Anime

Anime & Philosophy (Ghost in the Shell)

Where is the boundary between human and machine when the differences between the two become more philosophical than physical? What exactly is the definition of "human" in a society where a mind can be copied and the body replaced with a synthetic form? What is it that makes us human? Is it the soul ? Or is it flesh and bone? If your body is entirely mechanical, can you still call yourself human? If your consciousness is active, yet your body is nowhere to be found, do you still exist? Ghost in the Shell, for those of you who don’t know, is an anime movie and series set in the far future, in which several of the characters are complete cyborgs. Their only remaining biological part is their brain. They can swap damaged parts for new ones when needed. Erase, replace and exchange their memories like music on an Ipod, and even control their bodies remotely at times. However this great advanced technology raises the interesting question of how do we define what "Human" is? Obviously we could insist that only someone with a biological brain could be human, but this definition seems too limited. After all, some of the characters have given up even their brain. We might be tempted to call human anything that looks and acts human. But this definition is also wrong. Since most of the artificial soulless robots in the series look and act like humans. Not to mention that in one of the anime's episodes the characters encounter a wealthy businessman who is also a cyborg. However unlike the other characters who looks human, his body is a small box-like thing. Initially the viewer may not think he is more than a robot, since he appears so strange. But, once he engages in conversation with the characters, it is clear that he is as human as they are. "Doesn't that cyborg body look like me? Maybe all full-replacement cyborgs like me start wondering this. That perhaps the real me died a long time ago, and I'm replica made with a cyborg body and computer brain. Or maybe there never was a real "Me" to begin with. I only believe I exist based on what my environment tells me, on what basis then do I believe in myself?" (Kusanagi Motoko)

Anime & Literature (Gankutsuou)

Edmond Dantés le comte de Monte Cristo. For anyone not familiar with what I’m talking about when I refer to Edmond Dantes, allow me to elaborate a little bit. The Count of Monte Christo is a nineteenth century novel by French author Alexandre Dumas. Published in the Journal des Débats in eighteen parts, it's one of the author's most popular works and it's considered a classical work of literature today. The story revolves around Edmond Dantes who begins the novel as a sweet, naive, and innocent hard-working sailor. Everything is going right for him: he is soon to marry the love of his life, Mercedes; and he has been promoted to captain of the ship Pharaon. All of this changes when his conspirators (Danglars, Mondego and Villefort) plot against him. This leads to Dantes becoming wrongfully imprisoned on his wedding day, and without a proper trial in the solitary confinement at Chateau D'If for fourteen years. During that time of despair and insanity, he meets the old priest father Abbe Faria. The two prisoners become very close, the learned priest teaches Dantes all he knows about history, math, science, philosophy, chemistry, art, psyche, economics and other subjects. He also helps Dantes discover how and why his conspirators were able to put him in the Chateau D'If. Abbe and Dantes grow more closer and grateful for the companionship. When the Abbe was about to die, he revealed to Dantes the hiding place of a long-secret buried treasure consisting of untold wealth and precious jewelry. After Dantes miraculously escape from the prison. And after he confirms the existence of Faria's treasure. having both the life experience he learned as a sailor and prisoner. And also the knowledge he has gained from studying with the Abbé, he takes the identity of the charismatic, rich, powerful and stern Count of Monte Cristo and he also assumes the role of the Italian priest Abbe Buson. He uses these two identities to seek revenge and to bring heavenly punishment more bitter than death and hell itself upon all the evil people who were responsible for his imprisonment. Note: Edmond Dantes the count of Monte Christo, the main lead in the greatest story of revenge ever told. And my all-time favorite character. In order to fully appreciate the brilliance of this character you should watch the movie(s)/read dumas original novel first before watching "Gankutsuou" the loose anime adaptation. Unfortunately the count in the anime wasn't as well-developed and well-rounded as the original novel. Partly because the story is told through the young aristocrat Albert Morcef's perspective, rather than the Count's. And partly because of the major divergence from the book at the end. And by that I mean the manifestation of Gankutsuou and blaming Edmond's fixation and obsession with revenge on that unknown demonic presence which was imprisoned in the Chateau D'If for millennia. You see, in real life, fascination is a human characteristic. And sometimes that fascination can grow stronger and one can become more passionate and more obsessed with pursuing whatever it is they desire. While in literature, fascination can be considered as tragic or major character flaw. A characterization device that add depths and humanity to the characters, and helps the reader relate and sympathize with them. Basically what I'm saying is that the Count's fascination with revenge and infatuation for vengeance is a character flaw. And that darkness is the driving force behind his revenge plots and the very essence of his character. Furthermore, that darkness is something which arose from the despair he experienced in the past and the deep intense hatred borne out of many long years of solitary confinement in the dungeons. Not something that materialized because a blue-colored devil randomly possessed him as the anime tried to portray it. Having said that, and despite its flaws, Gankutsuou deserves its status as a classic anime. The visuals were beautiful and innovative. The story was intricately woven and the plot despite the futuristic elements stayed true to the original novel's essence and themes. It was truly a great anime that I would recommend for any fans of drama, mystery, and suspense. And of course to the fans of the original novel.

Anime & Theology (Haibane Remnei)

Set Apart is a book by Daniel Cronquist, Exploring the Christian faith through Haibane Renmei, a highly acclaimed anime with heavily spiritual themes. Whether you have a strong interest in anime, little interest, or none at all, Set Apart will point out the amazing similarities between the fantasy series Haibane Renmei and the story of God's working with mankind. Daniel Cronquist describes Haibane Renmei as "The most Christian anime I have ever seen. It has more spiritual truth in it than most American media. it reflects how God's truth can be found even in the most unlikely of places. Haibane Renmei is unique among Japanese animation stories. It is a story of redemption, salvation, and hope." However, the anime writer and creator Yoshitoshi Abe said that "Haibane Renmei is not a story about any specific religion; but it is, nonetheless, a religious story inspired by my own salvific experiences."• Interview with Daniel Cronquist, Writer of Set Apart:Can you tell us a bit about your book, “Set Apart”? Set Apart is a book about the Christian faith and explores that through the medium of Japanese animation. In particular, we examine Abe Yoshitoshi’s series Haibane Renmei. Though Abe said the series was not intended to reflect any one particular religion, it expresses those concepts central to the Christian faith quite well. The book is for both anime aficionados and those new to the genre. Having previously watched the series is not a prerequisite. It is ordered chronologically so you can watch the series as you read without spoilers. What inspired you to write it? To be honest, I really felt the Lord’s calling for me to write Set Apart. Looking back now, I can see that the Lord used Haibane Renmei to change my life. Writing this book required me to spend countless hours in scripture researching and exploring the themes that I saw in the series. God also gave me a heart for the Japanese people in the process. It was because of this that I have traveled extensively throughout Japan. What is it that you want readers to take away from the book? When I see the main characters from the series, I see a family. We have an opportunity to witness them in a variety of circumstances, both good and bad. Through it all they genuinely care for one another and exhibit a selfless, unconditional love. That love is what a family is all about and is what Christ said the Church should be also. If Christians are nothing more than a collection of people with common beliefs, we are no different from a political party or volunteer organization. The Church is supposed to be defined by the unconditional love we have for one another, which encourages good, rebukes evil, and never fails. In this regard I believe we have much to learn from the haibane of Old Home. What particular connection between Haibane Renmei and Christianity stood out most? Everything in the series builds to the last episode. I can’t answer the question without setting the scene, however, so if you don’t want me to spoil the ending – stop reading. The climax of the series occurs when Reki, standing alone on the train tracks, cannot escape without someone else’s help. Rakka tries to go to her, but is unable unless Reki asks for help. The instant that Reki asks to be saved, the power of her former self vanishes. At a spiritual level, Reki changed in that moment. She went from a proud person who was afraid to ask for help, to a new, broken person who could be saved. The broken name plaque bore witness that her true name had changed. I see Reki’s transformation as one that Christians also experience. When we ask to be saved, we are changed at a spiritual level. In a sense, our true name also changes. Each chapter ends with study questions – what was the purpose of including these? The material for this book started as a set of Bible studies. We watched the series a few episodes at a time and then discussed what we thought. It was such a success that I ended up keeping the questions so others could do the same. While “Set Apart” has obvious value for Christian anime fans, is there also value for non-Christians in reading the book? It has been my experience that most people who choose against Christianity do so because they’ve met a Christian. All too often we do a terrible job of conveying the love that Christ wants us to share with the world. To those on the other side, they see only hypocrisy and condemnation. It is my sincere hope that this book offers a different perspective of Christianity. In the process they also get a fresh look at great anime. Is there a character from the show that particularly resonated with you? Or do you have a favorite? Hands down, Reki is my favorite. When I first watched the series, I saw a lot of myself in her. Just like Reki, I had unresolved sin in my life that I had to deal with to move forward.

