johns-anilog

[johns-anilog]

Post 25: 終わり２番: The Second One

Well, it’s finally the end. Having had friends who have taken this class in the past, I had a fairly good idea of what to expect with this class. As far as a general overview of anime and manga history, I feel this class did an overall good job of hitting most of the quintessential works with a few more obscure ones mixed in. I really enjoyed most of what we covered in the class, even when I may have disagreed with certain analyses of those texts.

Quick List of Opinions:

Favorite Student/Non-Student Pick: Eva/Macross

Least Favorite: Tie between Sensoron/Marmalade Boy

Biggest Letdown: The fact I stopped writing haikus due to lack of time

Favorite Movie: The Wind Rises

Shows I’m Going to Finish: Macross, Penguindrum, Eva

Most Forgettable Show: Gate

is what I would say if I didn’t forget we watched Bakuman until looking back through my posts.

Best Scholarly Source: The Otaku Encyclopedia (Fight me)

Best Show I Watched for this Class We Didn’t: KonoSuba

Worst Show I Watched for this Class We Didn’t: SAO

Best Performance of Toast in a Supporting Role: Sailor Moon

Best Shows I Referenced We Didn’t Watch: Pop Team Epic, Code Geass, JJBA

Best OP: (1) Eva (2) Penguindrum (3) Macross

Best ED: I don’t remember sticking around for any of them

Best Performance of Fish in a Supporting Role: Macross

Best Depression: Eva

Suggestions: Remove Marmalade Boy, Better balance of WWII and non-WWII (counting Naruto as WWII in this case)

I can’t think of anything else, so this post is done.

[johns-anilog]

Post 24: 終わった

Watching Hourou Musuko was a very similar experience for me as Penguindrum, and by that I mean both were shows of which I had watched the first episode but completely forgotten about. Talking about just surface level attributes, I loved the soft, watercolor-esque art style and the equally soft character designs of much of the main cast (aside from Doi, whose eyes were narrow and hair was sharp and spiky). The soundtrack equally suited the quiet, sometimes melancholic feeling of the show.

This was a very heartfelt coming-of-age story. The fact this takes place during middle school is perfectly suited to tell a story of someone truly figuring out who they are. We all go through this, though it’s definitely more challenging for Nitori. While I can’t relate with his struggle on a personal level, I can empathize with his desire to just feel comfortable in his(?) own skin. Back home, someone I grew up with for years as a girl transitioned to a boy several years ago, and when discussing it with the more conservative members of my family, the subject is often treated like walking on eggshells. As far as I’m concerned, the fact that this an issue to begin with saddens me.

[johns-anilog]

Here’s just one video essay discussing Eva’s impact if you’re curious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ3F_hhzJ3o

Post 23: Congratulations

Well, they weren’t kidding when they said by the end of Eva they resorted to using markers and crayons to finish the show due to budget and time constraints. 

Jokes aside, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a show I’ve been meaning to watch for a very, very long time, and I’m glad I finally got to get a taste of it. The majority of the final episode resonated with me deeply, as someone who’s struggled with their own sense of self-worth and purpose in life. That final episode, especially how it ends, has been very contentious ever since its release, understandably, but when viewed as a summary of this deeply introspective show, I think it works very well. Knowing that much of this show was meant to be a reflection of the creator’s own struggles and more of a quiet reflection on that than anything else (ironic since its setting subverts this notion at times), it’s definitely won me over. There’s no question why this show is such a landmark in anime history; literally, it revolutionized what a creator could do on a broadcast anime, and it paved the way for other deeply exploratory series such as Revolutionary Girl Utena (created in the immediate wake of this show). Additionally, it’s no surprise why this is one of the most iconic anime of all time, and its influence on pop culture still resonates to this day (I mean, just look at the gif below this).

Or how it’s used as a representative of Japanese consumable pop-culture in the music video for Me Me Me (also animated by Gainax, the video serves as a harsh critique of the dangers of overindulgence in otakudom and self-isolation). Though, this reflects more of an unwanted reality by Eva’s creator: that a lot of people see the series as not much more than any other mecha anime and focus on the action and cute girls (and ironically enough, Gainax is responsible for using Eva as a cash cow).

[Fair warning for those who haven’t seen Me Me Me and are curious, it does have some nudity, so probably best not to watch that in class.]

[johns-anilog]

Truly, the stuff of nightmares.

