sniff. : ' )
The question we all long to ask of others when they surprise us by telling us we actually are.
poor. hurt. weary. humanity.
We all just want to be loved.
When we are, we are capable of any sort of heroism and nobility.
Inspired by Yusuke earning Koenma's respect through his selfless act to save Keiko and thus the privilege of having his body restored to life.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Beauty and Innocence of Young Love
How Would You Feel?
If you were 14 years old, a ghost, watching the person you loved, hovering over your dead body, cleaning your dusty face, declaring aloud, "It's a beautiful face..." and then bending over your body to kiss your still lips?...
Yeagh.
That's totally so awesome. = )
If There Was A Fire...
in the apartment where your unconscious body was resting, and the person you loved, ran from the other side of town at the premonition of you being in danger, arrived to see your apartment in flames, doused themselves with water and charged into the apartment to save you...
How would you feel as a ghost watching this?
What if the spirit guide accompanying you told you that you could save the one you love by sacrificing your chance at coming back to life?
You think about it, a moment only, before giving up your chance to save the person you could have had an incredible bond with alive.
...that's true love.
And it's so great to watch. : ' )
P.S : From Yu Yu Hakusho Episode 4.
You're Glowing Gold and...
only have 1 day for 1 of the 3 people who most love you in the real world to kiss you and transfer their life force to bring you back to life.
Your Spirit Guide possesses the body of your beloved's heat-exhausted Mother who is in the hospital and uncouncious (making the possession possible) and tells your beloved one that they have to believe in the vision they had of kissing you to bring you back.
Your beloved runs through the streets of Tokyo, sprinting up the stairs when the elevator is too slow, and runs into the apartment to bestow your first kiss before the clock finishes counting midnight.
wow...that's true love.
You awake and your first words are, "That was a nice kiss."
beautiful.
P.S : From Yu Yu Hakusho Episode 5.
If you were 14 years old, a ghost, watching the person you loved, hovering over your dead body, cleaning your dusty face, declaring aloud, "It's a beautiful face..." and then bending over your body to kiss your still lips?...
Yeagh.
That's totally so awesome. = )
If There Was A Fire...
in the apartment where your unconscious body was resting, and the person you loved, ran from the other side of town at the premonition of you being in danger, arrived to see your apartment in flames, doused themselves with water and charged into the apartment to save you...
How would you feel as a ghost watching this?
What if the spirit guide accompanying you told you that you could save the one you love by sacrificing your chance at coming back to life?
You think about it, a moment only, before giving up your chance to save the person you could have had an incredible bond with alive.
...that's true love.
And it's so great to watch. : ' )
P.S : From Yu Yu Hakusho Episode 4.
You're Glowing Gold and...
only have 1 day for 1 of the 3 people who most love you in the real world to kiss you and transfer their life force to bring you back to life.
Your Spirit Guide possesses the body of your beloved's heat-exhausted Mother who is in the hospital and uncouncious (making the possession possible) and tells your beloved one that they have to believe in the vision they had of kissing you to bring you back.
Your beloved runs through the streets of Tokyo, sprinting up the stairs when the elevator is too slow, and runs into the apartment to bestow your first kiss before the clock finishes counting midnight.
wow...that's true love.
You awake and your first words are, "That was a nice kiss."
beautiful.
P.S : From Yu Yu Hakusho Episode 5.
Feelings : The Essential (ignored) Part of Human Nature
He Can't Hear You, or See You
but he can feel you.
This is what Botan tells Yusuke when explaining to him how Kuwabara was able to respond when he wanted to punch that weasel teacher who intentionally sabotaged Kuwabara's test paper so that he would have to see his poor friend lose his job.
Feelings?
To this Yusuke recoils in horror exclaiming,
"You don't have to get all mushy!"
ah...feelings.
When we as a species learn to open ourselves up to our feelings, we will be healed as a species, and can get on with the adventure of exploring life, instead of limping through it like half-dead zombies.
but he can feel you.
This is what Botan tells Yusuke when explaining to him how Kuwabara was able to respond when he wanted to punch that weasel teacher who intentionally sabotaged Kuwabara's test paper so that he would have to see his poor friend lose his job.
Feelings?
To this Yusuke recoils in horror exclaiming,
"You don't have to get all mushy!"
ah...feelings.
When we as a species learn to open ourselves up to our feelings, we will be healed as a species, and can get on with the adventure of exploring life, instead of limping through it like half-dead zombies.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Yu Yu Hakusho : Bullies are Heroes who haven't found a purpose yet
He's Just A Bully
A simple statement.
Labeling another human being a bully denigrates them to the status of a beast : a mindless, heartless, brutal animal capable of nothing but cruelty and savagery.
Is that what they are really though?
Of course not.
They are kids who don't have a path in life to follow and the support and love of their society.
They are high-energy kids with tons of vim and vigour, a powerful desire to be challenged and stimulated physically, they want their limits to be tested.
I do not believe they are just : bad.
What an idiotically simplistic label completely ignoring the fact that all human behavior is a product of past experiences.
When kids bully, they are making a statement :
A simple statement.
Labeling another human being a bully denigrates them to the status of a beast : a mindless, heartless, brutal animal capable of nothing but cruelty and savagery.
Is that what they are really though?
Of course not.
They are kids who don't have a path in life to follow and the support and love of their society.
They are high-energy kids with tons of vim and vigour, a powerful desire to be challenged and stimulated physically, they want their limits to be tested.
I do not believe they are just : bad.
What an idiotically simplistic label completely ignoring the fact that all human behavior is a product of past experiences.
When kids bully, they are making a statement :
We're in pain.
We subject others to pain so that they can know how we feel like.
We do not know how to express our pain other than through violence,
but,
We hope that somebody strong will rise up and save us from ourselves,
and,
Protect us from our bullies, the way we were never protected.
We subject others to pain so that they can know how we feel like.
We do not know how to express our pain other than through violence,
but,
We hope that somebody strong will rise up and save us from ourselves,
and,
Protect us from our bullies, the way we were never protected.
From Bully to Hero
Kuwabara seemed like just a mindless bully.
But, as the Anime points out, he is far more than that.
What did he need?
A purpose.
A reason to prove himself.
A need to do something extraordinary.
Give that need to anyone, and they will show you their worth.
Rivals to Friends
Bullies are people who want others to show them their strength.
