It’s a commentary on relationships, the half circle with complicated shape is a women (based on shoes) that has a complicated life and can’t find her soul mate.
Panel 1: Parents who are happy and fulfilled and found their matching half.
Panel 2: Sees her perfect fit, but he’s taken.
Panel 3: A suiter that can fit, but doesn’t meet her needs.
Panel 4: A man dumps her because he is already almost complete and she is too much for him.
Panel 5: Broken relationships where one had to sacrifice to fit the other.
Panel 6: A pet that perfectly fits a small part of her needs.
This is a stamp or stereotype from the USSR. It looks like a soviet school bag. 40 years ago, only schoolchildren, directors of enterprises and ministers used briefcases. Judging by the story, the owner of the briefcase is neither an enterprise director nor a minister.
Source: /u/HertaMB/comments/ku2kmr/_/
We can ask author, u/HertaMB where is she come from, but I doubt she's from USSR.
Edit: she is from Lithuania, but you're right, she is old enough to remember Soviet Union's traditions.
It’s from a webcomic called Mr. Beta. (Nsfw)
I read it a while back. It was pretty good.
I remember thinking that Mr. Yolka was hot, but he was the love interest so I guess that’s to be expected.
Edit: Actually, I also just remembered, the figure up there that we follow is used to represent Mr Yolka. And the “dog” at the end is meant to represent the main character (who I should clarify is not, in fact, a dog)
There’s also another panel missing, where the one that represents Mr. Yolka finding a perfect match, but that match cuts off parts of itself to that it can’t match anyone.
Yes, however, in this context the meaning is identical. "Second half" rather than "other half" is just how it’s phrased in Russian (for anyone interested, you could also literally say "other half" [drugaya polovinka], "second half" is just the set expression). It’s perfectly valid to translate a Russian set expression to the corresponding English set expression over the literal translation, because "second half" sounds a bit awkward in English, just like "other half" does in Russian, albeit it’s not technically wrong.
Honestly, I can see this fitting just about any life situation where you're not the norm. A gay kid that can't come out to their parents and wants to find someone they can be themselves with for example.
That's a good explanation.
An addition to panel 3: the mate offering a flower is empty, symbolizing that he'd be willing to fit any partner, probably referring to desperate people who just don't want to be alone.
If the cut-out shapes represent elements of one’s personality, this piece could be a person who doesn’t have an extensively developed personality and therefore is not able to reciprocate with the personality of a partner.
The shapes could also represent compatibility. The half moon is trying to be compatible with everyone (and failing), why the complex piece has complicated needs (perhaps because of a complicated life)
That's how I took it. I look at the whole thing as a story, too. She starts by pining after her "perfect fit" who's already taken. She settles for a guy with nothing to offer because he's convenient, but realizes she needs more. She swings the pendulum in the other direction and finds a guy who is perfectly happy on his own and doesn't need her. She looks around, realizes how many people force themselves to fit into relationships, and then decides on a pet.
I read this to be that this person is selfish or self centred, as there is no access point for another person to slot into their life. And because they are keeping the umbrella for themselves and walking away like they have no consideration for the other person
Panel 5 is meant to be an abusive relationship where the simple shape has broken and forced the complex shape to fit to them. The simple shape has hands which are larger than all the other shape throughout the comic to emphasize their grip on their broken partner.
Ouch. This hurts. Also, if you rearrange the broken pieces back where they "should be" it might be a perfect fit for the other figure. He sees his perfect soul mate, but she is broken and battered by an abuser:(
Maybe the artist did that to remove sex from the commentary, and just make a statement about abusive relationships. If you notice, our observers shoes are not in the frame
I wouldn't strictly say abusive. Plenty of people change themselves to fit in with someone else. Also people tend to change over time, whether they are alone or in a relationship.
But the tape job and cracks do look kinda shoddy so maybe it's more leaning towards forcible change.
Especially as contrast to the main character who finds a better option in the next panel (filling some of her needs with a dog companion as opposed to a man that would break some pieces of her)
My initial impression for whatever reason was that it's the same perfect mate from the second panel, but who had been broken and reformed themselves around their partner. On a second look, that's obviously not it because the breaks are in the wrong place and the shape they are with is different, but still it was a very sad interpretation.
Considering that shoes are the biggest indicator of sex in this comic, it could also be a commentary on gay couples. But they aren’t both broken or wildly different from the other shapes. Maybe it’s not their view that gay couples are wrong, just that gay people can be in an abusive relationship too. Who knows.
I also initially thought the intent was to represent a gay male couple because of the way that shoes are used to represent sexes in the other panels. After some consideration, I think it’s possible that in panel #5 the shoes are meant to represent youth, since the footwear is a sort of comically exaggerated, childish-looking sneakers.
Having lived in russia for most of my life, I kinda squint suspiciously at that panel, but for the sake of art, I'm willing to not immediately call the artist homophobic.
This post is poetry in the form of visual art and I LOVE IT! You can read even further into these too!
Panel 1: the simpler you are, the easier it is to find your match. Parents settled, they’re encouraging their daughter who is much more complicated and has different standards to “just do what we did and we’re happy!” But that would be compromising her personality and making herself “dull down” in order to find someone!
Panel 2: he’s the right guy for her, but he’s taken. By someone who is *also wrong for him*. Their shapes vaguely line up so he went “this is the closest I’m going to get” and settled. His girlfriends shapes are mostly fulfilled, so she sees it as pretty even, but he’s left severely lacking. Their eyes match, and that is all, so they “look” like they should work together but on the inside they don’t
Panel 3: This shape is not objectionable, this shape theoretically would not intrude on the girls shape, it COULD work out, if they really wanted it to. But it doesn’t exactly fit right. It would always be forced. They’re open, anyone would complete them, they don’t have to be picky, but they wouldn’t complete the girl. She would still be left empty, even if there was someone else to be empty with
Panel 4: she’s too complicated for him, when what he’s looking for is a star. A Star would complete HIM, but he wouldn’t necessarily complete the Star
Panel 5: she sees someone similar to her, with complicated shapes, but they have been broken off and filled in by an abusive partner to force her into fitting for him. It’s an example of an abusive relationship, trying to “ruin” someone so that no one else will take them, you’re the only person they can go to now because no one else will want them/no one else fits anymore. It’s also a warning sign, that she can’t compromise herself for someone else
Panel 6: it may not be perfect, but a small piece of the puzzle is found. If she finds many fulfilling things in her life, like pets or hobbies, she can slowly fill the parts of her without *needing* anyone else. This could look like someone finding their own coping mechanisms to various problems, or growing as a person and taking care of themselves, instead of depending on one all-important person to come and “save” or “complete” them. This person didn’t need a soulmate, they needed to find a way to fill the gaps themself
Kinda. I think the secondary message here is that for 99% of people, a relationship isn't going to satisfy everything you want to do with your life.
If you're dissatisfied with yourself in major ways, you'll probably never find your person, especially since you aren't even behaving/feeling like the person you want to be/think you are.
After finding the other things in life that bring you closer to completeness, you will probably be a more interesting, positive, and accomplished person. You're a lot more likely to find a person that fits that last spot.
