Iteration of a Phoenix

[nicky62]

Death Note - Individual vs Societal Justice

Personally when I realized we were going to be watching Death Note I was tempted to skip the anime and watch the live action adaptation, and then just compare my thoughts with the thoughts of those who watched the anime. I decided against it, because I’ve seen the movie before and honestly, it is painfully cringeworthy. I guess the producers thought a flashy reboot would save a story that doesn’t translate well to a two-hour format.

So I just watched the recommended episodes and found that a major theme is developed in the cat-and-mouse game between Light and L. Throughout the anime we see the growing conflict between Light and L as they play a dangerous mental game of lies and questions. It creates a constant tension in the anime as

their conflict isn't just about catching a criminal or proving who's smarter; it digs deep into the realms of individual and societal morality, justice, and power dynamics. It’s fascinating to see how both characters represent different philosophies regarding what justice truly means. 

Light Yagami, as Kira, embodies a sort of self-appointed god complex where he believes he has the right to judge who deserves to live or die. His sense of justice is incredibly personal and subjective, showcasing how power can corrupt even the noblest intentions. On the other hand, L represents a more systemic approach to justice, relying on rules, logic, and due process. This clash creates not just a battle of intellect, but also raises questions about the ethics of vigilantism versus institutional law.

Throughout the series, as Light and L engage in their dangerous mental game filled with lies and manipulative strategies, the tension becomes almost palpable. Every episode leaves you on the edge of your seat, wondering who will come out on top. Their interactions are so thrilling that you can practically feel the stakes rising with every new twist and turn. It’s this constant push and pull that makes Death Note, in my opinion, not just an engaging story, but also a deep reflection on justice in society.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I really enjoy how you brought up the cat-and-mouse dynamic that the two share. I feel like this is such a vital and important part of the story as it provides a tale to really follow. You have the two equal counterparts fighting each other in a battle of wits. I think you mentioning this competition as a type of theme is fascinating and I can't disagree with that. I think it is so important that calling it a theme is the only correct manner to describe it.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Death Note - Episodes 1, 2, 5, 10, and 11

Death Note is a modern anime which is widely known and extraordinarily popular. There is many memes and jokes also present within the realm of this series, that being said it is an extraordinarily deep and heavy story which is told about Light and L. At least, through the 1st season (which is all I really care about, no hate towards Near, I just strongly prefer the L storyline).

The main plot of Death Note follows Light after he receives the book and then his usage of it in order to try and make an ideal world. He uses it to kill criminals, then later anyone he considers to be a threat to this new world he is designing. The psychology of this is fascinating because you are watching a character who truly believes they are doing the right thing fall deeper and deeper into a chasm of being corrupt. He truly believes that he is in the right, even up to the end. He thinks that this new world will be the best because he is in the right, he is intelligent enough in order to be correct about this. His only challenger, L, is someone he even eventually overcomes. This shows that his greatest competition is gone in the end. Which provides deeper evidence for him that he is the smartest and knows what is best for the world. It helps him develop a god complex, he even states that he will be the "God of the New World." He has no qualms with this idea and begins to not even look past what is actually going on with him. He sinks further and further into a state of destruction. He thinks becoming Kira was a stroke of amazing luck while the viewer sees that it was his greatest misfortune. As in the end he loses everything that he had hoped to gain.

The vigilante justice he serves goes to show the core problem with the idea of vigilantism. The idea that eventually one will take it too far, it's why there is a core problem when there is no judge, jury, and executioner. The moment someone becomes all three, it is them playing god. Something no man has any right to do. Even if he were able to maintain a fair world, who is to say the next person would too. This goes to show the inherent flaw with that system.