Anime & Psychology (Kuuchuu Buranko)

Many patients with different problems visit the psychiatric ward of Irabu General Hospital: • Kouhei Yamashita, a trapeze artist suffering from insomnia after suddenly failing his jumps. • Ino Seiji, a gangster afraid of knives, sharp objects and other pointing things to the extreme. • Tetsuya Taguchi, a business man who has an erection 24 hours a day. • Hoshiyama Junichi, a romance novelist suffering from fear of the ascertain (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and seems to be vomiting in relation to that. • Tatsurou Ikeyama, Irabu's university colleague who is diagnosed with ADHD. • Mitsuo Tanabe, a journalist and the leader of multi-jobs who has pressure that gets the symptom of PDST, seeing darkness and a flashback from the flashlights of cameras. • Hiromi Yasukawa, previously a famous child actor suffering from personality disturb with narcissism. • Tsuda Yuta, a student in his 1st year in high school, who cannot live without a cell phone on his hand. (Mobile phone addiction syndrome) • Bando Shinichi, a professional baseball player on a team called the Swallows, who can no longer seems to throw a ball straight because of yips movement disorder. They all undergo counseling by Dr.Ichiro Irabu, who is the son of the hospital director. With his mysterious injections, and advices that does not make sense, Dr. Irabu confuses his patients. But at the end of his unique treatments, the patients are lead to digging further into their souls to find peace of mind.

Anime & Ideology (Nisemonogatari)

Man is good-natured according to Confucian scholar Mencius. For example suppose a person has happened to find a child on the point of tumbling down into a deep well. He would rescue him, no matter how morally degenerated he might be. He would have no time to consider that his act might bring him some reward from its parents, or a good reputation among his friends and fellow-citizens. He would do it barely out of his inborn good-nature. After enumerating some instances similar to this one, Mencius concludes that: Goodness is the fundamental nature of man, even if he is often carried away by his brutal disposition. Man is Bad-natured according to Xun zi since he has inborn lust, appetite, and desire for wealth. As he has inborn lust and appetite, he is naturally given to intemperance and wantonness. As he has inborn desire for wealth, he is naturally inclined to quarrel and fight with others for the sake of gain. Leave him without discipline or culture, he would not be a whit better than animals. His virtuous acts, such as charity, honesty, propriety, chastity, truthfulness, are conduct forced by the teachings of society against his natural inclination. Therefore vices are congenial and true to his fundamental nature, while virtues are alien and untrue to his fundamental nature. If Mencius theory of fundamental good is ideal, then Xun zi theory of fundamental evil is simple realism. Yes, Man’s nature is detestable, desire lies at the core of human nature And humans are ruled by these desires. Only through constant effort and cultivation could one become “good.” The question is whether people do good actions out of good will? Or simply for more selfish reasons, e.g. social acceptance or money or maybe even for the sake of ego. Is the existence of goodness in human society fake? Artificial? Man-made? In other words question about the value of good in terms of being real or... Nisemono (fake)... Also debating whether or not an indistinguishable fake in its deliberate attempt to be real can have more value than the real item? And more importantly whether it's possible for a fake to be more real than the real thing?

Anime & Music (Hunter x Hunter)

The calender loses a precious component... The remaining months gather to mourn... The mourners play a melody... While the eleventh moon quietly rises... Classical music has been a fixture in anime since the industry's inception. Some series like Legend of the Galactic Heroes and Princess Tutu made excellent use of it, creating some of the finest animated masterpieces of all time. While others like Mars of Destruction failed miserably. Among those who succeeded, Hunter x Hunter the 2011 version stand out as the most efficacious example. What I’m thinking about here takes place at episode 51. The sequence where Genei Ryodan- the Phantom Troupe run wild and kill anyone who blocks their way. Mere mortal blood splattering all over, and head swirling away from their owner’s body. All during the bloodbath, Madhouse chose one of the most enigmatic pieces of music ever composed as background: Mozart's Requiem Mass in D minor, the Lacrimosa Movement. From the moment Chrollo Lucilfer start his performance to honor the memory of his deceased comrade Uvo, Mozart's overbearing requiem begins to terrorize the audience. And for the next 5 minutes, the torment never stops. While Feitan is slicing and dicing the mafia's heads, and while Franklin is rampaging in the middle of the streets, all throughout the killing spree, the mournful tune of Mozart's Lacrimosa is rumbling along in the background. Elevating the implacable cruelty of the Ryodans to a rousing climax, and raising the pulse of the hapless viewers to a borderline level. Personally, I think the use of Mozart Requiem in Hunter x Hunter is the best integration of classical music into anime. Not only does it fit the situation perfectly, but it also establish the mood and convey the emotions behind the scene brilliantly- fierce and drenched with blood yet somehow overwhelmingly sad- especially when you keep in mind that this piece is regarded by many as the sound of death itself, written by a delusional young man nearing his death and knowing it. Either way it's safe to say that because of Madhouse effective choice, I’ll never be able to listen to this piece again without having flashbacks to that magnificent scene of Chrollo using his Indoor Fish ability.