They are people who seek out strength in others.
Yusuke and Kuwabara were rivals, but, they prove to each other their mutual strength and thus form the basis for a friendship.
In a society dedicated to making people weak and subservient, vigorous people like Yusuke and Kuwabara, need each other to stimulate their desire to grow strong.
To be honest, it would be good if everyone got into fights to test their strength out.
People need to feel they are strong.
Oh, of course, everyone should wear protective gear.
It's cool to fight, not to scratch your face though.
Still want to look good on dates. ; )
Kuwabara seemed like just a mindless bully.
But, as the Anime points out, he is far more than that.
What did he need?
A purpose.
A reason to prove himself.
A need to do something extraordinary.
Give that need to anyone, and they will show you their worth.
Rivals to Friends
Bullies are people who want others to show them their strength.
They are people who seek out strength in others.
Yusuke and Kuwabara were rivals, but, they prove to each other their mutual strength and thus form the basis for a friendship.
In a society dedicated to making people weak and subservient, vigorous people like Yusuke and Kuwabara, need each other to stimulate their desire to grow strong.
To be honest, it would be good if everyone got into fights to test their strength out.
People need to feel they are strong.
Oh, of course, everyone should wear protective gear.
It's cool to fight, not to scratch your face though.
Still want to look good on dates. ; )
Saturday, July 5, 2008
A Society Dedicated to Making Kids Strong
Enter : Naruto Uzumaki
I just finished watching the first episode of Naruto.
It is utterly fantastic.
The ending always deeply moves me.
The remarkable bond between teacher and student.
Such a powerful, giving relationship.
I find myself irrevocably filled with a sense of longing for having had that kind of relationship with teachers during my own childhood.
Now that I am an adult, it's up to me to make sure the next young generation does experience this kind of vital relationship in the growth of a human being.
The Ninja Way
A society dedicated to making its young people strong.
I can never get enough of glimpsing the Naruto universe because of this all-pervasive theme.
My own childhood was a wash of meaninglessness, raising me to be a useless adult drone in a brain-dead and emotionally-void societal system.
Having seen another way, a so much better way, I cannot do aught with my life, but make this vision a reality.
For the young generation of today.
For the young me who never had this chance.
I just finished watching the first episode of Naruto.
It is utterly fantastic.
The ending always deeply moves me.
The remarkable bond between teacher and student.
Such a powerful, giving relationship.
I find myself irrevocably filled with a sense of longing for having had that kind of relationship with teachers during my own childhood.
Now that I am an adult, it's up to me to make sure the next young generation does experience this kind of vital relationship in the growth of a human being.
The Ninja Way
A society dedicated to making its young people strong.
I can never get enough of glimpsing the Naruto universe because of this all-pervasive theme.
My own childhood was a wash of meaninglessness, raising me to be a useless adult drone in a brain-dead and emotionally-void societal system.
Having seen another way, a so much better way, I cannot do aught with my life, but make this vision a reality.
For the young generation of today.
For the young me who never had this chance.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Love Letters
Here's an interesting question : "Does it make sense to be emotionally affected by a cartoon?" The answer is : "Of course it makes sense."
A cartoon is an artistic commentary on human behavior in some fashion or another. And I have a saying, "The most fascinating thing for human beings is : other human beings." Thus, a cartoon, which is a pictographic examination of human issues, naturally evokes a human emotional response, despite the fact, "they're just drawings."
I'm 28 now and a great deal more confident than I was when I was younger. It's funny to admit it to myself, but I must acknowledge the age-old adage that with "age comes wisdom". Although, I prefer my own take on this truism : "distance brings perspective", whether that be physical distance or the distance the passage of time affords. I think I prefer the word "perspective" in lieu of "wisdom". Personally I feel I was easily capable of the maturity I currently possess when I was younger, much younger, in my early teens. For this reason, I prefer the word "perspective", which anyone can have, over "wisdom", which connotates age.
Once again, a new Anime has kindled reflections in my mind. I just finished watching the 3rd episode of the Anime "Kamen no Maid Guy" (Masked Maid Guy). It's what called "Ecchi" in Japan and its defining feature is an unrelenting emphasis on playful sexuality. Not full blown porn by any means, more like the kind of innocent fantasies of adolescents. I could say "perverted fantasies", but I don't think there is anything wrong with obssessing about the opposite sex. Last time I checked sex was an absolute requirement for the continued perpetuation of our species. It's right up there in importance with eating and sleeping. It's one of our fundamental human drives. That it occupies a HUGE part of our thoughts and feelings is...well...as natural as breathing. Sexual repressiveness is something that stems from hurt feelings long ago. When some powerful guy was scorned by a girl and he decided to force her and other guys to subvert their sexual tension and bury it under the pretense of tradition and culture. Stupid stuff like not showing ankles, or communicating with the movement of fans, or wearing tops that covered the whole neck, and marrying for money not love, and arranged marriages, and on and on and on...All because some poor guy long ago got rejected by a girl. This is all just a theory on my part...but, I bet it's right.
The premise of the Anime is that 2 siblings are the sole remaining members of a once large and wealthy family. The Grandfather/Head of the family believes that foul play has resulted in the deaths of the other family members and thus he commissions 2 "special" maids to attend and protect his 2 remaining Grandchildren. The novelty of the show is that one of the special maids, Kogarashi, is a monster of a man who has the body of the Hulk, coupled with the skills of a super maid, packaged in a personality with a complete disregard for all discretion and "decency". The result is Naeka, the 17 year old granddaughter and heroine of the story, is constantly being stunned and embarrassed by Kogarashi as he criticizes her in her selection of panties, rebukes her for her enormous bust-size that causes her to be terrible at Math (it's a lewd cartoon, y'know ; ) , or makes her drink a love potion which causes her to lose all inhibitions.
It's really all hilarious stuff and I find it lots of sexually-playful fun. Again, it's only old-fashioned Victorian prudery that has inculcated us with the ridiculous belief that overt sexuality is "wrong". In plenty of cultures around the world (Bora Bora for one), sexual play is a common part of childhood, with children encouraged to explore their sexuality as soon as they are so inclined. It demystifies sex and prepares kids for healthy sexual relations in their adult lives. Again, sex is fundamental to human existence. I say, there is nothing wrong with thinking about it all the time. We think about food and water all the time. Sex is right up there in importance.
