I Have to Buy New Shoes

The film follows conventional romantic pairings between Aoi and Sen, and Suzume and Kango. There is no explicit evidence of queer visibility or critiques of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender within the narrative.

Aoi Teshigahara serves as a central figure, navigating professional and romantic life in Paris. The film emphasizes her autonomy and decision-making, avoiding passive clichés.

While the cast is primarily Japanese, the Parisian setting facilitates a cross-cultural encounter. The film moves beyond a strictly homogeneous environment through its globalized backdrop.

The story prioritizes individual emotional truth and modern independence over rigid traditional structures. However, it adheres to standard romantic-comedy clichés rather than deconstructing specific cultural institutions.

The narrative contains no mention of characters navigating physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions.