megamexicanzubat-blog

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Reblog if you would stay with The First Order.

Just trying to prove a point to a traitor.

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Opinion Piece

For many of fans of anime and manga after a long day nothing is more relaxing then getting on the computer and loading up your favorite show or manga. Normally they would probably have it saved in a file, on a hard drive, or just go to a site that already has it all for free. Sounds easy and convenient right? Well got some bad news for the fans and that is what they are doing is actually harming the industry as a whole.

For a better understanding let me explain. Within the anime community there are several sites that host a plethora of anime and manga for free like kissanime.com, anime44.com, batoto.com, mangareader.net, and etc. These sites are able to provide fans to stream, download, and read manga all at the expense of nothing.

To begin let me start with how manga has been affected by this. Manga was at the height of sales in 1995 since the release of One Piece who sold approximately over 320 million copies and Dragonball who sold approximately over 230 million copies. Now for a while there were trouble of sales in domestically in Japan but the market grew in the US, until 2007 (The Death of Manga: Failure to Adapt, 2015). That was when it was at its peak until 2012 where manga sales had dropped dramatically in the US by 43% (Manga comics losing longtime hold on Japan, Paul Wiseman, 2007).  

Now that’s just manga. One of the biggest sellers that is now starting to take a toll is anime DVD sales. At panel with executives of Viz Media, a well-known anime studio, at Anime Expo 2008 they brought up the looming issue of declining DVD sales in the US. They said, “the slow turnaround between when a show is broadcast in Japan and when it finally gets officially released in America. Often it takes months and sometimes years for it to happen. Anime fans these days are spoiled by being able to download fansubs hours after episodes air in Japan” (Anime Expo 2009: Panels and Games, William Hong, 2009). The act of piracy of anime and manga has become such a concern that last year Japan had to begin enforcing a strict anti-piracy campaign. The campaign entails that, “the Japanese government will next month start a huge extermination operation against 580 foreign sites which have illegally uploaded anime and manga contents on the web without the copyright holders' permission” (Japanese Government to Start Anti-Anime/Manga Piracy Operation Next Month, Mikikazu Komatsu, 2014).

Although to where now the government of Japan has had to enact an anti-piracy campaign, there are others who will argue that piracy of anime and manga is actually good for the industry. The Japanese Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry published a study that they argue that piracy and free streaming, “does not negatively affect DVD rentals, and it appears to help raise DVD sales; and (2) although Winny file sharing negatively affects DVD rentals, it does not affect DVD sales,” (Internet Piracy Boosts Anime Sales, Study Concludes, Ernesto, 2011).

Now that study does seem to bring about some relief.

Though that’s just one of the minor arguments that really now has to contest against what is happening now.

Because of all this I have proposed a solution that mainly the fans can fix.

The solution that can be made is pushing for more availability of the official release, its products, and for legitimized streaming sites to have more shows through the use of petitions and writing letters to executives of streaming sites. For streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll have a section to watch anime shows but they are limited. Writing a petition or letter to those sites advocating for more shows is crucial as fans tend to go to free streaming sites to because they can’t find a show they are looking for.

Then there is a solution that is even more simple yet doesn’t isn’t pushed enough and that is supporting the official release. It isn’t that fans don’t want to but just the options for them to support are slim. Usually stores that do have anime and manga are very limited and are small. Then there are places like Barnes and Nobles, Suncoast, or FYE do have anime and manga but they have very small sections. Those stores can be expanded in that product by writing to them and showing that there is in fact a good demand for this trade just not enough of it being supplied.

Indeed there are means to acquire free anime and manga through streaming sites and just pirate them but that harms the trade. Not to mention that in a way fans can be caught in legal issues so for the sake of avoiding lawful issues and to keep the trade alive then take action. Refrain from using free streaming sites and push that this is a trade that’s in demand and it is still rising therefore it needs more suppliers. So stand proud for there is hope on the horizon.

