Tag: anime

Top 200 Film Music challenge: animation music

Posted on by Marc in Blog

I love music; and by extension: film music. So for the past couple of years I’ve been listening with great pleasure to the top xx list of film and series music of the Dutch classic music radio station NPO Klassiek. Due to success they’ve stretched the list to 200 positions in 2024, but I believe it was 50 and 100 positions in earlier years. 

As a lover of animation I’m always curious how my favorite medium is doing. And I’m not disappointed with 20* positions covered by animation. 

Author’s Note: *The asterisk is there because of Thunderbirds and Nightmare before Christmas. Not sure if Thunderbirds puppetry is technically animation but it’s nice to think of it as a form of animation because it’s animating (moving) an otherwise motionless puppet.

Nightmare before Christmas is a stop motion film, so no counterarguments from my side here.

The entire list of animation in the top 200 of 2024:

  • Lion King (1994)
  • How to train your dragon (2010)
  • Up (2009)
  • Beauty and the Beast (1991)
  • Toy Story (1995)
  • Shrek (2004)
  • Thunderbirds (1964-1966)
  • The Little Mermaid (1989)
  • The Prince of Egypt (1998)
  • Pocahontas (1995)
  • Spirited Away (2001)
  • Jungle Book (1967)
  • Frozen (2013)
  • Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
  • Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
  • Ratatouille (2007)
  • Aladdin (1992)
  • Finding Nemo (2003)
  • Kung Fu Panda (2008)
  • Incredibles (2004)

This a fun and understandable list which highlights the important films of the voters as they grew up. I noticed a couple of things here:

  1. Top contender is (of course) The Lion King (1994) on position 16. It was a formative film for many people (like me) that grew up in the Nineties. One of the films that got me into animation. It’s opening is still a visual spectacle to behold.
  2. Many, many Disney/Pixar films. Access to non-western animation was limited for a long time in The Netherlands, so it’s no surprise that … (see point 3)
  3. The only anime films on the list are from director Hayao Miyazaki: Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. This is understandable but I received the impression that the DJ’s were surprised and not really familiar with Joe Hisaishi’s work for Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli. 
  4. Thunderbirds is, in terms of age, the outlier. But there was a rerun in the Ninetees which probably made it popular with the voters. I’m not counting Jungle Book in terms of age since it’s a Disney Classic.

It’s an interesting list which shows the voters were (assumingly) born in the 1980’s or later. Otherwise the films from the Disney Renaissance era would not be so prominent on the list.

I grew up in this time period as well. But I’ve only stopped watching animation for a couple years during my late Teens and early Twenties. And after my return to the medium I watched so many fun films and series that I can confidently put out a list with good contenders for this list, the Film Music Top 200.

Animation is such a broad term and covers a lot. From traditional 2D hand drawn animation to 3D digital animation and even Stop Motion. Over the past 10 months I’ve been collecting titles from films and series with excellent soundtracks. My initial goal was to compose a list of 20 films and series which I like and have a great soundtrack. If I’d known which rabbit hole I went into I might have stopped. Because after finding all these titles the followup step is to actually listen to the OST and decide if it should go on the list. So I made a little change to my list. But first an introduction of a couple interesting composers who are, regardless of what you think of the medium, interesting to watch.

Composers to watch / listen to

To preface my list I would like to point out a couple individuals that appear on the list. As I’m doing this by ear (pun intended), I think these are the ones that (at least to me) should definitely be on the Top 200 list.

  1. Joe Hisaishi: Mostly known for his successful collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki. According to this video he sounds like an impressionist composer similar to Debussy; but in a Japanese way. Which makes it sound relaxing and like jazz. To most ears Hisaishi amplifies emotion to the visual craft of the Ghibli animators by adding coloring with music. It sounds like a classic and nostalgic music trip. For a good indication I recommend Hisaishi’s best of Playlist on Youtube. No matter which Miyazaki/Hisaishi work you choose to listen too. All come highly recommended. 
  2. Hiroyuki Sawano: Sawano composes music which is (at times) probably the most Zimmer-esk. So if you’re looking for that I highly recommend one of his scores. Sawano is commonly known for his work on: Attack on Titan; multiple Gundam series & films; Seven Deadly Sins; Kill La Kill; Solo Leveling. Sawano understands epic and how to raise a scene with the power of music while simultaneously compose some touching ballads and catchy popsongs to support his scores. Watch his Project[emU] playlist on Youtube for a couple of live suites which give a nice breadth of his work.
  3. Evan Call: American composer working in Japan since 2012. Evan Call is known for his work on shows like Violet Evergarden, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and My Happy Marriage. From small piano only pieces to big symphonic scores, Evan’s music layers in additional emotions to some beautiful animations. Since the rest will be coming below and there’s not a simple mix playlist available you can watch the My Happy Marriage interview and listen for a sample of his work which plays in the background.
  4. Kenji Kawai: Maybe the biggest name on the list who people don’t recognise. But I’m giving you a bunch of titles which you might recognise: Ring, Ghost in the Shell, IP Man, Patlabor, Ranma ½, Mob Psycho 100, Devilman & multiple Gundam series. What little I know of his work is that’s highly atmospheric. But that’s based on the few things I watched. On his Youtube channel you can watch a 2007 concert which gives an indication of his work. I’m under the impression his work is not commonly available on streaming due to music rights legal stuff, but I could also be wrong and it’s just region locked.

The List

Before I show you the list, it’s important that I make one final remark. In favor of visibility of films and shows, this list evolved to a 20 suggestions list. It contains 20 projects which have, in my opinion, great soundtracks and deserve to be on a best off list. This means that a couple titles which would be on my personal preferred list are removed. Simply because they already have a big enough audience to be on the list. These are Thunderbirds; Howl’s Moving Castle; Prince of Egypt; The Lion King.

So without further ado: Here are 20 films & series I think have some of the best & memorable soundtracks. In no particular order.

Author’s Note: If possible, the films & series are bundled if the composer is the same. 

Thanks for reading; I hope you find some fun memories and/or recommendations to watch and listen.

Number 1:
Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) – Series
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) – Film

Based on the comic created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger
Director: Multiple
Studio: WB animation studios
Music by: Shirley Walker (initially based on the works of Danny Elfman)

Batman: The Animated Series is a multiple award winning animated show which had a great impact on western animation. Well written scripts in a dark & gritty world. Portraying adult themes supported by an amazing voice cast and an OST played by a live Orchestra1. 

The history and love behind the creation of this series is truly inspiring. Which is why it lead to perhaps the greatest Batman film ever created (Mask of the Phantasm).

Notes:

  1. One of the first in the west: Thank you Steven Spielberg (timestamp 1:19:22)
Number 2:
Your Name (2016) – Film
Japanese title: Kimi no Na Wa

Director: Makoto Shinkai
Studio: Comix Wave Films
Music by: Radwimps

Your Name is a modern anime classic. It did what few films, bar the ones from Hayao Miyazaki, manage to do: reach an international audience so large that a lot of people were talking about it. Even now it scores really high on Rotten Tomatoes (98/95%). The story is about two teens who switch places /bodies. With all shenanigans that follow suit. One of my favorite films which I watch once every year. Beautifully animated and emotionally satisfying to watch; Your Name is also supported with a fun and memorable soundtrack. Plus: some of the songs are also available in English.

Number 3:
Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999) – Series
Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven’s Door (2001) – Film

Created by: Shinichiro Watanabe
Director: Multiple
Studio: Sunrise
Music by: Yoko Kanno

Arguably the biggest well-known classic on this list. Cowboy Bebop was one of the shows that “brought Anime to the west”. It follows a group of bounty hunters (in space) while they try to scrounge up enough money to keep doing what they’re doing. The legacy of Cowboy Bebop is not to be underestimated. The show has a great appeal because of its thematics and execution. Coupled with a sensational OST I cannot recommend this show enough if you like space, westerns, noir and good jazz. My favorite episode (5) “Ballad of Fallen Angels” is a masterclass in storytelling and in my opinion a must see. The film: Knocking on Heaven’s Door, can best be judged as an extended episode of the show. Both the English and Japanese cast are excellent, so pick what you like.

