Studying Japan

..through the lens of Anime, at the University of Florida.

[robian]

Sailor Moon

Not gonna lie, I actually enjoyed watching this show more than I thought I would and I'm a guy. I went into this thinking it was going to be as boring as the gundam anime, but Sailor Moon was a pretty interesting watch. The villains kinda reminded me of team rocket and how every episode they'd show up with a different plan.

Anyways, Sailor Moon is obviously big on girl power. I bet it's not an accident that we recently in the course read about Bishoujo. Sailor Moon is probably the most iconic Bishoujo after all. I wasn't alive in the 1990’s so don't know for sure what it was like, but I bet narratives portraying strong independent women were not as common as they are today.

Japan especially is a place where people don't tend to go outside the norm. That just makes it harder for societal views to change. In Japan, although it's getting better, it's still very common for women to be solely in charge of home duties while the man goes to work. Even in Sailor Moon, the mom is depicted as a housewife while the dad seems to be a salaryman. Sailor Moon, herself, however isn't good at sticking to society's expectations. She's not good at school, she's always late, and she eats a lot. Yet, she doesn't let that stop her from saving the world.

Sailor Moon also has a lot of comments on societal problems. The enemy often makes use of these problems in order to gain energy for their lord. Some of the biggest problems they pointed out were the expectation of women to always be thin and beautiful, the problem of kids being pressured too much over studying, and consumerism. These issues have even continued to persist until today. Sailor Moon, although disguised as a children's show, made a lot of comments on society. Society is hard to change, but the easiest way to do it is through new generations. Media such as Sailor Moon paved the way for progress.

[student816]

It makes me so happy that you can appreciate a girl-centric anime. Sailor Moon is an icon. I don't know how she did it, but she's beyond inspiring to keep going when things are hard. I would argue it's her realness than allows for such an appeal.

Through her, there's a light hearted avenue to address those taboo topics without the pressure. It's incredible to believe how far perspectives on things like gender roles have become even since her debut!

[student816]

Sailor Moon

The one, the only... Sailor Moon!!! Now what makes this anime a lot different from the rest (besides how iconic it is already) is that Sailor Moon has been able to transcend generation after generation, staying relevant! She's an icon of her time and today. Finally diving into it, it's obvious why she's been such a successful character in anime and tv, in general!

Sailor Moon challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes. She is a heroine who defies expectations by balancing her duties as a magical warrior with her everyday life as a teenage girl. She struggles with school, friendships, and family, just like any other adolescent, but she handles these challenges with a mix of determination and grace. This representation is incredibly empowering because it shows young girls that they don’t have to fit into a predefined mold of what a “hero” should be. Instead, they can embrace their own unique strengths and imperfections while still striving to make a difference in the world.

She's the Hannah Montana of magic. She has a way to inspire anyone who watches her. She's powerful, she's brave, and most of all, she's true.

She represents so many goof traits in a person: perseverance, self-belief/self-love/faith, responsibility, strength, and hope.

Her adventures prove that every person has an inner strength waiting to be discovered and that true courage involves standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. For young girls everywhere, Sailor Moon offers not just a fantastical escape but a powerful, real-world lesson in living with integrity and compassion. She is more than a character; she is a role model, a hero, an icon.

[student816]

Aggretsuko

This anime was absolutely a fresh spin on exploring cultural and social issues through tv and film. Aggretsuko powerfully portrays women’s issues in the workplace and beyond. The series follows Retsuko, a red panda office worker who channels her frustrations with her demanding job and oppressive boss. It's both hilarious and deeply poignant.

I definitely felt the truth behind the humor.

Her frustrations with her boss, who happens to embody the stereotypical overbearing and dismissive male superior, resonate strongly with probably every woman that's had to work with or know men like this. It can be hard to be an advocate for yourself.

Aggretsuko is so empowering because it addresses the reality women must grapple with everyday. It’s a refreshing take on how women’s professional achievements can often be overshadowed by stereotypical perceptions and systemic inequities.

[emilato]

𝔸𝕘𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤𝕦𝕜𝕠

I watched this show about a couple of years ago and fell in LOVE with it. The show has such a cool cartoony style with a great variety of characters. The show represents people's everyday work life and no matter who is watching, you can find a character to relate to. I definitely recommend watching the first few seasons if not all seasons because the story gets better and better.

