JPT Animated World Experience

[vannahxd1]

Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers

Aloha everyone,

Saying 'aloha' means both hello and goodbye, which is fitting, as this will be my last blog post. I recently watched a fantastic anime called Your Name, and it had me engulfed and unable to press pause. When my phone started buffering, I frantically tried to resolve the issue. I watched this movie in the shower and during my move-out process, which is a testament to its quality. I do not usually give ratings, but this was a 10/10. The metaphor and hidden meanings in this anime, along with the plot twists —oh my, the plot twists were insane.

Specifically, the three-year time gap was a shock, and then seeing how Mitsuha came to Taki three years ago was just astonishing. This anime made me think and challenged my analytical skills due to its complex timelines and plot twists. At first, I felt that the movie was going to be a basic swapping bodies movie until the spiritual aspects and real-world issues started being apparent, like the problems within the teens' families, corrupt politics, and deaths encroaching multiple times for decades. I also loved the wholesome and romantic side of this anime, as it brought hope, particularly when the two characters meet during magic hour, which felt like a space of happiness and relief. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this anime and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

For the next anime, Hetalia, I don't have strong feelings for it, so I will not give it a rating. However, the characters representing each country were cute, especially Germany and Japan. I liked how the anime used characters to represent nations, but I did not like some of the ways it portrayed the nations, as it oversimplified many things, even though it was just an anime.

I would like to make a few final remarks for this final blog post for JPT1311. Mainly, the anime that were the best and most impactful were Psychopass, Aggretsuko, Shin Sekai Yori, Your Name, and the combination of Naruto / Wolf Children / A Silent Voice. I appreciate this class for introducing me to various anime that I had not heard of and giving me the chance to analyze them on a deeper, real-world level.

Thank you for reading and for all your support. さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hey Vannah!

I loved your review of the two anime. I was awestruck when it was revealed that (spoiler alert) Mitsuha died from the comet 3 days ago. I loved the visuals, and I now know why this is the top-rated anime

I also agree with your view on the other anime. Compared to Your Name, Hetalia was lackluster, and I wasn't that interested. However, as one of the last few pieces of media required to watch, this was for sure a good last few.

It is sad to see you go. I really enjoyed your thoughtful insights on all of the anime you've watched. Hope we meet again.

See ya!

[kalamb]

"Wherever you are in the world, I'll search for you"

Hey guys!

Today, I watched Your Name and Hetalia and read Sensōron.

I had always seen the movie "Your Name" randomly pop up on social media and always wondered what the type was all about. Today, I finally realize exactly what the hype was all about. This was a beautiful anime that almost had me on the verge of tears at the end.

The movie had a lot of different themes that I could recognize and relate to the pieces of media that I've watched. For example, gender performativity was a big theme that I noticed through the first half of the movie, when both protagonists had to live in each other's bodies for a day. 

It was funny seeing Taki being immature in a woman's body and seeing Mitsuha being embarrassed by her male body, but seeing them both struggle to fit into each other's lives opened my eyes to the whole point of gender performativity. Having to be “ladylike” or “like a man” are actions that need to be learned and practiced constantly, which is shown by how Mitsuha needs to talk more masculine and how Taki needs to dress more feminine.  I give this movie a 10/10

Hetalia was a good anime; however, I had never heard of it before. I could definitely catch the theme of national stereotypes and how it can be used as “tactical polyvalence.” I give it a 7/10

Sensōron was a hard shift from the past media I’ve been watching, and I was kinda surprised that it was so radical. From how the manga was formed, I definitely knew there was an underlying meaning behind it. I didn;t have to wait long before they started speaking about war crimes and how different nations handled the issue of it. I give it a 5/10

Overall, this week was an enjoyable watch/read and opened my eyes to societal issues, along with some surprising political ones as well

See Ya!

[vannahxd1]

"Do not be afraid": Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind / Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Kon'nichiwa!

I watched a fantastic Studio Ghibli movie this week, and I really want to delve into it for today's blog post. Starting outfrom the characters to the plot, the whole film was just so excellent; I had to give it a round of applause.

In Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Nausicaa's character was such a powerful character that it is the best way to describe her. She had a beautiful spirit, personality, and a power for befriending and calming people and animals. She acts Christlike when she says "do not be afraid" with her arms in a cross, causing people and animals to trust her and calm down. I loved the way that the movie used Naussica to unite the nations as well as humans and nature. I preferred this movie over Spirited Away, but all the Ghibli movies are awesome. The Studio Ghibli animation is so iconic and adds another level of immersion. 

