Anime Blog @autoblur - Tumblr Blog

Hetalia: Axis Powers

My overall impression of this anime is that it included a lot of stereotypes of different countries, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This anime begins with global leaders meeting to solve the world's problems. I found it funny when the United States said everyone could speak freely as long as they protected their chances for re-election. This is something that resonated with my current impression of the political scene. Each of the characters presents physical embodiments of stereotypes of their countries. The anime illustrates different conflicts and the attitudes of different countries during these conflicts.

What I found most interesting was the portrayal of Japan in the anime. Unlike other countries, it was not portrayed using stereotypical world perspectives about Japan. Instead, it demonstrated an internal perception of Japan, and what Japan would think of Japan. Japan has become a great power in a short time. Is one of the only countries that isn't portrayed in a goofy manner. In the anime, it is briefly portrayed that Italy had fertile land, fair weather, and rich history. However, after that, it is just seen as a country that is easily swayed by conflict.

Another interesting portrayal that I feel that I can comment on is that of the United States. Some of the points were pretty accurate which made it funny. They are portrayed of loving hamburgers, and relying on an all-hamburger diet. While talking about external affairs, it sips on a large cup of soda. During the conflict, he tells other countries what to do and then says this his role is to be the hero.

rushilsood

Your Name is a film that goes beyond cultural and geographical boundaries, connecting with audiences everywhere. The story follows two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, who mysteriously swap bodies. This magical premise dives deep into themes of identity, connection, and the blend of personal and societal issues.

The film tackles several important issues within Japan and globally. One major theme is the rural-urban divide. Mitsuha’s life in a small, traditional town is starkly different from Taki’s fast-paced Tokyo life. This contrast reflects the ongoing struggles many Japanese towns face due to urban migration, leading to depopulation and cultural loss. Globally, it mirrors the challenges of preserving cultural heritage amidst rapid modernization. Another significant issue is disaster preparedness. The comet disaster in Your Name is reminiscent of real-life events like the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. It highlights the importance of memory and collective effort in overcoming such tragedies, a theme that resonates worldwide in an era of increasing natural disasters.

On a personal level, the film brings up feelings of nostalgia and a longing for connections that go beyond time and space. The idea of swapping bodies and lives, even temporarily, makes you think about the nature of empathy and understanding. It made me reflect on the everyday challenges and joys that others experience, deepening my appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Michel Foucault’s “The History of Sexuality” offers a unique way to analyze Your Name. Foucault’s method emphasizes the historical and social construction of identities and the power dynamics involved. In Your Name, the body-swapping can be seen as a metaphor for the fluidity of identity and how personal and social histories shape our experiences. The characters’ struggles with their new identities reflect Foucault’s idea that identity is not fixed but is continuously constructed through discourse and power relations.

autoblur

I focused so much on the romance aspect of the film that I didn't notice the message about the rural-urban divide. I like that you included this in your analysis of the film because it mirrors Japanese and Global issues. I find your post to be interesting because you talk about disaster preparedness which is something crucial to the film.

Your Name: by Makoto Shinkai

I have watched this film a few times and it still is one of my favorite Japanese films alongside Howl's Moving Castle. This is more my cup of tea because I love romance in anime. However, unlike most romance stories in other animations which can be repetitive, this one had such a lasting impact on me. I remember the first time I watched it I genuinely started crying. It tells the story of Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu, two high school students. Although this anime does take themes and common tropes from other animes, it does so in a very unique and beautiful manner. Their love story transcends time and space.

The two strangers begin switching bodies without ever actually meeting each other. These episodes occur for an entire day, and then they return to their original bodies. Whenever Taki tries calling Mitsuha on the phone, the body-switching stops.

An important element of the film is the natural disasters that it depicts. The most important phenomenon is the comet Tiamat which was expected to pass near Earth during the autumn festival. This is my favorite part of the movie, I had never watched such a beautifully written story. When the body-switching stops Taki tries to find Mitsuha only to find out that the village had been destroyed by the Comet three years prior. The two were not only switching bodies, but time traveling. They were traveling between the years 2013 and 2016. Mitsuha was one of the 500 people killed by the comet.

The red ribbon is also a crucial element of the move in my opinion. I always loved the symbolism of the red ribbon which connects people's fates. Mitsuha had visited him three years prior but he had lost the memories and given him the red ribbon he always wore. Taki again awakes in Mitsuha's body and tries to save the village and their timelines cross. This was such a beautiful and memorable scene, the image of the scene is still engrained in my head. Taki returns the ribbon, and they try to write their names on each other's palms. Both of them had been losing their memories of each other. When Mitsuha returns to her body she convinces her father, the mayor, to order an evacuation that saves the city. However, she loses memory of Taki, but learns that he wrote that he loves her on her palm instead of his name. Years, later they meet again in Tokyo but they have lost their memories of each other. However, the red string of fate has connected them throughout different timelines and universes. They feel the connection between them, and they ask each other for their name.

