The Tragedy of Harumi | A Critical Retrospective

[@lasercraft32]

I like how Ninjago (you know, the supposed "kid's show?") has a villain like Harumi: An emotionally scarred child who becomes of a psychopath as a result of her trauma. You know its a GOOD "kid's show" when they aren't afraid to include surprisingly deep or mature concepts!

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Definitely. I heard a quote from somewhere (I can't quite remember where) that said something along the lines of "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children isn't a good children's story in the slightest."

[@dangerbuffrocky]

Mask of Vengane - Harumi's vengeance towards the Ninja Mask of Deception - How she deceived everyone with the facade or "mask" she put on Mask of Hatred - her underlying hate for the ninja.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

That’s such a cool parallel!

[@dangerbuffrocky]

I remember getting spoiled on the plot twist by a set animation released by LEGO which depicted Harumi as an antagonist.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Me too. They didn’t HAVE to spoil it in the sets, did they?

[@dangerbuffrocky]

@@ACriticalRetrospective I originally thought it was a mistake because Hutchins was portrayed as a villain as well, but then when I noticed the hints earlier on it clicked.

[@hyfsty]

LITERALLY the sets are the biggest spoiler spots i swear

[@Twhf7228]

You know what's worse about crystalized? They could've solved Harumi's motivation by simply having the Overlord appealing to her situation regarding that family she saved in the building, making her side with him only because he sells himself as the solution to Ninjago's destruction cycle problem. Showing that now, Harumi feels much more guilty of her acts and admitting to Lloyd he was right all along (in a way, coming to terms with him). It doesn't fix the "working with a dark lord yet again" problem, but at least it would've been more coherent P.S: You should definitely check out dragons rising, it's really great

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Dragons Rising does sound pretty cool.

[@igor1671]

Miraculous Crystalized writers writers 🤝 Destroying all the development of an excellent character for stupid reasons

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Definitely.

[@elinasakura]

That’s exactly what I was thinking!

[@Archiver_Studio]

This is too real

[@PToTheJay]

You really did a good job at breaking down Harumi and it makes me look back at her arc a lot more positively. In my opinion, she was so good in the Oni trilogy that even Crystalized cannot ruin her for me. Now, about Dragons Rising, it really fixes Harumi by not bringing her up at all and just leaving her fate completely ambiguous to the audience, allowing for Ninjago to move on from this atrocity. It is for this and many other reasons that I will highly recommend the show to you: It respects the original show while offering something new without resuming to fan service.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Dragons Rising sounds more and more cool with every comment I see about it. I’ll definitely check it out.

[@zuza3377]

Here's the thing. I'm terrible at watching shows. Because I spoil myself like 5 seasons ahead before I even properly get to the show. In Ninjago's case, I spoiled myself season 5, 8, 9 and the final episode of the final season before I finished season 1. By the time I got to season 8 I already knew Harumi was going to be evil but I was curious how the twist reveal would go. With knowlage of Harumi being evil watching episodes when she was "good" I could tell the writers knew what they were doing. Harumi was so good it was weird, she was doing perfectly and was "Oh so innocent." and her experssions (at least as much as lego figures allow it) also told that she wasn't who she claimed to be. I hate Harumi because, Lloyd is my favorite character, she is terrible, her logic is flawed (well it's obvious for us but not for her). I can see why Harumi became the way she did, I can't imagine what it would be like if my parents died, but there was one time where my mom and brother had an accident and I didn't know what was happening to them, so I can feel for Harumi, for her fear and sadness and pain. That doesn't explain her actions though, charaters don't really have proper age but if we persue that she was around Lloyd's biological age when she became orphaned, she was doing all this when she was a teen. Harumi is tragic but I still hate her :)

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

That’s a very unique outlook on her character. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@FeligamiAdrizoeSworaDooplivian]

That was fantastic! Although I haven’t seen this show. It’s definitely more dark than I imagined. Still. Really awesome video! And good to have you back! 😁☺️

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

That’s really kind of you to say, and thanks for giving Ninjago a chance. 😁

[@FeligamiAdrizoeSworaDooplivian]

@@ACriticalRetrospective No problem! ☺️

[@soraqt_08]

You should watch it if you have the time. It's really good! The oni trilogy (s8,9,10) are PEAK!

