JPT1311

silly things

[petermcdaniels]

Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers / sensōron

First things first, I loved the animation in Your Name and it was visually pleasing with how smooth and detailed everything was. Although I wasn’t a big fan of Hetalia: Axis Powers, there were still important notes to take from it. I loved Sensōron and the lesson behind it.

In Your Name the beauty of traditional practices and costumes are shown. I want to point out how as Mitsuha does her traditional dances, her classmates were making comments about her. Thus, Mitsuha feels embarrassed to do these dances and makes her dislike for these practices stronger. Mitsuha’s classmates fit more of the city-like mindset that don’t practice these traditions as much anymore. I think the creators of Your Name made the trip from the city to the country or the country to the city complex. Taki needing someone to cover his shift and taking long hours of train to get to the country shows not only the physical difference but the journey to different lifestyles. 

Hetalia: Axis Powers was an interesting anime and I did find some of the stereotypes funny when they would talk about Italy and Germany. Although these stereotypes can be laughed at, it also might put stereotypes on countries others never knew. Perhaps new ones that viewers have never noticed or even knew were stereotypes. I also think that this anime might make it hard for people that are not so familiar with world history to understand what is satire and what truthfully took place.

Finally, Senōron was an amazing manga and extremely convincing. After watching the lecture and getting educated that the evidence was cherry-picked, it shocks me how people can be so skilled in convincing others through manga. Using pathos, ethos, and logos, Kobayashi sounded like he was the only truth. Without any background knowledge, Kobayashi could fool anyone. 

I loved all the anime and I'm very thankful to have taken this class. Thank you so much and expanding my bubble of knowledge!

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

I loved reading your analysis and thoughts about the two anime and manga for this week. I personally enjoyed how you mentioned the long journey in order to reach the different lifestyles that the two had to take in order to meet each other, as this is a unique interpretation that I would not have thought of. Additionally, you mention that Mitsuha’s classmates have a city-like mindset that pressures Mitsuha and causes her to further dislike her traditional practices, wishing for city life instead. This is a great point to bring attention to. 

Then for Hetalia: Axis Powers, I also agree with what you mention that the anime was hard to understand for people who are not as familiar with world history, as the anime took history and caricatured it along with stereotypes to add comedic value. Except, the caricature and stereotypes might not have even been known by the audience making it lose its intended value. 

I also had a similar experience when reading Senoron as you, the manga is a unique read that utilizes as many tools as possible to change people’s minds for the worse. The usage of cherry picking but also visual rhetoric in order to convince people is a powerful skill that Kobayashi takes advantage of, as the skills he used could easily be used by anyone in the same way on the other end of the conversation.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers / Sensoron: Module 11

Throughout Your Name, the power dynamics attached to sex is shown through the anime. The secondary part of the film presents the issue more evidently but Mitsuha’s initial statement wishing she was a man in an entirely opposite environment than she was represents an issue that many people of the female sex may face. Mitsuha yells this sentiment because of the power dynamics placed onto sex, causing her to wish she was on the opposite side of the power spectrum. This is a prevalent issue today where people feel disheartened by situations that are based on bias and or sexism, placing a priority or superiority with males. This is where Your Name does a good job representing the issues of power dynamics associated with sex. By how people are reluctant to listen to Mitsuha when she is trying to protect the people of Itomori from disaster. This is a real world issue that many women have, where they are not taken as seriously because they are a woman. I feel as though if it was Taki trying to convince the people of Itomori then there would not have been as much friction between the people and Taki. Aside from the issues of sex and power dynamics associated with gender, Your Name also presents an unrest from the younger generation that is prevalent in today's world. Mitsuha’s resentment for the life that she was born in due to the cultural pressures and or expectations on her that is colliding with her desire to become part of society. Mitsuha residing in the rural village in a way is similar to how some people in America who live in the suburbs and or rural areas dream of places like New York, the prime of society. Mitsuha from Your Name reminds me of this sentiment. 

Then Hetalia and Sensoron represent the fine line of caricature, stereotypes, and the extent of rhetoric. Both the anime and manga provide caricature as a way to poke fun at an idea, however both take a different approach to caricature to portray story. Sensoron represents the issue with media and pushing peoples opinion to an idea that is not exactly factual, but persuading people to view a group in a more negative light. Hetalia utilizes caricature to bridge connections and provide comedic relief to a topic that has lots of political tension attached to it. Both represent the issues with how rhetoric is used globally, in how it can manipulate or sooth popular opinion. Another thing to mention is that in Hetalia, all the characters were male, a subtle detail that gives some perspective of what the ideal representation of each country was.

