The Other Side of Rage

**The Other Side of Rage** is the tenth and season finale episode in Season 5, and also the series finale of the Netflix series *Aggretsuko*.

## Netflix Synopsis

"The pressure almost gets the better of her, but after a quick interaction with Ton, Retsuko picks up the microphone to speak to her potential voters."

## Summary

Retsuko starts her campaign and speaks with potential voters and goes around town to introduce herself. She feels she is repeating her name too often, but Morita explains that people don't know her and she must make them remember her name.

After giving another speech in front of the voters, her coworkers from the office are surprised how good she fits into the politics. After the speech, Retsuko overhears some people being disappointed as they expected death metal voice and find her normal speech boring. Meanwhile, Jiro Haida is also speaking in front of the voters and ends up convincing some to support him. Ikari didn't expect Jiro to have such charisma and wonders why isn't Retsuko using her death voice. Retsuko explains that she couldn't find the right moment to use it. Ikari will be back tomorrow in Tokyo and will rile up the crowd for Retsuko, so when he gives her the mic, she should use her death voice.

The next day, several people from the office go to listen to Retsuko's speech. She is surprised they are there, and Fenneko explains that Ikari asked them to come. Ikari then states it will be easier to hype the crowd if they help out. Anai notices that Jiro is also having a campaign on the other side of the street. Ton notices that there are many policemen and moments later they see its because Oowada, the Prime Minister of Japan is there, who gives a speech in support for Jiro. Ikari then openly attacks Oowada, stating that Japan is in this condition due to people like him. Kabae and the rest, then notice that Retsuko had ran away.

While Ikari argues with Oowada, Ton ends up finding Retsuko and wonders if she is scared. Retsuko confirms, and states that after she calms down, she will return and give her speech. Ton laughs stating that she will just say some political crap that Ikari told her to say, but his words are meaningless as they don't capture Retsuko's rage. He wonders what exactly is she afraid. He recalls how they went out one time and she rages about "shitty boss". She needs to hit them like she hit him and they will hear her.

Retsuko returns and takes the mic. She introduces herself and explains that she had prepacked sushi last night, which she got from the supermarket for 600 yen. It had a soy sauce package inside, which stays it can be tear it open from anywhere, however she kept struggling unable to tear it open, and in the end she used scissors. Retsuko explains that this is her story of the incredibly low-stakes rage. Retsuko then starts another story, explaining that she watches a lot of movies on streaming apps. She likes to listen to the music and read the names in the end credits, however, each time she reaches the credits of a movie, recommendations start popping up. She states that this ticks her off and if people understand her, and the people confirm. Retsuko then states that many things irritate her and starts rapping about how annoyed she is from her co-workers, about the old politicians and nepotism babies. The crowd starts to get hyped and eventually Retsuko switches to her death voice. OTMgirls also join her on stage and they start signing with Retsuko telling people to let their rage run wild. As she finishes, the crowd is yelling and cheering for her. The next day, Retsuko continues to give speeches where she rages and asks people to give her their rage. People then start sharing what makes them angry.

Juzo calls Jiro and tells him that he watched Retsuko's speech. She was rapping and screaming nonsense, but people were "buying it". Juzo tells Jiro that he needs to win this and just trying isn't enough as losing isn't an option.

There is one more day left for the general elections. Retsuko and Haida decide to start clearing some stuff from the office and take the outside banners inside. However, a truck then hits Haida and leaves. Haida explains that he is good and guess it was his family. Retsuko then states she will drop off the race as she doesn't want Haida go get hurt, she just wanted a simple life with him. Haida states that their lives mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. They are stuck in invisible booths and distracted with things. They follow the rules with their heads down, and talk about freedom they will never have. If you rock the boat, they throw you out. Some give up young, but wants Retsuko to break the walls. Haida and Retsuko then head out to get married.

Jiro is giving his last speech and asks people to vote for him. Haida and Retsuko then come, and Retsuko explains that she is there to give her last speech too and asks people to vote for her. Haida plays the guitar, while Retsuko rages. Juzo tells Jiro to not get caught in Retsuko's singing, but Jiro tells him to shut up as he isn't a kingmaker, but an old fossil. Jiro then speaks to the voters and states he intends to pass a bill that forces politicians to retire at the age of 65. Initially people are shocked, but applaud him and chant his name. People also keep chanting Retsuko's name and Ikari is happy. Haida tells Retsuko that there is a person he also wants to hear what Retsuko has to say. He then texts Shikabane and asks her if she is hungry.

Shikabane agrees, but Haida takes her to a karaoke with Retsuko and leaves her alone with Retsuko, stating they will eat after that. Retsuko is glad that they can finally talk and explains how long ago Gori and Washimi forced her into a karaoke like that. Retsuko states that feelings are tricky, people hold them, but sometimes they need a person to hear them. She gives her a mic and the two start raging.

The results of the election are out and Jiro wins with a large difference. Retsuko recalls that many people went to listen to her last night. A lot of them weren't from the ward or had permanent addresses, so they couldn't vote. The voters turnout in Ward 8 was over 75%, which was a new record.

Jiro visits Haida and Retsuko, and tells Haida that the truck wasn't his doing. Haida believes him as he knows his brother, however he is surprised that Jiro wants to add that bill.

Retsuko and Haida are now married as they start a life together in an apartment. They are running late for work, and pass Shikabane as she's looking for apartments to rent but she's annoyed at how expensive they are. They separate as Retsuko waves Haida goodbye as he heads to his new job. As she heads to her own job, she is also annoyed at how crowded the train is, becoming visibly enraged at someone stepping on her foot.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Retsuko
* Haida
* Morita
* Tsubone
* Fenneko
* Ookami
* Shachou
* Ton
* Jiro Haida
* Juzo Haida
* Masuo Ikari
* Tsunoda
* Kabae
* Anai
* Oowada
* Manaka
* Migi
* Hidarin
* Hyoudou
* Shikabane
* Receptionist
* Tadano
* Gori
* Washimi
* Dokachin