New Beginnings

JPT1311 - The Anim(e)ted World

[jpt-1311-deactivated20240823]

Hetalia

Honestly I really didn't like this show. It's funny in spots but its mostly just boring and annoying and the jokes get old real fast - looking at you, Italy. Besides the fact that I didn't find it entertaining, it's also just kind of terrible when you consider the real-world historical context and events that are supposedly being represented in the show.

Hetalia takes place roughly during and around the time of WW1 and WW2, so I guess about 1900-1950, though the show's sense of time is very loose and frankly confusing. Most of the time spent seems to be concentrated around WW2, which only makes it worse to consider that these 3 cute anime boys who we're watching having fun and doing whatever are actually supposed to represent countries that were actively committing horrible atrocities. I mean, Germany in the show is this sort of gruff and direct but kindhearted guy who's kind of endearing except for the fact that he's LITERALLY NAZI GERMANY. I mean seriously the perspective this anime takes is absurd. Of course, this being an anime, the representation of Japan is just as bad, as in Japan is way too good in the show considering the amount of seriously vile things the Japanese military has done.

The problem is, the premise is already flawed from the beginning. Representing entire countries, with their complex histories and diverse populations, as a single person will never work out well when you consider that virtually every major nation has at least one absolutely terrible aspect of its history. Naturally no one wants to focus on that though, but if you only take the good things about a country, that's not great either because now you're just ignoring history. There's also just the fact that countries are not these monolithic entities, so any singular representation of a country will by necessity engage in stereotype. And my goodness does this show engage in stereotype. The representation of Italy is perhaps the most in-your-face about it, but it's not exactly subtle for the other countries as well, particularly the USA and France. Maybe the show is trying to point out these stereotypes to show how silly they are, but with the way they show them so incessantly, it really doesn't feel like that. So, the entire idea of turning nations into people is already bound to turn out badly, and then when you decide to do that in the time period of WW2, it's just a disaster.

[shadowydazecg]

Hi! I can see why you didn't like the show. It does talk about historical events that happened in real life. This anime uses light-heartedness to mask the ugly of some of these events. The characters all represent a country, so your frustrations about Germany and Japan are understandable. Germany and Japan were committing terrible acts against its citizens in real life. Germany tried to wipe out an entire ethnicity at that. I do think the point of the show was to talk about historical events in a lighter version compared to a more gruesome and realistic version. I agree that the stereotypes are too much, but I think they are used to show the power stereotypes have to shape our perceptions and interactions with other countries.

[shadowydazecg]

Hetalia: Axis Powers

In episode 5, titled “The World Meeting,” the anime portrays a fictional meeting of world leaders, including major Axis and Allied powers. By displaying exaggerated national stereotypes, the episode parodies the nature of international gatherings and diplomatic relations. For instance, Germany is depicted as overly serious and strict, while Italy is shown as carefree and prone to surrendering. Japan is portrayed as meticulous and somewhat reserved. America is depicted as highly energetic, enthusiastic, and somewhat brash. This portrayal is consistent with the stereotype of Americans as being outspoken and self-assured. In episode 5, viewers delve into the complex realm of diplomatic communication and the far-reaching effects of stereotypes on international relations. Through the use of exaggerated national traits, the anime effectively sheds light on how these stereotypes have the power to shape perceptions and interactions among different countries. The portrayal of these national characteristics serves as a thought-provoking critique of how real-world stereotypes can significantly influence diplomatic encounters, and in turn, contribute to misunderstandings or conflicts. It also offers a window into how Japan, amongst other nations, is both influenced by and responds to global perceptions of its national identity. The clever use of comedic presentation in the anime allows viewers to engage with and contemplate these weighty issues from a lighter and more approachable perspective.

In episode 11, it focuses on the relationship between Northern and Southern Italy, exploring historical and cultural differences between them. The anime personifies Italy into two distinct characters, Veneziano as North Italy and Romano as South Italy. The episode humorously contrasts their personalities and lifestyles, with North Italy depicted as optimistic and enthusiastic, while South Italy is portrayed as grumpy and cynical. This episode addresses internal divisions within a nation, reflecting on regional disparities and historical conflicts. This representation of national unity and division speaks to Japan, a country with its own historical tensions and regional differences. Through humor, the anime examines how various regions within a nation can have unique identities and how these variations can impact interpersonal relationships and national unity. By highlighting these internal issues through a comedic narrative, the show encourages viewers to consider the complexities of regional diversity and the challenges of maintaining national unity.

I chose these episodes because they interested me the most! Also, I could make enough connections using these episodes to complete a blog post.

[rushilsood]

Your Name is a film that goes beyond cultural and geographical boundaries, connecting with audiences everywhere. The story follows two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, who mysteriously swap bodies. This magical premise dives deep into themes of identity, connection, and the blend of personal and societal issues.

