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Visitors,

I had been writing a post for this week but I haven't had time to finish it. I'm on the quarter system for school so I've been busy packing and getting things together when I move this weekend to my apartment. I probably won't be able to post anything new by this up coming Sunday as well as the next. Maybe I'll do a quick post here and there but since it's a new school year and I also have a part time job, I'm not certain when I'll have a full on post. The one I was working on is kind of another food for thought topic so I hope you'll find it interesting when I do finish it =)

Best,

tohukyo

Quick Post--Can't Stop the Tears

So...I just finished rereading a manga titled Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan. I had forgotten about this manga but recently rediscovered it. Tears were forcing themselves out of my ducts continuously.

It's a tragedy tagged series but still wonderful and beautiful. It allows one to appreciate life, allows one to understand the misunderstandings of convicts, and allows us to realize the precious value of forgiveness. It really struct me how the (somewhat) paradox of the two characters was explained in the beginning by Miss Mutou Jirou (the female lead)--how she is free despite her ill mentality about people around her compared to him who is behind bars wanting forgiveness. This story speaks a lot and there are many layers to it. A wonderful and meaningful read. The development of the characters was very heartwarming. They would have been perfect together. It is most deserving of tears.

Someday, I'll watch the film drama adaptation, Maundy Thursday and hopefully a translated text of the novel it is adapted from.

Age Gaps--A Double Standard and Culture

Hey visitors,

The main topic for this week is regarding age gaps and I've read a few here and there, some small, some large, older, younger, etc. Over the years I've come to terms about the double standard as well as how the modern age culture has come to terms with regards to age gaps (does this mouth of words makes any sense?) Basically, double standard and cultural tolerance towards age gaps is what I'm saying/addressinghere.

First of all, cultures today are disapproving of age gap relationships hence the whole minors protection against pedophilia, statutory rape, and child porn.  However overtime, if people notice age gaps are more tolerable, mainly after you are out of compulsory schooling aka at least age 18 I guess. Why that is is kind of strange but when I think about it, what I think is that it's because people think that a minor doesn't understand love so much hence all those child love terms like "puppy love" and "crushes". However love is also a more modern concept since for quite a long time, people have married out of duty and sake of living (procreation, separation of labor, raising one's social position, power, etc). Side note: I'd like to point out one example of how love might have been a more modern concept; from Bokura no Kiseki (spoilers for people who haven't read it)-Manami said that as Veronica, even though people thought she and Glen were an item, he says they weren't because in those days, there was actually definition of what love was. Hence something so complicated and abstract that is also quite irrational at times, I think things like true love is a more modern concept.

Ok so I've kind of trailed off in another direction so back on track...What I'm getting at is that culture today has changed. What society defines as child has also changed of course since back then it was more acceptable worldwide to have marriages between youth and between a youth and an elder. But really, that's why when reading mangas that take place in the past (historical fiction or stories along the lines of fictional with more factual), if there are age gaps such as in Otoyomegatari, readers should realize that they're stepping into another culture that is different from the one they are raised in at the present. Age gaps were more socially acceptable back then especially since the concept of love and marriage weren't ideas that were put together until more present means. The purpose of marriage was more for purposes of social/status mobility, economic stability, political, etc (love wasn't usually first in line is what I'm saying). Anyways, for age gaps in historical context, not weird. Don't judge harshly on cultures by comparing it to your own. You can ask why but don't force it since you should know that the world of today isn't the world of yesterday as well as what is one culture's norm even in the present isn't another culture's norm. 

Next I'd like to note one double standard of age gaps which is the seemingly progression of age correlating with more tolerance towards age gaps. (I noted it above but I didn't expand on it since I got more into cultural aspects.) This is a more modern thing that goes on since age gaps in the past weren't such a huge issue and as I noted above, it could very well be the way people today view youth. Another reasoning would be the the accumulated intellect and life experience we have after adolescent that somehow qualifies people to have age gap relationships? The way I've put it sounds ridiculous but people do say "what do you know? you're still a child". As noted before, another example is terms like "puppy love" which label a person for ignorance who is usually a child but over time no one uses such a term especially when one is an adult deemed ready to commit to a relationship to life's end. Of course maturity is necessary to maintain a relationship so it makes sense.

