The Masterful Open Ending of 91 Days: A Video Essay

Timestamps:
i. the tragic hero - 00:57
ii. sentimentality - 03:21
iii. thematic purpose (you just live) - 05:57
iv. ending where you began - 11:38
v. the pineapple can - 12:55
vi . to end, but to end in multiples - 14:02
I apologize for the way my voice sounds at the end of the video, I recorded the closing thoughts in the morning so my voice was cracking a lot lol. This is my first attempt at organizing a video essay format so let me know what you think of this style of video!
Find me on twitter: / casualfanview
References:
Lamarque, Peter. 2009. The philosophy of literature. Malden: Blackwell.
Puckett, Kent. 2016. Narrative Theory: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge University Press
Definition of catharsis is from LitCharts website: here:www.litcharts.com/literary-de...

[@louiekim824]

Criminally underrated and under recognized anime. Wonder video essay by the way!

[@louiekim824]

I believe the ending is Nero killing Avilio but letting Angelo live 😊

[@jonathanocana2254]

Just finished this show about 20 mins ago and was thinking about it. Another thing I thought about was Nero’s dad saying it was “all for nothing” or something close to that to Nero before he died which I feel like could mean he didn’t kill him in the end. And even within the discontent they had for one another they became “best friends” for lack of better words due to being within the only ones who can truly comprehend one another’s subsequent pain they’ve experienced when it comes to absolute loss and even having to take the life of a brother Angelos being corteo who considered each other brothers. But honestly love the open ending concept because it makes you think back into other nuances of the show to mentally try to put stuff together.

[@casualfandomview]

yes, you are correct! Nero's father's sentiment of his regrets and that it was 'all for nothing' also supports the possbility of Nero not killing Angelo! I totally forgot about that moment and it greatly supports the argument that Nero chooses not to support the cycle of violence any longer/doesn't kill Angelo. Thank you for letting me know such a great insight!

[@garylolcow1634]

I just wanted to see cool gun fights not be depressed

[@spikeboot0]

Cool? They literally shoot everything but the target and when they do its everything but the head

[@dakshgoswami6326]

See Gangsta then it's a anime with cool gun fights

[@garylolcow1634]

@@dakshgoswami6326lol ok

[@garylolcow1634]

@@dakshgoswami6326 bro imagine if one of the guys was deaf though that would be funky

[@dakshgoswami6326]

@@garylolcow1634 lmao in that anime The main character is deaf

[@jordanalexander6935]

My personal interpretation was that he missed the shot, and left knowing they were being tailed. He made the man tailing them think Nero shot Angelo, and then leaves knowing he'll continue to be hunted, but Angelo will be disappear just like before

[@krystiankornilowicz4577]

if you go to the wiki fandom for the show, they say Angelo is dead, which imho is bull. I know Nero wanted to so badly kill Angelo but he wouldn't smile upon the pineapple and leave him with those words if he killed him. the greatest punishment for Angelo is to be left alive as he doesn't know what to do with his life, so Nero granted him that.

[@mspacey6230]

Now it's 'unknown'

[@krystiankornilowicz4577]

@@mspacey6230 that makes me happy to hear

[@Reespec]

angelo broke down while saying i wish you would've just shot me 7 years ago and that's why nero shot him at the end not because he wanted to for his sake but for angelos that's what i got from it so he is dead

[@winterroad3551]

I think nero missed but Angelo killed himself

[@Zer_00]

Just finished watching it, u made me calm..

[@inumakitoge6909]

This is how I see the ending: Nero, remembered the time he 1st pointed the gun at the back of Angelo, 7 years ago. And, he did the same thing, he pulls the trigger without hitting Angelo, and lets him live.

[@100XPercentX]

I was thinking the same thing but I think this time he killed him he looked determined

[@BossofBosses111]

@@100XPercentX that's the point

[@basilmeldho6618]

Do avilo exist ? There is only one footstep on beach right?

[@lillyzs4817]

i was thinking the same but i keep remembering that in the ending credits they always put all the dead charecters and angelo is one of them so for me the ending is kinda confusing

[@nkazuyaaa]

@@lillyzs4817 idk if you know this But In the Nero And Angelo live together on ep 13

[@mjwvirk1890]

you don't need a reason to live. you just live ~nero vanetti

[@teabag4273]

There is also an OVA take place some time around ep 4 which shows when they were on the run, nero got sick and ate all the pineapple angelo had bought. Angelo took care of him, then toward the end of the OVA, nero bought angelo another pineapple can as his thank. So, the can at the end of ep 12 is not the one angelo bought, but a gift from nero for him.

