Nihon Musings

Ranma 100/???

2008-11-09T23:32:00.005-05:00

It’s with pride and nostalgia that I sit down and write this latest musing. Recently Viz Media began re-releasing all of the Ranma ½ anime in fairly priced box sets of all seven seasons of the TV series, the OVA series, and the two movies. With new ease of access to the series, I could finally watch all of the TV series, all one hundred sixty-one episodes of it and tonight, I finished it.

Ranma holds a lot of personal points for me that will continue to give it a place in my heart. Aside from being the longest anime series that I’ve watched in full, Ranma was the first anime series that I was introduced to not by stumbling upon on TV, but rather by a friend saying about 11 years ago “hey have you ever heard of _____?” and seeing it as a direct-to-video release, the format most anime is still released by in America. (Although I’ve lost touch over the years if by some chance you’re reading this Aaron, give yourself a pat on the back.) What makes completing the Ranma TV series even more of a personal accomplishment is that I purchased the final seasons I hadn’t seen while I was nearing the mark of my one hundredth completed anime series.

I found it amusing that the final disc of the series has a featurette of the cast of the dub (Ranma is one of few titles I watch in the dub format) looking back at the project that took 8 years to finish. I couldn’t help but think about how it took me more than that watch all of their work. Even more amusing is hearing many English voice actors (who I will admit at many times made the show for me because they just seemed to “get it”) who I’ve met and interacted with at anime conventions over the years and reflect about how most of this work was before they were big names.

I got into anime thirteen years ago, and have hit one hundred completed series. It’s hard to say whether it’s surprising it’s taken that long or not, but after this long and enjoying this much, I doubt I will be stopping any time soon. Even as I type this on a shelf to the right of my computer are five DVD sets to finish off more series. I’m also trying to close in on 100 single sitting features (TV Special one-shots, feature films etc). It’s been a long road, but I’m just taking this moment to reflect while I tighten my hiking boots back up and continue on a path that I enjoy so much. Even finishing Ranma ½ doesn’t feel like I’m saying goodbye to an old friend, but rather, reaffirming an old friendship.

(Oh, and the Dunbine write-up hasn't been forgotten, I've just been sidetracked with lots of other stuff, including reaching today's milestone)

Placeholder

2008-09-11T02:03:00.002-04:00

This is just a placeholder to remind myself to sit down and write my thoughts on Aura Battler Dunbine

Publish Post

Lost Entry

2008-07-27T22:12:00.002-04:00

Rumors of this blog's death have been greatly exaggerated. Hard drive failure and several other personal events kept me from doing some good posts for a bit. What follows is an entry I worked on over a month ago on my ways to/from Anime NEXT, but finally dug out of the recovered data from a dead hard drive.
Sometimes I can be a really bad fan of anime. But with a train trip from Boston to Philadelphia, I had a good chunk of time to lean back in my seat and watch something. Enter the copy of Metropolis recently added to my DVD library thanks to a friend having a second copy. With a story based off work by the legendary manga-ka Tezuka Osamu, a screenplay by Otomo Katsuhiro, and Rintaro directing, it’s only natural to have high expectations and hopes. Thankfully, the only thing the film left me disappointed in was myself for not watching it sooner.

First and foremost, to simply call the film visually stunning would be an understatement. The cityscapes projected in the film are breathtaking, creating feelings of amazement, wonder and perhaps even some fear as the tall buildings seem to be the only landscape visible for miles. The art deco future setting comes alive so much more. In modern filmmaking CGI can become quickly dated or in other instances it sticks out from the rest of the film’s content. Yet in Metropolis CGI and normal cell animation blend together and share the screen with just a healthy balance between the two that is rarely seen.

Yet eye candy is not the only reason for the film being so enjoyable, not by a long shot. With likeable protagonists, detestable villains, the plot can easily draw the viewer further into the film. It could be argued that many of the characters are one dimensional, but they aren’t so one-sided that they seem unbelievable. Early on, one will be able to predict the actions of most of the characters, but it is not from them being too one-dimensional, rather it is a result of them being made more plausible.

Recently, I also read through Tezuka’s manga, Apollo’s Song. A gripping story with a main character who appears to be unable to love, being punished by some divine force to live through a barrage of different lives in which any time he nears the possibility of finally attaining true love, catastrophe strikes. While generally I read manga relatively fast as it is; I found that I had trouble putting the book (which is over 500 pages) down. It’s not the kiddy side of Tezuka that most people think of when conjuring up what sort of stuff he’s created.

Perhaps the most jarring part of adding the book to my collection came after completing it. I keep my manga organized by manga-ka. Apollo’s Song by Tezuka Osamu was placed in the shelf right next to Saikano, but Takahashi Shin. Unsettling, but oddly fitting at the same time.

Past due viewings and musings

2008-05-12T03:13:00.004-04:00

April (and a few days into May) was spent working on a self-imposed backlog of DVDs that I had borrowed from my roommate. The vast majority of them were things that I just never got around to watching before, partially because I never owned them, but thanks to a second library of anime DVDs in the apartment, there’s a lot more to see.

With a stack of 30 discs (plus one added later) I set to work, averaging about a disc a day. On queue in this list were (in no particular order)

- The third and fourth seasons of Ranma ½: While there were a few scattered episodes I’d seen, but for all intents and purposes, the seasons as wholes were new content. Ranma was one of my earliest anime titles, and as far as I can remember, the first non-televised series that I was recommended to me by a friend. There’s a very really sense of wanting to see the entire series at some point. With only two seasons and one feature length movie left, the goal is in sight, and I still laugh along with the episodes.

- Noir: It seems like ages ago that I first saw a fan made music video to Dido’s "Huntress" in a convention’s contest and was intrigued by it. While I wasn’t wowed but the series it wasn’t a bad ride. I was just left expecting a bit more bite at times.

- Dai-Guard: A mecha series that falls under the radar a lot, partially because it’s not groundbreaking or part of a well known franchise. All the same, it’s great series. Filled with a good deal more comedy than the average mecha fair, I found myself grinning a lot. Making fun of the over the top nature of some mecha shows, the Japanese work ethic, and the absurd levels that bureaucracy can create for itself. Two related themes within Dai-Guard that stood out to me. The first was a strong display of how people who have radically different personalities can still be good friends when under the banner of the same goals. (Most notable here are Shirota and Akagi.) The second is the nature of some people to help out despite unusual circumstances. In times when Dai-Guard is unusable, many of the characters associated with it find themselves drawn to taking actions to help and protect people. The opener for the series is really catchy to boot. I should also note that this is the first series directed by Mizushima Seiji that I’ve actually completed (I still need to finish Full Metal Alchemist and Gundam 00) however, with a record looking this good, I’m going to start looking for what others of his works are out there.

- Godannar: The second mecha show I put into the “to watch” stack. Two thirteen episode seasons that were filled with hot-blooded fight scenes, manly men, well endowed women, gave eye candy for everyone. The first eleven episodes left me feeling unattached to the story and really only enjoying the some of the more comedic parts of the show such as nods to previous anime classics, both mecha as well as others from different genres. However, the final story arc of the first season finally hooked me and my interest was definitely a lot higher in the second season. Characters seemed to gain a good deal more depth and the overarching plot finally began to shape itself into something less amorphous. In the final stretches of the show, one phrase stood out to me. On the subject of giant robots, one characters describes them as "the power of a god with the soul of a mortal". A fitting description that reminds me of what I use as my explanation for my love of the mecha genre; "it's not always about the gigantic war machines, but the people in control of them"

- Project A-Ko: A hilarious sci-fi comedy film that is often labeled as a classic, A-Ko is definitely worth sitting down to watch, even if half the time one has to scratch their head and process what he or she is witnessing. On my list of things to track down and watch now are the next installments, despite C-Ko being quite possibly the most annoying character ever conceived.

In the realm of new stuff, I’ve been following Macross Frontier eagerly. While the Macross franchise has never been toward the front of my mecha anime fortes (ask me to name more than three of the fighters from across the entire franchise and I’m in trouble) I still enjoy what I watch. Frontier has definitely stepped up and caught my attention. Like the first (and I hope second) half of Gundam 00 there are a lot of good elements that remind fans of the previous parts of the franchise why they enjoy what they’ve watched so much, but at the same time there are many elements that keep it fresh, interesting, and lead us to something new.

On tap to view soon:

- The last three DVDs of Full Metal Alchemist (top priority)

- Something by Kurosawa, (not sure what yet, but I think I’m in the mood to sit down and watch Dreams again)

- Lupin the III: The Secret of Twilight Gemini (if a promised late birthday present ever gets ordered)

The Dream Could...Work?

2008-04-18T07:13:00.003-04:00

I haven't had much time to sit down and jot down some new content here things have been busy. A lot of my life in March and through now has been the build up to, and the subsequent decompressing from Anime Boston. (the pillows were a hit, in case you are wondering) Gears have also switched a bit into focusing some more time into working on getting the ball rolling on Providence Anime Conference. (by the way, online registration is now available )

Two days ago I came across this article in the gadgets section of Boing Boing.

On one hand, it's Dreamworks which has a track record that isn't too atrocious, and their CGI work is some of the best around.

On the other is trying to an American company looking to remake an anime film that is already close to flawless, and known well enough on its own.

the pillows Are Coming to Anime Boston

2008-02-13T23:19:00.003-05:00

Waiting for this announcement to go public has been driving me insane. As I've stated several times before, the music of the pillows is one of the things that made the anime series FLCL so great. I've enjoyed much of their work beyond what they've done for series.

I look forward to what should be an amazing show. Anime Boston's announcement for the event can be found here.

Random Musing(s) #5

2008-02-12T15:08:00.000-05:00

-Last week I finally purchased and read the final volume of the Akira manga. While the film adaptation is still stunning, its scope pales in comparison to manga. The biggest example of this is the priestess Miyako (pictured above) who while virtually invisible in the film, is pivotal to things in the manga. It’s a shame Dark Horse’s copies, while so-so in quality (I’m not a fan of translating onomatopoeia and flipping orientation) are out of print because Otomo’s six volume piece is amazing both in art and story.

-Over the weekend the 18th episode of Gundam 00 aired. I’ve been following this series rather closely and although I’ve had my suspicions that Mizushima Seiji was a decent director after finishing the first half of Full Metal Alchemist, the recent strain stuff in the plot has been downright amazing. It’s still got some elements of a Gundam title, but the differences the show goes for are the right ones to strive for. Mizushima is showing that he really know how to make the shit hit the fan. I suspect that when the break between seasons hits at the end of next month, waiting for October and the second half of the series is going to be nothing short of torture.

Sumoku on za wata

2008-02-08T18:51:00.000-05:00

This is too awesome not to share.

Real content post coming soon.

Sapporo Snow Festival and Slightly Beyond

2008-02-04T12:55:00.000-05:00

A standing goal of mine is to take a trip to Sapporo in the beginning of February some time to see the annual snow festival. While I’m unable to make it this year, the allure of trying to make it for the 2009 festival which will not only be at the same time as my birthday, but also be the 60th year of the event. Additionally, the festival’s start date and my birthday would coincide and I have never been anywhere that could be considered far from home during a birthday.

The snow festival is home to some amazing snow and ice sculptures. From massive dinosaurs, to famous landmarks, to anime and manga characters, to traditional Japanese cultural icons like daruma and oni, the creations in snow run a whole gambit of subject matter. Pink Tentacle recently did an article on some of the snow festivals across Japan, including some great pictures of some of the various sculptures and tips for ways that one can look up more photos. The link to the article is listed below.

