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It’s been two weeks since these questions were originally posted over at Acerailgun. And since then somewhere between a dozen or two other bloggers (or more!) have posted their own answers to them. I’m a little late to the party but figured I’d jump in anyway. Couldn’t hurt and I like writing personal posts, despite the fact that I sort of avoid them here.
1. Who is your favorite male anime character?
This is a tough one. Shinji from Evangelion, I suppose. There’s plenty of other characters I admire more but I have a harder time relating to most of them.
2. Who is your favorite female character?
I hate to do this and didn’t plan on it but… Asuka from Evangelion. Which is particularly odd given how repulsive I’d probably find her if she were a real person. My favorite characters list on MAL is filled with plenty of other soft-spoken, polite girls but somehow Asuka still comes out on top. I think it’s a combination of empathy for her, knowing her insecurities and particularly difficult past (a knowledge of her that I don’t have of anyone else who’s ever caused me to bristle in annoyance or fear), and a vicarious masochism of sorts that I get from watching Shinji’s interactions with her.
The preceding sentence is possibly the most incriminating thing I’ve ever revealed on the Internet and explains why I do my best to keep this blog separate from the rest of my life.
3. What is your favorite anime soundtrack?
4. What is your favorite anime opening + animation?
It doesn’t get any better than the opening to Moyashimon.
5. What is your favorite anime ending song + animation?
I remember watching Inuyasha for the first time back in 2005 or so, back when this particular ending credits sequence ran in the earliest episodes, and being struck by a peculiar feeling that’s difficult to describe. Maybe it was the song (J-pop? It’s okay for me to like this, right?), or the visuals (Kagome… on a Ferris wheel?) but it gave me the sense that I was getting a real taste of something new and strange and probably a lot bigger than I could imagine. Most such hunches I’ve ever had didn’t pan out but this one was pretty much on the money. Watching it now — last week, in fact, when I was collecting clips for an AMV — it still makes me feel nostalgic for those days when I was first dipping my toes into anime and the fandom surrounding it. So I don’t know if it’s truly my favorite ending credits song/animation, but it hits home for me in a really poignant way that few others do.
6. What is your favorite anime scene?
I don’t know if I have one. But I really have a thing for films with scenes that take place in movie theaters (you’ll know what I mean if you’ve seen Inglorious Basterds or Hugo, especially if you saw them first in an actual theater). I saw Paprika during its limited theatrical release so this scene has always been one of my favorites. Excuse the English dub in this clip. (And wow, I’d never seen this one before today.)
7. If you could meet an anime character who would it be?
This motherfucker.
8. What anime character is most similar to you in terms of personality?
Sasahara from Genshiken. I’m pretty reserved and I know that I hold back my enthusiasm (either out of shyness or sheer embarrassment) when it comes to things that I’m really passionate about. But I really do want to connect with people and leave my mark (however small it might be) on the world too.
9. What is your favorite thing about anime?
I don’t know how to answer this. I was tempted to type something about just loving animation in general, but then I remember that I pretty much hate every animated program on television in America that’s not aimed at children. I guess it just tells the kinds of stories that I don’t find anywhere else, or at least nowhere on American television. And I’m certainly drawn to the aesthetic that most of it shares.
10. What is your least favorite thing about anime?
It’s a medium that could be enjoyed by people of all ages, but is so often content to pander to the base desires of older adolescents, moreso in recent years than ever before. And I find it difficult to identify with most fans of it in this day and age. Admitting that you’re an anime fan, regardless of age, is a kind of social poison. I won’t rant about this now but I know I’m not alone in these feelings.
11. Who are your favorite anime couple?
Yukino Miyazawa and Souichirou Arima from Kare Kano.
12. Who is your favorite anime animal?
Renaldo Moon
13. What anime would make a good game?
Turns out that most of my answers for this — Soul Eater, One Piece, Evangelion — actually were made into games at one point or another, although I don’t think any have been released outside of Japan. I’d like to see a character-focused Digimon game based on any of the series but I don’t think anyone that’s ever been into the franchise (which is 95% kids, right?) would be interested.
