JPT

[kalamb]

"Wherever you are in the world, I'll search for you"

Hey guys!

Today, I watched Your Name and Hetalia and read Sensōron.

I had always seen the movie "Your Name" randomly pop up on social media and always wondered what the type was all about. Today, I finally realize exactly what the hype was all about. This was a beautiful anime that almost had me on the verge of tears at the end.

The movie had a lot of different themes that I could recognize and relate to the pieces of media that I've watched. For example, gender performativity was a big theme that I noticed through the first half of the movie, when both protagonists had to live in each other's bodies for a day. 

It was funny seeing Taki being immature in a woman's body and seeing Mitsuha being embarrassed by her male body, but seeing them both struggle to fit into each other's lives opened my eyes to the whole point of gender performativity. Having to be “ladylike” or “like a man” are actions that need to be learned and practiced constantly, which is shown by how Mitsuha needs to talk more masculine and how Taki needs to dress more feminine.  I give this movie a 10/10

Hetalia was a good anime; however, I had never heard of it before. I could definitely catch the theme of national stereotypes and how it can be used as “tactical polyvalence.” I give it a 7/10

Sensōron was a hard shift from the past media I’ve been watching, and I was kinda surprised that it was so radical. From how the manga was formed, I definitely knew there was an underlying meaning behind it. I didn;t have to wait long before they started speaking about war crimes and how different nations handled the issue of it. I give it a 5/10

Overall, this week was an enjoyable watch/read and opened my eyes to societal issues, along with some surprising political ones as well

See Ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hello Kalamb, I loved Your Name as well, and it was a 10/10, and it was an experience watching it. I do understand how this anime made you see gender as a performance because even though Taki is a boy, he can learn to act or perform like a girl and is then seen as a girl in Mitsuha. I had never heard of any of the anime or manga for this week, but I did appreciate seeing new things and diversifying my watched list. Hetalia and Sensoron were two that I did not see myself ever viewing, but it was also definitely an experience. Overall, this week's anime was really thought-provoking and challenged how I see the world and certain aspects of it.

[vannahxd1]

Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers

Aloha everyone,

Saying 'aloha' means both hello and goodbye, which is fitting, as this will be my last blog post. I recently watched a fantastic anime called Your Name, and it had me engulfed and unable to press pause. When my phone started buffering, I frantically tried to resolve the issue. I watched this movie in the shower and during my move-out process, which is a testament to its quality. I do not usually give ratings, but this was a 10/10. The metaphor and hidden meanings in this anime, along with the plot twists —oh my, the plot twists were insane.

Specifically, the three-year time gap was a shock, and then seeing how Mitsuha came to Taki three years ago was just astonishing. This anime made me think and challenged my analytical skills due to its complex timelines and plot twists. At first, I felt that the movie was going to be a basic swapping bodies movie until the spiritual aspects and real-world issues started being apparent, like the problems within the teens' families, corrupt politics, and deaths encroaching multiple times for decades. I also loved the wholesome and romantic side of this anime, as it brought hope, particularly when the two characters meet during magic hour, which felt like a space of happiness and relief. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this anime and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

For the next anime, Hetalia, I don't have strong feelings for it, so I will not give it a rating. However, the characters representing each country were cute, especially Germany and Japan. I liked how the anime used characters to represent nations, but I did not like some of the ways it portrayed the nations, as it oversimplified many things, even though it was just an anime.

I would like to make a few final remarks for this final blog post for JPT1311. Mainly, the anime that were the best and most impactful were Psychopass, Aggretsuko, Shin Sekai Yori, Your Name, and the combination of Naruto / Wolf Children / A Silent Voice. I appreciate this class for introducing me to various anime that I had not heard of and giving me the chance to analyze them on a deeper, real-world level.

Thank you for reading and for all your support. さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

"Danger doesn't always come from the enemy."

Hey guys!

This week was a little different from usual, but still a great week regardless. I watched "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" and Xenoblade Chronicles Story Mode (see what I mean?)

Nausicaa was, in my opinion, better than Spirited Away. I compare the two because the beautiful Studio Ghibli made both. I loved seeing the heightened expressions emphasized by the wind and environment around the characters, something unique to the animation style. I noticed a lot of things and references throughout the movie, and I could see several themes. One theme is environmental issues and how they can be fixed with continued investigation and awareness. 

