Anime – Page 12 – dadwatchesanime

When Little Girls Want To Rule The World.

March 9, 2015March 9, 2015madreceiver4 Comments

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They will…

I love this show. The concept, artwork, story, and the randomness of it all.

The show follows the main character Asuta Jimon , a middle school age boy, who had just run away from home due to issues with his father. He encounters a little girl, Kate Hoshimiya, who knows it is her fate to conquer the world. She recruits Asuta to her secret organization, Zvezda, and makes him a private in her small (but effective) force that will help her take over the world.

What makes this show entertaining to me is was how it follows the “bad guys”. Yes, I know other shows do this: One Piece for example, I just like the tact they are taking. It is like that are following the weird bad guys in a Power Rangers series, only the “bad guys” are far more interesting than the “good guys”. The good guys they fight are called White Light. White Light work to help the Japanese government and are Zvezda’s main obstacle. White Light, while the “good guys”, are shown in a critical light that blurs the line of who is “good” and who is “bad”.

The other entertaining tact they take is the use of a little girl as the leader, who while ambitious to take over the world, is also a little girl.

And she is also hilarious…

The show does go off on a few goofy tangents.

And there is General Pepal who I would love to cosplay as. I mean the man has a bad-ass mask, is an ex-gangster,and battles while eating cake. This is a role model if I ever saw one.

The show is just a great deal of fun. I enjoyed it. You may too.

Attention Parents: There is some cursing. Revealing outfits if that bothers you. And a few ecchi sight gags (but not many) that will probably go over your kid’s head.

If I was ever given the choice, I’d follow Kate. “May The Light of Zvezda Shine Throughout the World!”

The Challenge of Raising Otakus

March 2, 2015madreceiver6 Comments

So my son (11) who won the cosplay contest earlier this month at Anime Milwaukee got a bag of some promotional materials and such for winning. He got several show postcards including the “Dog & Scissors” postcard pictured above.

He said: “Dad, I think I want to watch this show.”

“Of course you do…but no.”

“Why not?”

“Not appropriate for you.”

“Awww.”

And so it goes. So many times as a parent you have to explain to the child (who often knows why fully well) why he can’t watch a show.

Many anime are geared to older kids and adults. Sifting through it all to find what he can watch is a challenge at times. However, I am a fan and so is his brother. This both helps and hinders the issue.

He will often want to watch what I, or his brother, has watched even though he knows he can’t.

Attack On Titan for example:

Just a bit to much violence and bloodshed for his age. But he knows about the show, knows what happens, still not allowed to watch it.

There are the shows I let him start without realizing where it was going and had to stop him from watching after a few episodes.

And then the shows I let him watch even though there were scenes that were going to get me in trouble.

(I can’t excuse that oversight).

This is a challenge of any parent really. Deciding what entertainment content is appropriate for your child to watch. The difference I think lies in the amount of anime that is available is wide and can be intimidating. The other is the voracity with which a young anime fan can consume content. My boys like their shows and watch a good deal of differing shows.

Besides the content viewing there is how they express their fandoms. Going to a convention, if I am not careful, will leave me broke. They love their shows and would like all associated merchandise (and lets be frank: there is some cool anime related merchandise).

And if your partner doesn’t like anime….

Well, my wife isn’t a fan. That is cool too, people like what they like. This can be a point of contention too. What you may see as being a show that is fine to watch, your partner may not having no context or experience with the genre. My son understood that Kuroko, in A Certain Scientific Railgun, was the standard pervert character that will act like a creep. He knows her behavior is inappropriate. My wife, seeing her out of context, gets very disturbed by Kuroko’s behavior. Is she wrong? Not exactly, but context is different to the regular viewer vs someone just walking by and seeing the pervert character doing something creepy.

So there are challenges with raising otakus, but that is being a parent.

By the way the wife took away his “Dog & Scissors” postcard, gave it to me and said: “He doesn’t need something like this.”