I love this anime and manga. I feel like Death Note is a right of passage in many ways. While I do enjoy all of the memes, I find myself favoring the story far more. I think following Light, who is undoubtedly the villain, was an amazing design mechanic of the story. Having heroic antagonists was possibly the best decision of this anime

This has been an amazing semester and I am so happy to have gotten to review and watch all of these anime. This is Iteration of a Phoenix signing off.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Eps. 2, 22, 25, 30, 54)

From watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, I can see one universal theme: the cost of trying to reshape the world and the emotional consequences of facing what's been lost along the way. The underlying trauma facing the main characters sets everything in motion for this anime: the failed resurrection of the Elric brothers’ mother. This failure serves as a metaphor for the dangers of trying to control what we fully don't understand, and this cost isn't just physical. Ed and Al are haunted by the guilt and grief not only for themselves but disturbing a natural order they now know can’t be broken without irreversible consequences. This theme continues with the discovery of how power and ambition can destroy entire lives, like in the Ishvalan genocide.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood resonates far beyond mere fantasy; it interrogates the systems that enable loss and regret. Focusing on the real world, these themes echo in the world from government-led war crimes to the manipulation of truth for control, particularly in societies still wrestling with colonial violence, systemic racism, and unchecked authority.

Yet, even in the darkest moments of these episodes, there's still a part for empathy. Not choosing violence becomes a radical act of resistance against an endless cycle of vengeance.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I really like how you brought up the empathy which is shown throughout the anime. This is because I feel like the importance of how not choosing violence sometimes is overlooked or played down. The stopping of a cycle. In FMA:B, I did not feel this way and I feel like you mentioning this is important. Specifically because it continues to delve into the more human aspect of things within the anime.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Episodes 2, 22, 25, 30, and 54

As a choice for one of the anime that we got to pick, this was a very interesting choice. Not because there wasn't a lot to gather within the anime, but instead because I felt like it fit the total theme of the semester very well. The Elric brothers were extraordinarily interesting to watch and follow. While I have not seen the whole anime before, I have seen parts of it throughout the entirety of my childhood. With that being said, looking at it with a critical lens, seeing the affect the war had on the veterans and viewing it from the next generation was extraordinarily interesting. This is because I felt like it made there be a more rounded view on what I was watching. This is because it provided me with a view on what was going on within the world, while also showing an aspect of the past. The characters were focused upon their own goal in the landscape of a land which had suffered greatly, due to this, the amalgamation of the different pieces was honestly breathtaking. I feel like looking at the situation from the generation who had now taken the land shows the idea of continuation of time. No matter what, things continue to move on, this is a fact which is oftentimes forgotten or ignored, yet within FMA:B, I feel like this is at a forefront of what is being shown. With a world of the past and younger protagonists for the future.

This show does take itself seriously, but in the best way possible. This is because it allows for the serious scape of the world to be viewed and for the deep development of what has happened to be viewed by the audience. I am aware of the older Fullmetal Alchemist show. I personally have never seen it, but I have heard good things about it. I personally wonder whether watching it would make me appreciate this anime more. While I do know there is changes that have been made, I feel as though seeing it from an earlier perspective might be really fascinating and provide an even deeper context.

I enjoyed watching these episodes, though I would have preferred to watch more of the earlier episodes because I felt really disjointed on what we saw. It did make me want to completely restart the anime however, which was a nice thing to be entirely truthful.

[nicky62]

Akire - Contrasting endings

Akira is undoubtedly one of my favorite anime, not only because my dad introduced it to me but also due to its captivating story and stunning visuals. The movie is a hallmark of the cyberpunk genre and has left an indelible mark on the anime landscape since its release. It is a really good anime that explores themes such as power, rebellion, and the implications of technology on human existence. However, what was most interesting to me is the ending of the film, which contrasts sharply with its original manga source material. 

When I first watched Akira, I was completely unaware that it was based on a manga series created by Katsuhiro Otomo. I simply enjoyed watching the anime, and never thought to actually explore the story and its origins. Once I learned about the manga and started reading it, I was struck by how different it was from the anime adaptation. The manga obviously delves deeper into the characters and has more time to workout and explore the themes, offering a richer story overall. In particular, there is a notable amount of content that the anime omitted, some of which plays a significant role in the overall arc of the story. However, I believe that the decisions made in the adaptation were largely for the best, given the constraints of the movie, the need for a more streamlined narrative, and the dark content of the omitted material. Focusing on the movie's ending, I find it to be a more optimistic conclusion to Tetsuo's arc compared to what is presented in the manga. In the anime, the climactic moments see Tetsuo, alongside Akira and the other Espers, transcending their destined paths to leave behind their chaotic reality. This suggests a sense of hope and renewal—the idea that despite chaos and destruction, there is potential for rebirth and a new beginning. Conversely, in the manga, Tetsuo meets a starkly more dismal fate; he is destroyed rather than saved, illustrating a pessimistic outlook on the impact of youthful rebellion against systemic injustices.