The film tackles several important issues within Japan and globally. One major theme is the rural-urban divide. Mitsuha’s life in a small, traditional town is starkly different from Taki’s fast-paced Tokyo life. This contrast reflects the ongoing struggles many Japanese towns face due to urban migration, leading to depopulation and cultural loss. Globally, it mirrors the challenges of preserving cultural heritage amidst rapid modernization. Another significant issue is disaster preparedness. The comet disaster in Your Name is reminiscent of real-life events like the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. It highlights the importance of memory and collective effort in overcoming such tragedies, a theme that resonates worldwide in an era of increasing natural disasters.

On a personal level, the film brings up feelings of nostalgia and a longing for connections that go beyond time and space. The idea of swapping bodies and lives, even temporarily, makes you think about the nature of empathy and understanding. It made me reflect on the everyday challenges and joys that others experience, deepening my appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Michel Foucault’s “The History of Sexuality” offers a unique way to analyze Your Name. Foucault’s method emphasizes the historical and social construction of identities and the power dynamics involved. In Your Name, the body-swapping can be seen as a metaphor for the fluidity of identity and how personal and social histories shape our experiences. The characters’ struggles with their new identities reflect Foucault’s idea that identity is not fixed but is continuously constructed through discourse and power relations.

[shadowydazecg]

Hi, rushilsood! I like how you brought up the issues of the divide between rural areas and urban areas. I didn't think about that topic at all during the movie. I did mention the comet disaster because it reminded me of the previous module. I agree that it highlights the importance of memory and collective effort in overcoming such tragedies. Also, I did feel a little bit of nostalgia while watching this movie. I've never seen "Your Name" before, but the body-swapping made me think of Freaky Friday (2003).

[shadowydazecg]

Your Name

"Your Name" is an anime that tells the tale of two high school students, Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu, who, despite never having met, develop a deep and mystical bond after learning they are body-swapping. The boy and girl decide to meet in person, which manages to complicate their situation even further.

Even though we aren't on the topic of earth disasters anymore, I wanted to write about it in this post. This story contains a comet that threatens to destroy the rural town of Itomori, where Mitsuha lives. This movie portrays the devastating effects of the comet and its impact on the town's residents. The depiction of the comet disaster addresses Japan's real-life vulnerability to natural calamities, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and meteor impacts. Japan's geographic location makes it particularly prone to such events, and the film's portrayal of the comet disaster serves as a reminder of these vulnerabilities. "Your Name" addresses the more general problem of disaster planning and recovery, an important subject in Japan and other disaster-prone countries worldwide, by demonstrating the devastation that natural disasters may cause as well as the psychological and physical toll they take on communities. It also emphasizes how resilient and united communities can be in the face of such calamities.

This movie was really enjoyable! I loved the body-swapping plot. The main characters, Mitsuha and Taki, got to experience what it's like to live as someone else. I found it funny when the main characters were embarrassed to live as the opposite sex. After a while, Taki and Mitsuha start to appreciate one another's life and even contribute to their survival. I found the concept of the "red thread" an interesting twist in the movie. The idea behind this concept is that space and time connect everything in the world. I find it really fascinating that your soulmates, whether platonically or romantically, are all connected to your body by an invisible thread until you find them. It makes me wonder if this is really true…

[robian]

XenoBlade Chronicles 2

I've heard a bit about this game before so I thought it was an interesting pick for the class. The anime is a clear cut comment on the relationship between humanity and nature. Basically, Klaus destroys the entire world and is trying to rebuild it. He uses nanobots and the titans in order to achieve this restoration. Humanity is clearly struggling with the absence of nature and would have completely died off if it wasn't for Klaus creating the titans. Humanities depictions of Heaven or “Elysium” is basically just a place that has nature within it. After living in a world absent of nature, humanity's greatest wish is simply to return to it. It comments on today's world that is actively harming nature. It's easy to destroy nature but hard to rebuild, and once it's gone, you'll wish you never destroyed it. So, we should preserve nature, so there is never a point in time where humanity is threatened by the absence of it.

What's interesting is that unlike in Nausicaa, it seems that nature has no way of naturally healing itself. Nature is completely reliant on Klaus and his plan in order to regenerate. Nausicaa gives the idea that nature can live independently without us but that we cannot live without nature. Xenoblade makes it seem that we are intereliant on each other. Personally, I think nature being capable on its own makes more sense from a current standpoint. We'd really have to mess up the world, for nature to not be able to survive without us. Ultimately, our job as humans is to simply not prevent nature from doing its purpose and preserving itself.

