Luiza's Blog

[aidansanimetedworld]

Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers and Sensōron

Watching these three anime make me reflect on how Japan grapples with memory identity, and responsibly. These ways seem specific but also widely relatable. Your name stuck out to me on an emotional level. The idea of two people connected across time and space due to a disaster kind of feels like a metaphor for how the past shapes the present. The comet disaster echoes real events like March 11, 2011. This makes me think about how places like Japan, but similarly all over the globe have to live with constant awareness that the world can change overnight. Like the hurricanes in Florida where I live, and how the affects of these things linger long after the disaster.

Hetalia was more complicated. It seems lighthearted and absurd, but beneath these jokes, it is also a reminder of how national identities can be stereotyped and how we keep performing these stereotypes. It was odd to be laughing at things like World War II and imperial histories but maybe that discomfort is part of the point. It trivializes real conflict, but shows how easily history can become cartoonish if we don't look closer.

Reading Sensōron helped tie these feelings together. The essays confront how Japan remembers war, what is forgotten, what is rewritten and how peace gets tangled up with denial. That makes me look at these anime in a different way. Maybe it is harmless fun, but it is also demonstrates how complicated it is to carry painful history in pop culture.

All together these anime make me think about shared trauma, it romanticizes, forgets or mythologizes it. On a personal level, it makes me think about how people rewrite their own past and choose to forget certain things to make life more comfortable to live.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I think it’s really cool how you tied the hurricane weather in Florida into this. You see on TV these natural disasters occur and it’s heartbreaking to see not only the actual storm tear through coastal towns, but the social aftermath of what happened in the town too. I feel like that helps put the anime into perspective on the emotional level, but still relatability doesn’t make the disaster any easier to deal with. Your Name did really good with that aspect of tugging at the heart strings, and this was a great parallel to the real world. Great post!

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Your Name/ Hetalia: Axis Powers/ Sensōron Blog Post

After watching and reading Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and Sensōron, we can see that these three have dramatically different approaches to addressing social and political issues. Starting with Your Name, this one I really enjoyed. There is just something so relatable about the pain of disconnection, whether it’s from Mitsuha's perspective of wanting to escape from her trap of rural life or Taki's perspective of city life isolation and loneliness. I can relate on many levels of this, and it actively demonstrates Japan’s shrinking rural towns and overwhelming urban city centers. But it goes so far beyond Japan, I feel like these issues are becoming universal with various others having this tension between tradition and progress. Hetalia: Axis Powers was definitely a more comedic approach, utilizing these national stereotypes to make the topic of international relationships comfortable and “bite-sized”. Hetalia took out the complexity of the situation and instead gave audiences something they are all too familiar with: high school social dynamics. While I think the simplification of the subject is sort of emotionally necessary for audiences due to the heaviness of the history, it can also be seen as Japan just playing their cards right in what we learned a couple of modules ago as “soft power”. I can see why there would be concerns as to how historical events are understood and transmitted across borders, and how it might inadvertently spread oversimplified narratives. Hetalia was fun, but I feel like history is so much more complicated than that. Finally, we have our first manga of the course to switch it up. I enjoyed that aspect of things: the comic-like drawings and how it evokes emotions about things through its visuals since there is no tone. However, the actual framework, while it clearly was channeling real frustrations and anxieties, it was a bit problematic factually. I feel like I just struggled with this one mostly because I’ve never been a big reader or comic person, but the work in general offering this alternative narrative where Japan’s war actions were justified or misunderstood is an interesting concept. 

[eliacker]

Nausicaä and Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Throughout both the animé Nausicaä of the Vally of the Wind and the game Xenoblade Chronicles 2 there is constant insight into what will happen to the earth if we continue with the rate of pollution and detriment to the environment that we have.

In both pieces of media there is a reflection of uninhabitable zones because of how badly the environment was destroyed. This as we know can be depicted of nuclear wearfare zone, however I saw them also as a metaphor for what humans have done to nature. With these massive cities of concrete we have made, these places are practically uninhabitable for nature, besides planted greenery. This reflects both the zones in these popular media, just reversed around, having humans be the ones banished from the majority of the planet. Also, in Nausicaä, the forests will attack those who go into it, which shows how when nature infiltrates are man made structures we immediately kill it.

