Anime Blog

Class JPT1311

[matchablossomblog]

Your Name/Hetalia/Sensoron

I’ve seen Your Name before, which was a few years ago. Before rewatching it, I remember I felt very confused after seeing it for the first time and googling what I watched. I didn’t understand the hype and why everyone enjoyed it, while I was left wondering what happened; however, I do recall appreciating the animation and soundtrack. I think that it was good seeing it again from an older viewpoint, and after watching the lecture.

Your name reminds me of the Disney movie The Swap. In this movie, Ellie, the female lead, had to provide a masculine performance and play hockey while in Jack's body. While in Ellie's body, Jack had to provide a feminine performance and do gymnastics. I thought this fit with the lecture on how men and women are expected to act, as seen in the scene where Mitsuha, in Taki's body, is expected to use the proper pronoun with his friends. I also noticed that the grandma mentioned that her son abandoned being a Shinto priest to go into politics. This reminded me of the first module that discussed different essentialisms, one of which was Closeness to Nature, inspired by the Shinto religion. I noted the scene where Mitsuha cuts her hair. Cutting hair usually means a new beginning or change. I thought her decision to cut her hair could be a symbol of changing fate, where she and her loved ones would survive the comet fragment that struck and destroyed Itomori.

I have never heard of, nor seen, Hetalia before this course. However, I found it to be a very interesting watch. I thought it was intriguing how the characters represented different countries and their personalities reflected the stereotypes of their countries. I found some parts of the anime to be comedic, and the lack of a filter for some comments caught me off guard. One comment that I noted was in the English dub episode 9, when Britain commented that America would become a diabetic fat person if he continued on a burger-only diet. I thought this drew attention to the stereotype of an overweight American due to the large portion size and affordability of fast food burgers. I also connected Italy from Hetalia to Mort from All Hail King Julian. I thought they shared an attachment to and reliance on another character, Germany for Italy, and King Julian for Mort. Furthermore, they have obsessions, as Italy is obsessed with pasta and food, while Mort is obsessed with feet.

I have read other manga and Sensoron was definitely the most biased one. I’m glad for the warning about it being biased since it could easily be misinterpreted as entirely true. This piece was my least favorite content in the module; however, I understand its connection to Hetalia and the topics discussed in the lectures regarding nationalism.

[youngboipat]

your name

Watching Your Name, I was struck by how the film blends intimate human connection with the vastness of natural disaster. The comet strike isn’t just a plot device — it resonates with Japan’s real history of earthquakes and tsunamis, and more broadly with how communities everywhere face forces beyond their control. What I found powerful was its quiet insistence on memory as resistance: even when the characters forget each other’s names, their emotional connection pushes them to act. In a global sense, that speaks to the ways people everywhere cling to relationships and shared histories even when politics or catastrophe threaten to erase them.

Hetalia: Axis Powers was a completely different experience — humorous, satirical, but also politically loaded. By turning countries into characters, it plays with national stereotypes in a way that can be both funny and unsettling. As an American viewer, I noticed how it simplifies historical conflicts into quirks and running jokes. That made me reflect on how humor can defuse tension but also obscure the real stakes of war. It made me more aware of how pop culture can shape (or distort) national images for global audiences.

Sensōron felt heavier, more direct in its engagement with nationalism and the justification of war. Its framing reminded me of how governments anywhere — not just in Japan — can use selective narratives to shape public opinion. That’s something I see echoed in modern media coverage and even in the entertainment I consume without thinking about its political undercurrents.

Across all three, I kept coming back to the idea of how stories define collective memory. Whether through romance, comedy, or ideology, each piece asks who gets to tell the story of a nation — and what gets left out. For me, it’s a reminder to approach even light-hearted media with a critical eye, because what we laugh at or cry over often says as much about our societies as it does about the characters on screen.

