Reshaping One's Identity - The Story of Izutsumi

Izutsumi is my favorite character next to Laios in the story of Dugneon Meshi and my love of her goes beyond her perfectly representing the nature of a cat. As she tells the tale of one suffering with self rediscovery and reshaping one's identity. I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I did making it.
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Art created by: / dahproduction
/ dslick9
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Shimoneta: www.buyshimonet...
Patreon: / metinotthebadguy
BGM: Heartbeat, Heartbreak - Persona 4, Battle Theme - Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, Malkuth 2 - Library of Ruina.

[@さくら-l8t]

What I like about izutaumi is how she’s a scientifically accurate anime catgirl. She has more cat features than just the tail and ears, and actually shows real traits and behaviors of a cat combined with her human nature.

[@incognitoroad3770]

As for the ttrpg reference, Izutsumi is more akin to a modern rogue with their coombat focused ability while Chilchuck is more old school rogue who is the party's handyman and subpar fighting ability. Her appearance later in the story is also akin to a player joining the campaign as a new addition halfway through.

[@rosenrot234]

I still wouldn't call Chilchuck subpar combat wise. Dudes accurate as all heck with throwing stuff into dragon eyes or being really precise with a bow. Its just not what he's being paid to do. Usually if you're smart, you wouldn't wanna stick out too much with multiple obvious talents because then your boss might saddle you with extra work. And he doesn't vibe with that at all as a union man. So he focuses instead on traps and lockpicking business wise.

[@Eli-el4ls]

Please keep the Delicious in Dungeon videos coming. I just finished the manga and it has one of the best world building and characters from any modern fantasy manga.

[@kayagorzan]

I agree, the worldbuilding is superb

[@asd-km2hf]

Where did you find it to read?

[@Mello-208]

@@asd-km2hf mangadex

[@ducontra666999]

"who would want me anyway? since I'm a beastkind" oh Izutsumi..if you only know...

[@user-ip9fp8ug5y]

Would

[@incrediblyangryskeleton]

​@@user-ip9fp8ug5ydo not the cat

[@goblinrat6119]

Notably, Izutsumi seems to be unique among the depictions of Beastmen/Beastkin in the manga, in that she is a biological hybrid rather than a shapeshifter. I crunched out a theory for this at one point. The process is more or less confirmed to be the same as with Lycion or other beastmen, even up to the tattoos/crests that are required for the magic process, which she apparently has as per a comment in the Adventurer's Guide, but that are never seen, possibly because her body has undergone such dramatic changes from when they were made (in essence they may not be perceptible physically any more). No other Beastkin is depicted as being a pure hybrid creature, and the actual process is clearly intended to create a werebeast that can become strong as hell on command. It's also implied to be a physically demanding change that cannot be kept up indefinitely. (We can pretty safely assume that Izutsumi is not merely larping a furry for fun. If she could, she would pretty damn likely prefer to look like a human, at least at the outset. That'd basically solve, like, the majority of her issues right there. Thus, we can close off the idea that she could just drop the cat features at will. As I will argue, there is no possible shapeshifting of any kind, in fact.) I would theorize that this is, largely, due to her age at the time of the soul merging. That is, all the other examples of it shown (Lycion and the info on underground arenas that use beastmen) are adults, who likely had it done well into their adulthood. In this sense, the magic is clearly quite simple in nature: there's a beast soul in the recipient, and they have the necessary magical workings to essentially let it override their physical form, and then return to the human form. Izutsumi, however, was 6 years old when she was merged. This is quite drastic, as a small child by definition has no set physical form yet: it is developing into an adult form. So if we are to assume that the Beastkin magic essentially allows a soul to dictate a physical form when that form is altered, this becomes a troublesome implication for a developing human whose body is actually building towards something. In that case you'd have, in this mindset, two different souls telling the body what it needs to be, what it needs to grow into. Which would be quite a clear explanation for why this all happened. In essence, the whole magic has been misapplied in a way that ends up with a different end result. Essentially becoming part of her genetic makeup via magical means. This would also carry notably more dire implications for any attempts to remove the curse, as Izutsumi is not a magical shapechanger, but an actual biologically grown chimera, i.e. the curse in her is very much one that has grown into her flesh on a basic level. Removing it would be like trying to remove 50% of someone's genetic information, along with all the biological results of that.