The environment of the movie felt light most of the time, perhaps because of the warm love that comes from Nausicaa, as well as the people in the Valley and all the heartwarming connections. It kept me entranced for the whole movie, and I loved that aspect of this movie.

The movie was not only light but also deep through the conflict and symbols. Making connections from the toxic world and sicknesses from the anime to climate change and other diseases that arise from polluted water and air.

Now, as for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I absolutely loved the plot twists and animation. The titans were cute, especially the grandpa. I was confused at first how we move from the cloud to water, then I realized it was a cloud sea, which is so cool, but scary at the same time, because you can't see what's in the water. The movements of the animation and the games' different environments also immersed me. This game had similarities to Nausicca, but the main difference here is that nature doesn't repair itself, and there is no Christ-like figure; it was just human intervention, which showed me a different perspective. 

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hey Vannah!

I like your review and analysis of Nausicaa. When she spread her arms and said, "Do not be afraid," I got chills as well! Watching Nausica reminded me of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nausicaa acted a lot like Aang, uniting the nations of the world and seeking peace. I see the Christ-like theme Nausicaa has that you mentioned. Her rising from her “implied” death reminded me of Jesus rising from the dead to save humanity from their sins. I loved Xenoblade's twists as well; seeing how the deeper connection between driver, blades, and titans made me appreciate the world of Xenoblade more. 

See ya!

[kalamb]

"Danger doesn't always come from the enemy."

Hey guys!

This week was a little different from usual, but still a great week regardless. I watched "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" and Xenoblade Chronicles Story Mode (see what I mean?)

Nausicaa was, in my opinion, better than Spirited Away. I compare the two because the beautiful Studio Ghibli made both. I loved seeing the heightened expressions emphasized by the wind and environment around the characters, something unique to the animation style. I noticed a lot of things and references throughout the movie, and I could see several themes. One theme is environmental issues and how they can be fixed with continued investigation and awareness. 

I could see many parallels with our world today when it was revealed that the jungle is toxic only because humans have made it so, and the trees are merely trying to filter it out. It reminded me of the machines we create today—cars, trucks, and automobiles that emit gases. By emitting these gases, we damage the ozone layer. One of the defenses against the sun’s harmful rays. 

I also saw symbols of our world in the way the different lands/nations interacted with each other. All three hated each other, which blinded them from the real issue of the world.

Overall, the anime was magical, so I give it a 10/10.

Xenoblade Chronicles was a very interesting story. I have watched video game playthroughs before, so I am used to the cutscenes; however, the story was very intricate, with lots of mystery and secrets revealed near the end. I could make small connections between Xenoblade and Nausicaä in terms of the world's history. Seeing how both stories start with a broken thing that needs to be rebuilt is what really resonated with me.

The story-mode playthrough was captivating; I give it an 8/10.

See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Neon Genesis Evangelion / The End of Evangelion

Hello dear reader, Today I will be talking about the new anime that I have been watching, Neon Genesis Evangelion. This particular anime was darker than a lot of the ones we've watched. I did not really love this anime because of how confusing it was, and the characters were not that lovable or relatable. I personally like shows that make me laugh, but this anime did not show this side of anime. The people and plot were very confusing. My favorite part was when Shinji was fighting Kaworu and Shinji's dream of having a normal life. In the fight scene, it seemed emotional and shocking. When I learned about Kaworu being the final angel, I was shocked because it was a shift from the relationship development that was going on previously. Shinji's dream of being normal felt like a much-needed filler in the midst of all the chaos and confusion of the plot. I loved this part of the anime because it felt relatable and sweet. It made me smile and gave me hope that everything else that happened was a dream. The characters themselves were extremely complex and sometimes hard to understand in relation to the plot. Shinji's relationship with his father, who abandoned him, and his mother whose soul in an Eva was very complex, which can have even more underlying meaning when related to his hatred of himself. The girls and everything were animated very nicely, using limited animation. My favorite character design was Rei at first because I liked her hair color, but I ended up loving all of the girls, especially Miasato, because of her deep care for Shinji. Jumping around the anime left me with a lot of questions, but with research and lectures, I was able to make so many connections in the anime, which is the main reason I would say this anime was good. It challenged the viewer to think deeper and fully immerse themselves in this world to understand.