Anyways, like I said before Xenoblade is a clear comment on humanity's relationship with nature. We shouldn't harm nature for our own greed. We are reliant on nature to survive.

[shadowydazecg]

Hi robian! I like that Klaus owns his mistake and tries to make up for it. I know he ruined nature, but at least he's actively apart of the solution. Humanity and nature are somewhat intertwined. One can't live without the other (in my opinion). I loved the depiction of heaven in the video game. Even though the "heaven" is a restored land filled with nature. I agree that it's easy to destroy nature but hard to rebuild. Humanity should try to preserve nature while it's still here.

[shadowydazecg]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

The majority of the globe in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is not habitable due to a disaster that struck the earth. The planet is now a vast wasteland, and mankind must dwell in small but constrained areas. The massive Titan species that serves as land is the foundation upon which the Xenoblade protagonists stand. But as the Titans perish and nature begins to deteriorate and sink into the Cloud Sea, the globe turns into a massive wasteland.

Something that interested me was that there was a vision of a location that resembled heaven. The way it was portrayed in this anime was done very nice. The vision represented a place where nature has blossomed and taken over while the wasteland has vanished. When the adventurers eventually make it there, though, they discover that everything has died and that all that is left is an artificial space station. They learn that the world was unintentionally destroyed by Klaus's experiment, to the point where nature is no longer able to repair itself. Also, there are devices that can help make the Titans grow. I found this really cool! This can represent how our society must help repair our environment because the damage being done to nature can't be repaired by itself. We as a society must continue to care for our planet in order to save our home. In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, these devices can restore nature back to what it was before the damaged ruined the land.

I didn't feel much watching this anime. I think because I'm so close to the finish line, I'm just flying through the anime for this class without sitting and thinking about it. Also, this anime was more of a video game than a regular anime. This was my first time watching an anime like this. I've watched cut scenes before, but I usually do that with a mix of the action scenes of video game. I probably won't try to play this game.

[robian]

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

I actually think this is my new favorite studio ghibli film. Something about it was extremely beautiful and touching. Was I just under a rock, I don't know how I haven't heard of this film before. Also before this analysis begins, I just wanna put out there a theory that the design of Malenia from Elden Ring may be partially inspired by Kushana. Could be a coincidence but that's why it's just a theory.

Two major themes of the film are Anti-war and connection with nature. I'll start with Anti-war. The films depicts a world one thousand years after a nuclear war. The soil and water is filled with radiation/poison and is fetal to humans. The forest keeps spreading is seen as a threat to mankind, but in reality it's devitalizing the world with new soil through the ashes of the trees. This film was created not too long after the cold-war in which many worried about the possibility of a complete nuclear war. If that war was to happen it would have damaged the earth, leaving lasting effects for thousands of years. If a nuclear war on the scale of a World War happened, it could very well be the end of humanity or at least set us back many years as depicted in the film.

Theres this famous quote from Albert Einstein that I can't help but think of: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones". Nausicaa realizes that the hate and war needs to stop. Even she was blinded by rage from the murder of her father and retaliated by killing people. Yet, she learned to put aside her feelings for the good of the people and from that time on, she never killed another soul.

Nausicca has a special connection with nature. From a young age she's depicted protecting a baby Ohmu. She gets along with every animal she meets and most importantly she doesn't see the forest as something to be feared. In the end, nature quite literally brings her back to life symbolizing a new beginning where the world is connected with nature once again. The nature of the forest was the world healing itself after the nuclear war and the Ohmu shared the feelings of the Earth. The film criticizes current society's distance from nature. Current society does not respect nature but rather uses it for it's own benefit. The pathway to peace is a world where we embrace the Earth rather than fight unnecessary wars that end up harming it.

[shadowydazecg]

Hi robian! I loved that Nausicaa put her rage aside for the good of the people. This really shows how caring and thoughtful she is. Despite the fact that her father was killed, she decided to stop killing people because she knew it wasn't right. I agree that society does not respect nature but rather uses nature for its own benefit. I believe that we should cherish the Earth before it's completely destroyed. Also, the distance from nature makes sense. Humans tend to take it without thinking about how it will affect others. Even now with climate change and pollution rates being high, there are still people who don't care or don't think it's that big of an issue.

[shadowydazecg]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

In the movie "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind," the setting is a post-apocalyptic world where vast toxic forests, referred to as the "Sea of Decay," have taken over the landscape. This bleak environment has been caused by the overexploitation of natural resources and widespread environmental degradation by humanity. Nausicaä works to save the planet by using her gift of talking to insects.

