JPT1311 blog

[animatedworldblog]

Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers / Sensōron

Watching Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and Sensoron was a lot to process emotionally as they all portrayed some sort of emotional constraint. The different emotions that you feel throughout each of these anime take you for a ride because it is all different. In Your Name, I felt the emotions the strongest because you can feel the loss and pain that they feel throughout. The comet was the main form of the example they used for the disasters as you can see the damage that it was doing to society. This makes you think about other weather or unnatural events that could happen in reality that set you on a different emotional track of fear and pain. While I personally have never felt anything like that with a tragedy, I can tell that people who experienced these types of events really went through a lot and you feel their pain through the screen. In Hetalia, the emotional feeling was a lot different compared to the first one. The beginning leads you to believe they are acting funny to portray a comedy sort of feeling. However, as you move on you clearly understand that this is far worse and people feel a lot of distraught and emotion relating to the war. The sense of pain that these countries were feeling was real and no matter how many times they tried to make the subjects funny, you can tell there was a deeper emotional feeling relating to these events. In Sensoron, I liked you up front this whole film was and easy to understand. There was no trying to make it funny or covering up the emotions as they were real and straight to the point. This makes you think about the divide between countries and how real these situations can really get if it were to happen. Overall, all three of these pieces of anime reflect different emotions and really take you through a lot of emotional feelings.

[karaakii]

Your reflection captures the emotional depth of these works really well, especially in how Your Name, Hetalia, and Sensōron each convey pain in such distinct ways. I also found Your Name to be the most emotionally gripping. The quiet sense of loss, time, and disconnection that mirrors how real-life disasters often feel was so moving. The comet served not just as a literal disaster, but as a metaphor for the unpredictability of trauma. I haven’t lived through a tragedy like that, but the film made me really empathize with those who have. Your observation about Hetalia is very thoughtful. Its comedic approach makes it easy to dismiss at first, but the longer you watch, the more it becomes clear that history’s trauma lingers beneath the humor. It made me question whether making light of war can ever truly separate itself from the pain it's built on. I agree with your thoughts on Sensōron. While its message is controversial, it does reveal how deeply narratives of victimhood and pride can shape a nation’s identity. Altogether, these viewings remind us that national memory is always emotional, and anime can be a surprisingly effective space to explore that.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Your Name/Hetalia: Axis Powers/Sensōron

Watching Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and reading Sensōron together left me reflecting on how media both reflects and shapes collective memory, national identity, and our relationship to the past. These works, though vastly different in tone and style, engage with how Japan sees itself, as well as how it is seen by others, in the context of both trauma and globalization.

Your Name resonated with me most on an emotional level. The quiet devastation of Itomori and the comet disaster evoked Japan’s history of both natural and man-made catastrophes, similar to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and nuclear meltdown. But more than anything, the film's portrayal of memory loss, time gaps, and attempts at reconnection felt like a metaphor for post-disaster identity, like how a younger generation inherits trauma it doesn’t fully understand. It reminded me of my own experience hearing family stories that felt more made-up than memory because I couldn't imagine it, yet shaped how I see the world.

Hetalia, on the other hand, shocked me with how playfully it depicts World War history. It reminded me a lot of stories I've read before such as Maus. By personifying countries as anime stereotypes, it trivializes serious issues like colonialism and war crimes. That said, Hetalia's absurdity also made me reflect on how easily history is distorted in pop culture. There’s something troubling to me morally about turning national traumas into comedy skits, especially when compared with the more serious, nationalistic revisionism I encountered in Sensōron.

Kobayashi’s Sensōron is perhaps the most disturbing, not simply because it glorifies violence directly, but because it undermines collective memory by challenging historical documentation. This is especially prevalent regarding the Nanjing Massacre and comfort women. His argument that much of Japan's guilt is the result of American “brainwashing” post-WWII positions the nation as a victim of misinformation rather than a perpetrator of violence. It is a complex topic, as the American occupation was horrifically shaping to many, but it is not fair to frame any nation as a victim that was also a very violent one. Compared this to the emotional depth and historical resonance in Your Name, the revisionist attitude in Sensōron felt not only cold, but dangerous in a potentially influential attitude way.

One clear connection across these works is the theme of pop nationalism. Hetalia and Sensōron both contribute to a version of nationalism that is either sanitized or defiant. Your Name, by contrast, feels more interested in memory, empathy, and interconnection. It is not in glorifying the past, but in healing from it, which is very interesting to me.

[smithclan19]

Kev reacts to Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Xenoblade 2

The anime ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ begins 1,000 years after an apocalyptic war, humanity survives in small settlements surrounded by the toxic Sea of Decay jungle. Princess Nausicaä of the peaceful Valley of the Wind discovers that the jungle’s plants are not inherently poisonous; they are filtering toxins from soil contaminated by ancient human warfare. When the militaristic Tolmekian army attempts to use a recovered ancient weapon to destroy the jungle, they provoke the giant insect Ohm into a destructive rampage. Nausicaä sacrifices herself to save a baby Ohm, demonstrating that humans and nature can coexist harmoniously. Her Christ-like death and resurrection fulfill an ancient prophecy, offering hope for ecological healing through cooperation rather than domination of nature.

The video game ‘Xenoblade Chronicles 2’ starts with a boy named Rex being hoisted up, taking off an old school SCUBA helmet, looking at his dragon friend, which is later revealed as a titan, and then engaging with a scorpion. Rex also meets a girl named Nia, and they form a partnership. Eventually, he comes into contact with Elysium, where he meets a girl named Pyra, who has a core crystal. Rex then, once revived, begins a battle and is revealed to be an Aegis Driver. The group then engages against Ophion, whom Pyra seems to know, and tries to communicate with it. They also encounter another Urayan Titan, which causes them to be swallowed and eventually fight, leading to Pyra’s transformation into an ultimate form named Mythra. It is then revealed that Mythra, 500 years ago, was one of two brought down from Elysium, and both were released, with Mythra victorious against Malos.

