n4stasia

[n4stasia]

Hello!! You perfectly put together my thoughts about this anime. Hetalia is so silly, until suddenly it isn't. I think it had a lot of potential being a good political satire, but it took a slightly different path with the way it rewrites nazism, genocide, and overall the freaking Axis Powers. I could justify the pasta lore but I can't honestly. I just wish it had more complex commentary on international relations, because there is a lot of potential for satire, but unfortunately it's just weird and problematic. The only funny thing that evoked laughter in me was the sigma-fication of Japan in contrast to all other countries. It just is so funny to me the way he is the only normal character, but still embodying the same stupid essences about Japanese society. Pasta!

Blog Post - Hetalia ᯓᡣ𐭩‧₊˚ ⊹

GIRL WHAT THE HELL WAS THIS SHOW!!! ITS SO GOOFY! I always forget that CountryHumans: The Anime exists, but when I do remember it, I always wish I could forget it again. Hetalia is pretty silly, but it gets kinda weird when you think about it for more than five minutes. I can recognize that it succeeds as a massive parody to make fun of real-world powerhouses and how much they don't attribute to the world besides violence. But, the show turns whole-ass countries into buff or twink men and lowkey encourages their fans to ship them with one another. No wonder the Hetalia fandom turned out to be so crazy.

However, one choice I didn't really like was when the creators cutie-fied the events of World War 2 from the perspective of the Tripartite Pact. I think it's a bit insensitive, especially for how infamously evil German and Japanese forces were during that time. I think if the show wanted to create shenanigans between personified countries in the present time that would be fine. But having a tiny stranded beach episode with Germany, Japan, and Italy while both sides of the war tortured and murdered thousands in real life during fights, concentration camps and sieges is just. Again, kinda weird. I don't wanna know that Germany is good at tying shoelaces right now!!! But maybe the show just wasn't my cup of tea, I could see how others can get behind it.

If I put to the side that all the characters were countries, Hetalia was a lot more enjoyable. But I think it was an odd choice to have this for our last anime in the class. This anime could've paired so well with Genshiken as a real-life example of toxic fandoms within anime communities. Both shows deal with the balance of good gay representation and dangerous representation from BL, but adding the representation of countries on top of that could've been super interesting to compare! But I understand why it was paired with Kobayashi's Sensōron instead.

But anyways, this is my last blog of the class! Yay!!! Pasta!!!

[n4stasia]

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!

[n4stasia]

Hi! Also first time watching Your Name and it was interesting to read your perspective on it. Funny enough, even though the plot of this film is built on the idea of body-swapping, I felt like it did not live up to my personal expectations. The potholes you noted is actually something I noticed as well. The first half of the movie was very captivating though. Another issue is.. when did Mitsuha and Taki fall in love and why? Yes, they study, work and spend time with each other's friends. They set rules for each other and tease each other And that's all?.. Is that enough for them to fall in love? What does the author think love is? Kinda forced and has no depth, just like the characters themselves, who are presented superficially. But I did found connections to the Japanese national discourse of modernity VS traditionalism. So reading your reflection expanded my viewpoint!

Identity and Power (Your Name)

So I had never seen this movie before, but I had definitely heard the hype surrounding it. It felt like one of those movies that everyone but you has seen so I’m glad I got the opportunity to watch it. Let me just say, it did not disappoint; I was thoroughly engaged in the plot, the artstyle, and the characters. I could criticize some of the plot holes (How did NEITHER of them notice that it was a different year when they were switching bodies) but honestly the movie makes up for them in every way and sometimes you just have to suspend your disbelief a bit.

