emilato

[emilato]

Hello,

I totally adore that you used the movie's messages and themes to reflect on your personal life. Some bonds in life are so strong that they can withstand physical distance and periods of isolation as if nothing ever happened. My friend and I have been friends for 14 years, but we have very busy and different lives; however, though we don't talk all the time and go long periods of time without seeing each other, when we do hang out, that time away does not affect our relationship. Bonds like that are so special to have and keep in your life.

Your Name Blog Post

The themes being identity, connection, and the passage of time are self-evident and the narrative of body-swapping between the two protagonists conveys the message across to the audience pretty well in my opinion. It sheds light on the intrinsic nature of humans to connect with others and understand them better, in essence, to grow fonder to each other regardless of background and differences. This is especially crucial to our world with the diverse cultures it holds and the interconnectivity it could bring. The deeper focus on natural disasters like the comet definitely relates back to these connections and how fragile it can be to both build them up and lose them instantaneously. Unexpected challenges are bound to rise and, from what I can tell, this anime sheds light on the resilience meant to overcome them.

The anime made me reflect on the importance of maintaining relationships whether it be with your significant other, your family or friends. This summer, I have been staying in Ohio for an internship which has been difficult for me in terms of reaching out to my friends and family and maintaining that relationship that we have. Distance definitely serves as a barrier for me and oftentimes makes me unmotivated to keep those connections strong. However, I see how the characters’ journey to find each other, despite the space and time, highlight the power and force of a human connection. I am not worried about going back to Florida and experiencing different behaviors with my friends and family, because I know we can go periods without talking sometimes and still be stronger and the same as ever. The narrative of the film encourages people to reflect on how our identities are being shaped and it also underscores the importance of dialogue and cultural exchange. These shared narratives could further foster a sense of belonging which we have discussed in previous modules.

[emilato]

Hello,

As someone who was slightly in the fandom when they were younger, be extremely grateful you weren't at any given point. The depiction of WWII was just obscure; I just want to know who thought that was a good idea. WWII is literally known to be one of the deadliest and darkest wars in history, and it was portrayed poorly in a silly, cute little anime. I agree that though the show is meh, it has contributed to some good by sparking many conversations about the depiction of culture and history in a way that strikes a balance between reverence and fun. 

Hetalia: Axis Powers

Ok wow, what? I have never ever in my life heard or seen anything about Hetalia: Axis Powers, even the name sounds unfamiliar to me. I find this interesting since skimming through my classmates posts revealed that apparently it's a massive, infamous piece of media. And honestly, I'm kinda glad that I've never ended up on this side of the internet lol. My little research showed massive fandom community around this anime, and some of them are a bit disturbing considering the nature of the series.

Having us watch Hetalia as the last piece of anime of this class is so ironic, and I totally see the vision. We started the class with a module dedicated to expanding our open-mindedness, as well, as understanding the harms of essentialism towards Japan, and ultimately any other nation. Hetalia is literally the embodiment of everything we've learned, except backwards.

So the main reason why this anime is problematic is not even the stereotypes. Political satire is what I assume was the intention of the creators and writers of the show, but it's a very poor attempt at it. I don't understand the target audience it was aimed at. I feel like the amount of oversimplification of historical events and blunt outdated (even for 2009) cliches with zero insightful commentary and obnoxious characters is not a good basis for an older adolescent audience, given that it's 16+. And I could honestly forgive obscure, and often insensitive representation of the nations, if only it didn't take a weird turn depicting war, especially WW2. The way it tried to make something cute out of events that, outside of this anime, are usually seen as some of the darkest moments in human history—like Nazism and the Holocaust is just.. It just didn’t sit right with me, seeing something so serious and tragic being turned into a very low quality joke. I personally can enjoy provocative humor and most of the time unbothered by it, but Hetalia is just bad.

What it does well, though, is sparking public discourse that can potentially serve as acknowledgement and resolution of cultural issues, like national stereotypes. It evokes emotions, and emotions evoke conversations.