Anime & Science (Steins;Gate)

John Titor: Is the pseudonym used on several forums on the internet in 2000 and 2001 by a poster who claimed to be a time traveler from the future. He also claimed that he was an American soldier who was sent back in time from the year 2036 to 1975 in order to secure and bring back an IBM 5100 computer. During his stay Titor talked with thousands of people online, and told stories of post-apocalyptic future, he also made numerous predictions- a number of them vague, some quite specific about events in the near future. One of Titor's predictions was about a brief but deadly World War III in 2015 that killed nearly three billion people. In addition to the prediction above, he made several predictions about (physics discoveries) that have materialized as he stated, and also other catastrophes and comments that eerily seems to be coming true. On March 21, 2001, John Titor announced that he would be leaving our timeline and returning to his original time frame. After that, he was never heard from again. Speculation and investigation about who John Titor was and why he was online continues to this day. Although it may be easy to dismiss all this as science fiction, most people who read his posts agree that there is something very haunting about John Titor and what he said. Grandfather paradox: It's a proposed paradox that has been used to argue that backwards time travel must be logically impossible. For example, the philosopher Bradley Dowden made this sort of argument in his book where he wrote: "Nobody has ever built a time machine that could take a person back to an earlier time. Nobody should be seriously trying to build one either, because a good argument exists for why the machine can never be built. The argument goes like this: suppose a person goes back in time to kill his grandfather before he had any biological descendant. If they succeed, one of their parents would never exist and they themselves would never exist either. This would make it impossible for them to go back in time in the first place, making them unable to kill their grandfather, who would continue to produce offspring, one of whom would eventually conceive the time traveler and the whole scenario would start over and so on ad infinitum... So, the claim that there could be a time machine is self-contradictory". Despite the name, the grandfather paradox does not exclusively regard the impossibility of one's own birth. Rather, it regards any action that makes impossible the ability to travel back in time. The paradox's namesake example is merely the most commonly thought of when one considers the whole range of possible actions. However, some philosophers and scientists believe that time travel into the past need not be logically impossible, provided that there is no possibility of changing the past as suggested. For example, the Novikov self-consistency principle which states that anything a time traveler does in the past must have been part of history all along, and the time traveler can never do anything to prevent the trip back in time from happening, since this would represent an inconsistency. The theory argues, for example, A person traveling back in time to terminate his grandfather, would appear in the wrong place, or had his gun jammed, thereby allowing his grandfather to have descendants. Or he would kill him, but this would ipso facto necessitate that the person was not the time traveler's grandfather, nor the grandfather of anyone alive in the time frame that the time traveler came from. And so the grandfather paradox would be avoided. This theory, however, is capable of causing bootstrap paradox. Also famed logician Kurt Godel asserted that time itself might be a sort of illusion. He seems to have been suggesting something along the lines of the block time view in which time does not really "flow" but is just another dimension like space, with all events at all times being fixed within this 4-dimensional block. Butterfly effect: In 1961, the mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz was using a numerical computer model to rerun a weather prediction, and hoping to save himself some time, he entered the decimal (0.506) instead of entering the full (0.506127). The result was a completely different weather scenario. Intrigued by the results Lorenz published a theoretical study of this effect in a well-known paper called Deterministic Nonperiodic Flow. He described how small changes to a seemingly unrelated thing or condition (also known as an initial condition) can affect large, complex systems. To simplify his findings, Lorenz coined the phrase butterfly effect which refers to the idea that the flapping of a butterfly's wings in South America could affect the weather in Texas. It might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the occurrence of the tornado itself. Lorenzo meant by that expression that the tiniest influence on one part of a system can have a huge effect on other parts. Note that the butterfly itself does not power or directly create the tornado. The flap of the wings is a part of the initial conditions; one set of conditions leads to a tornado while the other set of conditions doesn't. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events like domino effect. Had the butterfly not flapped its wings, the trajectory of the system might have been vastly different- it's possible that the set of conditions without the butterfly flapping its wings is the set that leads to a tornado. Taken more broadly, the butterfly effect is a way of describing how, unless all factors can be accounted for, large and complicated systems like the weather remain impossible to predict with total accuracy because there are too many unknown variables to track. Neuroscience: Is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics, medicine and allied disciplines, philosophy, physics, and psychology. The term neurobiology is usually used interchangeably with the term neuroscience, although the former refers specifically to the biology of the nervous system, whereas the latter refers to the entire science of the nervous system. Event horizon: The event horizon of a black hole is the boundary between its outside and its inside. Those outside cannot know anything about things (events) which happen inside and vice versa. Light emitted from beyond the horizon can never reach the observer. Likewise, any object approaching the horizon from the observer's side appears to slow down and never quite pass through the horizon, with its image becoming more and more red-shifted as time elapses. The traveling object, however, experiences no strange effects and does, in fact, pass through the horizon in a finite amount of proper time. In general relativity, event horizon is a boundary in spacetime beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer. In layman's terms it is defined as (the point of no return) i.e. the point at which the gravitational pull becomes so great as to make escape impossible. Kerr black holes: A type of black hole that possesses only mass and angular momentum (but not electrical charge– the third possible property of a black hole). It is named after the New Zealand mathematician Roy Kerr who in 1963, became the first person to solve the field equations of Einstein's general theory of relativity. Kerr believed that one might be able to travel through the black hole without being crushed by the singularity. He stated that it is theoretically possible that a person could enter the black hole. He also stated that inside the black hole space and time swap places twice. In general at each event horizon the roles of space and time are reversed, but in the case of Kerr black holes the singularity is ring-shaped and- except if approached on its equatorial plane, is repulsive. so in this theory, it is possible to escape from a black hole, although not by the same way you went in but through a white hole on the other side (a white hole would actually push everything away from it using some form of exotic matter with negative energy) and in this way, one could travel through space and time. On leaving the black hole you would find yourself either in a region of negative space (the physical meaning of which is unclear) or in an entirely different universe. Large hydron collider: LCH, the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator. The collider is contained in a circular tunnel that crosses the border between Switzerland and France at four points, with most of it in France. It was built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), with the aim of allowing scientist to test the predictions of different theories of particle physics and high-energy physics, and particularly that of the existence of the hypothesized Higgs boson and of the large family of new particles predicted by super symmetric theories. The LHC is expected to advance human understanding of the deepest laws of nature, and help answer some of the fundamental open questions in physics, concerning the basic laws governing the interactions and forces among the elementary objects, the deep structure of space and time, and in particular the interrelation between quantum mechanics and general relativity, where current theories and knowledge are unclear or break down altogether. On 24 May 2011, CERN reported that the quark–gluon plasma (the densest matter besides black holes) has been created in the LHC. and there were even some rumors that the LHC could generate a microscopic black hole, which sparked fears among the public that LHC might produce doomsday phenomena. But CERN officialy denied these rumors and commissioned safety review which concluded that the experiments at the LHC present no danger and that there is no reason for concern.

