edsonfrancois

[edsonfrancois]

Hey Kaylsstar! I was also surprised to find out that the Evas had the souls of the mothers that the pilots had. It began to make a lot more sense for me why Shinji's father insisted on him specifically to Pilot the Eva unit. Prior to this I was initially wondering why they specifically choose him despite this passiveness to "save the world" but it made more sense in that nature. I pretty much agree with the fact that Shinji is a way to criticize what society deems as the norm when it comes to masculinity, as this "normal" cannot possibly fit the way everyone thinks and feels.

Neon Genesis Evangelion & The End of Evangelion

While watching this week's anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the respective film, The End of Evangelion, I often found myself questioning a few things when it came to the initial plot and message. Though at times it can be tricky to analyze messages within the anime, audiences can still see critiques of gender roles and masculinity woven within the storyline.

Throughout the series, we see the main character, Shinji, grappling with self-deprecation and constantly apologizing or running away from situations. The first time we see this is when he finds out from both his father and Misato that he was taken to NERV to become a pilot of an Eva to save mankind. He lashes out, saying that his father hasn't contacted him in 3 years and that he only views Shinji as useful when it benefits his experiments (which his father somewhat agrees with). It is only when he sees Rei in a hospital bed that he decides to agree to do what NERV says (otherwise Rei would be forced to fight while injured). In these moments, we see Shinji demonstrate a more emotional and empathetic side, something that society does not often reserve for men. In addition to this, whenever we see Shinji say that he's a weakling, that he hates himself, or wants to run away, people like Misato and Asuka tell him he needs to act more "man-like" and to essentially get over his problems. This is a reflection on what their society and environment has taught them: that to be masculine is to be strong, show little emotion, get over traumas, and to fight for others. Shinji's character in itself is a criticism to pre-conceived notions of how gender and masculinity should be portrayed, and that though he does not have these specific qualities, he is still a man (giving new perspectives to traditional gender norms).

Something else I found interesting was the Evas themselves. At first they appear as regular gundams (robots operated by human pilots), but as the series progresses, we learn that not only are they created from samples of the angels they captured, but also contains the souls of the pilot's mothers. Within the first episode, we see Eva 01 protect Shinji from harm (even when it is not plugged into a power source or should be moving), hinting at the idea that the Eva is connected to him somehow. This action can be another portrayal of gender norms, as mothers in various cultures are thought to be caretakers and protectors of the youth.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on Neon Genesis Evangelion

This anime was quite interesting to watch, especially Shinji's character development within the storyline of the anime. Typically, when it comes to giant battle robot animes, the main protagonist goes through this journey towards becoming a "man." It reminded me of another anime I have seen called Gurren Lagann, which was probably inspired by this anime. In that anime, the main character Simon goes through your typical masculine journey while piloting a pretty cool robot. Kamina, who accompanies Simon even encourages him throughout the anime to push past his worries and fight in a masculine way, totally opposite of how Shinji developed in Evangelion. I think personally its a breath of fresh air however, because you do not typically see these types of protagonist in anime. Its always the confident or learning to become confident and brave protagonist that dominate the media, not allowing for nuance personality wise. While it was weird for me at first to feel and develop for Shinji, I can totally get where he is coming from. I mean imagine having the weight of the entire world on your shoulders, task to slay creatures beyond your comprehension, and you are pretty much fresh in high school. It would terrify a lot of people, and I definitely understand where Shinji is coming from. Regardless, it was still an entertaining watch, as you can not really make a giant robot anime boring as long as you know what you are doing. Makes me even want to imagine fighting villains while piloting these cool machinery. Something else I really liked was Shinji coming into terms with himself in the last episode, as I think that is something a lot of people can relate to, including myself. Overall, Shinji's character development for me personally is a welcomed change in the anime sphere.

[edsonfrancois]

Hey reeseponds! I liked your analysis of each anime! With Sailor Moon, despite her heroic actions and capabilities, she is still depicted as feminine and herself at the end of the day. Each character in Sailor Moon very much have the capabilities to change the world, and I feel like the writing of anime is telling us that these traits should not define a character, rather it should add on to someone who is already strong and powerful. I may not be a girl, but I can still can feel for Aggretsuko's struggles and her boss undermining her because of her gender, and releasing her stress with rock bands is definitely valid, which is why I honestly enjoy the show a lot. And with Wondering Son, like with what you said the anime contains several themes of identity which are explored in two differing but similar ways.