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hey!

I completely see what you’re saying in terms of the tone of this anime. Coming into it, I thought this anime was going to be a cool mech and kaiju anime because of the lighthearted media presence today. Boy, was I wrong! 

I also loved the complexity of each character, especially the main character, Shinji. It wasn’t a bildungsroman in a sense, but I did see multiple attitude and mental shifts from Shinji from beginning to end. I also liked the complexity of Shinji’s father. At first, I saw him as the main antagonist of the anime. I still don’t agree with him abandoning his children, but seeing in the end that he was against the human instrumentality project, made me respect him a little more.

Excited to see what else you review. See Ya!

[kalamb]

"This is New Tokyo-3. This is our city. And it's the city that you helped to protect."

Hey guys!

This week, I was really excited to watch "Neon Genesis Evangelion." It was always on my list, but I never had a chance to watch it until now!,

At first, I liked the fast-paced, action-filled episodes that were in the beginning. However, I could not bring myself to appreciate the final episodes of the show. It was hard to put the pieces together as to what the mystery of Evas and Adam was, and I had to wait until they just outright explained it in the final 4 eps. What I did put together, however, was the themes of queer masculinity and how Shinji closely resembled that typology.

Off the bat, I knew Shinji was different from most boy main characters. Most boys in shows like these would “jump into” the fight and love the thrill, while Shinji does the opposite and literally falls on his face. Throughout the entire anime, he is hesitant to fight the angels, entities, and monsters who are trying to destroy the planet and even other humans. He later befriends them and still can’t bring himself to inflict harm on them. To me, this challenges the common belief that boys are meant to be strong, violent people who are eager to use force. The ONLY time Shinji decides to step in and save the world is when he is forced with the responsibility of Rei, who is beaten and broken, and who would step in his place if he refused. I see more of his queer masculinity when he confides in Kaworu and gets extremely close to him (showering and basically sleeping together). The interactions and conversations he has with Kaworu are not typically supported by today's definition of a “heterosexual male”. I was rooting for Shinji throughout the anime, excited to see him show some of the traditional masculinity when he decides to take on an angel first instead of Langley. However, the first 5 minutes of the movie “End of Evangelion” Made me lose all support for him. Out of all the things he could have done to get his mind off of killing the only person he truly loved, he chose to do THAT.

Anyways, I give this an 8/10

See Ya!

[vannahxd1]

“Never judge a book by its cover.”

Sailor Moon / Aggretsuko / Wandering Son

Hola reader,

My favorite anime, surprisingly, was the one I thought would be my least favorite, Aggretsuko, due to its art style and animal-like, furry characters. What they say is true: “Never judge a book by its cover,” and I think this quote applies well to this week’s theme of gender and feminism.

The first anime up on the chopping block is Sailor Moon. My favorite part of this anime was the side characters and their interactions around Usagi, such as Luna and her school friends. They bring a sense of reliability, comfort, and comedy to a good versus evil narrative. The main thing I didn’t like about this anime was Usagi’s crying, childishness, and occasional helplessness; however, I do understand that she is fourteen years old. I also understand the perspective of girl power and how Sailor Moon teaches girls that they have power, even if they do not excel academically, are gaining weight, or just do not fit into society’s perfect standards. 

Moving on to my favorite of the week, Aggretsuko. This anime had me completely enveloped, on the edge of my seat at times, and overall, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. This is an anime I might actually watch in my free time. They appreciated all the characters, including Ton and Anai at times, and the plot as a whole. This anime showed what being a woman in the past would really look like, just in a cuter form. I thought this anime was for children when looking at the art style, but I soon came to find out from Retsuko’s awesome heavy metal that it was not, and the real concepts that it portrays to the viewers are impeccable.

Lastly, Wandering Son. I honestly felt very impartial about this one. I did not like it, nor did I hate it; it was just there. I did not relate to the main characters in this anime, but I do understand the deeper meanings portrayed in this media text, and they run quite deep, reflecting back to the real world.

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hello VannahXD, I thought salior moon was alright, I give it a 7/10. I loved the plot and the empowerment of women, but I did not like how slow the anime was. The voices were a little annoying, but overall, it was a decent anime that I loved the superhero aspect of. I did not relate to or particularly like Wandering Son, but I understood its critiques of gender identity. As for Aggretsuko, it was my favorite of the week because of the use of heavy metal as a way to release Retsuko's built-up anger from work. This anime as a whole was good, which is why I gave it an 8.5/10, and I appreciated its critique of women in corporate culture and how it went about presenting it to the viewer.

