(Details coming soon!)
© 2015
DYKA: Planetes
Leave a comment
New Project: WCAA Podcast
As lackluster as it may be, I personally found the name of my blog-turned-website too fun to let it go unused in some other capacity. To this end I have started a pet project that’s been on the back-burner for what seems like an eternity: an off-the-cuff, opinionated discussion of various anime titles along with my good friends.
The podcast itself, as with its tie-in to the blog, is very much a work-in-progress, so my apologies for the spontaneous nature of any future progress.
Special thanks to Paden and River for their time. I hope to have them on additional episodes.
As with DYKA, I hope to use this platform to make updates known, but I recommend subscribing to the YouTube channel for best results.
Thanks for reading, watching, and now, listening!
– J. G. Lobo
© 2014 (text and voices)
Ai Tenchi Muyo!
Foreword:
As yet another excuse for lack of output on the blog (my apologies), I also felt the need to preface this particular review with a few words, as I have had a special connection to the subject matter before its release and during its run. My colleagues and I at Tenchiforum.com have vigilantly kept our fingers on the pulse of Ai Tenchi Muyo! since before it was first officially announced. All throughout its three months of airing we have kept the English-speaking world in the know via podcasts, public appearances, and most notably translation of the source material.
Though I have provided commentary and support along the way, in reality all credit for English subtitles of the series goes to my friends and fellow film junkies known by their usernames Crazed, Dagon123, Nil Admirari, and TITANOFCHAOS. Suffice it to say, unless you’ve been there yourself, between translations, timecodes, cultural insights and a myriad of other miscellaneous minutiae, you can scarcely imagine how much work goes into such an undertaking. Thank you gentlemen for your dedicated efforts.
– J. G. Lobo
If ever there were modern-day testament to my former professor’s adage of a particular work being “art masquerading as popular culture,” in the anime world it would surely be Ai Tenchi Muyo! (2014). The latest installment in the multifaceted Tenchi Muyo! franchise, Ai essentially resurrects what would otherwise be a dying (albeit classic and fondly remembered) series for a new generation while catering to old-school fans.
Directed by veteran auteur Hiroshi Negishi—who has been intimately involved with previous incarnations such as the television adaptation Tenchi Universe (1995) and the feature-length films Tenchi Muyo! In Love (1996) and Tenchi Muyo! In Love 2: Haruka naru omoi (1999)—the fifty episode miniseries goes above and beyond its pragmatic function of promoting tourism for its native Takahashi and Okayama Prefecture (the real-life backdrop of the original OVA). It also accomplishes more than merely revitalizing a nineties staple for the current anime climate. Though encased in a veneer of conventional tropes and modern aesthetics, Ai is truer to its source material than any animated version since 1999. The original cast returns nearly in its entirety, and blends well with up-and-coming voice talent as venerable characters and new faces alike eloquently cohabit the screen. The show’s writing is remarkably keen and efficient, making full use of each episode’s four-minute storytelling window. Despite its unorthodox format, large ensemble of new characters, and its inherited, tarnished reputation brought on by its predecessors—the commercially ill-fated Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002) and the financial debacle that was the third installment of Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (2003-2005)—Ai Tenchi Muyo! has brought its forbearer back from the brink. It has renewed interest among viewers and proven that Tenchi Muyo! has marketability potential over twenty years since its heyday.
Available on Blu-ray shortly after the televised airing of its final episode, it will be interesting to find out not only how much remaining interest for Tenchi Muyo! as a whole resides in its home nation, but also abroad internationally, particularly in the West (as is the norm nowadays, it has already been subtitled by fans). As patrons speculatively await additional content (follow-up television series, manga, or even another movie), it would seem Ai Tenchi Muyo! continues the tradition of blissful irony insofar as its desirability parallels the time-honored juxtaposition of the series’ title (commonly translated as No Need for Tenchi!) and its subject matter of an irresistible, plot device of a protagonist.
© 2014
Notable Updates
Though this goes against my previous statement somewhat, in order to keep myself better organized I am going to attempt more of a definitive transition from this URL to my own domain (which again can be found here). As previously stated I will continue to attempt updating this “wordpress.com” address periodically, however these occurrences will likely be only once a month (at best) as I will, by default, concentrate first and foremost on the new site.
On that note, it seems I forgot to re-post several Did You Know Anime? updates, so if interested please check out “whocaresaboutanime.com.” (The categories should be self-explanatory.) Since my announcement post on the matter we’ve had a number of additional videos added to the repertoire, including episodes on the classic Space Battleship Yamato, the sci-fi/rom-com Tenchi Muyo! and the Shōnen staple Yu Yu Hakusho. We are many-times-over indebted to our voice-over talent.