 These contrasting endings provoke thought about the nature of growth and consequence. The anime’s optimistic resolution suggests that transformation can emerge from turmoil, embodying hope in the face of adversity. On the other hand, the manga highlights the tragic potential outcomes of rebellion when ideals clash with harsh realities. This duality in endings serves as a great commentary on the struggles faced by youth in a society plagued by injustice, ultimately reflecting the complex nature of human experience through these narratives. Both versions offer valuable insights, making Akira a masterpiece worth exploring in both forms.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I feel like the connection to growth and the amount this anime affected the landscape of modern culture is fascinating. This is because I think it is one of those anime everyone kind of recognizes the name of, or references pretty often, without realizing just what they are looking at or talking about.

I really appreciated your words and connection that you brought to the ideas placed within the anime as I feel like since you have seen it before you definitely got it a bit better than I did.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Akira

Akira is an anime for 1988 which is honestly a landmark for all of anime. It's popularity globally has set it to be one of the most well-known anime films of all time. I had not seen it before we watched it for class and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I could see aspects of it which are mirrored in anime today, not to mention the bike slide, which after some research I found out it was originally from Akira. What I found so fascinating about this film was the dystopian cyberpunk world it took place in. It was not unique to what I have seen now, but at the time in which it came out it would have been entirely different and something honestly completely new. To me, this added to my enjoyment watching the film as it made me feel as though I was watching a small piece of cinematic history.

I feel like there is a lot of places you can go with the themes within Akira. I would like to quickly discuss the connection I felt it held to some of the other anime to which we watched. Most notably Psycho-Pass. While these two anime are very different, I felt a lot of similarities between the two of them. Not to mention I feel as though the world which the story took place in was somewhat similar. I feel as you could feel some aspects of Psycho-Pass which might have been taken from Akira. On top of this, the society to which they are placed in and the conclusion reminded me of Neon Genesis Evangelion. This anime was also released after Akira, which once again points to the idea that perhaps other shows to ideas from it and used it in its development. My point in saying all of this, I feel like this anime has had a profound effect on modern day society, more so than any other anime we have watched. I can name so many other shows which reference or pay a nod to Akira. For instance, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds is literally a world which ride bikes to play Duel Monsters and they have the Akira Slide and a few other aspects present within it.

Overall, it was nice to finally see this anime.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Sensōron

Yoshinori Kobayashi’s Sensōron is a particularly weird read, considering how controversial it is. This manga reimagines Japan's role in World War II through a nationalistic and revisionist lens, and the author attempts to position Japan not as a villainous aggressor but as a noble, misunderstood power trying to defend its sovereignty. Although this manga has sparked controversy due to its downplaying of war crimes, such as the Rape of Nanjing, and its squeaky clean version of history, it does offer a very important view of how historical memory, national identity, and war is malleable; it can be shaped and reshaped overtime.

In Ernest Gellner's A Short History of Mankind, it can be seen how Gellner demonstrates that nationalism arises not from ye olden times of a country, but from demands of the modern, industrial society. In that sense, Kobayashi's work is less of a historical analysis and more of a reflection on current cultural anxieties in Japan. Sensōron seeks to shape national identity in the present by bringing a sense of unity during a time when many may feel morally unsure about their nation.

A certain chapter I'd like to bring up is where Kobayashi critiques and attempts to debunk well-known antiwar photographs, where he argues that some of these photos are misleading, edited, or staged. He explains that these images were used as tools to push a masochistic narrative of Japanese history, where Japan is always portrayed as the villains, even in Japanese textbooks. Attempting to question these images, the author of Sensōron tries to break the guilt and shame that many Japanese felt postwar. Tying this with Geller's article, Kobayashi isn’t just challenging specific images; he’s questioning an entire version of history that, in his view, weakens national pride. Kobayashi tries to create a different national story, one where Japan is not just a defeated empire but a misunderstood power that is of high honor.