The group then battles Jin, who is one of the most powerful blades in history, and captures Pyra. Rex beats Jin, and then Ophion fights another titan. The group awakens, and Jin then joins the party but dies. The group then meets Claus the Architect, who reveals how they all came to be. Mythra then tricks the group into getting into escape pods while sacrificing herself, but saving the world. I believe that both stories reflect a yearning of mankind to find balance with technology and nature, while also highlighting Schimelpfenig’s genuine environmental restoration.

[karaakii]

Your post very insightfully connects Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 through their shared themes of ecological restoration and the tension between humanity, nature, and technology. I liked your focus on how both protagonists symbolize the hope for balance through compassion and cooperation rather than domination.

In Nausicaä, the revelation that the toxic jungle is actually purifying the land reframes nature not as a threat, but as a healer of human destruction. Nausciaä's willingness to sacrifice herself emphasizes the idea that true restoration requires humility and respect. Similarly, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 explores the complexity of humanity's technological past, through Claus's role as the Architect and the core crystal system that are deeply tied to questions of creation and consequence. The transformation of Pyra into Mythra, and the evntural sacrifice, mirrors Nausicaä's arc of power only being redemptive when used selflessly.

Both works suggest that healing, whether ecological or personal, comes from connection over conquest, and I think your post highlights this very well. I enjoyed how you noticed the characters bridging divides between species, ideologies, and even timelines. It serves as an important reminder that our relationship with the environment is inseparable from how we treat each other.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind/Xenoblade Chronicles 2

After watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and the cutscenes of the video game Xendoblade Chronicles 2, I felt heavy-hearted thinking about the relationship between humans and nature. This is something that is deeply personal in my life and interests, so I found the material, particularly Nausicaä, very engaging and relatable. It was not just their ecological themes, but how both works grapple with the human desire to dominate, use, and "fix" the world, as well as the resistance against that instinct. Both stories present post-apocalyptic settings that are shaped by ecological collapse and human hubris, but both argue for the redemptive power of empathy and coexistence.

In Nausicaä, the Toxic Jungle is initially seen as a disturbance, but is ultimately revealed to be purifying the poisoned earth. This idea that nature is healing, not hostile, subverts the instrumentalist mindset very common in industrial modernity, that nature exists only to serve humans. Similarily, Xendoblade exposed the suffering caused by viewing others (especially Blades) as tools. Blades are born to serve humans, and are objectified by having their memory and any personal feeling erased, only seen for their purpose. Jin's transformation into a Flesh Eater is a tragic rebellion against that fate. These stories, despite their different tones and mediums, make the same argument that salvation is from listening, understanding, and resisting utter control, rather than power and domination.

Living in a world that emphasized productivity and utillity, especially at the cost of the environment, I was very impacted by these anime, because this is a topic I care a lot about. I see many around me treat other people, the environment, and even themselves as things to be optimized, rather than cared for. I also unfortunately have to watch as the climate collapses, with an uneasy feeling of inheriting a world doomed for the future. What Nausicaä and Xenoblade offer is something very hopeful and comforting, a possibility of healing through slowness, care, and humility.

Globally, both narratives resonate with Anthropocene anxieties. Begging the question of what happens when human activity reshapes the planet beyond repair, before realizing we're far beyond that point. More locally in Japan, there are echoes of the destruction of Hiroshima, Fukushima, and the trauma of rapid modernization that truly began under American influence post WWII. The fear of technology unmoored from ethics is very evident in both pieces. The Giant Warrior in Nausicaä and the Aegises in Xenoblade are "godlike" weapons born from human ambition, that turn against their makers, which I feel is even more relevant now. Both medias ask the viewers how they use the world, and more importantly, why they use the world the way they do.

[animatedworldblog]

Neon Genesis Evangelion / The End of Evangelion

Watching both Neon Genesis Evangelion and Then End of Evangelion made me think about a lot of unease situations that could possibly happen today. The amount of emotional attachment throughout both of these pieces of anime was fascinating and really pulled you into the action. Shinji was a very interesting character because he represents someone who is insecure. It almost felt like he needed somebody to need him in order to feel useful and it was almost annoying to watch him feel that way. You shouldn't have to be needed at all times and that type of person can be very arrogant. I think that is the type of person that I try not to be because he was always unsure about what to do and could never go with his first decision without questioning it. The message that they were trying to convey is that someone may need that attention a little more and they might not always be as confident as you. Shinji had little to no confidence as you can see he could never make a clear decision without questioning what he was going to do next. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut and deal with the outcome. This character represents a person in society that is not capable of being a leader or someone people can trust rather a person that should be steered away from. In The End of Evangelion it was a little confusing to me because there was no clear ending or emotional feel as the plot kept shifting. It is almost like you are being forced to watch it and see what happens next because everything is so unexpected. Sometimes life gives you obstacles but it is important that you are able to adapt to those circumstances and move on. Overall, I think both of these pieces of anime were geared to show that some people are very insecure and cannot make their own decisions confidently without questioning their actions.

