The Anime Guardians

Post-humanism in Ghost in the Shell (1995) and Innocence (2004)

2013-05-16T12:51:00.000-04:00

After two years of blood, sweat and anime, I've finished my senior thesis, "Establishing a Post-human Identity through Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell and Innocence Films." It's about fifty pages long, plus some screencaps, sources and an acknowledgment page. In the paper, I argue that Mamoru Oshii harbors a complex view on humanity: we are both bodies and minds, and we use one aspect of that duality or both to identify ourselves in a technologically saturated post-human realm. Ultimately, we find meaning in the relationships we have with all entities as only humans can. I'll admit, the paper is a little humanistic in that I'm suggesting humans are important at all, but hierarchy shouldn't be the implied rhetoric here. I doubt I solved any of life's mysteries with my writing. In any case, this paper has been a labor of love, and I hope readers enjoy it. It is downloadable as a PDF.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/141883612/Establishing-a-Post-Human-Identity-Through-Mamoru-Oshiis-Ghost-in-the-Shell-and-Innocence-Films

Nelson Rolon
Creator of anime-guardians.com
anime.guardians03@gmail.com

This Season So Far

2013-05-12T20:37:00.002-04:00

Things are dying down for me at college. This will be my last week as an undergraduate (WOOHOO!), and I'll soon move into the world of 9 to 5 work days and innumerable bills to pay. I'm trying to binge on as much anime as possible before those tragedies of adult life ensue. With a rare moment of solace at my disposal, I recently began keeping up with a few of the shows airing this spring season.

Neon Genesis Evangelion: After Episodes 1 - 4

2013-05-06T02:21:00.006-04:00

While working on my senior thesis on anime cyborgs, I watched Mamoru Oshii's Patlabor OVAs and read a lot of opinions on how revolutionary his approach was. While most giant robot shows like Gundam emphasize a sense of beauteous warfare and sleek robot designs meant to catch the eye, Patlabor was not nearly as flashy, and instead focused on the human relationships that form within an increasingly technological world. Patlabor was very much about its humans, not the robots. Neon Genesis Evangelion came to mind as another show that revitalized the giant robot genre, or this is what I've heard for years now. I set out to see what those reasons were, and began watching the original Evangelion series that broke the mould. (And in case anyone notices, we already have a review on Evangelion previously written by ABC. This latest inquiry is being carried out by Nelson).

ANIME POWER RANKINGS

2013-05-04T21:34:00.002-04:00

I was invited by kevo of Desu ex Machina to participate in his website's weekly Anime Power Rankings, where numerous anibloggers rate their favorite shows for the week and give summaries as to why. I've known about kevo's site for a long time now, so to be invited to participate is a pretty big deal for my little Anime Guardians blog. I'll be posting those rankings to this website as well, so look out for them. We're making progress slowly but surely, guys! Thanks for your support throughout the past year.

In other news, I've nearly completed my two year journey into anime cyberpunk and post-humanism, Man, Mutt and Machine. The paper's looking to be over 50 pages long, circulating around the 1995 Ghost in the Shell film and its 2004 sequel, Innocence. I'll post it for everyone to read in a couple weeks.

Finally, I've begun watching Neon Genesis Evangelion after realizing how revolutionary it was for the giant robot genre when compared to the usual Gundam fare. I'll be logging my opinions on the series in the next few days.

As college draws to a close for me, I fancy I'll have a lot more time for The Anime Guardians than I've had in a long time. Thanks for your patience, everyone.

- Nelson

Life

2013-04-25T02:28:00.006-04:00

Spring is almost here. The trees are blossoming, groundhogs are coming out to play, and I've started riding my bike regularly. With the advent of the new season comes some expected changes, like the end of the school year. In my case, it marks my graduation from college, which I jumped into right after high school. Beyond the borders of my little school is the adult world - I don't really think of myself as being an adult yet. Age isn't all that goes into maturity; being an adult involves a rite of passage that varies for different cultures. As I watched episode 10 of Clannad: After Story, I sympathized with Tomoya's difficulty entering the adult realm.