Number 4:
Violet Evergarden (2018) – Series
Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll (2019) – Film
Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020) – Film


Adapted from the Light Novel of Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase
Director: Multiple
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Music by: Evan Call

Author’s Note: Unfortunately I could not find a Japanese trailer with English subtitles.

Violet Evergarden is a beautifully anime about a young ex-soldier who, after the war ends, becomes an Auto Memory Doll tasked with writing letters that can connect people. As the series progresses we see her develop from a person who never learned to express herself emotionally to one who is able to translate other people’s emotions on paper in a profound way.

It’s recommended to watch the series before watching the films.

Number 5:
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s end (2023-2024)
Japanese title: Sousou no Frieren (Sōsō no Furīren)
Season 2 is announced

Adapted from the manga written by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe
Director: Multiple
Studio: Madhouse
Music by: Evan Call

After the party of heroes defeated the Demon King, the elf mage Frieren lives on. This series is about life from the perspective of a long-lived elf after peace returns to the world. Or, as Youtuber Marco put it in this video: “it’s a conversation on loss and time and how time is spent.”

It is still the highest rated anime on My Anime List (with a big 0.21 point lead at time of writing); Frieren is beautifully complex in the execution of the simple premise as stated above. Which makes it no surprise that I’m still thinking about this show.

Number 6:
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) – Film

Adapted from the Lupin 3rd manga by Monkey Punch.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Music by: Yuji Ohno

The Castle of Cagliostro follows gentleman thief Lupin the Third (or Lupin III) as he tries to solve the mystery of Cagliostro after finding counterfeit bills from the casino he robbed.

This is Hayao Miyazaki’s debut as a feature film director and in many ways special. According to some it’s a perfect movie, but I see it as a very entertaining & satisfying watch. A film where you can see a lot of things in development which Miyazaki would use in later films.

Number 7:
Ghost in the Shell (1995) – Film
Ghost in the Shell: Innocence (2004) – Fillm

Based on the manga by Masamune Shirow
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Studio: Production I.G.
Music by: Kenji Kawai

If you like The Matrix and Blade Runner this is the film for you. I haven’t watched Innocence yet, but the 1995 film is a great contemplative film about what our world is real in a technologically advanced world. Cyberpunk but not in a way that is not very far away from the state of the world in 2025.

The film boasts a great, sometimes eerie atmosphere which is enhanced by the music.

Number 8:
Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003) – Film

Directed by: Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Creation supervised by Leji Matsumoto
Studio: Toei Animation
Music by: Daft Punk

The entire film is just one big music video for the Daft Punk album Discovery, but it is great Sci-Fi nonetheless.

The film has no spoken words, only the music and a few sound effects. It follows a pop music band from another world which is abducted and taken to Earth where they are forced to perform, disguised as humans. Link to the alblum playlist

Number 9:
The Adventures of TinTin:The Secret Of The Unicorn (2011) – Film

Adapted from the comics by Hergé
Director: Steven Spielberg
Studio: Multiple
Music by: John Williams

A fantastic adventure film blending motion capture and animation. If you’re not familiar with the TinTin comics or the 1991 animated show, you’re missing out on a young reporter (TinTin), who travels around the world to investigate real and/or fantastical cases. And sometimes punches evil men in the face. Supported by a diverse cast of characters, this TinTin film is an excellent introduction to the character. 

With a fantastic creative team and voice cast, this is a highly entertaining film, reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark. 

Number 10:
Blue Eye Samurai (2023) – Series
Season 2 is announced

Created by Amber Noizumi & Michael Green
Studio: Netflix Animation & Blue Spirit
Music by: Amie Doherty

A young samurai named Mizu travels across Japan during the Edo period in search for one of the four white men who conceived them with a Japanese woman. Mizu’s mission is to find them, and kill them.

This original concept is a very satisfying watch with interesting characters. A grounded show with mature themes and great supporting soundtrack. You can watch the entire first episode for free on Youtube.

Number 11:
Samurai Champloo (2004) – Series
Japanese title: Samurai Chanpurū

Created by Shinichiro Watanabe
Director: Multiple
Studio: Manglobe
Music by: Nujabes, Fat Jon, Tsuchie, Force of Nature

Samurai Champloo follows the exploits of tea waitress Fuu, vagrant outlaw Mugen, and ronin Jin. Fuu saves Mugen and Jin from execution, then forces the pair to aid in her quest to find a samurai who smells of sunflowers. While being the second Watanabe series on this list of recommendations; it brings a different vibe due to the setting in Edo Japan, clean sword fights and the music. The Lo-Fi/hip-hop soundtrack brings something fresh to an anime in a (fictional) historic setting which is very compelling.

Number 12:
Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans (2015-2017) – Series
Japanese Title: Kidō Senshi Gandamu: Tekketsu no Orufenzu.

Directed by: Tatsuyuki Nagai
Studio: Sunrise
Music by: Masaru Yokoyama

Author’s Note: Unfortunately I could not find a decent trailer.

Iron Blooded Orphans is not a typical Gundam show. It shows clearly how people are a product of their environment. How they are only able to move forward on a set path due to the limited options they see. Which ultimately spirals out of control. 

Probably this is why S1 is more highly regarded than S2. The show has an unexpected narrative. Which makes it, in my opinion, even more memorable. The OST somehow feels very light with all the intensity on screen. Especially the flamenco guitar adds to this feeling.

Number 13:
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010-2014) – series 
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 (2016) – series
Japanese title: Kidō Senshi Gandamu Yunikōn

Based on the novel series by Harutoshi Fukui
Directed by: Kazuhiro Furuhashi
Studio: Sunrise
Music by: Hiroyuki Sawano

Author’s Note: Unfortunately I could not find a decent trailer.

Gundam Unicorn was my re-entry into the Gundam franchise. And what a step up it was after Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny. Superb animation and a proper epic OST to support it. And some stellar supportive pop songs.

You can watch 2 versions of Unicorn: The “original” OVA of 7 episodes and a complete series of 22 episodes. The 22 episode long series has a slightly different name and is a bit reworked. But either one is a good watch.

Number 14:
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) – Series

Created by: Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko
Director: Multiple
Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Music by: The Track Team (Jeremy Zuckerman & Benjamin Wynn)

Author’s Note: Unfortunately I could not find a decent trailer. So here is a pretty good fan made trailer.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a show set in a fictional world where each of the nations have adopted a style of living and fighting based on one of the four elements. To bring balance to the world an avatar is chosen. A person capable of mastering all four elements to solve worldly issues and deal with issues of the spiritual kind. The story follows Aang, a young airbender who ran away from his home just before it got destroyed by the Fire Nation. The Fire Nation, aiming for world domination, aimed to take out the avatar before he would mature and would be able to stop them. Aang, while still being a young boy, needs to go on a grand adventure to master the elements and stop the Fire Nation.

The Last Airbender is a grand adventure for kids. On the surface it might look like a funny kids cartoon; but the show packs a lot of worldbuilding and mature themes into its episodes. Often called “the western anime”, this show made quite the impact during its runtime and is still regarded as a staple of the animated medium.

Number 15:
Wolfwalkers (2020 ) – Film

Directed by: Tomm Moore & Ross Steward
Studio: Cartoon Saloon
Music by: Bruno Coulais, Kíla

The studio that brought us The Secret of Kells (2009) and The Song of The Sea (2014) delivered the third creative and visually stunning piece in the “Irish Folklore Trilogy”.

The story follows Robyn, a young English girl who traveled to Ireland with her father where he is employed to hunt the local wolf pack.

Robyn is a curious girl who upon wandering in the forbidden forest, befriends the free-spirited girl Mebh. Mebh is searching for her lost mother. By helping Mebh and the tribe of Wolfwalkers Mebh is part of, Robyn risks everything she knows.

Visually stunning and with great voice actors. Spoiler: Sean Bean doesn’t die. And he can’t. He has to run with the wolves.

