A "dreamlike" memory of a past relationship or a simpler time.

A sense of isolation or "searching" for something in a crowded, indifferent city.

If you're struggling with structure, try exporting stills from your video or using a subtitle file (.srt) to find the "beats" of the story before you start cutting.

Which are you using for the edit? I can give you more specific scene-by-scene beats if I know the source material.

Low-quality VHS grain over scenes of a Japanese summer—train stations, cicadas, and vending machines.

Start with a "glitchy" intro showing the character at their peak.

Fast-cut to their lowest point—a betrayal or a major loss. Fans on Reddit often highlight the "I'm Big Boss, and you are too" moment for its narrative weight.