Is there a slang for female Big Friends?
Now that you mention it, I'm not too sure. I would assume it's not quite as awkward for adult women to fit in as Precure fans, but perhaps there is some slang that I'm not aware of, heh.
Ask @DonDonKun
How exactly would you describe your change in 'tastes' from when you first started watching anime to now? Stuff like preferences, influences, how you engage with anime w/e.
My taste in anime has definitely changed a lot over the years.
When I first got into anime back in the mid 2000's, it was very new and foreign to me, so I gravitated towards popular, mainstream titles like Clannad and Elfen Lied. I recall enjoying these at the time because their premises seemed unique in comparison to what I had seen from Western media.
I then had a falling out with anime for a couple of years and didn't get back into it until 2011, when I was in my 3rd year of Undergrad. It was then where I started to interact with more of the community, and stumbled upon the "Critics & Connoisseurs" group on My Anime List. Those encounters had a pretty large influence on how I perceived anime for a while - I would have regular debates and discussions with many of the members and started to get a better idea of what I considered to be a good anime. It was at this point where I started to experiment around with anime, trying to watch as much as I could from a variety of different directors. I soon realized that the animated medium could produce stories that were both introspective and expressionistic; my engagement with anime went beyond entertainment as I was now consciously looking at aspects of production and writing.
However, there reached a point where I started to feel as though my standards were becoming too rigid. Was I trying to only seek out shows that were deemed "thinkpieces" or "arthouse" by the community? Was I being unfair to so-called "lowbrow" forms of entertainment just because they were created for a different purpose? Around 2014 I became more active on Anime Twitter (affectionately dubbed "AniTwitter"), took a step back and made an effort to engage with types of people who may have been outside my comfort circle a couple of years back. I ended up meeting a lot of really cool and knowledgeable individuals, many of which have helped me learn more about the field of animation (giving me a new appreciation for animators). I feel that since then I've been a lot more accepting of all the different kinds of anime out there - whether it be arthouse or gag comedy. And while the types of shows I enjoy haven't changed a whole lot over the past 5 years, I definitely feel as though I'm engaging more with all aspects of an anime while watching.
It's been an interesting journey, to say the least. I don't see myself ever giving up this hobby, so long as there remains interesting and fun people to talk with. The community is a huge part of being an anime fan, and without them I don't think I would have grown into the person I am now.
When I first got into anime back in the mid 2000's, it was very new and foreign to me, so I gravitated towards popular, mainstream titles like Clannad and Elfen Lied. I recall enjoying these at the time because their premises seemed unique in comparison to what I had seen from Western media.
I then had a falling out with anime for a couple of years and didn't get back into it until 2011, when I was in my 3rd year of Undergrad. It was then where I started to interact with more of the community, and stumbled upon the "Critics & Connoisseurs" group on My Anime List. Those encounters had a pretty large influence on how I perceived anime for a while - I would have regular debates and discussions with many of the members and started to get a better idea of what I considered to be a good anime. It was at this point where I started to experiment around with anime, trying to watch as much as I could from a variety of different directors. I soon realized that the animated medium could produce stories that were both introspective and expressionistic; my engagement with anime went beyond entertainment as I was now consciously looking at aspects of production and writing.
However, there reached a point where I started to feel as though my standards were becoming too rigid. Was I trying to only seek out shows that were deemed "thinkpieces" or "arthouse" by the community? Was I being unfair to so-called "lowbrow" forms of entertainment just because they were created for a different purpose? Around 2014 I became more active on Anime Twitter (affectionately dubbed "AniTwitter"), took a step back and made an effort to engage with types of people who may have been outside my comfort circle a couple of years back. I ended up meeting a lot of really cool and knowledgeable individuals, many of which have helped me learn more about the field of animation (giving me a new appreciation for animators). I feel that since then I've been a lot more accepting of all the different kinds of anime out there - whether it be arthouse or gag comedy. And while the types of shows I enjoy haven't changed a whole lot over the past 5 years, I definitely feel as though I'm engaging more with all aspects of an anime while watching.
It's been an interesting journey, to say the least. I don't see myself ever giving up this hobby, so long as there remains interesting and fun people to talk with. The community is a huge part of being an anime fan, and without them I don't think I would have grown into the person I am now.
Liked by:
buildknuckle
SStefania
What's your favourite example of diegetic music in anime?