[karaakii]

Your post raises a very interesting perspective on Shinji's character and how his insecurity can be both frustrating and revealing. I agree that watching someone so hesitant and emotionally fragile can be very uncomfortable, especially when we're used to protagonists of an opposite nature. I think, though, that the discomfort is intentional. Neon Genesis Evangelion forces us as viewers to sit with the kind of vulnerability and emotional paralysis that many people, especially young people, experience but don't discuss. Rather than portraying Shinji as someone to be admired, the series challenges viewers to empathize with someone who lacks confidence and seeks validation, which in my opinion makes him a better character, even if it's painful to watch. I also found The End of Evangelion disorienting, but I think it mirrors how chaotic and overwhelming life can feel when you struggle internally.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Neon Genesis Evangelion/End of Evangelion

Watching Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion felt like entering a very dreamlike atmosphere, but with an outstandingly uncomfortable subtext of mental health, maculinity, and existentialism. More than any other anime I've seen, Neon Genesis Evangelion doesn't shy away from confronting the emotional nature of trauma, loneliness, and a need for validation. Shinji at times resonated with me not because he is a traditional hero, but because of how flawed he is. His struggle with self-worth, fear of abandonment, and dependence on others' praise was extremely relatable to me, but also stood as a great critique on social pressures, and felt very universal in its portrayal of alienation.

The anime made me think on my own ideas of masculinity. Shinji doesn't fit a stereotype of hegemonic masculinity, as he isn't stoic, confident, or aggresive. Instead, he is passive, emotionally volatile, and desperate, which puts him in a unique position of a marginalized form of masculinity. Kaworu's brief presence challenged this even further by offering Shinji unconditional acceptance, which is something extremely rare in his world. Their relationship edged onto tragic queer intimacy, and I found myself grieving with Shinji when he was forced to kill someone who may have been the only person who ever showed him kindness without expecting something in return.

I really enjoyed The End of Evangelion, because I felt it pushed all of these topics to their psychological extremes. The apocolypse was not only global, but extremely internal. The collapse of the world mirrored the collapse of individual psyches. I really liked how the film portrayed the desire to disappear into others by losing the burden of individuality through the Human Instrumentality Project. Yet, it ultimately affirmed the value of separate existence. The message that we are shaped by others but must learn to live with ourselves is something I'm still processing, I was hit by this so hard.

[reviewer28]

Convention

The documentary “True Otaku” serves to humanize and challenge stereotypes surrounding the otaku community. Otaku culture is often stigmatized, and there is a lack of acceptance of the community due to characterizations of its members as being antisocial and lacking in meaningful hobbies at the expense of pursuing an interest that is seen by many as “childish.” The documentary shows the power of having a like-minded community where people can embrace their identities and bond with others without fear of judgement. In the documentary, narratives of individuals who enjoy otaku culture are given, allowing people a chance to have their perspectives understood. Some of these individuals include collectors of anime, manga, and comics, as well as gamers. Their stories challenge the idea that otaku enjoyers live an exclusively solitary life, showing how events such as conventions establish a sense of community and connection. The documentary helps viewers understand the diversity amongst the otaku community to dismantle negative societal perceptions, such as through showing members’ creativity, social interactions, and passions. Also, by showing the fanfare at the conventions, the documentary highlights how large the otaku community is, as well as the power of otaku to bring together a diverse group of people. 

Reflecting on the documentary, it is very powerful because it shows the power of shared passions in bringing people together who have nothing in common otherwise. Similar to how activities such as sporting events can bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together, otaku conventions help people from all around the world find common ground. Thousands of people line up to participate in the conventions, as well as purchase merchandise, comics, and other related items. Having a supportive community is extremely important, especially for those who may feel misunderstood by society and like outsiders. It can also help people find a community that they otherwise may not have had. Although I have little experience with the anime fandom and never explored anime much before taking this class, I have experienced enjoying niche extracurriculars that can be misunderstood. Throughout high school and college, I have found great comfort in finding groups with likeminded people who I felt I could be myself around. For example, my high school debate team and my college chemistry fraternity have greatly helped me come out of my shell and bond with others.  

Another impactful part of the documentary is seeing how fulfilling otaku is for fans, as well as how they have found their identities through the otaku community. Many who are interviewed are forming social networks amongst other fans. Some also produce creative work such as drawings related to the otaku, showing how their love for otaku pushes them to pursue other hobbies such as art. Seeing how otaku sparks people’s creativity is extremely insightful, and it also challenges the misconception that otaku fans lack other hobbies. The interviews also show the diverse looks and personalities of the fans. There is typically a stereotypical image associated with people in the community, but the documentary helps to dismantle the prejudices. The emphasis on interviews and individual perspectives makes the documentary significantly more impactful. 

Despite the influence of the documentary, there is still some lack of acceptance from otaku culture in certain spheres. Societal prejudices still exist, and despite becoming more common, the otaku community is still not entirely mainstream. However, by humanizing and reducing the stigma around the community, the documentary will likely help inspire others to not hide their interests, however niche they may be. This may also help people feel less isolated knowing others share their passions. This does not only apply to otaku. Many are ashamed of the activities they enjoy because they are considered to be “nerdy” or “uncool.” However, there is never a need to hide one's true personality, and it is always possible for one to find a community where they belong. 

[karaakii]

Your blog post does a great job emphasizing how True Otaku works to humanize and de-stigmatize the otaku community. I especially appreciated your comparison of otaku conventions to sports events, I found it a very powerful analogy that highlights how any passionate fandom can offer a sense of belonging and connection. The documentary clearly shows how shared interests, no matter how niche, can lead to meaningful relationships and personal growth.

Your reflections on your own experiences within niche groups helped ground the post in a personal perspective, echoing the documentary’s message of identity and community being intertwined. This connection reinforces the idea that fandoms, just like clubs or teams, can become safe spaces where people grow, form friendships, and gain confidence.

I also thought your focus on creativity was insightful. The scenes where fans engage in art, cosplay, or content creation show that otaku culture is not just about consumption but also expression. This challenges the harmful stereotypes that these fans are isolated or lack ambition.

