Rewind: Cross Game

I planned to feature Giant Killing today, but it's not on Crunchyroll anymore, and I don't remember it well enough to write about it without a refresher. Instead, I started rewatching Cross Game, a baseball anime that's basically designed to give you the feels.

Ko and his dear friend/childhood sweetheart/birthday buddy.
These two makes me smile together (screenshot from ep 1).

When I watched this for the first time back in 2010, I was still pretty narrow-minded about what anime I watched. Sadness? Drama? Count me out!

Still, by this time, Prince of Tennis had already showed me the potential of sports anime, and I was hungry for more. So I tried Cross Game, and I liked it a lot. I wrote this recommendation on Anime-Planet:

I don't really like sports, and have never seen a live action movie/show about sports that I considered worth watching. But the Prince of Tennis and Cross Game are amazing! The Prince of Tennis is easily in my top ten anime, to the point that I've watched the first hundred or so episodes twice.

I admit, the two shows have their differences. The Prince of Tennis has a lot more humor and goes, I believe, three times as long. Cross Game includes some light romance and deals with the mourning process. Even I came very close to shedding tears. But Cross Game still has its humor.

Another thing: many slice of life, romance, drama, and so-called "comedy" anime bore me. These two most certainly don't.

Obviously, I've widened my horizons since I wrote that in November 2010. At the time, I was still surprised that I could like an anime like Cross Game. I mean, it involved realistic elements like tragedy and grief. There was even a little bit of romance!

Normally, I wouldn't have touched this kind of thing. But Cross Game had an advantage over other great anime dramas: it involved sports.

And so I tried it. It started a little slowly, and it was a lot more realistic than Prince of Tennis and most of the other anime I liked at the time. But it made me smile, laugh, and, at times, swallow the lump that grew in my throat. I enjoyed watching the main character, Ko, grow as a baseball player. I even enjoyed the relationship between him Aoba—she's one of a handful of girls in sports anime whom I actually like.

I'm not sure what else to say. I'm trying to avoid giving an outright spoiler about what happens in the first couple episodes.

I'll end with this: Cross Game really is a cross between the sports and drama anime I've come to enjoy. It includes wise young players with an eye for talent (including, of course, a catcher), talented pitchers (including Ko and Aoba), games and practice routines that are fun to watch, and an abundance of determination. But it's also thoughtful, realistic, and occasionally tear-worthy. Anime-Planet users have rightfully recommended it to fans of Anohana.

It's 50 episodes long. I probably finished it in about a week the first time I watched it, during my binging days. It will take me a a lot longer this time. I'll enjoy savoring it between episodes of Ace of the Diamond and Haikyuu!! over the next month or two.

Gon's Dark Version of Redemption

I watched episode 131 of Hunter x Hunter. Then I turned the lights off and watched it again. Everything about this episode, from visuals to music to script, was crafted for the optimum emotional punch, to both characters and audience. As I started writing this blog post and sorting through screenshots, I found even more details and connections I'd missed. Finally, near the end, I reached the heart of the matter: Gon's need for redemption.

-------

Spoilers obviously lie ahead, once I find the words to express why this episode affected me—and other fans—so much.

For several months, we've watched Gon transform into a much darker version of himself. In this episode, the transformation becomes even more tagible.

Near the beginning, I get excited because Killua is ready for action. I forget that Hunter x Hunter won't let me have fun watching battles right now. Lives—souls, even—are on the line. I don't get to squeal and clap and grin, cheering on my favorite characters.

Instead, my forehead wrinkles and my eyes widen. I gasp, and I alternate between covering my mouth and letting it hang open.

Gon at the beginning of ep 131, after Pitou tells him Kite is dead.
His eyes show his mind's inability to process data, even while the
tears flow.

Gon, I murmur, watching as he slowly absorbs the reality of Kite's death and Pitou's intentions. Please, Kiddo.

The visuals in this show impress me almost constantly, largely because of the facial expressions. Look at the screenshot above. His face is well-lit, untouched by hatred—for the moment, he can't even process anger. He is vulnerable, childlike, as his blank eyes overflow with tears.

There is no music as Pitou heals her arm, preparing for battle. The absence of extra sound reinforces Gon's blank state.

Then, change. Darkness, wind, and aura gather, and audio effects gather with them. The wind snuffs out candles, and a supernatural feeling grows. The first time I watch, I wonder if I should turn my bedroom lights off, to match what I'm seeing. The second time I watch, the lights are already off, enhancing the already-strong visuals that follow.

"I don't care if this is the end," Gon says quietly. "So I'll use
everything."

I write down Gon's haunting words. If the last few dozen episodes didn't build up to this so well, I wouldn't be able to believe it. As it is, his intense emotions make me think. For some reason, I never felt very attached to Kite, and I remember his death a lot better than his life. Perhaps I should re-watch some older episodes, because I have a hard time empathizing with Gon.

Still, my emotions are not completely detached. No other anime has worried me so much by giving power to the main character.

Gon mid-transformation is scary. Reminds me of a partially-manifested
Nine Tails from Naruto. The comparison to that fox demon seems
especially apt in this scenario.

I'm not the only one worried. Pitou watches, terrified. As she sensed would happen, "His power is now equal to that of the King!"

Her words surprise me. The King's nearly divine qualities convinced me that none of the main characters could touch him—at least, not for another hundred episodes. These young'uns aren't strong enough, and the adult with the most promise died.

I wasn't completely wrong in my summation of Gon's strength—he just grew in an unnatural way. Pitou says his sudden power should come from many years of training, and his transformed body matches her words. He suddenly looks much, much older. He already had more muscles than most 12- to 13-year-olds, but now his muscles are ridiculous, he's as tall as an adult, and he has as much hair as Rapunzel.

I'm not sure I like this transformation as part of the overall presentation, and I definitely don't like what it means for Gon. But neither Gon nor Togashi Yoshihiro (the original mangaka) care how I feel about this, so I'm forced to set aside any discontent and focus on what comes next.