Number 16:
The Legend of Galactic Heroes (1988 -1997) – Series
Japanese title: Ginga Eiyū Densetsu
Also depicted as Heldensagen vom Kosmosinsel

Based on the graphic novel by Yoshiki Tanaka
Chief director: Ishigoru Noboru
Studio: Multiple
Music: Classical music

The Legend of Galactic Heroes: The Neue These (2018 – onwards) – Series
5th season is in production

Directed by: Tada Shunsuke
Studio: Production I.G.
Music by: Hashimoto Shin (Sin), Inoue Yasuhisa

Originally a ten-part graphical novel by Yoshiki Tanaka. The Legend of Galactic Heroes is a true space opera. It has been adapted multiple times in animation, video games and a musical stage production.

The story is about The Galactic Empire and The Free Planets Alliance competing for galactic dominance. We see this grand scale conflict evolve when two strategic geniuses gain command over their respective forces. With one on each side of the conflict, the show becomes a complex mix of large scale space battles; intricate political maneuvering and personal relationships told over a series of decades.

The “original” 110 episode OVA ranks on place 11 of Top Anime on My Anime List. So still highly regarded. A lot of the music used in the series is by Classical composers. The prequel film My Conquest Is the Sea of Stars uses Ravel’s Bolero as support for a great space battle. The remake of episode 1 & 2 into the film Overture to a New War also uses classical music to give it a truly classical feeling. See this video of a complete list of music used in which episode. Unfortunately I could not find it in writing. But this makes it nonetheless a fun addition to a list hosted by a classical music radio station.

The show has some original music. Below is a sample.

Die Neue These

I’m currently watching Die Neue These. It has an original soundtrack which is quite hard to find online.

The original 1980’s OVA is quite hard to find on streaming, so Die Neue These will probably be the definitive animated version going forward. But it is a really good watch nonetheless.

Below are recommendations I haven’t watched; from my “stuff to watch in the future list”. So most entries have a shorter description on what sold me for the OST. I’m just going to let you watch and/or listen to a few videos.

Number 17:
Lupin III series (1967 – onwards) – Multimedia property
Created by: Monkey Punch
Music by: Yuji Ohno

This is a special case. Lupin III was already on the list but I decided to split Castle of Cagliostro of from the series for two reasons

  1. I’ve only watched Castle of Cagliostro.
  2. I want to create a little monument for composer Yuji Ohno.

As a whole, Lupin III is a property spanning decades. Starting in 1967, when IP right’s weren’t a thing in Japan, Lupin III appeared first in manga form. Then we have: 

  • 8 anime series
  • 3 live action films
  • 11 animated films
  • Several OVA’s
  • 2 ONA’s (Original Net Animations)
  • 27 television specials
  • multiple (musical) stage adaptations
  • 1 Live action television spin-off series
  • 24 video games

Author’s Note: information based on Wikipedia entries.

While the many iterations have different takes on the character, a few things stayed the same:

  1. The character as formulated by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata during Lupin the 3rd Part 1 (a.k.a the first season).
  2. Yuji Ohno’s music since Lupin the 3rd Part 2 (a.k.a the second season)

Ohno stepped in on Lupin III Part 2 in 1977. Since 1977 he worked on many (if not all) of the Lupin III projects. Which is almost 50 years and more than 75 Lupin iterations (based on Wikipedia entries). On this link you can find a playlist of Lupin Live music.

Number 18:
Inu-Oh (2021) – Film

Based upon the novel Tales of the Heike: Inu-Oh by Hideo Furukawa
Directed by: Masaaki Yuasa
Studio: Science Saru
Music by: Otomo Yoshihide

Masaaki Yuasa’s Devilman Crybaby didn’t do it for me. But this film, Inu-Oh really looks and sounds amazing.

Number 19:
Kids on the Slope (2012) – series
Japanese title: Sakamichi no Aporon

Based on the manga created by: Yuki Kodama
Directed by: Shinichiro Watanabe
Studio: Mappa
Music by: Yoko Kanno

If the above trailer and below scene do not sell you, perhaps the names of creator Shinichiro Watabe and composer Yoko Kanno will. An S tier combination that also worked on Cowboy Bebop, which happens to also be on this list.

Number 20:
The vision of Escaflowne (1996) – Series
Japanese title: Tenkū no Esukafurōne

Based on the manga created by Shōji Kawamori
Directed by: Kazuki Akane
Studio: Sunrise
Music by: Yoko Kanno & Hajime Mizoguchi & Inon Zur (US version only)


Escaflowne (2000) – Film
Japanese title: Esukafurōne

Directed by: Kazuki Akane
Studio: Bones
Music by: Yoko Kanno & Hajime Mizoguchi & Inon Zur (US version only)
Author’s Note: The film from is a retelling of the original story with a different emphasis.

This soundtrack is totally not what I expected. The diversity and creativity in the execution of the styles (contemporary, classical and Gergorian chant) actually puts my expectations of the show so ridiculously high that I will be cautious where I put my expectations. Because it is simply amazing. 

Here is two sample tracks from the 1996 album Escaflowne: Over the Sky played by the Warsaw Philharmonic.

Connecting with Frieren

Posted on by Marc in Blog

Sometimes a show just sticks. Even when there’s another interesting topic to research and questions to answer. This time, I planned to make a post about the Tomb Raider animated series. I had so many questions. The main one being how the same studio responsible for the Castlevania animation could produce and release a show this bad. But the more I searched for a good angle the more I disliked what I was doing. And there was another show pulling me back towards it. Because no matter how hard I try: I cannot get Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End out of my head. Which is something I did not expect since the anime passed me until recently. I even cannot remember exactly1 why I started watching the series2 . But regardless of what the reason was; the show stuck and I had to finish it… two times in a row.

Time is precious

As the above trailer points out, one of the underlying themes of the show is time. We all have limited time. Not just on a daily basis but there is also a finite amount that we actually are alive. A point Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (FBJE) uses to explore how a 10 year adventure in the party of heroes affected the life of a long lived elf3. Ten years is one one hundredth of her life. Yet that  one one hundredth affected Frieren as a character more than she initially thought. The memories we see of Frieren and her journey with Himmel, Eisen and Heiter make us realise how special the small moments were. Which we as an audience see as Frieren remembers the moment and retroactively learns to appreciate them. These moments, these connections that shaped and coloured the “ridiculous and fun” 10 year adventure.

It’s all connection

Humans thrive on connections and as an extension: relationships. Constantly we’re searching for something which establishes that, even for a moment. Which makes the perspective of Frieren as a long-lived elf much more valuable. During her interactions on her journey with Fern, Stark and Sein she realises how much more of a connection she had with Himmel the Hero. Himmel, who only seemed to complain when Frieren did something she would (probably) regret later4. But for the rest of the flashbacks he acted like an engaging, yet distant romantic. Knowing fully he would have only little influence on Frieren, he established that connection anyway. He wanted to make sure Frieren would not feel lonely after they were gone. Nor did he want her to be in a situation like an Old man Voll, who sadly could not remember his wife’s face for many years after she passed. At least, not until he connected with her memory fully after happily reminiscing with Frieren. Connections are important. Connections keep us alive.

“You should treasure the encounters you have. Death isn’t the only goodbye in this life. But I guess you already know that”

– Wirbel –
FBJE Episode 28

Contradictions in connections

Lastly, I want to discuss Serie [pronounced Zērie] and Stark. Serie, the other nigh-immortal elf mage we get to know a bit in FBJE. It’s very ironic that through her intention to control magic she creates an institution that not only limits the quality mages of the land, it also allows her to (potentially) train more students. Students she, per her own words, trains on a whim. Yet she remembers their personality and their favourite spell. And by becoming the head of the Continental Magic Association, she effectively fulfils her first student Flamme’s wish. A point not touched upon in season 1, but it shows how contradictory people can be. Even if they don’t see it themselves. For example: Serie has a garden made up of magical flowers; yet she finds it silly that it was Flamme’s favourite spell “because it’s not useful”.

