Mysterious Simulations and Shattered Pasts: Episode 7 of Kowloon Generic Romance Dives Deeper into Identity and Illusion

In the last episode, Kowloon Generic Romance pursues its theme of identity with intensified fervor. Miyuki vows to seek his "Absolute Self," something that appears to symbolize living unconditionally, regardless of history. This vow finds him in tandem with Reiko Kujirai A and Yaomay, who similarly walk the same plane of existence.

Each character's past is either deeply fractured or completely absent. Kujirai A, a doppelgänger of the original Kujirai B, lives in the shadow of her namesake. Her existence is defined by comparison, down to the very home and belongings she inherited. Yaomay's drastic transformation through plastic surgery suggests an attempt to physically sever ties with her past, while Miyuki’s journey appears burdened by sorrow and unresolved vengeance.

Kudo’s Silent Struggle

Kudo, the central but enigmatic character, is an ever-mysterious figure. In contrast to other characters that have distinguishable double lives or reflected selves, he seems to be singular in the simulated universe of Kowloon. This makes him question his purpose and perception of self. How he is with Kujirai A, particularly his surprise visit at midnight on the anniversary of Kujirai B's death, displays his emotional involvement with sorrow and guilt. Kudo's trauma regarding the loss of his ex-fiancée, combined with Kujirai A's strange resemblance—pits him in a liminal emotional terrain.

Layers of Loss and the Collapse of Kowloon

Miyuki’s flashback to his meeting with Gwen further reveals the emotional cost of Kowloon’s destruction. Once his home, the original Kowloon was razed by the Hebinuma Group three years prior. That event fractured not only physical structures but emotional bonds. Gwen, the only person who fully accepted Miyuki, is now distant, and Miyuki’s loyalty to his father's mission drives a wedge between them.

It's also discovered that Kujirai B died—suicide on August 31 three years ago—almost certainly simultaneously with Kowloon 2.0's demolition. A glimpse of her medical record, discovered by Miyuki's colleague Yulong, suggests clinical depression in the form of the insomnia she was treated for. The psychological burden of such a legacy is crushing on Kujirai A and all around her.

 

 

Kowloon: A Fragile Illusion

The illusion of Kowloon 3.0 starts to break down. While others, such as Yaomay and Gwen, come and go as they please within the illusion, some, such as Kujirai A, are stuck. In a creepy incident, a pizza delivery guy does not see or hear her, implying that perhaps she does not exist outside of this reality.

Kowloon appears to be subject to bizarre rules. Characters such as Miyuki, who shun their cuisine, experience mysterious physical repercussions. The series quietly suggests that poking too deeply into the nature of Kowloon could destabilize the simulation itself—comparing tales such as The Matrix in concept and outcome. 

Kujirai A: More Than a Replacement

The most important revelation comes from Miyuki: Kujirai A is not a clone and not a Zirconian. She is something new—a "Generic," a person with the ability to be anyone or anything. While designed to look like Kujirai B, she isn't held back by it. Her future, while unknown, is hers alone to determine. Such potential makes it harder for Miyuki to plan, particularly if Kudo starts to regard her not as a substitute but as someone unique.

 

 

Emotional Depth and Rich Narrative

With all its metaphysical musing and complicated layers, the episode still has sharp narrative coherence. Characters such as Gwen and Miyuki are better fleshed out now and have moved from the ranks of secondary characters to become emotional anchor points. With identity, memory, and the workings of reality at its core, Episode 7 doesn't give any easy answers—but it asks all the right questions.

Kowloon Generic Romance keeps balancing the philosophical complexity with emotional depth, showing itself to be a great adaptation of an already complex manga.

 

 

Written By Manika Kayal, Intern, India Today Gaming.