[vannahxd1]

Fandoms and Conventions

Bonjour everyone,

Today, we are going to shift our primary focus from anime to conventions and talk about them as a whole and my personal experience as a part of a fandom.

While watching videos about conventions, the first thing that popped out to me was the pre-convention. It reminded me of the anticipation before a trip, maybe a concert, or any significant event that you're looking forward to. The gathering of all the attendees looks like people waiting eagerly to get on a cruise ship, ready to embark on an adventure. These conventions are like an escape from reality, somewhat, a place for these otaku to gather and be themselves without being judged by society because they are around like-minded people. Conventions, concerts, and fairs are places for people to share common interests and to learn and buy new things.

Someone in the videos said that fan meant fanatic with passion, and I can say that I am a huge fan of BTS. So to compare my fan experience, the otaku-convention experience, the lining up for the convention reminds me of my experience waiting in line and trying to buy tickets for a bts live movie performance. There are many similarities in the shopping, fashion, and music sectors of Japanese culture at conventions because "Army" or BTS fans will also buy merchandise to support the group while also showing that they are true fans. Fans will wear clothes similar to their favorite member or album and collect albums and photocards just like otaku do at conventions.

The cross-cultural aspects that are apparent in Japanese convention culture are also shown in K-pop culture. For anime and Japanese culture, crossing it with America had many impacts, subbed and dubbed anime, as well as making the word or people who are otaku look better. The cross-cultural aspect here helped boost Japanese culture for anime, manga, games, music, and fashion across the world. For K-pop culture, a similar occurrence happened with BTS becoming global pop stars and spreading knowledge and attention of K-pop around the world. The cross-cultural aspect of having some songs sung in Japanese and English boosted their reach. Especially songs that were made completely in English became super popular in America because they catered to and crossed cultures. There are K-pop bloggers as well who spread information and social media creators who also make content for K-pop, K-dramas, or specific sections of those that I have seen. 

Now, when it comes to the loud, hustle, and bustle of a convention, my closest experience to this would be going to fairs, specifically Renaissance fairs. It shares a lot of the same aspects of conventions with the variety of things that are available to experience, witness, or purchase. Renaissance fairs are a way for me to step out of time and reality, too, and be around people who share the same interests as me and have a fun glimpse into the past. The more you go, the more you know applies here, too, because going multiple times has made the experience much smoother, and I still remain excited for next year's fair. I learn more about the grounds, the activities, and the people, so when I see them again, it's somewhat like a reunion. There is not much drama at Renaissance fairs, but there is still that sense of knowing each other without actually knowing someone. 

The cosplaying at Renaissance fairs is also very beautiful and detailed. Last time I went, I wanted to dress up like a pirate, but it was not in my budget, so I went with a flowy dress to give a fairy-like aesthetic. There is a lot of passion that goes into the cosplays at Ren Fairs, and the people do not just put on an outfit but a whole persona as well for the day. Some get paid for it while some don't, but for the most part, everyone is doing it because they want to and they like doing it. 

Overall, I see a lot of my experience as a fan of BTS and Renaissance Fairs overlaps with that of otaku at conventions. In these places, where people share the same passion as you, a person can find a sense of community and belonging. 

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hello VannahXD, I can see how passionate you are about BTS concerts and Renaissance fairs. I haven't been to any of these types of events, but I have been to a worship night where a lot of people come together and share our passion for God. There are some similarities to this and convention in certain aspects, and in a way, we are fans of God. It can get loud in places like this, and a community is definitely found here because fellowship and communion are big things at churches. Overall, I understand how aspects of events and gatherings can show similarities to conventions, but our experiences are all different.

[kalamb]

"They have accomplished through imagination what knowledge could not: true acceptance of something different from oneself..."

Hello guys!

A little different from my usual yapathons, but not so different from my interests. Remember my take on Genshiken and the theme of the Otaku. Today, I delved a little deeper and watched "True Otaku," a very informative documentary about Otakus in America and the various aspects of conventions that occur here.

Right off the bat, I love how everyone has their own definition of what an “Otaku” is. Just hearing about the different interviewees’ responses made me a little more comfortable, not knowing the full definition of the word. While watching, I took the liberty of writing down each definition and asking an AI to somehow combine the different meanings and make one general statement. It said the meaning of Otaku is “someone with an intense interest in anime, manga, or Japanese culture, often to the point of obsession,” which makes sense and aligns with my definition as well. And regardless of what everyone's definition is, they all express it in a similar or central way. 

