2and2makes5

[2and2makes5]

I do agree with how popular this anime is. This is definitely up there for the most popular anime we have analyzed this semester. A lot of people would most likely be aware of the concept of this anime rather than the characters. The pacing is pretty quick, I understand, but I still believe it was well enough for what it is, especially considering that there are 30 something episodes, they can fit a lot in.

Death Note

Death Note is certainly a very iconic anime, an anime that spans beyond those that have watched or seen this anime. More people probably recognize the death note notebook than the characters inside of the anime. It is famous because of its unique premise, and its eternal debate on morality or ethics. Light Yagami gets hold of this insane godlike power that allows him to kill anyone just by knowing their name. He himself has a very strong sense of justice, but it is also very short-sighted and stubborn. He does not consider justice to be nuanced, and only thinks about his own perception of justice. He starts off by using his power for "good" where he only targets criminals and people he deems to be "bad." Thats where the issue comes in. His mercy is merely decided by his own subjective judgement on whether or not a person deserves to die because they are not "good." However, later in the anime he is consumed by his power and also by his anxiety about being caught for what he did. In a way his extreme anxiety that he is going to be caught and brought retribution upon is him admitting that he has done something wrong. Death note highlights the everlasting question of whether or not "bad" people deserve to die. If people in a society should attempt at reforming criminals or be as harsh as possible to try to deter crime.

I feel as though the pacing of the anime is not very good, and Light also possesses a little bit too much plot armour. He fumbles immensely at the beginning by allowing L to locate somewhere down to the region of where he lives. L is shown to be very brilliant in the beginning of the anime with how fast he progresses through the mystery, but at some point it seems like the author thought the series would end too fast as a result. Instead, they nerf him down and eventually kill him before he solves the case.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Death Note (Eps. 1, 2, 5, 10, 11)

Death Note is a classic and well known anime that I surprisingly never sat down and watched. I am glad we are discussing it, however, as I have never seen it before, despite understanding the gist of it. These early episodes of Death Note focus up on the dangerous interplays of justice, power, and morals. As Light Yagami goes from a bored, high-achieving student to a self-proclaimed "God of Justice", difficult questions of what it means to have power over life and death are revealed. Light's belief that the world is rotten and needs to be cleansed is not just a personal thought on crime but a deeper reflection of the desire to have order and control in the world.

The first two episodes have Light quickly moving from horror at the sight of what the Death Note can do to using it as a tool to build a new world free of crime, with himself at the center. This complex he has created of himself escalates even more in episode 5, where he manipulates Raye into killing 12 FBI agents who are trying to find who is killing all the criminals, known publicly as Kira, coldly eliminating all 12 and then Raye without a second thought. What makes Light so chilling is not just his intellect, but the way he weaponizes ideals of justice to justify mass murder.

Episode 10 furthers this theme as Light and L engage in a tennis match, both literally and metaphorically. Their rivalry dramatizes how “justice” can mean very different things depending on the person wielding power. In episode 11, the introduction of a second Kira complicates Light’s godly image. Suddenly, his carefully calculated philosophy is threatened by someone who embraces the Death Note’s power even more recklessly.

Overall, this anime is absolutely amazing, and I am definitely excited to finally watch the entire series in full. Truly an excellent anime to end this class (and blog!) with.

[2and2makes5]

I like the comparison you made with FMAB and Akira, and how both deal with power, and what happens when you attempt to use said power that is unknowingly way too powerful to control.

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Analysis

At its core, FMAB is about dealing with loss, facing the consequences of your actions, and figuring out how to move forward when everything feels broken. The story follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who try to bring their mom back to life using alchemy. It backfires, Ed loses limbs, Al loses his body, and his soul gets attached to a suit of armor. From there, they set off on a mission to fix what they've done and find a way to regain their bodies.

