New Artists - Do not be deceived

Oct 2, 2022 11:26 AM

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Oct 2022

For someone who is just starting art or has never tried making art themselves, Blue Period is an inspirational masterpiece. For someone who has been artistically trained in the rigorous, technically focused, traditional East-Asian style of teaching, Blue Period is disappointing and uncomfortable for its romanticism of talent vs hard work and the lack of realism regarding growing skillfully as an artist. Disclaimer: I fully understand that anime is fiction and anime doesn't have to be realistic to be enjoyed. This forum is solely based on my reaction as an Asian artist who was in a similar situation as Yaguchi and how I felt the anime diminished/trivialized the work it takes to reach a level of competency that Yaguchi aims for.

(This has no major plot giveaways, but you must know the basic premise/plot of Blue Period to continue with zero spoilers. You have been warned.)

The premise of Blue Period is Yatora Yaguchi is an all around very academically successful student but does not have any interests to make his life worth living. His existence is bland up until he discovers his passion for art and decides to be a professional artist. In order to achieve his goal to attend the Tokyo University of the Arts, one of Japan's most prestigious art schools, he must train rigorously. Blue Period is about Yaguchi's artistic journey and the struggle, anguish, and joy that comes with making art.

Some viewers may praise Blue Period for showing how Yaguchi makes progress through hard work despite his lack of innate talent. I agree that hard work does make progress, and artists don't have to be born with talent in order to be great. However, the speed/quality in which Yaguchi develops his skills is misleading, taking away from the time and energy that artists sacrifice in order to be be skillful. As a second year high schooler, Yaguchi only had one year to train for TUA as someone who has never made art until now. As someone who has been trained the same way as Yaguchi since I was 12 years old (22 currently), I attest that one year of training is not even close to enoughtime in order to be accepted into a prestigious art school (unless the school is money grabbing, like many in the U.S.). And for a Japanese art college who culturally emphasizes skill over imagination with a 2% acceptance rate, I urge you to think about the likelihood of a certain ending.

It takes years of practice to reach a proficient level of realism/composition/color theory. Even as someone who has innate talent, it took me years to reach the level that I'm at. I'm neither boasting nor being humble when I say I was accepted into multiple difficult accredited art schools in the U.S.. Compared to what myself and my peers of all different skill levels had to go through, Blue Period glorifies the process of becoming a proficient artist. It took away the enjoyment of watching for me, and watching it was painful and cringey.

I'm not discouraging young/new artists from pursuing art school. I'm not saying Yaguchi didn't struggle or his artistic journey is invalid. It is possible to be a professional artist, and it is possible to be accepted into art school without several years of rigorous practice. All I can say is it will not be easy. If you're watching Blue Period as a new artist, be inspired, but do not be deceived. I encourage you to continue practicing, continue working hard, and continue loving your art. Be patient because it will take time. You will get better with each piece you make, so please keep working towards your passion.

Oct 2, 2022 11:59 AM

_anime_fan_698

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Jul 2021

you didnt even watched blue period im not gonna read that hell of a paragraph 🤣

Oct 2, 2022 12:01 PM

simon_says_404

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Oct 2022

I did watch it actually haha it's up to you whether you want to read or not

Oct 2, 2022 1:34 PM

pri_arts_

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Feb 2022

332

To be an artist in india is hard but in japan or other less populated countries it is not that hard to live as an artist I have seen many , also there are many Indian artists who are doing way too good on social media by selling their art worldwide and are living outside India.

Oct 2, 2022 2:22 PM

Istredd

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Sep 2020

simon_says_404 said:
romanticism of talent vs hard work

I disagree that's what it is. Even his first painting of Shibuya was regarded as good for an amateur. If anything it's "talent + a lot of time" vs "talent + hard work + 1 year" though I don't know how realistic is that. In fact I wander why did they decide to make him enter art school during his 2nd year, not 3rd, that would give hime 2 years which would deffinitely be more realistic even if by a bit.

Oct 2, 2022 4:10 PM

Piromysl

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Jul 2015

13897

The most important thing:
If you are not accepted into an art school, DO NOT under ANY circumstances go into politics.

Oct 2, 2022 5:45 PM

Lawrencw

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Dec 2021

386

Japan Artists are on another level. Maybe he is from a long line of mangaka/manga artist.😂

Oct 2, 2022 5:46 PM

SobbleBoy27

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May 2022

503

Are you saying that the main character had to much talent? He worked his butt off for his results.

Oct 2, 2022 6:09 PM

Lawrencw

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Dec 2021

386

SobbleBoy27 said:
Are you saying that the main character had to much talent? He worked his butt off for his results.

Exactly what he is saying.

It’s impossible to be as good as that despite talent and hardwork in a single year(taking into account he has never made art before). He might have just learn what he needed for the exam though.