Being Human

2013-03-27T14:10:00.002-04:00

In the last episode of Shin Sekai Yori (From the New World), the antagonist Squeara faces a public trial for his crimes against the psy-powered humans. Squeara is a Monster Rat, a race of creatures created hundreds of years ago after splicing the human genome with naked mole rats. The public, unaware of these human origins, laughs when Squeara shouts that the Monster Rats are humans too, who deserve equal standing among the psy-humans they once considered gods. It is unclear whether or not Squeara knew the truth about the Monster Rats, but his punishment for attempting to annihilate his oppressors begs the question, "What is it that keeps our fragile understanding of 'humanity' together?"

AnimeShinbun.com

2013-03-24T11:50:00.001-04:00

No, this isn't a review. Just letting everyone know that AnimeShinbun.com, which aggregates anime news sources from around the internet, is currently featuring our PSYCHO-PASS "Perfect World" review as its Hottest News piece. To all the Anime Guardians readers lurking around the dark recesses of the net, thanks for your support!

Perfect World

2013-03-22T15:11:00.000-04:00

What is a system? What place do people have within systems? And can people escape the systems they find themselves part of? The answer to that, according to PSYCHO-PASS, is "no."

Man, Mutt and Machine

2013-03-17T15:51:00.000-04:00

** Update: As of May 2013 my senior project is completed and titled "Establishing a Post-human Identity through Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell and Innocence Films." It can be found on the Post-humanity tab above, and is available in PDF format.

Wow. Nearly a month and a half since I posted last, and I feel rather rotten for waiting so long. But Nelson's been a busy boy, and I have some work to show for it. My senior project has evolved into a beautifully complex essay on the significance of non-humans (animals, objects, nature) in shaping social events. I didn't expect my paper - originally focused on anime cyborgs - to have as much potential as it does now.

That's enough of me talking. Below is a mess of an introduction from yours truly, far from the organized paper I hope to churn out in several weeks. There's lots of loose ends for me to tie up, so consider this a log of where my mind has been rather than a solid thesis. I've hyperlinked the more academic terms and references so that curious readers can understand what I'm writing about. Enjoy!

The Chicken or the Egg?

2013-02-06T02:32:00.001-05:00

The first time I saw Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, I didn't know what to think. Saying that I hated it seems too strong, but that's the best word I can summon. I thought it was another example of Mamoru Oshii being dense, slow and boring. Now that I'm several years wiser, I'm of the exact opposite opinion: Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is an insanely pleasurable movie. Yes, pleasurable, as in I fell madly in love with it and had inappropriate thoughts about fornicating with the myriad gynoids. Innocence requires an entirely different set of sensibilities than most anime demands, and Oshii's uncompromisingly brutal methodology ensures that those who actually sit through the film will either adore or despise him. Trying to please everyone is impossible; Oshii doesn't even try.

Updates

2013-01-26T13:07:00.001-05:00

Hey everybody, Nelson speaking. Time to let everyone know what's going on as of late, and why posting has been hilariously erratic on The Anime Guardians.

I've finally done it, and by "it" I mean reached my final semester of college. I've got my senior project and graduation to think about before finally beginning the rest of my life. Yeah, my impending adulthood feels more like a journey into a dark tunnel with an ominous light at the end. I've no idea what awaits. Perhaps I'll work in a museum, which seems the likely course so long as I go with the flow. Maybe I'll become a fighter pilot, a childhood dream of mine. Maybe I'll publish a book. Who knows. Everything's up in the air.

Although I've been watching plenty of anime, I haven't written much as of late. I'm gonna stick to writing entries about the cyberpunk shows I've been studying. Mardock Scramble's second film was released this year, so I gotta snag a DVD copy. I'll be focusing on anime from the beginning of 2000 from now on instead of reaching far back into the 1980s and 1990s.

I'll still be posting, just at random times. I'm still fighting the good fight.

