Milgram notes

Prisoner 01 - Haruka Sakurai

He has a good temperament and shows no signs of dissatisfaction with the environment at Milgram. He communicates with Es and the other prisoners, although he is not very good at it, but there is something off about them that makes it difficult to get along.

• Trailer quote: “I'm only good at making people unhappy...”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “Ah... my name is Haruka Sakurai... ... I am 17... I think. I don’t really have an interest in my age.. Sorry. Es, I don’t think you should come near me. I seem to have the power to cause misfortune to the people around me... ...”
  “T*en *hat sh***d **** I *one l*s***d?! *e** me! Te** me so e*** I c*n un**rst**d!” (Then what should have I done instead?! Tell me! Tell me so even I can understand!)
  

• First impression: most relatable to me - feeling sympathetic

Trial 1

Voice Drama - 弱者の蠕動 (Peristalsis of the Weak)

• About the other prisoners:
  “Like Yuno and Mahiru, they treat me kindly.”
  “The ones who often talk to me are Yuno and Mahiru and, uh, Mikoto. Also, Futa. He’s a little scary but he pays attention to me. I sometimes speak to Mu as well.”
  “I-I’m not good with them. Children at that age. A-amane is a good girl, but she brings back b-bad memories.”
  “I shouldn’t get too i-involved with people in the first place. Even with all the prisoners, they might misunderstand. It’s no good.”
  “Even though I try to be normal, everything gets ruined. You, everyone, if you knew me... If you knew everything that I did... I’m... gonna be abandoned, that’s bound to happen. Because I’m a selfish killer.”

• seems to not understand complicated words - poorly educated?
• likes being paid attention to - smiles at being told he will not be abandoned
• tends to drop his gaze, avoids eye contact

Music Video - Weakness

• visuals: a faceless mother, a faceless girl, Haruka grabbing/attacking a child Haruka, Haruka drowning, a dog running away Haruka killing something with a large rock
• lyrics: “The right future unfairly chose the wrong me” “I wanted to be a pitied and loved weakling” “I was in denial, I just had to make sure” “Someone please notice me” “Yes, it was me”
• themes: neglect
• theory: Haruka was a neglected child and ended up killing a child (their sibling?) because they wanted the attention that the favoured child received.
• verdict: I feel bad for Haruka, but would probably still vote Guilty. From what we've seen it doesn't seem like an accidental death, and he seems to worry that he might kill again.

Prisoner 02 - Yuno Kashiki

She likes being treated specially and is happy when she is given preferential treatment. She will listen to anyone's stories with a smile, but dislikes stuffy spiritualism.

• Trailer quote: "For 1000 yen I'll let you use my lap as a pillow~”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “Hi! My name is Yuno Kashiki! Call me Yuno! I’m 18 years old and a high school student... and... I like spicy food! So you choose what’s good and what’s bad? I don’t know how that will work out... I mean... you’ll just make decisions based on what you like and don’t like, right?”
  “I ***’t be b**h**ed......” (I can’t be bothered......)
  

• First impression: Pickme girl? – feeling neutral

Trial 1

Voice Drama - 相対零度 (Relative Zero)

• Tries to hide and surprise Es – playful personality
• Shares a birthday with me
• “You know those people who just wanna convince themselves on other people’s affairs even though it’s not their place– I despise them. That’s what I was saying. They only do that to make themselves feel better, don’t they? Those people don’t actually end up doing anything.” “No matter how many chilling memories I had to go through, those people never gave me any warmth.”
• caught up in some sort of scandal?
• “There’s nothing I can do about what you think of me. So there’s no point in trying to fix it.”
• about why she’s here: “Well, that thing I was doing, which seemingly could be called “murder” – would be my first guess?”
• about whether it is forgiveable or unforgiveable: “Hm~ Who knows? I haven’t got a clue. Thinking about it is such a hassle after all.” “Even if I have to apologize like my life was on the line, then I wouldn’t mind doing so? It’s the result of doing what I wanted to do after all.” “The world just takes things too seriously, that’s all.”
• Es believes that she’s a good person who has given up because she’s realized something about herself, people, and the whole of society

Music Video - Umbilical

• title obviously implies pregnancy
• visuals of Yuno on various dates + lyrics about spending the night together (with implication of sex, as is typical in similar pop songs): possibly hints to compensated dating?
• visuals of two spiral staircases colliding, and a double helix spiral staircase (forming dna?) which later falls apart (abortion?)
• theory: Yuno got pregnant (I’m guessing from compensated dating due to her asking for money in other voicelines) and had an abortion, which is the so-called “murder”
• verdict: Innocent - women's rights!

