Nice Japan p I: Violence and Anime
23. Oct, 2007
Comments
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.
Related posts:
