Misae Ikari is a fictional character from Satoshi Kon's animated thriller Paranoia Agent. She is the wife of Detective Keiichi Ikari, one of the detectives assigned to the Shonen Bat case.
She was sadly, born with a weak body. Feeling useless and a burden on her husband, can this woman find the inner strength she'll need to make one of the series' most memorable stands?
Revelations
Showdown
Although Misae is a character whom appears rather late in the series, she may single handedly be responsible for the more optimistic turn of events at this time, drastically changing the series flow.
Walking home from the store, Misae hears countless speculations as to the legend of the Shonen Bat. Various claims ranging from having monstrous eyes to being able to grow to much more intimidating sizes (Further proving that Shonen Bat is indeed, a creature whom relies on human fear and paranoia)
As Misae comes home she is greeted with a terrifying little surprise, Shonen Bat is waiting for her in her house. His trademark grin wide open, and looking ready to strike, it seems Misae has summoned the Shonen Bat to her. However, unlike the previous others whom either reacted with fear, demented relief, or trauma Misae seems strangely unmoved and unaffected by Shonen Bat. With a commanding, almost adult to child like tone she commands Shonen Bat to sit down across the rooms' table. At this, Shonen Bat seems powerless and unable to hurt Misae. With no other choice, he sits down as Misae claims that she will explain to him that human's arn't as "Sordid and Weak as you seem to think.."
At this point, Misae engages in a fierce duel. Not one of swords, guns, or of physical might, but one of the mind and spirit as she explains the misfortunes of her life.
Misae was born with a weak body. Easilly sickened, and unnable to carry children, Misae was told at a very young age that she would not live as long a life as other people. Seemingly cursed, Misae lived a reltively quiet existence, enjoying what moments she could. It is then that she reveals the identity of her lover, her husband, Keiichi Ikari. The same Ikari whom with Maniwa, investigated the Shonen Bat case and failed. This cost him his Police Career, and Ikari must now work as a lowly traffic guard doing menial tasks. The Shonen Bat is at first, surprised by the identity of her husband, but this later turns to glee at the mention of his failure and of Misae's despair. At this possible sign of despair the Shonen Bat grins and begins to raise his bat to strike Misae. However, Misae stops him. She continues on about how after she was first swept off her feet by Ikari, they tried to have a child. Unfortunatly it died in child birth, and a grieving Misae constantly tells Ikari how sorry she is for being incapable of being a fully functioning woman. She claims however, that Ikari embraced her and said "Lets accept reality".
At this, Misae claimed that although she would never bear children, she would be the best companion Ikari could ever ask for at home. But she continues that she began to believe that perhaps Ikari started to use work as an escape, fearing she was nothing more than a burden on him. She began to wish that she were dead, so he would be free again. At this Shonen Bat once again smiles with glee and raises his bat to strike, but is once again stopped at the last minute by Misae claiming that she was a a fool for thinking this for even a second. If she were to will herself to die, she would be betraying her Husbands' efforts. She could never do that.
The Shonen Bat meanwhile begins to show signs of becoming inpatient and annoyed at the fact he can't hit Misae, and begins to take his rage out on the surrounding room. But no matter what he does, Misae is unphased, and untouched. She begins to continue that their greatest challenge was the one which Shonen Bat himself was responsible for. The failed investigation lost Ikari his police career. Relegated to being a lowly traffic worker working 3 shifts, Shonen Bat begins to grow and swell with the despair, and see's his greatest chance to take out Misae. Misae for a moment seems to panic slightly as the Shonen Bat seems like its been given the opportunaity it needs. Swining, he just misses Misae, scraping her head. He is responded with an almost sinsiter laugh. Misae can't help but find herself laughing at how pathetic a thing Shonen Bat is. She continues her soul searching, and proclaims that despite these challenges, Ikari goes on with pride and his head held high. Misae will do the same, until the day she dies. She begins to continue on about how the Shonen Bat is nothing more than an illusion, a quick fix that really just postpones the problem.
She remembers back to the last time she despaired in front of Ikari, going to his new job. She claims that if she weren't in the picture, Ikari wouldn't have to be humiliated like this. However, Ikari strongly and confidently responds back that idea is nothing more than a temporary solution. Solutions which don't really solve anyone's problems, but merely trick people into thinking they have. Misae accuses Shonen Bat, and Maromi of being this kind of evil. Giving into despair and torment is wrong. Not when you can still do something, you can always do something to help yourself and your loved ones out. This seemingly begins to hurt Shonen Bat as Misae verbally runs him into the ground, proclaiming the weak minded idea that he truly is. At the mention of being associated with Maromi, Shonen Bat seems to have had enough and with a piercing scream, dissapears into thin air.
