Captive Audience

[ufliaprice]

Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers

Starting off with Your Name. I think this one has got to be my favorite out of all of the viewings that we’ve done so far. It was absolutely stunning. The animation, the colors, the scenery, the story, all of it was gorgeous. Just had to get that out there because wow. Beautiful. Anyways, there were some things here and there that stood out to me as I was watching this film. The first thing that stood out to me was the red string connecting the two characters in the intro of the film. Typically, a red string is used to signify soulmates, which made this anime have a whole deeper meaning to me. Another thing is that in the beginning of the film, I got the sense of appreciating the little moments, and that everyone experiences wanting something different or something more in their life. The sense of longing was also very prominent to me throughout the film.

Next is Hetalia. I’m going to be so honest and say that I had no interest in the anime whatsoever. I already dislike politics, so that didn’t help my case at all. I have a really short attention span, and it was really hard for me to keep up with what was going on because the anime was jumping around left and right. Just when I would start to get the gist of something, something else would happen and throw me off again. There were two things that really stood out to me while I watched the episodes that we were assigned. One of them is that there was an extreme use of stereotypes. Some of it was funny but it got old to me pretty quickly. The other thing I noticed was that there seemed to be an extreme bias towards the Axis Powers. And this honestly makes a lot of sense considering that Japan, the place where the anime was created, is part of the Axis Powers. Overall, I loved Your Name, and I did not love Hetalia.

[50caldragon]

When I watched Your Name years ago with my sister, she had me with her to explain a lot of the slight cultural differences in eastern vs. western media that she was used to. I remember when seeing the red string of fate esque design in the movie, I got so excited and explained it to her because it really does add so much to the movie. We already know that Taki and Mitsuha are bound together just by the whole, you know, swapping bodies thing. But the red string just adds another emotional layer to it all as you go through the story. it was such a subtle but powerful way to signal that deeper soul connection, even before the time-travel-reveal madness kicks in. And the sense of longing you mentioned? So real. It captured that weird ache of wanting something more without knowing what it is, and I think a lot of people can relate to that, especially with how disconnected the modern world can feel. I know I can.

As for Hetalia, yeah... I felt that. It was giving “high-speed chaos energy” and not in a good way. I also struggled to keep up with the rapid-fire gags and country jokes, and the reliance on stereotypes started to wear thin real fast. I totally get how it could be funny in small doses, but watching 19 episodes back to back was like being trapped in a very niche inside joke I didn’t totally get nor wanted to. And YES, the Axis bias was glaring. Like, I know it’s supposed to be satire, but it felt a little hmmmm almost frustrating as to how favorably the Axis countries came off, especially considering Japan’s involvement in WWII and the fact that this was the lens being used to teach people about history(ish)???

So yeah, Your Name = tears and beauty, Hetalia = confusion and political memes that didn't land right. Solid summary.

[50caldragon]

My Favorite Non-Ghibli But Ghibli Movie

So I watched Your Name years ago with my sister and I still love it. I fully remember the first time going in and expecting a fluffy body-swap romcom. You know, harmless Freaky Friday shenanigans. And yeah, sure, there’s some awkward “oops I have your body now” moments (Taki, get your hands off Mitsuha’s chest challenge: failed repeatedly), but then????? BAM. meteor strike, rural erasure, grief spiral, time travel???? Please it still hits so hard (like the meteor) to this day when watching it again even knowing what happens.

Sobbing over braided cords as metaphors for fate and gender and memory and yadiyada. Foucault would’ve eaten this up. Every tiny interaction like Mitsuha getting called out for “unmanly” behavior in Taki’s body, or just the straight up performance Mitsuha does at the begining of the movie, shows how norms aren’t just from The State™, they’re in your classmates, your grandma, your bento box (not the one on 13th under The Standard. Or maybe yes it is???) Casual, quiet power? Devastating. Gorgeous. Thank you, I hate it.

And then there’s Hetalia.

Y’all. Hetalia is like if someone gave Model U.N. a Tumblr filter (or lack thereof) and no impulse control. It’s pure chaotic energy. It’s history fanfiction on crack. I half expected to see miku binder Jefferson (if you get that, I know who you are). But like… why did it actually make me think about Sensōron?? Kobayashi (I'm sorry I kept thinking of Kobayashi's Dragon Maid) talks about Japan’s struggle with war guilt and nationalism, and here’s Hetalia throwing on a chibi filter and going “let’s make war trauma cute!” Is it bad? Is it brilliant? I don’t know. My brain melted. I lied, I do know. It's bad. Throwing me back to my youtube animation phase.

But real talk: both Hetalia and Your Name dig into how Japan wrestles with identity, memory, and what gets remembered or totally glossed over. One does it through tragedy and funky time travel. The other does it through cosplay and memes.

The duality of man.

[ufliaprice]

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind / Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind was a super cozy watch for me. Honestly, anything environmental is pretty cozy. I really enjoyed it. One of the things I noted was that Nausicaa was not only a super strong female lead but also a princess. It’s not a super popular trope, but even when that trope is used, the princess always needs some kind of major saving along the way. However, this was not the case for Nausicaa. She was highly independent throughout the entire film and ended up saving her people all on her own in the end. Another thing that stood out to me is the prophecy. The person depicted in the prophecy was a man. However, I caught on to the fact that the person who would fulfill the prophecy would be Nausicaa early on. Only the old lady realized at the end that Nausicaa had fulfilled the prophecy. I don’t think many people realized either because they didn’t know it, or because Nausicaa is female.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 seems like a game that I would love to play. I really enjoy fantasy RPGs, and this game appealed to me on many levels. The thing that stood out to me right away is that, in the beginning, other than some creatures here and there, there was absolutely no nature. No grass, trees, shrubs, or anything other than what was being grown on the Titans’ backs. Everything was super industrial. It seems to me that this game speaks to what our future would look like. Obviously, without the fantastical aspects of the game. But, it’s more so saying that this is what our world could look like in the future. Mostly man-made things and very few aspects of the natural world. In dystopian media, you either have one of two extremes. The two extremes are that there is little to no nature, or nature has overtaken everything.