 References:

The Death of Manga: Failure to Adapt. (2015, April 27). Retrieved from http://postbubbleculture.blogs.wm.edu/2015/04/27/the-death-of-manga/

Hong, W. (2009, July 17). Anime Expo 2009: Panels and Games. Retrieved from http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/(S(x3fuyr550gchmnzo2pzwgpvc)X(1)A(_HpmIkpm0QEkAAAAOTg2OWIzMjEtNTYzYy00ZDkyLWI1YWYtZWE4ZDY1MTkxYzQxPuixPhlSSIV5hxSLye2Sss8AE1s1))/w_apa/showarticle.aspx?articleID=9095&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Wiseman, P. (2007, October 18). Manga comics losing longtime hold on Japan - USATODAY.com. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-10-18-manga_N.htm

Komatsu, M. (2014, July 29). Japanese Government to Start Anti-Anime/Manga Piracy Operation Next Month. Retrieved from http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/07/28/japanese-government-to-start-anti-animemanga-piracy-operation-next-month

Internet Piracy Boosts Anime Sales, Study Concludes - TorrentFreak. (2011, February 3). Retrieved from https://torrentfreak.com/internet-piracy-boosts-anime-sales-study-concludes-110203/

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Week 14 Post

Answer Uno!!!!!! I’d say the purpose of submitting a video in a writing class is to expand yourself on the fundamentals of writing, rhetoric, ethos, pathos, and logos. Plus not only that but every single thing that has been a video started out as a script or book. So at first it may not seem like it but videos and writing go hand in hand.

Answer Zwei!!!!!!!!!!!! Throughout the film we conveyed our message primarily through my group interviewing people and following in with quotes and facts.

We also had the interviews in a way act as a sense of comedy. The point was to show that there are people who really don’t know and put in a video to show that it is amusing yet a very serious issue.

Answer San!!!!!!!!!!! I say that the structure and form of our documentary pushed our advocacy across because at the beginning we lead with a quote that was relevant to the topic. From there we would transition with videos of our interviews and then back to some facts. Though the times we had facts displayed, we had a patriotic background with music that emphasizes that our subject should inspire people to follow our advocacy.

Answer Four!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll go with number 3 (san in japanese). I made the rhetorical choice of having a gif with no text in it follow after what I said because that’s how you should feel at end of our video. With the structure and message given across you should resemble the starry eyed look girl, bonus if you become cute girl with pigtails. 

And that’s all I got. Before I leave for the next time I am seen on here again here is a blessing to you

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Week 13 Attendance

Alright time to do this once more.

So the topic for my opinion piece will be of how the torrenting(is that even a real word) and streaming of anime/manga freely is harmful to the trade of Japanese pop cultural goods.

Yes you heard that right. One of the current ways of indulging into Japanese pop cultural goods is actually harming the trade overall. Which means we keep up the free streaming and torrents, then we get no more of our anime/manga.

Calm down!!!! And I’m no stuck up snob.

I have a solution to this issue.

Sweet Raptor Jesus let me speak! So the solution is actually simple. The policy change/solution I advocate for is more options to support the official release. True none of us like to spend money, as I’m guilty myself, but it’s important because by not supporting the official release we only damage the trade. Damaging the trade means it is slowly dying until it reaches the sad ending.

So this opinion piece will be a traditional op-ed on Tumblr. Why that method? Easy so I can put in things like this to iterate my points

Um....not exactly stuff like that but I’m able to emphasize my points with gifs and memes. Plus I’ve grown to this.

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Week 10

Alrighty alrighty time for some more stuff. So now that I’m part of a group I know longer have to be alone!

Except where is everybody? So yes that is a problem I think I will run into is having everyone all at once to be together. It isn’t that I don’t trust my group in meeting up just that I figure that some random thing will come out of nowhere and hit our group from meeting up like a ping pong ball to the face.

Though this remind me of one time when I had to work with a group of people in the military to organize a fun day. It got bad to where I would send out emails to those I’d work with and contact them and just wonder where are they at?

