Dear Loyal RyuuKu Rivals Blog Fans,
In senior year of High School I started watching the anime Naruto. I quickly fell in love with the art style, humor, and themes of the show. I had grown up with the films of Miyazaki and have always had an appreciation for animation, whether it be Cartoon Network classics like The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy and Code Name Kids Next Door or cult classic films such as The Iron Giant or A Bugs Life. Anime is certainly a cheesy and seemingly shallow way to be introduced to Japanese culture, however television and, in particular, animation is typically rich in the culture of what country it's produced in and where it is most well received. I believe anime it is a fairly popular entry point for Westerners into Japanese culture over the past decade, furthermore its popularity should neither invalidate the role of anime in Japanese culture nor the the genuine interest in Japanese culture that may arise in a fan of the medium. From there I became more curious and began to seek out experiences that could bring me more information as well as into contact with more aspects of Japanese culture. I dove into manga and food, and kept my eyes and ears out for literature like The Tale Of Genji as well as savants of the culture and actual Japanese people who were open to talking about their home. I also began to attempt to learn Japanese on my own, knowing if I were ever to have the opportunity to visit that a lesser language boundary would surely enrich my experience in the country itself. Through my study of Economics at Bard College a learned a lot about the history of the modern Japanese economy, at which point I realized that this is a place where I may want to work for a short period of time in my life. This all brings me to this semester, whereupon my arrival at Columbia through the 3+2 Engineering Program opened up an opportunity to take courses in the language and do my best to learn in hopes of one day being able to apply my knowledge and pursue my interest in the home of this rich, fascinating culture.
PS I am currently up to date with the following manga and anime if you ever want to chat about them!
Manga: Boruto, HunterxHunter, Shingeki no Kyojin, Dragon Ball Super, 'To you, The Immortal', Boku no Hero Academia, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Magi, and One Punch Man
Anime: *the above*, Tokyo Ghoul, Parasyte the Maxim, One Piece, Darker than Black (mostly), Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo (which the theme of this blog is derivative of), FLCL, FLCL Progressive, Mob Psycho 100, etc.
Hi John! Wow it seems like you know a lot of animes and mangas. I’ve watched the more basic ones like Bleach, Black Butler, Fullmetal Alchemist, Anohana, Death Note and such. Anyways, hopefully we’ll learn more about Japan and Japanese culture through this class together! :)
ReplyDeleteYes I am very excited! Although I haven't seen any of those, I have heard a lot about them. I was once told that Fullmetal Alchemist comments on or is an example of a development economics theory, but i haven't seen the show so I have no frame of reference, haha.
DeleteHi John! I grew up watching Pokemon/Digimon/Dragon Ball Z/Miyazaki films on cable, and when I decided I wanted to immerse myself more in Japanese art, I moved onto more serious anime and manga. I think it's a great cultural bridge and I'm happy to see other people have taken it as a step on the path into learning about the culture more seriously. I've got to say, I love Bebop and Champloo! I'm currently watching Jojo, which is where I got my blog name, and I know a few other people in our class have watched it too. :-) But whenever I'm caught up with Jojo, I'm planning on moving to HunterxHunter, so I'm glad it has your endorsement.
ReplyDeletePS. The Met sells an interesting book on the history of manga that you may be interested in -- I read it a little while ago. It's really cool to see how it began and compare it to how it is now.
That's so cool, old cartoons rock! I still have to watch JoJo's (haven't quite gotten to it but it's on my list), but def watch HunterxHunter next, it is amazing, def one of my all time favorites. I def have to stop by the Met one of these weekends and snag a copy, that sounds like something I would be very interested in.