[50caldragon]

It’s IS weirdly comforting watching Nausicaä bond with literal death caterpillars and toxic spores. Something about her compassion just makes the apocalypse feel less hopeless, you know? As for the princess aspect, I actually forgot a little bit that she was a princess. Maybe because she was in an apocalyptic evironment she had to be capable and such but even the people around her knew she was special/different. Her being a princess was less about the trials and tribulations about the title/position like we've seen in many other such renditions about princesses, but way more about loyalty to her people and doing whatever it takes for them and life.

And on Xenoblade, yessss. I had the same moment of “where is everything else?" early on. Like sure, we’ve got Titans-as-islands, but even that feels unstable and doomed to have to be living on sentient beings instead of, you know.... land. It’s a cool fantasy backdrop but also a not-so-subtle warning, like “Hey here’s what happens when we burn through every last natural resource and have to live on top of whatever’s left.” I liked how you pointed out the two dystopian extremes too. Either Earth is a metal wasteland or nature’s gone full wrath-of-God and reclaiming everything. Xenoblade kind of teeters between both, depending on which Titan you’re on I guess, but either way it’s a reminder that we made the mess and have to deal with whatever's left to survive.

No offense Smokey, I love you as well.

[50caldragon]

End of The World But Make It Aesthetic

So I’ve seen Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind before, more than a few times ngl, and every time it still knocks the wind out of me (pun not intended, but I’ll take it). There’s just something about the way Nausicaä is as a character that makes her so poignant. She's so young yet with a gentleness beyond her years, deeply kind, but also capable of absolute fury when it comes to protecting her people and life. The soundtrack? Still gives me chills. And that moment when the Ohms trample her at the end??? Y'all I still react with shock or physically cringing from it.

I always knew the film was about environmentalism, but it never ever feels preachy. Miyazaki has this rare ability in all of his movies to make political or social or whatever messages feel like poetry and art. It’s not oil on a painting or screaming into a camera, it’s storytelling with soul. Way more effective than gluing yourself to an exhibit, just saying.

Now, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 totally caught me off guard. I expected the usual over-the-top anime JRPG ride, ridiculously massive weapons, dramatic slow-mo speeches, suspiciously attractive villains (Malos, I see you), and some wild hair physics. What I didn’t expect was for the game to quietly punch me in the heart.

I mean, the whole world is this big crumbling ecosystem with people surviving on the backs of ancient sentient Titans, all looking toward this mythical place called Elysium that might not even be reachable. It's watching a society that’s already used up its world and is now desperately reaching for some long-lost salvation in the sky because it's the last thing left to hope for.

And then we have the Blades. When I was talking about ridiculous weapons, I wasn't expecting living beings, summoned to serve and be bonded to humans, and then cast into memoryless limbo when their Drivers die. Bruh. There’s something gutting about that and it ain't hard to figure out what. Even the strongest characters,like Pyra and Mythra or Pyra/Mythra since they're the sameish? They're constantly dealing with being created for someone else’s purpose. Their journey isn’t just about saving the world and what not, it’s about carving out a self when everyone’s already decided what you’re supposed to be, and it's to be used as a tool.

The whole thing plays out like a soft apocalypse, no one really says it, but you can feel it in the way the Titans groan and the clouds hang heavy, the world is ending. And instead of offering you a simple fix, the story just... lingers there and talks about the hope of somewhere else.

Both Nausicaä and Xenoblade don’t offer easy answers. They just hold up a mirror. Like, here’s what happens when we mess things up... deeply. So what now? And I think that quiet and beautiful challenge from art is more powerful than any sign-waving or tweet thread. It sits with you.

Anyway, Ghibli Fest is on again! Go watch Nausicaä in theater's and be blown away!

[ufliaprice]

Neon Genesis Evangelion / The End of Evangelion

Let’s start with the series Neon Genesis Evangelion. I thought it was pretty cool, but I noticed that there was a sad undertone to the whole series. Even though the reasons for why are unknown to the viewer in the beginning, the sadness is still present. One thing that stood out to me was that Shinji was the only male who was taking part in all of the action. Everyone else was female. Even then, Shinji does not have hegemonic masculinity, even though he tries to put on a front at times to prove that he does. This means that there was never a “true” male lead throughout the anime. Another thing that I noticed was the references to birth and the role of a mother. In a way, you can compare Shinji to being a “mama’s boy”, which could be used as a derogatory word to describe men with queer masculinities.

Next is The End of Evangelion. This movie deeply disturbed me on multiple levels. I think the masturbation scene right off the bat has a lot to do with that. It kind of set the tone for the whole movie for me as being twisted. The religious aspect also played into making it disturbing. I found myself wanting to watch anything else but the movie because it just had a dark, overarching theme. One thing that really stood out to me the most was that, in opposition to the anime’s ending, Shinji never found solace. He never found the acceptance that his soul had been searching for all his life. This leads to a forever battle between hegemonic masculinity and queer masculinity, in which acceptance is never attainable. And it begs the question of whether true acceptance will ever be accomplished in the real world. Even through the recreation of the world, Shinji was never truly accepted. So, what would our world have to go through to reach what he could not?

