Deborah Cameron, Tokyo
August 17, 2006
BY THE tens of thousands they queued, ascended to an Everest in lifts, and arrived, panting, at a pinnacle of popular culture.
It is Comiket, the world's largest market and expo for comics and cartoons, held on the roof of a Tokyo convention centre. Here a grand passion of the Japanese male stands bared.
Comiket goes beyond comics, or anime, as cartoons are called in Japan. It is the most important pilgrimage of the year to the men who descend on the event to buy limited-edition DVDs, collect new games, buy plastic miniature figures, or collect an autograph from a voice actor.
Source
Tens of thousands flock to Comiket
Manga lovers flocked in their tens of thousands over the weekend to Tokyo's Big Sight arena in Minato-ku's Odaiba for Comic Market 70.
While the upper hall at "Comiket" played host to the professional artists, merchandising and game companies' booths, the larger market was held in the two giant exhibition halls. Here, hundreds of amateur manga artists displayed their works to the public.
"I was shocked at how huge it is," said Jamal Rorie, a first-time visitor to Comiket from the United States. "I've been to a few conventions at home, but it easily dwarfs anything we have in the U.S."
Many also braved the sweltering heat to visit the Cosplay Plaza on the upper terraces, where photographers queued up to shout requests for poses at the mostly-female cosplayers.
The event finished with an unexpected bang on Sunday as fireworks lit up Tokyo Bay. They had been previously scheduled for Saturday night, but were postponed due to thunderstorms. (By Roger Hutchings)
August 15, 2006
Source
Saturday, August 19
Thursday, August 17
Wired On Doujinshi, The Yaoi Kind
By Jennifer Granick
02:00 AM Aug, 16, 2006
Last weekend saw me squeezing through the crowded aisles of the Mandarake comic store in Tokyo's Higashi-Ikebukuro neighborhood on a quest for a Star Wars comic. Specifically, I was looking for fan-created manga revealing the untold love story between C-3P0 and R2-D2.
I didn't find the 'droid porn I was looking for (though I'm sure it exists), but I did find a romance between Harry Potter and Malfoy, and several shelves of steamy Aragorn x Boromir action.
This is the world of doujinshi, or self-published fan fiction -- a part of a healthy Japanese visual arts scene based on the appropriation and reuse of commercial characters. The booming sub-genre of yaoi (appropriately pronounced "yowie!"), features stories about the homoerotic relationships between two popular male characters in anime, manga and even Western films. The yaoi genre is both commercially and fan-produced.
That it not only exists but thrives is a testament to Japan's relaxed attitudes on copyright, which have facilitated a flowering of both creative and commercial activity. American media companies, take note.
Higashi-Ikebukoro is one of Tokyo's outermost neighborhoods, but it's become a destination for female manga fans because the major manga store branches there specially stock works written by and for women. These specialty shops are six-, seven- and eight-story buildings filled from top to bottom with commercial and doujinshi manga, and tie-in products like figurines, trading cards and stationery. This area has become known as "Otome Road," the female answer to Tokyo's geek-centric Akihabara district.
Source
02:00 AM Aug, 16, 2006
Last weekend saw me squeezing through the crowded aisles of the Mandarake comic store in Tokyo's Higashi-Ikebukuro neighborhood on a quest for a Star Wars comic. Specifically, I was looking for fan-created manga revealing the untold love story between C-3P0 and R2-D2.
I didn't find the 'droid porn I was looking for (though I'm sure it exists), but I did find a romance between Harry Potter and Malfoy, and several shelves of steamy Aragorn x Boromir action.
This is the world of doujinshi, or self-published fan fiction -- a part of a healthy Japanese visual arts scene based on the appropriation and reuse of commercial characters. The booming sub-genre of yaoi (appropriately pronounced "yowie!"), features stories about the homoerotic relationships between two popular male characters in anime, manga and even Western films. The yaoi genre is both commercially and fan-produced.
That it not only exists but thrives is a testament to Japan's relaxed attitudes on copyright, which have facilitated a flowering of both creative and commercial activity. American media companies, take note.
