vennelaaaxxx

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I really enjoyed reading your post. You captured exactly what makes these three works so different, but connected. I like how you pointed out that *Your Name* takes something rooted in a specific Japanese tragedy and turns it into something universal. I felt that too. Even if we haven’t experienced an earthquake, the fear of losing connections and our loved ones without realizing it is very real. The way you tied it to your own life, like losing touch with friends or places, made it more relatable to me.

I really liked your points made on Hetalia anime. At first, it does feel like just goofy stereotypes, but I agree there’s something deeper when you think about it. It’s funny how humor can make us lower our guard and then bring in bigger questions about identity and representation. I have also made a few assumptions about countries or cultures based on limited ideas, so it made me think, too.

I understand why you felt unsettled for watching Sensoron. I think the way it breaks people down into numbers or functions says a lot about how modern life can make us feel. For example, It’s weird how easy it is to measure ourselves by likes or views on social media, even if deep down we know that’s not who we really are.

What I like most about your post is that you didn’t treat these works just as “Japanese media.” You found connections to your own experiences and to global issues. I think that's why this post feels personal and relatable.

Blog Post: Your Name / Hetalia: Axis Powers / Sensōron

Watching Your Name, Hetalia: Axis Powers, and Sensōron in gave me a very unexpected emotional and intellectual rollercoaster. Each of them, while different in tone and style, made me think more deeply about both Japanese society and broader, global concerns.

Your Name hit me hardest on an emotional level. Its focus on time, fate, and memory felt intimate in a way I didn’t expect. While the story is grounded in a natural disaster specific to Japan, it opened something more universal, the fear of forgetting people, of losing connections without even realizing it. I’ve never moved before, but the way the characters struggled to hold on to each other through shifting timelines mirrored my own feelings of losing touch with friends and places that were once central to my life.

Hetalia, by contrast, was chaotic, satirical, and often strange, but not shallow. At first it just seemed like national stereotypes in joke form, but the more I watched, the more I saw how it played with history and identity. It made me think about how countries are portrayed in media and how we often reduce entire cultures to jokes, something I’ve been guilty of. It’s silly, but it provokes real questions about representation and bias.

Sensōron was the most unsettling. Its depiction of people being reduced to roles, outputs, or even data reminded me of our hyper-connected digital lives. I kept thinking about how much I perform online versus who I actually am. The manga doesn’t offer easy answers, but it challenged me to consider how society measures human value and whether I’m comfortable with that.

Each of these works made me reflect, not just on Japan, but on how much of what they touch on exists in my own world, too.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Your Name Blog

Your Name, Hetalia, and Sensoron showcased a wide range of interesting perspectives on emotional and political contrast. I love the movie "Your name". It’s my favorite movie of all the time. I don’t remember how many times I have watched it. It’s a deeply personal tale about connection, fate, and cultural memory. I also love the concept of red strings and body swapping. This anime made me think about how stories can help us understand our place in the world and how culture shapes identity in emotional ways.The way the film shows the trauma of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake through a magical lens made me think deeply about how societies process grief and loss. Sometimes even in my own life, I avoid confronting painful events directly and always turn to dreams or stories as an escape from reality. I think that’s why I love anime because it has everything I don’t have in my life. I liked Hetalia because of its comedic and exaggerated portrayal of countries as quirky characters. It was interesting to see how this anime uses caricature to explore international relations in a lighthearted way and uses humor as a form of political commentary. I think this helps the viewers to understand heavy history more easily. Personally, I felt like it was detached from the real consequences of war to truly resonate. Reading Sensoron was the most challenging for me probably because of its unapologetic nationalist revisionism and denial of wartime atrocities. It made me realize how powerful the media can be in shaping collective memory and national identity. I felt the emotional weight ofl storytelling as it approaches history critically and understands how narratives can be weaponized. Although these three anime are of different genres like romance, comedy, academic, they still help us to understand how media shapes not only how nations remember themselves, but also how individuals relate to those memories in a global context.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I absolutely loved your points especially the line, “touch grass while you still can.” It was funny but also so real. I agree with you when you stated how we have ignored the environment for decades and now we are all shocked that things are falling apart. I also really liked how you admitted that you’re not perfect and respect you for it. I think that’s important and nobody is perfect too !! People just pretend to be perfect, but in reality, they are not. I think it's not about being perfect, but about being aware and doing better.

I really liked and agree with you when you talked about “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”. That movie was ahead of its time. The way it shows the earth turning on us after we have drove it too far? That’s literally what’s happening now with rising temperatures, fires, floods, and animals being forced out of their homes. And the part about people in the U.S. not even having clean water? I’m glad you brought that up because so many people pretend it’s not happening. We always look at other countries and think we are above that and well, but we are not.

I agree with you when you said we only want to reconnect with nature when we are feeling drained or off. Well, it's true that nature is healing, but we only remember that when we need something from it. We rarely think about giving back. Your example of the alligators in Florida was wild, but it totally makes sense. We have taken over their space and now everyone’s surprised when they show up in our backyards. And the ridiculous part is that people say they don't want to come to Florida because alligators are intruding homes and everywhere, but we all truly know who's the actual intruder.

I have to say that I really loved your thinking and your post made the issue feel more personal. It wasn’t preachy, but it was honest, funny, and relatable which was fun and easy to read. I think if more people talked about climate issues in this kind of way, maybe more people would actually start paying attention and make small changes slowly over time.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and out Environmental footprint

I feel like more often than not humans take the environment for granted. We do not value education, reformative efforts, or the natural beauty it, and it shows. People didn’t believe the icebergs were melting or that the Ozone layer was disappearing, but now that we’re having weird weather people are asking “what's going on?” And don’t get me wrong, I am no saint. I didn’t know spitting your gum on the ground was considered littering until like 3 years ago… But I think that the film “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” speaks volumes about just how long we’ve neglected the environment. I mean this film is only 3 years younger than my mom, so 40 years ago there were still intense conversations about what we can do to better our environment, and we didn’t. I find it ironic.

My friends and I always say “we need to reconnect with nature,” when we’re hungover, because obviously that's not a great feeling. But one day we might not be able to. There are people that live in the US that don’t even have clean drinking water, but many people think that is a third-world country problem, meanwhile it's occurring right here. It just makes me think “touch grass,” while you still can, that is.

“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” also conveys that idea of humans ruining the Earth, and then the Earth essentially trying to off us— well deserved. I think the film does a great job of showing how selfish we can really be, we don’t care about animals and other living organisms being misplaced when we build our cities. We don’t consider sharing space with other organisms as much as we value our own comfort, and it's evident. That's why there's people in South FL with alligators climbing the fence in their backyards, because we’ve encroached so much on other species there's no harmony, and we often think it’s either them or us.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Xenoblade Chronicles Blog

When I watched Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and saw Xenoblade Chronicles 2, it  really made me think about how people treat the world around them. I think both stories are set in beautiful, mysterious worlds that are full of life, but also danger. One particular thing about these two that made me feel amazed was how both Nausicaa and Rex want to protect life, but not to control it.

In Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, I was really moved by how Nausicaa connects with the toxic jungle and the giant insects. Even though most people are afraid of them, she tries to understand them. She sees the jungle isn’t evil, but it was misunderstood. Watching this felt like a part of me was healed because there was a time where I was horribly misunderstood by people and no one bothered to understand me or hear my side of the story. This story depicts  how we often treat things we don’t understand with fear or hatred,  like in real life where people refuse new ideas, cultures, or even nature. Nausicaa illustrates that empathy and curiosity can lead to peace.

In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I have to admit that Rex is a bit more naive but I liked how hopeful and cheerful he is. He believes in a better world and risks everything to reach it made me think about how important it is to have hope even if the world feels broken.. The idea of fighting for a new beginning really struck me, especially as someone who's trying to figure out their future. I am always anxious whether I get into med school or not. Always thinking about what ifs about the future. Sometimes the world feels broken, but this game video made me realize that we can still find hope and keep moving forward.

I love the fact that both stories convey global issues like the environment, war, and what it means to be human. They really felt personal to me since it reminded me of my own past and experiences. They reminded me that even small acts of empathy really matter. Let’s be kind !!

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I too was confused and had an unsettling feeling with this anime. I liked the opening though !! I really liked your reflection because you connected Shinji’s story to real-life struggles with masculinity in such a thoughtful way.

I too found Shinji to be one of the most relatable characters in the anime, even though the setting is so strange and full of sci-fi theme. Like you said, the pressure from his father and from society felt very real. It’s easy to see how Shinji represents the expectations many young men face to “man up” or act tough even if that’s not who they really are. I think Shinji should not get criticized because he's still a child. This anime showed that being sensitive or hesitant doesn’t make someone weak; it just makes them human. I found your point about hegemonic masculinity interesting. Before this class, I also didn’t think of masculinity as something that’s “performed,” but watching Shinji struggle to meet everyone’s expectations really made me see it that way. He isn’t naturally violent or competitive, but everyone keeps forcing him into that role just because he’s the Eva pilot. I think that really confronts the idea that there’s only one “right” way to be a man: to be brave, violent, and self-sacrificing. I also related to what you said about doing things just to follow the crowd. There have definitely been times where I stayed quiet or went along with something even though it didn’t feel right to me, just because I didn’t want to seem weak or cause trouble. Seeing Shinji go through that made me think about how much pressure society puts on people to act in a certain way even when it hurts them emotionally.

Neon Genesis Evangelion / The End of Evangelion Reflection

After watching the anime, Neo Genesis Evangelion, as someone still learning about anime was both confusing yet unexpectedly relatable. In the beginning, the sci fi and religious aspect of the anime felt distant, the emotional struggles of Shinji and other characters did feel a lot more relatable though. The pressure that Shinji faces live up to expectations from his father and society reminded me of the unspoken rules about masculinity and how men are raised, like being strong and not showing emotions. As a college student here at UF, trying to figure myself out, I saw parts of my own uncertainty and growing process in Shinjis hesitation and guilt.

The episodes we watched also made me think about masculinity beyond just Japan. Shinji’s struggle with violence, competition, and emotional expression feels relevant to young men everywhere who do not always fit into the tough, independent masculine role. In that way, I think the show critiques a system that tries to box in boys and make them perform manhood instead of understanding themselves.

The ideas in the video about hegemonic masculinity helped me put language to what I was watching. I never really thought of masculinity as something that is performed before this class, but Evangelion made it really clear. Shinjis quiet way of caring about others around him yet while others tried to force him into violence which really challenged the idea of what a real man is supposed to act. Seeing that made me reflect on how I sometimes have done things just to follow the crowd even if I didn't want to. I am glad this class have allowed me to explore works of art that explore themes like this!