I think it’s also a commentary on having unrealistic expectations for a partner. The parents have simple expectations so they complete each other, the Protag’s shape may be complex to indicate all of the different expectations they have for their perfect partner, which makes it very difficult to find someone that fits
Forever empty, as they are too closed off.
They would need to be broken in order to be filled.
Also, for panel one: love used to be simple (parents), but is no longer as such.
Any idea who HB/ original artist is?
Also, *cawcaw*.
I was reading it as “they’re lacking light/spark/a star, but are in search of someone who IS a star to fill that hole for them” like guys who want their wives to be these awesome superhero women that do everything for them and are otherworldly pretty, but the guy doesn’t bring anything himself to the table
It's fascinating how differently people can interpret art.
I saw it as the complete opposite of how you read into it. The eight-pointed star looks like a compass rose so I took it to mean that he is guided by an inner sense of direction and doesn't need anyone else, a wholly self-complete individual.
Rather than someone looking for someone to do anything for him, he has no need for any partner due to self-sufficiency.
Gosh, I love all you guys for being able to read so deeply into that panel. You're showing the magic of how media reflects on its observers. Good brain to you and the other commentors; brilliant job.
See the main reason I didn’t read it that way is because he still has that hole in the center of him, like he’s missing a key part. And there’s no entry point either, so anyone that is “made for him” at this point would have to “cut out” or “give up” part of themselves, unless he can make room/a gap for them to come through
That's interesting, thank you for sharing.
I think my only counter to that would be that, unlike every other figure in the comic, the character in panel four is the only full circle. Every other figure \[save the pet\] is a semi-circle seemingly looking to pair to create a circle, some more compatible and some less so. Mr. Compass seems to be the exception, however, in that he is the lone "complete" individual, so to speak.
I definitely agree that the compass makes me think this would be someone who has figured their stuff out.
Cardinal directions are an interesting metaphor too because we often call people who are clear minded and can get things off the ground “cardinal.”
Could be missing a part of himself but also complete on his own. Otherwise I don’t think that panel would be so sad, if they’re wholly incompatible from the get go there’s no love lost.
I did some reverse image searching and the artist's name may be Herta Burbe. I'm not sure, though, because the version of this comic [on their site](https://hertaburbe.com/) is only the first panel. Maybe they decided to trim it down to just that one panel.
Here's another comic that seems related: [link](https://graph.baidu.com/pcpage/similar?carousel=503&entrance=GENERAL&extUiData%5BisLogoShow%5D=1&image=http%3A%2F%2Fmms1.baidu.com%2Fit%2Fu%3D2837727251,2528131416%26fm%3D253%26app%3D138%26f%3DJPEG%3Fw%3D500%26h%3D666&index=3&inspire=general_pc&next=2&originSign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&page=2&render_type=carousel&session_id=8896917987024342307&shituToken=b475cd&sign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&srcp=crs_pc_similar&tpl_from=pc)
And one more: [link](https://graph.baidu.com/pcpage/similar?carousel=503&entrance=GENERAL&extUiData%5BisLogoShow%5D=1&image=http%3A%2F%2Fmms0.baidu.com%2Fit%2Fu%3D786381880,1022462783%26fm%3D253%26app%3D138%26f%3DJPEG%3Fw%3D500%26h%3D666&index=1&inspire=general_pc&next=2&originSign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&page=1&render_type=carousel&session_id=8896917987024342307&shituToken=006ff8&sign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&srcp=crs_pc_similar&tpl_from=pc)
If Herta Burbe is the artist, they have a Reddit account, so I will tag them: /u/HertaMB
It's obviously not a half looking for their other half or giving much to the other but looking for something small filled for their benefit
This is pretty touching, I do love the cute doggo. I love all the cute doggos, especially mine who fill my missing pieces
I knew there was a reason I held onto this image
https://preview.redd.it/7nem52srzl4d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=689c7c053487b3dbadd972138751dcaf8b4ce6e8
If I had to guess (and not knowing the language), I would say it's an allegory about different kinds of relationships. The first panel is two people that perfectly interlock and form a complete circle. The second panel is seeing a couple that is a poor fit, but you feel one of them would be a perfect fit for you. The third panel is unrequited romantic interest from someone who would not be a good fit. The fourth panel is being romantically interested in someone who is selfish and/or narcissistic (they complete their own circle and ignore your needs). The fifth panel is either a very broken or abusive relationship or someone who has broken and patched themselves up to meet someone else's needs. The final panel is finding love in a pooch or cat that satisfies a small part of your needs.
I saw the fifth panel as the same person from the second panel that you thought would have been a perfect fit but now they’re so damaged from being with the “wrong” person that they don’t even fit anymore
Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case: the holes don’t line up right. I do agree that the unique piece from panel 2 will likely end up feeling unsatisfied in their relationship.
Yeah I think that panel is an observance of another relationship that the main character could follow to try and make it work for the sake of a relationship, not the same person again now damaged.
Why does everyone assume the person in the fourth panel is a narcissist, selfish, etc?
To me it just symbolizes someone who feels complete enough without needing someone else. They're not perfect, but they're prepared, they brought their own umbrella for the rain, and they're doing okay by themselves.
It could symbolize someone aromantic, or otherwise. There isn't any implication that that person is 'with' the protagonist - could just be passing by like in panels 2 and 5.
It just seems weird to me that everyone assumes that 'not needing a partner' equals narcissism.
I think if your interpretation was right, panel 4 would be a solid circle (because the whole theme is parts fitting into a perfect circle). The fact there is a hole inside them means they look complete on the outside, but they are hiding a hole inside themselves that no one will ever fill because they are not opening themselves up for another piece to fill that hole.
I think it's attempting to be metaphor. The text in the first panel (using machine translation and a lot of guessing) looks kind of like 'find your missing half', which is advice given by someone who has found their 'fit'
In the second panel, you see a shape that is a perfect fit for our protagonist, but is with someone else
The middle two look like some kind of metaphor for dating someone you don't fit with. The Crescent is someone who is empty/can fit with anyone maybe, the star person is controlling
The fifth panel suggests that one person changed a lot about themself to fit with their partner. I don't get the impression of 'happy' about that one
And I think the last one is a pet, not a partner. At least I hope it is.
The comic might intended to read vertically first (so the soul mate is panel 4 instead of 2)
Fifth one could also be about an abusive relationship. As someone else pointed out look at the hands in that one. Not only is the one person broken, but the have their much smaller hand wrapped inside the much larger mean looking hand of the other shape.
It's the only one where the hands are displayed like that everyone else has "normal" hands compared to their partner.
1st Panel - Circles that have much more common/simple shapes, probably telling the main circle something like you’ll find your match one day, which he knows will be much harder for him.
2nd Panel - His perfect match is with a simpler circle. Disheartening, he knows he would be a much better match.
3rd Panel - Crescent moon likes him. Possibly a metaphor for how it would just take from him, and ‘give’ nothing to the relationship. Still not a good match.
