Everyone is Selfish | Houseki no Kuni

The Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni) by Haruko Ichikawa is filled with selfish and selfless gems. Let's talk about the one that had almost as much change as Phosphophyllite.
Spoiler Warning Please read Houseki no Kuni (up to Chapter 97)
Thumbnail by Starrysea: / starryseadd
Title by Raster: / senzaii
Visuals:
Houseki no Kuni Manga Ch 19, 33, 35, 37-39, 44-45, 47, 61, 68, 72, 75 83, 88, 96-97
Houseki no Kuni Analysis Playlist: • Phos's External Insigh...
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Social Media:
Twitter @inspirashamul, / inspirashamul
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References:
www.frontiersin.org/articles/...
archive.vcstar.com/lifestyle/...
linkspooky.tumblr.com/post/17...
Music:
bft [A Silent Voice OST #30]
Invention No. 1 C dur (LastPart) [A Silent Voice OST #38]
roh [A Silent Voice OST #3]
flw [A Silent Voice OST #16]
prc [A Silent Voice OST #27]
Video Table of Contents:
0:00 Prologue
0:36 Transitional
1:57 Selflessness Definitions
2:36 Dialogue Subtext
5:24 That Moment
7:00 The Arm
7:56 Epilogue
Equipment:
iPad Pro Gen III
Procreate - Thumbnail
Lumafusion - Editing
Notion - Script
Audacity - Recording
Apogee Hypemic - Microphone
[0220, 4300]

[@M4Maus]

"Phos preformed the most selfish things in the guise of selflessness" THANK YOU finally

[@twilightzone7141]

and I think that is the reason that made them the most perfect choice to become a 'human' I still love Phos tho XD

[@ricardobrites7255]

In my opinion, every action someone takes can be percieved as selfish in some way.

[@inspirashamul]

Poor Phos really tried their best just to fail miserably

[@gary7846]

Bro so many readers think everyone else is an asshole to phos but phos is literally the one causing everything, including her own suffering

[@Marrianno]

Thank you, it bugged me for quite some time. I've seen a lot of hate toward gems for abandoning Phos, but, realy, they were valuing lives of society as a whole, rather than one individual. Were rooting for Phos because we followed her entire gourney, but if we were in their place, we probably would sacrifice Phos for your own happiness too.

[@HateItHere.]

This is why I can't hate characters like Cairngorm. They're flawed, but that's what makes them a good character. I want to write characters like that. I simply can't write an antagonist if I don't come to love and understand that character. If I wrote a one dimensional character as being evil for the sake of being evil, then I wouldn't be able to love that character because there's so little interesting personality to them. I love Aechmea's character because his actions are hard to justify. He's unpredictable and we still don't know his true colors. I want to write all of my characters with love. Good, bad, or morally gray.

[@inspirashamul]

Mhm good perfect characters aren’t as relatable than good flawed ones

[@gdwnisabedra8429]

Their entity is like Yin/Yang, Ghost was Yin by his kindness and self sacrifice while Cairngorm was Yang by being harsh and selfish.

[@inspirashamul]

Yup Yup great visually dynamic between them

[@Natycik]

One moment to point out. When Cairgorm was retrieving Phos, Yellow Diamond and Padparacha, she broke Phos's head so "collecting them would be easier". This is an important moment because it was Yellow who asked why they did it.And after that Yellow became unstable. Cairgom not carring about Phos was the final nail in the coffin for her psyche, after that she became delusional and depressed. And later, when discussing why Yellow became like that, they don't recall that moment. They do recall that may be Yellow became like that after what happened to Padparacha, but not how she was shocked by thier uncaringness for Phos. Say what you want about Phos being actually selfish, but Cairngorm is also selfish. But her selfishness comes from naivety.

