#mitsuhiro maniwa

[therandomwind]

Paranoia Agent. Watched it. I remember but I can't remember. Why? This can only mean one thing and I must accomplish it no matter what, time to rewatch it now.

[islandneko]

[docgold13]

Profiles in Villainy

Lil’ Slugger

The enigmatic menace known only as Lil’ Slugger is a corporal manifestation of panic and anxiety, a presence generated and intensified through mass hysteria who plagued the bureau of Musashino, Tokyo, with a series of brutal and unprovoked physical attacks.  Appearing as a young adolescent, riding inline skates and wielding a golden baseball bat, the Lil’ Slugger would target those individuals experiencing extreme psychological duress.  The rising fear of his attacks only acted to intensify people’s stress, offering the entity greater power and leading to more and more assaults.  It was not long before the wide spread panic had engulfed nearly all of Musashino.

Ironically, those who were assaulted by Lil’ Slugger found their lives actually improving.  Having a clearly identified figure to act as the focus of their anxieties provided an odd sense of relief… as though it was easier to fear a boogyman rather than the more diffuse stressors of ever day life.  

As the specter of Lil’ Slugger continued to spread throughout Musashino, a pair of investigators, Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa, were tasked with tracking down the nebulous origins of the threat and apprehending the culprit.  Through painstaking effort, these detectives were able to discover that Lil’ Slugger had inadvertently been created by a celebrated cartoonists named Tsukiko Sagi who was coping with the accidental death of her dog.  

The young woman had been walking her dog and accidentally let go of its leash.  The dog wandered into traffic and was hit and killed by a car.   The trauma of it all was too much for Tsukiko to contend with. She created a subconscious fiction that the dog’s death was not her fault but rather it had been killed by a delinquent boy on skates who bludgeoned the dog with a baseball bat.  

The psychic energy of this lie somehow manifested the Lil’ Slugger into being.  It was an embodiment of trauma and denial that continued to feed off of the stress and anxiety of the city.  Once the truth of his inception was brought to life, once the unconscious origins of the entity were made conscious, Lil’ Slugger ceased to exist.  

The villain did not have any actual dialogue, yet his vocal sound effects were provided by actor Daisuke Sakaguchi.  The Lil’ Slugger appeared in the anime maxi-series, Paranoia Agent, debuting on May 28th, 2005.

[lat-north]

taking photos of grass instead of touching it, huh?

[blindpapers]

something something "touch tone telephone"

(sketch + wip under read more)

[cynthiaandsamus]

[lullomakin]

me at the beginning of 2019 / me at the end of 2019

[gaspardcaderousse]

OTAKU.MOUSOU.PARA // a collection of songs in tribute to mitsuhiro maniwa, everyone’s favorite detective with on-the-side superhero delusions - [8tracks / spotify / youtube / playmoss]

tracklist under cut !

it’s the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine) // R.E.M. i should be allowed to think // THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS sideshow // NICK LUTSKO blast doors // EVERYTHING EVERYTHING grand experiment // NO MORE KINGS dirty harry // GORILLAZ mowgli’s road // MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS philosophy // BEN FOLDS FIVE when i was done dying // DAN DEACON just another day // OINGO BOINGO those who carried on // GHOST AND PALS touch-tone telephone // LEMON DEMON too much paranoias // DEVO hand me my shovel, i’m going in! // WILL WOOD & THE TAPEWORMS controller // OINGO BOINGO geranium thief // NICK LUTSKO mrs. o // THE DRESDEN DOLLS spiral of ants // LEMON DEMON

[unolvrs]

very very underrated anime / any show reccomendation pls i have nothing to do <3

aside from the ones i already recommended here and here ... and underrated at that ... i'll do my best! i'm sorry for not including pictures but i wanted to add as many recommendations as i can, but i'll still be leaving links!

underrated anime recommendations

shinsekai yori (2012) | drama, horror, mystery, sci-fi, supernatural, psychological

In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her psychic powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children.

baccano (2007) | action, comedy, mystery, supernatural, historical

During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.

colorful (2010, movie) | drama, slice of life, supernatural

Upon arriving at the train station of death, an impure soul is granted a second chance at life against his will. Reincarnating into the body of Makoto Kobayashi, a 14-year-old boy who recently committed suicide, the soul is tasked to identify the boy's greatest sin in life within a time limit of six months. Although it remains reluctant toward continuing life as Makoto, the soul soon begins to notice the complexities of people's emotions and actions.

higashi no eden (2009) | action, drama, mystery, romance, sci-fi, suspense

On November 22, 2010, Japan was hit by missile strikes, a terrorist act that fortunately did not harm anyone, becoming known as "Careless Monday." Quickly forgotten, society goes on about their lives as normal.