Other

• In Futa's interrogation, he reveals that Yuno claims she suffered a lot of violence during her interrogation, as Es had told her to.

Prisoner 03 - Futa Kajiyama

He is easily misunderstood because of his extreme mood swings and strong words, but he is not a bad person; in fact he is a good and timid person.

• Trailer quote: “Don't mess with me just because I'm a prisoner!”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “My name is Futa Kajiyama. I’m 20 and a college student... What are you doing just standing there? It’s your turn to give an introduction. Where are your manners? This is unacceptable! Where are my rights? I’m going to sue you!”
  “Ev*****e e*se **s h**i*g fu* w**en’t t*e*? **at a**ut th*m? W** is it *u*t me?” (Everyone else was having fun weren’t they? What about them? Was is it just me?)
  

• First impression: Too aggressive, punk vibes. Song clip implies strong sense of justice. - Feeling neutral

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Braze you!!

• attempts to attack Es, but is stopped by an invisible wall or force
• appears to be the only prisoner who is unaccepting of the situation
• adamant that he didn't kill anyone
• Es points out that Futa seems confident that he has not violated Japanese law, but still reacted to the word “killer” - implication that Futa caused someone’s death without committing a crime
• seems knowledgeable about social issues: “Human rights violations within prisons have become a big deal recently – Don’t you know about that?”
• believes killing for justice will be forgiven

• About the other prisoners:
  “The ones I don’t particularly like are Shido and Kazui. The old geezer duo. Even though we’re in a state of emergency here, even though they’re they oldest out of us all, they’re acting like they don’t have a care in the world. I can’t believe they’re so unreliable. They’re good for absolutely fucking nothing!”
  “Haruka and Mikoto are completely useless by themselves. I really have to take the lead with them.” “Not to mention, I’m not exactly gonna be relying on the girls either. As everyone’s representative, I told all of them that I’d give you a good scolding. So, that’s why I’m here as of now”

Music Video - Bring it On

• On-screen text translations by Rochisama
• more linear and literal than the previous MVs
• Futa, along with his (online?) friends, serve vigilante justice by attacking alleged wrongdoers via social media
• real-life is shown alongside visuals of Futa and his cohorts as heroes from an RPG, depicting their targets as boss enemies - could imply that Futa is treating this like a game?
• 1st boss: Gretchbia - somebody who was fooling around and laid inside of a store’s freezer for a pic. Honestly everyone’s comments about it seem a bit intense?
• 2nd boss: Rypirotes - a professor at the college who was sexually harassing a colleague. This dude actually sucks.
• 3rd boss: Killcheroy - a middle school girl. Not really sure what she did at this point but it seems like she had permission to do so. She got doxxed
• lyrics: “Need to make it clean since it’s so dirty” “All evil hypocrites should disappear” “now let’s begin to hunt down the liars” “if you get off now you’re a traitor” “We will expose you all by whipping you with words until you are bruised” “It was stupid licking each other’s wounds”
• verdict: Innocent - seems weird to say because I was bullied a lot as a kid, but I also relate to being betrayed by people you thought were your friends. Plus, Futa had no intent to cause physical harm and seems genuinely horrified at what he (in part) caused

Prisoner 04 - Mu Kusunoki

Her every move suggests that she was well-bred, and she is likely born into a wealthy family. Perhaps because of this, she has a high sense of pride, and when she clashes with others, she quickly becomes tearful and complains.

