Shinmoedake Volcano Erupts
01 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in Japan News
Just saw an AP story about a volcanic eruption in southern Japan. The Shinmoedake volcano first erupted last Wednesday, but the recent blast was reportedly five times larger. Residents of Takaharu weren’t ordered to evacuate–how crazy. Let’s pray for their safety.
It seems like every time I turn around, there’s a new natural disaster devastating parts of the world I really want to visit.
Cat Street is Life… Love… Perfection
29 Jan 2011 1 Comment
in Anime/Manga, Reviews
Volume 1 of Cat Street
My review writing skills are getting a little rusty with my growing pile of responsibilities for my capstone and journalism classes, but it’s back to the blog thanks to my Radio and TV Internet Applications class. Oh, the joys of mandatory blogging.
Over the break I had a little time for reading and stumbled upon a gem of a manga called Cat Street. I was a little hesitant after reading the description (trust me, you can judge a manga by its cover) on Manga Fox, but it’s popularity rank gave me enough incentive to click through and… it hit me. The storyline, the characters, the dialogue–it sucked me in all at once.
The story opens with 16-year-old Keito Aoyama, a has-been child star who broke under pressure during her broadway debut. After years of withdrawing from society, she is approached by a mysterious man with an elusive offer: Attend a free school for special students and escape her hermit existence. Despite her resistance, an old classmate pops into the picture and encourages her to start a new life. Keito begins a total transformation of the heart when she makes friends for the first time and rediscovers the joys of being a kid.
“Slice-of-life” is one of those genres of manga that can either really resonate with a reader or completely bomb. And when you add an idealistic shoujo romance to the mix, it’s usually a recipe for disaster. However, Cat Street differs from other mangas of this genre by steering away from storybook romance and into the psychology of the teenage brain. I mean, love doesn’t have one definition in real life, and Cat Street understands this by revealing multiple love triangles and interests–from school girl crush to soul mate lovers, Cat Street grabs your heart through the pain (and the bliss) of falling in love.
The best part? Keito doesn’t grow up in 3 volumes. The author, Kamio Youko, takes her time (as she most
I can die happy now.
famously does in Boys Over Flowers) and lets the readers watch Keito complete high school before she realizes where her heart belongs. I can’t tell you how many titles I’ve read where the heroine starts off messed up and is suddenly cured and in love by the end of volume 2. It’s just not realistic!
And you won’t want Cat Street to end when you meet the yummy male love interests! Taiyou, Rei, and Kouichi each embody different personalities of the typical high school boyfriend, but you’ll never be able to guess what happens next thanks to creative plot twists and turns.
Keito isn’t my favorite shoujo heroine, but by the end of the series, I was content with her transformation and new-found appreciation for life. Also, the art could be cleaner in some panels, but I know every mangaka can’t be a Matsui Hino.
Overall, Cat Street is one of those rare titles that will change your outlook on manga forever. I can barely pick up a cheese-filled one shot without craving the drama of Cat Street. Don’t believe me? Read a few chapters and tell me you aren’t obsessed!
Liz’s Rating: ★★★★★
Japanese commercials
09 Dec 2010 1 Comment
If this doesn’t explain why commercials for products in Japan are so amazing, I don’t know what else does!
S.P.Y makes swimming sexy
02 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Anime/Manga, Reviews
I’ve been vegging out on shoujo manga a lot lately for a few reasons…
1) No more work – I finished my last day at McKinney Today last Thursday so I’ve had some time to catch up on my reading. Only one week until I’m back in Columbia working, so I’m trying to get my fix before senior year hits full force.
2) Asian Film Festival of Dallas – Instead of reviewing graphic novels this week for MangaLife.com, I was given assignments to review films for AFFD, which started last Thursday. I think reviewing films is a lot more intense than manga because I have less experience and I’m no “movie junkie” by any means. Either way, it’s exciting to get more experience with review writing.
3) The End of OM - Onemanga.com announced last Thursday that they would be shutting down their scanlation powerhouse site at the end of this week. While I understand the publishers have their rights, I will be sad to see OM go–I’ve read so many great titles and experienced new genres thanks to them. I hope the publishers will start similar sites up with subscription fees–I would rather pay $10 a month than $10 a book.
So in my quest to read as much as possible, I discovered S.P.Y, a beautifully drawn manga by Ayane Ukyou (author of Desire Climax, another great read). The story follows 16-year-old Nagi in her quest to reunite with her Olympic swimming gold medalist mother, who abandoned her and her father when she was born. After moving to Tokyo when her father finds a job in a high school dormitory, Nagi watches a handsome boy swim and begs him to coach her.
Aoi hesitantly agrees to help her after their high school swim club, dominated by boys, refuses to let Nagi join unless she can swim 25 meters after three days of lessons. Her sweet persistence and determination inspires those around her, even the cold Yuji, a rising model and swimmer with a secretive past.