What makes FMAB stand out is how emotional it gets while not focusing solely on battles or powers. The characters don't cry always or are expressive about their emotions, but you can feel it in the silence after scenes. The anime also looks at how power is used, who gets to have it, and what it costs (similar to Akira). The anime shows that alchemy is cool but it cannot fix everything. Some of the most dangerous people in the anime aren't alchemists, they are the ones in charge and use fear to stay in control. The anime doesn't hold back from pointing out how systems of power can become corrupt and how people in charge sometimes hurt others just to keep their position. When looking at Greed's character he starts selfish and obsessive. However, over time, there is character development as he learns what it means to care for other people.

Then there's the war narrative. The show doesn't shy away from showing how senseless war can be. The Ishvalan genocide is a turning point in the series and highlights how people (especially those in power) can justify horrific actions through ideology and the hunger for power.

Overall, I really enjoyed this anime as I've previously watched most of it and liked rewatching these episodes. In the end, the anime is about growing up, taking responsibility, ethics, and figuring out what kind of person you want to be in a world that is objectively unfair.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Eps. 2, 22, 25, 30, 54)

From watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, I can see one universal theme: the cost of trying to reshape the world and the emotional consequences of facing what's been lost along the way. The underlying trauma facing the main characters sets everything in motion for this anime: the failed resurrection of the Elric brothers’ mother. This failure serves as a metaphor for the dangers of trying to control what we fully don't understand, and this cost isn't just physical. Ed and Al are haunted by the guilt and grief not only for themselves but disturbing a natural order they now know can’t be broken without irreversible consequences. This theme continues with the discovery of how power and ambition can destroy entire lives, like in the Ishvalan genocide.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood resonates far beyond mere fantasy; it interrogates the systems that enable loss and regret. Focusing on the real world, these themes echo in the world from government-led war crimes to the manipulation of truth for control, particularly in societies still wrestling with colonial violence, systemic racism, and unchecked authority.

Yet, even in the darkest moments of these episodes, there's still a part for empathy. Not choosing violence becomes a radical act of resistance against an endless cycle of vengeance.

[2and2makes5]

There is definitely anxiety infested throughout this film, especially with the military complex attempting to control everything in this city. Akira is an excellent example of control, and what happens when you lose that control and bite off more than you can chew.

Akira Review

What struck me first was the aesthetic. Neo-Tokyo is this gorgeous nightmare, all neon grit and sprawling decay. The city feels alive like it’s breathing with its lungs, choking on the consequences of its past.

But beneath the explosions and body horror is something human. Kaneda and Tetsuo aren’t just rebels and psychic weapons; they’re lost boys. Tetsuo, especially, is a kid constantly overlooked, who finally gains power and is consumed by it. Instead of setting him free, it just makes everything worse. He spirals so fast. He's angry, scared, and constantly trying to prove he’s not weak anymore. It’s like the second he gains control, he can’t stop trying to destroy everything that made him feel small. Their dynamic is so real, especially at this time for anime, two kids trying to deal with stuff way bigger than them, and unequipped to handle it. Also, shout out to Kei and Kaori. They don’t get as much focus, but they’re still interesting, especially Kei. She’s trying to fight for something bigger, but she’s also just caught in this huge mess of power and destruction. It’s not just a sci-fi trope; it’s a reflection of real-world frustrations, of how societies fail their youth, especially the marginalized ones.

There’s this constant theme of instability (political, personal, biological). The government is corrupt, the military is grasping for control, and the kids? They’re stuck in the fallout. Literally and metaphorically. Akira asks essentially what happens when you give power to someone who’s never had any. 

I also noticed how Akira critiques technological obsession and national trauma. The post-WWII anxiety is baked into every frame. The fear of unchecked science, of cities being leveled, of bodies mutating beyond recognition. 

Honestly, it’s overwhelming but in the best way. I didn’t “understand” everything, but I don’t think I was supposed to. I had a similar experience with NGE and found many similarities between the two. Yet, the grotesque nature of the film also reminded me of Barefoot Gen with certain scenes.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Akira

Akira is a film that I have known for so long, and I feel like a lot have aswell. Not necessarily that they watched the movie, but more specifically witnessed the "Akira bike slide", which is in so many different shows, movies, and video games. Yet, I like to say how Akira is one of the most influential films in history, and not just for its animation, but its grotesque and brutal explorations of power, identity, and control.