[@user-hw8hn1wr7t]

Love this video so much!! So well described!! I also thought that if Nero did indeed shoot and kill Angelo, it was for Angelo's sake, not his own. Angelo wants to die, feels empty, and Nero finally does what he should have years ago and kills Angelo so that Angelo doesn't have to deal with the terrible burden he's been carrying of his family's murder. Angelo is basically a ghost the entire series, should have died with his family and had peace years ago, but instead is cursed to haunt his family's murderers because Nero hesitated. At the end, Nero's shot would be what finally lets Angelo's soul leave. This interpretation would mean Nero isn't perpetuating the cycle of violence; instead, part of his arc is realizing you can kill for mercy, which I would assume is a more unheard of concept in the mafia world. The "You don't need a reason to live. You just live" also could be for Nero himself. Angelo was dead the moment his family died. Nero now has to force himself to keep going to not follow in Angelo's shoes of empty ghostly revenge.

[@Zer_00]

Good point, arigathanks>>

[@kazukimiyazaki581]

this is facts

[@Jobe-13]

I had no clue this anime wasn’t mainstream. I just finished it and it’s pretty great. The opera house massacre of the Vanettis and Angelo almost killing Nero’s dad was the most intense bit.

[@Yakkoblue]

one of the best revenge animes i have seen

[@Harvey_Mod]

Just binged watched the show today and my, oh my, what a show it was. Heard the OP one time my brother was playing it and I was enthralled by how well TK did the OP. Now I've watched it and I'm just dumbstruck. It was too good. I checked on Wikipedia and it seemed as though the ending was not shown in order which further adds to the open ending of the series. The part where Angelo woke up in bandages and was talked to by Strega could be said to be after Nero had shot him (if you recall, when he woke up, you could hear the ocean waves). The last episode was not necessarily ordered chronologically which even makes the ending more uncertain. But yep, the show definitely tugged my heartstring

[@naomibear6081]

This was brilliantly explained! I loved this! 👏🏾

[@casualfandomview]

thank you! 😊

[@philipmartinez3454]

Thank you, I gotta say watching the first bit of your video made me want to rewatch the entire series again after 5 years and I was pleasantly surprised by it and after rewatching the whole series, it gave me more context in finishing your video. I was also surprised to know there was another episode after the 12th one, the 13th one gave it a more positive ending to the whole series in general. But thank you again for the insight of the open ending. I feel like this series was quite a sleeper hit, and I hope a lot more can watch it and find your video

[@casualfandomview]

thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed the video and I'm happy it got you to rewatch it. The show is great to rewatch after a long time. I was grateful my mind unconsciously remembered it and had the urge to watch it again. It's truly that type of show where even if you forget about it for a long while, I will still go back to it eventually! (i didn't count the extra 13th episode because it was more of an episode with various earlier stories -also I may have assumed it was an OVA when I was younger lol- but you're right that it gives the ending of the show a more lighthearted feel!)

[@charmygreen665]

This anime really gave me a better perspective. It was amazing, and this video was awesome!

[@Drowning_In_Morphine]

This is such a great video. The explanation is brilliant.

[@marisda_]

At first, I didn't even realize this show had an open ending. I just thought Nero had killed Avilio sort of as an act of mercy mixed with his own entitlement to avenge the clan. I didn't think much of the mafia guy in the other car as Nero drove by either. Your arguments for the possible multiple endings were very good and made me feel more satisfaction with this anime's conclusion. I usually hate open endings but I totally agree with you that, for this story, such an ending works and it played out very well.

[@ryanbradleyrankin]

Gun is aimed high, pretty sure he missed on purpose.

[@SubWaySpiderman]

Or you can think of it as the Of mice and men ending, mercy killing him so he can rest in peace taking the role of living for the both of them ending the cycle. Nero did say that one day in a different life he would pick up the waitress at the diner where he had those pancakes. Perhaps this ending is Nero's new life living by the country side with the waitress living in hiding much like ex-mob bosses ship themselves away to live out the remainder of their lives hidden.

[@Reespec]

angelo broke down while saying i wish you would've just shot me 7 years ago and that's why nero shot him at the end not because he wanted to for his sake but for angelos that's what i got from it

[@Russoski234]

I translated the anime back when it came out into my language (from english). After all these years, it is still one of the best anime shows I've watched.