[dapaucar-deactivated20250819]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind / Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Thoughts

Words can’t begin to describe how I felt after watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 cutscenes. Both offered incredibly unique settings with beautiful environments. While both are set in worlds that had been previously ravaged by some apocalyptic event, each offers a unique story of living in that post-apocalyptic world.

In Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the apocalyptic event left the world in ruin, now covered by a toxic jungle. Throughout the story, we witness the conflict between the Empire of Tolmekia and Nausicaä. The Empire of Tolmekia wants to conquer nature and use an ancient bioweapon to clear the toxic jungle while Nausicaä attempts to stop them. The Empire of Tolmekia's primary goal is to conquer nature, seeing nature as the issue, and using technology as its replacement. They parallel the real-life idea of technological advancement as a way to make humanity no longer dependent on nature. As a species, we have slowly become the most powerful species. We use our intellect to solve problems that other animals just can’t. If there has been one thing humanity has yet to conquer on Earth, it is nature. We have built structures like roads and giant cities that break through nature. Yet still to this day, we have to contend with unpredictable weather and natural disasters. Just like in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the Empire of Tolmekia tries and fails at conquering nature, showing how nature is an omnipresent force that, rather than destroying, we have to live in harmony with nature.

In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the world is also left in ruin, with humanity living now on giant titans in the Cloud Sea. In the ending of the game, a solution is created to help restore life by using the nanomachines that make up the Cloud Sea. Rather than in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, where most human technology is portrayed as going against nature and harming it, in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the solution is technology. Going back to the point about human technological advancement being used to oppose nature, some advancements have been used to help protect and rejuvenate ecosystems. Nature, while being able to fix itself, takes a long time to do so, so, like with the nanomachine in Xenoblade Chronicles 2, human efforts can be used to help accelerate natural processes that could take thousands of years.

Ultimately, both Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind provide interesting views on how humans and nature interact and coexist.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

I love how you bring up the fact how humanity has risen to the top of the food chain yet still are unable to win against nature. The Tolmekia empire in Nausicaa is a representation of how humanity tries to survive and fight off nature and natural disaster in the real world, such as from hurricanes and or earthquakes. You analysis of what Tolmekia stands for and how it shows that nature will always have its way is a unique perspective that I did not think about, but is something I do agree on. I also do like how for your analysis of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, you mention how humans have the ability to help the environment too! I do believe this is an important factor to note as humans are able to benefit but also destroy the environment, and I do believe Xenoblade does echo that fact. Overall, I enjoyed reading your analysis of the two animes for this module.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Nausicaä Valley of The Wind / Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Module 10

The anime Nausicaä Valley of The Wind represents a very prevalent issue in today's world across both Japan and the world. The conflict present in Nausicaä presents a dystopian perspective of what could happen if human society continues to hold onto instrumentalist ideas and or continue to be ignorant of the consequences for their actions. There is a growing conflict in the world where instrumentalism is taking hold as humanity continues its astronomical advances but it comes at the cost of the environment and the Earth’s wellbeing. The consequences of human actions can be seen in global warming, where the globe is slowly becoming more hot as the years go on with the possibility of becoming inhabitable in some areas. This is represented in Nausicaä by how a large majority of the world is taken over by the sea of decay, being too toxic for humans to live in. Nausicaä reminds me of the fear that comes along with the increasing record breaking temperatures every summer, acting as a reminder to remain conscious of what we humans do for the environment to avoid catastrophe like Nausicaä. Aside from Nausicaä, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 makes me think about just how far we humans can go with our technological development, to the extent that the world becomes inhabitable like in Xenoblade. The hunt to find water sources on other planets in order to find different life forms, and or start life, reminds me of how Xenoblade was forced into a situation where they seemingly are living on a separate planet than earth because of human actions. Xenoblade reminds humanity of how much human creation is too far, such as the nuclear capabilities of many countries that could instantly make the earth inhabitable, forcing humanity to try to adapt or die alongside the earth, ending the Anthropocene.

[nicholascuc]

Neon Genesis Evangelion Blog

Watching Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion was an intense and often unsettling experience. Unlike many mecha anime, it wasn't just about giant robots fighting monsters; it was a deep dive into psychological turmoil, existential dread, and the crushing weight of expectation. My initial reaction was a mix of confusion and fascination, quickly evolving into a profound sense of empathy for its characters, especially Shinji. The pervasive anxiety and the feeling of being overwhelmed by forces beyond one's control resonated strongly, creating an atmosphere unlike anything I've encountered in anime before.

The series, particularly through Shinji's struggles, addresses universal issues of mental health, self-worth, and the immense societal pressure to conform. Shinji's reluctance to pilot the Eva, his self-loathing, and his desperate search for validation feel incredibly human. This isn't just a Japanese issue; it's a global phenomenon where individuals, especially young people, grapple with expectations of strength, independence, and purpose. The anime's bleak portrayal of human connection and the fear of intimacy also speaks volumes about the challenges of forming genuine bonds in a complex world.

