The fifth episode of the TV drama series "Mamono(Monster)" starring Kumiko Aso(TV Asahi, Friday 11:15pm *excluding some regions) was broadcast on May 23rd. The episode depicted the gradual breakdown of Ayame Hanajin (Aso) who started living with Toya Minamoto (Akihisa Shiono), and became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
"Let's stay together," says Ayame, and she begins living with Touya. Since Touya's wife, Natsune (Kita Kana), caused a commotion, Ayame has been treated coldly at the office and lost everything, but it's not so hard when she thinks that Touya is waiting for her at home.
However, Ayame is strangled by Touya and becomes violent towards her again.
Afterwards, Touya sobs, "I just wanted to be with you today. But Ayame didn't come back..." "My mother abandoned me, and then Natsune. If Ayame also abandoned me..." Touya cries, and Ayame apologizes, "I'm sorry." She is shown hugging Touya, saying, "It was for my sake. Thank you."
On social media, people were discussing the film, saying things like, "Something's wrong with Kumiko Aso... wake up! I can't help but feel sorry for her," "Ayame-san, saying sorry is not the right thing to do; saying thank you is even more wrong," "The depiction of domestic violence is brutal. Ayame-chan is at rock bottom, but I'm curious to see how she will fight back," "Toya is definitely not a violent man. You fall, you get stuck and you can't get out," and "Once you start thinking that violence = love, there's no way you can get out."
