As I sit in the final class:

I do have to say I really enjoyed this class as a whole, I never had this much prior knowledge to Manga nor Anime but I feel this class has expanded my horizons, and because of it I am very grateful. Thank you Mr. Steiling for facilitating a very enticing class!

Week Fourteen: Manga and Anime in the west

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read?
A: My first reaction reading this text gave me this eerie sense of uncertainty. There is talk of this magician man that lived over in the abandoned fair grounds. It ends up catching the attention of Yun Ai. At first I thought that this was going to take the form of a horror story, where our main character would end up perishing early. I was wrong, and as I continued to read I began to realize that its a story of this poverty stricken, and ill fortuned girl who ends up finding her solutions through magic.


2. What connections did you make with the story? Discuss what elements of the story with which you were able to connect?

A: I don't specifically know what this question is suppose to insinuate specifically, but I guess I can relate her inner dialogue. She was always lost in her thoughts and she would end up becoming more introverted due to this. This I found the most relatable out of her situation, but I could feel pity for her and the situations she would be placed in. And as she was able to progress in the story, and find help in the magician I found myself rooting for her.  

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium would you choose; what changes would you make?

A: If there was a way to translate this manga to another medium I have to say I would just take it into an animated platform. I believe with the use of animation, it could really push the story forward and add an element of life to the text that couldn't be done with a print based or solid image format. Although, I do have to say, I loved the use of variety in media and the use of photography that was integrated in the web comic. I feel it made it different than most I have read. 

4. In what ways does this story seem more adapted to an online environment?

A: This story really utilizes its online environment by working with the layout. Like Bridgette mentioned within the class setting, the ability to scroll adds an element to the story that wouldn't be available by looking at it as a static image. The first example that I can think of within the story that really captivated me was the moment where the magician made money appear, and as you scrolled you could see the money falling to the ground. It was quite ~magical~ to say the least. 

Hope you enjoyed my answers :)

Week Thirteen: Manga, Anime, and Japanese Culture

Although a tad bit late, during this week I had the opportunity to present the manga that inspired to take this class. Attack on Titan is an anime that made a lot of traction westward back in 2016.

In this manga, we are placed within a post apocalyptic manga series where humanity lives within territories that are surrounded by enormous walls that protect them from humanoid creatures. These creatures or the Titans intent are to attack the humans, and consume the human population for substance. The story follows Eren Jaeger, who lives within wall Mark.

After the death of Eren's mom, he joins the training corps with the intention to become a scout, and kill all the titans.Throughout his journey, he discovers that he has the ability to become the one thing he despised the most, a Titan. Throughout the series he uses this to his advantage to help the humans and to obtain his long desired goal.

I love many things about this anime, whether it be the story, the art style, or the dynamic camera angles that show the main characters soaring through the environment. Although this anime/ manga is quite mainstream in nature, it holds a special place in my heart. If it wasn't for this anime, I wouldn't be in this class inquiring on a variety of other manga and animes.

Week 11: Horror

So for this week we are going over the theme of Horror, and how its incorporated in Manga. I would like to start off my stating that I have no prior knowledge reading any horror manga. So when I began to read this weeks manga I went in completely blind.

So for starters, I read the first chapter of Tomie, an anime which goes over the death of a student Tomie that was murdered and slaughtered. At first the story starts off in the present, showcasing the somber nature of the teachers and students grieving over Tomie's death. We are then placed into the past and see the reason as to how Tomie died. I found the secret teacher relationship and Yamamoto's keen interest towards Tomie to be the most interesting aspect of the story. What I found to be the most disturbing aspect of at least the first chapter was the eagerness in the students to help the teacher disassemble Tomie,  and cut her into pieces. It made it for quite a twist that she was still alive and they proceeded to kill her anyways. I found this story's art style to match the dramatic and harsh nature of the plot.

I proceeded to continue to skim over the additional chapters of Tomie, and I began to realize that Tomie is this inhuman entity that always results getting dismembered. Each story there is some sort of male interested or entranced by Tomie which then they come to realize she isn't as  human as she comes off to be. Overall, this was a good first impression into the genre of horror and I was interested to see what other things were in store.

I then I attempted to read a few of the recommended horror manga from the Itou Junji Horror Comic Collection. I normally wouldn't even write that I attempted to read this, but I genuinely tried a variety of stories to read and I couldn't find the actual pages anywhere.

So in term, I was really intrigued by the horror manga, Tomie. It definitely helped me understand the type of story arch these types of manga follow, and like many other weeks I will be reading more for weeks to come!

Week 10: Isekai

As we go into Week 10, we explored the world of Isekai. Isekai is a popular genre of manga where the main protagonist suffers but will end up being transported from one world into another.