[@chaosdestructionlove]

I feel like that's the perfect moment to push someone's struggling psyche over the edge too, cairn felt like they weren't considered a person so they complete the loop back towards phos by displaying a horrific level of apathy and cruelty for no reason at phos. Its completely understandable imo why witnessing that could make you so distressed everything holding you and your identity together falls apart. Poor yellow :c

[@inspirashamul]

Fantastic point you brought up wow I didn't even register that Cairn was the reason for Yellow's final push to what they become, and to top it off Cairn doesn't even remember the act itself is just the cherry on top.

[@katatsumuri-san9588]

To be fair, Cairngorm first introduction was by broking Phos' head. Twice. I don't understand why everyone acts like its some kind of 180° degree change in post-moon Cairn when she always was like that. I can't even judge her, it's not like breaking a head is some kind of debilitating injury for them, its more like a slap on a wrist.

[@jebes909090]

Im convinced that enma did something to ALL the gems that come to the moon. They all change in dramatic ways. Even kongo was like, ya screw phos

[@cosmicpearl5497]

What i always found interesting about the eye shard scene is how it mirrors the same "trick" Aechmea uses on the gems later. That their love for Phos, and later for Sensei, was never real, it was ghost's shard or senseis aura etc.

[@inspirashamul]

Fantastic point Enma always tells half truths with some other motive that works in his favor.

[@kirminoos1049]

Why when coming down to discuss phos and welegato's relationship people either completely villanize phos or completely villanize welegato, let's not forget that they where toxic to each other and both of them were just pretty much VICTIMS WITH LIKE 0 KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO HANDLE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

[@inspirashamul]

Mhm no one is truly at fault here they have both suffered way too much

[@Lungfish851]

Cairn was basically connected to another gem for most of their "life", then when they go to the moon they easily latch on to Achmea, I think there is some kind of codependency going on here with cairn, wether they are even aware of it or not

[@inspirashamul]

Oh for sure I doubt they have even processed that they are just feeling a false sense of freedom on the Moon.

[@onemoregodrejected9369]

*Finally* People most often don't understand the personal horror put on Cairn/Welegato by Ghost and Phos, you know it was 'toxic' if not straight out *abuse* when Ghost was making 'new Antarch' give away the head. Achmea might be manipulative and planing a genocide, etc, but at least towards Welegato thus far has been the one that respected her the best, kind of ironic.

[@HateItHere.]

EXACTLY! I feel like some people don't take the time to analysis the characters. The moment they see them do one bad thing, they immediately put them down for it.

[@inspirashamul]

Just because they are gems and immortal, the idea of giving up your head of your own volition is mentally scaring especially since that's probably what it looked like when Lapis got taken up so it is just a emulation of the moment where Cairn/Ghost felt the most useless and trying to turn it into something more useful for Phos.

[@babulbi]

It gets overshadowed easily by the shit Phos is put through. But yeah, looking back at this part of the manga without thee context of the rest of the story, it's plain to see how Phos might be destroying the people around them.

[@user-ow1ly2bs1e]

I mean, personally, I wouldn't blame Ghost for the shit with the head We saw it ourselves, the majority of Ghost was taken to the moon, and Aechmea confirmed that the hair inclusions of Ghost left on Cairngorm were too small to influence their personality and actions, so the only inclusions that could have influence on Cairngorm were in the eyes. That's a tiny number of inclusions, inclusions contain the personality and memory of the Gems, meaning the eye inclusions were contained incredibly little of Ghost's personality and memories. It's kinda like the equivalent of if Phos' fingernail got separated from them and did something messed up and then people started blaming Phos themselves

[@Gooberwares]

I do like gorms fighting for their own identity away from ghost they are very different with their own. But it’s the grooming … And ghosts lack of choice in being shredded Very interesting take on things

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah Ghosts lack of choice hurts but makes sense why Cairn wanted so many options

[@RoseProseFroze]

I think I mostly just want Welegato to realize that Achmea is just as toxic as Phos.