"Sailor Moon", "Aggretsuko", and "Wandering Son"

The anime “Sailor Moon”, “Aggretsuko”, and “Wandering Son” all have unique approaches to gender performances and femininity. Although they have different storylines, they all follow the main characters who are women. In “Sailor Moon,” Usagi Tsukino runs late for school as usual, and she runs into a cat with a moon shape on its head. Usagi is not a very smart girl, and she is not very good in school, but for some reason, the cat she ran into came into her room and started talking to her. Luna, the cat, gave her a brooch and told her to say, “Moon Prism Power, Make-up,” and she turned into Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon then saved many people from Jadeite and the evil queen. Sailor Moon is depicted as a cute little girl, but when she needs to, she transforms into a superhero who saves the day. However, when she becomes the hero, she is still depicted as very feminine. This relates worldwide because women are seen as vulnerable, not smart, and cute, but people tend to undermine them. They are strong, powerful, and capable of changing the world. 

In “Aggretsuko,” we follow Retuko as she goes to work as an accountant. She does not love her job because her boss is sexist towards her. For example, he mentioned that women are made to clean up after people. She would release her anger at the local karaoke bar and sing heavy metal. I relate to this show because so often I face comments about my gender, whether that be that girls can not be leaders or that girls are meant to stay home and clean. 

In “Wandering Son,” we meet two transgender kids: Yoshino, who is a girl but dresses and acts like a boy, and Shuichi, who is a boy but dresses and acts like a girl. They both try to avoid puberty as much as possible, but eventually they go through puberty, and it makes them even more confused. During this anime, these kids navigate their identity and try to figure out how and if they can be who they genuinely want to be. 

The theory by Judith Butler enhances my understanding of these anime. Whether it be Sailor Moon uses her feminine side to embrace her superhero powers, Retsuko being very lovely and submissive at work, and then going to karaoke to relieve her anger, or the kids in “Wandering Son” figuring out who they are through their gender.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on "Sailor Moon," "Aggretsuko" and "Wondering Son"

Sailor Moon has always been on my radar for quite the minute, however I have never really gotten the chance to view it as my catalogue of unfinished anime ever so grows. Regardless, it was an entertaining watch and I dig the concept of magical girls in anime. It honestly reminded me of early cartoons that I used to watch, especially when they fully show the transformation scene every single time they transform from start to finish. Definitely see themes of gender as feminine objects are used to powerup these characters. Funnily enough, I was already familiar with another magical girl type of show named "Madoka Magica" with a lot more crazy powerups and explosives. I thought the power scaling of Sailor Moon would match something as intense, however I reminded myself about the core demographic audience of Sailor Moon and quenched my expectations a little. Makes me wonder a lot more about the audience of Madoka Magica though, as such a serious and intense anime is masked behind the magical girl trope.

Saw the cute little art style of this show and thought this was going to be something lighthearted. Heard the rock music set in and my expectations immediately shattered. I loved the elements of comedy from this show, and this is definitely something I will continue watching past this course. I can sort of relate to Retsuko when it comes to escapism and hiding away your true self from the prying eyes of society. I also saw themes of gender performativity, with Director Tom treating Retsuko a certain way because of her femininity. Overall amazing show and something I would even recommend to my friends.

Wondering Son is a pretty nice retrospective on identity issues in society. Two individuals tasked with exploring who they are in midst of ages where change is most prominent. I think the author did pretty well demonstrating how individuals may navigate their lives with conflicting changes. While i do not have any personal experiences, I still sort of feel for Shuichi and Yoshino.

[edsonfrancois]

Hey ufanimeblog! As someone who likes to play video games on my freetime, this sounds like something I would have love to attend! I like what you said about conventions being a place where you can fell a sense of belonging, as thats what I believe what makes them so popular. Similar minded individuals coming together to celebrate what they love perfectly encapsulates what it means to be human, and conventions are a place where everyone from any background can enjoy. As someone who recently attended a convention for the first time, I can definitely relate to much of what you said about community. Even as a casual anime watcher, I felt this powerful sense of community within these large events. I am glad you had fun!