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/01/happy-fun-snow-creatures/

Two other stops I hope to make on this ideal trip into Hokkaido would be to the Sapporo beer museum/biergarten (A famous brand like that, you can’t pass up the chance to visit it) and the small nearby city of Otaru. It’s a small place, but it’s got some interesting sights to check out. Thanks to Takashi Shin’s vivid artwork in Saikano, I can’t help but be tempted to take a walk to the lookout point there as well.

My Dinner with Kon Satoshi

2008-01-21T00:37:00.000-05:00

Andrew has tagged me with the My Dinner With Blank, meme. Here goes:

1. Pick a single person past or present who works in the film industry you would like to have dinner with. And tell us why you chose this person.

2. Set the table for your dinner. What would you eat? Would it be in a home or at a restaurant? And what would you wear? Feel free to elaborate on the details.

3. List five thoughtful questions you would ask this person during dinner.

4. When all is said and done, select six bloggers to pass this Meme along to.
(Not doing this one. Sorry, but the only person I could think to tap is the one who tagged me)

5. Link back to Lazy Eye Theatre, so people know the mastermind behind this Meme.

The stereotypical answer would be someone like Kurosawa Akira, but I don't know his films as well as I probably should. It's something that I've resolved to fix in the future. Moving into the Anime Medium, again it's tough to say. Miyazaki Hayao falls into the same category as Kurosawa, though my viewing record with his works is a bit better. What about Tomino Yoshiyuki? While he is the mastermind behind a good deal of anime that I've enjoyed, I did get to ask a question of him when I saw him at the 2006 Chicago International Film Festival, and frankly, I was left underwhelmed. Boy, this is going to be a tougher than I thought.
As I lean back in my chair and try to drum up some inspiration, my eyes naturally begin to wander toward my DVD racks, as is often the case as I think about what I want to write about in this blog that is my small corner of the internet. Over 300 DVDs sitting there, something has to be laying there amongst the crowds. Finally, I see it. Sitting between my copy of Akira and Otaku no Video (I really need to set aside some time to better organize these) sits Paranoia Agent and Paprika. Two of the works by Kon Satoshi. Jackpot.

What puts Kon above all these others? Compared to the others mentioned, he's a newcomer to the anime scene, but he's a newcomer with a certain punch. His works can leave an audience rolling with laughter or at the edge of their seats in anxiousness, often changing within the blink of an eye. It's part of his talent which is blurring the lines on so many things. Kon might not be the first name thought of when someone asks us to name an anime director, but the punch his films have is undeniable. A mind with so many creative ideas like his has got to be fun to chat with.

As for dinner, I'm packing my bags and meeting the man in Japan. (Let's face it, I'll take just about any chance I can to take a trip over there) And so long as it doesn't involve Tako (octopus) I'm letting him choose a favorite place for him to take me for a fun relaxed and casual chat. Doesn't have to be too fancy, and like any place on earth, trust the locals, they know where the good places to eat are. If Kon-San insists it's my choice, I'm voting for just some good zaru-soba from a konbini and chatting in the lounge at the studio. Maybe a some Sapporo beer to top if off too. This is one instance where I'd rather just be laid back and make it a low key chat.

Five Questions:
-Which of your works was the hardest to let go to be finished? If you could go back and keep working at one, continuing to improve it, which would it be?

-One of your best talents (in my opinion) is often blurring the line between reality and something from someone's imagination and animation is a tool that really assists in making this transition seem much more real. What do you think makes animation such a great art form to work in?

-Your works, along with many other anime titles are among the works that have been brought over to other audiences, especially in America. Do you think there is too much of "Japaneseness" that will be lost on viewers who aren't well versed in the native culture of these pieces? If yes, what do you feel is the best remedy for this problem is?

-What's one of your favorite stories from working on one of your projects?

-Are there any directors or films, Japanese or otherwise, that you feel have particularly inspired your style of filmmaking?

Random Musing(s) #4:

2007-12-28T02:49:00.000-05:00

Some random reflections as 2007 comes to an end:

- It's bizarre to think that a year ago, I didn't know who the Blue Hearts were.

- I never really said much about this, but attending part of the Cool Japan lectures at Harvard and learning not only that what I was expecting Afro Samurai to be was way off (in a good way) but getting to hear the Okazaki's thoughts was special. Do yourself a favor and go grab this one. With only five episodes, it's easy to grab and watch in one sitting. (And watching a bonus feature that opens with Sam Jackson saying "Nothing is as exciting as manga and anime" just makes my day)

- Gundam Battle Chronicle made me glad that PSP games are region free and made commutes on the T much more tolerable.

- Best Anime Movie/Film not viewed until 2007: Royal Space Force Wings of Honneamise
Honorable Mention(s): Paprika, and Arcadia of My Youth

- Best Anime TV series not viewed until 2007: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (This really shouldn't be any surprise to anyone by now)
Honorable Mention(s): Paranoia Agent

- Most Anticipated Releases for 2008: The rest of Gundam 00, Macross Frontier, and the next installment of Rebuild of Evangelion

- Goals for 2008: Tracking down and reading the final volume of the Akira manga, watching Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, and at least one more work by Matsumoto Leiji, as well as adding to my list of Kurosawa films I own.

"I don't really even know what's going to happen tomorrow."

2007-12-13T03:13:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while there is a film that catches you off guard. They might posses a moment that makes us glad that there’s a rewind button so we can re-watch a particular scene. They might leave us stepping back for a moment as the credits roll, processing what we just saw in either confusion. And then there are those that just leave us thinking; thinking about the experience that the film just put us through. Shinkai Matoko’s 5 Centimeters per Second is one of those films in that last category for me.

It’s with a slight amount of shame I admit that until sitting down to 5 Centimeters this week, I had yet to see anything by Shinkai. The viewing of Voices of a Distant Star is one of the few times I missed an MCLA Anime Club meeting. (If memory serves, it was due to still being exhausted after staffing for an anime convention for the first time in my life and the meeting was the following Monday) Yet I’d always heard that the work of Shinkai was something worth seeing. 5 Centimeters did not disappoint.

Taking its title from the speed that cherry blossom petals are said to fall at, the film is broken into three sections of a boy’s (and eventually a young man’s) life. The first follows his life as he goes into middle school, and is separated from a friend who, like him, moves very often due to the nature of her parents’ work. The boy, Takaki, makes a journey by several trains to visit his friend, Akari. With the snow continually falling, his journey becomes more and more delayed on his way to see her. From Akari’s letters read through a voice over and Takaki’s own narration throughout this section we learn the origins of their friendship, and their struggle to preserve it despite growing distances. Hours later than intended, the two are reunited for what will most likely be the last time.

In the film’s second section, Takaki is now in his high school days, and there is another girl Kanae, who is infatuated and intrigued by him. Taken in by his kind nature, she finds herself struggling with trying to confess her feelings for him. Yet Takaki seems to constantly be just out of reach, as if there is something else holding part of his focus. Kanae struggles to come to terms with this.

In the final sequence, all three characters have gone their own ways, and are living their own lives, separate from one another. Akari is engaged to be married with an unnamed man, Takaki is working as a computer programmer, and Kanae is going about her own life as well. Yet despite all being in their own lives, the three cannot help but reflect on the past that seems to be nothing more than a dream now. As Yamazaki Masayoshi’s “One More Time, One More Chance” begins to play in the foreground of the films soundtrack, various scenes of the three characters lives are shown, both past and present.

First impressions of 5 Centimeters per Second are very tricky, at first appearing to try and send a message that all early love is doomed to be fleeting. And while there is a hint of truth to this sentiment, it’s far from the real essence of the film. Each character represents a different state of being. Takaki only looks at things as they once were; Akari as they will become; and Kanae as they are currently.

So what is the final essence of Shinkai’s film? It’s that chance encounters slowly shape people in ways one can sometimes not fathom when they occur. The past is gone, but it still has importance as it is what brings one to where they are now. The present will be gone sooner than one might expect, and the future is always approaching. Happiness lies in enjoying the present, and understanding its importance. Like the cherry blossoms and snow, everything has a familiar point of origin, but where the wind takes it remains to be seen.

2007-12-09T22:57:00.000-05:00

I'd forgotten about this, and after being reminded of it I still must ask. Why does Hollywood hate us?

Just call me a PAC-Man

2007-11-18T00:10:00.000-05:00

Well folks, sorry about the lack of posts lately, I've just been kept busy between work and stuff with the New England Anime Society. I make the distinction of saying NEAS and not just Anime Boston because recently I was offered, and I accepted the position of Director of Memberships for the Providence Anime Conference. I'm really excited to be a part of this. It's a new angle/concept for anime conventions that differs from what many people have come to expect out of the events. Aiming something for a more mature (and possibly more professional and/or academic as well) will definitely be a bit of a challenge, yet at the same time I think there's enough of a demand in the community that PAC can be successful.
I'll be sure to post more thoughts on things as they develop. I might have been part of the Anime Boston staff since 2004, (and a volunteer in 2003) but this position with PAC is my first executive position with a convention. It's a lot more work, even with PAC's memberships staying at only 2000, but I think I'm up to the challenge, and I'd be lying if I said I'm not enjoying getting to know people in all aspects NEAS better as time goes on.

Japan, Ink: Inside the Manga Industrial Complex

2007-10-25T03:55:00.000-04:00

Wired recently published a really good article about the status of Manga in Japan.
It can be found here.

Pierce The Heavens With Your Review!

2007-10-12T18:08:00.000-04:00

As promised, here's my review of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. This is my second review for Anime-Source too. (Even if I didn't have this series as an assignment, I'd want to comment on it)

Seven Amazing Character Deaths in Anime and Manga

2007-10-03T00:29:00.000-04:00

Death is something that one must come to terms with at some point. Eventually one will experience the end of the life of someone dear to them. They will also face their own mortality as well. In storytelling deaths are often a useful tool for bringing about the end. In many ways it is. Yet sometimes it is more than that. It can be only the end to a chapter in a much longer tale. For me personally, this one of my core points for why I often enjoy the storytelling in anime and manga. Characters are far less safe, thus making the stories feel more real. It is impossible to say whether the death of a character makes a better conclusion or turning point as when executed correctly, both add something to the story something that wasn't there before, interestingly enough, by taking something away.

-Standard Spoiler Warning applies to this post. Read at your own risk-

#1 Ikari Gendo, The End of Evangelion
Why it's on the list: Through the entire series of Evangelion the audience can feel nothing but contempt for Gendo. He abandons his son, breaks the hearts of two women, time and again is shown to be hiding the truth, working in shady underhanded dealings that directly effect those around him, and at least one person is killed by his own actions. Even as the story begins to reach its climax, instead of working for what could be the good of all humanity, all he seems to care about is reuniting himself with his dead wife. We are not supposed to like him. Yet despite this, in his final moments, we see a man who truly regrets his misdeeds, admitting his faults and heavily cloaked shame. Painfully he admits that despite the facade he's worn for so long, he truly does care for his son, Shinji, perhaps because he is the only link he still has to Yui. Confessing that without Yui by his side, all he ever does is hurt Shinji. It's a profound moment and an amazing turnaround. It's somewhat surprising that one character made so detestable is able to be redeemed with just this one final scene.