[@AlfonzoFrohicky]

broooo this the best analysis for ninjago i've ever watched the breakdown is good as shit

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks! That’s very nice of you to say. Very encouraging, too.

[@lasercraft32]

Crystallized basically did the _whole show_ dirty.

[@nightlunastar]

Dragons rising just ignores that Harumi exists. She is never mentioned or seen. In my opinion the right way to do it (at least for now). Season 8 also ignored a lot of the problems season 7 had, the hageman brothers actually never watched season 7. It still turned out great. Dragon Rising did the same thing and while not a Masterpiece like season 8, it's still good and maybe it will get even better in the Future (season 2 looks already very promising and the only thing we have so far are some Trailers and small clips ). So yeah, you schould definitly watch it

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Dragons Rising does sound pretty cool. I’ll check it out soon. Maybe I’ll make a video on it.

[@igor1671]

I don't think "ignoring Harumi that exists" is the right definition. Yeah, Dragons Rising is definitely ignoring Harumi and most of Crystalized for now, but nothing stops them from being a topic at some point.

[@nightlunastar]

@@igor1671 i said it's a good idea for now. Because this is a new Show and bringing old side characters back would confuse New watchers. But of course ignoring it forever will not solve the problem. Besides, they alread fixed how Kai felt when Nya left in one scene. So I wouldn't be surprised when more scenes like this show up to Adress that Crystalize do exist, as long it serves the plot. I mean for season two whe have a Garmadon Comic coming out and it doesn't Look like he will be in this season, but the decisions he made in the past will probably have impact on the present. And I think this is a good way tho handle the Situation.

[@adenweiner5573]

@@igor1671 i guess controversy on Crystallized and her portrayal in Crystalized will never die....so....sad😭😢(sorry for the overdramatic but damn people really hate crystalized!!) i feel like i'm the only one who liked Crystalized and liked harumi being redeemed but yeah like everyone i totally agree IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE IN ONE EPISODE LET ALONG 30 SECONDS OR SOMETHING?????? it should have been through the course of the season and ep 17 Return to Prievel's eye was the perfect time to shine some light on this and have her begin that path of redemption i really really thought they were gonna do this but no...they didn't yeah i do agree she is a pretty controversial character especially her portrayal in Crystallized i mean i always thought that 50% of the fandom didn't like her and 50% of the fandom loved her that's what it looked like to me (thought the controversy of her portrayal in Crystalized would die down by now i mean it has been a year and a half almost) yeah i do agree Harumi is a pretty controversial character especially her portrayal in Crystallized i mean i always thought that 50% of the fandom didn't like her and 50% of the fandom loved her that's what it looked like to me (P.S, I'm one of the 50% who loves her i really hope Harumi comes back though I feel like more people would want to know what happened to her as time goes on I do believe the controversy from Crystalized will die down and therefore want her back in the show. do u think we will see harumi in future seasons?? like seasons 4 and 5 cause apparently. (like harumi is human too she doesn't deserve sooooo much hate. yeah i do agree she is a pretty controversial character especially her portrayal in Crystallized i mean i always thought that 50% of the fandom didn't like her and 50% of the fandom loved her that's what it looked like to me (P.S, I'm one of the 50% who loves her) okay well here is what got me hoping harumi might come back lemme know what you think.. i see why some people think that she won't come back or don't want her back but these are my reasons on why i think she might come back like okay we have not seen Skylor or Pixal or Vania yet we haven't seen any old characters yet in season 1 or in the season 2 trailer and she is not dead that is the only hope i am holding on too, and it wasn't just harumi who was portrayed badly, so was lloyd and nya but they were fixed in Dragons Rising and now everybody loves them again? like it was that bad in Crystazlied i get it was controversial but i didn't think it was this bad! this is what got me holding onto hope: * Doc Wyatt and Kevin Burke really like Harumi apparently and they also see her as a broken villain that's what i've been hearing and also believe that Harumi is redeemable (I do believe Doc Wyatt and Kevin Burke do understand her character and her relationship with Lloyd they see the human within her and see that she has some goodness within herself and it could have been a good redemption arc there were too many writers for that) * we did not see any other side characters yet * she is not dead cause they did not confirm that she died or any other character had died in the merge if they are all still alive so is harumi if nothing is confirmed * She just got revived in season 16 and we did not see her in 4 years since her death in hunted and she is not dead so they cannot just throw her out she is alive if was dead that would be a different story but I hope she is not otherwise her return in Crystalized would be totally pointless so yeah those are CORRECTION WERE those were my pathetic reasons and beliefs on why i think she is coming back... but these reasons are pretty pathetic reasons right? like okay if no other side character ends up showing up by the end of the show, like you've mentioned Pixal, Wu, Garmadon, Skylor, Dareth then i would be totally cool with harumi not showing up HOWEVER!!!!! if all side character BUT HARUMI end up showing up here is what i will tell the creators of Ninjago quote Heather Chandler (from Heathers Musical, first lyric from the song Candy Store) Heather Chandler: Are we gonna have a problem? JK!! i wouldn't say that but i wouldn't lie i would be pretty pissed how about u? yes i know that other people would think this is a good idea but i really love harumi so i would be really upset and angry how about u?