When it comes to how the reading relates to the movie, I was definitely a little bit lost at first, but I think I’ve come to the conclusion that it relates to ideas of power in the sense of identity. The movie finds the two main characters switching bodies with one another at random and in this experience they essentially gain power over each characters identity. For Mitsuha, this means she is observed acting like Taki and Taki is observed acting like Mitsuha. In the characters reactions we see how they start to form new opinions on each individual character based on the behavior of who is controlling the body. Others begin to see Mitsuha as erratic, acting strange on random days, but that's only at the beginning. As Taki assumes the identity more, Mitsuha is seen as more masculine and outgoing leading a higher social status. For Taki, Mitsuha acts femininely and that leads others to believe he has a softer side, including the girl he is interested in. Now this has benefits for both of them, but in a sense it introduces a power dynamic unlike any other. They have power over each characters identity, personality, thoughts, etc. and that is one of the very few things that is true to you. In a sense I believe the anime could be creating a commentary on relationships in which you are changed by the other person involved, not necessarily in a  negative or positive way, but asserting that we are changed by the people around us. We certainly have power over how we act, but we aren’t under full control over it as others influence can have even more power.

[n4stasia]

Your Name

When I was a teenager, I wasn't into popular romantic anime, so I missed this hit. (false advertisement btw. it looks like a romance, feels like a romance, but unfulfills this trope). But the bits of the movie are thinly spread out all over the web and internet pop culture so I've heard and seen few scenes many times. So here I am, watched Your Name. And I was kinda pleased! The first half hour was hilarious. Body-swapping is always an amusing concept, but here, director Makoto Shinkai especially understood which buttons to press, which words and actions the characters should take to make it feel both natural and funny. For some reason, he decided to significantly cut the part where Mitsuha and Taki explore and spend time in each other’s bodies and navigate the world this way. Heck, we don’t even learn Taki’s thoughts on living in rural Japan, where everyone knows each other etc., but we do know Mitsuha wanted to live in Tokyo. These details could've added even more depth.

national discourse

The undertone of this movie has few key features related to contemporary issues in Japan. Most of the anime we have watched in this class can be considered more or less old, but Your Name is relatively young (2016) so it's inspired by contemporary issues and events. The movie is set in both rural and urban Japan, evidently showing the differences in the style of living. There are some religious elements and narratives present in the narrative, but ultimately Your Name isn't choosing a side. Both traditionalism and modernity are shown as equally important aspects of Japanese culture. It highlights the importance of technological progress and urbanization, while showing the importance of preserving cultural traditions and heritage. The balance, intercommunion, and mutual respect are a key to success.

So what was the main point of the movie? To poetically show how people overcome any obstacles to be with each other. In real life, of course, problems are much more complex than in such a fantasy world. Given the unprecedented popularity of Your Name in Japan, as well, as worldwide only further proves that it found place in people's heart, in the right time and in the right place.

[n4stasia]

Hello! I haven't played Xenoblade Chronicles ever in my life as well. I have never even had a Nintendo lol. But from the cinematic point of view it was a unique experience indeed. I felt like an anthropologist investigating a piece of unknown cultural thingy. The world and the landscapes are very well written and it's what I liked the most. As well as the message it's giving. Until I found out it was released in 2017???? I fully thought the poor quality graphics is just due to it being old , like 2010-ish maybe lol? I don't know anything about Nintendo switch, maybe that's just the specifics of the console. It deserves some better quality :(

We are Nature (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)

I personally haven’t played Xenoblade Chronicles 2, so watching through the cutscenes was a little bit of a strange experience for me. However, I did end up enjoying a lot of what I saw; the story was interesting, the art direction was cool, the worldbuilding seemed very interesting, and the characters themselves were very charming. When it came to themes, I didn’t know what I expected, but it absolutely wasn’t what I got. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 uses the worldbuilding I mentioned previously and uses it to craft a story about environmental disaster, rebuilding, and our role as part of the environment itself. 

The topic of not separating humanity from nature is something I immediately was hooked by within this module. I had been wondering much of the same things that were being questioned in the material for years, but I had never once heard others voicing the same ideas. So to see it in this class was something really cool and I think that same thinking can be applied to Xenoblade Chronicles 2.