Oct 2, 2022 8:16 PM

#10

simon_says_404

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Oct 2022

Istredd said:

simon_says_404 said:
romanticism of talent vs hard work

I agree that his Shibuya painting was good for an amateur. I actually want to revise my statement and say Yaguchi does have talent. What bothers me is that "one year + talent + hard work" is not enough to be accepted into TUA. It's the time piece that doesn't make sense. Yaguchi absolutely can achieve a high level of mastery. But in one year and with the training he received? It's impossible. I want to disenchant viewers that may be in a similar situation as Yaguchi. As someone who has gone through it, new artists are setting themselves up for failure if they take Blue Period's plot to heart.

Oct 2, 2022 8:42 PM

#11

simon_says_404

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Oct 2022

Lawrencw said:
Japan Artists are on another level. Maybe he is from a long line of mangaka/manga artist.😂

haha yes. Something I've observed in high school was the ratio of white/non Asian students who are artistically skillful compared to Asian students who are artistically skillful does not match the gaping population ratio of white/non-Asian students to Asian students. For example, there were 3 Asian students in my drawing class and 15 white students. 2/3 Asian students were visibly very skillful while 5/15 white students were very skillful. I'm not claiming that Asian artists are inherently better than white/non-Asian artists (and anyone who does is perpetuating model minority). And I'm not claiming that white and non Asian artists are inherently less than Asian students. It's just an observation I've made in my college town.

Oct 2, 2022 8:49 PM

#12

simon_says_404

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Oct 2022

pri_arts_ said:
To be an artist in india is hard but in japan or other less populated countries it is not that hard to live as an artist I have seen many , also there are many Indian artists who are doing way too good on social media by selling their art worldwide and are living outside India.

your insight is appreciated. You're right that the larger the population, the harder it is to get noticed and be successful as an artist. I also believe no matter where you go in the world, being a professional artist is hard because art is not essential to stay alive. Thank you for your comment!

Oct 2, 2022 9:23 PM

#13

Saimatsu_Fan

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Sep 2021

1358

Too bad the Characters suck ass, oh and while it's not a big deal, it has one of the worst attempts at making a trans Character I've ever seen

Oct 3, 2022 6:41 AM

#14

samthestan

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Mar 2021

702

It's super unrealistic but I still enjoyed it. I'm a musician so I was able to sort of relate to the anime, especially when Yaguchi makes into school. The imposter syndrome, going up against child prodigies, the hard work that doesn't pay off, I completely understand it all. However, these growing pains are contrasted by fiery passion, relentless pursuit, and the occasional pay off of those blood sweat and tears. On top of that, there is some good side drama to keep things fun and interesting. I think artists of all kinds can enjoy this series with some suspension of disbelief.

Oct 3, 2022 8:11 AM

#15

simon_says_404

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Oct 2022

samthestan said:
It's super unrealistic but I still enjoyed it. I'm a musician so I was able to sort of relate to the anime, especially when Yaguchi makes into school. The imposter syndrome, going up against child prodigies, the hard work that doesn't pay off, I completely understand it all. However, these growing pains are contrasted by fiery passion, relentless pursuit, and the occasional pay off of those blood sweat and tears. On top of that, there is some good side drama to keep things fun and interesting. I think artists of all kinds can enjoy this series with some suspension of disbelief.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! The anime was not bad at all. I'm just jaded and the series hit a little too close to home for me. It's like how I enjoy sports anime from an objective stance, not as someone who has played sports in a team. Thanks for your comment!

Oct 3, 2022 1:36 PM

#16

BillJaeger

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Aug 2021

As an artist from East Africa, currently studying Art in a Kenyan University, I think most campuses with art schools do give a shit about talent and hardwork
maybe it feels different from Japan Art universities.

Oct 3, 2022 8:14 PM

#17

simon_says_404

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Oct 2022

BillJaeger said:
As an artist from East Africa, currently studying Art in a Kenyan University, I think most campuses with art schools do give a shit about talent and hardwork
maybe it feels different from Japan Art universities.

I can't say I know about Japan or East Africa, but in the U.S. most art schools are money grabbers. It doesn't matter if it's accredited or for profit, art schools are looking to make money. I agree that art schools do care about talent and hard work, but when they are charging 60,000 to 80,000 dollars to get a BFA, I'm awfully suspicious to their recruitment process. Not saying that people who are accepted into those schools are not talented or don't work hard. It's the business aspect of art schools that make me think twice about their intent on student recruitment.

Jul 4, 2023 1:02 PM

#18

BillJaeger

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Aug 2021

simon_says_404 said:

Every campus is money grabbing. Especially when it comes to buying resources and materials myself which is extra expense.

Sep 8, 2023 1:43 PM

#19

LiAuN

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Sep 2017

Reply to Lawrencw

Japan Artists are on another level. Maybe he is from a long line of mangaka/manga artist.😂

@Lawrencw he isn't because we do actually see both his parents in the manga and neither of them are artists

Sep 9, 2023 6:41 PM

#20

Lawrencw

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Dec 2021

386

Reply to LiAuN

@Lawrencw he isn't because we do actually see both his parents in the manga and neither of them are artists

@LiAuN it’s a joke

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