Keon

I love anime

[ianjapanblog]

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t just a flashy anime full of cursed spirits and over-the-top battles—it’s also quietly tackling some pretty deep stuff that hits close to home, both in Japan and around the world. On the surface, yeah, it’s about high school students learning to fight monsters born from negative human emotions. But if you dig a little deeper, the show’s got a lot to say about grief, trauma, and the pressure to suppress your feelings in a society that often rewards silence over vulnerability.

Take Yuji Itadori, for example. He’s not just fighting curses—he’s dealing with loss, guilt, and a system that’s more interested in maintaining order than doing what’s right. His struggle is something a lot of people can relate to, especially in a world that constantly pushes us to stay strong, keep moving, and not show weakness. That’s a theme deeply rooted in Japanese culture but resonates globally, especially in high-pressure environments where emotional expression can feel like a luxury.

Then there’s the way Jujutsu Kaisen dives into the concept of generational trauma. Characters like Megumi and Maki are burdened by their families’ expectations and legacies, something that's especially relevant in Japan, where family roles and traditions can weigh heavily on younger generations. But again, this isn’t just a Japanese thing—people everywhere are questioning the systems they’re born into, whether it’s family, education, or government.

Even the show’s villains have layers. Many of the curses aren’t evil for the sake of it—they’re the result of people’s darkest emotions. It’s a reminder that we can’t just “exorcise” our problems away. We have to confront them, understand them.

Jujutsu Kaisen gives us thrilling battles, sure, but it also challenges us to think about the emotional and societal battles we’re fighting every day. That’s what makes it so much more than just a supernatural shonen.

[keonmogh]

Hey, I thought you brought up a lot of good points regarding the philosophy of some of the characters who oppose the notion that they are responsible for others in their society. I had not explored this side of the argument, and I thought you included a lot of really good points. One thing I really like that you noted is the generational heritage of a role or responsibility which we can see with Geto. We also see the constant need to work hard and train to protect those who don't "do" anything at all. After looking at these aspects of the arc, it becomes clear why Geto subscribed to this philosophy as we have now clearly defined many of his motivators for doing so. Overall, I really liked your post and appreciate your perspective on this side of the argument.

[keonmogh]

JuJutsu Kaisen Blog Post

I just finished Jujutsu Kaisen earlier today and I really enjoyed it. Most Shonens are either hit or miss for me and while this one wasn't my favorite, I still enjoyed it. I managed to get some of the plot, but as I'm not familiar, some of the plot was a little hard to get at the beginning. The following are my thoughts and analysis on the anime.

How the anime relates to the readings:

Again, while the module contains no readings, I have seen many parallels between this anime and the others we have seen in this course. Firstly, I thought of the general Shonen themes we saw in Naruto and how it relates to those in this anime. While both animes depict lots of fighting, it doesn't seem to follow the same idea of having a great challenge or hardship and then a great effort. While fighting the non sorcerer proved difficult and forced our protagonist to get stronger, it didn't seem like that great of a challenge and Gojo manages to overcome it fairly easily. I also saw lots of parallels between this anime and Shin Sekai Yori. The plan to kill an non sorcerers or force them to control their power and become sorcerers seems very similar to the eugenics in Shin Sekai Yori hoping that children develop powers with them otherwise being killed.

How the anime relates to Japan and Globally:

The anime tackles the issue of responsibility in society and poses 2 opposing viewpoints where one believes that those who are stronger or more able in society should be responsible for helping those weaker while the other viewpoint holds a more individualistic, neoliberal point of view where everyone is responsible for their own safety and position in society. The anime seems to side with the former perspective with the anime's hero morally adopting that one. These issues are present in Japan's society and many others as welfare programs are a heavily debating topic that forces society to address the role of responsibility in each country. This can also specifically be seen in Japan where many people such as Furita or NEET's are seen as selfish for not working enough or at all to contribute to welfare for the aging populations.

How the anime relates to my life personally:

The anime relates to my life personally as I have the choice as an individual whether to bear the responsibility and contribute to others in my community or not. This theme addresses all people and most people will participate in this by either paying taxes, using welfare programs, etc.. I chose this image as it includes the 2 opposing viewpoints in this discussion with Gojo representing those who do recognize that people have a responsibility to help others in society while Geto holds the more neoliberal viewpoint.

[parkersanimetedworld]

Akira initial post

Watching Akira feels like being dropped into a neon-lit nightmare that’s both visually stunning and emotionally overwhelming. But beneath the chaos and explosions, there’s a deep commentary on both Japan’s post-war identity and global anxieties about power, progress, and memory.

Set in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo, Akira reflects Japan’s lingering trauma from World War II—especially the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film opens with a nuclear-like explosion and centers on a society rebuilt over the ruins of unimaginable destruction. It’s a fictional future, but the emotional fallout is rooted in history. The fear of technology spiraling out of control and the consequences of government secrecy feel incredibly grounded in Japan’s real past.

But Akira doesn’t just speak to Japan—it resonates globally. The film critiques militarization, corruption, and the exploitation of youth for the sake of control. Tetsuo, a powerless teen turned god-like weapon, is a symbol of how systemic neglect and personal trauma can manifest as rage. Bullied, overlooked, and desperate to prove himself, Tetsuo’s transformation is both tragic and terrifying. He’s not just a villain—he’s the product of a society that fails its most vulnerable.