Finally, partially in celebration of my humble blog’s one-year anniversary and, admittedly, due to the fact that my other commitments still as of yet inhibit me from creating lengthy, original analyses or Theory-related postulations, I will be re-uploading my previous posts to the new domain for posterity (plus, it could use some decorating, couldn’t it?). Let the re-posting begin!
Stay tuned for re-posts, updates, new material, site overhaul and continued DYKA installments in the future!
© 2014
DYKA: Hetalia!
Once again, I am gladly obliged to talented people for bringing one of my writing samples to life. The latest episode of Did You Know Anime? spotlights the whimsical, history-spewing and stereotype-skewering work known as Hetalia: Axis Powers.
Writing this script in particular was challenging, in that anyone familiar with Hetalia can tell you the animated series itself is already chock-full of general historical trivia related to its characters (anthropomorphized versions of the nations of the world) and its WWII setting. In addition to one-off facts and common knowledge, I also made some of my own well-grounded postulations (corroborated by academic peers) such as the series’ subtle commentary on China’s one-child policy via the catalyst of the character China and the fan-fueled ambiguity surrounding his gender.
Special thanks to narrator Aevynne and once again to editor and friend Michael. Now sit back and enjoy your work!
Thanks for watching!
Click here to check out our narrator’s YouTube channel!
© 2014 (text)
“New” Site!
Due to a number of people taking interest in the content of this blog, and bearing future possibilities in mind, I have taken the first small steps of many towards expanding the online presence of “Who Cares About Anime” by obtaining this web address.
For past subscribers, I plan on continuing to update the “wordpress.com” domain alongside the “.com” website for the foreseeable future to make any potential transitions (or lack thereof, as the case may be) as seamless as possible.
As always, thanks for reading!
– J. G. Lobo
Full site (New address.)
Old site (You are here!)
© 2014
Core Glossary
For those unfamiliar with some of the ‘isms’ and general vernacular associated with an anime-related lifestyle (or those who may simply need reminding) I present a handy reference guide to aid in the consumption of this blog.
_________________________
Anime:
Simply put, “anime” refers to animation from (i.e. produced in) Japan. I don’t care if it’s an OVA (original video animation), feature-length film, or a children’s cartoon (yes, though neither always synonymous for, or exclusive to, what our culture would refer to as “cartoons” anime by definition encapsulates such forms of entertainment programming)–if it’s produced by Japan and it’s not live action (aside from a few exceptions) it’s anime.
Manga:
Illustrated, narrative-driven works that incorporate artistic innotavtion while adhering to well-established forms based on longstanding traditions. Though a unique edifice of Japanese culture not interchangeable with Western comics, for the purposes of correspondence and understanding one could make the case of categorizing manga as an Eastern, pre-existing analogue to Western comics and graphic novels. Note: many television series in Japan are based on popular manga serializations.
Otaku:
Used to refer to an individual or a group of people who actively engage in the consumption of anime and anime-related materials; in Japan it tends to have a negative or shameful connotation more so than in the West.
OVA:
An original video animation–interchangeable with the term OAV (original animated video)–in a Japanese context specifically has anime-related connotations. The exact definition is broad, and may vary depending on context; for example, original video animation often means just that: the anime began as an original idea pitched to a production company on its own merit as opposed to the far more common approach of adapting a prior work (almost always in the form of a manga). It can also refer to standalone or tie-in compliments to a series or franchise at large for the purposes of teasing audiences of the continuation of a series, or for ‘testing the waters’ before budgeting the production of new content. Other distinguishing traits include more flexible running time for episodes and greater budgets for production.
Weeaboo:
A derogatory slang term arising from the ether of the internet to describe Western patrons of anime who are enthralled with a perception of the Japanese lifestyle to the point of preferring it over their own native culture.
_________________________
Obviously this list is not all-inclusive. Time allowing, I plan to update this post in the future as needed. Questions, comments or suggested (ahem, possible) corrections are welcome!
© 2014
New Project Revealed: Did You Know?
Though initially I had planned on keeping this a bit more under wraps (at least for a bit), the fact that May has crept up on me and taken me completely unawares has brought me to a realization that in the future I may find myself, as I have this past month, unable to update the blog as often as I would like (due to work and other commitments). I also feel that an appropriate explanation is in order for my lapse in punctuality.
And so, breaking up the usual format is my first video post (of how many I couldn’t begin to guess). I have been offered the privilege of lending my writing and video editing abilities along with some of my general cinematic knowledge to an entertainment endeavor dubbed “Did You Know Anime?”.