In the game, we are introduced to 2 settings, Alrest, a world covered in a sea of clouds, and Elysium, a paradise where open fields abound and nature thrives. Elysium becomes this sort of macguffin for our heroes and once they get there, its revealed it isn’t a paradise of natural life, but a deserted ruinous landscape contained by some sort of futuristic technology. We learn that a long time ago, the earth underwent a cataclysmic event that killed almost all life on earth, but Klaus created the cloud sea, elysium, and the titans all to bring back life. Here we find the key aspect of this story: every single thing that is restoring life to the planet is tech, it isn’t naturally-occuring.

So finally we get to the connection to the idea that humans cannot be separated from nature, because we ourselves are natural. We must consider ourselves as natural and not try to let “nature” repair itself, but actively be a part of the repair process. Anything less is irresponsible and separates us from our true nature. We cannot heal what is broken, if we do not address two things, not either one, but both: 1. We broke nature

2. We are nature

When you get cut, you apply a bandaid, so why can’t we do something similar with our environment and work to heal ourselves?

[n4stasia]

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

So I do have a bit of a disadvantage here. If there is anything more boring than playing an RPG video game, it is certainly watching somebody else play it. To each their own, but RPG is one of the few genres I absolutely dislike, although I know it may be an unpopular opinion considering the worldwide popularity. I just wanted to share my difficulty following the plot having zero previous knowledge about it. I also had to spend some time watching youtube video reviews to get a better understanding. But enough of a slight side tangent! I absolutely loved some of the aspects of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and the connection to our theme of pop ecocriticism, so let me share that with you.

xeno-eco-criticism

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 involves in ecocriticism through some majestic cutscenes and story itself. The game's world is a living entity where titans serve as both homes and gods, emphasizing the deep bond between life and nature. Characters like Rex and Pyra explore themes of resource exploitation and ecological harmony. The damage caused by greed contrasts with the protagonists' quest for balance, mirroring real-world environmental issues on our planet Earth. The breathtaking landscapes and ecosystems in the cutscenes highlight the urgent need for sustainable living and respecting our planet.

humans + nature = ♡︎

Connecting this to the quite controversial text we were assigned , "The Drama of the Anthropocene," the anime game really nails the idea that humans and nature are intertwined and our future depends on this relationship. The Anthropocene era, where human actions shape the Earth, forces us to reconsider how we interact with the environment, just like the characters in the game work to bring back balance to their world. It really resembles the idea of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, both push for a big shift in how we see and treat nature, the need for deep ecology and sustainable living to avoid environmental disasters. The game goes a step further by showing how every choice impacts the ecosystem where even small actions can lead to big changes.

On a less enthusiastic note, "The Drama of the Anthropocene" dives into some questionable conclusions. Cobb rejects the idea that better technology alone can save us from environmental collapse, calling out the arrogance in believing that human ingenuity can always find a fix. Like ok go off I guess, but you can't you can't get into the brains of every one of 8 billion people and make them treat nature with care. I'm all up for the idea of interconnectedness of eco systems, but we need all the options, especially technology. I don't even want to repeat his ideas about religion and their alleged contribution to the environmental distress :\

[n4stasia]

Super great blog post as usual!! I also noticed the similarities with the NGE, and my blog actually starts off appreciating how much lighter it is from our last watch. The setting is apocalyptic and uneasy as well, but the approach is what makes it so more.. humane?/ It definitely has a clear readable message, unlike Evangelion, where everything and anything is up to debate. You mentioned the music, which is truly so cool. But what about those visuals!!! The surreal landscapes and composition is just screaming how much love, detail, and talent was dedicated to this film.

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.