I was able to experience that virtually through the documentary, where I could see what a convention is like. Seeing all the different events and hearing about the itinerary gave me massive FOMO even though that particular event happened 12 years ago! Me feeling that envy and yearn to be there, made me think about why convention like Otakucon are really crucial for Otakus and enthusiasts like me (yes, I call myself an Otaku now); Multiple attendants spoke about this as well, about how the outside isn’t very involved in anime, manga, or niche pop cultures from Japan. Personally, I can’t even find a person who likes Tekken, so you can imagine how I feel when I see someone dressing up like Eddy Gordo on my screen! I understand now that conventions like these provide a place where attendants don’t have to be ashamed of their niche interests. They don’t have to look far and wide for people who share the same interests as well. 

With the documentary “True Otaku,” I was able to look beyond my own interests and explore some of the other spectacles of a convention, like the world of cosplaying. Seeing Dustbunny, a multi-award-winning cosplayer, talk about her work with such passion made me think about other ways people see Japanese cultural conventions. I realized that conventions allow attendants to express themselves in their best form. For example, Dust Bunny said that she performs creative works like this on a daily basis. Another person interviewed stated that she does theatre work as an occupation, so it is easy for her to portray the character that she loves and cosplay at conventions. Conventions allow people with creative outlets to showcase their talents and connect with others who do the same thing. Dust bunny said that the only reason she “gets back in” and comes back to the conventions is because others like her come together and participate, giving her the opportunity to go back out in public and shine.

I loved to see all the people and was surprised by the number of people stated in the video; over 29,000 people is crazy in 2013, and it made me imagine how many people are in attendance today. Although it was said in the video, I always believed that a huge part of the Otaku was the internet, a place where Otakus can speak to each other about literally anything, no matter where they are. Ultimately, the internet is one big community of different communities, so it makes sense that Otaku has a big presence in it. 

I also loved the idea of what happens outside/after conventions like Anime USA or Otakucon. I would hate to go to an event like that and meet awesome people and have the time of my life and have to wait a whole year to experience it again. With clubs like the one in the documentary, I can continuously meet with people who share the same interests as I do. Overall, I loved this documentary. It gave me the opportunity to experience a convention and even gave me a history lesson on what it means to be an enthusiast and a “True Otaku.”

10/10

See ya!

[kalamb]

"In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"

Hey guys!

This was a week jam-packed with laughs, awe, and some tears as well. The three anime I watched were Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son.

In each of the anime, the theme was loud and clear. I learned a lot from them in terms of femininity and the different struggles of a girl/woman. Not only that, but also the lines that are drawn between men and women that society has set.

Starting with Sailor Moon, I give it a 7/10. I loved the plot of a regular teenage girl who not only faces her real-world problems but also needs to save the world every other day. Watching Sailor Moon gave me major "Miraculous Ladybug" vibes in terms of the episode setup and characters. Beyond that, I also observed and made inferences on how women were represented during the period (1980-1990s). Just from the first few episodes, I could tell that every episode contains a central message that teaches young girls what it means to be "a woman." Through body expectations and different issues that young girls face in their everyday lives.

Aggretsuko was another great anime, 8.5/10. Coming into it, I thought it was a kid show until I heard Mr. Ton speak! Off the bat, the audience is shown the struggles of working in corporate as a female. Retsuko tries to do her job to the best of her ability, showcasing the resilience of women in the workforce but is constantly harassed by men, not only in authority positions (Mr. Ton), but also in the same rank as her (Anai). Overworked and in a hostile work environment, Retsuko releases her stress and anger in an unusual medium: heavy metal karaoke, which is my favorite aspect of the show!

Finally, I watched an anime called “A Wandering Son,” which, in my opinion, was not as good as the others but still impactful in its own way. The anime did a great job of communicating the struggles of exploring one’s gender in public society, and it does this by using children in a school, where differences are not always welcomed. The anime gives us both sides of the spectrum with a girl battling a male transition and a female battling a male transition, which I think is to tell the audience that no matter what gender you are, you’re going to face challenges if you don’t fit neatly into what society expects, but that doesn’t make your experience any less real or valid. Overall, great anime week!

See ya!