Although life experience is good, the appearance of a child seems to be important as well.This is another double standard I've realized. I've noticed that in age gap relationships in mangas, those who appear child and adult are heavily questioned and criticized whereas if the child appears adult, there is less criticism. One clear example would be the popular yet controversial to today's societal principles, Kore wa Koi no Hanashi Of course if you appear adult and are mature in mentality for what is to say, a typical child, then readers probably won't criticize. But then you can go the other way where you have the appearance of an actual older gentleman or gentlewoman (I haven't seen older woman often in mangas of any genre) i.e. you actually look past your 40s or 50s. What I'm getting at is that appearance is extremely key in mangas for age gaps-at least that's what I've gathered after reading different age gap mangas. Frankly it is really annoying when the story is amazing despite the age gap. Though I suppose everyone wants to share their opinions whether they are uncomfortable or simply enjoying the situation at hand. To summarize this point, if a character appear child-like and in fact is a child, then s/he will receive much more criticism for a relationship with an obviously older person (or vice versa older pursues younger); if a character appears mature/adult-like and is a child in age (mental maturity doesn't really play into it as much from what I remember) s/he will receive less criticism for pursuing a relationship with an older person (or vice versa older pursues younger). I'm not that surprised since as humans, we've come to rely on our vision to determine survival as well as what appeals to us but yeah...the look of a couple, if socially approved of will be more socially accepted.

Well that's all I can think of right now. I've actually thought about this topic quite a lot since some of my interested mangas have been and currently are about age gaps; especially when people are arguing in the forums about being for or against the age gap relationship. In reality, I'm not sure how I feel about it. In mangas I've always been pretty open minded about age gaps-love for all, you know? That is as long as you are the couple I'm rooting for =d But realistically, I kind of understand the challenge of social norms today about age gaps.

I hope you've enjoyed reading. I'm glad I've finally written about this topic. I might add on later on but that's all for today =)

Until next,
tohukyo

P.S. Although I don't mind age gap relationships, it doesn't change the fact that I really don't favor teacher-student mangas. The way it's written usually just really gets to me. There's only been one (completed) that I've actually liked because of it's somewhat open ended and quite a confusing ending that a lot of people didn't like nor understand, "Beautiful Fascination is Better Than Love."

(Last updated 10-28-2013)

Quick Post--Movie Unrelated to Manga

Hey guys,

This post is completely unrelated to manga and anime and the like but I just have to praise this movie I just watched. The Mortal Instruments, City of Bones is a young adult movie recently released, adapted from the trilogy The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. I've been really anticipating to watch this movie since I saw the trailer and because I already read the books way before the movie was in the making and I'm so elated that I finally watched it!

Ok so most people have a bad impression of young adult adaptations because of Twilight (if you have a good impression well, that's your opinion) especially critics. Then there was Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in which was finally adapted for the big screen but I'm one of those people who didn't particularly feel it was as well put together as it could have been. Though I've only watched it once when it was released in theaters. The books I loved years before it was the hype but the movie was, in my opinion, put together awkwardly. However it is a complete foil to Twilight because it puts a badass girl as a heroine compared to utterly useless damsel...There was nothing in between to level out between the two extremes but I can't exactly say it's in the middle and I'll tell you why later but technically, I guess you can say The Mortal Instruments can be placed in between (but a lot close to Hunger Games than Twilight).