[50caldragon]

Totally feel you on the “disturbing on multiple levels” part. That first scene in End of Evangelion was honestly like a slap in the face and I wish I could go back in time to when I was blissfully ignorant. I had also seen vague references to it online, but seeing it in context still left me speechless. It’s such an uncomfortable, jarring way to start the movie, but maybe that’s the point??? Like you said, it sets the tone that this isn’t going to be a clean, redemptive arc for Shinji but starting with that, it’s going to be raw and unresolved. At least I severely hope it was something like that and not a comment on the mangaka.

I liked your point about Shinji being the only male in the action, but not embodying hegemonic masculinity. He tries so hard to perform strength or indifference, but it always slips. And honestly? That felt really real. It made me uncomfortable, but also kind of sad in a "oh look at that strange weird creature". Like watching someone constantly contort themselves just to survive in a world that doesn’t really make room for them. Queer masculinity, as you mentioned, totally fits here. He’s not “man enough” by societal standards, and the anime never lets us ignore that tension.

[50caldragon]

I Thought This Was About Robots, Y'all??

So I went into this armed with nothing but memes “Shinji, crank that Soulja Boy,” the iconic Shinji chair pose, the bop that is the opening song, and vague middle school memories of someone whispering, “Wasn’t there a scene where Shinji does… something… next to someone unconscious?” (Yup. That happened. Thanks, End of Evangelion. Pass me the bleach for my eyes wtf was that??)

Anyway, I was expecting classic mecha/gundam chaos, not to be weirdly called out by an emo teenager in a robot suit. Shinji is not your typical anime protagonist. He doesn’t want to fight. He doesn’t want to save the world. He just wants someone, anyone really, to tell him he matters. And honestly? That hit way too hard. It’s like the show looked straight at burnout culture, masculinity, and every flavor of existential dread and said, “Let’s crank that.” (Soulja Boy)

The whole thing feels like a crashout in real time. Watching Shinji fall apart under the weight of others' expectations ties directly into Connell’s ideas of hegemonic masculinity, he’s basically the anti-hero of that model. Him getting punished for being emotionally open or just scared reminded about how rigid our cultural standards for “strength” really are, in Japan and everywhere else. It's okay to be emotional, kings.

Also, Rei and Asuka? Whew. Layers. Gendered expectations, trauma, control, mommy issues from the viewers? It’s all there. And the visuals? Gorgeous but also absolutely unhinged in the best way. I think.

By the time I got to End of Evangelion, I felt like I’d been dragged through someone’s therapy session in the middle of the apocalypse filled with teenage hormones. It didn’t tie up loose ends. It kind of exploded them. And I weirdly respected that as a writing choice.

All I know is: I went in laughing at the memes. I left needing to lie down and a brain scrub from that hospital scene. Why, why, whyyyyy would you do that?

[matchablossomblog]

Sailor Moon/Aggretsuko/Wandering Son

I have seen some episodes of Aggretsuko before this class, but I had not seen Sailor Moon and Wandering Son. I enjoyed watching Aggretsuko and Sailor Moon. Something I noted while watching Aggretsuko was how she attempted to do yoga, which was somewhat similar to Usagi in Sailor Moon. I noticed a similarity between how they attempt to use exercise as a means to conform to societal norms; however, Aggretsuko tries to make yoga a way to relax, while Usagi attempts to exercise to lose weight. I also think that the scene where Retsuko could not cook good yakisoba. I felt like this scene challenged the gender norms of women knowing how to cook to provide for their partner and family. I related to how Retsuko uses singing and music as a way to decompress as I also use music and singing as a way to relax. In Sailor Moon, I thought that the girls' desire to become thinner is a major aspect that still exists to this day. Many girls, especially teenagers, can easily feel pressured to conform to societal beauty standards. A part that stood out to me in Wandering Son was where Nitori's sister calls him "sick" because he is interested in female presentation. I immediately connected this to Psycho-Pass from module four. It reminded me of how individuals who could not self-discipline themselves were considered "sick" by society and deemed criminals or potential criminals. It also reminded me about how some people in the real world who struggle mentally are also seen as sick and are sent to a therapist or psychiatrist. Nitori's interests also reminded me of another anime, Wind Breaker. In this anime, Tasuku Tsubakino is also interested in feminine presentation. He's focused on stylish clothing, wearing makeup, and enjoys dancing. These are all activities and interests usually associated with femininity. I thought this was a perfect comparison as Niroti and Tsubakino both enjoy dressing in feminine clothing and having a feminine presentation. Additionally, they both believe that their feminine presentation properly expresses their true selves. I think this connection also shows a growing presentation of and awareness for these individuals who seek acceptance for their interests in media.

[50caldragon]

3 Yeses. Yes, I had a lot of the same reactions! I also picked up on how both Retsuko and Usagi were using exercise, and it’s funny how it’s framed so differentl. Retsuko just wants to breathe and survive the corporate nightmare without breaking something while Usagi’s stressing over weight loss. Felt super real though, especially with how much pressure there is on women to either “de-stress the right way” or “look a certain way.”

And yes to the yakisoba scene! I totally forgot about that but you're right with her struggling to cook kind of flips that whole “women must be domestic goddesses” thing on its head. I burn grilled cheeses and It was nice to see a character not immediately excel at it and not get shamed for it.