Anime & Politics (Legend of the Galactic Heroes)

-People may need societies, but they don't necessarily need nations. (Yang Wenli) -Is reformed dictatorship better than corrupt democracy? In other words does ruler-ship by the worst democracy provide better government than ruler-ship by the best autocracy? If the majority of the citizen wish dictatorship and monarchy instead of democracy, how do you solve such a paradox? (Walter von Schönkopf) -I believe that being ruled by the worst democracy is preferable to being ruled by the best autocracy. I think it's a good principle. In reality, it's dictatorship rather than democracy that drastically advances government reforms. But I think humanity ought to avoid being united by a dictatorship. While it's true Duke von Lohengramm might have that talent, but what about his descendants? His heir? Rulers aren't necessarily wise through generations... I don't think the entire human race should be ruled by a system where everything depends on one person's character. (Yang Wenli) -You cannot deny the efficiency of autocratic government by a strong leadership simply because tyrants do exist. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -Dictatorship itself isn't absolutely evil, it's just another form of government. The point is how you can run it for the benefit of society. (Yang Wenli) -Whether they steal it or build it, the first one there deserves the prize. That's only natural. But for those who have come to power, wealth, and glory, not by their own strength and effort, but simply because of inheritance... What right do they have to complain. I think the very existence of such blood lineage dynasties is disgusting. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -Democratic rule is a body chosen by its citizens in free will... Which subsumes the power and spirit of self. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -The citizen have turned over ruler-ship to politician, instead of participating in it! The people have democratic principles on their lips, but can't spare the effort to safeguard it! The collapse of a autocratic government is the sin of its rulers and leaders. But the collapse of democratic rule is the sin of every citizen. (Alexander Bucock) -Indeed, a small act of opposition is unable to solve any problem. The society needs a complete revolution. Such unreasonable occurrences must be entirely corrected. And we must not wait for others to correct them. We must carry out the revolution with our own hands. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -A president is a ruler chosen by suffrage, even though it might be the result of a bad vision but that vision must be corrected by the people themselves. no matter how long that might take, professional soldiers most never be allowed to use violence to correct the errors of the people. (Julian Minci) -If we allow the military to ignore orders from the government, and act on its own accord, the most important aspect of democratic rule, the ability to regulate military on behalf of the people would disappear. (Julian Minci) -It is a known historical fact that when the state starts using its reinforced military forces and armaments to suppress its own populace and invade the nearby nations, neglecting to right the social injustices within itself, it is on its way to unpreventable downfall. (Yang Wenli) -When an immoral act tests one's honor of being human or being soldier, I think that one must be human first. If so, even given order by the government, one would have no choice but to refuse. But that's why excepting those situations the military of a democratic nation should obey the orders of its government. Otherwise, even if it for the sake of humanity, it would be considered a selfish act. (Julian Minci) -An army is a tool for violence, and there are two kinds of violence...Violence to control and oppress, and violence as a means of liberation. You know, what we call a national army, is fundamentally the former example. It's a pity, but history doesn't lie. When those in power confront popular opposition, there aren't many examples of the army siding with the people. Far from it. In the past, in country after country, the army itself evolved into a power structure, and came to control the people with violence. (Yang Wenli) -Those who go for changes will be seen as enemies of order. It's such a degeneration. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -What is the most cowardly and shameful thing in human conduct? It's when people with power, and those who flatter them, hide in safe places and extol war who force patriotism and self-sacrifice on other, sending them to the battlefield to die. For the sake of peace in the universe, before we continue this fruitless war, mustn't we first start by exterminating such evil parasites? (Yang Wenli) -In order to bring about those high principles they chant about, those in command most burn countless men alive and smash them body and limb. But as long as those in command are far away from the battlefield, they most continue to insist that righteousness, justice and faith are more important than human lives. (Narrator) -What criminals need is neither diplomacy nor persuasion. They have neither the ability nor the intention to understand those. Only force will enlighten their foolishness. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -There are few wars between good and evil: most are between one good and another good. (Yang Wenli) -"The freedom not to get involved" It's perhaps the most valued freedom we have in this country. (Yang Wenli) -People follow people, but not necessarily ideals or institutions. (Yang Wenli) -Something that's supposed to die and doesn't... Will eventually rot away, whether it's a man or a nation. (Reinhard von Lohengramm) -Die Sage ist vorüber, Die Historie beginnt. (Narrator)

