Japan, Ink: Inside the Manga Industrial Complex

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.