Guardian Con 2018

Back in 2018, I attended Guardian Con in Tampa Florida, a gaming convention originally centered around the video game series Destiny that eventually grew into a wider celebration of gaming and community. At the time I was really into both Destiny 2 and Fortnite, spending as many hours as I could immersed in these games not just for the gameplay, but for the friendships and shared sense of purpose they offered. Attending Guardian Con was my first experience with a large scale fan gathering, and it completely changed how I understood fandom, as a deeply communal and force. One of the highlights of the convention was getting to meet some of my favorite streamers, including Dr. Lupo and Ninja, who at the time were two of the biggest names in Fortnite. Seeing them in real life was surreal. These were the people I watched nearly every day online, whose content made me laugh and inspired me. Meeting them face to face was grounding. It reminded me that fandom isn’t just about celebrity or media content. It’s about the human connection we build around shared passion. Gaming has always been a big part of my life, but Guardian Con made me realize that it’s also a key part of my identity. Playing Destiny online with friends and strangers from across the world gave me a sense of community I didn’t always feel irl. At the convention, I got to play the game with other attendees in person, shout out meet my favorite streamers, and talk lore with my Dad who was just as invested in the universe as I was. Nobody's worried about being stared at for what they're wearing, or being called a “nerd” who spent too much time gaming. Instead everyone at Guardian con appreciates one another and it becomes a place where people can and enjoy themselves in the company of peers and friends who share the same passion. This experience ties directly into the class discussions we've had about how fandom and youth culture intersect. As scholars have pointed out, fandom is a form of participatory culture, where fans don’t just consume media but also help shape it through interpretation, conversation, and community. At Guardian Con, I saw this in action. Cosplayers walked the floor dressed as their characters from Destiny Panels and meetups encouraged players to share stories, content, and theories. Streamers talked about how the feedback they received from fans helped shape the way they played and even what they streamed. Everyone there was not just a spectator, but a participant in shaping the culture around these games. One of the most memorable moments for me was watching Ninja and DrLupo play Fortnite live on stage. Even though none of us were playing, we all felt like we were part of the game. That shared emotional investment, created a sense of belonging that stuck with me. These streamers were figures through which we fans could connect, celebrate, and even dream. Looking back, Guardian Con 2018 was a formative moment. It showed me how fandom can be a powerful tool for identity, especially for young people navigating who they are and where they belong. In that space, I was a fan, a community member, and someone who could connect with others through shared passion. Even now, years later, I still carry the memory of that experience with me. I may not log into Destiny 2 or Fortnite as often, but the friendships I formed and the belonging I felt at Guardian Con remind me that fandom is more than just media it’s about people, connection, and finding where you fit in the world.

[edsonfrancois]

Metrocon 2025

I attended my first ever anime convention in Tampa Florida. As someone who frequently enjoys the world of anime, I still honestly never expected to end up in an event as large as a convention. I am more of a casual fan of anime myself, and while I do admire the effort people put into these cosplays I saw at the convention, I myself (as you can see in the photo) did not have any character in mind, mainly due to the lack of funds and time. Despite cosplaying not really being my thing, If i were to attend one of these again with a group of friends, I would definitely find a character I like and dress up for the fun of it.

Going into this blind, I had no idea what to expect other than a bunch of cosplayers. I remember standing in this long line for registration, feeling completely out of place amongst the different characters I saw people cosplaying as (I literally went with a shirt and some shorts). When I finally made it past the line, I pretty much blended in with the rest of the crowd. Since the main venue did not open until 12, I was just walking around, admiring the scenery around me. I went to this event completely solo, which I honestly felt was a mistake. I would have definitely enjoyed the event more with a group of friends, however that was not possible at the time. Definitely brining some friends with me if I were to attend one of these again. Regardless, It was a moment of peaceful solitude I do not typically get. Until 12 PM hit, I was silently admiring the cosplays of characters from shows I loved (mainly because I was far to introverted to say hi), and walking around the venue for potential food spots.

Once 12 PM struct, the rest of the map was available to all. I remember walking through the crowd, bestowing my eyes upon a ton of booths from different franchises. To be honest I did not recognize a good 80% of them, and I thought I was pretty well versed into the anime world. Just goes to show you how large the scene is really. It even reminded me of the gathering in Genshiken in a funny short of way. I saw several lines which led to famous voice actors from popular shows. Did it seem interesting? Absolutely! Was I going to meet them myself? Nah. Introverted-ness aside It did not really seem like my thing, however what I did immediately gravitate towards was this sword display.

I saw some absolutely gorgeous looking swords, especially Asta's sword from Black Clover, and Guts sword from Berserk. I really wanted those behemoths, but the guy in the stand told me the price and I just settled with something a little more affordable. Not complaining however, as the sword for only the price of $45 was pretty awesome. You can even see me posing with it in front of the giant axolotl in all of its glory.

Was I was really looking for was the Pokemon display. If it was not clear from the profile picture, I am a massive Pokemon guy. What I managed to find blessed my heart and soul.

Some of the rarest cards to ever exist were casually on display in somewhere where I least expect it. I honestly felt like a kid again at that moment, but as a broke college student, I had to control myself there. Did it stop me from buying a $35 pack? Absolutely not. Shameless to say that I fell victim to consumerism back there. Additionally, there were also some Pokemon plushies that I really wanted, but to spare my wallet, I had to withdraw myself from that section.

