Forum - View topicNEWS: Zipang Licensed
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AstroNerdBoy
 Posts: 413 Location: Denver, CO |
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Except in The Final Countdown, the U.S.S. Nimitz goes back in time but doesn't go out and wipe out the Japanese to lessen America's WWII's losses. That was something the Captain and his staff discussed -- the idea of changing history. Man, I haven't seen that movie in YEARS. |
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Panon
Posts: 242 |
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Except that's fully what they intended to do - the Nimitz's captain decided that history be damned, they were going to wipe out the force that was going to hit Pearl Harbor. The movie just copped out on the that premise though, as the time vortex that dragged them to the past mysteriously returned at the last moment and returned them to the present before history could be changed. Final Countdown is a fun movie, but it didn't explore the idea at all of the effects on history at all, which is where Zipang differs from it greatly. |
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hikaru004
 Posts: 2306 |
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But decreasing casualties at Pearl Harbor may not have changed who wins the war or whether or not Japan gets A-bombed. Japanese modern cruiser involvement would potentially change this. It provides a setup for the alternate reality that Japan comes out of the war without being shamed (losing, bombed, etc.) or possibly win. In that way, The Final Countdown and Zipzang differ.
Sure, let them go thru their catharsis about WW2 again [2009 : Lost Memories (Korean perspective) and to a certain extent Jin-Roh], but why spend R1 money on this?  Bringing Mushishi over instead is a better choice imo since it will reach a wider population. Saving that money for Key/Visual Arts titles is even better. 
The above statements are not meant to get anyone pissed off in any way. Yes, it did include a shameless plug for Air, Kanon 2006, Clannad and Planetarian. 
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Steventheeunuch
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Because I want to see it, like, in a language I can understand? (funny that!)
FUNimation is already a few steps ahead of you, uhoh! |
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Steve Berry
Posts: 522 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA |
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Well, first-- I'm really excited that this was liscenced. I've been watching it fansubbed, and I never understood why this show wasn't more popular.... I mean, it's not even mentioned as one of those "most often underrated" really good shows. Just about everything dealing this show is well done-- the voice acting is very good, the plot fantastic, character development very interesting, animation not too shabby, music is also very good and "movie soundtrack-sounding" for lack of a better adjective. The whole thing shines with professionalism.
As for the controvery over the show-- I've watched through ep 20 (the last ep fansubbed), and it seemed very realistic and not heavy handed in any way. Much more than I can say for most American productions re: war. As one of the earlier posters said-- the crew of the Mirai is really in a Catch 22.... they don't really agree with the politics of the Japanese fighting in WW2, but they themselves are Japanese-- they're being chased by Americans, but feel themselves close to Americans as allies in modern day Japan. The crew is full of a lot of different people who have a lot of different points of view, and that's part of what makes the show refreshing-- some want to side with the Japanese, some only want to defend the weak and save lives, some want to avoid all conflict at all costs. There are definitely WW2 era Japanese soldiers that spout political dogma, but there are those who are against the war as well, just as there are Americans who are more level headed and those who follow the straight and narrow. As for the ending-- if the show "re-writes" history so that Japan wasn't bombed... well, what Japanese person in their right mind wouldn't want that sort of death and destruction not to have occured? I know many Americans (myself included) that have their own issues with the bomb. The show's a good show-- it opens up a messy can of worms, no doubt, but IMO a viewer would be hard pressed to say that those issues were handled with anything but care and respect, even if you disagreed with the show's point of view. It is, to me, very interesting to look at WW2 from a certain type of modern Japanese point of view-- it's educational, makes for good conversation, makes me think outside the box, and also happens to simply be a very well made drama. All I can say is that it really bodes (spelling?) well that shows like this are getting liscenced-- it's 2 years old already, is cerebral and meant for an older viewing audience, and has that tinge of controversy about it for the American viewing audience. I never thought it would get liscened. It gives me some hope that eventually shows like Mushishi and Emma and YKK might also get liscenced. |
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hikaru004
Posts: 2306 |
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Well, if one has problems with one atrocity related to WW2, then all atrocities should be noted as problems. If you negate one atrocity to your benefit and ignore the others, then it doesn't look well on you generally speaking. Besides learning from your mistakes does not mean rewrite history so it doesn't happen.
As for Emma and YKK, the distributor that brings these titles over will lose boatloads of money. Emma can't seriously be brought over without a season 2 imo. YKK can't be viewed without No-Doze imo. 
They should save that money instead for Kanon 2006, Air, Clannad and Planetarian. Come on Geneon. Lia sounds great too! Don't let KOTOKO and MELL hog the spotlight.
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TheShadow99
Posts: 32 |
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I've watched the series entirely... And frankly the opinions of most of what the content is seem... warped... Only the poster before me seems to have a better idea of what's going on... Here let me post a good plot summary...