At its undeniable core, Akira is about the instability of control, whether that be over one's body, society, or the future. Tetsuo's transformation from a nobody outcast to a godlike figure is both breathtaking and horrifying. His powers are a symbol for unchecked technological and political experimentation, especially if this experimentation becomes way too out of anyone's grasp. This is viscerally represented in the final scenes of Akira, when Tetsuo's body becomes a massive, uncontrollable blob, reflecting what happens when human ambition and power are stretched and unchecked.

This theme of control is emphasized in the portrayal of institutions like the military and the government. In Akira, they oversaw the secret psychological experiments on children to harness psychic powers for national dominance. The irony here is that while the state attempts to create control, it actually creates something uncontrollable. Even the scientists are reduced to spectators by the end of the film. Their awe quickly turns to fear, showing how even the most “rational” systems of knowledge are helpless when confronted with forces they helped unleash but cannot govern.

One last thing I'd like to mention is some comparisons I found with Akira and Neon Genesis Evangelion, particularly in Shinji and Tetsuo. Both are teenagers who were forced into roles shaped by adult institutions, with both stories ending in bodily transformation and psychological collapse. Tetsuo's mutation was uncontrollable, a total collapse of his autonomy, consumed by a power never meant to be wielded. Shinji’s absorption into the EVA-01 in End of Evangelion and his near-loss of self during Instrumentality represent his psychological collapse under the burden of expectation, grief, and emotional isolation. In both cases, the protagonists lose control over their own existence, highlighting the terrifying consequences of forcing growth without guidance, care, or consent. However, both endings are different. Akira ends in cosmic rebirth, with Tetsuo becoming something entirely new, very ambiguous but oddly hopeful. Shinji's end results in personal revaluation, left in a world where meaning must be self-created. Yet, both attempt to answer one question: What does it mean to grow up when the world around you is broken, and the systems meant to protect you are the ones doing the damage? Both suggest that this path to maturity involves confronting such chaos, not through violence, but with awareness, reflection, and, sometimes, painful transformation.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Sensōron

Yoshinori Kobayashi’s Sensōron is a particularly weird read, considering how controversial it is. This manga reimagines Japan's role in World War II through a nationalistic and revisionist lens, and the author attempts to position Japan not as a villainous aggressor but as a noble, misunderstood power trying to defend its sovereignty. Although this manga has sparked controversy due to its downplaying of war crimes, such as the Rape of Nanjing, and its squeaky clean version of history, it does offer a very important view of how historical memory, national identity, and war is malleable; it can be shaped and reshaped overtime.

In Ernest Gellner's A Short History of Mankind, it can be seen how Gellner demonstrates that nationalism arises not from ye olden times of a country, but from demands of the modern, industrial society. In that sense, Kobayashi's work is less of a historical analysis and more of a reflection on current cultural anxieties in Japan. Sensōron seeks to shape national identity in the present by bringing a sense of unity during a time when many may feel morally unsure about their nation.

A certain chapter I'd like to bring up is where Kobayashi critiques and attempts to debunk well-known antiwar photographs, where he argues that some of these photos are misleading, edited, or staged. He explains that these images were used as tools to push a masochistic narrative of Japanese history, where Japan is always portrayed as the villains, even in Japanese textbooks. Attempting to question these images, the author of Sensōron tries to break the guilt and shame that many Japanese felt postwar. Tying this with Geller's article, Kobayashi isn’t just challenging specific images; he’s questioning an entire version of history that, in his view, weakens national pride. Kobayashi tries to create a different national story, one where Japan is not just a defeated empire but a misunderstood power that is of high honor.