Nelson Rolon
Editor in Chief at The Anime Guardians
anime.guardians03@gmail.com

Your Flesh is Irrelevant, Because it's the Data that Counts

2013-01-11T17:25:00.002-05:00

In the book How We Became Posthuman, author Katherine Hayles devotes some of chapter two to analyzing William Gibson's Neuromancer, particularly where protagonist Case claims busy Ninsei Street resembles "a field of data... the dance of biz, information interacting, data made flesh in the mazes of the black market." From this paragraph, Hayles draws several conclusions about Neuromancer and cyborg literature in general:

"Pattern tends to overwhelm presence, leading to a construction of immateriality that depends not on spirituality or even consciousness but only on information... Information is the putative origin, physicality the derivative manifestation... If flesh is data incarnate, why not go back to the source and leave the perils of physicality behind?" (Pgs 35, 37).

PSYCHO-PASS. © Production I.G.

The world of PSYCHO-PASS has taken these conclusions and made them concrete rules that society must abide by. The software program known as the Sybil System governs almost all of one's activities, relying on calculated assessments and aptitude tests to maintain order, dictating matters ranging from what career one would be suited to, to determining if a latent criminal should be paralyzed and apprehended or blown to pieces. In the case of PSYCHO-PASS, the "pattern that overwhelms presence" is found within the Psycho-Pass chip inside one's body, which relays stress levels and other biological readings via cymatic scan to Sybil.

Anime Sushi: Television by Otaku, For Otaku!

2013-01-10T23:30:00.000-05:00

* Here's an interview I recently published on GoBoiano. Enjoy, and support the cause!

Last week at Anime Los Angeles a certain Kickstarter project held auditions for their upcoming television series. Cosplayers and convention goers appeared in droves to display their television hosting skills and proudly show off their meticulously designed wardrobes. The name of the series is Anime Sushi, a program dedicated to discussing anime, gaming and other topics that make otaku giddy. The charm with this show is that there will be a heavy emphasis on audience generated content, so fans will play a large part in what gets aired.

Interested in the project, I reached out to producer Karl Laundy to find out more. As it turns out, he's as much of an otaku as the rest of us, introduced to anime through Speed Racer and Gigantor, and then starting a career cutting broadcast versions of works such as Wicked City, Silent Moebius, Neo Tokyo and Akira. Below is a preview of the series, followed by my interview with Laundy. Enjoy!

First Impressions: MAOYUU

2013-01-08T17:40:00.001-05:00

One of 2013's newest shows, Maoyuu bridges grave politics and romantic humor through the clumsy, adorable interactions of its characters, the male Hero and female Demon King. The various preview images of the show caught my attention because the Demon King's horns reminded me of the main character in the esoteric Ico and Shadow of the Colossus games. Thankfully Maoyuu has more going for it than just the horns - they turn out to be fake.

NEKOMONOGATARI: KURO

2013-01-06T17:37:00.000-05:00

For those unfortunate souls who aren't already informed, the Monogatari anime franchise from SHAFT is largely an exercise in "Tarantino-esque dialogue, surreal avant-garde imagery, and clever deconstruction of harem tropes." When I caught a glimpse of Bakemonogatari half a year ago, I was floored by the show's cleverness, and I'd argue that there are few anime that can match the incisive wit of the Monogatari series. With great excitement I began Nekomonogatari: Kuro, a four-episode installment showing Araragi's encounter with the oddity cat that possessed his poor buxom buddy Hanekawa.

My Favorite Anime of 2012

2012-12-30T12:59:00.001-05:00

Making a 2012 list for the Aniblogger's Choice Awards is a really big step for The Anime Guardians. It's officially been a year since I started this blog, and participating in a worldwide poll will help to gain some much needed visibility; it's easy to make a blog and have it fade away into obscurity as life takes its toll and other things take priority. This list is special to me in that I'm not going to do my usual "anime critic" thing. This is a list of favorites based on the shows I saw this year (trust me, there's a lot I still haven't watched from 2012). The order in which the anime are listed isn't entirely significant: with the exception of Sword Art Online and Chuu2, the others can be rearranged and I wouldn't mind too much.

And with that, I hope you enjoy the list!

__________

12. Sword Art Online: The First 14 Episodes

A-1 Pictures.