Aggretsuko centers around Retsuko, who works as an accountant at this trading firm, and her day-to-day life. In her free time and as a way to relieve stress. Retsuko sings death metal at a nearby karaoke bar. Within the show, there are themes in regard to gender stereotypes in the workplace but also depict femininity as a weakness at times. We can see these depictions of femininity as a weakness through Mr. Ton, Retsuko's boss. In the beginning episodes, Mr. Ton makes sexist comments and remarks towards Retsuko but about women in general. Retsuko is expected to get tea for Mr. Ton; however, Retsuko's friend Fennecko points out that that isn't really part of her job description. Mr. Ton acts like Satan when it comes to other women in the workplace, but when he is talking to the pretty and non-confrontational Tsunoda, he is a peach of all a sudden. Mr. Ton literally burdened Retsuko with Tsunoda's work because he was just allowed to do that. 

Overall, I love the underlying themes and messages behind Aggresuko. The show does it in a way where it's not shoved down people's throats; it's done properly and depicted very realistically. Though I haven't experienced sexism firsthand, I have worked for an annoying, insufferable boss, and it really makes the workplace miserable. I cannot stress watching the entire show enough; it is seriously so good and fit for any audience. 

[student816]

Thank you for sharing your fondness of Aggretsuko! You make a solid argument for watching more of it. I definitely enjoyed the mix up from the typical anime. We've covered so much, I'm forgetting some of them, but not Aggretsuko. No way!

Besides standing out for it's obvious aesthetics, the premise of it, too, sets it apart. I like when tv and film reflect real life. That is still very true when it comes to cartoons. Aggretsuko showcases a real life, real problems, and real solutions.

[mochicrackersss]

Blog Post - Wandering Son ᯓᡣ𐭩‧₊˚ ⊹

See, now this is proper LGBTQ+ representation compared to what was shown in Genshiken and Shin Sekai Yori (you wouldn't have even known Shin Sekai Yori discussed that topic without looking into its other episodes, but it wasn't that much better lol). Wandering Son follows Shuichi Nitori and Yoshino Takatsuki as their journies overlap while trying to figure out their dysphoria and gender identities. Shuichi yearns to be a girl and inspired by Shuchi's courage, Yoshino desires to be a boy. Simultaneously, the pair has to balance the shenanigans of middle school and their fear of social isolation due to their new identities. As Yoshino puts it, "It's just the difference between wanting to wear boy's clothes and wanting to wear girls' clothes. Even so, it's harder than you'd think." Although Shuichi and Yoshino are not specifically said to be transgender in the anime, they are either heavily implied to be or enjoy partaking in cross-dressing. And for whatever interpretation the viewer has, Wandering Son is a well-handled representation of transgender, gender-fluid, and non-binary communities. Especially in a Japanese school setting, which is somewhat unheard of in real life.

Another thing I wanted to discuss was the author of Wandering Son, Takako Shimura. Although there is no record of anything she identifies by (and it's also not any of my business) she is one of many great female mangaka who can create good LGBTQ+ media without going down a fetish-y, fujoshi route like seen in Genshiken. Not all (assumably) heterosexual cis-women are completely incapable of writing great stories with great representation, and I believe those authors, along with LGBTQ+ authors, are the ones who should be put into the limelight instead of the questionable BL content. Simple, down-to-earth stories like Wandering Son could truly be just what someone needs to begin their journey of self-discovery, and I think that's very special.

[student816]

I couldn't agree with you more!!! Wandering Son is so special. It sets itself above the rest. There's such a warm aura!

It's not even that it's lighthearted, it's that it's so real. It's simplifies the complexities of gender, as not a gender issue or LGBT issue, but in fact, a human issue!

[student816]

Wandering Son

This anime was a beautiful contribution to cultural awareness of gender issues that really fostered an inclusive perspective on gender diversity.

In Japanese culture, traditional gender roles and norms are generally deeply set, making the exploration of transgender issues rather challenging. This anime sheds light on the struggles faced by transgender individuals, including the pressure to conform to societal expectations and the lack of understanding or acceptance from peers and family. The anime portrays the inner conflicts of Shuichi and Yoshino, who struggle with their gender identities in a society that often does not accommodate such diversity.

I really appreciate the dual sides of gender dysphoria- yet each with their own complexities.

