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[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.

[m4k14]

I really connected with your point about how Your Name feels like a metaphor for how the past shapes the present. Your reflection on shared trauma, especially linking it to hurricanes in Florida, was powerful. I agree that these works show how memory, identity, and history get reshaped in personal and national ways.

[m4k14]

Blog post: Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and Sensoron

Watching Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and reading Sensōron back-to-back gave me whiplash in the best and worst ways. Your Name felt emotional and nostalgic—a beautiful tribute to the value of rural life and traditional connection, even if I realized afterward how deeply it plays into the kizuna discourse and conservative ideals. It romanticizes the countryside and frames salvation through a return to local customs, Shinto ritual, and family ties. I get it. After disasters, people want something to hold onto. But as someone from a rural area myself, I couldn't ignore how the film glosses over the real economic and political reasons people leave towns behind.

Then Hetalia had me laughing and cringing almost at the same time. I can see why it’s divisive. It’s funny and self-aware, but also riddled with troubling national stereotypes. Making Germany during the Nazi era into a “moe” character is deeply uncomfortable. I kept thinking about how Annette describes the fan community as a space of “fictive collaboration”—people trying to wrestle with liking something they also find problematic. That hit home. I've been there with media before.

Sensōron, though, was the hardest to digest. Kobayashi’s use of visual rhetoric was eerily effective—he knows how to make you second guess things. But the revisionist denial of atrocities like Nanking and comfort women is chilling. It made me reflect on how power and discourse shape not only memory but our ability to empathize and acknowledge harm. Gellner’s theory of nationalism as context-free communication came alive here. These texts may all be Japanese, but they reflect global tensions around identity, memory, and truth. And as a viewer, I’m still processing where that leaves me.

[aidansanimetedworld]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Watching these anime reminded me a lot of the contrasts between nature and technology. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind feels like a warning about the possibilities of environmental destruction. The Sea of Decay is toxic but also symbolically beautiful. It is a reminder that nature regenerates even when poisoned by human carelessness. It reminds me of Avatar in that way, specifically the game Avatar Frontiers of Pandora. The RDA is trying to take over Pandora, the world of the Na'vi, and the planet works to recover after parts of the RDA are taken down. In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the Titans and Cloud Sea feel related to parts of the world Nausicaä. Ancient beings that literally carry human civilization on their back. the slowly are dying of exploitation. Both stories exemplify the anxieties that feel not only Japanese but global. Although, Japan, an island rooted in a long history of natural disasters and postwar industrialization, and the atomic bombs. The ideas that our survival hinges on respecting the balance we keep destroying is so painfully relevant in todays world.

Personally, these works made me reflect on how detached my own daily life is from the land I live on. Driving around in a car, use electricity, eat packaged food, etc, all without seeing the real cost it has on our environment. Nausicaä's empathy for every living thing made me question how I could live more gently. In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the theme of inherited mistakes resonated too, how we carry forward problems we didn't create but have to fix anyway.

One connection I keep thinking about is how both stories blur the line between savior and destroyer. The same humans who poison the earth also hold the power to heal it. That contradiction feels very honest, its a very grey area seemingly without heroes or villains and a hope that we change before we lose everything.

[m4k14]

Great post! You brought up a lot of things I felt too while watching Nausicaä and playing Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but hadn’t quite put into words. That idea of being both the destroyer and the healer as humans,that’s such a powerful contradiction, and I totally agree that it feels really honest.

I also related to your point about feeling disconnected from the land. I’m the same way,always driving, consuming, just going about life without thinking much about the impact. These stories definitely made me pause and reflect too. It’s wild how an anime or a game can spark that kind of awareness, but they do it in such an emotional way.

And your comparison to Avatar was spot on, it hadn’t crossed my mind, but you’re right. Both stories show nature fighting back and still trying to survive after everything. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, you gave me a lot to think about too.

[m4k14]

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

Watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and exploring the story of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 really made me reflect on how deeply pop media can speak to our relationship with the environment. Both take place in ruined worlds—places left behind after war, greed, and humanity’s failure to live in harmony with nature. But what stood out most to me was the way both stories hold onto hope. Nausicaä and Rex aren’t trying to dominate or escape nature. They’re trying to understand it, connect with it, and grow alongside it.

