Rieze's Blog

Anime Relations: Major S2, Major S3, Ookiku Furikabutte: Natsu no Taikai-hen, Haikyuu!!

Losing in Sports Anime

Different types of sport anime can contain different motivations towards the overall plot. For example, the ambition of a particular anime can be to inspire viewers to get more involved in sports or to show the emotional commitment of athletes in their respective sporting competition. While there are also different ways to achieve all of the things listed above, I will be focusing mainly on characters and how they deal with loss in sport.

The examples below are for a better understanding (hopefully). Each section contains a specific anime moment where the main character's team suffers a defeat. In addition to this, a brief analysis of the scene and the meaning of the loss is included to demonstrate how negatives aspects and experiences can be reused as fuel for a new passionate goal, while also invigorating characters.

Anime Relations: Eikoku Ikka, Nihon wo Taberu

Is There A Definition For "Anime"?

"Anime" has experienced many different definitions during its lifetime. There are arguments constantly, within the community, about what is and is not considered anime, as well as what defines an anime. I have assembled my own definitions based on what I have experienced and read during these forum/comment arguments. Each one of the following definitions has a valid point for their existence and the use is acceptable depending on the situation.

Here are 3 examples I know of.

1. Anime - Noun - Animation that originates from Japan - This definition is mainly used when referencing anime from a non-Japanese perspective to effectively distinguish animation that comes specifically from Japan.
   
   
2. Anime - Noun - A style of drawing/animation that is inspired from Japanese animations - This definition is used when referring to a stereotypical art style and appearance. For example: if fan art was made of The Simpsons to look more "anime", then the appearance of the art changes but not the values of the actual item. This definition is contradicted because of the existence of "anime" that borrow traits from western animation.
   
   
3. Anime - Noun - "term" to reference animation in Japan - Many online people have pointed out that SpongeBob SquarePants, and other such non-Japanese animations, are addressed as anime because it is just a "term" to label animations while they are inside Japan, regardless of their country of origin. This definition is very inclusive to the entire world, which is a good thing.
   

In conclusion, the most realistic use and definition for "anime" would probably be #3 because of the inclusiveness and the appropriate way the word/term is being used. #3 does not discriminate but rather includes everyone, creating harmony.

#1 and #2 are very shallow with their definitions because it only makes sense if you look at it from an external point of view, when we should really be inside the mind of Japan when referring to their culture.

If I missed a definition, then I am sorry.

This is blog post is somewhat of a response to the comment section of this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsWSm1U1q3o

Anime Relations: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 4: Diamond wa Kudakenai

There's No Such Thing as a "True" Anime of the Year

So a few days ago, I found out about the Crunchyroll's The Anime Awards 2016. My first and initial thought was this is a good idea, but that didn't last long because that impression was only from me hearing about it. As I visited the website and saw the method for voting, award categories and the nominations, I was shocked at how shit this award show actually was.

I am not sure how the world works, but the ideal award show should be based on a group decision and critical/observational analysis "best anime" awards. However, it seems crunchyroll is deciding their awards by fan vote. I am not sure if it is entirely fan vote, or not, but all I can tell is that fan voting is a big part in the process.

There are many problems with these Awards. Firstly, the issue of bias. As Crunchyroll only provides for a certain region legally, the only people who will vote are those who know about it, and those who have been promoted it by YouTubers or online media. This creates a misunderstanding abou the Awards. As a result, many are convinced that these awards mean something, when in actual fact, it means almost nothing (same as this blog I'm currently writing).

Bias is also present because of the difference in number of fanbases. When you have an award, such as "Anime of the Year", you really need to avoid bias otherwise you will get a lot of backlash for implied bias. For example, a lot of the anime community were disappointed by the fact that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable was not featured as a primary nominee, despite being one of the most promising and anticipated anime of 2016. To avoid backlash, I recommend a simple change to the award title such as "Crunchyroll's Anime of the Year" in order to specify the audience who have voted and decided this insignificant award winner.

