Monthly Archive for December, 2006Page 2 of 3

Year in Review: Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings

15 Comments |
December 26, 2006
| Television

6. Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings

Believe it or not, following high school, I was looking forward to a career as an officer in the United States Air Force. It’s not that I had a burning desire to serve my country or anything. Rather, the Air Force was offering me a full scholarship for college and an officer’s commission upon graduation. There was no way in hell I was passing up a full ride and a guaranteed job.

But, various things happened that year, and before I knew it, my scholarship was no more. A month from starting classes at an expensive university and with no way to pay for it, I scrambled to find an alternative. In the end, I landed at a university close to home, where the tuition was cheaper and I could bide my time until another scholarship became available.

Except, as is often the case in life, things worked out a bit differently than planned. I fell in love with my new school, found new interests, made new friends… might as well stay put, eh? And so I did. Ten years on, and I don’t regret that decision, for things worked out in their own weird way. But, in all honesty, I sometimes wonder: what if I hadn’t lost that scholarship? Would everything have worked out? Would I have been happy in the military?

Probably.

Perhaps that’s why I find Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings such a compelling show. In some ways, I envy Kazuhiro, the protagonist, for the challenges he faces. I envy him for the responsibility that rests on his shoulders. I envy him for being in a position to help people when they most need it. I envy him for having such a damn cool job, I guess. It’s the sort of job I would have been good at, I think. An environment in which I would have thrived. I have to admit: when watching Rescue Wings, I wanted to be Kazuhiro so much it hurt.

And you know what? I think that was the point.

Merii Kurisumasu!

4 Comments |
December 25, 2006
| Miscellaneous

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all that jazz!

Since work prevented me from finding time to participate in the karaoke contest, here’s a little gift from Christmas past. I still can’t figure out that “pair of hopalong boots” part. What the hell are “hopalong boots,” anyway?

Year in Review: Canvas 2

11 Comments |
December 24, 2006
| Television

7. Canvas 2

I like bishoujo game adaptations, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Why? Because the average bishoujo game adaptation is just a slice-of-life show stocked with pretty girls. As you probably already know, I like slice-of-life. And I suppose I like pretty girls.

However, bishoujo game adaptations - both good and bad - are some of the most forgettable of shows. If you asked me to list all of the bishoujo game adaptations I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in my years as an anime fan, the list would be long. But if you then asked me to list those bishoujo game adaptations that count amongst my all-time favorites, I’d be lost. I like ‘em, but I don’t like ‘em that much.

So, what’s so special about Canvas 2, you might ask? I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve been struggling with that question for some time now. Perhaps it’s special because it’s a bishoujo game adaptation that doesn’t necessarily feel like a bishoujo game adaptation? I know I’m the one trying to sing the praises of the show here, but as to why I feel the way I do about it, your guess is as good as mine. I suppose you could just read what I’ve written about the show in the past and figure it out for yourself. I’m sure the answer is in there somewhere.

It is good stuff, however. And I think that, if more bishoujo game adaptations followed the lead of Canvas, I’d value them a lot more than I do now. It’s a good role model.

Perhaps that’s it?

Year in Review: Honey & Clover 2

7 Comments |
December 23, 2006
| Television

8. Honey & Clover 2

If you had a time machine and could travel back a year, you’d be able to catch the 2005 Year in Review in this very same space. Yes, I know the blog didn’t even exist at that time. Use your imagination. You’ve already conjured up a time machine, after all.

But, anyway, if you went back a year and took a look at how I ranked my favorite shows of 2005, I’m almost certain you’d find Honey & Clover at the top of the list. So, it’s with reluctance that I rank the show’s second season near the bottom of this year’s list. As I wrote in the introduction for this year’s review, however, with so many amazing shows airing in Japan over the past twelve months, the difference between fourth and eighth place is not so great.

Of course, the second season of Honey & Clover is, essentially, one episode of recap and eleven episodes of conclusion - a (practically) seamless continuation of the first season, delayed by nine months of snow and cherry blossoms. There were some small changes, however. A shift in art style. A more serious tone. Oh, and a noticeable lack of dancing hot dogs.

It’s because the second season is almost entirely conclusion, however, that it’s as exhausting as it is enjoyable. For all of its serious drama, Honey & Clover is a breezy show. Even the name sounds breezy (”Honey & Clover”, ahh… refreshing!”). Yet, the second season is decidedly somber in tone much of the time. How could Honey & Clover be so damn depressing?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. After all, Honey & Clover is, for all basic purposes, a coming of age story. A bumpy ride is to be expected. Those of us who have experienced similar trials and tribulations in life can identify, I think. That’s the power of Honey & Clover. It speaks to our generation. Like Mayama, we’ll one day succeed. Like Ayu, we’ll one day fail. Like Morita, we’ll struggle at times. Like Hagu, we’ll stand at the edge of the abyss. And like Takemoto, we’re always moving forward.

But where are we headed?

Year in Review: Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora

12 Comments |
December 22, 2006
| Television

9. Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora

Is it possible for a person to fall in love with a fictional, two-dimensional anime character? Obviously, it’s a question most “normal” people would have a difficult time wrapping their head around, not to mention answering. But for an anime fan, I suspect the answer would be something akin to, “Is the Pope Catholic?”

That’s not to say all anime fans want a Asahina Mikuru of their own (indeed, some of you sick bastards would prefer, say, a Suzumiya Haruhi), but I think it’s normal for anime fans to fancy characters who exhibit the same personality traits they seek in real life partners. I wouldn’t mind an Izumi Noa of my own, for example.

But, to see a reflection of one’s true desires in a character and to “fall in love” with a character are two entirely different things. Not everyone goes the extra mile. I know I don’t.

Well, not all that often, at least.

Akiba Rika, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I know you’re dying, but that just makes me want to protect and care for you. I know you’re a tsundere, but I dig tsunderes. I know you’re selfish, but I realize that’s just how you show affection. I know you’re pragmatic, but deep down, you’re clearly a romantic. Underneath your tough outer shell, hardened by situation and circumstance, may lie the “real” Akiba Rika, but I love you just as much for the Akiba Rika you show the world as I do for the Akiba Rika you keep to yourself. You’re an incredible person from head to toe.

And, clearly, I should spend more time doing nanpa at the hospital.

For me, Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora is all about Akiba Rika - it’s difficult to see anything else - but I submit that the show’s charms are plenty. For many, it’s all about Tanizaki Akiko. For others, it’s all about Ezaki Yuichi. For some, it may be all about Natsume Goro. Or Tsukasa in a Zebra mask. They’re the world that swirls around Rika. They’re the people who care for her… the people who love her in their own, special way.

Everyone loves Akiba Rika. Perhaps you do, too?