In lieu of the August 1 Memorial Day of Digimon, I marathoned the first and second seasons of Digimon. Watching it again made me notice the theme of parallelism and juxtaposition of the two worlds, namely the Digital World and the Physical World. The state of one reflects the state of the other. If there’s a disturbance existing in the Digital World, then it would probably create a disturbance as well in the Physical World. Whenever I think of this, I can’t help but associate it to Summer Wars (not just because of Mamoru Hosoda).

Summer Wars, albeit farfetched on its own (Internet controlling mere traffic lights), was more successful in trying to portray how disturbances in the Digital World could affect our lives and even lead to death of a beloved one. Digimon is of course, more farfetched than Summer Wars since the effects of the disturbances in the Digital World is manifested through warp gates opening in the Physical World thus enabling Digimons to travel to the Physical World and wreak havoc.

Naturally, I’d say that every bit of information that the Internet possesses influence our every day decisions. From researching homework, up to knowing the latest news. Nowadays, Internet also already allows us to perform online business transactions and of course, catch up with our friends through the (in)famous social networking sites.

Like what I’ve said regarding the connection between the two worlds, it’s quite hard to establish the neutrality of the other to another. If there’s a mess in Facebook, Twitter, or any other social networking site, chances are, it will materialize as an issue in the Physical World or vice versa. The cyberspace has slowly become an extended reality for almost everyone, of any age.

“Extended” reality is actually an understatement. Anything that’s an extension, is just an accessory. I doubt everything in the cyberspace is mere “accessory” for everybody. The “me” in the internet is undoubtedly a part of me, that’s not just an accessory. This goes back to the reasonable connection between the Digital World and the Physical World because this overlapping concept of individuality from both worlds results to the connection that ties the two. Your avatar in the cyberspace can never be the real you, similar as to how the physical you can never really show who you truly are. You can never separate the you in the Physical World and the other you in the cyberspace because the combination of the two actually forms your true persona. Thus, a disturbance present in one world leads to a disturbance in the other. One can never truly separate it completely.

In Durarara!!, Mikado is both an ordinary student and leader of the Dollars and he’s not just the latter or the former – he is the combination of the two. When both Anri and Kida got involved with the mess between the Yellow Scarves and Dollars, one can’t really say that Mikado was able to detach himself from being the leader of the Dollars even though he’s only an ordinary student by default in the physical world.

To wrap it up, both Physical World and the Digital World reflects and affects each others’ status primarily because the two are pieces of who we are and of what the world is. Yes, we are also made of the bits of these files, documents, and data that the Internet has.

———————

image credits: pixiv users Rella/C80土セ-02b, ni, シエル

I don’t know if this will turn out a bit technical but I’ll try my best not to (or at least explain through layman’s terms). I have to say as well that this representation in [C] is rather weird. I am well aware of how bad IMF’s reputation is to developing countries because of the disparity in the bargaining power of the developing country to what IMF/US demands as a compensation for the loans and debts that they provide as a form of assistance to the countries. This is why it was quite surprising that one of the good guys (well, I consider her as one) actually came from IMF. I know that I’m biased but because of this, it’s as if IMF has become a great institution all of a sudden (which up until now, I still can’t seem to accept!).

Side B: Satou

Having studied economics as a major, most of our perspectives were from the point of view of the government which aims to “regulate” and make sure that the market is favorable for all of its stakeholders, or so that’s how it is supposed to be. I am well aware of the conspiracy spiraling right now and the arguments of other economists who prefer to have a laissez-faire policy wherein the government is encouraged to let the market as is and not meddle whatever happens. Why? because some economists says that the government is actually the one causing the irregularities and distortions in the economy. They build new roads and provide jobs to people who did the construction but was there really a need to construct new roads? Of course, this is just in theory but, some economists say that the government is creating an artificial demand to supply for which of course is a distortion in the economy.

As you can see, I believe that this is Jennifer’s stance. She kept pointing out that what Mikuni is doing are mere stop-gap measures (which is absolutely right! I am referring to the absorption he did to the pharmaceutical company) and doesn’t really solve the problem. She appears to be nonchalant with what’s going to happen because she knows that it was meant to happen in the first place. As for this, Mikuni represents the government. What made this portrayal obvious was Mikuni’s possession of the Darkness card which allows him to control the printing of Midas money. Who else could control that in real life but the government (well, indirectly through the central bank)?