• Trailer quote: “Why do I have to be put in a cage like this?”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “Ah... my name is Mu Kusunoki. I’m 16 years old... a high school student. ...Could you please not do anything harmful or scary to me?... How would they know to choose to forgive me or not? People can’t understand what I had to go through.”
  “[Giggle] I*’s *o*r *a*lt...... for do**g *o*r*ble th*ng* to *e......” (It’s your fault...... for doing horrible things to me......)
  

• First impression: abuse victim that snapped? – feeling sympathetic

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Crying B

• video begins 5 mins into the interrogation: Mu is crying and Es has been trying to convince her that they are only going to talk, that they’re not going to do anything “weird” to Mu
• biracial with a french mother
• Mu's family is apparently rich, and other people are envious of her
• requested a crepe cake (and got it)
• “I did kill them. But, they’re to blame! They made it to the point where I had to kill them... I... I had such a tough time.” “Sure, I might’ve killed them, but... If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to escape. The cruel things they did to me were far worse!” “If you’re gonna say that I shouldn’t have killed them, then... Are you saying that I should’ve continued suffering forever?”
• “I don’t have a clear memory of what happened after I did it. And then before I knew it, I was here.”
• has little knowledge of the laws that apply to her situation, and that she would have been condemned to penal servitude if not for Milgram
• “What should I do in order for you to forgive me, prison guard? I’ll do anything! Um... Anything painful or embarrassing is out of the question though... And, I don’t wanna do anything scary either...”
• Mu questions Es about why Es acts as though their thoughts and opinions are not their own (as their verdict is up to the audience vote) which causes Es to freak out
• Mu and the other prisoners cannot hear Jackalope
• Mu decides to try to figure out what kind of person Es likes so that she can gain their favour and be deemed innocent

Music Video - After Pain

• On-screen text translations by Rochisama
• Mu appears to be the victim of bullying due to being privileged, and possibly a bit spoiled.
• ““I’m sorry” won’t reach anyone”
• “I love you” and a possible confession scene with another girl (who may be another victim of bullying)
• Mu stabs the other girl with a boxcutter? I don’t get how that helps anything, Mu!
• verdict: Guilty? - I'm kind of split on this one but like, what???

Prisoner 05 - Shidou Kirisaki

Even with the guards, he seems to treat them like children, as if they are younger than him. Even though he does not understand the Milgram situation, he is already accepting his currrent situation of being imprisoned and wishes for the death penalty.

• Trailer quote: “I hope for the death penalty, thank you.”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “My name is Shidou Kirisaki. I’m 29 years old. ...and? Is there anything else you want to know about me? I’m not sure what you’re up to, it’s not very complicated. You kill me, and everything is solved.”
  “[Cackling] Not de*d... yeah ***’s d*fi**tely not d*a*... I f*n*lly un**rst*n* the v*lu* of w**t I’ve b*en *o***ng *eo*le of.” (Not dead... yeah she’s definitely not dead... I finally understand the value of what I’ve been robbing people of.)
  

• First impression: 🚩🚩🚩 yeah fuck this guy – feeling dislike

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Molech

• thanks Es for their hard work, very polite and complimentary to Es
• comments on Milgram’s odd architectural style and written script being things he’s never seen before
• mentions his pulse rate being normal and that he lacks symptoms to suggest hallucination – medical knowledge
• “This place will put me to death” “The death penalty is what I’m hoping for. Thank you in advance.”
• “I’ve killed people. Lots of them as well. It was for such a selfish reason too. I’m a fine specimen of what a genuine murderer ought to be.”
• “If you don’t put me to death, then neither the people I’ve killed nor their families will be at peace. Don’t you think so too?”
• “I’m sure that some sort of death will lie at the end of Milgram.”
• wants things to be over as soon as possible
• Es is knowledgeable about Japanese penal laws
• refers to Es by their name, not their title as prison guard, sees Es as a child
• pats Es on the head, and Es retaliates by kicking him “where it hurts” (in the shin)
• “I don’t know what the other prisoners may think about Milgram itself, but... I fully agree with it.”
• “Instead of being told by the law that I won’t be forgiven, I wanted a child like you, Es, to tell me that.”