What makes Tetsuo’s arc so powerful is that it’s deeply human. He lashes out not because he’s evil, but because he’s scared. He’s trying to take control in a world that’s never offered him stability or love. His pain, and eventual unraveling, speaks to a global crisis of mental health, especially among young people who feel unseen or disposable in today’s high-pressure systems.

Personally, I saw a lot of my own questions about power and identity reflected in this film. Akira isn’t just about destruction—it’s about what comes after, and whether society is brave enough to rebuild with empathy, not just control of others.

[keonmogh]

Hey, I thought you brought up a bunch of really interesting points that I missed in my blog post. Firstly, I didn't really address Tetsuo's arc, but it it is clear to see that all of his actions are out of fear and insecurity. I really like the way you put it, where he is trying to take control in a world that never offered him stability. I also agree with you that Akira's initial explosion that predates the start of the anime and the explosion at the end do parallel the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan. I picked up on this after seeing this theme being repeated in the other animes we've watched, but I've struggled to decipher its meaning. This explosion was a result of its own government, rather than a body outside of Japan causing this explosion. The only way I could think of interpreting it was the anime placing the blame of the nuclear droppings on the Japanese imperial governmnet, though if this turns out to be true I would find it as a little troubling of a perspective as both the imperial government and America take blame for those actions, and this interpretation seems to simply be to absolve America's blame. Anyway, I thought you brought up a lot of really good points and I really liked your discussion post.

[uchiharin0413]

Violet Evergarden: Recollections

Violet Evergarden: Recollections is not only stunning visually with its animations, it’s also emotionally vibrant. This film was very well made. The story easily drew me in and held my attention. I could feel the emotions pouring out of the characters much more than I usually do in other media. This film was able to really articulate each character’s feelings and emotions. I was amazed at how much emotion they were able to convey in the limited running time of a movie. I can only imagine how much emotion they were able to convey in the entire anime series. After watching Violet Evergarden: Recollections I feel compelled to watch the entire Netflix series. The series has always been on my list of anime to watch but I hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I will absolutely be watching it after I finish the anime I’m currently watching.

 I was captivated by Violet Evergarden’s ability to adapt after she attempted to take her own life. She was in such a deep, dark, and secluded place mentally and emotionally when she made that attempt. Violet Evergarden: Recollections gives us an example of just how important it is to feel you have a purpose in life and to not be isolated from society. Friendship and the support of the community allowed Violet to develop the emotional and mental skills she so badly needed. She was able to see herself as more than an emotionless weapon through her interactions and experiences with others. I found it very captivating how Violet developed from being unable to process or convey emotions, to working as a personal scribe (referred to as a doll in the film), who captured and communicated people’s deepest feelings. I found the scene where she scribed 50 years’ worth of letters from a dying mother to her surviving daughter to be so emotionally deep and meaningful. Through her work as a scribe, she was able to successfully transform into a very genuine, caring, and emotionally intelligent individual.

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really liked how you addressed the aspects of the anime regarding Violet processing her grief and guilt. While I mentioned these parts of the anime, I didn't discuss the specifics of how Violet reframed her self image and managed to gain the emotional depth that allowed her to both live with herself and spread Gilbert's love. This process of dealing with trauma is much different than what we've seen in other anti war animes such as Barefoot Gen where we see much of the population want to simply move on from the war and forget about the past. Violet challenges this by completely addressing and coping with her past in war. Overall, I really liked you blog post.

[keonmogh]

Akira Blog Post

This anime was one of the few animes that I was actually familiar with before this class, and from the looks of what I had heard and seen from it, I was really looking forward to it. I really enjoyed this anime, especially the artstyle. I also really liked the story and thought the many characters and "protagonists" and plotlines near the beginning made the story really interesting. The following are my thoughts and analysis on the anime. How the anime relates to the readings:

While again, there are no readings for this module, I still saw many parallels between the anime and themes explored in other readings and animes. The first main connection I saw to our other readings and animes was the testing done on Tetsuo and the no child left behind theme. I specifically thought of the anime Shin Sekai Yori from that module and how it showcased children as the victims of eugenics and government oppression. Parallels can be drawn between the children of Shin Sekai Yori and the "psychic" children who are tested on in Akira. In both cases, the government is violating the rights of children in the name of helping preserve, save, or improve humanity. I also saw lots of negative depictions of the military, policing bodies, and the government in general. These themes were very broadly used in this anime and I just thought that it is a recurring theme in some of our more darker animes, especial those such as Psycho-Pass who also display dystopias. How this anime relates to Japan and globally:

The themes from the "No child left behind" module that are present in Akira seem to mostly relate to Japan and America as those are the countries that have experienced the public paranoia over children being dangerous, though the same principles regarding children being viewed as dangerous and being persecuted as a result can apply to many other situations as well. I also think the extremely violent nature of the characters in this anime is somehow supposed to be a critique of violence by highlighting the immorality and regrettable nature of the character's action, though I am unsure and this could simply be a stylistic choice. Nonetheless, this possible critique applies to people of all countries as everyone has the capacity to act like the characters in Akira. How this anime relates to my life personally: The themes that most relate to my life are those from the "No Child Left Behind" module. In my experience in public schools in America, there is a definite fear of children and students that have affected the schools I attended. My middle school had staff trained to handle violent students, extensive student surveillance, and even armed police on campus (though that is also to protect from outside threats to the school). There were even police who came to my school to inform us that we were being surveilled online to see if there is any potential threat. This lies in parallel with the themes of No child left behind where the government surveilles and does what they please with students in the name of the greater good. I chose this image as it depicts the child testing done by the government. I chose this image as opposed to a picture of Tetsuo transforming into a monster as I saw that as more of the product of the government's actions and I wanted to show the process of how the government and society handles children.