[matchablossomblog]

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind/Xenoblade Chronicles 2

I enjoyed watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. I noticed multiple connections between this anime and other anime, as well as other media. One major connection I made was between Nausicaä and the first Avatar film. The beginning scene in the forest, with its diverse creatures and plants, reminded me of the giant forest in Avatar. In Avatar, the Na'vi have neural queues that allow them to connect with other species that have these queues on Pandora. Similarly, the insects in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind have yellow tendrils that they use to make contact with Nausicaä, who has a strong connection with and understanding of the insects. Additionally, firearms are depicted in both movies, creating a similarity in how humans use these weapons against nature. A scene I noted from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was when the planes are descending and are about to crash. The hostages from the village initially do not listen to the cries for them to throw off the cargo (until Nausicaä takes off her mask). I thought this could represent how people struggle with attachment to physical objects. Another connection I made was between this anime and Shin Sekai Yori. In Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, a guard/member of the valley tells Nausicaä that insects and humans can't live together in the same world (as she attempts to protect a small insect). I thought this was similar to Shin Sekai Yori in how the individuals with abilities can't coexist with individuals lacking abilities (since they can kill without the repercussions of death), so they turned those people into Queerats, which they can kill. This shared inability to coexist and the alternative solution both include a conflict between humans and other species.

I found the cutscenes from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to be interesting since they reminded me of the memory cutscenes in Legend of Zelda BOTW/TOTK. Also, the aegis reminded me of Saber and the other weapon characters in the Fate anime collection. As the cutscenes progressed, Rex's group grew, and more characters joined him on his journey. This reminded me of Hunter X Hunter and Freiren. The final connection I made was with Trigun/Trigun Stampede. In Trigun, the people rely on "plants" to survive since they're used as power sources to run towns/cities. Similarly, the creatures/people in Xenoblade rely on Titans as a home to live on. Overall, I thought that these were two media that help us reflect on the relationship between humanity and nature.

[youngboipat]

Blog Post: Nature, Sacrifice, and Hope in Nausicaä and Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 back to back made me think a lot about the way we treat the world—and each other. Even though one is a film and the other is a game-turned-anime, both explore the idea that destruction often comes from misunderstanding and fear. What struck me most in both stories is how the main characters lead with empathy, even in the face of violence and chaos.

Nausicaä felt especially powerful with its environmental message. I know it was made in Japan during a time of rising eco-consciousness, but the message couldn’t feel more relevant now. Pollution, war, and the way humans destroy what they fear—all of that still applies. Nausicaä’s willingness to understand the toxic jungle and the Ohmu instead of fighting them really challenged how I think about leadership. She didn’t want to win—she wanted to heal. That idea of peace through empathy, not power, really stuck with me.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 had a more personal vibe. It dealt with trust, sacrifice, and the value of bonds between people. What really hit me was how every character carried some sort of emotional burden, but still kept moving forward. That theme of holding on to hope, even when the world feels broken, felt personal to me. I’ve had moments where I felt uncertain about my future or overwhelmed by everything going on in the world, and stories like this remind me that perseverance matters.

Both works reminded me that connection—to the planet and to people—isn’t weakness. It’s strength. In a world that often feels divided and exhausting, these stories gave me a sense of peace, and a reason to keep caring.

[youngboipat]

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Watching Neon Genesis Evangelion and The End of Evangelion was like staring into someone’s mind during a total collapse. I’ve never seen an anime that felt so deeply personal and chaotic at the same time. What hit me hardest wasn’t the sci-fi or the giant battles—it was the raw mental and emotional breakdowns that all the characters, especially Shinji, go through. The show made me feel uncomfortable in the best way, like it was forcing me to sit with thoughts I’d usually push away.

In terms of global relevance, Evangelion doesn’t just reflect Japan’s postwar identity crisis or the pressure on youth to conform. It goes even deeper—into what it means to be human when everything else is stripped away. Isolation, depression, fear of connection—those themes aren’t just Japanese issues; they’re universal. I think anyone who’s ever felt alone or unsure of who they are can relate to Shinji’s paralysis and constant questioning of his worth.