[@Pieman-jm3rf]

There was a recently released extra comic about Izutsumi talking to Lycion and asking him why he can transform back into an elf like appearance and how she can do it, and he explains to her that she can't because in his case its an elf body with a wolf monster soul put in, and he can actively suppress the wolf side if need be. Izutsumi can't though because she's not a girl with a monster cat soul placed into her, but rather a monster cat with a human soul placed into her. Theoretically she might be able to turn back into a cat, but I'd assume that the ability to do so requires mental suppression of the human side, so she can't really do that since its the human side that would give her the higher level of thinking to even try to attempt it.

[@goblinrat6119]

@@Pieman-jm3rf Yeah, I saw that. Blew that goddamn theory straight off its feet, didn't it. She's an existential nightmare scenario, a scrap of human soul nailed onto a cat. (It's kind of fortunate she genuinely does not have the brain for this stuff, or it might have been rather mentally damaging...) I assume it is essentially impossible for the suppression to occur, since it takes an active effort of will (as in the ability to actually use the magic), and that's from the *cat* in this equation. And the cat isn't a sapient creature capable of using magic. That is, it's not up to her like you say, and additionally the one it's up to is literally just an animal that does not understand such things. That magic really isn't meant to work like that, clearly. Quite obviously, the sapient human mind should be the one controlling the situation, otherwise it just ends up being that an animal now has a transformation that actually controls it. But I guess Goddamn Wizards has often been the cause of absolutely twisted shit. Of course, all that to say, it's even more impossible that she'd ever get "fixed", since that would essentially just be removing her from the cat. And I would assume building her a new body is kind of really infeasible, and so is just swapping out a damaged soul and putting it in there. And on top of that, Lycion says it's a "bit" of human soul, so we can probably assume that there might not even be enough to do that. So... yeah. (Bonus fucked-upness factor in all this is that for this to occur, they did just genuinely kill a little girl to get the human soul. Hard to really get one otherwise, tends to be. So... yeah.)

[@goblinrat6119]

@@Pieman-jm3rf Yeah, I saw that. Blew that goddamn theory straight off its feet, didn't it. She's an existential nightmare scenario, a scrap of human soul nailed onto a cat. (It's kind of fortunate she genuinely does not have the brain for this stuff, or it might have been rather mentally damaging...) I assume it is essentially impossible for the suppression to occur, since it takes an active effort of will (as in the ability to actually use the magic), and that's from the *cat* in this equation. And the cat isn't a sapient creature capable of using magic. That is, it's not up to her like you say, and additionally the one it's up to is literally just an animal that does not understand such things. That magic really isn't meant to work like that, clearly. Quite obviously, the sapient human mind should be the one controlling the situation, otherwise it just ends up being that an animal now has a transformation that actually controls it. But I guess Goddamn Wizards has often been the cause of absolutely twisted shit. Of course, all that to say, it's even more impossible that she'd ever get "fixed", since that would essentially just be removing her from the cat. And I would assume building her a new body is kind of really infeasible, and so is just swapping out a damaged soul and putting it in there. And on top of that, Lycion says it's a "bit" of human soul, so we can probably assume that there might not even be enough to do that. So... yeah. (Bonus fucked-upness factor in all this is that for this to occur, they did just genuinely kill a little girl to get the human soul. Hard to really get one otherwise, tends to be. So... yeah.)

[@jackculler1489]

@@Pieman-jm3rfthis is a better explanation than the original comment

[@saklasnabal42069]

I thought izutsumi was ten when she turned. Dang I forgot really

[@DylJax]

Never expected a Dungeon Meshi video from you, but I'm here for it. Love Dungeon Meshi, one of my favorite manga I've read recently

[@dig1taltoaster]

Izutsumi my beloved

[@Gogito4]

With Dungeon Meshi getting an adaptation by Trigger of all things, it's great to see it finally starting to get mainstream appeal, even if it did come after it ended it's run. Would be interesting to see your take on Marcille since her story goes to such strangely dark places for a manga that started so lighthearted.