Spirited Back Home

           For those of you coming here for Evangelion- I’ll stop you now, you won’t find any explanation here. Congrats for making it through, though! I’m saving all things Eva for tomorrow- but you best believe I’ll be reading what you all have to say in the meanwhile…

           As for Spirited Away, though, I loved this movie just about as much as I did way back when I was a young kid. I say almost, as I definitely took a more critical eye to it this time and found myself getting a bit lost with the premise at the very beginning. Lost, not in a good way, more so just confused as to how these events began. After a while, however, I sorta just lost track and got swept up in the world, characters, and story. Another thing that changed from my childhood experiences was my perception of No Face. He was always my favorite character, and I lit up seeing him on screen again, but I guess being older made me view him slightly differently. He was just… off-putting, creepy, even. I was genuinely unsettled in each of his first appearances, and then things just got worse as he consumed more and more, eventually culminating in the chase sequence. Then, suddenly, he was back to how I remembered him from my childhood. He became somewhat of a whimsical character, taking a backseat to the antagonist role. Honestly? Good for him for getting a “happy” ending, too.

           Really a lot of my Spirited Away experience was trying to analyze it, and failing due to “Aaaah I remember thaaat part” syndrome. I’m really interested to see what everyone else thinks- especially with a lot of the lesser-explained spiritual stuff.

[johns-anilog]

Real talk, the first time I ever tried to watch Spirited Away as a kid scared the daylights out of me; namely, I couldn’t watch past the scene where her parents turn into pigs. Seems silly now looking back on it, but it reminds me of how my mom reacted to the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz as a little girl.

So… I can see why this gets so much hype. I wasn’t entirely sure of everything, but it was so good! I mean, I wasn’t really able to get emotionally attached to any of the characters and yet I was still on the edge of my seat when Shinji was deciding whether or not to squish his buddy. The tension was crazy! The final episode was also strangely satisfying, although I’m not sure how other people feel about it.

As for Spirited Away, I love the movie. Who doesn’t? Of course, I have feeling it’s going to be completely shredded in tomorrow’s class…

A bit of a side note, but the animation of these little pieces of gold is one of the most oddly satisfying things ever. Even when I was a little kid it really stuck with me. 

[johns-anilog]

Post 23: Congratulations

Well, they weren’t kidding when they said by the end of Eva they resorted to using markers and crayons to finish the show due to budget and time constraints. 

Jokes aside, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a show I’ve been meaning to watch for a very, very long time, and I’m glad I finally got to get a taste of it. The majority of the final episode resonated with me deeply, as someone who’s struggled with their own sense of self-worth and purpose in life. That final episode, especially how it ends, has been very contentious ever since its release, understandably, but when viewed as a summary of this deeply introspective show, I think it works very well. Knowing that much of this show was meant to be a reflection of the creator’s own struggles and more of a quiet reflection on that than anything else (ironic since its setting subverts this notion at times), it’s definitely won me over. There’s no question why this show is such a landmark in anime history; literally, it revolutionized what a creator could do on a broadcast anime, and it paved the way for other deeply exploratory series such as Revolutionary Girl Utena (created in the immediate wake of this show). Additionally, it’s no surprise why this is one of the most iconic anime of all time, and its influence on pop culture still resonates to this day (I mean, just look at the gif below this).

Or how it’s used as a representative of Japanese consumable pop-culture in the music video for Me Me Me (also animated by Gainax, the video serves as a harsh critique of the dangers of overindulgence in otakudom and self-isolation). Though, this reflects more of an unwanted reality by Eva’s creator: that a lot of people see the series as not much more than any other mecha anime and focus on the action and cute girls (and ironically enough, Gainax is responsible for using Eva as a cash cow).

[Fair warning for those who haven’t seen Me Me Me and are curious, it does have some nudity, so probably best not to watch that in class.]

[johns-anilog]

Post 22: This is the Greatest Confusion of All Time

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: I don’t think any of us are going to understand 100% of what was going on here without having watched every single episode, probably multiple times. That being said, I loved this part just as much if not more than the previous bit. Show’s on the more abstract side like this scratch a certain itch for me, and I like a show that can leave me guessing like this. For me, the objective ���reality” or narrative is far less important than the message the show is trying to convey. It loves to hope back and forth between layers of reality and abstraction freely. I don’t know there’s just something I love about not being able to quite guess how authentic what I’m seeing truly is. It makes me feel like I’m watching the visual equivalent of a surreal art piece more so than anything else. 