Oh man, I can rant for days about how problematic the series was from a narrative standpoint - in fact, I did just that for GoBoiano for 14 weeks straight. But despite all the asinine arguments I've had with SAO's irrational fandom, I'll admit that the first arc of the series was rather good. There was a lot of potential in the VRMMORPG theme that resonates with all of us who can't imagine living without the internet. Watching Kirito beat the living shit out of everyone he crossed paths with was exhilarating the first 9000 times, but no one likes a Gary-Stu for long. The garbage pacing of the series and complete lack of direction is what eventually wore me down. The lesson here? Books and anime are two different mediums, and fanboys never seem to understand that. I haven't read the SAO light novels, but I'd bet money that it's better than the show.

11. The Labyrinth of Magi

A-1 Pictures.

When the series was first announced, I thought the early pics of Morgiana in chains meant Magi was going to be some creepy BDSM ecchi. I fell in love with the series after it was released, and then thought the Magi series would be the male counterpart to Madoka, especially since I haven't heard of magical boys before. It isn't either of those, really. The series is lighthearted and adventurous, and Aladdin's role isn't as grave as restoring balance to the universe. Magi's appeal is almost Disney-like - but better because its anime.

If anyone wants to watch the series to see Morgiana pull a Kirito and overpower everything in sight, I wouldn't judge, not one bit.

10. Another

P.A. Works.

Another is a special anime on this list: it's both the only true horror series and the only winter 2012 series. I might have replaced Another with Dusk Maiden of Amnesia if the latter show didn't annoy me with its non-committal ecchi/horror/romance mash up. Another had a lovely Final Destination quality, and I admit that I jumped a good number of times out of pure shock. My GoBoiano coworker Julie blogged recently about how anime has a difficult time genuinely frightening people; Another makes a decent attempt at shattering that myth.

9. Tari Tari

P.A. Works.

My sister hilariously called me an "emotional ass nigga" for watching Tari Tari. It's a title I'll wear proudly. Tari Tari was genuinely tragic, but oh so beautiful, and I loved every minute of it! And the animation, done by P.A. Works, is near cinematic quality, no joke. This is the kind of show that helps audiences realize the designation "slice of life" is a misnomer - most of what happens in these shows is certainly plausible, but far from ordinary.

I almost forgot Tari Tari is about music. The group spends enough time dilly-dallying so that they're not often productive. Anyone who wants a show about music that's not always about music should definitely tune in.

8. Space Brothers

A-1 Pictures.

First things first: when I was in elementary, I wanted to be an astronomer. Space was my second home. Am I biased towards liking shows about space? Not necessarily. What makes Space Brothers unique is its attention to realism and careful pacing, creating a rather plausible - and especially touching - struggle to accomplish one's dreams. Our protagonist isn't predestined to be an astronaut or taking up an inheritance to a pirate ship (sorry, Bodacious Space Pirates), but has fears and reservations that can jeopardize his dream should he fail to overcome them.

7. Kokoro Connect

Silver Link.

This show better be coming out with a second season! Kokoro Connect mixed the drama and tension of high-stakes games with deep characterization in a school-club setting. The tired, well-worn idea of body swapping in the first arc gives way to lack of impulse control in the second arc and reverse-aging in the third; through these experiences our tightly knit cast comes to know more about each other - and themselves - than they ever cared to. And the villain responsible for this mess is written so well he became one of my favorite characters in the show.

6. PSYCHO-PASS

Production I.G.

Another Production I.G. sci-fi cop story a la Stand Alone Complex, PSYCHO-PASS hooked me from the get-go. The 1984 themes of taming crime through constant intrusion of privacy isn't a theme I've seen in anime. Of course, Production I.G. extrapolates all the philosophy it possibly can from this seed, at times turning the show into a semi-snooze fest for those wanting more explicit conflicts. By the time the 11th episode rolled along, though, I found myself marveling at the villain's insidious machinations and I'm currently waiting for the 12th episode to air. This show gets better and better.

Did I mention the explosive rounds our characters shoot people with? Future cops don't arrest people, they just blow them up.

5. Muv Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse

Satelight.