After that whole ordeal, I went to see a cosplay competition. I saw your typical Hatsune Miku performance, and someone even as wild as a Waluigi performance. Everyone up on staged looked like they were having a blast, and It was pretty enjoyable. I admire their bravery to go up on stage in front of a large audience and perform, as I do not think that is something I would ever do. Overall, I enjoyed the entire convention and learning about the culture and enviornment around such. For sure something I would bring my friends over and mess around.

[edsonfrancois]

Hey ufanimeblog! I agree with a lot of what you said, especially about the stereotypes. When I was watching the show, I honestly thought they would keep things surface level too, poking fun at Otaku culture, and overall being comedic show that shouldn't be taken seriously. But looking into it, I found a bunch of underlying themes about passion and just being yourself. Passion fuels community and exponentially grows a fandom. Things like fan fiction, fan art, and even fan animations all spawn from passion and said "Otakus." People discover untapped talent with these projects, and I believe that is the magic of popular culture.

Blog: Genshiken

When I first started watching Genshiken, I expected either cringe humor or surface level stereotypes. What I found instead was an introspective look at identity, community, and the tension between passion and social expectations. Across the assigned episodes Genshiken becomes less about anime and and more about the quiet rebellion of being unapologetically yourself in a society that often values conformity. The characters Sasahara and Madarame highlight the psychological struggle of embracing an otaku identity in a culture where that label carries intense stereotypes. Sasahara’s hesitation in joining the club, and his eventual acceptance, reminded me of the pressure to suppress personal interests to fit in. Episode 3 especially surprised me when they all go to a doujinshi convention. I noticed how being surrounded by people with shared interests empowers them to drop their usual defenses and express themselves freely. It was a moment that felt deeply human and relatable. This resonates with how niche fandoms are perceived in both Japan and elsewhere. Whether you're into anime or not, there’s always a line between fun interest and obsession. Genshiken doesn’t just acknowledge the line it toys with it, showing how passion can be a source of pride instead of shame. I also found Saki’s role interesting. As someone not into otaku culture, she’s initially an outsider. But over time, she starts bridging the gap between mainstream and otaku spaces. That tension between inclusion and exclusion mirrors real world dynamics around gender, social capital, and gatekeeping in fandoms. What stuck with me most is how Genshiken doesn’t glamorize its characters. And in doing so, it makes space for viewers to reflect on their own identities and the communities that make us feel seen.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on "Genshiken"

This show was a nice little break from the emotional anime's from Module 7. Coming into this show, I initially had my own perspective of the "Otaku," mainly fueled by online perception. However watching this anime really broadened my perspective of these types of people, even if its done in a comedic sense. In a way, this anime reminds me a lot about what we do in this class, minus the erotic content. We analyze anime in order to discover global issues and themes, and we come together to discuss our individual opinions. And they analyze anime because it brings them together and they feel a sense of community that way. Wouldn't that me us Otaku's ourself? On a serious note though, I enjoyed the portrayal of community here, because it reminds me of my involvement in the Pokémon community myself. As someone who has involve myself in the Pokémon community for majority of my live, I can definitely relate to the sense of community that popular culture can bring. I have even involve in enunciative and textual productivity, I always like to talk about my favorite Pokémon, and I have even create custom fake Pokémon as a kid.

The anime does not hold back however, and I was definitely a little surprised at what was green lit in the final production. With how embarrassed each individual character was, I am sure they were also pretty shocked about what was allowed to be produced as Manga. This is sort of how people with niche interest perceive the judgement of other people, and I can definitely relate to this when I used to share my Pokémon interest with a small group of friends. Regardless, Sasahara and the rest of the club had absolutely no shame in the game, and even with the extreme examples of Genshiken, I think that is how we should feel about our little niche interest, as long as it does not harm anyone of course.

[edsonfrancois]

Hey solriavitz! I definitely agree on the emotional rollercoaster aspect of watching these 3 shows! For me at least Naruto gave me this rush of adrenaline feeling when watching your typical Shōnen, while tackling themes of isolation and perseverance you mention. I really love when a show is able to talk about serious topic while being fun. With Wolf Children, I like what you said about how much our parental figures sacrifice for us to be where we our. After watching that movie, I developed a much more deeper appreciation for my own mother, and even thanking her for doing the best she could in order to help me get to UF! Ishida's redemption arc was also pretty emotional for me as well, and I was actively rooting for that throughout the movie. Definitely see a lot of themes with guilt, and even felt guilty for Nishimiya myself several times.