This film was an emotional roller coaster for me. I love watching romance films because although they endure challenges to their love, the ending usually is predictable which is comforting. However, this film truly takes fate into a different direction. There was a point where I didn't know how everything was going to work out, but it did.

rushilsood

Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a classic that tackles both local and global issues with remarkable depth. Its themes of environmentalism, war, and human interaction with nature make it a timeless piece that continues to resonate today.

In Japan, the film’s portrayal of a world ravaged by pollution and industrialization hits close to home. The toxic forests and giant insects reflect the country’s own battles with environmental damage and the conflict between progress and preservation. On a global scale, the movie speaks to universal concerns like climate change, dwindling resources, and ethical environmental practices. Nausicaa, our heroine, represents a balance between human development and nature, showing that harmony isn’t just a lofty goal but essential for survival.

Watching Nausicaa brought to mind my own experiences and challenges. The film’s emphasis on resilience, compassion, and the fight for a just cause parallels the struggles many of us face in our daily lives. Nausicaä’s courage and unwavering commitment to peace inspire me to tackle obstacles with a similar spirit of determination and empathy. Her ability to bridge divides and foster understanding among disparate groups offers a powerful lesson in leadership and conflict resolution.

Connell’s concept of hegemonic masculinity, which explores the dominant form of masculinity that subordinates others, can be seen in the dynamics between the film’s characters. The militaristic Tolmekians represent hegemonic masculinity through their aggressive pursuit of power and domination. In contrast, Nausicaä’s leadership style, which incorporates traditionally “feminine” traits like empathy and nurturing, challenges these norms. She exemplifies a form of resistance to hegemonic masculinity, highlighting the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership.

Given these points, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is more than just a beautiful animated film; it’s a poignant commentary on human nature and our relationship with the world. By addressing both local and global issues, it remains relevant decades after its release. Reflecting on the film encourages viewers to consider their own roles in fostering a more harmonious and equitable society, much like Nausicaa herself.

autoblur

I resonate with your relation to the film through your own experiences and challenges that you have faced. I also agree that Nausicaa's resilience and courage were inspiring. The animation brought to life a beautiful scenery that depicts major environmental concerns. I agree that it is much more than just a pretty film, but is a powerful commentary on humanity.

robian

End of Evangelion

Sorry for cursing, but what the actual fuck did I just watch. To understand this film, I basically had to read an entire essay about background information that can only be found in outside sources such as video games. I even watched a 5 minute YouTube video purely just to understand the infamous hospital scene.

If you're confused like I was please read this:

and read:

https://imgur.com/2oRZv

Shinji at this point in the story is just absolutely fucked up in the head mentally. Both of his friends leave. Asuka is comatose. Rei is swimming in a juice bathtub. He even killed the guy that finally accepted him and even liked him. By the way apparently some people think Kawaru is a representation of Jesus who needed to be killed. Anyways, Shinji was just mentally not there. Shinji's in this shit mental state and knowing Shinji, he doesn't know how to properly express his emotions. So naturally what does he decide to do? Bust a load to Asuka's comatose body. Btw although the anime doesn't show any attraction for Asuka prior to this (except the kiss maybe and the childhood friend fantasy) apparently there's some side content that makes their relationship make a bit more sense.

I would explain the events of the story in more detail, but reddit can explain it better. Basically at the end Shinji decides he would rather live in the new destroyed world than a fantasy and the only person that we can see who also decided to stay is Asuka. Basically,Shinji chokes Asuka so he knows he's not living in some weird fantasy. Asuka caresses his cheek and calls him disgusting, letting him know that it isn't a fantasy. Basically Shinji has the craziest character development in all of anime history. Although it's hard to say if he's even alright at the end.

On one hand I think Evangelion is a masterpiece and on the other hand I think it's garbage. It's an anomaly within anime. As a story writer, if most people can't understand your story, then it's badly written. However, Evangelion reminded me of poetry. It was confusing but clearly had deeper meanings. I doubt anyone could ever COMPLETELY understand Evangelion by only watching the series&movie. It practically requires discussion between people to even grasp it. If the writers wanted to leave a lasting impression, they certainly achieved their goal.

autoblur

I felt the same exact way after finishing the movie. I genuinely had to take a brain break after it and do laundry. The scene where he busted one to Asuka as a beginning scene was insane. However, I felt that the ending had such an existentialist meaning that I felt that in the end, it made sense for nothing to make sense.

robian

Evangelion Part 2

Alright Part 2 is where I can actually get to writing. I wrote my part 1 blog almost entirely on Shinji so I'll start off by explaining what I meant by his “character development” that I mentioned in my last post.