#2 Master Asia, G Gundam
Why it's on the list: Not the final villain of the series, but definitely the rival of the main character, Domon. Early on in the series it is revealed that the man that taught Domon everything he knew (and continues to teach him) is working on the side of the evil force poised to devour the planet. His mentor, best friend, and second father now on the other side of a conflict, Domon struggles time and again with the notion that his master isn't the man he thought he knew. Domon sincerely wants to hate Master Asia, but cannot accept it. It's is this internal conflict that makes part of the story of G Gundam so gripping.
In one of the best battles seen in an anime, Domon and Master Asia finally square off in the final round of the Gundam Fight, shouting back and fourth at one another, revealing that ultimately they both believe in saving the Earth, but choose to support a different means to do so.
Even with the hints of Master Asia dying spread throughout the series, when he finally succumbs to both his illness and Domon's strength, his death still hits hard. Opening his shirt, he shows that he never once fell victim to the outside influence of DG cells, but rather chose to join the opposing side by his own will revealing that he was not a good soul corrupted, but instead, nothing more than a foolish old man. "Look! The East is burning red!"

(Note: It seems to be a twist of irony that I write this comment in wake of the news of the passing of Osaka Hiroshi, whose credits include the character designs for G Gundam)

#3 Akemi, Saishu Heiki Kanojo (Saikano)
Why it's on the list: I've seen this scene in both the manga and anime versions of this title, and it's difficult to say which one I prefer, both have their merits for different reasons. On one hand, the manga forced me to take a moment to pause and process it when I read it, on the other, even well done onomatopoeia can't complete with hearing the actual sound of Akemi sticking to her bedsheets because of all the blood she's lost. Her final confession to Shuji reveals so much. Many subtle hints are brought together in one of the best bittersweet moments. Shuji can do nothing to comfort his childhood friend as she dies in his arms, all he can do is accept her confession of unrequited love, hold her, and tell her that despite mortal wounds from an earthquake she is beautiful. It is one of the pivotal examples of Shuji's struggle throughout Saikano to try and be the rock of support that so many people view him as, despite ultimately being powerless.

#4 Kamina, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Why it's on the list: It's hard not to like Kamina. He's comic relief, a role model to the main character Simon, holds a fierce sense of honor, persistant, and has some insane levels of dumb luck. When Kamina's death finally comes, it's a hard, fast, gripping end to a character that quickly became a favorite. Yet it's the aftermath of his death that becomes the core for the story later on. His words and the significance of his personality echo throughout the rest of the series. (See #14 in the Insert songs entry for more)

#5 Setsuko, Grave of the Fireflies
Why it's on the list: If you've seen the film, you can probably already guess why this one made the list. As mentioned before, the deaths of characters can often make a story feel more real, and the death of Setsuko, a mere child, through no fault of her own is one of the times that the reality of death really hits home. Seita finds himself unable to go after Setsuko's death, asking the very same question the audience is; "What good comes from war?" Perhaps what makes the ending of the Grave of the Fireflies so much more pointed is that it goes against the rules. Yet breaking the rule that children are usually safe in storytelling, just drives the point home even further.

#6 Four Murasame, Zeta Gundam
Why it's on the list: Losing your soulmate is never an easy thing to go through, but losing them twice, that pain has to be uncanny. That is the case for Kamille in Zeta Gundam. In a story that seems to do nothing but punish him, there are two noticeable breaks. The first comes in the story arch in Hong Kong where Kamille first encounters Four. The two find a kindred spirit in one another, and love more in only a few days than some do in a lifetime. Yet Four's creeping madness and alliance to the Titans create rifts. Yet still Four winds up protecting Kamillie on several occasions. The two finally seem to find someone that makes sense to them in the crazy world they have been plunged into.
The second time Kamille finds Four he is dumbstruck to find her alive, yet troubled that she has trouble remembering him. History seems to repeat itself (and not just for the two young lovers) as their happiness together is again made fleeting and only through Four's desperate actions does Kamille live to see another day. Kamille sought to be the one to rescue Four, to keep her safe and in the end she is the one who protects him, using the Psyco Gundam to block an oncoming blast. With her dying for certain in his arms this time, the cold snows of Kilimanjaro seem of no consequence to Kamille, all he knows now are a heightened bitterness for the world that he has to fight in. In many ways, there is no turning back for Kamille after Four's death, any remaining glimmers of hope for finding happiness were lost in the snow.
This entire section of the Zeta Gundam story was omitted from the movie version of the story. Without a doubt, these events are the ones I missed the most when viewing them.

#7 Tokiha Takumi, Mai-HiME
Why it's on the list: Takumi's death stands out a bit different from many of the other entries on this list because it's not so much the actual death of the character that is the key to it, but rather what is set in motion after it. In the moments following Takumi's death, Natsuki says it best. "She's lost it". Takumi's well being was very much Mai's source of happiness. So many of her choices in life were directly made in order to sacrifice something in order to take care of her brother. To suddenly and abruptly take that away from her unfairly and make all her efforts and sacrifices for naught, it's no wonder that Mai snaps as a result. To make matters worse, Takumi's death is brought upon by the actions of someone she had trusted and cared for as well. Shots of her screaming in furious rage and biting her lip so hard she draws blood, Mai's pain is very real in this scene. What seemed to be a rather gentle happy story suddenly takes a turn.

Gurren Lagann Finale

2007-09-30T21:35:00.001-04:00

I could never watch another anime title ever again, and I think after this, I'd be ok with it.

(Full review coming soon)

Abe leaves the PM office

2007-09-12T13:44:00.000-04:00

In a move that many of us can probably claim to have seen coming from several miles away, Japan's current Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, has announced his plans to resign from office. Copious amounts of scandal in his cabinet, an approval rating that could be described as dismal at best, and let's not forget about Agriculture Minister Matsuoka. It's been far from a successful year for Abe.
I won't try to feign being extremely versed in Japanese politics outside of the activities of the PM's office, but from what I have seen, Abe just has lacked a certain amount of gumption needed for the position.
For a few years now, I've been getting the English version of the weekly e-mail magazine from the PM office, and comparitively, I always felt as if there was a lack of a connection in the topics discussed in Abe's comments when compared to those of his predecessor, Koizumi. Whereas Koizumi tended to discuss matters that seemed closer to the hearts and minds of the populace, Abe's seemed to have much broader strokes, looking at the nation as a solid group, and avoided showing an interest in what different members of the nation were doing in different areas. Still one of the more prominent memories I have of TV advertisements from my semester in Japan was during the September 2005 snap election is of Koizumi coming on and reminding people the importance of going out to vote.
With Abe stepping out, it will be interesting to watch and see who comes in next and what sort of leadership they will bring.

Random Musing(s) #3

2007-08-13T10:21:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I took a trip to Porter Square for a bowl of real ramen from Sapporo Ramen in the Porter Exchange mall. It'd been far too long since I'd set foot in there, and my love and understanding of things Japanese was a still in its infancy. (It's still in early adolescence at best) That being said, it was a nice return and to see how my view had changed since my last visit.

Lunch from Sapporo was definitely a treat, and while visiting the small shop just off Newbury St. is a good place to grab a hearty bowl of real ramen, something about the setting made the visit all the better. Porter Exchange feels like a small piece of Japan transplanted into Cambridge. The biggest little discovery during my last visit had to be after taking a step into the small Japanese grocery store, Kotobukiya Market. I've already mentioned my fondness for Suntory Boss coffee, but there was another reunion that was even greater for me.

Anyone who's spoken to me after my return from my semester in Japan knows that I can speak for ages about a love for curry that was discovered during my time there. Among the many forms that I became fond of the flavor in was the Cup Noodles brand instant ramen. While the brand is somewhat readily available in the states, the curry flavor is one of the varieties I've only seen in Japan. I bought myself a cup of the stuff without a moments hesitation and last Monday's lunch was a piece of heaven sent nostalgia. I might not be sure when my next journey to Japan will be, but at least there's a little something that was always a favorite of mine that takes me back a little while. Olfaction is said to be the sense most strongly tied to memory, and having the scent nearby, I can't help but remember some very good times.

Ikki Tousen

2007-08-13T10:16:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile since I've had time to sit down and write out another review. Between Otakon and other stuff going on in my life, I just hadn't had a good opportunity. The humidity that's been coming around rather often as of late doesn't make for a good writing environment either, regardless of any excuses I might have; the hiatus is over. It's time to do get back to work here.

It's finally time to talk about an anime title that I haven't liked. I decided to give myself one doozy of a title to tackle; the fanservice riddled fighting anime Ikki Tousen. (Literally To put it briefly, it was thirteen episodes of me asking myself "What am I watching and furthermore, why am I watching it?" I've become something of a curmudgeon with anime titles, and if something is completely available (and isn't drastically long) I will do my best to see the series in its entirety. It feels simply weird to leave something unfinished. Perhaps in the cases where I'm not fully enjoying myself, it's a hope to see if things will get better. Ikki Tousen was not a straight instance of hoping for it to get better, but in some bizarre masochistic sense, I wanted to see just how bad things could get.

When one first hears the premise of Ikki Tousen it sounds like it has a great deal of potential. Taking Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the classic Chinese story, and turning it into a modern-day setting fighting anime with rival schools battling for supremacy and lots of fanservice thrown in. Unfortunately like a Wile E. Coyote plan to catch the Roadrunner, it sounds like a relatively good concept, but fails in its actual execution.

Perhaps the hardest part about picking apart Ikki Tousen is deciding where to begin. This was the problem I had. But as a certain teacher in high school told me, the best and only cure for writer’s block is to start writing. Instead of going into detail with each flaw, I am going to just briefly expand on my notes that I took while watching.

-The Setting and Plot are not well formed or believable. The high school setting might work well for many anime, and indeed, a good deal of the target audience for anime titles are middle and high school aged students, but yet the context here does not work. All the fighters are fiercely loyal to their schools (which are supposed to represent different factions from the Three Kingdoms) but we’re never given much of an explanation as to where this loyalty comes from or why it exists. Attempts to be more dramatic are abrupt and far too forced. Characters are never fully explained, and we’re never sure who we should care about, and who’s important as the majority of them move in and out the spotlight and in and out of different roles way too quickly. Even when the man behind the curtain is finally revealed and defeated, instead of punishment that should be due for all the suffering that has been caused, he is quickly forgiven. Wait….what?

-What’s in a name? An early inclination while watching Ikki Tousen was that the character names were strange, that they said “so-and-so did such-and-such in the three kingdoms era” and never said whose soul they were the reincarnation of. Further research led to a discovery that in fact we were being told the names, just straight Japanese versions of the Chinese names, using no imagination. (It should be noted that for those of you not well versed in Japanese language that Chinese characters, are often used in names and other words.)

-Sex sells, but also nauseates, and even bores Who doesn’t enjoy a good amount of fanservice? The problem with Ikki Tousen is that it loses all meaning. I’m a young, single man, comfortable in his heterosexuality, and I still found myself sick of the levels of fanservice in this series. It got boring because it became the norm. True fanservice is something that comes only every so often, and needs to be kept as the exception, not the rule. In fact sex in Ikki Tousen is taken from being something that is risqué, tempting, or even in the cases of rape, horrifying, and made to be something that is tossed around with no meaning in it, leaving it empty.

-On another “note” For a newer series, you’d think we’d get a score that sounds a bit better than old Super Nintendo RPG. (Not that those aren’t priceless in their proper settings)

-Destined for failure For a final thought, one theme in stories that can be extremely effective when done correctly is wrestling with the idea of destiny. Characters decide whether or not it is something that is only fabricated by legend, struggle to accept its inevitably, or find the path that merely says they will reach a certain point at a certain time and how one gets there is his or her own choice. Yet Ikki Tousen tries to hard to convey all these different possibilities for destiny, and in the process convolutes them. The definition of destiny in this context is never decided upon and it changes several times. If a boundary such as rules for destiny exists for one character, they must be the same boundaries for others as well.