Overall the anime was presented in such a soft manner that it should act as a beacon for other film and series to address issues like this. It isn't accusatory or harsh; it's simply heartfelt and genuine, while maintaining how serious the realities of transgender issues are.

It should be an honorable mention that Mulan had to inspire a little bit of the premise, as it made its debut just a few years after the Disney movie!

[ndsblog4uf]

Convention Preview

I have been to an anime convention before called Metrocon in Tampa Florida and I would overall recommend it. It is normally a 3-day event that takes place in the heart of Tampa and usually has a sizeable amount of people in attendance too (though I don't know the exact number and I couldn't find it on their website). To get this out of the way: you will probably meet weird people that you may or may not like. Though I wouldn't say that these people are acutely weird or odd, it's just the amount of people at these conventions makes the chances of meeting someone that is unusual likely. But because these cons are so big, most of the time if you find someone you don't like you can just simply walk away from them, and most of the time they're wearing a costume too so you can pretty much avoid someone if you want too also. On the topic of costumes, I highly recommend showing up to these with one. Being in just a plain t-shirt and pants will make you feel like an outlier, like showing up to a Halloween party without something on. While there is nothing wrong with just going there as you would normally, it's just more fun to attend in costume. You don’t need to put in a massive amount of effort or money either. As long as it’s something and it doesn’t look absolutely horrible, you’ll fit in better with the crowd and have more fun.

Like shown in Genshiken the main thing to do is shopping. 70% of the space in almost every con is to vendors, who sell almost anything relating to any popular anime. From figures, to books, to phone cases, and yes even hentai. You can basically get almost anything that is popular at these events, so if you really have an affection for something you can definitely nerd out if you choose. And before I move on, adult material is not a main staple of cons (or at least this one that I've gone to) like Genshiken makes it seem. It may be different in Japan, but I personally didn't see much creation of spinoff manga created by amateur fans like the ones shown in Genshiken, also there was very little adult material (1 out of every 10 or so vendors) so it really isn’t as much of a cesspool as it seems. The vast majority is non adult material.

Anyways, you can get some pretty cool stuff there. I'm a big Dragon Ball fan so I have around 4 or 5 figures on my desk back home that I acquired from Metrocon. But it isn't all anime inside either, there's a large number of American comics, videogame and popular media (especially Star Wars) inside. Mostly looking like the one shown above, most vendors creations by artists are literally just art of popular characters. Very rarely would you see an actual story or fan fiction made by a fellow fan. Even if you don't buy much (because most of the stuff in there is expensive) you can still have fun window shopping and even talking to the people who make this stuff. Most of the time the creator is the one running the stand and they’re usually passionate about the art they make and are more than willing to have a conversation about their creations.

Finally, there's events. Mostly they are locals or traveling groups that do a show for an admission ticket (like the guys above just do tricks with fire). There are also events put together for specific things and audience interaction. For example, this Metrocon (which I did not attend) their schedule page says they did "Sailor Moon Jeopardy," so that could be fun if there happens to be an event relating to a show you are passionate about. But the most popular of all the special events are the famous people. Metrocon usually has the voice actors of the current most popular shows so there are massive lines for autographs and pictures. In general, there is something for every type of nerd at these cons, so if you like anime, comics or games I highly suggest going.

[student816]

This looks amazing! I just know the vibes are immaculate! I really appreciate you sharing your experience and your perspective on these types of events.

I do not like big crowds, but I understand when something is just so worth it! I can't imagine the frenzy over the writers and illustrators that attend nor trying to navigate everything while people run around dressed up! It seems like madness, but in a really good way.

[student816]

Convention Post

I was not fortunate enough to attend Tampa's convention last month, nor have I ever been to one before, but listening to the stories told in the documentary, I feel I have gotten a better understanding of culture and society anyway!

Exploring Self-Expression, Anime Culture, and Societal Connections in "True Otaku: The Documentary"

It really shed light on how personal identity, creative passions, and societal perceptions intertwine, providing a nuanced understanding of what it means to be an otaku in contemporary society. Self-expression is huge part of identity. From how we comb our hair, wear our clothes, even our jokes...

Being able to immerse yourself completely in anime culture, conventions like this foster a sense of belonging and purpose, freeing everyone from mainstream societal norms. People are free to be who they want to be. It's a shared passion. There's really only connection and joy left.

