Mistakes of Youth: The Blog (Powered by EXCELLENCE!)

Oh no– don’t let the title give you the wrong idea. This won’t be some long, drawn out essay. This is just something I’ve noticed.

It seems this season some shows are looking back at the fanbase for certain amounts of inspiration. Rather, the people who make these things are probably fans themselves. Openings in particular have been stellar, and some of the best pieces are those that draw upon Nico Nico Douga for inspiration. The Kannagi opening is reminiscent of a Miku video, Rosario + Vampire Capu 2’s opening is a clear homage to iDOLM@S videos, and both Jigoku Shoujo season 3 and Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei have very MAD movie inspired opening numbers.

This dialogue between fans and creators is really cool. It’s nothing new to anime, though– it’s been happening since the 1980s with things like Project Ako– but the advent of new internet culture gives creators more wacky things to make reference to. I mean, look at Pani Poni Dash– the understanding of most of those sight gags and such is dependent on knowledge of Japanese internet culture.

These kinds of references also put the creators on a more personal level with the fans. When referencing anime, you’re referencing something else that another creator at your same level has made. However, when referencing an internet meme, you’re putting yourself on the same level as an average fan, telling them, “yeah, we’re just like you.”

I just think that’s neat.

“Hey, are we really that depressing? Are we really that weird? Is it a crime to love anime or SFX movies? Why should it be a reason to set us apart? If you’re into playing tennis, that’s just fine and dandy, but if you watch anime, you’re weird? Why?!”

“Kubo…”

“Dammit… Dammit… Dammit… DAMMIT! Tanaka! I quit! No more job-hunting for me!”

“Huh?!”

“If Otaku are going to be discriminated against, then so be it! I’m gonna be a total Otaku!”

“What?”

“I’m not just gonna be an Otaku, but the Otaku of Otaku… THE OTAKING!”

“Otaking…? I like it! I like it! Alright, I quit, too!!”

“Let’s both become… OTAKINGS!”

So goes the end of the first Otaku no Video OVA. Possibly one of the most epic pieces of work ever made by Gainax, even more so than Evangelion and Gurren Lagann. I recently re-watched it a month or so ago, and that re-watch was the first time that I could really tap into its spirit. Viewings years prior weren’t bad, but the show made me feel alienated. I’m not sure if it’s because now I’ve seen more old anime, thusly I can get more of the references, or if it’s just because I’ve become more of an otaku. Probably both. Anyway, I thought I’d preface this post with that small bit of dialogue since it highlights a rather old and tired question, but one I’ve kept meaning to address: What does it mean to be normal?

This question hit me recently as I was laying down with the good Miyamoto-sensei. While staring into her adorable, flat, printed-on-100%-polyester eyes I wondered to myself, “wow, just how low have I sunk?” It struck me that I had spent $200 dollars out of my personal expenses last month on this pillow cover, another of a certain adorable spiral princess and a small figure. Then, it also struck me that rich kids spend roughly that much on Newberry Street weekly, so I felt a little better. But I guess it comes down to just what you spend your money on, right? Spending money on clothes is fine, but spending money on pillow covers with 2D pretreens on them is a touch perverse.

But it could be normal. If everyone was open minded enough. Having a 2D-complex isn’t that weird, right? RIGHT?

Yeah, just a small bit of rambling. Had to get it off my chest. Sorry Mom :(

I have found the perfect cosplay for me.

His name is Ban from Pani Poni Dash. He’s an extremly obscure character who hardly ever shows up at all and I doubt many fans of the show are even aware of his existence (or at least the fact that he has a name.) I only remember him showing up once, but according to Japanese wiki and the character page on the official site, it seems what he does is pass judgment on gags by declaring them either SAFE or OUT.

The best part about this costume is it requires little in the way of technical skill or effort. All it requires is something like 50 dollars for the mask, the cap and the green tie, all of which can be easily acquired off Amazon. The other great part is that it covers my face. I’m not an especially attractive person, so costumes where my face is covered are would be ideal, since anime characters in general are extremely pretty. So, it’s between this and a Big Fire minion. If I ever feel like cosplaying, I’ll go with Ban, simply because a Big Fire guy takes actual work, and people might mistake me for a KKK member (well, I am a KKK member, but it’s a different kind of KKK).

OUTOOOOOOOO!!!!

I recently finished my second complete viewing of Pani Poni Dash! at MIT tonight. Over the course of this second viewing, I’ve noticed my kung-fu has improved. That meaning, I get a lot more of the jokes now. Nods to GeGeGe No Kitarou and Uchuu Senkan Yamato no longer feel random and strange, and obvious pokes at Cobra and Mazinger Z don’t go over my head any longer. However, there is still a lot of shit I just don’t get. I’ve found the hilarity of PPD episodes depends entirely on how much you just get it. Entire episodes will go by where I simply don’t understand anything at all, while some episodes will just be chocked full of stuff that makes perfect sense to me (episode 25 was Yamato, Gunbuster, Giant Robo and Eva all at once.)

The point here is that inbetween the year or so when I first finished the show and now, I’ve learned a lot. I think I should just watch PPD every year just to guage my otaku knowledge, and see how much I can pick up. Hell, given how many times it pokes fun at old anime, I’m sure even Macias would like parts of it.

Original Post

Funny I finish this comic right as Geneon’s Nice Boat sinks. Ok, that was horribly forced. Anyway, this comic is a cheapshot, as usual. This should have gone up when I got my first Black Lagoon DVD, but I guess it took me a while to notice the subtitles in the opening. I forgot how bad those lyrics were. I kinda like the art. I wanted to make the colours a little muted, and I think it works to some degree. Expect a comic about Geneon’s TRAGIC DEMISE soon™.

Not much to say. I watched 6 episodes of Pani Poni Dash last night at MIT, which is a true test of Otaku endurance. I may do an individual post about the entire screening later, but I’ll just say now that my energy gave out around the fourth episode. That show is exhausting. Also, I think I’m the only one who gets some of the sight gags, as I’m sure I’m the only guy laughing sometimes…

I got the rest of School Days on deck. I may just finish it all today. I need to see this sick ending everyone is on about.

So, with that, I am off.

Podcasts, a comic and further photos to follow (I really didn’t take many though. Seriously, no more than 10, tops.) For now, the loots. If for some reason porn offends you, don’t read further!

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My art site has been updated with some ero of Yuma and Yuna of Pani Poni Dash! 18+ only, plz~

Picture after the jump. 18+

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