Yume Nikki:Closet Madotsuki

Closet Madotsuki
Basic Info
Role	None
Collectibles	None
Events	None
Location	The Checkered Tile Path
Other
Size	Standard
Killable?	No

Closet Madotsuki is an NPC found in the Checkered Tile Path on a floating part of the path which can only be accessed through Lamp World.

Overview

Closet Madotsuki is overall identical in appearance to the player Madotsuki. They are tightly fit into a brown closet, taking the same idle position Madotsuki does when sitting down. They can be easily viewed by equipping the Midget or Severed Head effects while opening the closet, as Madotsuki's normal height blocks the view.

Upon opening the closet, it will quickly shut after Closet Madotsuki is quickly viewed, accompanied by Madotsuki exclaiming "dame". Whether it is Closet Madotsuki or the controllable Madotsuki closing the closet is unknown.

They make another appearance in YUMENIKKI -DREAM DIARY-, next to a collectible at the right of the Lamp effect, in a lone hidden platform. The room is located on the second floor inside the Dark School. The closet appears to be much smaller, with Madotsuki barely fitting inside.

Interpretation

Closet Madotsuki could possibly represent Madotsuki's solitude, as she is shown to be completely alone in the real world, or a wish to hide from the world, considering that she may isolate herself in her room by choice. It could also represent claustrophobia or a "fear of the closet" that some children have, which could be evidenced by the Closet Creatures and Mini Hell, which are found inside closets throughout the game.

Another symbolism that is sometimes brought up could be the term "in the closet", a term meaning one has not revealed something to those in their life, particularly people who are close in relationship. This could mean Madotsuki is hiding something, though it is unknown what this could be. The term "in the closet" is also typically used in cases relating to gender identity or sexuality, which could mean Madotsuki is or has considered such possibilities, but has not revealed this publicly or to anyone she knows. Closet Madotsuki also notably makes the "unable" sound effect that plays when Madotsuki is unable to perform an action, which could represent hesitancy about coming out.

Guillotine World, another world with closets.

Closet Madotsuki could also be interpreted as Madotsuki literally being locked in a closet, probably by the Toriningen. Many similar closets are found in Guillotine World, where multiple lunatic Toriningen reside, and Number World, where they are found in the same room that connects the Guillotine and Number worlds (with a single Toriningen as well, albeit they are not hostile). All of this could be an example of bullying she may have suffered in the real world, which may also tie in with the "in the closet" phrase symbolism discussed above, which would therefore make the inclusion of Closet Madotsuki both symbolic and literal.

The sprite may depict Madotsuki not sitting in a normal closet, but being "enshrined" within a Butsudan, which the game's closets resemble.