It's unfortunate and unholy thing that the anime culture from the outside is seen as isolating and marginalized. Otaku are sometimes seen as outsiders or individuals who are disconnected from mainstream social norms. However, "True Otaku" challenges this stereotype by presenting a more nuanced perspective. It reveals how anime fans navigate societal expectations while maintaining their fandom passion.

I really appreciate how the film challenges that narrative and depicts anime culture and community as so much more than fans of anime. It explores how otaku culture intersects with broader social issues, such as mental health, identity, and the innate search for community and belonging. By providing personal anecdotes, experiences, and stories, the documentary highlights the ways in which anime and fandom offer a refuge for those who may feel marginalized or misunderstood in conventional social settings.

There's an innate collaboration aspect of Otaku I hadn't realized was there before. "True Otaku" highlights the collaborative nature of anime fandom, where individuals come together to celebrate their shared interests through conventions, fan art, and discussions. Anime culture serves as a rich playground of creativity and community. The documentary really made it obvious just how impactful anime has been on a huge audience. There's so many ways in which anime influences and shapes lives of people who love it.

My biggest takeaway is that the collective engagement not only enriches the individual experience but also builds a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among fans. The documentary captures the enthusiasm and dedication of these communities, illustrating how anime culture fosters a space where creativity and passion are celebrated, and in no way inhibited.

Ultimately, I've seen how anime culture functions as a vehicle for self-expression, community-building, and navigating societal connections. Anime can become a beautiful, integral part of someone's identity. It's art!

[student816]

Genshiken Part Two

To begin with, what happened from this season to the next? I need to look up the writers to see if they changed. Or was it planned to soft launch the group, knowing it would get explicit as it went on?

Hyper-sexualized and/or explicit stuff isn't for me. I don't prefer to watch things like this. With that said, I did appreciate reading other blogposts that could see through it. The real themes behind it all is that social validation isn't nearly as important as self-acceptance. Friendships and community offer that external support that's needed to sometimes grow into yourself. Particularly in this anime, I felt everyone was introduced as like-able and or relatable, only to stray far from what was expected and into unknown territory.

[michaelaaa]

⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕜𝕖𝕟: ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝟚 ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅

Like I said before in my previous post, in the first episode, we meet Sasahara, a freshman who is hesitant to join the Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture (Genshiken). His reluctance stems from the stigma associated with being an otaku. This episode highlights Japan's struggle with social acceptance of niche subcultures. Globally, this reflects the challenges faced by many who have passions or hobbies that are not mainstream. Sasahara's journey towards self-acceptance is a universal theme, reflecting the importance of finding one's community and embracing one's identity.

In episode five, we follow the characters as they go to a comic fan convention, showing the dedication and enthusiasm of otaku culture. This episode emphasizes the idea that, regardless of geographic location, people seek connection and validation through shared interests. The convention setting also highlights the economic impact of subcultures, as fans contribute significantly to the entertainment industry.

In episode ten, we see the characters engage in cosplay. This episode explores the concept of identity and self-expression. In Japan, cosplay is a vibrant part of otaku culture, but it also raises questions about the boundaries between reality and fantasy. Globally, cosplay has become a symbol of creativity and individuality, challenging societal norms and encouraging people to express themselves freely.

Lastly, in episode eleven, Kasukabe interacts with Madarame, who is deeply enriched in otaku culture. Madarame's idealized perception of Kasukabe is shattered. This scene underlines the universal theme of how our fantasies often clash with reality. It also emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in bringing the gap between different worlds. While escapism is valuable, it is important to also be able to navigate the complexities of the real world.

As someone who appreciates films that present the power of empathy and kindness in the face of discrimination, "Genshiken" is a good example. The characters' struggles with societal acceptance and their journey towards self-acceptance reflect my own experiences. The anime's emphasis on community and understanding aligns with my belief in the importance of individual actions and societal change in creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.

[student816]

I really appreciate your take on the Genshiken series. You chose to accept the messages behind the writing, glossing over their provocations. ( I found it really hard to.) I still think that the themes of the show were overshadowed by the graphic nature and hyper- sexualization of it, though. Don't you think there could have been just as impactful of a message without the explicities?