Thankfully, Pitou's not so scared that she can't think. We're privy to her thoughts as she processes what's happening, and her thoughts reinforce my ever-present concern for Gon: "This power could only be achieved through the sacrifice of his own life energy. He is prepared to never us Nen again. That was the resolve required to perform this feat."

It's surreal to hear Gon say, "First comes rock" in this form.
Also, I think this frame is beautiful. The light is wonderfully
done, especially as it reflects from the leaves.

Pitou is glad that she, not the King, is Gon's target. I, on the other hand, wish he would stop. Hatred is a terrible reason to battle, and there is nothing noble about sacrificing one's self solely for vengeance. A few months ago, I looked forward to seeing Gon power up and fight Pitou. Now that I've seen the reality, I wish he'd never met her. There is nothing satisfying about her death, not for me. He continues punching her after she's down . . . I don't think I've seen him that murderous before.

Killua finally arrives, but he's too late. He can't protect Gon from himself, although he tries. Killua can hardly even recognize him at first.

In the next segment, the graphics are stripped down to black, white, and, contrasted against it, red blood. It reminds me of Kurapika's confrontation with the Spiders in episode 47. Very similar visual effects were used for his moment of vengeance. It presents a stark picture, stripped of beauty and glory. There's a disconnect between the characters' psychological states and the horror of the gore around them. This is even more true now, with Gon, than it was with Kurapika.

In this episode, the nearly monochrome part starts after Gon kills Pitou. He stands there, covered in Chimera Ant blood and staring at his hands. Tears trickle from his eyes. He's still thinking of his dead friend, and his mind can't yet consider the full implications of what he's done.

Gon doesn't notice when Pitou's body moves. Even I don't fully register what happens, partially because I'm so sucked into the psychological conflict. Only Killua sees, and he bolts forward.

An arm flies. At first, I think it's Pitou's. Then I hear Gon's whisper to Killua: "It's okay. It doesn't hurt. I'm not trying to be tough. I'm kind of happy. I finally get to be the same as Kite was back then." He's referring to how Pitou took Kite's arm (ep 85).

As all this is happening, a quiet, melancholy, piano variation
of the ending theme plays in the background, adding even
more dimension.

Killua's expression is heartbreaking. "Gon," he says softly.

"I feel like I've been redeemed some."

At this moment, I realize that Gon's thinking is even more twisted than I thought. We glimpsed some of this in last week's episode, as he alternately blamed the Chimera Ant and himself. Pitou isn't the only target of Gon's vengeful anger, and he isn't just sacrificing himself; there's an element of self-punishment to this, too. That's why he's willing to kill Pitou at the expense of his own life.

When he loses his arm, like Kite did protecting them, Gon believes he's partially paid the price for his part in Kite's death. That's what "redeem" means: to compensate or to buy. I'm trusting that the translators picked the right word here, since I can only work with the English.

If his arm "redeems" him a little, than what will redeem him completely? Only one payment comes to my mind, and I'm sure it's in Gon's mind as well: he owes his life, and he's willing to pay it through death. Even if he only loses all Nen ability, he considers it part of the payment he owes.

He's not thinking of the future, of the people he can help and the good he can do. He's stuck in his tragedy. And he places his hopes for redemption in death, starting with Pitou. But there is no hope or redemption in death.

I expect to see Gon and Killua alive in the next episode, and for many episodes to come. But the physical and psychological damage will be severe, and it will be interesting to see how Gon heals. (And he'd better heal. I don't care if it takes a hundred episodes, and I understand that he'll never be the same. But he'd better heal.)

As his Nen manifests, Gon looks back at Killua one last time, then
delivers the final, explosive blow to Pitou and her death-transcending
Nen ability. Click to enlarge. There are tears in his eyes.

I don't know how to help Gon, although I suspect friendship will have a lot to do with it. If he were real, and not just an anime character, I'd know what to hope.

In real life, I know the way to redemption. Jesus' blood paid the price for all our sins. It's a price that none of us could afford. His sacrifice redeemed me—and all of us—from sin and death. But that was only part of his plan.

Jesus came back to life, giving us hope. Without the Resurrection, his death would mean nothing. He didn't just save us from death. He saved us to life. That's why I have such a hard time watching anyone—real or fictional—look to death and enslavement for redemption.

I realize that, as a secular anime character, Gon has no access to the hope I've found. If he's to be saved, it will be by a substitute hope, provided by his mangaka. Still, I want to tell him, "Wake up! This is not what Kite saved you for! If you want to be like him, to honor him, then give him your life, not your death. Your arm will do more good attached to your body than driven through that ant's chest. Don't follow your hero to the grave. You can't earn your own redemption, Gon, and you definitely can't earn it like this. I wish you lived in reality, where my hero could become your hero, and you could follow him to life!"

Gon can't earn his own redemption anymore than I can. When he tries to earn it by making himself powerful in an unnatural, life-draining way, he gets no closer to real hope.

I gave up trying to earn my own way long ago. It's as much my fault as anyone else's that Jesus was crucified. Human nature is sinful, has been since the Fall, and I was too weak to resist actively sinning each day, too weak to rescue myself. That's why Jesus died: Only he could make things right between us and God. How am I supposed to react? Am I supposed to feel so guilty, I surrender myself to death? No! That would be ludicrous. I'm supposed to accept God's gift of redemption thankfully and surrender myself to life—true, abundant life following my Lord.

Since Gon, being fictional, can't embrace the freedom Jesus offers, I'll settle for whatever substitute Togashi comes up with. But will Gon be open to it? He has a dark, twisted view of redemption, tangled with vengeance and anger. He needs to understand that his line of thinking is fruitless, and he must soften his heart, let others help him. I think that will happen someday.

And so I wait, hopefully, eagerly, for the day he smiles again.