On a personal level, Shinji's journey, though extreme, hit home. The pressure to "perform" a certain way, to be "strong" or "useful" even when you feel anything but, is a feeling I think many can relate to. His internal monologue about wanting to be valued but struggling with the means to achieve it felt incredibly raw. It made me reflect on how external validation can become a trap when it compromises one's authentic self.

Connecting this to our readings, Shinji's "queer masculinity," as discussed in lectures, became strikingly clear. His inability to embody the "hegemonic masculinity" of aggression, competitiveness, and effortless violence, as outlined by Connell and Heasley, is central to his character. The series constantly highlights his deviation from this norm, and the societal policing he faces ("Aren't you a boy?"). The End of Evangelion particularly amplified this, offering a far more fraught vision for acceptance of his non-conforming traits compared to the TV series' more hopeful, if abstract, ending. It underscores how difficult it can be to live authentically when it challenges deeply ingrained societal expectations.

Ultimately, Evangelion is a powerful, albeit heavy, exploration of identity, trauma, and the human condition. Its willingness to delve into the uncomfortable truths of psychological struggle makes it an enduring and impactful piece of media.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Hello Nicholas,

I agree with what you said about Shinji's desperation for validation being a global phenomena. This is a universal feeling that sneaks into the minds of people alike, especially of the younger generation. I also feel as though this is also applicable to the adult population where people feel lost in their 20's. The overwhelming pressure from society to conform to what is trendy at the time can cause people to feel incompetent in their identities and or social standing, therefore impacting their ability to socialize. The shame that can come with not being part of the majority within society can be suffocating to where it can consume your entire life, that is what is seen with Shinji in the movie. Shinji allowing the shame to consume him entirely and turn into someone he is not ultimately caused him to become isolated at the end of the movie after the human completion project failed.

Overall, I agree with many of the points you bring up with the anime Evangelion.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Module 9

After watching the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion I am reminded of the issues associated with masculinity present in both Japan and globally. Within Evangelion, both sides of masculinity are represented by the characters Asuka and Shinji,where Shinji feels an existential pressure to become someone he is not. Shinji’s alienation and belittling throughout the entire anime is a representation of the internal struggle that many people across the globe struggle with, and only when Shinji conforms is he considered acceptable and praised.  I feel as though this is a prominent issue in today's society where social media and societal expectations push people to align with socially accepted gender identities. This creates an environment where people feel insufficient with their gender identities, feeling as though they are not performing their masculinity well enough; This is represented with Shinji as a reflection of internal struggles many men may feel during or after adolescence. The feeling of not being enough or feeling alienated is only being perpetuated by the growth of social media and how interconnected it makes society. The ability to peer into the lives of others creates a peer pressure, despite being in no physical proximity to another human being, to conform to a certain trend or style to become more masculine/ feminine. This is something I have seen happen to the people surrounding me, where they would scroll on people’s instagram and admire certain aesthetic features and or hobbies that person is presenting to social media and would feel the need to be more skinny and or become more muscular. The constant dissatisfaction with who we are only leads to a perpetuating cycle of envy and or questioning as shown in Evangelion. The depression and loss of identity Shinji feels is the inevitable result of constantly feeling insufficient, acting as a reminder to society of the issues when people lose themselves within society's pressures.

[addi0123]

In 2023, my friend invited me to PolyCon, a fandom and geek culture convention held by the Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland. This would be my first experience going to a fandom related convention. We took our close-knit group of friends and walked around campus to see the various of stalls and activities the university set up around campus. I only ever saw pictures of anything con-related online, so I was surprised to see the sheer amount of people cosplaying in the hot summer sun. People were dressed as up various of characters, from Yoshi to Final Fantasy’s Cloud and Tifa, to Hatsune Miku. You could see the love people had for Japanese pop media. There were lots of costumes that I did not recognize either, which made me think that conventions like PolyCon are great opportunities for young people to meet fellow fans from a small niche since finding people that love the same piece of media you love can be very difficult. 

The campus itself was huge, containing a giant central building that is very designed uniquely, with many people saying it looks like a space ship. This central building was where we entered first to get wristbands for admission. After the admission table, we went down the hall, which circles around the whole building and back to the admission table. The hallway was filled with attendants, stalls with foldable tables that presented tons of fan goods, artwork, merchandise, and anything under the sun pertaining to fandoms. There was a table with Chainsaw Man artwork that my friend quickly went to, being a big fan of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s work. He bought two posters of Makima, a main character from the manga, since he was so attracted to her that he even put Makima as his Discord profile picture.  