A lot of what I touched on about trying to change fate and the cost to do so was deeply reflected with the transfer of fate, and that felt very satisfying to see resolved. Though, the show definitely was more about love in the end. Mainly, about being loved and chosen by someone else, more so than loving itself. 

Also, I loved how the very end here mirrored the very first episode, but this time the boys walking by the house talking about the apples were Kanba and Shoma. Everything comes full circle.

R.I.P. Sun-chan, you deserved better.

[johns-anilog]

Adding on to that last note of yours, Ikuhara also is directing a show airing this season called Sarazanmai that very much so oozes the same style. Only the first episode has aired so far, but if you liked this show or would be willing to try something similar I highly recommend it. Lots of discussion about desire instead of love so far, and kappas instead of penguins.

The End of Penguindrum

           What is there that I can say about Penguindrum? I’m genuinely uncertain. These past few episodes certainly captivated me a lot more than the first few- though I suppose I resigned myself to the confusion of the series and just rolled with what came at me… That being said, there were quite a few really beautiful scenes (animation-wise) that really reminded me of Ghibli’s style, or even Your Name’s. Stylistically, very nice. Plot/message wise- I’m still a great bit confused.

           That isn’t to say that this is a bad show, in fact- I’m sure I would have really enjoyed it given the opportunity to watch it in its entirety. Sure, towards the beginning I found the characters and plot flat, confusing, and lacking all sorts of depth, but by the end of this I could see the faint whispers of the larger narrative, and some really cool moments (looking at you, burning journal scene) really showed off the depth and well… character, of these characters. Also the penguins were adorable as always. Good stuff overall.

          Couple of interesting notes here- the director/co-writer for the series apparently headed Sailor Moon R & S, as well as Revolutionary Girl Utena (design similarities abound).

AND WE’RE OFF TO THE PSYCHOLOGICALLY COMPLEX RACES!

[johns-anilog]

Things we can take away from Penguindrum:

(1) Secret Penguins

(2) Aquarium giftshops hold the key to resurrection

(3) Kiss your sister, on the mouth

(4) Never trust a rabbit

(5) Dio was a penguin loving terrorist, as was his wife

(6) Goddess wants to watch you suffer

(7) You seem alright kid, don't take the subway today

(8) Naming your daughter after your daughter is not recommended

(9) A diary is a drum, and that drum is the MacGuffin

What's not to get?

4/11/2019

Okay I can finally see why this movie is so incredibly popular. It was purely beautiful. Not only the characters that are really likable and the story everyone can enjoy. The accuracy and details in the images are just truly amazing. I was literally blown away when I saw the landscaping images of Tokyo. Even the snacks were actually Japanese snacks that exist. Last summer when my friend visited Japan with me, she was so shocked to see how everything she saw on screen was in real life, and now I can finally understand what she means. I think this is just great in how it represents Japan. It feels like you visited (without actually taking the 24 hour flight). 

Penguindrum was a very interesting anime. The first episode I really enjoyed because I felt like I understood what was happening and I was following along and understanding what was going on in the story, but to be honest, from the second one I was completely lost! I’m not sure if its because we skipped episodes, or if the story itself is supposed to be this complicated and strange??? 

[johns-anilog]

Post 21: Fate, and How to Defy It.

This was my second time viewing Your Name, and it was just as excellent as the first time. It goes without saying that the visuals are absolutely stunning, but also the music by Radwimps was also deeply intertwined with the film, providing one emotional climax after another.

Mawaru Penguindrum was also very captivating. It was definitely hazy on the specifics of how the events are unfolding at this point, but it seems very deliberate and carefully crafted in that regard.

What stood out to me, at least as a common thread between these two works, was the role of Fate. In both animations, the protagonists are dealt with unjust hands in the game of life, and they do everything in their power to change this. Whether it's by rewriting the past or self-sacrifice, no one merely accepts that nothing can be done. While everything works out in Your Name, we have yet to see how things will conclude in Mawaru Penguindrum.

[johns-anilog]

This film's definitely a heart-wrencher, and the emotional beats hit just as hard (if not even harder) upon watching it for the second time. Even knowing how everything is going to wind up at the end, the tragedy of their relationship still makes me want to cry every time. This is the kind of film that sticks with you, leaving a nostalgic feeling of both melancholy and happiness.