[keonmogh]

Violet Evergarden: Recollections Blog Post

I just finished Violet Evergarden yesterday and I really enjoyed it. At first I thought it looked nice aesthetically, but it didn't really grab me, though once Violet got her job as a typewriter doll, I really enjoyed the anime.

How this anime relates to the readings:

While this module didn't have its own readings, I did see many relations to some of the other animes and readings. The main connection I saw was to the animes: Grave of the Fireflies and Barefoot Gen. Though it is not always the main focus at the beginning, I feel that the damage done to Violet's psyche and the damage to society shown in the background like the destroyed railroad and those who lose their loved ones in war is consistently highlighted and shown to be regrettable in the same fashion that it was done in these other animes. Overall, the main connection I see between this anime and the other themes is the highlighting of the loss and regrettable nature of war. It does this by highlighting the indiscriminate loss faced by Violet and everyone she meets. By exploring Violet's trauma and loss as she progresses as a doll, the anti-war message becomes even more apparent.

How this anime relates to Japan and Globally:

The themes of war and loss applies to the people of Japan and all other countries. We witness the indiscriminate horror of war as we see Violet experience loss and realize the loss she must of caused by murdering people from the other side in war. The anime gives an anti-war commentary that applies more generally to people rather than a specific country.

How this anime relates to my personal life:

In my families country, much of my family have experienced war firsthand and the loss that comes as a result. Much of the themes regarding addressing trauma, loss, and guilt that the anime addresses apply directly to this experience of mine. However, I believe that the anime's commentary can relate to anyone as most experience and can imagine this kind of loss and realize why it is regrettable. I chose this photo from the anime because I believe it well represents the loss of a love one by showing Gilbert bleeding out on the stairwell, but also because in this scene, we see this memory as a vision that Violet sees where her mind confronts herself about all the people she's killed and how much loss she's caused, showing the indiscriminate nature of war. I would also like to note that this photo might be of one of the other flashbacks we have to this memory, as my usual method for screenshotting on Netflix is returning black images. Nonetheless, the image still depicts the same memory in which we see Violet's loss.

[wicckim]

Your Name: These Characters Traveled Through Time for Each Other and I Can't Get a Text Back

Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is often celebrated for its emotional storytelling and stunning animation, but in viewing it following Foucault's reading, there are some surprising parallels to this film and themes of power, identity, and the subtle regulation of desire. These guys desired each other so badly that they literally traveled through time and changed timelines, and quite frankly, I'd consider that a power move. They saved the Itomori villagers by meddling with fated events, which was very cool and noble, but neither protagonist gave any thought to how their interference would cause other ripple effects in the world like most time-traveling or dimension altering movies would suggest. The sole focus of the story was in Mitsuha and Taki meeting each other and being with each other on the same plane, and that has got to be the most profound display of desire if I've ever seen it. In the reading, Foucault challenges the idea that power is always top-down and instead argues that power is everywhere, embedded in relationships, discourse, and even the body. Your Name reflects this by exploring how memory and personal agency are experienced and contested by its two protagonists, Taki and Mitsuha.

At its core, the film’s body-swapping premise destabilizes traditional gender roles and expectations. Mitsuha, a teenage girl in rural Japan, and Taki, a teenage boy in Tokyo, find themselves living each other's lives, often awkwardly navigating social norms and personal boundaries. This swap isn't just magical, but a moment where power relations become visible. For instance, Mitsuha’s curiosity and freedom when inhabiting Taki’s male body contrasts with the social expectations that restrict her as a girl in her own town. These restrictions pertaining to the fact that her father is the mayor of her town and she is representative of her family shrine, so she must act responsibly and traditionally in the conservative context of her small village. We see how Taki has grown accustomed to acting without as much restraint, as seen when he takes over Mitsuha's body, her behavior is then described by her friends as being erratic, unhinged, or completely off-color. Their experiences suggest that identity is not fixed, but formed and informed by the micro-power structures like family, school, or friends that uphold these power dynamics. The "power is everywhere" assertion from Foucault is best exemplified by the phenomenon of our surrounding environment providing feedback on what should be considered our normal or typical behaviors, subconsciously molding us into them. 

Foucault argues that power operates not by simply repressing sexuality, but by producing knowledge about it. This is accomplished by making people talk, examine, and define it. I wasn't clear how this connected at first because the movie did not go into explicit detail about inheriting one's sexual experience, but it does emphasize themes of embodiment and bodily intimacy. In Your Name, the body swap naturally brings up questions of intimacy, boundaries, and consent, not just in a physically sexual sense, but this sense of personal physical responsibility and autonomy. The concept of the "body keeping score" is a moment where the characters fully realize this sense of connection they share with their bodies especially when they have not inhabited them for some time and return, seen in scenes like Taki waking up crying without knowing why. Taki waking up crying was the result of Mitsuha experiencing a greater emotional range while occupying his form, and in experiencing this in Taki's body, Taki has now unlocked this greater emotional capacity as he undergoes his experiences. This mirrors Foucault’s idea that power is most effective when it is internalized and made “normal" to the user's regular experience. These small acts reflect how power works not through overt control over the body necessarily, but through everyday interactions and internalized norms.