[@sheilarains5485]

Yes thank you so much!! You nailed this right on the head. She's my favorite ninjago villian by far (until crystalized)

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

You’re very welcome. I’ve been looking forward to making this video for a really long time. 😊

[@10yearsspinning]

Great vid, and i agree Harumi and Lloyd in Crystalized feels like they were just trying to recapture the glory days of s8 while trying to be comedic like all season from late 2019-now

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

It definitely feels that way. In that scene at the end of episode 13, after Harumi says that volleyball line, the theme that plays is the same as the scene in the Oni Temple in Season 8. They really tried to make us remember, didn’t they? But it just didn’t feel the same.

[@10yearsspinning]

@@ACriticalRetrospective I'm not against Harumi being redeemed like if they started the season with her not a villain then yes, but as soon as they decided to make her a villain again with Vengestone Buyer it was over as soon as she sent Aspheera that Crystal Spider right after making Nyas sacrifice 110% mean nothing it was too late...

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@10yearsspinning Definitely. There was potential.

[@10yearsspinning]

@@ACriticalRetrospective idk I don't hate Crystalized I've seen worse (like s11 didn't bother to make you feel anything and DotD was always doomed to fail) but it was such a let down and only characters that felt consistent were Overlord and Wu everyone else did nothing or got regresssed

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@10yearsspinning I definitely agree with you. Season 11 is really boring. I don’t really think it has much of an identity.

[@Comuc]

The video we all wanted

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks. I’m glad you liked it. I really enjoyed making it. 😁

[@johnbrando5336]

You know if crusty783 the most vocal against Crystalized unironically suggested a fanfic called web of masks that is set after crystalized and calls it good, then there’s no way the issue is she was redeemed or brought back, its that Tommy blatantly admitted said he never believed it was possible yet still did it anyway. Also since no way home exists where they figured out a way to keep goblin evil while making it possible for him to be saved, and there’s no excuse. I would say Harumi’s lack of care and handling in crystalized is the worst thing associated with Ninjago but thanks to Lego using ai recently for *artwork* now that’s the bottom of the barrel

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Oh yeah, they did use AI didn’t they? I saw it and it looked so bad.