[n4stasia]

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

What a relaxing experience in comparison to NGE. Hayao Miyazaki once again masterfully delivers the message through aesthetic visuals of a parallel fantasy dimension that echoes our world so tenderly yet super precisely. The narrative of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind intertwines themes of leadership, techno impact, and gender roles. It’s not just a story about environmentalism; it's also about the interconnectedness of all life and the healing of trauma, both ecological and personal.

the basics

The story unfolds in a world where toxic forests, inhabited by mutant creatures like giant insects called Ohmu, dominate much of the land. Nausicaä is deeply connected to nature and wants to uncover the secrets of the toxic forest to prevent its intrusion on her homeland, the Valley of the Wind. She evolves from a scientist to a warrior, engaging in conflicts among warring tribes, monster invasions, and even finding a romantic interest.

ecofeminism

Reflecting Hayao Miyazaki's tribute to women and feminist themes, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind can be viewed through ecofeminism. This perspective connects the mistreatment of nature with the oppression of women. In the anime, Nausicaä shows ecofeminist values by having a strong bond with nature, empathy, and nurturing. She also breaks traditional gender roles with her courage, intelligence, and leadership, blending qualities often traditionally seen as either feminine or masculine. Personally, this concept is close to my heart and I do see connections between nature and women. Not exactly because women are capable of childbearing and stuff like that, since it's often an individual choice. But because the power of both nature and women is often underestimated or exploited.

eco harmony

The anime was released during the era of the first Star Wars movies, contrasting their masculine tone while visually mirroring them in some parts. Interestingly, male characters play a less decisive role here, with even the primary antagonist being a woman as well. The central theme revolves around human-nature relationships, advocating for environmental preservation and harmony. Nausicaä is both a narrator and a living example of pacifism, emphasizing the importance of coexisting peacefully with the environment.

Every organism, even those perceived as dangerous, has a role in the ecosystem. This message emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life forms and the eco-balance.

[n4stasia]

hello! First of all I want to thank you for providing some external sources which were quite amusing and interesting to read after digesting Neon Genesis Evangelion and End of Evangelion. Looks like "wtf" is a universal reaction to this piece of media. I watched several youtube videos, multiple reddit threads, podcast and what can I say? Didn't really make it better. I also don't know how I feel about it. Garbage or masterpiece? Well it certainly evokes strong weird feelings and everyone can interpret the movie differently. I didn't find much connection to masculinity & gender. I personally found it to be a very exact portrayal of infinite void and psychological horror of severe depression and suicidal ideation. And the reason for that seems to be childhood traumas.

End of Evangelion

Sorry for cursing, but what the actual fuck did I just watch. To understand this film, I basically had to read an entire essay about background information that can only be found in outside sources such as video games. I even watched a 5 minute YouTube video purely just to understand the infamous hospital scene. 

If you're confused like I was please read this:

and read:

https://imgur.com/2oRZv

Shinji at this point in the story is just absolutely fucked up in the head mentally. Both of his friends leave. Asuka is comatose. Rei is swimming in a juice bathtub. He even killed the guy that finally accepted him and even liked him. By the way apparently some people think Kawaru is a representation of Jesus who needed to be killed. Anyways, Shinji was just mentally not there. Shinji's in this shit mental state and knowing Shinji, he doesn't know how to properly express his emotions. So naturally what does he decide to do? Bust a load to Asuka's comatose body. Btw although the anime doesn't show any attraction for Asuka prior to this (except the kiss maybe and the childhood friend fantasy) apparently there's some side content that makes their relationship make a bit more sense.

I would explain the events of the story in more detail, but reddit can explain it better. Basically at the end Shinji decides he would rather live in the new destroyed world than a fantasy and the only person that we can see who also decided to stay is Asuka. Basically,Shinji chokes Asuka so he knows he's not living in some weird fantasy. Asuka caresses his cheek and calls him disgusting, letting him know that it isn't a fantasy. Basically Shinji has the craziest character development in all of anime history. Although it's hard to say if he's even alright at the end.

On one hand I think Evangelion is a masterpiece and on the other hand I think it's garbage. It's an anomaly within anime. As a story writer, if most people can't understand your story, then it's badly written. However, Evangelion reminded me of poetry. It was confusing but clearly had deeper meanings. I doubt anyone could ever COMPLETELY understand Evangelion by only watching the series&movie. It practically requires discussion between people to even grasp it. If the writers wanted to leave a lasting impression, they certainly achieved their goal.