People say 1 and do 2, sometimes even without noticing. On the other hand there is Stark. The young warrior who looks like he’s slacking or wandering doing nothing. But we eventually learn he’s helping other people off screen, making him a great support for the community. 

These contradictions are what make the characters in FBJE engaging; the connections interesting and it gives the show its appeal to a broad audience5. Based on the My Anime List ranking, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End connected with a lot of people in a positive way. Which is a very comforting thought given the show’s down to earth, slice of life fantasy story. It means (in my opinion) that a great deal of people want meaningful connections in their life. Be it with a piece of media or another person. Which brings me to one of, if not the most important quote of this show: “People won’t know how you feel unless you tell them.”

So I would like to encourage you to drop your phone and make connections. Because you never know if that small connection that lasted only a brief moment has an impact which lasts a lifetime.

Notes

  1. it is possible because of video recommendations of the Youtube channel Pey Talks Anime and their Exploring Frieren playlist
  2. Probably because I was curious. I was lucky enough to catch a few episodes for free on the Crunchyroll YT channel
  3. The series starts with the return of the party after they defeated the Demon King and all party members go their separate ways. FBJE is more a slice of life kind of show as it explores how the titular character spends her days in a new, peaceful era of the world.
  4. See episode 4
  5. As of writing it sits comfortably at a 9.32/10 and hold rank#1 on My Anime List

Is nostalgia the enemy of the modern consumer?

Posted on by Marc in Blog

During the months of July & August I spent some time playing World of Warcraft: Mist of Pandaria Remix. Basically, it replicated the 2012 expansion of the MMORPG but as a limited in-game event. It provided exactly the experience I expected. When I put some time in World of Warcraft (WoW) nowadays it’s usually just to do some old content I never experienced or finished. So this seemed like a match made in heaven. Nostalgia fueled escapism with the goal to relax in the months I’m arguably the busiest of the entire year. And food for thought as I grind my way to earning those nice looking but practically useless in-game achievements.

Playing games like WoW is very contradictory to me. On the one hand I need some mindless relaxation where my mind is completely off the other stuff that occupies my agenda. Yet it also feels like I’m actually not doing anything useful. This game especially is giving me that contradiction which sabotages (personal) progress for the sake of nostalgia. But is it correct to put such a negative staple on nostalgia? Is it not just a feeling? Or can it indeed be replicated and taken advantage of for good storytelling? Today I want to do a little investigation that hopefully gives some context to the situation.

What is nostalgia

Nostalgia seems to receive a bunch of negativity in a landscape flooded with remakes and remasters of all kinds. An easy argument called seems that companies want to make easy money1. But it’s not fair to put the word in such a negative context. The word nostalgia originates from the Greek words nóstos (return or homecoming) and álgos (pain). It is literally a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past2. Nostalgia seems to be heavily influenced by emotions and during my initial reading into the subject the theory suggests that it can be quite beneficial to give into the feeling. Nostalgia can provide relaxation; a way to forget about the state of the world. So to put this in perspective: a piece of media can provide relaxation through the feeling of nostalgia. And when you’re trying to escape from the hectic outside world; it might just be what the doctor ordered. A disconnect from the outside world and connection to something familiar.

Connections

Without going deep into the science; the statement that nostalgia is affected by connection seems valid. And connections are something I’m very interested in but still sometimes very bad at.  

– A realisation which makes me feel very human as I’m writing this –

If most nostalgia is based on connection, is it the expectation that a certain place/location (like your hometown) or film or piece of music provides a feeling or similar emotion every time? The answer should be no with an asterisk, as there is a clear mention of “home” or “safe place” meaning that we as a people pursue “the safe place” when we crave nostalgia. A safe place being predictable and shut-off from the outside world. I personally have this when starting some of the Miyazaki films, or listening to specific music like Space Lion from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack. Pieces of media that captivate me completely. So I have a personal connection which for (assumingly) a couple of reasons were created and gave the aforementioned piece a special place in my mind. For me it feels like sinking into a hot bath, riding a wave of disconnect from the world until the thing ultimately comes to a predicted end.

Attention

Being engrossed in something, even if for a limited time, is such a blessing in the current world. Every waking second things battle for our attention so a single focus when consuming media feels highly desired. Media producing companies recognised that the eyes on their products lessened due to the sheer quantity of available content3 and searched for a way to recapture lost eyeballs. And one answer was nostalgia in the form of remakes and remasters. Technology has developed massively in the last 20 years, so it seems natural that IP’s get revisited and products remade so they can be consumed at today’s technical standards.

As an added benefit to new faces looking at your product, a remake or remaster brings in theory also a lot of older, “familiar faces” back to said IP. Perhaps out of curiosity or out of a nostalgic desire as they remember what the old product meant for them. A shining example would be Disney, as the company has remade a lot of films from their own catalogue with varying success. 

The marketing of these remakes tend to lean heavy on nostalgia. They often target parents who take their children to watch the new Disney film because they watched the original during their childhood and retain good memories about that experience. Which is something the creators bank on to use for their benefit. And thus we get to replication of nostalgia, where a remake tries to capture lightning in a bottle twice for (nearly) the same product.

Replication

Remastering or remaking a product with today’s technical standards has been a common practice over the last 10 years. Rereleasing music and films with a higher quality is something we’ve seen for a longer period of time. But remastering games has been a challenge gaming companies have taken on as well now and it brought with it a different kind of remaster. Because video games have the potential to be drastically iterated on during the remastering process, depending on the goal of the project and the available resources to the company. With modern design philosophies, a game could be even better than it was during its initial release. 

But a product needs to handled with great care, else you could incidentally remove that one great (musical) moment or mission which gave the product such value for a lot of people4.

A happy memory

What nostalgia boils down to is, in my opinion, a happy memory. There was something in a specific product which made you remember it fondly. It’s also this memory, this connection that creators of a remake count on. They want to use that specific connection and memory to make you consume a remake5.

While it’s easier to play with a person’s memory when remaking something old; it’s very hard to do so when creating something new. A connection is needed. Luckily for creators, a connection can also be a familiar storyworld or character. Thus their appearance can contribute to creating new memories for the consumer, if executed correctly6.

I’m currently watching Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and it excels in this playing to our collective memories. With just enough worldbuilding and useful flashbacks the viewer instantly feels familiar with the setting. It’s a standard fantasy world but the story has a twist. We learn quickly why things are important to the titular character. Even if the character Frieren seems like an emotionally distant elf we learn to see through her mannerisms and empathise with her as the show progresses. And create new memories along the way.

Conclusion

Nostalgia probably isn’t a solution to our collective issues; but it can be a profound bandage to forget about our troubles. Just a bit of relaxation and a disconnect from the hectic outside world. A moment to re-energize.

While I think we humans need to take more time away from all the outside buzz, it’s not that products layered with nostalgia are by default our enemy. They can be a useful commodity that we need to use on a timely basis to reconnect with a piece of ourselves. Which can be your love for adventures or simply watch as a group of characters solve (difficult) problems. Whatever it is, never forget you need time for yourself. Be it playing video games; watching a film or series; reading a book or something else entirely. Nostalgia can be a powerful tool to assist you to build up the mental fortitude you need to survive the next week. Just remember that nostalgia baiting is a practice used by companies. The past has gone and there’s no time like the present. Which means there’s always the choice to do something else with the time you have available right now.

Notes

  1. I want to add this is complete conjecture from my side.
  2. Source: Cambridge dictionary
  3. This is again conjecture from my side
  4. Examples of a good remaster are the Final Fantasy VII games and the poorly received Warcraft 3 remaster.
  5. Example of the Mulan trailer, which is filled with nostalgia inducing elements
  6. I mentioned this in my writing on the Cowboy Bebop live adaptation. The Rings of Power seems to suffer from this as well. A great storyworld which people have fond memories of, but a poor execution.