Pasta!

[emilato]

ℍ𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕒

I think it's so comical that the last thing we watch in this class is Hetalia. I remember watching this show with my sister when I was younger. We used to watch those cringy Hetalia "on crack" YouTube videos all the time. I have this distinct memory that when I was a freshman in high school, my human geography teacher apparently knew the show, and I thought that was funny. When I was younger I never took offense to the show, but now that I am older I can totally see why people would. 

In a nutshell, Hetalia is an anime that personifies countries as characters and humorously depicts the interactions of nations such as Italy, Germany, and Japan, along with their historical allies and adversaries. The show really hones in on stereotypes, whether they are good or bad. These stereotypical depictions are just one of the issues that stir up controversy in the show. Another issue that the show brings is its portrayal of serious and sensitive historical events as well as offensive figures. For example, the Hetalia shows Germany during the Nazi period and basically depicts a Nazi as a good guy. The show has also been criticized for its portrayal of certain cultures and nationalities, which some feel lacks accuracy.

This show definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea, understandably. The show has a decent list of issues and controversies that have popped up over the years. The concept of the show is interesting and entertaining for sure, but its delivery is not the best. The issues within and brought on by the show have spurred conversations about how to depict culture and history in a way that strikes a balance between reverence and fun. Watching this show being older now with a more mature mindset was entertaining for sure.

[emilato]

𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 ℕ𝕒𝕞𝕖

I remember way back in middle school when searching for new romance movies to watch, I first discovered a Silent Voice. But I also stumbled upon the movie Your Name and put it on my watch list but never ever got to it. When looking at the stuff we'd be watching in this class, I saw that Your Name was on the list and did a heel click. Now that I have seen the movie, I can say it's such a good film. The story and visuals are so beautiful. I really do hate that I've waited so long to watch it. 

The movie follows two teenagers from separate sections of Japan, Mitsuha and Taki. They discover that they are mysteriously switching bodies. They seek to meet in person as they get close and navigate one another's lives. When they learn that Mitsuha's community is in danger from a natural disaster, their attempts to alter history to preserve it become more difficult. There were many messages strewn throughout the film, such as gender performativity or unity. The main one that stood out to me was the theme of love and destiny. In the movie, we see Taki, despite all odds and obstacles, try and find Mitsuha no matter what. There is actually a belief that originated in Chinese mythology, called the red thread of fate. This idea said, "People who are destined to meet are connected by an invisible red string. The string may stretch and tangle, but it will eventually bring the two people together."

Overall, this movie was very touching, and though many other themes could be seen in the movie, I focused more on the love aspect of it. The whole concept of destiny and soulmates is really fascinating to me, and this movie fed that fascination. 

[emilato]

Hello,

I agree that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 appears to be a really good game based on the a lot of the cutscenes we've seen. The animation and storyline are obviously very well thought out, which greatly improves the overall experience. The game seems exciting with its huge and expansive universe and gripping tale that emphasizes friendship and exploration. It stands out for sure since it combines a comprehensive progression system with real-time combat and strategic planning. If I have the free time, I might watch a full gameplay. I look forward to seeing how the gameplay accentuates the detailed graphics and narrative.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

I had never heard of the game “Xenoblade Chronicles 2”, but based on the cutscenes we watched it seems really cool. I enjoyed how instead of watching an anime, we had to pay attention to the animations of a video game. I forgot that there are more animations than just anime. Watching this cutscenes, you can see the effort and dedication animators put into these games. Can you imagine if you were playing a video game and the graphics were so bad? You would lose interest so fast.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has great narratives and animations that make you feel more interesting and invested in playing. The game is set in the vast world of Alrest, a land comprised of Titans, massive creatures that carry entire civilizations on their backs. Players follow the journey of Rex, who forms a bond with Pyra, a mysterious and powerful entity known as a Blade. Together, they seek to reach Elysium, a paradise atop the World Tree, which is believed to be the last hope for humanity. The narrative of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is both epic and deeply personal, exploring themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the search for a place to call home. The game’s combat system is a unique blend of real-time action and strategic planning, where players control Rex and his companions, each wielding their own Blades with distinct abilities. The story is driven by a cast of well-developed characters, each with their own motivations and backstories that intertwine with Rex’s quest. As players progress, they encounter various factions and adversaries, each adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the narrative. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 also features a robust progression system, where players can level up their characters, enhance their abilities, and unlock new skills through a detailed skill tree.