Higashi-Ikebukoro is one of Tokyo's outermost neighborhoods, but it's become a destination for female manga fans because the major manga store branches there specially stock works written by and for women. These specialty shops are six-, seven- and eight-story buildings filled from top to bottom with commercial and doujinshi manga, and tie-in products like figurines, trading cards and stationery. This area has become known as "Otome Road," the female answer to Tokyo's geek-centric Akihabara district.
Source
Wednesday, August 16
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi (2006)
Now let's talk about another event anime of the year, The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. This anime first serialized in novels by Nagaru Tanigawa then very popular anime in middle of 2006 took the world of anime fandom by storm. Why and how it become so instantly appealing to viewers is matter of academic conjecture but it can summarize that few popular anime memes that used by it is very effective. First high proportion of female characters with stereotypes which is instantly recognizable to anime fans. Haruhi is a tsundere stock character, Yuki is silent, Rei Ayanami (Evangelion) type of mold and Mikuru the busty doormat girl. Second, typical sailor school uniform with high cut skirt then followed by various costumes from bunny girl suit to maid. Third, the anime even caters to fangirls and yaoi in shape of Itsuki the ever smiling male student. Four, the implied romantic between all principle players in the story, even Itsuki-Kyon angle. With all these popular stock characters in play, it is a good start for successful anime hook for audience. Then the story throws in most often used genre in this setting, from time traveler to alien-human interaction having a discourse with things like for example a space battle scenario ( a nod to Legend of Galactic Heroes), murder mystery (another tribute to Detective Conan or Case Closed) and sports anime. On top of that, a brilliant (or retarded, depending on your view) scrambled order of episodes to catch viewer's attention to find out more and more about the anime. It is a clever gimmick and admittedly it adds a strange charm to the otherwise already well planned anime. But what gives the anime strongest charm is inclusion of the very normal and down-to-earth Kyon who is doing fourth wall narration and voice of reason while reacting to various antics of the characters around him especially Haruhi.
This anime is about a normal student which only known as Kyon to audiences ( so audiences can insert their own name I suspected) encounter with 4 really strange people in his school. 3 very beautiful girls with different personalities and 1 handsome pleasant boy entered his life with a force of tidal wave and take Kyon to unwitting places. Haruhi is center of his roller coaster ride, an impetuous and bored female classmate. She is claimed by other 3 people that she is holding key to human singularity as she has ability to create reality as she pleased. When you have impetuous plus bored plus godlike ability, something funky will definitely happen. Which it did. For 14 episodes, viewers are subjected to Kyon's often exasperation of her antics and his discussion what is reality or not with out-of-the-world factors weighing on his mind in the process. Story wise the anime is fairly mundane but what makes it noticeable is scrambled ordering of episodes and no holes barred narration from Kyon which gives this anime an unique flavour.
Rating 8
Art
Now I only will comment on one scene of the anime which clinched my attention very well. The concert. Yes, the scene where Haruhi has to stand in for absent members of band in school festival is a highlight for me. If viewers look carefully, Haruhi hair become progressively wet from sweat of singing and her mouth movement is accurate to the lyrics of the song. Not to mention the guitar play is largely in sync with the song. This is a very impressive set piece scene by itself and deserve many viewing for sheer details of the art mastery. Bravo Kyoto Animation.
Other than that, the anime art is sufficient to convey what it needs to convey.
Rating 8
Sound
Haruhi insert songs used in concert scene are very catchy with “God Knows” and “Lost My Music” by Hiyano Aya the voice actress of Haruhi. The OP is standard whereas the ED “Hare Hare Yukai” is enhanced by infectious dance choreography by characters of the anime. The BGM of the anime is sufficient to accompany the mood of the show, not overwhelming it or underwhelm by it. The highlight of anime sound department is the insert songs by Hiyano Aya which quite talented and unique.
The Japanese voice acting of the series are excellent, each characters represented by voice actors and actresses who suitable for the role. Especially Aya Hirano who has a commanding presence in this aspect, her characterization of Haruhi is spot on and voice of Kyon also complimented her audacious aspect in the anime.