[@pandabanaan9208]

Personally I don't like how people seem to have almost entirely written off redemption arcs as a whole, I get that there was a long time were every villain needed to be sympathetic but it feels like an overcorrection, for me it's never the trope that's at fault(or well usually, there are some tropes that are just inherently disgusting) but the writer, a lot of people are raving about the return of pure evil villains and while yes that's great, let's not forget that they can also be done very badly(I mean does anyone genuinely care even a little bit about the overlord despite him technically being a pure evil villain) As a sidenote I would actually like to see some discussion around web of masks, I'm genuinely curious what people's opinions on it are since the most I've seen is crusty quickly mentioning it as a good fan work

[@madisonyomans9004]

In Sons of Garmadon/Hunted, I think it's possible to see Harumi's point of view to some extent. She has a complex backstory, and she could have chosen to become an antagonistic vigilante against the ninja. Instead, she chose the path of a villain, which led to her downfall. and you’re right cause I feel like there’s moments where she realized yeah she fucked up big-time, but was so arrogant. She kind of kept digging that The hole got deeper and deeper. The part about her being mad at Lloyd for not saving her, and that he didn’t look hard enough for her, always rubs me the wrong way a bit.He is not entitled to do that considering what she did to him. He did not have to come to her rescue, but he did, and she should secretly be grateful for that, as she knows he should have been the one rescued. I think they could've tried to crystallize these two issues together.

[@dankcraft7386]

She might have been a sociopath at the start but I really always felt sorry for her to some extent

[@WitchCraftTwin1]

Already know it’s going to be great

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

That’s really flattering. 😁

[@WitchCraftTwin1]

Now that I’m done with the video I’ll say it’s nice to see someone else who hates crystallized

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@WitchCraftTwin1 I’m glad, too. 😊

[@ehimemaidumu]

I feel that in that scene where Harumi switched sides, that was not redemption, she merely displaced blame to someone else.

[@OthandoSimamane-ss1xp]

True but now theirs no reason for her to be evil anymore

[@sparxstreak02]

5:22 I was always confused by how Harumi summoned only Garmadon’s evil half when I can’t even imagine how you’d specifically do that - especially since Garmadon was good at his core & his bad side was caused by dark venom magic.

[@BlueBlazeKing]

Seemingly the ritual resurrect an aspect of the person and give it physical form. In this case she revived his evil side

[@MGory828]

He’s back from the dead!

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

My death was greatly exaggerated. 😂

[@MGory828]

@@ACriticalRetrospective You literally got revived like Harumi. I think that’s what Crystal King did. Nevertheless, welcome back to YT!

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks. I missed you guys.

[@MrDuckIsHappy]

If anyone is wondering, the channel that made the video about every crime Harumi committed is called "Crusty783"

[@IceMasterFilms]

I used to love harumi but then crystallized completely ruined her and now I hate her and not in a good way like i honestly believe she’s one of the worst characters now

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

She was butchered pretty badly, wasn’t she?

[@IceMasterFilms]

Yeah she definitely was

[@anwaransari1025]

I know i am late but great video man, glad it's finally out

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks. I’m really glad you enjoyed it.

[@aleg._.1656]

Wow thank you for making this! I always felt like this needed to be talked about

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks! It honestly makes me really happy to know my videos are making people smile. 😊

[@megalodon3655]

I would like to say that someone made a video on why crystallized was good and the reason harumi changed was when she was about to Kia that moment where she and Lloyd are looking at each other the person explained that harumi realized at that moment that Lloyd still cared about her even after she had done and that he really was the only person who cared about her and when she was resurrected it essential changed her character as she realized that Lloyd was the only person who cared about her.