What I loved about Nausicaä was how she doesn’t view the toxic jungle as evil. She sees the purpose behind it, realizing that it’s actually cleansing the planet. That really challenged how I’m used to seeing nature portrayed—either as this pure, beautiful thing that needs saving or as something wild and dangerous. Her perspective reminded me of the Cobb reading about deep ecology, which pushes us to change how we see the world entirely, not just the tools we use.

In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the idea that people live on the backs of dying titans really hit me. It felt like this powerful metaphor for how we build our lives on systems we don’t always respect until they’re falling apart. It made me think about how easy it is to ignore the environment in day-to-day life, even when climate change is so real and present globally.

Both stories made me realize that regeneration is possible, but only if we stop seeing nature as separate from ourselves. We have to learn to live with it, not in spite of it.

[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.

[m4k14]

I really appreciated reading your reflection on Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion. I think you captured the emotional core of the series beautifully, especially when you described it as “sitting in someone else’s unfiltered, disjointed, and painful mind.” That really resonated with me, because the experience of watching both the series and the movie felt raw and almost intrusive, like we were witnessing the characters’ inner turmoil without any filter.

I also connected deeply with your point about the Evangelions being a metaphor for how we “armor ourselves to keep going through struggles.” That image really stuck with me because it reflects the tension between appearing strong to the outside world while feeling fragile inside. Your mention of the world measuring worth by productivity also feels very true. The show forces us to confront how damaging it can be when we hide our vulnerabilities instead of acknowledging them.

Your thoughts on Instrumentality were especially insightful. The way you described it as both “a horrifying loss and a relief” captures the paradox of giving up individuality for collective existence. I hadn’t thought of it in terms of global relevance before, but you’re right, there’s a universal struggle between the desire for connection and the instinct for self-preservation.

I really value how your reflection brought these personal and societal layers together. It made me think more critically about my own need for connection and how much of myself I am willing to share with others. Thank you for sharing such an honest and thought-provoking post.

[m4k14]

Blog Post: Reflections on Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion

Watching Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion felt like stepping into a raw, unfiltered exploration of human vulnerability. What struck me most was how the series reflects Japan’s post-bubble era anxieties, loneliness, social disconnection, and the struggle to find meaning in a rigid society. The characters, especially Shinji, are painfully human in their fear of rejection and their desire to escape from emotional pain. This isn’t just a Japanese issue, it mirrors the rising sense of isolation in modern life, where technology and social expectations often deepen emotional distance rather than bridge it.

Personally, I felt an uncomfortable familiarity in Shinji’s hesitation to connect with others. While I haven’t faced the same life-or-death stakes, the fear of vulnerability and self-doubt is universal. The End of Evangelion especially hit hard with its unflinching portrayal of depression and the human need for connection. The chaotic, almost surreal ending made me think about how people construct inner worlds to avoid the pain of reality, and how growth comes from stepping beyond that isolation, even when it hurts.

These themes also connected to some of the readings on alienation and identity in contemporary culture. The series makes a powerful statement about how societal pressure and internalized fear can trap people in cycles of avoidance. Yet, the faint hope in Shinji’s final choice, to exist in a painful, uncertain world rather than retreat into nothingness, felt strangely empowering.

In the end, Evangelion left me reflective, unsettled, and inspired. It reminded me that the struggle to connect with others, to face life’s imperfections, and to embrace our own humanity is a battle worth fighting, both in Japan and everywhere else.

[purple1scorpio1]

Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Song Blog Post

Sailor Moon

I actually really liked this show! I couldn't really tell if it was directed towards kids, but I still found it very entertaining! I might continue to watch this show - I like how light-hearted it is, and it reminds me of shows I used to watch when I was a kid, like My Little Pony so it was very nostalgic for me. I thought that the episode about Usagi and her friends wanting to lose weight was so strange though. If this is a show directed towards young girls, I don't think it's a good message to be sending. Not only does Usagi stop eating and exercises excessively, her family also tells her to eat less and exercise more, rather than telling her that it's ok to be gaining weight since she's still growing. It's just crazy to me how her parents didn't even seem to express concern for Usagi and her relationship with food and her body. Other than that, I still enjoyed the show.

