alisa's corner

The anime "Your Name" and "Hetalia: Axis Power", as well as the manga "Sensoron", all symbolically convey themes of politics, nationalism, stereotypes, and relationships, some more so than others. After watching "Hetalia: Axis Power" and reading "Sensoron," I could tell automatically that these had a strong sense of national identity, whether it was portrayed comically or more seriously. However, it took me a little longer to see how the national identity was portrayed in the anime "Your Name".

Starting with the anime, "Your Name," it follows two young teenagers: Mitsuha, a girl from a small town, and Taki, a boy from Tokyo. They somehow merge, causing them to share bodies, and after some time passes with Taki not hearing from Mitsuha, he realizes that he must find her to save her life and the lives of her town from a comet similar to the Fukushima Disaster. This anime connects people with their homes and cultures, which means that both Taki and Mitsuha came to appreciate each other's homes and their own. Mitsuhua finally came to realize the importance of tradition and heritage after working tirelessly to save her town and its cultural heritage. This anime makes me want to study my heritage further and remember the importance of my hometown.

In "Hetalia: Axis Power," I honestly thought I was sitting in history class, but with a comedic twist. This was such an interesting way to learn about historical events. However, I also saw some interesting stereotypes depicted, such as Italy being portrayed as a young, almost unintelligent person who cannot fight for himself. However, this anime is almost like being in a room with every country, watching how they interact with each other, and seeing who likes whom. It nearly makes the person watching it want to laugh at each country's flaws rather than questioning the reasoning behind it.

I also concur with you when it comes to Hetalia. It is lighthearted and comedic on the surface, but it does make history seem more understandable. As you pointed out, though, it can oversimplify and play stereotypes as well. Your point of how it is representative of meme culture and how younger generations online talk about history was especially insightful, I hadn't thought of it that way before that.

Sensōron was the most challenging for me, too. Even where I disagreed with it, it forced me to think about how national histories are built and defended. Your comparison of how the U.S. does the same thing was striking, patriotism so easily converting into revisionism.

After watching both anime, I have to say I understood "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" so much more. It took me a while to understand the connection between humanity and nature while watching "Xenoblade Chronicles 2." However, in both anime series, young characters had the desire to save their world, which was falling apart. In "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wild," the land was covered by a poisonous jungle, to the extent that the people had to wear masks when near it and watch out for the hazardous bugs living there. Princess Nausicaa forms a special connection with the jungle and its inhabitants, including the bugs, and attempts to prevent a war between humans to protect the jungle, which she believes is healing the land.

In "Xenoblade Chronicles 2," humans live on titans, which are huge mountain-like creatures that are slowly dying off. Rex, a salvager, creates a special bond with Pyra, a blade, and they attempt to find Elysium or heaven. Along the way, Rex fights many enemies who are trying to end the world and makes bonds with blades who feel used. His goal is to find a world where the blades and the humans can be free, because ultimately they cannot live without each other.

In "The American Journal of Economics and Sociology," we determine that the Anthropocene is the concept of human influence on Earth, and both of these anime explore this. In Nausicaa, we learned that the jungle was polluted due to a war fought by humans, and when the bugs are disturbed, they lash out. In Xenoblade, the Titans are believed to have died due to conflicts between nations and the actions of Malos and Mythra.

While watching this week's anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the respective film, The End of Evangelion, I often found myself questioning a few things when it came to the initial plot and message. Though at times it can be tricky to analyze messages within the anime, audiences can still see critiques of gender roles and masculinity woven within the storyline.

Throughout the series, we see the main character, Shinji, grappling with self-deprecation and constantly apologizing or running away from situations. The first time we see this is when he finds out from both his father and Misato that he was taken to NERV to become a pilot of an Eva to save mankind. He lashes out, saying that his father hasn't contacted him in 3 years and that he only views Shinji as useful when it benefits his experiments (which his father somewhat agrees with). It is only when he sees Rei in a hospital bed that he decides to agree to do what NERV says (otherwise Rei would be forced to fight while injured). In these moments, we see Shinji demonstrate a more emotional and empathetic side, something that society does not often reserve for men. In addition to this, whenever we see Shinji say that he's a weakling, that he hates himself, or wants to run away, people like Misato and Asuka tell him he needs to act more "man-like" and to essentially get over his problems. This is a reflection on what their society and environment has taught them: that to be masculine is to be strong, show little emotion, get over traumas, and to fight for others. Shinji's character in itself is a criticism to pre-conceived notions of how gender and masculinity should be portrayed, and that though he does not have these specific qualities, he is still a man (giving new perspectives to traditional gender norms).