Last YES to the “sick” line in Wandering Son. That moment really stung. I felt so bad for Nitori. The comparison to Psycho-Pass is actually genius. I hadn’t made that connection, but now that you say it, it totally fits with that theme of labeling people as broken or dangerous just for being different.

[50caldragon]

Glitter and Grit

So, Sailor Moon I knew. Obviously. It’s iconic, it’s sparkly, and it basically raised a whole generation of magical girl fans, me included. I always appreciated how it embraced femininity and emotion while still being about strength and teamwork. Like, the girls are dramatic and cry over boys (real), but also save the world regularly. And not framed as a contradiction! It honestly still feels nice even as a 22 year old woman. It reminds me how often media tries to pit softness and strength against each other when they can totally coexist. Let me be pink and girly with a sword, damn it!

Aggretsuko was one I had only really known through memes and clips, specially the metal screaming stuff lol, but I’d never sat down and watched it before. And wow, it hit harder than expected. Retsuko is adorable and polite on the outside, but the way she’s constantly suppressing rage in a toxic, sexist workplace? Oof. Her little karaoke vent sessions were funny at first, but they ended up feeling kind of sad in the most honest way. It made me think about how women especially are expected to be so nice and agreeable while quietly carrying so much nonsense. RIP my eldest daughters.

And Wandering Son… I’d literally never heard of it before this class, and I wasn’t prepared for how tender and real it felt. I just wanna hug everyone. It’s such a gentle, careful portrayal of kids trying to figure out their gender identity, and it doesn’t feel performative or overly dramatized, it just is. Watching it made me realize how rare it is to see trans stories treated with this much empathy, especially at that awkward middle school age. I really appreciated how it didn’t force big conclusions but let the uncertainty and discomfort breathe.

All three shows made me think about how identity, especially gender, gets shaped, policed, and sometimes quietly resisted in everyday life. Whether it’s through glittery magical transformations, death metal rage screams, or small moments of quiet defiance, these stories felt deeply human. Even though one anime literally wasn't about people.

[avalon169]

Convention Experience

MegaCon, April 1st 2023

I’ve only been to one big convention before and it was MegaCon 2023 in Orlando. I had never been interested in attending anything like this, but my friend invited me to go with her so I figured it would be an interesting experience. I never really liked cosplay, but my friend handmade her own Technoblade (R.I.P. King) cosplay so I wanted to try cosplaying too. I went as Kyoka Izumi from Bungo Stray Dogs, partially because I really like the character, and partially because I already have long, dark hair so I wouldn’t need a wig.

I had no idea what to expect but I had looked up the guest celebrities that would be there and my idol, John Cleese, was on the list. Many people know him from Monty Python, but I had been a fan of his British comedy show called Fawlty Towers since I was very young. Although I didn’t actually get to meet him, because my friend and her family didn’t want to wait in line, I did briefly talk to some of the other people waiting and many of them loved Fawlty Towers as well. I was surprised because it’s not as well known, but happy to find other people who enjoyed it as much as me, especially because I feel like that show is peak British comedy and everyone should watch it (however, it’s wildly offensive).

My friend was excited to meet other cosplayers and take pictures with them. At the time, I wasn’t really aware of any of the members in the Dream SMP, but I remember meeting another person cosplaying as Jsclatt. My friend participated in a few cosplaying events, though I didn’t really understand what was going on. I was more nervous about meeting and taking pictures with strangers than she was because I was never part of the community. I remember two girls coming up to me to take a group photo because they were dressed as Chuuya and Dazai, also from Bungo Stray Dogs. I could see how many people at the convention really enjoyed just bonding over common interests and getting to meet new people.

The main floor of the convention was filled with stands for anime merchandise and other miscellaneous interests. One stand that really interested me was the D&D dice table. I think this was my first encounter with fancy, handmade resin dice, so when I looked at the prices, I almost had a heart attack. Way too expensive. Despite this, I liked looking at all the cool art that people made based on their interests.

Looking at all the events on their website, there actually wasn’t too much I wanted to do so I let my friends decide where to go most of the time. One event I was interested in, however, was the K-pop meeting. I went to the room it was being held in with my friend’s mom and got to meet a few other people who liked TWICE like me. We talked about who our favorite members were and they showed me their collections of photocards. I even got given a few items by one of the girls I met. I didn’t bring any of my photocards to trade, but I still enjoyed talking to them about my favorite K-pop group. 2023 was back when I had a major K-pop phase, so at the time, I pretty much made it my whole personality. I also didn’t have any friends who liked K-pop so I didn’t have anyone to talk about it with. Therefore, meeting other people that understood my obsession was fun.

To be honest, I don’t remember much else about MegaCon because I found it to be mostly boring. I get that a lot of people are very excited about attending conventions like these, but I just don’t think I liked how huge and crowded it was. I also don’t feel like I was too excited about many of the events, which were directed toward people with more interest in video games and cosplaying than I was. I still think it was a good experience because now I know what I won’t be spending my money on, and I got a college assignment out of it. I also know that the way I participate in fandom is different from how the people attending these conventions participate.

[50caldragon]

I adore that you picked Kyoka because of the character and convenience. I did the same thing with a closet cosplay of Tsunade because I was already blonde lol!

You had me hooked with the Technoblade mention (miss him so much, absolute legend), but then you hit me with John Cleese and I full-on gasped. I grew up watching Monty Python and A Fish Called Wanda (definitely way too young to understand half of it), and I’m so jealous you even got close.

It’s interesting what you said about realizing you engage with fandom differently. I had the same kind of realization. Like I love fanart, cosplayers, and have 100% read (and maybe written...) fanfic, but big cons sometimes make me feel like a background NPC in a world of some pretty big names.