I also found the ending of The End of Evangelion incredibly powerful. It’s messy, violent, and abstract—but it’s honest. It felt like a rejection of everything “clean” that anime is supposed to be. Instead of giving us a perfect resolution, it gives us emotion, confusion, and one small moment of human connection at the very end. That felt real to me. Life doesn’t always offer closure. Sometimes, just choosing to keep going is enough.

Watching this made me reflect on my own fear of vulnerability. Evangelion shows that connecting with others means accepting pain and imperfection, and that’s terrifying—but also necessary. It’s not a show I can say I “enjoyed” in the usual way, but it’s one I’ll probably be thinking about for a long time.

[youngboipat]

Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son

Watching Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son together felt like witnessing different stages of identity and social pressure unfold through distinct tones and styles. What really connected all three for me was how each one tackled gender expectations in a way that felt both deeply tied to Japanese culture and still very relatable globally.

Sailor Moon was bright and magical, but underneath the sparkle, it still revealed how girls are expected to be strong yet gentle, beautiful yet humble, and always supportive. Even though it’s a '90s show, many of those mixed messages still persist today. Growing up, I remember feeling like I had to be everything at once, too. I saw the same kind of pressure in Aggretsuko, just in a more adult and realistic way. Retsuko’s office life, where she’s expected to smile and endure everything quietly, felt frustrating to watch—and yet it hit close to home. Many of us are taught not to rock the boat, especially at work or school. I also found the show to be hilarious and had me laughing out loud a lot.

But it was Wandering Son that really made me stop and think. Shu and Yoshino navigate their gender identity so quietly and with so much fear, which made me realize how hard it is for people who don’t fit neatly into the world’s expectations. It sounds like it was emotional and honest without being dramatic. I don’t share the same experience, though it made me reflect on how quick society is to label people, and how rare it is for anyone to truly feel safe being themselves. I read the Spark Notes and overviews due to it going against my religious beliefs.

All three anime showed that growing up—whether you’re fighting monsters, working a 9-to-5, or just trying to understand who you are—is always a battle against expectations.

[youngboipat]

Anime Convention True Otaku

I’ve never been to an anime convention in person. Still, after watching the True Otaku documentary, I feel like I got a good look at what the experience is like—both the exciting parts and the ones that made me think deeper about what fandom really means. At first, I expected the documentary to simply show people cosplaying and discussing their favorite shows, but what I got was a comprehensive look into how fandom becomes a significant part of someone's identity, especially for young people trying to find their place in the world.

One thing that stood out to me right away was how personal anime is to many of the fans. They don’t just watch shows for fun—they live in those worlds, relate deeply to the characters, and express themselves through cosplay, fan art, and writing. Some of the people interviewed talked about how they didn’t feel accepted in their everyday lives but found a sense of community and belonging through anime. That reminded me a lot of what we’ve been learning in class about youth culture and how people build their identity through shared experiences and interests. When someone doesn’t feel seen or understood in regular society, fandom offers a space where they can be their full self without apology.

Another aspect that resonated with me was the way the fans discussed escapism. For many, anime wasn’t just entertainment—it was a safe haven. In a way, I understood that more than I thought I would. Even though I’ve never cosplayed or gone to a con, I’ve definitely used anime as a way to escape stress, school pressure, or even feelings of isolation. Shows like Attack on Titan, Tokyo Ghoul, and My Hero Academia gave me something to hold onto—characters who struggle, overcome, and push through. That emotional connection is what pulls people into fandom and keeps them there.

The documentary also made me realize how deep the commitment to fandom goes. People weren’t just watching anime—they were collecting merchandise, organizing meetups, running forums, and even learning Japanese to connect more with the culture behind the shows they love. That level of dedication reminded me of what we discussed in class about postmodern culture—how media and identity are no longer separate. Fandom doesn’t just reflect who you are; it shapes who you are. It influences your values, your relationships, even your goals. And in a time when traditional identities are less fixed than ever, fandom becomes a place where people can actually choose who they want to be.