[kalamb]

”You’re one of us now!”

Hey guys! This week, I had the pleasure of watching Genshiken, a kind of “slice-of-life” anime, which was a nice shift from the more profound and darker anime I’ve been watching. Instead of looking into the deep challenges of society that occur in Japan, I observed the trends in culture and the differences between official and unofficial culture, and how Otaku fit in the middle. I found it fascinating that the characters were actively open about their interests in anime, games, and manga (not too fascinated by the freaky parts), which told me a lot about how otaku practice enunciative productivity to improve their unofficial cultural capital. Just by watching anime together and conversing in the club, all the members grow their cultural capital. And with the multitude of characters in Season 1 and 2, you can see how each varies in their capital, with Madarame seemingly having the most in Season 1.  Although creepy, the anime did a great job at showing the collection side of Otaku through going to Comifest and buying renditions and original works of dojinshi, a version of textual productivity. You can truly see the community come together and express their shared interests in somewhat niche topics in adult games, manga, and shows. It is also noticeable that Otaku aren’t the prides at when it comes to their interest, which is common amongst them. I do feel bad sometimes, especially when Mitsunori lowers his voice when buying Dojinshi, and when Sasahara is afraid to ask artists about their work (all my sympathy leaves when I remember what they’re buying). Overall, Genshiken was a pretty informative anime about fan culture and a looking glass inside of Okazu’s; although informative, the anime disguised itself well with its jokes and absurdly obsessive characters. 

7/10 good anime. I would like to watch more like this, though. 

See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Best Anime Combo: Naruto / Wolf Children / A Silent Voice

Greeting everyone!

Firstly, the anime for this week were tearjerkers! I cried extremely easily and way too much watching these three anime.

Starting with Naruto, the emotional resonance behind seeing how he was looked down upon, and after watching the anime previously and seeing what he went through to become the hero of the village and later the world, was powerful. I never made a connection to discrimination while watching Naruto before, but after seeing it from a different perspective, I saw the villagers' higher-ups very differently. Seeing how Naruto pushed past all the hatred of those around him and shone even brighter was inspiring. 

Moving on to Wolf Children, I couldn't see the direction of the movie at first, where the couple was happy, but then [Spoiler] the father would die, and I was astounded. I can understand the single mother, and I empathize with her because I have a single mother, so I can see how she struggles raising two wolf children. This also deeply relates to the real world, but I love how she finds a village and community in the farming town. The children were adorable, and the mother never gave up, no matter what. That's another point that can be applied to those who suffer from discrimination: to never give up.

Lastly, "A Silent Voice," I felt like I had seen it before, but I didn't remember most of the movie, so it was like a new experience filled with tears at the end, although I knew what was coming. There were various literaryliterary devices used here,, and a lot of metaphors,, such as the breaking of the egg. I noticed the different metaphors in this anime, where Shoya covered his ears and closed his eyes as a kid to shut out the world,, which is similar to how Shoko was also cut offbecause she was unable to hear very well. The discrimination and bullying this anime showed was very realistic of how it might be in schools and how there are sometimes no barriers put in place to help people who appear to be "different," and this has to change.

10/10 ANIMES

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hey Vannah!

I really like your views on these anime. A lot of tearjerkers this week for sure! I also see your point when you talk about ishida covering his ears to block out the world, which is kind of ironic considering Shoko’s situation. I think all three of the anime present struggle and how to deal with discrimination, however I think “A Silent Voice,” best illustrates the aftermath of disrespecting others that are different from society. Ishida’s struggle with himself after 6th grade and into high school, shows that it not only takes effort from the victim, to rise above discrimination, but also from the oppressor, who can self-reflect and learn to love those who are different.

[kalamb]

"Things Would Have Been So Much Better Back Then… If We Had Heard Each Other’s Voices."

Hey guys!

The past few days have been action-packed and tearful as I watched three anime: *A Silent Voice*, *Naruto*, and *Wolf Children*.

A central theme appears throughout all three: the idea of isolation and societal oppression, and how one can overcome that. Each story handles it in its own way.

In *Naruto*, we see a kid who is rejected by society because of something he has no control over—the nine-tailed fox sealed inside him. Because of this, Naruto faces discrimination and is determined to prove his worth to the world despite being different. He aims to become Hokage (spoiler alert) and eventually achieves this, earning respect from society.

