A Prison Called Freedom

**A Prison Called Freedom** is the first episode in Season 5 of the Netflix series *Aggretsuko*.

## Netflix Synopsis

"Haida still doesn't have a job, and doesn't seem interested in getting another one any time soon – which makes Retsuko feel uneasy."

## Summary

Haida is a warrior exiled from his kingdom. Wandering without a master, he finds a new world, however he is forced to fight a orc. Shikabane suggest they retreat, however, Haida doesn't give up and engages the orc and manages to defeat him.

Ton is excited about the new large TV in the break room. Retsuko wonders why they put such a TV there, considering only Ton cares about it. Fenneko explains that the CEO has been trying to hook them with perks due to the success of his theme park Bubbly Land. Ton sees a commercial about the Bubbly Land, which caters for the middle-aged people and makes them feel that he economy bubble didn't burst. Ton loves the theme park and wonders if Retsuko and Fenneko have visited it, noting that employees also have a discount. However, Retsuko and Fenneko are not interested in it. Ton wonders how is Haida doing and Retsuko explains he is doing great.

The rest of the day, everyone individually keep asking Retsuko how is Haida. In the evening, Gori and Washimi also ask about him as its time for him to find a new job. Retsuko again explains that he is doing great as he plays video games all day.

Later, Fenneko is with Haida and Retsuko, where she asks Haida how much he spend on the game he plays. Haida calculates and reveals he spend 15k yen. Fenneko scolds him for spending that much money considering he is unemployed. Retsuko states that he is looking for a job and its fine if he relaxes while doing it. Haida explains that ever since they were kids they are being told on what to do and finds nothing wrong to slack a bit before he finds another job where he will follow orders again. Fenneko laughs, noting that he is a man-child who lives for free in his parent's apartment building. After they head home, Retsuko reveals that at work, she is often asked about how is Haida doing. Haida then states that he will work hard to show them that he good and to not worry them. He wonders if Retsuko is busy during the weekend, but Retsuko reminds him that she is going to the memorial service with her parents.

At home, Haida starts looking for a job. He gets a message from his game buddy Shikabane, who asks him to log in so that they can play. Haida refuses and keeps refusing, explaining that he is looking for a job, but as Shikabane tells him he can't do it without him, Haida blushes and decides to log in to play.

Retsuko visits her mother and as she checks her fridge, he finds some products that have expired dates. Her mother tries to tell her its fine, however she notices that Retsuko has an unusual glow and asks her if she has a boyfriend. As Retsuko confirms it, her mother gets excited and starts asking questions about him with Retsuko stating that he works in accounting and is a coworker. Retsuko's mother tells Retsuko's father to also say something and he states that Retsuko is a good girl and knows that she won't choose a clunker.

Tsunoda gives a lecture to Retsuko and Fenneko about the unemployed boyfriends, stating that once they lose their jobs, they lose their mojo as well. They get into some behavioral patterns with the first being a "gym rat". They keep on training to gain confidence and a sense of achievement by gaining muscles and abs. Such boyfriends are actually an eye candy and its nothing wrong if they become gym rats. However, the other pattern is that they get addicted to video games. There is no point to train if its easier and more cool to just press some buttons. Soon he will start saying he is too busy or that other players need him, and just like that he becomes a complete waste of space. Tsunoda guesses that Retsuko is spoiling Haida. Retsuko confirms it, but states it won't be forever. Tsunoda tells her that once they get used sitting at home all day, there is no saving them.

Haida speaks with Shikabane and tells him about Retsuko. Shikabane wonders if he is going to marry her and Haida states it may happen, but he needs to get his act together first. Haida tells Shikabane that he will be back gaming when he gets a job and a paycheck. Before he leaves, Shikabane tells Haida that there is a gacha event tonight and the change of getting a rare is tripled. Hearing that Haida stays and keeps purchasing chests in hopes to get the item he wants while drinking beer.

In the morning, Haida wakes up when someone rings on his door. He sees on the computer screen that he won the item he wants, which makes him wonder how many pulls he did for it. Haida then opens to door and is surprised to see his brother, Jiro, who tells him that they found a tenant for the apartment and he needs to pack his things and leave. Haida tries to say it must be a mistake, but Jiro states that their father knows and it was his idea. Jiro then leaves, stating he hopes that Haida had saved some money. Jiro then calls their father and tells him that he told Haida he needs to leave by the end of the month, but believes that Haida should have heard it from their father directly. Their father doesn't find that fun and states its more of a gut punch when it comes from Jiro.

Haida gets a call from Retsuko, who asks him if he ever woke up and was glad its a workday due to loving his job. As Haida denies it, Retsuko states its normal as most people don't. She knows that looking for a job sucks, because having a job sucks too. She guesses that he has been gaming all night and tells him that she won't be seeing him until he finds a job.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Haida
* Ton
* Retsuko
* Fenneko
* Kabae
* Tsubone
* Anai
* Ookami
* Gori
* Washimi
* Retsuko's Mother
* Retsuko's Father
* Tsunoda
* Jiro Haida
* Juzo Haida