I could see many parallels with our world today when it was revealed that the jungle is toxic only because humans have made it so, and the trees are merely trying to filter it out. It reminded me of the machines we create today—cars, trucks, and automobiles that emit gases. By emitting these gases, we damage the ozone layer. One of the defenses against the sun’s harmful rays. 

I also saw symbols of our world in the way the different lands/nations interacted with each other. All three hated each other, which blinded them from the real issue of the world.

Overall, the anime was magical, so I give it a 10/10.

Xenoblade Chronicles was a very interesting story. I have watched video game playthroughs before, so I am used to the cutscenes; however, the story was very intricate, with lots of mystery and secrets revealed near the end. I could make small connections between Xenoblade and Nausicaä in terms of the world's history. Seeing how both stories start with a broken thing that needs to be rebuilt is what really resonated with me.

The story-mode playthrough was captivating; I give it an 8/10.

See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hello Kalamb!

I loved reading your reflections on Nausicaä, and yes, it is a gem. I also agree that it deserved more recognition, even over Spirited Away. Your point on the jungle filtering pollution was such a great observation, and I loved how you tied it to real-world environmental issues. The tension between nations, ignoring the bigger problem, was also a potent metaphor. As for Xenoblade Chronicles, it is incredible how you connected its new world and reconstruction themes with Nausicaä. Both stories explore how destruction can lead to renewal. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful post; it made me want to revisit both titles with fresh eyes to see them from your perspective. 

[vannahxd1]

"Do not be afraid": Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind / Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Kon'nichiwa!

I watched a fantastic Studio Ghibli movie this week, and I really want to delve into it for today's blog post. Starting outfrom the characters to the plot, the whole film was just so excellent; I had to give it a round of applause.

In Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Nausicaa's character was such a powerful character that it is the best way to describe her. She had a beautiful spirit, personality, and a power for befriending and calming people and animals. She acts Christlike when she says "do not be afraid" with her arms in a cross, causing people and animals to trust her and calm down. I loved the way that the movie used Naussica to unite the nations as well as humans and nature. I preferred this movie over Spirited Away, but all the Ghibli movies are awesome. The Studio Ghibli animation is so iconic and adds another level of immersion. 

The environment of the movie felt light most of the time, perhaps because of the warm love that comes from Nausicaa, as well as the people in the Valley and all the heartwarming connections. It kept me entranced for the whole movie, and I loved that aspect of this movie.

The movie was not only light but also deep through the conflict and symbols. Making connections from the toxic world and sicknesses from the anime to climate change and other diseases that arise from polluted water and air.

Now, as for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I absolutely loved the plot twists and animation. The titans were cute, especially the grandpa. I was confused at first how we move from the cloud to water, then I realized it was a cloud sea, which is so cool, but scary at the same time, because you can't see what's in the water. The movements of the animation and the games' different environments also immersed me. This game had similarities to Nausicca, but the main difference here is that nature doesn't repair itself, and there is no Christ-like figure; it was just human intervention, which showed me a different perspective. 

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

"This is New Tokyo-3. This is our city. And it's the city that you helped to protect."

Hey guys!

This week, I was really excited to watch "Neon Genesis Evangelion." It was always on my list, but I never had a chance to watch it until now!,

At first, I liked the fast-paced, action-filled episodes that were in the beginning. However, I could not bring myself to appreciate the final episodes of the show. It was hard to put the pieces together as to what the mystery of Evas and Adam was, and I had to wait until they just outright explained it in the final 4 eps. What I did put together, however, was the themes of queer masculinity and how Shinji closely resembled that typology.

Off the bat, I knew Shinji was different from most boy main characters. Most boys in shows like these would “jump into” the fight and love the thrill, while Shinji does the opposite and literally falls on his face. Throughout the entire anime, he is hesitant to fight the angels, entities, and monsters who are trying to destroy the planet and even other humans. He later befriends them and still can’t bring himself to inflict harm on them. To me, this challenges the common belief that boys are meant to be strong, violent people who are eager to use force. The ONLY time Shinji decides to step in and save the world is when he is forced with the responsibility of Rei, who is beaten and broken, and who would step in his place if he refused. I see more of his queer masculinity when he confides in Kaworu and gets extremely close to him (showering and basically sleeping together). The interactions and conversations he has with Kaworu are not typically supported by today's definition of a “heterosexual male”. I was rooting for Shinji throughout the anime, excited to see him show some of the traditional masculinity when he decides to take on an angel first instead of Langley. However, the first 5 minutes of the movie “End of Evangelion” Made me lose all support for him. Out of all the things he could have done to get his mind off of killing the only person he truly loved, he chose to do THAT.

