Mann ist was er iβt - A Semi-Freudian Evaluation of Legato’s Eating Habits

 

 

Yes, it’s another halfassed essay/diatribe from yours truly – called “semi-Freudian” because I have no formal knowledge of Freud, his writings, or even his contemporary, Mr. Jung. All I have is a warped sense of humor and too much free time. The original inspiration for this thing goes to Frau C., who had some trouble believing Legato-sama was male at first… o.O

 

[I apologize in advance for this.]

 

 

1. When is a hotdog not a hotdog?

 

Practically the first thing you see Legato do in the anime is eat a hot dog. There’s an extreme close up of him biting into it, and then a vaguely sadistic, sultry smile… “I’ve been looking for you, Vash the Stampede…”

 

If this isn’t a phallic symbol, I don’t know what is. Seriously. The first thing I thought watching this particular scene was “OMG! Homoerotica!” It is my personal opinion that Boy Blue is gayer than the cast of Gravitation on crack cocaine, but since I’m not particularly interested in being crucified by a horde of insane Mary-Sue writing Legato fangirls, let’s just say that he might just be showing off a few inclinations…

 

 

2. Sweet Tooth

 

Cheesecake and an ice cream sundae: rich, sugary foods that make one sleepy and give the feeling of deep satisfaction. People frequently indulge in these foods when they are sad, hoping they will be able to mask their feelings of emptiness with the delicious calories. It could be noted that women are especially prone to this form of passive grieving and frustration. It is the way of a person who does not enjoy aggressive, masculine violence, such as throwing things or screaming loudly.

 

Does this make Legato womanly? No, just more on the yang side of things: cold and masochistic. It also apparently fails to make him fat. Whether this is a sign of a psychotic metabolism or bulimia nervosa is yet to be seen.

 

 

3. Keeping it simple…

 

Nightow-sensei has commented that he believes Legato would enjoy “curry rice, spaghetti, hamburgers, simple and childish things like that”. Seeing as Legato was presumably removed from the influence of the normal human social structure at a very young age (ten or so?), he has in many ways remained very static. While not childish or immature per se, Legato obviously retains a youthful manner in a few of his habits. He says “boku” amid his translator’s nightmare worth of kanji, and holds on to a sense of cruelty and twisted justice only found in a child. The simplicity of some aspects of his character implies a stunted feeling of relationships between equals. No one is at his level; only incomprehensibly better than him or lower than dirt.

 

 

4. Inner hungers…

 

Why does Legato eat so much anyway? One explanation is that he is trying to fill some emptiness in his life – eating temporarily makes him feel better, gives him the illusion of contentment. So many things are missing in his life – family, friends, self-worth, independence, sanity – that he feels hollow without his excesses. Overeating is his way of compensating for what is missing from his psyche.

 

Going along with that is the idea that Legato did not have a pleasant childhood, and was probably not fed properly. The body tends to remember times of starvation, and to avoid it in the future will send signals to overeat, constantly preparing itself for another imagined period of hunger.

 

Another idea is that Legato burns an extremely large amount of energy up using his psychic powers, and must constantly take in massive amounts of calories just to keep himself alive. This would also go along with why he is so thin, and why he moves so delicately. He has no energy to spare for physical activities, such as running about or gunslinging. Besides, with such gifts he doesn’t need to.

 

 

5. So, this means what?

 

Legato has a reason beyond “He’s just a glutton” for eating as much as he does, and the choices he makes in nutrition give insight into his psychology. He enjoys sweets, easily prepared meats and noodles, and comfort food – something is very wrong inside of him. He deeply desires protection and love, but is too proud to seek it out. It is his own commitment to self-reliance that makes him a slave, and his fixation is a mark of his bondage.

 

In other words: He’s fucked-up and hungry.

 

Good night.