Untitled

[hopefullycompetentmediaanalysis]

Your name was a fun watch. I liked it. It was visually beautiful and told an interesting story. On my watch through i didnt pick up on the conservative message. In part because some of it relies on knowledge of Japan and the Kizuna discourse. But looking back at the movie, that conservative message is there and quite present. Beyond that i dont have much to say about it. It was just a really nice and well produced story. I understand why its popular.   

Hetalia was .... odd. I personally find it a bit weird to portray world war 2 countries as cute anime boys. I understand what they are trying to do, subverting stereotypes and subverting nationalism. I just think they don't quite stick the landing. That being said even if they did stick the landing id probably still find it somewhat tasteless. I don't think its a great idea to depict a war that killed many as a comedy between national stereotypes.       Sensoron was interesting. It was interesting to see how the author attempted to convince the reader of their points. This manga is at least 20 years old but you see the rhetorical techniques constantly. It reminds me of a lot of things. It reminds me of Gaza right now and a lot of the discussions around it. “20,000 Chinese Nationalist Party guerillas snuck into the Nanking Safety Zone and dressed as Japanese soldiers. They committed repeated acts of plunder, rape and arson, and made it seem as if it had all been done by the Japanese Arm”   ive seen statements like this about all sorts of atrocities. The classic excuse of “actually they secretly did the atrocities to themselves in order to frame us.” it just reminded me of conservative talking points within the United States. 

  

  it also reminded me of American nationalism and how America constantly ignores its atrocities. Its truly depressing to me how few of the atrocities committed by the united states are discussed in history education.   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Japanese_Americans  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse [THIS CONTAINS IMAGES OF THE ATROCITIES, DONT CLICK ON IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE TRULY HORRIBLE THINGS] 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre  [THIS CONTAINS IMAGES OF THE ATROCITIES, DONT CLICK ON IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO SEE TRULY HORRIBLE THINGS]  and many many more.

[nemi2229]

I love your views on the medias given in the lectures. I also think it is kind of odd to portray nationalistic countries in moe style, to make them appear more friendly. This kind of ties of how orientalism not only can be the wrong interpretation of the east from the perspective of the west, but it can also be the misinterpretation of the west by the east. As an easterner, I think western history isn't all that popular compared to how they teach said history, like WWII, in the western countries. And I think that has some influence over the portrayal of some countries.

[nemi2229]

Nationalism

I address Japanese nationalism multiple times throughout the blogs that I've previously posted, and I still think that in some cases they are pretty well assimilated into the medium, just enough those who really know to notice. One of which being the use of the Rising Sun Flag. I understand one can be oblivious about the history, which I am also a perpetrator of, but nevertheless, now that I know certain bits of history, it gets quite distasteful regard the fact that it is not fully known, and moreover, practiced among enthusiasts--even if that means a small group.

I do not know whether the lack of knowledge regarding the history of Europe among the eastern countries had influence in the creation of Hetalia, but friendly portrayals of the axis countries does buy criticism. As well as the portrayal of Korea in a way that kind of gets on the nerve of some Koreans, like being portrayed as a pervert. While the context itself does try to be apolitical, since it deals with a political medium, I don't think it can never leave the parameters, like in this instance. However, it also could be looked over in a sense that they are stereotypical personas that reflect the author's impression and knowledge of said countries. (One thing I just don't understand is why Korea was portrayed as a denpa pervert.) As BL is set as the foundation of the story, stereotypical character tropes are heavily portrayed. And in the process of merging these two different subjects, the corresponding characters end up not being truly faithful in their representations of history. The main focus is the BL, with character quirks given as stereotypical BL character tropes with a hint of historical taste. Therefore, Korea is depicted as this whimsical, denpa pervert; Germany is portrayed as a ultra-serious and disciplined individual with a soft side, basically a tsundere; Japan is kuuki yomeru majime; and so on and so forth. However, as these tie to real historical facts, I think the discrepancy between the real and "simulacra" is what receives criticism, which can also be tied to the idea that orientalism goes both ways.

Sensoron, while it is pretty persuasive, it is simply an insult to scars not yet healed. And I think this directly shows the lack of consistency. Even if one is correct in a certain subject, that does not mean everything they speak of is credible. This peak nationalism is pretty offensive, and I will stop talking about it.

In all finality, I love Your Name. Superb. Ruben.

