Reality holds us back

The schoolgirl dreams of a fun and vibrant world of school, while in reality she has a stressful school life that expects her to achieve academic excellence — an example of how inner desires are suppressed in the face of societal or parental expectations when one hits adolescence.

The schoolgirl’s reality is dull and boring, shown in the greyscale that envelops her. This is contrasted with her desire to have a fun and enjoyable school life, like her vibrant and colourful fantasy, which is reflected in the mirror. The frame lines direct our eyes to the girl in the mirror, presenting her as the centre of that world, further emphasising the school girl’s desires. The use of leveling and assimilation on the anime characters create an illusory background, further dividing the schoolgirl’s fantasy and reality, and highlights how disparate both worlds are. It is an unattainable dream: the girl she wishes to be in the mirror will only remain a fantasy.

With her desires a mere mirror reflection, she is forced to remind herself of her duty: to strive for academic excellence. This highlights the insignificance of one’s desire in the face of more pragmatic choices in society.