Day 24 - Favorite Anime Hero or Heroine: Shuzo "Shu" Matsutani of Now and Then, Here and There

What makes a hero? Selflessness? Humility? Grace? Determination?

Shu is amazing.

He’s not tough in a traditional way, he’s not a warrior-type, he isn’t a knight in battle, he’s human, but he’s also the epitome of heroism…really. He fights and sacrifices himself again and again to protect others, and to right the wrongs of a world that has lost its humanity in many ways. Although he is thrust into a dystopian future, beaten, and nearly destroyed, he still maintains a positive view of humanity. He believes people are, despite all evidence to the contrary, essentially good and always worthy of redemption.

Now and Then, Here and There is only a 13 episode series, but 13 episodes are plenty. This series deals with some heavy themes: war, rape, violence, greed, misery, abuse…heavy stuff. But through it all Shu’s heroism changes things. The world becomes a better place through the patient and caring devotion of one person to the people around him and the goodness he sees in those people, no matter how far they have fallen into despair or corruption. Shu redeems the world. He shows the world a better way. He’s just a young man, but he’s willing to suffer endlessly for the benefit of others.

Although I really love and admire this series for its message and its artistry (so much symbolism…beautiful stuff!), I would have to say I wouldn’t recommend it for most viewers. Although many of the characters are young, many of them children…this is NOT a kid’s show. It has a good message to share, but it is at times stomach-turning in its depictions of brutality. If you can handle the painful scenes (and they are painful, I’m not exaggerating), then this is well worth the watch, but sensitive people should be wary. For instance, Ms. Shakespeare, this might be a bit out of your comfort zone. But for those of you who can handle graphic violence and heartbreak, this is an amazing piece of anime, and Shu is hands-down the most heroic figure I can think of.

Day 13 - Underrated Anime: Inuyasha

Can something be both underrated and overrated? I mean, Inuyasha is pretty universally loved, but it gets a lot of flack from "real" anime fans who see us Inuyasha lovers as some sort of less-than fan just because we happen to think it's cool. (Incidentally I have also gotten flack for just liking the English Dubs...apparenty I am "missing out" on the original which is "so much better." Bleh.)

I have heard the following phrases, or some variations of them, several times in my anime-lovin life (a few times from Ms. Shakespeare perhaps...ahem, ahem..?):

"Yeah, but it's so mainstream."
So? It's mainstream because it's good. I get a little defensive of Inuyasha at times. Just because something is popular doesn't automatically make it bad. This feels like the whole "sell-out" theory of rock. BTW world, if Someone you like gets famous and other people like them now, they do not automatically become sell-outs. You should be happy that someone you like finally hit the big time, instead of throwing out scornful and nostalgic crap about how they were "so much better" before everyone started watching/listening to them.

"It's all very monster of the week."
So? There are a LOT of monsters in the feudal era (this is non-fiction, right? I mean Feudal Japan was like crawling with oni? Inuyasha is practicaly a documentary, right?). There is still an overarching plot (or five) that ties all the pieces together.

"It's for kids."
No. It is not for kids.

Inuyasha has been around for a long time, sure. And it's really popular, sure. It's also weirdly underrated as an interesting, complex and well-written (most of the time) show. Plus, they'll keep you going for a while with 167 episodes and 4 feature films. Ah, I can remember waiting for the new seasons on [AS].

I do hate the way it ended though...boooooo! BOOOO!

The manga spans 56 volumes. 56!!! I don't have the time or energy to read all of that, although I hear it is a little more violent and risque than the anime series. Plus I think it has an ending.

So, Inuyasha haters of the world. Quit underrating and under-appreciating one of my favorite series of all times.

Day 12 - Anime That Everyone Should See: Dude, that’s impossible!

I'm going to go with Spirited Away not only because it is an impossibly beautiful coming of age story that is rooted in Japanese culture, but ends up drawing attention to the universiality of human experience (that is a mouthful), but because it has always seemed to me like a gateway drug into the world of anime.



Even my friends who insist they hate anime, or as my sister calls them "sweaty cartoons," enjoy this film. The characters are complex and loveable; there is drama, pagentry and fantastic storytelling; the artwork is phenomenal. This film does have the ability to change some viewers' preconcieved notions about the purpose, scope and audience of anime.