Every classroom in the hallway had more booths displaying goods from different fandoms and media. Western media was also popular, with the big ones being Star Wars, Marvel, and DC. There was an entire room for Star Wars fans that displayed light sabers, large Star Wars Lego sets, helmets and costumes from characters like Darth Vader and Boba Fett, and a working BB-8 droid. Each room was packed with fans carrying lots of bags and posters in one arm, while scanning for goods with the other. Many people talked passionately about what their favorite character or scene was, their grievances with the new sequel, how the fanbase has changed, and other intricate pop culture topics. Fans from the Star Wars booth staged a light saber fight with costumes, spinning 360 degrees to strike or blocking and evading attacks.  

The university prepared a gaming tournament for Smash Bros upstairs, which my friends wanted to participate in. We entered and saw rows of tables with monitors and gaming rigs already set up and tons of people already competing against each other. My friends registered their names and chose a place to use. I never played Smash Bros and was basically seeing my first gaming tournament in person, so I chose not to participate but it was interesting to see the focus contestants had playing, and when the round was over, contestants would shake hands as a show of sportsmanship. It showed a level of comradery I didn’t expect since the common image of sportsmanship comes from athletes finishing a game of baseball, for example. The tournament and convention in general displayed how a subculture of youth make bonds over a common love for foreign and domestic media that usually isn’t found in mainstream culture. These conventions allow them to express their interests and meet other fans in-person to form a unique cultural identity. 

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Your experience at PolyCon sounds amazing, I did not even know Florida Polytech had anime conventions. The fact that the convention had its own Smash Bros competition is crazy to me, that sounds like such an amazing experience that reminds me of other conventions like TwitchCon. I also agree with the realization you had, there is a one of a kind bond between people at these conventions over foreign and domestic media that is not like any other fan base. There is such a unique environment at these conventions where people are free to express their interest without judgement, it's a one of a kind place. I also find it cool that there was also lots of Marvel, DC, and Star Wars at the convention as I am sure there is a large american fanbase for that similar to the large anime fanbase in America.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

True Otaku Documentary: Module 8

After watching the True Otaku Documentary, I am reminded once again of the growing prominence and enthusiasm for Japanese media in American society. Growing up I have always been a fan of anime, to the extent that I prefer animated films over reality television. When I was younger I often watched youtubers who had content surrounding drawing or animation but oftentimes there would be many videos about attending anime conventions such as Anime Expo. Oftentimes I would see these youtubers prepare elaborate cosplays and large groups to attend the convention with. Throughout my childhood, there are at least a hundred videos I have watched that had an artist I followed attending an anime convention as either a consumer or to retail their art. Particularly, I would watch artists prepare new merch lines and items to sell at these conventions where they would share the process from start to finish and even share the amount of conventions they would be attending to sell their art. From watching hundreds of youtube videos about people attending anime conventions, I have grown to admire the dedication and the creativity that goes on behind the scenes just for the three days a convention goes on for. After consuming hundreds of youtube videos about anime conventions and the preparation process I have always wanted to try it for myself, to design my own cosplay and even sell merch at a convention. I personally feel that conventions are a place for like minded creatives and enthusiasts to convene and celebrate their interests. Since then though, I slowly have had less time to hyperfixate and learn about every detail about a con-goer’s experience until I watched the True Otaku Documentary. 

Despite being filmed in 2011 I still feel as though the ideas captured in it are present in today, most especially the sheer dedication for the craft of cosplay. The documentary goes into lots of detail with the cosplayer DustBunny to show all sides of the cosplay experience. The documentary following DustBunny and getting many interviews from cosplayers all help explain why there is such an appeal for an elaborate costume that is not at all just for Halloween. The documentary helps explain why cosplayers do what they do for someone who may not understand why, explaining the enthusiasm behind the craft and how it feels to be dressed up at a convention. The documentary highlights the feeling from the attention through the few interviews and highlights it in a slightly derogatory manner, but it is simply the raw truth. Although, I do feel as though there is more joy than just attention from being in elaborate cosplay. There is a feeling of pride and accomplishment for weeks and or months of work all boiling down to one moment, people naturally want to feel rewarded for their hard work. This is where cosplay competitions come into play. The documentary, in my opinion, does a great job at representing the experience and multitude of emotions one feels from cosplay competitions, as shown with DustBunny. The clashing feelings DustBunny has in the documentary is the result of months of dedication and creativity all being evaluated, beyond simply winning the competition it shows how much a cosplayer puts into their craft. Additionally, I feel as though cosplay is a way for people to explore what they feel comfortable wearing without judgement. Such as how DustBunny has boxes of wigs, it is a way to experience different hairstyles that help an individual get into character but also experiment in what they feel most confident in.