Your experience totally made me smile, especially the K-pop room bit, it’s those little shared obsessions that stick with you even more than the panels. Fandom’s weird and sometimes messy, but man, when it hits, it hits.

[50caldragon]

Swamp Connnn

A couple years ago, I went to the UF anime convention held at the Reitz Union on Uf's Campus, "Swamp Con". It was probably the most lowkey, charmingly chaotic event I'd expect from a convention type, i've never been to any others. It wasn’t a massive Comic-Con scale type experience, but it had the exact kind of passionate, sometimes awkward, completely genuine energy you want from a fan gathering. People showed up with full armor builds, hand-sewn outfits, wigs styled with wayyyy too much Got2B glue, and others just showed up in a hoodie with the Akatsuki cloud design all over it and their bucket hat And that’s what made it great. No one cared how “legit” your costume was. Everyone just wanted to be around people who loved the same weird little shows as them and particpate however they could!

I mean I went in a closet cosplay of Tsunade from Naruto, which basically means I found a green robe-looking thing from my mom's closet, threw on some open-toed sandals (unfortunate decision, 2/10 comfort and weird when I wore bowling shoes later), and used purple eyeliner to try and copy her forehead seal. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Did anyone ask me for a photo or even realize who I was supposed to be? Actually yes, but he was like 7 with his mom. But IT COUNTS and I had the best time with my friends. we had absolutely no theme to our costumes. We had James from Team Rocket, Tanjrio from Demon Slayer, two characters from Bleach, and then we had my friend Hunter in a t-shirt. I remember us bowling downstairs and hearing Gurenge blasting from the speakers and immediately thinking, “Ah yes. I am among my people.” It was so dumb and I couldn't stop laughing that day.

What struck me most wasn’t just the cosplay or the merch or even the panels, which ranged from fun fan debates to one that was literally about anime characters and their trauma (yeahhhh Guts made an appearance). It was how fun and carefree everything felt even in my college campus where I easily could have felt awkward about running into people I knew. That sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I mean, I've never had issues talking about what I love in fandoms and whatnot, if I like something, you WILL know about it. But for so many people, fandom is where they can be the fullest version of themselves, no filter needed (even though some people should still use some. Like deodorant.). There was just this unspoken understanding that you’re allowed to be loud about what you love and freely support others about their own loves.

In class, we’ve talked about postmodern fan culture and how identity is shaped through consumption and participation. And honestly, nothing illustrates that more than cons. People aren't just watching anime, they're curating their identities through it. You can see it in how someone cosplays as a specific character not just because they like the design, but because they resonate with that character’s personality, backstory, or energy. I mean for me, dressing as Tsunade (messy, powerful, emotionally repressed, has a gambling problem) was just because she was a well written female character, and more importantly, I didn't have to dye my hair or wear a wig. But alot of other people find solace and "being seen" in characters.

The convention also had that fun paradox that’s always present in fan spaces: extreme inclusivity and extreme niche-ness. Everyone’s welcome, but also there’s a chance you’ll end up in a heated debate about which version of Fruits Basket did Kyo’s arc better. I screamed many a time at different artist tables because of niche crossovers. There’s comfort in that though. It's postmodern youth culture at work with the whole fragmented identities, hyper-specific knowledge, layered irony, and yet still so sincere. That's why I've always loved being so proud about my stuff I love. Being in a room full of other unapologetic fans was kind of healing.

Would I go again? Absolutely. Would I do a better job on the cosplay? Also yes. But more than anything, I think fan gatherings like these matter because they give us the space to take something fictional and make it feel real with our care and effort to build a little community around it, even if just for a weekend in the Reitz Union.

[lucasy11]

Genshiken

I think this has been a kind of weird watch. One of the things that was apparent with this was how they portrayed fans and the sexualization of characters. Since the beginning of the show, it normalized this sexualization, which was weird, especially having watched this; it was kind of an uncomfortable watch for me, with this constant portrayal. It felt like every episode had at least some reference to this, and it made me think a lot about how normalized such behavior is in certain fan communities. I guess out of all the assigned shows, this has probably been the weirdest. I see the aspects that were talked about in the previous lecture about the moe elements. There are patterns of these elements throughout the characters in the anime they watched, and it became clear how much the club members valued these specific traits. One common aspect that was shown a lot, which the members of the club seem to like a lot, evident in it being a moe element, is the combination of the skirt with long socks. This was pointed out multiple times, and it shows how much attention is placed on small details that create a specific “cute” appeal for the characters. It also made me realize how moe is not just about appearance but about evoking a certain emotional response from fans. Throughout all of this, this anime is eye-opening to say the least. It gives a perspective into a group of people, the "otaku." I feel like at the end of the day, this is a community of people, a community where people of a common interest come together and express their love for it. Although the things they discuss and watch may be kind of questionable, it's nice to see the growth of Sasahara throughout the show. From beginning to end, I feel that he got more comfortable with the club members and overall was able to express himself, having finally found a group of people with whom he could bond over his common interest in anime and dojinshi. His development shows how finding a welcoming group can help someone gain confidence, even if the community itself might seem strange or off-putting to outsiders.

[50caldragon]

THANK YOU. Reading your post felt like déjà vu in the best way. I had almost the exact same reaction while watching. Like, I expected some otaku weirdness going in, but the sheer normalcy of the constant sexualization just threw me and made me *uncomfortable*. I said something similar in my post about how the discomfort wasn’t even from the characters doing it, but how chill and everyday it was for them. Like, “oh yeah, hentai over lunch. Totally normal.” NO, IT’S NOT???? STOP????