There was one part of the documentary where someone said they felt more themselves in cosplay than in their regular clothes, and that really stuck with me. It shows how fandom isn’t about hiding from reality—it’s about creating a version of reality that feels more authentic. And that’s where cultural identity formation comes in. These fans are building identities that don’t fit into the usual boxes—student, worker, sibling—but instead, center around shared passions, creativity, and emotional connections.

Overall, watching True Otaku gave me a much deeper understanding of fandom. It’s not just about loving anime—it’s about building a life around something meaningful. It’s about finding people who understand you when no one else does. And most importantly, it’s about turning passion into identity, even when the world tells you that passion is weird or “too much.” After watching this documentary, I feel that I understand not just anime culture, but youth culture as a whole. It’s creative, emotional, and deeply human.

[ufliaprice]

Genshiken

When I first started watching Genshiken, it started off super boring, and there wasn’t much happening at all. The first thing I noticed was that one of the characters in the show that they were watching looked awfully similar to Haruhi in Ouran High School Host Club. This reminded of how shows typically reuse characters because of a character that became popular at some point. Other than that, a couple of other things stood out to me. Obviously, the first one is the sexualization of everything. It really caught me off guard. Especially the yaoi in the second season. I was not expecting that at all. I feel like the show mainly focused on the sexual aspect of the otaku, and it also normalizes having an interest in said sexual media. Thankfully, I watched it on my phone because I have no idea how I would begin to explain what I was watching to someone without dying of embarrassment. So, the embarrassment that the characters felt in the show definitely checks out. Another thing that stood out was how the fandom kind of bled into their reality, even though they are aware of the difference between fiction and reality. For example, the scenes with the dating simulation to make the decision on what to say in real life in season one, and the making of the BL based on real people in season two. Even though fiction and reality are separated, the characters still use the fandoms to navigate the real world in some aspects. The last thing that I want to point out is the sense of community. We find that, in season one, the main character feels shame about his interests and tries to pretend that he isn’t into that in the beginning. But, as the show continues, he becomes more comfortable within the club and finally feels like he has a place the he belongs where he can relate to people that share the same interests. Though the content over which they bond is questionable, it just goes to show that finding community, no matter who you are, is always important.

[youngboipat]

Genshiken

Out of all the anime we’ve watched, Genshiken felt the most grounded and real. It didn’t have crazy battles or dystopian worlds—just a group of people trying to figure themselves out through their shared love of anime, manga, and gaming. What stood out to me was how it showed the struggle of being different in a society that expects everyone to fit a certain mold. In Japan, where social pressure and expectations are strong, being an "otaku" can mean being judged or misunderstood. But honestly, that happens everywhere, not just in Japan.

Watching the characters interact reminded me of times I’ve felt out of place for liking certain things or not fitting into whatever “normal” was supposed to look like. The way they found community in each other hit me the most. It’s not always about being accepted by everyone, but about finding people who just get you. That’s what Genshiken was really about to me—finding belonging in a space where you don’t have to pretend.

One part that stood out was how Saki, someone from outside the otaku world, slowly began to understand and even respect the group. It reminded me of how people can change once they actually take the time to learn instead of judge. That’s something that definitely applies to real life.

I also think Genshiken raised questions about identity and hobbies—how much we let them define us, and how we manage the balance between who we are in private versus in public. That’s something I’m still figuring out myself.

Overall, Genshiken wasn’t flashy, but it was real. It made me reflect on friendship, judgment, and what it means to truly feel seen. For that reason, it’s probably the one I related to the most.

[youngboipat]

Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice

Watching Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice back to back really hit me in different emotional ways. Each anime takes a unique approach to talking about struggles that feel both specific to Japanese society and also universal. What stood out most was how all three focused on isolation, acceptance, and the challenges of fitting into a world that doesn’t always make space for who you really are.

Naruto shows this through its main character being ostracized for something he didn’t choose—the Nine-Tails inside him. He spends most of his life being treated like a threat, and yet he keeps pushing to be accepted and become Hokage. That drive really spoke to me, especially when people underestimate you or see only one side of you.