This toxic jungle setting reflects Japan's historical concerns with pollution and environmental destruction. The depiction of a world where nature has become a hostile environment serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of industrial excess and disregard for environmental health. Nausicaä’s role as a mediator between humanity and nature highlights the need for ecological balance and sustainable practices, echoing Japan’s own struggles with environmental conservation and the push towards more eco-friendly policies. Globally, "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" addresses issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and the need for environmental stewardship. The toxic forest represents the global ecological crises affecting many parts of the world, where deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction are prevalent. Nausicaä’s empathetic approach contrasts with the militaristic and destructive tendencies of other factions, suggesting that peace and environmental preservation are interconnected. I think the purpose of this film was to shift our focus toward understanding and respecting our planet before it's too late.

The themes and messages in this film really resonate with our current societal challenges. It's evident that our planet is facing a gradual decline due to our collective disregard for environmental preservation. Issues like pollution and climate change demand urgent attention and solutions to ensure the long-term survival of our planet. Moreover, the growing population is placing immense pressure on our finite food resources, potentially leading to future conflicts over essential supplies. It's quite plausible that governmental authorities are actively strategizing ways to secure additional food and land resources in preparation for these looming challenges. Interestingly, there are even reports suggesting that scientists are exploring innovative methods to increase food production for our rapidly expanding population.

[robian]

End of Evangelion

Sorry for cursing, but what the actual fuck did I just watch. To understand this film, I basically had to read an entire essay about background information that can only be found in outside sources such as video games. I even watched a 5 minute YouTube video purely just to understand the infamous hospital scene. 

If you're confused like I was please read this:

and read:

https://imgur.com/2oRZv

Shinji at this point in the story is just absolutely fucked up in the head mentally. Both of his friends leave. Asuka is comatose. Rei is swimming in a juice bathtub. He even killed the guy that finally accepted him and even liked him. By the way apparently some people think Kawaru is a representation of Jesus who needed to be killed. Anyways, Shinji was just mentally not there. Shinji's in this shit mental state and knowing Shinji, he doesn't know how to properly express his emotions. So naturally what does he decide to do? Bust a load to Asuka's comatose body. Btw although the anime doesn't show any attraction for Asuka prior to this (except the kiss maybe and the childhood friend fantasy) apparently there's some side content that makes their relationship make a bit more sense.

I would explain the events of the story in more detail, but reddit can explain it better. Basically at the end Shinji decides he would rather live in the new destroyed world than a fantasy and the only person that we can see who also decided to stay is Asuka. Basically,Shinji chokes Asuka so he knows he's not living in some weird fantasy. Asuka caresses his cheek and calls him disgusting, letting him know that it isn't a fantasy. Basically Shinji has the craziest character development in all of anime history. Although it's hard to say if he's even alright at the end.

On one hand I think Evangelion is a masterpiece and on the other hand I think it's garbage. It's an anomaly within anime. As a story writer, if most people can't understand your story, then it's badly written. However, Evangelion reminded me of poetry. It was confusing but clearly had deeper meanings. I doubt anyone could ever COMPLETELY understand Evangelion by only watching the series&movie. It practically requires discussion between people to even grasp it. If the writers wanted to leave a lasting impression, they certainly achieved their goal.

[shadowydazecg]

Hi Robian! I agree with your analysis completely. This movie was not it and deeply disturbing. My blog post was mainly about mental health because I could go on for days about this topic. I love how you spoke your mind on this blog post. The swearing adds emphasis to the review of this anime. Also, thank you for providing resources to make this anime clearer. I don't plan on rewatching this show and the movie that comes after it. It doesn't seem like the show for me. Maybe the writers wanted to get conversations around the show, that's why the message isn't as clear. They wanted the viewers to go online and share their thoughts. Basically, make their own conclusions about the anime.

[shadowydazecg]

The End of Evangelion

"The End of Evangelion" serves as a multifaceted conclusion to the anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion". It addresses deep psychological, existential, and societal issues both within the context of Japan and on a global scale. This movie includes a surreal and disturbing examination of the individual and collective psyche results from the movie's portrayal of the Human Instrumentality Project, which entails the psychological fusion of all human consciousnesses into a single collective entity. Shinji Ikari’s inner turmoil is laid bare as he confronts his fears, desires, and sense of self.

"The End of Evangelion" reflects the struggles associated with mental health and the societal pressures that contribute to psychological distress. Japan has a culture where mental health issues are often stigmatized. The honest depiction of mental suffering in this movie speaks to the internalized conflicts that many people experience. The film’s exploration of identity crises, existential despair, and the search for meaning resonates with those who grapple with similar issues in a society where emotional vulnerability is frequently hidden or suppressed. Globally, the film tackles universal aspects of mental health, such as loneliness, self-doubt, and the pursuit of personal understanding in the face of external pressures, making it relevant to audiences worldwide due to its intense focus on psychological themes.