Rating 7
Presentation
This anime ability to be different from other animes of the season due to unsual setting and technical mastery of the Kyoto Animation. The anime also make sure of its success by using all popular character stock to catch anime fans attention and popular memes like bunny girl costume to make anime fans happy. However, the anime decided to be episodic madness and did not really try to address the impasse between Haruhi and Kyon can frustating to some viewers. Someone complained that anime resolution is a pathetic ponytail hair which really did not push the story anywhere at all. As I mentioned in my comment, the anime appeal is Haruhi's impasse and inability to solve her issues then she decided to make her environment responsible for her dissatisfaction of her life. Perhaps some people who complained in this manner miss the point of the anime. Haruhi never meant to have any conclusion and her constant rampage with her issues is crux of the anime.
Perhaps not.
This anime deserve a viewing for standalone comedies and subtle brain teaser but any expectation of it have any conclusion should be cautioned as it did not really go in that direction. As for me, this anime has a fascinating discussion on human ascendancy and singularity; a rather humorous debate on order versus chaos, nature of man's nothingness and alienation, the absurdity of humanity and why are we here type of dilemma posed by Haruhi herself. It is decidedly non-serious in look but actually the topic discussed here is very pertinent and personal indeed.
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi is unusual anime but a ride worth to enjoy at least once.
Rating 7
Monday, August 14
Why Haruhi is so popular?
Haruhi main strength is her impasse and many fans love to see her on this constant state of impasse. Once she resolved or move forward in her life, it will not be "Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi". Her total obliviousness to human emotions also adds to the appeal too for most people.
That is why some people disliked the anime despite the appeal, it did not really progressed in terms of character development. You can say most of anime fans are self indulgent and Haruhi hits on that spot so it becomes the hottest anime around. The self indulgence flag is proudly hoisted by Haruhi and SOS Brigade like the Marines in Iwojima Mount Suribachi.
That is how I see it.
The review on this anime soon.
That is why some people disliked the anime despite the appeal, it did not really progressed in terms of character development. You can say most of anime fans are self indulgent and Haruhi hits on that spot so it becomes the hottest anime around. The self indulgence flag is proudly hoisted by Haruhi and SOS Brigade like the Marines in Iwojima Mount Suribachi.
That is how I see it.
The review on this anime soon.
Saturday, August 12
Hikikomori/Otaku: Japans Latest Out-Group
Creating Social outcasts to construct a national self-identity
Ron Adams
Introduction
Hikikomori and otaku are today’s most prominent social problems.
Hikikomori refers to the recent state of middle and high school students who drop out of school, and withdraw completely from society. Otaku are the deeply obsessed fans of a particular subject who commit their free time (and sometimes lives) to the complete memorization of their obsession.
In both cases these groups are extreme exaggerations of common Japanese social tendencies. The media in Japan is currently attacking these groups as harbingers of social chaos, and portrays them as a new group of outcasts who will destroy society (at least kill many people). This portrayal is not only accepted by the media, but by the society as well. History has shown the Japanese social tendency to create outcast groups, isolate them, and then blame current social problems on that group. These groups are then used as examples of “the other”, a group that is in opposition to the main Japanese society. This “other” is used to create a national and cultural identity by comparing it in opposition to the norm.
What defines a person as Japanese? If you asked a Japanese person today that same question, they would have an easy time answering that question with a quick “A Japanese person is a person from Japan.” This is a good answer, but what about people of foreign heritage born in Japan, such as Koreans, or children born from American migrant workers. If you want to be Japanese, you must look, speak, act, and most importantly be by-blood,
Japanese.
“In short, while it is possible-though not particularly easy-for a foreigner to acquire Japanese citizenship,it is not possible for an immigrant or the children of immigrants to “become Japanese” the way such people can “become American.” The way you get to be Japanese is the same way you get to be Zulu or Shona in Africa: you have to be born into the tribe. For that is what the people of Japan-or at least more than 97 percent of them-really are: members of a single great tribe united not just by common citizenship or common language but by common bloodlines, common racial memory and common tribal codes, so of which stretch back into prehistory.” (Christopher, Robert C., 51)
Japanese society distinguishes itself from other cultures based on in-groups and out-groups. The groups that are not Japanese, not local, and different are considered the out-groups. Local groups, family groups, and traditional groups are considered Japanese. To define oneself as Japanese you must simply define yourself as a member of the in-group, and others as members of the out-group. This phenomenon has created an unconscious system of creating out-groups with each generation in order to achieve national self-identity.
This very good read available in this link. A sobering read on subculture of anime fandom.