All the randy jokes aside, I've always found Ecchi to be compelling because it always has a sweetness and innocence to it. It's actually as important as the lasciviousness of the shows to me. In this particular episode, Naeka receives her very first love letter. It's a wonderful moment to bear witness to. Naeka is a very likable character in her physical attractiveness (of course), but also in her energy and her sensitivity. She had a traumatic experience with her 1st romantic endeavor (unfortunately she poisoned the poor boy she was interested in when she tried to make a lunch to share) and had since decided to dedicate herself to "the path of the sword" (she studies Kendo diligently). Naturally, she is just afraid of her feelings getting hurt again. But the female member of the 2 super maids : Fubuki, wisely recognizes that Naeka is just blocked by her fear of poisoning another boy, so Fubuki teaches Naeka how to properly prepare deep-fried shrimp, and so cures Naeka of her fear of loving a boy. Thus, Naeka is able to open up her 1st love letter.
I've written love letters to girls, and I'd always wondered what it was like for them when they opened and read it. I got an idea when I watched Naeka's reaction. Let me say, as a guy, it was so very, very sweet. I found myself wishing I would have been able to install cameras into the rooms of girls in my past I'd written letters to just to watch their reaction to reading my letter. ah...young love is so great... All the little hearts that pop up is an artistic touch in cartoons that definitely enhances the moment for me. : )
I feel compelled now to make a suggestion to young people (and adults too). If you like someone : TOTALLY write them a love letter. Pick some nice paper (maybe scented). Pick a nice envelope. Write about exactly how you feel. Be sincere. Show your feelings. It is just so totally great to get a love letter from someone else. We human beings are fuelled by love. It's our energy source. It's really what makes human life. You will totally make somebody's day, week, month, year by writing them a sincere love letter. Even if you don't "get together", you've still expressed your feelings, and that is just : pure magic. With such powerful feelings, you'll DEFINITELY meet someone special for you. ; )
Unfortunately for poor Naeka, this being an Ecchi Anime and thus inherently kind of twisted, her 1st love letter just happened to have been written by : a girl with seriously sappho inclinations. To complicate matters, Kogarashi (the Monster Super Maid Guy) made a trapdoor where Naeka and sappho girl have their rendezvous which drops the 2 of them into a "make out" room complete with bed and pink flowers. The episode closes with Naeka coming home looking like she has been wrestling for her life, armed with a katana, and charging at Kogarashi with the intention of turning him into sushi, all the while being restrained by her little brother and Fubuki (the other maid, female). It's all pretty crazy, but very fun. : )
Being young and engaging in romantic adventures (or misadventures) is great, but, speaking for myself, it's even more fun in Anime. Why? Because in Anime there is a neverending presence of adventure and surprise, you never know what will happen next. It's wild and exciting. Most of the time, real life just lacks that, y'know.
Totally write those love letters kids, but, look inside yourself to find what adventure means to you at the same time. When you add adventure and excitement to your love life, it will be special. What's adventure to me? Writing these articles, and, some day soon, going on my own journey of exploration. I know I'll meet a special girl for me doing so. Believe it! ; )
A cartoon is an artistic commentary on human behavior in some fashion or another. And I have a saying, "The most fascinating thing for human beings is : other human beings." Thus, a cartoon, which is a pictographic examination of human issues, naturally evokes a human emotional response, despite the fact, "they're just drawings."
I'm 28 now and a great deal more confident than I was when I was younger. It's funny to admit it to myself, but I must acknowledge the age-old adage that with "age comes wisdom". Although, I prefer my own take on this truism : "distance brings perspective", whether that be physical distance or the distance the passage of time affords. I think I prefer the word "perspective" in lieu of "wisdom". Personally I feel I was easily capable of the maturity I currently possess when I was younger, much younger, in my early teens. For this reason, I prefer the word "perspective", which anyone can have, over "wisdom", which connotates age.
Once again, a new Anime has kindled reflections in my mind. I just finished watching the 3rd episode of the Anime "Kamen no Maid Guy" (Masked Maid Guy). It's what called "Ecchi" in Japan and its defining feature is an unrelenting emphasis on playful sexuality. Not full blown porn by any means, more like the kind of innocent fantasies of adolescents. I could say "perverted fantasies", but I don't think there is anything wrong with obssessing about the opposite sex. Last time I checked sex was an absolute requirement for the continued perpetuation of our species. It's right up there in importance with eating and sleeping. It's one of our fundamental human drives. That it occupies a HUGE part of our thoughts and feelings is...well...as natural as breathing. Sexual repressiveness is something that stems from hurt feelings long ago. When some powerful guy was scorned by a girl and he decided to force her and other guys to subvert their sexual tension and bury it under the pretense of tradition and culture. Stupid stuff like not showing ankles, or communicating with the movement of fans, or wearing tops that covered the whole neck, and marrying for money not love, and arranged marriages, and on and on and on...All because some poor guy long ago got rejected by a girl. This is all just a theory on my part...but, I bet it's right.
The premise of the Anime is that 2 siblings are the sole remaining members of a once large and wealthy family. The Grandfather/Head of the family believes that foul play has resulted in the deaths of the other family members and thus he commissions 2 "special" maids to attend and protect his 2 remaining Grandchildren. The novelty of the show is that one of the special maids, Kogarashi, is a monster of a man who has the body of the Hulk, coupled with the skills of a super maid, packaged in a personality with a complete disregard for all discretion and "decency". The result is Naeka, the 17 year old granddaughter and heroine of the story, is constantly being stunned and embarrassed by Kogarashi as he criticizes her in her selection of panties, rebukes her for her enormous bust-size that causes her to be terrible at Math (it's a lewd cartoon, y'know ; ) , or makes her drink a love potion which causes her to lose all inhibitions.
It's really all hilarious stuff and I find it lots of sexually-playful fun. Again, it's only old-fashioned Victorian prudery that has inculcated us with the ridiculous belief that overt sexuality is "wrong". In plenty of cultures around the world (Bora Bora for one), sexual play is a common part of childhood, with children encouraged to explore their sexuality as soon as they are so inclined. It demystifies sex and prepares kids for healthy sexual relations in their adult lives. Again, sex is fundamental to human existence. I say, there is nothing wrong with thinking about it all the time. We think about food and water all the time. Sex is right up there in importance.