And I also picked up on the moe stuff you mentioned! The sock/skirt combo obsession?? The logisitics behind it??? Wild. But also kind of made me realize how specific and deep those emotional triggers go for fans, which is lowkey fascinating even if it makes me uncomfortable. Freud is rolling in his grave. I also talked about the emotional response more than just looks and when you think about it, it extends to more than just anime. Reality TV character stereotypes, KPOP member role stereotypes and the fanbases buitl around it, etc. Azuma would probably be proud...

Also yes to Sasahara’s development! That was probably the saving grace for me too with watching him go from painfully awkward to “okay, maybe these are my people” made me feel like a parent watching a weird little ugly duckling find other ugly ducklings. But they stayed ugly ducklings. No swans. They're still weird. Those people were unironically arguing about dojinshi in a public con hall.

Glad I wasn’t alone in feeling like this show was a weird mix of uncomfortable and insightful. Definitely not something I’ll rewatch, but weirdly glad I watched it once just to understand this very niche slice of fandom life.

[50caldragon]

Okay, What Was That?

So. Genshiken. Wow. That sure was one of the watching experiences of our time...

I kinda knew going in that we were diving into otaku territory, like, deep fandom immersion, and I expected some cringe because, let’s be real, fandoms can be weird and we even have specific fandoms that are avoided because of it (Sorry MHA fans). But I did not expect the amount of sexualization to be as uh... casual and constant as it was. It wasn’t like “Oh haha, they’re being edgy or whatever,” it was just there, baked into the everyday. Someone's flipping through hentai while someone else is trying to eat noodles ("right in front of my salad??"). Another guy’s got a figure with... questionable proportions just chilling on his desk for the casual observer. And everyone’s like, “Yep, another Tuesday.” Bruh.

I think what made it weirder was how normalized it all was. I'm sitting in my room kinda disgusted and weirded out by it and then the club members just talk about their fixations with so much seriousness. Like, debating the angle of a skirt or how the long socks hit just right to trigger that moe reaction. It was uncomfortable because it wasn’t framed to be uncomfortable, you know? It was just... life for them. But I guess that’s kind of the point?? Moe, as Azuma talks about, isn’t just about looking cute, it’s about evoking a feeling. A very specific kind of emotional attachment. Which, when you think about it, is kind of wild when entire genres are built around stimulating that exact reaction. (I say this fully knowing I’ve cried over animated characters too, and I WILL talk about it for hours. Don't ask me about Banana Fish, I will cry at you.)

But I’ll be honest, the show wasn’t allllll weird vibes. There was something super relatable about Sasahara’s arc. The awkwardness, the hesitation, that feeling of wanting to belong to something but not knowing if it’s safe to let your weird side show. Alex, I'd like to take "Every New Friendship" for 500 please. But watching him find his people, even if they’re messy, questionable tastes, anime-obsessed people, gave me a tiny bit of joy to see. That feeling of finally being part of a group where you don’t have to fake it? Yeah, I get it.

And honestly, I appreciated how Genshiken complicated the whole “otaku = degenerate” stereotype. Because yeah, they’re into some questionable stuff, but they also have self-awareness, though I'm not entirely sure that makes it better or worse. Like when the American girl just blurts out all this explicit stuff at the con and even the guys are like “PLEASE STOP TALKING.” It showed that even people obsessed with erotic dojinshi can have some sense of boundaries... at least in public. Most of the time.

So, was it weird? Yes. Did I pause a few times and say, “What am I watching??” and have to stand up and walk away for a few minutes? Also yes. But was it insightful? Ehhhhhhh, kind of? It made me think more about how niche communities can both create comfort and reproduce the same issues we see outside of them if that makes any sense. I can kinda see how fans of this anime might consider it more like a mirror held up to all of us who’ve ever escaped into fiction a little too hard… and on a warmer note, maybe found our people there too.

However, I will not be watching any more of it. That was weird.

[50caldragon]

I Came For Ninja Fights, Stayed for Existential Crisis

Okay so, I’ve been a Naruto fan long before this class (I don't even skip the filler episodes), and honestly, I’ve always seen him as the perfect example of hard work beating talent. Naruto’s “can do” turning into “will do”, that’s stuck with me for yearssss as well as the way the anime can go from comedy to "Oh. Oh now i'm absolutely devastated." But I admired how no matter how much the village rejected him (3RD HOKAGE, DUDE. SO MUCH FOR WATCHING OVER HIM), he just kept pushing until they couldn’t ignore him or his accomplishments anymore. But after watching it again with the lectures in mind, I started to wonder… should he have had to work that hard just to be treated like a person? Okay, "wonder" is a bit of a stretch. The answer is no. He shouldn't have had to. It feels kind of backwards that he had to prove his worth instead of the village changing how they saw him WHEN THE SEAL LITERALLY WASN'T HIS FAULT AT ALL. It’s still inspiring, but I see the cost of it differently now and no less infuriating.

Wolf Children. Oh boy. I thought it would be this sweet fantasy slice of life (I actively avoid looking at the anime descriptions on canvas), but it left me thinking about how society forces people to pick sidesssss. Always, always picking sides. Let me be Switzerland sometimes, y'all. Like Hana’s kids couldn’t be both wolf and human. They had to choose. I kept thinking about how often people have to give up parts of themselves to fit in or even just to be left alone. Super not as identity choosing as the anime, but made me think about my dad growing up. He was ambidextrous, but the school system then wouldn't let him grow both dexterities; they made him choose a primary hand to write in, and that's how he's left-handed whilst everyone else in the family are righties.