Globally speaking, this revisionist trend is seen in other countries, even the United States. Various states over the years have softened talks about slavery and overall racism in the United States, omitting many key details about the Jim Crow era of the U.S., Native American genocide and Manifest Destiny, Japanese-American internment camps, and even the Vietnam War. But, that's what this manga is about; it was created to reclaim a version of history that restores pride and meaning to a national story that many feel as if it has been overshadowed by guilt. Kobayashi seeks to replace narratives of victimhood with those of honor and sacrifice. Sensōron really shows a global struggle over memory, where the trauma of those who died and experienced war and other traumatic events are continuously reinterpretended for the sake of the present and the overall presentation of a nation.

[2and2makes5]

I really couldn't agree more. This film was so beautiful, and I loved every second of it as well.

Your Name

I truly thought I’d never watch another movie as good as A Silent Voice, and then this came around. I don’t even know if I can put into words how utterly beautiful this movie is. Every single frame is a work of art with one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard. I really don’t know what else I can say other than that this is a total masterpiece from the very first second. The suspense is layered so perfectly and the storyline unravels in a magical way with each scene. I don’t even think I can do a deeper analysis of themes or whatever because I’m actually about to cry thinking about it. I will recommend this film to everyone I know until the day I die.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Your Name

Your Name is a stunning film visually. I was amazed by the sheer attention to detail that was put into the movie, especially in the backgrounds. From the streets of Tokyo to Tessie's room, all the little items placed about are so detailed; it's insane. Using Michael Foucault's The History of Sexuality, we can see how this romantic story includes undertones of identity and power structures that shape our desires and bodies.

The main gist of this movie is two teenagers, Mitsuha and Taki, whom body swap every other day and are connected across time and space. Mitsuha yearns to escape the countryside and wishes to be in a big city like Tokyo. She struggles with her prescribed role as a young woman in a conservative town where she is under the authority of her own father, as he is the mayor. She resists, she cuts her hair, prays to break free, wishes she was a boy in Tokyo. This resistance mirrors Foucault's view that power is present even in personal desires, and resistance arises from these very dynamics.

Foucault argues that power is not held by a sole figure but through society, spread out in different relations. This is evident in Your Name through the town’s traditions and gendered expectations, which shape Mitsuha’s experience of her own body. Even in the urban world Taki inhabits, his behavior is shaped by the expectations of masculinity and youth—visible in how his friends perceive and react to Mitsuha’s influence when she controls his body.

The whole body swapping thing, I believe, is a metaphor for how identity can be constructed, deconstructed, and surveilled where we come to know ourselves and others through bodily experience, memory, and social expectation. Thus, this aligns with Foucault’s idea that identity is not repressed but produced and regulated within power relations.

[2and2makes5]

It really is true that they would make anything into an anime. I would add on to that "these days" but Japanese authors have been doing this for years and years. I also agree that if you look at it for what it is, a parody of history, it can be seen as crude or dumbed down in some points, sorta like downplaying actual atrocities. But most people who like and consume shows like these enjoy it for the characters and their personalities, rather than the actual story.

Hetalia Axis Powers

I never thought there would be an anime about the countries in this way, but I guess I was wrong. To be fair even "I was reincarnated as a vending machine" is a manga so anything is possible I guess. This anime is very clearly a silly anime, but it does tackle real world problems, though in this case it depicts the major wars and disputes between countries as minor arguements between people. This whole decontextualization I believe is one of the main points of this anime, much like what Annett talks about in her essay. Although Im sure the parodic nature of the anime was not meant to harm or offend anyone, it often does and its a problem that has more or less happened with anime as of late. With the main goal of generating more interest or content by using niche or funny topics to create discourse about the subject. Although the anime is funny and having the countries do silly things can be cute, I do think talking about very serious problems like these in this manner could not have the intended effect. After all anime is for kids and im not sure how the airing situation was with this anime I feel like downplaying it this much can give kids the wrong idea. If someones concern is whether or not they can handle the actual reality of these events, then I would say the simple answer is to just not talk about it until they are. Stuff like this shouldn't be dumbed down because then it loses the real effect it had on the world.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Hetalia Axis Powers (Eps. 1 - 19)

