It’s Like Pity Love and Stockholm Syndrome Had a Baby!

Edens Zero Chapter 158 Review/Recap

I have seen a lot of toxic relationships in the annals of fiction. Rick and Morty’s a twisted version of Doc and Marty. The Joker and Harley Quinn fills me with nothing but pity and revulsion. Name a Sith master and apprentice in Star Wars, and I’ll be 99.5% sure it’s bad. But this? What Mashima has created? This relationship is like the idea of Stockholm Syndrome and the feeling of pity had a baby!!!

Recap

As Laguna deals with his shock at the fact that Ijuna’s really his old comrade, Princess, the two come to blow. And, being that her Ether Gear consists of strings that she can manipulate, Laguna doesn’t put up that much of a challenge. However, when Laguna wonders how Princess ended up like this, her answer is simple: the red string of destiny.

Three years ago, she tried to rescue some of her comrades, but got captured by Shura. The man proceeded to torture, demean, and humiliate her every day of her life. Then, she had an epiphany: he was like this because no one ever loved him. And just like that, she saw her red string tied to him (Stockholm Syndrome).

Elsewhere, Shiki’s group (who have returned to normal) finally manage to reach Witch’s location. Only to discover that, out of boredom, Shura seemingly killed her, enraging Shiki.

Review

There is just so much wrong with what Princess said, that I don’t even know where to start.

Firstly, I don’t care what she says: she’s got Stockholm Syndrome. Empathizing with your tormentor and pitying them is very much Stockholm Syndrome!

Even if what Princess is feeling is genuine, then it’s not a healthy form of love. It’s a love for a person born out of pity for just how sad they really are. If Princess truly cared about Shura like she claims, then she wouldn’t be enabling his behavior. She would try and change him for the better. But considering he may have just killed Witch, I’m not even sure if he can change for the better.

Mashima has managed to put us through one traumatic event after another in Edens Zero, and it’s starting to become old. While I don’t know if Witch is really dead, I doubt that Shiki will forgive him for what he’s done. I wouldn’t either. As for Princess, I hope she gets the help she needs.

I Give “The Madness of A Man Who Knows No Love” a 3/5

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