysteriously leaves behind the yakuza life, opting to become a househusband to his career-oriented wife, Miku. Over the course of the series, you will see his adventures and misadventures as a househusband, and how his skills and worldview as a yakuza come into play in these experiences. He makes delicious meals with careful precision, and takes on every task with a high level of dedication and intensity that can be seen as very intimidating to the average everyman. Imagine helping your neighbor’s kid with a simple craft project, and then making something that’s worth selling at an artisanal furniture store? How about burying your partner’s broken toy out of shame and apologizing profusely to them, instead of making your way to fix it with epoxy glue?
What I like about Way of the Househusband is that it frames the things that we usually consider boring and burdensome (groceries, chores, relaxation, community) into something that feels like straight out of an action movie. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it definitely felt that way. Going out for errands felt like an adventure, and there’s this challenge to maximize whatever opportunity you have outside, whether it’s just going for groceries, or buying medication. Now with the world opening up even further, it’s as if we’re back to our old ways again, where there’s an urge to go out and do things outside. One vignette from that struck me deeply was when Tatsu got sick and had a dream sequence where his blood cells are having a war with the virus that made him sick. It was both funny and delightfully absurd, and yet, this vignette has served as a reminder for me to take care of my health.
Way of the Househusband reminds us to find joy and excitement in the small things, while also helping us embrace our own unique journeys in getting our shit together. Sometimes, it can look like we’re having a field day decluttering or cleaning, or allowing ourselves to rest (in spite of our occasional insistence to be productive, no thanks to capitalism and social media’s portrayals of it.)
Anyway, if the absurdities of everyday life entertain you, I highly suggest that you check out this series! It’s short, yet packed to the brim with life hacks and other moments that are highly relatable.
Until the next brain dump,
Lea