[student816]

Genshiken Part One

Aside from its relevant themes of self identity, social acceptance, and personal growth, Genshiken is a very welcoming anime. I appreciate how plentiful and diverse its characters are. I could see how this anime would appeal to a large audience, as everyone could find someone to relate to. As the series progresses, the social dynamics shift as everyone tries to navigate their own lives- the ups, the downs, the adversities, and the celebrations. It's just like the real-world. These characters could be the cast of a sitcom!

I am quite surprised how relevant the storylines are today, despite being 20 years old. I guess that proves that life repeats itself. Everyone goes through the very same things, all the time. Although struggles can feel isolated, there's always someone going through the same thing.

[abhiramanimeblog]

Genshiken and Fandoms

This was my first time watching Genshiken and I really did not think we would watch anything like this in class nor would I ever watch this if I was left alone. It was interesting, to say the least. Watching how these anime fanatics acted and the shenanigans they got into was very interesting despite how it was a slice of life which I typically do not like. For this blog, however, I want to talk about its depiction of the anime and manga fandom.

Genshiken from its onset is not shown to be something that is normal. During the club day at the college, they are not visited by many students and even students who are interested in the club's activities like Sasahara want to avoid them seemingly afraid to get involved due to how it would make him seem. This shows the concept presented in Fisk's The Cultural Economy of Fandom where pop culture interests like anime are viewed as shadow culture capital that has no perceived value to people in the official culture capital. Therefore that can lead people who engage in the shadow culture to feel poor about their interests since it is alienated from the official culture. This is something very common in Japan, but it is also common in places like the U.S. where topics like anime and manga are perceived by others as nerdy and makes people afraid to say they like it.

We also see in Genshiken when they actually meet up as a club later on that the characters participate in another concept presented by Fisk which is Enunciative productivity. This is where fans of the product talk about their thoughts on it and give meaning to what they have seen and strengthen their connection to a product by talking about it with others. This idea is not just isolated to anime and manga, everyone in the world for the most part engages in Enunciative productivity through their interactions about anything like sports, movies, video games, etc.

Finally, we see in the later episode the dissonance between those who engage in shadow culture and official culture through the interaction between Madarame and Kasukabe. When they are both left in the club room Madarame struggles to find the courage to talk to Kasukabe. This is mostly grounded in the idea that she and him engage in these different enconomies in the social sphere. Madarame showcases this because he goes into his head and has an imaginary conversation in which she is interested in his anime and manga knowledge, but this is shown to be fake and Madarame knows this would never happen. The scenario shown represents the idea that those who engage in the shadow cultural economy cannot properly engage with the official culture easily.

In my life, I have struggled with the acceptance of my interests mostly stemming from anime and manga. I like these topics, but I have been introduced to the stigma against these ideas which makes me less prone to showing off my interest freely. This was mostly for my younger years, but now I freely share my interests and this has been aided by the fact that I have found friends who accept what I like and also like similar things themselves.

Overall, Genshiken is an interesting work that showcases extreme depictions of anime fandoms which is surprisingly interesting to watch. Even someone like me who hates slice of life found an interest in this so I would recommend it to anyone (if u can get over the weird doujinshi focus).

[student816]

That is a good sentiment that not being true to yourself is a disservice. Genshiken does depict that idea quite well, even by the premise of the anime, in general. Self-acceptance and social validation are relevant themes of growing up today, so it's really interesting to know that 20 years ago was all the same. Perhaps, there's even more acceptance today than ever!

[whisperingwisterias]

Wolf Children and Struggling with Identity

Wolf Children is not only the story of a single mother trying to raise her kid as best as she can after the death of her lover, but also about two kids who struggle with trying to figure out their identity when society tells them that half of who they are is wrong. Although Yuki and Ame’s wolf heritage is not something they chose and certainly not something they should have to hide or be ashamed of, Wolf Children shows us how society’s discrimination against anything that is “different” make people like Yuki and Ame feel as though they have to change who they are to get accepted by society.

We first see this kind of discrimination with Hana’s lover, the Wolf Man. When he tells her the truth about who he is, it is clear that he has accepted that his wolf heritage will always make him inherently “lesser” than the people around him. In leading up to his reveal, he refers to himself as a “what” and not a “who,” dehumanizing himself right off the bat. He said that he had come to terms with the fact that his wolf side was likely something he would always have to hide, and that he had just accepted the fact that he would always be alone because no one would be able to accept him for who he was. After telling Hana who he was, he even expected her to break up with him, to be scared of him, to completely walk out of his life. However, Hana’s response to his confession highlights just how unfair and irrational such discrimination is: she’s not scared of him because he’s him, and she knows him. She does not see him as his differences, she just sees him as the person she loves.