[n4stasia]

End of Evangelion | pt.3

Yay, part 3 of the iceberg. Finally. I had to dive into an extensive web research in order to make at least some sense of it. I don't know if that made it better or worse, though. It's a rabbit hole.

the end vol. 1

So what about last two episodes? .. Shinji finds himself alone with his problems after a literal apocalypse. Gradually, he overcomes them and, like the protagonist of Trainspotting, decides to choose life. And this kinda restored the world around him to existence.

Hideaki Anno largely based Evangelion on his personal experiences and struggle with depression. Creating the series was difficult work for him, and there were many obstacles along the way, but Anno saw the light at the end of the tunnel and ended the series on a positive note. And the fans HATED this ending. They were not satisfied with the experimental style of the last two episodes. They didn't want these existential crises of Shinji. They wanted something else. They wanted more giant robot battles, they wanted sexy Asuka and Rei in their latex pilot suits. Overall, fans clearly wanted the first half of the show, not the second.

And Hideaki Anno climbed a mountain in front of all the fans and showed them all a big middle finger. This is the most accurate metaphor that can be thought of for the End of Evangelion.

the end vol. 2

End of Evangelion begins with Shinji masturbating over the comatose body of Asuka. And that's just the beginning. The movie starts somewhere after the events of the 24th episode. The NERV headquarters is attacked by the armed forces of SEELE (a secret organization that supposedly funds NERV and even rules the world, or something like that). And our heroes try to fight back.

That's... almost all that happens in the movie. Yes, there is very little plot here. NERV headquarters is under constant siege for half of its screen time, and the other half... something happens. We just watch as the characters we've grown to love are mercilessly and bloodily killed one by one. And if they're not killed, they turn out to be hellish bastards. Gendo, for example, grabs Asuka's bare chest. :/

Shinji doesn't overcome depression, but rather chooses to be crushed and smashed by it. He is miserable, useless, apathetic piece of his former self, who, alas, is needed by everyone for salvation. This is almost the complete opposite of what happened to him in the series finale.

my head hurts

Both movie and the series leave a very nasty feeling in your soul after its ending. One of the most unpleasant films I've ever seen in my life. I want to wash my brain inside out. Yes, it's unique and explores gender issues, depression, loneliness and whatever. But it triggered a migraine episode and mild existential crisis for me so there is that.

The End

[n4stasia]

Hey!! I like your part 2 reflection, specifically your analysis of Asuka. She is such a complex character. She is much more well written than Rei or Shinji, and that's may be why we empathize with her more. Her character development is kinda backwards. Asuka starts off as the most mentally healthy person of the trio, but her mask sheds down more and more with every episode as we learn about her childhood trauma. Her journey into despair is very disturbing and heartbreaking.

Blog Post - Neon Genesis Evangelion Part Two ᯓᡣ𐭩‧₊˚ ⊹

I don't know why I thought part two would be a new season, but it was just finishing off the original Neon Genesis Evangelion. I appreciate that choice so it's easier for us to follow the show! And I'm really excited that Asuka Langley Soryu was introduced in the first episode! She's like the og "tsundere" girlie and I love her for that. Asuka is such a petty girl boss and is also an interesting parallel to Shinji's and Rei's more quiet demeanors.

When Asuka is introduced to Shinji and his classmates, they are immediately surprised by her brash attitude. It might be due to her German descent that the Japanese characters are taken aback by her prideful personality. However, I believe it has nothing to do with where she comes from, and Asuka only comes off as confident to mask her insecurities. When she finally meets Shinji, the Third Child, she is jealous that he can effortlessly sync to his Evangelion, instead of going through the long training that she and Rei went through. In an attempt at friendliness, Asuka tries to bond with Rei about this dilemma in the locker room, saying sarcastically "He did it so effortlessly it's a little frustrating, you know? He's amazing! Magnificent! Tough! Too tough! Ooh, Shinji the Mighty! Our jobs will be so much easier thanks to him! Right? We'll have to work super-duper hard to keep him from leaving us in the dust!" Yet, her conversation falls on deaf ears as Rei leaves her alone mid-sentence. And she isn't the only one who doesn't care about her. Even though she should be at least acquainted with Misato and Shinji because the three of them live together, it's clear by the body language that they consider Asuka a very annoying roommate. All of this neglect doesn't just make Asuka feel more insecure about her capabilities as a pilot, but alone in Japan without anyone to truly connect with. It makes me feel really bad for her.