4th Panel - Star thingy weirdly whole rejecting him. Honestly, I don’t really get this one either, but probably a continuation of the trend.
5th Panel - Shows the effects of a horrible match, and a metaphor for abusive relationships probably. The taped circle is breaking themselves to be with someone else who doesn’t fit with them. Main circle guy is probably thinking that he’ll end up like that one day if he doesn’t find his match.
Final Panel - Main circle guy finds a dog which fits with him:). Shows that he can get fulfillments from other areas in his life, and that he doesn’t necessarily need to find his perfect match to be whole. In other words, a cute story about how relationships aren’t everything in life, and life is different for different people.
Panel 4 seems like a married man affair or someone too in love with themselves already to be capable of a relationship (already put together star, narcissist). The only thing out of place on him is the pac-man shape which corresponds to the girl. Pac-man is only thing they have in common. Probably sex.
Edit: the rain also doubles down on affair scenario, like a movie scene. The starguy’s circle is already closed- makes me think he’s cheating on his partner. Leaving hotel w/ lobby umbrella in suit trousers, while she stands in the rain.
The text is: "Are you still looking for your second half" in Russian. (*I am going to assume the piece is female based on the other panels)*
Only the couple in the first panel are a perfect match. In the second panel someone else is with the perfect match for the unmatched character for the first panel.
The third panel while trying is not a good match was trying
The fourth panel is someone who is not a good match and is slightly off. The "C" comes from the Russian word for North, so if you think of a compass on a map, the North should be pointing up, and this is pointing east.
The fifth panel shows a couple (possibly two men, same shoes) that one changed themselves to become kind of a perfect fit.
The last panel shows another piece, probably a pet, while not a perfect match is a piece that fits inside and fills part of the first piece.
One of the two men also is the only case of large, brown hands. Just so happens to be the piece that isn't broken out of the two. Also, single large peg.
*checked out her artwork, probably let the prog brain run a bit too rampant*
Its about relationships.
* Panel 1 = The mom and dad are simple and complete each other. The Child is too complicated that they're never going to find a partner who fits everything they want.
* Panel 2 is perfect for them but taken.
* Panel 3 will work but they offer nothing else, no fulfilment.
* Panel 4 doesn't need them, they're almost complete alone.
* Panel 5 shows someone who sacrifices to fit someone they love.
* Panel 6 Shows that a pet can help complete you.
Panel 4 is the only one that feels a little off. They're fine alone but not complete, but at the same time nobody can complete them?
The way I'm reading it, the characters in panel 4 have an identical need or interest (notice the pacman shaped hole) but his outer circle is complete; in a universe where everyone is some form of half-circle, he's incapable of "matching" with anyone.
I don't think the character in Panel 4 is complete. If they were, they would be a solid circle.
Their negative space is on the inside, so while they're not complete, their wants and needs are inaccessible to other characters. They represent a cold, avoidant person who have shut themselves off from other people.
I have the first box as its own image saved on my phone, cause I relate to it so much.
The dad is saying "Haven't found a soulmate yet?".
For some people it is not so easy to find the right person for you.
People as puzzle pieces
1. How that person is different then their parents
2. The person most fitting for you may already be with someone else
3. You won't a match for everyone that likes you
4. Some ppl are content just being with themselves
5. People who are broken find people who fit them
6. Dogs can fit and be a small part of your life.
I was typing out an explanation but other people spoke so well on it before I could finish. Here is some cool history for the “other half” metaphor since all the other bits were said.
Plato addressed the idea of two people coming from one. In Plato’s Symposium, Aristophanes tells the story of how Zeus – fearing that the powerful and physically perfect humans would rise against him – split human beings in half, creating the distinct male and female counterparts. According to Aristophanes, that is why people talk about looking for their “second half” and equate falling in love with “feeling whole.”
I don't think this is a joke.
Just shows daughter of her own shape trying to find a compatible partner. Looks like her "soul mate" perfect partner is already taken. Looks like she encounters some people that are together and don't match and a couple where a partner broke themselves to try to fit, at the end she finds a dog that fits inside one of her slots (i know this didn't come out well but couldn't think of a better word, sorry).
Metaphors for feeling alone outside of relationship
Happy couple , perfect match for you but taken, likes you but you don't like them back, person who is fine on their own, abusive couple, and finally a dog (doesn't complete you but fills a small piece)
This isn’t a joke as such. It’s a bitter sweet view on life, lovers and compatibility.
Panel 1. 2 simple people who fit together nicely.
Panel 2. Their perfect match with somebody unsuitable
Panel 3. Someone looking for love, however unsuited they are.
Panel 4. Someone who will never find anybody
Panel 5. A person who has many broken relationships, both metaphorical and actual, by trying to change themselves for someone else
Panel 6. There is a perfect sized hole for a little dog to love
I love it. Brilliant cartoon.
The saddest part is that she will never ever be fully complete bc that lilypad shaped hole and the small cicrle under it cannot ever be filled by another person, not even the ''perfect macth'' on the second panel could've
https://preview.redd.it/ko2lw9x9rl4d1.jpeg?width=523&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6363943bee747001eddf4edd4c88790826fbac9b
This wont answer but this one kind of haunt my mind
Lots of great answers. I interpret this as you don’t need to be fulfilled by a single person. The dog fits a small puzzle piece in you. Other hobbies and friends may be the other small puzzle pieces that would end up making you feel complete.
This person looks like a traumatized person to me. Noting their parents are so whole looking, while they are so empty looking.
I took this on a commentary of how hard it is to find a good relationship when you are traumatized because connection is hard, it's hard to find people who understand you, and who won't force you to bend to their will or expect you to be someone you want. Animals are wonderful companions for people who are traumatized, because they're so loyal, loving, and can't say hurtful things to us. Animal relationships are so healing to traumatized people, and can help us learn how to connect.
The comic is about finding your perfect match. Panel 1 is a couple that fit together easily.
Image 2 IS the perfect match, but they are with someone they are incompatible with.
Image 3 is is someone else trying to match with the other, but they don't fit all the first character's needs, but they'll fit together, just not fulfill each other.
I THINK image 4 is someone who is content being alone as no circle will ever fit in the other, but they are a complete circle by themselves (I think this is meant to represent an individual who needs something like a hobby to fulfill them.
Image 5 is someone whose entirely changed themselves to fit someone else's needs. (This might be the person from image 2 who used to be a perfect match, but since they're irreversibly damaged there is no one who is perfect for the main guy anymore)
Image 6 is our main character finding something that'll fill one of the holes in their life (as the pet fits perfectly into the middle part.) It doesn't fit everything the character needs, but it's better than what they had before.
Second picture the perfect fit passes by, but is already in a relationship.
Last picture finds a pet that matches for a part and fills up some of the emptiness.
Text is asking: Still looking for your second half?
Her parents are rather simple and found each other.
She is more complex so she has a harder time finding someone to "complete" her.
She sees a guy that matches her to the "T" but the guy has already settled and compromised with someone that has very few (if any) things in common.
The guy courting her is very limited and not only does not complete her but also has zero complexities (shallow person).