Naruto/Wolf Children/A Silent Voice Blog Post

Watching Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice back-to-back was an emotional rollercoaster. Each anime, in its own way, opened up windows into Japanese culture while simultaneously touching on struggles that feel universal—family, identity, belonging, and redemption.

Naruto stood out for its intense focus on perseverance and the loneliness of being an outsider. Naruto's journey from being ostracized to being respected mirrors the struggles many kids (including myself at times) face when trying to fit into a world that misunderstands them. His constant need to prove himself resonated deeply with me and reminded me of how important it is to have people who believe in you.

Wolf Children took a much more intimate and quiet approach, focusing on motherhood and the sacrifice it demands. Hana’s resilience as a single mother raising children who don't fit into society’s norms was both heartbreaking and beautiful. It made me reflect on how much our parents, especially mothers, often endure without complaint. The film also subtly critiques rigid social expectations in Japan, while engaging in global conversations about identity and belonging.

A Silent Voice had the strongest emotional impact on me. Its portrayal of bullying, guilt, and mental health was incredibly raw and relatable. Shoya’s journey to redemption and Shoko’s quiet strength brought me to tears. It made me think about how we often don’t realize the weight of our actions on others, and how hard it is to forgive ourselves. This film speaks to Japan’s struggles with mental health stigma, but also connects universally to anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t deserve a second chance.

Each anime, though different in style and tone, offered powerful reflections on what it means to be human.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on "Naruto" "Wolf Children" and "A Silent Voice"

Despite this anime recognized as one of the "big 3" I have actually never seen Naruto until now. I have heard countless praise when it comes to this anime, however the sheer amount of episode seemed daunting at least for me. Regardless, the first episode immediately hooked me into the series, and I really enjoy Naruto's early beginnings, as a trouble some child who just wants to receive some sort of attention that he was devoted of due to the unfortunate fate of his parents. You cannot help but feel terrible for him, but as many Shōnen protagonist, he endures hardships throughout his life, and in the end manages to graduate as a ninja which kickstarted his journey. His initial failure and feeling of isolation is something I can definitely relate to, with my own personal experiences of failure, and just feeling like I am not enough. Especially with the scene of Naruto on the swing watching the rest of his classmates become ninjas and move on, the types of failures which leave you feeling left out sting the most. But Naruto's resilience by learning shadow clone jutsu, and pretty much outshining the rest of his classmates during that dire situation was not only satisfying, but reminded me of the times I have swung my failures into learning experiences, and abused my motivation to do better by accelerating my knowledge further.

The Naruto vs Pain arc was something I have seen through some video essays on Youtube, however actually watching it yourself is a lot more thrilling and even leaves you questioning whether Pain is truly a mindless villain. Going though the episodes, I initially conceive Pain as the "big bad" of the series who is just blowing up villages just because. But when he pinned Naruto down and started to talk no jutsu Naruto about his own trauma, I realized that it was not as black and white as it seemed. I even began to understand Pain a little bit, not that his actions were justified in anyway, however it was understandable. Imagine if your hometown was annihilated as collateral damage fueled from the hatred in the world, in which you have no control over. Something like that will for sure screw up your mind, and view the world in a certain way. Reminds me a lot of real world fears when it comes to nuclear weapons and global tensions. What separates Naruto from Pain however, is the way they go about solving this hatred. Pain believes in a shared fear across the world, preventing further destruction with the threat of absolute destruction. Sort of reminds me of modern way weaponry in the real world. Naruto, instead of continuing this cycle of hatred, spares Pain in the end instead of killing him which is probably what most would have done. Makes you wonder how much different the real world would be had we follow in Naruto's footsteps.

I was really hoping for Hana's husband to live at least a little longer, but when I went back to this movies poster, I already knew that was not going to be the case unfortunately. Regardless, It was a really bittersweet movie up until the very end, and I enjoyed much of its narrative. I am sure this is a movie single parents of all backgrounds can relate to, and even as someone who was blessed to grow up with both of his, I can personally feel for Hana. Definitely saw some similarities with this movie and Naruto, as the wolf children and Naruto are initially isolated from the rest of society because of their half wolf or fox traits. Something I found interesting is how Yuki and Ame juxtapose their initial dominate human/wolf side as they grow up. Yuki, who embraced her wolf side at first in comparison to the timid Ame, eventually conforms in order to fit in with the rest of her friends and be more "girly." While the initially timid natured Ame discovers this "Sensei" in the woods who taught him to embrace his wolf side. In both instances, there was little to no room for them to hybridize their origins, and both split into their separate ways. In a way, I sort of relate to them as before I even got the chance to adopt my own culture, I was pretty much Westernized by watching several cartoons whenever they popped up on my TV. Of course, there are instances where I would have to switch to my culture of origin when communicating with my grandparents, but I have pretty much assimilated over here. Definiately feel for Yuki and Ame.