This film has won 35 awards, including an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2002 against 4 American films Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron, and Treasure Planet.

Everyone should see this movie.

Day 11 - Favorite Mech Series: Gurren Lagann

I think the animes/mangas with Mechas/Robots/Gunmen are called Mechs in English and Mechas in Japanese because they need an extra letter.

They are not this:


Oh, creepy robot mouth, you scare the bejeezus out of me. Please do not sing me to sleep. At least with anime viewers don't face an uncanny valley sort of robot issue. Most mechs in anime are pretty cartooney, and most are pretty meh...I think Voltron is pretty cool, I watched it when I was little too. And I really love the farcical Titan Maximum on adult swim. But most, nearly all, mechs bore the poo out of me. It's all fight, fight, fight. Look at me sweating in my robot suit. Look at me yelling stuff.

There is one exception though, and it isn't Gundam. I love Gurren Lagann. In fact, I love it so much that I am constantly surprised by my love for it. I have talked about it plenty before, and already picked the finale of the series as "Most Epic Scene." So, I'll keep it brief and just say, SEE IT! (Also, Ms. Shakespeare if you are going to see one mech, see this one, please? That way we can talk about how awesome it is.)

Here's the trailer:


JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?!!! I love Gurren Lagann! But I'm not alone.

This review by Anime News Network rated Gurren Lagann as an A rated series that shows "the manly side of mushiness, the kind of content which speaks about people who truly throw everything they have – all of their passion, their hopes, their determination, and even their souls and very lives – into the crucible to challenge the heavens, to force a path to their own destinies and those that they hold dear. "

This is some band of brothers stuff, very St. Crispin's Day speech! I cannot help but be swept up in the struggle.

So I'll leave you with some Shakespeare, which is an odd thing to be reminded of when one is discussing giant robot gunmen, but it seems entirely appropriate.

Since I mentioned it here is the St. Crispian's Day speech from Henry V:

This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.


Or, as Simone the digger would say:
"Aniki is dead. He's not here anymore! But on my back, and in my heart, he lives on in me! My drill is the one that pierces the heavens! Even if that hole becomes my grave, as long as I break through, I shall be victorious! Who the hell do you think I am?! I'm Simone! I'm not my brother Kamina! I am myself! Simone the digger!"

I'm all amped up now! YEAH! "This is my soul, and I'll make you regret this!" SQUEEEE! So much asskickery!

Day 8 - Most Epic Scene: Gurran Lagann's final battle with the Anti-Spirals

This is impossible. I was dreading this catagory because there are so many epic scenes. Every Miyazaki film has at least 1-2 scenes that are all light and drama and cinematic animated "WOW!"
So, to pick one...sucks.

I gotta go with the most epic of epicness of Gurran Lagann. The whole series is climax after climax, and it ends with a fight for the universe...THE FREAKING UNIVERSE! Which we win, because we are awesome.  To pick one scene, I suppose I should go with the obvious.

The final battle of Gurran Lagann, "All of the Lights in the Sky are Stars."

JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE??!!

Yeah, they're throwing universes...no big whoop. Gurran Lagann is the most epic epicness that ever epiced an epic. I am a total fan of this series. It is ridiculously awesome.

"Do not grieve for me, my soul  once drowned in a sea of despair and weariness. And, if this body can create a life for all of tomorrow, I will gladly give it."

Day 6 - Most Annoying Anime Character: Haruko Haruhara

I'm going on record as saying I hate FLCL. I think every character, except for main character Naota is annoying to the nth degree. But chief among them is antagonist Haruko Haruhara. She could not be more annoying to me if she tried.

That's saying something because there are a LOT of annoying characters in anime. Nearly every series has one annoyingly hyperactive and grating idiot. In Ouran it is Renge Houshakuji (self-proclaimed manager and ubiquitous crazy fangirl)--every time she comes on screen I get annoyed. In Bleach there are a ton of annoying characters...too many to list. In Yami No Matsui those effing bird librarians have such horrifyingly irritating voices and personalities that they should be eaten by dragons out of principle.