Ron Adams
Introduction
Hikikomori and otaku are today’s most prominent social problems.
Hikikomori refers to the recent state of middle and high school students who drop out of school, and withdraw completely from society. Otaku are the deeply obsessed fans of a particular subject who commit their free time (and sometimes lives) to the complete memorization of their obsession.
In both cases these groups are extreme exaggerations of common Japanese social tendencies. The media in Japan is currently attacking these groups as harbingers of social chaos, and portrays them as a new group of outcasts who will destroy society (at least kill many people). This portrayal is not only accepted by the media, but by the society as well. History has shown the Japanese social tendency to create outcast groups, isolate them, and then blame current social problems on that group. These groups are then used as examples of “the other”, a group that is in opposition to the main Japanese society. This “other” is used to create a national and cultural identity by comparing it in opposition to the norm.
What defines a person as Japanese? If you asked a Japanese person today that same question, they would have an easy time answering that question with a quick “A Japanese person is a person from Japan.” This is a good answer, but what about people of foreign heritage born in Japan, such as Koreans, or children born from American migrant workers. If you want to be Japanese, you must look, speak, act, and most importantly be by-blood,
Japanese.
“In short, while it is possible-though not particularly easy-for a foreigner to acquire Japanese citizenship,it is not possible for an immigrant or the children of immigrants to “become Japanese” the way such people can “become American.” The way you get to be Japanese is the same way you get to be Zulu or Shona in Africa: you have to be born into the tribe. For that is what the people of Japan-or at least more than 97 percent of them-really are: members of a single great tribe united not just by common citizenship or common language but by common bloodlines, common racial memory and common tribal codes, so of which stretch back into prehistory.” (Christopher, Robert C., 51)
Japanese society distinguishes itself from other cultures based on in-groups and out-groups. The groups that are not Japanese, not local, and different are considered the out-groups. Local groups, family groups, and traditional groups are considered Japanese. To define oneself as Japanese you must simply define yourself as a member of the in-group, and others as members of the out-group. This phenomenon has created an unconscious system of creating out-groups with each generation in order to achieve national self-identity.
This very good read available in this link. A sobering read on subculture of anime fandom.
Friday, August 11
Some interesting tidbits.
2006-08-10
Animax Expands Reach in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, August 10: Sony Pictures Television International’s anime channel Animax has moved to the basic tier on Hong Kong Cable TV after having been an a la carte offering on the platform.
Animax on Cable TV’s basic tier will continue to provide a customized feed, offering both Cantonese dubbing and the original Japanese language for selected programs. Upcoming highlights include Paradise Kiss, Blood+ and Girl From Hell.
Source.
Anime Magic
David Jenkins reaches beyond the Adults Only aisle to delve into the world of Japanese Animation.
David Jenkins | Aug 10 2006
Walk into any record shop in London and you’ll find: the rack holding the Japanese animation DVDs (or 'anime' to those in the know) – more often than not be located opposite or adjacent to the Adults Only section. Ask managers why this is and they'll give you a 'beats me?' shrug while swiftly alerting the store detectives to your presence. So how has anime acquired a reputation which places it on a par with a porn? To redress the balance, the NFT are putting on a season of screenings in order to place the genre in a higher-brow light.
The rest of article is here.
Animax Expands Reach in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, August 10: Sony Pictures Television International’s anime channel Animax has moved to the basic tier on Hong Kong Cable TV after having been an a la carte offering on the platform.
Animax on Cable TV’s basic tier will continue to provide a customized feed, offering both Cantonese dubbing and the original Japanese language for selected programs. Upcoming highlights include Paradise Kiss, Blood+ and Girl From Hell.
Source.
Anime Magic
David Jenkins reaches beyond the Adults Only aisle to delve into the world of Japanese Animation.
David Jenkins | Aug 10 2006
Walk into any record shop in London and you’ll find: the rack holding the Japanese animation DVDs (or 'anime' to those in the know) – more often than not be located opposite or adjacent to the Adults Only section. Ask managers why this is and they'll give you a 'beats me?' shrug while swiftly alerting the store detectives to your presence. So how has anime acquired a reputation which places it on a par with a porn? To redress the balance, the NFT are putting on a season of screenings in order to place the genre in a higher-brow light.
The rest of article is here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)