Lyrical analysis of the theme song of the 1991 anime OVA Otaku no Video, “Tatake Otaking!” (Fight Otaking!) by Gainax. Tatake Otaking describes the main character’s journey to become the king of all otakus, becoming whatever he desires, despite others telling him he’s wrong to pursue his otaking dreams.
‘Over the endless wasteland I run alone for all I am worth embracing the hope of an unseen world far away.’
When you start the dream journey you’ll be alone on the path. The faraway world of your dreams unseen, but you must keep on pressing on.
It’s your dreams. Chase it, even if you can not yet see the end results of it.
‘The only thing I believe in is glowing passion.
I will be a raging inferno!
No one will be able to stop
my heart’s beat!’
Believe in your passion, it’s your main focus and at times, it’s the only thing that you can believe in. Envision yourself as an unstoppable inferno, and do not allow anyone to attempt to put out your flames. There will be people who’ll want to stop your shine.
Do not let them. No matter what.
‘One of these days, I will find out the truth of
love. Everything in this world will be mine.’
Love created from the passion of the grind and hustle from chasing your dreams and you doing you.
This world can be yours if you put your mind to what you seek, and imply effort through actions.
Also, does the line “everything in this world will be mine” reminds you of a certain quote from an early 80s gangsta movie?
‘We’re bound together by friendship.
It’s a thick bond.’
The otaku community, for the most part, is a close-knit one. Our community is forged from many outcasts, shun by society for the common passion, which we all come together and support one another. Naturally, (everlasting) friendships are created from this.
Our little group has always been And always will until the end
‘I won’t let anyone block me!
(I won’t let anyone block me!)
I will go my own way!
(I will go my own way!)’
You can never allow anyone to stop you from achieving your dreams, no matter what. On this hustle and dream path, there will be people who want you to steer off it. They will attempt to block your progress, or tell you shit like “Oh, you can’t do this.” Or “You’ll never make it.”
Fuck them. Do you. If they ain’t paying your bills, fucking you, or feeding you, don’t let their opinions get to you. Do you. Do your own shit.
Besides, people like a man or a woman with her own path and goals, and can stay focus on them.
People will hate and ridicule. Fuck them.
‘Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Otaking! ‘
A possible reference to the original otaking himself, former Gainax president (and company co-founder) Toshio Odka.
‘I abandon the one I love and keep on running
believing in a shining future
and staking my dreams on it.’
On the hustlers and dreamer path, you may have to abandon friends and family members who won’t support you and your dreams. If you have people like that in your life, cut them out now. They’re holding you back. Keep running towards the shinning future you want in life.
Ken Kubo (main character) had to abandon his girlfriend off, who was on his case for being otaku and chasing his dreams.
Hey, she doubted his shit, so he had to cut that bitch off like K Camp.
‘The sweat that soaks my T-shirt
is the medal of a man.
Yeah no.
‘My tears won’t stop!
I won’t forget the beating
of my heart’s refrain!’
(It’s not that deep)
‘I will rise above the drifting time and be reborn.
The time will come someday when I
will be known as Otaku.’
(It’s not that deep)
‘I won’t let anyone block me!
(I won’t let anyone block me!)
I will go my own way!
(I will go my own way!)
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Otaking’!
(Already given my analysis on the hook)
‘I’ve thrown away
everything in my life.’
For some otaku, in order to become the ultimate otaku, they’ve thrown everything out from their lives. Friends. Family. Work. Everything just so they can invest in their passion and dreams. (Although I personally wouldn’t recommend tossing love ones and a job aside just to watch anime all day)
In some cases, you may have to throw many things out of your life, so you can pursue a better life.
You have to be willing to give up something to get the real shit.
My goal is the world!
(My goal is the world!)
I’ll be the greatest man!
(I’ll be the greatest man!)
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Otaking!
Going back to the “The world is yours!” mindset mentioned earlier. People with drive and purpose want the world. They want to be noticed by the world, and want everything within it.
Who’s world is this?
The world is yours Otaking. The world is yours Otaqueen.
NOTE: This freewrite is based off memories of my experience with the When They Cry series (Higurashi and Umineko) I am too lazy to check if what I said are correct . I may have some information wrong.
I’ve always enjoy characters that started out as heroes, but grew into villains. It’s interesting to see what events have such an impact on them that they decided to say “fuck it”, evolving into a villain. Some become villains due to an incident. Others as a result of losing their hope and giving up on their goals.
I feel like Rika Furude from Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni (When The Cicadas Cry) is such a heroine-turn-villain by the factors previously mentioned. Tragic factors that caused the young child to become the sadistic witch, Bernkastel.
Oh innocent Rika. So full of hope and optimism despite a fucked up life.
Rika had a pretty fucked up life despite being so young. She’s theorized to be the queen carrier of the Hinamizawa Syndrone (a virus that cause victims to go into a psychiatric rage, increase anxiety, and commit violent homicidal and suicidal acts), her parents are dead, she can’t escape a timeloop that ends with her death, is an alcoholic at the age of 9, and she also tried to stab Santa Clause to death.
Seriously she really did try to murder Santa Claus.
Initially, Rika started out as an optimistic and happy child, She believed she could prevent the endless June 1983 tragic events. She wouldn’t give up, no matter how bleak each situation felt. Even when Hanyuu (her ancestor ghost or whatever the fuck she is) flat out told her in the Massacre Arc that she and her friends will die, she just simply brush her aside, stating that she will defeat fate.
Rika in her alcoholic rage.