Of course, back then when we were still kids, it should have crossed our minds at least once. Why not just print lots of money? I bet we’re all guilty of thinking innocently on how that could be a solution to poverty. To cut it short, it will result to hyperinflation if done wrongly without any proper reason. Proper reason, as in, eg. increase in the demand for money due to increasing number of transactions, not the likes of “because Japan is about to vanish”. But since Mikuni needed the cash to buy and rescue the stock prices… He had to print money.

Maybe several people are still puzzled why printing additional Midas money equates sacrificing the future. It is quite related to future inflationary effect. If people have 100 USD in their time deposit right now, then in the future, its value could actually become mere 10 USD simply because a lot of people have USD already due to the printing of more Midas money; thus, the depreciation on the value of the currency.

Satou’s efforts in trying to stop Mikuni for a third round of printing money was more or less justified because that will really leave JPY worthless in the eyes of entrepreneurs. Mikuni might be saying that it’s for the sake of preventing Japan from vanishing (which of course is a metaphor) but, it doesn’t really help the economy recuperate. It’s just there to prolong the present.

So, what do you prefer, an economy with people like Mikuni doing machinations in order to “save the country” by deteriorating its future or an economy free from any external influence? Mikuni might be doing a favor for everyone in the financial district since they don’t have to commit suicide anymore after losing a deal but, I don’t think it outweighs the future he steals from everyone else.

Just like what I mentioned from the previous post, you can’t really be a real Entre if you’re not prepared for the risk of being bankrupt. It’s a natural effect of competition ie, the deals.

———————

image credits: pixiv users ポ中, 糸吉, カナン

I honestly think that the show was vague during the last episodes due to the fast pace but I guess it was just reasonable for a show showcasing the world economy, considering the minute and ever changing prices of not only stocks but also commodities. Time is of the essence after all, if we are talking about trading stocks.

Side A: Sennoza

The first concept which readily entered my mind ever since the episode, which involved Sennoza, was intertemporal consistency. As a brief description on what the economic concept is about, it primarily discusses the unequal consumption and allocation of one’s resources for the present and the future. In my case, I’ve always believed that the optimal situation lies in the balance of the two, but of course if I delve further, it’ll go on and probably touch the concept of risk-aversion which is not that relevant in [C] per se. Note that the key concept in here is “balance”.

Obviously, Sennoza tries to argue that the present would mean nothing if therein lies a future left without any choice to choose from. A linear path for everyone (a repetition of the present). Mikuni meanwhile argues that this kind of disposition is only for those who are better off compared to everyone else because they have the luxury of planning ahead for their future. Other people who are faced with coping with the present won’t even be able to think that far ahead if they are faced with something difficult in the present.

Of course, I disagree with Mikuni. He must be underestimating those who are economically disadvantaged. Even if a person is poverty stricken today, that doesn’t stop him from planning what he should do in the future. Although I get Mikuni’s point for his remark on how unpredictable the future could be, I think it’s better to do something about it rather than get complacent on what’s the current state. What he’s doing is like what Msyu told Q during the final episode. He only keeps providing blood for the transfusion for a bedridden person, but the fact is that, the problem is still there. The kidney or the liver is still not functional and thus needs to be replaced!

It’s quite ironic that Mikuni was able to get onto the top of the financial district with this kind of mindset. He’s very much a risk-averse person who would probably keep on hedging just to avoid risk, which is why he prefers the certainty of the present compared to the unpredictability of future. But of course, everyone knows that hackneyed statement about investing already. “The higher the risk, the higher the return”. He’ll never achieve his full potential if he’s afraid of what the future holds.

What I liked about the show is that it further presented the conflict between Sennoza and Mikuni through that dialogue from one of Kimimaro’s company from his part time (the old guy) when he mentioned that he planned to cancel his insurance. There was this side of me telling me that it’s just common sense to act and choose that option because of how the present economy was portrayed in the anime but another part of me was saying that it wasn’t a wise decision as well because the economy could get even worse than the present and that he might lose that back-up support if it happens in the future once he cancels the insurance.