This brief explanation of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 probably does not do the game justice, but it does sound like a fun game!

[emilato]

𝕏𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕓𝕝𝕒𝕕𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤 2

I don't know if this is embarrassing to admit but I have never heard of this game. I don't even know if it's popular or extremely well-known. Never would I have thought I'd have to watch hours of cut scenes from a game, but the game does seem cool.

Players of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 take on the role of Rex, a teenage salvager who finds Pyra, a formidable blade. They set off on a journey together to seek the fabled paradise of Elysium, a place inhabited by enormous Titans, which is thought to be the last hope for their earth. Along the way, they run across rival groups, learn untold facts about their society, and face an impending danger. Epic fights are mixed with a deep story about fate, sacrifice, and the relationship between humans and Blades in this game.

The article tied into this module discusses Anthropocene and ways to change the way we view our relationship with nature. Now I believe there are many ways to have a positive relationship with nature and do things to help the environment, but I don't think we can completely shift how we have been living for a while. We are already so far gone in the way are with the environment.

Overall, I found it fascinating to watch hours of cut scenes from a video game I had never heard of or seen any gameplay of before. It was intriguing to see how mature and complex themes were woven into the narrative of a video game, showcasing how the medium can tackle overarching concepts. This shift from primarily watching anime and Japanese films to exploring a video game was a refreshing change. It offered a new perspective on storytelling and game design, and it was exciting to experience a different form of media that still engages with profound ideas. This change of pace has been a breath of fresh air to the course.

[emilato]

Hello,

I would've never thought to compare the lovely Studio Ghibli film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind to the jaw-dropping and traumatizing neon genesis evangelion. But I definitely see the comparison in their post-apocalyptic setting and environment. Neon Genesis Evangelion's setting was a city and way more developed than Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, but regardless, you can kind of get the same feel. I also loved the music in this film;nteresting honestly, most music in Studio Ghibli films makes me so emotional. I think it's interesting how Hayao Miyazaki has many themes of environmentalism throughout many of his films.

Blog Post - Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind ᯓᡣ𐭩‧₊˚ ⊹

I have very fond memories of watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind last year. During my and Dad's flight to Japan last summer, we downloaded all the Ghibli films we hadn't watched in preparation for the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Going to Japan, but ESPECIALLY the Ghibli Museum was on my bucket list for so long because I'm such a huge fan of Ghibli, so I wanted to make sure I could enjoy every bit of it! And I'm glad I did, as I don't know why I never watched Nausicaä until then. Not only is it (kind of) the studio's first release (since technically it was created and directed by Hayao Miyazaki even though the studio was founded after its release), but it's also just a beautiful animated story that holds up great even today.

During my second watch, I noticed Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has a similar setting and tone to Neon Genesis Evangelion. Both stories are set in this post-apocalyptic world populated with monstrous, alien creatures. Although, it seems Nausicaä's world is more far gone than Evangelion's. The air is barely breathable due to the spore-like infection covering almost every inch of the Earth, and massive insects that could crush any remaining human civilizations. However, unlike the Tokyo-3 citizens, Nausicaä stresses to her people that cohabitation with insects and humans is possible. If anything, similar to Evangelion, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind illustrates that humans are the root cause of violence and destruction. The soil and water were polluted by the wars thousands of years ago, which caused the air to be unbreathable, all the plants to be lethal and the toxic jungles to grow.