Anyways, I give this an 8/10

See Ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hello kalamb,

I also did not like the fast pace of the anime and having to jump around. The time skips made it very hard to understand the plot, and I sometimes thought I missed key parts of the story. I also did not under the plot until the end, and with some research, I was able to mostly piece it together and make connections that were not explicitly shown in our viewing. I found that when Shinji saved Rei, it was very courageous and brave of him, which showed masculinity in my eyes. I think he fits into the straight sissy boy, but this is fluid, so what do you think?

[vannahxd1]

Neon Genesis Evangelion / The End of Evangelion

Hello dear reader, Today I will be talking about the new anime that I have been watching, Neon Genesis Evangelion. This particular anime was darker than a lot of the ones we've watched. I did not really love this anime because of how confusing it was, and the characters were not that lovable or relatable. I personally like shows that make me laugh, but this anime did not show this side of anime. The people and plot were very confusing. My favorite part was when Shinji was fighting Kaworu and Shinji's dream of having a normal life. In the fight scene, it seemed emotional and shocking. When I learned about Kaworu being the final angel, I was shocked because it was a shift from the relationship development that was going on previously. Shinji's dream of being normal felt like a much-needed filler in the midst of all the chaos and confusion of the plot. I loved this part of the anime because it felt relatable and sweet. It made me smile and gave me hope that everything else that happened was a dream. The characters themselves were extremely complex and sometimes hard to understand in relation to the plot. Shinji's relationship with his father, who abandoned him, and his mother whose soul in an Eva was very complex, which can have even more underlying meaning when related to his hatred of himself. The girls and everything were animated very nicely, using limited animation. My favorite character design was Rei at first because I liked her hair color, but I ended up loving all of the girls, especially Miasato, because of her deep care for Shinji. Jumping around the anime left me with a lot of questions, but with research and lectures, I was able to make so many connections in the anime, which is the main reason I would say this anime was good. It challenged the viewer to think deeper and fully immerse themselves in this world to understand.

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

"In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"

Hey guys!

This was a week jam-packed with laughs, awe, and some tears as well. The three anime I watched were Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son.

In each of the anime, the theme was loud and clear. I learned a lot from them in terms of femininity and the different struggles of a girl/woman. Not only that, but also the lines that are drawn between men and women that society has set.

Starting with Sailor Moon, I give it a 7/10. I loved the plot of a regular teenage girl who not only faces her real-world problems but also needs to save the world every other day. Watching Sailor Moon gave me major "Miraculous Ladybug" vibes in terms of the episode setup and characters. Beyond that, I also observed and made inferences on how women were represented during the period (1980-1990s). Just from the first few episodes, I could tell that every episode contains a central message that teaches young girls what it means to be "a woman." Through body expectations and different issues that young girls face in their everyday lives.

Aggretsuko was another great anime, 8.5/10. Coming into it, I thought it was a kid show until I heard Mr. Ton speak! Off the bat, the audience is shown the struggles of working in corporate as a female. Retsuko tries to do her job to the best of her ability, showcasing the resilience of women in the workforce but is constantly harassed by men, not only in authority positions (Mr. Ton), but also in the same rank as her (Anai). Overworked and in a hostile work environment, Retsuko releases her stress and anger in an unusual medium: heavy metal karaoke, which is my favorite aspect of the show!

Finally, I watched an anime called “A Wandering Son,” which, in my opinion, was not as good as the others but still impactful in its own way. The anime did a great job of communicating the struggles of exploring one’s gender in public society, and it does this by using children in a school, where differences are not always welcomed. The anime gives us both sides of the spectrum with a girl battling a male transition and a female battling a male transition, which I think is to tell the audience that no matter what gender you are, you’re going to face challenges if you don’t fit neatly into what society expects, but that doesn’t make your experience any less real or valid. Overall, great anime week!