Wolf Children felt different—it’s about the quiet strength of motherhood and what it means to raise kids who don’t fit into the mold. The mother sacrifices so much just to give her kids a chance to choose their path. It made me think of how people—especially women—are expected to juggle everything without falling apart.

And A Silent Voice probably hit the hardest. It dives into bullying, disability, depression, and guilt in a way that felt real. The way it handled forgiveness and the need to own up to your mistakes reminded me of things I’ve seen in school growing up—how quick people are to judge or exclude, and how hard it is to fix what’s broken.

All three of these anime made me think about empathy. Whether it’s Japan or anywhere else, people are trying to find where they belong. These stories don’t give easy answers, but they show that connection and understanding are where healing starts.

[youngboipat]

This anime honestly caught me off guard. At first, it felt calm and slow, but as I kept watching, I started to realize how messed up the world really was. Shin Sekai Yori really made me think about how fear can be used to control people, and how hiding the truth from others becomes normal if it keeps the peace. That part hit hard. Everyone thought they were safe, but it was only because they were being lied to and kept in the dark.

The way the society in the show erased memories and essentially raised kids to never ask questions reminded me of real-life situations. As is often the case in school or the news, we’re only told the “safe” version of events. It’s frightening how easily people can be manipulated when they’re unaware of their own control.

The Queerats’ treatment was honestly the worst part for me. It was disturbing how they were treated and labeled as less than human simply because they were different. That made me think about racism and how people are still treated unfairly today just because they don’t fit in or scare those in charge. The show may be fiction, but that part felt very real.

Personally, it made me think about how we’re taught to just trust authority without really knowing what’s going on behind the scenes. It made me feel weird—like, how much of what I’ve been told is actually true?

Overall, this anime was heavy, but it made me think in a way I didn’t expect. It wasn’t just entertainment—it felt like a warning. It really made me reflect on the kind of world we live in and how easily freedom can disappear without anyone noticing.

[youngboipat]

Psycho-Pass

Blog Post: Reflections on Psycho-Pass

Watching Psycho-Pass was both thrilling and unsettling. What struck me most was how deeply the show delves into questions of freedom, morality, and surveillance, and how terrifyingly close it feels to real life—both in the context of Japan and on a global scale. The Sibyl System, a dystopian method of measuring an individual’s likelihood to commit a crime, echoes the rise of AI-driven policing and social credit systems in our own world. Japan, with its emphasis on order and conformity, seems like the perfect backdrop for this story. But the themes aren't limited to Japanese society. Globally, we’re all grappling with the trade-off between security and liberty, especially in a post-9/11, post-COVID, increasingly data-driven world.

On a personal level, Psycho-Pass made me think about my own relationship with structure and control. I’ve always been someone who values stability, but the show challenged me to ask: at what point does structure become oppression? If we’re judged not for what we do, but what we might do, is that justice—or is it something far more sinister?

One of the most powerful moments for me was when Akane refuses to kill Makishima, even when it would be easier and more “efficient” to do so. Her commitment to human judgment over algorithmic calculation reminded me of readings about the dangers of dehumanization in modern tech-based societies. Akane becomes the moral center of the story not because she’s the strongest or smartest, but because she questions the very system she’s meant to uphold.

In sum, Psycho-Pass doesn’t offer answers—it asks hard questions. And those questions linger long after the credits roll. It’s a show that made me reflect on the kind of world I want to live in—and the price we pay for safety.

[youngboipat]

Eden of the East and Sword Art Online

Watching Eden of the East and Sword Art Online felt like diving into two distinct yet oddly complementary visions of technology's grip on humanity. Eden of the East struck me with its sharp take on Japan's societal pressures—unemployment, isolation, and the "NEET" phenomenon. The mysterious Seleção game, with its promise of power through a digital phone, mirrors Japan's obsession with innovation but also its anxiety about losing human connection. Globally, it resonates as a cautionary tale about unchecked tech and the moral dilemmas of wielding influence in a digital age. I found myself wondering how much of my own life is shaped by invisible systems, like social media algorithms dictating my choices.