So from that I had to get in contact with their supervisors to try to get a better schedule to have us all work together. I learned from that experience it is very helpful to get attuned with all your group members schedules so that way you can find a time to meet.

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Week 9 Post

Probably one of the most stressful things that came out of this was getting my research questions down to the point. At first I would have them but then would see how they weren’t just right so revising them over and over again was felt like I wanted to perform seppuku.

Though I had to push through so I broke a bunch of swords.

Although I did notice a pattern that during my research. I would constantly go back to my interview and use them as a guide to stay focus on the correct path of my research. With staying focused things became easier and I could feel happy about it.

I honestly think this method works because with an interview as your primary research it sets the pace. Now I would say this works. No questions ask.

I stand by this because with an interview as your primary source it sets the pace for your research. It helps get you started because you are engaged with someone who is credible within what you are researching and brings in their experience along with their expertise within your research.

Now to answer a fun question is why did I choose to answer my questions in such a manner, particularly the first one. I went with that because despite how bad at times I wanted to drop the LR and used seppuku as a metaphor to show how bad I felt. Yet having it to where the sword breaks shows that even though I may not like it, I still have to press on and succeed. So that’s about it soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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Week 6 Assignment: My Research Process

Well it’s that time of the week again. So then.......

Alright now to delve into the first step of my research process. It is very important I do this.

Yes this is done because I’m able to remove any doubt and things that will cloud my thought process. 

But seriously though

So since my primary source is an interview I have to first establish contact with my interviewee and inform them of the purpose of the interview as well as schedule when we will conduct it.

After establishing the time and date for the interview I still got time until it actually happens so I get to do a great past time of all students.

Though what I do like to do is gather as much information and notes as I can. I do this so I can just have a plethora of data with their sources. Once I have a good amount of raw data, as I like to call it, I then begin to analyze it all and see what can actually be used to aid me.

About this time I’ve had enough of my raw data to actually turn it into something useful as well as combine my answers from the interview and then begin to make magic happen.

That about wraps my things up. I will leave a helpful link that actually helped me find some texts to aid me in my research. Simple to use just do some easy digging and you should be fine. http://www.jstor.org/

Now if you excuse me I got to begin my research process.

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Week 5 Assignment

Problems I’m about to encounter with the Literature Review?

Nope.

Okay so now that I’ve been reeled in by evil cats let’s talk a bit of the problems I know I’ll encounter. First off will be....

Yup. Dealing with the trade of Japanese products into America I know I’m going to run into bias opinions and articles as people have had very mixed views. So I’ll be doing tons of.....

Well I was about to say that but thanks for stealing my thunder. Then my next issue will be to...

I know I’m going to be re-hashing things over and over again to the point of insanity but I’ll pull through.

Lastly it’ll will be just this I know I’ll run into.

Exactly Captain Jack Sparrow. Despite resources at hand I’ll probably be trying to understand the simple things and making them into mountains. 

I think that’s about all I got. Nothing left to do now but...

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Week 4 Attendance

Ah yes the beautiful time to unwind and relax...Oh wait I got a questions to answer?

Well then let’s get to it. So what are the complexities of using genres? I say the complexities behind them is how they are applied. Genres can be found everywhere and applied to everything therefore knowing the application behind it can aid you for future usage of them.

So then my next is how does studying genres impact my writing? 

Not only has it improved my writing skill but has develop an insight to the analytical skills into understanding genres and how they can be used to make yourself successful.

Alright time to bring on the next question. What is the value of studying and/or writing about genres? By studying and writing about them I gain knowledge and increase my intelligence in order to further myself as a writer.

Now are you wondering what may be one of the rhetorical choices I made to answering a question? Well I went with Pathos because I like to try to build up a sense of humor when answering questions. I believe that if I have the option to then why not? You’ll remember specifically how I answer them and learn to enjoy them.

Well that’s all I got.With that I say..........