I knew this one was coming. I've always known about Hetalia Axis Powers for the longest time, as I used to see it everywhere while growing up on the internet. I was never into it because of the amount of Yaoi content I've seen on the internet about it and I assumed that was what it was all about. However, I was mostly wrong about that. These first 19 episodes of Hetalia may seem like a light hearted comedy on the surface, but deep below, this show reflects deeper social and cultural dynamics embedded in the anime fandom. Using another reading from this week, World Conflict/World Conference: Axis Powers Hetalia by Sandra Annett, it can be shown how this show of personifying nations as attractive young men is a fantastic way to portray world history and how it manages to open up to a certain audience: young women.

Characters like Italy, with his infamous pasta obsession, or England, with his tsundere disdain for France, are not just historical caricatures; they’re built with "moe elements", designed to inspire an emotional connection. As Annett points out, these traits are very appealing to fujoshi fans, women who enjoy media with romantic relationships between male characters, who often consume this type of media for character dynamics rather than the story. For example, America's flashy "hero" persona contrasts well with Japan's restraint, which is a fan-fiction-creating factory in and of itself. This type of stuff allows for communities to grow and for creativity to flourish.

I'd also like to point out how short these episodes are. The five minutes that each episode lasts perfectly mirrors the idea of database consumption that Annett describes. One episode goes from talking about diet plans and then goes into personifying the Cold War's awkwardness. The idea here is that fans don't need a story; they need points for their favorite parings of characters, jokes, and interpretations.

Outside of the Yaoi and all that, Hetalia Axis Powers does do an excellent job at reimagining political topics in ways that people can better understand, turning history into something deeply personal and global.

[2and2makes5]

I like the comparison you made with how different Drivers treat their blades differently with nature. Some people take gentle care of the world around them, while some see it as nothing but a tool they can use to gain what they desire.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Hey everyone! 🌟

Before watching Kojima – Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I expected a fantasy adventure, but it ended up being way deeper than that. The story follows Rex, a young salvager who bonds with a Blade named Pyra. Together, they search for Elysium: a legendary paradise above the clouds. Along the way, they face enemies, uncover secrets, and question what’s real and what’s just a dream.

Two themes really stood out to me: the bond between humans and Blades, and the search for Elysium.

Blades are living beings with emotions and memories (though they lose those memories when they die and return to their Core Crystals). Some Drivers treat their Blades with care, but others just use them. It reminded me of how we treat nature: sometimes with love, but often like a resource to exploit. The stronger the bond between Driver and Blade, the more powerful they become. That balance felt like a message: we need to respect the natural world if we want to survive with it.

Then there’s Elysium. At first, it feels like a goal, a perfect place that’ll fix everything. But the deeper the story goes, the more it feels like a symbol, something people chase because they’ve lost hope in the world they have. It made me think about how we’re always looking for “better” somewhere else (space maybe), instead of trying to fix what’s broken right here. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is set in a fantasy world, but the questions it raises about nature, hope, and survival feel super real. Maybe paradise isn’t a place you find, maybe it’s something you create.

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Cutscenes Only)

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a game I have heard about numerous times. One of my friends was obsessed with it a few years after it came out and that's really the only exposure I received from this series, but now after watching the cutscenes I can see how this game has a deeper level beyond the JRPG that it is, filled with fighting, beautiful landscapes, and magical powers.

The world of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is built on the backs of massive living beings called Titans. These Titans quite literally support civilization, and as you continue in the game, it becomes obvious that they are slowly dying, decaying under the weight of industrial progression. This recalls to today's reading of The Drama of the Anthropocene, in which the point in the reading that modern humanity assumes a "transcendence over nature", treating its resources as a thing to be managed or taken over, not a living partner to be respected.