Mental health is a serious topic that I'm glad we covered in school. I know some people still don't believe in the effects of mental health, but it's definitely real. It's not going away unless we do something about it. I'm sure everyone has experienced when their mental health is at its lowest. Sometimes we don't even realize that our mental health is so low until it's too late. I definitely have moments when my mental health is low. The causes are usually the amount of schoolwork I have to do and personal relationships. In order to get my mental health up to par, I have to truly relax. It could be watching a movie, sleeping, being by myself, etc... The important thing is to do something that makes you happy and lowers your stress/anxiety levels.

[robian]

Evangelion Part 2

Alright Part 2 is where I can actually get to writing. I wrote my part 1 blog almost entirely on Shinji so I'll start off by explaining what I meant by his “character development” that I mentioned in my last post.

Those last 2 episodes were probably super confusing. They probably felt like they came out of nowhere. Some people say it's an amazing ending, while others say it's horrible. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about it. I even needed the help of redditors to get a semi-understanding of what it meant without having the movies spoiled for me. Basically these two episodes are all about Shinji's self hatred and at the very end he comes to finally accept himself. Really, it seems to be that simple. Of course, I haven't watched the movies yet, so if there's more to it, that's probably why.

 Honestly, I knew that Shinji hated piloting the Eva, but I feel that we don't get a true understanding of his self-hatred until these last two episodes. You can say this is dumb, because it may seem like the writers just suddenly had Shinji hate himself, but personally I feel that the story had some obvious hints along the way. When people yelled or even hurt Shinji, he never defended himself. He always avoided problems. Someone who hates themselves, doesn't have the power to protect themselves. 

Alright, I should probably talk about some other characters. Rei still confuses me and I'm betting there's more info In the movies because it seems she has some connection to Shinji's mother. Rei's character development is basically her smiling and shedding a tear. She's attempting to find her humanity and sense of self even though she knows she is different from everyone else. 

Asuka says she's piloting the Eva for herself, but in reality she pilots the Eva as a coping mechanism for her mother. Her mother never cared for her, and the chance to become an Eva pilot meant that people would always care for her, unlike her mother. She believes that if she isn't the best, people will stop giving her attention. She believes that she'll lose any value she has. As of the ending of the series, Asuka is still in a depressive state, but I'm assuming she'll get back on her feet in the movies. 

Finally, I'll talk about Misato Katsuragi. At first, she just seems to be this strong, independent, happy, snobbish, beautiful lady. However, we later find out that she's dealing with some serious trauma of her own. Her dad, who she originally hated, sacrificed his life to save her. It left her confused as to whether she hated her dad or not. She unintentionally sought out things that reminded her of him such as her job and her boyfriend to fill the void left in her heart. At the end of the series, it seems to point out that she is scared of being alone. Her dad leaves her. Her boyfriend leaves her. She just wants anyone's attention and even seemingly makes a move on Shinji.  

Hopefully y'all didn't seriously read all 500+ word yapping session, but part 2 was definitely where the phique of the characters was delved into more. As for my opinions on Evangelion (before watching movies), I liked it, but I don't really understand the hype. 

[shadowydazecg]

Hey Robian! I agree with your analysis! It was very insightful! In my blog post, I added that Asuka and Shinji were very similar as they do certain things to prove themselves to their parents. It has been suggested that Asuka uses the Eva in order to cope with her mother's neglect and to feel validated. In my opinion, she uses her assertiveness and dominance to continuously validate her own values and go above and beyond what society expects of her. This series isn't as clear as others, but you did a great job breaking it down!

[shadowydazecg]

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Part 2)

The eighth episode introduces Asuka, the new Eva pilot. Her relationship with Shinji and the other members of the NERV team is evident. It emphasizes the conflict between her and Shinji as well as her aggressive nature. In Japan, there are pressures and expectations placed on individuals in competitive environments. Asuka’s introduction shows the impact of high expectations and the struggle to meet societal standards. High academic and professional expectations are common because of how competitive Japanese society is. Globally, this episode tackles issues of rivalry and how personal concerns affect interactions with others. Asuka's aggressive demeanor and the tension it creates illustrate the universal challenge of navigating personal identity and self-worth amidst external pressures and expectations.

On the other hand, I feel bad for Asuka. I did more research on her background because she intrigued me. She resembles Shinji in a way because she also wants to be loved by her parents. They neglected her for no reason. NO child deserves to be deserted. I think that's why when she's introduced, she has an aggressive demeanor. Since I talked about Shinji and his father in my part 1 post, I won't mention them here.