[nemi2229]

Nausicaa

Nausicaa deals with the aftermath of war, particularly with the use of weapons that can "kill life itself." Same with Xenoblade. In the recent decades, one real world weapon capable of such destruction is nuclear, which is also dealt in Nausicaa. While it is a sensitive topic, it reminds the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. While the history and the justification of its use is a topic for another day, the long term damage caused by the weapon has left a deep scar in the Japanese community. Particularly, fallout damage is one that lasts for generations, making it felt for years to come. The land that they plow and sleep on is tainted by fallout debris, which constantly reminds them of the war and the results.

Within Japan, there are many perspectives regarding the detonation. Some view the war as a past glory, and the bombing as memory to be suppressed. Some citizens demand an apology and reimbursement. Others see it as history, for the future generations may remember and prevent its repetition.

In the perspective of Nausicaa and Xenoblade, both suggests time as the healing factor. Although outright speaks for the regeneration of nature and the ecosystem, both hints at the reconstruction of humanity. Through the gradual recovery of identity, community, and self, symbolized by the reconstruction of nature, discovery of new land, and the retreat of Ohmu, the idea of regeneration contrasts with the real time healing identified by the future generations that find new paths, build new relationships, and make peace with history.

As someone who comes from a war torn country, yet belongs to a non wartime generation, the idea of self-regeneration speaks volumes when applied to my country's history and community. The notion not to forget the past, but to face it and to make peace with it, to find new paths. I believe this is what true healing looks like.

[icadive]

EVA review

After watching Evangelion, I kept thinking about what it’s trying to say about masculinity. Shinji isn’t the usual type of anime hero. He doesn’t want to fight. He’s scared. People in the show act like something is wrong with him because of that. His dad, his classmates, even Misato push him to fight in the robot like it’s the only way he can be worth something.

The lectures helped me understand this better. They explained that what Shinji is going through isn’t just about him being “weak” or “emotional.” It’s about how our society has certain ideas of what it means to be a man. Like being strong, aggressive, and good at using violence when needed. This is called hegemonic masculinity. The show uses Shinji to challenge that idea. He can’t fit into that mold, and it’s not because he’s broken. It’s because the mold itself is too limiting.

Then Asuka shows up. She’s aggressive and good at fighting, and even though she’s a girl, she fits the idea of masculinity more than Shinji does. It’s kind of ironic. She makes fun of Shinji, and it just adds more pressure on him to act like a “real” man. But he still doesn’t fit in.

When Kaworu shows up, things shift. He’s kind, soft, and emotional, just like Shinji. But unlike Shinji, he’s confident about it. For a moment, it looks like Shinji found someone who proves that being gentle and emotional can also be strong. But then he finds out Kaworu isn’t human. That hits hard. It’s like the one person who made Shinji feel okay about himself was never part of the same world to begin with.

In the end, Evangelion doesn’t offer a clear answer. But it makes us think about the cost of forcing boys into a narrow idea of manhood. Maybe we need to stop asking boys to be “tough enough” and start letting them just be themselves.

[nemi2229]

Hello icadive!

I really sympathize with your stance on Shinji's situation in Evangelion. I just think character-wise, he was forced for a job that he didn't sign up for, all while forced to fit the mold that wasn't designed for him. And I think that part of the story is the most brutal. However, reading your article, what got me questioning was the absence of Kaoru. Kaoru being one of the Apostles meant that he was complete in it of himself, hence the confidence. I also wonder why Shinji didn't think of Kaoru as his end product/goal and was just left devastated because Kaoru wasn't a human similar to him. I mean Humans are technically the 18th Apostle, albeit, incomplete.

[nemi2229]

Evangelion

Evangelion is such a dark anime with characters that are quite suffocating to witness. Shinji's indecisiveness. Asuka's childish tempers and immaturity. Misato's love for a playboy. The playboy himself and his promiscuity. Also including Shinji's father, Gendo, who is negligent. Etc. However, strangely they all kind of work out in the grander reason of defending against the Apostles. It did come as a shock when the human reason to create the Eva program was not solely to defend humanity but to activate the Third impact based on personal reasons. The answer it gives to pain and suffering is humanistic and Buddhistic in my opinion because it elevates the humanly decision to that of god or energy, to unify all, including physical and emotion, without the brokenness and imperfection of humanity. The process and manifestation of the LCL in contrast to Shinji's decision to reject this ideal evoked peculiar emotions within me as I watched. It was quite strange as most considered it to be salvation, but to Shinji his salvation was to be himself between the collectivistic nature of the community. After all that struggle, he came to the conclusion to be himself.