But Haruko Haruhara wins, not just because she's annoying, irrational, stupid and ultraviolent, but because I find the entirety of FLCL annoying. It's just so...dumb (for the lack of a better word). Just DUMB! And because she is the most annoying character on the most annoying anime she has earned Day Six props.

Congrats! You are annoying!

Upcoming: Supernatural: The Anime

I can't tell you how excited and nervous the official trailer for Supernatural: The Anime makes me. I love Supernatural...I am an addict. So, when I heard that they would be reimagining the series as an anime, I was stoked. The latest news is that the US Release is scheduled for July 26. I will be saving my meagre dollars. Supernatural is a series that could lend itself well to anime...long story arc, monsters, complex characterization.
The only things that concern me are:
1) The animation of older brother, Dean Winchester, is not exactly what I would have envisioned (then again, I am a fan of Dean Winchester) and younger brother, Sam, seems to be getting the brunt of attention...he might be the lead, which is offputting to me. They are a duo, plus I just don't think Sam is as interesting (or complex) as Dean is.
2) Someone covered "Carry on My Wayward Son" as the themesong. It plays a prominent role in the live-action series, and is a good classic rock song...I happen to like Kansas (it is one of my favorite state-named bands). So, the cover seems weak.
3)Jared Padelecki (Sam) voiced the US episodes, but Jensen Ackles (Dean) only did a select few...who is doing them? Does anyone but Ackles sound like Ackles? I don't think so. I like his voice. He was awesome as Red Hood in Batman: Under the Red Hood, so he CAN do voice work. (Plus his dad is a voice-over legend). The choice is odd.
4) It may be drawing too much from the storyline in the live-action series. What I see from the preview is most of an episode called "Roadkill" from season two. (Yes, I am that much of a geek.) I hope that there are new plotlines, otherwise I'm not sure what the point of redoing the series in animated form might be.

Concerns aside, I am (pun intended) geeked! I look forward to viewing and then reviewing the series here on Squeefinity...it will give me something to do during the summer hiatus of the live action show. And new ways to oogle Dean.

Psychic Wars (anime)

To be honest, I watched it twice, and not because it was good; rather, because it is short (50 minutes with commercial breaks) and because it has nothing to do with psychics. Really, nothing. There isn't a single psychic in the whole thing. It's like being handed a Sour Patch Kid with all the sour licked off...I mean I'll eat it, because it's my favorite candy, but I'll miss the sour part and I'll wonder why people are licking things before they give them to me (don't do that). Although,I suppose this unfortunate analogy is even more inaccurate because this isn't a Sour Patch kid (pre-licked or otherwise); it's a bad anime.

So, it has nothing to do with psychics...or wars really. Here's what it does have to do with: demons, nurses, curses (rhymes!), tiny headed men in very large suits with wide shoulderpads, really awkward English dialog and a plot that was both predictable and confusing at the same time.

Now, at times when I am confused by anime, for instance FLCL (I'll talk about it later...I'm so confused!!), I suspect that there is something lost in the translation, or some cultural theme that a native Japanese viewer might have which I, sadly, do not. This is about demons though, and (nerd-confession) I am pretty well informed for a gai-gin, because I have read some traditional mythology (in translation) and I tend to be a research junky. I did recognize some of the Oni (demons) in the story as being traditional to Japanese culture. And I was still confused by all of it. ALL OF IT!

Now, it could be that I am missing something, OR it could be that the thin plot was just a vehicle for demon fighting, intense wind storms, exploding shirts (you know what I mean) and exorcism rituals. I suspect that the latter is more probable. Not that I'm so clever, but that this plot was extremely undeveloped and stilted. 50 minutes of mostly fight scenes, windy forest scenes, and a unlikable main character who doesn't seem to care that his "quest" makes no logical sense. It's also one of those anime that you see coming from a mile away...I predicted the conclusion after the first ten minutes and then hoped for something surprising which failed to arrive. I give this a BLARGH! Although, if you'd like to buy it Amazon (click link above) has it for $22 dollars. That's the bargin price of 44 cents per minute...and that is the most surprising thing I can say about Psychic Wars.