But of course, I’m not saying that Sennoza is entirely correct as well. Just as how I phrase it, it really should be a balance between the  present and the future. It might be loosely related to Economics but future is equally important with present. Sacrificing the opportunity cost of either of the two for one will distort your living. Are you willing to party all day night today for the sake of having fun even though you know there would be an exam tomorrow? Are you willing to save up 99% of your allowance just to buy that trendy gadget to the extent of skipping your meals?

Next Post >> Side B: Satou

———————

image credits: pixiv users カナン, ina

Okay, let me first introduce you to the Dualistic Dependence Theory. It is an economic theory which states that the existence of poor and the rich (non-poor) is inevitable and poverty could never be erased from the face of the earth.

It is probably much represented already by the electrolytic clouds that there is a barrier between those who are poor and those who have the money. It was even stated at  one point that the rich were the ones responsible for this division. Also, it was quite portrayed in the first episode that the poor won’t easily be able to get through the electrolytic clouds, which I’ll explain a bit more in detail later. Popo during episode one would be seen talking with a bunch of people making a hot air balloon that would supposedly let them reach the vicinity above, or in this case, the place of rich people. This actually made me remember Gurren Lagann on how there is the concept of the people under the ground and those who are above who pulls the strings so that those who are beneath the crust will stay so, and if we would try to remember, Lordgenome mentions as well the reason as “something inevitable” due to the Anti-Spirals. Although, I have to make it clear that in Gurren Lagann, those who are beneath the surface aren’t necessarily those who are poor, same as to those who are atop who aren’t necessarily the rich as well.

So, now, let me go back to Kaiba. Also, I think it’s easier to refer to people above the surface as those who have the power while those who are beneath as those who are powerless, or so it seems. Similar to the representation from Gurren Lagann, Kaiba presented the “barrier” between the two strata as something man-made or induced by men themselves. So here I am asking myself, does poverty/inequality inevitably exists, or is it because the people let it exist? It seems Kaiba answers it with “the people let it exist”. After all, if those who are rich didn’t make the electrolytic clouds, then the barrier couldn’t have existed, and those who were living beneath the surface weren’t stuck there to begin with.

Electrolytic clouds in Kaiba aren’t as simple as ordinary clouds, or else it won’ be named that way. It seems that inhaling the particles of the electrolytic clouds will make you forget your memories. It’s as if it is trying to imply that trying to transcend from being poor to that of being rich is similar to forgetting who you really are (since you have to pass through the clouds to live atop the surface). And as we all know it, this is some kind of brainwash mechanism which makes those who are poor think that it’s impossible for them to climb atop someday. Of course, there are still those who hold their hopes up. Take Chroniko for example, she had the dream to abandon their poor ways of living, but in her attempt to escape poverty, the rich tried to tamper both her memories and body, living her family mere amounts of luxurious food that would only hold for a day. It seems that those who have power will always be able to find a way to hinder those who are trying to make it at the top.

Of course, this is a mere representation of the anime– of what could be happening in the real world. I won’t know for sure if this is the absolute mechanism that we are currently following. All that I could envy is that, in Kaiba, the protagonists were able to eliminate the existence of the electrolytic clouds which symbolizes the barrier between those who are poor and rich.

Will that ever happen in real life? Or do we succumb in the idea that poverty and inequality is indeed inevitable and that poverty will never be erased from the face of the earth? Does this also prove that the elimination of the barrier between those who are rich and poor only happen in fiction?

———————

image credits: pixiv user ノースキャロライナ飴子

Most school life anime just focuses on the first five aspects. Don’t you agree?

I like animes which portray school life. Yes, whatever you want to say, even if it’s heavily cliche already. Then again, one thing that I see them overlook is this aspect of tight competition in the school. We often see anime such as Toradora! where the focus is actually romance and comedy. The academic standings of the characters weren’t really given the focus. GTO, meanwhile focuses on the issues of the students, primarily bullying and delinquents, but not whether these characters are studious and bright.

Okay, what I want to talk about here is this competition of the characters in terms of grades. Just thinking about this topic reminds me of Special A, since the it’s the primary gripe of the female lead, being the second — But I haven’t watched it so — so much for that. Maho(Kare Kano), is basically the same — It’s just that she was overwhelmed by this helpless feeling of defeat.

