Forum - View topicToo close for comfort--Apocolapse Anime Style
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Nani?
 Posts: 632 |
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I've been watching a lot of shows like Wolf's Rain, Saikano, Paronia Agent etc and one thing that has been bothering me, it seems the apocolapses we see are getting more realistic and nuanced, as if we've experinced some of these things too intimately. Examples:
Wolf's Rain-- Most people holding on to the old way of doing things even though it's clearly no longer working, but because they are distracted or the powers that be have enough power to keep the ordinary person in place. Probably the most believeable Apocolypse I've seen. Reminds me of what I've heard native Americans say about us. Saikano-- People unable or unwilling to say no or refuse, authority gets everyone killed. Paronia Agent-- Not apocolyptic as of disk 3 per se but, a lot non functioning social relationships, people with questionable sainity without support systems, being distracted by cute fuzy things. Sinisterly Kawaii (cute). This is unlike say X, a product of the early to mid 90's. True, the Dragons of Earth were mostly disconected people but the battle is fought on both sides by a small, select group. spoiler[It dosen't effect the day to day lives of most people, even when the good guys win, we can "carry on" living fat and happy lives. ] Cynical Sinister Coralary--"There, there, don't worry. You see, everything's OK. Someone more important then you handled the problem. Go back to sleep you worthless little sheep and don't bother us adults." What is frightening is that we know and recognise these things, a little too well for comfort. All the best, Nani? P.S. I've seen this also in some American stuff as well with these same trends. The "new" Galactica comes to mind. |
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angel_lover
 Posts: 645 Location: UK |
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I don't have enough in-depth knowledge to say if there really has been a change in apocalyptic anime since the mid 90's, but if there really has been then I wonder if any of that is due to the repercussions in Japanese society following the nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system by the Aum Shinrikyo cult in 1995.
One point about Saikano, I've not been able to bring myself to watch it all yet, but isn't it spoiler[earthquakes rather than authority that end up killing everyone]? Doesn't affect your argument anyway. |
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.Sy
Posts: 1266 |
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This is slightly OT but when I think of the future, maybe not in my lifetime, Ghost in the Shell seems...realistic to a certain extent. I'm not sure how I can explain this, but a whole bunch of their technology doesn't seem to be that off whack into the realm of fantasy. Wolf's Rain might have an accurate depiction of the direction people are going, how people are just...so into their technology that they don't realize they're slowly becoming automatons.
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DKL
 Posts: 1994 Location: California, USA |
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for me, yeah, GITS makes the most sense...
I'll be seeing you guys in 30 years or so using computers in our heads... I also think that PARANOIA AGENT was a belivable perception of the PRESENT... complete with believable use of present-time technology |
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Nani?
Posts: 632 |
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My bet is that the lights will have gone out in 30 years. I think a lot of us would fit right into Jagura's city right now, though Paranoia Agent is truthful enough. Also what does this mean. I'll also put out something from one of my classes this semester--Stages of Revitalization Theory by Anthropologist Anthony F.C. Wallace Stage 1-- Steady state: Society works, everything is going on fine. Stage 2--Contact and directed change: Something is introduced, for example more contact with another society, new technology (television) etc-- Increased individual stress: People are not quite sure were they fit or have new ambitions. Differential needs: People have new goals(Ex:Americans who want to write Manga) or have new ways achieve position, some of which may not be possible in the previous social context. Factionalism: Society divides up into traditionalist and progressive factions. Stage 3:Severe Cultural Distortion: Chronic Disarticulation in influence: Those in authority no longer have the power to enforce. Influence is "elsewhere". Structural Paralysis: Those in authority no longer have the power to direct society. It just kind of sits there, going along, unable to redirect policy or behavior. For an example, look at Japan during this current economic downturn. Increased Use of Individual Coping Mechanisms: Examples, Suicide, Drugs and Alcohal, TV, Video Games, withdrawl/univolvement. Stage Four: Cultural Collapse or Revitalization: Society either ceases to exist or some members find a way to revitalize society and come to grips with the changes they percieve. Some examples of Revitalization movements:American Revolution, Meiji Restoration, Russian Revolution, Nazism, Ghost Dance, Civil Rights movement, Fundamentalism (Christian or Islamic). I'd argue that at least some Japanese Anime Artists are trying to encourage others to revitalize thier society or consider that they need revitalization. I think that's also why it's showing up in Anime and appealing to us as well. Why not at least a TV inspired revitalization? Stage 5: New steady state, sure to repeat. All the Best, Nani? |
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DKL
Posts: 1994 Location: California, USA |
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that was a good read
but I do believe that the realities in PARANOIA AGENT and GITS don't contradict each other... in fact, in what you posted, they are probably gonna follow each other... what do you think? |
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Edo
 Posts: 88 Location: Ontari-ari-ari-o! |
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Apocalyptic? How 'bout Serial Experiments Lain??