Usagi and her friends at the new weight loss center that encourages excessive exercise and poor eating habits.

Aggretsuko

I liked this anime as well even though it was very different from the other animes we've watched so far, in terms of the artistic style. In the other animes we've watched, I became so used to seeing characters with big eyes and characters that we're human. It was cool to see an animated world where everyone was anthromorphic animal. It kind of reminded me of Zootopia. The anime was pretty funny, especially Gori and Washimi. Aggretsuko showed the reality of the expectations for women in the workplace in a comical and exaggerated way. Although most women wouldn't stand up to their boss by fighting in a karaoke battle, it was still great at showing the hardships of women in the workplace and the abuse of power by executives.

Retsuko and Director Ton's karaoke battle - Retsuko expresses the unjust things that Ton has said and done to Retsuko.

Wandering Son

I really liked the message of this anime and how talked about transgenderism in children and how others perceive children who are transgender. Often times uniforms are required in schools to promote equality and limit distractions, but having separate uniforms for girls and boys can be tough for children who are transgender. I thought that the way the teachers reacted to the few children that wore uniforms of the opposite gender was a little awkward - like they wanted to say something but they didn't really want to be mean. I think that this behavior and mindset influences the other students, causing them to stare and judge. It shouldn't matter what a child wants to wear to school, as long as they are doing their duty as students to learn and work hard. To see children feel discomfort in their bodies is so devastating, and while there are many controversies in terms of transgenderism, especially for children, if a child is visibly uncomfortable with who they are, it might not hurt to give them a chance to experiment with gender.

Shuichi as a boy vs Shuichi as a girl - allowing children to express themselves through clothing and being able to present as a different gender may help them feel more comfortable and figure whether or not transitioning is right for them.

[m4k14]

I completely agree with your take on the Sailor Moon weight loss episode, it was unsettling to see harmful messages about body image in a show likely aimed at young girls. Your comparison to My Little Pony really captured the nostalgic, lighthearted vibe the show has otherwise. I also loved your insight on Aggretsuko, it truly does highlight the unfair expectations placed on women in the workplace, and the karaoke battle was such a creative expression of that stress. Your empathy in discussing Wandering Son was especially powerful and important.

[hmwagner]

Convention

One of my favorite conventions I've attended was Wasabicon in Jacksonville, Florida. I drove from Orlando to Jacksonville with a group of friends for the weekend, and we stayed at an Airbnb together. This particular group of friends and I have attended a convention or two a year since we were in middle school together. Although I have many interests, I've always enjoyed the sense of community that my friends and I share at these events. Talking about anime, superheroes, and Pokémon with my friends provides me with a safe space to express myself.

At Wasabicon, I was able to partake in or witness varying fan activities. One activity I enjoyed was collecting. I bought a lot of merchandise, but I was also able to trade and collect Pokémon cards. One of the vendors and I got wrapped up in conversation about the new Scarlet and Violet game, and he ended up giving me really nice cards to take for free. Out of kindness and community, he took part in giving me such a memorable experience. Additionally, I had never actually battled or competed with my Pokémon cards before. I found some groups of people battling, and asked them if I could watch and learn how to play. They accepted me with no questions asked, and even gave me beginner tips to start my own battle deck. Once again, another moment I was made to feel overly accepted in the community, and a moment I still look back on fondly. Because of this, every now and then I battle at my local card shop, and have been encouraged to make new like-minded friends at fan events.

Another really great opportunity conventions like Wasabicon provide are panels. Fans, creators, and casts can discuss media they are working on and consuming in front of an audience, and there's typically time for audience feedback and questions. This is a really cool way I've gotten to know some of my favorite actors and creators better. At Wasabicon, I was able to attend a panel featuring Vincent D'Onofrio and Charlie Cox from Daredevil. I was definitely a little bit starstruck to see them sitting so close to me, but it was an awesome experience. I was also able to sit in on a Tara Strong panel, and I got to watch her do some of her most iconic voices, such as Timmy Turner from Fairly Odd Parents and Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls. I was able to ask questions to each of these celebrities, and it was a way for fans to openly participate and "meet" people they might've looked up to since they were even kids.