14. What game would make a good anime?
I don’t play enough games any more to have much to say about this. I was watching gameplay clips of Radiant Silvergun last night, though. It looks so elegant and epic that it would seem to lend itself to an anime really well. Or at least one that resembled the tone of its gameplay more than its opening movie does. I’d say the same about Ikaruga. Also, I’m terrible at these kind of games.
15. What was the first anime you ever watched?
My mom told me that I watched Speed Racer when I was a toddler but I have no memory of this whatsoever. The first that I can actually remember watching was the original Ghost in the Shell movie.
16. Do you think you’ll ever stop watching anime?
I don’t think so. And I’m sure that most fans think they’re in for the long haul too, but obviously most drop out eventually. We’ll just have to see.
17. What is your favorite genre of anime?
Mostly science fiction, but I’m open to almost anything.
18. What is your least favorite genre of anime?
There’s no genre that I actually dislike. But if you could call moe a genre, then I guess you could say that I don’t have much interest in it, at least not compared to the consideration it receives from most anime fans online.
19. Are you open about watching anime with people you know?
Not at all. None of my friends or coworkers really understand it and I’d rather not try to explain it to them at this point.
20. Have you ever been to Japan?
I haven’t! But I’d really love to go. One of my favorite countries out there, for sure.
21. What anime was the biggest let down for you?
Texhnolyze left me frustrated and perplexed. My expectations might have been a little unfair going into it (just because Yoshitoshi Abe drew the characters didn’t mean it was going to be anything like Serial Experiments Lain or Haibane Renmei) but overall it was a little too dark and gritty for my tastes. Maybe this says more about me than it does about the series.
22. What anime was better then expected?
115 episodes in and I’ve really enjoyed all of One Piece that I’ve seen. I really had no desire to watch it in the first place, but so far it’s surpassed all my expectations.
23. What is the best anime fight scene?
Ryoko Asakura vs Yuki Nagato in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Maybe I have a thing for stoic, ass-kicking meganekko but who doesn’t these days right?
24. Who is your anime waifu?
Are we really doing this? Okay then, Sheska from Fullmetal Alchemist.
25. What was your favorite video game as a child?
Dr. Mario. I’m sure I’ve put in at least 20 times as much time playing Tetris, but as far as puzzle games go, Dr. Mario has always been vastly more enjoyable and less frustrating. I loved it then and it still holds up today as a gaming experience that I haven’t found anywhere else.
Questions about me
26. Most Embarrassing moment?
Dozens of completely humiliating moments come to mind for this, most of which I hope to take with me to the grave.
27a. Can you drive?
Yes
27b. Do you own a car?
Yes
28. Are you mature?
Compared to most anime fans, yes. Compared to most other people my age, no.
29. What year were you born?
For a number of (probably psychotic) reasons, I’ve decided to keep this a secret. Just know that I’m probably older than you.
30. Do you prefer cats or dogs?
Dogs. I’ve had a few growing up and I can’t wait to get more some day. I’m allergic to cats and avoid them as best as I can.
31. Describe yourself physically.
About 5’11”. I used to be really slim but I’ve gained a lot of weight in the past year or two, probably thanks to medication I’ve been taking. I guess that means that I have a “healthy weight” now (or at least that’s what my doctor/parents/coworkers tell me) but I hope to drop some pounds or be in better shape someday soon.
32. What would you name your first child?
If it was a girl, Lila. If it was a boy, Jake. Not plans for any kids right now, though.
33. What is the worst injury you have ever had?
I burned my thumb on a hot bowl in high school and it blistered really badly. I’ve avoided any serious accidents so far, though.
34. What is your worst habit?
Spending too much time online. For example, I should be studying right now.