Globally speaking, this revisionist trend is seen in other countries, even the United States. Various states over the years have softened talks about slavery and overall racism in the United States, omitting many key details about the Jim Crow era of the U.S., Native American genocide and Manifest Destiny, Japanese-American internment camps, and even the Vietnam War. But, that's what this manga is about; it was created to reclaim a version of history that restores pride and meaning to a national story that many feel as if it has been overshadowed by guilt. Kobayashi seeks to replace narratives of victimhood with those of honor and sacrifice. Sensōron really shows a global struggle over memory, where the trauma of those who died and experienced war and other traumatic events are continuously reinterpretended for the sake of the present and the overall presentation of a nation.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I love how you discussed the malleability of history and war. It is said that a war is told by its victors and I think this manga is a perfect representation of that. It shows how it might have been viewed if the war had gone differently and if different propaganda was spread. On top of this, it shows how the different ways we view the same event come into play. Evidence might show what really happened, but people will believe what it shows dependent on what evidence they are given in order to design an opinion off of.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Sensōron - Kobayashi

Sensōron was the only manga that we read throughout the entirety of the semester. It was provided to us with the knowledge that it was a very Japanese right wing source of commentary on World War II. That being said, the warning which was provided to me definitely did not do what I witnessed justice. I felt so out of the world as I read it. This is because it just seemed crazy to me the ideas which were being put out. It put me off the manga as a whole. While I did try my best to regain some sort of mental footing, I just couldn't really do it. This was in part due to not wanting to accept the idea of history being edited so deeply (though I do know this is something which happens more often that we would like it to), but also because I felt like it was just very absurd as a whole. Now as I write this piece analysing the media to which I was given, I see a bit more clearly what I think I was meant to.

The point of Sensōron was to provide a different commentary that did not paint the Japanese in such a bad light, by providing contradictory evidence to what was being said about the horrific actions of the Japanese actions. It was not made to necessarily justify, but instead to show a different idea of what really happened. This is because they don't want to acknowledge what they did. For that paints them in a bad light. It is like trying to forget something ill that one did within the past in order to make themselves feel better. While this is a goal that I feel like many can sympathize with. Ignoring history is a one-way ticket for it to repeat itself. Which I think, in part, is why this manga bothered me so much. It is important to accept the faults where they are so that we can move forward, if for no other reason than to stop them from happening once again. For, it shows a lesson learned. One so important that we can't but hope that it is not repeated again.

[difanime]

Your Name Foucault - "Method"

This anime has always been known for its stunning animation, but after watching it closely this time, I began to feel how much it quietly expresses emotion through absence and silence. At first, the story felt like a romantic mystery. Taki and Mitsuha keep waking up in each other’s bodies, writing notes to one another as they try to live each other’s lives. They never meet in person, yet somehow their feelings grow stronger. They share memories, but not all at once. They are connected by emotion, but not always by time. The anime never forces an explanation on us. Instead, it builds meaning through gestures and moments.

What made this story feel deeper is the way it ties personal memory to collective loss. When the characters learn about the comet disaster, the tension shifts from romantic confusion to a race against time. Mitsuha’s whole town is in danger. Taki tries to save people he cannot even remember. Even though the story uses magical realism, it reflects something very real. This is a story about remembering those who are forgotten. About holding on to what matters, even when you are not sure why it matters. It is also about the quiet spaces between people, where love and care can form without words.

Foucault talks about power not as a single structure, but as something that is everywhere, hidden inside ordinary relationships. I thought about this while watching the way Mitsuha’s life is shaped by tradition, family, and gender expectations. Her choices are watched closely. Her actions are tied to her role as a daughter and a shrine maiden. Meanwhile, Taki is shaped by a different set of expectations in the city. Neither of them is completely free, but their connection lets them see the world differently. They help each other break away, not through rebellion, but through mutual care.