[n4stasia]

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.

[n4stasia]

Hello! I like your Evangelion reflection. It was my first time watching the show, as well. I went in very excited, as I've heard about it here and there and psychological horrors have a special place in my heart. Don't really know how to explain my feelings after watching it in full though. Biblical references was something that I noticed too, of course. Not my favorite thing to be honest, partially because I'm not religious nor interested in the subject. But mainly because according to my extensive research when trying to understand this anime - biblical stuff was only added as an additional layer of mystery and over-complication of the plot. It doesn't really serve as a deeper meaning/philosophy. But then of course, it's up to debate. (as many things in the Eva)

neon genesis evangelion PART 1 (1995)

I'm so glad I got to watch this series for the first time. This type of animation is my favorite, it's highly artistic and the hand drawn look is so aesthetically pleasing. I enjoy the composition and design of the mecha throughout the anime, as well as the character design. The machinery has so much detail and care put in that it really envelopes the viewer into the world.

Shinji is a really interesting protagonist because his gender performance does not seem masculine. He is very polite, and even submissive at times. He seems to be concerned and empathetic with others feelings, which is stereotypically a feminine trait. I think it's unique for a male character to not adhere strictly to stereotypically masculine behavior, especially in a show as famous as this in the time that it was made.

I also noticed the similarities and differences evangelion has with gundam, like the car scene in the first episode reminded me of the first episode of gundam. Shinji's relationship with his father, his being forced to pilot an experimental mech suit, and many more details seem to pop out and coincide with how gundam operated at first. The similarities end with the way both protagonists seem to handle their responsibility. Shinji attempts to run away from the responsibility because of the mental anguish he goes through.

I also wanted to point out the startling amount of biblical references sprinkled in just from the assigned episodes. Attacks would carry the shape of crosses, the enemies are called angels, and there are many references to god. Not to mention the title of the anime. While I don't really understand why these references are in the anime, it was just an observation I wanted to bring up.

[n4stasia]

Neon Genesis Evangelion | pt.1

Okay, so I decided to watch the whole season of Neon Genesis Evangelion and the movie and then complete these 3 blogs only after I watch it in full. My approach to this will be breaking it down like an iceberg. Part 1 will focus on the first half of the season, part 2 about the end of a season, and part 3 about the movie.

Cool Robot Anime - The Basics

At the beginning, we are introduced to a post-apocalyptic Tokyo-2, a world that has survived 'two strikes,' meaning two meteorites have crashed into the planet in Antarctica. The planet has somehow coped with this, enduring the melting of glaciers and a climate change (now there is simply no winter), and cicadas chirp constantly (in Japan, they only chirp at certain times of the year). Chirping of cicadas as a background sound roughly 70% of the series is one of the reasons why I'll probably have a headache for a week. It was so irritating and I think it was done on purpose btw.

Shinji is a fragile teenager with daddy issues (rightly so). He is also the chosen one to pilot one of the Eva's robots that can save the world from angels. Yeah, not meteorites. This where I was still able to find connections to gender/masculinity issues. He is obviously the embodiment of a male who falls victim to patriarchy. He is pushed into playing the role of violent masculinity by everyone around him. But Shinji is different. He doesn't want to conform to these expectations. The problem is, he doesn't really have a choice. And throughout the plot, he is constantly pressured into violent acts. This will become a starting point of his mental deterioration that will only get progressively worse. I think first half of the Evangelion can be read as a critique of patriarchy, but all that happens next, honestly, is something different.