Episode 16 delves into the character of Kazuichi, a member of the NERV support staff, and examines the effects of the ongoing battle on a human and psychological level. It also features a significant confrontation between the Eva units and the Angel, highlighting the cost of battle on human lives. This episode reflects concerns about the impact of relentless technological advancement and warfare on individual lives and societal values. Japanese concerns regarding military involvement and technological ethics, both historically and currently, are reflected in the strong emphasis on the human cost of conflict. Globally, the episode addresses the broader implications of technological and military progress. It serves as a critique of how technological and military pursuits can overshadow humanistic concerns, encouraging viewers to reflect on the ethical dimensions of progress and conflict.

I think they did a great job showcasing the damaging effects of military actions on people who live in certain places. Some war conflicts (in real life) could've been avoided if leaders tried to accommodate one another. They are constantly thinking about themselves and their pride, they forget to think of the people and what they need. Unnecessary deaths don't seem to faze them, instead, they use those deaths to manipulate the people to take their side in fighting against their "enemy".

[robian]

Neon Genesis Evangelion Part 1

I'm writing this after watching the entirety of Evangelion because I didn't wanna ruin it by watching specific episodes. I'm also writing this early so I'm just going to make an educated guess about what part 1 covers.

Okay, so I'm going to mainly talk about Shinji because we don't really dive deep into the other characters until what I assume will be covered in part 2. Shinji is very different from your average anime protagonist. Most anime protagonists are seemingly always good looking and brave. They try to appeal to the watchers' desires. Shinji on the other hand is just a frail and scared young boy who just wants to be loved by his dad. Personally, I love characters like this. They tend to feel more realistic. If you almost died like Shinji did, and had to endure the pain simulated from the Eva, you'd probably be scared shitless too just like Shinji.

Also by starting off as weak, it allows more character development. But, to be honest, Shinji doesn't really have much character development (until literally the last 2 eps). Shinji realizes that he pilots the Eva to please his dad (hopefully this was part of part1 I don't remember). He even returns to his Eva after leaving, but he's still scared. Even though I enjoy character development, I think in certain situations, a lack of it can be just as telling. He's not suddenly just going to become brave and lose his fear of fighting in the Eva, and by this lack of development, it really highlights just how much he desires his dad's admiration.

Now, I also want to talk about how Shinji takes on more feminine than masculine gender roles. Shinji is depicted as kind and caring. He always apologizes and avoids any conflict. He cooks and cleans the apartment, while the women are depicted as slobs. He's scared to pilot his Eva, while the two women Rei and Asuka are fine with it. Honestly, I'm trying to think of a different anime that's male protagonist is like Shinji, and I can't (although I'm sure there's a few). It just tells you how unique of a character Shinji is. Going back to the last module, Shinji really challenges what we view as gender roles. A man doesn't need to always be tough and brave, he can be weak and scared too.

[shadowydazecg]

Hi robian! I applaud you for watching the entire show. I didn't have enough time to watch the whole show, so I waited until the module opened to see the selected episodes. I agree that Shinji is a scared young boy who wants love and appreciation from his father. I like that Shinji's character doesn't put on a facade and he feels emotions. It makes him more relatable. Many people face these types of problems where their families don't treat them with love and care. Sometimes society treats males as robots who aren't allowed to have emotions. I'm glad Shinji can represent that boys can freely express their emotions too, especially if it's sadness or fear.

[shadowydazecg]

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Part 1)

In the first episode, we see an introduction to what's happening in the city. After being introduced to a dystopian Tokyo-3, Shinji Ikari finds himself thrown into a battle against enigmatic entities called Angels. The city is constantly threatened, and Shinji must pilot a giant bio-mechanical robot, Evangelion Unit-01, to protect it. This episode captures the fears that Japan has felt from natural and man-made calamities throughout its history and now. The depiction of Tokyo-3, a city repeatedly attacked and rebuilt, mirrors Japan's real-world experiences with frequent earthquakes and the necessity for disaster preparedness and resilience. On a global scale, the episode highlights universal themes of existential danger and how people react to crises, highlighting the psychological effects of constantly being in fear of something bad happening to you.

In episode 2, Shinji is further integrated into the operations of NERV. NERV is the organization defending against Angels. Shinji is dealing with emotional and personal issues. This episode delves into his tense ties with his father, Gendo Ikari, as well as his challenges with the weight of piloting the Eva. In Japan, there is an emphasis on family and social expectations. The strained father-son relationship reflects broader societal issues related to familial pressures and emotional estrangement. Globally, it addresses common problems with identity formation, mental health, and parental expectations. Shinji’s internal conflict and sense of isolation resonate with a global audience, highlighting the emotional burden that comes with significant responsibilities and strained personal relationships.