Another aspect that the documentary does a great job at representing is how extensive the ‘otaku’ community is. The documentary shows just how many people attend these conventions and give a deeper look for outsiders to understand the community flourishing in these conventions. Otakon is just one of the many conventions that have thousands of participants across the country, but is a place for people to truly be who they are and express their joy. Conventions provide opportunities for people to explore various parts of themselves outside of societies expectations, by allowing people to purchase or be whoever they want to me. Anime Conventions are places for people to build friendships and express themselves without any fear of judgement, overall contributing to why these conventions are so important to the anime community. 

Overall, anime conventions are such a vital part of the anime community within America. Conventions that take place all across the country year round help strengthen people's love for the media but also experience something that can not be found anywhere else.

[dapaucar-deactivated20250819]

Sailor Moon/Aggretsuko/Wandering Son Thoughts!

Words can’t begin to describe how I felt after watching Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son. Having watched all three, I took away a different thing from each. All three series had similar elements, but overall, they each portray vastly different themes and ideas.

The first series was Sailor Moon, an anime about a girl meeting a cat called Luna and having the ability to transform into Sailor Moon. The titular character is a unique kind of superhero, with many of her powers incorporating some sort of feminine element, such as the ability to transform into Sailor Moon, which requires a piece of jewelry. Having these elements, as described in the Lecture, is meant to empower these items and qualities. Even though many of the elements of the series are whimsical, it uses many common things in daily life as a base. For example, in episode 4, the whole plot of the episode revolves around an evil scheme for weight loss, something that many people get stressed about. Using something as a mundane problem and incorporating these elements into the core of the series gives attention to aspects of life usually brushed over.

In the series Aggretsuko, we follow Retsuko, an accountant having to manage a boring office job and deal with higher-ups and her co-workers. Something that caught my attention immediately was Retsuko, who most likely hates her job, hence why she sings death metal to let out her frustration. This frustration with office jobs resonated with me, with how the show presents coworkers and higher-ups. Having worked in IT, many of my experiences there felt similar to what Retsuko was dealing with, like doing pointless tasks or having to deal with coworkers in an abnormally polite manner. It’s the worst sometimes, having to put up a clean and nice facade when working, but it feels liberating afterwards when you can just be yourself for once.

Similarly, the next anime series, Wandering Son, also explores the theme of self-expression. Centered around a boy named Shuichi Nitori and a girl named Yoshino Takatsuki, who both experiment with crossdressing. Later in the series, Shuichi attends school dressed in a girl's uniform, which causes considerable conflict, despite Yoshino having done the same thing earlier. At first glance, this scenario can seem like an imbalance of actions, with Yoshino being able to crossdress and Shuichi starting a civil war when he did. Shuichi being met with so much pushback has to do with the view of crossdressing as a boy. Shuichi dressing like a girl can be seen by some as becoming less empowered, while for Yoshino, dressing like a boy can be viewed as empowering. All this has to do with views on gender and conventional gender roles, which tie into the lecture on gender as performative.

Beyond the deeper meaning of these anime series, they were all pretty enjoyable to watch and analyse. The best among the three for me was probably Aggretsuko, which was a fun watch.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

I very much enjoyed reading your thoughts and experiences on the three animes for this week. I enjoyed how you described the empowering ideas within Sailor Moon, as that is something important to note that Sailor Moon help popularize this idea of magical tools from mundane items and weapons overall. Sailor Moon does hold a special place in my heart though as I did watch it growing up, and I would agree that Sailor Moon is an empowering anime for young girls that transform their mundane actions into something otherworldly

Additionally, I feel as if your similar experience to Retsuko is universal to any setting. As there is a societal expectation for politeness and discipline in what we say to others, as if we are expected to accept rude treatment like nothing is wrong. Personally, Aggretsuko is a realistic anime that hits home with the infuriating moments in daily life in a comedic way. I most especially agree with what you highlighted from the anime Wandering Son, as that is something very prominent in today's society. It is acceptable for a woman to blur the lines of masculinity and femineity as it's seen as empowering as a way to overcome patriarchal ideas. Similar to what you said, when Nitori tries to dress feminine, he is considered disgusting simply because it's not ok for a man to try the other way around. This creates a social issue where it is stigmatized for men who may want to express themselves beyond the social expectations of a man. I do believe the anime did a great job at representing the transphobia that transfeminine people experience.