The Eyes

First 20-ish episodes are relatively undisturbing. Cool big robots vs cool big angels, political conspiracies, poor Shinji, mysterious Rei, sequential development of the plot. So far so good, right? Well, we get a taste of what's about to come through cinematic composition of the anime and, specifically, the eyes. Evangelion uses eyes as disturbing imagery and psychological horror elements. The series often employs extreme close-ups and distorted eye scenes to create a sense of unease and discomfort. You know it's getting worse when eye scenes start to appear more, and more frequently.

[n4stasia]

Yes, I also loved their choice of soundtracks, and the actual style of animation! Its quite unique, and very sweet, despite talking about such a sensitive topic. And yes, proper LGBTQ+ representation in anime is a rare thing. Not that it doesn't exist, it's just usually done in a poor overly-fetishizing manner. So I loved that this particular story is very lighthearted in nature and has proper representation of issues transgender people face everyday, starting from a young age when it's still more of a role-playing and gender exploration. I also loved that you mentioned Nitori and Tatsuki having support systems, as its crucial in their journeys of exploring self identity.

Gender and Society (Wandering Son)

Wandering Son was really just a sweet anime to watch. I love the music, some of the choices they made for the soundtrack were perfect. Playing Clair De Lune was the quickest way to tug on my heart strings and they took advantage of it! I also like that this anime handles the topic of transgender identities, something I haven’t seen many other animes discuss, and if they do discuss it, often its done in a poor manner. Regardless, it uses this story about transgender youth to discuss themes of gender noncomformity and the pressure society places on the people within it to conform to its standards.

So the story follows two middle school students named Nitori and Tatsuki. Both are struggling to understand their transgender identities in an environment that doesn’t accept this idea. They slowly help eachother to realize their identities and present as who they really want to be, but not without resistance from their peers. It’s through this that the anime tackles these themes and also the varied levels of acceptance towards the two children. Tatsuki, who is a trangender boy, starts wearing the male student uniform to school, but this is only met with mild backlash and intrigue. However, when Nitori wheres the female uniform to school, its met with incredible amounts of ridicule and backlash. It shows the true nature of this gender divide and relates it back to the idea of gender as a performance. Women are known to have masculine traits, so many dont oppose to Tatsuki adopting the masculine uniform, however men are known to solely have feminine traits, which is why Nitori is met with backlash. It shows that there are rules and guidelines to these ideas and if you step out of line, you are going against the norm. There must be something wrong with you in society’s eyes.

Which is why its so touching to see Nitori and Tatsuki to also have support systems. They are adapting to who they believe themselves to be and although the world isn’t ready for that, those around them will defend them. I also think this anime lends to the idea that gender isn’t much more than a concept as it deals with the “genderbender” play near the end of the anime.

[n4stasia]

Wandering Son

Wandering Son is a very light anime, despite the sensitive topic of LGBTQ+, especially considering it involves children and their experience in exploring gender roles. One of the key themes is transgenderism and gender identity. The anime covers these topics with respect and sensitivity, trying to understand and shed light on the difficulties faced by people who do not conform to traditional gender roles. It gives the audience the opportunity to feel empathy and understanding for such people. In addition, the anime also touches on other important issues related to adolescence, including friendship, love, and self-actualization. It offers deep reflections on what it means to be yourself in a world that is often unwilling to accept you for who you are.

Butler argues that gender is not a stable identity or a biological given but rather a performance, a stylized repetition of acts. These acts, over time, produce the appearance of a natural sex difference. This theory challenges the notion of gender as a fixed category and opens up space to question the binaries of male and female.

While second-wave feminism paved the way for discussions around gender fluidity, a reactionary element emerged in the form of Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists (TERFs). These individuals often adhere to a rigid understanding of sex and gender, rejecting the notion of gender as a performance. Their beliefs frequently clash with the trans community and those advocating for gender equality. TERFs often misinterpret Butler's work, using it to justify their exclusionary views. By focusing solely on the performative aspects of gender, they overlook the complexities of gender identity and the experiences of transgender individuals.