Those last 2 episodes were probably super confusing. They probably felt like they came out of nowhere. Some people say it's an amazing ending, while others say it's horrible. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about it. I even needed the help of redditors to get a semi-understanding of what it meant without having the movies spoiled for me. Basically these two episodes are all about Shinji's self hatred and at the very end he comes to finally accept himself. Really, it seems to be that simple. Of course, I haven't watched the movies yet, so if there's more to it, that's probably why.

Honestly, I knew that Shinji hated piloting the Eva, but I feel that we don't get a true understanding of his self-hatred until these last two episodes. You can say this is dumb, because it may seem like the writers just suddenly had Shinji hate himself, but personally I feel that the story had some obvious hints along the way. When people yelled or even hurt Shinji, he never defended himself. He always avoided problems. Someone who hates themselves, doesn't have the power to protect themselves.

Alright, I should probably talk about some other characters. Rei still confuses me and I'm betting there's more info In the movies because it seems she has some connection to Shinji's mother. Rei's character development is basically her smiling and shedding a tear. She's attempting to find her humanity and sense of self even though she knows she is different from everyone else.

Asuka says she's piloting the Eva for herself, but in reality she pilots the Eva as a coping mechanism for her mother. Her mother never cared for her, and the chance to become an Eva pilot meant that people would always care for her, unlike her mother. She believes that if she isn't the best, people will stop giving her attention. She believes that she'll lose any value she has. As of the ending of the series, Asuka is still in a depressive state, but I'm assuming she'll get back on her feet in the movies.

Finally, I'll talk about Misato Katsuragi. At first, she just seems to be this strong, independent, happy, snobbish, beautiful lady. However, we later find out that she's dealing with some serious trauma of her own. Her dad, who she originally hated, sacrificed his life to save her. It left her confused as to whether she hated her dad or not. She unintentionally sought out things that reminded her of him such as her job and her boyfriend to fill the void left in her heart. At the end of the series, it seems to point out that she is scared of being alone. Her dad leaves her. Her boyfriend leaves her. She just wants anyone's attention and even seemingly makes a move on Shinji.

Hopefully y'all didn't seriously read all 500+ word yapping session, but part 2 was definitely where the phique of the characters was delved into more. As for my opinions on Evangelion (before watching movies), I liked it, but I don't really understand the hype.

autoblur

I also felt that the last two episodes were super confusing and fever-dream-like. I didn't really see Shinji's behavior as self-hatred at first because his behavior felt selfish to me at times. There was so much going on with the people he cared about but he was consumed in the self-loathing which made him an unlikable character for me. I really found your analysis of Misato to be very interesting. She was scared to be alone which led to her behavior throughout the series.

robian

Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 1

I'm writing this after watching the entirety of Evangelion because I didn't wanna ruin it by watching specific episodes. I'm also writing this early so I'm just going to make an educated guess about what part 1 covers.

Okay, so I'm going to mainly talk about Shinji because we don't really dive deep into the other characters until what I assume will be covered in part 2. Shinji is very different from your average anime protagonist. Most anime protagonists are seemingly always good looking and brave. They try to appeal to the watchers' desires. Shinji on the other hand is just a frail and scared young boy who just wants to be loved by his dad. Personally, I love characters like this. They tend to feel more realistic. If you almost died like Shinji did, and had to endure the pain simulated from the Eva, you'd probably be scared shitless too just like Shinji.

Also by starting off as weak, it allows more character development. But, to be honest, Shinji doesn't really have much character development (until literally the last 2 eps). Shinji realizes that he pilots the Eva to please his dad (hopefully this was part of part1 I don't remember). He even returns to his Eva after leaving, but he's still scared. Even though I enjoy character development, I think in certain situations, a lack of it can be just as telling. He's not suddenly just going to become brave and lose his fear of fighting in the Eva, and by this lack of development, it really highlights just how much he desires his dad's admiration.