I have it now….

dadwatchesanime Is Nominated For A Liebster Award

February 28, 2015March 1, 2015madreceiver8 Comments

A big thanks to Hannah from RABUJOI (rabujoi.wordpress.com) for nominating dadwatchesanime for a Liebster award! It is cool to have my little blog seen by people and I appreciate the recognition (since I am very new to blogging and don’t know what I’m doing). So thank you very much and thanks to those who read my little page.

So here is my answers and info.

Hannah’s Questions:

1. What was the first anime you ever watched?

The first anime I ever watched was back in the 90’s: Ghost in the Shell.

2. Did that first anime, or did that require watching more shows?

I tried other shows from our local video store at the time, but couldn’t get into them. It wasn’t until 2 years ago I was looking for something to watch on my Kindle one day and I started watching Clannad. That did it for me and I entered into the world of anime.

3. What is your favorite food?

Hard to say. I like Indian, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese quite a bit. I also like American BBQ.

4. Who is your favorite character designer?

Not sure how to answer that, or if my knowledge is that deep. I like a lot that is put out by Shaft Animation though.

5. If so inclined, what character would you have the least trouble cosplaying?

I could easiest do Yuugo Tennouji (aka “Mr. Braun”) from “Steins Gate” since I am bald and in my 40’s as well. However I did just cosplay as Kensei Ma from “Kenichi -The Mightiest Disciple” at Anime Milwaukee this February.

6. What is one sin an anime could commit that would make you turn your back on it?

Not sure. Sexual abuse of children is pretty hard to stomach, or any abuse for that matter. Depending how the material is presented makes a difference. I tend to like to watch a show for amusement and/ or a good story. If it creeps me out or makes me feel too discomforted I will probably drop it.

7. Who are your top 5 (or 10) characters, regardless of gender?

Okabe Rintarou

Mayumi Nishikino

Alex Louis Armstrong

Olivier Mira Armstrong

Kululu

The Narrator: Sgt Frog- Funimation dub (that counts doesn’t it?)

Kensei Ma

Hitagi Senjougahara

Shinobu Oshino

Koyomi Araragi

Tomoko Kuroki

8. Assuming they’d do a good job (not at all a certainty), which anime would you most like to see made into a Hollywood film?

Hmmm…Maybe Watamote?

9. Which anime character do you identify most with, if any?

Tomoko from Watamote. I remember what it was like to feel socially awkward when I was younger.

10. What is your favorite beverage—alcoholic or otherwise?

I don’t really drink much alcohol. I do need my coffee. Locally roasted preferred. I am somewhat of a coffee snob.

11. Which anime do you wish got a sequel, that never did (or hasn’t yet)?

The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I have a Masters Degree but don’t currently use it.

2. I practiced Wing Chun Kung Fu for 8 years, but am currently taking a break.

3. I am one of the few people I know that doesn’t watch and enjoy The Walking Dead.

4. I don’t particularly care for beer.

5. I love to read, but don’t lately because the hours I work make me too tired to stay awake while reading.

6. I am an avid cook. I always like to try to find new things to make to get an idea about how a different country’s cuisine works.

7. I have competed in a BBQ contest and lost.

8. I used to see Disney’s Fantasia every year in the theater when I was a kid.

9. I have a love for a bunch of British television shows.

10. My first rock concert was Billy Idol on the Rebel Yell tour.

11. I don’t like jam bands.

My 5 Nominees

I am relatively new to this so I don’t know a ton of people. If you have already been nominated or have over 1000 followers, my apologies.

justanotheranimefan.wordpress.com

animeraifu.wordpress.com (Anime Vios)

animeduology.wordpress.com

http://theotakujudge.com/

otakuness.wordpress.com

Liebster Award Rules:

If you have been nominated for The Liebster Award and you choose to accept it, write a blog post about the Liebster Award in which you:

Thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog
Display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”. (Note that the best way to do this is to save the image to your own computer and then upload it to your blog post.)
Answer 11 questions about yourself, which will be provided to you by the person who nominated you
Provide 11 random facts about yourself
Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have a less than 1000 followers. (Note that you can always ask the blog owner this since not all blogs display a widget that lets the readers know this information!)
Create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer
List these rules in your post (You can copy and paste from here.)
Once you have written and published it, you then have to inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it (they might not have ever heard of it)

My questions for the nominees:

1. What are your top 3 animes?

2. Which anime(s) has made you cry the most?

3. Which anime that you wHaere looking forward to disappointed you the most?

4. What character have you despised most? Why?

5. Your top 10 favorite characters?

6. Your favorite OP or ED?

7. What do you watch aside from anime?

8. What upcoming shows are you looking forward to?

9. How did you get into anime?

10. Have you attended any anime conventions?

11. How do your family or peers feel about your anime viewing?

Thank you again to Hannah at RABUJOI for the nomination!

I saw that miharussi at Anime Vios ( animeraifu.wordpress.com ) also had nominated me for this award. So I will answer her questions as well. 🙂

1. Has there been a seiyuu/voice actor that you really dislike? Why (not)?

Not in particular. Where I have problem with voice actors is if I have started watching a show in Japanese and then switch to the english dub part way through. That always throws me. I do, however, think the voice actors for the english dub of Kenichi The Mightiest Disciple are better.

2. What are some of your least favorite genres? Or at least, genres that you tend to avoid?

I don’t actively avoid a genre per say. I don’t tend to watch much ecchi focused stuff or horror. I also haven’t watched much Mecha (recommendations?).

3. Do you read manga? Has there been an instance when a scene/chapter has moved you that you couldn’t help but cry?

I have only read very little manga (some Nisekoi and Kawai Complex), so nothing that would’ve made me cry…Though there was a very sweet part in Nisekoi with Chitoge’s mother.

4. What do you think is a romantic deed (e.g. confession, kiss, hug, etc) in any romance anime? Why?

Not sure how to answer this. I guess it depends on the context of an act to make it romantic in my opinion.

5. Do you have keep a MAL account? Follow up questions: [5.a.] If you do, show off your MALgraph awards (anime and/or manga, whichever is fine with you) by posting a screencap. Which award do you wish to level up next and why [5.b.] If you don’t have a MAL, do you have a profile on any other anime listing service? Why prefer that over MAL? (Or why not keep any at all?)

I do not have a MAL account. Maybe someday.

6. Do you keep or wish to keep a pet/s? Describe your bonding moments.

We have an American Eskimo dog named Gonzo (for the muppet). He is a sweet, hyperactive dog. He loves it when I pick him up and let him lay on my lap to get his belly, neck, and ears scratched.

7. In which of the 16 personalities (Myers-Briggs typology) do you classify? (Click here if you haven’t taken a test.) Do you agree with the result?

The Entertainer….I don’t know about that. In some situations perhaps.

8. Whatcha say?

“She’s built like a steakhouse, but handles like a bistro.” – Zapp Brannigan

9. How did you come up with your username? Do you use other usernames in other sites?

It is a combination of where I live and my job.

10. What do you do to unwind?

Watch anime, exercise, I used to do martial arts, cook, laugh, spend time doing something fun with my boys.

11. Do you hate these questions? Was this reward too troublesome for you?

Not at all.

Anime Milwaukee: Day 1

February 14, 2015February 14, 2015madreceiver9 Comments

Myself and son 11 got to the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin around 10 a.m. and the cosplayers were already in full effect.

After checking in, registering, and lugging all of our stuff up to our room we got dressed and headed out to the wild Con.

We checked out the Merch room, the Manga library, and the table top game room (my son played me in a game of magic while we talked to a nice college student who was about to move to our hometown for college). We also got in line and waited for autographs. My son wowed voice actors Joel McDonald and J. Michael Tatum with his Kululu costume (they were seriously happy).