Finally, Your Name shows how resistance can exist within these same power networks. Foucault writes that “where there is power, there is resistance,” and the characters’ attempts to remember, to communicate across time, and to defy fate can be read as acts of resistance. They don’t just accept the roles given to them, they push back, even when the system (or the universe) tries to erase their connection. This sense of power through sexuality explained by Foucault is shown in the film not in an overtly sexual manner, but through the themes of personal intimacy, autonomy, and bodily connection, so it is fitting that it also fits this sense of "desire" (normally explained as lust in a purely sexual context) and the powers derived from that. The sheer willpower exercised by both of these characters following their desire to connect with one another is also symbolic of the intimate "becoming one", or "union of two souls" or "intertwined soul" concept. This is especially emphasized by the braided cords seen throughout the film and the explanation of intertwined timelines given by the grandma to explain their significance. This portion of the film adheres to Foucault's assertions of power being everywhere as well, implying that there is even this universal force outside of our comprehension that can work with or against this ability to manifest upon interpersonal desires into our reality.

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really liked the points you made about how Mitsuha and Taki change each other and almost free each other through their shared experience. Initially, as you've stated, both Taki and Mitsuha have become accustomed to their gender and sexual norms through their everyday interactions with society, always instilling the same values into their character. Their swapping of bodies and learning how to perform for the other gender, however, broadens their horizons and frees them to a certain extent from their monotonous gender performances. And as you've said, this further highlights Foucalt's work as it shows how power instills these gender norms and values into the individual.

[jaythomasthetrain]

Hetalia

The second anime we were assigned to watch this week was Hetalia, a comedy anime where the main characters are different countries. The first thing that stuck out to me was the five-minute episodes; I had never seen an anime with episodes of that length before. While I understand that the jokes and stereotypes shown in the anime may upset people, I found them to be pretty funny and I enjoyed the comedy. My favorite genre of movie has always been comedy, so this show was right up my alley. I am also a fan of history. I always enjoyed my history classes in middle and high school, so that was another reason why I enjoyed this anime. I also was happy that the things that were going on in the anime were historical events that I at least knew a little about, making the show that much better. The show mainly follows the Axis powers during what I believe to be the buildup before WWII, which is quite a sore subject for many people around the world. The anime still found a way to make it lighthearted, while not going too overboard. Each character represents a country, mainly by acting out emphasized stereotypes for each country. This is the main reason that I feel people may be upset by the show. I feel a proud Italian would probably not enjoy the show as much as I did. While the show pokes fun at countries and their stereotypes, it does it to everyone, showing that there are ridiculous stereotypes of every kind of person around the world. The countries acting out these crazy stereotypes also show that those stereotypes are not necessarily true. I don't know many Italian people, but I know they don't act how Italy was acting in the show. This creates a humorous tone because the show is actually killing off some of the negative narratives behind certain people and certain countries!

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really agree with what you said regarding the anime's use of stereotypes. It does seem to emphasize how ridiculous they are through their exaggerated use, and while on the surface it may seem to be with ill intent, you can soon see that this is not the case. Though, like how our readings have said, there is a duality of discourse and while the extreme oversimplification of the countries/characters can be seen positively as a way to critique stereotypes, it can also be said that the oversimplification of some of the topics glosses over the wrongdoings of countries such as those in the axis powers and even makes them seem more likeable which I believe most people agree is problematic. Overall, I really liked your blog post!

[keonmogh]

Hetalia: Axis Powers Blog Post

Earlier today, I finished the last episode of Hetalia. Though I value having experienced it as I've never seen an anime that's quite like this one, I have to say this was probably my least favorite anime of the course. The jokes weren't really my sense of humor, I didn't really care about the characters and the "plot" being a simple overview of certain parts of history made the whole anime really boring for me. Despite this, however, I thought that the background of the anime and its origins online were really interesting as I feel that all the anime we've seen so fart came for more commercial origins. I also thought the controversy regarding this anime creates good grounds for debate. The following are my thoughts and analysis on the anime.

While usually I start off by analyzing the characters, I've found that approach to not be very productive for this anime and instead will focus on the assigned topics of discussion with an emphasis on how the anime relates to the readings.

How this anime relates to the readings:

This anime obviously relates to the current reading as it was about this anime, however, there are some other modules that this anime relates to. Going back to one of our earlier units, the idea of essentializing and boiling down a people to one essence or a few fundamental features that characterize a whole people is seen to be done here to personify each country as a teenage/young adult guy. However, this anime seems to use this to critique these reduced stereotypes by extrapolating them and placing them in absurd circumstances, highlighting how unrealistic they are. However, there are some instances where the simplification seemed to push an agenda, such as in the case of South Korea and other countries such as Japan and China, making it seem like the traits of some characters were created to justify colonialism.