I don't expect too many people to agree with my decision to place Total Eclipse on a list of top anime for the year. I expect even fewer people to know what the hell Total Eclipse is! I've followed the show religiously since its summer debut, and admit that in no universe is the series groundbreaking. What it did offer was remarkable consistency, with very few ups and downs. The CG robots were atrocious and even the 2D animation made me nauseous, but Total Eclipse as a whole was never terrible (I think the series flaws became tolerable over time). A show that's consistently above mediocre and strives for nothing more is surprisingly nice to watch. Total Eclipse is on this list because my expectations for it were genuinely simple, and although it occasionally rose above my expectations, it never sank below them either. Call this series my guilty pleasure, if you will.

4. Mysterious Girlfriend X

Hoods Entertainment.

Mysterious Girlfriend X is not a show for the feint of heart, and as cliche as that expression is, it really is an appropriate description for this anime. I wish someone could have seen my face every time the protagonists exchanged saliva. It was so viscous and shiny, like pancake syrup. The saliva was used to communicate all the fuzzy emotions people can't convey effectively through speech or even physical contact, a powerful device that proved so touching I can almost forgive the show for making me as uncomfortable as it did.

A friend of mine says the manga to this anime is phenomenal. I don't plan on reading it anytime soon, but if the anime is truly reflective of the manga then it must be good.

3. From the New World

A-1 Pictures.

Straddling the line between science-fiction, horror and psychotic dystopian apocalypse, From the New World had me captivated before it even aired. It's so... dark! The episodes segue into each other at the moments of maximum tension, just when I'm on the edge of my seat and waiting to see more. The unfamiliarity with the universe, 1000 years ahead of the present day, meant that every explanation offered needed to grab attention or risk utterly confusing the hell out of the viewer. The show isn't over just yet, but it's done exactly what a series should with its first 12 episodes: ignore the fillers and get to the juicy stuff!

2. Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

TMS Entertainment.

A show I curiously don't hear discussed is the spring 2012 gem Fujiko Mine, and this is utterly disappointing. Did no one watch it? Or does such a show, which sharply deviates from any of the expected fanfare we get from anime, only grab the attention of the die-hard intellectual bloggers I follow? Was no one interested in the unyielding, mature sexuality that seeped from this series' pores? Were the spy game antics too old-school for modern viewers? Did no one laugh at the ridiculous samurai skills of Goemon? Was the animation not shiny enough? Did the plot take itself too seriously? For the life of me, someone please explain where all the Lupin III fans are hiding!

And my favorite anime of the year is...

1. Chuunibyou demo Koi Ga Shitai!

Kyoto Animation.

It figures that Kyoto Animation, who handled Clannad, would yet again reach for my emotions and make me want to cry using slice-of-life tactics. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! (or just Chuu2 if you can't remember the whole title) was not on my radar at all, even after learning it was made by KyoAni. No blips, nothing. I didn't care at all, and saw the screen caps of a girl with an eye patch as indicative of another show with a moe gimmick to ride on. The darker fare this season such as PSYCHO-PASS and From the New World caught my eye as usual. I've come to realize, however, that people miss out on a lot of great experiences when we remain in our comfort zones. I don't often delve into different genres apart from gloomy sci-fi fantasies, but this time around I'm really glad that I did. Chuu2 is now one of my favorite shows ever. I'm not even going to say much about the show here; maybe I'll write a separate review on it. For now, know this: anyone who has ever had a childhood will enjoy Chuu2, without a doubt.

Catching Up

2012-12-23T01:26:00.001-05:00

Yes, that's a picture of me. My skin is truly that green.

My my, where has the time gone! I haven't updated The Anime Guardians for some time, and for that I do apologize. I've spent a great deal of this month working on school projects, final exams and trying to enjoy some of my college experience all at the same time. But I haven't abandoned the anime cause yet!

Read more »

Musings of the Editor in Chief

2012-12-05T23:30:00.000-05:00

At one point in time, calling myself the Editor in Chief of The Anime Guardians made sense, because I had a number of writers other than myself contributing content to the site. Considering those writers have gone on with their lives and stopped writing reviews, this blog is now a one man operation and "Editor in Chief" is a title without a meaning. Oh well. I like the sound of Nelson Rolon, Editor in Chief, so it'll stick for a while longer. Anyway, I have actual news to report, so read on!