I think this critiques Japan societal problems too as Japan is more collective in nature. They all play their role in society as a part of the whole, and in benefit of the whole. The term "meiwaku" is rooted in this nature. To cause inconveniences to others are frowned upon publicly and personally, though this is in a general sense. Hence, the public stigma towards NEETs and FREETERs in my opinion. While they force individuals to become inline with the whole, in the process, they make individuals who participate in society loose their individuality, for example, in becoming a respected "salaryman." The Shinji's decision in rejecting that ideal and in a way shows the manifestation of their decision in being true to oneself, but in the the process, suffocate in being different with everyone else.

Personally, what I can never understand about the main character is his inability to opt out of the whole program. But I cannot sympathize because I have never been in his shoes, and my empathy is broken.

[eliacker]

Fan Convention

Recently, Lionel Messi moved to Miami to play for the soccer team Inter Miami. Eventually, his kids began to play for the academy team run by Inter Miami association. One day there was a mass email going out to all Azzurri players that Messi’s son was going to be playing against my cousins team, on our local fields. Everyone was very excited to meet Messi and many people in the soccer community began posting about it. However, when I showed up on game day, the parking lot was already full, 30 minutes before the game, and people were parked all over the road and grass. I made my way to the field, which was already packed with kids. Throughout the area, there were also tents strewn about selling Messi memorabilia. After I arrived at the bleachers, there was an announcement made from the crowd that Messi was in the bathroom, and within seconds and ensnaring mod was sprinting towards the bathroom all feeding off of each others energy. Then me and my friend decided to sit down on a bench and not run over, and behold we were sitting next to his wife and children who we began to talk with and they told us he took off in his car because of the danger and overwhelmingness of this crowd. My friend was eventually able to get a photo of Messi after he came back to the field. However, he was once again swarmed and he ended up leaving until the game was over and his family was escorted out by police, and while I was driving I looked over and they were driving right beside me somehow. Overall, I think the entire scenario was overly inappropriate for what it was. Yes, it started it off as a small meet and great, however so many people showed up, ignoring lines and ignoring human decency and surrounding the man. I personally did not get a photo with him because of the overwhelming nature of what his wife said to us, I almost felt bad as he is unable to watch his kids game. The people who sprinted to the bathroom and swarmed Messi, to me, seem like an accurate representation of Otaku as they were doing everything possible for a photo with Messi, although that would have absolutely zero value in the real world. These kids around me knew stats of each year he played while I felt I barely knew anything, I almost felt as if I didn’t belong there. Additionally, everyone there wanted to get a signature on the Messi jersey that they were wearing, however that would have no real-life value outside of the “otaku of Messi”. This moment really changed the cultural identity of soccer in Naples Florida I feel. Many people I saw at the fields had never played or even talked with me about soccer, but since then they have begun to assimilate into the soccer community learning more statistics and playing more. I think Messi coming to Naples while not enjoyable for him because of the inappropriate security and childness of the crowd, it was very beneficial for the cultural identity formation of soccer here. I think fandom can certainly go too far to the point that it is influencing someone’s life, such as a movie star being swarmed wherever they go, degrading their quality of life. They constantly have eyes on them and their family. Everyone wanted a real “piece” or rather picture of Messi to have for the rest of their life to bring him into their reality. Furthermore, I believe this is relative to anime conventions because many times fans can go too far with creating fan art so that they can have a piece of that fantasy for the rest of their lives, but its particularly harmful when it’s in pursuit of a real person.

[nemi2229]

I feel terrible that people can be harmful to others in their heightened emotions towards their idols. What is unacceptable in a normal social setting, should not be tolerated situations like this. And I am glad that the security/police have resolved the situation in your favor. I often hear about the dark natures of comikets or otakons, or otaku culture in general, too, and I think the comparison you made is spot on. I also think it is not that different in terms of the avidness of the fans and their responses. Public respect should be maintained for the benefit of everyone.

[nemi2229]

Otaku Culture

Personally, as a broke introvert, I haven't had any experience with OtaKon or Comiket. However, I did accumulate a reasonable database and response through online and media. I've heard of the positives and the negatives about this culture, and the True Otaku: The documentary series opened my eyes to the diverse nature of community in the United States.