Moreover, we know Nausicaä of the Vally of the Wind provides no solution to helping the environment except just waiting, however, in the world right now we do not know how to help change and improve nature as it already has tools to perfect its animals and plants for their specific niches. Furthermore, in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 they do provide an answer to help nature reform and bring the titans down to help spread healthy plants. I think that this answer however is looked past, I saw it as giving up our domination of the world so that nature could eventually take back its rightful dominance. I felt the humans had very little to do with it as the actual act of the environment spreading was due to nature. The humans were only able to make the places they had recently destroyed more habitable.

Overall, I am beginning to see less and less natural greenery in the world and I do believe the idea in Xenoblade was smart, to relinquish some of our domination for the longevity of the world before we ruin it.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

While I do think Xenoblade Chronicles 2 offered a much better solution than Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind to environmental change and healing, I do think that it’s important to mention that the waiting you describe is important to both of the solutions. Time for nature to heal and do its thing is important in any scenario, and I think instead of looking at such a black and white picture of “human dominance” and “nature’s dominance”, I feel like it should be viewed as a collaborative effort instead, as work is done on both sides. Overall though, great post! 

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind/ Xenoblade Chronicles 2

After watching the anime Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and the video game Xenoblade Chronicles 2, it’s clear that both try to grapple with this complex relationship between humanity and nature, while presenting unique perspectives and solutions to environmental issues. Starting with Xenoblade, it was kind of weird watching a video game, but I think the story it puts on the and message it gives to the audience is still important. I think the symbol that it was humans that destroyed the planet is important, because not only does it provide a real world parallel to how we are slowly doing the very same thing to our planet, it also shows how nature and humans should work hand in hand. Humans should not use nature for their own personal benefit and destroy the ecosystem whenever it suits them, just like nature should not dominate over people. That is also why I love the fact that this video game offers an answer through humans working together with nature for its restoration.This is parallel to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which doesn’t really offer an answer to the conflict between man and nature. However, it does offer good commentary, showing that nature isn’t the enemy they once feared to be. The toxic jungle was initially seen as dangerous, but ultimately revealed as healing the earth. Nausicaä's revelation of this puts her in this protection position, but instead of providing a legitimate solution, she just sacrifices herself to prevent others from destroying the jungle. That was a little frustrating being that even today humans work to preserve ecosystems, but self sacrifice is not really a great answer to going about it. It is interesting to compare these two pieces of media though and see if human solutions or natural solutions are better. The answer I have ultimately drawn is the combination of the two is the best, because even looking at Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Nausicaä prevents others from interfering with the forest’s process of healing, but nature could not have done it without her protection. Ultimately, it was a beautiful picture of the relationship man and nature should share and the endless possibilities for healing the environment we live in today.

[aidansanimetedworld]

Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion

Watching these two animes was like sitting in someone else's unfiltered, disjointed and painful mind. The show had existential chaos and that resonated with me in a way. I didn't grow up in post-bubble Japan, but the sense of anxiety, isolation, and disconnection that the series confronts feels just as present in this generation.

The constant tension between human connection and self preservation really struck me. Shinji's struggle to find a reason to exist, any kind of external validation that he matters. Mirrors thought that I think a lot of people carry to themselves silently. I feel like our world measures worth by productivity so projecting outward strength really matters so people most likely don't feel comfortable showing their weaknesses to the public. The Evangelions themselves, machines piloted by broken kids, are like a metaphor for how we armor ourselves to keep going through struggles.

The End of Evangelion was disturbing yet fascinating. The line between individual identity and collective existence was completely blurred. Instrumentally it felt like a both horrifying loss and a relief. An escape from the pain of separateness, but at the cost of being truly being an individual. It made me think about Japanese social cohesion and the suppression of ones self for the group. But globally, it is just as relevant, we're constantly negotiating how much how ourselves to share or to hide.

For me personally, it kind of made me question my own need for validation and what that consists of, and also, whether isolation is every truly protective. These two animes don't give any easy answers but maybe that is the point.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I loved the metaphor you offered for the machines being piloted by kids showing how it serves as an armor to keep up with the struggles. I think, taking that point even further, for some of the characters it also served as maybe a mask to escape psychological realities. For example, we see Rei who is very comfortable in her machine, but almost uses it to avoid her complex identity and emotions, finding a refuge in the machine. Asuka pilots her machine confidently to display this superiority, but this is a mask for her deep insecurities and a somewhat fear of abandonment. This is parallel to what Shinji sees the machine as: a prison that only reinforces his self-loathing and failure to reach expectations. Great post!

