Nice Japan p I: Violence and Anime
23. Oct, 2007
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There are way too many people out there with utopian views of the Japanese nation, and we aren’t here to perpetuate anyone’s fantasy. Although Japan is pretty freakin’ sweet (I think we all pretty much agree), it’s still a country full of problems, just like anywhere else. And now, without further adieu…
This is my first article written for this blog, and it’s both depressing and late. But nevertheless, here it is. I’m a friend of Koichi from his college, but as you probably have haven’t noticed by now, I obscured my face; there’s a kind of virtue in being Anonymous, in that you can speak with confidence, yet never be too conceited about your work. Or it could be that I’m just shy and I don’t like showing my face on the net, but think up your own explanation. Maybe I’m ugly, on a Lovecraftian scale, and am trying to protect your sanity in a blessed act of mercy. Enough with the introductions, let’s start the article.
Recently there have been a number of anime series of the thriller/horror genre, and perhaps even in romance, which feature characters from middle-school to high-school participating in blood-drenched murders, suicides, that kind of fascinating stuff. At least from my perspective, in its animated form, the Japanese audience did not seem to object to violence on great levels, with some allowance for the time-slot where such shows are aired in on TV. That is, until this happened.
What occurred was not likely a copycat murder. But actually, not only the first murder perpetrated by Ax Girl, (her namelessness, in my opinion, helping to contribute to her notoriety as it had with Girl A/“Nevada-tan” some time ago.) but a second, similar but unsuccessful attempt at murder, took place.
What is notable about these two murders is this reaction: The Japanese anime series “School Days,” based on a PC visual novel (Read: Hentai game.), featured several extremely gory bad ends, with one romantic interest killing another, or killing the protagonist, or killing herself. Apparently the last episode was so violent that the TV stations airing it decided to, in light of the murders, cancel it and fill the unoccupied timeslot with serene scenery of European rivers and mountains, and a very “Nice Boat.”
Are Japanese audiences changing their attitude towards the material suitable for on-air television? This has certainly challenged my previous impressions of the audience and perception of media over there. It is interesting, to me, at least, to see Japanese audiences being concerned over the affects of media, for once, when previously my attitude had been “lol, Japanese anime have morals?” There will be more entries on this later, as it’s likely to continue to be relevant.
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You should fix your links.. They are point to no-no land.
You should fix your links.. They are point to no-no land.
hi lee. movies like battle royale and suicide club shouldn’t be blamed for ppl’s actions. (my sensei did tell me about ppl copying the movie ping pong though.) they should be seen from some angles as a comment on society. i like japanese movies/anime w/ death. they bring a beauty to the morbidity.
Well, that might be the way people see things over here. But clearly they’re reconsidering their belief in the media’s effect on children, considering that they canceled SD’s last episode, and, I believe, most of another violent anime “Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni’s” second season. Higurashi aired with no problems two seasons or so ago.
Oh, but this didn’t occur on all stations. There are still adult timeslots late at night which can air these shows. However, it might mean that anime with more mature content will be progressively moved into later time slots on many stations.
hi lee. movies like battle royale and suicide club shouldn’t be blamed for ppl’s actions. (my sensei did tell me about ppl copying the movie ping pong though.) they should be seen from some angles as a comment on society. i like japanese movies/anime w/ death. they bring a beauty to the morbidity.
Well, that might be the way people see things over here. But clearly they’re reconsidering their belief in the media’s effect on children, considering that they canceled SD’s last episode, and, I believe, most of another violent anime “Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni’s” second season. Higurashi aired with no problems two seasons or so ago.
Oh, but this didn’t occur on all stations. There are still adult timeslots late at night which can air these shows. However, it might mean that anime with more mature content will be progressively moved into later time slots on many stations.
yeah, Higurashi kai did get cancled on a few stations and got late, some of the stations even decided to cancel the anime totally, lucky there is still 2 or 3 stations that airs it ^.^
Although i don’t know about school days (since i havn’t seen it) although animes like Higurashi noramlly isn’t so bloody. i mean you never get to see when tex Keiichi uses his bat to kill someone
yeah, Higurashi kai did get cancled on a few stations and got late, some of the stations even decided to cancel the anime totally, lucky there is still 2 or 3 stations that airs it ^.^
Although i don’t know about school days (since i havn’t seen it) although animes like Higurashi noramlly isn’t so bloody. i mean you never get to see when tex Keiichi uses his bat to kill someone
Well, I lol’d when I saw Nevada-tan
But, I don’t have this misconception about Japan. In fact, my understanding may be slightly worse then what it is actually like.