Now, I also want to talk about how Shinji takes on more feminine than masculine gender roles. Shinji is depicted as kind and caring. He always apologizes and avoids any conflict. He cooks and cleans the apartment, while the women are depicted as slobs. He's scared to pilot his Eva, while the two women Rei and Asuka are fine with it. Honestly, I'm trying to think of a different anime that's male protagonist is like Shinji, and I can't (although I'm sure there's a few). It just tells you how unique of a character Shinji is. Going back to the last module, Shinji really challenges what we view as gender roles. A man doesn't need to always be tough and brave, he can be weak and scared too.

autoblur

I find your interpretation to be very interesting because it offers a different perspective than what I had perceived. I have always liked the strong heroic characters types rather than the frail ones. However, I do agree that this allows for more character growth which is an arc that can be very interesting. Interestingly, you made the connection of the switched roles between the male and female in the show, it was something that I noticed briefly but didn't think much of it. However, it is an important aspect of the anime early on in regards to the bigger message of the anime.

kwanyoung

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | Themes of Ecocriticism

The Plot Of The Anime

This is quite of a different medium (a whole ass video game) but it does share similarities to the anime art style. Although there seems to be a lot of narrative arcs, I will be finding and focusing on the relevant ones that can be turned into an "eco-text" narrative with a theme to it, as well as referencing it from the lectures from the Japanese course professor. So this means I am going to focus on the cutscenes and look for themes of environmental issues.

In the world of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a disaster has swiped the world, making most of the areas inhabitable. The humans have to live in small but constraint spaces in the world which is now a vast wasteland. Similarity to Nausicaä in the anime Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, who thrives in the Valley of the Wind, while Xenoblade characters thrive on the backs of the giant Titan species functioning as land. However, the world becomes a vast wasteland as the Titans dies and nature starts deteriorating and sinks into the Cloud Sea, which becomes a threat (basically the Sea of Decay but with clouds and ocean, which is similar to worst man-made disasters like nuclear winter and rising sea levels due to climate change).

Thus, the main element of both stories are basically most of the world turning into a wasteland. Theres also a vision of a heaven-like place thats supposed to come at the end, where the wasteland is no more and nature fills the world (similar to most endings of ecological disaster media or films). However when the characters finally went there, they find that it's all dead and only an artificial space station is left. They went inside and met Klaus, who said his experiment accidentally destroyed his world, to the point nature cannot restore itself anymore (all humans, plants, animals, etc.). This is like how a thousand years ago in Nausicaä where there was war that destroyed nature, however in Xenoblade, there was no life left.

We also learn that nano-machines make up the Cloud Sea and they collect genetic lifeforms for Titans to grow and give new life. This leads to nature being restored artificially to bring back nature, which humans can now thrive on now.

The Issue In Question

Here is the point I want to mention regarding how nature is restored: it is purely artificial. The nanotechnologies are created by Klaus, a human, to restore nature on his own. Originally, philosophies tell us that nature will only restore on its own will without human interference or contributions. However, the destruction we see in the game is so bad that nature cannot restore itself and that humans need to actually do something to restore nature. This basically shows a debate on human reliance on nature and nature reliance on humans, that if one is gone, the other will also slowly die out.

The Issue Addressed In Japan & Beyond

Now we do not have nano-machines capable of recreating life just like in the game, however this theory can be applied worldwide and we can see attempts made by environmentalists and scientists in trying to actually help nature. Conservational places are crucial in preventing a species from going extinct so when there is no more of a important species left to keep a habitat going, conservation areas already created backups (artificially using human interventions) to release it back to the wild. Additionally, we have scientists creating breakthrough DNA manipulation to revive a species, so indeed it proves the existence of a debate of whether nature needs human's reliance and vice versa, or nature and humanity are and will always be separate.

My Personal Takes

Honestly, I thought humans are part of nature since they branched from other animals through evolution, however I can see why in most cases humans are treated as a different force, rather than being part of the force of nature itself. I am a human, and I'm pretty sure you and the audience are all humans (correct me if I'm wrong?), so as a human, I can see how we branch out of the force of nature due to our developments like technologies and exploiting or manipulating nature, something nature itself cannot do (we feel like gods and animals are inferior).

So, regarding the debate if nature relies on us humans and vice versa, I think that is a yes because we are not like fully integrated into the force of nature so if nature dies, we could still be alive and genius could figure out how to recreate nature artificially. On the other hand, the reason why humans would be recreating nature is that humans need resources like food and clean water or bio products for their survival. However, this is still quite of a debate and my opinions or perspectives here might not be compatible to the debate itself (this can also be an issue too).

autoblur

Hello!,

I found your analysis of Xenoblade to be very interesting and detailed. I agree that there are many narrative going on in the video game, which made this difficult for me to watch. However, as you stated there is much to say about the eco-criticisms present in the video game. I also agree that humans and nature should not be treated as separate entities as they are co-existing forces.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Objectification

The first scene shows a boy going undersea and retrieving a box from the sea floor. Everyone in the Alrest lived in a Tree together with the divine father, the Architect. Rex is a salvager who rides around on the top of a dragon in the city of the clouds.