[@naruhina123456789100]

Phos was toxic? In what way my guy…

[@angreypigeon9891]

The best way I can describe Caimgrom is this ( I refuse to call them welegato because that a dumb name ) : They are like the fire princess from adventure time except they didn’t break up with their Finn (aka achmea) because they failed to realize that the place they escaped from their abuse is just another cage; another situation of abuse. While the flame princess did realize that and did confront that reality where Finn is manipulative and deservedly left him, caingrom is still content with their partner and how they treat them.

[@bag2359]

When was carin called welegato? I may have forgot a bunch of hnk details

[@militarydeviltube5014]

@@bag2359 aechmea called cairn welegato when they turned into a lunarian

[@anezuka2464]

I think Achmea is a lot more toxic tbh. Atleast Phos whatever phos doing is understandable they were going through a lot and coping by projecting cairn as antarc. Even worse the other gems only says it's a good thing not even trying to scold phos or comfort cairn. Their relationship is toxic but not like Achmea and Cairn, Cairn literally went back to a child and instead of finding their own identity they went for whatever identity achmea wants from her. (referring to her as princess, saying ghost is manipulating her and etc)

[@Marrianno]

Its realy interesting that neither Ghost or Caingorm are completely right or wrong in this situation. Ghost presents herself as kind and caring(and she might have best intentions at her heart), but once you think about how she sheltered Caingorm and pushed her to become second Antarcticite, you then realize why Cain hated Phos and got rid of her sisters remains. Phos is another reason besides Ghost why she wasn't allowed to develop identity of her own. Once she thought that she's free, it turned out that Ghost still commands her actions. Yes, Caingorm is terrified for the time of being separated, but it's only because she never knew exactly how it is to live on her own. But their symbiosis is not completely bad. As you mentioned earlier, they were able to synchronize and cover each other's weakness in order to save Phos. So I dunno. Theor separation is not bad nor good. On the one hand Caingorm was finally let free and found herself, but foundation of her new self is realy rotten and creepy because of Aemchas manipulative nature. Ghost on the other hand finally can think about herself and not be metaphorical passive absorber(she physically contributed to events). I, as the person that was forced to face care of my single disabled mother, can safely say that whatever I get a chance to be free of my duties for some time, its. . .relieving but in a creepy way. It's because guilt lingers over me at those moments, some as with Quartz and Lapis

[@inspirashamul]

It's interesting to parallel them with the amethyst twins because you can say that their pairing or separation is both good and bad as well but manifests in a completely different way than Ghost/Cairn and it could be because of their twinning nature, Lapis, or Phos' direct involvement in their separation that leads a completely different outcome.

[@qeeun5140]

Oh I love Ghost and Cairn(before moon) and their conversation during the fight, even if we don't know who said which line, all we know is that they can work together and they both likes Lapis. Then, Ghost gem was scrapped? removed? and we can see Cairn talks to themselves asking for replies from Ghost. They were two peas in a pod, two person in a body until Ghost was taken by Lunarian. It was understanble why when Phos goes on to find Ghost later on, they are slapped by Cairn. Over and over. Then, Aechema came. Boy I was mad that he went ahead and literally GROOMED Cairngorm and removing the last pieces of Ghost remants in their eyes, later they become this princessy partner for Aechema and got married bla bla bla and forgot the reason that they went to the Moon together with Phos was to watch over Phos. Man, that hurts. Phos and lonely gems (cinnabar, antarc, to name a few) really weren't meant to be together. Phos is truly an epitome for loneliness.

[@inspirashamul]

For sure Cairngorm's anger is warranted especially because their protection was taken away by a foolish act by Phos. Yeah loneliness is such a curse the same effect as someone watching over you at all times. Things in moderation are what works well.

[@kayeanneotico1603]

Upon reading the newest chapter, I literally cried that Antarc didn’t even say anything to the ‘Human’ Phosphophyllite and just poofed

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah it felt very brief we didn’t get a chance for any interactions with the lunar gems

[@Jazzimus]

Love to see Cairngorm appreciation, their development realy intrigued me (though it creeped my out at times).