Read more »

MARDOCK SCRAMBLE: THE FIRST COMPRESSION, or "Cyborg Prostitute: The Anime Legacy of Molly Millions"

2012-11-29T02:32:00.000-05:00

Rune Ballot is a fifteen year old prostitute who gets blown up by Shell, a client who turns his victims into blue diamonds (I don't know why he does this, maybe the next two films will explain that). Her body is repaired by Dr. Easter, who runs medical experiments under government order using top-secret body modifications. Ballot wakes to find herself with a mix of wireless computer hacking skills and electromagnetic manipulation, abilities she must use to help apprehend Shell. As with any good cyberpunk story, there's some healthy corporate warfare going on between Dr. Easter's financial backers and Shell's financiers, the October Corporation.

Mardock Scramble: The First Compression. Go Hands.

Our First Tumblr Exclusive: THE ANIMATRIX

2012-11-24T01:21:00.003-05:00

The Animatrix (2003). Warner Bros.

Since The Anime Guardians has recently joined the world of Tumblr, I've decided to start Tumblr exclusive reviews, starting with the incredible anime anthology The Animatrix (2003). We'll still have content on our main blog as well, so fans can get a double-does of anime reviews no matter where they roam the internet! Check out our review on the Animatrix short "World Record."

anime-guardians.tumblr.com

2012-11-22T13:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read the title correctly: The Anime Guardians now has a Tumblr page! I tried making one several months ago and some error occurred during the sign-up process, so yesterday I made a second attempt and fared much better. My goal is to reach out to people where they already roam the internet, and hopefully my Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr endeavors will pay off more than they already have.

Stay tuned, and remember to reblog our posts!

SEKIREI - Seasons 1 and 2

2012-11-21T04:13:00.001-05:00

"A harem?!?! Now, what merits can a harem anime possibly possess?"

My personal favorite, Tsukiumi.

I can just imagine the outcries against anything ecchi related in anime nowadays, considering many people feel anime is saturated with the stuff. Despite the accessibility of anime to an incredibly vast array of demographics, otaku culture remains dominated by young adult men, so the existence of a show like Sekirei will never be as surprising as it might be if things were balanced out. I sat through Sekirei, understanding its fan-service aims, and will admit that it was amusing. Not spectacular by any means, but amusing.

Read more »

Girls und Moe: A Flower Blooms Within a Tank-Shaped Pot

2012-11-16T20:21:00.000-05:00

When I first saw the Fall 2012 lineup months ago Girls und Panzer caught my eye, chiefly because I found the esoteric notion of little girls duking it out in tanks quite amusing. How often are the words "Girls" and "Panzer" paired together? Now, after having watched the first five episodes, I'm compelled to explore the idea of "moe" in depth; I think the word accurately describes what these adorable high schoolers have stirred within me.

Read more »

009-1

2012-11-13T04:11:00.000-05:00

* Update: As of May 2013 my senior project is completed and titled "Establishing a Post-human Identity through Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell and Innocence Films." It can be found on the Post-humanity tab above, and is available in PDF format.

As part of my senior project, I'll be watching a lot more anime on, well, cyborgs. For this latest review I'll be covering 009-1, a more mature take on cyborgs from Shotaro Ishinomori, the same mangaka who made Cyborg 009. 009-1 is also among the first manga aimed at young adults, made all the way back in 1967. How does the anime fare, made 40 years after the original publication?

009-1. Ishimori Productions.

Production I.G. - They Are Who We Thought They Were

2012-11-09T21:51:00.000-05:00

*This is an extension of another article I wrote here.
** Update: As of May 2013 my senior project is completed and titled "Establishing a Post-human Identity through Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell and Innocence Films." It can be found on the Post-humanity tab above, and is available in PDF format.

At this point, I hope it's no secret that I love Production I.G. Most of what the studio releases becomes an instant classic (all of the Ghost in the Shell franchise; the Blood vampire series; Eden of the East, etc.). In addition to excellent CG and traditional animation, I.G. has a penchant for philosophical themes. Whether working with Mamoru Oshii, Kanji Kamiyama or now Gen Urobuchi, Production I.G. thrives on dark mysteries laced with enough academic references to leave learned viewers salivating.