Something else I found interesting was the Evas themselves. At first they appear as regular gundams (robots operated by human pilots), but as the series progresses, we learn that not only are they created from samples of the angels they captured, but also contains the souls of the pilot's mothers. Within the first episode, we see Eva 01 protect Shinji from harm (even when it is not plugged into a power source or should be moving), hinting at the idea that the Eva is connected to him somehow. This action can be another portrayal of gender norms, as mothers in various cultures are thought to be caretakers and protectors of the youth.

I also liked your note on how Misato and Asuka talk to him. They get him to "man up," which is a truly great example of how deeply ingrained these gender roles are, even in characters who aren't necessarily stereotypically masculine themselves. It's infuriating but realistic, and it does a really good job of addressing the way that society likes to handle men expressing emotions.

And sure, the EVAs being associated with the mothers of the pilots is something else entirely. That scene where Eva 01 protects Shinji with no power always stuck in my head too. It's all wrong but kind of beautiful, the way mothering and protection are literally programmed into these combat machines that are designed to be weapons of violence. It blurs the line between care and violence, and I think it's connected to how Evangelion complicates emotional and physical struggle so deeply together.

The anime “Sailor Moon”, “Aggretsuko”, and “Wandering Son” all have unique approaches to gender performances and femininity. Although they have different storylines, they all follow the main characters who are women. In “Sailor Moon,” Usagi Tsukino runs late for school as usual, and she runs into a cat with a moon shape on its head. Usagi is not a very smart girl, and she is not very good in school, but for some reason, the cat she ran into came into her room and started talking to her. Luna, the cat, gave her a brooch and told her to say, “Moon Prism Power, Make-up,” and she turned into Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon then saved many people from Jadeite and the evil queen. Sailor Moon is depicted as a cute little girl, but when she needs to, she transforms into a superhero who saves the day. However, when she becomes the hero, she is still depicted as very feminine. This relates worldwide because women are seen as vulnerable, not smart, and cute, but people tend to undermine them. They are strong, powerful, and capable of changing the world. 

In “Aggretsuko,” we follow Retuko as she goes to work as an accountant. She does not love her job because her boss is sexist towards her. For example, he mentioned that women are made to clean up after people. She would release her anger at the local karaoke bar and sing heavy metal. I relate to this show because so often I face comments about my gender, whether that be that girls can not be leaders or that girls are meant to stay home and clean. 

In “Wandering Son,” we meet two transgender kids: Yoshino, who is a girl but dresses and acts like a boy, and Shuichi, who is a boy but dresses and acts like a girl. They both try to avoid puberty as much as possible, but eventually they go through puberty, and it makes them even more confused. During this anime, these kids navigate their identity and try to figure out how and if they can be who they genuinely want to be. 

The theory by Judith Butler enhances my understanding of these anime. Whether it be Sailor Moon uses her feminine side to embrace her superhero powers, Retsuko being very lovely and submissive at work, and then going to karaoke to relieve her anger, or the kids in “Wandering Son” figuring out who they are through their gender.