Overall, I enjoyed reading about your thoughts and analysis of the three animes for this module.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Sailor Moon/ Aggretsuko/ Wandering Son: Module 8

The anime Aggretsuko represents issues present universally in both Japan and across the world. The expectations of a “woman” according to society can be overwhelming, the module brings it into the perspective of a performance and how people are socially pressured into maintaining this performance all of their lives, giving into the social expectations accompanied by this gender performance. Aggretsuko exemplifies this with a sexist work environment and how the main character is too ashamed to show her music taste because it does not align with her feminine identity. This is something that can relate to anyone, even in my own experience. Any action or behavior that is not considered feminine results in a sense of embarrassment when expressing my enthusiasm for it. Aggretsuko is a great representation of growth beyond the fine lines of an ideal feminine identity, where she grows to terms with sharing her interests and grows beyond the idea of quitting her job after marriage. The main character is an example of the readings where gender internalization is part of the identity, as to how she goes about her daily life based on the gender disciplined into her. This is why we see her get distressed when she is wearing unprofessional shoes that an office lady should not be seen wearing. 

On the other hand, Sailor Moon takes a different approach to femininity, by instead embracing it and not feeling restrained by its restrictions. This parallels Aggretsuko similar to the third wave feminist method. If a girl wants to embrace what is considered girlish, then feel free to and take pride within it. Sailor Moon is an opportunity for teenage girls to take pride in their femininity and not feel the need to be looked down upon for what they may enjoy. 

Most especially though, Wandering Son takes on the most third wave feminism and gender theory. The main character in Wandering Son is representative of the third wave feminism ideals where gendered actions and or items are just a social construct. The main character simply is expressing themselves beyond the social construct but just as they desire, acting as a representation of third wave feminist ideals. The main character’s actions are also reflective of today's issues, where there is growing prominence in the gender queer society. The anime brings attention to the issues for children and adults who do not align with the gender educated onto them growing up, reflecting the transphobia that the gender queer society face overwhelming in today's world, as the idea and meaning of gender has been skewed by social figures. 

[aryan1writes]

Finding your People

As someone who's spent countless hours debating character arcs and collecting merchandise that serves no practical purpose, I saw echoes of my own behavior in the Genshiken club members' obsessive discussions and carefully curated collections.

What struck me most wasn't the otaku-specific elements, but how universal the underlying dynamics were. Sasahara's tentative entrance into the club reminded me of every time I've hesitated at the threshold of a new community, wondering if I'm "fan enough" to belong. This feeling transcends cultural boundaries; it happens everywhere when people are passionate about something others might find weird.

I cringed watching the gatekeeping moments, like when characters looked down on "casual" fans. I've seen this in every fandom I have ever come across, and it never sits right with me; Madarame's subtle displays of superior knowledge and Hamaguchi's condescending attitudes toward "casual" fans. People who feel judged by mainstream society sometimes turn around and judge other fans, creating their own little hierarchies of who's a "true" fan according to them.

The characters' need to hide their interests reflects broader anxieties about social conformity that extend far beyond anime fandom. In an increasingly polarized world where people retreat into niche communities, the show's treatment of both belonging and exclusion feels very relevant. The show treated these characters as normal people with a hobby, not as freaks. Yes, they're obsessive and awkward sometimes, but they're also just looking for friends who understand them. The anime shows that behind all the merchandise collecting and detailed discussions, fans are just trying to connect with others.

Genshiken made me think about how fan communities work and why they matter, even when they're messy and sometimes exclusive. It's about finding your people, even if those people spend their free time arguing about anime characters.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

I love how you bring up the common experiences that everyday people experience, such as joining a club. This is such an everyday situation that is not exclusive to just an otaku club, as I would assume many people get a bit embarrassed about showing their interest in something if it is not mainstream in pop culture. I agree with you how this is beyond cultural boundaries, this is something that is a common experience with coming of age.

I also agree with what you mention about how it's an odd experience where society judges you in any way shape or form, even within a fandom. It is almost as if there is a natural inclination for social hierarchy within societies.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Genshiken: Module 7

Genshiken presents the deeper side of being a fan, specifically being an otaku. The anime shows ideas that are assumed out of otakus from Japan’s culture, both the good and bad. Within the anime, it is shown that the otaku club is a shameful thing to be a part of, to which the main character is ashamed to join it, or later even show his interest in the dojishin. The anime presents this as a reflection of issues in Japan where there is shame surrounding otaku culture but this is also representative in the states. In the states is a conjunction of shame but also pride in otaku culture. In the states, people are more likely to be proud of their fan status, wearing certain graphic t-shirts or adorning keychains that show off their fan status for a certain fandom. Simultaneously, there is a mix of shame too for being a fan, creating a dichotomy of otaku/fan culture in the states compared to Japan. Within the states, there is a contrast between those who go full into showing their fan status for a certain fandom compared to those who decide to keep their fan status under wraps. Fans who choose to not be as blatant with their enthusiasm for a certain piece of media often decide to do so out of shame. Being a die hard fan of something in the states is not looked down upon, depending on the media. This can be reflected in Genshiken when comparing the Japanese characters to the American ones, where Sue’s shamelessness sharply contrasts the otaku’s club shame of showing their dojishin. 