How this anime relates to Japan and Globally:

This anime is an example of Japan's otaku and general fanbase interacting with the medium, creating their own anime. Though the anime wasn't intended to start off as just a web anime as stated in the reading, it still holds as a good example of anime coming from the fans and people as opposed to the traditional process of having big manga companies adapt the successful mangas into anime or have big studios make anime's and anime films. It also relates to all other countries as well as it critiques the common stereotypes of each country by making them look ridiculous.

How this anime relates to my life personally:

This anime relates to my life as it displays a product of the anime community, one that I am identifying more with over the course of the course. It's a great example of an anime that didn't start out as big, along with much of the fan made drawings and manga associated with Hetalia on the internet, its representation of fan made anime is also a representation of the community I'm a part of.

I chose this image as I thought this scene was the best example of how the anime critiques all the stereotypes of each country by including many of them in one skit, showing extrapolated versions of each steretype (German buying only sausages, Spaniards and Greeks being care free, Italians not abiding by accepted social norms, etc.).

[keonmogh]

Your Name Blog Post

I just finished Your Name earlier this week and I really liked it. I always enjoyed the more modern anime movies that have been coming out. Their digital art style and general vibe are very aesthetically pleasing. I also thought that there were a lot of interesting connections between the anime and the readings for this module regarding power and gender. The following are my thoughts and analysis on the anime.

While usually I start off by analyzing the characters, I've found that approach to not be very productive for this anime and instead will focus on the assigned topics of discussion with an emphasis on how the anime relates to the readings.

How the anime relates to the readings:

Through the anime, we are able to explore the structure and characteristics of power as described in this modules reading by Foucalt. At the start of the reading, Foucalt establishes that power is not one united force acting on it's subjects from those who rule or hold it, but rather the sum of small, local and individual acts of power that create the norms system and context of which are seen as the results of power. We can see this in the interactions between the characters such as Mitsuha's grandmother trying to instill traditional cultural beliefs within her grandkids, or Katsuhiko's father ordering Katsuhiko around. It is also evident in Taki's life, especially at his work where others and customers have certain expectations for him. We also see this in society's reactions to Mitsuha's and Taki's poor gender performances or queerness. When they switch bodies, they often display poor gender performances as they are unaccustomed to their new genders expectations. People are quick to pick up on this and either dismiss or question them on this basis (which also ties in to our previous module regarding how queerness is viewed and treated by society).

How the anime relates to Japan and Globally:

The anime relates to all countries as these characteristics of power displayed by the anime are present and serve as the basis of power in all societies. The norms, power dynamics, and efficacy of the individual in a society is determined by these dynamics and interactions of power on the local and individual level. How these interactions of power affect how the individual leads their lives or performs their gender as shown in the anime is a topic of discussion that includes all countries within its scope.

How this anime relates to my life personally:

The structures and characteristics of power shown in the anime are present in my society and community as well. My life and the lives of those around me are influenced and bound by these interactions of power. In my life I have and will continue to face expectations of my gender performance from others, culture pressures from others, and general expectations and influence from those around me. These are all examples of some of the local and individual acts of power that sum into the overarching will of power, both of which affect how I live my life and how others will perceive me for it.

I chose this image as it shows the scene where Mitsuha is confronting one of the more concrete examples of power (the mayor) and highlights the struggles our protagonists face with much of the power dynamics in their surroundings.

[animeblogforclasswooooo]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

I was actually familiar with the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 game going into this assignment. Moreover, I actually own the game, but never finished it due to the long cutscenes. It was a little torturous for me to watch all of these scenes, but it made me interested in the game again. The big critique that I saw towards the end was how humanity is the worst monster of all. This being in how humans strive for more and more power at the expense of the environment around them. This game was interesting as it felt like it did not really give an answer to this problem. Even when Klaus, the architect, recreated humanity humans ended up being the same as before. No real change had happened and they were no different than their predecessors. This left me a little confused as all that work to further humanity ended up being wasted. I felt like the message then was to be happy with who you are and try to be the best that you can be everyday, but that felt a little hollow. The conflict with Blades and Humanity was also interesting to see. This conflict being how humans are dependant on blades in how they protect them, but also in how they turn into titans as well. Moreover, in becoming titans they grant humanity islands to live on above the cloud sea. However, the conflict being that humanity abuses blades and that blades should be the true rulers in the relationship. The argument that Malos had was interesting in how the only way to save Earth was to destroy it. It did not feel like the right answer, but also did not feel like a wrong one in a weird way. It was an interesting concept as I had not really thought of the environment when playing Xenoblade the first time. I'm glad that I was able to watch it and come back to the game.

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really like your blog post, I thought you brought up a lot of good points. At first when watching, I disagreed with the point you made were Xenoblade doesn't offer a solution to the environment issue as I thought destroying everything or Klaus' goal were seen as solutions. Though now, considering the practicality of these options, I kinda do agree with you more on this and it seems to be consistent with what we've seen before in other media were humans and human intervention isn't what heals the environment, but it is nature itself, in the absence of humans, that heals itself. I really wonder why all the media on this topic are so consistent with this message.

[etanimeclass]

Various thoughts on Nausicaä and the valley of the Wind

My initial thoughts here are that despite industrial society collapsing, particularly due to weapons of mass destruction used in war, there’s something incredible about humanity still surviving a full millennia later. And while the movie focuses most on how war hurts the planet, many of its themes can be tied just as strongly to the issues of climate change and pollution, which have only grown in severity over the 40 years we’ve been through since this movie was originally released.