See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hello Kalamb,

The lines that society tries to set in all of these anime I think are specifically binary performative frameworks of a persons culture. I see definelty saw the similarity to Miraculous Ladybug and Sailor Moon’s, Usagi when they transform with their specific transformation line, sequence of transformation, and powers. Themes of teamwork, but also patriarchy, are shown in both shows as the female superhero has a male who supports or fights alongside the female. In all, you analyze the anime of the week, and I think that resilience in women is a common theme of all three.

[kalamb]

"They have accomplished through imagination what knowledge could not: true acceptance of something different from oneself..."

Hello guys!

A little different from my usual yapathons, but not so different from my interests. Remember my take on Genshiken and the theme of the Otaku. Today, I delved a little deeper and watched "True Otaku," a very informative documentary about Otakus in America and the various aspects of conventions that occur here.

Right off the bat, I love how everyone has their own definition of what an “Otaku” is. Just hearing about the different interviewees’ responses made me a little more comfortable, not knowing the full definition of the word. While watching, I took the liberty of writing down each definition and asking an AI to somehow combine the different meanings and make one general statement. It said the meaning of Otaku is “someone with an intense interest in anime, manga, or Japanese culture, often to the point of obsession,” which makes sense and aligns with my definition as well. And regardless of what everyone's definition is, they all express it in a similar or central way. 

I was able to experience that virtually through the documentary, where I could see what a convention is like. Seeing all the different events and hearing about the itinerary gave me massive FOMO even though that particular event happened 12 years ago! Me feeling that envy and yearn to be there, made me think about why convention like Otakucon are really crucial for Otakus and enthusiasts like me (yes, I call myself an Otaku now); Multiple attendants spoke about this as well, about how the outside isn’t very involved in anime, manga, or niche pop cultures from Japan. Personally, I can’t even find a person who likes Tekken, so you can imagine how I feel when I see someone dressing up like Eddy Gordo on my screen! I understand now that conventions like these provide a place where attendants don’t have to be ashamed of their niche interests. They don’t have to look far and wide for people who share the same interests as well. 

With the documentary “True Otaku,” I was able to look beyond my own interests and explore some of the other spectacles of a convention, like the world of cosplaying. Seeing Dustbunny, a multi-award-winning cosplayer, talk about her work with such passion made me think about other ways people see Japanese cultural conventions. I realized that conventions allow attendants to express themselves in their best form. For example, Dust Bunny said that she performs creative works like this on a daily basis. Another person interviewed stated that she does theatre work as an occupation, so it is easy for her to portray the character that she loves and cosplay at conventions. Conventions allow people with creative outlets to showcase their talents and connect with others who do the same thing. Dust bunny said that the only reason she “gets back in” and comes back to the conventions is because others like her come together and participate, giving her the opportunity to go back out in public and shine.

I loved to see all the people and was surprised by the number of people stated in the video; over 29,000 people is crazy in 2013, and it made me imagine how many people are in attendance today. Although it was said in the video, I always believed that a huge part of the Otaku was the internet, a place where Otakus can speak to each other about literally anything, no matter where they are. Ultimately, the internet is one big community of different communities, so it makes sense that Otaku has a big presence in it. 

I also loved the idea of what happens outside/after conventions like Anime USA or Otakucon. I would hate to go to an event like that and meet awesome people and have the time of my life and have to wait a whole year to experience it again. With clubs like the one in the documentary, I can continuously meet with people who share the same interests as I do. Overall, I loved this documentary. It gave me the opportunity to experience a convention and even gave me a history lesson on what it means to be an enthusiast and a “True Otaku.”

10/10

See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hello Kalamb,

I appreciate your post on this discussion and think going to a convent would be great for you to explore your interest and passion for tenken with other like-minded peers. I do not really have much of an online presence in many fandoms that I am passionate about, but I interact with others who are. The online presence of these fans helps contribute to the spread of the content that is shared and serves as a place for fans to connect online. The fans who are passionate about anime, manga, and other aspects of Japanese culture are my definition of otaku. What is yours?

[vannahxd1]

Fandoms and Conventions

Bonjour everyone,

Today, we are going to shift our primary focus from anime to conventions and talk about them as a whole and my personal experience as a part of a fandom.

While watching videos about conventions, the first thing that popped out to me was the pre-convention. It reminded me of the anticipation before a trip, maybe a concert, or any significant event that you're looking forward to. The gathering of all the attendees looks like people waiting eagerly to get on a cruise ship, ready to embark on an adventure. These conventions are like an escape from reality, somewhat, a place for these otaku to gather and be themselves without being judged by society because they are around like-minded people. Conventions, concerts, and fairs are places for people to share common interests and to learn and buy new things.