Finally, I liked your closing thoughts about societal judgment. You’re right that people often hide their true interests to avoid ridicule, and True Otaku is one of many steps toward normalizing all kinds of passions. Whether someone is into anime, games, or movies, there’s always value in embracing who you are and finding your people through that.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: True Otaku - The Documentary

Prior to this class, I did not know much about anything related to anime or the fan culture surrounding it. I had heard many stereotypes regarding "people who watched anime," and "cosplayers" but never paid much attention to it. Therefore, I have not been to any sort of convention and chose to watch the documentary. I have had some experiences with fandom growing up though, through movies and actors/actresses. Watching True Otaku: The Documentary reminded me how deeply fandom, especially anime fandom, can shape cultural identity and provide a transformative space for self-discovery.

The documentary explains how the term "otaku" itself has evolved, from being a derogatory Japanese term, to one proudly embraced in the U.S., especially within convention culture. One interviewee joked that being otaku means buying so much anime merch that you can't afford food, and I laughed because I would rather spend money on movies than buying food. That enthusiasm, or as another fan put it, "obsession" mirrors a similar experience to mine, and shows how anime culture can reflect other fandom experience and become a core part of someone's identity.

Although I haven't attended a large-scale anime convention like Otakon, I've felt that same sense of belonging that fan gatherings can bring through smaller meetups, like film clubs. True Otaku shows just how immersive and multifaceted these gatherings can be, from cosplay and panels to niche fashion communities. Seeing cosplayers talk about stepping into another personsa, often very opposite from their everyday self, reminded me of our discussions on how powerful identity is. I find it empowering that people find comfort in having an alternate sort of personality to go to when they want. Fandom spaces often give people the freedom to explore and perform identity in ways the real world doesn't. One person said "it's fun not to be yourself for a weekend," and I found that so moving, speaking to the power of fandom and liking media as a medium for self-expression, especially in youth who are still navigating who they are and trying things out.

The documentary also points how otaku culture overlaps with performance and creativity. Cosplay is not just dressing up, but an embodied art form, even likened to historical reenactment. That helped me see other forms of fandom productivity (writing fanfiction, video edits) as more than just hobbyism. As Dust Bunny, a featured award-winning cosplayer, explained, her costumes represent "a learning process every time." That framing reminded me of how much people can teach themselves through fandom. Many viewers of foreign media learn words from the language, and many people who engage in fandom can learn new skills from being involved, which I find so interesting. In a world that prioritizes productivity in terms of money or traditional education, fandom can offer alternative ways of learning and valuing knowledge, as well as even encouraging globalization.

One powerful theme throughout True Otaku is that fandom isn't simply about media, but rather the people and community. As Lauren, a blogger in the documentary explained, what fascinated her was the "genuine" energy of fans. This includes their openness, commitment, and kindness. There is a contrast between conventional and fan spaces that reflect identity being able to come alive in certain fan spaces, when they feel related to and seen by the other people. Fandom is where people can meet their closest friends, and where they feel the most comfortable being themselves, similar to how you traditionally make friends with people who are interested in the same topics and activities you are.

This liks closely to what we've discussed in class about postmodern youth culture, and the way boundaries between consumer and creator, East and West, and public and private are blurred. Otaku culture exemplifies this hybrid world. Western fans may embrace Japanese aesthetics, remix them, and circulate them in a localized way. The documentary referenced Roland Kelts' idea of "Cool Japan," where Japanese pop culture becomes a global soft power. However, for fans, it is more personal than that.

The internet plays a huge role in this, likewise to how it plays a major role in globalization and the spread of ideas. From LiveJournal communities to cosplay forums and anime blogs, online platforms are what allowed otaku culture to flourish beyond Japan. For many, especially youth or those in rural areas, the internet is the only place they can find "their people." Watching this documentary made me realize that for a lot of people, fandom is not an escape from real life, but is actually their real life. It is how so many people in the world construct meaning, build friendships, and understand themselves.

Ultimately, True Otaku affirms what I've recently realized through not only my own experience but the documentary too, that being a fan of anything is a powerful means of self-expression. Whether you are sewing a costume, joining a fan club, or watching a series, you are participating in a shared culture that values imagination, connection, and self-expression. The documentary states that "Otaku is passion," and I find that very real, any sort of fandom is a passion that helps shape identity.

[reviewer28]

The Many Angles of Girl Power

“Sailor Moon” explores themes of feminism and gender roles in Japanese society. Through certain events in the anime, certain gender stereotypes are defied, while others are unfortunately reinforced. In this anime, the story of Usaki, a middle school girl who discovers she is the reincarnation and guardian known as Sailor Moon, begins her journey to save the world from evil alongside her talking cat. She recruits a group of friends to help her find the location of the Legendary Silver Crystal, and eventually after numerous battles, she emerges victorious. Along her journey, she falls in love and eventually marries Mamoru, a man she is accompanied by. Usagi’s heroic quest connects to global issues because it reflects women’s independence and empowerment. The anime challenges ideas of women being relegated to the household and reliant on men. At the same time, the characters still enjoy activities/items considered to be “girly,” showing how girls can enjoy things traditionally associated with femininity but still be strong and powerful. This challenges the idea that strong women must behave a certain type of way, and allows the characters to continue to do what makes them happy while also growing into their new identities. However, while gender roles are challenged in the anime, certain problematic ideas are also reinforced. For example, Usagi still feels pressured to conform to rigid beauty standards, forcing herself to attempt to lose weight. Being extremely thin is often expected of women, with many taking extreme measures to lose weight such as participating in excessive exercise or restrictive diets. Some even develop eating disorders due to societal pressures to maintain an “ideal” body. This can be seen with Usagi, as she becomes insecure due to negative comments on her weight gain, engaging in diets and exercises advertised as being good for weight loss. She even decides to continue her fight due to the belief that it will make her lose weight. This also shows how society takes advantage of vulnerable women by advertising quick fixes for weight loss that are not actually effective in order to profit off of insecurities. Finally, the sexualization of Usagi’s school uniform also raises many questions about the purpose of the characters revealing more revealing uniforms as minors. Some argue that this is inappropriate, white others view this as experimentation with transitioning between the characters dressing/acting in a more mature fashion and then returning to their childhood. 