As a class we analyzed both a Manga and Anime to explore the world of Isekai. As a Manga we read The Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime. Within chapter one we are introduced to our main character, Satoru Mikami who ends up dying within the first few pages after being stabbed by an attacker. Satoru ends up dying, and being transformed into a slime-like life form. He then is challenged to figure out what his capabilities are in this new state. During this time he also encounters various monsters including a giant dragon that he can communicate with his mind.

This was my first time hearing and reading this manga so when I first began reading it I was intrigued right from the moment our main protagonist gets killed. The only thing I knew from the title was that our main protagonist became a slime at some point. Once I, the reader, then was exposed to the brand new world that Satoru was brought to my curiosity peaked. I will continue to read the rest of the chapters throughout the week due to its enticing nature.

We also analyzed the Anime The Boy and The Beast by Mamoru Hosota. In this we are introduced to Ren who comes into contact with Kumatetsu, a bear-like creature who is a skilled fighter looking for an apprentice. This tale reminded me a little of prior movies i've watched with the teacher/student archetype like Rocky or the Sorcerers Apprentice. This was my first time watching this movie, and I gotta say I really enjoyed the art! I know that the movie archetype is cliche, but it was still enticing!

Week 9: Akira and Ghost in The Shell

So for week nine we went over very iconic Manga and Anime that influenced the world of cyberpunk and influenced various other medias to come. As the Anime we went over we watched Akira. This movie was a great balance of incorporating various different story elements to make such a compelling story. It had the horror and whimsy of something like Stranger Things where there is a top secret government hiding a big secret from its citizens. However, it also incorporated the gang type of relationship that involved the teens partaking in small mischievous actions like something out of West Side Story. The environment had all the cyber punk elements of Blade Runner but also incorporating this alien-esque feel.  Out of everything though I feel my favorite part about the Anime was the stylistic way it was created. You could tell that it was made in the 80's by its cinematography, music score, and its overall futuristic yet grounded to earth content. I loved every minute of the movie and it definitely captured the cyberpunk world that was being showcased.

As for the Manga, we read Ghost in a Shell. I've heard of this manga before being asked to read it due to its insanely popular following. I believe as a manga, this captured perfectly this alternative cyber punk world where people are merged with machine. I personally loved the artistic style of the characters, but I also equally liked when the images would have a vintaged tinge of color to them. I was very enticed by the few chapters that I did read, and I see why it has such a "cult" following.

My Solo Exchange Diary 3/5

So in this manga (that the entire class read may I add) it tells the tale of Nagata Kabi who was the author of My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness. Within this Manga she goes into detail about her life and the struggles she encounters with being a manga artist living with her parents and having this craving for social interaction (particularly sexual).

Within the first entry of her "diary" she gives us an introduction to herself and her life situation. It's in this chapter that we are introduced to the main problem that Nagata is feeling which is this bone chilling cold she feels since she's alone. She also talks about although she is a successful manga writer that she is still struggling with her relationships back home and with money to pay for her basic necessities.

Within the second entry we see that Nagata is trying to find solutions to fix the chilling cold she feels. For instance, she will attempt to go to a bathing room to get warm (which works for a little) and then once she goes back into the outside world she remains cold again. It takes her hiring an escort for her to realize the cold she is feeling is actually just the coldness that comes with  being lonely.

Then within the third entry, we are introduced to her family life and the struggles she encounters with her family. She has dreams of wanting to have her own place but she's under strict jurisdiction of her parents as she lives under their roof. She didn't realize that she had accumulated almost 1million yen from her new years money, but she is still under pressure of her family. We also see that she has a poor relationship with her father and that her father is very verbally cold and abusive towards Nagata.

This series showcases this entertaining biography of Nagata's life and I feel I get a better understanding of her as a person by reading this. I will continue to read this manga since it's so entertaining and very charming.

Satellite Girl and Milk Cow 3/5

Well well. when I first walked into the class and this anime was playing I was at a loss for words. This movie tells the tale of a man that is turned into a milk cow after getting his heart broken. It's from here that we are introduced to the man's sentient dog, a wizard toilet paper, and Satellite Girl.

These four must stop the incinerator, which would kill various animal based people by throwing them in the fire. It's to no surprise that the incinerator is interested in killing our main protagonist, Milk Cow. With the help of these four we are introduced to this wacky world filled with the most bizarre logics.

I do have to say it was quite entertaining to witness. I was very confused,yet intrigued from the start and truthfully I didn't want the movie to end. It was bizarre in everyday imaginable (I mean there was literally a walking toilet paper wizard) and although the logic behind the movie was questionable, it was intriguing. I will definitely watch the rest of this movie after class ends.

Rose of Versailles

Durning class today we went over a series of Shojou manga and went over what makes a Shojou girl and what makes the story so iconic. The one manga that our group was given to read was "Versailles no Bara" or Rose of Versailles.

