We’ve got a slightly irregular update schedule since I’m traveling this week, but don’t worry, the J-List staff has posted an extra-awesome update of Japanese products for you. But first, some random observations on life, the universe and anime by me… One thing I write about often is that anime succeeds because it allows viewers to tap strong emotions in a way that few other types of media can achieve. Whether it’s agonizing over the final scene with Menma’s ghost in AnoHana, cheering on Shana or Taiga in their respective tsundere love triangles, or gasping as Madoka submitted to her destiny and became a Magical Girl, many fans are deeply affected by the stories and characters in modern anime series. The other day I finally got around to watching the film Battle for Los Angeles, which I’d been wanting to see as a longtime fan of the “military sci-fi” genre. (The best example of this genre is The Forever War by Joseph Haldeman, a book I recommend a lot.) It was a good enough movie, possessing lots of gritty action and outstanding special effects of course, but I found I didn’t care about any of the characters at all, even though the story involved the very survival of the Earth. The movie might not have been the best example of course, but I’ve honestly found myself mostly underwhelmed by Hollywood films for years. But I was delighted to see the outcome of the deep love between Ririchou-sama and her fox-spirit butler/bodyguard Miketsukami-kun in Inu x Boku SS, which was quite satisfying.
Is anime is more emotionally rewarding than Hollywood?