[@Muhamad576]

Why I feel like this anime won’t end like that.. I notice I lotta 7s in it 1: Angelo returned to Lawless after 7 years. 2: Word (Lawless) is 7 letters. 3: word (Vanetti) is 7 letters. 4: there Vanetti clan has 7 main member (Don Vanetti, Nero, Frate, Ganzo Alary, Del toro, Vanno, Barbero). 5: there is 7 Dons in the episode (Don Moreno, Don Vanetti, Don Nero, Don Orco, Don Fango, Don Galassia, Don Strega) 6: the Vanetti Opera playhouse finished at the end of June and opened in July which is the 7th month of year. And some other 7s.. the way I think of this anime.. its wasteful to call it an anime it should be a novel masterpiece.

[@Hena76]

Of course… even the producers announced that chances of the 2nd season is pretty high but with different name, most possible name for it was (shadow of the vanettis).

[@Muhamad576]

@@Hena76 yes I’ve heard the recommended name it was that… but seriously this Vanetti family story was fun, I was a fan of the vanettis though but they were fools… you know why?… when Don Galassia and Strega came to their mansion they could kill them and hang them on the bridge like volpe, still I have no idea why they didn’t do it.

[@shrutiwayne7440]

@@Hena76 i think ppl should let beautiful things be the way it is. No need for sequel

[@LawiHassan]

@@shrutiwayne7440 there IS a need for sequel. An amazing Mafia story like this shouldn’t end like this.

[@Marqu3sTUBE]

Lol it’s wasteful to call it a anime? No welcome to anime, anime does what movies Hollywood never can do

[@aurelianus1308]

Thank you for this. Loved this show.

[@narut9242]

Wonderful Video Essay! The open ending is masterful and really makes this a timeless anime. Whether Angelo lives or dies we may never know, but the ending I like to imagine is this: Nero and Angelo both know they are being tailed but while Angelo sees death as the only escape, Nero refuses to let this happen. To let the cycle continue. So while on the road Nero makes his own plans in secret… and once everything is in place he heads towards the final destination: the beach… And once there, he has his gun, the kid and all the time in the world… Angelo starts walking… Walking and waiting for what he believes will be his death… an end to it all at last… but yet again the sound of the gun blasts and yet again it fails to find him… BUT… This is where Nero’s plan jumps into action, for the gun shot was not intended to kill but was a single fire to call a boat waiting off shore… the boat belongs to a friend of a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy kind of job… and he pays the man to take Angelo away while he goes to take care of the men chasing them. Nero either kills them or convinces them he’s killed Angelo. Tail taken care of Nero then drives to a meeting point at a port village further down the coast where he meets up with Angelo. Together they set sail to begin anew in a town far far away… Perhaps in one of those towns on the posters we see in the show… or even better, a town ripe with pineapples… 🍍 🌊 ☀️

[@karisc.anoruo2212]

9:10 is so important and a good interpretation and analysis

[@i.n.o6425]

I still remember the whole anime even though I haven't watched it since it came out, I remember listening to the opening on my way to highschool because for some reason I felt connected to it. This anime felt how I felt at the time, hurt, empty and without purpose

[@eliyahuzylberberg171]

damn

[@IloveOtherPplsMsry]

I always come back to what Michael Franzese said about mob movies, "At the end, everyone goes down"

[@Harvey46]

The ending was sad but hey at least angelo and nero made their amends

[@ninjahuh6461]

Just got done watching the show, and I had to looks up the meaning for the pineapple can. Great video btw.

[@yuufie4882]

nero and angelo are like that dudes on code geass thats why i like it. that friendship even you hate each others but still you both cant tell theyre clean because they already shed blood on their hands

[@James_The_Bara_Dude62391]

Just watched it yesterday I binged it loved it

[@shiren9976]

Great Video ( I Love This Anime ). Its so Deep and Dark. The Ending is Masterpiece. ( I Watched it 1 year ago and i still sometimes just watch the last episode and just randomly type 91 Days on youtube lol look what i found ).....Still depressed from the ending.

[@witchofmany]

wowwww i love this analysis!

[@ALFI322]

I just finished the anime and and quite happy to have found this video.

[@Sarah-gw2tk]

I believe Angelo is dead. Nero was mistaken to let him live and suffer 7 years ago, this time he ended his misery as an act of mercy.

[@therockbottom2539]

forgot to watch this with my YAPpuccino. thanks for covering it up.

[@itsmefm]

First of all, great video. How the hell do you only have 787 subs??? (788 now though lol) Secondly, I always thought that in the end, the can means that Nero ended up killing Angelo. I just thought it was a good way to wrap up this revenge plot anime. I really appreciate you breaking down the other possible endings.