Of course, Rika failed and Hanyuu was once again right. Her friends got gun down by Miyo (the series’s true villain, who also had a fucked up childhood) and Rika got gutted by the crazed nurse-turned-terrorist. Rika was proven wrong once again. Don’t have hope children or you’ll end up like Rika.
Keep thinkin’ that kiddo.
After a few oh let’s say hundred years’ worth of losing and watching her friends and love ones die , Rika’s mind and views changed. Once a girl full of hope was slowly becoming hopeless. Overtime, she stop caring about fighting against fate and saving her friends. She became numb and cold. Emotionless even.
She became Bernkastel, the witch of Miracles; A collection of hopeless Rikas from different worlds and timelines fused into one sadistic being.
‘Lord, I don’t cry no more Don’t look to the sky no more Have mercy on me Have mercy on my soul Somewhere my heart turned cold’
Bernkastel is one of the main villains of Umineko no Naku Koro ni (When The Seagulls Cry), the spiritual successor to Higurashi (which I’m not gonna go into in-depth details with both series about their relation. It’s fucking crazy). Simply put, Bernkastel is a piece of shit. She loves fucking with people, playing mind games with them. She use people for her personal gain. She’ll act like she’s your friend and ally, only to fuck you over at the end. Ange Ushiromiya (a girl with her own tragic past and pain) had to learn that shit the hard way.
Boy did she learn the hard way.
Best Umineko girl
Simply put, Bern doesn’t give a fuck about you. Only herself. Maybe her lover Lambdadelta and her teacher Featherine. But that’s it. Bernkastel is the type of person who has clearly been through some shit. Horrible shit that changed her. The way she deals with that shit is by passing her own pain upon others to make her feel better about herself. She wants others to experience the pain she went through from her past. A past she really hates.
To conclude this unorganized freewrite, horrible events creates horrible people who started out nice and heroic. Rika was an innocent carefree girl, and yet due to being a victim one too many time, became a horrible corrupted being who had her point of view destroyed.
“Queen Rei” is the perfect title for Rei. Throughout episode 8 of the Doom Tree arc (The Festival is For Me?! Queen Rei Sings With Passion), she earns her queenly title through her musician passion and bossy attitude. Using her title and pull, she uses her school’s festival to produce and direct her own concert. It’s all about her. Despite her seemly effortless drive, in reality, she struggled. A struggle she hides with boastful bragging.
In the beginning of the episode, we see the queen doing what she does best: being a boss. She demands order and productivity; snapping on underclassmen for idling around. She yells at another student worker for leaving audio gear lying around. She is pissed by the incorrect stage lighting during her rehearsal. Frustrated, Rei tells everyone to break.
Her (possibly gay) fangirls don’t seem to mind the yelling and bossing around). At least their senpai noticed them.
During her break, Rei boasts of her hard work to friends Usagi and Ami (whom were watching her rehearsal). She proudly admits to taking advantage of her status of head executive committee of the student council; using it to promote her concert and music. Music that she produced herself.
Queen Rei truly earned that title. She’s like Beyonce or Janet Jackson even. Some may not agree with Rei’s attitude and directing style however.
Real shit from a real music legend.
Later, the queen and her circle regrouped at Hikawa Shrine, discussing on the festival and her concert. Ami remarks at Rei’s hard work. She assumed that it took Rei many hours to produce music. Rei gloats again, telling the nerd that her own natural talent made the work effortless.
Yet, Rei’s inner thoughts tell an opposite story. She struggled.
Her frustration spoke as she slam her hands down the keyboard. She snatches early drafts of her music off the piano, tossing it in trash. Finally, Rei lays her head down, holding back tears. The young girl feels defeated. Defeated, and disappointed.
‘I should give up. It’s not worth it anymore. Nobody will like this.’
All creative types can relate to this.
I can imagine her thinking such these things. Her early prideful talk was a cover for her insecurities and struggles. Nevertheless, she managed to overcome the insecurities, producing music that she’s proud of.
The episode transitions to concert day. Rei is warmly greeted with cheers from peers and friends alike. She thanks her fans and introduces herself in third person, referring herself as “Rei-Chan”. She gotta feed her ego like like another great artist, Kanye West.
She knows, she so fucking gifted.
Rei starts performing. Everything is all well. All well until resident alien fuckboy Ail does his usual Cardian summoning. The Cardian of the week: Seiren.
The Sailor Scouts do their usual “attack the bad guy” routine, only to fail once again. Rei transform into Mars, talk shit about how the monster ruined her concert, harmed her fans, and vows to end the threat. Mars attack Seiren, setting her on fire, but the monster puts her out with her water magic.
All hope seems lost until Moonlight Knight appears; offering his weekly self-help guru bullshit motivation advice (with the week’s topic being on a beautiful melody at the soundless part of the universe and requests Mars to sing that melody for him one day). Moonlight Knight launches at Seiren, whom dodges his attack, and knocks over Mars’s music, destroying it.
(Thanks Moonlight Knight! You ruined everything yet again.)
Mars is saddened and pissed. Hours of her dedication, love, passion, overcoming self-doubts, and her achievement: destroyed. This wasn’t just some random, untalented asshole or hater talking shit about her works; somebody ruined her hard work.
It’s like if somebody snatched your art or notebook out of your hands Tearing pages out from it in front of your face. All of your passion and dedication into your craft is in ruins.
Mars’s anger brought forth a new power: Fire Soul Bird. With the new power and her rage, Mars attacks Seiren with furious anger…which her firely passion only disabled the monster just so Sailor Moon can get the kill.