Gurren Lagann (anime)

The title means something like crimson face envelope (or crimson lotus, if you prefer). This is strike one. Crimson face envelope? My god! Really? The anime is essentially a mecha (a giant robot piloting series along the lines of Gundam, or the fantastically irritating Code Geass). That’s strike two! Mechas are something I usually dislike…oh, they’re so boring! Boring! Boring! Strike three is the busty sidekick/heroine Yoko, who looks like every big-breasted, wild-haired, machine-gun toting anime stereotype. So, despite three really big strikes, I really liked this series.

It begins with a small tribe of humans living underground; the surface of the earth has been uninhabited by humans for generations. One of the tribe members, a frail-looking boy named Simone the Digger, discovers something while tunneling through the darkness…a giant face. He and his “bro” (best friend and father figure) Kamina, defy the orders of a timid underground tribal government and decide to discover the purpose of this “giant face.” The face turns out to belong to a “Gurran” or gunman, and the spiral of Simone’s drill, combined with he and the ever-positive Kamina’s “fighting spirit,” activates it. Once active, above-ground renegade surface-dweller (and big-boobed slaughter junkie) Yoko’s gunman sensor is signaled and she bursts into the underground cavern to destroy the gunman. She is amazed to find that a human has activated it. Gunmen on the surface are operated by beastmen under the command of human-hating Lord Genome. No human has ever successfully piloted one of these gunmen. She is, however, not the only one alerted to the active gunman. Just after Yoko’s entrance, an enormous pig-man piloted gunman bursts in aiming to destroy the tribe entirely. Yoko, Kamina, and the timid Simone, defeat the enemy, and because the gunman’s existence will continue to draw enemies, they decide to venture to the surface leaving behind all they have known. Kamina sees this as their destiny, and claims that their drill will pierce the roof of the heavens…some foreshadowing of what is to come. So, with their fearless battle cry “Just who in the hell do you think I am?” the trio (quartet if you count Simone’s weirdly emotive hedgehog/mole pet) ventures into the sunlight to battle, and love, and fail, and triumph.

Surface stupidity aside, this anime is extremely interesting on an analytical/thematic level. The central focus seems to be about evolution (biological, societal and individual), and the tug of war between seemingly dichotomous elements (lest you forget that I am an English professor…shwa, shwa). This anime considers some fairly sophisticated ideas of reality and the persistence of life in the universe. The very final scenes of the series are simultaneously heartbreaking and thought-provoking...combining some of the more interesting concerns of The Matrix (there were interesting concerns, it just wasn’t an interesting movie...and I hate Keanu in everything...he should be silent and pretty) with those of The Last Temptation of Christ.

Is this a love story? A creation story? An apocalypse? What are the inherent strengths of being “weak?” Or malleable? Is it about power? Who has it? Is it about an obligation to future generations? Or to the dead who sacrificed for our continuing survival? Where does selfish determination become selfless determination? What about free will and destiny…are they mutually exclusive? Do we create our own reality as we create our selves? Can our will triumph over any adversity? Is living on the greatest gift we can leave those who are left behind? What is the purpose of life? My head was swimming, and my heart was broken, by the end of this anime series.

Do not let the mecha genre, the ridiculously aggressive Kamina, or the occasional over-the-top silliness of this anime dissuade you from watching. These characters evolve throughout the anime in remarkable ways. Heroes like Simone are borne aloft by the memories of their fallen comrades. Yoko’s tender side emerges as we become aware of why she fights, and for whom. Even villains like the (awesomely squeeworthy) shark/cat? beastman Viral find their purpose…incidentally, his purpose is my favorite—he is cursed with immortality so that he can tell the story of humanity’s triumph’s forever. Poor, lovely, viral!

Oh...Galaxy Railways...a heartbreakingly crappy anime

I think I'm in love with a terrible anime. I'm two episodes in to Galaxy Railways. It's playing softly in the background right now.

Imagine this: A far off future or parallel universe where people travel through space on trains. The trains ride on a fixed track through the universe, moving full steam ahead from place to place.

Oddly, and I can't figure out why, these trains are pretty vulnerable to attack. So a league of defenders/conductors must protect them. Apparently, it is a very dangerous job because these people are dying left and right.

I guess this whole story could have been avoided if they had built spaceships instead of space trains, but then I wouldn't have so much fun!

More later.