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Neon Genesis Evangelion/ The End of Evangelion Blog Post

After watching Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion, I see this clear individual yet also collective conflict. On the surface, there is an uncertain post-apocalyptic world that poses all sorts of dangers and threats of human extinction, which is the universal and collective conflict. But on the other hand, there are these teenager main characters that are thrown into the adult-like responsibilities of piloting these large machines, all while still navigating adolescent identity formation. This is the individual conflict, and this seems to parallel the expectations placed on Japanese youth to perform and their subsequent mental health troubles. Focusing specifically on Shinji, we clearly see he rejects the traditional Japanese masculine ideals, displaying a form of queer masculinity. Shinji’s psychological breakdown is something that I feel no one expected watching an anime about robots and epic battles, but I also feel like that’s precisely the point. Mental health is such a prominent issue in today’s society and it is constantly overlooked by others, and this is just one way to show that anyone can be struggling. I feel like all of us can find a small part of Shinji that resonates with us, whether it be his pressure-filled relationship with his father, preference for vulnerability over strength,  struggle in accepting his “proper role” in society, or intense loneliness and isolation, it all feels very real. The anime does an excellent job on the social commentary of human worth and the meaning of individual existence, and even though it’s supposed to be this show about these heroic battles, I found myself affected and really sympathizing with the characters. Overall, I enjoyed the emotional complexity both Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion had to offer, not only through its plot and dialogue, but also through the visual elements and frames in Shinji’s psyche. It felt very disorienting yet authentic at the same time, and that is the perfect glimpse into Shinji’s mind. 

[jmas6]

Finding, Forming, and Fostering Community at Conventions

Personally, the only convention I have ever been to is IFT FIRST, which is the convention for Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology. I am very passionate about the science behind food, and all of the novel technologies and their food applications at the convention were as cool to me as I would assume anime art and cosplay are to otakus at anime conventions. However, the purpose of an anime convention is clearly different than that of IFT FIRTST. Although both are large gatherings like-minded people to discuss topics they are passionate and knowledgeable about, IFT is almost entirely about showcasing what your company can do and soliciting business from other companies. Anime conventions, on the other hand, are mostly about sharing your passion with others and fostering a healthy community. In many parts of America, the culture amongst the youth still does not allow for children and young adults to feel completely comfortable being open about their interests. Although this is changing rapidly, the fact of the matter is that, for many young people across America, the only space to discuss anime (especially to the extent that an otaku might) is on the internet. Although this does provide a place for community interaction and growth, the quality of such interactions pales in comparison to what can be found at conventions.

By attending anime conventions, anime fans and otaku, young and old alike, can free themselves of inhibitions and enjoy their passion with like-minded individuals. I have several friends who regularly attend anime conventions, and from what they have told me, it is still common for people to be a bit reserved and take on a more passive 'spectator' role the first time (or first few times) they attend these kinds of conventions. Even if they share the same passion for the subject as all of the other attendees, it can still be difficult to escape the mindset built from the zeitgeist of past few decades. However, the enthusiasm and welcoming atmosphere almost always infects frequent attendees, gradually bringing them deeper into the fold of the community. I personally think that the shared, but unmentioned, understanding that greater society does not 'get' anime like the attendees of an anime convention do further enhances the sense of community at these conventions, and this causes a large portion of these attendees to incorporate their status as members of these communities into their cultural identity. Just like how fans of sports might meet up at a bar to watch all of their team's games and turn being a fan of that team into part of their identity as they interact with other fans, fans of anime incorporate their enjoyment of anime into their identity. In both cases, the most passionate few place greater emphasis on their cultural identity as a member of their respective fandom-for sports it is a team or a player, and for anime it is a specific anime or character.