My son got a lot of attention and it is still just day 1 of the Con.

A Few Characters We Saw on Day 1

Kate from World Conquest Zvezdsa Plot (she told me she had just got there so her costume wasn’t complete)

Mirai Kuriyama from Beyond the Boundary.

Kurisu Makise from Steins Gate.

Sailor Moon of couurse.

Adventure Time!

A mini Lucy from Fairy Tail.Kyubey from Puella Magi Madoka Magica. She did ask for my soul…

Ken Kaneki from TokyoGhoul.

This is just from Friday at Anime Milwaukee and there are so many pictures I didn’t take. A convention is an interesting experience, try one if you haven’t. I will post more later.

Note: I was very tired while doing this post.

What My 11 Year Old Watches Part 1

February 8, 2015February 8, 2015madreceiver5 Comments

Part of my main purpose of starting this blog was to not only express a few thoughts as an anime fan, but to also provide parents with a few tools before they let their child watch a show. Rather than try to rate a show by age or other guideline I decided to just list a few things that parents may (or may not) find offensive so they can make their own decision. Everyone’s sensibilities are different.

Today I decided to list some of what my 11 year old watches. This is not a suggestion for you, but just what I have (rightly or wrongly) let him watch.

The long form shows

Naruto and Fairy Tail. I am not a fan of long, ongoing shows myself (I am too impatient, I like my stories wrapped up), but he likes them. Aside from some fighting, one may object to some skimpy clothing in Fairy Tail, but these shows are largely fine.

Still Airing

Sailor Moon Crystal. The reboot of the classic Sailor Moon anime which is supposed to more closely follow the original manga. He kind of resisted watching this at first, but when he finally did, he really got into it. There is very little that is objectionable here.

The Most Objectionable on this list

Sword Art Online. One could argue that there are some dark themes and violence, but I don’t think any permanent damage will be dealt upon his psyche. Plus he will have a better idea of what to do if trapped in a immersive video game than non-anime viewers.

The Best Comedy

Sgt. Frog. Good god is this show funny! The English dub is what I am referring to as well. The original, Japanese show contained a lot of topical and pop culture references, so when it was dubbed by Funimation they re-worked it for an American audience. This is one show where the dub is better. There are a few off color jokes, but no worse than you’d see on The Simpsons or Bob’s Burgers. Watch this show. It is too fun!

It Had Tanks

Girls und Panzer. It has cute girls driving tanks. What is not to like for an 11 year old boy? Nothing really objectionable in this show.

The Biggest Surprise

AKB0048. Pop idol group fighting to bring their music to entertainment restricted planets using the power of hope and mechas. A flimsy premise, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was a way to further promote Japanese pop idol group, AKB48, but as long as you accepted that fact it was fun enough. My son really got into it. Singing the songs, dancing along. It surprised me how much he liked it. It is a largely harmless show. The only thing that irked me, which shows up in many school based anime as well, was the obsession around body image and dieting. I know this is a reflection Japanese culture, but I know esteem around weight and body image can be a real problem for many people. Keep that in mind. And if you watch it with your kid, have conversations around this subject if it is a concern for you.

These are a few of the shows he’s watched and enjoyed. There are more, there will always be more.

Dad’s Bias Against Lesbian Bears

January 31, 2015February 8, 2015madreceiver2 Comments

As a parent and a viewer of anime I will occasionally run into something that challenges my perception of myself and comfort level. This season’s Yuri Kuma Arashi did this for me.

The story is: A planet exploded long ago resulting in a meteor shower that hit the earth. This meteor shower caused the bears of earth to rise up and start eating humans. To protect itself humanity erects a giant wall named “The Wall of Severance” to keep bears and humans separate.

The opening follows two classmates who are lovers tending to their garden on school grounds and professing their love for each other. I watched this. I thought: “Fine. They’re a couple of girls in love. So what?”