After being stabbed by his group of salvagers, Pyra one of the strongest blades to ever exist agrees to revive him in exchange for escorting her to the World Tree. The game's world is dying because the Titans are dying too quickly which prevents the life cycle in the world. The life cycle in the game demonstrates a codependent relationship between the blades and the Titans. The titans are each person's individual ecosystem in which they live. The character interacts in two main environments: the cloud sea and the waste sea. At the top of the world tree, there is a place called Elysium. This is the place where the characters want to reach, the Utopian world.

When the characters reach Elysium, they find that the destruction was so bad that there was no longer any nature to regenerate. The characters felt betrayed and hopeless that the vision they had of a perserved nature was destroyed. However, the architect states that he has his only plan for the regeneration of nature. The clouds in the cloud sea were nanomachines that collect genetic information. Overall the anime talks about the relationship between humans and nature. Nature cannot regenerate itself, as a result humans take a more primary role in the restoration.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

A Kingdom lives in the Valley of the Wind, neighboring the Jungle which seems to have toxic effects on the people. Princess Nausicaa has a special power that allows her to connect with animals. The jungle is poisonous and spreads and consumes other kingdoms. An elder woman named Obaba tells Lord Yupa that his destiny is to search for the Man in Blue which will come and restore humanity's connection with the earth that was destroyed.

Princess Nausicaa is highly respected in the kingdom. She is competent at using the wind to travel through the sky. One night, she saves the Princess of Pejite, and helps an insect return back to the jungle. After the first crash, more ships arrive in the Valley of the Wind. Princess Kushana is the commander of the Tolmekian army. Her goal is to unify the kingdoms and to burn down the toxic jungle. The Tolmekians strip the kingdom of their resources and manpower. In a secret chamber, Nausicca grows an ecosystem utilizing plants from the toxic jungle. She learns that with clean water and soil, the plants aren't toxic.

The insects from the jungle are enraged by the ships crashing into the jungle. The insects seem to care for Nausicaa and don't hurt her. Nausicaa and the boy she saves fall beneath the jungle, where the air seems to be pure. Water flows beneath the forest. The trees in the forest have evolved to purify the pollution made from human, which causes them to die.

Throughout the film, there are many ongoing battles between kingdoms. Due to fear and greed the humans all fight each other and kill insects. Humans fear things that are a risk to their existence. The kingdom of Pejite use a baby ohm to lure the ohms back to the valley of the wind, where the wind now stops. Princess Nausicaa saves the baby uhm and subsides the insects' anger. The anger of the insects represented the anger of the earth. It turns out that although a female, she is the "Man in Blue" that restored humanity's relationships with the earth. I felt that this was a very beautiful film about the relationship between humans and earth. I feel that the protagonist being a woman was very impactful.

The End of Evangelion:

The movie begins with Asuka unresponsive in the hospital, and Shinji accidentally sees her naked. The scene that followed I believe was extremely unnecessary and shocking, but it truly set the scene for the fever dream that was the rest of the movie. More details are provided about the Human Instrumentality Project. It envisions mankind is a doomed collective, and aims to artificially evolve humanity into a perfect single life form. Cyber attacks occur at the Magi, data breaches occur as the Seele attempt to gain control of HQ. Nerv’s legal protection of the law is terminated and control is assumed by the Japanese government. They plan to set off the third impact using the Eva series rather than angels. The second impact was set off by humans 15 years prior, they tried to revert Adam back to its egg state.

The anime explains that humans come from a life source called “Lilith”, which is similar to Adam. This makes humans the 18th angel, the other angels are humanities that could have been. Throughout the show the machines are referred to as “mother” by their users. Similarly, when Asuka is on the brink of death, her “mother” allows her to gain control of the Eva after being unable to synchronize.

I find Shinji to be one of the most unlikeable characters I have ever seen on anime. Throughout the whole anime everyone needs to constantly reassure him, and they actually do. However, he still demonstrates very little character growth. He goes around crying and being a lump. All of the Eva pilots lost their loved ones and experienced trauma, but demonstrated strength. At first I thought that Misato had motherly feelings towards Shinji. But then she kisses him, and promises to do the rest later??? Asuka continues to fight while Shinji just sits there doing nothing. Mr. Ikari and Ayanami continue to have a weird relationship. Asuka takes a fatal blow, as Unit 01 activates on its own and Shinji pilots it.