Anime conventions do not only foster growth for the greater anime community as whole, but also for specific niches and fandoms. In my opinion, fandoms being welcoming of new members (i.e. with minimal gatekeeping) is in the best interest of all the convention-going members of said fandom. Online, fandoms are rife with gatekeeping and toxicity, since each new member of the fandom has the potential to reduce the value of any cultural capital long-time members of the fandom have built up over the years. Being a gatekeeper also gives members of this fandom a greater sense of control over their interests, since it makes it seem like, although anyone can be a fan, members of the fandom are special. At anime conventions, however, people are often a lot more welcoming that you would expect had your only experience been with the online fandom community. While this is likely in large part due to the fact that being toxic and gatekeeping is more difficult without the anonymity of the internet, there are actual, tangible benefits to growing the community of specifically convention-going members of any fandom. Specifically, the greater the number of members your fandom has, the greater the focus will be on that fandom at the convention. Whether it be a greater number of booths to cater to the larger number of fandom members, or more people attending in cool cosplays to gawk at, being a part of a fandom with a large presence at a convention will undoubtedly make your time there more enjoyable.

Good luck finding groups this large for members of more niche fandoms like the Katanagatari fandom at most conventions.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I love the part where you mentioned that anime conventions foster this growth for the greater good of the entire anime community, especially with the part of being welcoming to new members in the fandom. I feel like that’s such an important part of not just the anime fandom but any fandom for that matter. Gatekeeping is a concept that I’ve never really understood, because I get people wanting to be unique with their interests, but to the point where it gets toxic and rude to others just seems like a stretch. That’s just one more plus about the anime community, they welcome new fans and people that are interested in learning more with open arms, something I can now attest to personally. Great post!

[luizacoutinhoblog]

True Otaku Documentary/ Convention Blog

Before this class, I have never had a true experience with watching anime or anime conventions. But after watching the documentary True Otaku, I get a bit of this glimpse into otaku and the culture that surrounds it. 

I have always thought people cosplaying was super cool, especially because some people are so dedicated to the craft. Fans will nail down every single detail of a character’s look from head to toe, and I think that is really amazing. I think that’s honestly the beauty of otaku culture. In the documentary we see this commentary of people seeing some fans as “too devoted” and the stigma that intense fandoms are weird, but when did obsession over something become bad? I think it is because of this generational shift to what expressing authenticity even means. Before, getting too devoted to one thing might have been viewed as embarrassing and had a stereotype attached to itself, but otaku see it differently. They see that having this deep passion about something as good, and they make it their personality, and that is totally normal! Our present world sees having niche obsessions and investment in something with a community around it as completely normal, even if it does not seem that way. Take Taylor Swift fan as an example, who are arguably just as devoted to the practice as otaku are. They obsess over songs, dress up as different eras of her music, know every lover or fling she has ever had, and even crack codes and secret meanings in instagram posts. Marvel fans, soccer fans, FNAF fans, Harry potter fans: This generation has normalized what was once seen as weird, and otaku fans were basically just the early adopters of this “stan culture”.  

Watching this documentary, there are still moments captured where otaku culture still felt countercultural. Otaku created their own space and community as a safe environment when mainstream culture had no place to accept them. Still today, where fandoms are far more normalized, the term otaku has a stigma attached to itself. But the documentary shows that they really were the first fans to truly invent this modern internet culture before it was identifiable as that, a good example of this being cosplay tutorials on Youtube or creating fan fiction content. The whole thing just feels very genuine, and that’s the vibe I got from the convention part of the documentary too. The appreciation of the art and passion for anime of not only the otaku fans at these conventions but also different family members and people that went to support an otaku, that is also so cool to me. Even being an “outsider” to the fandom and the otaku culture, you can still find many ways to admire it. Whether it be through the cosplay costume or maybe even the convention itself, there are so many things you can respect about this fandom and otaku culture. And as an outsider, I see even more now after watching the True Otaku documentary that even with a sort of cultural tension, otaku still has created a place and a safe environment where authenticity is shown through how passionate you are about something rather than how adherent you are to societal norms and community is chosen instead of inherited. 

The bottom line of this documentary is that it is the way that you are uniquely yourself that should count, regardless of what others may think. The emotional investment in characters is something that everyone experiences, whether it is in a movie, book, game, or anime. So, instead of perceiving this investment as weird or obsessive, it can be better utilized as a way to build genuine human connections instead.