[@tarabletv]

I've heard Dragons Rising is really good, would definitely be interested in seeing a video on it

[@Archiver_Studio]

I mean, you could consider that some of her bizarre changes in personality and her sudden evil tendencies might've been caused by the Overlord I mean when she began feeling doubt about her loyalties to the Overlord, her eyes began to glow and she felt a sudden wave of hatred towards Lloyd This might've been caused by the Overlord bringing her back to life, this would also explain why she would join him so quickly, she isn't really making those choices, she's being influenced by the Overlord Just a thought but honestly, it makes sense

[@Archiver_Studio]

ALSO! Another theory for why Harumi could've been acting so bizarre! She DIED and came back to life, she was a soul for a little while She literally died, and when she came back she was forced into a body which she felt and saw die(Possibly) It makes sense that literally dying caused some changes to how she works, maybe she changed because she literally died and was processing that and everything else in a less than stable way which caused her to become more unhinged in a more bizarre way than previously? Same with her joining the Overlord, she's quite literally broken, she's damaged both spiritually and psychologically

[@gracekim1998]

her eyes do glow at certain moments

[@Archiver_Studio]

@@gracekim1998 Exactly, usually when feeling intense emotions Such as the rage that the Overlord cast on her

[@Dachbun_Donuts]

I remember that me and my brother used to watch DVDs on road trips constantly, I also remember that I hated Kai's redesign.

[@soraqt_08]

I know this is going to be one of the best video essays i will watch! Edit: It was amazing oml! Pls if you have the time, watch ninjago dragons rising!!🙏🙏

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

That’s really nice of you. 😁

[@soraqt_08]

@@ACriticalRetrospective

[@dollyvivi_.ৎ]

Harumi will always be my fav character 💗

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

ME TOOOOOO

[@quibbs126]

You know while I haven’t watched Seasons 8 or 9 I think since they originally came out, this video made me appreciate Harumi in those seasons a lot more. I was one of those people who thought her motivations didn’t make sense, but I really like how you explained it And this is just furthering my dislike of what they did with her in Crystalized

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks. That’s really sweet to hear about my video. 😊

[@dollyvivi_.ৎ]

21:02 HELP I LOVE THIS 💀

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

I'm glad you liked it!!

[@BlackDisneyPrincess]

I think they were just writing fan service at that point because writing and rehashing Harumi and them also trying to tell us Lloyd ended up regretting romantic feelings for her? They’re just giving Lloyd Stockholm syndrome at this point. And I promise I’m not trying to exaggerate this because that is the strictest definition of Stockholm Syndrome: Having feelings of sympathy for your abuser.

[@BlackDisneyPrincess]

*regaining, not regretting

[@jellyfishforlife2217]

Yeah, I was late. I used to watch ninjago but dropped it after the formula became stale for me. But I heard many good things about the Sons of Garmadon arc, I got curious and was pleasantly surprised by how good and pretty dark the entire arc was. Harumi is a Big factor in why the arc was so good. I pity Harumi but I also hate her with a burning passion and I absolutely loved it! But then Crystallized came along and I the moment Lloyd told Harumi that he knows she never wanted people to get hurt, I cringed. With all the gaslighting Harumi put Lloyd through, it seems Lloyd has Stockholm syndromed himself into forgetting that this woman committed premeditated murder on her own adoptive parents the Emperor and Empress, committed manslaughter on her guard Hudges. She can try to justify it by claiming that her adoptive parents are abusive to her but Hughes is an innocent man and not to mention the countless towns she had her group terrorize for simply not sharing her opinions on the ninjas' "incompetence". I love your analysis videos, you are underrated.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks for the encouragement. ☺️

[@hxjjdjd606]

Sometimes a villain doesn’t need to be redeemed

[@eliserobinson5752]

I first started watching your miraculous (the first show I really got into) videos and now hearing you talk about one of my favorite shows is so fun, it's a shame that I haven't seen many people talk about Ninjago. Just curious have you watched Lego Monkie Kid? I personally don't think it's as good Ninjago but the animation style is PEAK!! Love the videos!

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Thanks! That’s really nice of you to say. As for Monkie Kid, I’ve heard of it but I’ve never watched it.

[@Userunnamedee]

I still didn't watch crystalized. New information was... surprising

[@karamixon5815]

Looking at the movie, the villain song made....😢😢😢

[@gracekim1998]

I’ll have to watch this when I’m caught up with ninjago😅 (it might take years😶 because i have to start from the beginning again)

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Good luck! I hope you enjoy it. 😊

[@Sen7513]

I mean she was just scared of death that is why she joined Overlord because she got resurected by him and it was no other option.She was scared of dying but she also didin't get ride of that Hate.First half of the season is great when it comes to Harumi but when overlord apears she is really not herself.

