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Mar 14, 2018
How much do you know about Japan? Since you’re on this site, it’s safe to say that you are at least somewhat interested in the culture. You've likely picked up some scattered facts about the country. You know that losing the second World War irrevocably changed Japan; did you know they’d been at war almost a decade before WWII officially started? You know what a kamikaze soldier is; did you know that this was largely created out of desperation after Prime Minister Tojo (according to this manga) declared: “I would rather see this whole country die than admit the smallest defeat”? You might even know
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Japan had an “economic miracle” after the war; did you know this was a series of small booms largely influenced by the Korean and Vietnam Wars?
Before I get to why this series is worth reading, I need to state that the MAL write-up is insufficient in every way. the series is a sort of guided tour through the Japanese Showa period (1923-1989) using a spirit, but Showa (which I’ll call the series for brevity’s sake) is a serious history. These 120 chapters present a meticulously researched glimpse into the events of the time and what it was like to live in the country as these events occurred. Everything from political upheaval and economic trends to short-lived fads and headlines of the day are represented in these pages. The character of Nezumi Otoko (the supernatural narrator for most of the series) is there only to streamline the events and help elevate the series into more than a series of facts.
But, if this was just a history book with pictures, it wouldn’t be so special. Showa is also the autobiography of a man with an incredible life. Shigeru Mizuki (who lived through the entirety of the Showa period) intersplices the story of the era with the story of his life. If you aren’t interested in the story of a slacker who lost an arm in the war and would go on to be one of the pioneers in the manga industry, then I do not know how to interest you.
That said, it cannot be stressed enough that this is a history first and foremost, and it is the way Mizuki tells this history that gives its power. Through Nezumi Otoko, the reader is able to “witness” some of the best and worst of the twentieth century. There is no shying away from harsh or unpleasant topics. Nezumi shares panels with Hitler, looks rapists and war criminals in the eye, and tiredly shrugs as he describes some truly horrible events. Yet, no one is made an obvious villain; no event is considered unjustly simple. Mizuki (and Nezumi) offer the situations and motivations that led to each event.
If you are interested in this series, you should also know that most of it takes place during World War II. As Mizuki explains, this was the ultimate turning point, and it is impossible to fully appreciate how much everything changed because of these years. Every battle is covered, every major decision made by the military and by the government. I defy any reader to read these chapters and not be filled with both horror and pity as they read these chapters. The phrase “noble death” will never mean the same if you read this.
And at the centre is Shigeru Mizuki, an artist who calmly acknowledges his faults, mistakes, and regrets as he relates his story. I won’t pretend that every chapter is enthralling, or that the art is always brilliant, though the juxtaposition of realism and the cartoonish works well to add variety.
I don’t know how to rate this series. It’s a serious history of a tumultuous period in one of the most interesting countries in the world; I can’t rate that based on its entertainment value.
To sum it up, this is a quick glance at the events that led to a culture we all love, at least in some degree. If you’re only here for entertainment, you’ll likely be turned away by some of the more horrible things discussed, but if you have ANY interest in learning about the history or culture of this country, I cannot recommend this series enough.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 2, 2017
Short version:
A brilliantly written, poorly animated series that deals with heavy topics, but uses comedy to prevent the series from becoming overly solemn. Uncomfortable to watch, especially if these themes hit close to home, but still worth experiencing if you can handle it. Psychologically fascinating, intelligent, and often funny.
Long version:
The moment that I knew this show would get to me happened early in the series. The protagonist, in self-directed fury and frustration, chokes himself; after a few angry seconds, he lets go and casually notes that he'd pass out before it would kill him anyway. This show is DARK. This series has some of
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the most uncomfortable and downright painful moments I've ever sat through. Handled differently, the show would be unbearably depressing, especially with its Nihilistic message. Thankfully, this does not happen, and the audience is treated to some of the finest dark humour the medium has to offer.
The show's strength lies in its writing, primarily in the characters and themes. The characters of this show struggle to find even a slight sense of purpose or happiness. The inhabitants of Welcome to the NHK aren't seeking grand purposes and going on mighty adventures, they are fundamentally flawed and/or broken people who desperately want a reason to keep living and working. Satou, the protagonist, is a delusional, self-loathing shut-in who initially cannot leave his apartment without having a near breakdown. He has no idea where his place is in the world, and needs a hallucinatory conversation with his appliances before he can convince himself to leave his home.
The show isn't dark because everything happens to the characters, but rather because they get themselves into their situations. The protagonist falls into schemes, addictive habits, and worse with a blithe energy that is almost as terrifying as it is humorous. There are also quiet moments that add a real weight to the series. For much of the narrative, Satou is helping an ambitious friend with a dream project that will ideally launch his career. Every accomplishment is muted by the oft-spoken question of “is it worth it?” Some of the most heartbreaking moments come from this plot-line, because of how insignificant it all feels. You can feel these characters struggling with the fact that it will only matter if they can succeed.