This anime never directly critiques society. It never raises its voice. Yet it still questions the systems that determine who we remember and who we forget. The body-switching is not just for laughs. It becomes a way to imagine empathy, to experience someone else’s world without explanation. It shows how power works quietly through memory, emotion, and relationships. The comet is not just a disaster. It is a metaphor for what disappears when people are not seen. The final message is not about changing history, but about carrying forward what we almost lost.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I didn't bring up the animation within my own post, but I absolutely agree. It was honestly so stunning and beautiful. It really did add to the whole of the story, too. Because how else to tell such a bittersweet tale than through frames which provide such deep emotion.

I also find myself agreeing with what you stated to be the final message of the movie. While they did change history, I feel like that was merely the backdrop for all of the emotion which is brought forth within the film.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Your Name

Your Name is honestly such a beautiful story and anime movie. I truly enjoyed watching it and it definitely didn't disappoint. Before this class I had never seen the film before, it had always been on watchlists of mine due to all of the positive things I have heard about it, but I never have sat down to really watch it. Due to this fact, I was super excited for it to be on our watchlist this semester. It went above and beyond the expectations to which I had set for it when I started.

I found the story to be beautiful and I felt like there was such a deep and beautiful message about personal connection to be viewed from the film. I feel like you could easily discuss what the two of them are able to do within each others bodies and the personal connections they were able to make for hours. The fact that the upbringings that they both had helped them to thrive within each others lives was fascinating. It shows how different skills which are cultivated can be used in many different positions. I feel like it also goes to show that sometimes a different perspective is all that it takes in order to really solve problems. While I did notice all of these features deeply, I truly was most affected by the fact of the presence they had on one another's lives even when they didn't remember each other. To me, this was just such a powerful thing to include within the movie. It showed the depth and importance their relationship with one another was. It also showed the complexity of human relationships. It shows that everyone who comes up within your life has an effect on you. With that being said, it is important to note that you might not remember these people. For most individuals, most people are but blips of importance within their lives. Even though I feel like the protagonists are more than just blips for each other within Your Name, I still feel like the point stands due to the fact that they do not remember each other. It shows such an amazing aspect of the human condition to change and be affected by things which aren't wholly present within your current lives.

Overall, I would give this movie a 10/10. It was honestly an amazing watch and I plan to show it to my parents over the summer because I feel like my mom will really enjoy this film.

[tayonpa]

Hetalia Axis Powers

Although I’ve never watched this series, I remember hearing so much about it back when Hetalia Axis Power was an internet sensation. I know that I never really fed into the fan culture surrounding it/ never looked into the series itself, but I definitely remember seeing like old YouTube shorts popping up about it (lol). Either way, whenever I realized what this series actually was, I became very curious as to what the old hype was about. 

Continuing on with that, I would say that over-hyped is almost an understatement for this series. In my opinion, unless you are a history buff who is particularly interested in the humor being explored, there isn’t much to be seen here. Besides the fun personifications of the different nations, there isn’t a real story going on here. In fact, the only real plot comes from comedic historic retellings, which are so fast-paced that it feels like you’re just being tossed around. 

With this in mind, it makes me wonder why exactly this series was so popular in the first place. To make sense of this, we have to look at what exactly is being presented to us. As mentioned by Annett in her writing, this series projects several moe elements that relate back to our discussions of database consumption. This concept is a perfect explanation for this series popularity, as it is riddled with various moe elements. First, we see what we mentioned before, that there is a historical background for this series. This makes it so that anyone who is interested in history/historical fiction, automatically has a larger draw to the series. Moving on from this, we also see certain character dynamics that are popular. For example, there is a large yaoi/BL undertone with this series, which has always been a popular form of anime/manga (particularly for young women). What’s more, the different nations/characters have symbolic personalities that may or may not create a sense of connection with viewers. 

Overall,  I honestly don’t think that there is much to this series, but it was definitely an interesting watch!