Music Video - Throw Down

• Shidou stylin’
• Shidou shown dressed as a doctor, appearing to be giving patient’s families bad news. Other people are shown with a shaky outline around them
• “In my dream I am making you cry again, I am being blamed”
• “connecting you with me, to keep you alive, you are still living”
• “The invitation that I can’t take back, Lying, replacing with hope”
• Floral imagery, with Shidou tending to flowers, taking cuttings, and flowers wilting.
• A scene of Shidou eating what is revealed to be a pomegranate, which almost seems to imply cannibalism? Perhaps organ transplant if you stretch its meaning? Haley has mentioned a connection to fertility
• “Now slowly close your eye, put your regret on display, wish for being there for someone, with the same expression no matter who comes” – performative sympathy
• “Ethics is a delusion, I’m still guilty even if the morning comes”
• Floral mannequin haunts my dreams, Shidou is distraught when it falls
• Theory: Shidou is a doctor (surgeon?) He often has to break bad news to his patients’ families, but does not feel the sympathy that he has to portray. The video shows him giving the families of the patients bad news (that they have died or will die) Then Shidou loses someone close to him (from illness or other medical related issues) and for the first time experiences the grief that his patients' families went through when he broke the news to them, as well as the guilt at having failed to save so many people.
• My verdict: Innocent – partially to spite him though.

Prisoner 06 - Mahiru Shiina

She begins to have special feelings for the prison guard with whom she often talks during interviews, and sometimes shows a lonely, mature look that is different from her usual bright demeanor.

• Trailer quote: “Talk to your big sis about anything!”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “Hi! My name is Mahiru Shiina. I’m 22. Nice to meet you! Hm, I kinda feel sad that I can’t go home, but I guess there’s nothing to do at home anyways. Also I enjoy talking to you!”
  “I*’s l**e. T*** is **ve!” (It’s love. This is love!)
  

• First impression: probably a yandere – feeling dislike

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Love is mine

• girl why are you flirting with a child
• Es says he thinks he’s 15
• Es reveals that he has amnesia
• Mahiru wants to know more about Es, who disassociates again, accompanied by a tinnitus-like noise
• Mahiru is fond of an author/publication called Lain (spelling unknown) which covers fashion, trends, fortune telling, romance, etc.
• Mahiru does not believe in aromanticism/asexuality
• to Mahiru “being in love and loving someone” are more important than anything else
• Es asks if Mahiru’s homicide stems from love, to which she replies “I... guess it did. I think it was love.”
• “I... never even wanted to kill anyone in the first place!” (pause) “I just... I was... just being myself.”
• “If you can’t forgive me for what I’ve done, then there’s no point in living– to be honest.”
• “It’s because I’ve... decided that I’m going to live for the sake of love.”
• 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
• Es likes learning new things
• Es says “No comment” in English

Music Video - This Is How To Be In Love With You

• On-screen text translations by Rochisama
• Magazine-style imagery (ala Lain)
• Feather motif?
• Not gonna lie I didn’t glean much from this one
• Theory: I can only assume she found out that the person she loved was cheating on her and killed either them or the person they were cheating on her with.
• My verdict: Guilty - I don't have much to go on in this one, and I'm more creeped out by her than before.

Prisoner 07 - Mukuhara Kazui

Although he behavese like a gentle and optimistic person in the group, when he meets with prison guards individually he has an enigmatic air about him, glaring intently at them as if he is observing something.

• Trailer quote: “Hmm, you're the warden.”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “My name is Kazui Mukuhara, I’m 39. I guess I’m a middle-aged man from your perspective. Wow, that makes me sad...... I don’t think someone like you could be looking over all 10 of us right now, there must be some sort of organization behind this all. I wonder what their motives are... I feel faint just thinking about it.”
  “I’m so d**b... Wh* d*d I *av* to d**a*?” (I’m so dumb... Why did I have to dream?)
  