[@RenoKyrie]

Ah yes, my favorite DnD Campaign

[@greengaleproductions]

I saved this video for until I finished the series, and I just binged it over the span of two days. Honestly, you perfectly summarized all the best things about this character. Great work!

[@NiftyToast]

finally a video essay about the best character ever!

[@holylight2428]

Yes! Spread the word, don't let this series down.

[@HawkBreland]

new Meti content is nut-worthy. idgaf what you talk about, preach the good word brother.

[@_carlito_5367]

Meti, you’re the perfect guy to talk about DunMeshi characters! Can’t wait to see more!

[@chloukscolor7905]

I definitively want to see more DunMeshi videos from you! That was a great character analysis. Very useful for fan content, thank you

[@RigPhos]

Damn first Library of ruina and now Dungeon Meshi, fortunate for me because those are my favorites

[@damonlam9145]

Guess we are going to expect more character analysis like these in the next year since more of these recent videos Meti made are about characters from franchises he never talked about once before on his channel.

[@knpark2025]

Some more about possible Japanese word motifs for the name Izutsumi: "Tsumi" can be 積("pile" or "stack up"), or 詰み(dead-end or checkmate). Moreover, the katakana of a syllable that is translated into "zu" in English is not the same as a typical "zu"(ズ) as in "Suzuki" but what you need to type "du"(ヅ) in a romaji keyboard. Both syllables will sound like "Zu", but they are different letters. This makes "zutsumi" or "dutsumi" read like a the word "tsutsumi" (包み) as it is used in combination with a different word, such as 紙包み(kamidutsumi), meaning "wrapped in paper". So the name Izutsumi doesn't have to be seen as Izu-tsumi but instead it can be seen as I-dutsumi, or in Japanese 異包み, which will mean "wrapped in something strange (i.e., cat fur)". Conclusion: we don't have enough information to read her name Izutsumi in romaji and then infer the metaphor that the name has about her background or personality. She's just a cat.

[@bluewren1532]

Hell yeah, great work dude

[@thealpacaofsupport258]

I just realized i missed one of your vids and it was of Dungeon Meshi of all thinsg 😭😭😭 Good video! ^^

[@josepass2563]

DUNGEON MESHI CONTENT??? Christmas came early!!!

[@ileonardoi3791]

Great video mate! I will watch again once I can understand it tho lol. Your tweets convinced me of reading the series!

[@umbranigra9871]

I love how you added Monster Hunter cooking cinematics. They fit in very well.

[@goblinrat6119]

Very nice video. This is strongly in accordance with how I've discussed her and the manga overall with some friends. Ryoko Kui manages to write very, very likeable and nuanced characters in a way that feels very effortless and natural, and Izutsumi is genuinely kind of a high point in that sense.

[@unamusedrohan1666]

Fucked up move on Kui's part to drop the single most game-changing piece of Izutsumi lore three months after you post this

[@bebebonb0n]

wait what happended :0

[@unamusedrohan1666]

@@bebebonb0n The most recent collection of side stories had Lycion explaining to her that her whole body is a beast with a bit of human soul mixed in, not a human turned into a beast.

[@jessicajayes8326]

She reminds me of the "autistic drive for autonomy" or "pathological demand avoidance", or could be the fact that cats only domesticate themselves when they see a benefit. Izutsumi became a stray and was adopted by the party! Many cats are like her, respect their personal space and you might be tolerated.

[@abner6027]

i would love to see a winged lion analysis in the future

[@thonk5262]

Hourly Izutsumi

[@Silent_Valor]

😂

[@completelyferrouschemist6776]

That Darkest in Dungeon Meshi mod, lmao

[@Eddison33]

Izutsumi is the ultimate catgirl. The catgirl the way it should be! Her journey of self-discovery and acceptance is one of the sweetest things in Dungeon Meshi. Indeed, she's one of my favourite characters, although I initially considered her annoying as fuck and not relatable.