Back in 2018, I attended Guardian Con in Tampa Florida, a gaming convention originally centered around the video game series Destiny that eventually grew into a wider celebration of gaming and community. At the time I was really into both Destiny 2 and Fortnite, spending as many hours as I could immersed in these games not just for the gameplay, but for the friendships and shared sense of purpose they offered. Attending Guardian Con was my first experience with a large scale fan gathering, and it completely changed how I understood fandom, as a deeply communal and force. One of the highlights of the convention was getting to meet some of my favorite streamers, including Dr. Lupo and Ninja, who at the time were two of the biggest names in Fortnite. Seeing them in real life was surreal. These were the people I watched nearly every day online, whose content made me laugh and inspired me. Meeting them face to face was grounding. It reminded me that fandom isn’t just about celebrity or media content. It’s about the human connection we build around shared passion. Gaming has always been a big part of my life, but Guardian Con made me realize that it’s also a key part of my identity. Playing Destiny online with friends and strangers from across the world gave me a sense of community I didn’t always feel irl. At the convention, I got to play the game with other attendees in person, shout out meet my favorite streamers, and talk lore with my Dad who was just as invested in the universe as I was. Nobody's worried about being stared at for what they're wearing, or being called a “nerd” who spent too much time gaming. Instead everyone at Guardian con appreciates one another and it becomes a place where people can and enjoy themselves in the company of peers and friends who share the same passion. This experience ties directly into the class discussions we've had about how fandom and youth culture intersect. As scholars have pointed out, fandom is a form of participatory culture, where fans don’t just consume media but also help shape it through interpretation, conversation, and community. At Guardian Con, I saw this in action. Cosplayers walked the floor dressed as their characters from Destiny Panels and meetups encouraged players to share stories, content, and theories. Streamers talked about how the feedback they received from fans helped shape the way they played and even what they streamed. Everyone there was not just a spectator, but a participant in shaping the culture around these games. One of the most memorable moments for me was watching Ninja and DrLupo play Fortnite live on stage. Even though none of us were playing, we all felt like we were part of the game. That shared emotional investment, created a sense of belonging that stuck with me. These streamers were figures through which we fans could connect, celebrate, and even dream. Looking back, Guardian Con 2018 was a formative moment. It showed me how fandom can be a powerful tool for identity, especially for young people navigating who they are and where they belong. In that space, I was a fan, a community member, and someone who could connect with others through shared passion. Even now, years later, I still carry the memory of that experience with me. I may not log into Destiny 2 or Fortnite as often, but the friendships I formed and the belonging I felt at Guardian Con remind me that fandom is more than just media it’s about people, connection, and finding where you fit in the world.

Your account also completely validates what we've been learning in class about fandom as participatory culture. I appreciated how you all were, with what you said about the cosplay, fan discussions, and even how the streamers switch up depending on the feedback. It's one of those demonstrations of how fans are not just passive observers—they're actually building the community and culture around the games. And how you got to experience it with your dad only makes it more enchanting.

When I first started watching "Genshiken," I was unsure where it was going or what message it was trying to convey; however, after diving deeper, I realized that the anime was exploring fandom and finding identity in Japanese culture. The anime began by following a freshman in college as he explored different clubs he could join. He came across a club called The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture that focuses on Otaku. After some time, he realized that he genuinely enjoyed the club and its members, who shared his interests in reading doujinshi, playing adult games, and attending conventions.

In the anime, Sasahara struggled to admit that he was an otaku. He felt ashamed at first and thought he needed to hide his passions. But eventually, he found his people, and he realized at the convention that everyone was there for the same thing, and they all shared the same passions. We can observe this issue worldwide. We often fear sharing our passions due to the fear of rejection.

This anime also focuses on fandom culture. Fandom is a community of people who are fans of something. In this anime, we see that the characters are fans of manga and anime, specifically doujinshi. Sasahara found his community through fandom. Nowadays, we see that fandom is an extremely important part of Japanese culture, as well as cultures worldwide. For many people, fandom is a way to connect with others, themselves, and their favorite characters. Fandom is also a large part of Japan's economy, as it contributes to the entertainment industry.

I truly enjoyed your blog post! You did a wonderful job showing how Genshiken captures the importance of fandom and identity. I also found it interesting how Sasahara at first didn't know how to deal with his identity as an otaku. Most people probably have that feeling, wondering if it's okay to like something that other people might not understand.

I agree with you that fandom gives people a platform to feel accepted and connected. As you said, it is not just about consuming anime or manga, but also creating and presenting it to others. That passage in Fiske's reading fits well with what we see in the show.

Watching Naruto, Wolf Children, and A Silent Voice back-to-back was an emotional rollercoaster. Each anime, in its own way, opened up windows into Japanese culture while simultaneously touching on struggles that feel universal—family, identity, belonging, and redemption.