The viewings also relate to the readings by presenting various anime, manga, and dojishin within the anime that all represent the database theory. The characters in the media within the anime all have characteristics and or traits that have been pulled from the database, such as the childhood friend troupe or the maid outfits, this all relates back to the database theory. Additionally, the anime also shows the different productivity of the otakus in the club just as the readings mentioned, showing all three forms and in different ways it can play out. 

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Naruto/ Wolf Children/ A Silent Voice: Module 6

This week's anime are ones I particularly enjoyed, as they all touched on ideas that face the children of today’s generation in both Japan and globally. The feeling of isolation and an alienation from society is something far too common as children grow up. Each anime takes a unique approach in representing certain ideas and emotions that a child could go through when faced with alienation from society. 

Naruto showed the issue where a child feels as though they can not be who they are but need to change in order to be accepted, to prove to society. I feel this is reminiscent of today’s teenagers where children need to change how they look or act at such a young age in order to fit in. The gaman ganbaru idea within Naruto could be seen as another representation of a child’s long struggle growing up and attempts to fit into their school’s environment, not as trials and tribulations as Naruto did but instead just the struggle of growing and maturing. 

Wolf Children is reflective of people with more than just one background, such as immigrants or multi-racial people. Children who grow up with multiple identities are pushed to accept one more than the other, depending on their environment. I feel as though this is representative in how there is the concept of being ‘whitewashed’ where some people are shamed for choosing one identity over the other. Wolf Children used a unique approach to represent the ‘either-or’ mindset that society tends to be.

I most especially enjoyed A Silent Voice because it touches on how society can turn on someone so quickly, represented by how Ishida’s life is flipped over now that society has alienated him. Ishida’s experience is something I feel is reflective of today’s society where if someone is labeled as something it automatically means they are only that label and or trait, no room for change.

[petermcdaniels]

Shin Sekai Yori

The anime Shin Seaki Yori shocked me with its impressive futuristic symbolism. At first, it was difficult for me to understand what was happening, but it slowly made sense the further I got into the anime. I want to comment on the queerat’s rebellion against their mother (the queerat Queen). The reason why the queerats rebelled against their mother was because they were tired of being oppressed by the humans. They wanted to be viewed and treated as normal humans like they were once. The mother stuck to more traditional views and didn’t seek any rebellion and wanted everything to stay the same. The queerat’s rebellion was necessary to continue squealer's plan. This rebellion is similar to the youth described in "The “Wild Child”. The children in the article rejected Japan's rigid social systems and struggled with emotional detachment. Both the queerats and the youth in the article are being regulated in their own ways. Seeking power, rebellion is the perfect way to overcome power within the system. Freedom  or equality are some of the more common drives for such rebellions.

Today we have access to more power than ever before. Bombings, destruction and violence are not as uncommon as in the past. An example would be the Christchurch mosque shooting on March 15, 2019. Homemade explosives were planted made from containers and household chemicals like hydrogen peroxide (found in many stores), acetone (nail polish remover) and even sugar. This much access we have to power.

The end stood out to me as well. It leaves the reader or watcher more in question rather than a solid solution. A reconstruction of a society that looks at children for hope rather than fear. Even though the society is in the works starting with Saki and Mamoru, we don’t see the final product. This lies more as an idea rather than a reality. Of course there are societies that view children more as hope rather than fear but there is no perfect society that does it to its maximum.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

I find it very interesting how you mentioned the queen queerat being put in a vegetative state as and related it back to the reading. That is a great connection you made. The queerat's rebellion against their queen was the first step to become human, abandon the symbol of their race. The queen is what symbolized their identity as another species but their rebellion against her is what symbolized their desire to become the human race. In other words, that could be the queerats and Squeaker's power growing because the lack of a symbol that represents their identity as queerats.

I also agree with your thoughts about the ending of the anime. It left me wondering how Saki will truly change their society with her taking Asahina's role as she wished.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Shin Sekai Yori: Module 5

The anime Shin Sekai Yori shows the darker side of surveillance and how we fear ourselves. The connection from the readings of the wild child to Shin Sekai Yori help illustrate how we humans fear not understanding why atrocities happen, causing us to go out of our way to prevent and or regulate ourselves. The anime presents the echoing fear of both Japan and the world, the fear of the unpredictable nature of children. The intense regulation of products and actions deemed harmful and or dangerous in society is ever growing but most especially for children. Children are restricted from media, activities, actions, and or places because of their safety but also out of fear of what could happen as a result of their exposure to something deemed not appropriate for children. The idea of movies being rated certain degrees to restrict what children can consume is also similar to this fear presented in Shin Sekai Yori, the ‘what if’ scenarios that could occur in children. The effect of the reading of “The Wild Child” is seen in the anime Shin Sekai Yori where children are constantly going missing because they’re disposed of because of the fear of another shonen A appearing, or a shonen K as shown in the anime. The fiends and or karma demons are the representation of a shonen A that had gone under the radar and has not been disposed of. Additionally, the intense discipline of the children and the anime 