Origins: Blogs

I take blogging for granted. But, when you think about it, it's a pretty special medium. Many of us have found a sort of community in, or at least connected to, the blogosphere. We express ourselves in unique ways, through words, pictures, links, and videos, without going through an editor or another mediator. Some bloggers find a huge audience worldwide, and some just pique the interest of a handful of readers--but it's the right handful.

Last month, I mentioned a research paper about "blog linguistics." I learned a lot about the history and character of blogs, and I found it very interesting. I figure that some of you, especially those of you who blog, might be interested, too. The next few paragraphs are a modified portion of my final paper. The modifications include in-text linking to any online sources. Honestly, this just scrapes the surface of what I learned. The really interesting stuff came later in the paper, but I don't have time to post all of that tonight. I hope you're interested enough to want more, because I'd like to continue in two weeks.

---

About nineteen years ago, before the word blog existed, website owners began adding "diaries" to their sites. Now, there are over 152 million blogs online (Gaille). In 1997, the word weblog appeared, coined by Jorn Barger on his Robot Wisdom Weblog. The term usually applied to "daily lists of annotated links to other sites, without extended commentary or personal narratives," but it soon absorbed online diaries into its definition as well (McNeill 2). In 1999, Peter Merholz used the phrase we blog in the sidebar on his site, and blog quickly became used as both noun and verb. Blog hosting tools like Blogger appeared the same year, opening the blogosphere to anyone with access to the Internet, including those without HTML skills or money (Language and the Internet 239). Example: Me and this blog.

As is usually the case with Internet technology, blogs evolved at a fast pace, especially once coding skills were no longer required to create them. When David Crystal wrote his first edition of Language and the Internet in 2000, blogs weren't even on his radar. Five years later, he dedicates half a chapter of his second edition to the topic. By 2003, Crystal writes, an estimated 1-3 million active blogs were online, and some estimated that the number doubled every six months. Two years later, estimates rose, commonly citing 12-15 million blogs, with 4.5 million new ones sprouting within four months. Only about one fifth of these blogs remained active, but when one blog died, many more took its place (Language and the Internet 246). In the eight years since Crystal published his second edition of Language and the Internet, the blogosphere has grown even more, to include over 150 million blogs.

Blogs give a voice to individuals who normally don't have one in the public sphere. Some hold controversial opinions that would not survive the moderating mandated in printed journalism. Most lack the influence and resources to publish their work in print. Now, a new range of perspectives on important topics has a chance to be heard by the public. For example, deployed soldiers and Iraqi civilians have contributed to debate over the war on terrorism (Language and the Internet 241). 

My sources didn't explore fandom blogging at all, let alone aniblogging. But it's hard for me to imagine anime fandom without this kind of outlet for expression and debate . . . 

aaannnd . . . I am out of time. Internet connection failed me for a minute, so it will probably be Saturday everywhere in the US except Hawaii by the time I get this up. Sorry for the lateness.

---

Sources:

Crystal, David. Language and the Internet. 2 ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2006. Print.

Gaille, Brandon. "How Many Blogs are on the Internet." WPVirtuoso. N.p., 20 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. <http://www.wpvirtuoso.com/how-many-blogs-are-on-the-internet/>.

McNeill, Laurie. "Genre Under Construction: The Diary on the Internet." Language@Internet 2 (2005): n. page., Web. 28. Apr. 2014. <http://www.languageatinternet.org/articles/2005/120>.

Sports Anime: The Favorites, the Blahs, and What Defines Them

Time for a master post about my favorite anime genre! I already wrote about how sports anime first earned my favor, so I won't repeat myself. You can check out old posts on the topic if you want. This post will deal with current favorites, as well as those that are, well, blah, and how I tend to judge them. If you haven't tried any good sports anime, I hope you'll check out a few of the titles I mention in this post.

New Prince of Tennis fits under blah, but boy, it was good to see
Echizen and the rest again. And he looks good in more modern
visuals (from ep. 1).

Obviously, not all sports anime are created equal. After watching about 15 of them (including currently airing titles), I know what I look for in sports anime. Some, like Kuroko's Basketball, win my favor through decent character development, great suspense, and smooth animation. Others, like Area no Kishi, fall flat. Still, I've become just enough of a fan girl to welcome all new sports anime into my watching list, with only a few qualifications:

1. It must not be ecchi or otherwise distractingly offensive. Thus, Wanna be the Strongest in the World never made it near my watching list. I'm pretty sure the creators of that show were more concerned with anatomy than pro wrestling, anyway.

2. If it's a sequel series, and the earlier seasons aren't legally available online, I probably won't watch it. Sorry, Haijime no Ippo Rising.

3. It must be available on one of my preferred viewing sites. My entertainment budget is small: Crunchyroll subscription + the occasional book/movie/etc. And anime isn't the only thing on my birthday list.

4. If sports only take a small role in the anime, it must win my attention through other avenues. Suzuka, for example, got my attention a few years ago because of the track element, but lost my attention after a few episodes. I can't remember much about it, except that it was only available dubbed on Hulu.

5. I trust my fellow Anime-Planet users. If they only give an anime 1-2 stars on average, I probably won't try it--even if it's a sports anime.

Once a sports anime gets on my watching list, it won't easily get kicked off. For example, Area no Kishi, or Knight in the Area, continues to sit on the list, over two years after it started airing. I still have four more episodes to go. At an average rate of one episode a month, I should be done by the end of summer. The only character I care for at all in the show is the main one, Kakeru. It's not his fault that I've lost interest in his story or that some of his friends annoy me. Unfortunately, my affection for Kakeru comes mostly from my sense of duty.

When I don't care much about the characters in a sports anime, we have a serious problem. Even one very good character can save a show from hitting the bottom of my list. Dear Boys, for example, has Aikawa. For those of you who don't know, Aikawa is a little like Kuroko in size and personality, but with more presence on the court (and much less presence in my heart). Aikawa makes me smile as I remember his show, which otherwise bored me.