Because Sailor Moon must always wins. Just like 2010 John Cena.
After defeating Seiren, Queen Rei (or Rei-Chan) resumed her concert (which nobody seems to question why they let her continued it after the monster attack). She steals Moonlight Knight’s inspirational line about a star singing in a soundless universe (all great artists gotta steal at least a few things), and closes her concert out with a cheesy sounding 90s love song in which I could not give two fucks about.
Rei is truly a passionate queen. From between her bossing folks around and pouring her soul into her music, Rei shines and she lets her shine be noticed. As queen, we see that she has influences and is quite bossy on the stage. With her passion, we see her pride, joy, and overcoming insecurities with her music (even if she did hide the insecurties from her friends).
TRIGGER WARNING: Rape, molestation, and child abuse mentioned. If you’re bothered by these things, please please please, for the sake of your mental health, do not read on. Thank you.
A traumatic incident can screw up one’s mind. It creates defense mechanisms, anxiety, and trust issues. Hitagi Senjougahara, main heroine of the anime and light novel series “Monogatari”, experienced such things. To repay a debt owed to a cult, Hitagai’s mother set her up to be molested and rape by a high ranking cultist. Hitagi resisted, hitting the cultist with a spiked shoe. Afterwards, her dad filed for divorce, and Hitagi haven’t spoke to her mom since.
Overtime, Hitagi grew distance, hostile, and untrusting of others.
‘And now you’re kinda cold to the people you met Cause of something that was done to you by some creep.’ –Whodini: Friends (1984 hip-hop single).
Throughout the “Hitagi Crab” arc , we learn of the condition and causality of Hitagi’s literal weightlessness, as well as her hostile nature. After Araragi (series’s main hero) saves her from an otherwise fatal fall, he discovers that she’s weightless. In fear that he might run his mouth about her state, Hitagi attacks him. She shoves a mini stapler inside his mouth, stapling his check.
After removing the lodged staple from his check, Araragi reveals his healing factor. Hitagi was shock that there was somebody like her (in terms of weirdness). Araragi offers to help her regain her weight, taken by a god crab spirit.
As Araragi and Hitagi bike to Oshino’s (friend of and occult advisor to Araragi) residence, the two engaged in an interesting conversation. Hitagi refers herself as a tsundere (otaku slang for a character who’s hostile and cold initially, but grows softer and warm towards close ones overtime). This fits her well. Hitagi is cold, distanced, and hostile due to her mental trauma and physical condition. With Araragi’s reveling his powers, understanding her situation, and knowing someone who could help her, Hitagi gradually warms up.
Right!
There are two points I want to explore here:
Prior to meeting Oshino, Araragi asks Hitagi if he could hold on to her school supplies (which double as her weaponry). She responds “You set me up, right?”, pauses, and surrender her goods. At the second point, upom meeting Oshino, Hitagi asks if he could save her. Oshino responds with that only she could save herself. Hitagi snaps on him, stating that five people prior told her the same thing, only to try to scam her. She then asks Oshino if he was a scammer himself, which he only laughs off her (somewhat baseless) fears.
This made me wonder: are her worries defense mechanisms? If so, you can’t blame her. Victims of traumatic experiences tend to be more defensive and aggressive towards others. Traumatic experiences can changed one’s point of view, as Oshino pointed out to Hitagi about hers.
‘If I trust a person so easily, I don’t know how many times I would’ve been tricked.” -Hitagi Senjouhara
Fasting forward to episode 2’s ritual scene, Oshino asks Hitagi a series of questions. The first few are basic: school life, date of birth, and favorite author. All to each she answered unhesitating. When asked about her most painful memory of her life however, Hitagi freezes up, taking a sharp breath. Regaining herself, Hitagi painfully recalls the attempted sexual assault. She brings up that her mother was punished because she fought back against the cultist.
Her parents divorced soon after. Hitagi felt guilt for her resistance, blaming herself for breaking the family apart (of course, it wasn’t her fault). She felt anger towards her mom; she did not save her. Oshino tells her that these were her feelings, feelings that she can’t transfer to others.
Feelings that she must carry the burden on her shoulders.
In their conversation, Oshino uses the word “omoi”, which can either mean “Feelings” or Weight” (depending on the kanji). What I like about the word usage is the symbolism of the meaning. The feelings caused by horrific, traumatic experiences are a heavy weight to carry. You go through life blaming yourself when you should not, closing yourself off from others and being on edge; unsure if people will hurt you physically, or emotionally.
A weight that you can never get rid of; just only overcome it with proper help and support.
At the end of the ritual, Hitagi confronts the crab god whom stripped her weight. Hitagi freaks out. Her breathing is heavy, eyes widen. Her body is frozen in fear , muscles tensed. Hitagi asks if anyone else can see the crab, which the others reply with that they cannot.
Hitagi shuts down right as the crab attacks. Oshino rescues Hitagi and destroy the spirit. He explains the crab is the result of her mental state. Finally, after thanking him, she breaks down and starts to cry uncontrollably.
Hitagi’s freezing, fears, tense body language, breathing heavily, avoidance of the crab, and crying made me think: was she having a PTSD flashback of the attempted rape? Yeah I mean, the crab is a supernatural force for storytellin, but her response to not confront it, in addition to her being asked about her most painful life experience, can be debated in favor of this theory.
When triggered, victims of traumatic events experienced symptoms such as heavy breathing, feelings of tightness, emotional break downs, and avoidance of anything that reminds them of the incident to name a few examples.