Nagi, Aoi, and Yui are all likable and passionate characters, and their love triangle will have you yelling at the pages and sighing with happiness at the same time. The romance isn’t overly cheesy, and I must admit, there’s just something tantalizing about attraction in the water. Just look at the cover for volume 2 on the left side of this page–hormones are racing like crazy in this shoujo, but what amazes me is that there is no sex (or even close encounters) in the entire series (which is only 13 chapters). This is a stark contrast to Ukyou’s Desire Climax, which I’ll leave the title to speak for itself.
But the amazing thing about this shoujo is that it doesn’t need the characters to have sex or do super lovey dovey things that are characteristic of this type of genre. The manga is powerful in its own storytelling ability–even a soft hug or caress between Aoi and Nagi will have your heart pounding. The love is innocent, but not totally naive.
Even further: for once, there’s a shoujo with a heroine that isn’t obsessed with love or finding a boyfriend! I admire Nagi’s focus and longing for the motherly love she never had. The story revisits this theme numerous times through Nagi’s own maternal instinct toward Yuji and the swim team and her mother’s cold behavior in their first encounter. Despite Nagi’s abandonment issues, she presents herself as a character set on keeping promises and reaching her goals, no matter the hell she has to endure to get there.
I would classify S.P.Y as more of a josei (manga targeted toward older woman, see my post on this genre) than a shoujo because of its mature approach to family issues, relationships and real world life. Even though the characters are all high school students, its refreshing to read a title that takes a serious look at issues outside of high school crushes and also promotes self-sufficiency and achieving your dreams. As a short read, S.P.Y will make you take a step back from your own world and wonder if you’re on the right track to success, as well as how to channel Nagi’s positive energy into day to day life.
Liz’s Rating: ★★★★
Manga Life: Why we’re living it
25 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
What makes manga so special and unusual from any other type of comic book and cartoon in the world? Why do
A Naruto enthusiast/cosplayer gets her dance on at the Dallas A-Kon anime convention. Photo by Liz Reed.
we love that a character has blue hair, pink eyes, and a mouth half the size of her face? What drives people all over the world to gather at conventions dressed in full like their favorite characters, complete with ten-foot swords and spiked wigs?
In the following weeks, I hope to analyze why we love manga and what makes it “manga.” While it’s all a very subjective topic, I hope to look at the “essence” of manga, both Eastern and Western, broken down into the different components of a whole: Culture, Art, Characters, Plot and Dialogue, and Tone/Mood. While this may (and hopefully not begrudgingly so) remind you of high school English class, in any literature analysis you must look at these pieces of the puzzle if you wish to understand what makes manga a worldwide phenomenon. It isn’t just one component, but rather, the way each gear turns to get the machine in motion. Many of these gears may overlap, but all in all, you can’t really go forward without one or the other.
Goku's appetite provided the comic relief in Dragon Ball Z. Photo from http://media.photobucket.com/image/goofy%20goku/kinglame/2760393535_60e2c9060e.jpg.
I mean, if <cite>Goku</cite> or <cite>Usagi</cite> didn’t have their memorable one-liners and the ditzy personalities behind all their power, would <cite>Dragon Ball Z</cite> or <cite>Sailor Moon</cite> have become two of the most popular series in the history of anime/manga?
But what do I mean by Culture, Art, Characters, Plot and Dialogue, and Tone/Mood? How about I introduce “Culture,” as it’s the first component I’m eager to analyze in the world of manga. Using the oh-so-wise Wikipedia, we find that <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture target=”blank”> “Culture”</a>stems from the Latin colere, which means “to cultivate.” Wikipedia lists the following as definitions:
- Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture.
- An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning.
- The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group.
Now, applying this as a component of manga, I believe we can use a combination of all three. For the first definition, Japanese manga has collectively preserved the history of the country in pre-World War II <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration target=”blank”>(pre-Meiji)</a> and post-WWII <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration target=”blank”>( Meiji)</a>. Manga reflects high society, wartime society, children’s society, etc., etc. While many may not consider “manga” itself a fine art, it’s hard to argue that the stories and characters behind the art have influenced broadway plays, feature length films, and even actual novels that gain national attention and awards.
For the second and third definitions, Japanese manga itself embodies cultural customs, relationships, values, and landscapes that enchant readers worldwide. This demonstration of tradition and principles entices me as a reader, and I know I can’t be alone. It’s exciting and fresh… it’s <cite>exotic</cite>.
Sailor uniforms, Tokyo Tower, Christmas as a “romantic” holiday, the honorifics san, sama, chan, etc., and the
You can hardly open a manga without seeing a character wearing a sailor uniform somewhere. Photo courtesy Flickr user unforth
offbeat cultural jokes are only a few traits I can begin to think about when I envision “manga.” I love learning about Japanese culture and school life when I pick up a new title—it’s much more striking and romantic than the American lifestyle I’ve always known. To me, the relationships and romance of shoujo manga is more intense and intriguing than that of American TV shows like <cite>Gossip Girl</cite>because of the cultural differences. The reserved, I-must-protect-her-virtue nature of shojou bishounen characters are much more chivalrous and charming than the hormone-crazed teenagers America is known for.