And then I watched the OP.

“That’s it! I’m done. I am not going to be the dirty old man watching this!”

Or so I thought. That is the value of connecting oneself to a larger community of viewers: perhaps your bias may be exposed to yourself. A few days after I dismissed Yuri Kuma Arashi I happened across a review of episode 3 on “RABUJOI – An Anime Blog” by Oigakkosan. It made me think that perhaps I dismissed it too soon.

I commented:

“Hmmm. The opening made pause and wonder if the show was just exploiting Yuri themes for the sake of it. I’ll have to give it a fair look based off of your review.”

Oigakkosan gave a thoughtful reply:

“no no it is, to a degree. In the same way Kill La Kill exploited flesh and violence to make it’s over the top revenge story grab our attention. Yurikuma really nails it (this week) with the visuals: Pattern making, repetition of patterns, and the use of physical objects that could actually be symbols or hold symbolism for more things. It’s visually quite stunning, bizarre, and even has an element of retroness that is envogue these days. I’m not sure the series is for everyone, but you owe it to yourself to watch up to this one and see if it fit as perfectly together as it did for me.”

So I did. I was pleasantly surprised. The symbolism and basic off beat of the nature of the show reminded me of one of my favorites Mawaru Penguindrum and there was a reason for this, the same director Kunihiko Ikuhara.

Now the show is off beat and I would not let my 11 year old watch it due to the sexual content and adult symbolism going on.

You see? Yes? If I let my son watch this, my wife would ban anime in hour house forever.

My bias come is not being offended by lesbian content. I don’t really care about that. My son is gay, so there is no moral objection. It came in the notion of perception of oneself. I am a 44 year old dad watching sexually suggestive yuri. I dismissed a show because I was censoring myself and I thought this is how “man of my age” should behave. That is where my bias lay: in my own ego.

I am glad I read the review and got the feedback. It challenged my original perception and I am now enjoying a new show.
Attention Parents: Nudity, adult themes, and sexual content. You have been warned.

and that is the sexy way. Shaba-da-doo

Banishment….This Post!!!

January 25, 2015February 8, 2015madreceiverLeave a comment

Chuunibyou (中二病) is a derrogative colloquial term in the Japanese language used to describe a person which manifests delusional behavior, particularly thinking that one has special powers that no other person has. Originally a term used to pertain to children in the second year of middle school who act like adults, the term eventually evolved into a term generally used to describe delusional behavior in general. (From Animanga.wiki.com)

Ahhh..To be young and delusional. The story begins with Yuuta Togashi who is starting his first year of high school trying to distance himself from his embarrassing past. Yuuta was a chuunibyou in middle school. He called himself “The Dark Flame Master” believed himself to have supernatural powers. He wants no part of this past anymore, but this proves difficult when he meets Rikka Takanashi.

Rikka is a girl in his class that has not let go of her delusions and is still in the throes of being chuunibyou. Yuuta, despite finding Rikka’s behavior an embarrassing reminder of his past, befriends Rikka and helps her with various things. As the story progresses you learn more about Rikka and her past.

This is just a brief introduction to the plot. What I found appealing about this show beyond this was the idea of fantasy and imagination as both a tool for escape and self preservation.

As I think on my own life (and of people I have known) I think of how one uses fantasy to escape the daily stresses and troubling parts of life. I have used art, music, or literature as a place to find refuge. Music will allow me to feel and live in an emotional place like no other. Books have let me experience new w orlds and leave behind this one for a while. Anime also allows me to retreat into a story with the added dimension of the art of animation.

Is a fantasy world a better place to be than in misery when faced with uncomfortable truths that you are not ready to face? I guess that is a question that this show asks and answers quite gracefully.

Overall this is a very cute, well written show. The animation is good and the characters are enjoyable.

Attention Parents: There is very little that is objectionable in this show. Some mild sexual suggestiveness, but barely worth mentioning.