After Hitagi regain her composure, Oshino tells her that despite how much she longs for her family to return, and her desires to remove the pain, those things will never happen. She must learn how to overcome it and grow stronger. At the end, she gained a new friend (and eventually boyfriend) in Araragi and gain her “weight” back as well.
‘Ohhh…tired of the strain and the pain’
‘There’s so much pain…’ -2pac: Pain (1994 rap single)
Special thanks and shout out to my homeboy Mr. Y giving me advice and tips and checking if my info on mental health was correct. Check out his blog here:
I’m a huge fan of the Infinity arc of Sailor Moon. I love it. It’s my favorite arc of the franchise and was my first exposure to the series. The soundtrack is amazing, the characters are lovable, and there are a slew of amazing scenes. It is just a wonderful addition to the lore of the Sailor Moon series.
However, I think one thing that some people may have overlooked about this arc is the theatrical and narrative themes. I believe that if one were to analyze and break down the arc’s themes, they could gain a better appreciation for it.
Join me as I go in-depth in the themes of the Infinity Arc. I hope that after reading this article, you’ll gain greater love for arguably the best arc of the series.
PART 1
Science and Technology
‘Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.’
The theme of science and technology is one of the best things of the arc. It’s a refreshing addition to the lore of the series. While prior villains Queen Beryl and Wiseman were versed in magical arts, Infinity Arc villain Professor Tomoe used science and technology to combat against the Sailor Scouts’.
From genetically engineering superhumans such as the Witches 5 (manga and Crystal anime), transforming his own daughter into a cyborg, implanting himself with an alien egg, and constantly performing experiments, Tomoe had various tools of in his arsenal in relation to science. I mean hell, the man was even blacklisted from the scientific community for his illegal and unethical experiments (manga and Crystal).
The brilliant Tomoe wasn’t alone in using science against the Scouts. His assistant, Eudial had her own tool set as well.
Toasty!!
Eudial (of the Witches 5) fought the Scouts using her own tools such as poison gas, a shotgun that exacted a victim’s Pure Heart, a flame thrower that even surpass the strength of the Sailor Scouts, and perhaps her most dangerous tool; her wits and mind.
While she wasn’t a total genius like her superior, her wisdom could not be ignored. The woman even wrote a computer program that hunted down possible owners of pure hearts and the Holy Talismans. In addition, she built a super computer made from peach cans. Hell, she even worked on dimension transporter device in her downtime.
Granted, she did realize there were fatal flaws with the device. Something that her hater I mean partner Mimete learned the hard way. Boy did she learn the hard way.
It was at this moment that she knew, she fucked up.
I can’t forget the more science fiction elements of Sailor Moon S. The invasion of the Daimons felt like something out of sci-fi movie; strange aliens from a foreign galaxy attempting to take the world over, using humans as their host. Or whatever cheesy plot they thought of.
Even Mistress 9’s theme sounds like a track from a sci-fi film:
I wonder, was Naoko Takeuchi and the Toei writing staff were on a sci-fi kick during the development of the Infinity manga and anime arc? The sci-fi aesthesis are way obvious. Cyberpunk and sci-fi culture were dominating and influential in the anime and manga culture of the early 90s. I would not be shocked if Naoko and Toei were influenced by the cyberpunk culuture for the arc. In any case, the sci-fi elements were a breath of fresh air after compared to two anime season and manga arcs of magic and fantasy. It brought something new to the series.
PART 2
Father and Daughter
Father, you left me but I never left you
I needed you, you didn’t need me
So I, I just gotta tell you
Goodbye, goodbye – John Lennon “Mother”
The father and daughter narrative isn’t anything new in the series. You have Usagi and her pops, Kenji. Then we have Chibi-Usa, and her dad, Mamoru (and of course, Chibi-Usa’s dark persona Black Lady with her Electra Complex with Mamoru).
When he finally lets you call him “daddy”.
Those examples of fathers-and-daughters are stable. However, with the introduction of Hotaru,it broke the mold of the stable father/daughter relationship in Sailor Moon (excluding Rei and her dad, but that’s for another alcohol fuled writing)
The manga and the original anime continuity depict Hotaru and Souichi’s relationship in polar opposites. To put it nicely, Souichi was a piece of shit to Hotaru in the manga. The selfish asshole viewed his daughter’s injuries resulted from a fire in his lab as a blessing. Taking advantage of the newfound “blessings”, Souichi fitted Hotaru with cybernetic implants, as well as genetically modified her by infusing the kid with the egg of Daimon Mistress 9 (given to him by Master Pharaoh 90). Souichi’s selfish actions, and his desire for revenge ruined not only Hotaru’s body, but her life as well.
Hotaru had some well… daddy issues. She went off on her dad, frustrated with him for allowing Kaorinite in their house. She also moped about her dad being consistently away, focused on his research rather than her. Thus, Hotaru felt lonely.
Just an average day in the Tomoe household.
It doesn’t help Souichi’s case that he only cared about Hotaru to awaken Mistress 9. In addition, he only saw Hotaru as a science experiment, a perfect hybrid of cybernetic, genetic, and alien technology. Yea, the dude saved his daughter’s life. Yet, he only did it to make her into a living puppet.
Sometimes, family ain’t shit.
There’s something else Kaori likes to suck up from her dad but this is a Christian run blog. There are h-doujins of these two online if you’re into that.
‘Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me’
When “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” goes horribly wrong.
When it comes to their relationship in the first anime, Hotaru and Souichi were close. The two loved each other dearly. Souichi gave up his freewill to Germatoid , in order to Hotaru’s life, who lost it in a lab explosion. Souichi was supportive of Hotaru, always there for her and made the girl his number one priority.
