Analytical Otaku

How To Get Your Friends Addicted To Anime
Tired of your friends teasing you about your anime-centric obsession? Give the gift of addiction!
Producer Spotlight: Iwashi-P
Time to shine the light on a much-overlooked producer. Get ready to listen to some awesome Vocaloid music you may have missed.
Your Objective Is Anarchy: How Video Games Encourage Rebellion
Video games can teach people how to be free thinkers and fight the man. They do this by letting you pet cows.
5 Ways the Next Season of Korra Could Suck
The Legend of Korra is due for another season. Here are a few things the writers need to avoid doing.
I Demand Stephanie Brown
Five reasons why bringing Stephanie Brown back would make all of DCverse a better place to be.

Showing posts with label anime. Show all posts

Tsunderes: Hot and Cold Heartthrobs

On Thursday, March 7, 2013 14 comments

I’ve been watching Shakugan no Shana, because I was curious about why the show was so popular. After much investigation, I have a startling deduction. People like Shana. Why? Because tsundere. There is something about those grumpy little lolis that drive people crazy (in the best way possible). I like ‘em too, as they are a far more compelling romantic lead than the usual hopelessly insecure high school girl. But why are tsunderes so fun to watch? After many hours of psychoanalysis (ie me sitting on my bed having a Toradora marathon) I have developed a theory. Tsunderes are popular because they are the perfect combination of hard-to-get, emotionally fragile, and flattering.

Look at this sassy little sheila. What's not to like?

People like a challenge. It validates your existence when you do something that ordinary people can’t. So the idea of a tsundere, or someone who is not normally cold, suddenly being torn by their emotions, is captivating. Being in a relationship is hard enough. But winning over a tsundere is like completing a marathon with one leg tied to spare tire. It’s not something the average mortal can do.

But in a nice little paradox, most tsunderes are emotionally fragile, which means that they would be easy to be in a relationship with. Like Shana, who emotionally withdraws because she doesn’t know how to handle her own emotions, tsunderes are a “go at your own pace” romance. Tsunderes are too stubborn to admit they like someone and enter a relationship. At the same time, they immaturely refuse to let someone go. This leads to a sort of push and pull, a sweet-spot of noncommittal love. The merry-go-round of emotion means that a relationship with a tsundere can continue indefinitely without ever being constricting or binding. They aren’t ready to completely commit to a relationship, so why should you?

Just because she makes you a gourmet dinner doesn't mean she likes you, okay?!

But let’s not forget the most important aspect of any hypothetical relationship: they make you feel good about yourself. Tsunderes are usually tough, hardened people. Like the ferocious Palmtop Tiger from Toradora, they are quick to judge and condemn. But their special someone magically makes them melt into a pile of squishy goo. Surely someone capable of such a marvelous feat must be amazing! Either that or the designated male-lead. But the fact remains that tsunderes are flattering because their love is so begrudgingly given.

If you can win over this, then you deserve a medal.

It would be an oversimplification to say this is a complete analysis of what makes tsunderes the go-to for romantic leads. There are a wealth of other factors out there. However, you can’t deny that there is something so psychologically satisfying about the love-hate dynamic. So if you can’t get enough tsundere, have some recommended viewing:

Zero no Tsukaima

Toradora!

Lovely Complex

Hayate the Combat Butler

Hidan no Aria

Pandora Hearts

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Full Metal Panic

And if you liked this post, check out my other articles!

How to Get Your Friends Addicted to Anime: Spread the joy of anime!

Shounen: Soft-core Porn for Girls: An explanation of why shounen is so popular with the ladies.

In Defense of Vocaloids: A series of posts about why Vocaloids are so dang awesome.

Oh, and if you want to make me really happy, check out my novel, Peter Pays Tribute. You can get it for free with the coupon code YP65T.

Abridgers Wanted

On Wednesday, January 23, 2013 1 comments

I realized something today. I don’t hear as much about abridged series as I used to. Do you remember when they were all the rage? Back in 2008, when you trawled Youtube for illegally uploaded anime, all you could find were these poorly dubbed, pop-culture saturated pieces of crap. Those were the days.