*A Silent Voice* becomes a little more complex. Out of the three, this was probably the most interesting and impactful for me. We follow Shoko, the first of the main characters to be ostracized from her class in sixth grade because of her disability, which she also has no control over. She’s relentlessly bullied—not just by one person, but by the entire class—highlighting how cruel society can be toward those who are different, especially when that difference isn't fully understood. What’s interesting about this anime is how Ishida, the main bully of Shoko, becomes a victim of bullying himself. This complete reversal sets it apart from *Naruto*. Ishida then embarks on a journey of self-improvement and self-love, showing viewers that both sides need to improve: acceptance of the victim and self-reflection from the oppressor.

*Wolf Children* also centers on themes of isolation, but this time involving a family of half-wolves. Hana is forced to hide her children from society to avoid rejection. This leaves the two kids, Ame and Yuki, to choose between living in the wilderness or integrating into society. Overall, I rate each one accordingly: 9/10, 10/10, and 7/10.

See ya!

[sienafr]

Shin Sekai Yori

When going into this anime I didn’t really know what to expect. Then after the first scene of the boy ruthlessly murdering the people in the city, I was really caught off guard. It then clicked as I watched why we were assigned to watch this in the first place.

I would like to say that I enjoyed the show, but that would not be entirely true just based on the fact that I don’t love shows like that. However, I will say that it did a great job of creating suspense and making the viewer feel uneasy and anxious. What seemed like a cute story of a group of children at a magic school quickly turned into a thriller of disappearing children, demons, and monsters. It became clear that the children that did not pass the psychological and personality tests that the school gave out were eliminated, demonstrating the idea of a strict surveillance system. Then, when the children eventually found out about the history of their society, and how PK users used to rule, they began to understand the fear of their society. Although dramatized, this show demonstrates in a way how society today treats children, especially in the education system. Those that cannot keep up, or demonstrate tendencies of learning disabilities, are separated from the rest, and increasingly surveilled. They become part of a system, documented and watched over. 

Just like in the show, this surveillance can be good, but it can also have negative effects. For one, children who need extra help or attention receive it, but they are deemed as being abnormal and isolated from the “normal” children. No matter how much society aims to understand the psychology behind children and their actions, there are just some cases where their actions do not make sense, like the case of Shonen A. I think that the show does a good job of calling out this fear that society has and shedding light on the idea of the “wild child”. It also proposes the idea of a life where this type of surveillance and punishment system is not necessary, which is not totally realistic but it does offer some hope that this system can be improved in the future.

[kalamb]

Hey Siena!

Yes, this anime was truly suspect and strange indeed. I didn't really like being thrown into Saki's world and having to piece everything together by ep 2 or 3. However, like you said, I really like the message that was being presented, especially the dangers of perpetual surveillance. Seeing how K snapped and, in turn, caused all that damage was mind-blowing, but expected from how society is in that anime.

Excited to see what you watch next!

See ya!

[kalamb]

"The power of imagination changes everything."

Hey guys! This week, I watched "shinsekai yori," a really mind-bending anime that left me thinking for a good hour after I finished. This anime was strange to me, not only because of the plot shift and the world I was shown, but also because of the underlying theme or message being emphasized. The idea that society could be afraid of children is baffling to me. However, learning about K and other violent characters made me scared of children too! 

Similar to Psycho-Pass, "Shinsekai yori” really reminded me of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, where children are closely watched and under surveillance. Every move is analyzed, and they are constantly checked for irregularities in their attitudes and feelings. I also felt the same uneasiness when it was revealed what happens to children who don't meet society’s standards. And learning about the lengths the adults in “shin sekai yori” take to remove the irregular kids, it really made me consider the extent to whichany society should go to maintain peace. If you have to eliminate children before they even do something wrong, are you creating safety, or are you just creating fear? And the way the adults started blaming karma demons and fiends made it seem like they were just finding someone to throw under the bus for their mistakes.

And it seems perfectly normal in the anime. As Saki starts to learn about her world, she soon rationalizes it. Subconsciously, she tries to remove how society views the “rats,” but she herself still feels different from them.

In all, Shin Sekai Yori was a little heavier than the other anime, (like Psycho Pass), but in a good way that I liked. It encouraged me to think about how we use children for fear and control in both the real world and the virtual world. I’d give this a 8.5/10.

See Ya!