A cutscene I'd like to point out is one with Pyra, pleading with the protagonist, Rex, not to see her simply as a tool of war. This mirrors the reading's critique of the mechanistic worldview: the reduction of beings, even people, into instruments. Pyra's plead isn't just personal, but symbolic as she represents a force of nature asking to not be consumed but to be understood.

Later in the game, Rex and the party reach the ruins of Elysium. Instead of expecting a lively area, it’s a barren wasteland. Like Renaissance scientists in The Drama of the Anthropocene, Rex learns through humility, emotional intelligence, and collaboration—not conquest.

[2and2makes5]

I also agree with just how creative this movie is. I appreciate the amount of effort it must of took to create these landscapes, especially with how unique they are. Also, I agree with what you said about Nausicaä. She is not the typical hero that fights their way through with violence and bathes in all its glory, but she fights with her words and cares for all that is around her, especially the insects and other animals.

 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. I had never really heard much about it before, so I had no idea what to expect when watching it. I figured it would be a typical animated movie, but it actually ended up surprising me in a really good way.

What stood out to me right away was how detailed and creative the world felt. The toxic jungle and all the giant insects were so unique, and it felt like the whole environment had its own personality. It wasn’t just a setting for the story, it was an important part of the story itself. The way everything came together visually made it feel alive and exciting to watch.

What I loved the most, though, was Nausicaä as a character. She wasn’t just a typical hero who fights her way through problems. Instead, she tried to understand the world around her and find peaceful solutions. I thought that was really inspiring. It showed that being brave doesn’t always mean fighting, sometimes it means caring deeply and standing up for what’s right in a different way.

The environmental message also really stuck with me. Even though the movie is older, it feels super relevant today with everything happening in the world. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind isn’t just about surviving in a dangerous world; it’s about respecting nature and finding a way to live in balance with it. I’m honestly glad I gave this movie a chance!

Picture from: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

This week, we start on the movie Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, another fantastic Studio Ghibli film. I have never heard of this film before, even knowing many Studio Ghibli films; this one seemed to go under my radar. This very early film in the studio's life introduces a true hero whom isn't rooted in triumphant conquest, but in compassion. Nausicaä, the main heroine, is not radical in terms of fighting, but it's her way of not fighting. In a post-collapsed world, her greatest weapon of choice is empathy.

This film follows Nausicaä's journey through a post-apocalyptic society that is full of toxic jungles. She doesn't fear the big oversized insects but instead studies them to learn from them, and she eventually discovers nature's terrifying turn is not vengeance but healing. Nausicaä doesn't try to dominate her surroundings or enemies, but she listens and changes the world around her through understanding rather than violence.

On a global scale, this movie is about climate change and environmental justice. A key takeaway from this movie is that healing, either that be personal or environmental, comes through empathy and responsibility. Kindness isn't weakness; kindness is a strong revolutionary force that we all have and can use to change the world around us.

[2and2makes5]

It was fantastic to read from a perspective different from mine. I sorta expected what was gonna happen, but even I was amazed at the amount of effort that was put into everything. A lot of the cosplays were so cool, and it looked like it took hours to finalize them.

SqampCon Blog Post

I attended SwampCon on Saturday afternoon with two of my friends, who are both much more invested in various anime than I am. I had heard about the convention since last year but never seriously considered attending. While I’ve watched a fair amount of anime (I'm all caught up with One Piece, almost finished with Naruto, and have explored many other genres), I’ve never been into cosplay or attended any conventions before, so I didn’t know what to expect. Due to my limited knowledge and interest, I was surprised, almost shocked, by how many passionate anime enthusiasts showed up. The convention was much larger than I had imagined.

Thinking about why I was so surprised by the size of the event, I came up with a few reasons.

First, I didn’t expect Japanese anime to have such a strong influence in the U.S., a country halfway across the globe that speaks a different language and practices a different culture. I’ve always known that many people around me are fans of anime, but since words like “weeb” are often used in a derogatory way toward those who are passionate about it, I didn’t expect so many fans to show up. It was great to see that no one at the convention was shy about their passion, and that everyone was openly embracing their interests.