One aspect I enjoyed at Wasabicon was the friendly competition. Fans can compete in various competitions such as trivia, video game tournaments, cosplay competitions, and more. One of my favorite competitions to sit in on is cosplay competitions. Seeing the incredible costumes fans can create, and the amount of time it takes to create the most intricate details, enamors me. It's so cool to see people care about a game, movie, or show so much that they take the time and effort to make a really elaborate costume. I've even taken pictures with cosplayers I thought were particularly cool and followed some of them on Instagram. As for other competitions, one I enjoyed taking part in was a Mario Double Dash tournament. My boyfriend and I were able to win one of the days we were there, and we got a $100 reward. It was very quickly invested into more merchandise, but it was still a fun experience nonetheless.

The sense of community and self-expression featured in my Wasabicon story relates back to our watching of Genshiken. The club can connect over their shared interests in fandom, and the club operates as a safe space for the members away from judgment. The fan behaviors I exhibited and watched are pointed out in the Fiske readings, for example, collecting, cosplay, and enunciation productivity.

[m4k14]

It’s amazing how conventions like this become so much more than just fandom events, they’re real spaces of connection and acceptance. Your story about the Pokémon card battles and being welcomed by others, even as a beginner, really resonated with me. It reminded me of how fandom can create inclusive communities where people feel safe expressing themselves. I also appreciated your link to Genshiken, just like the club in the anime, your friend group and the con space reflect the same supportive, judgment-free zone. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt reflection!

[m4k14]

Transformations and Expectations, Reflections on Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son

Watching Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son together made me think about how anime can explore identity and societal pressure in ways that are both deeply personal and broadly relatable. While each show has a unique style and tone, they all grapple with how people navigate the roles they’re expected to play, especially when those roles don't fit comfortably.

Sailor Moon stands out as a nostalgic symbol of girlhood, empowerment, and friendship. What struck me most this time was how the show lets femininity be powerful, not something to overcome. As a Black woman growing up with media that rarely celebrated softness or sparkle as strength, seeing Sailor Moon fight evil with love and lipstick still feels revolutionary.

Aggretsuko, by contrast, hit home in a very modern, adult way. Retsuko’s daily frustration with work, gender roles, and polite performativity is so familiar. The gap between who we are and who we have to be at work or in public spaces is exhausting, and her nightly death metal karaoke is a hilarious but painfully real release valve. It reflects the pressure women globally face to remain agreeable while being overworked and underappreciated.

Wandering Son felt the most intimate and emotionally raw. It offers a quiet, sensitive portrayal of gender identity, and I was moved by how gently it handled such a complex topic. Watching the characters navigate self-expression, shame, and acceptance reminded me of conversations I’ve had with queer friends and students. It’s rare to see such tenderness in media.

Together, these anime show that identity isn’t fixed, it’s shaped, questioned, and sometimes resisted. Whether it’s through magical transformation, screaming into a mic, or quietly claiming a new name, each character’s journey reminded me how powerful it is to define ourselves on our own terms.

[m4k14]

Finding My Space at Blerdcon 2024, A First-Time Journey Into Fandom and Identity

Walking into Blerdcon 2024 in Arlington, Virginia, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I’ve loved anime and gaming since middle school, but this was my first time at an actual anime convention, and more importantly, it was my first time at a space that centered Black nerds. As a Black woman who’s often felt out of place in traditional fandom spaces, Blerdcon felt like a breath of fresh air, like finally stepping into a room that was already speaking my language before I said a word.

From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by creativity and authenticity. Cosplayers of every skin tone were dressed as everything from Tanjiro to Sailor Moon to obscure indie characters. One of the first people I saw was a Black woman in a flawless Killua cosplay, complete with electric effects in her wig, and I knew I was home. The panels were equally exciting, one on Afrofuturism in anime, another on the racial coding of villains in shonen series. These weren't just fan events, they were deep, thoughtful discussions that tied fandom to real-world identity and representation.