Oof, I have that classic post-Miyazaki feeling in my stomach. It’s a feeling I really didn’t understand when I was a little kid watching his films for the first time but I think I do now. His films are just so bittersweet and nostalgic. Miyazaki makes his characters so easy to connect with, letting the audience really feel the emotions in the story. Even if I haven’t watched one of Miyazaki’s movies before, I come into it (and leave) with so many feelings.

The Wind Rises was definitely no different. Jiro’s love for planes and the beauty of flying felt so pure. It was so sad seeing this beauty corrupted for war. Similarly, Jiro and Naoko’s love is lost because of her tuberculosis. I’m not normally someone who gets torn up over romance stories, but boy did this get me. I mean, when Naoko wrote to all her loved ones before going off to the mountain? So many feelings! Why couldn’t there have been a happy ending?!

[johns-anilog]

Post #20ish: The Wind Has Risen

Saving most of my analysis for tomorrow, so this post is just going to be my unadulterated emotional impressions. This film has gone back and forth between my first and second favorite Ghibli films for years now (between Princess Mononoke), and rewatching it has only cemented that. I saw this film back when it was in theaters here in 2014, and it resonated with me just as much both times, maybe even more now. This film tugs at my heartstrings masterfully, as it expertly delivers emotional highs and lows through its character writing, score, and choice of imagery. 

Seeing Jiro’s plane designs fail one after the other is tragic enough, let alone that the one that is successful is the Zero fighter that claimed so many lives, Japanese and others alike. His guilt is shown as he walks through the plane graveyard now populating his once pristine dreamscape, though this is resolved as he and Caproni watch the spirits of the pilots fly higher and higher into the clouds. Though, what really stirs my heart is the relationship between Jiro and Naoko. Though brief and fleeting, their relationship was hands down the emotional crux of the film. 

This film had an endearing cast all around, but for whatever reason I really like this German man. He feels especially wholesome to me. Perhaps it’s also his grey eyes and large nose I empathize with.

[johns-anilog]

Gotta say, really impressed with both the quality of this original post and the reblogs. Super informative and definitely impacted my view on Barefoot Gen.

Barefoot Gen & The Atom Bomb

           I could end it there, to be honest, as that song sums up my views post watching movies such as these.

          ��I genuinely have mixed feelings on these two films, surprising as I sincerely felt bereft of emotion after watching the both of them, though I did callous myself before going into either with the mentality that the likelihood of any character surviving was very, very, slim.

           In that case, Barefoot Gen upset me, more than it should have, for sure. The creators certainly took some liberties when adapting the horrifying truth into film, namely by not making it horrifying enough. Gen’s survival truly made me upset, not just by surviving being vaporized, but especially after contracting acute radiation poisoning. Other incongruities include the “ghost” figures he sees immediately after the bomb, as well as that hauntingly graphic scene where only choice parts of people are incinerated. Sure- the scenes are haunting, and they accomplish that task well enough, but the reality is that people close enough to the epicenter (close enough to have their eyeballs boil out of their skulls) would have been vaporized. Think Thanos snap turned-to-dust levels, except in a singular instant, every living thing in a 370m (1200ft) radius of ground zero, where the population density is roughly equivalent to Brooklyn. One famous victim sat just 270m from ground zero on stone steps, his shadow being permanently burned into the steps and wall behind him as the area around where he was sitting was bleached white by the immense heat.

           Make no mistake, this event is one of the greatest tragedies to ever befall mankind, but it is through media such as Barefoot Gen that people remember it. As I’ve said before, my reasoning for studying the second world war, in particular, is as a sort of memento to all those who lost their lives in the conflict. From what I have gathered thus far, there really isn’t much that mass-market media such as movies can do to accomplish this same goal, as there is no objective truth behind a lot of what happened back then. A lot of important things are steeped in propaganda and misconstrued truths, logical fallacies, and literary clichés. In a sense, however, I feel that that is for the best. If Barefoot Gen, for example, had gone the exact route of history, I doubt it would have been so well received. As the cliché goes, people need hope, they need some sort of positive resolution or bright future to look forward to. Grave of the Fireflies accomplishes my view moreso, but as I’m discussion leader tomorrow for that film, I’ll elaborate more on my points then.