[iterationofaphoenix]

I found your view to be really fascinating. I grew up in a very historically conscious house. Both of my parents were history teachers earlier in their lives. With that being said, that deep history knowledge was already very ingrained in me. Thus, I already had that basic love/knowledge to really enjoy this anime. The fact that you didn't as much due to the difference in this knowledge draws me to a big point that different medias will have different effects for other people. Thank you so much for providing your view.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Hetalia Axis Powers - Episodes 1-19

Hetalia Axis Powers is a fascinating anime which discusses world politics on a stage designed wholly off of irony and satire. The entire point of the anime is to draw attention to the stupidity that is politics at the world stage. This is done through stereotypes, jokes, and comical situations between the different countries who are all played by anime boys. This is not the first time that I have watched Hetalia. I originally watched this anime years ago because I had heard of it's humor many different times in the past. This time looking at the anime from the lens provided within this class I was fascinated to see the differences to which I saw within the anime. I felt like it almost made it funnier, as it brought a deeper meaning into the different aspects of the anime to which I was watching. I understood before it was satire, but instead of it being used for a quick laugh, it truly did exist to bring home the deep point within the anime.

Hetalia has many different themes which I feel like you could draw from it, such as stereotypes, but I feel like it is important to focus in on the main point and idea that exists within it; world relations. Not only does it paint them as a bit absurd, but it also shows them through stereotypes. This makes everything go on seem childish, as a bunch of stereotypical anime boys arguing about problems as though they happen on a playground might come off as menial. This in turn, causes these large issues (usually surrounding World War II) come off as unimportant or stupid. It is important to note here that Hetalia is not trying to make these issues less important, but instead providing a backdrop so absurd that its clear the global politics which surround these issues to be over-the-top. This is vital to discuss because otherwise it might seem as though this anime is very inappropriate with its handling of sensitive subjects. That is an important aspect of satire, however, because without this piece, it isn't as effective. This anime is trying to show that the political aspect is so stupid in comparison to what is actually going on within the anime.

[clnme]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Cutscenes)

This time, we were told to view the cutscenes from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in the context of the reading, Drama of the Anthropocene, which focuses heavily on environmentalist topics. The part that relates shows up at the very end, where it is revealed that the person that created the world that the the main characters live in was actually a human. This person recognized the same problem that was acknowledged in Drama of the Anthtropocene, which was that humans have greatly damaged the Earth that they relied on, and begun to even damage the skies. As a solution, he essentially completely remade the world to allow it to repair itself.

Even after this solution, the problem still persists in a somewhat different form. All throughout the game, we are shown that humans live on Titans, which are a part of this new nature, and that these Titans are slowly dying out as a result of human activity. Some of the main antagonists are motivated by this fact that humans are causing harm, and wish to exterminate the humans as the most straightforward solution.

I wasn't really able to get much out of the cutscenes we were assigned since we skipped around a lot, so those are pretty much the main things I observed. Overall, I think that the game argues multiple environmentalist points, such as that the way we approach our usage of natural resources is very flawed, and that humans may always repeat destructive patterns. When comparing the new world that the game takes place in and the ancient world which was overwritten, it is evident that the problem is cyclic in nature.

I also thought that the fact that the blades, unlike humans, were cursed to live forever but also forget their past, was pretty interesting. I don't really know how to relate it to anything though, but I bet it connects to some sort of meaning.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I definitely can see what you mean by all of that! I know the game so I was able to glean more from it from that, but when going through what was just assigned, I didn't feel like you got a good picture of who Rex or any of the other characters were. Not to mention you just simply didn't meet everybody really. Overall, though I think you definitely hit the target with the discussion of the environment. It was definitely a big deal, to do with the Titans and everything within the anime.

Also, the comment on the Blades is very cool. I find the ideas and intersection of death vs life, memories vs forgetting, to be a really interesting discussion piece.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

This was an extraordinary game to get to go through and watch the cutscenes of. Also, just an extraordinary game in general. I definitely recommend playing or simply watching all of the cutscenes, because the story as a whole is really quite fantastic, and there is some characters you don't really even get to know or meet with the part that we were required to watch. So, just note that there is so much more than just what we quickly went through. Definitely my favorite thing we have covered so far within this class.

