Keeping Up with the Joneses
I think its high time I catch my readers up with what I’m watching now. This season for anime has actually been pretty good to me. There are at least three shows that I am enjoying so I want to share them with you. I won’t do an order of which I like best but I have a feeling that those who actually read my posts will be able to tell.
I like this show and as so many have pointed out, it has a Black Lagoon feel to it. Its drawn in a very similar style and the characters have similar personalities especially when they’re fighting. It takes more of a realistic approach to the child soldier story line with the main characters, Jonah and her name is Koko (she is loco), are full of contradictions. Jonah is the child soldier with Koko employing him in her services while at the same time acting as a big sister and wanting to educate him. As a child soldier, though Jonah exhibits supreme competence in his fighting, he can’t do basic math problems. He’s also afraid of needles which completely baffles the other employees of Koko. The fighting scenes are pretty impressive with Jonah being able to sense enemies and use tactics that appear wise beyond his years. We have gotten some backstory on Jonah and how he has ended up this way. Koko’s backstory is also pretty interesting but am more intrigued to find out how Jonah will end up.
This chick is scary!
“Is the pain too great? I don’t remember cutting your throat!”
Sakamichi no Apollon
This is a season favorite for many with the complicated love triangle, the interspersing of jazz sessions, and the awkwardness of high school boys leads to a delicious concoction. We’ve got a high-strung drummer in Sentaro and a socially incompetent (at times) pianist in Kaoru. Then we have the shadow who is the love interest of Kaoru. Seriously, am I the only one who doesn’t notice that Ritsuko is a pretty one-dimensional character? She is probably the least interesting character of this show. The show has also managed to incorporate relationships with parents albeit topically, the interactions are still there which I always find to be missing in anime. I’m still a bit unsure of where this show is going but I will continue to stick along for the ride.
When I first started watching this show, I was not too keen on it. I was annoyed by Mutta’s insistence that he be better than his brother simply because he is older. I understand this is an aspect of Japanese culture but Mutta with his constant whining and harping on the matter was grating to be my sensibilities. Though, Mutta is about 30 years old, this is still a coming of age story. We are watching Mutta grow and mature into himself (or so it seems). I’m definitely rooting for him and his brother, Hibito. I want them both to succeed and follow their dreams. It is definitely coming across as a feel-good story and I look forward to each episode. On a side note, my hair looks like Mutta’s on a daily basis.
To avoid this post becoming a quite long and possibly boring read; I’ll just list the rest of the shows with short descriptions.
Accel World - Honestly, I’m kind of bored by this show. Nothing seems to be happening to further the story along. I’m in it for the long haul since I’ve watched it halfway through.
Zetman – This has a cool premise, its very dark, and there is a tons of mystery involved.
Avatar: The Legend of Korra – Though not 100% anime, it is a fusion of anime and Western cartoons which works for me. I don’t feel it blows The Last Airbender out of the water and I’m not entirely invested in Korra but its still a pretty cool watch.
Tsuritama - I can’t believe I didn’t put this show on the first time around with this post. I absolutely adore this show. It’s quirky, silly, and fun. The colors are beautiful and the story is extremely cute. I’m so glad Yuki has been making that creepy face less and less.
Image from wanabrar.com
So what are you guys watching? Are you enjoying this season so far or are you ready to move on to Summer Anime?
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Soothing the Spirit
Music has the power of healing. This is not just a cliched saying. I have seen it happen, I have felt it happen. People are moved by music in a way that cannot be done by merely speaking. Sakamichi no Apollon has been showing its viewers the power of music. It really brought the jazz in the last episode and had me bobbing my head and snapping my fingers. It saved the show and came to the rescue of one of the minor characters. My Favorite Things by John Coltrane and is a classic. It is one of my favorite pieces of music, always has been. Nowadays we are inundated with noise that hides under the guise of music. No live instruments and its not even people’s real voices anymore. Just a lot of flash with no substance. I really love the justice and respect Sakamichi no Apollon gave to My Favorite Things. They really rocked it out (pun intended). I really like that the show is introducing a new generation to jazz. This song has always soothed me when I was feeling down. It brings me right back up. Sentaro’s playing of the drums in the show’s version is magnificent. Lots of energy and spirit, “like two princes having a good-natured argument” or something along those lines.
This show is a refreshing change of pace in regards to the anime shows dealing with high school characters. In some ways these characters seem mature beyond their years but then you get a glimpse of their immaturity in how they react to situations. The irrational outbursts, the over-analyzing situations, the insecurity though prevalent in all ages; they are magnified as a teenager. But what is consistent throughout the ages is the love of music. The love that will have people stop what they are doing to listen to you. The power that rebuilds a relationship, a friendship and to speak for two idiots who have no idea how to use words. They can’t tell each other how they feel so they talk it out on the piano and drums.
There have been many times when I have just not been having a good day. Times when I just want to sit in a corner and read a feel-good book. I will find the music that I know will lift my spirits; usually gospel, upbeat jazz, and/or salsa. I’ve got a thing for saxophones, guitars, pianos, drums, tambourines, and soulful voices. Music enriches your life and I don’t think I have met anyone who doesn’t enjoy music. We may have different tastes but we all like to turn on music. A lot of modern music has its roots in jazz and/or the blues and if you listen closely you can hear sampling in many popular songs. Personally, I prefer the originals. And you know what, so far it looks like Sakamichi no Apollon is an original.
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Rooftop Prince
Why am I watching this? This isn’t anime! As some of you know, dear readers, I will stray from my anime fandom and watch a K-drama. Ok, granted, I’ve only watched one in full, dabbled in a couple of others. I blame Crunchyroll for introducing me to K-dramas. They knew I would click on it eventually. They knew! Alas, they are not to blame for me watching Rooftop Prince. That is all my fault for exploring Viki, a site that legitimately fansubs shows. Should I be embarrassed as a self-professed anime fan for watching K-dramas? Does that take away my authenticity of being an anime-fan? You know, I’ve heard there is a certain criteria to be an anime fan.