We rarely see seriousness in the competition of the characters in terms of their grades. Azumanga Daioh features Yomi and Chiyo having a relatively close fight in their grades. Chiyo didn’t really mind her grades. It was only Yomi who we could see somehow obstinate on planning to beat Chiyo’s score.

I think only Kare Kano so far has given me this kind of situation wherein the revolving issue is “class standing”. Absurd as it may seem, but I think this is rather realistic, compared on how other shows take it. Based from Kare Kano and regarding the competition inside the classroom. Maho was somewhat used to be the one at the top of the ladder — which is why she was frustrated when Yukino was able to usurp her from that place. Then again — that frustration might probably be actually pretty much the same with what Yukino felt when Arima grabbed the crowd.

There really is a competition going on just to have that spot you wanted in the corporate or professional  world, not only in Japan.  I’ve even read some articles citing that this tight competition in the school grounds is also one of the reasons why hikkikomoris exist.

I guess one of the reasons why some of us like watching anime is, because it deviates from the real world, where competition exist. We’d rather focus on the comedy, rabu-rabu scenes, and other hijinks that happen in schools instead of its primary purpose, which is education. And, I think anime producers know that, which is why they are showcasing us with shows that do not put grade competition in its lime light.

Even if you say that BakaTest does the opposite, you could actually see them portraying the anime in such a sarcastic way wherein some of the characters just don’t care about their grades, or staying in that kind of situation. It somehow deviates us again in reality when Himeji proclaims that she is better off in Class F, rather than in Class A! (That sounded though as if she was consoling everyone in Class F)

You could blandly see the classroom where our primary characters stay, and how poor they are treated in terms of facilities, and yet, do we really focus on that aspect of the show? No, some turn their heads and stare at Hideyoshi instead .

Class F’s objective to beat Class A seems superficial to me. BakaTest would have shown some aspect of reality, just as how “respect and treatment” is equated to your intellectual capability in school(which is not necessarily true!), but then again, you won’t really notice signs of disappointment in the characters when they were beaten once again by Class A.

Then again, if you would want to see Baka to test to Shoukanjuu in light of the comedy it presents, then go ahead.

———————

image credits: pixiv user 雪見@ばかてす

I do think you guys know who these two are, of course, it’s Kyoko from Skip Beat! and Yukino from Kare Kano. Who wouldn’t recognize such difference between these two strong female leads? One who gets a shiver of pleasure from the attention and praises of other people while the other one abhors the whole existence of intimacy and affection from other people.

Well basically, I think the bottom line is what they get from living off from the opinions of others or/and disregarding them.

Kyoko’s case was pretty much given, and the reason why she got assigned to “Love Me”section was, she lacks that trait of actresses to desire love and affection from the audience. A complete opposite of Yukino because she’d gladly have that spot in order to make herself look good and favorable in front of others. These two are just compatible that I think they must stick together to help out what’s missing from one another. They complement each other and I think one could learn from the other.

Kyoko experienced already some sort of a ‘trauma’ in being a relationship, which is why she refuses now to be committed in any, as well as abandoning hope she’ll be able to appreciate love and affection. She was able to break out of her shell and able to toss that weakness of her of being so passive. She learned to take the initiative and transformed herself into someone who seeks retribution to what was done to her. But then, she is still frightened that she will end up afflicted once again by the pain of being toyed with.

In contrary, Yukino has been hiding her real self skillfully through her mask. The bad side though, is that she’s never been hurt before and she’s been already used already to the crowd praising her so she now ended up being afraid to show her true self. Even if her facade can’t feel the pain, her real self does feel the pain. This is why she is terrified that she might get hurt once she reveals her true self to everyone. If she can’t overcome that hurdle, she won’t be able to freely express herself.

So, what’s parallel between these two? Why the heck is it so important for these two people to confine their selves with the opinions of others? The diverging point though is that Kyoko is being forced while Yukino is wilful.