Side note, I absolutely love the music for this movie. Joe Hisaishi ate so hard with the 8-bit synthesized fantasy score, it tickles my brain so well.

[emilato]

ℕ𝕒𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕒 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕍𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕚𝕟𝕕

I am so happy that I have gotten to watch another Studio Ghibli film. I actually had never heard of or seen this one until I took this class. Everything about Studio Ghibli films is so lovely. The stories are rich, the animation and style are beautiful, and so many messages and concepts can be applied to them no matter what the film is about. I definitely have to inform my sister about this film.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind follows a kindhearted princess named Nausicaä, who lives in the post-apocalyptic world. In this world, a poisonous forest known as the Sea of Decay poses a threat to humankind. Nausicaä must stop the militaristic Tolmekians from using a deadly old weapon to destroy the forest and show that the forest is a part of the body's natural healing process. Nausicaä has such empathy for the environment and the creatures that are a part of it. She makes an effort to coexist with the toxic forest. Her overall experience emphasizes how crucial it is for humans and the environment to be harmonious. The idea of instrumentalism, which is the attitude that nature is just an instrument for human use, is shown by the militaristic Tolmekians. They show no care for the environment and only see it as a tool.

Overall, this movie was lovely as are most Studio Ghibli films. I also liked that this module discusses environmental themes as my final essay talks about another Studio Ghibli film that criticizes environmental neglect and advocates for a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. I think Hayao Miyazaki has a love for nature and you can tell by his depictions of it through his films.

[emilato]

Hello,

The episodes that we were assigned were great, and the story/plot was easy to follow. But I am 100% with you when it comes to this movie. Oh my goodness, I felt like I was on shrooms watching the movie. The imagery towards the end was fascinating, but nothing made sense to me. I was also just icked out from the very start with Shinji's whole masturbating ordeal. And then Rei was just naked throughout the movie, and then Shinji's father shoved his hand inside Rei's boob? I feel like I need an energy cleanse after watching this no offense. 

Blog Post - The End of Evangelion ᯓᡣ𐭩‧₊˚ ⊹

I followed Neon Genesis Evangelion pretty well despite skipping a lot of episodes. The show was confusing, sure, but it posed a lot of interesting philosophical themes of self-hatred and fascinatingly illustrated biblical imagery. I even thought the ending of the original show was sweet despite its suddenness. I felt the characters deserved to learn to love themselves after the hardship they went through.

HOWEVER! The End of Evangelion movie confused the shit out of me! I thought the show was done? Does this take place after his self-love revelation in the last episode or before??? If so, why is Shinji now going insane again??? WHY DID SHINJI DO THAT IN FRONT OF ASUKA'S UNCONSCIOUS BODY IN THE HOSPITAL?????? WHY ARE A BUNCH OF ADULTS SEXUALLY HARASSING KIDS???????? (Insert defeated Shinji leaning over chair image here...) I just truly feel like I missed something here. I still don't understand what "The Promised Day" means, who Rei and her clones are in relation to Shinji's mom, why those black armored soldiers are attacking Nav HQ, or why Asuka and her Evangelion are going berserk.

I don't know... I feel like the original show put a lot of care into showing their characters' flaws, but also demonstrating that these flawed people were born from their terrible environment. Therefore, if they could accept their wrongdoings or learn to love themselves and others, they deserve to live peacefully. So is the movie trying to take back their claim or show the other side of reality? Is it saying sometimes despite bad environments, bad people don't try to change? Because End of Evangelion made a lot of their characters into suddenly shitty, violent people. It's fine to have those kinds of characters, but not so suddenly with no buildup. But that's just me, and like I mentioned, maybe I missed said buildup in the show.

At least those white, angel-like Evangelions are pretty cool design-wise. I have no idea where they came from, but I like their wings and hoverboard swords.