If there is such a criteria, I probably don’t meet it. But I do meet the criteria of someone who loves to be amused and Rooftop Prince is highly entertaining. It’s funny that I can like a K-drama but won’t watch an American soap opera. They’re very similar with the over-dramatized acting, the scheming characters, the plot twists, the beautiful women and the handsome men. There is something special about Rooftop Prince. It is absolutely ridiculous! I wish I could think of an anime that is similar to it for those who don’t watch K-dramas to get an idea of its absurdity.
A Crown Prince is transported 300 years in the future after his wife’s untimely death (murder). He then encounters women who are reincarnations of his dead wife and her sister. He also assumes or decides to assume he was brought back to take the place of another character, Tae-Yong, who was murdered by his cousin. That little description barely touches everything else. Then you have Bak-Ha who ended up in the USA after her stepsister abandoned her in a truck that had an unfortunate accident. Loads of things don’t make sense or add up in the show such as why the Crown Prince won’t just look in the history books to find out what happened after he transported to the future. Another is that Bak-Ha doesn’t seem to know Korean history regarding the Crown Prince. One would think a Crown Prince disappearing, a Crown Princess being murdered would have been notable enough for the history books. Keep in mind, I haven’t gotten past the halfway mark so who knows, this may all be revealed! I just can’t figure out why I like this show when it is so unbelievably preposterous. I have found myself laughing so hard at the screen, not just because of its daffiness but because its actually quite funny for a drama.
Apparently one of the stars is Micky Yoochun who is the member of JYJ, a Korean boy band, I have never heard of but has a lot of 
the female fans squealing. This guy makes the ladies scream. I don’t know if part of my interest has to do with reading the comments from the fans every time he does anything that appears remotely sweet. Personally, I like my men a bit bigger, more hair on the face, you know, a bear. GRRRR! But I could see him having a certain appeal. I feel like such a tween watching this show. This can’t be a show a mature, young lady should be watching. I should be doing grown-up things such as posting about Sakamichi no Apollon and Uchu Kyodai. Don’t worry, I will probably blog about that but right now you all get to hear me talk about one of my secret pleasures. And maybe I fantasize about eating the meals they seem to be always having in K-dramas. In fact, characters in anime and K-dramas always seem to be eating delicious food. What is up with that? I shall continue to watch Rooftop Prince to find out what other shenanigans the characters are going to get into, who else is going to die, see more fantastical plot twists (Who thinks of these things?), and check out their fashions.
I assure you, I haven’t crossed over to the dark side…yet.
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R.I.P Disco Queen
This is an updated post: Thanks to Cajun Samurai and Justin, I have been told of the connection between Donna Summer and anime. I will admit that I am an anime fan that did not watch Pokemon (yeah, I know, how is that possible?) but my goodness, the song is so beautiful! Cajun Samurai posted a video of the song. I initially stated that Donna Summer was not an anime fan that I knew of and this still may be true but she contributed to the anime community. This bit of information made me even sadder than I was initially.
I do have interests outside of anime and music is one of them. Though Donna Summer was before my time, I still loved her music. Disco was dead by the time I was born but somehow I stumbled across Donna Summer. This wasn’t too difficult as her songs were played everywhere, loudspeakers in grocery stores, ballgames, movies, you name it. This flashy woman with the beautiful voice and the rocking moves had music that spanned the ages. With her svelte figure, fantastic weaves, rocking guitar riffs in her songs, and letting you know she worked hard for the money, Donna Summer was one of my idols. I remember thinking as a little girl how cool Donna Summer looked and how I wished that I could pull off her sultry look. Of course, I didn’t realize until I was older how sexy her lyrics were; I just thought she sounded good. My mother always said I had an old soul but it was funny as a child that I listened to Donna Summer while my friends knew all the rap lyrics. Well, Donna Summer, you will be missed but I’m glad you left music for me to continue to remember you by. Toot toot, honey.
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B-Lifestyle in Japan
I learn something new everyday. With my interest in anime, an interest in Japan has also fostered. Japan has a reputation of being “weird” and even now I still find it hard to believe that it is just full of quirky people. I’m pretty sure its full of more “normals” than anything. I came across a video with a concept that I had not heard of before and that is the B-Lifestyle or Black Lifestyle. According to this YouTube video, this lifestyle consists of individuals going to the tanning salon, wearing their hair in certain styles, dressing in hip-hop styles to get as close to being Black as possible. I find it interesting that their idea of being Black is based on those in the hip-hop community.
The B-Lifestyle is not a tribute to Black people. It is more of an appreciation of the hip-hop fashion and lifestyle. Hina, the girl interviewed in this video commented that the Black women in hip-hop clothing look good wearing them while Japanese women would look “vulgar”. In the video, they connected Hina’s hair becoming “frizzy” as the start of her interest in Black Hip-Hop culture. For Hina, hip-hop equals Black.
Now, I initially cringed at this but is it any different than an American who wears traditional Japanese style clothing everyday? Granted, I’ve never seen one but who’s to say they don’t exist. Hina’s mother also made a good point; Hina is still young and may grow out of this lifestyle. Now I’ve looked for more information about this lifestyle but it has been thus far elusive. According to the video, Hina is only one of many of Japanese who follow this lifestyle. They have Black nights which I am assuming they party where nothing but hip-hop is being played and they dress like they dropped out of a 50 cent music video. It’s interesting that I hear so much about Japan being a restrictive place but there are so many people who have lifestyles that would be laughed out or frowned upon in the States. What makes Japan so different?
Watch the clip, tell me what you think.