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DKL
Posts: 1994 Location: California, USA |
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and TEXHNOLYZE?
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msi435
 Posts: 465 Location: Behind you! |
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Nice theory Nani? This pattern in society made me more aware how close America is for the next cultural revolution
 ! I believe America is in stage 3 right now. Contributing factors include the war in Iraq, the freedom of information (the internet), same sex orientation is becoming more and more accepted, and the forcing of college on high schoolers. These are just some of the many factors contributing to the next revolution. Basically what your theory is saying is an underlying property in all of physics, tension and release. All the tension that builds in our society eventually needs to be released and when that happens a cultural revolution occurs. There was one in the 60's because of Vietnam, racial tensions, and rock and roll. There even was a small one in the early 90's with nirvana and the gulf war. The whole point is that it's coming sooner or later; all we have to do is sit back and watch it unfold. wow, I can't believe I have school in 4 hours...
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DKL
Posts: 1994 Location: California, USA |
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I feel like singing the doom song all of a sudden...
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Haiseikoh 1973
 Posts: 1590 Location: Waiting for the Japanese 1000 Gunieas. |
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And having "Brain Sex" like in Demolition Man. |
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Godaistudios
Posts: 2075 Location: Albuquerque, NM (the land of entrapment) |
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Which is a concept seen in Barbarella back in 1968. To be honest, I've come to the conclusion that "themes" tend to be recycled. Apocolyptic stories are constantly on a rise-and-fall ride, because there is always interest in some form. Personally, I'm not all that surprised by it, given the world we live in. |
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Nani?
Posts: 632 |
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Don't disagree, other then I suspect that another change, sarcity of resources and/or enviromental factors will prevent it, something the Japanese take much more seriously for good reason--they're on an Island that is not rich geologicly while we've had 400 years to expliot a virgin continent. But, hey, if I'm wrong you're probably right.
I didn't see that as apocolyptic, after all everyone had a happy ending thanks to a compter program who can spoiler["reboot reality"] of course that could be a revitalization of a sort........hmmm. Haven't seen TEXHNOLLYZE so I can't comment.
I think we have a lot of small ones here and there. What I guess I see in some anime in particular is familarity with the "big" ones i.e. lots of carnage, death, destruction. Sometimes even played for comic value (Nadesico--Gekigenger is the answer!). Also more and more of them are more realistic because we encounter them real life. We are seeing more people in power who are not accontible in any meaningful way. Examples: Guild in Last Exile, Nobles in Wolf's Rain. Non-Anime SF example:"New" BattleStar Galactica spoiler[Character responible for the destruction of his civilization, first response (before it actually happens) is to call his lawyer.] Real life examples: Japanese Bueracracy, Ken Lay. Also consider that Manga ka are in postions to influence society but do not owe much to the "establishment" per se. No Todai degree for any CLAMP member, much like Jim Morrison, Jerry Garcia, Kurt Cobain etc. Definately like Koushin Takami (Battle Royale) . Yea, I think the U.S. and Japan are both at stage 3. I have more to say. Unfortunately, I have to go to work. I'll get back later. All the Best, Nani? |
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Shinji Takase
 Posts: 18 Location: Eastern US |
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Mugen no Ryvius (or Infinite Ryvius in the English-speaking world) is perhaps one of the best (and most underrated) anime as a character study of these 5 stages outlined above. You watch the breakdown from start to finish - and, like most anime, it isn't pretty. |
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deethirteen
Posts: 9 Location: philippines |
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this is a little bit O.T. being from a third world country like the philippines, i believe that changes in society are inevitable and it may benefit us. Remember the only thing permanent is change. unfortunately in a society like ours- a mix of chinese(everyplace has a china town) spanish and american (we were still a colony 40 years after we declared independence from spain. U.S.A. bought us for a couple of thousand dollars) anyway the mix of cultures that clearly contradict themselves the result is utter chaos. Because anime is really free from constraints,anime shows can recreate these same situations- and then some. these shows are realistic because as media became more widespread, different cultures came into contact. japan was influenced a bit by american culture and it shows in some of the anime. many of the different cultures may are not built on the same ideologies and beliefs, thus conflict would definitely arise. when information is moved back and forth, contact between cultures is inevitable. I think the whole world is going to have a revolution sometime. wether or not something good will come out of it i dont know. i'll just keep watchin anime.
please tell bush to nuke manila. quick and painless death is what we deserve..hehe |
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