[@inspirashamul]

Definitely creepy and frustrating to watch it all happen as we read but beautifully done nonetheless. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Unnecessarilylongexplanations]

I like that you see this and make videos about this stuff, because I see so much stuff about "Phos is perfect, everyone else is horrible." When that's not the point of the story as a whole.

[@inspirashamul]

Yup yup everyone is at fault and that’s what makes all of them so good

[@tea_n_ink]

selfless configuration of self is defined by three features: - interdependence - hold a strong connectedness between the self and others - outsider phenomenology - the self is seen as the outsider looking in itself - impermanence - flexibility of the self between experiences and context self-centered configuration of self's opposing features: - independence - holding the self separate from others with strong boundaries - insider phenomenology - your own experience have exaggerated important of the self - permanence - rigid enduring sense of self over time

[@inspirashamul]

Thank you for this!

[@code066funkinbird3]

So they basically polar opposite

[@sugardrugs1754]

I do respect Cairn choice, but they did it at wrong time during helping phos. They shouldnt betray Phos just because want to be "free".Mostly, smashing peoples head and told them they arent friends is unforgivable

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah it's messed up no doubt about it but understandable because Cairn wants to not associate anything from their past which feels almost tainted after the "free" moment.

[@krobinkoff]

Ya know, in my head it was actually the opposite where Phos was the selfless one and Cairn was the selfish one. It was just how I read into things in the manga. (I wish there was a season 2 of the anime already!!!) However, your video made me really think (as it always does) and I actually agree with your point.

[@inspirashamul]

Appreciate that my video adds a new perspective! I was definitely in the phos is selfless my first read but it kept flipping back and forth with each reread

[@krobinkoff]

@@inspirashamul Yeah I can see that. Like Phos is trying to free the other gems and all the stuff that happens to them could lead one to see them as selfless and with how Cairn was after the whole incident on the moon and how they became materialistic as you mentioned could be seen as the selfish one even from the beginning. As I've said before your perspective in explanation of stuff really did change my view on them. ^^

[@inspirashamul]

Any comments regarding Ch 98 content will be removed (Chapter is out everything is fair game now!)

[@Mirageeeee]

Phos got a dawg in 98

[@cherny9189]

Why? The chapter isn't out....

[@Jazzimus]

@@cherny9189 he is probably referring to the leaks

[@inspirashamul]

@@Mirageeeee Dawg not good :(

[@inspirashamul]

@@Jazzimus ​ @Cherny Yeah leaks are already out

[@gdwnisabedra8429]

3:23 If Phos should fight seriously, Ghost will be saved and lapis will be proud

[@inspirashamul]

This is very true

[@pando6663]

I must say that cairngorm surprised me as a character especially after his first interaction with aechmea, I admit they are cute together even if there is something sinister.

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah I am with you. I do love Cairn's outfits especially the ones that they chose for themselves.

[@user-iu2gm7os7d]

Tbh Ghost Quartz was doing us a favour by controlling Cairngorm. He's awful as much as of a good character he is.

[@inspirashamul]

LMAOOO I don’t know about that but glad both have closure of some sort though

[@code066funkinbird3]

Damm I thought she cared phos

[@etrinokastu3950]

I do like this critique, however, I do not understand why moon gorm was so harsh and mean towards phos. I think they are a morally Grey, leaning to the darker side kinda person. But I also think Enma's manipulated them.

[@gary7846]

Well not exactly, since all this time it was all Ghost's will to befriend phos. gorm themself was never friend with phos

[@etrinokastu3950]

@@gary7846 that still didn't give them the right to insult them lmao

[@gary7846]

@@etrinokastu3950 well it's not out of hate atleast, gorm just doesn't care lol

[@etrinokastu3950]

@@gary7846 true, I think they were manipulated by Enma

[@inspirashamul]

It's moreso they want to reject everything from their past self which includes Phos that's why

[@jpbst4503]

One the reason why the series ending with then getting eternal peace is a terrible messenger in the end.

[@HateItHere.]

I beg to differ. I think an ending like that would be beautiful.