I really don’t care about the damn “Love Me” section. Kyoko is Kyoko. Why is it that the LME president insists Kyoko to be trained in order to learn and recall those feelings of “love” ? I find it rather cheesy at first, and vague. From what I’ve understood, actresses and actors must have that sentiment of wanting to be loved by the viewers, in order to act out, not for their own satisfaction, but for other people; thus to invoke the empathy of the audience. I find this rather twisted because I don’t think actresses and actors should be obliged on wanting to please other people, or so to say, even if they are indebted to their fans that they still have their jobs. This is rather the wrong concept in the world of entertainment! Actors and actresses are treated as merchandise to be sold, which is why they are forced to fabricate that facade that everyone supposedly likes, instead of acting, in behalf of themselves alone. I just can cite what happened to Risette from P4, just by talking about the topic. I think an actress or actor can still invoke that empathy of the viewers as long as she acts from within her true self, even if she disregards the opinions of others.

Kyoko’s current disposition is somewhat telling her to be a superficial icon in the industry. Does Kyoko just worth that much? If Kyoko can act, then so be it, I don’t know why it has to be propelled by one’s affinity towards being loved by the audience or viewers. It’s as if the series says that for an actor or actress, to act good, he/she should be vain enough to be wanting to be loved and praised by the people around him/her. I don’t think it gives justice, because that states that actors and actresses should be conceited. Is acting all about that? lol, I don’t know.

Meanwhile, I don’t know what’s gotten to Yukino for her to go on a quest for being the Queen of Vanity. Same way as Kyoko, she is also restrained by the fact that in order to be the best among the best, she must be favorable and pleasing to other people, it’s just that she’s the one who voluntarily succumbed into this belief. Yukino possesses that “desire” to be loved by everybody and because of that, she has divulged herself in creating the “model student” mask in order to be the center of attention and compliments.

Yukino has soon realized that all the pandering she has done, has actually made her a rigid person. She learned her lesson the hard way, and she has to pay for all her postponed debts. If only Kyoko would be able to know what happened Yukino after living off from the opinions of others, I doubt Kyoko would still prefer to became a proud member of “Love Me”.  Love Me section seeks her to become a refined actress, by bringing back her desire for others’ affection, by having everybody love the way she acts, but I doubt this will help her to be a good actress. It might help but it might also just end up producing a fake personality of her, which only has the agenda to please other people, but is actually empty inside. This is why I like the present Kyoko who just acts on her own accord, and not necessarily to please the audience.

Kyoko thinks pleasing everyone is stupid. I think so too. Kyoko must tell this to Yukino’s face so she’ll stop pretending to be a perfect being. The longer Yukino tries to preserve that exterior of her, the more it becomes precarious once other people finds out the truth.

====================

I didn’t focus much on Yukino because I already made an elaborate entry about her. You can proceed to the related post section to read about it or go there right away: “Karekano – Yukino Miyazawa: Behind her Mask“

It’s been a while since I’ve rewatched this certain episode of Read or Die, and I must say that it is definitely the best and touching story compared to all other Christmas episodes of other anime(s). People do tend to forget other people whenever Christmas comes since what always come to our mind would be our relatives, and the gifts that we’ll be receiving. But then, there are people who just can’t think that way during Christmas, especially those who feel they lack something.

Episode 10 is a brief story behind the Paper Sisters, and how it came to be. It was also Christmas Eve that day when Maggie and Michelle first met and became partners in a certain mission to retrieve some sort of a book in a hidden library beneath a church. They were merely doing the job, without even caring it was Christmas Eve during that day.

It was snowing that day. Anita was waiting patiently inside the abandoned church, helplessly clutching her ragged clothing, to at least keep herself warm. She was hoping that someone would show up to take her away, and the hunger she feels.

Would that certain meeting among the three of them have been similar to what it is now if it wasn’t Christmas Eve that day? I doubt. Just like what I’ve said, Read or Die, I think it is the only one so far that has conveyed another meaning of Christmas amongst other anime. Christmas is the time to share anything you’ve got. It must be one of the reasons why Maggie and Michelle decided to go back and fetch Anita from the church, even though they did said no, when Anita tried asking if she could tag along, even if they were some sort of “thieves”.