What struck me most was how Blerdcon created space for belonging. Growing up, my love for anime and gaming often made me feel isolated, too "nerdy" for some Black spaces, too "Black" for mainstream geek circles. Blerdcon was a place where I didn’t have to choose. As we discussed in class, fandom is not just about consuming media, it's about forming identity, expressing creativity, and building community. At Blerdcon, I saw this happening in real time. People were selling Black anime-inspired art, remixing cosplay to reflect their own culture, and forming friendships that clearly extended beyond the convention.

The experience echoed what we’ve been learning about postmodern culture, how identity is increasingly fluid and self-constructed. At Blerdcon, no one was confined to singular definitions. You could be a Naruto nerd, a K-pop stan, a queer fan artist, a game developer, a drag performer, or all of the above. And instead of gatekeeping, there was celebration. That openness reminded me of our readings on "affective fan labor," how fans invest emotional and creative energy to make their fandoms more inclusive and reflective of themselves. That’s exactly what Blerdcon did.

One of the most moving moments for me happened during a panel called “Blurred Lines, Black Women in Anime Fandom.” A woman on the panel talked about how fan spaces gave her confidence to embrace her natural hair, her curves, and her voice. Another talked about writing fanfiction as a teenager that reimagined white-dominated worlds like Naruto with Black main characters, not out of rebellion, but out of the desire to see herself in the stories she loved. I related to every word. That’s when I realized, fandom wasn’t just something I enjoyed, it was a framework through which I was building parts of myself.

In a postmodern world where the boundaries between creator and audience are blurred, and where remixing, fan art, cosplay, and online communities have become legitimate modes of identity-making, Blerdcon felt like both a celebration and a sanctuary. It wasn’t perfect, nothing is, but it gave me a glimpse of what a truly inclusive fandom could look like. A space where I could show up, fully, as myself, Black, female, nerdy, creative, and proud.

Blerdcon 2024 was more than a weekend event. It was a cultural homecoming. And I left knowing that this wasn't a one-time thing. I found a part of myself there, and I’ll be back in 2026, hopefully in full cosplay.

[ayamimouni]

Genshiken

Watching Genshiken felt really different from most anime I’ve seen. It wasn’t about big action or fantasy, it was just a group of students who love anime, manga, and games. What I liked most was how real the characters felt. They were awkward, unsure of themselves, and sometimes afraid of being judged for the things they liked. I could relate to that a lot.

Even though I’m not super into anime clubs or fan circles, I’ve definitely held back from sharing things I enjoy because I was worried people wouldn’t get it. Seeing the characters in Genshiken slowly become more comfortable with who they are made me think about how important it is to find people who accept you for you.

The show also made me think about how society (especially in Japan, but also around the world) puts pressure on people to fit in. Some characters in the group feel left out or judged, especially the girls, and it reminded me that even in “nerdy” spaces, people can still feel excluded. That’s something I’ve seen happen in real life too, where people get told they’re not “real fans.”

What I took away from Genshiken is how important it is to have a space where you can be yourself. The group wasn’t perfect, but they still supported each other and shared what they loved. That kind of community really matters.

Genshiken wasn’t dramatic or intense, but it felt honest. It made me think about my own interests and the people I feel most myself around. I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much, but it left a real impression on me.

[m4k14]

I really connected with what you said about Genshiken feeling “real.” I had a similar reaction; It wasn’t flashy, but the way it portrayed awkwardness and self-doubt felt super relatable. I appreciated how you pointed out the pressure to fit in, even in fan spaces that are supposed to be welcoming. That part about “real fans” especially hit home. I’ve seen that kind of gatekeeping too, and it’s discouraging. I agree that the group wasn’t perfect, but the fact that they still showed up for each other really mattered. It reminded me how valuable honest, accepting communities can be.

[m4k14]

Watching Genshiken honestly felt like hanging out with people I already knew. Not in the literal sense, but in the way the characters interact, their awkward silences, their nerdy debates, the way they light up when talking about what they love. It reminded me of conversations I’ve had with friends about anime, games, or that one series we’re embarrassed to admit we’re still obsessed with.