[emilato]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝔼𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕠𝕟

This movie was truly mind-boggling. It seriously doesn't help that many episodes were skipped leading up to the movie. I was watching this movie during a 13-hour road trip and had to pause several times to give my head a rest. I didn't struggle that much when it came to keeping up with the episodes, but that all went out the window with this movie. Is the film supposed to have an alternate ending? If so, why? It's an interesting concept, I guess, but holy moly. The themes of masculinity that were prevalent in the show, still show up at the end of Evangelion.

So this movie starts off strong, to say the least. The beginning scene shows a distraught Shinji visiting Asuka, who is lying there in a coma. In a desperate attempt to wake Asuka up, Shinji starts shaking her. While trying to shake her awake, Asuka's chest becomes exposed. Shinji begins to masturbate at the exposure of her unconscious body, making a comment saying that he is the lowest of the low. Now it's quite obvious that Shinji displays queer masculinity and struggles to display hegemonic masculinity. A main aspect of hegemonic masculinity is the objectification of women, and in this scene, Shinji is going to his final attempt to shove his queer masculinity down and portray that hegemonic masculinity. But he ends up being so disgusted with himself to the point where he shuts down during a good chunk of the movie. 

I don't really have much to say in this blog because the movie was just that confusing for me. Once I don't have a million assignments to do for school, I might watch this series in full with my partner; who knows? I think the series is great, and I mean, I did enjoy the 8 episodes assigned in class, so I think I will give it a chance. 

[emilato]

Hello,

I like how you mention how Asuka's fiery personality is just a defense mechanism to hide her pain. When writing my blog post, I just mentioned her radiating confidence but forgot to mention the trauma that she buried deep. On the outside, Asuka, Shinji, and Rei all seem so different from each other, but deep down they all have pain and weaknesses and feel lonely. My brain was also starting to melt towards the end of Part 2. I felt like I was tripping out watching the whole compilation, but maybe that was the point—to feel insane and unwell like Shinji. 

Neon Genesis Evangelion | pt.2

Continuing the Evangelion iceberg of disturbance. Level 2 reached.

Trauma

After facing battles that leave deep psychological scars on Shinji, the need for a third pilot arises. This is where Asuka Langley enters the picture, a rebellious girl who arrives from Germany as an exchange student. Her tough exterior is a defense mechanism developed to cope with her mother's mental breakdown and subsequent suicide. Determined to never cry or show weakness again, Asuka becomes fiercely independent, but emotionally unstable.

Shinji is grappling with his own inner demons. Having always been an outsider, he struggles to form meaningful connections. The psychological toll of piloting the EVA intensifies his isolation. Despite his fear and reluctance, circumstances force him to continue.

Rei, emotionally distant girl, is another puzzle piece in this complex narrative. Like Shinji and Asuka, she's searching for her identity. However, her unwavering obedience and willingness to sacrifice herself set her apart.

Their psychological wounds are only deepened by the realization that EVA is not just a machine. EVA seems to possess her own consciousness and exerts a powerful psychological influence on the pilots, especially Shinji, as if she's brainwashing them.

eps. 25 & 26

I'm saving my personal opinions for the third blog, but umm? At this point my brain started to melt. Total chaos, delusion, psychodellic badtrip, and nonsense. Honestly, if I were to watch it at the age of 14 or so- I would totally enjoy such an exquisite cinematic performance and think those who criticize it just don't get it. >_<

At this point Shinji is very sick, mentally. In my opinion, the compilation of delirium conversations/thoughts/graphics is one of the best portrayals of existential crisis, severe depression, and suicidal ideations. These last two episodes are anxiety inducing and almost put you inside of Shinji's brain, which is again very disturbing and sick.

[emilato]

ℕ𝕖𝕠𝕟 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝔼𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕥.𝟚

At first, I thought part 2 meant watching episodes of a different season, but to my surprise, we just continued the first season. I really have liked watching Neon Genesis Evangelion so far; it's super interesting and thought-provoking. To be honest, I was confused about the last couple of episodes, which I blame on the episode skipping, of course. I was so lost on the last episode that I ended up falling asleep because my brain just simply wasn't processing what was happening. But after watching the lectures, I now have an idea, thank God. This blog post will continue the ideas of masculinity throughout the show. 

