Illustrating Depression in "The Garden of Words" (2013)

According to a study done in 2005 at the University of Melbourne, the common portrayals of mental illness in media have a negative effect on how mental illness is perceived and treated. Depression manifests itself in overt anti-social behavior, self mutilation and suicide in successful films such as American Beauty, The Virgin Suicides and just about every Wes Anderson film. While these films have an element of truth to depression's destructive nature, The Garden of Words delivers an excellent portrayal of depression's more common and more subtle qualities.

Check the gorgeous trailer!

The Garden of Words (referred to as "Gardens" for the remainder of this entry) is Makoto Shinkai's best feature film to date on several levels. As usual, Comix Wave Studio delivers breath-taking visuals that raise the bar for digital 2D+3D animation. However, while all of Shinkai's previous films look spectacular, a common criticism is that the stories are slow in delivery, characters are generic in appearance and motive, and plot development relies too much on narrative monologues.

In Gardens, it seems Shinkai has taken this feedback to heart, delivering a more fluid and compelling story that relies much more on subtle narrative devices. This Anitation entry will be focused on the subtle portrayal and story arc of Yunkino, a professional who comes off as mysterious and level-headed but is in a lonely struggle with depression.

[Warning: I have left out any mention of the film's climax, but there are spoilers ahead!]

Yukino is introduced in the beginning of the film as a quiet stranger willing to share a bench with Takao in the park. At first, there seems to be nothing peculiar about Yukino until Takeo notices she is drinking beer and eating chocolate. Through the 1st act, Yukino is gradually portrayed as stable, intelligent, friendly and generous. While Takao skips school so he can have quiet place to sketch, Yukino's reasons for skipping work are not made clear until much later. 

Fig.1, Yukino's face (left)  is obstructed several times through the film, suggesting her withholding nature.

She is avoiding something.

Environmental elements are used to conceal Yukino and separating her from Takao. More subtle ways of showing Yukino's tendency to secrecy are employed as well. According to Shinkai, umbrellas represent a personal barrier and bubble, and putting it away represents honesty and openness. 

Fig.2, In this scene, Yukino holds on to her umbrella while Takao shares his aspirations to be a shoe designer, even though both of them are standing under a gazebo. While he is being expressive and honest about himself, she holds back and says nothing.

Fig.3, The most consistent decision in illustrating Yukino's depression is the use of shadows. With the exception of two instances, Yukino's face is in shadow.

It is mentioned in conversation that Yukino has lost much of her ability to taste food. This can be a symptom of depression. Her mentioning the only foods she can taste are beer and chocolate further drive this idea that she is dealing with depression since she has loads of those foods which give instant gratification that is short-lived. 

Fig.4, She drops her foundation, breaking it. She is quietly and clearly upset by this private failure. During production, Shinkai learned second-hand that breaking foundation is always a downer, no matter how well the day is going.  It can be extrapolated that Yukino is losing her ability to put on a face.

To herself, Yukino says "At 27, I'm not at all smarter than I was at 15." She has no idea where she is going in life. Alone, in the summer heat, she kicks off her shoes and looks up at the patchy roof and disheveled trees. She is losing the will to go on with her life (Fig.5).

 

Fig.5

In the scenes where Yukino and Takao visit before the start of summer and where they share lunch at her apartment, water takes form in vapor. In both these scenes, they are really enjoying each other's company. However, after Takao leaves, the picture focuses on a mug full of hot tea (Fig.6). At first, steam is leaving the mug until it grows cold. While held establishing shots are a common practice in Japanese cinema and are often used to express the passage of time, Shinkai takes it a step further to show that Yukino is reverting back into a depressed state. 

 

Fig.6

When Yukino accepts Takao's offer for handmade shoes, Takeo is coy yet careful, staying true to his craft as he measures her feet. Despite the intimate atmosphere, Yukino remains emotionally distant. The nature of their relationship is foreshadowed as Yukino stands high above Takao while he measures her feet (Fig.7).

Fig.7, In this composition, Yukino and Takeo are close yet seperate. Yukino towering over Takeo foreshadows the nature of their relationship.