All the randy jokes aside, I've always found Ecchi to be compelling because it always has a sweetness and innocence to it. It's actually as important as the lasciviousness of the shows to me. In this particular episode, Naeka receives her very first love letter. It's a wonderful moment to bear witness to. Naeka is a very likable character in her physical attractiveness (of course), but also in her energy and her sensitivity. She had a traumatic experience with her 1st romantic endeavor (unfortunately she poisoned the poor boy she was interested in when she tried to make a lunch to share) and had since decided to dedicate herself to "the path of the sword" (she studies Kendo diligently). Naturally, she is just afraid of her feelings getting hurt again. But the female member of the 2 super maids : Fubuki, wisely recognizes that Naeka is just blocked by her fear of poisoning another boy, so Fubuki teaches Naeka how to properly prepare deep-fried shrimp, and so cures Naeka of her fear of loving a boy. Thus, Naeka is able to open up her 1st love letter.
I've written love letters to girls, and I'd always wondered what it was like for them when they opened and read it. I got an idea when I watched Naeka's reaction. Let me say, as a guy, it was so very, very sweet. I found myself wishing I would have been able to install cameras into the rooms of girls in my past I'd written letters to just to watch their reaction to reading my letter. ah...young love is so great... All the little hearts that pop up is an artistic touch in cartoons that definitely enhances the moment for me. : )
I feel compelled now to make a suggestion to young people (and adults too). If you like someone : TOTALLY write them a love letter. Pick some nice paper (maybe scented). Pick a nice envelope. Write about exactly how you feel. Be sincere. Show your feelings. It is just so totally great to get a love letter from someone else. We human beings are fuelled by love. It's our energy source. It's really what makes human life. You will totally make somebody's day, week, month, year by writing them a sincere love letter. Even if you don't "get together", you've still expressed your feelings, and that is just : pure magic. With such powerful feelings, you'll DEFINITELY meet someone special for you. ; )
Unfortunately for poor Naeka, this being an Ecchi Anime and thus inherently kind of twisted, her 1st love letter just happened to have been written by : a girl with seriously sappho inclinations. To complicate matters, Kogarashi (the Monster Super Maid Guy) made a trapdoor where Naeka and sappho girl have their rendezvous which drops the 2 of them into a "make out" room complete with bed and pink flowers. The episode closes with Naeka coming home looking like she has been wrestling for her life, armed with a katana, and charging at Kogarashi with the intention of turning him into sushi, all the while being restrained by her little brother and Fubuki (the other maid, female). It's all pretty crazy, but very fun. : )
Being young and engaging in romantic adventures (or misadventures) is great, but, speaking for myself, it's even more fun in Anime. Why? Because in Anime there is a neverending presence of adventure and surprise, you never know what will happen next. It's wild and exciting. Most of the time, real life just lacks that, y'know.
Totally write those love letters kids, but, look inside yourself to find what adventure means to you at the same time. When you add adventure and excitement to your love life, it will be special. What's adventure to me? Writing these articles, and, some day soon, going on my own journey of exploration. I know I'll meet a special girl for me doing so. Believe it! ; )
Thursday, June 26, 2008
All The Young People Said, "We're Too Young To Die, and, We're Going to Change Something."
It's funny isn't it?
A 28 year old man watching Japanese Anime, "Cartoons", with the the rapt attention of a child.
Drinking it in as if it was water and real life was a desert.
But : here I am.
I think I'll explain a bit why this is so in this article.
Tears
I shed a few tears. That was how much I was moved by Episode 201 of Naruto. I knew once it had finished that I would need to write an article to express the thoughts it had engendered in me.
I find it difficult to cry. When I do cry, it is almost always because of a movie or Anime. It is always the stories of other people which I vicariously live in lieu of my own which move me to tears. I suppose I should be grateful that my own life isn't interesting enough to prompt a powerful emotional response, yet, I have to admit, such a life leaves me feeling very empty inside.
Naruto
Naruto tells the story of a 12 year old boy-ninja named Naruto Uzumaki. The world of Naruto is one in which Ninja are the military of a nation and children destined to protect their nation as Ninja begin training at a very young age. Though Naruto and his friends are only 12-13 years old, they are full-fledged Ninja, and thus involved in a very adult world of kill or be killed. Despite the appearance of harshness in such a life, wars are not constant, and peace-times are welcomed. The series focuses on what it means to be an adolescent, when you have been given adult preparation from a young age and are beginning to enter an adult world. Despite the apparent burden this would seem to impose on a young soul, the series demonstrates that children will still find a way to be children, and ceaselessly surprise adults with their innocence and resilience.
Episode 197-201
Anime series often have "story arcs", a series of episodes which follow the development of a particular event in the overall framework of the series.
This particular story arc relates the tale of how Gennou, a Shinobi from a rival ninja village, sets up an elaborate plan to destroy Konoha (The Hidden Leaf Village and Naruto's home).
At this point in the overall epic that is the story of Naruto, the audience has developed an intimate familiarity with all of the characters.
It is like this for anything in which human beings engage in the role of observer. Over time we inevitably develop a connection with that which we have been observing, the more time spent, the deeper the interest, the greater the connection. Soap Operas. Sitcoms. Sport Teams. Bird Watching. Medical Dramas. Invariably, we as observers bond with that which we observe.
So it is with Naruto and his young friends.
Supporting Characters
"How empty a show would be if it only had a protagonist and antagonist. Because the beauty in life is in all its variety."
This particular story arc in the Naruto universe marks the first time all the Genin (Rookie Ninja) are gathered together to confront a challenge.
It is a highly anticipated moment, akin to that of an "All-Star Game" for a sports fan.
Naruto and his fellow Genin are divided into 4 distinct teams. The teams were formed by carefully balancing the strengths and personalities of the members. Normally, the teams operate separately, fulfilling individual missions assigned to squads whose talents can best lead to its successful completion. So, it is very exciting when a threat arises so severe that it requires that all the teams work together.
All of the Genin are very unique. They have very different skills, personalities and individual histories. What they share in common is being very talented, brave and confident young people, but, an education dedicated to making them strong and a lifestyle which constantly tests and challenges them cannot but make them so.
What was incessantly thrilling to me was the attention this story arc put into insuring that all 11 of the Rookie Genin were given development and that despite the large numbers, everyone behaved in accordance with their established characters. Respect for the Canon of a beloved series is essential to a Geek like me.