So, what makes a sports anime good? I've started a list of traits shared by anime I enjoy.

1. As already mentioned, good character development is vital. Usually, as in The Prince of Tennis and Kuroko's Basketball, many of the main character's teammates and opponents are as fully developed as he is. In fact, I almost know more about some of Kuroko's friends than I do about him. But, sometimes, as in Initial D, one character is enough to gain my love.

2. Similarly, the characters must play off each other well. Imagine Ace of the Diamond (Daiya no Ace) without the catchers, Miyuki and Kris, prodding the pitchers into shape. It wouldn't be nearly the show we've come to love.

3. Animation is key. Yes, I realize this applies to any animated production. But the way basketball players move in Kuroko's Basketball enchants me. I love watching how Kagami and the rest handle the ball with flowing agility and elegance. Same goes for the newer anime, Haikyuu!!, which comes from the same studio. Even if I didn't care about the characters, I'd enjoy watching them play.

As a side note, I've enjoyed Ping Pong: The Animation this season, even though it's rather ugly at first glance. The animation is very different than anything else I'm watching... but I like some of the angles and action sequences anyway.

4. I enjoy good pacing and edge-of-my-seat suspense. When shows get this part right, I'm worked up like a football fan during Superbowl. When shows get it wrong, I imagine it's like when your favorite football team is have a really lackluster, bad game. For example, New Prince of Tennis tried to capitalize on the character development from the first 170 or so episodes. But this new, 13 episode series fell completely flat in the pacing and suspense department. An important match was squished into a single episode. If I didn't already love the characters, I'm not sure I'd have enjoyed it at all.

These anime got it right:

From Kuroko's Basketball 2, episode 21. Kuroko continues to
prove that you shouldn't underestimate the scrawny kids, and
Production I.G. reminds me why it's the only studio on my A-P
<3 far.="" list="" so="" td="">

Kuroko's Basketball
- My Superbowl analogy applies five times over with this one. See my February post about it for an example. I can't wait for another season to air. I think we'll finally get to see Kuroko's old captain in action. He kinda scares me, more than a dude with pink hair should.

Ace of the Diamond
- Eijun, an earnest young pitcher, has contagious passion, and he's fun to watch with the pitchers. But I also like the honor paid to his sempai, both by him and by the creators. The upperclassmen on the team have admirable solidarity, and I'm glad we get to see that.

Giant Killing
- This one is about adults, and they definitely won't let the young'uns from other anime beat them with their passion... okay, yeah, it's time for me to re-watch this. It's been a very long time since I saw it. Looks like I haven't used this for a Rewind post yet, so I'll harvest screenshots when I start this up again.

Big Windup
- This one isn't fresh in my memory, but I'm still confident recommending it, and I wish the second season was online. Maybe I'll give in and buy it.

Prince of Tennis
- This introduced me to sports anime. It might be over-the-top for some people, but the characters and matches really are fun... and, again, it introduced me to the genre, which puts it just barely below Naruto in sentimental value.

Currently airing jewels (these haven't aired a full season yet, so are counted separately):

The volleyball captain informs Hinata and Kageyama that
they can't participate in the club until the can act like
teammates (ep. 2).

Haikyuu!!
- From Production I.G., the same studio that brought us Kuroko's Basketball, we have an anime about... volleyball. Hey, that's something different. And very fun. The animation is as wonderful to watch as that in KuroBas. The characters delight me, especially Hinata Shouyou. He's cute. He could compete with my dog for cuteness, and since I'm very biased toward my pup, that's saying something. But he's also an interesting young player -- singleminded, trusting, and usually confident, although his nerves can get in the way. I like his dynamics with Kageyama.

Baby Steps
- Not as lovely to look at as Haikyuu!!, but it's the first good tennis anime to cross my radar since The Prince of Tennis. The main character, Eijun, has an analytical approach to tennis, a lot like Inui from PoT. But, unlike Inui, Eijun is a newbie at the beginning of the show. Also, his eyes got all sparkly in episode 7, and Inui was never innocent enough for the sparkly-eye thing.

Tsukimoto's friend, "Peco," playing in the first ep. I don't like
him, but his character fits well with the anime's style and themes.

Ping Pong: The Animation
- This is the oddball on my watching list. It's different in almost every way, starting with the visual style. Then there's the sport... who'd have thought you could make an interesting anime about
ping pong? The characters are different, too. Tsukimoto (aka Smile), never smiles. He lacks aspiration, even though he's an amazing ping pong player. The supporting cast is a bit off-klter, too. This anime will never be my favorite, but I enjoy its uniqueness. 

I enjoyed these, but they're not high on my recommendation list:
Cross Game
- I don't remember this one well enough to recommend it too highly, but it was very good. I enjoyed it even before I made a habit of watching tear-jerkers. Guess that means I'd like it even more now.

Eyeshield 21
- Very fun, but too over the top to recommend to anyone who doesn't already love Prince of Tennis or other school sports anime.

Initial D
- Okay, so I loved this, although I still haven't seen Fifth Stage (come on, Crunchyroll! Funimation! Somebody, please make this available!) But the animation isn't exactly pretty, and I guess it's not super fresh in my memory.

Bamboo Blade
- I don't remember this one very well. But I liked it, and it's about girls. No other sports anime on my list can make that second claim, although I recall girls playing a fairly large role (without being exploited for ridiculous fan service) in Cross Game.

This one is gaining more favor:
Yowapeda
- I'm not a hug fan of Yowapeda (Yowamushi Pedal), but it's gaining on me. You'd think that I'd like it better, since it's a racing anime, and I loved Initial D. But it just hasn't clicked with me the same way. Still, it's earned its way out of the last list.

Meh and Blah:

Dear Boys 

- A bit boring, but decent. I enjoyed some of the episodes, especially near the end. But I felt that the negatives outweighed the positives, as I explained when I first finished it.