Utilizing familiar themes to frame various series and their accompanying characters in a less-familiar light, the YouTube Channel description puts it best by describing itself as a “general trivia show on all things anime” and offers fun insights into both popular and lesser-known works while giving users opportunity to contribute and receive recognition.
Fans of “abridged parodies” (colloquially used specifically for unofficial, non-profit and very popular shortened versions of anime programs re-dubbed with humorous dialogue) will also get a kick out of hearing well-known internet personalities lending their narration talents to each other’s respective series of association. The video link included showcases my script contribution to DYKA, as read by the comedian and skilled orator known as Faulerro.
I will attempt to post noteworthy updates concerning DYKA on the blog, but if you want to be more adequately kept up-to-date check out the website (didyouknowanime.net) or subscribe to the YouTube channel. Additional information about the project and its constituents will be revealed gradually in the future.
As always, thanks for reading! (And now, watching!)
– J.G. Lobo
© 2014 (text)
http://www.youtube.com/user/didyouknowanimeshow
P.S. Thanks to all our past and future guests for their contributions!
Space Dandy
I predict 2014 will be remembered by film critics and casual viewers alike as a marked stepping stone in anime’s continued path of expansion outside of Japan as the medium at large not only becomes more consumable by broader international audiences by way of cultural exchange, but also better understood by filmic institutions as a legitimate scholarly outlet. To be fair, this is a reasonably safe bet to make, as anyone who is familiar with the nonsensical escapades of Space Dandy (2014—) could tell you. The brainchild of veteran director Shinichiro Watanabe, Space Dandy casts a broad viewership net; truly anyone can enjoy the nonlinear, episodic randomness and blatant disregard for narrative coherence, be they television viewers flipping through channels or hardened critics and theorists who need to indulge in a slice of the ludicrous once in a while.
I’m not suggesting that Dandy is junk programming by any means (though when it comes to women, leading man Dandy is about as lewd as possible). Hiding in plain sight among the misadventures of Captain Dandy and his crew is an emphasis on one of the simple secrets of storytelling: plot and setting have their place, but when it comes right down to it the key component for maximum memorability and lasting impressions for any work is its characters. Any work seeking to actively engage its audience on some level has to have impressionable, humanistic agents (even if they’re not human), be they humorous, loathsome, or relatable. Taking this emphasis to the extreme, much like a motor vehicle atop a ‘donut’ space-saver spare tire, Watanabe proves you can get away with pretty much anything as long as the characters are up to par (for how long is anyone’s guess). Though again, aspects like continuity and verisimilitude shouldn’t be overlooked and are often essential to a work, Watanabe and the rest of the crew behind Dandy educate with exaggeration (though, like the viewers, they’re in it mostly just to have fun), and if you’re an artist who has proved yourself over and over as Shinichiro Watanabe has, you can get away with arbitrarily throwing any semblance of plot out the window for a few good laughs.
Though one can draw conclusions such as these after riding aboard the Aloha Oe with Dandy and company, the program is certainly not cryptic (though it can be claimed it is mildly esoteric, as there are references to Watanabe’s and others’ prior projects interspersed throughout the show). Existing as simultaneous homage to the likes of Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon while surely being destined to become the subject of future imitations and tributes of its own, the premise of Space Dandy is unabashedly simple from the start. The introduction adequately sums up the show by plainly telling us before each episode “Space Dandy: he’s a dandy guy…in space” (“Live With the Flow, Baby”). It’s surface-level silliness, yet in an unexpectedly insightful way akin to past greats like John Ford it contributes to a message concerning not only the artistic process but also life itself: it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey and the people who embark on it.
Seeing as how it doesn’t take itself seriously in any way, it’s quite humorous that Space Dandy is seen by some as anime’s best chance of being perceived as a viable artistic and commercial medium (Kim, theatlantic.com). It is ironic that there is likely much truth to be had in such postulations, since Space Dandy has already made history as the first anime to be broadcasted simultaneously in both Japan and the United States, as well as many other countries; in fact, so much enthusiasm was garnered for the series abroad that each English-dubbed episode premiered on the U.S. Adult Swim lineup before it did in Japan (animenewsnetwork.com). With a highly-anticipated second season set to debut later this year (July of 2014), it is apparent that Space Dandy has already accumulated an enthusiastic global fan base from its breakout first season, and equally evident that even more people will come to recognize its popularity in the future…and that’s just dandy by me.
© 2014
Works Cited
Kim, Monica. “Can Cowboy Bebop’s Creator Make More People Take Anime Seriously?”
The Atlantic. The Atlantic Mag. 3 Jan. 2014. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.
“Live With the Flow, Baby.” Space Dandy. Adult Swim. TBS, Atlanta. 4 Jan. 2014. Television.