In “Aggretsuko,” the protagonist, Retsuko, struggles with being in a hostile work environment and requiring an outlet to express her frustrations. She works with a misogynistic boss who treats her as inferior to her male colleagues, forcing her to do tasks that are considered to be “women’s jobs” rather than treating her as an equal. After work, Retsuke expresses her rage by screaming at a karaoke bar, which is something that is traditionally considered to not be “ladylike.” This allows her to have an escape from her everyday life and to take a break from hiding her emotions. She is expected to be obedient in her workplace rather than speaking up against the mistreatment she experiences. This is similar to how in real life, women are often expected to smile and take orders from others, regardless of whether they are fair or not. Women are not expected to speak up or express their anger, but rather, they are constantly forced to maintain a friendly and polite demeanor. This can lead to strong built up emotions, as seen with Retsuko. The karaoke bar is the only place she feels she can truly let out her emotions in a world where she is constantly forced to suppress them. The anime shows how emotionally taxing being devalued in a sexist workplace can be, as well as the unreasonable expectations placed on women for how they are supposed to manage their emotions. 

In “Wandering Son,” two children struggle to discover their identities, as they both feel that they do not conform with the gender they were assigned at birth. They both wish to be opposite genders, and as they grow and enter puberty, they experiment with different ways to express themselves. However, they struggle with judgement and lack of acceptance from society, as many do not understand or support their lifestyle. This anime connects to the issues of conformity and societal prejudices. People are frequently judged and looked down on if they do not fit in with what is considered to be normal. Many are bullied and excluded for trying to express their identity if it goes against what is expected. This also connects to the issue of transgender and LGBTQ rights, as many in both the past and present have been discriminated against for being a part of this community. This has been in the form of both discrimination by society and legal restrictions on things such as gender-affirming care and gay marriage. Finally, this also connects to the issue of mental health, especially for members of the LGBTQ community. Many struggle with their mental health as they question their identity, especially if they are not supported by their close friends and family. 

[karaakii]

Your blog post raises many important points about gender, power, and identity in the three anime we watched. I especially appreicated how you discussed the contradictions in Sailor Moon, how it uplifts female empowerment yet reinforces very harmful beauty standards, as this really stood out to me too. Usagi's struggle with body image and the pressure to stay thin is such a painfully real and relatable issue, and the way the anime presents dieting as being tied to worth or heroism reflects deeper societal problems. I also resonated with your take on Aggretsuko, as her use of something artistic or expressive to let go of her rage felt like such a great metaphor for the ways women are forced to bottle up their anger in professional and social settings. Retsuko's emotional suppression is so relatable for anyone who feels they have to perform "niceness" to survive. Your reflections on Wandering Son were very moving as well, watching Shuichi and Yoshino navigate identity in the face of judgment and misunderstanding was so heartbreaking but of course necessary. It shows how deeply gender expectations are ingrained and how much bravery it takes for a lot of people to simply live authentically. Altogether, these anime don't only entertain, but force the viewers to confront how society defines gender, power, and acceptance, as well as how those definitions impact real people every day.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Sailor Moon/Aggretsuko/Wandering Son

As a woman, Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son all felt like looking upon different phases of what it means to grow up and find power, especially as a girl in a society with rigid expectations around gender, success, and appearance. Even though these anime differ in tone and style, they each dive into the struggles of identity and agency, not only in Japan, but globally.

Sailor Moon as the most nostalgic of the three, but underneath the glittery aesthetics and moon tiaras was a very honest reflection on girlhood. Girlhood is something extremely important to me, and I loved the way these episodes of Sailor Moon portrayed it. Usagi's self-doubt, her fixation on appearance, grades, and crushes, all hit home for me as well as anyone who has ever felt like they were failing the expectations placed on most girls. It was so powerful to me how Usagi was often scolded for being late, eating too much, and not studying, however when she is Sailor Moon, her emotions are essentially her superpower. Her tears flip the idea that femininity is weak and embrace emotion. The reversal was extremely empowering, especially for someone who often felt they had to hide emotions to be taken seriously, even if the anime still works within some traditional gender roles.

In constrast, Aggretsuko confront adulthood. Retsuko's rage resonated with me, especially the scenes where she holds in her frustration all day at work, only to unleash it in an expressive way after (for her, death metal karaoke). Aggretsuko takes on workplace sexism, corporate culture, marriage pressure, and performative feminity with a darkly comic tone, but beneath it is a real exhaustion felt by so many women. Watching her try to balance pleasing others with staying true to herself reminded me of myself growing up, and furthermore that gender performance doesn't stop in childhood, just changes form.

By time I reached Wandering Son, I was very emotional. Shuichi and Yoshino's quiet, tender journeys toward understanding their gender identities felt so beautifully vulnerable. The episode where Shuichi walks to school in a sailor uniform, expressing both hope and terror, made me cry. Their "test of courage" is not just about clothing, but being seen for who you are in a world that refuses to understand.

Together, all three anime served to remind me that gender is not fixed, but rather navigated, resisted, and redefined. Whether it is through magical superhero girls, rage-filled office workers, or transgender teens, each story challenged me to rethink how identity is shaped, and how reclaiming it can be such a powerful act of resistance.