Firstly, the otaku culture is different in every nation, I believe. In the US, I think the open nature of the culture created a more diverse and accepting community. Even before the otakon, I think, Cartoons and videogames existed and were popularized. One can go further and say that the anime and manga community in Japan itself were heavily influenced by the American Cartoons and Comics. Goofy animations like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse has become the foundation for the animations of Japan through their introduction into the Japanese daily lives after World War II and Japan's surrender to America. However, due to the Galapagos effect of Japan, over the course of history, they became a thing of their own: the caricaturizing of human anatomy to become more "moe" and the culture to appear more vulnerable to evoke a more amicable emotion in the viewers. These cultures in Japan deepened, however, not in the norm, but was often stigmatized, because the groups involved were mostly NEETS and Freeters who did not participate in society, but were considered a baggage. And from that stigmatization appeared the term "otaku," a vastly different concept to how it is perceived in the US.

In the US, however, this stigma is not present. Moreover, it is quite the opposite, as they encourage the socially isolated to participate in society again, and allow them to live a second chance--as shown in the True Otaku: the Documentary. The openness of the nation's culture to cartoons, comics, games, and media may have allowed a positive growth of reputation of the culture, though it is not yet vastly accepted in the older generations as it is in the younger ones, in my opinion. However, if there are the positives, there are also the negatives. One problem I have observed in these cultures, especially the younger generations, there seems to be a group that does not problematize the atrocities performed by Japan either by not knowing, only superficially denying or condemning such history, or outright supporting it. One of the deciding examples is the fact that the flag of the Rising Sun is continually used, albeit in niche communities, a Nazi symbol of the east, and they are oblivious of it. Well, its also true in Japan, but I don't want to dive too deeply into politics. The flag is still used, and for eastern viewers, it does not sit well with them as they are constantly reminded of their countries past while doing what they love.

I think this shows that the same culture that initially existed, when incorporated with the existing cultures of other nations, they become nuanced and becomes a differently accepted and perceived culture.

However, this does not deny the fact that the amicable nature of anime and manga itself, and the identity of the so called otaku culture is extremely prevalent. Even in eastern nations, such as Korea and China, they enjoy the fruits of cultures like this in their nation, in the form of manhwa/webtoon (만화) or manhua (漫画), and such. Stories of the pilgrimage to the original otakon, comiket, flood the internet, including that of the famous vtubers, who are also a remnants of anime and otaku culture.

There the positive sides and the negative sides to all cultures, but in the vast and diverse cultures of the anime/manga/otaku, the cultural cohesion under a common idea is what unites all otakus: the love for their character.

-Holo from Spice and Wolf (2024)

P.S.TMI. I prefer the old one.

[eliacker]

Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son

All three of these animé confronted some point within the formation of gender and gender performance, and the critiques that come with it.

First off, Sailor Moon mainly critiques second wave feminism, third wave feminism, and girl power. In Japan and across the world there was a transition from second wave feminism being the primary feminism to third wave. While third wave acknowledges that women are different that men, they deserve the same. Throughout my life in western society I have seen this countless times as many women demand to be paid the same as men and given the same opportunities. However, third wave feminists use Girl Power, much like what is represented in the animé with common girl like items becoming weapons of great power, such as a tiara. This girl power allows women to be proud of their sex and gender and embrace it. However there is known to be major resistance against this anime as there are still many second wave feminists today. They think that these ideas of the feminine gender are placed upon them by a patriarchal society and should not have to use or wear any of them. However, many of these movements like the anime, or body positivity, or the movement of women not having to wear shits is primarily started by women, and for women. This anime while created by a "patriarchal" society, is intended for women to feel comfortable within their own gender, lifting them up, not requiring a change to society but empowerment of women.

Aggretsuko reflects the ideas of performative gender markers. In this anime it is easy to tell women apart from men because they are playing the role of a women. Much like in our readings this anime reflects how women perform the act of being a female through their social interactions and their actions. However, this animé implies that many women have an internal want to not conform to the social norms of women. While our readings say the opposite, and women's personality are developed because of their gender performativity. This I can personally attest to, that women have a deeper inside wish, aside from what gender believes, because having a sister and a girlfriend, they both act a lot differently when we are at home as compared to in public, following their gender rules much more strictly in public.