[vennelaaaxxx]

Neon Genesis Evangeline Blog

I first watched Neon Genesis Evangelion when I was in seventh grade because I loved the opening song of the anime. Back then, I couldn’t understand the inner meaning or theme of this anime and it left me confused. When I rewatched it again for this class, I felt like it was a very different experience that it's kind of hard to put it into words. At the beginning, this anime feels like a mecha show about teenagers piloting giant robots; however, it immediately changes into an intense exploration of identity, loneliness, and human connection. I found myself frustrated with Shinji at times, especially when he refused to act or make decisions, but I also realized that his struggles with self-worth and belonging felt painfully real. I kind of felt that it’s understandable for his hesitation because he's still a kid and it's hard for him to make the decisions that's best for him or people around him. 

I liked how the story critiques societal expectations of masculinity. Shinji’s reluctance to “be a man” in the way others demand demonstrates how many societies expect men to be stoic, brave, violent, and self-sacrificing. Watching Shinji’s breakdowns and his inability to fit made me realize how harmful rigid gender roles can be. While I can’t fully relate to Shinji’s experiences, I do understand what it feels like to feel inadequate compared to societal standards or family expectations. As a woman, I'm always expected to stay in a feminine role like being obedient, quiet, agreeable, and not disruptive. If I step outside that role, society makes it like I deserve less respect and I might even get hate for it. 

The End of Evangelion movie felt even more unsettling and disturbing. The apocalyptic images were shocking, but the real impact came from Shinji’s despair and the impossibility of reconciling his desire for acceptance with being true to himself. The ending left me conflicted because there is a small glimpse of hope, but it’s clear that living authentically can still invite rejection.

I also thought about how relevant Neon Genesis Evangelion is globally. Many young people today struggle with anxiety, depression, and the pressure to be someone they are not just cause to fit into the society's standards. Of course, the anime doesn’t provide easy answers, but it does show that the search for identity and acceptance is universal.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I really liked your post and how you talked about how the documentary changed your perspective on the word “otaku.” I felt the same way too. Like you, I had always thought of “otaku” as a negative term when I was young because of its reputation in Japan. It’s often used to label people as obsessive, socially awkward, or too deeply into anime and games. That’s why I was surprised to see how proudly the fans in the documentary embraced the word. You made an amazing point about how they were excited to answer the question about what “otaku” meant to them. It really showed how the meaning of a word can change depending on the culture and how people choose to use it. Instead of letting it stay a derogatory term, the fans turned it into something empowering like they used it in a way to express passion and belonging. I found that pretty amazing and wonderful.

I also thought your point about Dust bunny cosplay was really good. I talked about her in my blog post too. Somehow, her story left an impression on me. I believe she showed that cosplay isn’t just about wearing a costume, it’s about creativity, effort, and recognition. When she finally won an award, you could see how much it meant to her. I thought it was so meaningful how she tied her sense of accomplishment to cosplay like winning the award gave her so much validation and confidence even though losing made her question herself. That felt so real to me, because I think everyone has experienced moments where recognition or lack of it affects our self-esteem and self-worth. Furthermore, I liked how you mentioned the “otaku journalist,” too. I liked how you connected Dust bunny’s cosplay to somatic productivity and the journalist’s blog to textual productivity. It showed that fandom can inspire people to create, not just consume. It reminded me how diverse fandom creativity can be. Some people create costumes, some write blogs or fanfiction, and others just participate in discussions that help build community. Like you said, enunciative productivity was everywhere at the convention. It felt like such an open and welcoming space where everyone could talk about what they love without being judged. It’s a place full of freedom !! The ending of the documentary struck me too especially when it talked about how otaku culture can be “revolutionary.” I never thought about anime fandom as a way of appreciating another culture, but it really is a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world. Overall , I agree with you that the documentary was really positive. Your post made me think even more about how fandom can shape identity and bring people together. I also hope to go to a convention one day because it seems like such an amazing experience to be surrounded by so much creativity and passion. We can see that fandom can inspire people to create, not just consume. Whether it’s blogging, making costumes, or just sharing passion with others, it builds a community where people feel like they belong and celebrate what they love together.

Thoughts on "True Otaku"