I enjoyed seeing new faces in these episodes. In the first episode assigned, we are introduced to Asuka Langley Soryu, who is the pilot of Unit 02. Asuka to me is like a breath of fresh air in the sense that she comes off so different than the more reserved and lowkey Shinji and Rei. Asuka's personality is fiery and extroverted, and she comes off as confident. Asuka's confidence radiates off of her when she is itching to pilot unit 02 during an angel attack and when she is fighting. She is not a nervous wreck and doesn't break down; she handles it like a champ. During Asuka's fight, Shinji is also in unit 02 with her. It was during this scene that Asuka and Shinji's differences seriously stood out to me. I had flashbacks to when Shinji didn't want to pilot 01 at first and failed to defeat the angel. I like how the traditional roles people expect are reversed. Asuka displays hegemonic masculinity more than the male character; it's an interesting spin on things, especially since this show is from the 90s.

I have really enjoyed watching this show to the point where I'm actually excited to watch the movie. My favorite part from these last 4 episodes was that drawn-out scene of Shinji deciding whether or not to kill Kaworu. I thought my internet stopped working when I was watching that scene but saw that the video was still going. I felt so nervous/anxious during that scene because I didn't know what was about to happen. 

[emilato]

Hello,

Personally, I couldn't find too much to relate to in these 4 episodes. But as you mentioned, I could relate to Shinji's fear of having to pilot a giant robot and fight a terrifying creature. However, if my dad was yelling at me to take on this huge responsibility and the situation was dire, I think the pressure would get to me, and I'd just suck it up in fear of disappointing everyone. Though I am not a male, if I were, I could see myself being like Shinji or, like you said, being a mix between hegemonic and queer masculinity. 

Evangelion and Masculinity

This was my first time watching Evangelion. I was aware of it well before I watched the episodes I did, but I never got around to watching it. I do think the episodes I watched did not give me the full idea of the story, and it left me a bit confused about the world so I would recommend watching everything if you do. For this blog, I want to talk about Evangelion about masculinity.

Mecha anime in general typically focuses on performing actions of violence through using mech suits. It is this violence that is tied to hegemonic masculinity in a normative sense. Men in a traditional sense are expected in society to engage in violence when they are needed which is something that mecha anime shows often through their conflicts with deadly threats. This applies to Evangelion as we see that from episode one Shinji is called up to bat to fight off a giant monster, but he is deadly afraid and rejects his role. This goes against the willingness to engage in violence that hegemonic masculinity in men expects and leans more toward queer masculinity for Shinji. We also see that in the society of Evangelion that this queer masculinity is highly criticized. Shinji is pushed into the role and he is called a coward for denying it, his fear of stepping up to the plate makes him the subject of a lot of disrespect from the scientists, his father, and his friends. This shows that when someone engages in a lesser form of masculinity such as queer masculinity, straying from the expectations of Hegemonic masculinity then they cannot be readily accepted in society as a true contributor.

This is an interesting stray away from typical mecha main character traits. We see that in Mobile Suit Gundam Amuro is ready to jump into action, taking his father's creation and going into battle at the first sign of danger. This is in stark contrast to Shinji who avoids this responsibility and seems to let everyone who was relying on him down. This passivity is what gives Shinji a less masculine appearance and makes him so different from all other characters in the mecha genre.

I can relate to Shinji's fear of taking on that responsibility. If I was in the situation he was in, where I had to enter a mecha robot to fight a threat I would likely not readily step forward. I do not think I would consider my male status to be on the line in my decision, but I do think I would have accepted since the situation was very dire. In that way, I do think I am a mix of the hegemonic masculinity and the sissy masculinity.

