[net.tv] Animation and the C/FO

dhp@ihnp1.UUCP (07/06/83)

I'm a member of the Cartoon/Fantasy Organization in Chicago (though
slightly behind in my dues, (Sorry, George Patten!)).  Anyway, while
I enjoy animation in general, (I'll take a classic Bugs Bunny cartoon like
"What Opera, Doc?" any time!) I find special delight in modern Japanese
animation.  The Japanese are currently in much the same cultural phase
that the U.S. was in during the late 50's and and early 60's.  This
includes a real cultural addiction for flashy hardware and the attitude
that while science can create ills, it can also solve them too.

This is for me is somewhat refreshing, considering the Luddite wave of
anti-technology that has swept our culture for the last 15 years or so.
Japanese animation is supremely moralistic as well.  The basic thrust of
most shows goes something like this:

Peace and Freedom are not a right of existence, you must defend them.
There are bad guys around (whether human or not) just waiting for you
to let down your guard so that they can take over.  First, alot of
innocent people are killed (quite graphically) because you weren't 
ready for them.  Next, the surviving defenders have to go out and 
destroy (sometimes genocidally) the bad guys.  Alot of bad guys
die (again quite graphically) and so do some of the good guys.  It is
not unusual for main characters in the show to die in the process of
protecting what they love.  Finally, the bad guys are driven off, or
totally destroyed, and peace once again reigns.  Those who did not
survive to see the return of peace are mourned.  Such is the price of
freedom.

Admittedly, some of the above elements are somewhat shocking to Western
audiences.  First of all, they don't expect to see blood-and-guts 
violence in animation.  Second, the harsh morals communicated by the 
show are hard to stomach in their own right (I am sure that the 
"flames" about the above will be quite graphic as well).  But, I think
that the above, while simplistic and unappetizing, is a more honest
and forthright world view than Western animation, and even live action
TV shows.  

-- 
					Douglas H. Price
					Analysts International Corp.
					at BTL IH Naperville, IL
					..!ihnp4!ihnp1!dhp (312) 979-6431

rtf@ihuxw.UUCP (07/07/83)

Mr. Price,

	Your description of these Japanese animated films sounds
very interesting.  I would appreciate some additional information
on where they may be viewed and also the C/FO.

					Sparrow