Sources

  1. On nostalgia: Wikipedia; Forbes nostalgia trend; Rocketmill on The power of nostalgia
  2. Nostalgia marketing: Inc.com on nostalgia branding & BBC on nostalgia marketing & Nostalgia baiting (on theconversation.com)
  3. Other research: GWI consumer research; APA PsycNet report
  4. Intentionally [Blank] podcast: Why are we nostalgic
  5. A list of Disney live adaptations and live acttion remakes
  6. The Disney renaissance explained (Wikipedia)
  7. My blog on The problem with adaptations
  8. On video game remasters: Sapphirenation.net & explanation by DX on Youtube

Miyazaki and managing expectations

Posted on by Marc in Blog

With the release of his latest film, Hayao Miyazaki again increased his legacy in the world of animation. I have a deep respect for Miyazaki. He is a man who has spent most of his life honing his craft with great success. And while there is the ongoing joke of Miyazaki retiring, I simply acknowledge the man is managing expectations. Not just for us, but also for himself.

The Boy and the Heron

The trailer for The Boy and the Heron or How do you Live caught me by surprise. I was aware that Miyazaki was working on something; but since there’s always a big announcement for a new film, I just assumed that there would be teasers and trailers months before release. While I was very wrong; I could not be more delighted. I watched the trailer on release day and it just oozes Ghibli. It looks beautiful, and the minimalist approach of the 1 minute trailer only adds to the mystery surrounding this film.

My expectations

The film is currently making its way to theaters around the world and for a change I’m trying not to spoil myself. Just so I can form my opinion when it eventually hits a nearby Dutch movie theater1. Like I said earlier: I have a deep respect for the creator Miyazaki and his work. He is the example of a person who has a profession that he loves and uses it with great effect to tell his stories. To that end, I want to comment on two images from the trailer that have that familiar Miyazaki feel to it and make me thrilled to see it.

The dark corridor:

A dark corridor lined with mysterious lights that illuminate the path. This reminds me of Spirited Away and Laputa (Castle in the Sky). It is the unknown and supernatural element we see so very often in Miyazaki films. I find the thought that nature will take over once we humans stop to manage a place really interesting. It also segways into the second image.

Fire spirit:

A flaming spirit next to a human. Like Howl’s Moving Castle or Ponyo, the spirits are among us. While in real life they don’t seem to have the power to manifest like in films; Miyazaki asks us to think about nature and respect it. Which is in line with his other works.

Both these images are, like I mentioned before, recognisable for people who’ve seen his other works. They are why I return to his work periodically. Not just because of nostalgia for the film or creative inspiration. But because they all refer to the greater world. One that is connected and where we are not alone. That feeling is the expectation I have when watching a Miyazaki movie. The feeling that has people revere his work and will outlast the creator when he eventually decides to retire.

Retirement (plan)

Miyazaki has been talking about retirement for about 15-20 years now. Which is not odd, considering he currently is 82 years old. The admirable passion he has for his craft is likely the driving force of his continued productivity, yet the question is how his age is impacting production. I cannot imagine how it must be as an 80+ year old creative to add another incredible film to your revered filmography. Even less so to think about a new project. Which raises the question about how physically and mentally fit Miyazaki is. 

I hope he can keep enjoying his (semi-) retirement for another few years since another seven-year production will be hard to complete. I’ve seen and heard of people who just “grow old” at a certain age. While for some it starts when they hit the age of 60, others are blessed because “deterioration” starts much, much later. There will come a time when a person just has to slow down because their body cannot work at the same pace as before. And since he’s 82, I’m not sure how age is impacting his work. I do not know his plans but I will not blame Miyazaki if he retires completely. On the other hand, I’m quite intrigued to see another Miyazaki film after this one. If he likes it or not, the world needs his stories. Perhaps now more than ever.

Notes

  1. It’s currently being shown in Amsterdam, but I simply lack the time to travel there to see it.

The importance of staying true to yourself

Posted on by Marc in Blog

I always like to be surprised by a show or film. At least in a positive way. There are a lot of films and series available, so I’ve learned to be very picky with my time. I want to see a character gain an insight or share a view of life that I can use. A lesson to learn or a healthy habit to copy. Media do not always provide this, but sometimes I get lucky. Today I’ll have two series and one film that provide an insight about staying true to yourself.1

Devilman Crybaby

I got interested in Devilman Crybaby because of the Year of Yuasa video essay. His style is recognisable and the animated hyper-violence was a nice palate cleanser in between parts 1 and 2 of The Glory. In the show we follow the schoolboy named Akira Fudo. When his body becomes possessed by a demon he manages to retain his heart and kind soul, thus becoming Devilman. Over its runtime, we see Akira fight demons who have completely taken over their host body. Yet somehow, Akira manages to keep his empathy in the rapidly changing world around him. Because the show only spans 10 episodes, there are some big leaps in the main plot. Despite that, Devilman Crybaby manages to convey the difficulty of the characters to keep their humanity in the polarizing and violent world they live in.

Call me Chihiro

Call me Chihiro is probably the most slice of life film I’ve ever seen. On a surface level it looks like a couple of days from the life of the main character: former sex worker Chihiro. Yet as the film progresses, it becomes more. It shows us that we can help others by being oneself. By connecting people, handing out advice and especially being focussed on the needs of the other. Chihiro is an adorable human being, who by her natural charm is a welcome deviation of the more distant social standard we often see in real life. A film best watched when you’re not in the mood for something heavy, since the bittersweet lightheartedness is heartwarming on a cold evening.

Romantic Killer

Romantic Killer far exceeded my expectations. This romantic comedy is about high schooler Anzu. A very non-typical girl who only loves chocolate, games and cats. But when she starts her new game, a wizard pops out of her tv and takes what she loves most in life. The goal of wizard Riri is to have Anzu fall in love. Stubborn as she is, Anzu is determined to fight off any romance that comes her way. She will win back her three greatest joys in life and defeat the wizard at its own game.

The plot of Romantic Killer is as ridiculous as you would expect. The animation is great and the characters well developed. This combination gives the (physical) comedy an extra layer which makes this show a wholesome and hilarious experience. What really sells it for me is the many faces of Anzu and the great performance of her voice actor.2 It makes Anzu’s arc from a self-centered person to a kind and loving one a treat to watch.

The giving heart

All these media: Devilman Crybaby, Call me Chihiro and Romantic Killer show us what we can do if we stay true to ourselves. Akira has to make hard choices for the ones that he loves. Even when these choices lead him down a dark path, he manages to keep his human side alive. His inner demon needs to be fed, but because Akira believes in his humanity he can stay true to himself for a very long time. A sight neatly contrasted by the character Moyuru, who after a time gives in to become a full fledged demon. He cares little for others around him and eventually gives in to the pressure, seeing no suitable future for himself as an individual. He chooses to become part of the ever growing demon horde. Something that Akira and fellow Devilman Miko refuse to do until their death. Both Akira and Miko show a strong moral compass which makes them memorable as characters.

Another person with a strong moral compass is Chihiro. As a former sex worker she knows how to handle people. In her new life as a bento box sales person, she becomes the fascinating center of a community. Brutally honest yet never disrespectful. She is a socially binding element between people who didn’t know they needed it. While her focus on the present is an admirable trait, it eventually reveals itself to be a double edged sword. Through her it becomes clear that with a single focus on the present, a character will probably not improve their personal situation in the future.

How to never be alone

Chihiro is an empathic person, yet she chooses to give priority to others over herself. Serving a community like she does is a healthy trait until it becomes unhealthy. Chihiro leaves no room for herself to be happy. We learn little about her past and her inner life. Despite her outward and considerate demeanor, she seems to be afraid of deeper bonds. A behavior made clear by her sudden departure at the end. Chihiro is a person that will most likely feel like she’s alone in the world until she learns she’s not alone. 