What hit me the hardest was how Genshiken doesn’t try to make otaku culture look cool or quirky. It just lets it be. The characters aren’t exaggerated or mocked. They’re just... people. People who are trying to figure out who they are, how to connect with others, and whether it’s okay to be this passionate about something. Sasahara’s nervousness about being open about his interests? Ogiue’s complicated relationship with herself and fandom? Been there. Still there, sometimes.

While the show is clearly set in Japan and reflects a lot of that cultural pressure, like the tension between job hunting and being in a club, it also felt really universal. Fandom shame, impostor syndrome, feeling too nerdy or not nerdy enough, it happens everywhere. And Genshiken doesn’t give easy answers. It just gives its characters space to be messy and grow at their own pace.

It also made me think about how fandom is both an escape and a lifeline. For some of us, it’s where we learn to express ourselves, make friends, or feel seen. That kind of space is rare, and watching the Gens,hiken crew reminded me how special it is.

By the end, I didn’t just feel like I’d watched a show. I felt like I’d spent time with people who get it.

[gavanalysis]

So I just spent the last three days (though mostly yesterday), watching three (kinda four?) different anime for my college course. The first episode of Naruto, "The Pain Arc" from Naruto Shippūden, the film Wolf Children, and the film A Silent Voice, and I have quite a lot to say about them.

Spoilers to the Pain Arc of Naruto and MAJOR SPOILERS for Wolf Children and A Silent Voice!!!

When I signed up to take a course revolving around analyzing anime, there were three popular anime that I had actually heard of that I immediately assumed would appear: Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Sailor Moon. Looking ahead at the schedule, I was two out of three (sorry Dragon Ball fans). So finally getting to watch one of those anime I heard so much about, (albeit, the first episode and a single arc), is something I am very happy about. Overall, I enjoyed what I saw. Naruto seems like a fun main character and Pain was an interesting villain with a cool power concept and deep origin.

As for Wolf Children, I will admit that at first, I had a bad feeling. I think it was that the beginning and opening premise reminded me a bit too much of what little I have seen and know about Twilight, something I was not a fan of at all. But I immediately got over my hesitations the moment Hana became widowed with the two children and the real plot began. After that, I enjoyed every part of this film. I especially loved how Yuki and Ame remained two sides of the same coin throughout the film but flipped which side they were on. Yuki at first being the wild child, constantly hunting and running around everywhere, embracing her wolf half, while Ame was the timid one who did not want to be a wolf at all. Then once they both started school, Yuki matured and started hiding her wolf half out of fear, while Ame stopped going to school and began to fully embrace his wolf half, living in the wild. The parallel character development and switch were brilliant, overall, this film felt like a great slice-of-life film of growing up, discrimination, and acceptance.

Then there is A Silent Voice. I am already feeling a bit choked up again just from writing this. I have so much to say about this film I can write an entire post of my thoughts on this film by itself and it would be enough to satisfy the writing requirement for this module's blog writing assignment, but alas. I felt so bad for both Nishimiya and Ishida the whole film. One of the themes for this film was self-hatred and regret. Ishida regrets everything that happened with Nishimiya in elementary school, everything he did, and he is a broken man from the fallout and doesn't truly recover until the very end. Nishimiya hates herself because of the pain and stress that she blames herself and her condition for bringing on to others. They both hate themselves so much that at pivotal points of the film, they attempt to take their own lives. It is such a heavy, yet, well-executed theme. Other characters besides Ishida and Nishimiya showcase other means of addressing their own self-hatred. Sahara chooses to run away and hate herself in silence, Kawai pushes her self-hatred away and convinces herself that she did nothing wrong and that she was a victim, and Ueno pushes all of her hate onto one person. Something else that I found very interesting about this film is how the two characters' self-hatred stems from some form of discrimination. The most obvious one is Nishimiya being deaf, meanwhile, Ishida hates himself because he was discriminated against for being a bully. Though I do not know how intentional it was, but I could not help but draw comparisons to cancel culture with what happened with Ishida. Especially when Yuzuru posted a picture of him online and called him a creep, and there subsequent talk in the rain.