35. Do you drink or smoke?
I enjoy craft beers and microbrews, but find myself increasingly uninterested in anything else. I hate to sound like a snob, but if you offered me a Bud Lite I’d probably ask you for a Coke or some water instead. I used to be a social smoker but thankfully I haven’t touched a cigarette for a few years now.
36. Do you have a tattoo?
No. I really don’t think that’s going to happen.
37. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I love being up by myself early in the morning. If only I could get to bed at a decent time, I could really make that work for myself.
38. Have you ever slept past midday?
Hasn’t everyone?
39. Do you regret anything?
Almost everything!
40. Can you count the number of friends you have on one hand?
Yes. And I don’t talk to them much these days. It’s a long story.
41. Do you wear glasses?
No. But I kinda want to.
42. Are you a picky eater?
Not really.
43. Would you die for someone?
Yes.
44. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I’ll take just about any of them. I’d like to experience suddenly discovering one and then figuring out how to make it best work for myself (like a real superhero) rather than getting to pick and choose one. That’s not how it works!
45. Do you believe in the supernatural?
I don’t believe in ghosts. Is this question is about the existence of God? If it was then I think we’re gonna be here for a while, you’d better go use the bathroom before we settle in for this conversation.
46. Would you rather be rich or famous?
Rich, for sure. Being famous seems like a lot of stress that I wouldn’t want to deal with.
47. Have you ever committed a crime?
Lots of them, I’m sure. But nothing hateful or violent.
48. Pirates or ninjas? Time Traveler or ghost?
I’ve been leaning toward ninjas these days. I don’t understand the second question.
49. Does someone have a crush on you?
Well, I think so.
50. Are you in a relationship?
Yes.
Does anyone else find themselves fighting back tears of anticipation in their theater seat whenever the sneak previews end and this fades onto the screen?
It’s been almost two weeks since I saw The Secret World of Arrietty at my favorite local multiplex, which was every bit the thoroughly enjoyable moviegoing experience I’d hoped it would be. I loved it so much that I honestly planned on seeing it again while on spring break this week but like I sort of expected, the week has come and gone, I barely got myself out of the house at all and the film has pretty much disappeared as of today (gotta make room for this, I guess).
I don’t want to try to review the film or rehash its plot. It came out in Japan almost two years ago and is based off of books that every kid has been reading since the 50s, so you probably know what it’s about, more or less. As expected, it was a beautiful movie filled with wonderful visuals and a very relaxing atmosphere. There’s plenty of drama and perilous situations but there’s never much doubt how it’s going to turn out, so it’s easy to relax and get lost in. (What I’m trying to say is that this definitely isn’t what you’d get from a Disney or Pixar movie. Those can get stressful!) I don’t even know if it’s the specific level of conflict that the characters face so much as their rather even-keeled response to it that makes Arrietty (and most Ghibli films) so consistently mellow (and in the increasingly loud world of film and television, so unique).
I wanted to write about this topic (the quiet tone of these films, particularly compared to other animated features in the preceding previews) right after seeing the film but waffled for a few days and then saw that Yumeka had pretty much covered the topic better than I could anyway. Go read her thoughts about it now, if you haven’t already. Why are our children’s films so insistent upon shouting at their audience? I don’t think there’s an easy answer. Fortunately, viewers seem finally to be “getting it,” as Arrietty now boasts the the widest release and biggest US gross for a Ghibli film to date. Er, at least a few more of us are, anyway. The audience in our weekday afternoon screening was comprised of us, another young couple, and a father with his two year-old daughter. She got pretty fussy down the stretch and he had to take her out once or twice, but I’ve seen much worse, and I’m sure I wasn’t much better behaved at that age. “This was her first movie,” he told us after the show. I wish I would have told him that he picked a good one to start her off with. Sticking her in front of a Dreamworks or Illumination film at that age would probably set a terrible precedent for what she’d be capable of enjoying in the future, IMHO.
Not really sure what this comment is referring to or if we actually saw the same movie. Anyone?
Cutfilm Tovent 