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It\u2019s also another reason I find the show so soothing \u2013 watching its constantly shape-shifting universe is a reminder that it\u2019s important to take stock of your surroundings in the moment, rather than only focusing on what lies ahead. To quote a character in Tokyo Story, a film by Watashi\u2019s friend Ozu\u2019s namesake, \u201chappiness is not something you expect, but something you create\u201d: that\u2019s a message that Yuasa deconstructs and explores through The Tatami Galaxy\u2019s many parallel universes.<\/p>\n
Each version of Watashi lives a \u201cgloriously wasted\u201d campus life, never moving forward. But, as we see, there is pleasure in that \u2013 in him having that freedom of choice to do whatever feels right at the time, with whatever company he chooses to keep. So often the drive towards success, and to plan for some ideal future, can become debilitating. At the very least, The Tatami Galaxy reminds me that I\u2019m grateful for the chances I\u2019ve had, and the friends I\u2019ve made while figuring things out. It is a show that in the end sees the human connection found through your passions, adversarial or otherwise, as the real value of living \u2013 and at a time when our social connections have been disrupted, that message could not be more poignant.<\/p>\n
The Tatami Galaxy<\/a> and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!<\/a> are both available to stream on Crunchyroll<\/p>\n Love film and TV? Join\u00a0<\/em>BBC Culture Film and TV Club<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on Facebook, a community for cinephiles all over the world.<\/em><\/p>\n If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to our\u00a0<\/em>Facebook<\/strong><\/em><\/a>\u00a0page or message us on<\/em>\u00a0Twitter<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n And if you liked this story,\u00a0<\/em>sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, called The Essential List. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n