Mada Mada Da Ne

Declaration of War!!!

Banners up fellow anime otakus!!! Those who were unfortunate enough to view the garbage of an episode of Jessica Soho Reports last night should realize by now that what that misinformed, unbelievably stupid show did was a total insult to say the least to all anime fans out there. First of all, let me start of venting this incalculable fury by saying that I, once upon a time, had respected that overweight journalist for "researching" her material before airing it on nationwide tv. I take it back. That buffoon just takes hook, line, and sinker whatever her researchers feed her without bothering to verify the data.

For those who may have missed that God-forsaken episode, the show featured "hentai animes" and actually blamed the stuff for spurning abnormalities in the sexual and psychological development of children, especially teenagers. To pump things up a bit, Jessica Soho conducted an interview with a supposed "otaku" who collected anime dvds and such. For the love of Inari-sama, that pig interviewed a hormonally imbalanced idiot whose idea of anime was that it was "cool" to watch because of the "great drawings." I could have puked right there and then.

First off, Jessica Soho lumped anime into two major categories, the "hentai" stuff and the "cartoons," claiming that the "wholesome" anime is supposed to be for kids. Ok, the worst thing about nosy people is that they never seem to leave enough alone. What the hell did anime do to them anyway? Anime has been in existence for decades, even before we knew that it was called anime, and that includes hentai anime. Why should they now pick on it as a reason for the sexual abnormalities of isolated perverted individuals? Anime is not "cartoons," for the gazillionth time! Japan has refused to call it "cartoons" specifically because the cartoon term was a Walt Disney creation to separate kiddie shows from adult ones. Anime was never intended for kids because of its intricate plots, realistic portrayals of situations, intense characterization, and soulful views of relationships. That's what separates it from "cartoons" albeit it is portrayed in "animation" style and not with live actors. Even the most mundane anime like Dragonball Z and Akazukin Cha Cha have complicated storylines that would put Grimm's Fairytales to shame.

Second, not all hentai animes are about fucking each other's brains out. Even the most bizarre hentai anime has a storyline that could actually be a good plot for an otherwise "wholesome" anime if it were not for the head-banging sex and stuff. Of course, the fact that that perv Jessica Soho interviewed had donut dough for brains by categorizing Alice Academy as hentai didn't exactly clear the already muddled waters. Anime is being misunderstood enough as it is without her throwing in more mindless confusion. If she considers the necessary love scenes in anime as hentai, then woe befall Nobuhiro Watsuki for even creating Seisouhen or Ken Watanabe for even thinking of animating Basilisk. If I were Watsuki, I would be carrying a deathscythe right this moment to butcher GMA's so-called top journalist for mercilessly murdering my life's work, reducing it to lower that snake's spit. Seisouhen even proclaimed to all viewers to watch the movie with "all their hearts." Little did Watsuki know Soho was blaming Kaoru's unconditional love for Kenshin as a source of neurotic disorder in today's teens.

Third, I am a journalist myself and isn't it one of the basic tenets of "responsible journalism" that you always have to get both sides of the issue before presenting the same and present the sides in equal proportions so that the public can decide for themselves which side is actuall valid? Then why did that hog interview a hormonally crazed perv and failed to solicit the opinion of the other true-blue anime otakus who do not let their sexual organs think for them?

Lastly, I would like to point out that last night's episode of Jessica Soho Reports really stabbed at the very heart of the otaku culture. We, who work so hard to promote anime to the already jaded and misinformed world are being slapped so hard in the face. Anime is not just a hobby for the otaku. It is our religion, our way of live. We live and breathe anime because it is reality as "it should be." We know the characters not just as "cartoons" but as parts of our lives. I grew up with Yuusuke, fell in love with Kurama, admired Kenshin, was protected by Rekka, laughed with Ranma and Onizuka, tried hard to be like Yankumi, understood from the depths of my heart Takemoto's feelings, fought long and hard with Kira, Asran, Ichigo, and the Sanzo-gumi, played and cheered with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Eichizen, and the entire Seishun and Shohokou Academy, cried with Mitsuki, felt at peace with Tohru, and created so many memories with all my other anime friends. I came to understand life's beauty, love's magic, and friendship's strength because of anime and I want to share all these truly wonderful things with those who would just give up without even trying. I have made it through a lot of difficult times because anime was there to show me that it's never over until you say so, hence the title "Mada,mada da ne." My life is not without its proverbial potholes but I walk that path with an optimistic mind and loving heart because anime has taught me that my happiness lies in conquering my own self.