During her graduation trip to America three months later, friendly college student Saki Morimi's life is forever changed when she finds herself saved from unexpected trouble by Akira Takizawa. Takizawa is cheerful, but odd in many ways—he is stark naked and suffers from amnesia, believing himself to be a terrorist. In addition, he possesses a strange cell phone loaded with 8.2 billion yen in digital cash.

Despite Takizawa's suspicious traits, Saki quickly befriends the enigmatic young man. However, unbeknownst to her, this is the beginning of a thrilling death game involving money, cell phones, and the salvation of the world. Higashi no Eden chronicles Saki's struggle to unravel the mysteries behind her savior, while Takizawa himself battles other individuals armed with similar cell phones and returning memories which reveal his possible connection to the event from months ago.

paranoia agent (2004) | drama, mystery, supernatural, suspense, psychological

The infamous Shounen Bat (Lil' Slugger) is terrorizing the residents of Musashino City. Flying around on his rollerblades and beating people down with a golden baseball bat, the assailant seems impossible to catch—much less understand. His first victim, the well-known yet timid character designer Tsukiko Sagi, is suspected of orchestrating the attacks. Believed only by her anthropomorphic pink stuffed animal, Maromi, Tsukiko is just one of Shounen Bat's many victims.

As Shounen Bat continues his relentless assault on the town, detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa begin to investigate the identity of the attacker. However, more and more people fall victim to the notorious golden bat, and news of the assailant begins circulating around the town. Paranoia starts to set in as chilling rumors spread amongst adults and children alike.

zankyou no terror (2014) | mystery, suspense, psychological

Painted in red, the word "VON" is all that is left behind after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan. The government is shattered by their inability to act, and the police are left frantically searching for ways to crack down the perpetrators. The public are clueless—until, six months later, a strange video makes its way onto the internet. In it, two teenage boys who identify themselves only as "Sphinx" directly challenge the police, threatening to cause destruction and mayhem across Tokyo. Unable to stop the mass panic quickly spreading through the city and desperate for any leads in their investigation, the police struggle to act effectively against these terrorists, with Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki caught in the middle of it all.

Zankyou no Terror tells the story of Nine and Twelve, the two boys behind the masked figures of Sphinx. They should not exist, yet they stand strong in a world of deception and secrets while they make the city fall around them, all in the hopes of burying their own tragic truth.

gachaman crowds (2013) | adventure, sci-fi

Hajime Ichinose's ordinary life is in for a change when a transcendent being named J.J Robinson hands her a small book called NOTE—a device which transforms her into one of the Gatchaman, the legendary protectors of Tachikawa City. Stressing that the existence of their group must remain a secret, fellow Gatchaman Sugane Tachibana takes Hajime to their base of operations, where Paiman, the panda-like alien leader of the Gatchaman, reveals their purpose: to eliminate aliens that pose a danger to humanity. These existential threats, called MESS, are becoming increasingly dangerous, destroying everything they touch. Now it's up to the Gatchaman and their new recruit to stop them before the world is engulfed in chaos.

hamatora (2014) | comedy, drama, mystery

The ability to create miracles is not just a supernatural phenomenon; it is a gift which manifests in a limited number of human beings. "Minimum," or small miracles, are special powers that only selected people called "Minimum Holders" possess. The detective agency Yokohama Troubleshooting, or Hamatora for short, is composed of the "Minimum Holder PI Duo," Nice and Murasaki. Their office is a lone table at Cafe Nowhere, where the pair and their coworkers await new clients.

Suddenly, the jobs that they begin to receive seem to have strange connections to the serial killer whom their friend Art, a police officer, is searching for. The murder victims share a single similarity: they are all Minimum Holders. Nice and Murasaki, as holders themselves, are drawn to the case—but what exactly is the link between Nice and the one who orchestrates it all?

sonny boy (2021) | mystery

Thirty-six students find themselves and their school building suddenly adrift in a void-like dimension. When supernatural powers awaken in some of them, a sense of detachment begins to divide the group. Despite the student council's attempts to impose order, they clash with the students possessing special abilities, who rebel against their strict control.