Area no Kishi
- Too much drama, too much annoying "comedy," and too much of that opening theme music stuck in my head. On the positive side, interesting moves and game play occasionally appear between beach episodes (I'm exaggerating, of course -- the majority of episodes aren't on the beach. They must make room for festival and hot springs episodes... okay, still a slight exaggeration). Yes, I plan to finish this. I'm too stubborn for my own good.

Conclusion

There are still some great sports anime I'd like to see, including the long-running baseball anime Major. Fifteen shows (and several hundred episodes) don't make me a genre expert... they just make me a bit of a fan.

Stay tuned for more in-depth posts about sports anime. I have a couple ideas that may appear throughout coming weeks. And comment if I didn't mention one of your favorite sports anime - especially if it's available somewhere like Crunchyroll or Hulu, so I can watch it. If it's not, maybe you can make a good enough case to move a DVD set to the top of my birthday list. Maybe.

Rewind: AnoHana

When I finished Clannad and Clannad After Story, I wanted more. If I couldn't get more of the Clannad franchise, I'd settle for a different anime cut from the same cloth. Anime-Planet recommended AnoHana (full name: Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai). So I tried it. Sure enough, it was precious, and it shared several themes with Clannad.

There are only 11 episodes in AnoHana, and I didn't get quite as attached to the characters and the story as I did with Clannad. But it was still impossible to avoid getting the feels. It's about a group of childhood friends, who called themselves the "Super Peace Busters." When they were still very young, one of them, Menma, died. The rest of them split up, and they're no longer on good terms.

The Super Peace Busters, lined up in the opening sequence.

They've grown into a diverse bunch of teenagers... except Menma.

Throughout the show, friendships are slowly restored, and grief is dealt with. But AnoHana didn't just warm my heart; it inspired me.

Watching Anohana makes me want ramen. I mean, I really want it. And I'd like to try putting an egg in it like they do in the show.
— Annalyn (@LadyAnnalyn) January 2, 2014

One of the main characters, Jinta, has been a hikikomori (shut-in) for a couple of years. It's just him and his dad at home, ever since his mother died, and he makes himself a lot of ramen. When Menma comes back and haunts him, Jinta shares the ramen with her (once he accepts that she's not just a "manifestation of his stress"). He put eggs in the ramen, which inspired me. When winter break was over, and I started living in a rented room off-campus, I began putting eggs in my ramen - as well as veggies, meat, and even cheese. I discovered a whole new world of ramen-based food, and I became a Ramen Evangelizer on Tumblr.

Just finished Anohana. I can see why it's highly spoken of. But sheesh, right after Clannad AS? Why do I do this to myself?
— Annalyn (@LadyAnnalyn) January 2, 2014

Not long ago,I wouldn't touch these anime w/ 10 ft pole. Why would I willingly watch shows designed to make me cry? Answer: they're precious
— Annalyn (@LadyAnnalyn) January 2, 2014

I don't think I actually shed a tear over AnoHana, but I came close. It's precious. I know I've said that many times already, but I can't think of any word that describes it better.

Don't be Passionate

Sometimes, I forget that it's uncool to be a geek, nerd, or otaku. It might be okay to watch a Miyazaki film or two, but don't become too absorbed. Or if you do, don't let anyone in the "real world" see it.

Sometimes, I forget that you're not supposed to love God so much, you can't keep it to yourself. You can do your Jesus thing at church or home, but don't tell people about it.

Sometimes, I forget that passion is scorned. "Love as you want," says the world, "but stay cool. Don't let me see any prolonged excitement from you."

There are exceptions to this rule, of course. For example, it's culturally acceptable to become borderline manic about a group of men wearing jerseys and throwing an oblong ball on Sundays.

But a lot of things aren't okay to be passionate about. Why?

Maybe it's because passion requires a response, and people don't know how to respond. Or they don't want to know. Or they know the right response, and they don't like it. It makes them uncomfortable.

Maybe it's because passion makes you vulnerable. You're putting your heart into something, and if it goes wrong, you'll be hurt. It's easier to close yourself to passion, to stand against excitement.

Maybe it's because passion has the power to change people, communities, countries, and even the world. Passion can bring the unknown, the new, the different. That's scary.

Don't be passionate, they say.

Don't make me uncomfortable.

Don't make yourself vulnerable, and if you must, then don't ask me to be vulnerable, too.

Passion is dangerous.

But passion is freeing.

We were made to be passionate.

We were made to feel deeply and love fully.

We were made to revel in creation,

to declare God's glory to the nations,

to sing and dance and shout our joy.

We were made by and for Jesus, whose passionate love took him to a painful death on a cross. Jesus, who wept for his dead friend, even though he was about to bring that friend back to life.

But don't be passionate, says the world. Don't be passionate about anime, sci-fi, or friends, and, most importantly, don't be passionate about God. Passion is for heroes and TV celebrities and maybe missionaries, but not for you.

Be a little quieter, they say.

I say, look to the geeks. Look to the otaku, the nerds, the fans constantly saturated in their fandoms. Look especially to those unafraid to tell the world about what they love. See their passion? They've tasted the wonders of enjoying something without reserve.

I say, look to the martyrs. Look to the men, women, and even children who are beaten and killed for their passionate faith in places like Nepal, Turkey, Senegal, and Somolia. They face painful persecution for sharing their beliefs, but they share it anyway. They know that, in Jesus, they can find more joy and life than found in anything else.

I say, be passionate. Live abundantly. Feel deeply. Love fully. Be who you were made to be.

Yes, do.

Be passionate.

Divine(ish) Characters Clash in Hunter x Hunter

This is one of many frames in episode 128 that gives a sense of divinity to the
whole situation, and Meruem in particular. Also, this beauty is one reason I was
so trigger-happy with the screenshots last week.

Just in case you somehow missed it, Hunter x Hunter has been dripping with references to religion and deity lately. I have several screenshots from the most recent episode which display it, but it's not limited to episode 128, or even to the King (aka Meruem). I think it's worth taking a few minutes to explore.