GMA once declared itself an anime nation, but GMA betrayed us otakus. Now, GMA is handing us over for a death sentence. This is beyond cruel. We cannot take this lying down...not anymore. Anime has given me and my brother the chance to believe that dreams are not mere illusions but shadows of reality that only need to be given substance. We have been living our dreams and we live to share those dreams with our fellow otakus and those who have not yet seen the light. We will not allow irresponsible people like Jessica Soho and GMA to snuff the flames that kindle our dreams. Kenshin always said a person is strongest when he lives for others and lives to protect. I endear all my fellow otakus to help protect the otaku culture and the anime nation from the new devil that has risen. THIS IS WAR!

Snow Angel

"Snow Angel" is actually the title of Onegai Teacher's theme song sung by Kotoko. It's one of those soft-themed animes which centers on the universal plot of a simple-turned-complicated love affair. However, since it is anime, it just has more depth, more edge, and more soul that your usual humdrum, shallow collection of telenovelas and blah romance novels.

I chose to name this post Snow Angel just to introduce a sweet little concept that has been floating in my sweet not-so-little mind for eternity. You see, I always have these conversations-turned-arguments with certain people regarding the concept of "love." A friend of mine challeneged me to define "love," something which I refused to do. I told him that defining Love is equivalent to placing parameters on it. In short, you are just limited with whatever definition you choose to give it. I believe this is utter crap since Love is supposed to be unconditional, transcends normal human boundaries, hence indescribable and indefinable. So I told him, "I cannot define it for I am not worthy. Only God could possibly define love. But I am human so though I cannot define Love, I know it because I can feel it...here."

Another time, another friend on the net said that Love is conditional, never unconditional since it is a contract between two persons. I think she was confusing Love with Marriage, the latter being an inviolable social contract. She also said that human love is imperfect that's why it's conditional. How sad. It seems a lot of us think so little of our capacity to love and that whatever we do in this world is just full of imperfections. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. We believe we are incapable of giving true and pure love even before we could even try. But how come we think it's so impossible to give a pure and true love? Don't we at least believe in our capacity to dream, to fulfill that dream, and to believe that since there is a Higher Being in this world, we could reach that dream of loving completely?

*Sigh*...sometimes it pains me to know that in this world, there are only few romantic idealists left. Surely, if we just think that all we are capable of giving is an imperfect human love, then there's no reason for us to even try loving at all. I am not saying I'm the only one who knows how to love but I do try to transcend beyond selfish human thinking that you only love if you're loved right back. I have loved so many times, been hurt so many times, but as I matured over the years, I've learned that there is no sweeter, more fulfilling thing than to just love without expecting anything in return. It's like sharing a part of yourself with someone and creating a memory to cherish forever...over time. There's no need for reciprocation...just the realization that you have truly learned to love.

As Takemoto said, "I often wondered if there was any meaning to a failed love. When I fell in love with you, I was truly grateful for I learned that indeed, there was a meaning. Surely...there is." Takemoto loved Hagu but Hagu could not return Takemoto's feelings. However, this did not stop Takemoto from loving her. Hagu, for her part felt that sweet, pure love that was innocent yet passionate, meek yet brave and though she could not return it in the same manner, she cherished all the memories she shared with Takemoto and loved him in her own way. Takemoto was right. There was a meaning to a "failed love." In fact...it was never a "failed love" at all.

Of course, many would still refute all these ideals that I have, but then, remember---these are MY ideals...my DREAMS. I live and breathe them. I am the way I am because I believe in them. I am not saying what I believe in is right or in any way better, but I do know one thing---I am contented with the way I love and the way I am loved back, even if the feelings returned are not in the same level. This means, I am doing something right for myself...and for that other person.

With this little piece of prose, ponder a while on these heartwarming lyrics from Snow Angel. May you have the strength to continue dreaming and loving like the rest of us at Radical Dreamers 2002...

"Two shadows are standing side by side carrying frozen hearts
Our chance meeting in this snow-white world was a miracle
meaning that I'm not alone anymore.
Instead of searching for words
I'm praying to snow angels
In the spinning, starless sky..."