[icadive]

Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son Review

After watching Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son, I started thinking about how anime can handle femininity, gender expectations, and self-expression in totally different but still connected ways. Even though they’re distinct in style and tone, I think all three push back against rigid social norms in their own way, and that makes them powerful.

Sailor Moon was the most obvious with its “girl power” message. The characters embrace traditionally girly things like makeup and cute outfits, but those things are turned into literal weapons and sources of strength. At first, I thought this was just for fun, but after listening to the transcript, I started realizing how this flips society’s usual view of girlishness. Instead of seeing femininity as weak or shallow, the show shows how it can be empowering. That said, I still see how the second-wave feminists' concern makes sense too. The characters still obsess over beauty standards and weight, which kind of reinforces some harmful expectations.

On the other hand, Aggretsuko handles femininity more like a trap. Retsuko works a boring job where she has to be polite and agreeable all day, but at night she screams out her frustration through death metal. It’s funny, but also kind of sad. She’s stuck between wanting to meet expectations and wanting to break free. The show doesn’t give easy answers, but it shows how gender roles in adulthood can quietly wear someone down.

Wandering Son takes it even further by questioning gender altogether. It’s one of the first anime I’ve seen that really tries to explore transgender identity in a way that feels soft and personal. Instead of talking about power or rebellion, it focuses on what it means to just exist as yourself—even when people around you don’t get it.

Together, these three shows made me think more deeply about what it means to be feminine, and how anime can help challenge or reshape those meanings in very different ways.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I think it’s really interesting the way you described Aggretsuko handling femininity like a trap. It’s definitely a different way of looking at things, but I can see why one might think that, especially through Retsuko’ intense frustrations with gender conformity and work life in general. She sees the cycle of school to job to marriage and kids, and as much as she wishes to break free from it, she also sees a need to meet expectations as well. 

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Sailor Moon/ Aggretsuko/ Wandering Son Blog Post

After watching Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son, I see this common thread of conflict with the performance of gender as a social construct and authentic self-expression. I want to start with looking at Aggretsuko, which seems to display the conflict the most literally, with Retsuko shifting from this cute, feminine persona in the office to a death metal-screaming rage monster. I can totally relate to this part of the anime, not just on the basis of gender divide, but having this rage for a class, job, or even person that just causes you to crash out. In many social environments where authentic emotional and self-expression is frowned upon or forbidden like in Japanese corporate culture, not only is there a psychological toll on the individual, there seems to be no escape from the cycle. Retsuko has her work frustrations, but knows deep down that she might have to conform to social pressures around marriage and career advancement. Shifting to Sailor Moon, we see a completely different angle on gender expression and performance: the empowerment of femininity. This anime embraces feminine traits that have a sort of stigma attached to them and parallel this “weakness” to something of power. A great example of this is when Usagi is crying, and it triggers powers. Sailor Moon is ultimately working at redefining feminine strength and emotional expression, not only through Usagi but also through male characters in the show supporting rather than dominating. Finally, we have Wandering Son, which arguably has the most conflict of the three anime but is displayed in this quiet and realistic way. We see this internal struggle in Nitori with how to navigate social expectations and a culture with strict gender conformity while also wishing to express one’s authentic self and true identity. Overall, all three have this conflict with gender expectations, and all three present different but still true realities of the world we live in today.

[nemi2229]

Genshiken

I believe we meet who we are. You can see yourself by the people you surround yourself with. And I think that goes both ways. You can see who you are by the people you surround yourself with because you are comfortable around the people that are similar to you, mainly due to the reason of possessing similar values. When two or more individuals of similar values meet, it reinforces the ideas in them. It is nor good nor bad but a natural reaction of human nature.

This greatly reflects the pop/otaku/film culture. A seemingly minor culture hidden from the rest, yet there are countless individuals that consume this, and within the culture, it allows the addition of the individual's own values. It does not reject. By the creation of their own project, others who are similar can come and enjoy. It then creates another group of similarly valued individuals. The creation of a common value unites the people under it. and in turn, it gives them a sense of involvement.

Create a common enemy, and people will unite. Create a common value, and people will gather. Humans are social creatures; we love this sense of involvement.