[@jpbst4503]

@@HateItHere. beautiful like what, be selfith, tink only on yourself , treats others on the low cast of society like shiity, maipule others for your on gain . but thats okay, as long the person you treat like a tool reach nyrvana, he will forgive you for all yours sins, wath kinda of message is this.

[@jpbst4503]

​@@HateItHere.if buddhist version of enlightenment is this, no wonders why east asian society who believes is this are terrible.

[@okei6765]

somebody said Buddhism is about forgiveness

[@animeangelgirl100]

@@jpbst4503 i dont think hnk is trying to give any moral message rather than be a critique on buddhism / jp society tbh

[@Therealrutile]

Another amazing video, can't wait for the chapter 98 discussion!

[@inspirashamul]

You and me both Rutile! I'll see you on Thursday!

[@gary7846]

After reading chapter 98, there's a few guesses about what's gonna happen, here's what i think 1. Phos won't pray, wouldn't make any sense because it will make her efforts pointless 2. Fail to pray, the praying isn't exactly a system with errors. It WILL destroy everyone (also the reason why adamant won't pray) These are the two main one, but i don't get what she is now? Is she like god? She got powers from adamant, adamant isn't a god. He can only pray and erase everyone, his only one power. But i can't imagine everyone just die If somehow she got more power from whatever adamant eye is i predict she may change everyone to human. Everyone doesn't hate living but they don't like living forever, so the best ending is a full reset (including phos perhaps) everyone enjoying living in a limited amount of time

[@inspirashamul]

Converting everyone to humans could fit with the burn the bridge by giving them a finite life potentially. Yeah I don't think the Prayer will work exactly well because I believe Phos doesn't understand the concept fully which will cause some issue with the end result of nothingness.

[@hebegonzalez4718]

Gracias por este video ✨

[@onemoregodrejected9369]

Yeah, perspective theory. I ought the manga a reread with that theory in mind

[@inspirashamul]

Rereads after any new chapter hits like no other

[@shinoataya]

cairngorm used to be cool but then they YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID!?!?!?!! THEY HUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA edit: i cant believe youve done this but youve made me feel bad for cairngorm including moon cairngorm

[@inspirashamul]

Hahahaha glad I could help a little

[@margaretmcfarland793]

*Claps* Thank you! This was an excellent video and more fans need to see this because it's clear that they really don't understand Cairn's character. I understand why they grew to dislike them in the later chapters but still, a lot of the hate is unfair when you look back and see why Cairn did what they did. Yes, they are flawed and have done a lot of things out of selfishness. But then again, so has everyone in this series.

[@inspirashamul]

Thank you! I love Cairngorm both before and after so yeah I get it the hate but the hate should be for all the characters in that case.

[@margaretmcfarland793]

@@inspirashamul Exactly!! I'm glad there are fans who still love and understand Cairn after everything. There are so few of us.

[@A-bp9hq]

please do talk about the grooming in the future!!

[@inspirashamul]

I most definitely will when it is time for it!

[@bruhservices5942]

I very much hope Phos prays for himself.

[@inspirashamul]

I don't think they are allowed to as someone else needs to pray for you but we shall see in 99 what happens

[@MahiMahi-yu5jo]

@@inspirashamul Remember the dog lunarian and how he attained Nirvana by making peace with himself and Adamant? I think the characters took 'praying for yourself' too literally. In a way, 'praying for yourself' can be a way to find peace, it entirely depends on the approach and perspective

[@wuzfoz8023]

great video

[@inspirashamul]

Thank you!

[@tea_n_ink]

Is it ok if you add captions? i was watching 2:00 and had to go back and rewatch it a few times because i really had to thing about what was being said (sometimes adding text and definitions on screen might help important parts)

[@inspirashamul]

Of course I can. I usually wait 24 hours since there are auto-captions that are generated that I can edit so my edits will be up in like 3 hours!