To summarize my thoughts, I thought Wolf Children and what little I have seen of Naruto were both great and very well written! As for A Silent Voice, I highly recommend watching it if you haven't, probably my favorite anime that I have watched so far alongside A Place Further Than the Universe.

[m4k14]

thank you for sharing so openly. It’s clear you put a lot of heart into it, and I found myself nodding along with so many of your thoughts.

Like you, I went into Wolf Children a little unsure, but once Hana was left to raise her kids alone, I was completely pulled in. The way you described Yuki and Ame “flipping sides of the same coin” was such a great way to put it. Their growth felt so real, and it reminded me how growing up is never one-size-fits-all. Everyone finds their own way, even in the same family.

Your section on A Silent Voice hit me especially hard. The way you broke down each character’s response to self-hatred and guilt was so insightful—especially Sahara and Kawai. I also really liked your point about Ishida’s arc and how it connects to cancel culture. That moment where he gets called a creep online felt so real in today’s world, and I hadn’t made that connection until you mentioned it. It raises important questions about whether people are allowed to grow after making mistakes.

Also, completely agree—A Silent Voice might be one of the most emotional and powerful anime I’ve seen, too. It’s not just sad—it’s meaningful. And I’m so happy to hear you loved A Place Further Than the Universe as well! That one really sticks with you.

PS: I am sad about DBZ too!

[m4k14]

Watching Naruto and Naruto Shippūden, I was struck by how powerfully the anime addresses the pain of social exclusion. Naruto’s isolation as a jinchūriki reminded me of how societies often mark people as “other” for reasons beyond their control. It’s not just a story about wanting to be strong—it’s about wanting to be seen, accepted, and loved. I see patterns of this in my own life, where being different sometimes means being invisible or judged. Naruto’s drive to change that—not just for himself, but for others too—is deeply moving. 

Wolf Children touched something more personal: the pressure to choose who you are in a world that resists ambiguity. The film’s quiet emotional strength lies in its portrayal of a mother doing everything to protect her children’s freedom to become themselves. As a single mother of a multiracial child, and as someone with a mixed heritage and cultural background, I felt the push and pull of both the "wolf" and the "human" worlds. The story doesn’t offer easy answers—it just honors the journey and the difficulty of not fitting neatly into society’s expectations, handling prejudgment, and navigating non-inclusivity.   

A Silent Voice hit me hardest. Its depiction of bullying, guilt, and forgiveness felt raw and real. Watching Ishida try to atone for the harm he caused reminded me how deeply words and actions can stay with people. It also made me reflect on times I stayed silent when I shouldn’t have. The film’s message—that real change comes from acknowledging pain and building empathy—is something I wish I could practice more, and more people took to heart. 

Together, all three programs spoke to universal themes of identity, acceptance, and the long, difficult work of healing—both individually and socially. They left me feeling very reflective. 

[aidansanimetedworld]

Shin Sekai Yori

Watching the anime Shin Sekai Yori, I became more aware of how fear and survival shape what we accept as normal. Similarly to how Psycho Pass made me feel. It made me think deeper about how societies might erase or rewrite parts of people to keep everything “safe”.

At the beginning of the show, the villages and schools in the anime seemed peaceful and traditional. This made me think, initially, that they valued nature and simplicity. Although, as the story went on, I started noticing how that so-called “peaceful” world, peace, depended on hiding darker truths. Such as, what happens to kids who don’t fit in or how the elders decide who gets to live and who has to disappear. To me, this shows how people in power justify cruelty when they convince themselves the terrible things they do are for the “greater good”.

This connects to in real life, how we often ignore harsh realities to feel secure. Like I feel like we rarely think about who suffers for us to have things at low prices. “Good deals” normally don’t come from good places and there are reasons why the things can be priced so cheap. In Shin Sekai Yori, the villagers accept the sacrifice of others so they don’t have to face threats themselves. It is like society chooses whose lives are worth protecting and who’s worth throwing away. It reminds me of The Lottery, how they sacrifice someone for a good season of crops.

One thing that bothered me is how the kids were raised with half-truths so they would grow up not questioning anything. Like how we grow up taught to trust people in charge, whether its a school, the government, big companies, etc. We police ourselves because that's what we are told to do even if it doesn’t make sense.