Anime & Economy (Spice and Wolf)

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Anime & Sociology (Kino no Tabi)

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Anime & History (Rose of Versailles)

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Criticism

Fan service: A rather disturbing phenomenon that seems to originate in the anime media primarily. In general fan service is the act of adding something with no direct relevance to the story or character development for the purpose of pleasing fans, but in this case I'm referring specifically to the ecchi fan service. A little fan service here and there is ok, even amusing if they pull it off creatively. But regrettably these days fan service tends to be overdone to a disgusting extent and ridiculous degree without a sense of congruence about it, sometimes compromising the integrity of a decent show, in some cases even detracting from it. The fact that the high number of panty flashes per minute not once aroused anything but indifference out of me is a clear proof. It just feels like the anime industry are getting pretty desperate for cash, and the only way they can rake it in is to create stupid boobfests for all the moefags to drool over. Anime industry: Every new season we are forced to endure the torture of the boring crappy titles they continue to unleash on the audience. Basically the anime industry thinks that we- the anime community are bunch of retards who only appreciate mindless Moe shows, and they also think the companies would take high risks if they adapt great mature manga titles like (20CB, parasite,...etc). *sigh* in the end it’s all about the money. I am no economic analyst, but it doesn’t take one to understand that the anime industry is for-profit industry. And they want to choose the path of least resistance with highest return. Still there are few manga out there worth betting on. For example Holyland seems like the typical seinen series that most people would enjoy so why not take the risk? Why? Fandom: Narutard & bleachie: A combination of overexposure and sheer ignorance. I gauge that many fans of Naruto that I encountered in everyday life have really only been exposed to Naruto, and they think that it's just the best darn anime due to a lack of branching out and trying new things. They don't even know that anything better than Naruto exists. Elitist: "Golden age anime" elitists who consider every single anime from the 80's and 90's to be the holy grail of animation, and view everything since 2000 as bland unoriginal trash with horrible animation. They don't even get that time is the greatest filter of art. Fujoshi: The crucible of hypocrisy, the term loosely mean "rotten girl". Most of them are hormone-crazed teenage girls or delusional young women who indulge in imagining homosexual relationships between male characters in stories that do not include homosexual themes. They are the dark shadow that plagues the anime community, a constant annoyance on the internet by uploading yaoi pics, fan arts and poorly written fanfiction. n.b: Being a yaoi fan does not eo ipso mean being a fujoshi. There is a big difference between a normal yaoi fan who thinks Kaoru and Hikaru are cute, and rotten fujoshi who enjoys writing a fanfic about naruXsasu or Shizou raping Izaya for example. Me: And the people who think of themselves as critics. They can get annoying sometimes. Tsundere: Personally I don't hate tsunderes. The stutter, blushing and acting flustered (tsun) traits can be very cute. But that only apply to the original tsunderes (Asuka, Taiga,...etc) not the modern copycats which lack creativity and only give the illusion of character development by upholding the (dere) traits while showing the (tsun) ones. That isn't character development for God's sake! It’s character establishment... Which by the way is very different. Anyone with little knowledge about literature knows that. And of course the same goes for the yandere stereotype. *sigh* who cares! May be I’m just tired of hearing Kugimiya Rie yelling urusai and baka over and over again. Archetypical characters: The emotionally insecure (weak crybaby), the emotionally detached (aloof) and the emotionally unstable (tsundere) are three archetype characters imitated from Neon Genesis Evangelion's original characters. Any anime that use these characters *insert harem title here* without adding any creativity and originality to it, is a level D anime in my opinion. Anticlimax: In other words the first episode is like a dragon head. Great and majestic. While the ending is like a snake tail. Tiny and pathetic. All series that fit the description above- any anime with ludicrous or ineffective conclusion due to adapting an incomplete manga- broke the sacred promise between them and the audience and also broke the first taboo in literature ''Do not promise more than you can offer'' hence the failure. Shoujo series: Most of them are mediocre anime that approach their plot very haphazardly, full of cliché-driven scenes, and archetypical characters that don't contribute much to the main story. Especially those whose primary setting is high school or middle school. And of course who can forget the infamous beach episodes and the cultural festival event. Shounen series: With very few exceptions are anime that entertain for the sake of enjoyment. Not an anime that delves deep into characters psyche and stretch the boundary of human imagination and change one's perspective on life.