This conflict leads them to discover that this world has its own set of rules—and following them is necessary for survival. After one of the students decides to take a leap of faith, the school switches dimensions once again. While they deal with the unique challenges and circumstances that each world presents, the students must unravel the mysterious phenomenon and find a way back home.

kyousougiga (2013) | action, fantasy, supernatural

Long ago, there was a monk named Myoue who could bring anything he drew to life. He quietly lived with his wife Koto—a black rabbit in human form—and their three children: Yakushimaru, Kurama, and Yase. One day, the high priest of the land concluded that Myoue's drawings caused too many problems for the locals and ordered him to find a solution. In response, the family secretly fled to an alternate world of Myoue's own creation—the Looking Glass City.

Everything was peaceful until Myoue and Koto suddenly vanished. Their three children are left to take care of the city, and Yakushimaru inherits Myoue's name and duties. Stranded in this alternate world, their problems only get worse when a young girl—also named Koto—crashes down from the sky and declares that she is also looking for the older Myoue and Koto. Armed with a giant hammer and two rowdy familiars, Koto just might be the key to releasing everyone from the eternal paper city.

i had a hard time choosing actually underrated animes because idk what standards i'm going with. because i've watched anime since the early 2000s and most of what is considered right now as anime by more recent anime watchers were literally the biggest animes back then ... like, excuse me? i saw someone say that code geass was underrated are u fr rn. so i went with the standards of old anime watchers and tried to recommend animes i only see a few people know and like.

paranoia agent, higashi no eden, and zankyou no terror are probably one of the most recommended animes when someone asks what good underrated anime is to watch. but seriously, it's ridiculous how people who only recently watch anime call certain animes underrated when they used to be the biggest animes back then. someone said gurren lagann is underrated... what the hell? and anyway, some of my top ten favorites are up there, so if you want to know, just drop the ask :D

[femalechibiblogger]

Top 5 Police/Detective Anime

1. Death Note

A shinigami, as a god of death, can kill any person—provided they see their victim's face and write their victim's name in a notebook called a Death Note. One day, Ryuk, bored by the shinigami lifestyle and interested in seeing how a human would use a Death Note, drops one into the human realm. High school student and prodigy Light Yagami stumbles upon the Death Note and—since he deplores the state of the world—tests the deadly notebook by writing a criminal's name in it. When the criminal dies immediately following his experiment with the Death Note, Light is greatly surprised and quickly recognizes how devastating the power that has fallen into his hands could be. With this divine capability, Light decides to extinguish all criminals in order to build a new world where crime does not exist and people worship him as a god. Police, however, quickly discover that a serial killer is targeting criminals and, consequently, try to apprehend the culprit. To do this, the Japanese investigators count on the assistance of the best detective in the world: a young and eccentric man known only by the name of L.

2. Paranoia Agent

The infamous Shounen Bat (Lil' Slugger) is terrorizing the residents of Musashino City. Flying around on his rollerblades and beating people down with a golden baseball bat, the assailant seems impossible to catch—much less understand. His first victim, the well-known yet timid character designer Tsukiko Sagi, is suspected of orchestrating the attacks. Believed only by her anthropomorphic pink stuffed animal, Maromi, Tsukiko is just one of Shounen Bat's many victims. As Shounen Bat continues his relentless assault on the town, detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa begin to investigate the identity of the attacker. However, more and more people fall victim to the notorious golden bat, and news of the assailant begins circulating around the town. Paranoia starts to set in as chilling rumors spread amongst adults and children alike. Will the two detectives be able to unravel the truth behind Shounen Bat, or will the paranoia get to them first?

3. B: The Beginning

On the islands of Cremona, a vigilante runs amok. Celebrated by some and hunted by others, the notorious "Killer B" takes justice into his own hands, armed with a sharp blade and superhuman abilities. Unable to apprehend this renegade, the Royal Investigation Service (RIS) calls upon the expertise of Keith Flick, a seasoned, yet eccentric detective who was relegated to the Archives Department following a personal loss. As crimes in Cremona begin to escalate, from stealthy executions of wrongdoers to sophisticated strikes on public figures, it soon becomes clear that there is more than one person responsible. With the help of his impulsive sidekick Lily Hoshina, and unexpected aid from the elusive Killer B himself, Keith begins to unravel plots involving secret organizations, domestic terrorism, and human experiments. When the involvement of the RIS extends beyond the scope of justice, the extent of the government's corruption—as well as the trustworthiness of close allies—are thrown into question.

4. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Since he was a child, Ryuuichi Naruhodou's dream was to become a defense attorney, protecting the innocent when no one else would. However, when the rookie lawyer finally takes on his first case under the guidance of his mentor Chihiro Ayasato, he realizes that the courtroom is a battlefield. In these fast paced trials, Ryuuichi is forced to think outside the box to uncover the truth of the crimes that have taken place in order to prove the innocence of his clients. Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! follows Ryuuichi as he tackles cases to absolve the falsely accused of the charges they face. It will not be easy—standing in his path is the ruthless Reiji Mitsurugi, a prosecutor who will stop at nothing to hand out guilty verdicts. With his back against the wall, the defense attorney must carefully examine both evidence and witness testimony, sifting through lies to solve the mystery behind each case. With a shout of "objection!," the battle in the courtroom begins!

5. You’re Under Arrest

Tokyo Highway Patrolwomen Natsumi and Miyuki get off to a bad start when Miyuki busts Natsumi for reckless moped driving on her way to work. Things get worse when they find out they're going to be partners! A continuation of the OVA series, the adventures of Tokyo policewomen Natsumi and Miyuki continue in the You're Under Arrest TV series. It's back to Bokuto Precinct, where demented felons and bashful (but hunky) policemen abound, and where the cutest girl in the office... isn't a girl.

[cobolt-crusader]

“Come study with us Maniwa.”

“Forever, and ever, and ever.”

“All work and no play make Mitsuhiro a dull boy.”

[islandneko]

[robbyrobinson]

Villain Review: Lil’ Slugger  From: Paranoia Agent Voiced by: Daisuke Sakaguchi (Japanese); Sam Riegel (English)

Biography

The creation of Lil' Slugger is an interesting one. When Tsukiko Sagi was a young girl, she was walking her pet dog Maromi when she doubled over because of menstrual cramps. This caused her to accidentally let go of Maromi's leash and the dog runs into traffic and is hit. Instead of admitting that she was partially responsible for the dog's demise, she instead says that an assailant on roller skates did the crime. Her father knew the truth but played along anyway.

Lil' Slugger as a character is hard to really describe as he is more or less the manifestation of people who want to shirk responsibility and avoid hardships. In essence, Lil' Slugger is a gateway drug for anyone who wants an easy escape. For instance, people who have been visited by him report to feeling relieved as if a great weight was lifted from their shoulders. But of course that is only a temporary fix. Lil' Slugger manifests as a young boy with a bent golden baseball bat that he hits people with it.

An adult Tsukiko finds herself as a character designer best known for her creation Maromi, a cute little pink dog. However pressure starts to build on Tsukiko to create a new character (along with increasing stress with a Maromi television show in the works). Before she knew it, she becomes the first victim of Lil' Slugger. Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa take her case but after hearing an old woman claim she saw Tsukiko strike herself, they assume that she fabricated the whole thing. But more reports of Lil' Slugger start to arise meaning that it wasn't an isolated incident.

Personality

He is capable of speaking but only speaks twice throughout the whole show ("Hello again."/"Goodbye"). From an outside look, Lil' Slugger seems to take delight in mowing people down what with his permanent smile. But...then you learn that it isn't the case. Much like a machine he performs one function over and over. It's like he were a computer program and was programmed to carry out this one task. As such, Lil' Slugger really is an amoral figure whose "evilness" can best be debatable.

Really, it's not the actual focus behind the character. Lil' Slugger truly represents the inherent desire to not accept fault and is an easy fix for people undergoing a crisis. Hence this is why Lil' Slugger becomes increasingly powerful in the later duration of the series because the people in Tokyo would rather not face reality and accept personal responsibility.

Appearance

He has the appearance of a sixth-grader with golden roller skates and bent baseball bat. As he got stronger, he takes on a more demonic appearance.

Abilities

He can knock people out without much issue. As the series dwindled down, he grows larger as a result of speculation and rumor. So much like the Candyman or Freddy Krueger, he became stronger because of the legend surrounding him. However, he is shown getting weaker if his intended victim accepts ownership of their responsibility.

Verdict

7/10

[lat-north]

stop setting your wallpapers to the original gradient map maniwa i made a better one

(has it really been a year? oh no! anyway, catch the alternate + gif below the cut)

[blindpapers]

an uninspired little redraw of my favorite batshit insane detective™ (original screenshot below)