Gennou laid out a very elaborate trap in his plan for the destruction of Konoha. One so convoluted it requires that all 11 of the Rookie Genin employ their unique abilities to unravel it. What is so captivating and prompting of difficult self-examination for me is just how valuable and needed Naruto and his friends are. Their home is in imminent danger, the need is very real, but, the depth of their abilities and resourcefulness is also very real, and they demonstrate that as a team, complimenting and strengthening one another, they are up to the task.
Gennou himself is a wonderful antagonist for the story arc. This article's main focus is on the joy of being young, strong and confident in a world where you are genuinely needed and constantly being challenged to grow, but, as a counterpoint to this theme, the "enemy" here is an old man.
One thing I love about the best Animes is that there is no "villain" per se. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a reason for their actions. Such a simplistic and shallow and "flat" label is absent. "Stories should reflect the evolution of a species." I have personally never felt satisfied with anyone being labeled as nothing more than "bad", and the best Animes do not settle for such an empty label either.
"All problems can be traced back to a person's hurt feelings." War and violence will always lead to anger and a desire for revenge. In the world of Naruto, peace can never truly exist as long as there are those who cannot forgive and accept the past. In the case of Gennou, he seeks revenge for the destruction of his ninja village The Hidden Dragonfly following a war with Konoha, and the death of his son, who died during the war. He has an understandable reason for wanting revenge.
But what Gennou didn't expect was Ramen. Ramen is a bowl of Japanese noodles mixed with meat and vegetables in a delicious broth. Part of Gennou's plot is to visit different locations throughout the village to check the status of the explosives he has laid throughout its infrastructure, and, he coincidentally gets to eat out in restaurants at the same time. It is at one restaurant in particular Ichiraku's Ramen that he meets his reason to ultimately not execute his revenge, in the form of Naruto. Naruto reminds Gennou of his own son very much. Naruto's warm and engaging personality cannot help but make him befriend others, as is the case with Gennou.
Gennou's elaborate plot demands that Naruto and his Genin friends exert themselves mightily to save their village from destruction, each one of them distinguishing themselves along the way, and affirming their worthiness and value enshrined in the vigor and energy of their youth.
In the end though, it all proves to be unnecessary. Gennou intentionally disarmed his own explosives, so that only the "appearance" of danger was real, but Konoha itself was never in any danger. Why? A Treasure Hunt. Gennou is old and senses his time to die is nearly upon him; his original intention was for his final living gesture to be revenge for his son's death, but, meeting Naruto who is full of life, courage, and energy, elicits a change of heart in Gennou, who decides instead to make his final living gesture a testament to the Treasure Hunts he enjoyed with his son when his son was Naruto's age.
Anime celebrates the joys of being young, powerful and full of promise, but, in this episode, the absolute value of the presence of O'Chan (older people) in young people's lives and their very real value is celebrated magnificently as well.
Gennou, a lone old man, challenges Konoha to employ the entirety of its forces to meet his "faux" plot. He necessitates that the young Genin use all their talents to dispel his elaborate ruse. As he lies dying at the end of the story, he does so happily, because he proved to his son and to himself, that he was still valuable, that his life was relevant to the very end.
Such an experience cannot but enhance the young Genin who challenged him. Gennou's death adds life to the lives of the Genin whose challenge and testament they met.
Everyone just wants to have a meaningful life, where they are challenged to grow and can distinguish themselves in such a way that they will be remembered by others.
Naruto and his young friends all proved themselves to be worthy of their roles as ninjas and protectors of their village.
Geenou demonstrated that an old man nigh on his death bed can still be very relevant and test young people to their limits.
In a world of Shinobi, where war is a part of life, an event which could have been yet another scar in a history of violence, turned instead into a test for the confirmation of self-worth of a group of bright adolescents and a clever old man. Why? Because what is far more significant then the violence produced from past pains is the bonds formed from powerful shared experiences.
Anime is always teaching me indispensable life lessons like this, every time I watch, without fail. Truly my life is better with Anime in it teaching and guiding me what truly makes existence meaningful.
Someday, I too will know what its like to affirm the value of my life as Naruto and his young friends did and old man Gennou did.
A 28 year old man watching Japanese Anime, "Cartoons", with the the rapt attention of a child.
Drinking it in as if it was water and real life was a desert.
But : here I am.
I think I'll explain a bit why this is so in this article.
Tears
I shed a few tears. That was how much I was moved by Episode 201 of Naruto. I knew once it had finished that I would need to write an article to express the thoughts it had engendered in me.
I find it difficult to cry. When I do cry, it is almost always because of a movie or Anime. It is always the stories of other people which I vicariously live in lieu of my own which move me to tears. I suppose I should be grateful that my own life isn't interesting enough to prompt a powerful emotional response, yet, I have to admit, such a life leaves me feeling very empty inside.
Naruto
Naruto tells the story of a 12 year old boy-ninja named Naruto Uzumaki. The world of Naruto is one in which Ninja are the military of a nation and children destined to protect their nation as Ninja begin training at a very young age. Though Naruto and his friends are only 12-13 years old, they are full-fledged Ninja, and thus involved in a very adult world of kill or be killed. Despite the appearance of harshness in such a life, wars are not constant, and peace-times are welcomed. The series focuses on what it means to be an adolescent, when you have been given adult preparation from a young age and are beginning to enter an adult world. Despite the apparent burden this would seem to impose on a young soul, the series demonstrates that children will still find a way to be children, and ceaselessly surprise adults with their innocence and resilience.
Episode 197-201
Anime series often have "story arcs", a series of episodes which follow the development of a particular event in the overall framework of the series.
This particular story arc relates the tale of how Gennou, a Shinobi from a rival ninja village, sets up an elaborate plan to destroy Konoha (The Hidden Leaf Village and Naruto's home).
At this point in the overall epic that is the story of Naruto, the audience has developed an intimate familiarity with all of the characters.
It is like this for anything in which human beings engage in the role of observer. Over time we inevitably develop a connection with that which we have been observing, the more time spent, the deeper the interest, the greater the connection. Soap Operas. Sitcoms. Sport Teams. Bird Watching. Medical Dramas. Invariably, we as observers bond with that which we observe.
So it is with Naruto and his young friends.