I can relate to Shinji when it comes to having strained relationships with a family member. I have a great connection with my dad, so that's where we differ. I do have strained familial relationships with some of my cousins and uncles. There is a lack of communication (from both sides) which causes our relationship to feel strained. Sometimes it's awkward to speak with them because they have their minds made up about me without even getting to know me. That's why I chose to keep my distance, but I will be cordial whenever I see them.

[simjay-engberg-jpt1311-blog]

True Otaku Documentary

I sadly have never been to an anime convention in my life, but I plan to go to Japan in the next couple years and will look into anime conventions during my stay. Anime conventions seem welcoming and overall, very fun. People get to express their true passions for anime and manga without worrying about judgement. I have heard many positive experiences from anime conventions, and this motivates me to attend one to explore my interest in anime to a further extent. 

True Otaku Part 1: True Otaku Part 1 introduces the audience to a yearly anime convention called Otakon that is held in Baltimore, Maryland yearly.  According to further research of this event, it is now in Washington DC since 2017. In the beginning of the documentary there is a multitude of interviews that showcase that the word “Otaku” has very different meanings and has seem to take a new positive meaning within the United States. Otaku has had a bed reputation in Japan because of the Otaku Killer and was often used as a negative connotation to describe anime fans as obsessive and socially awkward. But on the other hand, many individuals within the US have adopted this word and embrace it. These people refer to themselves as Otaku and create a new positive meaning for this word.  

Within the anime conventions many different fandoms are presented. Cosplay is arguably in my opinion the main part of this convention. Cosplay is absolutely HUGE at anime conventions and is instantly shown to the audience throughout the entire duration of Otaku Part 1. Cosplay shows the dedication that fandoms hold true their specific anime they support because of the process of cosplaying. Cosplaying from the surface level may look easy but this is sometimes not the case at all. Cosplay can take weeks to even months to create a specific outfit for an individual. These individuals' part of fandom has such a high level of passion and confidence when they cosplay for a certain anime. This shows the true power of fandoms and the cultural identity formation that can arise from fandoms. When people are a part of a specific fandom, they can embrace aspects of a fandom’s culture such as symbols. Fandoms support a reinforcement of personal identities within communities that create comradery for people.  

True Otaku Part 2: Part 2 of True Otaku documentary further indulges into cosplay and more specifically how cosplay is created by individuals. The audience is introduced to Dustbunny who is an individual who takes cosplaying and creating these costumes very seriously. Cosplaying allows Dustbunny to have a creative outlet and express herself through the arts and crafts aspects of cosplay. Dustbunny has won many awards and is a very successful cosplayer. One thing that particularly stood out to me regarding Dustbunny’s story was that cosplay “kept her out of trouble” and allowed for her artistry from the time of being a kid to shine out into the world. This supports for youth culture and the possibility for the youth to participate in this shadow cultural capital introduced in lesson 1. Anime, manga, fandoms, and conventions can serve as a source of shadow culture to many individuals that are interested in these topics. Part 2 also shows the journalist Lauren writing about Otaku fandom. Lauren has a great amount of passion and motivation for writing this journal and these fandoms serve as a welcoming place for her along with many other individuals.  

True Otaku Part 3: Part 3 of True Otaku really serves as an episode to wrap everything up and put it all together. Part 3 in the beginning interviews a mom and she expresses her experiences with anime as a whole and the conventions of anime. Anime can be viewed as multi-generational and provides a place for individuals who feel like they may not belong. Anime, manga, and conventions provide artistic and cultural identity formation for many generations including the youth. The youth often participate in conventions as seen in the film and this allows for these children to express their artistic and creative abilities.  

True Otaku Part 3 also expands on the cosplay experience of Dustbunny. Dustbunny has such a great passion, and her passion is shown through her careful work of the cosplay outfit she has entered in the contest. Dustbunny is very nervous when getting judged on her cosplay and ultimately just wants her hard work to pay off. The film ends with the analysis of anime, manga, and conventions serving as a strongly supported bridge between a multitude of cultures. This Japanese pop culture has increased the soft power of Japan and has allowed for a cultural exchange between the United States and Japan. True otaku supports this bridge of culture by the appreciation demonstrated through individuals regarding Japanese pop culture and also creates “true acceptance” which is very inspiring to many people. 

This documentary was very thought provoking and inspiring. The documentary allowed for me to understand the purpose of anime conventions and development of a better understanding of Japanese pop culture fandom. I am more inspired to attend a convention, and this is now on my bucket list of things to do when I visit Japan.  

[shadowydazecg]

Hi Simjay! I also never been to an anime convention before. That's nice that you will travel to Japan! It sounds super cool! I agree that the conventions look very welcoming! Everyone is dressed in their favorite characters and just having a great time interacting with others. They've built their own community where they can freely express themselves without judgement. Cosplay defintely takes a lot of time and effort. Cosplayers make it appear simple, but the reality is much different when you try to accomplish what they do.