A feeling that Romantic Killer’s Anzu has no notion of when her distractions are forcibly removed. Companions magically enter her life like they always were there. Initially she rejects them, defiant of the “evil” wizards plan. Yet over time she learns to enjoy their company. She matures as a character. Like Chihiro, she becomes present in social situations. But with the difference that her goal is to win back her three big loves. With that in mind she has a focus on what she wants for the future. Anzu will not allow herself to be swayed into liking a man purely because he is a man. She enjoys the company of the men in her life because they are fun to be around. Over time this reveals Anzu to be an attentive and caring young woman which naturally inspires the company she attracts to grow as people. 

Of these three people (Akira, Chihiro and Anzu) one can argue that Romantic Killer shows best how to deal with internal struggles. You never have to be alone when you share your personality with the world. Devilman Crybaby, Call me Chihiro and Romantic Killer show that if you stay true to yourself and try to live your best life you will encounter people that can and will help you. You only need to give yourself permission to be helped.

Notes

  1. Being true to yourself means you don’t worry about pleasing other people; living by someone else’s standards or rules. You don’t care what people think of you. You live as your natural self. Without compromise. No one can tell you how to be true to yourself except you.
    Source: Ethics Sage
  2. Interview with voice actor Rie Takahashi

Other sources and further reading

On Devilman Crybaby:

Masaaki Yuasa

Devilman Crybaby on My Anime List

Devilman Crybaby on Rotten Tomatoes

On Call me Chihiro:

Call me Chihiro on Rotten Tomatoes

Call me Chihiro on My Drama List

Salon review of the film: “Comfort to all”

On Romantic Killer:

Romantic Killer on My Anime List

Romantic Killer on Rotten Tomatoes

Gamerant: “Romantic Killer Is Helping Spread An Important Message”

CBR: “Fall 2022’s Romantic Killer Addresses a Serious Issue That’s Not Discussed Enough”

Violet Evergarden: Letters for the Lost

Posted on by Marc in Blog

Writing is the practice of putting letters into words and sentences. To put words on paper is a way of expressing yourself to the reader. It is more permanent than speaking, for the spoken word only lives in our memory after the sound is gone while words on paper remain. It is an ancient practice that most of us learn from a young age. We use it our entire life, whether we think about it or not. Our daily writing practice may involve sending emails to our customers or colleagues; typing short messages to our friends; or writing a book. All is possible. But where are the people who write letters? Not letters to government officials or to apply for a job. But true, heartfelt letters to their loved ones. Are there even people who write letters to their loved ones or are we not able to do so anymore? These are questions that Violet Evergarden put in my mind. 

What is Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden is a 2018 Netflix animated series based on the similarly named Light Novel. It follows Violet Evergarden, a girl in her teens who was a child soldier until the end of the war. As Leidenschaftlich’s Soldier Maiden she was known by friend and foes alike. The young girl who protected major Gilbert Bougainvillea with her life. As a child soldier, she knew only military life. So major Gilbert’s orders were her direction, her only meaning in life.  

A life she almost gave away in the last battle. The operation to take an enemy stronghold that went completely wrong. Violet lost both her arms and her commanding officer, whom she wanted to protect. The major, mortally wounded, knew his time had come. Ever since he took Violet under his wing, he taught her important skills like reading and writing. Which she did, as Violet thought it was part of her training. She could not infer at the time that the major was slowly teaching her skills to live her own life. A skillset which he could not complete. So his last orders were simple: “Run and live. Be free.” 

The last words he spoke were: “from the bottom of my heart. I love you.”

Words she didn’t understand. With the major crushed under a building and Violet waking in the hospital bed with two metal arms the show begins. In search for the meaning of I love you.

The impact of writing

After she’s healed, Violet takes a job at a postal company where female scribes (Dolls) work as ghostwriters. In this illiterate world, the scribe is a very needed job. People have requests for written words. Be it stage plays, love letters or something else that is special. 

With every letter, we learn with Violet. We learn how to deal with loss, guilt, regret, atonement and love. As Violet’s scribe teacher explains: “An optimal Doll will be able to decipher the person’s true feelings and express it on paper.” A role which Violet makes her own, as we see that with each written word the emotionless girl learns empathy and is eventually able to express it as well.

Letters are such a beautiful medium. Youtuber Sage Rain has an on point definition: “a letter is a message that can exist beyond the constraints of time, age or distance.” A letter can reach those who are lost. People unwilling or unable to listen to the spoken word might be reached on a deep emotional level with the right words. Words expressed by a client, written by the Doll and delivered by a mailman. That is the truth of the world in which Violet lives. All put their effort into these letters so the recipient can read the contents with honest eyes and hopefully an open mind. Violet experiences this as well in episode 9, when she herself is lost. Receiving the letter gives her the realization that receiving a letter equals receiving someone’s precious feeling. Their heart and soul. Which ultimately helps her to step into the light. To an unknown but bright future.

Letters for a loving future

Our digital age allows for convenient means to create and send written words. Watching Violet Evergarden might give the impression that our modern communication systems lack a personal touch. There is no physicality to the received letter simply because no one delivered it in person. While there is a truth in that, I would not dissuade you from writing a letter to another person. You can not know if your written words are the ones that change that person’s life.

“People have very complex and sensitive emotions. Not every one can express how they truly feel. They end up contradicting themselves or lying, which makes it difficult for me to understand what is true and what not.”

Violet Evergarden

With heart and soul

I did not get answers to the questions I asked at the start. Some are simply to farfetched to research myself. Yet I believe that there are people who still write beautiful letters and that we all are capable of writing letters with heart and soul. Even if the after war setting of Violet Evergarden may be distant, the emotional challenges on display are human and relatable to all. For we all have our own challenges in life. Should you feel lost like some of the people in Violet Evergarden, I encourage you to search for words that inspire you. It does not matter who the source is. A small quote from an unknown tv show can be as inspiring as a motivator with millions of followers. If the quote feels important to you, cherish those words. They carry the heart and soul of the writer.

Sources used

Just your easy acces Wikipedia link

Violet Evergarden on My Anime List: It’s top 100

Grab your tissues says Geoff Thew: Mother’s Basement review

Sage Rain video essay

Header image source

I collect inspiring quotes as well and you can find them here

Edgerunners: Eyes that skirt the abbyss

Posted on by Marc in Blog

The abyss. The pitch black place of moral depravity where normal people do not come. For if you enter it, you are lost to humanity.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (C:E) is an exploration of the people susceptible to the call of the abyss. A show dedicated to the cyberised punks who are skirting the edge in search of money and glory. If you’re not familiar with the Cyberpunk universe, C:E does a great job of introducing you to the dystopian sci-fi of Night City in the year 2076. While the show is colorful, there is an unmistakable grittiness to the visuals on screen. The below walk through Night City shows everything you need to know.

The rest contains spoilers for Cyberpunk Edgerunners.

The people

Night City looks like a place where normal people have a hard time living. In a world run by mega corporations and streets dominated by gangs, a simple question is: where does the middle class fit?

We get a glimpse of this in the opening episode where we see Gloria. At first glance, she is an honest, hardworking woman. A single mother who works double shifts to keep herself and her son David alive. She also works for David’s education in one of the major corporations in Night City. But David’s education at Arasaka isn’t what makes him happy. Despite his good grades he doesn’t feel like they are his people. The rich boy bullies also  contribute heavily to this alienation. What David wants is a family. One that he finds on the bad side of the law. The one that his mother was trying to protect him from.

Eyes of the Lost

Stepping over the line and engaging with the outlaws and mercenaries of Night City makes you vulnerable to the call of the abyss. The abyss is not a physical place for the people of Night City. Yet it is a real place for those experiencing it. Anxiety pumped up to eleven caused by a constant input of data in the mind. It’s the reason a person cannot sleep. Not until the mind completely switches off. The individual’s sense of normalcy is reduced and they lose all empathy to resort to the one thing they know: to kill. These Lost or Cyberpsychos are identifiable by their eyes.

When we learn that Gloria was making extra money by selling hardware as a black market dealer we question her concerned eyes. Did they see the abyss? In a way Gloria was part of the ecosystem that produced Edgerunners and Cyberpsychos. So the only option she must’ve had was to be a part of the system or know that her wish for her son to have a proper life would not be realized.

