Watching Tekkonkinkreet, the most visible conflict of gentrification hits hard because I've felt all of the emotions of change that 
it brings. Unable to go back to my demolished and gentrified environment from my childhood, I strongly resonated with Kuro's sense of 
entitlement and stubbornness to protect 'his' town. I felt a familiar connection of holding onto past paraphanelia and the value the ideas hold.
One scene that particularly stood out was the clear distinction between Shiro and the educated children in school. They aren't able to
fly like he does, but they likely won't be hurt much by the amusement park that would be built. It's a cruel irony that the gentrification 
of the town by building an amusement park, meant for kids, would exclude them. Of all the dialogue in the film, the characters repeatedly emphasize
that they are just children, even those who are humbled by them. Shiro, Kuro, and their beloved community will all be affected by these physical 
changes to their environment. It will eventually exclude them entirely, as seen with Kuro's dialogue with the amusement park employee.

The main antagonist Ebi was a well written character, despite talking in the shadows of the more interesting characters. However, this makes more
sense for him because of how replacable he is. There is no distinctive motivator besides monetary gain. The very fact that he and his goons are 
replacable fits with the working cogs of the capitalistic mindset that the film is against. As Ebi himself claims, the damages that Kuro caused
are replacable, as it was created to be. 

The catharsis that the minotaur brings invites the audience into the perspective of Kuro perfectly, as we feel relief that the physical threat 
is gone. However, the story makes it clear that this uncontrolled apathy for the world is not a belief system that is balanced. 
We feel the pull still, and that's what makes the threat so real and unpredictable despite common narrative tropes directing us towards a happy ending.

On a more light hearted note this film involves mobsters which is always a welcome element in my movie watching experience. I thoroughly enjoyed
predicting themes that would be explored, and the payoff when they would fulfill or subvert my expectations.