DeleteHey John! I am with you, having the childhood influence from Japan for the longest time. I grew up loving Pokemon. I watched the show, played the games, bought the cards, the whole nine yards. I always told my parents we had to go to Japan just so I could go enjoy Pokemon (as if that was the extent of Japanese culture and media). I was so pleased to see that you dropped all the animes and mangas you have watched/read. Jojo is my personal favorite, having watched all of the parts that have been animated and currently reading part 6. I love Boku no Hero Academia, which I am caught up in as far as the anime goes (sadly I have not gotten around to reading it). Cowboy Bebop was my gateway anime and I love it so much, and I have been told to check out Mob Psycho. Always excited to hear from ya! We'll have to grab a meal sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteBest,
アイザック・ルーミス
Yes we shall chow again soon! that is so adorable, I also was a big Pokemon fan. I'll never forget having a chaperone for recess in Elementary school ask all us kids why we don't play Yugio, and that Pokemon is really old, haha. Good games stick around I guess. I have been recommended JoJo's so many times now, it is next, for sure. Mob Psycho is hilarious and you can enjoy it on multiple levels, I recommend googling what anitsocial personality disorder is before watching it because knowing will certainly enrich your watching experience. Cowboy Bebop is usually my rec for first anime to watch also!
DeleteHi John! Wow, everyone here seems really knowledgeable on anime and manga. What anime or manga would you recommend for someone who has never watched or read any before?
ReplyDeleteHi Diana! Definitely check out Cowboy Bebop when you have the chance! From the soundtrack to just the general ambiance you feel in each "in-between moment", everything was thought of and deliberate in this show. Pretty much every episode grapples with a new theme, whether it be identity, global politics, research ethics, or just some good old mob conflicts. "Shot" in a Noire style, centering on an ex-cop and ex-mobster both turned bounty hunters and set in futuristic 90's outer space; the genre is cyperpunk noire, and honestly it may be one of the best shows ever made. I usually recommend this show because it is accessible to everyone, only 1 season long, and widely discussed. Hope you get the chance to check it out!
Deleteこんにちわ。You apparently know a lot of cool animes and manga. They sound so much fun! I need to check them out after midterms. Hope to hear more of your stories!
ReplyDeleteおはようございます！ They can be super fun, definitely check out Cowboy Bebop if you haven't already heard of it! I feel you with the midterms, this week will be a challenge, that's for sure. I hope i'm not distracting in class! lol. Sometimes I just don't know when to shut up. Anyway, good luck studying!
DeleteHey John! It's funny that I grew up watching the same shows as well. I started watching Naruto when I was 11 and followed till the end. I agree that it can be cheesy at times but it does give you a glimpse into Japanese culture. The language, the food, the practices, anime does show you about some aspects of Japanese culture. Glad that you have decided to study Japanese and I look forward to continue learning the language with you!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! I am super jealous of all the people who started watching Naruto young and have had the chance to follow along as he's gown up with you! Anime is definitely not my only motivation for attempting to learn Japanese, although it is something that I use to draw me back into being curious about Japanese culture when my responsibilities have completely distracted me. Adventure Time is my analogy to your Naruto, I will never forget inviting all the other little kids on my block over to my house to watch the premier of Adventure Time.
ReplyDeleteHi John! I've loved having this class with you. It was really cool to read about your connection to Japanese. I know that it may feel like anime is a shallow introduction to the Japanese culture, but it's not. I was introduced to Chinese culture through Google translate and a Chinese restaurant! So I agree, it is definitely not an invalid connection to Japanese culture. I'm excited to keep learning Japanese with you!
ReplyDeleteIts wonderful how the deepest passions can spring from seemingly small experiences! I have enjoyed having class with you as well Justin-san! Here's a Haiku I just made up...
DeletePassions are just trees,
once just a little seed now
deep rooted in full bloom
Hi John! Loved your blog decoration from the start lol. After reading your blog post, I should definitely dive in to Japanese anime and manga.I got recommendations for Japanese animes and mangas from my friends but never satisfying, but I feel like your recommendations will be pure gold 😃. Is there any recommendation for a starter like me?
ReplyDeleteTom! that is incredibly faltering! I am honestly quite new to manga and anime, but i have a small collection of shows and comics that I love dearly. I usually recommend either Samurai Champloo or Cowboy Bebop depending on what the person looks for in television shows, however both are superb! As for Manga...if you want a rich story that will make you cry from the first chapter, give "To you, The Immortal" a try! the author is really popular and acclaimed. I personally love Shingeki No Kyojin. I started with the show, but the plot was so enthralling and mysterious that I just couldn't wait until the next season, and started reading the manga.
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