Due to the absence of rejection of ideas, whatever they might be, the anime culture has become a genre of itself, from the tip of the iceberg to the abyss. Some subcultures are frowned upon by the norm to this day, and the remains of this abyss influences the perception of the culture itself. This abyssal nature attracts more individuals in favor of minor tastes, thus creating groups of minorities. These minorities create a culture for themselves and continue their tradition, and when sufficient individuals gather, they in turn become the norm, albeit, carrying with them the reputation of previous generations. I think that is why otaku culture is commonly viewed as an outsider/introverted circle, while cultures surrounding kdramas are considered extroverted/insider, even though they both have their abyssal natures.

Personally, I am more of an outsider.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I loved the point that you made at the beginning of your post. The people you surround yourself with have a huge influence over your life, and people pouring into each other their different interests and values only makes them stronger. That’s why I feel like this critique Genshiken offers on otaku culture is so important, because your strong opinions might be seen as weird to one but super interesting to another, and that’s ok. Having a community not necessarily where people share identical interests or values, but one where everyone feels accepted in sharing their values and opinions is what I feel is the beauty of a fandom. Great post!

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Genshiken Blog Post

After watching Genshiken, I see a side of fandoms that is far more complex than I ever imagined. I feel like the heightened complicated-ness of these fan interactions really did help highlight the internal struggles for many of these people, which we all know to be very real in daily life. While the otaku culture provided a refuge and community, people can face consequences of employment challenges, family tensions, and romantic difficulties. It’s even more of a struggle for present day high schoolers outside of the anime, who are also navigating through things like social media, online fandoms, and really niche interest communities. I personally related to this fact of finding true authenticity in an interest while also striving to be “socially acceptable”. We see this fact to be true in Japanese culture where social harmony and conformity to societal norms takes precedence over self expression. Aside from seeking identity, the other side of Genshiken I also resonated with was the dangers of obsession. While having something you are passionate about is good for identity and self-expression, this series did a great job of also showing the risks of something like that too. When someone is so invested in something, they limit themselves from the outside world around them, and that can harm them in the long run. It’s just really interesting to think about, and I guess the saying that everything is good in moderation holds up pretty well here. Genshiken felt like the perfect split between a validation of fandoms but also a warning. It’s great that there are placed where people can authentically express themselves free of this fear to be socially acceptable, but it doesn’t mean that they should retreat into isolation from the world. Overall this anime was thoroughly positive in delivering this critique on identity in the context of otaku culture, and I really enjoyed it.

[icadive]

Naruto and Wolf Children Review

Watching Naruto and Wolf Children back to back made me think a lot about how different stories handle discrimination. Both anime show characters who don’t fit into the norms of society, but the way they deal with that rejection couldn’t be more different. Naruto decides to stay and fight for acceptance, while Hana and her children escape into the countryside to live freely.

Personally, I’ve always related more to the quiet urge to escape. Wolf Children hit me hard, especially the scenes where Hana can’t bring her kids to a doctor or school without risking being judged or exposed. It reminded me of how people with mixed identities in real life often get boxed in. Society wants you to pick a side and stay there. Watching Yuki try to clean herself off after being told she smelled like a dog felt so real. It reminded me of how people sometimes try to hide parts of who they are just to avoid being labeled or laughed at.

With Naruto, I was impressed by how hard he worked to prove himself. But I also couldn’t ignore the fact that society never really changed. He changed. He got stronger, better, more acceptable. That stuck with me because it made me question how often we expect individuals to transform just to be seen as worthy. It felt unfair, honestly. Why should the burden always fall on the person being left out?

Both anime left me thinking about what real acceptance should look like in a society. I don’t think it’s enough to say, “You’re welcome here—if you change everything about yourself.” Real acceptance should mean making space for people as they are. Wolf Children might be the quieter story, but it showed me how healing it can be when someone is simply given room to exist.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I also related the most to Wolf Children. Being a part of a discriminated group myself, I can relate to your statement that society just wants you to pick a side and stay there. The internal struggle to conform to the people around you but also hold onto your values and who you really are can be a challenge, and so I totally agree with you there. I also liked that you brought up the fact that the burden always falls on the person being left out, and I missed that fact in Naruto. When society ostracizes him for something he can’t even control, he then changes in order for them to accept him. Never once did it occur to him that it wasn’t his job to fit in with society, but rather to let society accept him. Still, Naruto shows resilience and determination to achieve his goal of being accepted, and that can be applauded. It is still a great point to bring up, and I think that what you said at the end is true: real acceptance is really through making space for people as they are. Great post!