The full animation is definitely showing here. For such a quiet introduction, its done wonders showing just what makes Nausicaä who she is.  

A side note, but this looks just like the setting of the video game Hollow Knight; I bet it got plenty of inspiration from this movie.

Nausicaä definitely represents harmony with nature, taking only what she needs from shed Ohmus, adopting peaceful relations with the bugs, and even apologizing to a random bug she stomped on in the woods.

Of course, she’s friendly to the little guy too.

The valley kingdom is at first a perfect little green society, it’s even fully run by windmills. Though it’s also built off of the bones of feudalism, having a royal family and revering the “lord” Yupa. This reminds me a lot of our unit on “escaping capitalism,” where the world of Nausicaä is so far in the future and supersedes a society built on capitalism, so it intrinsically brings up the question of “what comes next.” Though the movie doesn’t elaborate very much on this point. It’s interesting to point out that this view of a utopian future society appears more similar to feudalism than anything we’re familiar with.

Her struggles to understand the forest remind me of our current world, and its poor acknowledgement of dangers it perpetuates through continued ecological destruction. Torumekia and Pejitei alike deny Nausicaa’s knowledge of the ecosystem as real-world powers like the United States ignore scientists warning about the knowable dangers of climate change.

How Nausicaa is treated by Pejitei elicited an unexpected hatred in me, much more than I’ve felt because of any movie or series we’ve watched previously for this class. These nations are absolutely cruel, but worse than that, they’re abysmally stupid. There’s humanity to be found in individuals depicted in the film, such as Asbel and even Princess Kushana to a degree, but in our world, those who make the decisions never have to face the danger they’ve wrought.

They think they’re the Principality of Zeon.

Nausicaä and the Valley of the Wind was beautifully produced and written. The dialogue was incredibly natural, the themes are still applicable today, and the Ohmus were depicted with the perfect mix of awe, terror, and beauty. For those reasons, it’s hard to explain why it has left me unsatisfied. I believe that in our modern times, arguing on behalf of nature has so often been silenced that the pursuit itself has become associated with futility.

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really liked your take on the anime, I thought you brought up a lot of good points of discussion. One thing that I didn't really go over that you did was the sustainability of the Valley of the Wind. While the movie portrays nature as self healing, the condition that must be met for the healing to begin is for humanity to stop interfering as much by creating waste and toxins. So while nature can heal on its own, it can only do so when humans live more sustainably like the people of the Valley of the Wind.

[keonmogh]

Xenoblade Chronicle 2 Blog Post

So I just finished the Xeneoblade Chronicles cutscenes today and I thought it was ok. I appreciate the plot and really like how it related to the reading for this module and Nausicaa, but I feel that I simply didn't enjoy this as much recreationally. Though that is not to say it is the fault of the "anime" itself, but rather because the "anime" was designed to be a part of a video game and seen as cutscenes rather than in a show-like manner. The following are my thoughts and analysis of the cutscenes.

I usually start by analyzing the characters, though here I don't really find that to be productive for this discussion, so I will simply focus on the assigned questions.

How this anime relates to the readings:

The main relation I found between the anime and the readings was the connection between the relationship of humanity and nature. The readings critiqued viewing humanity as separate from nature and outlined how that viewpoint is problematic. The cutscenes reaffirm this belief by providing a solution to the characters that involve humans working with nature. The only way for nature to be restored is to have humans work as a part of it. While this also initially seems to contrast animes like Nausicaa that we've seen which usually depict nature as the agent of its own healing, without human intervention, it doesn't necessarily contradict the idea that nature heals on its own as with Xenoblades viewpoint, humanity can be seen as part of nature to some extent, thereby having nature do its own healing.

How this anime relates to Japan and globally:

This anime depicts environmental issues regarding humans destroying the environment which is relevant to all countries. This anime provides a solution in which humanity helps restore nature which can be seen as a sort of call to action for our society. It depicts humanities efforts in their general approach and mindset towards the environment and asks of society for a human intervention as a soltuion.

How this anime relates to my personal life:

The issues discussed regarding the environment affect me and all other people in society. All people are constituents of the environment and humanity's conservation or destruction of the environment affects all of us personally.

I chose this image as I thought it captured the idea that humans are a part of nature and emphasized the idea that they cannot be separated.

[keonmogh]

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Blog Post

So I just finished Nausicaa of the valley of the wind and I really liked it. I love the way the film was animated and I’ve always liked the older, hand-drawn aesthetic of the older anime’s we’ve seen. I thought the story was cute, some of the characters were a little 2D at times, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The following are my thoughts and analysis on the anime.

Characters:

I want to start by looking at Nausicaa as a way to define the values and ideals of the anime. The first part that struck out to me was the subversion of gender stereotypes in her character. Throughout the anime, we see Nausicaa fight others, venture on her own, save a prince, etc. which goes against the stereotypical, patriarchal attributes of women. We also see her reject violence (mostly to the level of killing) and embrace nature. Overall, the stance of the anime seems to be embedded in all the attributes of Nausicaa, with the anime having a feminist (couldn't tell if 2nd or 3rd wave), environmentalist, and antiwar stance on the story.