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How you feel after crazy amount of math

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Let’s Analyze This: Iconography with Monster Musume

Iconographic Analysis on Monster Musume (Everyday Life with Monster Girls)

Genre: Japanese Romantic Comedy

Purpose: From first glance you would think that the series purpose is to purely provide sexual themed humor and revel in its raunchiness. Well you’d be only half right.

Yes this new take on the usual Japanese Romantic Comedy actually goes into difficulties with different cultures, adjusting to new environments, racial stereotyping and racial discrimination.  

Audience: Now judging from some of the cover art and initial language the general audience is directed to Japanese manga fans. Granted, this series also targets US fans of Japanese products due to Seven Seas Entertainment providing the English print which the recommended age range for this begins at 16 and can go up from there.

Ethos: The author is able to establish his credibility of writing and illustrating a series that not only draws success from the Japanese market but on the American market as well by having a well-known company publish his works. The company is the Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co. Now this company has been well known to publish multitude of Japanese Magazines like Animage, Monthly Comic Ryu, Monthly Comic Zenon, and a bunch of others which if to label all could take up more space then needed. Though if that still isn’t enough to establish the credibility of the series the very same studio that is publishing it is also responsible for publishing nominated Annie Award film Princess Mononoke and winner of the 75th Academy Awards, category Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away. Yeah if a big name publisher publishes your work then he got his credibility.

Logos: Now the evidence that does show its popularity and success draw from the amount of sales it drew in Japan and the rankings it has received in America. In September 1, 2014 it was announced that the fairly new series has sold over 1 million copies. Yikes that’s a good measure of success but if that wasn’t enough starting in November 10, 2013 New York Times had ranked the series number one on their Best Seller- Manga list. As each new volume was released, the series continued to remain not only within the Best Seller- Manga but for the first couple weeks of initial release it would be ranked number one and in some cases remain as number one over other well established series.

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2013-10-29/manga/list.html

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-02-16/manga/list.html

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-08-30/manga/list.html

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-09-07/manga/list.html

Pathos: The series overall is funny. Like the series revels in its raunchiness and sexual humor so it is able to draw out some of the most absurd yet funny situations so fans usually of this genre get a new take on the humor. Though it does take time to hit time to be serious and have characters deal with the differences in cultures and racial discrimination which is what is done to keep fans engaged with the series as it is pushing a message of equality.

Delivery: A series that gives off the impression of just pure sexual humor and romantic comedy that delves into racial discrimination and cultural diversity is a one of kind gem you find out there. It is able to make its fans laugh but also it gets its points across of the problems of racial discrimination and cultural differences. Because of how unique the series is, it is able to garner so much popularity and draw in high number of sales across Japan and the US.

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Let’s get to know me

If you read the title then you’ve come to see who I am. Well this is me in a cell. How did I get there? That’s a story for a different day but instead of focusing on the outside let’s take a look on the inside.

OH GOD NO I DIDN’T MEAN LITERALLY! I MEANT ABOUT MY HOBBIES AND SUCH! QUICK TO THE NEXT IMAGE FAST!

There that’s better. As you can see I enjoy anime, manga, video games, hard rock and heavy metal. I’ve grown up with these tastes and continue to expand on them.

Now I can talk about those hobbies for days but let’s touch on some serious notes.

For starters my major. Currently I’m majoring in International Business in the hopes to continue traveling more and in the hopes of working out of the US.

Although despite my passion to wanting to work outside of the country, I am a patriot. I always pay my respects to my home.

My thirst for travel began when I became one of the few and the proud. During my time in the Marines I served for five years and was able to travel to over 10 countries.

Even though I was a Marine, my personality entails of laughs and fun. So usually I aim to bring smiles and laughs with people. 

But despite my silliness I am an intellectual that values knowledge but also work to be a classy guy that doesn’t discriminate anybody.

Well based on that buzzing looks like my time is up. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’m sure with all these pics they give you a few thousands words to say about me. Stick around as there will be more things to come.