However, as Yuki and Ame are born, it’s clear that the rest of the world does not share the same mindset. Much like their father, every wolfish part of them has to be hidden out of fear that people around them will react badly or take them away from Hana. When they were both born, Hana had to give birth without any help from a medical professional, in case they both came out looking like wolves. When they want to do something as simple as go on a walk or play around, Hana constantly has to be on guard and make sure they don’t transform and give themselves away. When they get sick, she can’t let them go to a doctor, and when they see other kids playing in the park, she can’t let them go play with them. Even in their own home just being themselves and indulging in their wolfish sides gets them dangerous scrutiny. It gets to the point where Hana even needs to uproot her family’s lives just to live somewhere where they don’t constantly have to hide.

As they get older, Yuki and Ame start to realize just what their heritage means for them and how society treats them because of it. In the books Ame reads he constantly finds wolves being villainized and cast as the bad characters, which upsets him and makes him feel ashamed of the wolfish part of him. And although he learns to embrace that side of him, society does not let him be both human and a wolf, and feels as though he does not belong or fit in with people. When society criticizes him for his differences, he gives up on finding a place in society. Conversely, when the girls at her school criticize Yuki for her differences, like the way she dresses and the things she finds interesting and all the wolfish habits she’s grown up with, she gives up on that part of herself so that she might fit in with society. They made her feel ashamed of that part of herself and like she was less of a person for being different: Yuki said that she didn’t know how little girls were supposed to act, but that what she did know is that she was doing it all wrong. She told herself that she was going to learn how to behave properly, even if it killed her—and in a way, it did. She did not want to identify with her wolf side anymore, and she rejected it as being part of her, just like Ame rejected his human side.

Although both Yuki and Ame found happiness in the identities they formed and the side of their heritage they chose; it’s sad that society’s inability to accept all parts of them made them have to choose. Wolf Children demonstrates how discrimination doesn’t just harm how others view us, but how we also view ourselves. People should be able to embrace all of who they are without having to worry about how it is perceived, but society’s tendency to discriminate needs to change before that can truly happen.

[student816]

This was an incredible interpretation of Wolf Children! Great job!

Wolf Children, to me, was such a refreshing scene after all the melodramatics we've gone over in the past few weeks. Yuki and Ame face unfathomable problems of identity for us, yet somehow come off so relatable! I am entirely with you that society acceptance is fickle and isn't what it should be.

[pari-patel]

Silent Voice Blog Post

This film sheds light on the lack of support systems for individuals with disabilities and the societal tendency to overlook bullying. Universally, the need for better support structures and a more inclusive society that recognizes and addresses the needs of marginalized individuals needs to be met and shed light on. The lack of action by parents and teachers alike was disturbing and concerning as it holds such a backwards mindset in terms of not progressing to accept individuals deemed as “different”. The film's depiction of Ishida's journey from a bully to someone seeking redemption can be particularly deep for those who have struggled with guilt or regret over past actions. On a personal level, I know I have felt regret for past actions in which I have sought penance. Although it was not to the extent that Ishida was, the feeling of regret still lingers and so the backlash he received for rectifying the situation was normal and deserving because the trauma that the victims endure does not just go away. It has to heal and that process does take time. The emotional turmoil that both Ishida and Nishimiya go through emphasizes the long-lasting effects of bullying, encouraging viewers to reflect on their behavior and its impact on others. The importance of understanding and empathy is pertinent here and relates to Ishida’s and Nishimiya’s storyline. Like the themes explored in Wolf Children, this film underscores how society is often ill-equipped to handle individuals who do not conform to the norm. However, this anime shows a world where society changes and adapts to your need and not the other way around where, like Naruto, the individual had to change to be accepted. There is a need to emphasize systemic change and the creation of spaces where marginalized individuals can find acceptance and support.

[student816]

Absolutely great take on A Silent Voice! I agree it's a beautiful piece and it does a seamless job at portraying real discrimination against different social dynamics.

I appreciate how applicable the issues you pointed out about society are- ill equipped communication tools, ettiquite, etc.