Plot Summary: The Mirai (a 21st century Aegis Crusier, that btw is a defensive escort vessel these days and hardly a 'battleship' by anyones standards) and her crew of Japanese SDF (Self Defense Force, aka the post-WW2 Japanese Navy/Air Force/Army hybred) heads out with a fresh crew straight out of the academy to engage in war games in Hawai with the US Navy. However enroute the encounter a storm and end up transported back in time to a time post-pearl habor during WW2 (in fact they drop in right before the battle of midway, the turning point in the Pacific battle). The crew is fairly well split on what to do once they realize they are in the past, but initially they decide on a 'hands off' approach. This changes when they end up rescuing a passanger in a downed airplane from the ocean. This person is a aid to the head of the Japanese Imperial Navy. Once woken up he is finds out the course fo events during WW2 & how Japan fails. This person then tries to draw them in as a tool to change the fate of Japan, into something between imperial Japan and the 'beaten' (their wording not mine) Japan of today. He calls this vision of Japan 'Zipang' (A mythical place, much like Shangra-la or Atlantis and hence the name of the series). He however will use any tools at hand to change the fate of Japan to his desire and the crew of the Mirai tries to remain true to their goals of keeping history like it is or if unable to lessoning casaulties for both sides. End Plot Summary... Personally I like the series even though they tend to portray all americans as stupid yockels and the Japanese idealized view point of WW2 is still felt... It's one of the few WW2 animes in existance, that alone should make it worth watching... It's also one of the best naval animes I've ever seen... Oh... & by the way even at the end of the series they aren't even close to the time period for the atomic bomb to be ready to use... But if either the crew of the Mirai or the military aid with his own visions of the future suceed then Japan will surrender before the end of WW2 (in fact before hitler's defeat if the end it at the present year the story is in) & that most likely will mean no reason for the US to ever drop a nuclear weapon on them once they are complete... |
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Steve Berry
Posts: 522 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA |
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Well.... yeah, I do have problems with lots of atrocities-- the bomb included amongst them. It seems to me that you think it was a good thing that the U.S. dropped the bomb on Japan, and that Japan should be "shamed" for their actions. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you, or perhaps we simply disagree with each other on that point. As for the Japanese trying to "rewrite" history-- of course, as a nation, they seem to have their own issues with (evading some of) the atrocities they committed in WW2, but this show isn't really about those actions. But then we have our own issues, as do lots of other countries. I don't see why that means they should suddenly be ok with the bomb being dropped on them. ?? But yeah-- I have issues with Jews being killed, Stalin's gulags, the bomb being dropped, actions of Japanese on mainland China, etc. etc. Perhaps we simply just fundamentally disagree on this issue. Perhaps this isn't a show you'd like to watch. No problem there.
Well, I guess we really do disagree on a lot.  Still, here we are, talking about Zipang being liscenced, and that's also a show most people thought should never have been/would never be brought over-- that bodes well for me for other less mainstream shows. It's a shame YKK bores you-- it's such a great piece of work, but then again, I thought Zipang! was excellent as well, but then... I've actually watched it.
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SalarymanJoe
 Posts: 468 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA |
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I would have to agree, in part; I think that any "controversy" associated with this series is just a bunch of hot air. I'm not sure that I agree that it's people who haven't seen the series but I do definately agree that the controversy comes from it not falling into the typical "Victim Culture" surrounding Japan and the Pacific War. I'm an American, I support the bomb, and realize that atrocities are sometimes occur, both sides included. I am not the least bit offended by this series. I also know that Japan of today isn't the Japan of yesteryear. If anyone is offended, it should be the folks who endured the atrocities committed by the Japanese - and I can't think of many people in their sixties who are anime fans. Everyone else should get over it. |
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biliano
Posts: 956 Location: Cleveland, OH |
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Then make sure you mark September 5 on your calendar, Tony. That's the date Geneon set for the official street date for Zipang Vol. #1. MSRP $24.98 for the DVD only, and $34.98 for the DVD with a collector's box. |
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Tony K.
 SubscriberModerator  Posts: 11304 Location: Frisco, TX |
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So soon  ? Dang, I wish it was up for preorder. I've backordered and preordered so much other stuff from DVD Pacific and Deep Discount DVD already. Oh well, I'm sure I can save up at least for this starter set by then  .
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hikaru004
Posts: 2306 |
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Actually, alot of those people are dead. Also, you have families of service men and women who participated in the war and families of the victims who can be offended in theory. It would be pretty hard to find family in America (except for recent immigrants) that didn't have a relative that participated in WW2. This is one of the few wars that still affects alot of people. If it wasn't, then Geneon wouldn't be releasing this and Barefoot Gen Movies 1 and 2. Yes, I also support the government's decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. May something like that never happen again. Also, I have to admit that was a fast turnaround for announcement and release. |
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SalarymanJoe
Posts: 468 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA |
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I don't buy the extension of offense. If it was from a Marine, Army, or Navy servicemember who served in the Pacific from '42 to '45, that I think is understandable. They're also not really, as far as I've seen, in the marketing niche for anime. If you're outside of this group (and, apperently, since the Japanese killed all of thier atrocities, if I am reading correctly), then I still fail to see what this has to do with an individual. And you're right, with America contributing well over 16 Million military members into the war, it's hard not to find a veteran (especially considering that I think between 25 and 50% are still alive). Again, I don't think they're in the niche. Anyway, Geneon releasing Zipang within the same year and also releasing the Gen films will be nice. I've always wanted to watch Barefoot Gen 1 and 2 at least once. |
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hikaru004
Posts: 2306 |
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Well. since I was a victim of the "extension of the offense" as you put it (ticked off someone in the theoretical extension category), I can vouche that this actually happens.
And I didn't say that the Japanese killed all of the their atrocities. (just clarifying) Too bad those movies are sub only. At 170 min, you would have thought that they could have dubbed it for a broader distribution. |
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Mroni
 Posts: 29 Location: Stranded all alone at the gas station of love |
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I have no issues with the bomb being dropped the saving of one american life is worth the death of a billion people that started a war with us boo hoo for them get over it get on with life. Japan still teaches in its history books that korean slave laborers were guests and that Korea invited the japanese to invade it.
Mr Oni |
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