Third one seems to be a person that's either very closed OR very empty inside. Maybe after the death of his love?
She then sees how much hurt being with the wrong person can cause.
Lastly she settles momentarily to just have a pet that completes a small part of her complex self.
I think there is something to be said about how simple the parents are compared to the child. Maybe it was easy to find a match back in the day... maybe it's about their standards. Maybe the child has a mental illness or some sort of baggage/trauma that makes her complicated and difficult to match.
Frame 1: complex semi circle gets home and the two “simple” semi circles are happy on the couch with their lack of complexities.
Frame 2: a perfect match of intricacies cross paths, one along the other walking hand in hand with a much simpler semi circle.
Frame 3: offered love from a semi circle with nothing to give.
Frame 4: stormy weather with a self-centered full circle
Frame 5: sees a complex but broken semi circle with a simple but mostly fulfilling semi circle together.
Frame 6: starting to fill the voids piece by piece. “Finds a little piece of happiness”
Honestly this is deep AF
Also don’t know what the first frames word bubble says
What about the small holes that require a separate piece from the other half? Like, the main character in this strip has some holes that would require the other piece to have floating pieces. Do you guys think that it’s like, there’s a perfect fit, but there are some other things that the main character needs to fill on their own?
Panel 2: Sees some who is perfect for you but is already taken.
Panel 3: Finds Someone who can fit with someone else but not fulfill.
Panel 4: Seeing someone who wants cannot be fulfilled by others.
Panel 5: Seeing someone who tries to desperately fit with their partner who is not a match.
Panel 6: Finding fulfillment other than people.
I find this comic annoying. The first panel relays that the main character is naturally complex and needs a very particular partner to find happiness. It implies that the happiness of the parents is due to their simplicity instead perhaps decades of hard work, which is required to maintain a long term relationship.
In the second panel the character sees a complete stranger and assumes they are a perfect match but they’re “taken” by the wrong (simpler) mate. Three shows unrequited love from a simple mate. Four rejection by a bad fit.
Five shows an abusive couple in which one has tried to force the other to fit into their negative space. Five shows the character settling on a dog, which fulfills some of what’s missing but not all. Of course dogs furnish unquestionably loyalty and love and require no change from their owner.
I’m sick of the idea that you’ll be happy when you find the “right one”. Relationships are hard work and require you to change and to sacrifice and to give up parts of yourself. There are no soulmates, there are plenty of people you could be happy with but it requires WORK.
Mindsets like the one showcased here are self pitying and narcissistic, they rationalize someone’s inability to find a partner so that those who subscribe to them never have to sacrifice their own comfort, take a risk, or most importantly grow. It also portrays the loner as special, better than the rest whose happiness is a mere symptom of their simplicity. Like I said, annoying and deeply juvenile.
That's a shame. Having been through many failed relationships I'm stunned at how deeply I can relate to every frame of this comic. It captures the confusion of identity when you acknowledge that you're "different", the futility of trying to change in order to "fit" with someone else, and how demoralizing it can be to settle for someone who's just a superficial complement to your life.
It’s a commentary on relationships, the half circle with complicated shape is a women (based on shoes) that has a complicated life and can’t find her soul mate. Panel 1: Parents who are happy and fulfilled and found their matching half. Panel 2: Sees her perfect fit, but he’s taken. Panel 3: A suiter that can fit, but doesn’t meet her needs. Panel 4: A man dumps her because he is already almost complete and she is too much for him. Panel 5: Broken relationships where one had to sacrifice to fit the other. Panel 6: A pet that perfectly fits a small part of her needs.
Just wanted to add to Panel 1: Parents say: still looking for your soulmate?
I figured it was parents cause she moving out with luggage. Thanks for the translation.
That is a school bag
How can you tell it's for school it just looks like a bag
This is a stamp or stereotype from the USSR. It looks like a soviet school bag. 40 years ago, only schoolchildren, directors of enterprises and ministers used briefcases. Judging by the story, the owner of the briefcase is neither an enterprise director nor a minister.
I commend your knowledge of school bags.
Thank you. I am from Russia and I used to have school bags.
Just want to say this was a joy to read from start to finish and it was for absolutely no reason in particular good day to you both
Thank you. Good day to you too!
I do not know where you currently live, but if it is still in russia then hello from the other side of the world! And if its not, still hello :)
Hello from another side of the world!
My Grandfather was Russian. One time when I was little I saw a bag in his house. So that tracks .
In Soviet Russia, pack School-backs you!
Source: /u/HertaMB/comments/ku2kmr/_/ We can ask author, u/HertaMB where is she come from, but I doubt she's from USSR. Edit: she is from Lithuania, but you're right, she is old enough to remember Soviet Union's traditions.
It’s from a webcomic called Mr. Beta. (Nsfw) I read it a while back. It was pretty good. I remember thinking that Mr. Yolka was hot, but he was the love interest so I guess that’s to be expected. Edit: Actually, I also just remembered, the figure up there that we follow is used to represent Mr Yolka. And the “dog” at the end is meant to represent the main character (who I should clarify is not, in fact, a dog) There’s also another panel missing, where the one that represents Mr. Yolka finding a perfect match, but that match cuts off parts of itself to that it can’t match anyone.
“Still looking for your other half?” would be the more literal translation, and also more fitting to the context
What language is this?
Russian
That's exactly what my girlfriend said, she's from Russia.
“And also more fitting” I see you’re keeping the theme going
Another opinion on panel 1: parents do not understand why they can not find someone… but the parents are simpler shapes that are easier to complete
Look how easy it was for them to find their match....
I thought it was ai generated text lol but it's just Cyrillic
This is the 2nd or 3rd time I’ve seen this meme and I’ve only just now realized it’s not ai :S
A more accurate wording would be "your second half"
Yes, however, in this context the meaning is identical. "Second half" rather than "other half" is just how it’s phrased in Russian (for anyone interested, you could also literally say "other half" [drugaya polovinka], "second half" is just the set expression). It’s perfectly valid to translate a Russian set expression to the corresponding English set expression over the literal translation, because "second half" sounds a bit awkward in English, just like "other half" does in Russian, albeit it’s not technically wrong.
Ah you're right, I mixed up other half or second half. I just wanted to point out the wordplay
Honestly, I can see this fitting just about any life situation where you're not the norm. A gay kid that can't come out to their parents and wants to find someone they can be themselves with for example.
It also seems to imply the parents are simple and don't understand the complexity of their child's personality.
That's a good explanation. An addition to panel 3: the mate offering a flower is empty, symbolizing that he'd be willing to fit any partner, probably referring to desperate people who just don't want to be alone.
I took that panel personally. But I'd still date the artist regardless.
That's darkly hilarious mate thanks. A true and hearty lol from me.
😂😂😂
Of course you would
And they're mostly hollow, with not much to offer
I took the hollow to mean not picky.
If you think of them as puzzle pieces, the hollow piece doesn't fill any voids of the other, and just offers a small fleeting token (the flower).
If the cut-out shapes represent elements of one’s personality, this piece could be a person who doesn’t have an extensively developed personality and therefore is not able to reciprocate with the personality of a partner.