I also agree with you that support systems and community acceptance (and celebration) are vital parts of a good society!

[abhiramanimeblog]

Naruto and Discrimination

This is my first time watching Naruto (I have read it many times) and it was pretty good. The animation was ok and the jumping around could make it confusing for new watchers who haven't even seen the first show. However, the arc that we were assigned to watch, the pain arc, is no doubt the best arc in Naruto and I would highly recommend anyone to stick with Naruto until that point. For this blog post, I want to analyze Naruto and its depiction of discrimination.

From the first episode, we learn that Naruto is a victim of discrimination. He has one of the tailed beasts sealed inside of him, the nine tails, making him a symbol of everyone's pain and suffering from the beast. As a result, people hate him for having that beast inside of him not for who he is. Naruto thus is pushed to have a goal to become Hokage so that everyone will respect him and will not make him feel alienated anymore, he wants to work to remove the discrimination he is facing. 

We then cut to the pain arc and we see when the nine tails is rampaging that the 4th Hokage, Naruto’s father, appears to stop him inside the seal. Naruto, however, is in a mix of emotions, he is simultaneously happy to see his father, but also upset his father is the one who put the beats inside of him making him this object of loathing. This seems to be symbolic of how those who are victims of discrimination are often labeled as a result of their parents. 

Finally, at the end of the arc when Naruto returns he is no longer subject to discrimination for what he has inside of him. He is respected for saving the village and is looked at not for who he is, but what he did meaning his method of proving himself worked. He is not Hokage yet, but he has achieved what he wanted in some part from childhood. One quote from the episode by Iruka sums this thought up perfectly, he says “its because he did his best” showing that Naruto despite being the underdog and having everyone against him was able to work hard and make himself accepted. 

In my life, I have not been discriminated against so I cannot relate to this, but I can appreciate Nartuto’s tenacity and resolve in his situation. It is one of the things that makes Naruto one of my favorite Manga.

Overall, I highly recommend reading Naruto, do not watch it save your time. It is one of the best battle shonen ever written. The fights are really good “believe it!”

[student816]

I'm really happy to hear that the Manga is so good! I have a similar take on Naruto, only seeing him for the first time now, although I've heard of him aplenty!

I can totally see how he's become the classic icon that he has in anime. Somehow, he was able to distinguish himself from so many other anime protagonists and reach outside of the anime world. Despite this, I couldn't agree with you more that the animation cuts and plot line gaps made it a little confusing to keep up with, but I'm so glad I was able to check it off!

Are many of these animes in book form too?

[student816]

NARUTO

It's obvious why Naruto is a classic! This may one of the only anime I really knew before this class. The run was epic. Iconic.

Besides the popularity of this anime, I was pleasantly surprised how cool Naruto was! It's the ninja!

Yet another coming-of-age series, Naruto evolves as a character, overcoming heaps of challenges, not only to become a better character, but a better ninja too. There's plenty of social themes throughout Naruto, a few of them being: friendship, loyalty, and social expectation. This is only next to the main idea around Naruto, himself as he seeks growth in every way, sometimes through mistakes, sometimes through tragedy.

As he goes through the lengthy process to become a ninja, its awesome to see how beautiful the themes are behind the story. There's a focus on unity, harmony, and diplomacy. All relevant ideas and great virtues.

[student816]

WOLF CHILDREN

I loved a refreshing feel-good journey of life story regardless of life's challenges and obstacles. Following along the "wolf children" was a better ride than a lot of the prior intense animes we've gone over. Of course, this one hasn't been without its own tragedies.

As a mom, I felt heartbreak seeing the two little ones without their dad. And the mom without the love of her life. It's devastating. Yet, that was almost forgotten about as Ame and Yuki grow into their own and their struggles take center stage. Maybe it's the impossible wolf-human hybrid thing that make this anime feel so unreal that the problems they face don't bring the gloom that the other ultra-realistic series brought. With extreme fiction like this, it's easier to get through!

The social issues that were brought up throughout Wolf Children were obvious social problems many face, not just wolf-human hybrids. We have isolation, acceptance/rejection, self love, and confidence. There is a simple underwriting of Japan in this animation that depicts the simplicity of life, especially that of Japan- Traditional lifestyle views, social expectations, appreciation of nature, and the role of community vs. self.