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Naruto/Wolf Children/A Silent Voice Blog Post

After watching what felt like three seemingly different anime works, I began to put the pieces together that brought me to a profound common thread. Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice all display the struggle for acceptance in Japanese society and the reality of social discrimination. In all three anime, the main character carries a harsh burden that ostracizes themselves from the other. For example, Naruto’s burden is the Nine-Tailed Fox demon within him. In Wolf Children, it’s Ame’s and Yuki’s fear of being discovered for their dual identities. In a Silent Voice, Shoko faces discrimination for her hearing issues while on the other hand Shoya is discriminated against for being labeled this bully. All three emphasize themes we have seen play out in anime before, and that is the Japanese social pressures of conformity and group harmony. When these main characters have burdens or differences they physically cannot hide, it goes against traditional Japanese values and that is ultimately what I see being critiqued here. And it’s not just Japan, every society has its outcasts. These stories portray global relevance because things like discrimination are a universal experience. That is why I personally resonated with Wolf Children the most. While I’m not part wolf, my family is originally from Brazil, and I feel like this anime serves as a metaphor for children's struggles for balance between two cultures. When Yuki and Ame break out into their fight over which side of their dual identities they chose to honor, I saw this internal struggle that immigrant kids battle with constantly too. When trying to balance honoring your heritage and assimilating into society, it can be just as messy, and I totally relate to that. Wolf Children explores this tension between individual identity and family loyalty, and that made this one my favorite of the three. That is not to say I didn’t think the other two did not have important takeaways, like A Silent Voice’s commentary on the global mental health crisis and the stigma surrounding the topic. I also enjoyed looking at Naruto through a new light, recognizing his pain and what ultimately led him to overcoming his discrimination. Overall, Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice all successfully delivered social commentary on the topic of discrimination, and addressed fundamentals like acceptance, identity, and belonging.

[eliacker]

Shin Sekai Yori

The Anime Shin Sekai Yori has enlightened me on how far society will go to protect the masses and maintain a peaceful environment. Also, This anime give more reflection upon dehumanization in an unforeseen metaphor.

While in the world Shin Sekai Yori the regulation on the use of telekinesis to kill another human is a smart and effective way to deter violence from telekinesis users. It promotes violence in other individuals without telekinesis. This is reflective of major regulations against individuals from popular crime areas and a broken home when buying weapons that do extensive harm verse an individual from a proper home and low crime area. Albeit, not as extreme, both individuals have the same ability to do harm, but as one is in a low crime area, representatively there will be a bigger police presence so it will be harder to get away with a crime. Therefore, if this anime world was todays society, we would have commited mass genocide against anyone living in high crime rate locations, even if the majority of them are upstanding citizens. In the anime every child born without telekinesis is killed, as they are able to kill without fear of discipline, therefore discipline is acted upon them before the commit any crime. They are murdered, just out of fear of their potential. This reflects how far surveillance has gone, to the point where if you have the ability to commit a crime, you can be arrested. Similar to loitering around a building and a camera records the whole thing. These people may not have intent of harm (like the majority of kids in the anime), but to protect peace they are removed. In Japanese society, and even all over the world we commit this assumption, arresting people based off of intuition almost. While a sketchy person staying might be scary, it is not indicative of a crime, although it is met with discipline and constantly regulated. Throughout the world regulation is maintained, but it is just one step away from become a discipline controlled world.

Within this anime there are 2 classes, ones who can use telekinesis, and ones who cannot. While it was apparent that this is reflective of all types of dehumanization, racism, classism, sexism. I wanted to draw attention to what I think is a reference to World War II. All the people who did not have telekinesis power are representative of the Jewish populace, and the ones with the power were representative of the germans. The germans committed mass genocide against the jewish as the telekinesis were able to against the monster rats. I think this is to again gain soft power in Japanese society, claiming how World War II was awful, although they sided with Germany in the War. I believe it was a tactful play to restore the Japanese image.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I loved the point you made in this post that the humans born without powers were murdered just out of fear of their potential. It’s quite sickening when stated like that, but it couldn’t be more true. Taking your point even further, if the authorities in this society have the potential to end lives off the premises of crimes they “could” commit, what’s not to say they can assume more and more of people? They can go from assuming crimes to assuming just evil natures, like they did with the rats. It’s just crazy to me how must power some authority figures hold, and how they manipulate these situations the expense of others. Great post!