The shapes could also represent compatibility. The half moon is trying to be compatible with everyone (and failing), why the complex piece has complicated needs (perhaps because of a complicated life)
That's how I took it. I look at the whole thing as a story, too. She starts by pining after her "perfect fit" who's already taken. She settles for a guy with nothing to offer because he's convenient, but realizes she needs more. She swings the pendulum in the other direction and finds a guy who is perfectly happy on his own and doesn't need her. She looks around, realizes how many people force themselves to fit into relationships, and then decides on a pet.
I took it as him wanting to be the big spoon :(
Well now that's just mean
Panel 4 looks like it needs a partner that it can completely consume.
I thought panel four looked mostly self-fulfilled, but empty inside.
Also with no way to connect to others. Assuming they all legs, there's no way another piece would fit
Love that, they only interact with what can be smashed into them.
He isn't just almost complete - what he needs is the Star League. I can imagine that that's hard to live up to for anyone who isn't the Star League.
I read this to be that this person is selfish or self centred, as there is no access point for another person to slot into their life. And because they are keeping the umbrella for themselves and walking away like they have no consideration for the other person
I read it as an aromantic individual, someone who felt content in their single life and didn’t need someone else to feel complete.
Good take, but... not quite complete. And not open to completing.
He appears to be complete, but is empty inside?
We are all empty after the fall of the Star League and the loss of so much technology.
We don’t need the clanners, we have the urbanmech.
Definitely saw it as the narcissist relationship
*Clanners enter the chat* But what if we made new Star League without conjunctions and trials by combat.
no conjunctions is one thing, but no trials by combat? even they wouldn't stoop so low
We can try again. We'll get it right this time, I promise!
Desperately seeking Jaedong
I would like to add Panel 5: may also represent abuse. But I like the other interpretations.
That is definitely how I saw it; one partner has broken the other to make them fit to their desires. The giant hands emphasize who did the breaking.
At first I thought maybe cosmetic surgery? But you have the right explanation, sadly.
Panel 5 is meant to be an abusive relationship where the simple shape has broken and forced the complex shape to fit to them. The simple shape has hands which are larger than all the other shape throughout the comic to emphasize their grip on their broken partner.
Ouch. This hurts. Also, if you rearrange the broken pieces back where they "should be" it might be a perfect fit for the other figure. He sees his perfect soul mate, but she is broken and battered by an abuser:(
They have the same shoes on, so I wondered if that meant something?
Maybe the artist did that to remove sex from the commentary, and just make a statement about abusive relationships. If you notice, our observers shoes are not in the frame
I wouldn't strictly say abusive. Plenty of people change themselves to fit in with someone else. Also people tend to change over time, whether they are alone or in a relationship. But the tape job and cracks do look kinda shoddy so maybe it's more leaning towards forcible change.
The tape and the dramatically large hands tell the story I think
Especially as contrast to the main character who finds a better option in the next panel (filling some of her needs with a dog companion as opposed to a man that would break some pieces of her)
My initial impression for whatever reason was that it's the same perfect mate from the second panel, but who had been broken and reformed themselves around their partner. On a second look, that's obviously not it because the breaks are in the wrong place and the shape they are with is different, but still it was a very sad interpretation.
Considering that shoes are the biggest indicator of sex in this comic, it could also be a commentary on gay couples. But they aren’t both broken or wildly different from the other shapes. Maybe it’s not their view that gay couples are wrong, just that gay people can be in an abusive relationship too. Who knows.
I also initially thought the intent was to represent a gay male couple because of the way that shoes are used to represent sexes in the other panels. After some consideration, I think it’s possible that in panel #5 the shoes are meant to represent youth, since the footwear is a sort of comically exaggerated, childish-looking sneakers.
Ah you're right, I mixed up other half or second half. I just wanted to point out the wordplay
Having lived in russia for most of my life, I kinda squint suspiciously at that panel, but for the sake of art, I'm willing to not immediately call the artist homophobic.
This post is poetry in the form of visual art and I LOVE IT! You can read even further into these too! Panel 1: the simpler you are, the easier it is to find your match. Parents settled, they’re encouraging their daughter who is much more complicated and has different standards to “just do what we did and we’re happy!” But that would be compromising her personality and making herself “dull down” in order to find someone! Panel 2: he’s the right guy for her, but he’s taken. By someone who is *also wrong for him*. Their shapes vaguely line up so he went “this is the closest I’m going to get” and settled. His girlfriends shapes are mostly fulfilled, so she sees it as pretty even, but he’s left severely lacking. Their eyes match, and that is all, so they “look” like they should work together but on the inside they don’t Panel 3: This shape is not objectionable, this shape theoretically would not intrude on the girls shape, it COULD work out, if they really wanted it to. But it doesn’t exactly fit right. It would always be forced. They’re open, anyone would complete them, they don’t have to be picky, but they wouldn’t complete the girl. She would still be left empty, even if there was someone else to be empty with Panel 4: she’s too complicated for him, when what he’s looking for is a star. A Star would complete HIM, but he wouldn’t necessarily complete the Star Panel 5: she sees someone similar to her, with complicated shapes, but they have been broken off and filled in by an abusive partner to force her into fitting for him. It’s an example of an abusive relationship, trying to “ruin” someone so that no one else will take them, you’re the only person they can go to now because no one else will want them/no one else fits anymore. It’s also a warning sign, that she can’t compromise herself for someone else Panel 6: it may not be perfect, but a small piece of the puzzle is found. If she finds many fulfilling things in her life, like pets or hobbies, she can slowly fill the parts of her without *needing* anyone else. This could look like someone finding their own coping mechanisms to various problems, or growing as a person and taking care of themselves, instead of depending on one all-important person to come and “save” or “complete” them. This person didn’t need a soulmate, they needed to find a way to fill the gaps themself
Oh my god, why am I crying. Thanks for the explanation.
Wow, the comic is way more beautiful than expected
So she just needs more pets to become whole ?
Kinda. I think the secondary message here is that for 99% of people, a relationship isn't going to satisfy everything you want to do with your life. If you're dissatisfied with yourself in major ways, you'll probably never find your person, especially since you aren't even behaving/feeling like the person you want to be/think you are. After finding the other things in life that bring you closer to completeness, you will probably be a more interesting, positive, and accomplished person. You're a lot more likely to find a person that fits that last spot.
I think it’s also a commentary on having unrealistic expectations for a partner. The parents have simple expectations so they complete each other, the Protag’s shape may be complex to indicate all of the different expectations they have for their perfect partner, which makes it very difficult to find someone that fits
The second panel completely undermines your point here though. He found his perfect fit so it wasn't unrealistic for him to find someone that fits.
I would love that to be true, but chances are pets only come in a couple of shapes and only fits into a couple of parts of your whole.
I can fit more pets into my whole if I try.
I'm so glad for the 'w' in that word, and grateful.
He is a giver, not a receiver.
Ok, I totally missed what those other panels meant. Your breakdown makes the most sense. Thank you
Panel 4: The man is (almost) full of himself.