The final scene from Gunslinger Girl's first season. One of the most bittersweet and chilling moments in anime: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE2Wb2Nt1uM
Euphonium is another strong contender for obvious reasons.
Finally, Serial Experiments Lain if you're into telephone wires.
Euphonium is another strong contender for obvious reasons.
Finally, Serial Experiments Lain if you're into telephone wires.
Liked by:
David
Related users
Why did Saban localized Smile! Precure as Glitter Force? Is it because to get boys watching show?
Most likely the opposite - to make the show's title more marketable for young girls in the West. The name "Precure" or "Pretty Cure" might be confusing for an English-speaking audience, so my guess is Saban went for words that are easily recognized. "Glitter" is a cute-sounding word that many young girls associate with shiny or sparkly and "Force" signifies that they're a team that fights bad guys. Honestly, the name change doesn't bother me that much since I'm glad the West is finally getting another chance to experience Precure.
What is actually a Big Friend?
A "Big Friend" is a slang term for an adult (generally male) that consumes anime normally intended for little girls (Precure, Aikatsu!, PriPara). A lot of fans of these shows use the term in a joking, semi self-depreciating way to identify themselves and others, because they clearly know they're outside of the target demographic. "Big Friends" make up a small percentage of the total fanbase of these shows, but there's enough of them that occasionally otaku merchandise like figurines and dakimakuras turn up on the market.
Also, here's a bunch of "Big Friends" hogging Aikatsu! arcade machines, preventing a poor little girl from playing.
Also, here's a bunch of "Big Friends" hogging Aikatsu! arcade machines, preventing a poor little girl from playing.
What are your favorite slice of life/iyashikei anime?
Angel's Egg. Surely that counts because nothing hap-
But if we're going off of the more accepted definitions of iyashikei anime, here are a few of my top picks:
Aria: JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT A SETTING COULDN'T BE A CHARACTER!
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikkou: Cheating a bit since I'm referring to the manga, and this was a question about anime, but the OVAs count. In short, the most tranquil, gorgeous portrait of accepting things for what they are that I'll ever read.
Haibane Renmei: A classic. The first half is probably what people are thinking of when they consider this an iyashikei, but it's a very serene and mystical series that everyone should watch at some point - if only for ABe's fantastical take on the concept of purgatory, sin and redemption.
Maria-sama ga Miteru 3rd: Most of the franchise leans more on shoujo melodrama, but the OVA's tone is very down-to-earth and quaint - it's really just about a bunch of girls sharing sisterly relationships and getting to know each other better. Wonderful.
K-ON!!: The tammerlainian standard of mono no aware. This show gets a lot of unfair flack, but it's one of the best produced TV anime out there. Depictions of a bunch of silly high-school girls goofing around in their last year doesn't get more accurate than this.
Azumanga Daioh: I mean if you haven't seen this by now you're probably not animeing right. Or maybe you read the manga instead. Osaka is god.
Non Non Biyori: I love these kids and their quaint countryside town.
Hidamari Sketch: ( o _______________ o X)
But if we're going off of the more accepted definitions of iyashikei anime, here are a few of my top picks:
Aria: JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT A SETTING COULDN'T BE A CHARACTER!
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikkou: Cheating a bit since I'm referring to the manga, and this was a question about anime, but the OVAs count. In short, the most tranquil, gorgeous portrait of accepting things for what they are that I'll ever read.
Haibane Renmei: A classic. The first half is probably what people are thinking of when they consider this an iyashikei, but it's a very serene and mystical series that everyone should watch at some point - if only for ABe's fantastical take on the concept of purgatory, sin and redemption.
Maria-sama ga Miteru 3rd: Most of the franchise leans more on shoujo melodrama, but the OVA's tone is very down-to-earth and quaint - it's really just about a bunch of girls sharing sisterly relationships and getting to know each other better. Wonderful.
K-ON!!: The tammerlainian standard of mono no aware. This show gets a lot of unfair flack, but it's one of the best produced TV anime out there. Depictions of a bunch of silly high-school girls goofing around in their last year doesn't get more accurate than this.
Azumanga Daioh: I mean if you haven't seen this by now you're probably not animeing right. Or maybe you read the manga instead. Osaka is god.
Non Non Biyori: I love these kids and their quaint countryside town.
Hidamari Sketch: ( o _______________ o X)
What's one thing that always makes you happy? PAP!