[@kathrynh495]

Hi, I love ur videos. Where did u get the information on the different aspects of the selfless person and self centered person

[@inspirashamul]

Thank you! It should be some links in the description of this video under the references tab

[@aira_riri_2]

As a trans person, I see myself a lot in cairngorm, I really want to create something that expresses my much her experience mirrors my own in both a surface and a deeper level. I trully love her as a character, even if she's not the nicest person out there and always acting out of her own desires

[@cibo889]

Not the nicest is an understatement. Remember when she shattered phos out of spite? Remember when she told phos when they went to them for guidance since they were the only ones phos could rely on and she told them they were never friends and then insulted their entire life before leaving directly causing phos to take more drastic measures out of a feeling of crushing isolation? Remember when her dog shattered phos again?

[@aira_riri_2]

@@cibo889 fair enough, BUT considering she was forced for her entire time outside of ghost to protect phos and help phos even when she didn't want to, yeah, I see why she wouldn't want to be Phos' friend and wouldn’t care abt hurting them by saying so. She had been tired of phos for a long time when that happened The shattering I don't empathize with tho, doing it as casually as she does is a low-blow (altho the first times,"after ghost's death, are kinda justified)

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah in all honestly my “analysis” is pretty superficial I’d love to see your take on it if you decide to put something out!

[@charitikare]

i want to like it so bad but you're at a solid 999 lmaoooo i don't want to ruin it

[@inspirashamul]

It’s ok you don’t have to force yourself to like it

[@charitikare]

@@inspirashamul *sees the 1k thumbs* HELL YEAH SMASH THIS LIKE BUTTON

[@charitikare]

@@inspirashamul tho keep it up man your hnk content is ✨✨

[@unfunnymeiling2315]

I’m pretty late…

[@inspirashamul]

Nah don't worry there's no such thing! Just missed the premiere the video will always be up for you to check out!

[@MadHeart-rw9xh]

Moon queen!

[@inspirashamul]

MOON QUEEN!

[@CuddleTrouble]

Lol, season 2? Never happening.

[@inspirashamul]

😞 yeahhhh after Beastars ends fr

[@code066funkinbird3]

​@@inspirashamul hope so

[@zviyeri9117]

I love Cairn. She's my favorite character and I feel like she's a really well done metaphor for a transgender character who has been repressing their true self for the sake of others' comfort her entire life. Her selfishness while abrasive to us is simply a symptom of her finally letting go of the notion that she has to live for other people. As for her relationship with Aechmea... I don't think the author intended it to be seen as most people do. I think the reason their relationship comes off as creepy to most is entirely the fault of the author and a showcase of their biases and tastes. I don't think it's a coincidence that Cairn becomes more "childlike" the moment she enters a relationship with a man and becomes hyper-feminine. Fetishization of femininity and youth is quite common in japanese media after all, and it's not like this would be the first time Ichikawa wrote something like this. The fact that Cairn\Welegato seems to be genuinely accepted by Enma and happy leads me to believe the author intended their interactions to be read as positive... it's just that their vision of "romantic" is... off. I have a lot of thoughts about her and I wish we could have seen more of her as Welegato before Phos thanosed everyone

[@inspirashamul]

Yeah I agree with you that Ichikawa has a history of showing these “odd” relationships (odd in quotes because it really depends on who reads it and their cultural context for that dynamic). But great point about a transgender interpretation of Cairn because it fits so so well.

[@TheNemkris]

Phos did nothing wrong, Cinnabar on the other hand is one of the most evil and disgusting character in the history of fiction.

[@inspirashamul]

Lmaooo how is Cinnabar the most evil?

[@TheNemkris]

@@inspirashamul She betrayed Phos the only one who ever cared about her. For what? some kindness from those who always ignored her? And she didn't even feel bad about it. Also everyone else had something greater than them as a goal while she never cared about anything but herself.

[@animeangelgirl100]

how can you say cinnabar is the worst when aechmea is literally responsible for all the evil in the series

[@code066funkinbird3]

Ouch

[@code066funkinbird3]

​@@animeangelgirl100 and the present of 1000years