That's all I've got, I'm going back to something I like for my next review. This one was rather painful.

Reprint the Final Volumes of Dunbine Petition

2007-07-25T18:17:00.000-04:00

A rather important issue to me. No one should have to pay $100 - $400 dollars for a single DVD. The details can all be found on the petition site. Who knows if it'll work, but it can't hurt to try.

Reprint the Final Volumes of Dunbine Petition

Evangelion Rebuild Trailer

2007-07-17T22:32:00.000-04:00

Now that the trailer is out in a form that isn't just someone with a camera in the theater, I have this to say: Holy high quality Batman!

I'll be most curious to see what the fourth of the three movies will be like as it is reported to be an "all new ending"

Random Musing(s) #2

2007-07-11T23:09:00.000-04:00

Friend: Didn't you say you were going to talk about more than just anime with that blog of yours?
Nigoki: Indeed I did.
Friend: Well then, why haven't you? Maybe you could show something that you miss from being in Japan or something.
Nigoki: Ok

And that is how I arrived to where I am now. Indeed, there are things that after spending my Fall 2005 semester in Saitama, I can say I miss from Japan.

One thing that comes to mind is Vending Machines. - While their presence makes resisting temptation harder (I'm especially glad that I'm not a smoker, nor had any inclination to become while in Japan) they are particularly helpful on those humid days when you need something cool off with. On a walk that was only about 6-8minutes from the train station to my host parents' place, I would pass no less than 3 pairs of drink machines. (This doesn't include the machines on the train platform mind you) I became especially fond of many of the machines that offered cans of coffee. Available in warmed or cooled cans, and more varieties than one would ever think (Seriously it's insane) it makes getting caffeine fix, or just something to warm up/cool down with oh so much easier. The hardest part is resisting the urge at times. Most vending machines take 10 to 500 yen coins(the largest coin). Many of us Americans find it easy to forget the value in the coins with the largest coins we usually carry being a quarter, so only spending a few out of pocket doesn't feel like it's as much. Harder still is most machines take the smallest bill in Japanese currency too. You figure the American $1 bill is disposable. What about 1000 yen? At current rates that's about $8.18
But sometimes, it's worth giving into temptation. As for my favorite variety of canned coffee I'd have to agree with Suntory Boss's motto. It's the boss of them all.

Paranoia Agent

2007-07-04T01:42:00.000-04:00

Wow.

Kon Satoshi's series Paranoia Agent is just as amazing as I hoped. I went in not knowing what to expect, and got exactly that; something that I couldn't have expected. One of the hardest things for me to do has been to get into a new anime title while it's aired on Adult Swim, I'd constantly miss episodes, or come in at mid-story and not be able to catch what's going on or gather who the characters were Paranoia Agent is one of these cases.

The series feels like a lot like a movie in the terms of how the plot moved along. It's clear that Kon is a movie maker first and foremost and that Paranoia Agent evolved out of ideas that could not be fit into films he was creating. The series might have sprouted from discarded ideas, but the work is far from trash.

As I said in my recent review of Kon's Paprika one his talents is blurring the line between the actual reality and the reality that is manifested only in someone's mind. This is very true in Paranoia Agent, in many different ways. There were times where I felt reminded of my when I first saw The Devil's Rejects, and I wasn't sure if I should be laughing hysterically or mortified at the scenes unfolding. The whole experience is a beautifully twisted tale that slowly branches out, seems to move into a disjointed set of stories, only to slowly bring it all back together at the end.

Again, Kon Satoshi knows how to leave an audience confused, bewildered, and totally lost, but at the same time, waiting anxiously to see where things will go.

Rating: 9.5/10

Favorite episodes: (A VERY close tie)
"Happy Family Planning"
"ETC"

Anime Music (Part 2: Opening Themes/sequences)

2007-07-02T15:31:00.001-04:00

For the second part of my series of posts on different types of music in anime, I will be going through some of my favorite opening themes from anime series and films. I will try and give a little bit more background on some of my choices for this list.
Rules for Opening theme definition.
1-If it music from a series, it must be used more than once as the opening music for it to count as an opening them. (ie, titles that do not have title sequences, but jump right into things without using the same music do not have an Opening theme)
2-The theme does not need to have lyrics.

On to the opening themes!

1)
Sailor Moon - "Moonlight Densetsu" (Dali performance)
Why I like it: Sailor Moon is what I consider to be my gateway into anime. I might have seen other titles before then, but stumbling on to Sailor Moon on TV some 12 or so years ago, I became interested. The story had more depth than I expected. While Dic made an English lyrics version of the song for the American release, the theme got me hooked, and when I finally heard the proper Japanese version, it was like hearing it for the first time all over again. This title sequence in particular catches my interest as it mixes the reality and the fantasy, and most importantly, shows one of the things I like most about the Sailor Moon story, the conflict between Usagi's destiny, and her desire to live a normal life.

2)
Captain Herlock The Endless Odyssey: Outside Legend - "The Endless Odyssey"
Why I like it: Another great vision of the Matsumoto Leiji character, Captain Herlock. This intro gives just the right feel for the epic seriousness of the titular character. It commands a respect and shows his motivation, but doesn't neglect his somewhat enigmatic nature as well.

3)
Otaku no Video - "Fight! Otaking!"
Why I like it: It's often said that we laugh the hardest when we laugh at ourselves. Gainax's two episode anime/mockumentary is a great example of this and it's opening theme is just the beginning of the hilarity.

4)
Cowboy Bebop the Movie (Knockin' on Heaven's door) - "Ask DNA"
Why I like it: It's a strangely addicting song, that gets stuck in your head unexpectedly. The sequence itself gives an interesting "passer by" perspective, bringing everything into perspective, that the characters are just a few people in a larger world.

5)
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade - "Jin-Roh Main Theme (opening version)"
[No clip available]

6)
Re: Cutie Honey - "Cutie Honey"
Why I like it: One of the best examples of not forgetting a title's roots has to be in all incarnations of Cutie Honey anime. Every new form gets a new version of the original theme performed by Maekawa Yoko (which can be found here) Kumi Koda's latest version keeps an upbeat feel to the song, and the art style really hearkens back to a the feeling of the original Nagai artwork. Even more so, it's clear that the new opening sequence is meant to be reminiscent of the original, but at the same time, give a fresh feel.

8)
Getter Robo - "Getter Robo"
Why I like it: More Nagai, it's just wonderfully classic.

9)
Gasaraki - "Message # 9"
Why I like it: Gasaraki is a series that has sort of faded and stayed rather obscure, but it's not that bad all in all if you don't mind the sometimes heavy handed cultural feel that comes up from time to time. "Message # 9" is really good choice for the opening theme as it has the right amount of haunting feel to it that matches the tone of the series. One of the more enjoyable aspects is watching the visuals change slightly for each title sequence. (An interestig simultaneous set of 16 can be found here)

10)
Naruto - "Haruka Kanata"
Why I like it: Love it, loathe it, or just not care about it, Naruto has become one of the bigger names in anime. I can't consider myself a fan, but I don't detest alot of what I've seen. One of the reasons this opening is a favorite of mine is because I was introduced to this song (as well as other music by the artist) at least a month before I found it in Anime. Asian Kung Fu Generation makes me think of Karaoke in Ikebukuro after going to see some Sumo bouts first and anime second. That's not to discount the quality of the animation sequence for the song. Just through what is shown, a great amount of detail for relationships between characters of the show gets displayed, and some of the shots are downright amazing to look at. (The spinning around the different trios is one in particular that always stands out to me)

This is just a sample, there's tons of anime titles out there, therefore, a ton of opening themes, however, these are just a few that stand out to me.

[Anime-Source] Black Lagoon Vol. 1

2007-07-02T07:12:00.000-04:00

I was recently offered a staff writing position for Anime-Source.com through a friend who helps run things on the site.

My debut article, a review of the limited edition release of the first volume of Black Lagoon can be found here.

Random Musing(s) # 1

2007-07-01T02:52:00.000-04:00

(These will be the places where I toss in thoughts that aren't really connected to any other pieces, but I feel are worth sharing)

A thought occurred to me today.
The English adaptation of Sailor Moon is what I consider to be my introduction to anime. I know I watched other things when I was younger, but Sailor Moon was the first time that I was watching anime, and realized that there was something more. A different art style, a deeper story. Something hooked me and I wanted to see more.

When it began airing on Boston's WLVI 56 (that's before it was even an affiliate of the WB) as part of its run in syndication, it was the summer of 1995. I was twelve. It's now 2007 and this August will mark twelve years since I started seeing anime being what one could consider a fan. I've been a fan of anime for almost half my life now. That's something deep right there.

It helped me get through the most difficult eight months of my life when my mother was ill with a brain tumor. (Although some credit must also be given to the Barenaked Ladies album, Stunt) It gave me something to hold on to when I was re-learning who I was in the months after she passed away. My love of it helped me make some of the best friends of my life, whether they're ones that have since gone separate paths from me, or hung around for the long haul. Even simpler, it's given me fun interesting conversations with people I've never seen prior or since. It got me interested in a culture that I didn't know much about, and put me on a plane to go immerse myself in it for three and a half months.

I can no longer say that anime is my only reason for my interest in Japanese culture, but for certain, it was my strongest push into things. I'd peered into it before, like a diver just before jumping off a board, I'd glanced into waters and taken a glimpse at what was visible right away, and had a few hints about what might be below the surface. But anime was what pushed me off and helped me take the plunge. And soon, I will be able to say with smile, that I've spent over half my life, watching, reading, learning about, and experiencing a medium that I found value in.

Anime Music (Part 1: Insert Songs)

2007-06-25T14:03:00.000-04:00

I'm once again cheating in my inspiration for content and borrowing an idea from Andew's Cinevistaramascope. (Linked on the right) He compiled a list of 100 pop music moments in films. I wish I'd seen even half of the films on that list.

Everyone has their own tastes in music, and indeed, I am no exception. A good soundtrack will further my enjoyment of something in the film medium (regular film, television, animation) and of course, my love of anime is one of the largest examples of this.

There's alot of music in anime that I like, so I've decided to break this piece up into several sections. To begin with, I'm going with insert songs moments. I decided to add some ground rules to help better define the sources for songs.
1) If the song is used as an opening theme, and at some points gets used in the middle of the show, it does not count as it was an opener first.
2)If it is either the usual ending theme, or an ending theme for the credits in a series finale, it counts as an ending theme, not an insert, but special ending themes in the middle of a title can count.
3)Insert songs must include lyrics. If there are no lyrics, it's part of the score.
4) And classical music, such as "Ode to Joy" which has lyrics, does not count as it is well known and not relatively unique for the series.