Overall, Evangelion is a very interesting mecha anime that focuses on Shinji a timid and cowardly boy who has to try and step up to perform the masculine hero role. The series seems very interesting and worth the watch if you have the time.

[emilato]

ℕ𝕖𝕠𝕟 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝔼𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕠𝕟 ℙ𝕥.𝟙

I can't believe I am finally watching this show. I swear to god everyone I've met has watched and is a fan, so now I can see what the hype is about. The four episodes for part one were decent and laid out the plot. However, I am a bit apprehensive about moving forward. I have seen some off-putting clips of NGE online. I also have seen other students' (who have finished watching) suspicious and concerned comments about NGE. So it's safe to say that moving forward, I am definitely bracing for impact. Throughout the 4 episodes for part one, ideas of masculinity can be applied. 

The first part of Neon Genesis Evangelion follows the 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, who is called to the city of Tokyo 3 by his father, Gendo Ikari. Shinji's father is the director of the military agency Nerv, and due to a stubborn and dangerous Angel, Gendo pushes Shinji to pilot one of their Evangelion bio machines unit 01. From the gecko, we can tell that Shinji isn't your typical male main character. He doesn't display traditional traits of masculinity and instead displays more of a queer masculinity. Normally in mecha animes, the lead male characters are expected to participate in fighting, war, and violence. They portray bravery and display physical and mental strength. However, when pressured to pilot unit 01, Shinji breaks down and refuses. Shinji only gives in once he sees Rei's weakened state. Even when finally in unit 01, Shinji is overwhelmed and doesn't put up a fight. Moving forward within the show, Shinji continues to display his queer masculinity when he dismisses his classmate's taunting about Rei. Shinji can be looking over at Rei, wondering why she is by herself; however, his classmates ask if he is looking at Rei sexually, which he isn't. This shows that Shinji fails to perform the typical traits tied to hegemonic masculinity. Unfortunately, Shinji's queer masculinity doesn't go unnoticed, and throughout the episodes, people make comments on his gender performance. 

Overall, I am eager to watch more episodes and get into the nitty-gritty of everything. I am also interested to see how Shinji grows and develops throughout, if he does at all. 

[emilato]

Hello,

I also found it hypocritical that one of the female students wore a boys' school uniform and wasn't judged tremendously for it. I know this is a controversial topic, but there is such a humongous hoopla about trans women participating/competing in women's sports that barely anyone talks about trans men participating/competing in men's sports. I don't really understand where it stems from, but there is such hate for trans women or men displaying any type of femininity, and it upsets me such a great deal. Just let people wear and express themselves as they want, as long as it isn't hurting anyone. 

Gender Roles Portraid in Wandering Son

"Wandering Son" (Hourou Musuko) is an anime that centers on the lives of Shuichi Nitori, a transgender girl, and Yoshino Takatsuki, a transgender boy, as they navigate the complexities of gender identity during adolescence. The story begins with Shuichi transferring to a new school where both Shuichi and Yoshino face challenges and experiences related to their gender identities.

Going back to what Judith said in the previous lesson, I see now what she meant that gender is a performance act and as soon as that is reveal to society the whole system crasher and people start marginalizing those who don’t follow the traditional gender roles. Shuichi found herself in tons of backlash wans she decided to transition, started wearing girl uniform, behaving like a girl, talking like a girl, and in general incorporating the girl gender. I also found quite hypocritical that the same reaction of disgust wasn’t shown by the school when one of the female characters decided to dress like a men, here we can see the inherent contradiction that we have as a society, we find it okay if a woman wants to dress like a man and act like a man, but as soon as a man decides to dress like a woman and act like a woman suddenly the whole system collapses.

I sympathize a lot with transgender people like Shuichi, I have not yet met any transgender person mostly because I come from Colombia and in this Latino culture, this is heavily frowned upon. I remember when one of the students in my grade came out as bisexual which caused tons of outrage and she immediately started getting bullied for it and for being “weird”. Another friend of mine I thought was straight because she had a boyfriend when we were in school, but she then moved to the UK and since this culture is more accepting of the LGBTQ community, she found her true self and came out as bisexual.