So this week I got to watch a very interesting documentary. It was either I watch a documentary or go to an anime convention( I’m stuck in Gainesville). For starters, it was a pretty good documentary. It was both very insightful and down-to-earth, which I appreciated a lot. The documentary kept me engaged, and it made me kind of change my perspective on the word “otaku”. I found it interesting that they started the documentary by asking attendees what they think the word otaku means. It was interesting because they asked the very people who were considered to be otaku, what they think they are. When the lady asked that question, I thought of what I would say in response. I felt like, at that moment, I would be a little offended. I'm only saying this because I would have thought the question was an indirect way of saying I'm an otaku, which has a negative connotation to it. To my surprise, that was not how they reacted. They were excited to answer the question. What surprised me was that most of them had positive definitions of the word otaku, and some even proudly considered themselves to be otaku. It changed my perspective on the word and made me realize that even though otaku was created as some type of derogatory term,  it was able to be converted to a word that they can proudly wear on their sleeves. I feel like part of the reason was that there is a community of support that doesn't mind being the “weird, obsessed fans” society shames them for being. Honestly, it was a nice thing to see. It showed the amount of passion the people had for Japanese culture. It was clear to see how Japanese culture became a large part of their lives. For a lot of them, it shaped their identity and self-worth. I noticed this in the cosplayer Dustbunny. She talked a lot about how making cosplay outfits and winning awards made her feel accomplished and worthy of the class she was in. It was also about how cosplaying became part of her identity and how it affected the way people saw her. When I say that, I mean that for her, cosplaying was a creative outlet for her, and when she didn't get the recognition that she felt like she deserved, she felt disappointed. When she did win, she became known among people as a pro cosplayer, someone worthy of prestige in some way. Losing, for her, she felt unworthy of that prestige. That reminds me! I noticed a lot of fan productivity in the documentary. Part of it was Dustbunny and her somatic productivity, but I also noticed some other kinds, like textual and enunciative. Throughout the documentary, we hear from an “otaku journalist" about her experience with otaku. She talked about her love for Japanese and otaku culture. She also loved the fandom itself and how it was an unapologetic community of people. The reason I mentioned her was that she loved the fandom so much that she made blog posts dedicated to different parts of pop culture. She was an example of a fan who partook in textual productivity. Like I mentioned before, there was enunciative productivity present at the convention as well. I noticed that in the majority of the attendees. I feel like because they engaged so much in that productivity, it allowed them to build a big community. People had interests, people had discussions about those interests, and in turn, a community of people with similar interests was formed. I feel like the reason why the otaku culture is so big is that the culture is welcoming and understanding. It does not shame you for loving Japanese culture and wanting to be a part of it. One thing that I want to point out is what the creator of the documentary said at the end of the documentary. She talked about how the otaku culture was revolutionary because, for the first time, people were able to fully appreciate and accept an outside culture. I think otaku isn't a bad thing, and it should not be a bad thing. I wish I could have gone to a convention to experience this culture for myself, but to be honest, the documentary was the next best thing. 

[vennelaaaxxx]

True Otaku

Watching True Otaku gave me a new perspective on anime fandom as both a community and a cultural identity. Although I have never been to an anime convention myself, I have been a fan of anime for years, especially series like Fairy Tail, One piece, Bleach, Naruto, and Ouran High School Host Club. For me, anime has always had a special place in my heart and it's always been a constant for me especially during the time I was bullied. I had no one to rely on except anime, especially Fairy Tail. It was always there for me- healing me, motivating me, and helping me to overcome my past to become a better version of myself through kindness, empathy, and consideration. 

After watching the documentary, I realized how anime conventions create an even stronger sense of belonging for fans. The energy of Otakon and Anime USA felt overwhelming in the best way like the people cosplaying, attending panels, and just being themselves without judgment. What I found amazing was how much community and identity are built in these spaces. For many fans, conventions are the one place where they feel they truly belong. We could see the passion people brought to these events, from cosplaying their favorite characters to buying and selling fan art. There’s a kind of freedom in fandom spaces that I have rarely experienced elsewhere where people can openly celebrate what they love without fear of judgment.

 I was really interested in how fans described reclaiming the word “otaku.” In Japan, it can have negative meanings, but in the U.S, people use it as a badge of pride. That made me think about cultural identity like how fandom lets people create a sense of belonging that might be missing in other parts of their lives. It reminded me of our class discussions about postmodern culture where identity can be fluid and shaped by the communities we choose.

In the documentary, there’s a woman named Iris and she shared her story as a cosplayer “Dust Bunny” which was inspiring. She put so much work into making her costumes, learning new skills, and challenging herself creatively. When she won “Best of Friday” in the novice cosplay category, it felt like all her effort had been validated. Her journey showed that fandom isn’t just passive, it can be active, creative, and even life-changing. Particularly, Cosplay shown as a form of performance and identity play connecting to what we have learned about postmodernism’s focus on role-playing and self-expression.

I found the inclusive and diverse fandom community surprising and wonderful. There were kids, adults, families, and people from all different backgrounds. The documentary even showed how conventions create friendships and relationships, and even marriages. It was clear that for many people, fandom is more than a hobby. I think it’s a source of connection, growth, and a sense of belonging.

Also we could see a Japanese government representative in Part 3 talking about how meaningful it was that people around the world loved Japanese pop culture. This shows that fandom isn’t just about media consumption, it’s also about cultural exchange, creativity, and shared passion across borders and countries

Moreover, I also observed how commercialized conventions are in the documentary. There’s clearly a lot of money involved in merchandising which raises questions about whether fandom culture is still grassroots or if it has been absorbed into consumer capitalism. Despite this, I believe the fans in the documentary seemed genuinely fulfilled and happy. This suggests that conventions serve a deeper purpose than just buying things; they are spaces of connection, creativity, and validation.

In conclusion, watching True Otaku made me appreciate how powerful fandom can be. Even though I have never been to a convention, I felt a sense of community when discussing anime with friends or reading about fan theories. If I ever get the chance, I would love to go to a convention one day and celebrate my love for anime. 

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I really liked how you connected all three anime to the theme of identity and self-acceptance. Even I also noticed that each story shows a different kind of pressure people face. As you have said, Sailor Moon is about figuring out who you are and growing into that person, even if you don’t feel ready. I related to Usagi too because even though she’s not perfect, she's still brave and caring. I think that Sailor Moon really gives a powerful message for younger viewers who feel like they aren’t “good enough.”