Naruto stood out for its intense focus on perseverance and the loneliness of being an outsider. Naruto's journey from being ostracized to being respected mirrors the struggles many kids (including myself at times) face when trying to fit into a world that misunderstands them. His constant need to prove himself resonated deeply with me and reminded me of how important it is to have people who believe in you.

Wolf Children took a much more intimate and quiet approach, focusing on motherhood and the sacrifice it demands. Hana’s resilience as a single mother raising children who don't fit into society’s norms was both heartbreaking and beautiful. It made me reflect on how much our parents, especially mothers, often endure without complaint. The film also subtly critiques rigid social expectations in Japan, while engaging in global conversations about identity and belonging.

A Silent Voice had the strongest emotional impact on me. Its portrayal of bullying, guilt, and mental health was incredibly raw and relatable. Shoya’s journey to redemption and Shoko’s quiet strength brought me to tears. It made me think about how we often don’t realize the weight of our actions on others, and how hard it is to forgive ourselves. This film speaks to Japan’s struggles with mental health stigma, but also connects universally to anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t deserve a second chance.

Each anime, though different in style and tone, offered powerful reflections on what it means to be human.

I have to say that in the first episode of "Shin Sekai Yori," I was pretty confused. I did not completely understand the plotline of the story until after watching multiple episodes. "Shin Sekai Yori" follows children born in a "perfect" town, but telekinetic powers rule it. This anime follows Saki and her friends as they uncover the truth about their home, as their authorities withheld vital information regarding the powers and the past. The children are monitored very closely. If they begin to show instability or incompetence, or even fail to develop their powers, then they are never seen again. Those children are perceived as dangerous, and unfortunately, the anime shows that they would allow anything to happen if it meant protecting the town's peace. This makes me realize how horrible it would be if our country got rid of all of the people struggling, but it makes it worse that this anime is getting rid of children struggling.

While I do not believe that Japan or any other country deals with this exact issue, children are punished very quickly for their actions while constantly being degraded because of their youthfulness. When a child misbehaves in school, they are often punished by being expelled, suspended, or given a lecture. While discipline is indeed a good thing, it should also have a teaching aspect so that the individual knows what was done wrong.

In the article, "The 'Wild Child' of 1990s Japan," it speaks about a 14-year-old kid killing other kids. It makes sense why the Japanese feared children because of the horrible things this child did; however, they should be helping them rather than fearing them, and they also have to realize that not every kid has evil tendencies.

Imagine living every day with the fear that your life is being watched under a microscope. The series "Psycho-Pass" examines this fear among the citizens of Japan. In this anime, Japan is governed under a system called the Sibyl system. The Sibyl system is stringent on following the law, even if that means they have to take away personal freedoms. The system works by continuously assessing citizens' minds with the Cymantic scanner. The scanner results in the Psycho Pass, which contains the stress levels and a crime number. The results from the Psycho Pass are the probability of a citizen committing a crime. Depending on whether the number is above a certain amount, the citizen will be injured by the Dominator, which transforms based on the severity of the number.

To put it bluntly, the system is trying to execute the citizens who do not fit into the perfect order. Makishima, the creator of this plan, aimed to develop a system that would enforce the law to foster a more peaceful society, thereby creating a utilitarian society. Not only does this system determine the likelihood of you committing a crime, but it also questions free will. Citizens lose all ties to free will as the system determines everything for them, from their mood to their jobs. Because they are under surveillance, their actions are always being watched to make sure they are following the laws. This mirrors panopticism because the citizens know that they are being watched, and at any moment, the higher power could take control of them. They have to be perfect at all times to keep a good Psycho Pass. This surveillance completely diminishes freedoms. Michel Foucault, the developer behind panopticism, based this concept on a Panopticon, a circular prison where a guard in the middle watches inmates. Still, they do not know when they are being watched. When people are watched, they tend to act more timidly. Surveillance takes away the freedom to privately live, think, act, and do. Another issue is that these citizens are being punished for a crime they have not committed, based on a mere probability.