[luizacoutinhoblog]

Shin Sekai Yori Blog Post

After watching Shin Sekai Yori, I see it in a different light especially with the historical context of similar situations. This idea of the wild child has become more and more prevalent in today's society, with increased violence not just in schools and work places in the United States, but all around the world. Shin Sekai Yori addresses the fear of the wild child with a system that honestly sparks more fear in me than just one rebellious child: the elimination of children without telekinesis. Aside from being extremely unfair, it really gets you thinking, what would you sacrifice for a stable society? The anime has a society that has peace for the most part, but at the cost of individual freedom and moral integrity. Furthermore, there are clear themes of dehumanization against people groups that contribute more to this idea of moral integrity. This society paints themselves as peaceful and good, but deep down they have heavily manipulated what people see on the surface. The society created the rats, then convinced everyone that they were inferior and dehumanized them through the term “monster rats”. For some reason this reminds me of the story Wicked, which serves as a sort of prequel to the Wizard of Oz. The story is centered on this girl with extreme powers but is hated by people because she is green. When the Wizard sees he can take advantage of her powers for his own evil purposes, he does just that and in turn, puts the blame on her. Everyone now calls her the Wicked Witch of the West, all because of how society has painted her. I see a direct parallel here, where the humans are genetically modified into rats for the society’s own economic purposes and gain, and in turn call them monsters. Another example is how humans born without telekinesis are automatically labeled as dangerous. It just shows that the person who has been turned into the villain for the good of society might sometimes just be the way people in power hide behind their own wicked deeds. Ultimately, Shin Sekai Yori was a chilling commentary on how far people are willing to go for the idea of a stable society.

[nemi2229]

Valid Crash-out

I think Makishima had a valid crash-out during his life in the Sibyl system. We also live in a society where we reduce our efforts into numbers, and those who don't excel in that certain way are prone to failure. A primary example that comes to mind is standardized tests that strip individuality and filter out any deviance from the norm. American SAT, Korean Suneung, Chinese GaoKao, and Japanese Daigaku Nyushi. Well, for Japan, standardized tests aren't that standardized for universities, like the Chinese GaoKao or the Korean Suneung. However, they are prevalent in all tests for certain licenses and such.

We lose our minds over a simple test that would later heavily impact our life later on. For that to just rely on a standardized number is pretty brutal in my opinion. I think Western academics put much effort into addressing this issue and try to look at the student as a whole; however, as for the eastern counterpart, sadly, it is not the same, especially the Chinese Gaokao.

Makishima's violent rampage does kind of reflect the abstract rage of the people who fell short because of the tendency of the system that tries to reduce individual efforts into numbers. Some may thrive in that system, others may not, and when society is built upon a biased system, I think crash-outs from the groups that could not benefit are predictable.

This system could also relate to the concept of the panopticon by Foucault. It is a system that centralizes complex evaluative systems for the receiving party to judge, and thus, the higher the score, the more likely they are to be chosen. As a result, the students are forced to work harder to achieve a higher score, amplifying their productivity. Those who do not do so well are punished by having a lower score that prevents them from getting the job. However, this is a strictly linear view of the world, and does not realistically reflect the real world, only in part. Additionally, even if there are crash-outs, I don't think harming others just because of personal breakdowns is justified.

[luizacoutinhoblog]

I totally see what you mean with the inevitability of people within the Sybil System crashing out. People are way more complex than just a number, and while a number certainly simplifies things for people in power, like admissions offices and the SAT score, it is not the only aspect about that individual. To take your point even further, when they label people as “latent criminals”, its not only unfair to the person who is only human, it’s unfair in the sense that we don’t even know if that person was actually going to become a criminal. The Sybil System is “pre-judging” people, and if you do that to enough people, of course you’re going to gain some haters. It’s just crazy to see how there are biased systems all around us and not just in imaginary sci-fi worlds.