But how does this all play into the growing popularity of <a href=http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerimanga target=”blank”> Amerimanga</a> (Original English-language manga, commonly used to describe comic books or graphic novels in the “international manga” genre of comics whose language of original publication is English), Korean manhwa, Chinese manhua, French la nouvelle manga, etc.? Let’s explore further in “Culture,” the first in the series of feature in which I hope to discover the relationship of Eastern and Western manga, how this dynamic may impact the future, and if Japanese manga is truly the irreplaceable form.
Hot shojo: Kimi ni Todoke
18 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
in Anime/Manga, Reviews
Are you tired of the same old shojo storyline? You know, the average school girl with a big heart, the “perfect” bishonen (pretty boy) guy with the looks, brains, and build and that sappy confession, all happening within the first few chapters?
Well Kami-sama has answered your prayers with Kimi ni Todoke (Reaching You), a hot manga by Shiina Karuho gaining popularity in the states.
Kuronuma Sawako, a girl feared for her creepy looks and socially awkward mannerisms, is befriended by Kazehaya Shota, the class star.
What makes Kimi ni Todoke so special? First off, the main character, Sawako, is far from your average shojo heroine. Her long black hair and pale skin remind her classmates of the horror movie character Sadako, a name they often call her out of confusion. This cleverly sets up many hilarious scenes throughout the progression of the storyline.
While Kazehaya Shota, Sawako’s crush and first friend, does fall into the bishonen stereotype of being incredibly attractive, nice to everyone and athletic, he stands out from other shojo men through writer Shiina’s close development of his feelings for Sawako. His internal struggle makes him the “dreamy” character we all grow to love.
Best of all, Kimi ni Todoke drags out the confession just right. In some mangas like Suki-tte Ii na yo, the confession seems too fast to really get your heart beating and understand the characters’ lives. In others like Skip Beat, you have to wait for what seems like forever for the characters to even realize their feelings, let alone confess.
Kimi ni Todoke develops, teases, develops, and delivers when the moment finally happens. You’ll find yourself swooning and wanting to reread the scene over and over–I know I did!
Kimi ni Todoke is still in production in Japan and consists of 10 graphic novels thus far. In 2008 it won the Best Shojo Manga award in the 32nd Annual Kodansha Manga Award.
You can read it on OneManga.com or pick up the novels in stores like Borders and Barnes and Noble. Even though the series is still going, I give it a 5/5 stars!
Liz’s rating: ★★★★★
Lolita fashion
11 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
in Fashion
Japanese fashion is notably versatile–from goth and harajuku to sweet lolita, school uniform and traditional culture, it’s hard to find a dull moment. My obsession with anime and manga probably adds to my fascination with Japanese street fashion, which features many styles that look like they’ve stepped straight off the pages of the latest comic book.
As you can see in the video, lolita fashion isn’t for the young, but symbolizes the eternal innocence and purity associated with childhood.
Japanese women dressed in Lolita fashion walk in front of the venue of the "Individual Fashion Expo.IV", a gothic, Lolita and punk fashion event, in Tokyo September 23, 2008. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN)
While most Americans who gear up in lolita attire mainly showcase the look at Cosplay events like conventions, Japanese women will wear lolita dresses any day of the week, to the mall or grocery store, even creating their own lolita clubs that meet for tea in parks.
Lolita is a very diverse and evolving fashion. The most popular forms are sweet, gothic, punk and classic. Each incorporates short, puffy dresses with Victorian-esque frills and tights.
But what distinguishes each style is the colors, materials and accessories paired with each dress.
For example, a sweet lolita style embraces more pinks and white lace while gothic embodies more blacks and mesh styles. Make up and wigs also give away which style the wearer wants to convey–whether that be heavy eyeliner, pink wigs, or glitter.
But lolita is not limited to those four categories, and many designers will mix and match styles to create new themes. Because most lolita wearers design and sew their own costumes, the fashion is constantly reinvented.
Sailor lolita combines elements of the Japanese school uniform, gothic and sweet lolita styles. Source: Lolitafashion.org
However, many Americans are embracing the culture through online shopping sites like lolitafashion.org. The site breaks down the elements of lolita, where to wear the fashion and how to tranistion between styles, like Casual to Ero, etc.
Because the American lolita community is so small and spread out, online forums like lolitafashion.org connect women around the world with fashion ideas, events and evolving trends in Japan.
With vast Internet communities introducing lolita to women everywhere, the style is gaining popularity. New American lolita fashions are emerging and featured during anime conventions and expos, only opening up Japan’s most intricate fashions to women tired of the American norms.