I just love it when white people go to Japan and try to fit in. Even though Japan is hates the US for obvious reasons (I hope), and Korea. They’re mad at Korea (Koreans also hate Japan) because they both do the same thing, and blame each other for stealing it
Dance Dance Revolution VS. Pump It Up etc…
In short, lol.
Well, I lol’d when I saw Nevada-tan
But, I don’t have this misconception about Japan. In fact, my understanding may be slightly worse then what it is actually like.
I just love it when white people go to Japan and try to fit in. Even though Japan is hates the US for obvious reasons (I hope), and Korea. They’re mad at Korea (Koreans also hate Japan) because they both do the same thing, and blame each other for stealing it
Dance Dance Revolution VS. Pump It Up etc…
In short, lol.
This is completely insane, I must say… But this kind of thing happens all over the world. :/
This is completely insane, I must say… But this kind of thing happens all over the world. :/
i liked the article, perhaps other topics in this area of the dark side of japan i have heard some things rumored about could be illegal dating clubs targeting underage girls, underground sex market, widely accepted gorey/bondage comics, subway gropers idk i cant think of anything else right now but also whats with those girls painted their faces brown is that really a trend???
i liked the article, perhaps other topics in this area of the dark side of japan i have heard some things rumored about could be illegal dating clubs targeting underage girls, underground sex market, widely accepted gorey/bondage comics, subway gropers idk i cant think of anything else right now but also whats with those girls painted their faces brown is that really a trend???
megaman: if you mean the gyaru subcultures of ganguro, yamanba, banba, etc., yes, it is a trend. Shibuya seems to be the place to be for this subculture.
This article was actually surprising to me, as I haven’t heard much of the modern negatives of Japan.
megaman: if you mean the gyaru subcultures of ganguro, yamanba, banba, etc., yes, it is a trend. Shibuya seems to be the place to be for this subculture.
This article was actually surprising to me, as I haven’t heard much of the modern negatives of Japan.
to zi-hong: haven’t you ever heard of lolicon?
Heh, that is a discussion for another time/article.
to zi-hong: haven’t you ever heard of lolicon?
Heh, that is a discussion for another time/article.
Kinda old news but nevertheless America has it’s stupidities such as that one boy who killed himself over an ipod getting stolen.
Kinda old news but nevertheless America has it’s stupidities such as that one boy who killed himself over an ipod getting stolen.
think about battle royale too
think about battle royale too
They really shouldn’t be airing this stuff on kid’s times anyway, it should be after watershed time to prevent any of these problems occuring ^^;
They really shouldn’t be airing this stuff on kid’s times anyway, it should be after watershed time to prevent any of these problems occuring ^^;
Haveave you heard of ‘higurashi no naku koro ni’? It is one of the most distrubing things I have ever encountered. ‘school days’ is also pretty disturbing, I’ve read the manga for it and watched the last episode. I really don’t see how people can come up with those kinds of things. I hope it wasn’t targeted for young children, because some of the ideas were pretty intense.
Haveave you heard of ‘higurashi no naku koro ni’? It is one of the most distrubing things I have ever encountered. ‘school days’ is also pretty disturbing, I’ve read the manga for it and watched the last episode. I really don’t see how people can come up with those kinds of things. I hope it wasn’t targeted for young children, because some of the ideas were pretty intense.
OHHHH this is so violent anime.
this a good than a late, thank for post this.
Surely all art feeds into someone ego and id and influences how they feel about the world but not everyone who watches these films, or listens to hip hop or death metal acts like this. Sure art might be a trigger but its not the root cause.
this is a really cool blog. I have been looking for some good insight into manga.
Interesting take on this, I am going to read the other posts.
I hope this violent anime is not watched by children
becareful the media's effect on children
wow. .. I guess now anime is more violent than ever
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