Batman

In a sense Edgerunners are all like Batman. A man who has seen the abyss, walks along its edge, but refuses to give in. It requires a great mental fortitude to not jump into the dark. It is stated often in C:E that everyone who has chrome installed will fall eventually. Which makes the notion that Batman is able to remain steadfast until his elderly years even more impressive. Especially when you don’t seem to have that big of an impact on the world. When pondered, it is understandable why the allure of installing more chrome is present. David is the prime example. To make an impact, protect those you care for. Even if you become Lost while doing so.

Sources:

https://www.cyberpunk.net/en/edgerunners

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk:_Edgerunners

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk_(role-playing_game)

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/moral-depravity

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abyss

Spezzaferri, Mitchell & Collins, Gary & Aguilar, Jenny & Larsen, Anne. (2017). Moral Depravity: Going Beyond Just an Attribute of Psychopathy. Journal of Forensic Psychology. 02. 10.4172/2475-319X.1000122.

Bubble tells us to listen

Posted on by Marc in Blog

First drafted June 11.

I hear a tractor passing on this sunny afternoon. Its heavy diesel engine echoes from the buildings in this tiny Belgium village, somewhere in the Ardennes. Other than the wind and birds, it is quiet. I’m on the annual team weekend, having just returned from a few days off with my parents. Similarly to the last couple of days, I find myself in nature. With limited city sounds or the general business of the working life my mind is in relative peace.

This subdued external input creates space. Space to think and space to listen. 

Listening to my own thoughts is something I value. Especially when it concerns my writing or my current (life) situation. Unfortunately, my agenda was filled to the brim during the last couple of weeks with all kinds of stuff. Thus limiting my time to listen and reflect. I’m sure many of you are in similar situations, where your life is teeming with so many activities that you’re not even thinking about creating a moment to breathe. Luckily Bubble (2022) sparked my drive to conciously create a moment to listen.

What is Bubble (spoilers)

Bubble is an animated feature film produced by Wit studio. It features the visually stunning post-apocalyptic version of Tokyo which was largely flooded by a mysterious event known as the “Bubble Fall”.

During the film we follow a group of teens who do dangerous parkour battles to gather supplies so they can survive. One of these teens is 19-year-old Hbiki. He is an exceptional player, yet limited because of his hearing disorder (hyperacusis).

Part of his exceptional skills come from his ability to hear a song when he focuses. It is implied only Hbiki can hear it because of his hearing sensitivity. The rhythm of the song enables Hbiki to read the ever changing terrain of Tokyo like he practiced it for years. And practice is what he needs. Because when not competing in the parkour, Hbiki tries to reach the epicenter of the bubble at Tokyo Tower which calls to him. However, he constantly fails at his attempts to reach it due to the complex gravity forces. In one attempt he nearly drowns, only to be saved by a mysterious girl he names Uta. 

He takes her back to his team home and Uta joins the team. Over the runtime of the film, Uta influences the lives of everyone around her. Not only those on the team, but also her mysterious sisters. Convince them that they can coexist with humans by simply being among them; listening and learning from them.

If you watched the film you’ll realize the basic plot is a retelling of The Little Mermaid. It even uses the book to give context to the story of Uta and Hbiki. Which is not something that I was expecting before watching this film. Regardless, the plot execution is abstract and sometimes hard to follow. Luckily the visuals are amazing and Hyroyuki Sawano’s soundtrack elevates those visuals to an even higher level. It is a shame that the plot and underdeveloped characters don’t contribute to it1.

Are you listening

I would’ve loved it if Bubble’s on screen action wasn’t limited by some of the mandatory plot or exposition. For example: It is nice to know why Tokyo is in this state, but it would also work if this was shown in the opening of the film2.

If done so, there would be more time for the viewer to spend with the characters. The time we would need to watch them grow. This can be done when the main plot is minimized to let the characters shine. We could learn more about them. Why are they (re)acting like they do? And what are these characters learning from Uta since she is someone who learns from watching and listening to others. On top of that she is a person who values that experience appropriately, as can be seen in the scene where she creates bubble figures. This is why you could argue that Bubble is a study of the human experience; although I would sooner link it to our ability to grow as people through the act of listening.

While Bubble culminates in a rather tumultuous ending, the below scene explains exactly what I mean. Through listening and watching Hbiki, Uta is able to understand him. And she is able to return that experience by singing.

She may not be able to talk, but she is able to convey her feelings. Thus showing us that she grew from someone who clung to Hbiki to someone who has a better understanding of the world3. Sadly the moment is cut short because the plot needs to happen. Which is not a criticism. It is me feeling sad that the moment ends. Especially because these moments are limited compared with the energetic action. But when viewed as a complete product, Bubble is very clear in its visual and auditory storytelling. Storytelling that touches the heart.

 “Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals.” 

L. J. Isham

Notes

1. Which seems to be the consensus among reviewers

2. I want to use Laputa’s opening credits as an example because that kind of short and to the point exposition that Bubble would have benefited from. I couldn’t find it on Youtube so you have to do with an analysis on why it is so good.

3. One with rose-coloured glasses, but a better one nonetheless.

Additional sources/research

What Great Listeners Actually Do; by Zenger, J. and Folkman, J: https://hbr.org/2016/07/what-great-listeners-actually-do

There’s NO Such Thing as “Soft Skills”; Simon Sinek

Bubble (2022) Honest Review; Unleash the Ghouls

Bubble: The Beautiful Mess | Bubble Anime Movie Review; ProfessorViral

Bubble | Director Araki and Composer Sawano Reaction | Netflix Anime

Children of the Whales: A show full of contradictions

Posted on by Marc in Blog

Upon the sea of sand we see an island. An island that is sailing across the sand. It is a beautiful place where people live in harmony. But things are not what they seem to be. Most of the island’s inhabitants are below the age of 30. What is this place? Who are these people? You’ll find out in Children of the Whales.

It is a nice experience when you’re positively surprised by a show. Children of the Whales (Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau) is one that did. With no prior knowledge on the show save the limited information Netflix provides this was a wild guess for me. But being in the mood for something short I gave it a try. And it was an interesting watch.

The basics

Let’s start simple since the show seems like it’s a bit overlooked1 and its overall ratings across different platforms is somewhere in the 70-75 region. The larger animation focussed Youtube channels also haven’t covered it.

Children of the Whales (CotW) is an animated show based upon the manga of the same name. The manga released in 2013; the animation produced by J.C.Staff dates from 2017.

The series follows the 12-year old boy Chakuro who is the scribe/recorder of the people of his island. The island, called the Mud Whale, is adrift on the sea of sand. The people survive by scavenging other islands that pass by them and the bit of farming that they can manage. This small society is divided in two groups: The Marked and Unmarked.

The Marked are people with magical telekinesis- like powers called Thymia. Thymia is powered by the emotions of the wielder. They people have a short lifespan and rarely reach the age of 30. The Marked make up about 98% of the Mud Whale society. The others are the Unmarked. The people without thymia. While they are the de facto minority of the society, they are the ones in charge because they have a ‘normal’ human lifespan. The story kicks off when Chakuro encounters a human on another drifting island, something that hasn’t happened since people started to record their lives on paper. Contrary to what you might expect from the opening episode of this show, some unlikely events occur and it gets quite bloody real fast.

The show is a mixed bag of mystery, adventure and some other elements in a science fantasy universe. The target audience of the manga is labeled as Shojou, but the anime doesn’t give that vibe to me. Since I don’t know how the manga differs from the anime, I can only comment on the on screen presentation. It differs from things I’ve seen recently and the sound and visuals are a big contribution to that. 

Art and sound

To start: CotW is beautiful to watch. It is a blend of 2D and CGI. Its beautiful coloring and background painting made me reminisce to Grimgar, who applied a similar technique to its benefit. 