Someone in the videos said that fan meant fanatic with passion, and I can say that I am a huge fan of BTS. So to compare my fan experience, the otaku-convention experience, the lining up for the convention reminds me of my experience waiting in line and trying to buy tickets for a bts live movie performance. There are many similarities in the shopping, fashion, and music sectors of Japanese culture at conventions because "Army" or BTS fans will also buy merchandise to support the group while also showing that they are true fans. Fans will wear clothes similar to their favorite member or album and collect albums and photocards just like otaku do at conventions.

The cross-cultural aspects that are apparent in Japanese convention culture are also shown in K-pop culture. For anime and Japanese culture, crossing it with America had many impacts, subbed and dubbed anime, as well as making the word or people who are otaku look better. The cross-cultural aspect here helped boost Japanese culture for anime, manga, games, music, and fashion across the world. For K-pop culture, a similar occurrence happened with BTS becoming global pop stars and spreading knowledge and attention of K-pop around the world. The cross-cultural aspect of having some songs sung in Japanese and English boosted their reach. Especially songs that were made completely in English became super popular in America because they catered to and crossed cultures. There are K-pop bloggers as well who spread information and social media creators who also make content for K-pop, K-dramas, or specific sections of those that I have seen. 

Now, when it comes to the loud, hustle, and bustle of a convention, my closest experience to this would be going to fairs, specifically Renaissance fairs. It shares a lot of the same aspects of conventions with the variety of things that are available to experience, witness, or purchase. Renaissance fairs are a way for me to step out of time and reality, too, and be around people who share the same interests as me and have a fun glimpse into the past. The more you go, the more you know applies here, too, because going multiple times has made the experience much smoother, and I still remain excited for next year's fair. I learn more about the grounds, the activities, and the people, so when I see them again, it's somewhat like a reunion. There is not much drama at Renaissance fairs, but there is still that sense of knowing each other without actually knowing someone. 

The cosplaying at Renaissance fairs is also very beautiful and detailed. Last time I went, I wanted to dress up like a pirate, but it was not in my budget, so I went with a flowy dress to give a fairy-like aesthetic. There is a lot of passion that goes into the cosplays at Ren Fairs, and the people do not just put on an outfit but a whole persona as well for the day. Some get paid for it while some don't, but for the most part, everyone is doing it because they want to and they like doing it. 

Overall, I see a lot of my experience as a fan of BTS and Renaissance Fairs overlaps with that of otaku at conventions. In these places, where people share the same passion as you, a person can find a sense of community and belonging. 

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[vannahxd1]

“Never judge a book by its cover.”

Sailor Moon / Aggretsuko / Wandering Son

Hola reader,

My favorite anime, surprisingly, was the one I thought would be my least favorite, Aggretsuko, due to its art style and animal-like, furry characters. What they say is true: “Never judge a book by its cover,” and I think this quote applies well to this week’s theme of gender and feminism.

The first anime up on the chopping block is Sailor Moon. My favorite part of this anime was the side characters and their interactions around Usagi, such as Luna and her school friends. They bring a sense of reliability, comfort, and comedy to a good versus evil narrative. The main thing I didn’t like about this anime was Usagi’s crying, childishness, and occasional helplessness; however, I do understand that she is fourteen years old. I also understand the perspective of girl power and how Sailor Moon teaches girls that they have power, even if they do not excel academically, are gaining weight, or just do not fit into society’s perfect standards. 

Moving on to my favorite of the week, Aggretsuko. This anime had me completely enveloped, on the edge of my seat at times, and overall, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. This is an anime I might actually watch in my free time. They appreciated all the characters, including Ton and Anai at times, and the plot as a whole. This anime showed what being a woman in the past would really look like, just in a cuter form. I thought this anime was for children when looking at the art style, but I soon came to find out from Retsuko’s awesome heavy metal that it was not, and the real concepts that it portrays to the viewers are impeccable.

Lastly, Wandering Son. I honestly felt very impartial about this one. I did not like it, nor did I hate it; it was just there. I did not relate to the main characters in this anime, but I do understand the deeper meanings portrayed in this media text, and they run quite deep, reflecting back to the real world.

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

”You’re one of us now!”