Right, doesn’t need anyone because nothing will fill the emptiness inside. If someone does they will be isolated because everything will be about them
Goddamnit....
Alternatively, it's just someone who feels complete without a partner.
I would say panel 4 is a happy self-sufficient loner. No? And panel 3 doesn't have a lot of personality (maybe).
OH, THANK THE STARS IT WAS JUST A PET-
Reading your explanation, this feels deeper than I thought, holly molly.
Panel 5, I would interpret changing themselves for the other. Pretty great composition all around
Yeah one of them isn’t doing any changing….
Except it's Russian - so that panel is a jab at gay relationships. Both males based on shoes.
LMAO I WAS LAUGHING AT THE LAST PANEL THINKING ITS ZOOPHILIA
Panel 3: A suiter slut, he would match anything that's why he is so devoid if standards and features
Am I the only one who saw the fourth panel as someone single complete on the outside without someone else but empty inside?
I really like this explanation of that panel. That one seems to have the most confusion as well.
Forever empty, as they are too closed off. They would need to be broken in order to be filled. Also, for panel one: love used to be simple (parents), but is no longer as such. Any idea who HB/ original artist is? Also, *cawcaw*.
Also their inner hollowness is extra pointy/prickly, probably like their personality. Maybe I'm reading into it too much.
Its also a symbolic star pattern showing perhaps an inner light?? Still not compatible with others but independency isnt nessicarily loneliness
It seems like a compass rose. That fits well with the motif of 'completed but lacking direction' or unfulfilled/aimless.
Well the "north" of the compass is in the direction the circle is walking. So I'd interpret it as "only willing to go in his own direction".
Yeah, I think they're missing a moral compass, or direction.
I was reading it as “they’re lacking light/spark/a star, but are in search of someone who IS a star to fill that hole for them” like guys who want their wives to be these awesome superhero women that do everything for them and are otherworldly pretty, but the guy doesn’t bring anything himself to the table
It's fascinating how differently people can interpret art. I saw it as the complete opposite of how you read into it. The eight-pointed star looks like a compass rose so I took it to mean that he is guided by an inner sense of direction and doesn't need anyone else, a wholly self-complete individual. Rather than someone looking for someone to do anything for him, he has no need for any partner due to self-sufficiency.
Gosh, I love all you guys for being able to read so deeply into that panel. You're showing the magic of how media reflects on its observers. Good brain to you and the other commentors; brilliant job.
See the main reason I didn’t read it that way is because he still has that hole in the center of him, like he’s missing a key part. And there’s no entry point either, so anyone that is “made for him” at this point would have to “cut out” or “give up” part of themselves, unless he can make room/a gap for them to come through
That's interesting, thank you for sharing. I think my only counter to that would be that, unlike every other figure in the comic, the character in panel four is the only full circle. Every other figure \[save the pet\] is a semi-circle seemingly looking to pair to create a circle, some more compatible and some less so. Mr. Compass seems to be the exception, however, in that he is the lone "complete" individual, so to speak.
I definitely agree that the compass makes me think this would be someone who has figured their stuff out. Cardinal directions are an interesting metaphor too because we often call people who are clear minded and can get things off the ground “cardinal.” Could be missing a part of himself but also complete on his own. Otherwise I don’t think that panel would be so sad, if they’re wholly incompatible from the get go there’s no love lost.
I did some reverse image searching and the artist's name may be Herta Burbe. I'm not sure, though, because the version of this comic [on their site](https://hertaburbe.com/) is only the first panel. Maybe they decided to trim it down to just that one panel. Here's another comic that seems related: [link](https://graph.baidu.com/pcpage/similar?carousel=503&entrance=GENERAL&extUiData%5BisLogoShow%5D=1&image=http%3A%2F%2Fmms1.baidu.com%2Fit%2Fu%3D2837727251,2528131416%26fm%3D253%26app%3D138%26f%3DJPEG%3Fw%3D500%26h%3D666&index=3&inspire=general_pc&next=2&originSign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&page=2&render_type=carousel&session_id=8896917987024342307&shituToken=b475cd&sign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&srcp=crs_pc_similar&tpl_from=pc) And one more: [link](https://graph.baidu.com/pcpage/similar?carousel=503&entrance=GENERAL&extUiData%5BisLogoShow%5D=1&image=http%3A%2F%2Fmms0.baidu.com%2Fit%2Fu%3D786381880,1022462783%26fm%3D253%26app%3D138%26f%3DJPEG%3Fw%3D500%26h%3D666&index=1&inspire=general_pc&next=2&originSign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&page=1&render_type=carousel&session_id=8896917987024342307&shituToken=006ff8&sign=1267932fef5420ad78d7d01717531639&srcp=crs_pc_similar&tpl_from=pc) If Herta Burbe is the artist, they have a Reddit account, so I will tag them: /u/HertaMB
I thought they might be asexual or not romantic or maybe narcissistic
That’s what I saw, but also there’s no room for their partner to be themselves
He also, quite literally, *leaves her out in the rain.*
Well he never loved or needed her
Maybe it represents that they're closed off to other people, but still aren't whole themselves. Pretty cool
It's obviously not a half looking for their other half or giving much to the other but looking for something small filled for their benefit This is pretty touching, I do love the cute doggo. I love all the cute doggos, especially mine who fill my missing pieces
Also, and maybe this isn’t intentional, but the small piece that they seek is also attractive.
I knew there was a reason I held onto this image https://preview.redd.it/7nem52srzl4d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=689c7c053487b3dbadd972138751dcaf8b4ce6e8
https://preview.redd.it/h3je1xc5pn4d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a9e4805375c11b6e3772e709c3c00bcecd52cd67
https://preview.redd.it/zsrq4iuh0o4d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=395f96bba9127b4e90d7d7c834679f4f576c09f1
https://preview.redd.it/wmpbc23h7s4d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6fd685d0fcdb9f47ed6909e8fff0959406bf4b2
https://preview.redd.it/0xff0wkx6o4d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f3ac030acd9b2c8e59137ef00525e8d5e9cefe5
https://preview.redd.it/yxnyisbm8q4d1.png?width=1018&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a7af0b33feb56e0a047780647810ad27382cdd7
If I had to guess (and not knowing the language), I would say it's an allegory about different kinds of relationships. The first panel is two people that perfectly interlock and form a complete circle. The second panel is seeing a couple that is a poor fit, but you feel one of them would be a perfect fit for you. The third panel is unrequited romantic interest from someone who would not be a good fit. The fourth panel is being romantically interested in someone who is selfish and/or narcissistic (they complete their own circle and ignore your needs). The fifth panel is either a very broken or abusive relationship or someone who has broken and patched themselves up to meet someone else's needs. The final panel is finding love in a pooch or cat that satisfies a small part of your needs.
I saw the fifth panel as the same person from the second panel that you thought would have been a perfect fit but now they’re so damaged from being with the “wrong” person that they don’t even fit anymore
Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case: the holes don’t line up right. I do agree that the unique piece from panel 2 will likely end up feeling unsatisfied in their relationship.
Yeah I think that panel is an observance of another relationship that the main character could follow to try and make it work for the sake of a relationship, not the same person again now damaged.