First off, there's Netero, chairman of the Hunters Association. His character is a walking, fighting reference to Buddhism, and even we Westerners have very little excuse for missing it. I have very limited education on Buddhism, so my explanation of the connections will be, at best, sparse, and I highly recommend using your favorite search engine for more thorough information. But here are the connections I've been able to make:

The first clue is his ears. Those long earlobes are typical in portrayals of buddhas and bodhisattvas. I've read a couple of reasons for the long ears. The primary reason is apparently the Buddha's past princehood. He would have worn heavy earrings and jewelry like other people of his station before he gave it all up. After his "enlightenment," the earrings were gone, but the ears remained stretched. There are also associations with him being all-hearing and such... again, I highly recommend you research this yourself.

If the ears aren't enough, then Netero's 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva (Japanese is Hyakushiki Kannon) should alert even the least informed Western teenager to the fact that there's something religious going on. I mean, first of all, in order to develop this move, Netero went through intense training with a lot of praying and mediation, as shown several episodes ago. 

Then there's the ability's name. I don't recognize the "Guanyin" part from my past education, but bodhisattvas are Buddhist saints - enlightened ones who have refrained from entering Niravana themselves in order to help others reach enlightenment. A little research shows that Guanyin (aka Avalokitesvara or Kannon) is one of the most famous bodhisattvas, and has become known as a goddess of mercy (although Guanyin used to be portrayed as a prince). 

Episode 125, the King fights Netero. Behind, you see the
manifestation of his 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Basically, the name "100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva" is important. But even without then name, the imagery makes it stand out. It's gold and bright, for one thing. It has many arms, something I recognize from Eastern religious icons. A quick Google search refers me to a legend in which Guanyin is given a thousand arms to help her reach everyone in need. 

So, yeah, Netero is tied to Buddhism and one particularly well-known, powerful bodhisattva. That's a rather divine connotation. Plus, while he and the King fight, music reminiscent of old Western church choirs plays in the background. 

But the King proves to be a worthy opponent - perhaps even superior. That's scary, since, despite his changing heart, murder is still an important part of his plans. If Netero has supernatural ties, then what does this imply about the King? 

When Netero stops his own heart, setting off the bomb, I hope the King is really dead. Sure, he's gotten nicer, but he's not exactly Mother Theresa, and I don't think anyone besides Netero has a chance of stopping him by force.

At the beginning of episode 128, the King looks dead. His appendages are gone, leaving only his upper torso and head. Both Youpi and Pouf are sobbing. But then... they notice a sign of life. Pouf starts feeding himself to the King. Youpi sees the improvement and joins the effort, liquifying his cells to drip into the King's mouth. They are the most delicious food the King has ever tasted, and that flattery delights them.

So, the King basically comes back to life. Deity point 1.

"Absolute being," huh? I think that's a slight exaggeration, but
I admit this episode makes Meruem look rather absolute.

He now wants to be called by his name, Meruem, which means "the light that shines on everything" (source: wiki). Deity point 2.

He's golden as he comes back to life, like an idol. Deity point 3.

There is a generally heavenly/divine environment: sky, winged creatures, columns reminiscent of Mount Olympus, golden background, etc. Deity point 4.


The wings may remind us of angels, but Meruem's royal guards, especially Youpi and Pouf, are a lot more like demons. Meruem's moral identity isn't set in stone yet - there is still a possibility of him becoming good (if, in fact, good really exists in this show). He isn't exactly a god, and he's certainly not up to snuff by Christian standards (sorry, Meruem, but we know the real God, and you're... pathetic next to Him). From what I've seen, there is no real god in Hunter x Hunter's world. But Meruem certainly seems godlike, and it's hard to imagine his defeat.

In fact, it's hard to imagine any satisfactory resolution right now. Will they be able to negotiate peace with Meruem? He promised Netero that he would limit human sacrifice and allow for survival of the human race, but can he be convinced to do even more? And how? By who? Certainly not by Gon - not the way Gon is now. Will Komugi have more influence?

Will they need to physically defeat Meruem? And how in the world can anyone manage that? It will take scores of episodes before anyone's ready to kill him - maybe even hundreds.

I knew that any battle with Netero, and especially between Netero and Meruem, would take Hunter x Hunter to a new level. But this... this is unexpected. The world order is being threatened by a superhuman being, a being whose traits are implied to be divine. The man renowned as the strongest Hunter in the world died trying to take him out. From what I've seen so far, even with serious teamwork, none of the other central characters stand a chance against the King of the Chimera Ants. Maybe, just maybe, Ging Freecss and some other powerful Hunters can do something, but they're not in the picture at the moment.

When Hunter x Hunter characters start looking divine, and Gon and Killua aren't among them, I'm forced to reevaluate my predictions. My new evaluation? I need to hold my guesses loosely and make no bets. This is approaching Naruto Shippuden-level epicness, except there is no promised savior rising to prominence. I no longer know what to expect.  

Origins: Geek

As I mentioned last week, I'm changing the schedule a bit. Rewind posts will come every two weeks. I batted around a few ideas for what I'll do in the off weeks, and before I settled on anything I was completely satisfied with... it was Friday again. So, I'd like to introduce you to the new Origins column. Depending on your response, it may come every other Friday. It will feature background information related to blogging, geekdom, anime... you get the picture. This first Origins post comes courtesy of one of the most infamously difficult classes in my major, a class in which we studied... wait for it... the origins of the English language. I loved that class.

Anyway, prologue over. Read on, and don't forget to let me know what you think!

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"What are some examples of words that have ameliorated over the years?" asked my professor. 

Several people chimed in with words that have better connotations than they used to. My contribution, of course, was "geek."

My professor thought about that for a second, and some of my classmates voiced dissent. They agreed that Best Buy's Geek Squad probably helped the word become a little more positive. But overall, it's still considered insulting in many circles.

