The currently airing anime adaptation of Masakazu Ishiguro’sTengoku Daimakyo (Heavenly Delusion),produced by industry heavyweight Production I.G., has been a brilliant watch thus far for its deeply immersive premise and incredibly interesting characters and while only three episodes in, it’s shaping up to be quite the anime. The writing and direction shine brightly in the first three episodes seen thus far, and it maintains a faithful adaptation of the original manga’s look and feel.
The second episode ofHeavenly Delusionwas a powerful follow-up to the first for various reasons; however, the inclusion of a certain meta-joke adds a sense of humour to the laundrylist of things the series has done well. The joke lies in Maru and Kiriko’s destination in this episode: “Tomato Heaven”, aptly named for the produce grown by the farmers who live there (remember this), and this joke is baked into the entire premise of this strange place. So, what’s the big joke?
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A Move On
The second episode starts with their battle against the bird-like Hiruko that appeared at the inn they were staying at, and apparently visited frequently. After the battle claims the life of the innkeeper, Maru and Kiriko sleep over and continue their journey to the “Heaven” described by the bandits who foolishly attacked them in the first episode. After hearing it being described as “a place like Heaven”, the two head off in search of it, walking vast distances and eventually having to cross a huge body of water on a makeshift raft. Beyond that, Tomato Heaven lay quite a distance but not too far ahead. When they reach the other side, they arrive atthe entrance to Tomato Heaven; however, there are various signs erected that threaten any trespassers with death.
After talking about the various gaps in the information they have regarding the quest to deliver Maru to “Heaven”, they are approached by a group of friendly farmers who are able to deduce that Maru and Kiriko are not unscrupulous types. They offer to take the two to their leader, and the following sequences shows them walking through the farmlands, completely surrounded by scores of a particular crop. These are very well tended to as a worker is shown using a sprayer on them as Maru and Kiriko are taken to the leader. After walking a while, they meet Kusakabe and his wife, Momoko, who are both seated in a small room with a few others.
Fruit of the Earth
Momoko tells them about the life in Tomato Heaven, describing herself and the others as a “rag-tag” bunch who abandoned their dreams of reviving society as it once was, let go of the past and chose to live simply. It started with Kusakabe’s father and a few farmers, and grew to the huge size it is presently. After hearing them out, Kiriko tells Momoko that they were looking for “Tomato Heaven” and asks if they’re in the right place. She tells Kiriko that there once was an abundance of tomatoes in the area as that is the first thing they grew there, but now they’re able to grow all kinds of things.
Throughout this scene, and the ones leading up to it since their arrival and interaction with residents, there have been several shots that focus specifically on the plants present. While walking to Kusakabe’s home, the crops are a little out of focus, but in his presence, it’s very clear: these guys are growing weed. The very next scene is of an unknown man wearing shades and exhaling from what could be a rolled cigarette, but is most likely cannabis given the abundance ofthe plant all around them, as he and various others sit around a fire and someone plays a relaxing tune on a guitar. Another person can be seen dancing in a silly fashion with a blanket as people laugh, obviously enjoying the entertainment on all fronts.
Touch Grass
What makes Tomato Heaven a great joke is that it is hidden right under your nose. Tomato Heaven is aptly named, but on two levels: the first being the fact that they actually planted tomatoes, but on the other level, “planting tomatoes” is a phrase that was once used as a euphemism for the cultivation of cannabis. Given the near-global nature of cannabis cultivation and use, countless terms (including connections to various leafy vegetables) have been created in reference to the plant, its cultivation, its use and even its users. The reason behind the specific connection between cannabis and tomatoes is not quite clear; however, it is interesting that both have been subject to varying levels of demonization in history, especially from elites.
On a symbolic level, tomatoes have associations with fertility, good fortune, as well as love, and were shown at “The School” during Heavenly Delusion episode 1. This parallel between the literal cultivation of produce in Tomato Heaven and the “Heaven” Maru and Kiriko are headed toward makes the tomato a significant symbol in Heavenly Delusion. Tomatoes were once considered poisonous because European nobles who ate off lead plates wound up poisoned due to the acidity in the tomatoes reacting with their dinnerware; while cannabis has been classified a drug, sometimes inclusive of varieties cultivated for non-drug use. “Tomato plant” is a phrase once used asa covert way to referto cannabis plants, and this relationship is hidden from viewers; however, the deliberate focus on the plant all around them as Maru and Kiriko are taken to Kusakabe is evidence that the connection in the series is deliberate. It’s called “Tomato Heaven” because not only did they once grow tomatoes, but they also “grew tomatoes”.