Throughout the movie, Mr. Ikari, seems to have his own plan in the background. It is finally revealed that he is one with Adam. Through the forbidden fusion of Adam and Lilith, he has the chance to be reunited with Youi. Rei Ayanami’s flesh begins to fall from her body, and he says that the AT field can no longer maintain her form. He instructs her to bring down her AT field around her heart, to make imperfect hearts whole again. Weird ceremonies are going on around everywhere. The origin of life, the egg of Lilith manifests on earth. Rei Ayanami is swallowed by the weird blob thing that rises from the place where it was kept underground. At that point, I began to understand Shinji, because if I saw all of that I would be traumatized too. A tree of life manifests itself on earth. After that, everything goes downhill. Shinji begins having visions of all the people he has loved, people’s AT fields start disappearing and they turn into orange mush.

The message of the anime seems to be about reality itself, and the ability to have ownership of one’s reality. Although people can dream, reality is where those dreams end. As long as you retain your will to live, you can make paradise of your own reality. The purpose of the Eva’s was to prove that humanity existed in the vastness of the universe, to find the bigger purpose for menial existence.

Neon Genesis Evangelion pt. 2

Shinji and his friends take a trip with Misato to go meet Unit 02 and its pilot Asuka. Asuka is very outgoing and confident. An unexpected attack occurs at sea. An Angel specifically targets the fleet that is carrying Unit 02. Asuka and Shinji both enter and pilot the Evangelion. Asuka is clearly highly trained and good at strategic battle. This battle sets a new record for synchronization providing valuable data for the research institute. There is a mysterious project happening behind the scenes called the Human Instrumentality Project.

Asuka has began living with Misato and Shinji. Asuka and Ayanami do not seem to be able to socialize well together, this might be because they are so different. Shinji’s synchronization levels exceed those of his peers. The three Evangelions now all fight together. A new type of angel appears that cannot be detected from the radars. A massive shadow swallows Shinji giving him 16 hours to live on life-support. The rescue operation’s main objective is to rescue Unit 01 no matter the damage it may have on the pilot. Misato begins to question the secrecy behind the origin of the Evangelion, the Instrumentality project, and the Adam. On the verge of death, Shinji experiences some self-revelations. Overall the animation on this episode was beautiful and emotional. This episode genuinely had me entranced by what was going to happen next. What is the Evangelion’s big secret? Officially, they are copies of the first angel, but they seem to have a monstrous nature that is not powered by human-made power sources.

Asuka now has a synchronization rate of zero, and is no longer qualified to be Second Children. Commander Ikari and the Ritsuko seem to have been secretly having relationship. Shinji feels alone with no one to call friend when he meets the fifth children.The fifth reveals he is an angel and can synchronize with any Evangelion and control the rate at will. The Eva series were born of Adam. The Lilin seem to be a secret society. There are many biblical references which are presented in the anime through scientific terms. There is so much to unpack in each episode that is can be overwhelming.

The instrumentality project recognizes the fact that so many people have something missing in their hearts that only they can fill in each other. The project aims to merge the souls of humanity. The only way to survive is to become one. Other people make up parts of people’s hearts. The last episode shows an alternative universe where Asuka and Shinji are childhood friends who live together in the Ikari household, with Mr. And Mrs. Ikari. Misato is the school teacher, and Ayanami is the new transfer teacher.

Neon Genesis Evangelion pt. 1

The anime begins in 2015, a special emergency has been declared, and residents are required to evacuate. Japan is being attacked by an Angel. The artificial human Evangelion was constructed in secrecy, humanity's last trump card. It is the work of Shinji Ikari's father, who now wants him to pilot the robot.

Shinji wakes up from the battle against the Angel with no memory. Misato decides that Shinji will move in with her, instead of living alone. They have a hard time adjusting to their new living arrangements. We find out that after Shinji lost consciousness, the Eva went berserk and defeated the angel. It demonstrated high levels of skill and showed its "true form".

Shinji's classmates come to visit him after he stops showing up to school. Shinji decides to board a train and run away from home. His mental state seems to have depreciated immensely. Having the fate of humanity on his shoulders is taking a toll on Shinji. He feels a sense of duty to pilot the Eva. Shinji decides to resign from being the pilot of the Evangelion. Ultimately he decides to stay and to face his fears.