I want to also look at Kashana, Kurotowa and really all the characters that opposed Nausicaa and the Valley of the wind. All the characters that opposed Nausicaa seemed to be against the environment and were pro war. All these characters are constantly defeated and shown to be wrong or short-sighted, so there seems to be a real lack of moral ambiguity with the anime relentlessly attacking the opposing views.

How this anime relates to the readings:

While there were no readings in the module yet, the anime does seem to relate to previous units and their readings regarding themes of feminism and war through Nausicaa's attributes. It seems to have similar feminist themes of Sailor Moon, though instead of reframing stereotypical feminine traits in a more positive manner, Nausicaa simply displays masculine traits, nonetheless, both having leading women protagonists portrayed in a more favorable light. It also has a similar anti-war stance to animes like the Grave of the Fireflies and Barefoot Gen.

How this anime relates to Japan and the rest of the world:

The themes of feminism, environmentalism, and antiwar relate not only to Japan, but to all countries. All societies have a role with the environment and with the women who are included in them. This anime is a commentary on how society should view and treat the environment and women. Also, the anitwar message could be applied to Japan's imperial history, with the great wars in the history being related to the world wars at the start of the 20th century.

How this anime relates to my personal life:

This anime relates to me and all other people in society. How women, the environment, and war are seen and treated affects all members of society. This anime provides an idealized viewpoint on how the individual should view and treat these subjects.

While not being the most notable image, I chose this instance as it captured all three themes (women, environmentalism, and war) described in this post by displaying Nausicaa's bravery with the Ohm for feminism, the Ohm themselves for the environment, and the ending of the war in this scene for the antiwar stance.

[ace-o-spades-777]

Fandom- Anything but Random ;)

Let me be the first to admit that my experience with fandom culture has always been relatively… limited. As an only child, I grew up in a home where I didn't really have anyone to share my interests with, and up until the beginning of middle school, the furthest I ever forayed into quote, unquote ,“fandom” was the occasional lunch-table argument about who would win in a fight between Goku and Ben 10. (To this day, I am still team Ben 10.) Growing up, I consumed media at a rate that you wouldn't believe, so much so that I burned through my K-5, middle and high school libraries at least two times over, not to mention the bookshelves a home that were cleaned out and refilled at least five times in as many years- and this is all without mentioning television, anime, films, games, the works. If it existed in the 2010s-20s, I had my hooks in it, so it’s fair to say my interests were varied. 

As such, I felt as if I didn't, couldnt belong to any individual fandom, a belief that subsisted until about midway through the 6th grade, when I took a day trip with my cousins to Orlando and happened across the city’s “Anime Festival.” What was initially supposed to be 20 minutes of looking at people in increasingly complex costumes snowballed into hours on end of exploring every possible inch of the place, furiously taking notes with my phone’s stylus (I was one of those), before returning home with the realization that I didn't necessarily have to belong to a single niche, or even two—but rather, I could be equally as hardcore about Cowboy Bebop as I could about Mortal Kombat, and everything in between. In essence. My handful of hours there, which, by the way, still is the only instance of my ever stepping foot in an anime convention, essentially legitimized my desire to find where I belong in the grand scheme of fandom—I just never expected the answer to be “anywhere and everywhere you please.” 

Over the next handful of years, I got about as immersed into fandom culture as you can without finding yourself suspended by your ankles in the proverbial bowels of late-2010s internet, seeing as how the shadowy tendrils of the “SuperWhoLock” craze still gave fandom culture as a whole a bit of a bad name, despite its recent demise. As such, for the first couple of years, my experience with fandom culture lived and died with what was culturally pervasive at the time—when Naruto was at its peak, I learned to weave hand signs; when Mortal Kombat X released, I spent hours on end learning as much lore as my brain could handle and knew both my Harry Potter and GoT “houses” like the back of my hand. My childhood was spent having full-length, knock-down, drag-out arguments about every piece of media under God’s own sun, and I loved every second of it. That said, I feel that it would be remiss of me to fail to mention the fact that what was missing from my fandom experience as a younger man was the presence of more…enthusiastic dalliances into the concept.

You see, despite my wealth of media consumption and standing as a bit of a cultural chameleon, I never actually fully engaged with any sole fandom—at least, not to the extent that has become the norm. Instead, my experiences remained rather limited to the likes of feverish text conversation(s) after watching the latest movie in a series, or perhaps the odd keychain and/or hoodie featuring a character or a saying, relatively tame, otherwise unnoticeable things—effectively conversation starter pieces and little else—most of which have been phased out by now. As a matter of fact, I believe the only evidence of the interests of my younger years is a poster of the Marauder’s Map that hangs above my bookshelf and a shoebox containing my Limited Edition Green Arrow Converse that I wore nearly every day in the 7th grade. 

This is to say, I have never found myself in head-to-toe regalia with a retinue of friends, explored a convention center, attended a panel, or anything else that springs to mind when you think of the word “fanboy,” but I do like to think that this does not discount my experience as a member of fandom culture or take away from my passion(s) for the things I love. I have made friends that I otherwise likely never would have if I had never made the conscious decision to engage in various fandoms, and while my tastes have migrated, I continue to do so to this day, all as a virtue of the fact that no matter how intense your love for a piece of media, whether you just think one of the characters looks tough or can write a PhD-level dissertation about the intricacies of said character’s breathing patterns during an important plot point, you are a member of a fandom, flat out. If that’s not community, I don't know what is.