Supporting Characters
"How empty a show would be if it only had a protagonist and antagonist. Because the beauty in life is in all its variety."
This particular story arc in the Naruto universe marks the first time all the Genin (Rookie Ninja) are gathered together to confront a challenge.
It is a highly anticipated moment, akin to that of an "All-Star Game" for a sports fan.
Naruto and his fellow Genin are divided into 4 distinct teams. The teams were formed by carefully balancing the strengths and personalities of the members. Normally, the teams operate separately, fulfilling individual missions assigned to squads whose talents can best lead to its successful completion. So, it is very exciting when a threat arises so severe that it requires that all the teams work together.
All of the Genin are very unique. They have very different skills, personalities and individual histories. What they share in common is being very talented, brave and confident young people, but, an education dedicated to making them strong and a lifestyle which constantly tests and challenges them cannot but make them so.
What was incessantly thrilling to me was the attention this story arc put into insuring that all 11 of the Rookie Genin were given development and that despite the large numbers, everyone behaved in accordance with their established characters. Respect for the Canon of a beloved series is essential to a Geek like me.
Gennou laid out a very elaborate trap in his plan for the destruction of Konoha. One so convoluted it requires that all 11 of the Rookie Genin employ their unique abilities to unravel it. What is so captivating and prompting of difficult self-examination for me is just how valuable and needed Naruto and his friends are. Their home is in imminent danger, the need is very real, but, the depth of their abilities and resourcefulness is also very real, and they demonstrate that as a team, complimenting and strengthening one another, they are up to the task.
Gennou himself is a wonderful antagonist for the story arc. This article's main focus is on the joy of being young, strong and confident in a world where you are genuinely needed and constantly being challenged to grow, but, as a counterpoint to this theme, the "enemy" here is an old man.
One thing I love about the best Animes is that there is no "villain" per se. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a reason for their actions. Such a simplistic and shallow and "flat" label is absent. "Stories should reflect the evolution of a species." I have personally never felt satisfied with anyone being labeled as nothing more than "bad", and the best Animes do not settle for such an empty label either.
"All problems can be traced back to a person's hurt feelings." War and violence will always lead to anger and a desire for revenge. In the world of Naruto, peace can never truly exist as long as there are those who cannot forgive and accept the past. In the case of Gennou, he seeks revenge for the destruction of his ninja village The Hidden Dragonfly following a war with Konoha, and the death of his son, who died during the war. He has an understandable reason for wanting revenge.
But what Gennou didn't expect was Ramen. Ramen is a bowl of Japanese noodles mixed with meat and vegetables in a delicious broth. Part of Gennou's plot is to visit different locations throughout the village to check the status of the explosives he has laid throughout its infrastructure, and, he coincidentally gets to eat out in restaurants at the same time. It is at one restaurant in particular Ichiraku's Ramen that he meets his reason to ultimately not execute his revenge, in the form of Naruto. Naruto reminds Gennou of his own son very much. Naruto's warm and engaging personality cannot help but make him befriend others, as is the case with Gennou.
Gennou's elaborate plot demands that Naruto and his Genin friends exert themselves mightily to save their village from destruction, each one of them distinguishing themselves along the way, and affirming their worthiness and value enshrined in the vigor and energy of their youth.
In the end though, it all proves to be unnecessary. Gennou intentionally disarmed his own explosives, so that only the "appearance" of danger was real, but Konoha itself was never in any danger. Why? A Treasure Hunt. Gennou is old and senses his time to die is nearly upon him; his original intention was for his final living gesture to be revenge for his son's death, but, meeting Naruto who is full of life, courage, and energy, elicits a change of heart in Gennou, who decides instead to make his final living gesture a testament to the Treasure Hunts he enjoyed with his son when his son was Naruto's age.
Anime celebrates the joys of being young, powerful and full of promise, but, in this episode, the absolute value of the presence of O'Chan (older people) in young people's lives and their very real value is celebrated magnificently as well.
Gennou, a lone old man, challenges Konoha to employ the entirety of its forces to meet his "faux" plot. He necessitates that the young Genin use all their talents to dispel his elaborate ruse. As he lies dying at the end of the story, he does so happily, because he proved to his son and to himself, that he was still valuable, that his life was relevant to the very end.
Such an experience cannot but enhance the young Genin who challenged him. Gennou's death adds life to the lives of the Genin whose challenge and testament they met.
Everyone just wants to have a meaningful life, where they are challenged to grow and can distinguish themselves in such a way that they will be remembered by others.
Naruto and his young friends all proved themselves to be worthy of their roles as ninjas and protectors of their village.
Geenou demonstrated that an old man nigh on his death bed can still be very relevant and test young people to their limits.
In a world of Shinobi, where war is a part of life, an event which could have been yet another scar in a history of violence, turned instead into a test for the confirmation of self-worth of a group of bright adolescents and a clever old man. Why? Because what is far more significant then the violence produced from past pains is the bonds formed from powerful shared experiences.
Anime is always teaching me indispensable life lessons like this, every time I watch, without fail. Truly my life is better with Anime in it teaching and guiding me what truly makes existence meaningful.
Someday, I too will know what its like to affirm the value of my life as Naruto and his young friends did and old man Gennou did.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Everyone Needs A Master
The title of this post is a quote, an exceptionally potent one from Avatar Book 3 Episode 5 : Sokka's Master.
Sokka is feeling disheartened because of the inevitable contrast he (and, let's admit it, we the audience as well) draws between himself and Aang, Katara, and Toph.
Measured against "Team Avatar's" incredible Element Benders, Sokka is merely an ornament or, at worst, a hindrance.
This is a feeling which is ALL PERVASIVE in our own society : a spirit-draining sense of strangling inadequacy.
Sokka is fortunate that he has friends who have experienced a great deal in their short lives and have become strong.
When they all encourage Sokka to seek out Piandao, the greatest sword master of the Fire Nation, they all speak from personal experience.
Words supported by personal experience hold weight.
The Student-Teacher relationship is one of the great themes of Anime, indeed, of all quest stories.
It is an fundamental need of human beings to grow, and, a fundamental need of human beings to be taught by those with more experience than themselves.
In Anime, this is an experience undergone by young heroes.
It was wonderful that the writers of the show gave Sokka a master who understood how unique Sokka is and saw that Sokka's unique approach to situations, could be turned into great strength (as Anime teaches that indeed, anything can).