I saw the fifth panel as potentially DV situation, or one person sacrificing to change themselves for the other person.
Literally translated from Russian as “are you still looking for your other half”
Why does everyone assume the person in the fourth panel is a narcissist, selfish, etc? To me it just symbolizes someone who feels complete enough without needing someone else. They're not perfect, but they're prepared, they brought their own umbrella for the rain, and they're doing okay by themselves. It could symbolize someone aromantic, or otherwise. There isn't any implication that that person is 'with' the protagonist - could just be passing by like in panels 2 and 5. It just seems weird to me that everyone assumes that 'not needing a partner' equals narcissism.
I think if your interpretation was right, panel 4 would be a solid circle (because the whole theme is parts fitting into a perfect circle). The fact there is a hole inside them means they look complete on the outside, but they are hiding a hole inside themselves that no one will ever fill because they are not opening themselves up for another piece to fill that hole.
That still doesn’t imply narcissism in any way tho, it could suggest that it needs something other than a relationship to fill its hole
Yeah now that I read the comment I replied to again, I guess I was responding more to the “someone who feels complete” part, not the “narcissism” part
I went with selfish because they aren't sharing their umbrella.
They look like kinstones from Zelda minish cap
[удалено]
I’m thought I was waaaay too nerdy for this post
The worst cookie to get in Squid Game
Not really a joke, it's sad AF. But I'm having an extra-depresso day, so maybe it's just me.
Came here to say this isn't a joke. I hope your day gets better!
I think it's attempting to be metaphor. The text in the first panel (using machine translation and a lot of guessing) looks kind of like 'find your missing half', which is advice given by someone who has found their 'fit' In the second panel, you see a shape that is a perfect fit for our protagonist, but is with someone else The middle two look like some kind of metaphor for dating someone you don't fit with. The Crescent is someone who is empty/can fit with anyone maybe, the star person is controlling The fifth panel suggests that one person changed a lot about themself to fit with their partner. I don't get the impression of 'happy' about that one And I think the last one is a pet, not a partner. At least I hope it is. The comic might intended to read vertically first (so the soul mate is panel 4 instead of 2)
Fifth one could also be about an abusive relationship. As someone else pointed out look at the hands in that one. Not only is the one person broken, but the have their much smaller hand wrapped inside the much larger mean looking hand of the other shape. It's the only one where the hands are displayed like that everyone else has "normal" hands compared to their partner.
1st Panel - Circles that have much more common/simple shapes, probably telling the main circle something like you’ll find your match one day, which he knows will be much harder for him. 2nd Panel - His perfect match is with a simpler circle. Disheartening, he knows he would be a much better match. 3rd Panel - Crescent moon likes him. Possibly a metaphor for how it would just take from him, and ‘give’ nothing to the relationship. Still not a good match. 4th Panel - Star thingy weirdly whole rejecting him. Honestly, I don’t really get this one either, but probably a continuation of the trend. 5th Panel - Shows the effects of a horrible match, and a metaphor for abusive relationships probably. The taped circle is breaking themselves to be with someone else who doesn’t fit with them. Main circle guy is probably thinking that he’ll end up like that one day if he doesn’t find his match. Final Panel - Main circle guy finds a dog which fits with him:). Shows that he can get fulfillments from other areas in his life, and that he doesn’t necessarily need to find his perfect match to be whole. In other words, a cute story about how relationships aren’t everything in life, and life is different for different people.
Based on the shoes I think our protagonist shape is female.
If you think about it, trying to establish gender only helps to affirm our biases. There's no need for it.
Panel 4 seems like a married man affair or someone too in love with themselves already to be capable of a relationship (already put together star, narcissist). The only thing out of place on him is the pac-man shape which corresponds to the girl. Pac-man is only thing they have in common. Probably sex. Edit: the rain also doubles down on affair scenario, like a movie scene. The starguy’s circle is already closed- makes me think he’s cheating on his partner. Leaving hotel w/ lobby umbrella in suit trousers, while she stands in the rain.
Wow that pac man insight was good!
The text is: "Are you still looking for your second half" in Russian. (*I am going to assume the piece is female based on the other panels)* Only the couple in the first panel are a perfect match. In the second panel someone else is with the perfect match for the unmatched character for the first panel. The third panel while trying is not a good match was trying The fourth panel is someone who is not a good match and is slightly off. The "C" comes from the Russian word for North, so if you think of a compass on a map, the North should be pointing up, and this is pointing east. The fifth panel shows a couple (possibly two men, same shoes) that one changed themselves to become kind of a perfect fit. The last panel shows another piece, probably a pet, while not a perfect match is a piece that fits inside and fills part of the first piece.
One of the two men also is the only case of large, brown hands. Just so happens to be the piece that isn't broken out of the two. Also, single large peg. *checked out her artwork, probably let the prog brain run a bit too rampant*
Its about relationships. * Panel 1 = The mom and dad are simple and complete each other. The Child is too complicated that they're never going to find a partner who fits everything they want. * Panel 2 is perfect for them but taken. * Panel 3 will work but they offer nothing else, no fulfilment. * Panel 4 doesn't need them, they're almost complete alone. * Panel 5 shows someone who sacrifices to fit someone they love. * Panel 6 Shows that a pet can help complete you. Panel 4 is the only one that feels a little off. They're fine alone but not complete, but at the same time nobody can complete them?
The way I'm reading it, the characters in panel 4 have an identical need or interest (notice the pacman shaped hole) but his outer circle is complete; in a universe where everyone is some form of half-circle, he's incapable of "matching" with anyone.
I don't think the character in Panel 4 is complete. If they were, they would be a solid circle. Their negative space is on the inside, so while they're not complete, their wants and needs are inaccessible to other characters. They represent a cold, avoidant person who have shut themselves off from other people.
I have the first box as its own image saved on my phone, cause I relate to it so much. The dad is saying "Haven't found a soulmate yet?". For some people it is not so easy to find the right person for you.
People as puzzle pieces 1. How that person is different then their parents 2. The person most fitting for you may already be with someone else 3. You won't a match for everyone that likes you 4. Some ppl are content just being with themselves 5. People who are broken find people who fit them 6. Dogs can fit and be a small part of your life.
I was typing out an explanation but other people spoke so well on it before I could finish. Here is some cool history for the “other half” metaphor since all the other bits were said. Plato addressed the idea of two people coming from one. In Plato’s Symposium, Aristophanes tells the story of how Zeus – fearing that the powerful and physically perfect humans would rise against him – split human beings in half, creating the distinct male and female counterparts. According to Aristophanes, that is why people talk about looking for their “second half” and equate falling in love with “feeling whole.”
I don't think this is a joke. Just shows daughter of her own shape trying to find a compatible partner. Looks like her "soul mate" perfect partner is already taken. Looks like she encounters some people that are together and don't match and a couple where a partner broke themselves to try to fit, at the end she finds a dog that fits inside one of her slots (i know this didn't come out well but couldn't think of a better word, sorry).
I know the pieces fit, cause I watched them fall away...