This surprised me. Since we had to study the origins of ten words for an assignment, I put "geek" on the top of my list (the next word, of course, was "nerd" - I didn't ask if "otaku" could be used in this English word study, partially because I'd already let my geeky inclinations come out a lot in this class). I reported my findings in my assignment. Now, I share them with you, just in case you're as curious as me:

I was surprised to realize that, for many, geek is still an insult, so I looked into its origins. Ironically, it derives from the word “geck,” meaning “a fool, simpleton, one who is befooled or derided, a dupe,” as it was used in the 1500s (Simpson 6: 416-417). It is related to the North Sea Germanic and Scandinavian verb meaning “to croak, cackle,” and “mock, cheat” (Harper). 

In the last 150 years, dictionary definitions have edged toward the word I recognize. In 1876, geek was interchangeable with “Gawk, Geek, Gowk, or Gowky, a fool; a person uncultivated; a dupe.” It’s not a large stretch from there to the stereotypical image of a thirty-year-old geek in his mother’s basement. A 1915 definition is even closer, as geek meant a “person lacking animation” or, as a sub-definition, “an unsociable or over diligent student” (Lighter). By 1983, teens used geek to describe “peers who lacked social graces but were obsessed with new technology and computers” (Harper). Its use has since expanded to include other obsessions.  

For the past three years, I have associated with geekdom online, particularly with those who identify themselves as anime geeks (or otaku, but that’s another word). This online culture is bound by interest and internet access rather than nationality, and it has developed a broader register, with more specific vocabularies in specialized areas fandom. We adopt titles like geek, originally meant as an insult, to give us a sense of identity and belonging. I think it expanded beyond technological geeks because the rest of us need a title to belong to, too, and this generalization has given us a feeling of strength in numbers.  

---Sources--
Simpson, J.A., and E.S.C. Weiner. "Geck" and "Geek". The Oxford English Dictionary. VI. Oxford: 1989.
Harper, Douglas. "Geek." Online Etymology Dictionary.
Lighter, J.E. "Geek." Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang. 1. New York: 1994.

Hunter x Hunter and Moral Sides

[Spoilers through episode 127. I wrote most of this before I watched the latest ep, which I may write about in the next couple days]
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Hunter x Hunter has blown me away with its recent episodes. The character development is masterfully done. Gon, the kind, merciful twelve-year-old kid from episode 1, has all but vanished. The light in his eyes is gone, replaced by, well... this:

On a more technical note, the animation has impressed me lately,
especially with how they portray Gon. I have a lot of screenshots
of him, since they've combined facial expressions, shadowing, and
angles in effective, heart-wrenching ways.

The screenshot above is from episode 116, in which we begin to see the ruthlessness, the anger, and the thirst for revenge that consume Gon. In this episode and more recent ones, I've searched his eyes for some sign that he's just pretending to be coldhearted. But his eyes are hard, his face shadowed by darkness. 

He's willing to hold Komugi, a sweet injured blind girl, hostage. And he seems pretty willing to actually follow through and hurt her. Again, I want to believe this is some cover tactic. But Gon's not that experienced with deception. I don't think he can act that well.

Right now, Gon is acting a whole lot like a bad guy. Look, I know he's been through a lot. I know he's upset about Kite. But that's no excuse. Actually, he could probably use a nice little talk about the drawbacks of revenge and hate from Naruto right now. Unfortunately, Naruto lives in a completely separate world (although I think his show could spare him right now, given his recently limited screen time).

Meanwhile, we've got Pitou, a Chimera Ant and known killer, protecting Komugi with her life... she is a bad guy, right? Maybe I need to go back and watch some of what she did to Kite, to help me regain perspective. Supposedly, she only cares about Komugi because the King cares for the girl. But right now, I'm starting to wonder about that.

The last dozen or more episodes begin to blur the moral lines between protagonists and antagonists. It's normal for anime bad guys to soften and become good guys. But Hunter x Hunter goes further than usual, forcing the audience to reconsider how they measure good and bad. It certainly can't be by race or stage of evolution (yes, Hunter x Hunter includes Darwinian evolution as an accepted part of the world, but that's for another post). A few chimera ants converted to the good side many episodes ago: Colt, Meleoron, Ikalgo. The King and Pitou are both becoming more sympathetic. More importantly, at the end of 126, the narrator suggests that Netero questions the real difference between Chimera Ants and Humans.

Netero - that's another example. Yes, we all love the ancient martial artist. But let's face it: he's ruthless. He won't consider sparing the King's life, and it's not just because the King is too dangerous. Rather, he has a job to complete, whether or not he completely agrees with it. He nearly kills the King without telling him his name, which he's longed to know. And, in the end, he uses a bomb implanted in him to kill the King and himself in one big explosion. Sure, he's awesome and heroic and all, but... perhaps such an action shows he is not as different from the Chimera Ants as we'd like to think.

Look at the royal guard: Yes, their moral compasses are warped. So far, they are completely devoted to what they perceive as the King's needs. There is no higher moral standard in their lives. Yet Youpi showed some respect and mercy with Knuckle. Pitou, as I already said, is almost emotionally invested in Komugi. And all three - Youpi, Pitou, and Pouf - are dedicated to their King emotionally and dutifully. Youpi and Pouf's response to the King's death is almost heartbreaking, especially knowing what we do about the King's softening heart. I dread their vengeance, for they look ready to fully embrace their demonic selves. Pitou's response still hangs in the balance.

Youpi, the big one, holds his king's remains, as Pouf's frantic
clones rush toward him. One of many heart-tugging, beautifully
animated scenes in episode 127.

Some of this is just good character development. But I think Hunter x Hunter is calling us to consider the distinctions between good and evil more deeply. How do you characterize good? By intentions? Being on the side you support? Emotions? Palatability? Is there a higher moral standard? Or is it all relative, based on the choices of individuals, groups, or cultures? Do the ends ever justify the means?