Misae is enveloped by a beautiful surrounding forest suddenlly, complete with a Rainbow overhead. At this sign of final and ultimate understanding, she proudly proclaims that she will get the Surgury. Surgury which before, she believed would be too expensive for her and her husband to handle. She seemingly looks past the self pity finally, and comes to terms with her life.
And in the process, she becomes possibly the only human in all of Tokyo to face down Shonen Bat, and defeat him.
Fate
Shortly after, Maniwa finds his way to the Ikari complex, and finds Misae sitting in the same position as before. He claims that he needs the "Chief", Ikari. Misae responds that she doesn't know where he is, but hopes he's okay. Maniwa seems shocked that this feeble bodied woman was able to stand up to the Shonen Bat, and Misae simply explains that she simply said "He's the same as that pink dog" Intrigued by this, Maniwa also vows to Misae that he'll find the missing Ikari.
Afterwards, tragically, it seems although Misae is now mentally complete, she came to her decision far too late and has a stroke. Far too late to be saved by surgury, she is rushed to an emergency room. Once her stretcher is taken to an Elevator however, all the Doctors and Nurses dissapear, leaving only the Old Sage. Recently having died himself, it seems the old man is hinting to us that Misaes' spirit has almost left her body. But before she leaves this world and her beloved Keiichi Ikari, she vows to rescue him herself. "Take me to where my Husband is", she tells the old man. The old man does just that, and Misae heroically enters the phony world of reminicense which Ikari is trapped in, further being distracted by Tsukiko and Maromi whom are using this world as a last ditch effort to escape reality.
Although initially resisted by Maromi, claimng that Misae doesn't belong there, Misae pushes on and eventually reminds her Husband of their life together. Scenes of all the times mentioned by Misae to Shonen Bat are played, as Ikari is finally snapped to his senses by Misaes' undying love. Tragically however, her form dissapears as she claims that her time is over. In the emergency room, Misae flat lines and presumably dies of her illness.
Her love and devotion gives Ikari the strength to also resist Maromi, and the Shonen Bat. Although meek bodied, this young woman was able to find the inner strength to resist Shonen Bats' illusions of relief. One must ask, if she, born to a life of tragedy can do this, why can't everyone else?
Symbolisms and Analysis
Misae seems to represent the concept of inner strength, and questioning one self over submission. Having long lost her beauty, and unable to bear children or live an extended life of her own, somehow this courageous woman is able to resist what countless others could not. She is the turning point in the series where she proves that Human's have the ability to sort their own problems out. No matter how dark things may seem, there is always a way out. This is alluded too by Shougo Ushiyama, whom seems to be taking control of his life, and Chouno Harumis' husband whom represents Harumis' salvation.
Misae however, shows us the viewers, that if one looks at life as a dead end, thats all it will be. If anything, no other character has shown as much of the true nature of Shonen Bat as she has. Shonen Bat could almost be described as nothing more than a representation of an excuse. Something to put off problems which won't just go away unless one faces them. In order to do this, one must be willing to look at themself for what they are, and be willing to change as well as adapt. Almost every victim was trapped really because they trapped themselves. Misae, on the verge of death, and living a life of humiliating inneptitude, is able to explore herself and find the pride in her to overcome her problems.
She acts as an example to counter the rest of the series' flow. Where as much of the series has highlighted the more weaker characteristics of humanity, Misae shows us that to only look at this is the wrong way. Through her, one could possibly say that the good people we've seen in the series, as well as the better characteristics of those who succumbed to Shonen Bat are highlighted more. She truly sets in motion the storys' resolution.
Misae's Illness
It is stated in Episode 12 that Misae is diagnosed with Circulatory Disease. This is something which dramatically weakens the potency of the vital organs such as the Heart, Lungs etc due to blood being poorly circulated around the body. Some contract this disease because of poor living habits, but others like Misae seem tragically destined to put up with this because of a naturally faulty circulatory system.
Tragically, the condition while not completely curable, is treatable. If Misae had only been able to come to terms with herself sooner perhaps she could of lived a longer life. This could be seen as another underlying statement from Satoshi Kon, not to take the time you have for granted.
Enlightenment
It does truly seem that Misae reaches a state of semi enlightenment at the end of Episode 11, after verbally vanquishing Shonen Bat. Although this could also be interpreted as a sign of being hopeful. Hope is often associated with Rainbow's, so despite probably knowing her death is at hand, she seems proud and hopeful for herself and her husband.
Sources on Circulatory disease:
Sources on fan speculation