ULTRA HAPPY!!!
Liked by:
Jacob Sverige1658
buildknuckle
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
My hobbies include anime, video games and film. Take a guess.
Do you know Marco Albiero?
Never heard of em'
What video game got you the most hyped ever in anticipation for its release?
Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Back in high school, my friends and I used to play Melee every day after school, usually for a good 2-3 hours. We were never amazing at the game or anything (this was before the days of wavedashing), but it was good, clean, fast-paced fun.
So imagine our surprise when we heard that Brawl was announced and our favourite multiplayer game was getting a sequel. I still remember how we used to crowd around someone's laptop during our lunch break, checking Sakurai's blog for daily updates leading up to the game's release. It was just such an exciting time slowly seeing what was going to be in the game - from the new characters to the stages to the new modes - there was plenty of excitement going around!
Come release day we all made sure to secure a copy of Brawl as soon as possible, rushed to the nearest person's house that contained a Wii and popped the game in. At first we were overjoyed, seeing how our favourite characters had changed, experimenting with the silly stage-builder function and trying to learn the ins and outs of the new mechanics. But after a while, more and more things didn't sit well with us. Once we cleared the single player campaigns, we started to miss the technical, combo-heavy gameplay of Melee, and became annoyed by random features like tripping. Suddenly, all that past hype seemed a bit silly for a game that we felt was pretty lackluster. Within a couple of months we went back to playing Melee.
Brawl may have been a disappointment for us, but there was no denying how excited we were for its release. Dammit Sakurai.
Back in high school, my friends and I used to play Melee every day after school, usually for a good 2-3 hours. We were never amazing at the game or anything (this was before the days of wavedashing), but it was good, clean, fast-paced fun.
So imagine our surprise when we heard that Brawl was announced and our favourite multiplayer game was getting a sequel. I still remember how we used to crowd around someone's laptop during our lunch break, checking Sakurai's blog for daily updates leading up to the game's release. It was just such an exciting time slowly seeing what was going to be in the game - from the new characters to the stages to the new modes - there was plenty of excitement going around!
Come release day we all made sure to secure a copy of Brawl as soon as possible, rushed to the nearest person's house that contained a Wii and popped the game in. At first we were overjoyed, seeing how our favourite characters had changed, experimenting with the silly stage-builder function and trying to learn the ins and outs of the new mechanics. But after a while, more and more things didn't sit well with us. Once we cleared the single player campaigns, we started to miss the technical, combo-heavy gameplay of Melee, and became annoyed by random features like tripping. Suddenly, all that past hype seemed a bit silly for a game that we felt was pretty lackluster. Within a couple of months we went back to playing Melee.
Brawl may have been a disappointment for us, but there was no denying how excited we were for its release. Dammit Sakurai.
Liked by:
GaryFrost
Who is your favorite non-petite girl? And I mean like...definitively non-petite. We're talking at least C cup here.
This was a really difficult question for me to answer, because it was hard to go against the petite code.
But if I had to pick a non-petite option it would probably be Yuri from Dirty Pair. Her ojousama facade is hilarious (especially when it cracks due to stress), her voice is lovely, she's flirty and immature and she argues with her partner Kei almost 24/7.
But if I had to pick a non-petite option it would probably be Yuri from Dirty Pair. Her ojousama facade is hilarious (especially when it cracks due to stress), her voice is lovely, she's flirty and immature and she argues with her partner Kei almost 24/7.
How can you write off Madoka Magica as simple tragedy bait, when dozens if not hundreds of intelligant people have written things that prove that's not the case at all?
Here's an old review of mine explaining why I feel Madoka is not a good show: http://moe-alternative.net/?p=2642
Also, that's not how you spell intelligent.
Also, that's not how you spell intelligent.
What's your favorite Maria-sama ga Miteru arc(s)? :O
S1 eps 12-13: The post-Valentine's day date episodes. These are the best episodes in the first season because the show takes a step back from its heavy melodrama to show Yumi and Sachiko casually spending time with each other. It's the first time we see the soeur pair outside of the claustrophobic school atmosphere, shopping and eating at fast food restaurants, and it's through these mundane acts that we see some of their subtler nuances come to light (such as Yumi's fear of not being accepted by her soeur and Sachiko's social ineptness). Oh, and it also boasts the franchise's best ojou-sama laugh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aq3W9Ctng0
S2 eps 5-6: The graduation arc. Easily some of the most emotional moments of the franchise are located here - the older soeurs bid farewell and look back at fond memories, while the younger sisters mature and become role models for the new wave of students; the coming of spring beautifully symbolizes the cycle of death and rebirth.