Hey guys! This week, I had the pleasure of watching Genshiken, a kind of “slice-of-life” anime, which was a nice shift from the more profound and darker anime I’ve been watching. Instead of looking into the deep challenges of society that occur in Japan, I observed the trends in culture and the differences between official and unofficial culture, and how Otaku fit in the middle. I found it fascinating that the characters were actively open about their interests in anime, games, and manga (not too fascinated by the freaky parts), which told me a lot about how otaku practice enunciative productivity to improve their unofficial cultural capital. Just by watching anime together and conversing in the club, all the members grow their cultural capital. And with the multitude of characters in Season 1 and 2, you can see how each varies in their capital, with Madarame seemingly having the most in Season 1.  Although creepy, the anime did a great job at showing the collection side of Otaku through going to Comifest and buying renditions and original works of dojinshi, a version of textual productivity. You can truly see the community come together and express their shared interests in somewhat niche topics in adult games, manga, and shows. It is also noticeable that Otaku aren’t the prides at when it comes to their interest, which is common amongst them. I do feel bad sometimes, especially when Mitsunori lowers his voice when buying Dojinshi, and when Sasahara is afraid to ask artists about their work (all my sympathy leaves when I remember what they’re buying). Overall, Genshiken was a pretty informative anime about fan culture and a looking glass inside of Okazu’s; although informative, the anime disguised itself well with its jokes and absurdly obsessive characters. 

7/10 good anime. I would like to watch more like this, though. 

See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hey, Kalamb I like your take on Genshiken and its focus on Otakus. I agree, their interests are a little weird, but I see how they express their interests in their own way. In season one, I thought the girls who cosplayed were cute, but I thought some of the guys were weird. They definitely talked a lot about dojinshi and different anime or manga they have consumed in Season 1, which I liked most. Then in season two, two new female Otakus were brought in, which showed the audience a different perspective of the Otaku mind—excited to see what you review next. 

Sayonara!

[vannahxd1]

Genshiken Family

Salutations everyone!

Today I am going to be talking about Genshiken and how I viewed it. Overall, I thought it was weird because I had grown out of that stage of my weeb side in high school, so seeing the characters act like I and other weebs I knew in middle school did sort of weird me out, but I was also able to understand. This anime reminded me of being a part of any kind of fandom and having a fire in your stomach to fight for it and support it no matter what. That is what I admire about the Genshikin club and its members. I loved the development of the girl who, like Kosaka, went from having a hatred of anything relating to Otaku to actually reading manga and staying in the club room even after he left. The interaction she shared with Kosaka made me mad because he was being stupid and left her high and dry a lot in the first season, but I love how she learns to develop a hobby or interest in reading manga. I relate more to her as I have an interest in anime and manga, but not as big a passion for it as the members of Genshiken. The comic festival scene is also a great scene that shows how big the anime and manga community is, and it reminds me of being at the Renaissance fair. It is even more amazing when you know that the real version of that comic festival actually happens in Japan and is way bigger than Comic Con in the States. Overall, my favorite part of this anime was how the Genhsiken club was a place for all of its members to be their selves and explore their interests, no matter what society said or if others thought it was weird. Everyone was always able to be their authentic self when they were together, like a Genshiken Family, and I think that is so special about fandoms and fan activities.

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[hmwagner]

Shin Sekai Yori

Hi everyone!

Shin Sekai Yori is a mystery/thriller that addresses many important themes, such as eugenics and xenophobia. In the show, we see eugenics play out in disturbing ways, originally hidden from the main characters. When children are not able to control their telekinetic powers, they are deemed a danger to society. Children who do not develop powers at all are also deemed a danger to society. These children are consequently killed to preserve the "utopia" that has been created. This is reflective of something very real that happened in Japan, which was the Eugenic Protection Law of 1948 through 1996. This law allowed the sterilization of citizens with disabilities, and was incredibly inhumane. You can also relate this to the elimination of Jews during the Nazi regime. Eugenics can also be seen in the bioengineering of the Queerats. They are mutated to become animalistic, and their prior human selves become completely unrecognizable.