[etanimeclass]

I love your lax view on fandom, its an almost aggressive anti-gatekeeping stance.

All that makes a fandom a community is a shared love for something after all. Though I've personally been more focused on certain game communities like Guilty Gear, Overwatch, and a bunch of different visual novel series, I love seeing all sorts of fandom engagement, and will visit most any stall at a convention.

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really liked your convention post. I thought it was really cool how much you've read so much. I also thought your development of never finding a singular fandom to realizing that you don't need to subscribe to one in the first place is cool. I also relate to the feeling of not fully engaging with a certain piece of content due to the volume of content being consumed as I ran into a similar issue at the end of middle school. Also, I envy your opportunity to go visit an in person convention as it looked really fun. Also, I also love Cowboy Bebop!

[ianjapanblog]

The End of Evangelion

If you’ve ever watched The End of Evangelion, you know that it’s not just another anime movie—it’s an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you questioning everything about the world and yourself. The 1997 film, directed by Hideaki Anno, is the mind-bending conclusion to the iconic Neon Genesis Evangelion series. But beyond the mechs, angels, and apocalyptic imagery, it’s a deep reflection on personal isolation, mental health, and existential crises. These themes aren’t just relevant to Japan—they resonate with anyone grappling with the pressure of modern life.

In Japan, where societal pressures often emphasize conformity and perfection, Evangelion serves as a mirror to the struggles of its youth. The characters, particularly Shinji Ikari, embody the isolation and the tension between individual desires and collective expectations. The film’s raw exploration of depression and anxiety reflects the intense societal challenges faced by young people in Japan—issues like overwork, expectations of academic success, and the constant pressure to "fit in." Shinji's journey is, in many ways, symbolic of a generation's desperate search for meaning in a world that often feels cold and indifferent.

Globally, The End of Evangelion speaks to universal feelings of alienation. The film doesn't shy away from depicting intense emotional vulnerability, making it relatable to anyone who's ever felt disconnected or misunderstood. The final scenes, with their surreal and philosophical undertones, challenge viewers to confront their own fears, doubts, and desires.

Whether you’re a fan of mecha anime or not, The End of Evangelion is an unforgettable experience. It’s a film that transcends its genre and cultural roots, making it a timeless exploration of the human condition. It forces us to ask—what happens when we confront our deepest fears and try to make sense of an increasingly complex world?

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I really loved your emphasis on the ideas of collective vs individual experience discussed with instrumentality. I also believe this falls in line with the fears doubts and desires you mention as many of these fears are Shinji's fears of loneliness and isolation for his queer masculinity and his rejection of instrumentality. I also think his rejection of collective experience is really interesting as, though he saw himself as timid and cowardly, it was actually really brave of Shinji to reject collectivist experience and risk being lonely in an individualistic world, I found his rejection really interesting and kind of being seen like an "arc" or development of some sort. Overall, I really like your take on the film.

[ianjapanblog]

Neon Genesis Evangelion (pt.2)

Exploring Neon Genesis Evangelion: Episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26

Neon Genesis Evangelion is the kind of show that starts off as a mecha anime and slowly unravels into something much deeper—an exploration of identity, loneliness, and the human condition. Episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26 highlight some of the most intense emotional and psychological moments in the series, addressing struggles that resonate not only in Japan but around the world.

Episode 8 introduces Asuka Langley Soryu, a fiery, confident pilot who seems like the polar opposite of Shinji. But beneath her bravado is deep insecurity—a reflection of Japan’s rigid expectations of success. Asuka represents the pressure to be "the best" while suppressing emotional vulnerability, something many people globally can relate to, especially in competitive cultures.

Episode 16 is where things get existential. Shinji is trapped inside an Angel and forced to confront his own fears and self-doubt. His struggle mirrors Japan’s growing conversation around mental health, especially among youth who feel lost in a rigid system. Globally, it touches on themes of self-worth and the fear of truly knowing oneself.

Episode 24 is one of the most pivotal in the series. Kaworu, the mysterious Fifth Child, offers Shinji unconditional acceptance, something he’s never received before. His presence challenges ideas of human connection and love, themes that are universal. His tragic fate speaks to the pain of losing someone who truly understands you.

Then we reach Episode 26—the mind-bending conclusion. Instead of a traditional action-packed finale, we dive into the human psyche, tackling themes of isolation, self-acceptance, and identity. It’s chaotic but profound, echoing struggles faced worldwide: Who are we without external validation? Do we deserve happiness?

These episodes solidify Evangelion as a series that isn’t just about giant robots—it’s about what it means to be human.

[keonmogh]

Hey,

I thought your takes on the part 2 episodes were pretty interesting. I had a slightly different view of Asuka, where I saw her as a representation of hegemonic masculinity, but I see how her actions can be rooted in insecurity as well. Thinking about your interpretation makes me wonder whether her personality being rooted in insecurity is consistent with her representing hegemonic masculinity. I also completely agree that Shinji's self worth is a big theme in the anime, though you seem to attribute it to his disillusionment with piloting the eva and I to his reprimanding for deviating from hegemonic masculinity.