• First impression: Literally just a guy – feeling neutral

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Gouging in the Night

• Kazui restrains Es before the interrogation begins properly – he suddenly loses his strength. Apparently after hearing Futa’s account of the “invisible wall” he wondered what would happen if he tried to restrain Es. He describes it as being as though he became opposed to attacking Es, and is reassured by the idea that there’s a more realistic explanation for it, such as hypnosis
• Kazui apologizes for restraining Es, explaining that he had to intent to harm and simply was gathering information
• Es is quick to disprove Kazui’s theory that the inability to enact violence goes both ways
• Kazui is analytical, quickly coming to the conclusion that Es is just as in the dark as the prisoners. Es confirms this speculation, but reaffirms their authority.
• “At the very least, I believe I’m a murderer. And I regret it. Not that there’s any use to that remorse.”
• “And if what I did makes me a murderer... then, honestly, your definition of a murderer is too broad.”
• “And even if you recognize me as a murderer, that would be a conclusion that only someone deeply familiar with my circumstances could reach.”
• When asked about the other prisoners, Kazui says that everyone is getting along, and that they are less stressed than at the beginning, having had time to adjust
• Kazui casually plies for information while answering questions
• Es seems to be able to detect lies? (I’m unsure if it’s supernatural or if they’re just really good at it)
• “Yeah... that’s right. It’s true that my lies killed [him/her], and even now, I still haven’t changed. No, that’s not it. I can’t change because I was already born this way.”
• “As you know, with this personality of mine... I have trouble talking to others about myself. I guess, despite physically being as big as I am, I’ve still got a cowardly side to myself.”

Music Video - half

• “Only if your heart would change but that’s not possible”
• Theatre setting – performance
• Scenes of theatre seats and a stage performance juxtaposed against scenes of Kazui and a woman – likely his wife
• “If I were to make sure and suffer, I would rather be by your side. Laughing together, side by side, this distance in our relationship is misleading me, is this what happiness is?”
• “Where did I go wrong, probably from the beginning” – the relationship was doomed from the start
• “Please tell me what I should do, feelings shrouded in lies will float away and disappear”
• a closeup of Kazui’s hands prominently shows a wedding ring
• “I understand that this love is out of bounds, so nothing has to change”
• “All this time til now has hurt me, The scales of my heart have decided to sway”
• “If continuing to hide is called unhappiness”
• “So many things I wish I hadn’t known, I’m just a coward”
• A shot of the woman silhouetted in front of a railing with sky in the background, and the same shot without the woman repeated later – implication of suicide?
• Theory: Kazui has a wife, but their relationship has grown distant. One or both of them may be in love with someone else, but they are staying together despite being unhappy in their marriage. There are possible hints of homosexuality (e.g., “this love is out of bounds”). In the end, it seems that his wife may have committed suicide due to this.
• My verdict: Innocent. I feel kind of weird voting more guys innocent than girls, but it is what it is. If I'm reading the situation right, it seems like there was probably no good answer to his situation.

Prisoner 08 - Amane Momose

Even when the quarrels that break out among the prisoners occur, she sits on the sidelines and has little intention of joining in. Contrary to her mature behaviour, she has a strong belief in the existence of God, revealing a childlike purity.

• Trailer quote: “Eh? I'm not scared at all.”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “My name is Amane Momose. I am 12 years old. I am in the 6th grade. Nice to meet you. My crimes? Isn’t what you’re doing to us a crime? Well I won’t judge you, I believe that there are things more important than laws.”
  “I’m s**ry! **rr*! I;* *or** for b**aki*g the **l*s...” (I’m sorry! Sorry! I’m sorry for breaking the rules...)
  