The surveillance and discipline of the children in Shin Sekai Yori is similar to how it is in my own personal experience. Yes the surveillance of children is more relaxed than it is in Shin Sekai Yori but it is similar circumstances. A teacher must always be present in the room, certain items are not allowed, censorship of education, and discipline for misconduct. These are normalized in our daily society but are taken to an extreme in Shin Sekai Yori to show us the other side of what is seemingly normal regulation and discipline to us.

[petermcdaniels]

Psycho-Pass

I personally really enjoyed watching the anime Psycho-Pass. I believe it was a great example of the future. Even though it was an exaggeration, it’s not that far from the truth. This definitely could be a possible outcome to our future or at least something similar. With the uprising in AI tools, the subject of power truly becomes harder to see. I find how interesting it is that if your crime coefficient passes a 300, you’re instantly treated like a criminal. It would be impossible to walk anywhere without alarms going off and getting you therapy. This doesn’t leave you with anything to defend yourself because people view the system as always correct. I find this extremely oppressive and it makes humans seem as only beings to work. As if their only purpose is to work and that's it. A good example of this would be Yuji Kanehara. It took Yuji a fair amount of time to break out and reveal that he was the killer in the drone factory. Manipulation and grabbing him on the shirt he still denied he was the killer because he knows what it means to admit. His defiance shows how empowering they view the Sibal system. This is also why it’s understandable for people to be upset about not getting as good of a job as others. I also think it’s important to point out how ironic it is that the Sibal system is run on criminal minds. The most just  and stable system is run on some of the most unstable minds. These minds can also be said to be quite biased, and yet they run the Sibyl system. Overall, I think this anime is realistic about the different outcomes of the future. The cracks within the system and no true solution are what brings the realistic field to this anime.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

I really enjoyed reading your analysis of the anime, as I do agree with your thoughts too. The instant change of treatment once someone's psycho-pass score is above 300 because of what the sibyl system has conditioned society to think is oppressive. I do think this is a reflection of society in a way with how people treat others and the societal consequences that can change one's life permanently.

I also agree with how ironic the sibyl system is, being run off the brains of sociopaths and or asymmetrical brained individuals. The bias that goes into judging people from criminals to criminals brings the whole system into question, whether or not the system truly is just.

I overall enjoyed reading your analysis and agree with your opinion of how Psycho-Pass is an exaggeration that is not far from the reality the world has created.

[jpt1311-ineedablogtitle]

Psycho-Pass: Module 4

The anime Psycho-Pass reminds both Japan and the world of the issue of surveillance, and whether or not a person has the right to privacy. The normalization of excessive surveillance, even into someone’s psyche, in the Psycho-Pass society makes the viewer wonder whether the amount of surveillance in our public spaces is justified. The anime for this week begs the question of what is and is not ok with the government justice system and what justifies surveillance. The expectation of the sibyl system to enact judgement within the anime with an unclear justification, as seen with character Shogo Makishima, is able to cloud an entire society’s morale and decision making abilities. This is seen when citizens are unable to take action when witnessing the public murder of a woman by someone wearing a helmet or when Tsunemori is unable to do anything to Makishima because of his psycho-pass score being skewed, despite him ochestarting the havoc in the city. Events like those in Psycho-pass make the bystander effect echo even louder than it does in Japan and internationally. The internalized discipline and routine because of the omniscient surveillance is similar to what is expected of people in society to have “good manners” and be a “functioning member of society” 

Makishima’s abnormality in his psycho-pass score relates back to the article about the risk evaluation system in place in America, with an arbitrary evaluation of an individual. This is shown with the first victim seen in the anime, with her psycho-pass lowering because of her mental state as a result of the abuse. The idea of a legible number to define someone makes a situation black and white without any room for proper evaluation, ultimately devaluing human judgement overall. 

The overall society of Psycho-Pass also reflects the idea of “Panopticism”. The internalization of the sibyl system into society merely suppressed people. The result of this was shown once the helmet was created, causing a major uproar in crime and backlash because of the sibyl system. The result of the sibyl system deciding a person’s life trajectory meant once someone’s psycho-pass score fell to a certain threshold, it would mean they had nothing left to lose, this is a possible extreme effect of panopticism.