I have to say that Aggretsuko definitely left an impression on  me. Although it’s super funny, it illustrates how exhausting it can be to always be polite and fit into what society expects. It’s like wearing a mask all the time to conceal your emotion, so that you won’t appear as a rude person. Retsuko's karaoke moments felt so real because a lot of us have that thing we do in private to let out our stress, anger, and sadness. Instead of just bottling our emotions up, it’s very important to find healthier ways to express emotions.  

I agree with you that Wandering Son is super emotional. It shows so clearly how hard it is to go against gender expectations and how much courage it takes just to be yourself. Shuichi’s struggles felt so quiet but heavy. Probably that’s why I think it was so powerful and impactful. It reminded me how important it is to support people who are figuring out their identity because sometimes even small acts of kindness can mean a lot.

I like how you ended your post about being accepted and learning to accept yourself. It made me think about how important it is to create spaces where people can be themselves without fear. It’s also very important to be kind and understanding.

Blog Post: Sailor Moon / Aggretsuko / Wandering Son

After watching Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son, I found myself thinking a lot about identity, how we see ourselves, how others see us, and how hard it can be to just be yourself. All three anime hit differently, but together they kind of created this full picture of what it feels like to grow up and exist in a world full of pressure. Sailor Moon surprised me with how emotional it was under the surface. It might look like a fun magical girl anime (and it is), but there’s a lot going on there like friendship, self doubt, and figuring out what kind of person you want to be. I related to Usagi a lot. She’s clumsy, emotional, and doesn’t always get things right, but she cares so deeply. That kind of reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful is something I think everybody needs to hear. Aggretsuko felt way too real. Even though it’s full of cute animals, it shows how draining work and society’s expectations can be especially for women. Retsuko trying to be polite all day, then letting out her feelings through metal karaoke was funny but also kind of sad. I think a lot of us, especially young adults, feel that same pressure to keep it together when everything feels like too much. Wandering Son was the most emotional for me. Watching Shuichi and Yoshino figure out who they are, while feeling scared and alone, hit hard. The anime doesn’t go out of its way to be dramatic, but that made it more powerful. It showed how real and quiet that kind of struggle can be. Overall, all three anime made me reflect on how important it is to be around people who accept you, and how freeing it is when you finally start to accept yourself too. Whether it's magical girl powers, metal music, or just a small moment of honesty, that journey toward self-acceptance is something I think everyone can relate to.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Sailor Moon Blog

When I watched Sailor Moon, Aggretsuko, and Wandering Son together, it made me think about how gender roles shape identity and daily life in ways that feel both uniquely Japanese and universally familiar.

A few years back, I watched Cowboy Bebop and I absolutely loved it. This anime prompted me to watch a lot of old anime like Sailor Moon, Rurouni Kenshin, Yu Yu Hakusho, etc… Although I enjoyed all other anime, I felt connected to Sailor Moon probably because of how it encouraged femininity by showing powerful, complex, and “girly” heroines. While growing up, I always heard that being strong meant being “less girly”.  It was cool to see characters who could fight evil and still enjoy wearing cute outfits and friendship. It made me realize that strength doesn’t have to mean rejecting femininity.

I felt Aggretsuko was almost uncomfortably relatable. I saw myself through Retsuko the way she hides her frustration behind politeness and social expectations. There were times where I have bitten my tongue or clenched my teeth/fist and put on a fake smile in class or somewhere else because I didn’t want to seem like a rude or a bad-tempered person. It made me think about how politeness and gender norms can silence people, even when they feel strongly about something.

I felt very emotional watching Wandering Son. My heart hurt when I was watching Nitori’s struggles with gender presentation and acceptance. It made me think about how society pressures people to “fit” into categories. Although I haven’t experienced the same struggles as Nitori”s, I too could relate to the feeling of being expected to act a certain way because of who people assume I am. For example, I personally love the color blue, but people expect me to like pink just because I am a girl.  I believe empathy and understanding is very impotent in conversations about gender identity after we saw how painful rejection can be. 

Of  all the three anime, I noticed how gender performance carries real consequences. These stories made me evaluate my own behavior and how much of it comes from what I have been taught rather than choices I’ve made freely. Let's all be kind to each other :)

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I really enjoyed reading your take on Genshiken. I like how you went beyond to talk about the deeper themes the anime explores. I agree with you that at first, it might actually seem like a chill, slice-of-life anime about a quirky group of otaku, but it actually offers a lot of exposure to social norms and the marginalization of subcultures. The way this anime confronts social stigma is both subtle and realistic; it doesn’t try to “fix” the characters or make them fit into mainstream society, but rather shows how they build a community around shared passions. I found this anime very warming and comfortable to me, as they were able to find their own fandom community without changing themselves to fit into society. 

I think what you said about the cultural conformity really stood out to me. In many ways, Genshiken is a silent rebellion against the idea that everyone has to act a certain way to be accepted. It’s inspiring to see characters openly embracing niche interests like cosplay or doujinshi in a world that often ridicules them. Like you said, we still see this stigma today; however, I think it’s starting to change because the anime and nerd culture are going more mainstream with platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and conventions making it easier to connect with like-minded people. I believe now, being an otaku or being part of a fandom like anything is now accepted and normalized to some extent. 

I also think your discussion on fan culture was amazing. The way fandom has evolved into a global phenomenon is incredible. But just like you pointed out, it also comes with risks. While Genishen mostly showcases the positive sides of fan culture, such as creativity, community, and identity, I think it’s also important to acknowledge the darker aspects of obsession that can arise. It’s a good reminder of how passionate fan culture also needs boundaries. 