Now, people, this is one AWESOME ASS movie. You see, I read these books way before the movie came out and way before there was even any discussion about a movie adaptation. The plot is amazing and contained so much action and so much in just one book (hence the thickness) but the problem was that the books, in my opinion, weren't so well written (the plot is so good that it still draws you in, but you get bored sometimes). My friend can testify to that since she read it only once and she watched it with me today. The first time I read it, it was good but I second time around, I found it more difficult to get myself into it (though it could be also b/c I already knew what was going to happen). ANYWAYS, the plot is AMAZING and definitely had great potential to be a good movie. When I saw that trailer, I knew it was going to be good.

Watching experience? OH MY GOSH! I can't stress how amazing and awesome it was. It was so full of action, scenes transitioned from one to the next quite well, and the actors portrayed the characters so well (almost perfect cast for me)! The actors, I thought, portrayed the main pair exactly as  Cassandra Clare wrote them to be in the books; especially Jace who is pretty much a cocky douche with a heart, portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower. The couple dynamic was awesome too between the two main characters, it was just wonderful and not at all corny cheesy over-dramatic love. The nondiegetic sound for scenes in the movie were great too! Loved it! Demons, Mundanes, Shadowhunters, Downworlders, and lastly Angels. Gosh, so much supernatural but just so much fun (it's because there was just so much supernatural that I knew it had great potential to be a great movie too)! But most importantly, no useless characters. Every character had badass-ness in them. I was watching with my friend and she read most of the books so it was a lot more fun to watch it since we knew stuff was going to happen but we were getting ahead of ourselves, bringing up stuff in the end when we're still at the beginning. ANYWAYS, I just hope the next movies will be great as well. 

It's because of all that stuff above that I can't exactly say that it's in between Twilight and Hunger Games since I thought this was a whole lot more awesome than the Hunger Games movie. Though, the plots are completely different. I think the major difference is due to the fact that the author didn't actually write the script, simply looked over to make sure it was all there and well written. However one thing that makes both HG and MI better is how there is a bigger story than a love story going on here.

Anyways, awesome ass movie, WATCH IT PEOPLE. I totally recommend it and I hope you'll feel the same about it. Maybe it's because I read the story that I know that it's awesome but yeah...if you have the opportunity, read the books first then watch it. Trust me, it's a hell lot more fun having read it first. And it'll definitely be tons more fun if you have a friend who also read and watches with you.

Hoooooo, I feel like I'm running on adreneline because I feel so excited to watch the next 3 movies (Book 2, Book 3.1 and 3.2).

Peace out!
tohukyo

PS I say trilogy because the main story is in the first three books. I have yet to read the ones after since I really think the writing could be better and they're extra stories kind of like "adventures after Clary, Jace, and friends save the world".

Oh and no hate please. I don't need people getting fussy with bashing

Quick Post--Project Exclusivity

I just happened to read most of an "argument"/discussion between an "amateur" scanlator and a "major" scanlator relating to this whole "controversy" about exclusivity of projects on batoto. It's quite amusing to see this yet also sad since it shows how disturbed this phenomenon of exclusivity is. The "amateur" scanlator is doing pretty well in terms of translating and uploading chapters for a couple of mangas (one of which has become a recent favorite and both of which are historical genres outside of the japanese past). This whole "competing" thing sucks since it is as the person says, for the readers yet the "major" scanlator group was somehow insulted(?) by the fact that someone else is "speedscanning"? What?! Yeah....anyways, this exclusivity thing....hmm....

Sorry for being so generic. I don't want to be too direct about the individuals involved in this issue but check out Shoukoku no Altair on batoto if you want to see what I'm talking about. The "amateur" is Aizen-sensei and I just love the releases for Choukakou!

Check out my post(s) on the exclusivity thing and my thoughts about it~

• Exclusivity of Projects
• Why So Many Projects?

Quick Post--Clamp

Quick Post! Just wanted to just share this. 

I've been searching for new mangas to read and in the latest updates on a site, Gate 7 by Clamp was updated. I don't read Gate 7 (yet) but Clamp has always been pretty amazing and complex in general. Reading about their hiatus for Gate 7, I decided to search around from one thing to another about Clamp. 

