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Once I count to ten, I'll be a mild-mannered employee. This is one of the first impressions we have of our shero, Retsuko, a 25-year-old red panda created as part of a collaboration between Sanrio and Netflix. Little do we know that Retsuko's "mild-mannered" persona is nothing but a mask hiding a female character who is frustrated. Frustrated with her boss, her job, and her seemingly uninspired life. And what does she do with that anger? Well, what any normal millennial does: death metal karaoke.
In Netflix's new anime series, Aggretsuko, we follow along as the female lead navigates the normal stages of settling into an entry-level corporate job. The once-hopeful Retsuko now confronts the possibility that she's not unique or different, but average. In truth, she's anything but average. As most of us are.
This angst isn't uncommon for us millennials. While it has been shown that we aren't as narcissistic as people like to think we are, it's undeniable that we have changed the workplace game. It's reported that millennials are three times more likely to change jobs, and their jobs' life expectancy is, on average, 26 months. Most of us tend to value happiness and purpose over "economic stability," which is why there are high levels of job dissatisfaction in traditional workplaces.
Workplace and mental health
When we first meet Retsuko, she's an eager-to-please kind of girl (or, well, panda). In the first episode, we are introduced to her hopeful spirit as she enters the working phase of her life. Quickly, though, we see how this spirit has vanished, leaving her with a sense of emptiness. Further, we are introduced to her boss Director Ton, a (literal and metaphorical) pig who thrives by verbally abusing his employees. Particularly his female employees.
In a 2017 initiative, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised awareness about the important relationship between mental health and the workplace. Its recommendations for a healthier workplace include:
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Protect mental health by reducing work-related risk factors.
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Promote mental health by developing the positive aspects of work and the strengths of employees.
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Address mental health problems regardless of cause.
I remember that in an early professional practicum, my professor told me something I will never forget: One learns from bosses and mentors what to do and what not to do. If your gut is telling you there's something wrong, like Retsuko's intuition does, then it's important to pay attention to that. And while we cannot control the various personalities in the workplace, there are definitely some things that are non-negotiable. No one should tolerate or accept any type of harassment or abuse (of any kind) in any type of setting, and it is not "normal" or "tolerable" in a workplace environment.
The impact of glass ceiling smashers
While signing up for a yoga class, Retsuko runs into two powerful women she sees at work, Washimi and Gori. These women act the part and represent everything Retsuko thinks she does not have (power, self-worth, self-esteem, confidence). Retsuko befriends these women, who then use their positions of power help her deal with the workplace harassment and abuse.
A recent survey in Silicon Valley showed that women hold just 1 out of 10 leadership positions. Out of the women surveyed, 84% reported being told that they were "too aggressive" (even our own Retsuko falls prey of this, hence the title referencing an "Aggresive Retsuko" just because she voices her anger); 66% perceived that they weren't included in these networking activities due to a gender bias; and 60% had encountered sexual advances by their male counterparts. At one point in the series, Washimi says, "be strong, we can't show any weakness at work," reflecting how much of their wellbeing such women need to compromise to stay on the top of the corporate hierarchy.
This represents one of the many reasons why we need more women in higher positions of power. It's not that men aren't able to voice these concerns, but women have had a different perspective and will probably see them more clearly. Occupying positions of power gives women opportunities for real change.
Sublimation: the handiest of all defense mechanisms
Anna Freud, a child psychoanalyst and pioneer of child psychology, was the first person to describe an array of defense mechanisms that all human beings apply when we feel our integrity is at risk. They are not inherently good nor bad, we just use them instinctively. The important thing is to gain awareness of which ones we are applying the most because some of them represent a higher level of functioning. And sublimation is the quintessential high-functioning defense mechanism.
Sublimation, according to Anna Freud, represents the ability to substitute an intense emotion (for example, anger) with an activity that is socially acceptable. For instance, writing a letter to someone who hurt you or did wrong by you, rather than hitting them or physically hurting them. Karaoke is Retsuko's form of sublimation. Specifically death metal karaoke.
Her death metal songs show how unhappy Retsuko is with her life, but they also serve as a form of self-expression. IShe gains self-confidence and becomes comfortable enough to show her true self, slowly but surely, to the rest of the world.
Through a lovable red panda, the creators of Aggretsuko showcase important themes of mental health, work-life balance, feminism, and the negative consequences of power dynamics. They also craft an important representation of entering adulthood and what it means to come to terms with its responsibilities while preserving yourself and not getting lost in the hectic nature of the day-to-day.
