Nothing gets more criticsm in anime (at least in the west) than the bishonen. Translating to "beautiful male", this design type gets a lot of flak for causing gender confusion and acting as fangirl bait.
What I don't understand is why this matters so much to people. A character should be judged on their actions rather than their looks. Somehow, the term has become coupled with effeminate, but that is far from true (outside the romance genre). Many bishonen are bat shit insane killers (Sephiroth, Itachi, Hao). Do you really think it's a good idea to make fun of Sephiroth's long silver hair to his face? Then we got Griffith from Berserk, someone that indirectly killed his entire team in the most brutal way possible. Then there's Faust VIII, a character from Shaman King that CUT OPEN A KID'S CHEST! These are not people you want to mess with.
Of course there's a brighter side to the equation. Fun loving good guy bishonen exist, and they are usually awesome. Who wouldn't want to be friends with Dante from Devil May Cry or Vash the Stampede from Trigun? Yeah, some may get a bit whiny (Tidus) but there are many fun and/or badass bishonen that exist.
While anime/manga and Japanese video games do seem to rely too much on the design, it is unfair to judge all bishonen as effimante, gay, obsessed with beauty, narccistic wimps. The fact is most can kick your ass and you know it ;)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Miura's Insanity: Early April Fools Joke or Bad Time to be a Berserk Fan?
Kentaro Miura is a very respected mangaka for his work on Berserk. While it isn't one of my favorite series, it's hard to deny that the story and art are top notch. Guts is one of the most well developed protagonists of all time, and the rest of the characters aren't too far behind. While I do question Miura's willingness to kill off 99% of his cast, I won't deny the action had me at the edge of my seat.
Unfortunately, it seems like Berserk may never end. Apparently, Miura has become so obsessed with Idol Master and Nico Nico (Japanese equivalent of Youtube) that he has decided to give up his life as a mangaka. As this story may not be true (it is close to April Fools day after all), this news must be devastating for long time fans. If true, it is very sad a man is willing to give up what he has been doing for more than 20 years just to play a video game and watch videos for the rest of his life.
Hopefully Miura will come back to his senses soon. I want to see what happened to Guts > : (
Unfortunately, it seems like Berserk may never end. Apparently, Miura has become so obsessed with Idol Master and Nico Nico (Japanese equivalent of Youtube) that he has decided to give up his life as a mangaka. As this story may not be true (it is close to April Fools day after all), this news must be devastating for long time fans. If true, it is very sad a man is willing to give up what he has been doing for more than 20 years just to play a video game and watch videos for the rest of his life.
Hopefully Miura will come back to his senses soon. I want to see what happened to Guts > : (
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Shonen Trinity
When Dragon Ball hit Shonen Jump back in 1984, readership increased by a very large amount. When it ended in 1995, people weren't as inclined to go out and buy the magazine anymore.
Fortunately, the inspiration had sunk in and a new wave of authors had risen. Taking important aspects of Dragon Ball and integrating it into their work, the most popular of these people are EiichirÅ Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), and Tite Kubo (Bleach). Many fans label these three series as "The Shonen Trinity". Whether they like it or not, people cannot deny the worldwide popularity and success each of these series has been met with.
One Piece was the first of these series. Starting in 1997, a young boy wishing to become the pirate king eats a mysterious fruit that turns his body into rubber. What starts out as a goofy adventure quickly turns into a serious, high action quest that slowly brings itself up to DBZ levels. Just take a look at this (action starts around 1:00)
The fight gets even more ridiculous later on. Having been running for 12 years and barely (if at all) being half way done, One Piece continues to be the most popular series in Shonen Jump at the moment. Unfortunately, the series never really took off in America due to the horrible 4kids dub. Funimation tried to fix this later, but the damage had already been done and the series was quietly cancelled. Of course, many fans outside Japan exist, fans that know the "real" One Piece. It may not be well known by the mainstream but it is still one of the top known animes in existance.
2 years after the start of One Piece, a worldwide phenomenon would begin. Naruto, the story of a young boy with a demon trapped inside his body, would quickly become known as the "Next Dragon Ball Z". While it's popularity in Japan wasn't anywhere near that of One Piece, the recognition worldwide was staggering. Many of my friends describe it as "Dragon Ball Z with ninjas". While I don't know if I truly agree with that, there are definitely some big parallels to make. Just take a look at the end of the Naruto vs Neji fight.