THIS IS A SPOILER HEAVY POST. WATCH CLIPS AT YOUR OWN RISK!
These are in no ranking order, but merely what came to mind as I thought about things. I apologize for some poor video/audio quality in these clips, as they were the best/only I could locate.
1)
Cowboy Bebop - "Call me Call me"

2)
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - "God Knows"

3)
Gundam SEED - "Akatsuki no Kuruma"
(Note: I realize this version is the ending to the second of three special edition installments of the series. Rest assured, the orginal episode version was not used for credits, I'm not breaking my own rules)

4)
Gundam SEED Destiny - "Fields of Hope"

5)
Cowboy Bebop - "See You Space Cowboy"

6)
*FLCL - "Blues Drive Monster"

7)
Macross Do You Remember Love - "Do You Remember Love"

8)
Sailor Moon R: The Movie - "Moon Revenge"

9)
Dragonball Z - "Day of Destiny Spirit vs Spirit"

10)
Mai - HiME "It's Only the Fairy Tale"

11)
*FLCL - "Crazy Sunshine" (no decent/full clip available)

12)
Mobile Suit Gundam - "Beginning"

13)
The End of Evangelion - "Komm, Susser Tod" (Note: Subtitles get off track for a little bit)

14)
Gurren Lagann - "Happily Ever After" (SEVERE SPOILER WARNING FOR NEW/CURRENTLY AIRING SERIES)

*FLCL is FULL of insert music, it's part of what makes the series so amazing. These two moments happen to be my personal favorites.

The Vision of Escaflowne (Part 1: The TV Series)

2007-06-22T18:28:00.000-04:00

The last time I'd seen The Vision of Escaflowne, I was still a freshman in college. My only exposure to it before then had been the painful re-cut that Fox had done when they tried to make it a suitable for a Saturday morning cartoon. (With vital plot points removed, and chronology scattered, it's no wonder it got canned rather quickly) Over last weekend, I finished rewatching the TV series as my first step in moving through my list of things to rewatch before the end of 2007.

This time around, I enjoyed the series alot more than I thought I would. What really caught my attention was how rapidly the story moves. Of course part of this is due to the fact that in initial planning stages, the series was going to be 39 episodes, but was altered to 26. Nothing important was kept out of the story by this change, but it would be interesting to see how things were portrayed had the full 39 episode concept had been executed. Yet despite a pace the seldom gives the audience a chance to rest, Escaflowne does not make it impossible to keep up.

Perhaps though what makes Escaflowne truly shine is it mixes two genres that one would not expect to meld easily; mecha and shoujo romance/drama. This gives the series so much more of its appeal to a larger audience. One can enjoy the intense battles of seeing the Guymelefs fighting, and the growing war, but still be drawn in by the love triangles that appear.

The similarities between two characters in particular caught my attention this time around is probably what stood out the most to me. Van and Allen's differences are clearly visible as soon as they are introduced. Allen is the calm, collected, knight who thinks through, and builds a strategy, and woos women left and right with his smooth chivalry, whereas Van is the hot-headed young king who seeks revenge for the destruction of his kingdom and the murder of those important to him, oblivious, ignorant of, and unaccustomed to love (in the romantic sense). Yet despite an initial appearance of being completely different men, they harbor more similarities than one might suspect. They are both fiercely tied to their own sense of honor and justice. Both are struggling with entering adulthood in the absence of their families. The list goes on. It's interesting to see how many fans try to make a choice of who they like better, going for who they see as a better character, missing out on these commonalities.

Still, the weakest part of Escaflowne for me is the story's epilogue. Closure is given, and everything that was brought up is tied together just Hitomi's choice at the end seems to go against expectations, and even her own words and actions.

But despite this one troubling part at the end of the story, The Vision of Escaflowne is an incredibly well made, well paced, and intriguing anime title. The mecha designs of the guymelefs and other devices are a superb mix of medieval and steampunk, the story is anything but boring, the relationships between characters are solid and believeable, and Kanno Yoko's score, along with Sakamoto Maya's vocals on certain pieces add just the right mood. (Dance of the Curse is probably one of the best pieces from any anime score, and is rightfully considered a classic.) If I had to describe the series, succinctly, it would be that The Vision of Escaflowne is one of the best examples of how many elements come together to make an amazing whole in the anime medium, and it is a title that can be enjoyed by many different types of viewers.

Rating 9/10
Favorite Episode: 13 "Red Destiny"

Paprika

2007-06-13T12:03:00.000-04:00

Simply put, Kon Satoshi has a knack for blurring the line between the real world and the world in someone's mind in a way that can only really come out in the anime medium. I first encountered it when I watched Perfect Blue, but that was little preparation for the bombardment I received when I went to go see his latest film, Paprika this past Saturday with a group of friends from the Anime Boston staff.
The plot focuses on a group of neuro researchers who are trying to figure out how and why someone has stolen prototypes of a new invention known as the DC Mini, a device enabling people to participate in the dreams of others. Chiba Atsuko is one of the lead scientists in the group, who dons an alternate persona, Paprika, in the dreams of others, attempting to help others unravel the meanings of their dreams, as well as entering the space where dreams of many people have merged to be brought under the control of a yet unknown villain.
Paprika takes Kon's mystery mixes in some incredibly clever humor, and even a slight amount of romance creating a story that leaves the audience, curious, tantalized, and not wanting to the momentum to display any signs of slowing. From the hypnotic main theme, "Meditational Field", to the quick tongue-in-cheek reminder of who's film we're watching, the background elements of the film fill in any tiny gaps that the immediate portions of the film don't cover with their overwhelming magnitude of what I can only call "wow factors"
While there are most definitely exceptions to the generalization made in by the New York Times' Manohla Dargis, (such as Genndy Tartakovsky) his description of Paprika that is used in the American trailer holds a high amount of truth. Dargis refers to Kon's film as "evidence that Japanese animators are reaching for the moon, while most of their American counterparts remain stuck in the kiddie sandbox" I'd have a hard time disagreeing with him due to the existence of films like Paprika.

High Quality Trailer

"I'm definitely sober because I can tell that I'm drunk!"

The Thinking Blogger Award

2007-06-12T21:40:00.000-04:00

I can't claim to be much of a writer, but I began Nihon Musings to give myself an outlet for anime and other Japan-related thoughts that stir in my mind at a frequency that to some might be considered unhealthy. Yet today Andrew decided to mention my small section of the internet in a post in his contribution of a meme that is going around. That being said, here are the rules of this meme.

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.

I don't follow many blogs at all, but there are a few that I try and read when I can.

1) Cinevistaramascope
Andrew's film comments and thoughts. From short thoughts in "The Trim Bin" to longer essasy with a lot of thought put into them all the way posts that are simply interesting title card from various films, the blog is a great chronicle of film. Seeing Andrew's work here is what got me interested in creating my own blog, so I owe him a lot of inspiration credit. One of the things that truly makes visiting Cinevistaramascope enjoyable is that even if I don't know nearly as much about the films being discussed, I'm not lost while going through the content. Perhaps what makes the blog even more interesting to read is that Andrew enjoys adding his own personal experiences to the contents as well, making it less robotic, and giving a small reminder that it's not a textbook or random article from a periodical, but rather a real person who just likes talking about film. Andrew and his wife Jess recently brought their daughter Luna into this world. I envy Luna a lot, she's going to be raised in a home that will bombard her with amazing films. Being able to grow up immersed is going to be an amazing childhood.

2) Gunota Headlines
Taking its title from the horrible Hong Kong bootleg version of "Gundam", Gunota Headlines is one of the best sources for new Gundam information as it comes out. RGZ and Neo-Era do an impressive job of covering not only Japanese, and American Gundam news, but plenty of other countries too, including stuff from other Asian nations. They welcome others to pass along stories to them as well (Yours truly was credited with informing them about Imagawa Yasuhiro's accepetence as a guest for Anime Boston 2007). I probably would have only learned about the Zeta Gundam films' coming to the Chicago International Film Festival along with Tomino Yoshiyuki as an after thought if not for Gunota. From DVD releases, to new model kits, Gunota's been a great source for just seeing where things are going for an anime title that is quickly approaching its 30th year.

3) BoingBoing
A self proclaimed "Directory of Wonderful things", BoingBoing gets a great amount of just random neat links of fun things to check out online. Sometimes BB will toss out some political thoughts, sometimes it's just "Hey check out this neat sculpture someone made, it's a steampunk computer monitor!"

4) Con Chowder
No, that's not a typo. That's Anime Boston's new (for 2007) blog that posted various updates, and summaries during the convention and following it. I've gotten to know the head contributer and organizer, Rick Healey, through my time at AB, and he's just a fun guy, he takes his fun personality and puts it into the blog entries, not making things too seriously, but yet at the same time, he gets the right details mentioned, and writes things in way that gives you the right feeling for what it's like to be immearesed in an anime convention.

5) Sorry, I don't have a fifth one, so I'm just going to plug Cinevistaramascope again because frankly, it really is the blog I read that gets me thinking the most. This past weekend I went to go see Paprika (more on the film later) and saw copies of El Topo for sale. Right away, my mind went to Andrew's blog. I kicked myself later for not grabbing a copy on my way out. I have yet to experience a time where I've regretted watching something suggested by Andrew. He taught me more about what to look for when I want to declare a film "good" than any film professor at MCLA ever could.

What I need to rewatch before '08

2007-06-08T16:38:00.000-04:00

Aside from this latest set, I haven't been doing these Nihon Musings articles as often as I'd hoped, but to those of you who take the time to read them when I do get the chance to jot down some thoughts, thanks.
With 2007 nearly half over, I've gotten some great viewing in already. (It's amazing how not having homework anymore frees up one's schedule to get more viewing time done) But with the year moving as fast as it has, I've only really had a chance to focus on new additions to the ever growing list of titles I've watched. That being the case, I've decided to make a list of titles that I feel I should set aside some time to review for myself. It's a decent if I do say so myself. I might not get through everything, but I'd like to think I'll get at least 2/3 of the list taken care of before the date rolls over into '08. Let's see what the list looks so far, I would not be surprised if there's more additions made before the year is done.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (including movies)
In 2006 a committed an act of negligence that could only be classified as a sin by in action. Since discovering it in the fall of 1999, I've watched that which I've considered my favorite anime series a minimum of once a year. In 2006, primarily due to just buckling down and getting to work with the remainder of my time at college and readying for the move into real person status, I never got around to watch Eva. While Gainax's latest mecha creation, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, has potential to take Eva's title away (a comment I do not make lightly), Eva has been a favorite for so long and after finishing it, I always feel a sense of refreshment, an affirmation if you will, that it's because of stuff like Eva that I enjoy anime so much.

X (TV series)
Thanks to recent lucky finds the goal of having all of the X DVDs from the first R1 release with their limited edition slip cases is within reach. I think I owe it to myself to affirm that the hunt was worthwhile by watching everything. It's also been a few years since I finished my first time through the series, and I know I'm more than a little rusty on the names, relationships and events.

Fushigi Yuugi
FY was my introduction into the Watase Yuu's amazing stories, it's been over four years since I watched this series, and after remembering how much Watase is able to wow me, I think FY would be good for a reviewing. This past fall I managed to get the entire series thanks to the massive Geneon titles sale by The Right Stuf, but the DVDs still sit in my rack, unwatched. I purchase anime to watch it, not let it simply look pretty on a shelf.

Gundam Wing, Gundam SEED, or Turn A Gundam.
I've recently given Zeta Gundam a great deal of attention, but all three of these titles are good for different reasons, I could stand for a refresher on any one of them. Right now I'm leaning most heavily towards Wing, especially since I see the trailers for it on another set of DVDs on a series on this list…

The Vision of Escaflowne (TV series and movie)
Mecha and shoujo seldom mixed so well. It's another title that I finally filled the missing gaps in my collection of, and once again, I'm a bit rusty. I'm also trying to track down all of Aura Battler Dunbine, which is an older mix of mecha and fantasy. If I can manage it, seeing both close together would create some interesting means for comparison. Escaflowne is the series that has kicked off my work on this list. Already I'm remembering just how quickly the story gets intense.