This is largely a review of the first season. The second season wasn’t didn’t do it for me as much, but it is definitely watchable.

The first season also ended beautifully (Warning: Spoilers):

Shine Bright Like a….. Steam Powered Giraffe!

January 19, 2015January 19, 2015madreceiver1 Comment

Steam Powered Giraffe…not anime I know, but related for me.

I first encountered this Steam Punk musical group last summer at Anime Midwest. They were one of the musical guests performing last year. I figured that would be something to check out, my boys and I watched a few videos before we went so we’d be a little familiar if we got to one the shows.

Honeybee is probably one of their more popular songs.

Younger son and I hit the first show Friday evening and loved it. They put on an excellent show. Part musical performance, part pantomime, part comedy act: a really fun experience. The opening before they take the stage the audience was met with one of their videos. The cover of Rihanna’s “Diamonds”

The next night we dragged the older son/ brother to their Saturday night show. That night they opened with Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” instead.

Another great night. It is funny how Anime, or really any past time, can lead you to new interests or expose you to something you’d never seen before. I found that that the conventions are great opportunities for just this sort of thing.

Steam Powered Giraffe are a Steam Punk musical group hailing from San Diego. They are a three piece at this point comprised of Hatchworth, Bunny (formerly Rabbit), and The Spine.

With Rabbit

Now Bunny

The most poignant moment of the Saturday night show was during their song: “Wired Wrong”. The audience sang along with the band: “We are wired wrong”. For a moment it seemed that the audience was connected by that thread of feeling weird and out of place in the world, but here…they were all together…The same.

One other little fun bit: They filmed a video when we were there!

Go and love some Steam Powered Giraffe. Let your passions lead you to new and interesting places.

“Find light in the beautiful sea
I choose to be happy
You and I, you and I
We’re like diamonds in the sky”

Winter 2015 Season: What I’m Watching

January 18, 2015January 18, 2015madreceiverLeave a comment

A new season of shows have started and a new bunch for me to check out as a fan and as a dad to see whether I’ll let my 11 year old watch any of them.

Assassination Classroom

A bunch of students have been charged with killing their teacher (who is this tentacled balloon looking guy) in order to keep him from destroying earth. Is it bad for younger kids? Too early to tell. There is violence (shooting guns), but it is not graphic violence yet. Looks like it could be a fun show.

Death Parade

People have to play various sadistic games of chance in order to determine their fates. After episode 1….Yeaaahhh….I’m not going to let my 11 year old watch that one. Adult themes, some graphic images, probably will get worse from here. I am going to continue watching, one of the darker shows for me this season.

Kancolle

Based off of an online browser game, Kancolle is a bunch of girls who possess the spirits of Japanese warships and they fight the threat of the deep sea fleet. It is a little goofy in concept, but mindless fun. So far it seems largely harmless for younger viewers.

Rolling Girls

Ten year after “The Great Tokyo War” and prefectures in Japan have split off into independent nations. Four girls travel between nations on motorcycles to mediate and settle disputes between clans and nations. So far, nothing to offensive. time will tell. Seems to be an interesting premise.

Gourmet Girl Graffiti

A middle school girl who has a knack for cooking making friends through her love of food. There is a slight eroticism when the girl eats. Is this enough to make it inaccessible for younger viewers? Maybe, maybe not… I will watch it, I love to cook!

Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!

My (and my 15 year olds) most anticipated show of the season. Magical bishounen boys and a talking pink wombat-like creature. A definite send up of the magical girl genre with some nods to Sailor Moon. So far nothing has been to objectionable. A really funny show! Give it a try.

What are you watching?

	Karla Garrison on Why I Haven’t Got My Old…
	madreceiver on Cosplay for fun and profi…
	moyatori on Cosplay for fun and profi…
	Anime_Girls_NYC on Cosplay for fun and profi…
	madreceiver on Cosplay for fun and profi…

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