“Space Dandy to Air on Toonami Before it Airs in Japan.” Anime News Network.
Anime News Network. 25 Oct. 2013. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.
The ‘Mightiest Millennial’ Kenichi
If ever there was a quintessential Millennial-centric anime, its name would be Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Kenichi (The Mightiest Disciple Kenichi, 2006-2007). Based on author Syun Matsuena’s original work History’s Strongest Disciple Ken’ichi, the television adaptation Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (as it has been marketed stateside) illustrates the collective strengths and weaknesses of the Millennial Generation via the personal struggles of a teenage boy as he braves the trials of adolescence.
Apart from being genuinely entertaining through its overt use of hyperbole and general slapstick antics, Kenichi effectively reconciles much of the angst between today’s youth and preceding cohorts concerning Millennials’ purported disillusionment with the real world. By centering the plot around a protagonist whose optimism is dampened over and over again, and in turn surrounding him with instructors who repeatedly remind him of his lack of aptitude for the martial arts, the series’ staff writers and directors cast the plight of Generation Y in a light that is neither flattering nor unjustly belittling. This can be observed throughout the series as a continuous give and take, accentuating the good while acknowledging the bad: Kenichi Shirahama genuinely wants to better himself, but he initially underestimates the commitment and hard work it will take (which generation in their youth could boast anything different?); he whines, complains and outright quits more than once, but he always ends up getting back onto his proverbial horse (even if he needs prodding sometimes); he needs a ridiculously large amount of support from others—an accommodating family, friends at school and not one but six martial arts instructors—but he takes full advantage of his assets by diligently applying what he learns and delivering when it counts.
Simply put, Kenichi more or less takes the middle ground between the now-evident advantages and disadvantages to the ‘everyone is a winner’ parenting model, the often-criticized overuse (or misuse) of positive reinforcement, and the sheltering of one’s children, physically and mentally, from the realities of adulthood. Overall, however, it seems to lean in favor of the young insofar as it presents any generational weaknesses as an inevitable tradeoff for different strengths, symbolized mostly by Kenichi himself: though hard-working, Kenichi often succumbs to self-apathy (again, as any young person does at times), seeking ways out of training rather than improving his skills; yet he possesses enormous amounts of empathy (as evidenced in episode 28 when he risked his own well-being to protect his ‘frenemy’ Nijima), especially when it concerns someone he cares about (such as when his sister Honoka is kidnapped in episode 32). From a cynical view, these traits are obvious given the source material’s Shōnen demographic, invoking adulation for a selfless do-gooder (an aspect of Kenichi loathed by his opponents) and titillating the source of revenue for the series itself, i.e. the teenage (male) viewers with a ‘feel good’ view of themselves. While profit margins are an unavoidable reality from a business standpoint, and the show, following its parent material, undeniably seeks to garner the attention of its target audience (whether it be artwork, character design or any of the numerous voyeuristic camera angles, females and their anatomy are considerably objectified), perhaps, akin to the masters of Ryozanpaku themselves, the production crew sincerely wished to pass on their wisdom to their eventual successors.
Dubbed into English shortly after its initial release, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is also an excellent example of quality ADR directing and voice acting on the part of its North American distributor. Josh Grelle delivers an outstanding performance as Kenichi Shirahama, while Kent Williams’ vocal nuances reserved for strong and intelligent characters fit the calm and dignified demeanor of Akisame-sensei perfectly.
In summation, to reiterate Kenichi was without a doubt cast from the same mold as its Shōnen siblings; yet unlike the fist-waving, hard-headed protagonists of many other works, Kenichi himself is actually relatable to his target audience, struggling, complaining and even giving up multiple times during his quest (fortunately, he has teachers who will literally not allow him to altogether quit, a commentary on the dedication required of mentors for their pupils). What’s more, Kenichi’s quest is not for a specific relic, object or title: his is an inner journey, one which has no marked beginning or end. Finally, unlike his catchphrase-wielding contemporaries, Kenichi has no special ability or natural aptitude (at least, none that he is aware of) and is thus an appropriate role model for adolescents. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is fantastic and fun for escapism-craving youth, and at the same time grounded in some level of reality—be it metaphorical or literal, as the martial arts Kenichi learns crisscross both territories (and include their own implicit and explicit takeaways)—to prepare said youthful viewers for their own battles.
Call it cliché if you must, but the highly adaptable themes of self-betterment and applying one’s life-accumulated knowledge eclectically to solve problems, as found in Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, are skill sets anyone of any generation desperately needs, as are the stepping stones of adversity for growing up and gaining confidence along the way.
© 2014
Who Cares About Anime 