[@jwm1444]

I'm a little torn, on one hand I feel like they loved each other too much to kill one and other by the end. On the other, I feel like Nero frankly suffered more than Angelo did and wouldn't easily let Angelo go despite his love for him. I also believe that regardless of what went down between Angelo and Nero, Nero will die at the hands of the Chicago mob. Ugh this show is so fucking good lol

[@HawksNLionsFan_1200]

Someone has actually seen this shwo….AND THEY ANALYZED IT😩

[@ZairCarvey]

Does nobody remember the first time the went out together and Angelo got him the caned pineapples I think that he look at it and thought of Angelo

[@valvenis2601]

Just finished this anime. Can’t explain how amazing it is. I’m in the honey moon phase rn but this literally might be my favorite anime of all time. And one of the best mob “films” of all time. Wow, just wow.

[@kecohmedia839]

just finished rewatch this masterpiece for 99th times

[@norza3404]

After doing some research and watching your essay, i have conclude that this series is masterpiece and the ending is super open.. Madam i have to thank you for making such wonderful essay, without you i will left utterly confused and in denied. But after watching your essay I think I made my choice, and my choice is to let the ending be open forever.. if someone ask me if Angelo still alive?? I will answer i don't know.. what happened to them?? I don't know.. let the ending be open...

[@kikisanji8224]

Great video !!!!

[@navyan4495]

You gained a sub!

[@il3b13]

the thing that stuck to my head is that angelo could simply run or kill nero he had a lot of chance's and a lot of time to think but he simply decided that he will just die

[@OutlawKING111]

Angelo himself says that he couldve killed Nero whenever but he simply didnt want to. It could probably mean that both Angelo and Nero got attached to each other or Angelo wanted him to suffer just like he did and left him alive. Its up for interpretation

[@Thebutterfly2018]

After years of watching the animation, After watching your video I think I know what happened at the end! How come I never thought of it 😱 there was a hint! The sea and the missing footsteps 👣 😢 he drowned thats why the footsteps stopped. Did he drown himself or did the other guy did it? Still its an open ending 🤔

[@yuvrajsinghrathore9887]

Just finished this great series. It's a great anime It's way too much underrated And the animation is not bad either And music is good as well

[@Taraak]

But Angelo never actually killed corteo ?

[@rimo3821]

Unpopular opinion 91 days > deathnote

[@shhrage]

This both animes are good

[@natefroggy3626]

i wouldnt call them comparable

[@hommefataltaemin]

Why even compare them wtf?

[@randomaccount8086]

Objectively, 91 days is in its entirety better. The part of death not pre L's death was better than 91 days.

[@smasher420]

just finished watching w anime found on a website talking about it

[@HananX]

A summary would've been nice.

[@biblefn]

you guys got to understand how beautiful the ending is, and the parallels within it. From a blind eye you can think Angelo is dead the end that’s the story, but in reality Nero didn’t kill him. They’re both even and both are suffering their fates instead of death. Nero is regretting his choices and watching his mafia fall while Angelo realize it was all for nothing and he has now lost the purpose for life anymore. Death doesn’t suit either of them it will just end their suffering which is a favor. The parallel with the ending and the beginning scene is that Nero missed his shot while Angelo back was turned getting away just like he did 7 years ago. I haven’t seen a very beautiful ending like this in awhile.

[@HiImRawr]

The ending isn't actually the ending, chronologically it's before Angelo woke up in the bed

[@ryuki8907]

Oh fkkkkkkk......waaiit

[@zera7805]

When did he wake up in the bed

[@HiImRawr]

@@zera7805 half way through episode 12 there's a random cut in continuity. Angelo is in the car with Nero and Nero is really mad at him, then he wakes up in a bed with a gunshot wound in his shoulder after dreaming about the beach. That scene is after the end where they went to the beach.

[@zera7805]

@@HiImRawr oh shit hank you

[@GHx5]

HOLY SHIT YOU JUST REMINDED

[@sufthegoat]

Sad

[@NaberiusOne]

Exactly!

[@SK1OO1]

Essay is good but too many loftly quotes used

[@faceyourdemons1567]

I truly believe that Nero kills Angelo, but less for revenging and more for releasing him from his torment. As for what Nero said just before that, is that he gave Angelo just a life leason, but also to the viewer. Even though he was telling him to just live imo it did not contradicted the decision of killing Angelo.

[@natefrost1]

All i came for to see if he died(cz im in luv with dis show)

[@spikeboot0]

Nice video but this could have been just 7 or 10 minutes

[@carlacaribe]

In my opinion the true villain in the history is Angelo himself, even nero was a good person compared to angelo

[@queenb2450]

Nope, the story was meant to be gray on all sides. Neither Angelo or Nero were the "villains" that's making it too simple