Within this manga, it tells the love story of a young teenager named Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, a girl raised as a man to become her father's successor as a leader in the palace guards. Oscar becomes a strong, combative leader torn between class loyalty and her desire to help the oppressed lower class. Overall she has to choose between being a militant or royal woman all while defining her relationships with Marie Antoinette, Count Axel von Fersen, and her friend Andre Grandier.

This manga definitely falls under the Shojou category since our main protagonist follows common Shojou tropes. This includes having an unconventional childhood, being independent, and being blindsided to love.

I really enjoyed reading at least the first few chapters and will continue to read it within then future!

https://mangakakalot.com/manga/acuj3179546

Horimiya

Horimiya:

Out of the series of 25 various types of Romance Manga given to us, I decided to explore Horimiya by HERO. After researching, I found out Horimiya is an ongoing manga that has an extensive number of volumes. For blog purposes, I decided to dive in to a few of the volumes to get a good look at the world of Horimiya.

Horimiya is under the category titled "shōnen", which aims towards a young teen male demographic. Originally titled "Hori-san to Miyamura-kun", the manga tells the tale of Kyoto Hori, your average pretty popular girl, who is enticed by Izumi Miuamura, the shy nerdy boy from Kyoto's class. Although, like any Romance story, there is a secret that both Kyoto and Izumi both hold. Behind Kyoto's school identity, she is a housemaid who takes care of her little brother. With Izumi, he has a secret personality, and hides his secret punk personality. When both secrets are revealed to each other,  they find they have a deeper connection then ever before. This love story has many twists and turns, but the love that is formed between Kyoto and Izumi is showcased throughout the series. I really enjoyed reading the few volumes that I did, and I will definitely continue reading the series.

 

UPDATE: An apology for the tiny text

I apologize for the last post...  I can't change the text to be larger....

Reading of the Day: I SAW IT

Week 3: "I Saw It: The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima" BY Keiji Nakazawa

Cover of "I Saw It". This expression of anger, shock, and fear is the perfect representation of Keiji.

In "I Saw It" by Keiji Nakazawa, we go over the true story of Keiji and his life living in Hiroshima and the events that lead towards the fatal atomic bomb and eventually the result. We begin with being introduced to Keiji's family, and how life was lived between his parents and siblings. Keiji recalls his life being one of struggle and fear. His family would hide in an air raid shelter and they would live off of rice and beans that could barely fill their stomachs. When the bomb hits, Keiji is protected from the blast radius only due to being behind a concrete wall. Keiji ends up running around the demolished city of Hiroshima and discovers his brother, sister, and father dead. His mother was the only one who survived along her newly born child and his oldest brother, who was out to war.  Later in Keiji's life, Keiji learns to become a cartoonist, and becomes fueled to write about the bombing of Hiroshima after the death of his mother. The comic ends with Keiji continuing to live in Tokyo and continue his career path as a cartoonist.This story was quite astonishing to read, and I was quite shocked to see how graphic the content got. I feel any text referring to Hiroshima (Especially a manga that's translated for english speaking viewers) is usually sanitized. Americans, in specific, doesn't like to reflect over their traumatic actions  and this text helps place the reader in his shoes. I really wish that this text was pushed more towards American audiences so they could sympathize with the victims left from this tragedy. If there was 3 discussion questions I would have to ask it would be:- Should there be more detail added to the original content? -Does the message get conveyed within the page limit the comic currently has?-Was Keiji inspired by another writer/comic/artist that possibly talked about the same topic?

WEEK 3: Cigarette Girl

The Cover and A Sample from Masahiko Matsumoto's book: Cigarette Girl.

Cigarette Girl

For Week 3, We explore the interesting text of Cigarette Girl by Masahiko Matsumoto.
Matsumoto is one of the leading artists of the Japanese alternative comic movement known as "Gekiga". "Gekiga" is the Japanese term that translates to "dramatic pictures" It is known for these comics to include mature themes with a cinematic style that was aimed for adult audiences.

In relation to Cigarette Girl, we go through a series of eleven short stories that tell the tale of locals going through various situations that end up changing the way the individual sees their own world. For Example, in the short story "Naruko Tsurumaki's Love" She returns from the market back to her home to inform her unemployed husband of the job that she found. At this moment, he reveals that he found a dog that he got attached to and named "Peace". Naruko eventually is swayed and enjoys liking the dog, but she expects that her mother may have kicked out Peace for how hyper he is. It's to her surprise when she comes back that not only did she keep the dog but she also gave the pup a box to stay in.

I personally really liked reading Cigarette Girl. If there was one thing that I took particular interest while reading was the fun cartoon-esque style that was consistent in all eleven stories. I have read various mangas and I can say specifically that I have never encountered a style quite like this and I found it refreshing. It really helped me open my eyes to a whole different genre and style that manga as a whole can offer.