S2 eps 11-13: Sachiko's grandmother. Although I'm still not completely sold on how Yumi's initial fit of angst was portrayed (the soundtrack really over-dramatized it in this case), the consequent resolution of their conflict was one of the most powerful moments in the franchise. Yumi confiding in Sei (I'm really glad she wasn't completely written out of the show) and slowly working through her issue of dependence on Sachiko conveyed a really understated level of maturity. I also loved how the arc tied Yumi and Sachiko's internal conflict together with the relationship between Sachiko's grandmother and her old friend - the final result was something incredibly beautiful
All of S3 (but if I had to choose it would be eps 1 & 5). MariMite 3rd is fantastic and here's why: http://pastebin.com/88J7fgwT
S4 ep 11: A Touko-chan one-woman stage performance. Dat body language. Nuff' said.
But the bigger question remains: why haven't you, dear reader, watched MariMite yet?
S2 eps 5-6: The graduation arc. Easily some of the most emotional moments of the franchise are located here - the older soeurs bid farewell and look back at fond memories, while the younger sisters mature and become role models for the new wave of students; the coming of spring beautifully symbolizes the cycle of death and rebirth.
S2 eps 11-13: Sachiko's grandmother. Although I'm still not completely sold on how Yumi's initial fit of angst was portrayed (the soundtrack really over-dramatized it in this case), the consequent resolution of their conflict was one of the most powerful moments in the franchise. Yumi confiding in Sei (I'm really glad she wasn't completely written out of the show) and slowly working through her issue of dependence on Sachiko conveyed a really understated level of maturity. I also loved how the arc tied Yumi and Sachiko's internal conflict together with the relationship between Sachiko's grandmother and her old friend - the final result was something incredibly beautiful
All of S3 (but if I had to choose it would be eps 1 & 5). MariMite 3rd is fantastic and here's why: http://pastebin.com/88J7fgwT
S4 ep 11: A Touko-chan one-woman stage performance. Dat body language. Nuff' said.
But the bigger question remains: why haven't you, dear reader, watched MariMite yet?
Liked by:
GaryFrost
Does anyone else in your family watch anime?
No, at least not in the same way I do. My family has seen a couple Ghibli films (mostly just the Miyazaki stuff) but that's as far as their knowledge of the medium goes.
I would like to expose them to more films, since they're fond of art house stuff and have seen most of the classics. It's just, ya know, the cultural/sub-cultural differences that make it a bit tough to pick something that they'll enjoy.
I would like to expose them to more films, since they're fond of art house stuff and have seen most of the classics. It's just, ya know, the cultural/sub-cultural differences that make it a bit tough to pick something that they'll enjoy.
How much Japanese do you know? Just out of curiosity.
Not as much as I'd like to! I only know kana, a handful of kanji and a bit about grammar and sentence structure. I've played a few untranslated video games before (mostly the Tales RPG series) with limited success, as reading a few sentences would take up to a couple minutes for me. I'm better when it comes to watching anime RAWs, but that may be because I've only ventured into kids' programming for that (and the dialogue tends to be composed of simple/common phrases).
In short, I need to put a lot more time into learning the language. I'm getting better at recognizing familiar characters, but I haven't sat down and studied for a long time.
In short, I need to put a lot more time into learning the language. I'm getting better at recognizing familiar characters, but I haven't sat down and studied for a long time.
are we actually going to do a best of 2014 post or do you want me to just say that Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu was the best anime of 2014
You might as well just say it, as it would please the trainwreck crowd.
What is something that is "uncool" that you do anyway?
As an official member of AniTwitter, I feel a certain redundancy in answering this question.
What's the coolest thing about your city?
We had a dumbfuck mayor that smoked crack and made the rest of the world realize Canada and Toronto actually existed for 15 minutes.
What would your DJ name be?
DDJ
Who is the greatest villain in videogame history?
The stairs in the NES Castlevania games. They have the power to restrict your controls so that you can only move up or down all the while a bunch of bats, medusa heads and gargoyles try to crash into you. It took a few generations for the Belmont clan to adapt and learn how to jump while on these devious pieces of architecture, but they are still one of the most evil villains in video game history.