And A Silent Voice… yeah. I’d actually avoided it before this class because I knew it would wreck me emotionally and shocking no one, it did. Seeing Ishida try to make up for what he did, not by asking for forgiveness but by actually trying to be better, hit me hard and I was so proud of him in the most conflicting way. However premise wise, I loved how it was one of the few stories where the focus wasn’t on the victim changing or growing from their trauma, but on the person who caused the hurt stepping up. That honestly feels rare in media, and honestly feels a lot more poignant in this society of cancel culture. We need more discussion on people doing wrong and trying to do better. Which is also ironic in the same society that LOVESSSS its redemption arcs. Guess that only applies to fiction...

So maybe all three of these animes lead to less about how much we ask individuals to change when really, maybe it’s the world that needs to. But yeah. Dattebayo.

[matchablossomblog]

Naruto/Wolf Children/A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is one of my favorite anime and manga. One aspect that I liked about the anime was the expression of emotion despite the lack of words. This is similar to how Studio Ghibli films focus more on action and facial expression to convey emotion rather than verbal exchange.

I also noticed a similarity between A Silent Voice and Wolf Children. In both anime series, another character's ear is injured by a main character. I viewed this development as a depiction of harm to the auditory sense, which can be seen as a valuable asset. In response to these incidents, the mother of the main character takes accountability for her child's actions. I find this admirable because it depicts these women as strong, honorable, and respectable individuals.

I found a similarity between A Silent Voice and my favorite musical, Les Misérables. Ishida and Jean Valjean are initially seen in a negative light as Ishida was a bully and Valjean was a criminal. However, they eventually seek redemption to make up for their past actions. Both male protagonists use their abilities to assist the people around them and those who struggle. For example, as discussed in the lecture, Ishida gathers and welcomes those who are discriminated against; he also saves Nishimiya when she jumps off a balcony. Similarly, Valjean cares for Cosette after promising Fantine her protection. They use their second chance to make a difference in the lives of others. I also found another similarity between Naruto and Les Misérables. As discussed in the lecture, Naruto decided not to kill Pain. This is similar to Valjean as he decides not to kill Inspector Javert, despite being hunted by him for years. They both decided to end the cycle of violence.

A part I appreciated in Wolf Children was when Hana cleaned the dirty and seemingly hopeless run-down house. She eventually found beauty in their new home as she cleaned and made repairs. I thought this contributed to her character as it continued her bright outlook on life despite challenges. I also thought this added to the concept of looking beyond the superficial appearance, similar to how Hana felt regarding her deceased partner.

I have seen Naruto and A Silent Voice before, but I think the lectures gave me a new perspective on both anime, and helped me make new connections like the similarities I found in Les Mis.

[50caldragon]

Okay, YES. The second you brought up Les Mis, I got so excited at your comparison. Ishida and Valjean? LOVE IT. I never thought to line those two up before, but now I can’t stop seeing it. Both of them start off with this huge guilt hanging over them, but instead of spiraling, they choose to actually do something for other people. Like, “Hey, I screwed up, so now I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to fix it.” And it’s not some performative “look at me redeeming myself” thing they’re both just trying to do right because it’s the right thing. Love that.

And Naruto and Valjean with the “choosing not to kill the enemy” moment when especially Naruto had EVERY RIGHT to?? My brain actually paused there because the comparison is so right. Both of them had every reason, every excuse, and still said, “I'm not going to sink to that level.” It speaks so much volume and I feel like those sorts of aspects is what propels them as real main characters.

Also, I feel like this post just gave me an excuse to queue up Les Mis for a rewatch and now I’m not even mad about it. Absolute gold.

Do you hear the people sing?

....No.

[noahleikensohn]

Shin Sekai Yori

Shin Sekai Yori what definitely not what I originally thought. I was shocked to find out, as the anime progressed, that it was a psychological horror. Furthermore, the change from a utopian society to a dystopian one and having this change shown that the children lost their innocence was extremely impressive. I feel as if this progression follows the progression of an average child’s life as they cannot wait to grow up, until the responsibility and their viewpoints are altered and stained with reality. At the heart of the anime is Japan’s historical tension between tradition and control. The society portrayed in the anime is peaceful on the surface, but it's built on the complete surveillance and manipulation of its citizens, especially its children. This mirrors aspects of Japanese culture where societal harmony is prized, often at the cost of individual expression. In the anime, students who exhibit instability or question the system are quietly "removed," reflecting real-world pressures in Japan such as academic conformity, mental health stigma, and overwork culture. To relate this personally as a Korean, I have seen the lengths students will go to for their studies. Many students’ schedules are waking up and going to school, and then going to a study group immediately after, and then being tutored to which they leave to study even more by themselves making their way home around 1am. Additionally, if the students don’t follow this obsessive behavior they are shunned by society and their families.

I believe that the Queerats are symbolization for how in history many groups have been oppressed and suffered from dehumanization. Much like slavery and racism, where after slavery was outlawed, the Jim crow laws were put into effect to allow people to continue being racist and dehumanize the newly freed. Also, the Queerats challenge the viewer by questioning their controlling groups justification, a real-life example being questioning a country’s justification for involving itself in a war. Shin Sekai Yori symbolized many different real-life atrocities and had the viewers question the morality of who their leader is.