The Queerats also serve as an example of xenophobia. In the bioengineering of the Queerats, they were made to appear horrific and foul to evoke fear and push the narrative that they are lesser than. They are controlled and have an erased sense of self. Though they were once human, those with powers still treat them as "monsters." The Queerats are dehumanized to justify the horrific, violent actions of society against them. This is, unfortunately, very relevant right now with the current political climate in America. There is a lot of fear-mongering and false narratives pushed about immigrants and citizens of differing races to justify cruel and unusual punishment. One example I can think of would be Alligator Alcatraz and its inhumane conditions. Real people in the real world are being treated like animals right now, making Shin Sekai Yori and the xenophobia it presents all too pertinent.

[vannahxd1]

Hello Hannah, I appreciate and love the connections that you made in this blog post. I truly learned something new from your text. The eugenics and xenophobic point was novel to me at first, but as I continued reading, I saw how they related back to Shin Sekai Yori and the real world. The Nazi killings and fear-mongering of the current time demonstrate that the elimination of children and unwanted people in society is real. A point I can add on here is mass lynching and killing of African Americans in the past, which are still happening today, just slightly less public and often. Discrimination is a very real phenomenon all across the world, and it is disheartening that there has been little change over time and globally.

[vannahxd1]

Best Anime Combo: Naruto / Wolf Children / A Silent Voice

Greeting everyone!

Firstly, the anime for this week were tearjerkers! I cried extremely easily and way too much watching these three anime.

Starting with Naruto, the emotional resonance behind seeing how he was looked down upon, and after watching the anime previously and seeing what he went through to become the hero of the village and later the world, was powerful. I never made a connection to discrimination while watching Naruto before, but after seeing it from a different perspective, I saw the villagers' higher-ups very differently. Seeing how Naruto pushed past all the hatred of those around him and shone even brighter was inspiring. 

Moving on to Wolf Children, I couldn't see the direction of the movie at first, where the couple was happy, but then [Spoiler] the father would die, and I was astounded. I can understand the single mother, and I empathize with her because I have a single mother, so I can see how she struggles raising two wolf children. This also deeply relates to the real world, but I love how she finds a village and community in the farming town. The children were adorable, and the mother never gave up, no matter what. That's another point that can be applied to those who suffer from discrimination: to never give up.

Lastly, "A Silent Voice," I felt like I had seen it before, but I didn't remember most of the movie, so it was like a new experience filled with tears at the end, although I knew what was coming. There were various literaryliterary devices used here,, and a lot of metaphors,, such as the breaking of the egg. I noticed the different metaphors in this anime, where Shoya covered his ears and closed his eyes as a kid to shut out the world,, which is similar to how Shoko was also cut offbecause she was unable to hear very well. The discrimination and bullying this anime showed was very realistic of how it might be in schools and how there are sometimes no barriers put in place to help people who appear to be "different," and this has to change.

10/10 ANIMES

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

"The power of imagination changes everything."

Hey guys! This week, I watched "shinsekai yori," a really mind-bending anime that left me thinking for a good hour after I finished. This anime was strange to me, not only because of the plot shift and the world I was shown, but also because of the underlying theme or message being emphasized. The idea that society could be afraid of children is baffling to me. However, learning about K and other violent characters made me scared of children too! 

Similar to Psycho-Pass, "Shinsekai yori” really reminded me of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, where children are closely watched and under surveillance. Every move is analyzed, and they are constantly checked for irregularities in their attitudes and feelings. I also felt the same uneasiness when it was revealed what happens to children who don't meet society’s standards. And learning about the lengths the adults in “shin sekai yori” take to remove the irregular kids, it really made me consider the extent to whichany society should go to maintain peace. If you have to eliminate children before they even do something wrong, are you creating safety, or are you just creating fear? And the way the adults started blaming karma demons and fiends made it seem like they were just finding someone to throw under the bus for their mistakes.

And it seems perfectly normal in the anime. As Saki starts to learn about her world, she soon rationalizes it. Subconsciously, she tries to remove how society views the “rats,” but she herself still feels different from them.

In all, Shin Sekai Yori was a little heavier than the other anime, (like Psycho Pass), but in a good way that I liked. It encouraged me to think about how we use children for fear and control in both the real world and the virtual world. I’d give this a 8.5/10.

See Ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hello, Kalamb The first episode and every episode after were extremely mind-boggling. I see how children can be dangerous and feared, but it is because we naturally assume that they are harmless and innocent, which is why, when they do violent things, others are shocked. This usually happens from toxic or violent environments that leak and affect the child. A great question to ask is, Do you think people are born evil? The people in Shin Sekai Yori believe that the children who show signs of being antisocial or violent should be eliminated to maintain the peaceful facade that the children and villagers see. However, this can be harmful to the minds of people who start to question what is truly happening, such as those in Group 1.