Sword Art Online, on the other hand, hit closer to home. It's a virtual reality world, where players are trapped in a game that reflects my occasional escapism through gaming. The stakes in SAO, life or death, feel so real, yet I related to Kirito's struggle to balance survival with retaining his humanity. Globally, it reflects our increasing immersion in digital spaces, blurring the distinction between real and virtual lives. I’ve caught myself losing hours to screens, so SAO’s warning about addiction and identity feels universal.

Both anime explore the double-edged sword of technology, a theme that echoes Sherry Turkle’s writings on how digital connections can foster isolation. Eden’s focus on societal reform through tech contrasts with SAO’s personal, psychological lens, yet both question who controls our digital futures. Personally, Eden made me reflect on my role in collective systems, while SAO’s intense relationships reminded me of real-life bonds tested by distance and distraction. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a world—and a Japan—grappling with technology’s promise and peril, a tension I feel navigating my own tech-saturated life.

[avalon169]

Spirited Away | A Place Further Than the Universe

I was pretty excited to watch Spirited Away because I've heard of how popular it is but haven't gotten the chance to see it before. Having watched a few Studio Ghibli movies before, I expected Spirited Away to not make much sense to me. In general I find the movies to be quite slow; however, I now know I can attribute that to the full animation style and Miyazaki wanting to show subtle movements and expressions.

Despite my prejudgments, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall story. While it's still not one of my favorites, I enjoyed watching it. I think my favorite part was Chihiro's character development. At the beginning of the movie I found her to be quite annoying, but after going through all she did in order to save her parents and her friend, she gained valuable problem-solving skills. I think the part that really drove this idea home was the difference between her reaction to moving in the beginning of the movie versus the ending, where she states that she can handle being at a new school.

I liked that Chihiro was able to find friends that she could depend on in the end, and I found it interesting that both Zeniba and No Face were noticeably calmer once they were away from the bathhouse. I think this shows that the consumerism utopia changed their personalities to be more violent and greedy than how they really are.

As for A Place Further Than the Universe, I thought this was a very cute and heartwarming show. I was struggling to see any connection to capitalism on my own though, besides the fact that all the girls had to work as well as go to school.

The part that I connected with was the development of their friendships. I think I related to Yuzuki a bit in that she was too busy her whole childhood to really have the chance to develop meaningful relationships, which is kind of how I’ve always felt.

[youngboipat]

Spirited Away and A Place Further Than the Universe.

After watching Spirited Away and A Place Further Than the Universe, I was blown away by the animation style and the stories. I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli, their distinctive art style, directors, stories, and all the movies the studio has produced. Such as Howl's Moving Castle, The Boy and the Heron, My Neighbor Totoro, and last but not least Spirited Away.

Spirited Away was a phenomenal movie that explored themes of grief, loss, perseverance, acclimating to a new and unfamiliar place, greed, obligation, pain, self-discovery, and the will to overcome any obstacle. I travel a lot to many different states and countries, so it kind of reminded me that I have to be resilient and, through my work in negotiations, I have to work hard to earn everything and, in essence, earn my "name".

In the anime A Place Further Than the Universe, the themes are kind of similar to Spirited Away, with them being pain, self-discovery, perseverance, working hard to earn your place, resilience, strength, grief, and loss. The children want to do something with their lives, and they're all kind of loners, but they end up becoming great friends through a mutual goal. The character wants to see her mother again and experiences great suffering due to that, and I can relate due to losing a lot of family members and being willing to do almost anything to see them again.

Both of these anime are great inspirations for finding something I genuinely want to do with my life, or in my life, and chasing after it with everything I have. Another takeaway is to not take anything for granted, such as family, love, or an opportunity. When given a chance or opportunity, take advantage of it and do not let it slip away or take it for granted.

[youngboipat]

Hello World!