The wisdom.
The patience.
The support.
Characteristics like these are what make the Master so important in the life of a Student.
Under the guidance of a true Master, a Student knows they can grow without fear of making mistakes, because a true Master understands,
"A mistake is simply a learning experience one does not recognize immediately. But, given time, a mistakes worth becomes apparent in the learning it imparts."
A Student flourishes under the hand of a true Master.
One of the great reasons why Anime is so pervasively popular is because of the forever repeated story of Students learning from Masters.
Our society is bursting with people seeking the same guidance.
It is a shame that Anime is tainted with economics and that so many people pay homage to their love of Anime through product purchase and limit their attachment to Anime to that and do not seek the deep meanings the creators of Anime seek to impart.
Anime must be recognized for what it is : not a money making enterprise, but an attempt to teach and guide a society which does not have the institutions, nor the traditions of providing the guidance, its members so avidly seek and so desperately need.
Sokka spends 2 days training with Piandao and emerges a promising young swordsman.
Fantasy?
I think not.
With the kind of recognition and understanding Piandao demonstrated to Sokka, coupled with Sokka's sense of keen need to gain a combat worthy skill, the sort of progress Sokka displayed is easily comprehensible.
Sokka needed to learn an ability which made him feel worthwhile.
That is what Master gives to a Student : the sense that the student is worthwhile and filled with promise.
Sokka is feeling disheartened because of the inevitable contrast he (and, let's admit it, we the audience as well) draws between himself and Aang, Katara, and Toph.
Measured against "Team Avatar's" incredible Element Benders, Sokka is merely an ornament or, at worst, a hindrance.
This is a feeling which is ALL PERVASIVE in our own society : a spirit-draining sense of strangling inadequacy.
Sokka is fortunate that he has friends who have experienced a great deal in their short lives and have become strong.
When they all encourage Sokka to seek out Piandao, the greatest sword master of the Fire Nation, they all speak from personal experience.
Words supported by personal experience hold weight.
The Student-Teacher relationship is one of the great themes of Anime, indeed, of all quest stories.
It is an fundamental need of human beings to grow, and, a fundamental need of human beings to be taught by those with more experience than themselves.
In Anime, this is an experience undergone by young heroes.
"Ah, how I envy the young protagonists of Anime. To have a teacher to train you and guide you into growing stronger than you knew you could be..."Piandao is an excellent master.
"...for me...and for so very many other young people (for so very many people), Anime is that teacher."
It was wonderful that the writers of the show gave Sokka a master who understood how unique Sokka is and saw that Sokka's unique approach to situations, could be turned into great strength (as Anime teaches that indeed, anything can).
The wisdom.
The patience.
The support.
Characteristics like these are what make the Master so important in the life of a Student.
Under the guidance of a true Master, a Student knows they can grow without fear of making mistakes, because a true Master understands,
"A mistake is simply a learning experience one does not recognize immediately. But, given time, a mistakes worth becomes apparent in the learning it imparts."
A Student flourishes under the hand of a true Master.
One of the great reasons why Anime is so pervasively popular is because of the forever repeated story of Students learning from Masters.
Our society is bursting with people seeking the same guidance.
It is a shame that Anime is tainted with economics and that so many people pay homage to their love of Anime through product purchase and limit their attachment to Anime to that and do not seek the deep meanings the creators of Anime seek to impart.
Anime must be recognized for what it is : not a money making enterprise, but an attempt to teach and guide a society which does not have the institutions, nor the traditions of providing the guidance, its members so avidly seek and so desperately need.
Sokka spends 2 days training with Piandao and emerges a promising young swordsman.
Fantasy?
I think not.
With the kind of recognition and understanding Piandao demonstrated to Sokka, coupled with Sokka's sense of keen need to gain a combat worthy skill, the sort of progress Sokka displayed is easily comprehensible.
Sokka needed to learn an ability which made him feel worthwhile.
That is what Master gives to a Student : the sense that the student is worthwhile and filled with promise.
"Ah...to have had that myself...well. I know what I have always needed, and I share it with everyone else, because : I think they need it too."
The Intoxicating Joy of Being Taught Useful Things
I just finished watching episode 55 of Naruto : Shippuden.
Naruto has returned to the Hidden Leaf Village after failing to recover Sasuke from Orochimaru.
The encounter with Sasuke has painfully demonstrated to Naruto the wide gap which exists in their level of strength : Sasuke is indisputably far, far superior.
The time with Orochimaru has made Sasuke unbelievably powerful, while Naruto has made only modest improvements under the tutelage of Jiraiya.
The need for Naruto to become stronger is urgent, not only because Naruto realizes that the only way he will be worthy in Sasuke's eyes, and actually have a chance of saving Sasuke from the dead-end path of vengeance against Itachi, is by becoming stronger than Sasuke, but, Naruto becoming stronger is vital to the safety of the Hidden Leaf Village because The Akatsuki desire the Nine-Tail Fox sealed within Naruto for their own power, and in his present state, Naruto has no chance of being able to resist their seizing him and extracting the Kyubi.
Kakashi is keenly aware of the need to make Naruto stronger. Kakashi is intimately familiar with the desire to return Sasuke home to himself and Naruto and Sakura, and with the strength of Akatsuki having confronted both Itachi and Kisame 3 years ago. Kakashi knows Naruto is the axle on which the safety of the village turns : making Naruto stronger is absolutely vital (and, it will make Naruto happy, and that is just as important to Kakashi because he cares deeply for Naruto, even if he doesn't show it as openly as Iruka-sensei).
Kakashi knows Naruto very well and understands that the type of training Naruto is suited for is very different from other Ninja.
This is something I find achingly wonderful to behold myself. A teacher who actually invests in their student. One who dedicates themselves to understanding their student's strengths and weaknesses. It is something whose lack in this world disheartens me greatly. The question to ask is why. Why is Kakashi willing and able to invest in Naruto? It's simple. Kakashi is strong himself and knows he has valuable things to teach Naruto, and, others (like the 4th Hokage) invested in Kakashi, so it is natural for Kakashi to invest in his own student. Our world must break the cycle of weak teachers grooming weak students. We need to make ourselves strong, so we can become strong, deep, caring teachers for our students.