In contrast to TERF ideology, Wandering Son emphasizes empathy, understanding, and acceptance. The anime underscores the importance of creating a society where individuals are free to express their gender identity without fear of judgment or discrimination.

[n4stasia]

lol I loved the US Airforce broadcaster, and I'm glad you mentioned her! I feel like people are often times very judgy about conventions and anime fans, as there is this stigma of it being cringy. As some fans from the documentary mentioned, otaku's are not just anime obsessed grown-ups living with parents with no real job. And the US Airforce girly is a perfect example of that.

Convention Blog Post

Being as avid an anime fan as I am, I’m incredibly surprised I’ve never intentionally been to one single convention in my life. All my friends have, and I’ve heard incredible anecdotes from each and every single one of them, but I’ve simply never found it too appealing for me. I consider myself more of a closeted fan, where I’m not shy in discussing what I like, but I also don’t go out of my way to meet people in person. I’m very active online, because it’s convenient and I can do it within the safety of my own home, and I’m very thankful for the people I’ve met over the years, but I couldn’t see myself brave enough to venture out and experience for more than 15 minutes. The one time I did was back in 2019, before the pandemic, in San Francisco (picture below). That was my first ever taste of an anime gathering, and I had bumped into it unintentionally. I was amazed and inspired by all the hard work everyone put into their cosplays and designs. I didn’t go inside the building, I was content with just staying outside and admiring everyone until my mom said it was time to go back to our original plans. However, after watching True Otaku, I’m definitely going to reconsider and join in on all the in-person fun I’ve been missing out on.  

The documentary showed thousands of people bonding over similar interests. It mainly focuses on Otacon, a longstanding convention that’s been going on since 1999 for fans of Japanese culture. Its attendance only keeps increasing in numbers as the years go by, with more and more people showing heavy interest in anime, manga, fashion, and more. Many attendees don’t put a certain definition on the word otaku, but the majority agree that in recent times, because of fans like them, the term has switched from being derogatory to a term that is now embraced proudly by people who consider themselves avid and deeply loving fans. 

I learned that the convention isn't simply people dressing up and hanging out, these conventions actually have events going on. There are musical events presented by special Japanese guests, events held by voice actors and directors with the latest information on the industry, workshops where otakus teach other otakus, larping, anime showings, late night raves, artists and fans selling their merch, etc. These events are also perfect volunteer spots for people looking to help their community and gain some hours somewhere. Personally, I would love to see booths/workshops teaching us how to cook food that shows up in anime. I think that would be very interactive and cool to see in real life. 

There were a lot of cosplayers within the documentary, and I thought I’d mention some of my favorites (as a cosplayer myself). The Sailor Moon from the beginning was ethereal, which much of it is owed to the cosplayer’s beauty but the outfit completed her – looked like it was made for her to wear. Later on, a Princess Peach was shown and I absolutely loved the intricate design on her parasole. Sailor Pluto made an appearance, which I thought was awesome because so few people like her because of her limited screen time. Hetalia’s Belarus was even present which made me incredibly happy to see it because Hetalia was my favorite anime for three years (she even had a knife! Talk about dedication to the character). 

Overall, I saw a lot of people having fun and showing their appreciation to the creators by bringing their good attitudes and amazing costume designs. You have to admire these fans' dedication because even in the summer they’ll wear the warmest of outfits just to keep their character alive. Many spent hours working on the smallest detail because they wanted it to be just right. I’m quite jealous – they all have something they love so much that they’re willing to spend hours creating outfits to show off. I can only imagine how proud they must feel whenever someone chips in and tells them “I love your outfit!” at these events. When I finally have the chance to go to a con, I will definitely be spreading this love! If they’re proud to be an otaku, then I should be too. Many have fought for us to freely enjoy these events without guilt or shame, and I am honored to be able to be given this chance!

PS. I wanna be as cool as the girl who works as a broadcaster for the US Airforce and can still rock a Princess Peach cosplay.