           The truth of the matter is, while people may seek a positive resolution, etc, from interpretations of past horrors, reality, in this sense, is often disappointing.

Added bonus- What would happen if Little Boy (Hiroshima bomb) was dropped on the Reitz Union. If the image is too small, I will explain tomorrow in class.

[johns-anilog]

Post Number 1945: The Big Sad

This is my second time writing this post because Tumblr's draft """saving""" system frankly doesn't work sometimes. That post had more clear and concise layout, but this is just going to be pure stream of consciousness. That being said, these movies were both incredibly depressing and if I could give this section a title, it would be "Watch Children Die Slowly and Painfully from Malnourishment for 3 Hours". The aunt from Grave of the Fireflies was utterly disgusting and I completely despise her for allowing her own niece and nephew to die of exposure. Both movies had a "get the food too late" syndrome, and I can only wonder what they did with all that power milk Gen bought. Speaking of Gen, he had plot armor thicker than a 1960's Mid-Westerner's Fallout Shelter. In the blast radius? He's fine. Radiation poisoning? Nah, just a free haircut. Also, I found it interesting how the Americans were depicted in a completely different art style from the rest of the film. Their outlines were much more thick and rough, their movements more static and mechanical, and style gritty and realistic compared to round, big-eyed 80's anime. These movies really sad and I just want to get to the next movie

but that's not gonna be much happier either.

[johns-anilog]

Post 17: Phoenix or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Accept that the Fire Bird is Secretly a Space Anthro

This second installment of Phoenix was just as good, if not better, than the previous volume. Personally, I felt the use of both comedy and drama was much better balanced and therefore much more effective in walking a tightrope between the more light hearted moments and the tragic and dramatic ones. Moreover, it probably helped that the more comedic relief was mostly relegated to specific characters and at times it wouldn't clash with the more poignant moments.

I'd say I equally enjoyed Yamato and Space, but for pretty different reasons. Yamato was a more sympathetic look at a familiar tale, while Space was a quiet, contemplative, and tragic look at the human condition.

[johns-anilog]

When I saw those warships, it reminded me a lot of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne in 793 (first Viking raid in the British Isles). The feeling of sudden dread, helplessness and brutality definitely ring true with both events. Here’s a quick little video if you want to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc_wCJd9DKw

March 18, 2019

enemuy

I really appreciated the graphics in this one. Of all the manga we’ve read thus far, I’ve found Phoenix to read and transition most like film. This scene depicting the closing in of enemy ships, indicating an invasion, really felt animated and illustrated a scene that is all too common in history. Furthermore, the scenes that followed were perhaps too graphic in their depictions of military ruthlessness in the name of orders given to them by superiors. After discussing the Nanking massacre in class rather extensively in class, it’s hard not to draw parallels in the nature of the pillaging included here and in history. 

[johns-anilog]

Post 16: Tonal Whiplash

Well, I can’t really say I knew what to expect with this one. I’d say I really liked it for the most part, though as much as I enjoyed some of the nonsensical gags, they definitely took me out of the story quite a few times. Some really failed to hit the mark for me, while others gave me a decent chuckle. That being said, we can clearly see the progression of maturity in Tezuka’s work here. It’s way darker than Astro Boy was in more ways than I can really even list, but was still unmistakably a Tezuka manga, what with his soft expressive art style, goofy non sequiturs, and surprising lack of blood despite highly graphic violence.

For me, Phoenix was at its best when it focused on the serious, dramatic narrative. I’ve touched upon the Kojiki in Dr. Wehmeyer’s Folklore class, but it was definitely really fascinating to see Tezuka’s take on the historical mythology of Japan. I’m a huge fan of ancient history, mythology, and manga, so to have it all rolled together in one package was really cool to read.

Also, man did this get dark and even depressing at times. No bones about it.

More of that, please.

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Literally two pages apart.

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Your brain on Tezuka:

Your brain on Araki:

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Well, when I saw that disclaimer at the beginning, it reminded me of the ones they put in front of old Looney Tunes cartoons so I can’t really say I’m surprised. 

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P.S. Nitpick here, but Vulcan’s the Roman name, not Greek. Same god, but Hephaestus is the Greek name for the god of blacksmithing, craftsmen and fire. And I’d say Vulcan would have the stronger association with volcanoes, but just had to get it mixed up, didn’t they? It’s petty, but I’m a Classics minor, fight me.