Rei Ayanami is a 14-year-old girl, the first subject chosen by the Marduk Institute. She is the designated pilot of the experimental Evagnelion subject 00. Her mental state is unusually unstable which causes unit 00 to go berserk during an activation test. Shinji becomes curious about Ayanami and why she spends all her time alone. He tries to get to know her, but she seems to have no interest in him. It seems that Ayanami really admires Commander Ikari. Similarly, Commander Ikari seems to care about Ayanami. The episode ends with the 5th Angel making an attack on Tokyo.

Overall, I don't usually enjoy watching this genre of anime. The plot seems to be repetitive as well as the fighting scenes. This anime had some really colorful animations which were enjoyable to watch. For some reason I feel like this anime has the potential for going into a weird direction.

blogforanimeclass

Aggretsuko

Aggretsuko is a slice-of-life sitcom which follows the daily antics of Retsuko. Retsuko is an anthropomorphized raccoon who works a typical office job. The conflicts in the series are rather tame especially when compared with other anime like Naruto or Sailor Moon. Typical antagonists include Retsuko’s angry boss or the social conflict of awkward interactions with coworkers. What sets Retsuko apart is her signature talent: To unwind after a long day of hard work, Retsuko likes to belt heavy metal music at her local karaoke bar.

The series likes to explore and subvert traditional gender norms. Aggretsuko herself is a subversion of the “typical” woman. She’s a petite young woman who belts heavy metal. This is in stark contrast to who Retsuko is at work: a softspoken young woman who is generally a pushover. Some characters, though, due embody gender stereotypes. Retsuko’s boss, Ton, is a chauvinist manager who makes the young women do menial tasks around the office. In the form of an anthropomorphized pig, Ton clearly represents an oppressive patriarchy that Retsuko has to work for. Retsuko’s coworker, Tsunoda, is a stereotypical woman who acts ditzy and subservient towards men.

Throughout the series, the viewer is presented with the juxtaposition between those who conform to traditional gender norms and those who do not with the latter category largely filled by Retsuko. Retsuko is constantly confronted by hallmarks of traditional “womanhood”. She is yelled at for not being competent at work, she is pressured to get married and go on dates before she is ready, and she cannot cook very well (the series itself is animated in a very cutesy, bright art style indicative of programming geared towards young girls). Naturally, these conflicts frustrate Retsuko. She expresses these frustrations in the form of her art, heavy metal singing, and this gives her control she cannot get elsewhere in her life. Her singing is her way of reclaiming the agency taken away from her by society.

All in all, I would say I recommend Aggretsuko. Retsuko is a great role model for young women in the modern age (especially when compared to Sailor Moon), and any young woman would be proud to be like her.

autoblur

I agree with your statement that Retsuko's identity in a corporate setting and outside of this setting contrasts vastly. I really like that you interpreted a juxtaposition between the conformity of gender norms and those who don't.

student816

Convention Post

I was not fortunate enough to attend Tampa's convention last month, nor have I ever been to one before, but listening to the stories told in the documentary, I feel I have gotten a better understanding of culture and society anyway!

Exploring Self-Expression, Anime Culture, and Societal Connections in "True Otaku: The Documentary"

It really shed light on how personal identity, creative passions, and societal perceptions intertwine, providing a nuanced understanding of what it means to be an otaku in contemporary society. Self-expression is huge part of identity. From how we comb our hair, wear our clothes, even our jokes...

Being able to immerse yourself completely in anime culture, conventions like this foster a sense of belonging and purpose, freeing everyone from mainstream societal norms. People are free to be who they want to be. It's a shared passion. There's really only connection and joy left.

It's unfortunate and unholy thing that the anime culture from the outside is seen as isolating and marginalized. Otaku are sometimes seen as outsiders or individuals who are disconnected from mainstream social norms. However, "True Otaku" challenges this stereotype by presenting a more nuanced perspective. It reveals how anime fans navigate societal expectations while maintaining their fandom passion.

I really appreciate how the film challenges that narrative and depicts anime culture and community as so much more than fans of anime. It explores how otaku culture intersects with broader social issues, such as mental health, identity, and the innate search for community and belonging. By providing personal anecdotes, experiences, and stories, the documentary highlights the ways in which anime and fandom offer a refuge for those who may feel marginalized or misunderstood in conventional social settings.

There's an innate collaboration aspect of Otaku I hadn't realized was there before. "True Otaku" highlights the collaborative nature of anime fandom, where individuals come together to celebrate their shared interests through conventions, fan art, and discussions. Anime culture serves as a rich playground of creativity and community. The documentary really made it obvious just how impactful anime has been on a huge audience. There's so many ways in which anime influences and shapes lives of people who love it.