I don't know exactly what answers Hunter x Hunter will arrive at. It would appear, at least, that it's frowned upon to forget mercy entirely and resort to murder quickly.

Many of us, both in America and cultures across the world, live in a philosophically postmodern world. Moral boundaries are ambiguous, based on what's "right" for each individual or society. As a Christian, I try to stay alert to the postmodern messages around me. I believe that there is a higher moral standard, set by God. Sure, the morals are occasionally applied differently for different people and cultures. Because of that, I do agree that there are "grey areas," with room for interpretation. But I also believe that, the more a person studies the Bible and seeks godly understanding, the less grey situations will be. God is a God of justice, but also of mercy and love. Most people instinctively value each of those qualities. And, despite the corruption from our sin nature (the ultimate genetic disease), most people display at least some degree of justice, mercy, and love. So it makes sense that bad guys would be capable of showing some love, even if it's twisted love, as Pouf shows for the King (and becomes even more apparent in episode 128).

While villains are naturally able to show some good traits (in reality, this is because all humans are created in the image of God), ultimately, there are two sides: God's side and everyone else. Those who put their faith in Jesus as their savior and follow God will live eternally. They're on the winning team. Everyone else, like Satan, is living on borrowed time. There is a difference between the two.

We who follow God should strive, with His help, to obey Him. This includes cultivating some of the same traits He has, very similar to the ones a younger, more innocent Gon displayed: a strong sense of justice, value for life, love, and mercy. Like the [emotionally healthy] shounen hero, we should try to win over those who pit themselves against us and our Lord. So, yes, all you non-Christians who read this blog, be aware: I'm trying to win you over. I'm not as diligent as I ought to be, and, all too often, I write a too much for my own glory, rather than for God's. But I really want you to come on over to God's side of the line. Come to the bright side. We have cookies... sometimes. Actually, there can be a lot of hardship associated with this side. But, like most shounen protagonists, we also have the ultimate victory, so I recommend it.

I take interest in fights between good and evil, whether the conflict is internal or external, and Hunter x Hunter has both. I don't expect this anime's representation of moral conflict to be completely accurate (that would require acknowledgement of the Lord God). But I do hope that the "good guys," including Gon and Killua, will distinguish themselves by acting in mercy and love. I hope to see Gon redeemed from the hate that consumes his heart, and fully restored to the more recognizable "good guy" character. And I really hope that many of the current "bad guys" will join him. 

Rewind: Servant x Service

Just finished finals week. I'm excited to blog more again, but, at the moment, I admit I'd rather just veg out and recover my strength. 

I re-watched a couple episodes of Servant x Service near the end of the semester, when the stress started to get to me. I needed to laugh, and this show was one of the best ways to reach that goal. As I wrote back in September, Servant x Service is based on the manga by Takatsu Karino, the same mangaka behind Working!!, another of my favorite comedy anime. Something about her humor makes me laugh throughout every episode. It's probably the ridiculous characters. It's not the annoying type of ridiculous (I'm looking at you, One Piece), just the type that makes me think, "If that character can get a job, even a fictional one, then maybe I can, too!" 

But it's not just the laughter that draws me to Servant x Service. The relationship between Yamagami Lucy (abbreviated name) and Hasabe Yutuka is wonderful to watch. Yes, he teases her a lot, and yes, it counts as sexual harassment, and no man should mimic that part of his character if he wants a girl to like him. But he's also sweet and insightful. 

In episode 3, Hasabe discovers Yamagami is scared of thunder and
lightning. He lends her his MP3 player and headphones so she can't
hear the thunder and directs her to an area out of sight, so other
employees won't notice her fear.

Yamagami is self-conscious about her name, her body, her name, her personality, and her very long name. She doesn't see herself clearly because of it, and she can't accept that her peculiarities might actually endear her to people, rather than make them look down on her. This is one reason it's so hard for her to believe that Hasabe actually likes her and is asking her out for the right reasons... or that it's okay for someone like her to be in a relationship. She's naive, too -- when coworkers caution her to be wary of Hasabe's "true intentions" for taking her out to eat, she asks if he's trying to make her fat, as revenge for turning him down. 

Hasabe doesn't try to make her suddenly gain confidence so he can date her. Instead, he looks out for her and takes her out to eat because "it's normal for coworkers to eat together." He's sensitive to her worries and her naiveté in his own way. He acts nonchalant about it most of the time, especially if Yamagami reacts negatively to his attempts to express serious feelings. Many characters misinterpret his intentions, sure that he's incapable of treating a girl right. But, by the end, there's no hiding it: slacker genious Hasabe-san seriously cares for Yamagami Lucy Kimiko Akie Airi Shiori Rinne Yoshiho Ayano Tomika Chitose Sanae Mikiko Ichika (yes, that's all one girl's name... she became a civil servant to hunt down the civil servant who let her parents put that name on a document).

In episode 9, Hasabe tries to spell out his feelings for Yamagami,
who still doesn't quite get it. 

I have only one significant complaint about Servant x Service: Yamagami's chest is used as a source of comedy. Somehow, they manage not to completely offend me. It doesn't feel too fanservice-y. But I'm a bit conservative about these things, so I'd have liked it if Takatsu could have chosen a different joke.

My lesser complaint: Yoko and her brother complex can be a bit annoying.

Obviously, neither complaint significantly affects my enjoyment of this show. 

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Housekeeping:

I'm home for the summer! Even if I get a job, I should have much more free time and brain energy for the next couple months. So I plan to blog more again. However, I don't want to do a Rewind post every week anymore. I'm going to make it every other week, and start a new series in between... I don't know what that new series will be, but I'm going to make it something more thoughtful. Maybe "Letters to Characters" or a Christian perspective thing. That second idea takes more work, though, and even if I get several posts queued up over the summer, it could be hard to keep up when school starts again. Besides, when I have brain energy, I do those super-thoughtful posts a lot more often, anyway, and don't limit them to one day a week. We'll see what I end up doing.