The true title of "Anime of the Year" can only be decided by ignoring the fans and their emotions and personal beliefs and systematically judge an artwork as they do in proper art competitions. I am a victim of artwork rejection, I know the feels. When you have a strong artwork (I am not just saying this because it is mine) and you are rejected because "it's too dark (the theme of it, not the lighting)", that kind of personal insult hurts. It's insulting that the large fanbase are willing to exclude other smaller anime that are, most likely, equal, if not better, to their choice for "Anime of the Year." It is a shame to see this development in the Western anime audience and also to see that having a narrow mindset ruins the opportunity and potential of other great anime to be left unrecognised and dedicated by their comparatively smaller fanbases.

In conclusion, there are still numerous problems with Crunchyroll's Anime Awards but there is nothing we can do to change that without direct contact.

If an anime wins a particular award based on POPULARITY and not judgement of quality, which is a 99% possibility, remember that the "Crunchyroll - The Anime Awards 2016" is 100% biased and stupid (unless the anime you voted for won, and in that case congratulations to you)

Basically I'm ranting about these Awards because my pick for anime of 2016 is Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, which is not getting the recognition it deserves.

So technically, I am a hypocrite because I am complaining about bias, even though I am being biased myself. I love our world sometimes ;)

Anime Relations: Bakemonogatari Recap

Anime Exposition

Exposition in anime can be seen as both good and bad. However, the difference is the importance and significance of the exposition. For example, if an anime can only be understood from an "information dump" on the viewers, then that anime is technically considered weaker than a vast majority of others. The exception to this is if the exposition is only a small portion of the interest towards the show. An example of this would be elegant storytelling and a combination of cinematography with dialogue from the Monogatari Series. Besides a majority of the original light novels being mostly dialogue, the anime adaptation relies heavily on the dialogue accompanied by the patterned visuals of Studio Shaft's signature aesthetic.

Another scenario is if an anime requires mass exposition in order to setup and establish a "new" world with different functions from our modern society. In this case, exposition is almost certainly needed, however, not mandatory. The best anime would be able to convey details and information about a setting through interaction and demographic of an area.

Consider this: Anime#1 is about a character who came to a new place and a friend of theirs is walking them around, givin' 'em a tour and information dumping about the new location. "This place is where that fire destroyed the building with my parents inside..." This example made-up dialogue is probably something conveyed as "emotional" but is honestly just a bunch of lazy writing.

Now consider Anime#2, which is based on the same story but conveyed differently without dialogue exposition and boring information dumping. Imagine this: the main characters friend, from this place, standing a bit infront across the street from the burnt building. They only show his face and torso below his eyes and fade his face with some shadow for dramatic effect, representing deep thought of some sort. The friend has some sort of item (for this example let's use a pocket watch with a picture of his parents inside, but we have no idea what's inside). This friend clutches the watch and begins shaking and trembling with his head down. The friend behind him is worried but remains silent to not ruin the mood of the setting. People continue walking as if nothing is happening but they remain in this isolated state. After a few seconds pass he approaches his friend slowly and gently. Puts a hand on their shoulder as a symbol of support and care. The friend snaps back to reality... etc. You get the picture... hopefully. Basically, there's a lot you can do without dialogue to explain everything and take the fun out of cinematography.

And finally, consider Anime#3, which again is based on the same story. Except with this anime, it is entirely dialogue, but this time not information dumping. Because the characters are friends, they catch up at a local, yet calm and peaceful, location within the place. They begin asking each other questions and catching up on each other's lives but the key thing is that the tones of the responses and questions reveal more and more about the characters. Gradually, as the audience observes their characters being drawn out in the conversation, they start to understand the mentality and personality of these 2 characters. All of this from a simple dialogue scene that is NOT an information dump.

In conclusion, this is just a ramble of my thoughts on exposition in anime. Basically to summarise, there are some that do exposition correctly, and there are those anime which get it completely wrong and as a result become boring.

Previous 5 - Next 5