[vannahxd1]

Psycho-Pass

Hello everyone!! Do you think it’s time for a change of mood? I do! Today, I am going to be talking about a darker anime named Psycho-Pass. Initially, I was shocked by the shift from sweet, light-hearted anime to dark anime with sexual assault, murder, and mind-bending ideas. I skipped a couple of episodes of this anime, but I ended up watching until the last episode, though I was going to stop at episode 17. It was honestly such a good anime!! The way this anime makes you think and how the plot comes around full circle, and the end, where SPOILER a text states that the Sibyl System continues on after everything that we learned. Psycho-pass has made me see how a government or control system can change the way average civilians live. Comparing this anime world to the real world, I can see similarities in aspects such as security and surveillance. Learning about the Sibyl system was the most important aspect for me when watching, and when I saw what it was actually made of, I didn't fully understand. However, as the show provided more details, I gained a better grasp of it. From the beginning, I thought having a system that decides a person's fate based on a person's mental state was weird, but this is what most sci-fi movies are about: the future where robots control humans. Seeing how people lost their free will and sense of choice also stood out. Additionally, the way the idea of a panopticon is presented and explained through this series also helps me understand its concept and its application in the real world. There are definitely still parts of the world, even in Japan or America, where people still live like this, like livestock, being told what to do and what is best for them. The way the Sibyl system controls people and calculates everyone’s purpose and value, as seen in the inspector's case, also demonstrates the system's considerable power over the whole country and its people. Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

Hey Vannah! 

I love your evaluation and notes on Psycho-pass. I agree that the sudden shift from somewhat lighthearted media to such a dark and cynical anime took me back a little. I find it interesting when you say that the Sibyl System reflects how society’s over-reliance on surveillance and control is dangerous. I agree with that, as well as the data collection happening in our society today. Although not covered in the anime, I’m sure the Sibyl System tracked citizens' data like comments, liked posts, and different media. Maybe in the next season, someone could get in trouble for liking a TikTok about dark humor! I really like the concept behind the Panopticon, and I see you are passionate about it too. The idea that people behave differently because they might be watched at any moment makes me think about how many times I’ve changed my actions because I thought someone was watching me. However, the constant idea that someone is always watching makes me a little nervous. I can see myself and others around me losing free will and the power to distinguish right from wrong. Now I understand why we often reference how God is always watching us, so we should act accordingly. 

Also, I like how you mentioned that the inspectors get their roles based on the judgment of the Sibyl System. That part really stood out to me too and reminded me of *The Giver*, where every citizen's role is revealed in a ceremony and is predetermined based on their personalities and thoughts. In *Psycho-Pass*, this enhances the nullification of free will by labeling people as criminals with just a hint of bad thoughts. It even reaches the point where they persecute their own inspectors and demote them to hunters or dogs.

Signing out, See ya!

[kalamb]

"Fools learn from experience, while the wise learn from history."

I know I said this before in my last post, but Psycho-Pass might be one of the best anime I've seen this YEAR. I may be biased because of my interest in everything sci-fi, but the anime's concept was executed perfectly. I also love the not-so-underlying theme of ethics in safety and the measures to maintain that safety in society. I think the anime as a whole serves as a fortune-telling spyglass that suggests a world that has a possibility of happening shortly. Over the past few decades, we have had significant technological advancements, which have also raised questions on how these innovations should be regulated, if even regulated at all. Right off the first episode, the viewers are thrust into this futuristic version of Japan, with holographic images and drones all around. The presence of drones all around already presents the idea that in this world, a higher power wants to keep its eye on everybody, everywhere. The first episode does a great job of introducing us to how society works while also keeping the plot moving forward. We learn that citizens are scanned and their mental state is evaluated by drones that the “higher power” controls. When evaluated, a system known as the “Siybl System” determines the risk/possibility of the person committing a crime or being a danger to those around them. This essentially means people can be reprimanded or targeted by authorities because of their thoughts or state of mind. Today, the thought of authorities doing this would be ludicrous, but this anime leaves us rethinking whether something like this is impossible. This very feature is what influences the main plots in Psycho-Pass. We see how society is affected by this feature when a scene of a man brutally murdering someone in public is met with a somewhat apathetic reaction from the crowd. It is later revealed that citizens don’t know how to react to something so absent because they had never had an idea that the act could be possible. Overall, Psycho-Pass isn't just an anime with sleek visuals and high-stakes action; the anime challenges the viewers to imagine and consider the ethics of a world that prioritizes order and safety over individual freedoms.

10/10 from me. See ya!