[@sayorable5572]

"It can lead someone down a destructive path to truly find themselves, as they have been told or have come to believe that if they can just do this one thing or get this one item, all of their problems will magically be solved" That's Tai Lung summed up perfectly too. Amazing analysis!

[@fomod_]

Recently discovered and read dungeon meshi, can't wait for the anime!

[@mohdoesstuff6700]

If you've been keeping up with Kui, you'll see they made a point to show she's not human, and never was human, but a Cat turned into a Human, not a human cursed with a cat spirit

[@mohdoesstuff6700]

Her heritage is: car 🐈

[@mohdoesstuff6700]

Btw by point I mean they made a whole new page about how the izutsumer works

[@Typisk]

I love to see dungeon meshi content!!! Would love to see more like a video on mithrun or something:0

[@dank_smirk2ndchannel200]

*The Creature™.*

[@JARGUN145]

Luckily someone already showed me this funny cat a year ago and I read everything, nice video as always and hype for the anime!

[@cedricwine]

Can't wait for more dungeon meshi videos. The manga is filled with lots of interesting characters.

[@tayronesousadascostas9421]

Please Meti, can you do a " the beauty of mario zucchero ", I think it was the only character in part 5 that you didn't make a video about, I love this style of video.

[@sushimaster29]

A Meti video on Dungeon Meshi? Christmas came so early this year!

[@damonlam9145]

Just out of Curiosity Meti, are their any other other new franchise you are going to cover before this year ends?

[@KL555T]

damn dungeon meshi and faiz?? both are my favs, I dont know why i havent subbed to you yet atp very nice meti, keep up the good work❤

[@tenaciousrodent6251]

This manga is sooo good! Not a single fully heroic character. But i love everyone. Even the main villain is kind of likable.

[@ParakeetDSi]

I hope to watch this video once the anime is finished.

[@kalo_vera]

DUNGEON MESHI CONTENT LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@danny3xeer]

omg darkest dungeon mentioned

[@kagekun1198]

Personally once the adventure was over, I think Izutsumi should have spent a couple of months to a couple of years adventuring with Senshi. That dwarf has found his own inner balance between human civility and primal survival which Izutsumi can stand to learn from by example. You are right in that Izutsumi hasn't yet truly found inner balance, hence the proposed spin-off of her future adventures. Living and learning from Senshi would be an excellent way to grow her character further

[@Lucky-Nick123]

Delicious in Dungeon is my favourite food/cooking manga. Soon we will get an animated series and i wonder how will she look. Keep doing dungeon meshi, next time do Lios

[@dankerbooper]

WE FINALLY GOT A DUNGEON MESHI VID!!! Hopefully in the future you can dabble in Golden Kamuy too!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your content! Please do more JJK!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@thealpacaofsupport258]

Hope you talk about dungeon meshi again in the future 🙏

[@Ramsey276one]

0:04 Project Moon Yes, the perfect example to see ALL THE THINGS on the subject

[@nekobyoneko444]

Hell yeah, favorite member of the main crew

[@hilotakenaka]

All I know about Izutsumi prior to watching this video is that one insane guy I know has her as his avatar, so to say my interest is piqued is an understatement.

[@docedeleite16]

commenting to help this vidoe in the algorythm because i love dungeon meshi

[@omgpascalsoffcourse964]

great stuff and agree 100% best representation of a cat girl ever...

[@gminfly]

it's so hard to find genuine analysis on izutsumi beyond cat memes, so thank you for this. as funny as she is she's my favorite character because of her journey of self acceptance. i'm so glad to see someone else who understands 🥲

[@juanhaines7295]

Would you cover noriaki kakyoin? Aside from jotaro and Joseph he's the last crusader that has yet to be covered.

[@damonlam9145]

he'll probably cover him eventually just not right now, since by the looks of it he is expanding and experimenting doing videos on other franchises and probably due to doing a lot of jojo videos back in his early days he is probably part burn out by it.

[@cellardweller5245]

​@@damonlam9145did you just analyze the character of a guy who specialises in character analysis?