Of course, the art must be mentioned. It ranges from passable at best to downright ugly at worst. There are entire episodes that are just unpleasant to look at. Not for any artistic point, the show just looks bad, to the point that I wouldn't be surprised if that alone makes some people drop the show. There is one fairly impressive shot in the first episode, and it is repeated so many times over the course of the series that I found it annoying by the end. If visuals are the most important thing in a series for you, look elsewhere.
The only other major flaw with the show is the connection between arcs. The lead character needs a reason to bumble from one awful circumstance to the next, and while the reasons why he does so often make sense, it usually feels rushed. Some might find the philosophy a bit ham-fisted, especially when characters outright break into existential ramblings, but it never lasts long enough to be grating, at the least. I personally found some of the slapstick annoying, but most of the jokes are quite good. The OST is passable, neither exceptionally impressive or unimpressive.
I'm not discussing the plot here because, frankly, the plot isn't what makes the show. It's a psychological exploration of what it means to keep going when there doesn't seem to be any point. I first watched this series during my last year of university, and it terrified me. Satou's situation was everything I feared my life might become.
I feel it also necessary to address the fact that some people find the show ridiculous. I've seen reviews from people who think it stupid that the main character becomes a shut-in “for no reason” or that he's just a coward. The show is sometimes exaggerated, yes; it's fiction, it has to be in order to cover everything it wants to. These criticisms fall apart quickly. There are people who feel like this. There are people who cringe at some of these punchlines because of how much it reminds them of their own lives. There are some people who will find this show too much to handle because of its themes and its bleak tone.
It may not resonate with you, and you may find the art unforgivable at times, but if you are even slightly interested in Welcome to the NHK, I recommend you give it a chance.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 27, 2017
Short version:
This is a slow-paced art film with a focus on images and ideas (mainly religious ones) rather than narrative. The images are beautiful and the themes are intriguing. If you want a definite message or plot conclusion, this movie will frustrate you; if you like thematically or artistically dense work, you should check it out.
Long version:
Angel's Egg does not feel like an anime. It lacks much of the standard structure of typical storytelling, let alone Japanese storytelling. The best way to describe it is as an “art film”. The resolution of the plot is a subject of debate and there is no definite message
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(the director has stated as much); one can interpret it however one wishes. If this sounds like it will frustrate you, it likely will. This film is definitely not for everyone. Unless you enjoy philosophically or artistically dense works, the only reason to watch this is if you are a fan of director Mamoru Oshii, who would go on to direct Ghost in the Shell.
The sound and visuals must be discussed together because they create a brilliant atmosphere. The older animation helps the world look and feel decrepit and lonely. The dark colours and pervading shadows all help the viewer feel the isolation of the few characters in this world. In the dreary setting, every colour and action becomes more pronounced. The sound adds to everything. I'm not usually one to pay attention to sound design, but when the film ended, I realized that I had been totally immersed in its world. You notice every breath of wind and every solitary footstep. Even without fully understanding what was happening for much of the film, I was absorbed in the atmosphere.
While narrative is not the focus, there is a brilliant story here. The viewer comes to learn about the world of the film, how it became desolate, and why the lead character does the things she does. Of course, for every question answered, there is a bigger one left unanswered. There is even disagreement over whether the film defends or criticizes its primary focus of religious faith; nothing is straightforward. All this said, there is enough of a plot that you will come to your own conclusion. You may not know exactly what happened (I doubt anyone actually does with this film), but you will form your personal idea of its story and its message. This subjective element may be the film's greatest achievement.
The best word to describe Angel's Egg is “intriguing”. It is only 75 minutes long, and if you are even slightly interested, I highly recommend you to look into it. The visuals are beautiful and, in my own opinion, so are the themes. This movie is a masterpiece, more so of film than of anime. If your main priority is entertainment value, look elsewhere. You may not like it, but, if you are interested, you will find something to appreciate. Angel's Egg is a film that stays on your mind long after you watch it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Mar 26, 2016
If you're a horror fan looking for something new to pick up that's entertaining and actually unsettling, this is for you, even if you're not a big fan of manga. If you want a story or character driven narrative with careful attention to its lore, you may want to look somewhere else.
To begin, this is a very disturbing manga. I've seen a lot of horror from every medium and this is one of the few stories that has actually gotten under my skin. Some of these images are flat out disgusting, and they will haunt you. If you feel uncomfortable easily, this is not for
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you.
The setup is simple, a small coastal town where strange things happen. It's an easy to recognize story that makes you feel like you're reading a good old fashioned ghost story. The lead two characters are the classic combination of the skeptic who takes a questionably long time to accept the happenings and her boyfriend who quickly recognizes that something supernatural is occurring.