I feel like there is so many places to go with this game, there is a post-apocalyptic world to discuss as well as so many different interpersonal themes spurted throughout. So that this post does not get too long, I have decided to talk about two main aspects in two different paragraphs. First will be the world and second will be the characters.

The world of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a postapocalyptic world in which mankind lives on the backs of giant creatures named titans. It is during the setting of this game that the Titans have begun to die off, leading the world to a sense of desperation, at least from the perspective of Rex. This leads him to want to explore and discover Elysium so that he can provide safety and a utopia to the people who all live in Alrest. Elysium means ideal happiness. So, it is important to note that even the creator is calling this location a place worthy of a utopia. As you watch the story unfold things get a lot darker and you learn that Alrest is the aftermath of a destructive event which destroyed Old Earth, or as it is called the Land of Morytha. This world that was destroyed looks exactly like ours. This shows a direct connection between the real and fantasy provided within the story of this game. It is also important to note the destructive nature of mankind, the Anthropocene which is seen within the game itself. This connects to our article, which discussed the changes that us humans are capable of making. I bring this all up and together with the note of how many different aspects there are to this world. Living off the backs of Titans could be equated to the need humans have on so many different nonrenewable resources and each other. It also could be used to show the importance of life and an ecosystem. The destruction of Earth as we know it can show either the hubris of mankind and man trying to play god. There is also discussion of the cyclical nature that humans live within, always repeating past mistakes. That being said, Rex, is shown to help break free from this. Which could be attributed to either destiny or free will depending on how you read the story. Regardless, the world of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 develops so many themes in such an exemplary manner.

Now to discuss the characters. Most notably, I'd like to talk about Rex. He is such a fascinating main character. This is because at the offset he seems like generic shonen protagonist no.1. That is quickly dissuaded, at least from my view, as we watch him on his journey. This is because the way he views the world is idealistic in a manner which I do not feel fits a common protagonist. This is because he sees the world being destroyed and instead of the usual heroes journey, he takes smaller steps in helping himself and others out. He does have the main quest, but I never felt like his goal was simply that. He cared a lot about Pyra, worked towards her goal. Even though they were aligned, I never felt like he would have done anything differently if they weren't. In this manner, he was very down-to-earth. He worked towards what he was able to solve, then followed through on that. He knew bad things were happening and got thrown into the middle of it, but it wasn't in a manner which a protagonist usually follows. It was much more in the method of simply doing things for the smaller purpose. That isn't to say he wouldn't have gone to find Elysium on his own, just more so that he was about the present, not the future in a lot of ways. In a good way. Now, I could also go deep into the meanings of Pyra/Mythra, their duality and connection with Malos, but that is a lot. So, I will leave that discussion for another time.

Overall, such a fascinating story which was executed very well. Definitely recommend and will look through the game again.

[luigi-schia]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

I didn't really register the name I read when I was looking at the author of the movie in the class syllabus. This is one of the more unknown Miyazaki films, at least to my knowledge because I have never heard of this movie, nor have I heard anyone talk about it or anything that could potentially resemble it. Looking forward, with our next entry being Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (A great game I recommend everyone play or at the very least listen to the soundtrack off) I think the next sort of "unit" we are going to talk about has to do with the environment or climate change or something related to it. In Xenoblade the amount of "livable" land is slowly running out, and obviously with this anime they are in a apocalyptic world where humans are confined to live in small pockets of air, whilst the outside is toxic and harmful. Though Nausicaa is unique in this regard because she looks at the toxic environment as something to be examined and to be studied, not something to be destroyed. I think this idea is also something that can be read as a message about climate change. The increasing global temperature and the destructions of the ozone isn't something we can beat by just throwing ourselves at it, its something that needs a whole lot of brain power and analysis to fix. Its something you need to study and something you need to attack strategically. Nausicaas character is meant to contrast the intial human instinct to hate and fear anything we don't understand, to persecute it and drive it off. Instead if you study it, or get to know it, you realize its not so bad.