[reviewer28]

Fan Culture: The Good and the Ugly

“Genshiken” creatively explores fan culture by telling the story of a group of people with unique interests in anime, manga, video games, and other hobbies related to visual media. The anime follows the character’s journeys of discovering their identities and going through personal growth. It also shows the friendships formed from over the characters’ niche shared interests. 

This anime has a more lighthearted message than many of the others explored in class that dealt with themes such as discrimination, exploitation by capitalism/neoliberalism, and hyperreality. Still, “Genshiken” has many important personal connections. Although I have never been a fan of certain types of media or artists to the same extent as the characters, I have had fulfilling experiences of finding like-minded communities who I have bonded with over specific hobbies throughout my life. For example, throughout high school, I was part of organizations such as the debate and math teams. Although this is quite different from the club portrayed in the anime, finding groups of people who shared my interests helped me to discover my passions and to grow as a person. 

This also connects to numerous global and social issues. In a world where many struggle to find “belonging” and to “fit in,” finding spaces where one can be themself without fear of judgement is especially important. This is especially the case for people whose interests may be less mainstream. Also, “Genshiken” helps to challenge stereotypes about otaku culture, as many fans are viewed as outcasts. 

The discussion of fan culture, its productivity, and the competition within it is especially interesting in the age of social media. On platforms such as Instagram, it has become increasingly common to see accounts dedicated to fanpages for certain authors, actors, movie characters, influencers, etc. There definitely has also become a hierarchy amongst fans and competition over who is the most invested. While being passionate about certain people or forms of media can help bring people together and help one discover their identity, there can be a point where this can become obsessive and unhealthy. If people begin to prioritize their fan behavior over real-life relationships or other hobbies/academics, this can majorly set people back. Becoming too connected to someone can lead to disappointment when the person does not conform to expectations. Finally, while being a fan can make up a part of someone’s personality, too much focus on the lives of others can take away from the formation of one’s own identity. 

[karaakii]

I really loved reading your thoughtful exploration of fan culture through Genshiken. You did a great job exploring how the anime highlights both the empowering and potentially isolating aspects of being part of a community of any sort. I really resonated with your point about finding identity through shared interests, and how being part of a group (even a niche one centered around a fandom) can give people a sense of belonging that is difficult to find elsewhere. I’ve seen a lot of people have similar experiences with online fandoms whether through Harry Potter or other anime, especially ones that celebrate writing and fan fiction. These spaces can encourage creativity and friendship between people around the world who make each other feel seen. It also delves into an entire broader topic of globalization.

Your discussion about the toxicity and hierarchy that often develops in online fandoms is also extremely important. Social media, especially on TikTok, Instagram, and X, often reward extreme engagement or knowledge, which can shift fan culture from community-based to competition-based. I like how you balanced this by noting that while fandom can help shape identity, it shouldn’t replace personal development or real-life relationships. Genshiken was a great anime to reflect on these complexities, and your analysis captures the duality very well.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Genshiken

Genshiken was both deeply entertaining and surprisingly relatable, espectailly in how it captures the nuances of fandom and fan productivity. The anime dives into the subculture of otaku in Japan, offering a lens not just into niche interests like dōjinshi, cosplay, and visual novels, but also into the social dynamics that form around them. In episodes like the first and second, the contrast between Kasukabe's fashionable, normal interests and the otaku world of Kohsaka and the others mirrors a broader tension in Japanese society between mainstream conformity and niche subcultures. This tension exists globally as well, whether the interest is in anime, gaming, or fanfiction, there is often a need to justify or hide one's interests depending on social context.

One thing that stood out to me was how Genshiken portrays fan productivity not as a passive experience, but rather an active form of self-expression. Ogiue, for example, creates dōjinshi based on imagines slash pairings of her friends, which blends her fantasies with real people. This is quite an intimate form of fan productivity, by transforming private fandom into public creativity. It reminded me of consuming Harry Potter fanfics, seeing diverse narratives that the source material ignored. Like Ogiue, many fan creators build on existing works not just out of admiration but to reframe or reimagine stories in ways that make space for their own desires.

Madarame's episode stuck with me for how it used humor and awkwardness to show how isolating otaku culture can be, even among fans. His inner monologue mimicking a visual novel format while stuck with Kasukabe captured the loneliness and hesitation that come with being seen as "too much" or "too nerdy" which is something I've often felt. Yet, Genshiken never mocks its characters, but instead allows them the space to grow and connect. The inclusion of seemingly foreign characters like Angela and Sue also speak to how anime and fandom are global phenomena. Sue's quirky, exaggerated behavior may seem excessive, but it reflects how international fans engage with Japanese media in a different way, and furthermore how fandom can bridge language and culture.

Ultimately, Genshiken humanizes otaku culture. It shows how fandom becomes a site of identity, creativity, and community-building, even when those things can be messy and uncomfortable. Watching it made me reflect on how transformative and validatng fan spaces can be, especially for people who don't always fit a mainstream mold.

[kylieottens]

Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice

Hello blog! Today I will be reflecting on three different animes that I watched in the last couple of days.

The first anime that watched was Naruto. Obviously I couldn’t watch the whole series in a couple days…but I’ll give my thoughts on the few episodes that I did  watch. I immediately noticed just how ostracized Naruto was from society. No matter how hard he tried, nothing ever seemed good enough for his sensei or anyone else for that matter. He is heavily discriminated against for a long time and has to work five times as hard as everybody else to get anything. It takes about 400 episodes for Naruto to earn any sort of recognition from the people of his society.

The next anime I want to talk about is Wolf Children. I have to admit that this film was not my favorite. Even though it did not fit my personal style I can still see the meaning behind the movie. The children in this movie are forced to hide their true colors in fear of being discovered for what they really are. This relates to how children with parents of different ethnicities have to live. When they are with dads’ side of the family, the moms’ side is looked down upon and vise-versa. It is often very challenging for children of multiple races to truly find their true identity in a world that is not set up for their success.