Liked by:
Aesdaishar
Jaooooo
Why do you have a higher opinion of Sailor Moon SuperS than... certain others on Ask.fm?
Where to start? As a whole, SuperS is extremely uneven with its mechanical victim-of-the-week scenarios and some questionable content that is sure to rub a lot of audiences the wrong way. Many fans were disappointed in the removal of the Outer Senshi from S (especially when they were still present in the manga) and the lack of focus on the core Senshi team, sans Chibiusa - who was a very polarizing character to begin with. The writers also had Usagi regress back to the immature, Mamo-chan obsessed state she was in during the first two seasons, which essentially tossed her development from S out the window. As such, viewing SuperS as a continuation of the franchise will naturally leave one feeling very disappointed.
While I recognize SuperS' flaws and don't exactly excuse them, I can't help but feel certain stand-alone aspects of the season were handled well. Conceptually, I liked the dream motif even if it wasn't focused on much during the directionless first half. However, SuperS' second half explores the uncertainty of growing up, the emptiness of the adult world and contrasts both these topics with the innocence of a young girl's hopes and dreams; and it all culminates beautifully with the ending of Nehellenia's arc. It also helps that many of SuperS' best episodes contain the highest art quality in the franchise, featuring wonderful flourishes of artistic expression from the brilliant minds of Sato, Ikuhara and Igarashi. Unfortunately, due to Toei giving Ikuhara less creative freedom over the series composition, the season doesn't have the thematic cohesiveness that S did. But the few flashes of brilliance that SuperS was able to muster were easily some of the franchise's most memorable moments for me.
Additionally, I felt SuperS had some of the most amusing monster-of-the-week designs as the creators essentially went wild. This lead to Sailor Moon squaring off against a bunch of circus-themed goofs, including an extended family of balloons! Many of the battles got by on their sheer ridiculousness and camp value, which is one of Sailor Moon's strongest suits.
Finally, I wasn't as bothered by some of the season's major points of contention - namely the Amazon Trio and Pegasus. The trio were clearly meant to be depraved, empty individuals and while I think the "mirror rape" was a bit excessive at times, it worked as a storytelling device. Likewise, I never felt that Pegasus' relationship with Chibiusa was creepy or suggested bestiality, as their conversations had this touching fairy-tale like atmosphere. If anything, Pegasus served as more of an inspiration for Chibiusa's imagination, teaching her the importance of not rushing the path to adulthood (ep 158 showcases this idea beautifully).
Overall, while SuperS was quite messy, the season's highs were enough for me to enjoy chunks of it. I suppose that alone gives me a higher opinion of it than most Sailor Moon fans out there.
While I recognize SuperS' flaws and don't exactly excuse them, I can't help but feel certain stand-alone aspects of the season were handled well. Conceptually, I liked the dream motif even if it wasn't focused on much during the directionless first half. However, SuperS' second half explores the uncertainty of growing up, the emptiness of the adult world and contrasts both these topics with the innocence of a young girl's hopes and dreams; and it all culminates beautifully with the ending of Nehellenia's arc. It also helps that many of SuperS' best episodes contain the highest art quality in the franchise, featuring wonderful flourishes of artistic expression from the brilliant minds of Sato, Ikuhara and Igarashi. Unfortunately, due to Toei giving Ikuhara less creative freedom over the series composition, the season doesn't have the thematic cohesiveness that S did. But the few flashes of brilliance that SuperS was able to muster were easily some of the franchise's most memorable moments for me.
Additionally, I felt SuperS had some of the most amusing monster-of-the-week designs as the creators essentially went wild. This lead to Sailor Moon squaring off against a bunch of circus-themed goofs, including an extended family of balloons! Many of the battles got by on their sheer ridiculousness and camp value, which is one of Sailor Moon's strongest suits.
Finally, I wasn't as bothered by some of the season's major points of contention - namely the Amazon Trio and Pegasus. The trio were clearly meant to be depraved, empty individuals and while I think the "mirror rape" was a bit excessive at times, it worked as a storytelling device. Likewise, I never felt that Pegasus' relationship with Chibiusa was creepy or suggested bestiality, as their conversations had this touching fairy-tale like atmosphere. If anything, Pegasus served as more of an inspiration for Chibiusa's imagination, teaching her the importance of not rushing the path to adulthood (ep 158 showcases this idea beautifully).