Quotes

People like us aren't qualified to be involved in a dramatic incident such as a suicide. No matter how depressed you are or how much pain you're in, you have to return to your routine, daily life. Even if you don't come back, you'll just end up dying in vain. A dramatic death isn't befitting of us- Yamazaki Kaoru (Welcome to the N.H.K.) They say that we should love our self first before other people learn to love us. but it's not as easy as it seems. sometimes, we need someone to accept us and love us first. then, we would learn to see ourselves through that person's eyes and learn to love our self- Sohma Yuki (Fruits Basket) Do not allow yourself to be blinded by fear or anger. Everything is only as it is- Nui (Mushishi) Time is so generous to us and, yet it still such a cruel thief- Mikako Nagamine (Hoshi no Koe) We are all farsighted, we give importance to those things that are far from us, while neglecting the things that are close to us... only to realize their value later when they are out of reach again- Kawamura Sachiko (Nana) If you aren't remembered, then you never existed- Arisu (Serial Experiments Lain) Look, everyone! This is what hatred looks like! This is what it does when it catches hold of you! It's eating me alive, and very soon now it will kill me! Fear and anger only make it grow faster- Ashitaka (Princess Mononoke) According to the old testament Adam and Eve lived peacefully in paradise, they had nothing to hide from each other. However the snake enticed them into eating the forbidden fruit. After that, they suddenly became embarrassed of being naked and hid parts of their bodies with leaves from a fig tree. For the first time, humans had secrets.- Old Man (Himitsu: The Revelation) A sinner once passed away will never return, but sins will never vanish and the love will never die- Les Soldats (Noir) When a person is cursed, two graves are dug- Enma Ai (Hell Girl) Pitiful shadow cloaked in darkness. Thy action cause men pain and suffering. Thy hollow soul drowns in thy sins. How would you like to see what death is like- Enma Ai (Hell Girl) Do you need a reason?...Do you need a reason to save someone's life? People kill each other and i don't understand why, but for saving a life, is a logical reason necessary- Kudo Shinichi (Detective Conan) A Gun is Good. Unlike A sword or a knife, it doesn't leave the feeling of a person dying in your hands- Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist) Those who shoot must be prepared to get shot!- Zero (Code Geass) What can you protect, if your only weapon is your emotions- Kira Yamato (Gundam) Is it weapons that are the cause of all this fighting or does the real cause lie within the human heart?- Lacus Clyne (Gundam) Possibly humans can exist without actually having to fight. But, many of us have chosen to fight. For what reason? To protect something? Protect what? Ourselves? The future? If we kill people to protect ourselves and this future then what sort of future is it and what will we have become? There is no future for those who have died. And what of those who did the killing? Is happiness to be found in a future that is grasped with blood stained hands? Is that the truth?- Lacus Clyne (Gundam) If i were the rain that bind together the earth and sky, who in all eternity will never mingle, would I be able to bind the hearts of people together?- Inoue Orihime (Bleach) Perhaps the distant part of the sky always seems clearest, so that we will always strive to reach it- Himura Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin) Do you know what the greatest and worst invention that humans ever made was? Television. Television controls people using information and steals their sense of reality. Yes. Now television itself is a religion- Dr.Londes (Cowboy Bebop) Do not fear Death. Death is always at our side. When we show fear, it jumps at us faster than light. But, if we do not show fear, it casts its eye upon us gently and then guides us into infinity- Laughing bull (Cowboy Bebop)[/color] Death is the end of everything. Your past and future will be lost in an instant where there will be no second chance. However as long as you live there will be a chance of pulling a win- Yagami Kazuma (Kaze no Stigma) I'm not going there to die. I'm going to find out if I'm really alive- Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)[/color] Man fears the