[50caldragon]

Oh, I really am unsettled at how you connected the loss of innocence in Shin Sekai Yori to how growing up actually feels in real life. That hit too hard. The way the kids start out believing in their peaceful world and full of hope, only to progressively realize how completely ans totally messed up everything really is. Mirrors how reality kind of smacks you in the face as you get older (lord knows i'm feeling it now with the cost of everything in our world). It’s honestly one of the most chilling parts of the anime for me, because it feels so believable.

Your point about Japan’s emphasis on harmony really makes sense too. I didn’t really think about it that way, but now that you’ve said it, the whole idea of sacrificing individuality for the “greater good” was basically the heart of that society and I absolutely hate that. I really respect you for sharing your perspective as a Korean, kudos to you. Hearing about the crazy pressure students are under in both Japan and Korea makes this anime feel even more relevant. Like, it’s not just dystopian fiction, it’s just reflecting real life cultural pressures and not a fictional storyline.

[50caldragon]

Yeah... Not The Utopia I Was Hoping For

Watching Shin Sekai Yori honestly left me feeling unsettled. Not because of the whole supernatural powers or the dystopian setting (Lord knows we've all but been desensitised to that with all the YA novels set there), but because of how real the fear and control felt. This wasn’t some "over-the-top" fantasy like, "Oh haha, this is so extreme it's ridiculous". It was more of an extreme version of things that are uh... currently going on, it seems. The idea that kids aren’t trusted, that they’re monitored, tested, and basically expected to mess up before they even do anything hit wayyyyy too close to home. It reminded me of how school systems or even governments push constant surveillance in the name of “safety,” like they expect danger from us just for existing. I mean, kids are reckless and do stupid things, but this was a different sort of treatment

I kept thinking about how this mirrors real fears in Japan, especially after reading about Shonen A. The panic over kids being “wild” and delinquents feels global now, with all the talk about AI scanning behavior or schools tracking students (very similiar to Psycho-Pass in that way). Shin Sekai Yori just pushed it further, but not by very much. The society in the anime kills off kids for not fitting the mold, which felt extreme adn very ancient Spartan-like, but it’s scary how easy it is for real systems to “erase” people in other ways like isolating, labeling, or locking them away (cough, cancel culture, cough).

The Queerats storyline also stuck with me. They were literally rewritten to be substandard which actually ties to my philosophy class I'm also taking, about how dehumanization works in real life whether through propaganda, racism, or fear of people who don’t fit society’s norms etc. Even after learning the truth, the characters couldn’t unsee them as monsters because it was literally engrained in them. That was uncomfortable and infuriating to watch.

In the end, the anime made me wonder how often we let fear and desire for control decide who gets treated with dignity and who doesn’t and if we even realize when we’re doing it and spoilers... we really don't most of the time.

[alsamalsara]

Psycho-Pass is an interesting story that explores issues of control, surveillance, and justice. It takes place in a future Japan ruled by the Sibyl System, a powerful computer network that judges people based on their mental state and potential for crime. This reflects real-life concerns in Japan, where people often feel pressure to stay calm and fit in with society. The show also points to problems with Japan’s strict social systems and the way people are expected to follow rules without question. Globally, Psycho-Pass speaks to growing fears about technology watching and judging us. Similar to real systems in places like China or the use of AI by police in other countries, the Sibyl System shows the dangers of giving too much power to machines. The story asks hard questions: Should we let technology decide who is dangerous? Can justice be truly fair if it's decided by a computer? The character Shogo Makishima represents the danger of living outside the system, but he also shows how unfair the system can be. On the other hand, Akane Tsunemori, the main character, starts off following the rules but grows into someone who questions the system and tries to do what’s right. Her journey challenges the usual roles for women in authority, both in Japan and around the world, and shows the importance of thinking for yourself. She doesn’t fully support either Sibyl’s control or Makishima’s chaos, which makes her a more thoughtful and balanced hero. In the end, Psycho-Pass warns us about giving up our freedom for the sake of safety. It shows how easily justice can become cold and unfair when it’s handled by machines instead of people. The series makes us think about the kind of future we’re building, and whether it leaves room for human choice, emotion, and morality. For me personally, I greatly value the privacy of the mind, and in such a society, it would be constantly grossly violated. Preventative measures against crime are fine, good even, but for it to be based on preemptive judgment and punishment decided by predictive algorithms is truly an immense overreach. Nobody should be punished for crimes they haven’t committed. A balance between freedom and security is needed, and in a way that ensures the protection of our liberties, using both legal and personal accountability to enforce it. Accountability for one's actions, not accountability for one's thoughts.

[50caldragon]

Great breakdown of Psycho-Pass, especially about pointing out Akane’s growth and how she doesn’t really fall neatly into either the system’s control or Makishima’s chaos. That felt more real to me because honestly, both extremes are a nightmare and rare is it that anyone thing fit cleanly into a category (looking at you Divergent series). I also agree with your point about the danger of letting tech decide everything for us despite the convienence of it. The scary part is how much that already happens now like AI making decisions on hiring, policing, loan approvals, and sentencing for crimes.

Absolutely loved the mention of “privacy of the mind” too. The idea that someone could scan your thoughts and punish you for potential crimes feels like the ultimate violation. True, policing and such is reactive, but that's the nature of it. I get why people want safety, but preemptively labeling someone before they’ve done anything just seems like a fast track to injustice and violation of human rights.

Balancing freedom and security is the exact issue Psycho-Pass pushes in your face. How much freedom are we willing to give up just for the illusion of control? And would we even realize it’s happening before it’s too late? Benjamin Franklin had something to say about that, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." True words to this very day.