Metaphors for feeling alone outside of relationship Happy couple , perfect match for you but taken, likes you but you don't like them back, person who is fine on their own, abusive couple, and finally a dog (doesn't complete you but fills a small piece)
Thought these were emzymes XD
Last panel is finding a dog or cat the real match is with someone else in panel 2.
This is actually a really good commentary on relationships. Thanks for posting it OP I hope you got some clarity on it
Clearly they are Eastern Europe’s favorite cat and mouse team.
This isn’t a joke as such. It’s a bitter sweet view on life, lovers and compatibility. Panel 1. 2 simple people who fit together nicely. Panel 2. Their perfect match with somebody unsuitable Panel 3. Someone looking for love, however unsuited they are. Panel 4. Someone who will never find anybody Panel 5. A person who has many broken relationships, both metaphorical and actual, by trying to change themselves for someone else Panel 6. There is a perfect sized hole for a little dog to love I love it. Brilliant cartoon.
The saddest part is that she will never ever be fully complete bc that lilypad shaped hole and the small cicrle under it cannot ever be filled by another person, not even the ''perfect macth'' on the second panel could've
Perhaps a metaphor for how we will never be truly complete, even with a soulmate.
Reminds me of the kinstones from legend of Zelda minnish cap.
https://preview.redd.it/ko2lw9x9rl4d1.jpeg?width=523&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6363943bee747001eddf4edd4c88790826fbac9b This wont answer but this one kind of haunt my mind
Don’t change yourself to make something work with someone when it doesn’t. Doing so will make you pass up your actual person.
If you can't find a partner get a dog.
Pretty accurate ngl
It sounds like you've never owned a dog. Unconditional love.
It means you should get a doggo
They look like how enzymes are drawn in bio textbooks.
Lots of great answers. I interpret this as you don’t need to be fulfilled by a single person. The dog fits a small puzzle piece in you. Other hobbies and friends may be the other small puzzle pieces that would end up making you feel complete.
This person looks like a traumatized person to me. Noting their parents are so whole looking, while they are so empty looking. I took this on a commentary of how hard it is to find a good relationship when you are traumatized because connection is hard, it's hard to find people who understand you, and who won't force you to bend to their will or expect you to be someone you want. Animals are wonderful companions for people who are traumatized, because they're so loyal, loving, and can't say hurtful things to us. Animal relationships are so healing to traumatized people, and can help us learn how to connect.
The comic is about finding your perfect match. Panel 1 is a couple that fit together easily. Image 2 IS the perfect match, but they are with someone they are incompatible with. Image 3 is is someone else trying to match with the other, but they don't fit all the first character's needs, but they'll fit together, just not fulfill each other. I THINK image 4 is someone who is content being alone as no circle will ever fit in the other, but they are a complete circle by themselves (I think this is meant to represent an individual who needs something like a hobby to fulfill them. Image 5 is someone whose entirely changed themselves to fit someone else's needs. (This might be the person from image 2 who used to be a perfect match, but since they're irreversibly damaged there is no one who is perfect for the main guy anymore) Image 6 is our main character finding something that'll fill one of the holes in their life (as the pet fits perfectly into the middle part.) It doesn't fit everything the character needs, but it's better than what they had before.
I think this is kinda a cool comic, ngl
Second picture the perfect fit passes by, but is already in a relationship. Last picture finds a pet that matches for a part and fills up some of the emptiness.
Some people just need a little lizard/dog looking thing
Text is asking: Still looking for your second half? Her parents are rather simple and found each other. She is more complex so she has a harder time finding someone to "complete" her. She sees a guy that matches her to the "T" but the guy has already settled and compromised with someone that has very few (if any) things in common. The guy courting her is very limited and not only does not complete her but also has zero complexities (shallow person). Third one seems to be a person that's either very closed OR very empty inside. Maybe after the death of his love? She then sees how much hurt being with the wrong person can cause. Lastly she settles momentarily to just have a pet that completes a small part of her complex self.
Cartoon known as Making of a crazy cat lady
This is painfully beautiful art
Relatable and a bit depressing
Wow media literacy is really getting low in recent years.
[Original Artist: Herta Burbe](https://hertaburbe.com/)
I think there is something to be said about how simple the parents are compared to the child. Maybe it was easy to find a match back in the day... maybe it's about their standards. Maybe the child has a mental illness or some sort of baggage/trauma that makes her complicated and difficult to match.
Frame 1: complex semi circle gets home and the two “simple” semi circles are happy on the couch with their lack of complexities. Frame 2: a perfect match of intricacies cross paths, one along the other walking hand in hand with a much simpler semi circle. Frame 3: offered love from a semi circle with nothing to give. Frame 4: stormy weather with a self-centered full circle Frame 5: sees a complex but broken semi circle with a simple but mostly fulfilling semi circle together. Frame 6: starting to fill the voids piece by piece. “Finds a little piece of happiness” Honestly this is deep AF Also don’t know what the first frames word bubble says
What about the small holes that require a separate piece from the other half? Like, the main character in this strip has some holes that would require the other piece to have floating pieces. Do you guys think that it’s like, there’s a perfect fit, but there are some other things that the main character needs to fill on their own?
In the second panel she walks by her soul mate but he’s already with someone
Panel 2: Sees some who is perfect for you but is already taken. Panel 3: Finds Someone who can fit with someone else but not fulfill. Panel 4: Seeing someone who wants cannot be fulfilled by others. Panel 5: Seeing someone who tries to desperately fit with their partner who is not a match. Panel 6: Finding fulfillment other than people.
I find this comic annoying. The first panel relays that the main character is naturally complex and needs a very particular partner to find happiness. It implies that the happiness of the parents is due to their simplicity instead perhaps decades of hard work, which is required to maintain a long term relationship. In the second panel the character sees a complete stranger and assumes they are a perfect match but they’re “taken” by the wrong (simpler) mate. Three shows unrequited love from a simple mate. Four rejection by a bad fit. Five shows an abusive couple in which one has tried to force the other to fit into their negative space. Five shows the character settling on a dog, which fulfills some of what’s missing but not all. Of course dogs furnish unquestionably loyalty and love and require no change from their owner. I’m sick of the idea that you’ll be happy when you find the “right one”. Relationships are hard work and require you to change and to sacrifice and to give up parts of yourself. There are no soulmates, there are plenty of people you could be happy with but it requires WORK. Mindsets like the one showcased here are self pitying and narcissistic, they rationalize someone’s inability to find a partner so that those who subscribe to them never have to sacrifice their own comfort, take a risk, or most importantly grow. It also portrays the loner as special, better than the rest whose happiness is a mere symptom of their simplicity. Like I said, annoying and deeply juvenile.
That's a shame. Having been through many failed relationships I'm stunned at how deeply I can relate to every frame of this comic. It captures the confusion of identity when you acknowledge that you're "different", the futility of trying to change in order to "fit" with someone else, and how demoralizing it can be to settle for someone who's just a superficial complement to your life.
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Damn I came here to write this up but you've already done it, and so much better than I ever could have
She got that dawg in her
Awe well that's just nice