Naruto is not inclined to heavy thinking; he craves action and stimulation. Naruto has great stamina and perseverence. He will never balk from a challenge if it is necessary for him to rise to it. Kakashi knows that the kind of training Naruto will benefit from is one which will require intense effort on a single task.
Kakashi does take the time to explain his training strategy to Naruto. He does so with a great deal of physical elaboration because he is keenly aware of Naruto's disinterest in word-intensive explanations.
Another thing I have always felt the draining lack of : the rich use of physical elaboration of ideas. I have always felt the need to understand and the frustration with a school system which relies almost exclusively on learning by book and rote. It certainly is cheaper, and, it certainly is a cheap, shallow education. Suitable to producing drones of production, not brilliant human beings filled with the fire of life. We must ask for more out of life from each other. We must. The frustration from the amassing unrealized potential welling up inside of us will rupture violently if we do not express it.
Naruto remembers fondly being taught by Kakashi; he comments on how happy it makes him to be being taught by Kakashi anew. Such a wonderful thing for a teacher to hear.
Kakashi's intimate understanding of Naruto's personality and his Ninjitsu strengths results in him devising the exceptional of plan of using Shadow Clones to multiply 1000 fold the speed by which Naruto learns his new technique.
I was just as happy Naruto. Shadow Clones are Naruto's greatest strength. They are as natural to him as breathing. I was thrilled that Kakashi had come up with a way of training Naruto which was so considerate of Naruto's character, and played so well to Naruto's strength.
I loved to hear Naruto exclaiming over and over. "Dattebayo!" "Yosh!" "Ikezou!" THAT is what learning is supposed to sound like. THAT is what is missing in education in our world. That excitement. That passion. Inimitable when a student is learning something they know is invaluable to them, taught, by a teacher who is immensely skilled themselves and is profoundly sensitive to their student's character.
...I feel the lack : painfully, in our society.
I am going to rectify it.
Believe it.
The episode concludes with Kakashi being amazed once again with the rapidity at which Naruto progresses.
This is a magical thing :
when a student surprises themselves with their own hidden ability,
and,
a teacher is confident enough in who they are and their own strength to be able to be delighted by the progress of their student.
Anime has so much to teach us.
Naruto has returned to the Hidden Leaf Village after failing to recover Sasuke from Orochimaru.
The encounter with Sasuke has painfully demonstrated to Naruto the wide gap which exists in their level of strength : Sasuke is indisputably far, far superior.
The time with Orochimaru has made Sasuke unbelievably powerful, while Naruto has made only modest improvements under the tutelage of Jiraiya.
The need for Naruto to become stronger is urgent, not only because Naruto realizes that the only way he will be worthy in Sasuke's eyes, and actually have a chance of saving Sasuke from the dead-end path of vengeance against Itachi, is by becoming stronger than Sasuke, but, Naruto becoming stronger is vital to the safety of the Hidden Leaf Village because The Akatsuki desire the Nine-Tail Fox sealed within Naruto for their own power, and in his present state, Naruto has no chance of being able to resist their seizing him and extracting the Kyubi.
Kakashi is keenly aware of the need to make Naruto stronger. Kakashi is intimately familiar with the desire to return Sasuke home to himself and Naruto and Sakura, and with the strength of Akatsuki having confronted both Itachi and Kisame 3 years ago. Kakashi knows Naruto is the axle on which the safety of the village turns : making Naruto stronger is absolutely vital (and, it will make Naruto happy, and that is just as important to Kakashi because he cares deeply for Naruto, even if he doesn't show it as openly as Iruka-sensei).
Kakashi knows Naruto very well and understands that the type of training Naruto is suited for is very different from other Ninja.
This is something I find achingly wonderful to behold myself. A teacher who actually invests in their student. One who dedicates themselves to understanding their student's strengths and weaknesses. It is something whose lack in this world disheartens me greatly. The question to ask is why. Why is Kakashi willing and able to invest in Naruto? It's simple. Kakashi is strong himself and knows he has valuable things to teach Naruto, and, others (like the 4th Hokage) invested in Kakashi, so it is natural for Kakashi to invest in his own student. Our world must break the cycle of weak teachers grooming weak students. We need to make ourselves strong, so we can become strong, deep, caring teachers for our students.
Naruto is not inclined to heavy thinking; he craves action and stimulation. Naruto has great stamina and perseverence. He will never balk from a challenge if it is necessary for him to rise to it. Kakashi knows that the kind of training Naruto will benefit from is one which will require intense effort on a single task.
Kakashi does take the time to explain his training strategy to Naruto. He does so with a great deal of physical elaboration because he is keenly aware of Naruto's disinterest in word-intensive explanations.
Another thing I have always felt the draining lack of : the rich use of physical elaboration of ideas. I have always felt the need to understand and the frustration with a school system which relies almost exclusively on learning by book and rote. It certainly is cheaper, and, it certainly is a cheap, shallow education. Suitable to producing drones of production, not brilliant human beings filled with the fire of life. We must ask for more out of life from each other. We must. The frustration from the amassing unrealized potential welling up inside of us will rupture violently if we do not express it.
Naruto remembers fondly being taught by Kakashi; he comments on how happy it makes him to be being taught by Kakashi anew. Such a wonderful thing for a teacher to hear.
Kakashi's intimate understanding of Naruto's personality and his Ninjitsu strengths results in him devising the exceptional of plan of using Shadow Clones to multiply 1000 fold the speed by which Naruto learns his new technique.
I was just as happy Naruto. Shadow Clones are Naruto's greatest strength. They are as natural to him as breathing. I was thrilled that Kakashi had come up with a way of training Naruto which was so considerate of Naruto's character, and played so well to Naruto's strength.
I loved to hear Naruto exclaiming over and over. "Dattebayo!" "Yosh!" "Ikezou!" THAT is what learning is supposed to sound like. THAT is what is missing in education in our world. That excitement. That passion. Inimitable when a student is learning something they know is invaluable to them, taught, by a teacher who is immensely skilled themselves and is profoundly sensitive to their student's character.
...I feel the lack : painfully, in our society.
I am going to rectify it.
Believe it.
The episode concludes with Kakashi being amazed once again with the rapidity at which Naruto progresses.
This is a magical thing :
when a student surprises themselves with their own hidden ability,
and,
a teacher is confident enough in who they are and their own strength to be able to be delighted by the progress of their student.
Anime has so much to teach us.
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