No, not "a bridge," ABRIDGE

If you don’t know what an abridged series is, here’s an (abridged) explanation. It’s when you remix a show, redubbing it for satirical purposes. Abridging aims to present a show in a humorous light, pointing out all the leaps in logic and bizarre happenings, while still retaining a strong love for the source material. Also, pop culture.

Behold, the crown jewel of self-referential satire

Littlekuriboh made the practice popular with his Yu-gi-oh Abridged, but the idea is probably older than the internet (although probably not much older, as the technology was more difficult to come by). One of the oldest examples I can track down is Evangelion: ReDeath.

Abridged series were a great way for fans to come together and celebrate a show they loved. They forced fans to be analytical, looking at both what makes a show great and what is absolutely ridiculous about it. In order to craft a successful series, you had to understand why the show worked, despite its flaws, and understand character roles and how they advanced the plot. Sure, some of the abridged series were downright awful, but enough were (and still are) worth every other painful viewing minute. When done right, they provide a smart insight into what made a series tick, all with a chocolaty-fudge coating of sarcasm. I love when people think deeply about what they like, and I would love to see the abridged series make a comeback.

However, interest in abridging has waned. As you can see from the graph, it experienced peak popularity in 2008-2009, but is slowly sinking back into obscurity. Why? The reasons are probably too complex for me to fathom, and definitely too long for this blog post. What I can say, though, is that abridging still has a lot to offer. I mean, come on, are you ever really done making fun of something? Don’t let this be a passing fad! Pick up you microphones, grab your equally nerdy friends, and go make your own abridged series!

How To Get Your Friends Addicted to Anime

On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 8 comments

Anime is awesome. You know what makes anime more awesome? Watching it with friends. What’s that, you say? Your friends think anime is weird and refuse to give it a shot? Well, have I got some good news for you: I’ve created a dandy little guide that will help you help your friends become every bit as anime-obsessed as you are. Read on, and soon you will be able to spread the joy of anime faster and easier than spreading a venereal disease.

Why would your friends think THIS is weird? It's just a rifle-wielding teddy bear.

1. Find stuff that interests them.

Admit it, your desire to get your friend addicted to anime is mostly self-interest. You want someone you can laugh with, someone to share your hobby with to make it even more fun. That’s understandable. However, you are far more likely to succeed if you think about what your friend likes first. If they love Disney movies and romantic comedies, starting them out with a psychological meltdown like Evangelion or Serial Experiments Lain probably isn’t going to go over so well. Try something like Fruits Basket instead. And if they’re a sci-fi nut, steer away from Sailor Moon. Introduce them to Ghost in the Shell instead. There’s an anime out there for everyone. However, the uninitiated think Pokemon or Naruto are the norm. If you show something that captures their interest, they’ll be more willing to sit through an episode. After the strangeness of “japanimation” wears off, then they might be more willing to branch out into new territory. Until then, though, your best bet is to show them that anime can be cool be introducing them to genres they already like, just in a different medium.

My friend likes Twilight. I bet she'd LOVE this show.
Look, it's got a vampire and a werewolf!

2. Control your inner nerd.

What’s more annoying than a squealing fangirl? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You know how most people mock Twihards and people who wear Jacob Black shirts? It’s because people don’t like you rubbing your weird obsessions in their face. If they’re a fan too, that’s another story. Then they might just squeal along with you. If they aren’t a fan, though, more than likely they will find your constant blabber about the “godlike sexiness of L” annoying, and it will turn them off to all anime. You can show you like something without looking like an obsessive maniac. As a general rule when talking about shows or characters you love, imagine someone saying the same thing about a subject you are disinterested in. If you don’t like My Little Pony, and someone says, “Man, I love those ponies. That show makes me laugh,” chances are this won’t bother you unless you are really immature. But if someone goes, “Omigosh, I freaking watch My Little Pony seven hours a day! I’m saving all my chewed bubblegum, and I’m gonna make a huge sculpture out of Pinkie Pie with it. You have to see it when it’s done. Anyone who doesn’t like MLP is gay!” …that’s weird. What are the chances you will want to go home and watch MLP after this? Not very likely.

Pop quiz: This guy sits next to you on the bus. What do you do?
Answer for a non-anime fan: Be very uncomfortable.