• First impression: That’s a kid. How does a kid even end up killing someone? – feeling hesitantly neutral

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Apostle and Death

• Amane refuses to start the interrogation until Es apologizes for being late
• “If my parents were in my place, you would have been lectured for another hour.”
• Amane is in sixth grade
• “It’s not scary at all. After all, God is there to protect me!”
• Es remarks on her way of speaking – while the translation could have affected this, she speaks very formally, like an adult
• “If a child kills someone, must there always be other circumstances leading up to it? Do you think they should be forgiven just because they are children?”
• dislikes being treated like a child
• takes issue with being labelled a murderer
• “Talking about me having killed a person... That may be true, but I do not think that I did anything wrong.”
• “Rather than one single law, there are other standards to judge my sins by. And those are closer to my spirit, as well!” “The standards that judge my sins are somewhere else- in my heart, my blood, my entire body, they are firmly rooted in all those places!”
• “Ah, I’m looking forward to it! Seeing whether your judgement will align with that of these higher standards! If that’s the case, maybe Milgram would be the right world for us to live in, rather than the outside world! Milgram relies on your judgement, isn’t that right? In that case, you could become the mediator for a far more righteous world!!”

Music Video - Magic

• Setting like a children’s TV program – cute mascot-like characters, stage lights are shown, title card and credits roll
• A weird cloud with two smiling faces, one shifted up and to the right from the other like a printing error, the motif is repeated in various places throughout the video
• “But it’s not scary at all, because it’s love”
• “Kami-sama, am I worthy?”
• “I swear! I’m going to be a good girl now! That’s it!”
• “Kami-sama, is this okay? Is it okay to be weak sometimes?”
• “I promise! A good girl that keeps a promise is like, mwah!”
• A stage light falls on one of the animals. The mascots’ solution seems to be prayer – anti-medicine? Amane is shown treating the animal with a first-aid kit and is subsequently punished by each of the mascots in turn (including electrocution?)
• “only if I could be a good girl”
• Amane is dressed like a magical girl, and later in the video gains a wand, wings, and a ribbon with the cloud motif. When this happens, the mascots rejoice
• “I won’t say “I’ve had enough” Will you laugh with me and forgive me? I take an oath! I can only become a better girl!”
• At the very end there is a closeup of (presumably) Amane watching the program, looking dissociated.
• Theory: while there is not a lot directly relating to how Amane might have killed someone, it does show that Amane was subjected to punishment (perhaps even torture) in order to keep her in line with the group's ideals.
• My verdict: Innocent - while this doesn't give much insight on the nature of Amane's crime (or reason to be at Milgram) it does depict her as a victim. Also she's a kid, regardless of not wanting to be treated like one. Sorry not sorry, Amane.

Prisoner 09 - Mikoto Kayano

An average man of medium build. He is a common sense person who is always confused by the eccentric members of Milgram. He always tries to adapt to the situation as a common sense person. Unlike the other members who are aware of their crimes, he has no idea what he has committed to be imprisoned. He has no doubt that he was mixed in with the others by some mistake.

There are noises coming from Mikoto's prison cell even in the middle of the night, and the prisoners say they have no idea when he is asleep.

• Trailer quote: “What sin did I commit?”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “I’m Mikoto Kayano, 23. Anyways, I don’t think what you’re doing is very good. You should quit before the police get involved. Ah... I really don’t know what sins I’ve caused. Do you know about it?”
  “My l**e... it w*s*’t s*p**sed to be this w*y” (My life... it wasn’t supposed to be this way)
  

• First impression: Literally just a guy but younger this time. – feeling neutral

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Title

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Music Video - Title

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Prisoner 10 - Kotoko Yuzuriha

She has narrow eyes and a cool personality. She is tall and has the figure of a model. She is unusually logical and rational among the Milgram women, most of whom have loose personalities. She has a quick mind and is eloquent.

Although she may appear cold at first glance due to her appearance and behaviour, she is simply outspoken and has no ill intentions. She seems to be observing the members of Milgram more than Es, and sometimes offers to exchange information with them.

• Trailer quote: “Our interests should be aligned...”

• Character Voice Trailer:
  “I’m Kotoko Yuzuriha, 20 years old. I don’t really feel like telling you much else, Until I learn what your intentions are. Since you are the prison guard, you must know a lot about us. How about you team up with me? ......I think we both have something to gain out of this.”
  “[Giggle] T**s **els *o ****...” (This feels so good...)
  

• First impression: Dangerous – feeling wary

Trial 1

Voice Drama - Title

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Music Video - Title

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