Ep 9. A Rosy World

Aggretsuko season 1 episode 9, titled "A Rosy World," is an emotionally charged installment of the show that delves deep into the psyche of its titular character. Set against the backdrop of the annual office health checkup, the episode explores Retsuko's growing disillusionment with her job and her struggle to find a sense of purpose in her life.

As the episode begins, Retsuko is nervously awaiting her turn for the health checkup, which she has been dreading for weeks. Her anxiety is not helped by the fact that her colleagues seem to be taking the whole thing very seriously, with one of them even going so far as to purchase a specialized diet plan just for the occasion.

As Retsuko goes through the various tests and examinations, she begins to reflect on her life and her recent experiences at work. She thinks back to her struggles with her boss, Director Ton, and her growing frustration with the monotony of her job. She realizes that despite her best efforts to fit in and be a good employee, she still feels like an outsider and like she doesn't really belong in the company.

These thoughts are interrupted by a particularly unpleasant encounter with Ton, who mocks her for her low blood pressure and insinuates that she is not working hard enough. Retsuko's anger and frustration boil over, and she unleashes a ferocious death metal scream in the bathroom stall - a cathartic release that has become something of a regular occurrence for her.

As the day goes on, Retsuko becomes increasingly despondent. She begins to feel like she will never be able to find happiness or fulfillment in her job, and that all her hard work is for nothing. She even considers quitting, but ultimately decides that she can't afford to leave her steady salary and benefits.

The episode's climax comes when Retsuko has a chance encounter with a kind older woman in the park, who teaches her an important lesson about life and the pursuit of happiness. The woman tells Retsuko that she used to be in a similar position to her, working long hours in a thankless job, but that she eventually realized that true happiness comes from within, not from external sources like money or accolades.

This advice strikes a chord with Retsuko, who decides to take the woman's words to heart and start focusing on her own happiness, rather than trying to please others. She even makes a bold move towards the end of the episode, one that has the potential to completely change the trajectory of her life.

Overall, "A Rosy World" is a powerful and poignant episode of Aggretsuko that deals with themes of identity, purpose, and self-discovery. It's a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt lost or uncertain in their career, and a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is to listen to our own hearts and follow our dreams, no matter the cost.