This brings me to the last anime I watched which was A Silent Voice. This film really hot home to me as my brother is deaf. It made me so sad to see the deaf girl get bullied just because she was trying to make friends. I wanted to hate her bully so much. This was until I saw why her bully was acting this way. He himself didn’t fit in. he felt so bad that he couldn’t take it anymore and almost took his own life. I really feel for him as I often feel as though I don’t deserve to be happy after I made a mistake.

[karaakii]

I really enjoyed reading your blog post, and I found it to be very thoughtful. Your reflection on Naruto highlighted how heartbreaking it truly is to be excluded, and judged based on something out of your control. I like how you noted Naruto's perseverance, in how he had to work significantly harder than others just to be seen. That level of discrimination likely resonates with many people who are unfairly labeled early in life.

I also found your take on Wolf Children to be very moving. While the film may not have been a favorite stylistically, your comparison between the children hiding their identities and a multiracial experience was very insightful. The pressure to code switch or suppress part of yourself is something that isn't talked about enough, especially in childhood.

Your connecting to A Silent Voice was very touching, in the way we empathized with both the characters, one even being a bully, shows a deep understanding of how pain and guilt can shape us. It's easy to hate people who hurt others, but you looked deeper.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Naruto/Wolf Children/A Silent Voice

Watching Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice in sequence left me reflecting deeply on cycles of pain, rejection, and transformaton, in both a personal and societal sense. While each anime explores unique themes, they share a powerful undercurrent of the human struggle for connection and understanding in the face of discrimination and inherited trauma.

Naruto reveals how labeling someone a threat, even from birth, can alienate them. Naruto's journey from pariah to hero isn't just about mastering jutsus, but about breaking a system that punishes people for who they are rather than what they do. The way villagers project their hatred of the Nine-Tails onto Naruto parallels real-world stigma, whether it's through racial profiling, xenophobia, or inherited shame. It also asks whether peace can come through fear or must be built through empathy, which mirrors global debates about justice, war, and diplomacy.

Similarly, A Silent Voice explores how cruelty, especially toward those who are different, can isolate everyone involved. Watching Shōya move from bully to outcast, and eventually to someone capable of empathy, reminded me that redemption isn't only about erasing the past, but confronting it. Shōko's deafness is the surface-level reason for her alienation, but reflects a deeper issue in how society often refuses to learn how to communicate across difference. I saw parts of myself in both characters, from Shōya's guilt and desire for repair, to Shōko's quiet endurance. I found it extremely moving how Shōko and Shōya became the most important thing to each other, and Shōko's forgiveness for everyone, who continuously wronged her, was inspiring.

Wolf Children felt more like a fairytale, but its message was just as resonant. The film wrestles with identity and belonging, especially in a world that wants you to pick a side: human or wolf. Hana's resilience as a mother, who lets her children decide who they are, contrasts sharply with the world's tendency to force people into categories. It made me reflect on the themes of parenting, migration, and even in real life, the costs of freedom.

Together, these anime question whether societies can evolve past their fear of the other. They show how peace, understanding, and growth don't come from suppression or conformity, but from recognition, choice, and vulnerability. Each story left me more aware of the quiet, daily ways in which we fail, or succeed, in seeing one another.

[kylieottens]

Shin Sekai Yori

Hey blog! I have just finished watching parts of Shin Sekai Yori and I have a lot to say about it.

As I began to watch this film I could definitely tell that Saki was seen as the outcast or a “late bloomer”. I know that graduating a certain level of schooling is always a celebrated accomplishment but I was very confused when her parents seemed almost relieved that she graduated. When I figured out that she would’ve been killed if she didn’t graduate it became very clear to me why her parents were so relieved. Learning that several of her siblings died this way was alarming to say the least. I really couldn’t understand why on Earth this was a needed form of discipline. However, If I was in a society where thoughts are immediately put to power I would be terrified too. The story that Saki is told about K is nerve racking. Due to the immediate power that all of the kids possessed, he was able to kill his teacher and massacre his entire class. This kind of power requires a great level of security. The only way that the people see to maintain a peaceful society is to eliminate any sort of threat to it's safety. Obviously the children that have to be eliminated could’ve had a good chance of never harming anyone but with having as much power as they do, their discipline has to be strict and unforgiving in order to prevent another horrific even from taking place.

Overall I feel like this anime deals with a lot of issues that we face today. For example, the queerats are just people that didn’t develop TK so people injected them with rate DNA in order to turn them into something that isn’t human so that they could kill them without dying of shame. We saw this dehumanizing behavior in Nazi Germany where people were thinking of the Jewish people as animals instead of humans. This is such a shameful part of our history but it is so important that we recognize it to prevent any repeats.

[karaakii]

Your reflection on Shin Sekai Yori really highlights some of the darkest and most unsettling aspects of the anime that I didn't particularly touch on in my blog. I entirely agree with your point about how terrifying it is that children are expected to conform so strictly or risk elimination. It's disturbing to watch a society prioritize "peace" at the cost of humanity and individual development. The idea that failure to mature properly, or being too powerful emotionally, could lead to death, makes their world feel both dystopian and tragic. Saki's parents' relief speaks volumes about the fear embedded in their society.

Your connection between the treatment of the Monster Rats and historical instances of dehumanization is very powerful. Injecting them with rat DNA to justify their subjugation and murder mirrors real-world examples of systemic dehumanization. Your parallel to Nazi Germany shows how deeply the show critiques authoritarian logic and how easy it is to justify cruelty when people are stripped of their humanity.

I found it very interesting how the characters, even those enforcing the norms, were also victims of the system. It made me question how much freedom people really have when survival depends on silence, fear, and obedience.