Was the “founding” of the Paper Sisters detrimental only to Anita? to Michelle? or was it for Maggie? The answer is undoubtedly no. All of them filled what was lacking from everyone else. Both Michelle and Maggie was longing for someone they could share their melancholy and hollowness while Anita has been longing for someone who could harbor that feeling of concern towards her. It was all because that they decided to join forces and establish the Paper Sisters, that they finally filled some gaps in their lives.

It is about time, that we realize that Christmas episodes are not just about the male protagonist buying that certain gift for the girl he likes, with all those part-time jobs he took just to save up and finally buy the gift. I’m not saying that that concept of Christmas is mistaken because the concept of giving and sharing is there, it’s just that, we see only a small portion of the whole — because there are actually people who doesn’t even have something to share, except a book, and a muffler to help someone to still feel fortunate, given their disposition in life.

Come on, Anita, don’t be so choosy now, you should be thankful that Maggie and Michelle did came back to get you. Even if the book you got won’t fill your hungry stomach. Sometimes, we do also have to be satisfied with what we have, and what we receive.

Christmas has always been associated to Christianity, obviously because it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but does someone really have to be Christian to experience one? Christmas episodes is somewhat apparent in anime, but we had always known that majority of Japanese are Buddhist.

Religion is “serious business” for other people, which is why they refrain from the practices of other religions. I don’t think this is the right thing to do if one is given the chance to encounter someone who doesn’t share their own belief. Just like what Kanata’s father said, “We must learn the importance of accepting different ways. Us too should be more open and willing to accept other cultures.” It doesn’t necessarily mean that a non-Christian isn’t allowed to partake in the celebration of Christmas. This doesn’t only apply to religion and such, but even to trivial things people sometimes argue about. Of course, “openness and willingness” of a person still depends on how he/she views that certain practice.

Episode 31 of Daa! Daa! Daa! portrays the common notion of other people to different culture. Kanata has never celebrated Christmas yet, which is why he has this strong tie to his father’s religion, Buddhism. He has grown to believe that Santa Clause could never enter the temple because of the daily chants and scent of the incense. He has always believed that “There is no Christmas in a Buddhist temple”.

Does Christmas really just equate to a tradition held yearly exclusively for Christians? It has always been a universal event, where in everyone is invited. Of course, there are cynical people who won’t believe just yet, because they want to stick to their own principles and beliefs. No one bears any grudge against them because no one’s forcing them. It’s just that I see them as someone who only thinks what’s inside the box, but never really tries to explore what’s beyond–beyond their own religion. Does that mean religion exist to put limitations and boundaries to people? Limitations and boundaries had existed long before and I don’t think that that is the real motive of why religion came into existence. (Then again, I’m not talking here about morality, because that’s just what the norm dictates.)

Religion has always been that barrier existing between believers and non-believers. No one knows when would that barrier be completely shattered, but as long as non-believers start to believe that Christmas is simply the time to share that “warmth”, I think everyone would slowly realize that the celebration of Christmas doesn’t only heed the devotees but everyone’s attention.

(Note: The following contains Christianity-related stuff.)

Bokura ga Ita’s last episode is not much of a Christmas special but, it did happen in the Christmas season. The first half of it shows the two of the major characters, Yano and Nana, talking and then celebrating their own Christmas together. Since Yano will be leaving before Christmas itself, they celebrated earlier. Before the actual date, they discussed first how they are going to spend it. Nana insists they spend it the usual way they do because she doesn’t want to feel like it is an ending. I have to think that she feels like it’s a different day, like it’s a one-time-big-time thing because of the specialness that Yano wants to give it.This leads me to a question–why do we spend certain days differently from others?

For example, I spend Christmas day joyously, going to mass and all. After all, I am celebrating Christ’s birthday. I go to extra masses because of what my family has gotten used to. For New Year, some of us may make resolutions that we try hard to achieve. For birthdays, we eat extra expensive food, feed visitors and such. For Yano, if Nana didn’t stop him, wants Nana to go with him to Disneyland, which is MEGA expensive.

So where is this going? I guess what I want to say is some of us spend events on the day designated for it only. We leave the celebration part on the day itself. The essence of the event stays on that 24 hours or even less. For Christmas, perhaps it would be better if we always be happy that God sent Christ and was born as human and all(for the believers). For New Year, we don’t need to wait for it to make resolutions, desho? We can change whenever. For birthdays, we can celebrate each day like it’s our last day, that we still have a chance to fulfill the purpose for which we are born.