Thoughts on Genshiken (For UF Class)

This anime was a nice slice of life anime that I enjoyed throughout all the episodes. It had some good humor and it went into what otaku culture is like. At first watch this anime may just seem like a chill and funny anime that is about otaku culture, but it did dive into some global issues present in today's world.

One of the issues it covers is social stigmas. Since this anime covers otakus, which are people with intense interest in anime, manga, games, etc, social stigmas are gonna come along with it. Genshiken explores this and shows how otaku are marginalized or misunderstood by mainstream society. This anime also critiques the idea that cultural conformity is necessary for social acceptance. After watching the anime and picking up on the critiques it was giving I thought that the issues in the anime were pretty similar to the real world. Lots of people see people who watch anime, have interests like cosplay, or play board games like Dungeons and Dragons as nerds or weird. When people say they are interested in some of these things people shun or stop associated themselves with these people. This stigma is changing as more people actually try these "nerdy" interests and see that they are actually fun and are for the most part not weird like they thought in the past

Another issue/topic this anime covers is how fan culture has developed and changed in recent years. Genshiken illustrates how global media and fan practices influence identity and socialization highlighting fan-made content, fanfiction, cosplay, and fan communities, all of which have gone international. This new wave of die hard fans is only something that happened recently and can be seen all across the world in many different genres. These consist of shows, movies, comics, music, sports, etc. For the most part these fans are fine and many people with these fans appreciate them. However, it has become an increasing problem where these fans will stalk or injure their idol as they have become obsessed with them. The internet and media has only increased this problem and many famous people have to pay a lot of money for security to avoid this problem.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Genshiken: Watching the Watchers

As someone who’s a huge anime fan who watched Naruto, One Piece, and countless other anime, Genshiken felt like home in a way most anime don’t. It’s not about superpowers or saving the world; it’s about the people who obsess over those kinds of stories, just like me who’s part of so many fandoms like anime, manga, webtoon, manhwa, manhua, and webnovels. Watching the characters argue over anime genres, proudly show off their doujinshi collections, and attend cons reminded me of my own excitement when discussing one piece new theories about the mural or talking about my recently watched anime to my friends. When I watched it, it made me feel very happy and proud that you have things you could talk about these kinds of things so passionately to other people who are in the same fandom as you.

What stood out to me most was how Genshiken doesn’t shy away from showing the social stigma that otaku face in Japan. We could see that the characters are clearly passionate and deeply knowledgeable, but they’re also seen as socially awkward or even immature by people outside their circle. This reflects global conversations about fandom too like whether it’s anime, harry potter series, gaming, or even sports. I think society often looks down on people who are “too obsessed” with something, even though fandom can build strong communities and friendships.

I first started watching anime at 7 years old. When I watched it at a young age, I never got the courage to talk about anime to other people because during that time, many people would bully or make fun of people who liked anime. But now, many people watch anime and many think watching anime is cool after Covid-19. I think now being an otaku or being part of a fandom like anything is now accepted and normalized to some extent.

Fiske’s reading on fan productivity added another layer to how I saw the show. The way the Genshiken members engage in semiotic and textual productivity like analyzing their favorite shows, making their own art, building identity through taste, showcases how being a fan is a kind of cultural work. It’s not “lazy” or “meaningless.” It’s creative, social, and deeply personal.

For me, watching Genshiken was a comfortable experience. Whether in Japan or elsewhere, fandom always gives people a space to belong.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hello !! I really enjoyed reading your take on these anime, and I too cried so badly for these anime. I like how you talked about the theme of hypocrisy. I think you're absolutely right. I mean there’s a clear overlapped theme in Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice where the burden is always placed on the individual to change, but the society rarely takes any real responsibility for the harm it causes.

I agree with you regarding A Silent Voice. Shoko is expected to adapt to a world that constantly fails to include her, and the school system doesn’t do much at all to make her feel supported. It’s sad because, like you mentioned, society just lets things slide and focuses on punishing individual actions like Shoya’s bullying, without fixing the bigger problem. The lack of accessibility and support is totally overlooked. I hadn’t thought about how Yuzuru calls out Shoya for “just trying to feel better,” which is such a good example of how complicated and messy redemption really is.

Same with Wolf Children and Naruto. I felt especially bad watching the wolf kids struggle to choose between hiding who they are or being completely rejected. It really shows how society pressures people to fit in instead of accepting their differences. And Naruto basically has to earn acceptance by becoming useful to society, not just by being himself. That message can feel unfair, especially to people who have ever felt like outsiders. It's heartbreaking how people will acknowledge you only if you are useful to others.

I agree with you that the media should confront this way of thinking instead of just reinforcing it. Even though I love these stories, I also wish they showed more hope for changing the world instead of just teaching people to adjust to it.

Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice: Hypocrisy

Maybe I’m just super sensitive, but both “A Silent Voice” and “Wolf Children” had me on the verge of bawling my eyes out– I digress. Both of these movies convey powerful messages about not only finding yourself, but also being yourself, and what that entails. Who do you want to be? The characters are faced with moral dilemmas while simultaneously navigating the perils of society’s judgment.

