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