I am aware that the main cast of characters are still developing children, however I cannot get over the fact on how much of a prick most of these character are throughout the entire movie. Ishida was the only character who had a redemption arc and felt remorseful in my opinion. The other characters never really tried to make amends with Nishimiya, and it was only through Ishida that the other characters actually feel for Nishimiya. Ueno is was the first time In an anime who I vocally expressed my disliking towards a character. I do not even think most anime villains make me feel this way, but I honestly hated that one character. Besides that, I enjoyed some aspects of the movie, including Ishida's awareness that he has committed a grave sin, and actively tries to atone for it. I think we can all learn a great amount from him.

[edsonfrancois]

Hey Colton! I really enjoyed your analysis of the show! i especially agree with how we are often told what to believe by others. Appeal to authority runs rampant through society to this day, whether through political figures, religion, and even parental figures. I do not blame you for questioning the concept of free will, when a lot of our choices are directly or indirectly influenced by outside factors. As much as I cloud my mind with my own thoughts and believes, I will admit that many thoughts stem from outside factors. For example, I want to become a Computer Science major, but most of that is influence by the profit I often see online. So overall, really nice analysis!

Shin Sekai Yori

I had a really fun time watching Shin Sekai Yori and I actually appreciated it more than I expected. The world that the anime shows off is one where society has chosen that order and safety are important than values such as freedom and truth.

What I felt really impacted me the most from the anime was how it reflects both past and current issues that Japan faces. Such as the fears of  not belonging, and the ideas of following the established social hierarchy. These both are omnipresent within Japan both historically and now as Japan often takes a very conservative approach to both of these issues.

It is worth noting though that both of these issues have become globally relevant as well. Especially the way that governments will often use fear to control, and how history is more and more often rewritten to fit the writer’s interests. It’s especially important as we develop more technologies like AI and it becomes harder to tell what truly is real, and what is being fabricated to make us believe something and think a certain way.

Personally the anime connected with me emotionally. The idea that a society can try to rewrite your memories and what you believe is truly horrifying. However it feels ever more present due to everything on the internet. It led me to reflect on how a lot of what we believe in is not due to what we chose, but often times is what we were told to believe in by others.

The whole show along with some of the readings led me to question a lot of our concepts about free will, because I mean, what kind of freedom do we have if we’ve let others make them for most of our lives?

Shin Sekai Yori was truly a great show for all of these reasons, allowing me to reflect both on myself and our world as a whole.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on "Shinsekai Yori"

I initially was quite confused on how the plot of this anime would play out. I was left with vague pieces, however once I started connecting the dots, the anime was quite enjoyable, with a few gripes here and there. Its definitely unique to portray children as the one to be feared, at least from the anime I've ever watch in my life. It honestly reminded me a lot of my troublemaking past growing up as a kid, and I feel like this can resonate with a vast amount of people as well. Of course, this is extremified in the anime with murderous children, but the message is still significant. The themes of discipline were also pretty significant, and it of course reminded me a lot about the times I have (unfortunately) felt the wrath of the belt. Nothing as insane as suffering the wrath of a "copycat" or whatever mythical creature decides I am unworthy in the anime, but still extremely relatable. Some things I really enjoyed about the show are the high steaks and tension throughout the show. Saki and Satoru during the scene where Maria's turned fiend relentlessly chased the two definitely had me on the edge of my seat. Saki's character development was extremely fun to watch, however I do have my own gripes with her in particular. Imagine your family and friends getting annihilated and still feeling any sort of remorse. Not that I am saying she should not feel sympathetic in any way, however I feel as if her reactions, especially how sort of sabotaged the original plan to deal with Maria's child felt unrealistic. Remember her parents and loved ones were murdered, however maybe that is just me. Overall, enjoyable anime with a lot of mystery aspects and mythical creatures to think about.

[edsonfrancois]

Hello Alisasinel, I definitely agree with a lot of what you mention here! I really like what you said about the Sibyl system juxtaposing its purpose of providing "security and harmony" with how invading the tech actually is. I honestly believe Sibyl is a way to commentate on modern day regimes, and how contradictory many believe most are. These sort of beliefs aspire many to retaliate against many of these oppressive establishments, and that could be one of the reasons why the Sibyl was established in this world to begin with. If you're thinking of retaliating or even protesting against oppression, the system could ding you and land you an eternity in rehab, which pretty much concludes your life. With that fear, people would not even dare to go against these powers, which is a really smart way of establishing control.

Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass really caused me to reflect on what it means to live in a "perfect" society and what we sacrifice in the process. The anime is set in a future where everything is controlled by the Sibyl System. It can sense the mental condition of an individual and whether they would or could commit a crime. If a person is over-stressed, fearful, angry, or depressed, their "Crime Coefficient" is heightened, and they may end up being arrested or even murdered, even though they are innocent. The frightening aspect is that individuals begin concealing their feelings just to feel secure. All human beings are supposed to be relaxed, cheerful, and "stable" at all times. One single emotional error can destroy your life. That thought really resonated with me because I feel like in our culture today, there's always this pressure to show that everything's okay all the time, particularly on social media. One is graded on things like grade levels, productivity at work, the way one looks, and even one's mental state, yet one is not always permitted simply to be human. If you're never winning, it's simple to feel like you're in the back. One thing that I absolutely loved about Psycho-Pass was the way it avoids simple answers.

The Sibyl System is supposed to provide security and harmony, but it erodes liberty, privacy, and individuality. Individuals no longer have the freedom to choose for themselves because everything is chosen by the system. That caused me to think about the way real systems, like school ranking, monitoring, and job tracking, limit freedom even though they were meant to help. I also appreciated the main character, Akane. At first, she trusts the system, but when she sees its flaws, she will not silently go along with them. She doesn't hit back in a melodramatic way, but she is strong, thoughtful, and faithful to what she believes in. I believe that quiet tolerance is as strong as resistance. Psycho-Pass led me to consider how simple it is to surrender autonomy in the guise of safety, and insisted that genuine peace must involve freedom, choice, and empathy, and not merely structure.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on "Psycho Pass"

This show has had me intrigued like no other. As someone who has read George Orwell's "1984," I was definitely able to make some connections between BIG BROTHER and this worlds governing system of Sibyl. People in this world are forced to act calmly in order to avoid being detected by this black and white system. Sibyl leaves no room for gray areas, and citizens must comply in order to even deem as "worthy" enough to live. Similarly, BIG BROTHER in 1984 governs how and what people think, with the ministries of Truth, Plenty, Peace, and Love, as well as NEWSPEAK which essentially dumbs down English for control over communication. Both media explore control, whether through emotion or the act of thinking, which I found pretty awesome. You are not even given a second chance with Sibyl, its either you're emotionally stable, or a straight up criminal as determined by the technology, which is pretty cruel. There were of course some circumstances where a character would commit heinous things such as Rikako Oryo where the tech was relatively valid and you would not even need the tech to determine she was crazy, but the tech left no room for gray areas. The girl who was taken hostage in the first episode for example, was flagged by this technology, however obviously she would not be in the right menta l state, as she went through something as terrifying as being taken hostage. The Sibyl of course ignores that completely and dings her as a threat. I honestly see the Sibyl as more antagonistic than Makishima. Overall, I really enjoyed the show, especially the mystery aspects as they were really compelling. Akane was a compelling protagonist, and I enjoyed watching her perspective throughout the show. I can definitely relate to the themes of control, especially because of how depended we are with technology.

[edsonfrancois]

Hey Solriavitz!

I really liked you analysis of both the Animes! I practically liked the connection you made with how Sword Art Online resembles how virtual our lives have become. Everything from shopping, to ordering food, and viewing how our peers our doing from various locations using social media is done online. It really puts into perspective how much of our lives is dictated by these large tech companies. You can even sort of say that the Game Master resembles the control these tech companies have on the average individual, especially with his large size and stature. As for Eden of the East, I like what you said about the real world pressures beyond our control. As global tensions heighten, its easy to fall into the fear that the whole world has gone into a downwards spiral with nothing good to come from it, especially on social media. However I have personally attempted to clean my echo chamber from the negatives of life and look for the positives, because there are plenty of positive outlooks on life that may hidden beneath the surface.

Blog Post — Eden of the East / Sword Art Online

Watching Sword Art Online and Eden of the East gave me a lot to think about, especially in terms of how both shows explore technology and the pressures that young people face. Sword Art Online really stuck with me. The idea of being trapped in a game where dying in the game means actually dying in real life is terrifying, but it also made me think about how much of our lives are already online. Kirito and Asuna’s relationship developed in such a high-stress, virtual environment, but it still felt real and emotional. It reminded me of how online connections today can be just as meaningful as ones in person.

Eden of the East had a different focus; it was more about society, politics, and the idea of entrusting young people with the impossible task of saving the country. Even though I’m not from Japan, that feeling of pressure to fix things that are out of our control felt really familiar. The plot, with the phone that gives you money and power to make huge decisions, was somewhat crazy, but it made a strong point about how lost and overwhelmed people can feel when trying to effect real change.