Overall, while SuperS was quite messy, the season's highs were enough for me to enjoy chunks of it. I suppose that alone gives me a higher opinion of it than most Sailor Moon fans out there.
Liked by:
Jaehaerys
Novasylum
Aesdaishar
What are your favorite novels/movies/TV shows?
I barely read but my favourite novel is and probably always will be Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita. Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five is also a close second.
I covered films in a previous response here: http://ask.fm/DonDonKun/answer/126548774701
I don't watch live-action TV beyond silly cooking competition shows with my family.
I covered films in a previous response here: http://ask.fm/DonDonKun/answer/126548774701
I don't watch live-action TV beyond silly cooking competition shows with my family.
What is paradise for you?
well...
What is your interpretation of Angel's Egg?
So apparently, Angel's Egg is a surprisingly hard film to talk about...
Personally, I don't have a specific interpretation, in the traditional sense, of the film that I subscribe to as I was never concerned about Angel's Egg was /supposed/ to symbolize. I guess one could say that my interpretation of Angel's Egg is that its value stems from /how/ the film made me feel, purely as an expressionistic piece.
In short, Angel Egg's presentation style was the focal point of my undying appreciation of the film. What roped me in immediately was the dark, surreal atmosphere coupled with Amano's character designs and fantasy-like setting. Although the actual amount of animation was limited, Oshii's masterful directing greatly enhanced the level of visual immersion. Scenes were just so carefully constructed - with the sparring use of light concealing much of the haunting landscape and interior architecture - whereas the abundance of shadows blended with the eerie and mystical score, naturally achieving a nightmarish vision that I will never forget.
I was emotionally invested in Angel's Egg from start to finish, which some people may find a bit silly since plot wise it's a film where a man carrying a huge cross walks aimlessly with a girl cradling an egg for an hour. But for me there was just something about the film that hit me on such a personal level that I found myself shaking with chills and breaking out in a cold sweat by the film's climax. To this day, even with my supposed knowledge of the medium, I still can't put those feelings into words. But perhaps that is true love and appreciation of a piece of art - rather than a textbook checklist of the work meeting defined literary and cinematic criteria.
To be honest, I feel that a lot of people fixate too much on /what/ Angel's Egg is supposed to symbolize and represent. With Oshii's own admission that Angel's Egg was made following his loss of faith in Christianity and the film's blatant use of religious imagery, there's been no end to the amount of theory crafting that attempts to equate meaning with critical worth. Interpretations are cool to discuss, especially with a piece that appears as cryptic as Angel's Egg, but I personally believe dipping too much into this way of thinking can destroy the film's beauty. Just sit back and take in the experience.
Personally, I don't have a specific interpretation, in the traditional sense, of the film that I subscribe to as I was never concerned about Angel's Egg was /supposed/ to symbolize. I guess one could say that my interpretation of Angel's Egg is that its value stems from /how/ the film made me feel, purely as an expressionistic piece.
In short, Angel Egg's presentation style was the focal point of my undying appreciation of the film. What roped me in immediately was the dark, surreal atmosphere coupled with Amano's character designs and fantasy-like setting. Although the actual amount of animation was limited, Oshii's masterful directing greatly enhanced the level of visual immersion. Scenes were just so carefully constructed - with the sparring use of light concealing much of the haunting landscape and interior architecture - whereas the abundance of shadows blended with the eerie and mystical score, naturally achieving a nightmarish vision that I will never forget.
I was emotionally invested in Angel's Egg from start to finish, which some people may find a bit silly since plot wise it's a film where a man carrying a huge cross walks aimlessly with a girl cradling an egg for an hour. But for me there was just something about the film that hit me on such a personal level that I found myself shaking with chills and breaking out in a cold sweat by the film's climax. To this day, even with my supposed knowledge of the medium, I still can't put those feelings into words. But perhaps that is true love and appreciation of a piece of art - rather than a textbook checklist of the work meeting defined literary and cinematic criteria.
To be honest, I feel that a lot of people fixate too much on /what/ Angel's Egg is supposed to symbolize and represent. With Oshii's own admission that Angel's Egg was made following his loss of faith in Christianity and the film's blatant use of religious imagery, there's been no end to the amount of theory crafting that attempts to equate meaning with critical worth. Interpretations are cool to discuss, especially with a piece that appears as cryptic as Angel's Egg, but I personally believe dipping too much into this way of thinking can destroy the film's beauty. Just sit back and take in the experience.