Despite not being his fault, Souichi regretted ruining Hotaru’s life. In his defenese, he wasn’t unaware that Germtoid made her a vessel for Mistress 9. Souichi even risked his own life to protect Hotaru, taking blows from Mistress 9 and attempted to restore his kid (Even though Mistress 9 used Hotaru’s voice to trick him and Sailor Moon).
While I’m on the subject on Mistress 9, I love the more sinister side of Hotaru and Souichi’s relationship; Germatoid and Mistress 9. Although indirect, they did have some interactions while under the possession of their alien overlords.
It’s strange to think how opposite their relationship were when comparing the anime and manga. Souichi was willing to save Hotaru, even if it meant becoming a servant to Germatoid. While he was noble for doing so, it did spite him, as Hotaru would become Mistress 9’s vessel. Souichi had enormous remorse for allowing Hotaru to be possessed, despite he knew it wasn’t his fault. Unfortunately his manga counterpart did not share that guilt. He felt prideful about his actions, thinking of Hotaru as just a project and not his daughter.
PART 3
Conflict and Division
Sailor Moon: Civil War
Why can’t we be friends?
Why can’t we be friends?
Why can’t we be friends?
Why can’t we be friends?
-WAR “Why Can’t We Be Friends”
Most fictional team up will have their time of division and conflict. The nWo splitting between the nWo Black/White and nWo Black/Red, the Avengers splitting up between Team Iron Man and Team Captain America, and Spider-Man and Venom’s team splitting during the events of Maximum Carnage. It’s bound to happen.
With the introduction of the Outer Scouts, and their goal of saving the world by any means, including sacrificing the wielders of the Pure Heart Crystal, the Inner Scouts will face their biggest problem yet: Inner conflict and division. It doesn’t help that the problem increased with Hotaru revealed as the Messiah of Destruction, but more on that later.
I love the clash between the two teams. Right from the jump, the Outers didn’t play with Usagi’s optimistic, idealistic views. Hell, they flat out told her to stop being childish and selfish; bigger things were at stake.
Episode 21 of Infinity arc, “The Death of Uranus Neptune?!” expands on this:
Usagi is desperately pleading Haruka and Michiru to join forces with the Inner Scouts. You can feel her emotions as she wants the pair to unite with her team. Usagi wants nothing more but to unify her friends. Despite Usagi positive attitude, Haruka snatches Usagi’s transformation brooch and gives the girl a chilling warning:
“Don’t ever show yourself in front of us ever again…Sailor Moon. Or else.”
Haruka and Michiru ain’t playing games, even if it meant threatening to kill Usagi to save the world.
Speaking of killing, The Outers had no issue with wanting to kill a sickly 12-year-old child, Hotaru Tomoe, whom was confirmed to be the Messiah of Silence, Sailor Saturn. The second Saturn awakens in Hotaru, the trio went on the attack, not caring if this was a damn kid. They wanted her dead, for the sake of the great good.
By the way, Hotaru is the best friend of Chibi-Usa, who just happens to be the future daughter of Usagi. One of the Outer Senshi is Setsuna/Pluto, who just happens to be a second mother to Chibi-Usa.
So this whole “Kill Hotaru” thing was going to be fun for all parties involved, right? Two group of allies and friends split into two opposing teams. You have one team aiming to save the person because it wasn’t their fault that they are a puppet for the bad guy. Then, you have the other team wanted to kill the person regardless.
Hell, even our heroes weren’t the only ones with team work issues. The Witches 5 (anime) weren’t too keen on sticking together. Mimete and Eudial had their beef with one another. In Eudial’s defense, Mimete was a complete and jealous idiot who wasn’t shit. Their beef escalated to life-ending heights, with Mimete destroying the break system in Eudial’s station wagon, leading her to a watery death.
Mimete’s petty shit starting would catch up to her, leading to her own death at the hands of another member of the Witches 5, Tellu. You see, Mimete thought she was slick, calling up Tellu and pretending to be Professor Tomoe (using a voice changer), reliving Tellu of her duties. All so she could could take Tellu’s spot in the upcoming mission.
Tellu wasn’t playing that shit. Boy, she wasn’t playing that shit.
Man, it’s such a damn shame that even the bad guys, who are supposed to work together in order to defeat the good guys, are beefing.
Teamwork makes the dream work but not with these fools…
Messiah of Creation. Messiah of Destruction. They’re like ying and yang; one can’t exist without the other. Sailor Moon is the fabled as the messiah; the one whom will bring hope and salvation against the taboo messiah of destruction and death; Sailor Saturn.
We are introduced to the Messiah of Destruction in Rei’s horrifying premonition. The world is frozen, painted in red. Rei, (the only person who isn’t frozen), spots a destruction force of light and energy approaching. It’s dreadful. As Rei is violently pushed back by the energy, a light shines behind her. She turns to it and in despair ask is it the Messiah.
The light ignores her cry. Rei can only watch as the darkness consumes her allies the world. Never get your hopes up, children.
As the series progress, additional information of the Messiah of Destruction are presented. In episode 30 of S, we are revisited by Rei’s nightmare. This time, there’s a feminine figure with a scythe (hmm…), standing on a cliff menacingly, illumined in a bright white light. Rei’s vision ends with the figure violently descending towards Rei, bringing her scythe down on the girl ending with blood splatter.