I came to their wikipedia page and damn...I read everything on that page and just wow, their history and how they work as a team is amazing. What I'm most surprised about is just how they plan everything ahead of time especially the endings!! When I think about Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle and think that they already knew that they were going to end it as it did, they sure are a "Fantastic Four" group of mangakas. 

Quite frankly, this may be exaggerated but I find CLAMP pretty mind blowing considering what they write and draw.

Rambling--My Beginnings with...

Sorry everyone. I had a topic planned but I haven't completed it yet. I would do another "segment" of "Authors" but I don't want to burn that one out. So right now I'm just thinking on the spot as I type this and I think maybe I'll just go with my "firsts" or beginnings based on what I remember. I was going to just do manga but it's not as long. This is just going to be my first on hand experience. I'll leave online exposure to another time.

MANGA
I was first exposed when I was really young. All mangas I knew of were from the library but I didn't actually read because it was what I myself decided to read. It's like when you are stuck in a small community and all you can do in it is what you are given to do. I was in elementary/grade school at the time. My brother was in junior high/middle school and right next to the school was one of the public library branches in my city. He occasionally borrowed mangas from what was available at the branch and so I was first exposed to manga by the title of...uh....*google search: robot girl manga* Battle Angel Alita. I didn't exactly follow the story (since there wasn't much of a transfer of books from library to library nor was there a request system yet, usually it was one of those volume 4 then 2 then 5 kind of readings) but it was interesting. There was then Ranma 1/2 and later on the whole "fad" with Inu-yasha--by that time, my sister was in middle/junior high school and she provided me with my manga. Of course later there were more and more mangas like Watase Yuu's Fushigi Yuugi; there was also Saint Tail, Cardcaptor Sakura, X/1999 (this one I couldn't follow because of its complexity but Clamp's art was and still is very beautiful). When I entered middle/junior high myself, the range of mangas widened to W Juliet, Kare Kano, Prince of Tennis, Godchild, Imadoki (Nowadays), Swan, Hana Yori Dango, Ceres, etc. (Just a lot more, the manga collection at my city's library system exploded in numbers) but anywas, I think my genuine first manga exposure was Battle Angel Alita. I haven't touched that manga since then....

ANIME
So being an ABC (American Born C____) it's not odd that my first exposure to any anime (not cartoons, anime as in made in japan kind of thing) was dubbed. Being a child of those times, I can't exactly remember my first animes but Sailor Moon was up there along with Dragon Ball Z and of course who doesn't remember Pokemon! Yeah I was growing up during those times when these anime dubs were on. I remember before I had to attend language classes on saturday that every morning, my siblings and I would wake up early like maybe 6 or 7 AM in the morning (not sure about the time but it was early) because that's when Saturday morning cartoons in general would begin. This was of course way before my exposure to manga. Over the years I remember having watched Digimon and Cardcaptor Sakura too...not sure where that fits in in the picture... and later Yu-gi-oh as well. But anyways, I still have VHS tapes (Yes, I'm a child of the last years of VHS) of Sailor Moon, Pokemon, and Dragon Ball Z dubs stashed somewhere.

Ah...the memories. It's amazing when I think back. Just thinking about the mangas, the library system in my city has just grown so very much and there's also the whole online internet mangas! Then the animes as well as just Saturday morning cartoons. I didn't have cable and still don't have cable or any sort of television service that I have to pay for (I'm one of those people who didn't grow up watching Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, and Sponge Bob) so when I think about the huge shift in just kid's cartoon television shows on (what do you call free no serviced television?) the channels I have grown up with, it's just really different. There aren't any more anime dubs, all or most of what is available are American/Western cartoons--well with the exception that Yu-gi-oh is still on.

Alright that's it for this week. I think I'll do online exposure some other time. I hope you thought my experience was interesting but if not =)

Toodles~
tohukyo