Additionally, Wandering Son alludes to the problems with transgenderism in a monolithic signified culture. Through this animé Nitori goes across a journey of changing his gender performativity into that of a womens. This is indicative of real life as many people go across this journey, changing their gender, sexuality, and even sex to fit the monolithic standards. However, although these peopl have completely become monolithic they are still not accepted by society, as that would result in the notion that all these three pieces that make of society are all subjective and changeable, which is scary to society. Furthermore, Doi is representative of the community that rejects all transgenderism, which eventually gets rejected by Nitiori, like in society that transgenders are beginning to be more and more accepted into society.

[nemi2229]

I am taken aback by your analysis of these anime, and the aspect that allowed anime to critique societal problems, not through hard and disruptive means, but by emotional and empathetic means shows a lot about the otaku culture in my opinion. Sailor Moon and second wave feminism, Aggretsuko and the roles socially constructed, and the issue behind the rejection of transgenderism of the norm all are greatly sensitive topics in their own, and courageously portrayed, the comically portrayed, and the softly portrayed, respectively, all allow the audience to understand the societal problems naturally.

[nemi2229]

Social Constructs

I haven't had any first hand experiences with social constructs, only having learned it from online and the media, such as anime and the otaku culture like BL and GL.

So, the results of these concepts I think really ties to the blog about Genshiken, where a group of isolated people try to find people who are similar to them, and they create a culture based on their beliefs. These groups grow, and they become a standard of their own.

I think the reason this concept is so prevalent in the otaku culture because, as I said before, it does not reject; to go further, it rather allows for more intimate incorporation without judgement from the so called social constructs. Such as Shoujo love, bishounen, GL, BL, Otokonoko, and even further, fetishes in hentai. Well, it does receive some backlash, but due to the sheer scale of the group and the hidden nature, the responses are very mixed and diversified. For example, the concept of the lolita and lolicon, and the borderline legality (drawing practically an underaged shoujo and adding the title of 1000 year old diety, and calling it legal), while not popular in the normal culture, is prevalent in anime.

However, when the groups get big in size, they also attract other customers who were in the norm, but due to their secret fetishes, they become an otaku and such.

Similarly, popular culture also makes use of these ideas as fashion statements, while not completely understanding the story behind it. Therefore, it also infiltrates the mass on a superficial level too, without the abyssal nature.

So, I have no first hand experience, but this is my current understanding of the culture in Japan and the world.

Me, personally, because I have grown up with anime, I am comfortable with some topics.

[aidansanimetedworld]

Genshiken

I've always expected fandoms of things as something light and fun. Genshiken really shows how complicated it can get. How loving something so deeply can isolate you just as much as it connects you with others. Genshiken captures the awkwardness of trying to find your place when your interests don't fit the mainstream. In japan, where fitting in is so important, being labeled as an "otaku" comes with real social costs. It can even affect job prospects or family expectations. Watching these characters navigating those judgements made by others made me think about how, globally, people still struggle to feel seen regarding their hobbies when such hobbies don't fit what is considered normal by society. Parts of this anime reminded me of how people will sometimes go to online places to find communities for things they don't feel comfortable sharing in their real life. The clubroom makes me think of if like a online forum or a Discord server was brought to life. A messy place, but comforting to those who are a part of it, where people understand you without you really needing to explain too much. The show also doesn't represent fandoms as purely positive, which I think is a good thing because there's so much controversy within fandoms about certain things where people will harshly judge others based on their opinions of something that doesn't matter that much. It really looks at whether being so deep in a hobby can hold you back from connecting with others and even with the wider world. It shows passion and isolation, and its so relevant today, when its so easy to disappear into a niche and forget that there are other things going on besides that thing. Overall, this anime made me appreciate how universal it is to look for spaces where you can be yourself, even if the world doesn't understand it.

[nemi2229]

I can relate and agree that there are many things that all people have which they do not feel comfortable opening up to a certain group, and that is why we go to private groups to relieve that part of us. I think that is true for everyone and Genshiken really adapts this to the story so well. People of different backgrounds gathering due to a common value no matter how grand or trivial.

[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.

[aidansanimetedworld]

Naruto, Wolf Children, A Silent Voice

Watching the three anime: Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice make you think more about how media is meant to entertain, but can show different sides of human struggles and connection. Naruto has always struck me as more than just a show about ninjas. It follows Naruto and his loneliness, the pain, the growing and the constant effort to be acknowledged. His journey shows how society can push people to their limit when they’re different. This is very relevant to Japan’s group focused culture. But it can also resonate globally with anyone who’s felt like an outsider.