“A Silent Voice” also touches on hypocrisy via Yuzura’s scrutiny of Shoya for trying to “make himself feel better,” but also through society's reprimand of Shoya’s past transgressions towards Shoko. There is a clear message for Shoya to take accountability for his bullying behaviors; however, the reprimand for society is not as clear. There was no real effort to prevent bullying or promote accessibility to learning, social relationships, and development at the elementary school for Shoko. Instead, responsibility fell on her to understand what was happening around her, regardless of her disability. The viewers do not see any direct scrutiny towards society for its lack of acceptance, only on individuals.

A similar scenario evolves in “Wolf Children” and “Naruto.” In “Wolf Children,” the audience observes how these hybrid children begin to navigate life without anyone else truly like them to help. They are told to hide their true selves to adapt to the world– fit in, if you will. Yet no notions of the world changing to accept them are made clear. “Naruto” has a similar issue in which he is rambunctious and acts out due to his sense of not belonging. As the show continues, he works hard to discipline himself to better adapt to the world around him.

The running trend of society’s hypocrisy, to punish those who do not conform or fit into perfectly made squares, is rather discouraging. I think it can be harmful to have media that supports the notion that the world “will never change, and therefore you must.” It is constrictive to individuality and freedom of expression, and is altogether backward thinking in my opinion.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice Post

Naruto is one of my favourite anime, and I have rewatched it like 3 times because I probably relate with the main character so much. Watching Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice (sobbed so much) felt like being walked through the many emotional stages of growing up, such as loneliness, acceptance, sacrifice, and the home search, where I could feel like I actually belonged. Although each anime tells a different story, what tied them together for me was how they each dealt with isolation, identity, and healing, both as personal and societal issues.

Naruto stood out to me because of its optimism and kindness. As someone who was also once labeled an outcast and bullied, I felt a connection with Naruto’s journey from outcast to hero. Although it is a fictional story, Naruto’s struggle portrays a real issue in schools, which is bullying and isolation of kids who don’t fit in. Naruto is ostracized because of something he can’t control (the nine-tailed beast inside him), and he is feared by everyone. Instead of becoming bitter and choosing revenge, he chooses kindness and empathy. Instead of blaming people who made him suffer, he used the pain as a motivation to grow stronger and become a better person. When I watched this show, it healed some part of me, and it made me realize that I wasn't the problem, but the people who chose to hurt me. I focused on becoming a better version of myself. I learnt to focus on positivity and spread kindness, not worry about the negative influence that could hurt my spirit.

Honestly, I cried through the whole movie for Silent Voice as it explores bullying from a different angle, through the eyes of the bully. We could see Shoya’s guilt, and his redemption arc hit me hard. It made me think about how some people deal with guilt and own up to their mistakes. I think the hardest part is forgiving, especially of themselves. When he finally forgives himself, we can see that he can see the people’s faces instead of the X mark. Nishimiya’s experience as a deaf student being harassed for her difference reminded me that bullying isn't always just about cruelty; it’s also about fear, ignorance, and peer pressure. I appreciated how the film didn’t shy away from showing how damaging bullying is, not only to victims but also to those who carry the shame of their past.

I also think Wolf Children is a great tribute to motherhood and resilience. Hana’s strength, as a single mother raising two half-wolf children in isolation, reminded me of my own mother’s sacrifices as an immigrant. Her quiet courage showed that parenting is its own form of everyday heroism and is connected to survival.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Hi !! I absolutely agree with you !! After watching Shin Sekai Yori, I felt it was such an intense and challenging experience. I’m really glad you brought up how the show parallels which are real-life issues such as surveillance, fear, and control. Despite the supernatural and dystopian setting, the themes feel eerily familiar to me. I mean it’s not just about psychic powers or futuristic societies, it’s about how systems can manipulate truth and instill fear to maintain order. This is something we all have experienced when we were growing up. The whole concept of growing up and slowly realizing the world isn’t as kind or ideal as you once believed really resonated with me, too. The way the children are slowly learn the terrifying truths reminded me of the moment in life when you start questioning the rules you've always accepted ( like for me, it was that women’s clothing shouldn’t be revealing or bad things, which is wrong) and realize that adult figures don’t always have the right answers.

I think the loss of innocence is such a powerful theme in this anime. You can actually feel the emotional shift as the characters go from carefree schoolchildren to young adults burdened with secrets, guilt, and trauma. At that point, it’s not just about growing up; it’s also about how society demands conformity, frequently at the cost of friendship or individual morality. I also thought the tension between personal bonds and societal rules was really well done. Watching the characters struggle with loyalty to each other, even though they were living in a rigid world, made their relationships feel incredibly real.

Overall, I think we should not just view Shin Sekai Yor as a compelling dystopian tale, but also as a symbol for dark human civilization. Moreover, I think it also challenges viewers, especially youngsters like us, to reflect on the structures we live under and the trade-offs we make for peace.

Shin Sekai Yori

After watching the episodes recommended of Shin Sekai Yori, I have to say I was caught off guard again by this anime. A very layered and dark version of a show, which made me reflect about society and human nature from a perspective I have not looked through before. I like the themes of fear and control that were covered in Shin Sekai Yori, even though the setting is a futuristic Japan, there were still similariteies to real life with issues of surveillance, fitting in, and oppression being still relevant today. What I really thought was an interesting take was how the kids in the story are gradually discovering the harsh realities of life behind the facade of a peaceful and united world around the,. This is something a lot of people can connect with when it comes to "growing up", taking off the colored glasses and seeing the world for what it is, not just getting older but facing the fact that not everyone is good and the world is not perfect. The friendships in Shin Sekai Yori being tested felt very similar to real life, especially when they are navigating their bonds with society's expectations of a young adult. The theme throughout of losing your innocence stood out a lot because growing up often means losing the safety and purity you feel about the world around you, which is sad to come to terms with.