[iterationofaphoenix]

I really liked what you discussed within this anime. I definitely saw the connections which were made that you brought up between Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and it. I like how you delved into her character a bunch. I didn't really take that closer look, and just paid attention to how the world got this way, not the answers to how she was acting in this world. That was a super important aspect, and I feel like you covered it very well.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

This is an anime about the trials and problems within the environment and hubris of mankind. It was an extraordinarily interesting anime to watch. This was in part because of the discourse, but also because I found a lot of the graphics to be very stylistically beautiful. I think it was a really nice switch from the topics we have been talking about as of late. I do see the connections that can be made, such as the world facing so many troubles due to mankind, but at the same time, I felt like the way it viewed and discussed the environment made it very unique to other anime that we have watched within the semester.

I feel like the theme I would really like to dive into is the hubris of mankind. Specifically, the fact that it always seems that people believe that nothing bad will come or the actions will not lead to major consequences. This anime directly combats those ideas. This is because it shows the world from a point in which mankind has already screwed up, and now the trials and tribulations which come with that have to be discussed. On top of this, I think it is important to note that the idea of being invulnerable is something to which everybody goes through at a point in time. It is seen as a common part of development within the human brain. The difference is that most people outgrow it, and continue to live and move past it. The rational side of the brain takes over. That being said, sometimes rationality is ignored for personal gain or ignorance. I feel like the world within this anime is a direct consequence of both of those things. Regardless, it is important to note that this all was caused by the idiocy of the people within the society.

Overall, I did enjoy the anime, but I almost wish I didn't have to watch it for class because I feel like I would have enjoyed it a lot more and gotten so much more out of what it was that I was watching.

[iterationofaphoenix]

Swampcon

I went to Swampcon and it was extraordinarily fascinating to watch the machinations of a wide intersection of fandom. It was cool to see a mix of artists, performers, vendors, and fans. It was a collection of people who might not have anything to do with one another during their daily lives, yet all came together for a singular event, which was Swampcon. It was very cool to see the many different costumes that people wore. There were varied levels of effort and skill visible within the different costumes, but with that being said, the people clearly still had a passion for what they were doing and dressed up as. Within the class we have been talking about all of these different societal issues, one section which discussed fandom and fan culture. This one in particular was very fascinating, as it talked about Otaku culture and how it is often seen as a negative thing. But, within that space of Swampcon, nothing like this was noticeable. It was very clear that everyone there was willing to embrace their nerdy and geeky side. On top of this, I felt like a convention like this is a perfect time to discuss the fascinating nature of how data collection and analysis works within fan spaces. This is to do with the fact that it is much more categorical and less story-based. This was very noticeable in a couple situations, but most notably how people face their fandom from a particular section or idea. So, you can discuss only a single character or person, and ignore a lot of other aspects. It is a positive and a negative, but within Swampcon, it helped bridge many gaps. I spoke to one exhibitor about their art, which led into a conversation about an artist for a comic that we both enjoyed, which was fascinating. But, we specifically in that conversation discussed a singular character in one scene and iteration. We tore them away from the rest of the show and ignored a lot of character growth and development to discuss this. Which is a perfect example of the idea that knowledge collection in fandom is much more about specific facts than an entire storyline.

Another very fascinating thing about Swampcon was that I attended with my friends and that made it way more fun. It allowed us to get to know each other even better because we were in an environment filled to the brim with subjects that are oftentimes treated in a manner that is negative. So, Swampcon provided an opportunity for me to see the community aspect of fandom which for me is oftentimes ignored. 

The last piece I would really like to bring up has to do with an acting troupe who roleplays that I spoke to. This was really fascinating to me because I never really think about LARPing a lot, not because I don’t know it exists, but my head usually goes straight to fantasy roleplay and battles. This was a group who acted as individuals from the Ouran High School Host Club. It was really interesting to speak to people who had such a deep love of this anime. On top of seeing this deep love, it was fascinating because this wasn’t something which I thought would be at a small convention, yet it was. This showed me that small sects of people are everywhere who really enjoy this type of stuff. That was a big deal to me because although I have been to Megacon more than a few times, seeing such love at a small convention was really cool. Overall, I had an amazing time there.