Second, the amount of effort people put into their cosplay was impressive. Many attendees spent hours creating costumes to resemble their favorite characters. For example, I saw someone wearing a Five Nights at Freddy’s animatronic bear suit made from a hard material that seemed to require custom computer-aided design and manufacturing. It even had a built-in speaker that shouted lines from the game. While that character isn't from a Japanese anime, the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail could be seen in the costumes of anime characters throughout the convention.

Third, I was amazed by the sheer number of vendors selling original fan art. There were three rooms full of local artists’ booths featuring stickers, paintings, plushies, and crocheted creations. Some of the items were so adorable that I couldn’t resist making a few purchases. I was really impressed by the dedication and creativity of the artists who made and sold merchandise based on the anime they love.

Attending SwampCon helped me better understand the distinction between official cultural capital and shadow cultural capital. Seeing people passionately create and share around anime helped me appreciate how deeply meaningful that form of cultural expression is. It gave me a new perspective on fandom and identity, and connected closely with many of the topics we've discussed in class.

[2and2makes5]

Swampcon!!

Swampcon was the first real convention I went to. I had planned on going to a convention prior, but I wasn't able to make it. This convention lasted two days, March 29th and March 30th. I only went for one day, but I was there for a lot of it. In fact, I volunteered! I signed up to volunteer quite a bit ago because I have been meaning to get involved in Swampcon. I was planning on going the day after as well on Sunday to check more stuff out, but it was pouring down rain, and I didn't want to deal with that. The rain did remind me of Genshiken, with that one episode where it was pouring down rain.

I volunteered from 4 to 8 pm on Saturday in Artist Alley. The Artist Alley was an area at the convention where many artists (mostly local, but some traveled quite a bit to get there) came together to sell their art. I spent my time making sure people had wrist bands on and directing people to where they could get one if they did not have one. I was able to walk around and explore the rooms, and I was surprised at the amount of different types of art! There were stickers, prints, keychains, pins, and so much more. There was a variety of art; I even saw one artist making jewelry and blankets! It was very fun to see so many people come together to express their love for the anime, games, and comics that they enjoy. No other place would I be seeing Miku buying a My Little Pony keychain or Mista from Jojo buying prints of characters from a variety of media standing next to two Deadpools. This experience really helped me see the difference between official cultural capital and shadow cultural capital. Seeing so many people dress up and create art helped me realize how meaningful cultural expression really is. Conventions like these allow people to freely express their love for the media they consume, spending hours on end creating art, making cosplays, or just showing up and walking around.

Yet, I've only scratched the surface. Not only was there art all around, but there were also many panels, ranging from panels about dragons, furries, how to speedrun video games, kpop, lore in video games, quizzes related to video games, a panel about yaoi, and so much more. I sadly wasn't able to go to really any panels, but I met up with some friends on Saturday and they told me about what they experienced. There were also events, such as the maid cafe and Vocaloid concert. I was really hoping to go to the Vocaloid concert, but I sadly couldn't :( It was awesome to see some behind the scenes for it as I got a tour of the convention for training purposes for volunteering, and I was able to see everyone practicing their dance moves and see the stage for what it is. It's so awesome to see how dedicated and creative people are to their favorite series, even taking hobbies such as dance and incorporating them with the media they enjoy.

A little before the end of my shift, before I had to help the artists close up shop, I looked more into the individual items the artists were selling. I saw keychains of characters from Evangelion, prints of Makima and Denji from Chainsawman, and even stickers of Meatwad, Frylock, and Master Shake from Aqua Team Hunger Force, which I thought was really awesome. I didn't expect to find something like that; I mostly assumed it was just anime.

One last thing: I find it awesome that they were playing one of the UF basketball games at the same time in the center part of the Reitz, so seeing two different things happen at once was pretty cool, and a lot of people that came for the game didn't know about Swampcon. Anyways, here's a photo of an awesome cosplay I saw of one of my favorite Five Nights at Freddy's characters, Springtrap.