Rei awakens, recalling the dream. She notices the figure has a recognizable face, but quite can’t put her finger on who it is. It’s totally not Hotaru as Sailor Saturn who’s the malevolent messiah. Trust me; I have never misled people on the internet.
Not Hotaru.
As for the true Messiah, she is hinted as Sailor Moon. After Neptune’s death, and the revelation of the two being the Talimans wielders, Uranus questions the Messiah. She asks their deaths were divine punishment for their crimes of their mission. In her despair, she envisioned the messiah, whom in actuality is an untransformed Usagi.
Usagi envisioned as the messiah is fitting. Time and time again, Usagi is willing to put her own life on the line for both the world, and her loved ones. Usagi even risked her life to save Uranus, the same person who threatened her earlier in the episode.
When the Outers tried to kill Hotaru, Usagi pushed the girl out of the way of a combine energy blast that may had otherwise killed her. Usagi defends her new friend, stating that it’s not her fault that she is Saturn, and that she shouldn’t have to die.
Usagi still had the drive to protect Hotaru, even after her transformation to Mistress 9. Usagi took an energy blast from Pharaoh 90 head on, (who attempted to kill Mistress 9). Before that, Usagi attempted to restore Hotaru back to normal by giving her the Holy Grail. Granted, it was a trick from Mistress 9 (who was using Hotaru’s voice) to manipulate Usagi into giving her the Grail.
Finally, Usagi tried to save Hotaru (as Saturn), who jumped into the core of Pharoh 90 to kill him and save the world. Despite being warned by Saturn that she may not survive inside Pharoh 90, Usagi still went in. While Usagi “failed” to save Hotaru, who had died using her destruction powers, Usagi managed to recover a reincarnated, newly born Hotaru.
By the way, did you notice that both Saturn and Moon were introduced as messiahs at right around the same time? It’s like both the Toei writing staff and Takeuchi knew how to directed these two to meet at the end of the arc. It gives a sense of duality with Saturn, being the Messiah of Destruction, the one who would end the world, and Sailor Moon, the Messiah of Creation, the one who will save it. Of course however, Sailor Saturn became the savoir of the world, sacrificing her life in the progress.
‘If you have feelings for other people…anyone can be a messiah.”
-Hotaru Tomoe
Sailor Moon S Episode 36
PART 5
Sacrifice
‘Logic dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few…or the one’
-Spock
Star Trek
The narrative theme of sacrifice returns in Sailor Moon Infinity and boy, do they shove it down our throats. From Uranus and Neptune’s willingness to sacrifice the live of pure heart owners, to the two losing their own lives to ensure the world’s protection, to Profressor Tomoe surrendering his freewill to save Hotaru in the anime, to Hotaru herself giving up her life to save the world, sacrifice plays a huge role in Infinity.
As previously mentioned, Uranus and Neptune’s prime objective was to track down the Holy Talismans, sealed within three Pure Hearts. The Three Holy Talismans (The Mirror, The Sword, and The Garnet Orb) were tools to summoning The Holy Grail (or Sailor Saturn in the manga/Crystal anime). Once summoned, the true Messiah will use the Grail’s everlasting power to stop the threating silence and Messiah of Destruction. However, in order to unseal the Holy Talismans, the Pure Heart owners had to be sacrificed.
As time went on, Uranus and Neptune were revealed to be the wielders of two Talismans (by Eudial). Upon her death, Neptune ‘s Pure Heart transformed to the Deep Aqua Mirror. Once Uranus realized she too held a Pure Heart, she took her own life to exact it, in hopes that Usagi will use the Talismans to summon the Holy Grail and save the world.
(Of course Uranus and Neptune were brought back to life, so their sacrifices were somewhat meaningless.)
After concluding that Hotaru was Sailor Saturn, the Outer Scouts decided they needed to kill her in order to prevent the world’s destruction from Saturn. Take an innocent girl’s life to save countless others.
It’s heavy, isn’t it?
I do find this funny: the Outer Scouts wanted to sacrifice Hotaru life. The Inner Scouts were all gung-ho against it. Despite the conflicted groups’ back-and-forth aguring, Hotaru ‘s life was still sacrificed. Just not in the way anyone expected. After Hotaru accepts that she is Sailor Saturn, she jumps into the core of Pharaoh 90, and destroys him, killing herself in the progress, but saving the world and her friends (and of course her father in the first anime).
While sacrifice was always a theme prior and after, I love how it’s portrayed in the Infinity Arc. It wasn’t just about Usagi, or the other Scouts putting their own lives on the line. Others may have their own life sacrifice if needed be. Eventually, one life was taken to save the lives of countless others. This arc did brought up the ethics of sacrifice. It is like to to say is if really okay to (unwilling) sacrifice one person’s life to save the lives of others.
Conclusion
Sailor Moon S/Infinity is my most beloved and favorite of the series. The narrative themes oof this arc made it interesting and analyzing the themes makes it a renewing experience. The Science and Technology theme was refreshing in a magic based series. The paralles of the father-daughter relationship of Hotaru and Souichi from the anime and manga were conflciting, The Outer Senshi brought in something that the Inner Scouts never dealt with in the past: division and in-fighting. The Messiahs gave the arc a near religious side to the series. Finally, the sacrifice theme presented the issue of is it ethic to take a life of a person to others.
On the surface Sailor Moon S appears to be that of a simple shoujo magical girl series but once you dig into the narrative themes with an analytical mindset you’ll uncover that there are hidden meanings behind this excellent arc.
I hope with this in-depth look of the themes of S you have gained a better apperication for the season as much as I have. Thank you for taking the time out of your life to read this article.