While some say Naruto has gone way downhill since part 2 has started, I still like it quite a bit. The story telling could use some work, but the high action and great character designs still exist. With Naruto currently at the equivalent of Super Saiyan, it seems like the end of the series is approaching. It will be interesting to see Kishimoto wraps things up.
The most recent series with possibly the highest level of action is Bleach. Many people call it "Dragon Ball Z with swords", which I agree with 100%. The level of action has surpassed Naruto and One Piece in almost every way at this point. Just take a look at the Ichigo vs Grimmjow fight.
If that isn't DBZ with swords, I don't know what is. While many people are in it for the action, fans consider the story to be less than stellar. As many have said, it's good to just turn your brain off and let the insanity unfold when watching Bleach.
I am a huge fan of all three of these series. While I will be sad to see Naruto go, I'm interested to see which series takes up the torch as the third in the trinity. Perhaps Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
Fortunately, the inspiration had sunk in and a new wave of authors had risen. Taking important aspects of Dragon Ball and integrating it into their work, the most popular of these people are EiichirÅ Oda (One Piece), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), and Tite Kubo (Bleach). Many fans label these three series as "The Shonen Trinity". Whether they like it or not, people cannot deny the worldwide popularity and success each of these series has been met with.
One Piece was the first of these series. Starting in 1997, a young boy wishing to become the pirate king eats a mysterious fruit that turns his body into rubber. What starts out as a goofy adventure quickly turns into a serious, high action quest that slowly brings itself up to DBZ levels. Just take a look at this (action starts around 1:00)
The fight gets even more ridiculous later on. Having been running for 12 years and barely (if at all) being half way done, One Piece continues to be the most popular series in Shonen Jump at the moment. Unfortunately, the series never really took off in America due to the horrible 4kids dub. Funimation tried to fix this later, but the damage had already been done and the series was quietly cancelled. Of course, many fans outside Japan exist, fans that know the "real" One Piece. It may not be well known by the mainstream but it is still one of the top known animes in existance.
2 years after the start of One Piece, a worldwide phenomenon would begin. Naruto, the story of a young boy with a demon trapped inside his body, would quickly become known as the "Next Dragon Ball Z". While it's popularity in Japan wasn't anywhere near that of One Piece, the recognition worldwide was staggering. Many of my friends describe it as "Dragon Ball Z with ninjas". While I don't know if I truly agree with that, there are definitely some big parallels to make. Just take a look at the end of the Naruto vs Neji fight.
While some say Naruto has gone way downhill since part 2 has started, I still like it quite a bit. The story telling could use some work, but the high action and great character designs still exist. With Naruto currently at the equivalent of Super Saiyan, it seems like the end of the series is approaching. It will be interesting to see Kishimoto wraps things up.
The most recent series with possibly the highest level of action is Bleach. Many people call it "Dragon Ball Z with swords", which I agree with 100%. The level of action has surpassed Naruto and One Piece in almost every way at this point. Just take a look at the Ichigo vs Grimmjow fight.
If that isn't DBZ with swords, I don't know what is. While many people are in it for the action, fans consider the story to be less than stellar. As many have said, it's good to just turn your brain off and let the insanity unfold when watching Bleach.
I am a huge fan of all three of these series. While I will be sad to see Naruto go, I'm interested to see which series takes up the torch as the third in the trinity. Perhaps Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Astro Boy Movie Trailer: EPIC
After the atrocity that was (or will be for some) Dragonball: Evolution, things were not looking up for American anime film adaptations. After all, what makes anime good comes from its insane physics defying battles and high action, something that is barely possible in live action if at all.
But that's where Astro Boy comes in. Rather than create a live action adaptation, a CGI animated movie is being developed by the Imagi Animation Studio. While I wasn't too interested at first, I think it's safe to say I will definitely be at the theater on day 1 after seeing this.
Osamu Tezuka is the father of anime, and seeing his most popular work adapted accurately will be amazing. I honestly can't wait :)
But that's where Astro Boy comes in. Rather than create a live action adaptation, a CGI animated movie is being developed by the Imagi Animation Studio. While I wasn't too interested at first, I think it's safe to say I will definitely be at the theater on day 1 after seeing this.