Wolf Children was different, the story of Hana raising her half-human, half-wolf kids alone is like an allegory for single mothers raising kids who don't fit in. It makes me think of how societies, in Japan and all around the world expect conformity, and when people don’t fit the mold of conformity then they are looked at differently. The quiet rural scenes also remind me of japans rural depopulation and changing family structures.

Finally, rewatching a silent voice felt the most personal. It reflects on bullying and guilt and forgiveness and makes you look at the anime in a whole different way while looking at it through this lens. It shows social isolation and the painful attempt to make amends. This resonated with my own regret about how I may have been unfair to some of my classmates growing up. It shows how shame can fester in silence when people are afraid to communicate honestly. This isn’t an issue specific to Japan, its specific to humanity. 

All three anime made me think about how we judge others and ourselves, and how healing often comes from unlikely connections. They remind me that, no matter the country, we’re all trying to find where we belong.

[nemi2229]

I think you have an excellent take on the topic of discrimination while connecting it to the anime listed in the lessons. The part that you mentioned, "healing often comes from unlikely connections," is what strongly resonated with me, and I think it should go with one of the famous universal quotes. You just don't know when and where you will get it, but when you do receive it, it really is something else. I also empathize with your self-reflection. Personally, watching Naruto or A Silent Voice also reminded me of the times that I haven't been kind and fair to other classmates or peers as well. And I think this thought now affects my actions of how I should treat others: treating them the way I want to be treated.

[nemi2229]

Jack of All Trades, Master of None

Personally, I can't bear to watch animations that deal with these kinds of sadness--sorry for the lack of description; this was the only word to describe it. Especially scenarios like A Silent Voice, I have a hard time dealing with. After watching Shigatsu kimi no uso as a child, I was permanently scarred and now avoid such stories. But I do think these animations touch an important aspect in society, especially Japan. Things like ijime are serious topics that are discussed among students and adults alike. It is pretty universal and happens anywhere in the world; it's a dark aspect of human nature. In the Western world, it is called bullying; in Japan, it's called ijime; in Korea, it's called hakpok, etc. But ultimately, they mean the same thing. Violence towards another in a social setting.

Tropes in anime deal with these kinds of social problems in a number of ways. Naruto, where the protagonist is basically isolated by the entire village due to his stigma as the vessel for the Nine-Tailed Fox. He endures the isolation and discrimination and grows his skills as a protagonist, then later saves the whole village. A silent voice deals with this terrible theme by self-reflection and realization, and in turn, becomes the one that really hears and sees Shouko. Lastly, the wolf children deal with those who exist between two worlds but aren't fully participating in either; therefore, they are later forced to pick a side.

Endurance, self-reflection, realization, and life-changing decisions are what's left. And I think this is what everyone goes through in life, if I were to be extremely idealistic. However, the deeper and stronger the troubles are are, if they are overcome, we get a stronger character, just as Nietzsche pointed out: "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger." These themes reflect how those certain circumstances the protagonists were in led them to have a different perspective on the same situation and become the solution to the problem that no one managed to fix. And ultimately, it may be that their special circumstances are what allows them to either burn or build bridges between unreachable social groups.

I admit I am being a little too idealistic, and most victims do not emerge to become stronger--many suffer from deep scars for life. Animations, however, portray these idealistic scenarios in hopes of promoting healing, empathizing with the scarred, and providing hope when society may offer none.

[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.

[nemi2229]

Our history lessons are also riddled with half-truths, and for that reason, I completely agree with your view on the anime. Every time I learn a new perspective on the same history I learned elsewhere, it blows my mind and opens a new can of worms of afterthoughts. And I think this anime, like you mentioned, directly addresses this issue that the criteria for education can be education, but it can also be other things, such as indoctrination of the later generation. That may be one of the reasons why phrases like "History is written by the winners" are so popular.

[nemi2229]