darkness, and so he scrapes away at the edges of it with fire- Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion) What a letdown, Kurosaki-san. A real letdown. After all, there's nothing but fear reflected in your sword. When you dodge, 'I'm afraid of getting cut.' When you attack, 'I'm afraid of cutting someone.' Even when you try to protect someone, 'I'm afraid of letting them die.' Yes, your sword speaks to me only of absurd fear. That's not it. What's necessary in a fight isn't fear. Nothing can be born from that. If you dodge, 'I won't let them cut me.' If you protect someone, 'I won't let them die.' If you attack, 'I'll cut them.' Well, can't you see the resolve to cut you reflected in my sword- Urahara kisuke (Bleach)[/color] Do you know what Jesus said in John chapter 5? He said, Don t bring me any trouble, bitch- Edel (black lagoon) All they saw in me was another little ghetto rat with no power and no God. What's left for a poor little Chinese bitch to rely on? It's money of course. And guns. Fuckin' A, with these two things, the world is a great place- Revy (Black Lagoon) The country? The skies? You can have them. I'm busy just protecting what's right in front of me. I don't know what'll happen to me in the future, but if something has fallen at my feet, then the least I can do is pick it up- Sakata Gintoki (Gintama) Inherited Will, the Destiny of the Age, and the Dreams of its People. These are things that will not be stopped. As long as people continue to pursue the meaning of freedom, these things will never cease to be- Gol. D. Roger (One Piece) All me are not created equal! Some are born smarter, or more beautiful, or with parents of greater status. Some, by contrast, are born weak of body or mind, or with few, if any, talents. All men are different! Yes, the very existence of man is discriminatory! That's why there is war, violence and unrest. Inequality is not evil. Equality is! What became of the EU, who claimed that all are equal? It is in constant conflict because its tenets go against human nature! The Middle Eastern Federation, which harbors similar sentiments, is constantly mired with sloths! But our Britannia is not like them! We put an end to wars and evolve with every conquest! Britannia alone looks forward and moves forward to a better future! The death of my son Clovis is yet more proof that our empire is evolving. Fight! For the future rests in the hands of its ruler! ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!- Emperor Charles zi Britannia (Code Geass) Religion, ideology, resources, land, spite, love or just because... No matter how pathetic the reason, it's enough to start war. War will never cease to exist... reasons can be thought up after the fact... Human nature pursues strife- Pain (Naruto) Freedom is something you have to fight for, rather than something you're given. Being free means being prepared to carry that burden- Charles Beams (Eureka 7) On the day we left, we burned down the family home and all the familiar things inside. Because some memories... aren't meant to leave traces- Alphonse Elric (Full Metal Alchemist) Someday, my memories of her will fade. Her voice, her actions I might forget them as well. But even then, I will always remember that I loved her. It feels so close to me, yet I can't reach it even if I hold out my hands. But even if I can't reach it, there are things that will stay in my heart. Being in the same time and looking at the same sky. if I can remember that, then even if we are far apart, I believe we can still be together- Emiya Shirou (Fate Stay Night) Our relationship has already been formed. No matter how trivial a meeting and the incidents that follow may seem, a relationship is made. Even if it is just for a short amount of time, a knot that has been tied does not unravel. It means that during your lifetime, every incident that passes has meaning. The meeting between you and I also has meaning, so remember it- Ichihara Yuuko (xxxHolic) There is no such thing as perfect in this world. That may sound cliche, but it's the truth. The average person admires perfection and seeks to obtain it. But what's the point of achieving perfection? There is none. Nothing. Not a single thing. I spit on perfection! If something is perfect, then there is nothing left. There is no room for imagination. No place left for that person to gain additional knowledge or abi