My biggest takeaway is that the collective engagement not only enriches the individual experience but also builds a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among fans. The documentary captures the enthusiasm and dedication of these communities, illustrating how anime culture fosters a space where creativity and passion are celebrated, and in no way inhibited.

Ultimately, I've seen how anime culture functions as a vehicle for self-expression, community-building, and navigating societal connections. Anime can become a beautiful, integral part of someone's identity. It's art!

autoblur

Hello!, thank you for sharing your personal experience. The sense of community which is fostered in conventions seems to be amazing. I am intrigued by your experience with "collective engagement" which builds solidarity. I agree with you that anime conventions allow self-expression.

robian

Sailor Moon

Not gonna lie, I actually enjoyed watching this show more than I thought I would and I'm a guy. I went into this thinking it was going to be as boring as the gundam anime, but Sailor Moon was a pretty interesting watch. The villains kinda reminded me of team rocket and how every episode they'd show up with a different plan.

Anyways, Sailor Moon is obviously big on girl power. I bet it's not an accident that we recently in the course read about Bishoujo. Sailor Moon is probably the most iconic Bishoujo after all. I wasn't alive in the 1990’s so don't know for sure what it was like, but I bet narratives portraying strong independent women were not as common as they are today.

Japan especially is a place where people don't tend to go outside the norm. That just makes it harder for societal views to change. In Japan, although it's getting better, it's still very common for women to be solely in charge of home duties while the man goes to work. Even in Sailor Moon, the mom is depicted as a housewife while the dad seems to be a salaryman. Sailor Moon, herself, however isn't good at sticking to society's expectations. She's not good at school, she's always late, and she eats a lot. Yet, she doesn't let that stop her from saving the world.

Sailor Moon also has a lot of comments on societal problems. The enemy often makes use of these problems in order to gain energy for their lord. Some of the biggest problems they pointed out were the expectation of women to always be thin and beautiful, the problem of kids being pressured too much over studying, and consumerism. These issues have even continued to persist until today. Sailor Moon, although disguised as a children's show, made a lot of comments on society. Society is hard to change, but the easiest way to do it is through new generations. Media such as Sailor Moon paved the way for progress.

autoblur

Hello!, I agree with you about my initial concern for this anime. I don't find myself enjoying anime with villains and heroes, as they can be very repetitive and childish. However, I feel that I actually enjoyed this anime. I agree that Sailor moon makes a lot of social commentary, which exceeded my expectations.

shadowydazecg

Wandering Son

This anime depicts a male child named Shuichi Nitori who wants to be a girl, and Shuichi's friend Yoshino Takatsuki, a female child who wants to be a boy. The anime follows these two characters as they enter their first year of junior high school while dealing with their internal struggles with their gender identity.

I want to talk about opening up about their gender identity crisis. Shuichi and Yoshino tell their family about how they feel about their gender. Yoshino deals with her own set of family expectations, while Shuichi struggles with his family over his wish to dress and act like a girl. Their difficulties serve as a reminder of the difficulties in gaining family acceptance and the influence of cultural standards on personal identity. In Japan, where social status and family reputation are highly valued, the difficulties portrayed in "Wandering Son" are representative of broader cultural views on gender nonconformity. Globally, this situation resonates with anyone who has experienced familial or societal pressure to conform to traditional roles.

I can relate to the feeling of pressure to fit your family's expectations of you. Ever since I was a young, I was restricted from doing certain things because "it was for boys". I've seen this same scenario flipped when my little cousins were growing up. I had to play with dolls, and do girly things in order to match my family's expectations. As I got older, I started getting talks about how I should adapt to traditional feminine roles (housewife things). I didn't listen to them because I wanted to make something of myself. I don't want to rely on a man to support myself. I have many aspirations in life, one being a doctor, so adopting those traditional roles wouldn't fit in with my dreams.

I don't know if it's just me, but I kept getting confused on who is who (during the first two episodes). When Shuichi and Yoshino would be in their original form and then swap genders I would get confused. After getting to know their homes and the people they hang out with, I began to distinguish between the two. This show is very interesting, even though I was a little lost at first. I'm sure things would've made more sense if there wasn't a gap in the episodes. I've never seen an anime that touched on this kind of topic, so it's very refreshing.

autoblur

Hello!, Thank you for sharing your own experience about feeling pressured to fit in your family's expectations. I was raised in a very patriarchial culture which also percieved certain traits to be masculine and femine. I also was confused about the characters in the anime. When writing my blog post, I wasn't sure about how to refer to them. Overall, I find that my thought align with yours.

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