Living Life as the World Burns

In such uncertain and hopeless times, it’s natural to wonder what we could, or should do about it. We only get one life, so is it wrong to think about yourself during what feels like the end of the world? Or, are we just justifying an inherently selfish nature? That’s what this video essay will discuss.

The anime Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction (DDDD) follows Ouran and Kadode, long time friends dealing with uncertain and historical times; is the world ending? With an alien mothership hovering above Tokyo and invaders about, it seems likely that end times are near. And yet, Ouran and Kadode don’t join in protests and analyze the invader situation like Futaba, but rather focus on their own lives, themselves over the world. As the news plays in the background, they discuss new games or crushes. From this contradiction, Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction explains an important question: Is it selfish to take care of yourself, especially as the world is coming to an end? Should we simply be living our same old, average, mundane lives as the world burns around us? Could they even do anything about the state of the world, with a massive alien mothership overhead? From these character relationships, DDDD explores what it means to live through historical times, if humans are selfish by nature, and what divides us so much about these important issues. And the anime explains an interesting conclusion (at least as this video essay analysis sees it); everything is inherently personal. Leaning into this selfishness, putting yourself first, is where selflessness comes from.

0:00 Introduction
4:25 Part 1
19:38 Part 2
27:00 Part 3
40:39 Part 4
53:18 Part 5

#anime #dededede #dddd #videoessay