This anime also made me think about how humans villainize groups they fear. The anime’s treatment of the “Queerats” shows how society can strip away a person's humanity to justify controlling them. It made me wonder about who we dehumanize, to feel safe in our own groups. The ending made me feel uneasy about the cost of comfort. We shouldn’t be willing to erase everything to live in a perfect make believe world.

[m4k14]

Your reflection on Shin Sekai Yori is powerful and deeply thoughtful. I really connected with how you described the illusion of peace—how it's often maintained through fear, control, and the erasure of truth. Your point about the “greater good” justifying cruelty really hit home, especially with your comparison to The Lottery and real-world exploitation. I also appreciated your insight into how the anime critiques blind trust in authority and the way we internalize societal control. The Queerats’ dehumanization was especially haunting. You’ve captured the emotional and ethical weight of the series so well—it definitely left me unsettled too.

[m4k14]

Watching Shin Sekai Yori felt like being slowly pulled into a dream that turns into a nightmare but one that you can’t stop thinking about even after it’s over. I went in expecting a sci-fi dystopia, but what I got was something way deeper: a haunting meditation on power, memory, identity, and what it means to be human.

What hit me the hardest was how peace in that world is maintained not through kindness or cooperation, but by erasing memories, controlling people from birth, and literally reshaping evolution. It was chilling. It made me think about how much of our own reality is shaped by what we’re allowed to know. How much do we blindly trust in the systems around us, just because that’s how we were raised?

There’s something deeply unsettling about watching kids grow up in a world that lies to them “for their own good.” And yet… it also made me wonder if we do the same in subtler ways. Whether it's in school, media, or even the stories we pass down, what gets left out, and why?

The show’s portrayal of sexuality also stood out to me. It felt natural and unforced, like love was just another part of growing up. No labels, no judgment. Honestly, that felt more progressive than most media I see today.

It’s the kind of anime that doesn’t just entertain it lingers. Even now, I’m still turning over its biggest question in my head: is a peaceful society still good if it demands constant sacrifice? Shin Sekai Yori doesn’t give a clear answer, and maybe that’s the point. It forces you to sit with the discomfort and I think that’s what makes it brilliant.

[hopefullycompetentmediaanalysis]

Psycho-Pass

A really important principle of psychology is that you cannot know the mind of another. Psycho-Pass presents a world where we do have that power, and its used to oppress. The show reminds me of Minority Report. They have somewhat similar concepts, some technological tool creates a new kind of surveillance, and then the police use that surveillance. In minority report its the ability to see the future, in Psycho-Pass its the ability to know the mind of another.  

I found that Psycho-Pass doesnt really have a clear protagonist or antagonist/ good guy or bad guy. makishima is a revolutionary with a callous disregard for the lives of others, they see the people around them as livestock whose lives are meaningless. ... thats bad, that's some evil antagonist stuff. But at the same time he is trying to destroy the system that is doing the oppressing. Makishima has seemingly found the subjectively of power and is set on destroying it. Destroying the system of oppression is a good thing. Makishima is an incredibly grey character, and i love that. 

The education system prepares people for work under capitalism. The inciting incident in A Place Further Than the Universe was confronting that fact. In Psycho-Pass the show mainly focuses on how the Sibyl system prevents crime, but to me that doesn't read as why the system exists. Like most things it exists due to capitalism, controlling the thoughts of everyone through surveillance lets you make the perfect workers. I wish the show explored how the Syble system chooses jobs for more people.  

As one last note, the dominators are a horrifying thing, it removes all responsibility from the one doing the killing and instead moves that responsibility to a nebulous system that is always correct.  

[m4k14]

This reflection resonated with me. It captures what makes Psycho-Pass so unsettling—this idea that a system can claim to know your mind better than you do and use that to control you. The comparison to Minority Report felt spot-on, especially how both stories show technology justifying oppression. I also appreciate the way you describe Makishima not as a villain or hero, but as someone deeply flawed who still challenges a broken system. That kind of complexity is rare and powerful. The point about capitalism shaping people into ideal workers through surveillance really hit home. And yes—the Dominators are terrifying.