[vannahxd1]

'You can whine to the maggots when you're dead and buried.'

Hello everyone! I heard a fantastic quote from the anime of this week, Shin Sekai Yori or "From The New World". Kiromaru says, "You can whine to the maggots when you're dead and buried," while he and the two protagonists try to kill the Ogre that is trying to kill them. This quote means to keep trying everything and anything, and don't give up until the very end, because "Nothing is lost by trying.”

Shin Sekai Yori was an anime that confused me at first about its direction, and at the end of the episode, I was so shocked about the disappearance of children, the psychokinetic powers, and their society that I had to rewatch the episode. But after the first two episodes, I was grossly enamored with the anime that I stayed up until 2 am watching, it was like a book you couldn't put down. From learning about the individual characters to trying to uncover the secrets behind their society and this "new world" as a whole, just made my mind race.

We learn in a couple of episodes that the monster rats trying to overthrow society were actually mutated humans. So I now see their rebellion from a human perspective. In a different scenario, we humans might become subservient to, say, aliens because they possess more power than we do, thereby ensuring our survival. Alternatively, consider the relationship between colonists and natives and how some were subservient for survival for their tribe, and in the context of the monster rats, their colonies. But at some point, they decide enough is enough and decide to revolt to claim freedom and equality by going to war. The monster rats end up having their own Department on the Education Committee to control them because they are now something that the board fears and wants to control through more regulation and discipline. Another fear of the Education Committee was Ogres and Karmic Demons, which led to a tremendous amount of death among children, and it became normalized when students disappeared and were forgotten.

Everything is caused by a never-ending cycle of fear, which makes one side crave more control to feel a sense of security by increasing discipline and regulation with death and a new education system. However, as long as the object of that fear remains, there will never be an end to the cycle.

Thanks for reading, さようなら, Sayōnara.

[kalamb]

"Fools learn from experience, while the wise learn from history."

I know I said this before in my last post, but Psycho-Pass might be one of the best anime I've seen this YEAR. I may be biased because of my interest in everything sci-fi, but the anime's concept was executed perfectly. I also love the not-so-underlying theme of ethics in safety and the measures to maintain that safety in society. I think the anime as a whole serves as a fortune-telling spyglass that suggests a world that has a possibility of happening shortly. Over the past few decades, we have had significant technological advancements, which have also raised questions on how these innovations should be regulated, if even regulated at all. Right off the first episode, the viewers are thrust into this futuristic version of Japan, with holographic images and drones all around. The presence of drones all around already presents the idea that in this world, a higher power wants to keep its eye on everybody, everywhere. The first episode does a great job of introducing us to how society works while also keeping the plot moving forward. We learn that citizens are scanned and their mental state is evaluated by drones that the “higher power” controls. When evaluated, a system known as the “Siybl System” determines the risk/possibility of the person committing a crime or being a danger to those around them. This essentially means people can be reprimanded or targeted by authorities because of their thoughts or state of mind. Today, the thought of authorities doing this would be ludicrous, but this anime leaves us rethinking whether something like this is impossible. This very feature is what influences the main plots in Psycho-Pass. We see how society is affected by this feature when a scene of a man brutally murdering someone in public is met with a somewhat apathetic reaction from the crowd. It is later revealed that citizens don’t know how to react to something so absent because they had never had an idea that the act could be possible. Overall, Psycho-Pass isn't just an anime with sleek visuals and high-stakes action; the anime challenges the viewers to imagine and consider the ethics of a world that prioritizes order and safety over individual freedoms.

10/10 from me. See ya!

[vannahxd1]

Hey kalamb, I also like this anime, and I believe it is one of the best ones we have watched so far (though Attack on Titan is on top forever). I love the passion you have for Psycho-Pass. I see this anime's connection to our reading about student tracking at different universities and high schools, which makes me think that what is happening in the anime world may not be far from where we are now. However, I hope that as a society, we never give up our free will and judgment to technology, but conspiracy theorists think that technology will one day take those away from us with its development. Overall, Psycho-Pass did make me think about our safety and security measures in the real world differently, while also being a captivating anime.