[shadowydazecg]

Anime Convention Post

I have never been to an anime convention. I've heard about them on social media, but I never actively tried to attend these events. Because I've never been to an anime convention, I'm watching the True Otaku Documentary that Professor Smith provided. As I watch the video, I realize how big these events are. In the readings and the anime shown in class, they all mentioned how big the community is. Seeing it in action and reading about it is totally different which is why I'm so shocked. I'm glad that the video provides a little history background of these conventions, it shows how far anime conventions have traveled (literally). Since the mid-1980s anime conventions have been popping up all over the United States. This gave American otaku a place to share their common interests with others, learn more about Japanese culture, and purchase merchandise.

When I think of an otaku, Katsuya's definition of it resembles my own. She defines otaku as someone who is extremely into anime, manga, and Japanese culture as a whole. Joe, another person who was asked what otaku means, said some things that I agreed with. In Japan, otaku was looked at as a derogatory word, but now it's sort of embraced due to how popular the fandom has gotten overseas. Lauren, another person who was asked what otaku means, brought up some interesting points that I think should be mentioned here. She said that otaku means something different to everyone. To her, otaku means anime fan, not just a fan. In Japan, her regarding herself as "otaku" will make Japanese people respond with "of what". While in the United States, she can refer to herself as "otaku" and the meaning would be associated with anime, manga, and video game fans. I thought that was pretty interesting how the two countries associate the word "otaku" with different meanings. There are different types of otaku in Japan while in the United States, there is one specific meaning to the word "otaku". Marlon made me laugh with the way he was describing himself as an otaku fan (timestamp 8:36). I loved how honest he was about the amount of money he's spending on something he's very passionate about! I love how the interviewer is asking them about their clothes and what they are made out of. It blew my mind with all the things that were used to create their costume. Mike was one of the cosplayers who surprised me with the things he used to create his staff. He used a paper mache, a shoehorn, a couple of dog toys, a lot of newspapers, and an Easter Egg. That's extremely creative of him to put that together and then paint it to create his magical staff!

I've had some negative thoughts about the Lolita genre that didn't sit well with me. It reminded me of the movie Lolita. The main character, Lolita, was preyed upon and sexualized. Because of this thought, I stayed away from it. Melissa stated that it's really about maintaining modesty, and the clothing is a representation of the Victorian and Rococo styles. Hearing Melissa and Casie talk about Lolita fashion made me reconsider the topic itself. Maybe they are somehow not connected. It also seems that these conventions aren't just for anime. I seen some Star Wars cosplayers and some Super Mario cosplayers in the video.

I had a great time watching this documentary about anime conventions! It provided a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of these events and highlighted the strong sense of community that anime fans share. It was wonderful to see everyone embracing their favorite characters and bonding with like-minded individuals. These anime conventions seem like such enjoyable and inclusive gatherings.

[theanimatedworldblog]

Wandering Son

This is another first time animation that I’ve had in this class because I have never heard of this watch or heard of this animation before this point. I personally have never watched anime that display real world issues such as politics and sexuality or gender. In the beginning of the show I will say that I was confused about the show because Nitro’s narrator voice was more feminine than those of other animated male characters that I had seen before. I soon was able to grasp onto the idea this show was based on gender identity after that point. This animation was definitely a pleasant surprise because it addresses issues that people struggle with on a daily basis while also integrating in with a pleasantry many people enjoy, which is watching different media. In the anime Nitro isn’t comfortable with the gender performance that he has been assigned according to society. The idea of gender performance comes from Butler's theory of gender performativity. Butler’s theory says that gender is a performance that is learned through societal structures and history which are taught and learned to children. Essentially I would say that this theory identifies that gender is learned through the stereotypes that are taught to people like boys should be strong and girls should always be lady-like. As for how this anime relates to the module’s intended lesson it is quite obvious to fit along the line of gender discussion. This anime doesn’t personally relate to my life at all actually. According to society I would align with the conservative views of where gender and sexually “should fit” according to my biological sex. I will say that this anime is definitely well thought through and necessary because surely there are people struggling with expressing their identity in a similar way that Nitro was. To have this anime to look at and know that you aren’t the only one feeling out of place within societal “norms’ is a big necessity.  

[shadowydazecg]

Hi! I've never seen an anime that touched on this kind of topic either. I was surprised that we were discussing this topic because it's a very sensitive. I also agree that gender roles are taught by societal norms. Society labels certain things for boys and certain things for girls. As time goes by, society is structured around these roles. I feel bad that those who don't fit the stereotypical boxes receive so much hate and discrimination. As long as no one is harming anyone then I believe society should let people freely express themselves.