Thanks to everyone who supported and believed in me. Thank you so much.
Matoko: Asian Ghost. Mira: The White Shell. In the movie, it’s revealed that Mira (or The Major) was in fact, Matoko, before the mind-to-body transfer. Matoko was an Asian runaway girl who was kidnapped by Hanka units, along with several other runaway children of Japanese heritage. After destroying her body, extracting her mind, and injecting it with false memories give her motivation to fight terrorists, Matoko was given the body of that of a white woman.
Prior to that reveal however, Mira runs into an older Asian lady. The lady welcomes Mira in her house, offering tea. As the lady and Mira speaks, the lady remarks that Mria’s body language and verbal tones reminds her of her dead daughter, Matoko. It’s incredibly eerie to the woman.
Hmm…
Anyway, While I’m happy Matoko wasn’t “white washed” (completely), the scene made me think: Was this all social commentary on the white washing of iconic ethic characters? You have Matoko, an Asian woman inside the cybernetic body of a white woman.
Matoko/The Major, an Asian anime character (we assumed), is portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, an white actress.
Manga Matoko. My personal favorite design of The Major.
In a sense, it’s meta. Film Matoko is Asian but why is she in a white body? Why are iconic anime characters of Japanese descent are being portrayed by White actors in Hollywood.
It’s probably not that deep or meta. Hell, perhaps they changed things around to cover up any edvidances of white washing. Perhaps this was just all apart of the plan.
These were just merely thoughts I played around with at 2 in the morning when I had nothing better to do but to overthink an action film based on a comic book.
DISCLAIMER: I’m Black. Not Asian. I don’t speak for Asian-Americans, Asians, or all people of color. White washing is an issue in American films. I am not okay with it. We all have different views on this shit.
(Gotta get that shit outta the way before people SJWs tumblrinas get mad or 4channers think I’ll support their bullshit I already got people mad at me on Facebook lmfao)
“Holy shit! This is gonna be good! My lord, this is gonna start some shit within the community! Can’t wait to get home to watch this shit!”
‘Just shitalkin other anime youtubers for like half an hour, oh god what have I done’.
As soon as I saw the title of the ever controversial Digibro’s video, I knew I had to hurry up with my work, get home, and watch it. I could had play the video on my phone while at work, but something of this caliber needed to be experienced a larger screen to be great detail.
Plus I can’t drink at the job so there’s that.
“Oh fuck, who pissed off this nigga this time? Who is he gonna go in on this time?”
Digibro’s rant videos are like special events for me. There just this feeling that know there’s gonna be some backlash and butthurt off of his drunkenly brutal honestly. It’s a fun time for the anime community.
Right off the bat he’s going off on niggas with bravdo. My dude is straight up telling these cats that they suck and their videos are garbage. He ain’t being subtle with disdain either. He’s name droppin’ like crazy; Mother’s Basement. AnimeEverday RCAnime. The Canibal Effect. My dude Digi out here callin’ folks out on their “flaws”,
negative” points of their content, and overall “lack” of quailty This dude doesn’t’ care and I love it.
He’s like the weeaboo Tupac.
(It is dishearting to hear him talk shit about anime youtubers I do enjoy. I can’t even lie because the people he name dropped do have great content. )
“Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! Is he trying to start beef with these guys? Does he want the rest of the community to hate him? I mean, he already got haters so why not more? More haters and drama make the world go round! Haters are motivation!”
As I predicted, the community was shaken up by this. For the past 72 hours since his rant, people on both sides have given their views and expressed their feelings. Some are understanding upset by his words while others are supportive of his rally call to improve the community. I’m in the middle but I’m learning towards supporting him.
Personally, I don’t think he should have called niggas out and their works like how he did. But sometimes, you just have to be that guy. The bad guy; like Scarface. I mean forreal the liquor was flowin’ in him and certain substance make you tell the truth without a filter.
I do feel Digibro on his stance on the community. Some people aren’t reaching out to one another and helping folks come up and improve. People are putting out the same old bullshit and there ain’t much diversity. It sucks.
Maybe I’m somebody who is way too optimistic for my own good but I love it when people help each other. We need more diverse content from all range. I want to see this community improve and grow. I may not be as harsh and brutal about it as Digibro was in his video, but I’ll be direct and blunt.
If I see a flaw in one’s works, I’m going to try to help that person out because I like seeing people improve. I feel that people should strive to do better in their craft. I don’t mind it myself when others tell me the areas I need that I need to improve on. I welcome it.
Also, tell me that I suck and that I’ll never get better. Not because you wanna feel better about your miserable life but because I’ll prove you wrong one day, work my ass off fixing my flaws, and come up. Thus so when I come up and fix my weaknesses I can make you angry that I stop sucking. ❤
But that’s just my good ol’ pride talking shit!
What I’m trying to gain from Digibro’s controversial video is the sense of the community helping one another. We all in this together ya know? We all want to be successful and we want others as well. I mean fuck, my homeboys and I are almost always on each other asses on our goals and passion, checkin’ one another and telling each other if they’re doing something wrong, how to correct it.
But that’s just me.
‘The question everybody wants to know is why they got this nigga started?’
Alright everyone here’s a little status update for this blog and my plans for this month! Thank you for your support and taking time to read my posts by the way!
I will be at the anime convention Naka-Kon in Overland Park, KS this weekend (March 10th-12). There will be small, quick posts about my adventures and pictures as well.
I’m currently working on two Sailor Moon S and one Dragon Ball Z essay projects.