Emotional Instability

I think it is pretty wild that children are the only ones who are considered to be vulnerable to emotional instability and eventually can become murderous criminals. The anime focuses on children for story and character buildup, but I think adults have the same tendency, if not more, to be vulnerable to emotional instability. Emotional unrest and outbursts are most of the time created by adults, since, one, children are mirror images of who raised them, two, facilities are made and maintained by adults, and three, adults are what society is run by. So, to put all the blame on children, even for dramatic effect for story buildup, seems a bit too extreme. Even if they all passed the test, there is no guarantee they will break down in the future and cause even more havoc. To be relieved of the fact that one passed a rigorous test is pretty naive. If they are truly considered dangerous, wouldn't they be monitored at all times? I mean, domestic abuse is 99.99 percent created and done by adults in the family, so why are the children regulated for emotional instability? If they want stable children, I think it is better to monitor the adults to ensure they are doing a good job of raising that child. Well, that is without addressing the outliers who truly are the problem due to a biological factor. I think this is becoming a problem nowadays because people don't regulate their children's behavior. People jokingly address this "problematic generation" as Gen Z or Gen Alpha, and as a response, we call them boomers. But they are forgetting the fact that boomers raised millennials who raised GenZ, who then raised Gen Alpha. They are all interconnected. This might sound authoritarian, but I think children are naive and curious, like a blank slate. If adults don't properly guide them, they are prone to discovering for themselves, and I think it is the responsibility of adults to prevent deviance. Even biologically psychopathic people have a lower chance of deviation and can safely integrate into society if they have the right family environment. If biologically apathetic beings can integrate, I am certain normal humans with psychokinetic powers aren't that far off. However, this is all until adulthood, after that, they are responsible for themselves. I have a happy family, and I consider my life enjoyable. However, there are times when I had to ask myself if my actions were against the law or if I should refrain from doing such and such. And I think these self-regulating thoughts are heavily influenced by my parents, whether it be through parenting or their character reflecting onto me. And these factors in growing children reaching adulthood are pretty universal, whether it be Japan or the US, I don't think the concept in itself differs that drastically.

EP 1. When the parents have a talk about the fear of losing their child. Their emotions are understandable, but it proves my point; humans are emotional beings. The emotional unrest also affects the child, and I don't think the effect was positive.

[eliacker]

Psycho-Pass

From watching the Animé Psycho-pass I have become more enlightened on the problem of a surveillance society. Also, before this unit I was unaware at the internalized morals I have because of our slightly surveilled society.

At first I thought the world depicted in the anime was very cool, but overreaching individual sovereignty. I believed the cameras were not an invasion of personal privacy, but the scanners were. To analyze someone's thoughts without them knowing places a sense of mistrust onto the citizens and causes a social divide between the tools of power and subjects of power. However, in our everyday lives we are constantly bombarded by perpetual surveillance, with cameras in and around every home, office, store, street, and even park. We continue to go about our days as if nothing is different in our society, but the "most" dangerous places in the world are ones without cameras. Such as the back alley in New York, or in a rural area in the woods, or a communist state where all cameras are controlled by one power. These places are not dangerous because of a cultural sense or demographic problem, but because there is no surveillance. Without surveillance in these places, people can act how they wish, continuing with any crime they may please. This is very similar to places in the Psycho-pass animé that have limited, or no surveillance, as people can act in the blind spots.

While constantly surveilling the citizens will prevent unproved crime, the sibyl system being able to scan minds and set up people's lives for them causes turmoil. For example, everyone's jobs are selected for them, and some are given low quality jobs. These people who are given these low class jobs, are almost destined to fall to the bottom of the ranks in society, not by their own doing, but because of the system. This is why many of them grouped together to rebel against the sibyl system, killing people who benefited off of Sibyl.

Additionally, another problem with the scanning of minds through the sibyl system is its blind-spots or irregularities. Because there is no one exercising this tool of power, as it is just brains in boxes, there is no regulation as to what might be a correct or incorrect analysis. Therefore, everything is based on a "machines" analysis. This is very similar to the article in the United States of system that measures the likelihood of someone committing another crime. These machines are not accurate 100% of the time and can't be put into check as other tools of power can, such as police. This constant analysis of thought is only parallel to the real world through all the tabs kept on us. The government keeps tabs on your money, spending habits, test scores, credit score, and maybe even search history. Collecting all this information allows them to piece together what they think of you as a citizen, and how likely you may have internalized their ideals of morality.

[nemi2229]

I totally agree; it is not that surveillance is bad, but rather, it is the overreach of the system that chooses for the individual that deteriorates society. I think there is a dilemma in convicting a crime that a person has a high affinity to commit but hasn't committed yet. It strongly resembles the movie Minority Report, where the criminal is convicted of committing a crime that the person was going to commit in the future, yet because of the arrest, the crime did not happen. Additionally, the collective authority that abuses this system is prone to create victims who rebel against the authority, which creates a societal explosion that creates turmoil. It kind of goes in a similar direction to your example about the "machine analysis" the cops in the US use.

[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.