For most of the manga, each chapter plays out like a self-contained story, with the previous events being referenced to show just how much terrible stuff has happened, but not being too important for enjoying the chapter. You'll know within a few chapters if this is for you. The situations typically play out like Lovecraft stories, with the lead character acting as a witness to the horror, and this works to create a fantastic series of tales for anyone who wants small but potent doses of horror.
This is until the third volume, where a continuous plot emerges and carries on to the end. I would consider this manga a masterpiece if not for the chapters spent on setting up the world rather than on the psychological, unsettling short tales that preceded them. It largely redeems itself in the last two chapters, but not because of the plot or characters.
Without doubt, the most effective part of this manga is the art. Everything that isn't covered in shadows looks like it has been drained of colour. Everything in the town looks like it's decayed, including most of the inhabitants. Nothing looks healthy except the main characters, and that doesn't last long. Everything works to make you uncomfortable: details from the smile that's just too big for its face or the eyes that are just too small. Also, the spirals. The word 'spiral' and the actual thing will lose all meaning to you by the time you finish this. It works for the most part, the spirals add to the atmosphere where nothing is straightforward.
If you can't get behind those details or begin to get desensitized to the hundreds if not thousands of little spirals, you'll notice the major images. Every chapter has a few: some panels are gorgeous in a Lovecraftian sort of way, and others, more memorably, will shock you. With each chapter, the reader has a lot of opportunity to figure out what exactly is going to happen, but even if you figure it out, you won't be prepared for what you see. Everything builds up in each chapter to a main-image shocker that cues the climax. These are the heart of the manga, I found myself waiting in each chapter for that one image that would embed itself in my mind. Each chapter, for the first two volumes, got more and more intense, each setup creepier and each payoff more disturbing.
With all of this in mind, it's easy to complain about the characters who remain in the town after the first few events. However, I found that actually added something to the atmosphere. The characters become more and more disconnected to the bizarre happenings. The residents of the town get used to the hell they live in, they become jaded to the sheer horror that surrounds them, and it is deeply unsettling to watch them descend into madness in different ways and at different paces.
In conclusion, reading this manga is like having a nightmare. It's creative, it's a wild ride, it will stick with you, and it will entertain you if you're a fan of this kind of thing. If you want an atmosphere like classic Silent Hill, setups made to excite and fright, and images that will test how much you can stomach, check this out. It's a twisted, disturbing, and entertaining experience you won't easily forget.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Nov 7, 2015
This is my first review; I had no intention of ever writing reviews, but after seeing this show I felt I needed to talk about it.
The first thing about this show is the most obvious: it is weird. If you can't handle intense levels of strangeness, this is not for you. It is an unapologetic, fast-paced, fourth-wall breaking, and random anime that will make you constantly ask the question "what is going on?". The first episode alone introduces a bass-guitar wielding pink-haired girl and two robots growing out of a horn on main character's head after he was hit with said guitar.
The art style
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is the best example of the show utilizing its own strangeness. The main art style is excellent, and it changes seemingly every five minutes to something else. One scene will be made like a manga, another will be more vibrant and colorful, one will be purposefully badly animated, and one scene will (without warning) replicate South Park. It constantly changes, but these visual changes are contained to individual scenes and work to enhance the mood of the individual scene, and it is an incredible visual experience.
The next best thing of the show is the soundtrack. The music is done by a band that sounds similar to The Pixies. The songs were surprisingly atmospheric and always kept me hooked to what was happening. I would recommend the show to anyone just based on the experience you get from sights and sound of the show; it creates what can only be described as an artsy "trip". And then there's the story and characters.
At first, I enjoyed the show as a quick, fun anime that looked and sounded amazing and required little to no thought. Then, around episode 3, I started caring about the characters and what was going on. Without trying, the show made me feel invested in the insane world and made me re-evaluate how I felt about every character: I became invested in the choices of the main character, I came to pity a character I hated at first, and I began to question my opinion of my favorite character. As I started the last episode, I was genuinely concerned about what was going to happen and what the protagonist's decisions would lead to, and I was thinking about the show's meaning without ever intending to. The show actually made me start thinking about the deeper meanings of the character interactions and plot developments.
I won't say what I think the show is about because I think the strongest part of the plot and characters is getting the individual viewer to think and form their own opinion. I just wanted to be entertained, but I was invested in the story and concerned about the outcome.
I've said little about what actually happens with the plot and characters because I think it's best to experience this show for yourself; and that's what this show is, a subjective experience, and I don't think any two people would have the same experience watching this show. If you want to dissect every frame and word-choice for deeper meaning, go ahead; if you want to just sit back and try something new, go for it. Maybe you'll find a surprisingly endearing tale that hits close to home, maybe you'll just be entertained, or maybe you'll think think the show is a mess and its fans are pretentious. Whatever the case, check it out and see for yourself.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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