Liked by:
Magicmew
brianwuzhere
Favorite courses you took in university?
I did my undergraduate degree in Life Sciences and after the first couple of years I realized my heart wasn't really set on pure science or research. Despite that I decided to stick with the program since I was more or less burned out with school after almost 2 decades of it and didn't want to start a new major. As such, most of my favourite courses in university weren't the core subjects that I was forced to take (biology, biochemistry, genetics), but rather my electives:
- Health & Aging: This was a 1st or 2nd year course that took a more sociological approach to the healthcare field, examining policies and perspectives that contributed to the way the modern hospital infrastructure is ran. The second half of the course looked specifically at issues surrounding the treatment of the aging population, such as ageism. Even though the course material was fairly basic I felt it helped me develop a broader perspective on the everyday practices in my field.
- Global Health & Disease Prevention: A 3rd year course that was exclusive to my program, and one of the few core science courses I actually enjoyed! The prof was easy going and I felt she really cared about teaching the material in a way that would make some of the issues resonate with people. The course was centered on foreign aid in 3rd world countries and the treatment of chronic diseases. There were also a lot of independent research projects where we were encouraged to analyze specific issues from a cross-cultural perspective, and I think I really enjoyed writing about topics in a way that wasn't regurgitating facts from a stuffy science textbook.
- Introduction to Film & Theater: A 1st year bird course and the only film course I took in university because my school was stupid and didn't let students from one faculty take upper year courses in another. To be honest, by the time I took this course I already knew enough about cinematic techniques that the material the prof was teaching seemed incredibly basic. I also didn't care for the examples the prof showed in class (WTF having to analyze James Cameron's Avatar...). But what made this course for me was some of the people I met there - people that also shared my love for cinema, and we had a lot of fun discussing stuff on our own time and bashing Avatar. Did I mention Avatar is a shitty film?
- Science Fiction Literature: A 3rd year English course that I really loved. Analyzed the genre from H.G. Wells all the way up until modern day, taking into account the current state of the world and the ideologies that helped to influence science fiction's greatest writers. I found the material really engaging and had no problem writing essays since it was basically like analyzing Chinese cartoons. Speaking of which, it was really neat towards the end of the course that my prof spent part of a lecture talking about science fiction cinema and discussed Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell! Overall, I had an amazing experience with this course.
- Health & Aging: This was a 1st or 2nd year course that took a more sociological approach to the healthcare field, examining policies and perspectives that contributed to the way the modern hospital infrastructure is ran. The second half of the course looked specifically at issues surrounding the treatment of the aging population, such as ageism. Even though the course material was fairly basic I felt it helped me develop a broader perspective on the everyday practices in my field.
- Global Health & Disease Prevention: A 3rd year course that was exclusive to my program, and one of the few core science courses I actually enjoyed! The prof was easy going and I felt she really cared about teaching the material in a way that would make some of the issues resonate with people. The course was centered on foreign aid in 3rd world countries and the treatment of chronic diseases. There were also a lot of independent research projects where we were encouraged to analyze specific issues from a cross-cultural perspective, and I think I really enjoyed writing about topics in a way that wasn't regurgitating facts from a stuffy science textbook.
- Introduction to Film & Theater: A 1st year bird course and the only film course I took in university because my school was stupid and didn't let students from one faculty take upper year courses in another. To be honest, by the time I took this course I already knew enough about cinematic techniques that the material the prof was teaching seemed incredibly basic. I also didn't care for the examples the prof showed in class (WTF having to analyze James Cameron's Avatar...). But what made this course for me was some of the people I met there - people that also shared my love for cinema, and we had a lot of fun discussing stuff on our own time and bashing Avatar. Did I mention Avatar is a shitty film?
- Science Fiction Literature: A 3rd year English course that I really loved. Analyzed the genre from H.G. Wells all the way up until modern day, taking into account the current state of the world and the ideologies that helped to influence science fiction's greatest writers. I found the material really engaging and had no problem writing essays since it was basically like analyzing Chinese cartoons. Speaking of which, it was really neat towards the end of the course that my prof spent part of a lecture talking about science fiction cinema and discussed Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell! Overall, I had an amazing experience with this course.
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