[@damonlam9145]

@@cellardweller5245 yes, yes I did.

[@chrislee8985]

I'd also like to see her mini stories❤Such a good character

[@Iamhungey]

Is she a tuxedo cat?

[@gramolapietro2491]

Beautiful video

[@FaizalMohdMustapa]

So izutsumi suffer from the same misinterpretation of what freedom means like eren yeager?

[@katanaman7620]

DO ANGELA PLS IM BEGGING YOU 😭🙏🙏

[@depressomocha]

I had to reload the video bc of the PM jumpscare HOLY SHIT

[@depressomocha]

Wait you're the same guy as the banger Roland video??? my ass is not beating the pm fan allegations

[@RigPhos]

la creatura

[@efrainoctavio3506]

METI MADE A DUNGEON MESHI VIDEO AND IT'S ABOUT IZUTSUMI LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOO

[@Reddit_gamer]

itzutusmi doesnt have the acces to the internet, or else shed porbaly be you know what

[@Doctorolivercook]

Great video! And now I need a cat.

[@matthewmccoyd2578]

So, one of her names shares flower symbolism with nightshade and she was magically abused as a child... Listen, I see an angsty catgirl, I'm gonna make comparisons to some of the more famous ones in the West also STOP ABUSING CATGIRLS

[@NeonDripKitty]

all ways wondered what she was from, might have to check the manga out at some point, and 100% agree with her feeling the most cat like cos every image/meme I saw of her was full cat vibes

[@taxidriverxdscp4242]

In izutsumi we trust

[@josepass2563]

Surely there's a Kabru video down the line...

[@meowhisd4546]

Aww hell yeah

[@quantifiedamalgamation]

izutsumi

[@maylanem]

Fun fact: Izutsumi isn't a tall men transforme into a cat hybrid, it's actually the contrary They used a cat's body and mixed in a tall men soul

[@bbittercoffee]

Oh my god what is that Dungeon Meshi Darkest Dungeon mod?!?

[@remberedink]

YEAAAH DUNGEON MESHI MENTION

[@KA-lj3wr]

PLEASE MORE VIDS ON DUNGEON MESHIIIII

[@akumaking1]

Give the kitty a hug

[@karthebest5155]

God i love to see a video on Laois's autistic swagger

[@Jared-ty8xd]

Nice V for Vendetta reference.

[@wightmamba8085]

I somewhat doubt cats liking sweet food with one of our cats who liked sweet foods like cake and would try to steal it if he could get away with it.

[@patrickfrost9405]

My opinion of Izutsumi is as follows: Would.

[@TouchePV]

Izutsumi's mom seems from Ainu tribe

[@hominhmai5325]

Laius party has 2 rogues

[@vertexChurro]

kity

[@edi9892]

Fun fact: mushrooms are closer to animals than plants!

[@HeilRay]

Shes Eren Jaeger if he was a cute cat girl.

[@joshuafolino3023]

Can you do video at talk about Nier and drakengard series

[@kelp735]

pm mentioned????

[@painauraisan]

I'm not sure if i want to watch this, but i need to understand the references in the Reddit community i am currently in.

[@JBBRDNKS]

Wait what game where u playin as laios an iztuzumi???

[@Draconis_Eltanin]

Darkest Dungeon, but modded.

[@RegstarRogstar]

behold... girl cat

[@YesodLiker]

What the fuck. Jumpscared by Library of Ruina

[@agsdragon5475]

Can you do blazblue

[@ileonardoi3791]

Cat 👽

[@dopey473]

meow meow meow meow meow meow

[@sae-]

Hanakaetobah? You mean hana kotoba…? Eeeeeeeh my ears are bleeding

[@magnetizedmaltese1779]

sorry but small "well, achsully...." -> izutsumi was confirmed in the extras to be born as a cat that was implanted with the soul of a human girl that was killed, not the other way around! so if she were to be 'cured' her parts would be an alive cat... and a ghost :(

[@hello-rq8kf]

yeah i aint listening to all this yapping i just wanna the cat

[@GuyWhoWatchesStuff]

Kibty