[@LitrlyMeowtooth]

Off topic, but mainly because I don't try to catch up with ninjago, it's lore or the fandom so- I think Lloyd would of been better if he became a villain. Lloyd became a someone because he is the "chosen, green ninja", and making him the chosen one was a choice by the writers to make him likeable

[@gracekim1998]

She's certainly intriguing... I'm guessing i'm in the minority of enjoying every season but that's ok🤷‍♀

[@SpiderNinjaRobin9913]

I really don't like this story how lloyd trying to found harumi In season 9 they should but post credit See and Stead 😅

[@luciannagerm7478]

Hey critical retrospective nanisha Germain from Haiti. After a hawk moth videos will you make video about poppy Val and Holly from trollstopia as friends?

[@luciannagerm7478]

Look at google write down trollstopia poppy Val and holly and see.

[@luciannagerm7478]

Also write me everything and which date you released the hawk moth video.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@luciannagerm7478 The Hawk Moth video should be released by the end of this week. I'm not familiar with Trollstopia so I'm doubtful about making a video on it. But thanks for sharing it with me! It's always great to learn about new media franchises. Have a good day. ☺

[@tricerosefrosty]

Ninjago mentioned and have you seen Dragons Rising

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Not yet, soon though. 😊

[@tricerosefrosty]

@@ACriticalRetrospective you should! It’s a pretty good sequel and blank slate!

[@CeyhanA.]

Can you rank the season's, please in the replies including dragons rising. i really want to know it.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Okay: 1. Sons of Garmadon 2. Hunted 3. Possession 4. Seabound 5. Tournament of Elements 6. Legacy of the Green Ninja 7. Master Of The Mountain 8. Rebooted 9. March of the Oni 10. Prime Empire 11. Skybound 12. Crystalized 13. Rise of the Snakes 14. Hands of Time 15. Secrets of Forbidden Spinjitzu As for Dragons Rising, I haven’t seen it yet, so I don’t know where I would rank it. What do you think?

[@CeyhanA.]

@@ACriticalRetrospective thanks!

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@CeyhanA. You’re welcome.

[@CeyhanA.]

@@ACriticalRetrospective Hunter Skybound Seabound Sons of Garmadon Dragons Rising Posseslon Master of the Mountain Tournament of Elements March of the Oni Sotfs Prime Empire Rebooted Island Dotd Rise if tge Snakes Legacy of the green ninja Hands if time Crystallized But thas for me.

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@CeyhanA. That’s interesting. So I guess Dragons Rising is pretty good?

[@sepp4815]

so the book does it explain how Harumi created the SOG? And I hope that she dos not show up in DR or when in prission To all shiper LloydxAkito is way more heathy and way more interessting if she would return (with this time seeing the formling village and more of there tribe and transformations)

[@madisonyomans9004]

I also had a bit of questions about her little cult too because I need to know why these people agreed to join because yes because there’s no way those people believed her save your saviors narrative because the group was made by a bunch of criminals. So I always got the idolize Garmadon before the great viral shit, and just idolize them as an evil warlord, which would make so much sense.

[@genericartist3553]

Would you be interested in doing Pythor, or any other Ninjago thing?

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Maybe reviewing Dragons Rising one day. I keep getting requests to do that.

[@genericartist3553]

@@ACriticalRetrospective Alright :)

[@SPAnComCat]

Well... I'm late...

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

@@SPAnComCat Have fun watching the video. 😁

[@SPAnComCat]

@@ACriticalRetrospective And I Agree with Everything on the Video.

[@kevinjuarez9252]

Do you watch Steven Universe?

[@ACriticalRetrospective]

Well, I haven’t seen any episodes officially. But I have seen a bunch of theory videos and clips and stuff. So, I pretty much know everything there is to know.