The first is a rather passionate essay on how I fell in love with the series based on the infamous episode 117, my first episode of the series.
When you finally meet up with the nigga who was talking that good shit on Facebook.
The second is an in-depth analysis on the theatrical themes of the Infinity arc. I am looking forward to having a lot of fun researching and writing about the themes!
A hint of one of the themes I’m gonna analyze.
Finally, for the Dragon Ball Z analysis, I’m planning on an essay on the pure stupidity of series’s “hero” Son Goku.
You stupid idiot…
Because I desire to have these three essays to be of high quailty, I won’t be posting here as often in the past for this month. I may have a few quick posts here or there, but the main focus are these three pieces.
Anyway, I hope you guys have a great and exciting March!!
I would never imagine that one day I would be playing defense for Dragon Ball, a incredibly popular anime series, against typical anime elitists.
You know, the ones who have a false sense of superiority cuz they took deep, more artistic anime series way too seriously. Not that there’s anything wrong with deep anime.
All great shows. Just don’t take ’em too seriously.
The depth of Dragon Ball gets slept on because people have this common misconception that Dragon Ball Z is nothing more then mindless Shouen battles.
It’s actually deeper than that.
The Dragon Ball Z series have various theatrical theme such as nature vs. nurture, fathers-and-sons, accepting your racial heritage, and unity.
Fathers and Sons. Art source in reference section.
The Saiyan and Frieza saga revolves around Goku’s struggle with accepting his Saiyan racial background . A struggle brought on because he believed himself to be an Earthling all his life prior to Radtiz arrival. As the Saiyan and Frieza saga progress, Goku slowly appreciates his racial background.
He realize his battle hungry nature is a result of his Saiyan nature. The reason why Goku spare Vegeta was because he wanted to challenge him again. Dude never fought anyone as strong as Vegeta before.
(Goku did not spare Vegeta because he saw good in him. That was a bullshit 90s dub change. Sorry English-speaking blinded 90s nostalgia fanboys who refuse to watch DBZ Kai or the series in Japanese!)
The Buu saga is strong with the theme of unity. Goku and Vegeta fusing to defeat Kid Buu. The average non-powered humans coming together, giving Goku energy for the spirit bomb. Majin Buu and Satan befriending one another. You get the point.
Vegito vs. Buuhan. Unity at its best!
Also, we can not forget the theme of redemption of this arc. Vegeta’s atonement of past sins with his sacrifice to save the world. Majin Buu expelling the evil of his heart after Satan show him love and friendship. Speaking of Satan, he also redeemed himself in a way. He managed to unite and convince everyone on earth to donate energy for Goku’s Spirit Bomb.
Guess that kinda makes up for him lying about saving the world from Perfect Cell.
Vegeta’s atonement.
Dragon Ball is fuckin deep. Sad that some folks don’t make the effort to explore the themes of this amazing series.
Lupin the 3rd (1971). One of my favorites anime series of all time.
Everyone has an opinion on what makes an anime great. Some people love storytelling. Others enjoy aesthetics and art direction.
I love storytelling and music personally. I love direction synergy between art and music tones.
We all bring in our own personal bias and taste when viewing anime, considering what will make or break an anime.
Anime is a visual medium. I like anime series that can play off the aesthetics of the series. Visuals are narrative. It gives aids the story’s tone.
Directors can use visual tones to emote viewers’ emotional reaction.
Example: The conclusion of Yusuke and Suzuki’s fight (Yu Yu Hakusho).
Series animation director AkiyukiShinbo uses vibrant surrounding white light transiting into black and. dark shading on Yusuke. It sets a depressing feeling; that Yusuke died putting his life energy to defeat Suzaku.
Yu Yu Hakusho (1992)
Along with visual tone, a great anime needs a convincing story. The story needs interesting written characters with motivation. I like characters that are written in a way that can relate to naturally.
Son Gohan of Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1994). I love his goofy and carefree nature as Great Saiyaman.
Most of my favorite anime characters are written like this. If I relate to a character, I care for them. I root for them to overcome their issues and improve overtime. This factor makes the character seem more human.
Mob from the 2016 anime series “Mob Psycho 100” is a character that fits this.
Despite blessed with everlasting psychic power, Mob wants to improve in other accepts in his school life. Rather than joining his school’s supernatural club, he joins the athletic Body Improvement club.
He aims to nurture his weak psychical strength and body.
Mob and Musashi. Mob Pyscho 100 (2016)
He wants to improve his weak body by strengthen it. He could have easily joined a club suited to natural skills. However, Mob wants something more in life than just relying on his natural gifts.
This makes him feel human. This makes me relate to him because I want to improve in life. We all do.
Finally, a great anime needs a prominent music. Similar to visual, music sets tone. Music is narrative. Music is expressive. Music should reflect the mood of the scene.
I want to experience the same shock and amazement of Kyon, a normal teenager, as he was spectating reality wrapping aliens Yuki and Ryoko fighting inside a data field. Hell, I want the music to make me believe that I am Kyon.
Ryoko vs. Yuki from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2007)
I believe music can do this to my emotions. The right usage of a background song can impact and trigger the emotional accepts of my core. This enhances the anime for me.
As diverse individuals, we have our ideas on what make a great anime. We bring in our own taste and ideas that reflects what we want in an anime. Visual, sound, character story and tone. We use those factors to build standard of quality.
REFERENCES:
Ryoko vs. Yuki Fight Theme .
Love the song’s usage of of techno-like percussion, violins, cellos, and synths to create an alien sound.
Yuki The Snowman 