FLCL
Six episodes of pure awesome. In that short time frame an amazing amount of stuff is packed in. I never regret sitting down and going through this series in an afternoon or evening.

Saikano (Anime and/or Manga)
For even fuller details, see my entry on this title, suffice to say both times I went through this title, (once in anime, once in manga) it just grabbed me. It's a such a potent story and should not just be set aside and forgotten.

Mai - HiME
I've been considering writing a musings piece on this series since I first decided to start writing down the musings. I know I've forgotten a lot, so I want a refresher before I sit down to discuss things. The story is rather solid too. With the final Region 1 volume recently released, I have little excuse to not go forth and remember just how crazy the plot gets. Nothing I like more than a story that really knows how to break its characters.

Wings of Honneamise

2007-06-08T16:04:00.000-04:00

The other night I took some time to sit down and watch Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise, a classic that I'd wanted to get a hold of for some time, and finally did. The works of the anime studio, Gainax, never seem to disappoint me, and this film is no exception.
Wings of Honneamise, creates a fictional Earth that is not too far from our own. The social, political, and technological feel for the setting create an era similar to that of the early twentieth century, near the start of the First World War, the only major difference being the beginnings of a space program, which the central focus of the plot revolves around.
We are introduced to Shirotsugh Lhadatt, a young man who is looking for his calling in life, a reason to make his days feel less than lackluster. Through his own meanderings, he has found himself in the Royal Space Force, a group of men that is closer to being a pack of bored has-beens (or perhaps even never-weres) than the beginnings of a new branch of their nation's military. All seem content with their do-nothing days of obscurity, but with the recent death of a member due to an accident in testing, Shirotsugh finds himself trying to find worth in an existence that has become meaningless.
A chance encounter with a girl, Riquinni Nonderaikom spouting religious guidance to uninterested masses brings Shirotsugh to start thinking about his role in everything around him.
The story of Wings of Honneamise unfolds at a rate that changes time and again throughout the course of the film. Sometimes events move at blinding pace, other moments seem to get drawn out, giving the audience a chance to drink things in a bit more.
The film is an incredible work and as one of Gainax's earliest creations as a studio, it shows that the group working to create it really had a grasp on what makes a good film. It is part of human nature to every so often try and remember what goal is driving us, telling us to move forward, and Honneamise captures this need for motivation in a way that is totally unique. The film's climax and ending close things in just the right manner, and leave the audience reflecting on everything that they watched transpire over the course of those two hours.
It is something of a shame that the Region 1 release of Wings of Honneamise is something that has all but vanished from existence. While the video quality compared to the Region 2 Japanese release is tough to swallow (a comparison can be seen here), the release did have dual language, and even commentary by the creators available as an audio and subtitle track. Personally, I'd like to think that Manga Entertainment realized how great the film was, and went to bring it out as soon as they could, but it was just at the beginning of the boom for Anime in America, so it fell under the radar. While their license of the film has apparently expired, I'd like to hope that another company tries to pick it up and get a more worthwhile Region 1 release. Bandai Visual, the company who is also known as Honeamise, I'm looking at you!

Edit: I guess we're moving in the right direction after all, but I'd still like to see a regular DVD release too. HD and Blu-Ray are nice, but I don't see the average anime fan being close to owning one yet. This could very well be the same problem that hurt the film the first time it got released here, it came too soon.

Gundam Double O...HELL.... YEAH!

2007-06-04T02:35:00.000-04:00

(From Gunota Headlines)
A very short promo appeared after today's episode of TBS/MBS' "Toward The Terra" announcing a new Gundam series. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (Double Oh) is set to air at 6pm on Oct 2007. The official site is up providing a streaming promo.

Known details are:Setting - 2307 AD ("seireki", Japanese for "anno domini")Characters - 4 Gundam Meisters, who pilot the mobile weapons.Factions - Solestal Beings (not real sure on the English name right now), a private militia group whose purpose is to eradicate wars.

...

Rumors about the series have been going around Japanese message boards for some time, especially after Sunrise registered several Gundam00 domains. The proclamation that the setting would neither be in the Universal Century of the original nor the Cosmic Era of Gundam SEED, as stated by Sunrise's Yasuo Miyakawa, seems to have been followed through with. Staff members are yet to be confirmed although the most persistent rumor is that the series will be directed by Fullmetal Alchemist's Seiji Mizushima.

This is of course, awesome news. It's interesting to see the first Gundam series actually set in AD, and not a fictional era. The classic Universal Century, while generally good, has been tapped into alot, and the Cosmic Era timeline seemed to fall apart as Gundam SEED Destiny fell further and further into favoring easy to write old characters instead of building up really good new characters, and just too much fell apart. The further Fukuda is from the Gundam name, the better, it needs time to heal and become the "real" feeling show that was what originally intended.

I regret that I've yet to watch all but two full episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist, but the prospect of Mizushina Seiji has me hopeful. If something like FMA can be as successful as it was under his direction, I will be optimistic about what he can do for the Gundam franchise.

The brief views of new mecha designs seem eye catching enough, and seem to have a hint of the Turn A Gundam's design, which looks neat. It's always neat to see something that looks so little like a Gundam, but is instantly recognizable as one. Perhaps the most notable difference is the absence of two vents in the "mouth" areas of the new designs. It's a subtle change, but adds just the right amount of difference. Perhaps the strangest thing about the new Gundams, is that there are four. I would have expected 1 or 5, as has become the norm over the years. (Aside from G, but that's a special case, and even then the Shuffle Alliance were the 5 "main" Gundams)

Finally, the character designs look good too. The Cosmic Era seemed to lack much difference in faces aside from different skin tones and hair color/style. Everyone seems to look different enough. What's the drawback about all this though? It's another thing Japan related to make me want the Fall to arrive sooner. Here's hoping for another great show.

"Rebirth begins through destruction"

Remembering the Episodic

2007-04-16T13:52:00.000-04:00

It's amazing how when one dives into the depths of serious amounts of anime and manga, how their perceptions of stories change. Many anime titles are contained to around 13, 26, or 50 episodes, with some exceptions. As fans dive deeper, they often can find themselves estranged to the typical western storytelling in television shows, losing interest because the overlaying story is nearly non-existent, or irrelevant. One of the popular reasons to cite for anime and manga's superiority over conventional western film, TV, and comics, is ability of their stories to actually end.
Sometimes there are exceptions, such as Dragonball Z, Inuyasha, Naruto, and Bleach*, where the plot continues at a snail's pace, or even more disheartening, filler material is produced for the anime while the manga work it is based on has a chance to buildup more story material for the anime to work off of. Yet, there are exceptions. Some of the greatest anime titles are ones in which the story has nowhere to go. Takahashi Rumiko's more recent Inuyasha may be at fault for having an overlaying story that takes forever and a day to tell because it is constantly sidetracked, yet her earlier classic, Ranma ½ is almost entirely episodic in its stories, and it does not suffer at all. A romantic sitcom, with stories only lasting a few episodes here and there, the overall plot in Ranma is pretty simple to grasp. So long as one knows the core characters, they can jump into any of the small story arcs and not be lost.
This weekend I took to watching two of the Lupin III movies, Farewell to Nostradamus, and Dead or Alive. Lupin is considered a classic manga and anime title, with over 30 years behind it. Perhaps what makes it so successful is its ability to stay strictly episodic. As long as one knows Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, Fujiko, and Zenigata, the story can be picked up rather quickly. To further bolster the episode-by-episode nature of the exploits of these characters, the relationships between these characters and their personalities are easy to pick up on rather quickly as well.
While it is important to know how to make a story go somewhere, the complaint of stories that go nowhere is sometimes misused. Titles like Ranma ½, Lupin III, and Keroro Gunso are effective because they are virtually independent entities. What's my point? Knowing how to end a story and prevent it from dragging on is extremely important, but at the same time, we must not forget that sometimes all that is needed to tell a story is a single episode.
* Do not get me wrong, I think these shows are with their merits, but their plots do tend to take longer to tell.
Last Tuesday I was able to attend a short seminar, Japanese Anime and the Global Imagination, with both Ian Condry and Susan Napier discussing things. It was a very interesting panel, and I hope to have a write up on this coming soon.

Arcadia of My Youth

2007-03-14T14:56:00.000-04:00

In my experience, one of the indicators of good storytelling is a well done portrayal of true friends. When executed correctly, friendship in stories is creates a feeling of empathy that no other feeling comes close to matching. Perhaps it is this is due to the fact that friendship can bring out both the best and the worst attitudes in us. A true friendship will not only have the good times, but the more irritating ones as well. While they might make us laugh and glad to be where we are with them, they also can irritate us like no one else. There are countless examples in manga and anime, some of my personal favorites include Lupin, Goemon, and Jigen from the Lupin III stories, Spike and Jet from Cowboy Bebop (perhaps one of the best points in the entire series come from their final scene together) and most recently, Eikichi and Ryuji from Shonan Junai Gumi.
It is during the quest to understand and find one's own sense of self that he or she inevitably finds their true friends along the way, admiring in others what is sought for in their own self. At the core of Matsumoto Leiji's classic film Arcadia of My Youth, are these two universal themes, the bonds of friendship, and the search for one's own identity.
The film opens with the distant ancestor of Captain Harlock narrating his memoirs which depicting his attempt to fly past the most dangerous pass on earth in a small plane. Inititally admitting defeat, Phantom F. Harlock decides to attempt the deed, by greatly increasing the risk after dumping his surplus fuel, but also granting him a possibility to greatly increase the reward.
Flash forward to centuries in the future, a battered and defeated battleship, captained by the enigmatic man Harlock returns to Earth, and is forced to submit to the new rule of conquering forces. But this is merely the beginning. Harlock who has seemingly lost all that he once fought for, begins a rebirth, or perhaps his true self emerges. The film moves to show the events that move Harlock from a defeated man, to an identity of true resolve. His resolve is most prominent in his sense of honor, which manifests itself in both fierce loyalty to those he calls friends, and intense wrath anyone who would do him or his friends wrong.
This sense of honor is further brought forward later, when a leader of the power controlling Earth, the Illumidas Empire, seeks to challenge Harlock to a duel, not as members of opposing forces, but as two men. A subordinate of the leader questions this choice, and takes aim at Harlock. Upon seeking agreement from him the leader simply responds to the subordinate, "You're the one who aimed your gun. You finish this" leaving him to take responsibility for his own actions.
If there are things that particularly stand out in Arcadia of My Youth which is already an amazing film on the whole it would be the following two things. After their initial encounter, it is revealed that ancestors of Harlock and Tochiro were friends at the end of World War II, making it seem as if the two were destined to become friends, a concept that works well to show the nature of friendship. Many of us have those friends who not longer after meeting, seem to be simply feel like they were meant to be our friends.
The second would be the Matsumoto's meaning for the use of Skull and Crossbones as a symbol by which Harlock lives. It is not meant to induce fear. Rather it is a symbol of living by one's own ideals, and not simply adhering to the conventional or enforced norm. Harlock is a pirate because he chooses his own path and fights for what he feels to be just and worth contesting.

