Responses
Hmm- but I think the meaning of it was meant to show that the “animals” in the “zoo” were really just Gramps’ growing collections of encounters with the otherworldly that he had ended up acquiring. Like how Hachi found Konoko the Angel, and the seedling, who thought of him as their mother. Which, was why they only revealed that the boss at the end was the grandfather’s lover. Both Hachi and the Grandpa had a special draw to them that attracted the otherworldly, the reason why Takuma was his protector. Which, was why the “Zoo” was more like . . . A “sanctuary” for all his children(?).
I feel awkward that most of the "animals" in this zoo are as intelligent as humans. Feels like a situation your ethics professor would make you debate on.