The anime also made me reflect on how power can be utilized with fear to control others. The idea of social control as "in your face" as this was to be seen depicted in such a fascinating story like Shin Sekai Yori. Overall very gritty and dark with a good message to back it, almost as if a warning to viewers and showing of a test of young adults and friendships.

[vennelaaaxxx]

Shin Sekai Yori

I was stunned and had an unsettling feeling after I had watched Shin Sekai Yori. It wasn’t because of its horror elements or dystopian twists, but because its world doesn’t feel implausible, as it's pretty similar to the world we live in. The idea of children being constantly monitored, judged, or eliminated for deviating from societal norms hit me hard.

One aspect of this anime that resonated with me was how adults saw children, and how I sometimes remember feeling growing up. The pressure to behave, conform, achieve, and not step out of line too much was something I’m familiar with. There can be a quiet suspicion of anyone who’s too different; some of the unease in Shin Sekai Yori felt eerily similar to moments when I or my friends felt misunderstood or unfairly watched by teachers or other adults.

In Japan, there has long been a fear of the “hikikomori” (problem child), and Shin Sekai Yori exaggerates this by literally killing children who don’t fit. Even in the U.S, children are surveilled through school resource officers, mental health screenings, and even social media tracking. For example, this made me deeply think about the anxiety around school shootings and how we often respond by increasing control instead of compassion. This actually shows that spaces in our world are shaped by fear rather than hope.

In the anime, they depict the monster rats, which are genetically modified humans, stripped of their humanity so they can be controlled and killed without guilt. This made me feel scared at how easy it is for societies to treat other people who are seen as different or dangerous. This made me reflect on how narratives of “safety” or “order” are used to justify injustice.

More than anything, Shin Sekai Yori left me reflecting on empathy. I hope we can keep finding ways to choose hope and kindness over suspicion, both on screen and off.

[vennelaaaxxx]

I love your honest review of this anime. Although I watched it 5 years ago, it still scares me, and it really left a deep impression on me. I am with you about how the anime isn’t just about cool characters or visuals, it’s the unsettling commentary on society that really stays with you. That feeling of eeriness you mentioned is absolutely true. It’s like a warning about where things could go if we keep letting technology control more and more of our lives.

The example you gave about the hostage victim really connected with me too. It’s heartbreaking how the system punishes people for circumstances beyond their control or power. Mental and emotional distress is such a natural human reaction, but the anime’s world treats it like a crime. It actually makes you question how much compassion and humanity are lost when a system is all about control and “safety.” That’s why I get why you said you sympathized with Makishima’s view, because sometimes the system itself seems more cruel than the criminals it tries to stop.

I also noticed that weird numbness in the people around violence. Like you said, it’s not exactly numbness, but I think it’s this chilling acceptance because they’ve been conditioned to trust the system blindly. It reminded me a bit of real life, where sometimes people ignore injustice or wrongdoing because they assume “someone else will handle it,” or because it’s easier than getting involved, for example, the “bystander effect”. 

What’s crazy is how this anime makes us think about our own world, even though it’s set in a sci-fi future. We don’t have scanners reading our minds yet, but we do have surveillance, data tracking, and social pressures that can feel just as invasive. It’s a good reminder to question how much control we give away and what freedom really means.

Thoughts on Psycho-Pass

Before I go in depth on my thoughts about this week’s anime. I first need to talk about how GOOD the anime was. It was 9.5/10 in my books. I would highly recommend it. Now let’s get down to business. Psycho-Pass was an interesting watch (hence the score) but not because of the characters or aesthetics of the anime, but the commentary and eeriness of the plot. Now I think I could have used a better word to describe the anime besides the word eeriness, but I only used that word because the anime oddly reminded me of today’s society. Granted our technology hasn’t reached an off-putting level like that but with how things are going…I’ll just save that thought for later, :).  It was interesting to see the concept of the cymatic scan. It was sad to see that if you were flagged by the scan on a bad day, you would be sent away for treatment and deemed a potential threat to society. This to me seemed very harsh especially in the case of the hostage victim in the first episode (or second… I can't remember). I’m sure her crime coefficient was at a normal number before the kidnapping but because she was subjected to an unruly and unfortunate situation, her whole life is gone. Her potential to be a part of society ceased to exist. It is our human nature to feel mentally distressed when our body is subjected to harm. So why should she be damned to a life outside of societal norms? It was just sad to me. It frustrated me and it was one of the reasons that led me to take Makishima’s side, but I'm getting ahead of myself! Throughout my experience watching the anime, I felt like society wasn’t benefiting anyone besides the higher-ups. The system did nothing for the people besides give them a false sense of security, which was thrown away the day Makishima made those helmets. The people in the society also acted weird. Everyone was so trusting, I guess because the scans allowed them not to worry about bad guys in society, but it was just weird to me. For example, in one of the scenes, a woman was getting beaten to death and instead of helping her or calling out on the action, they just stood there. I guess this was one of the effects of the system: making people numb to violence. “Numb” is not the right word but it's just the first thing that comes to mind. This anime made me think about our society and the allusions it makes about it. Anyways, that will conclude my TED Talk (I'm kidding!), have a nice day!