Osamu Tezuka is the father of anime, and seeing his most popular work adapted accurately will be amazing. I honestly can't wait :)
Getting People Into Anime: Anime for People that Hate Anime
Anime has become a very strong medium over the years and quite a few people have opened up to it. However, there are many people that outright refuse to watch anime and can't accept it as a viable medium.
Now I'm not saying everyone needs to be obsessed with the stuff like I am, but there are only two viable reasons why someone would not be able to get into anime at all. 1. They hate Japan. 2. They hate animation. Anyone that watches and enjoys South Park, Family Guy, The Simpsons, etc. has the potential to enjoy anime. Anime is a medium, and therefore is host to every genre in fiction.
If there is anyone out there that wants to get someone close to them interested in anime, try some of these series.
Death Note
Paranoia Agent
Cowboy Bebop
Black Lagoon
Lupin III
Astro Boy
BACCANO!
Detective Conan (Case Closed)
FLCL (To some extent)
Anyone that is open minded enough to try any of these would (hopefully) find at least some enjoyment in what they were watching. If not, it's no big deal. People like different things.
That being said, Anime has come quite a long way and is pretty close to proving itself (along with video games) as something that can be enjoyed by adults as well.
Now I'm not saying everyone needs to be obsessed with the stuff like I am, but there are only two viable reasons why someone would not be able to get into anime at all. 1. They hate Japan. 2. They hate animation. Anyone that watches and enjoys South Park, Family Guy, The Simpsons, etc. has the potential to enjoy anime. Anime is a medium, and therefore is host to every genre in fiction.
If there is anyone out there that wants to get someone close to them interested in anime, try some of these series.
Death Note
Paranoia Agent
Cowboy Bebop
Black Lagoon
Lupin III
Astro Boy
BACCANO!
Detective Conan (Case Closed)
FLCL (To some extent)
Anyone that is open minded enough to try any of these would (hopefully) find at least some enjoyment in what they were watching. If not, it's no big deal. People like different things.
That being said, Anime has come quite a long way and is pretty close to proving itself (along with video games) as something that can be enjoyed by adults as well.
It's 2:30 in the morning...Guess I'll Start a Blog
Hey everybody! Welcome to the new blog. You may know me as one of the contributors to Level One-Start. Seeing as gaming is my biggest hobby, I thought I might as well start a blog about my second biggest hobby; anime and manga!
I will be talking about many different series as well as the two mediums in general. I will not be talking about hentai unless it is relevant (AKA lawsuits or something) and I will rarely talk about romance series unless the series is more than just that genre (romantic-comedy, romantic-action, etc).
Other than the two listed, I like pretty much all genres. While I am not that big into mecha, I am not above watching them (Gurren Lagann, Code Geass). I don't like the sports genre very much but there are a few I've been looking into and will most likely start reading/watching. Comedy is one of my favorite genres, especially when it involves random insanity (Bobo-bo, Sexy Commando). Horror can be good, but it's sometimes hard to find (Elfen Lied, Hellsing). Of course the genre that I love more than any other would have to be shonen action (DBZ, Naruto, One Piece, Bleach). If it wasn't for Dragon Ball Z, I probably never would've never gotten into anime.
I've read and watched many series, some that many people have never heard of. With my vast knowledge of the mediums, I hope to make insightful posts at a good pace. Look forward to some real ones soon ;)
I will be talking about many different series as well as the two mediums in general. I will not be talking about hentai unless it is relevant (AKA lawsuits or something) and I will rarely talk about romance series unless the series is more than just that genre (romantic-comedy, romantic-action, etc).
Other than the two listed, I like pretty much all genres. While I am not that big into mecha, I am not above watching them (Gurren Lagann, Code Geass). I don't like the sports genre very much but there are a few I've been looking into and will most likely start reading/watching. Comedy is one of my favorite genres, especially when it involves random insanity (Bobo-bo, Sexy Commando). Horror can be good, but it's sometimes hard to find (Elfen Lied, Hellsing). Of course the genre that I love more than any other would have to be shonen action (DBZ, Naruto, One Piece, Bleach). If it wasn't for Dragon Ball Z, I probably never would've never gotten into anime.
I've read and watched many series, some that many people have never heard of. With my vast knowledge of the mediums, I hope to make insightful posts at a good pace. Look forward to some real ones soon ;)
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