Both shows made me think about how much technology shapes our lives, and how it can be both empowering and isolating. I related more to Sword Art Online because I’ve grown up in a world full of tech and digital spaces, and I’ve seen how real online relationships can be. Eden of the East made me think more deeply about the big picture, how our generation is often expected to clean up problems we didn’t cause.

[edsonfrancois]

My thoughts on "Eden of the East" and "SAO"

Going into this show blind completely bewildered me, and I honestly could not predict the events of the show at all. I absolutely loved that for this show, and it make for a thrilling experience! When Takizawa first appeared naked, I initially thought this was going to be a comedy show that did not take itself seriously, but I was shocked on how deep this anime can get. For starters, I really like how the young are portrayed as the future of Japan with the whole Selecao system, because it relates how the younger generations of today, especially gen Z feel as if the burdens of the world lay onto them. Whether that be the ever-growing climate crisis that threatens to negatively impact the cleanliness of the planet, or economic struggles with inflation and how difficult it has become to claim real estate, this anime could possibly relate to several people that feel as if the world is crumbling beneath them. I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the anime. I initially thought Takizawa was really a terrorist who regretted his actions and wiped his memory as a result. However he actually turned out to be a caring guy, who was there for the NEETs despite them turning against him in the end, I guess you can say he was a "neat" character. Saki was also pretty awesome, and had some interesting character arcs as well. Her and her relatives skepticism near the end towards Takizawa definitely elevated the mystery aspect of the anime, which had me towards the edge of my seat.

Sword Art Online made for an interesting premise for a video game. You die in the game, you die in real life. Simple yet extremely horrifying. I would say this anime definitely has commentary based on escapism, with the idea of transferring your consciousness from the real world to the limitless imagination of a video game. Its as Klein says in the first episode, its mind-blowing how real this world of SAO is, almost too real. I like to believe that the popularity of this videogame aspired from individuals looking for a "way out" of the burdens in real life, linking back to Eden of the East. In this world, there is no taxes, no oppressive regimes telling you what is and is not, no responsibilities, no demanding salaryman hours, just an endless grind and survival. Who wouldn't want a life with no responsibilities and infinite freedom? While the premise being messed up, the world of SAO is fair, and the rules are rather simple. Kirito and Asuna made for a fun dynamic, covering for each other in battle and going on quirky adventures. Although I have my doubts on how civilized majority of individuals would be in a videogame, the anime felt pretty real and it was an enjoying watch.

[edsonfrancois]

I really loved your analysis on the mediums! Both stories took me on two separate adventures, however explored similar topics on self discovery whether in another world, or the edge of the current world. I especially liked what you mention about how its essentially "about who you become in the process" because that it absolutely the right away to view these shows. Chihiro becomes more confident, moving away from the klutz she was in the beginning of the movie, and even confronting No-Face head on. While the Arctic 4 each have their own character developments throughout the show, whether its Yuzuki enjoying her new lifelong friends, or Shirase coming into terms with her loss. Both mediums were an interesting watch!

Spirited Away and A Place Further Than the Universe

Having seen Spirited Away and A Place Further Than the Universe back to back, I felt as though I was on two completely different adventures, each of them about finding yourself after losing yourself. In Spirited Away, this is literally seen when Chihiro finds herself in another world. The girls in A Place Further Than the Universe, on the other hand, are on the edge of our world, Antarctica. Both of the anime map the struggle between childhood and adulthood, safety and danger, the known and the unknown.

In Spirited Away, the world is seen in a series of metaphors for work ethic, pollution, and greed. What I liked is that Chihiro matures through this discomfort. I can identify with this. I live on a sailboat, often having to abandon friends and comfort as I travel from island to island, always adapting to instability. But as Chihiro, I trust myself when I am in the unknown.

Below is a picture of Chihiro on Haku (the spirit of the Kohaku River):

A Place Further Than the Universe is also very different because it's about reality, friendship, and loss. I am reminded of occasions when I've had spontaneous designs when I was stuck. One key idea that I can relate with is when the girls needed to overcome fear in order to do something big even though they didn't know why.

Below is a picture of the girls from A Place Further Than the Universe exploring Antarctica:

Both anime illustrate the transition from childhood to adulthood in a Japanese manner. But the concept can be easily applied to every corner of the world. Everybody has moments when they have to leave something behind in order to grow up and become a better person.

I adore how in both of these stories, it is shown that it's not as much about the environment, but about who you become in the process. The visuals were very beautiful and kept me engaged.