Overall Rating: 10/10

"At the end of their lives, all men look back and think that their youth was arcadia."
-Goethe

Ayashi no Ceres [Anime]

2007-03-12T16:07:00.000-04:00

Watase Yuu's greatest talent in her method of storytelling is knowing how to make the proverbial shit hit the fan for her characters. Yet, the twists and turns are done in such a way that it's not simply sending the plot into melodrama, or such that we come to expect everything to go bad. The stories keep moving along.
My first exposure to Watase's work was Fusghigi Yugi, almost four full years ago. I found myself enthralled with the fantasy of the story and attached to the characters in the plot pretty quickly. I think my record was 10 straight episodes of the series in one day. Since then however, I'd only heard the names of a few of Watase's works, never actually watching them. I am glad to say that recently I fixed this error.
Thanks to a loan from a fellow Anime Boston staff member, this past week I went through Ayashi no Ceres, [Ceres, Celestial Legend]. Not long after starting the series, one question came to mind, "Why didn't anyone who knows this series insist I watch this?" Watase's mix of lighthearted comedy, shoujo romance, and intense action make Ceres a story that grabs a hold of you quickly, and doesn't let go until the very end.
The story starts off in what just seems to be some typical days of in the lives of a brother and sister pair of twins, Aya and Aki Mikage, as they reach their sixteenth birthday. Aya and Aki seem to be just normal kids, living a happy existence. All that comes to a screeching halt as Aya seems to miraculously escape a near-death experience and the pair is instructed to come to their grandfather's mansion on the day of their birthday. Things go from strange to downright mysterious as the two note all the adult relatives in their extended family are also gathering at the house as well.
Before they understand what is happening, mysterious powers awaken in Aya, and the family moves to protect Aki, and shuns Aya, even going as far to try and kill her; and that's just the beginning of the intense plot of Ceres. Past lives, searches for love, amazingly intense action, and all sorts of events continue to move the plot of the Ceres along. Little can be taken for granted in this twenty-four episode anime. All that can be expected are incredible twists and turns that showcase Watase's ability to really make her characters ordeals both vividly imaginative as well as believable. If one thing in the entire story of Ayashi no Ceres that shows Watase's storytelling talent better than her amazing twists and turns; it's her ability to bring all these twists back around at the end, giving her story proper closure.

"When the sixteen stars and moons come around, you will know where your fate would lead you. When I foresee are blood, anger, and tragedy..."

G Gundam

2007-02-04T01:40:00.000-05:00

When I first learned the concept of G Gundam I was skeptical to say the least. Yet since I first learned of it, my interest grew, thanks in no small part to the wonders of the internet's ability to spread knowledge like wildfire and giving a means for people to shout out opinions. I was swayed enough to give G a chance. Finally, I got around to watching the whole series and not only had my expectations met, they were exceeded.

There are many scenes within G Gundam that have so much emotion behind them. Following the story from start to finish, the characters are very easy to get attached to. (And if you don't think Wong is an asshole by the end of things, something is seriously wrong with you) I don't want to spoil things, but the episodes that deal with the Battle Royale at the end of the tournament are particularly moving.

While I must admit, G is not without some flaws. Aside from main characters and a few others, Okawara Kunio's mechanical designs are basically playing cultural dress-up with the same basic Gundam design. Perhaps the worst sin against G is its English language release. In a time where I personally thought drastically altering names/context was nearing a true decline in America, the incredibly high amount of changes made was a tough pill to swallow. Bandai's only saving grace is that the subtitles for the Japanese audio on the region one DVDs are made to follow the Japanese names. I try and avoid telling people to whether or not to choose English dub or Japanese subtitle tracks as it is a matter of preference, however, because of all the name changes, I cannot help but want to tell more people to watch G subtitled.

G certainly has some glaring shortcomings, and avenues that make it different from so many other Gundam titles, that's all it is; different. I think people are too prone to overlooking the fact that G Gundam is the first time an alternate universe storyline had been made for Gundam. What made me like G was the very thing that makes many others detest its very existence, the fact that it is very different from what people have grown to define as "Gundam". Without a doubt, the genre shift from more of a war story into a fighting tale is tough to accept. Yet the shift is not so great that one should declassify G as a Gundam title. At its core, the story comes down to what every Gundam story does well, demonstarting that it's not the machines, but the people inside them that are the most important thing. G Gundam doesn't forget its roots, (as can be seen by many split-second cameos of Gundams from other more "classic" Gundam titles, and even one from the then yet-to-be-released Gundam Wing), it simply moves away from what was the norm until then. A prodigal son of Gundam.

Rating (8.5/10)

"This hand of mine is burning red! Its loud roar tells me to grasp victory!"

Linda Linda Linda

2007-01-14T04:50:00.000-05:00

As I decided when I began this blog, I'd try to write about more than simply anime and manga. That being the case, I now have a new film that I just came back from seeing not too long ago. One of the stops on the very limited run of the film Linda Linda Linda is the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Sq. On a whim I learned about the screening, but very quickly did my homework by reading the synopsis on the Brattle's homepage, as well as the English site for the film. Within a matter of moments I resigned myself to taking a trip down the Red Line to go see it. I was not disappointed at all.

Linda Linda Linda opens up with a shot of a random Japanese school girl filming a small documentary about the high school festival. She declares that these students will never grow up, and they will never forget themselves at this time. It's an opening that puts the rest of the film into perspective. For those of us who have lived through high school and moved past it, we already know how easily so much of it is left behind us, we want to tell the girl the harsh truth, but at the same time, know that we will either not believed, or will only crush spirits.

The film follows four high school girls who want to play a few songs in the rock festival portion of their high school's annual festival. With the loss of two members, Kyoko, Kei, and Nozomi are forced to re-organize their plans for performance and end up asking a Korean exchange student, Son, to join them as their vocalist. Hilarity ensues as the four attempt to learn to perform three songs by the group, The Blue Hearts, a group sometimes referred to as "the Japanese Ramones". (One of the best tongue-in-cheek moments of the film is a quick shot of the Ramones themselves.) Among the songs chosen is the song "Linda Linda" from which the film gets its name. Take it from me, it's a song that gets stuck in your head very easily, but you're quite glad it's there.

Some of the most amusing moments come from Son's interaction with people as she struggles to communicate. As a person who's spent time in Japan with little Japanese language ability, these scenes are particularly amusing. Son's dealing with one boy, Macky, as he struggles to profess love for her in Korean as she tries to politely decline in Japanese is one of best scenes of the film. The awkwardness of the spontaneous and somewhat inappropriate situation is made even more comical by the language barriers.

For only three days of plot, the story of Linda Linda Linda unfolds incredibly well. The pace is neither rushed, not stagnant. In some way, the declaration that these students will never grow up is true. The life ahead of them barely matters (if at all) , what is important is the right-now and the festival.

I cannot help but amused to some extent by this film in a different way. The 12th episode of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya heavily parodies, the plot from Linda Linda Linda. Seeing the source now, I have a greater appreciation for both. I need to sit down and re-watch the episode now.
For those of you in the Boston area, do yourself a favor. If you can fit it into your schedule; sometime between now and its last show at the Brattle on Jan. 18th, go see Linda Linda Linda and give yourself a good laugh.

Saikano

2007-01-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

In my anime fandom, I try and avoid the absolute of labeling a title as one that everyone should see. (The one exception to this rule is probably Grave of the Fireflies, which posses the most uncanny type of story in that it grabs people in a way that no other movie/series I've seen prior or since can even remotely attempt to emulate.) While I work to avoid the absolute, I do have a list that I will highly recommend to others that have caught me in a very strong way. Yet it's sometimes tough to see a title that one so strongly enjoyed, get a less than impressed reaction from someone else. There is perhaps no better example of this in my experience of watching anime over the years than Saikano.

Having known of the existence of the anime since the summer of 2003, I hadn't watched a single episode, or read a single page of the manga until a spring 2006, when I finally borrowed the anime from someone. Very quickly I found out why so many people used Saikano as their trump card for sad titles. Yet the sadness never became a chore, the lives of Chise and Shuji, as well as the others that fill in the events of Saikano's story draw us closer. We want to know what happens next, we want to know how things will turn out. And even as the world is ending, we want to think of some last glimmer of hope to shine through.

Yet even if it is not glorious, radiant hope shining down, but pure unadulterated despair that comes through, Takahashi Shin makes a story that grabs us. Without trying to spoil too much, the final scene with Akemi is one of the most bittersweet I've ever seen in an anime title. It's still funny to think that something this potent started off as a dating sim.

After finishing the Saikano anime, I found myself seeking out the first volume of manga as soon as I had the cash to spare. Come Anime Boston 2006 in May, I was grabbing three volumes to keep going. The following weekend I was rushing to the mall to grab the final volumes. I consider myself relatively well exposed to a lot of different anime and manga titles, but I still remember reading Akemi's final scene in the manga, and for the first time I can remember, I had to stop reading a volume of manga, sit back, and simply say "whoa".

It is practically a cliché to declare "Oh, the manga was so much better than the anime" yet Saikano falls into this category well. Perhaps what makes things so well is Takahashi's knowledge of how to use text. There are pages vacant of any words, leaving us with nothing but a landscape or an intimate scene to take in, as well as pages that are covered with almost nothing but conversation and narration. Takahashi balances these two extremes so well, and each has its proper moment.

Saikano's tag line is "The Last Love Song on This Little Planet". Its fantastic plot make take the audience or reader away from a normal realm by adding an unusual Sci-fi element, and its core, the story is a love story about two people, barely out of their childhood, finding and understanding what true love is, even as the world around them is slowly falling to pieces.

As I said when I began this entry that I cannot say Saikano is something that everyone should read or watch. That being said, it does get my highest suggestion. The manga gets top billing, followed by the anime. (But shy away from the live action movie)

Top Ten Happy Anime

2006-11-13T05:40:00.000-05:00

And of course, to even things out, here's my top ten Happy Anime Titles
1) My Neighbor Totoro
2) FLCL
3) Excel Saga
4) The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
5) Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
6) Lupin III
7) Ranma 1/2
8) Cromartie High School
9) Keroro Gunsou
10) Azumanga Daioh

Top Ten Sad Anime

2006-11-13T05:07:00.000-05:00

Once again following a good idea from Andrew's Cinevistramascope, and listing a top ten, this time for sad Anime titles. Some familiar tiles from my overall top ten of course make an appearence or two here too. Expect a happy list sometime soon. (I hope)

1) Grave of the Fireflies
2) Saikano*
3) Rurouni Kenshin: Reminiscence
4) Neon Genesis Evangelion
5) Zeta Gundam
6) Jin-Roh
7) Trigun
8) X
9) My HiME
10) Mobile Suit Gundam 0080, War in the Pocket

*The Manga of Saikano is even more moving than the anime. It gets high points in my book as the first Manga story I read that brought me to the brink of tears.

Believing in the Sign of Zeta...

2006-10-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

For those of you who didn't know, over Columbus Day weekend, I took advantage of a large buildup of frequent flyer miles I had amassed with Northwest Airlines via my travels to and from China and Japan in 2005 and went to Chicago. (It's still weird to think of both of those not only in the past tense, but a whole separate year now, Japan especially). The primary purpose of this trip, aside from a weekend away, was to attend the first Anime Focus portion of the Chicago International Film Festival. As a special treat, the event would be the American premiere of the Zeta Gundam movie trilogy. But even more of a treat was who came stateside along with the movies, none other than the creator of Gundam himself, Tomino Yoshiyuki*.