3. Help explain things they might be confused about.

Spolier: anime comes from Japan. This means that anime uses different narrative techniques to express itself. When people first watch anime, they might be totally confused over something as simple as honorifics. If they are, briefly explain what you know. Tell them that when characters go “super-deformed” it is usually for comic relief and not what is literally happening. Let them know that magical-girl transformations usually don’t happen in real-time. This may seem like common sense to you, but it isn’t. You learned it intuitively over a period of time. Your friend can’t help being a stranger to the culture and norms of anime. Don’t make them feel like an idiot, because they aren’t (and making them feel bad will only associate a negative emotional state with watching anime, lowering their future enjoyment). Try not to overwhelm then, and don’t talk so often that they can’t hear what is going on onscreen. But if they are confused, try to explain it to them. They are in unfamiliar territory, and you are their guide.

For example, your friend might have questions like:
What exactly is a host club? And where can I FIND one?

4. Don’t strap them to a chair.

Here’s a little anecdote a hope you will find enlightening: when I was in middle school, I had a friend who was absolutely insane over Inuyasha. I did not like Inuyasha, but she was certain she could “convert” me. On a sleepover to her house, she forced me to have a non-stop marathon of the show. Before, I had only known enough about the show to think it was bland. After sitting through fifteen episodes, though, I changed my mind. Now I hate it. Forcing me to do something didn’t change my mind. It just made me bitter, and forever sparked a fiery rage against the fur-eared faux-female. The same can happen to your friends if you coerce them into watching anime. Refer to step 1. Find a show you think they will like, and explain that it appeals to their interests. If they don’t want to watch it, then drop the subject for a little bit. Only bring it back up occasionally, extending the invitation but not being pushy. No one likes a pusher.

Behold the subjects of my darkest nightmare.

5. Give it time.

So they watched a few episodes of whatever with you, and they are unimpressed. Fine. Don’t fret. Give it a little while. If you did step 1 properly, then chances are they will want to see what happens eventually. It just might take some time for them to lay aside their pride and admit they actually like an anime. If they don’t come around, then either they are really biased against the medium, or you didn’t do step 1 properly. Try again, choosing another anime that you think they will like. Again, don’t force it. If you introduce them to something that sparks their interest, they’ll come around.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my guide! If you did, feel free to browse some of my other nerdy blog posts. And for the even more nerd, check this sweet puppy out

Shounen: Soft-core porn for girls

On Thursday, December 1, 2011 0 comments

Have you ever noticed that there are a ton of squeaky fangirls in love with shounen series like Naruto, Bleach, and Ao no Exorcist? In fact, there are more pubescent girl rooting for team SasuNaru than team Kyo nowadays. According to Google search, SasuNaru generates 2,610,000 hits while everyone’s favorite anime ginger only has 2,300,000 hits.

Why is this? Because shounen is soft-core porn for girls. You have a bunch of bishounen getting all sweaty and (accidentally) ripping each other’s clothes off. You have heart-rending oaths of revenge, manly tears, anguished declarations of resolve. And don’t forget the heavy bromance (you see two guys hanging out, a fangirl sees undercover-lovers). Shounen perfectly caters to what girls want in their anime.

To a girl, this is a buffet of bishounen beauty

I’ve met more giggle-happy girls infatuated with shounen that shoujo. How does that make sense? Shoujo is marketed towards girls. And therein lies the problem. You see, most shoujo anime makes one fatal flaw: they have a female protagonist. It’s not that the chick has the spotlight; it’s that the chick is generic, uninteresting and aggravating. Much like harem-anime and H-games, the lead in shoujo romances is there as an audience surrogate. She’s supposed to have as little personality or influence as possible so that the women watching can filter her out and insert themselves in.

Most girls are intelligent enough to intuitively understand that shounen skips that annoying middle step. They can ogle all the swirly-haired boy-goodness they want without putting up with a worthless protagonist.

Pop quiz: why do you think girls watch this show? If you guessed the bland girl in the middle, you are wrong.

So here is my challenge to the anime industry: come up with main characters who don’t suck. If you’re going to make a romance story, then make your lead an actual person. You know, someone who influences the plot and has strengths and weaknesses and all that. The key to romance is chemistry, and you can’t have chemistry with a cardboard cutout.

What do you think? Would you rather watch a strong romance between two interesting characters, or a harem-style anime where the main character is a place-holder for the audience’s imagination? Let me know!