[karaakii]

Blog Post: Shin Sekai Yori

Watching Shin Sekai Yori was deeply unsettling, but in a way that stuck with me and encouraged me to think about how we define what it means to be "human," particularly through the lens of childhood and social control. The episodes we watched show a world where children are raised under constant surveillance and psychological conditioning to prevent them from becoming "Fiends/Ogres," who are the monsters born from the failure of society to manage fear, power, and emotion.

What really struck me was how the show utilized the figure of the child to reflect deep cultural anxiety, something echoed in Arai's reading about Japan's 1990s obsession with "wild children." The children in Shin Sekai Yori are both feared and fetishized as the carriers of potential destruction. They are tightly controlled, but seen as essentially time bombs. It made me think about how in real life, people often view children not as innocent, but as mirrors for societal failure, where in education, parenting, or morality.

The society in Shin Sekai Yori is obsessed with harmony and stability, but achieves it through brutal and unnatural means: erasure of memory, state-sanctioned disappearance, and genetic manipulation. I found this frightening as it felt like a commentary not only on Japan, but on global systems that value order over empathy. The Monster Rats, who we learn are just genetically engineered humans, represent the ultimate "other," and their rebellion forces both the main characters and the viewers to question the moral foundations of civilization.

The most powerful moment for me was in episode 25, when Saki grants Squealer a merciful death. It was a moment of human emotional recognition, not just of his suffering, but the fact he was never truly a monster. It reminded me of how AI and risk assessment technologies today can reduce complex individuals into dangerous simplifications.

Similar to the Sibyl System in Psycho-Pass, the society in Shin Sekai Yori attempts to eliminate unpredictability through dehumanization. In the current world climate, the tension between individuality and social control represented in the anime felt quite personal. Shin Sekai Yori isn't complete science-fiction, but a warning about what we lose at the cost of engineering perfection, especially in children. In trying to eliminate danger, we risk eliminating the qualities that make us human.

[reviewer28]

Is Somebody Always Watching?

Psycho-Pass explores the deeply interesting and increasingly relevant topics of surveillance, governmental control/abuse of power, and technology. In this anime series, a computer network called the “Sibyl System” monitors the mental state of each citizen to determine if they are mentally stable and whether they are likely to commit a crime. If citizens are found to have a high crime coefficient, action is taken against them by law enforcement in hopes of preventing crime before it happens. A team of people are made responsible for enforcing the system. The team is composed of a mixture of citizens deemed to have a clear crime coefficient who religiously follow the system, those with a significant criminal background who escaped detection by the system, and latent criminals working to track down other criminals. However, the team is eventually plagued by concerns over the effectiveness and ethics of the system. 

Examining the idea of monitoring citizens’ brains to determine whether they pose a threat to society, the system seems not only unethical but also nonsensical. Not only is surveilling all citizens’ minds a major violation of privacy, but the concept of executing people deemed unstable without them actually committing a crime is extremely unjust. The Sibyl System being foolproof is difficult to imagine, and therefore many people could be falsely accused of being dangerous. The more serious issue with the system is that it does not take into account the fact that even if people may be mentally unstable in a particular moment, they may have the capacity to change and become better people. The system assumes that certain people are predisposed to becoming criminals, but does not account for people having free will and choosing not to commit crimes despite their brains being a certain way. Additionally, this system begs the question of what is considered mental instability. For example, somebody with a mental health disorder could be flagged as dangerous, when in reality they pose no risk to society and are simply in need of professional help. Upon first thought, the Sybil System sounds completely ineffective and dangerous. 

Although this exact system is not present in society today, the topic of surveillance is very relevant in society today. As technology is becoming more powerful, so are security systems. For example, security cameras and facial recognition technologies are becoming significantly more common. However, the surveillance can often be more subtle, such as through data being collected about citizens’ internet searches and social media use. With the increased prevalence of AI engines such as ChatGPT and voice recognition technologies such as Alexa, significantly more data is being gathered about citizens. Another theme “Psycho-Pass” warns about is giving the government too much power, as the anime shows the dangers of authorities having too much power over citizens’ lives and how the Sibyl System causes massive overreach. The anime also relates to the stigmatization of mental health. In the Sibyl System, those who are considered mentally unstable can be considered threats and subsequently eliminated. Those who deviate from the brain activity expected by the government are not allowed to exist within society. This relates to how mental health conditions are often stigmatized today in society, causing people to be reluctant to seek help and allowing for the perpetuation of false stereotypes. Finally, this anime has parallels to the social credit system in China, where data is collected about individuals and businesses to determine compliance. Rewards and punishments are used for enforcement. Although this system is less extreme than the Sybil System and is more focused on corporations, this example still shows how surveillance to evaluate people’s morality is starting to become more pronounced. 

[karaakii]

Your post brings up both powerful and timely criqtieus of Psycho-Pass, especially regarding the ethical dangers of allowing technology to govern morality and human behavior. I agree that the Sibyl System is more than just a thought experiment, but rather a chilling reflection of where real-world systems might be headed if we allow efficiency and security to outweigh autonomy and empathy. What stuck out to me the most in your analysis was your point about how Sibyl disregards the potential for human change. That feels especially tragic in the series, where characters likee Kogami or Akane wrestle with justice, choice, and growth in ways the system cannot compute. I also appreciate how you connect Sibyl's biases to the stigma surrounding mental health in our world. Instead of recognizing mental illness as something treatable or situational, Sibyl weaponizes it. This reflects how society often criminalizes and ostracizes those struggling instead of helping them. You mention of modern surveillance, especially things like data tracking and facial recognition, show how close we already are to the edges of a world like Psycho-Pass. Your post serves as a reminder that just because something is possible doesn't mean it should be morally accepted, especially at the price of life.