Before each film, Tomino gave a little bit of input about his feelings regarding each film and the project of converting the twenty year old 50 episode television series into a set of three films at large, re-envisioning some parts of the story, updating others, and mixing old and new animation. Following the completion of the third film, Tomino fielded questions from the audience (including one from yours truly) and received a lifetime achievement award by the organizers of the festival.
As for the films, all three are a worthwhile expierence, especially for fans of the original series, the second film, Lovers, holds a particularly fond place in my heart as it which of the three I got to see while in Japan myself. But what of the movies themselves? How do they hold up compared to the Zeta Gundam that so many know? Truth be told, the movies are far from flawless. The difference between old and new footage is one of the most glaring aspect of the film experience that detracts from everything else, often times sticking out like a sore thumb, especially when the newer animation looks incredibly good.

[SPOILER WARNING FOR THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH]

As far as the story goes; personally, I am torn. Omitted aspects of the story sometimes are tough to call. While the new animation of Ben Wooder's actions in the final moments of the Sudori, definitely does a great job of making me loathe the man even more, it also adds quicker finality to the story of quite possibly my favorite of the entire Zeta Gundam story, Four Murasame. Omissions of the events like the battle of Kilimanjaro, and Char's speech at Dakar, create an air that makes the audience question how well Tomino is in touch with his original story. Things recover a bit better by the third film Love is the Pulse of the Stars, but the ending throws several curveballs, most glaringly, the alteration that gives Kamille a much happier ending, and makes the foundation for Gundam ZZ, a little shaky. Yet personally, while the films are a mixed bag, they cannot be viewed as completely bad. What is difficult for the minds of fans to wrap around is that the changes made a very different story, but not necessarily a worthless one.

[END SPOILERS]

In short, the movies are worthwhile, just to see the classic, and in the minds of many Gundam fans, best, series revived and given a new perspective on matters. In the end it is ultimately up to the individual fan to take what he or she wants from the films and weigh it accordingly. Tomino himself is an interesting fellow to view, perhaps not realizing the impact he has stateside, but also having difficulty understanding the sometimes very different mindset of American fans. While it made me sigh a little bit to hear foolish questions being asked of someone who is a rarity to talk to; I think nearly all in the Thorne Auditorium that Saturday were entirely grateful. It is wonderful to know that a standing ovation is transcends the barrier of language.

A final kudos goes to the Chicago International Film Festival for putting on a well organized event, for making an enjoyable expierence. I hope they continue their anime focus event and find ways to continue to make the event successful. I most certainly will be keeping my eyes peeled for what they plan on for next year.

Until next time, Sieg Zeon!

*I am in the habit of using the Japanese way of saying names, with the family name first followed by the given name.

Akira

2006-09-11T04:34:00.000-04:00

So this has been past due for awhile now, but I figured it was time to start working on my thoughts on some oh my thoughts on something from Japan. Continuing on the trend of the dominating theme of this blog, I'd like to talk a little bit about a small film many of you might know as Akira. Otomo's manga adapted into an anime feature length film is breathtaking in every sense of the word. From a score that is anything but predictible for cinema, to breathtaking scenery, and high passed action, mystery, and drama. However, what bothers me about Akira is the fact that it seems too many people know this film as a film that really helped anime become popular among America/Western audiences, but so few of the audience memebers seem to grasp on to anything that makes them understand why this film is amazing. All that is known is that it is far from their norm and has a large following, but that is it. (Ghost in the Shell seems to share a similar fate). I will not feign that even I truly get everything that makes Akira the film that it is, but it definitely warrants multiple viewings, to catch what one doesn't catch the first time.

For me, what caught my eye the most recent time I sat down and watched the film was Otomo's motiff of close calls. The near misses in the lives of Kaneda and Tetsuo, among other characters, are countless. Survival in Neo-Tokyo seems to be taken for granted despite clear evidence of death visible all around. Those we see tempt the reaper time and again. Kaneda and Tetsuo start off on the same path of survival, but ultimately end up splitting different ways, with Kaneda learning the value of his own life and seeking to protect it more, and Tetsuo finding an imagined invincibility that is ultimately his undoing. Yet despite these things, and constant reminders of how fragile life is, counteracting these events are reminders of despite the grim displays of insignifigance, there are reminders all around of how much impact one life can have.

"It has already begun..."

The Beginning

2006-08-21T22:40:00.000-04:00

Over the summer, I tossed around the idea of creating an "Anime Musings" sort of blog, primarily to discuss some of the different anime titles I've watched. This will be a place for me to jot down thoughts on not just anime, but manga, and Japanese pop culture in general. To get the ball rolling, I'm going to re-post my current top-ten Anime list.

As with any top ten list of this kind, this is clearly objective, and based solely on what I've seen. Feel free to comment with your own lists or about any of the choices. Once again, I must give a nod to Andrew's Cinevistaramascope for inspiring me to do my own writing on the media I enjoy so much.

-Top Ten Anime-(As factored through emotional, visual, auditory and expierences as well as story weight)

1) FLCL
In short, FLCL is a feast for the eyes, ears and imagination. While moving along, the audience is brought into something that might as well be a non-stop music video, with its powerful soundtrack. It is the perfect vision of adolesence. It doesn't take the route of an overzealous nostalgia for those days, or that of "It was the worst part of my life", purely writing it off. It finds away to create the right feeling of empathy for those who know what it is to go through this all-too-bizarre time of growing up. Naota's lackluster assesment of the world around him, his quest for an adult to look up to, and search for understanding love, encapsulate all-too well the level of twisted outlook that comes out at this time in life. (Favorite episode: Full Swing)

2)Grave of The Fireflies
Visually well drawn with a story that rips your heart out and stomps on it, and leaves you stunned. The best anecdote I can think of is when this was shown in the MCLA Anime Club. Normally as we finish a viewing, there's lots of talking immedeatly following the start of the credits. Not so in the case of Fireflies. The credits began rolling and all that could be heard aside from the score, was me walking across the room to get the lights. It will take me a long time to forget the sight I saw as I panned the room after turning on the lights, a sea of faces that all said one word; "Wow".

3)Neon Genesis Evangelion*
I'm sure more than a few of you are surprised that Eva isn't the top of my list. Indeed, it was a tough call to let two others oust Eva out of number one. While it is my favorite series hands down, there were a few minor factors that kept it from holding the top. To put it frankly, Evangelion is loaded. Anno created something amazing when he created Eva. Every time I re-watch it, I find myself enthralled and telling myself "This is an awesome work of art." I cannot say enough good things about it. If Eva commits any crimes, it's that it takes a bit of work to wrap around everything. Yet even now 10 years since its creation, the story still holds an amazing weight. It has become the new standard, and broken ground in countless areas. It has endured, and I'm sure will continue to hold the high place it rightfully deserves among the legends and standards of what makes an amazing piece of anime.

4)Akira
The post-apocolyptic never looked so amazing. Otomo's film, which is only a fraction of the manga it is based off of, stuns audiences with visuals that draw us in, making us feel like we're beneath the tower skyscrapers of Neo-Tokyo, and entices imagination to new levels. Kaneda and Tetsuo's story of trying to find a way to understand the world around them is further accented by elements that when all brought together create the barbaric shout that proves, animation can be more than just children's entertainment, it can be film. Maintaining full 24 frames per second in the film is just one of the ways that Otomo made something that furthers this truth. This year at Anime Boston, I had the privlage to be a member of the audience in the main video screening room when they tested the sound setup. Akira's opening motorcycle chase was the film of choice, and with its sound effects and score that mixes technological with primal chants and old instruments, my breath was taken away. Once I have the ability to buy myself a true home theatre with an adequete sound system, you can bet Akira will be my film of choice to test things out.

5) Ghost in The Shell
The first of two fims directed by Oshii Mamoru on this list. While perhaps suffering an American fate similar to Akira, where so many people have seen it and know its good, but don't know why other than "Well it was very successful in Japan...", Ghost in the Shell is something profound. Oshii knew exactly what to do with Shirow Masamune's story, and captured the themes perfectly. Kawai Kenji's score adds an element of mystery. Above all it is the story that lays a foundation for the rest of the work.

6)Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Oshii film no.2 on the list. Another amazing mystery film too. Mizoguchi Hajime's score is one part that draws me to this film, but beyond that, twists and turns keep the audience guessing and intrigued. It's a film that stands so well on its own. Oshii switches between reality and surreal so well,the switches sneak up, and come out with flawless timing. It's nothing short of a tour de force.

7)Zeta Gundam**
While not the original series, Zeta takes what was done right in Mobile Suit Gundam, and rolls with it. Taking characters from the previous seriers, and inserting them, but not using them in favor of the new ones. The story shows all too well that time may heal alln wounds, but all too often it is forgotten how much time is needed. Kamille fits so many roles, the reluctant hero, the rebellious/confused youth, and even the deeply caring friend or lover. His choices and actions are very believable and feel very genuine. The audience can understand his anger toward Jerid, his sudden love for Four that cause him to think with a less than sturdy head, his wrath upon those who have hurt the people he's become so attached to. It is little wonder that by the end of the series Kamille is just mentally worn out. Tomino's story has some interesting weight. While 12 people are killed within the last 5 episodes of the series, the deaths (as well as the others earlier in the series) do not feel meaningless, we are genuinely brought to care about the characters. Whether or we like them or hate them, we have a sincere interest in what happens to them. (Favorite Episode: Forever Four)

8)Cowboy Bebop
I still feel somewhat ashamed for not grasping just how awesome Cowboy Bebop is the first time I saw it. It wasn't until my second time through that I truly caught how well so many elements came together to make this show an incredible piece. Weaving back and forth so well between episodic pieces and an overall story, Bebop holds true as an anime that knows its roots, but at the same time builds itself into something all brand new. The music Kanno and The Seat Belts made for the series keep up with the show's title and episode title, making some amazing moments. Even still, there are some equally incredible moments that lack any music. Possibly the greatest moment would be a mixture of the unaccomanpanied, almost awkwardly quiet that quickly switches to a part where a soundtrack is the driving energy for the scene. The second half of the final episode, where we get some amazing moments of quiet conversation between Spike and Jet and Spike and Faye just grab us and don't let go, to the rapid switch to Spike's finale with "See You Space Cowboy" drawing us further in to an emoitionally packed climax. (Favorite Episode: The Real Folk Blues Part II)

9)The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Tacking another title on to the list of series that I've completed, earlier this summer I finished the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. If there was worry that the well is starting to run dry for really groundbreaking stuff in anime, Haruhi proves that fear to be unfounded. Visually, the series is amazing, it's obvious that Kyoto Animation did quite a great deal of work. Its 14 episodes are chronoligcally scattered, (the 1st to air falls in 11th place, the 14th episode to air is the 6th in terms of when it happens in the overall story), which while taking a bit to get adjusted to, forms something much bigger by the time we reach the finale. Yet what pushes Haruhi into an even higher tier, is that while it is confusing on purpose; it's not frustrating to follow. To phrase it better, it's confusing for the sake of making the story interesting, whereas other titles (including some of my own personal favorites) sometimes come off as being confusing simply for the sake of confounding an audience. (Anyone who tells you they understood The End of Evangelion after their first time seeing it is a liar.)
(Favorite episode: undecided)

10)Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
My first though upon seeing this film was "Wow, Princess Mononoke seems like a bit of a cop-out now". While Miyazaki makes some amazing pieces of work, nothing I've seen seems to compare to Nausicaä. No one character is without flaw, or beyond some degree of redemption. I can only dream of what this film would be like on the big screen, the amazing shots such as the stampedes of Ohms are breathtaking enough on a small screen. The film has aged well visually, and its story is virtually timeless.

*includes The End of Evangelion
**TV series
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Turn A Gundam,My Neighbor Totoro, Rurouni Kenshin: Memories, and Mobile Suit Gundam