[emilato]

𝕎𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕠𝕟

I found this show to be extremely interesting. It definitely isn't a show I would have watched or discovered on my own, but it was insightful. If I am totally honest, I was a tad bit confused with the story and characters; I kept getting things mixed up. It could be the fact I accidentally watched episode 5 first and then had to backtrack, but even with the backtracking, I was a little lost. Regardless, I think Wandering Son shows viewers a glimpse into the lives of transgender youth and the unfortunate struggles associated with being transgender. 

Wandering Son focuses on Shuichi Nitori, a transgender girl, and Yoshino Takatsuki, who (I think) is a transgender boy. At the beginning of the show, Nitori displays signs of discomfort in her male uniform. Her uniform is a way to reiterate and indicate what she was born as. We soon see how comfortable and euphoric Nitori feels when she dresses in girl clothing and presents as a girl. Natori's family has mixed reactions. Her dad seems accepting while her older sister Maho is put off. Maho views Nitori's supposed "cross-dressing" as weird, putting up with it because she thinks it might just be a phase. Though Maho slightly bullies Nitori, it comes from a place of concern. On the other side of things, Yoshino Takatsuki presents as a teenage boy. It is no secret that Yoshino also faces issues; however, for some reason in society, it's more normalized for biological women to wear masculine clothing versus biological men to wear feminine clothing. Though I am not trans, I from time to time wear men's clothing and shop in the men's section, and not once has anyone blink an eye, not even my parents. But when a guy does something remotely feminine like paint their nails or wear makeup, it's (sorry for cursing) shit on. 

Overall, I think Wandering Son provides viewers with some of the sad realities of the trans experience. Transphobia is so unbelievably prevalent in today's society. A lot of people have a black-and-white view on gender, which contributes to the confusion and hate. Though I am not trans, I found myself empathizing with the characters.

[emilato]

Hello,

I liked that you related Washimi and Gori to the concept of gender performance. I feel like Tsunoda also put on a performance. She follows Mr. Ton around, complimenting and praising him to say on management's "good side." She also has this submissive and non-confrontational persona to please Mr. Ton and stay away from upsetting him or being yelled at. It worried me so much that Mr. Ton literally said he hated women but is married to one and has two daughters? I don't understand how he could have these views and opinions when his family is made of women. 

Aggretsuko

I loved Aggretsuko. Retsuko is so cute and I love the personalities of all of her friends, especially Fenneko. If I have the time I will definitely go back and watch all of the episodes I missed.  

Aggretsuko was so relatable. I just finished up a job where I wanted to tell off my boss, but I couldn’t. It was nice to see someone who also had anxieties about standing up for themselves. Retsuko stood up for herself when it mattered, but she wasn’t a perfect protagonist like you normally see in media. I also thought her taste in music was relatable, because I’ve been told that I don’t look like I would listen to the kind of music I enjoy. 

This show did a good job of maintaining wholesomeness and humor, while also discussing themes like gender stereotypes. It is shown that Retsuko’s boss hates women, I mean the guy said those exact words. He expects them to clean off his desk, get him tea, and do other menial tasks even though they are literal accountants, not his personal assistants. At first I thought he was just a terrible boss, but as soon as I heard him say “it’s a women’s job” I was taken aback that he was also a misogynist.  

This also ties in with the readings. Like Butler discussed, gender is a performance. You can see this in Aggretsuko when watching the characters Washimi and Gori. They both put on a performance acting as strong powerful women at work so that none of the workers treat them badly. Don't get mean wrong they are super cool and confident but they really amp up their personalities at work. You can see their true personalities come out when no one is around, or when they are hanging out with Retsuko. It seems that they are way more comfortable outside of the workplace.