Good thing Yano took her advice. They spent it like how they would have if it’s a regular day, except for Nana’s hair, which was done for the date. At least in that way, they feel like they are going to last (their relationship). They get the feeling when they are together, not being aware that they are soon to part, because they spent it like a usual day. (I like to think that they have been spending their days like it’s their last so I assumed that’s why Nana felt that way.)

I’m not saying to scrap all kinds of extra celebration on the day of the special event itself. I’m just saying that we can do things that can provide us the benefit of the special event itself even if it’s just a “regular” day. It’s just a suggestion, hmkay? ;D Have a great day!

(PS Sorry for the weak attempt to apply Christmas part of Bokura ga ita to our culture.XD)

image credit: pixiv user てこの原理

It’s not like I am opposing this idea of OEliminators, and I’m not definitely trying to stop them in doing this just because I am involved XD. I just wanted to speak out before they have the freedom to criticize my blog in return.

What just stumbled upon my thoughts during the weekend, which is probably related to what the OEG is doing, is about the DVD Special of Toshokan Sensou.

OEliminators can be compared to what the Media Cleansing Committee is in the anime. Yep, they are literally responsible for moderating the libraries and the books, along with its people and bureaucracy, in parallel with what the OEliminators who manage this game to assess, filter, or purge the aniblogosphere.

What I’m basically saying here is, OEG is irresponsibly doing their primary objective in setting up their agenda of filtering the otakusphere, or whatever they want to call it, if they themselves don’t know who their recipients are, yep, or their so-called contestants in the game. My primary argument is, keeping an anime blog doesn’t necessarily make you an otaku, just as pointed by NovaJinx. The fact that you were listed there is similar to arresting you for a crime you really didn’t do. And no, it is not because of ignorance because several bloggers admit it themselves, and even mentioned it on their About pages, that they are not “otaku” as far as they are concerned. So why is it bloggers who didn’t really defined themselves as one, got dragged in here? Or, did we just became mere guinea pigs used for this experiment? Then when did the correct sampling happened?

Well, if I’ll relate it to the DVD special, OEG might be creating a new form of discrimination here because it’s as if they are imposing the people they “eliminate” in the game to cease blogging from the sphere. And as parallel as what Marie-chan said from that certain episode, can’t writers like us be the protagonists of our own blogs? Why does it also have to come from people who can’t even distinguish who is trying to appeal as an otaku, and not?

This is not in defense for criticism because I’ll gladly accept any comments on my blog, may it be harsh or not. It’s just that, I really find their idea of somewhat representing the whole “otakus” in the sphere funny when they can’t even distinguish who is otaku and not on the very first glance, or maybe not really in the first glance— but then again, anime blogs doesn’t equate to owners/authors being otaku. What I’m clearly seeing based from their list though is not a depiction of that.

It was a pretty surprise that my blog was even included because I am pretty sure that I am not reclining towards being an otaku. I am merely an animeblogger and someone who appreciates anime, who has the free time to write/rant about it. Does that already make me an otaku? Or do other people think my blog is an otaku blog? But that’s inclusive, which is not the case as what I’ve said earlier. If they are planning to purge the otakusphere of “fakers” then they should select first the correct people. I just can’t consider them critical on defining the word otaku if they can’t even select the people.

Then again, we do all have our different opinions and say on who’s to call an “otaku” or not so I guess I am pretty subjective. But, same can be said as well towards the OEG because they are primarily categorizing all the listed blogs there as otaku blogs. If they themselves are not really sure on who’s to include and not, then they shouldn’t have initiated this at the very beginning.

They could still do their usual commentaries, harsh criticisms, and even few praises but so far, I am still not convinced to OEG’s objective to somehow filter what’s good and what’s not on the sphere. Then again, of course they don’t need anyone’s approval for what they are doing.

This is not close-mindedness. If they would be criticizing my blog, I might as well rationalize first their validity. Just to clear it up though, I don’t belong to any opposition. I’m also showing a slight support to them because I really find it interesting to take part on this game, otaku or not, might as well enjoy it even if they are trolling behind our backs.

———————————–

image credits: pixiv user N. スミレ