Like Grimgar, most of the backgrounds are static which can feel a bit like cheating, but in the best kind of way. Unlike Grimgar, the backgrounds in CotW are sometimes distracting from the action in the forefront. This is (perhaps) enhanced by the chosen color palette, where the character on the forefront look less important over the bright, beautiful background. However, this artistic aspect of the show; combined with gorgeous animation brings a distinct visual beauty to the screen that I don’t see that often. It sometimes is very pretty like below example; and sometimes misses it’s mark.

In CotW, the world looks like a canvas and the sound gives it an ethereal vibe. Even if you don’t end up watching I highly recommend listening to the OST. The soundtrack adds to the mystery of the world like a good soundtrack of a horror show would. It’s complimented by a couple of J-pop songs that represent the innocence of the Mud Whalers. An innocence that they lose rather quickly after the inciting incident.

The next part contains (mild) spoilers.

Thematics and story

The story of the anime is at times difficult to follow. There are large exposition dumps which make your mind dazzle. Combined with the sometimes poorly paced buildup and resolution of events the narrative feels rushed. It is easily the worst part of the show and probably the biggest turn-off for most people. There are so many elements in place that make this world tick, intricate details that are absolutely necessary to create a full understanding of this world that a solid narrative is vital. The creators did not do a bad job, it just could’ve been done better2.

That is not to say the thematics aren’t handled well. Like the visuals, I find it a bit of a mixed bag. The strangeness of Liontari/Ryodari as a character is an obvious display of a boy turned sadist because he is the only one with full emotions in his normal surroundings. His state of mind is what happens when you are accompanied by a host of emotionless child soldiers. You do what you can to survive. I find it very fitting that the nameless soldiers are dressed like Jesters, making it even more clear how this shows puts rationale and emotions against each other. And this is just one of the thematics that are on display3.

A show of contradictions

Children of the Whales is a show full of contradictions. On the one side it has an ethereal quality to it. This is balanced by the richly flowing blood and the importance given to menial tasks like working the land. But the world looks empty with very little scenes of moving people yet it feels very rich because of its art and (implied) history. The deep thematics are front and center but the execution in the story is lacking. It boasts a large conflict in the storyworld but fails to deliver the correct buildup. Because of this there are only minor moments that the characters truly shine as dimensional, breathing people.

At the end of the day CotW has everything in place to ask a meaningful question. Something like “Would you give up your powers for a longer life?” or “What sacrifice would you make for a life full of emotions?” 

Sadly, the narrative execution in CotW leaves much to be desired and is a clear detriment to the beautiful animation and sound that make this world a place you as the viewer would want to visit. So while I was positively surprised, I would give you a big “caution before you watch”. It surely is something that you don’t see everyday, and in the animated space it surely is something special.

  1. Note that this is speculation from my side, and totally not backed by research.
  2. Instead of the info dump on what Marked and Unmarked are by voiceover, they could’ve opted to have Suou or Taisha read it out loud as a check on Chakuro’s work. Work that they assigned to him. Another example would be Masoh’s arc and his relationship with the others (like Kuchiba). I would’ve preferred it if he were presented as someone the children look up to. And because of this, his strained relationship with the ruling powers of the island. Even if he just wants to help everybody.
  3. Think of: ruling minority/handling of power; elders keeping secrets from their children; discrimination; what it means to have a supportive family/community; saying your goodbye/realitionship with death; living a short and predestined life; dealing with disturbances in your community; can you be judged for event/crimes of your ancestors; the visually implied angelic nature of Neri and Aima.

The mark of the 1998 Anime Space Westerns part 4: an experience by itself

Posted on by Marc in Blog

The last few months I’ve been giving a small insight into my experience watching Trigun, Outlaw Star and Cowboy Bebop. While every one of these shows has elements of a space western in it, all three shows provide a slightly different take on the genre. So there is no necessity to compare these shows with each other. So I won’t. Instead, I’ll focus on genre and the overall viewing experience now that I’ve had the time to distance myself from these shows.

Genre

When I think of western as a genre I mostly think of the dusty, desert frontier with gunmen riding into the sunset. And I really blame Sergio Leone for that. This image isn’t really created anymore, but I’m happy that elements of the western genre can be found in many other media. And how could it not be, our current culture of Sci-Fi-Fantasy adaptations creates a playground for elements from all genres to be combined. So naturally we find our westerns there as well.

Trigun

Of the three shows Trigun looks visually the most like a western. It shows survival in a desert and brings many worldbuilding elements we associate with the old west. Think of hoarding water, wanted posters and train robberies. You name it and Trigun delivers.

But while it delivers the experience closest to a western, it is also the anime that I personally liked the least. As mentioned by BennettTheSage in his video on Trigun, the anime’s appeal is directly related to the main character. And this is where I have a disconnect with the show. I do think Vash is an interesting character. But I personally need a bit more than a unique protagonist. I want Vash to have more meaningful interactions with the world to keep me interested. Trigun delivers some interesting opponents, but with the lacking narrative the complete package isn’t capable of holding my attention. 

Like I mentioned in my blog, it was in fact the only show where I was actively questioning if I should continue to watch. For me Trigun is mostly a slow paced “new town, same problems” kind of a show, and I don’t find that interesting enough. Especially if the big selling point of the show isn’t capable of holding my attention, even though I tried very hard to find something akin to my taste in the show1.

Outlaw Star

It has been a while since I’ve watched something like Outlaw Star. By that I mean a self-conscious, fun, episodic show. The science fantasy of this universe is great but I am still convinced that there is a lot of unused potential. Even though I am aware that the main plot just serves as a the initial catalyst to start of the series.

The shows imagination of what strange species and places are out there are on par with Star Wars, and I find it a pity that we did not see more Tao magic in action. What gives this show it’s stickiness is the sense of grand adventure. That there are worlds to explore without limit. Something the other two shows don’t really have in them. In Outlaw Star, space is still a dangerous frontier and I find it a pity that there isn’t more adventure to it.

Cowboy Bebop

I’ll be short since you’ll probably know what comes next if you read my piece last month. Cowboy Bebop is a mix of hommages and tropes, exerted to the fullest. That might be the most accurate description I can give. It’s not just the characters or the storyworld. It is the combination of elements packed in a beautiful wrapper of sound and imagery. And every time I watch it it gets me. Not just the western or noir elements. It’s the complete package. Especially episodes like Ballad of Fallen Angels or Jupiter Jazz are a treat to watch. I’m not really sure how these will look and feel when experienced in live action.

Remake

I have no doubt that most of the people involved in the remake of Cowboy Bebop have the best intention to make it as good as they can. But I do question the need of doing one in the first place. My personal ruleset for doing a remake would be: 

1. Is the original story still worthwhile to tell. 

2. Has the animation aged poorly? 

3. Are the technical advancements in the medium improved enough to warrant one?

4. What does it add to the (tv) medium to do this remake?

Obviously the answer to question 1 would be yes. From my perspective the answer to 2 and 3 would be no. Even when considering that a live-action adaptation is something different than an animated remake, all three of the shows mentioned here don’t need a remake when purely looked at the visual quality. The nineties animation might be a bit dated, but it sure is not bad2.

Which leaves us with question 4. The only reason I see for doing a remake is that it shines light on a great product that should receive (more) recognition. 

Because this adaptation is in a different medium than animation, it doesn’t add anything to said medium. And based on the released opening credits I’m not sure what this show will add to the medium of (streaming) television. At this moment we are a month away from the Netflix release and the only thing we can do is wait. If the remake can capture the essence or the viewing experience of the original it will most likely receive less negative critique than when it doesn’t. We can only tell after the fact.

The viewing experience

While all of these 3 shows have a big “made in the nineties” stamp on them, they all are vastly different from each other. And while I have my preferences, each show had some aspects that I enjoyed. Overall the viewing experience was good and I did not regret it. Should you find yourself in a situation where you do not know what to watch, know that 1998 saw the release of 3 great animated shows. They might not all be as easily identified as westerns, but if you look closely, you will find that each of the protagonists are dealing with their own frontier.

Notes

  1. Perhaps this review from Glass Reflection may be your selling point to watch it.
  2. Disclaimer: This could be my nineties nostalgia speaking