Month: January 2020

 

One of the most westernized anime in the history of the anime business is the Dragonball franchise. The Dragon Ball series started in 1984 and went until 2018 and has 3 main series and two spinoff series. The series consisted of Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball Super, and the two spinoff series Dragonball GT and Dragon Heroes. The show has been one of the most popular anime throughout the decades in the U.S. Even if you are not an avid fan of anime chances are you have heard of dragon ball z. It was a part of almost every kids childhood and even now it is the perfect anime to watch if you are looking to get into anime. As any series of that long there are many ups and downs in animation and storytelling however the anime itself is a classic. If you are interested in action shows, superhero shows, or just a fun show with generally good animation this is definitely something you should check out. 

To start Dragon Ball follows the main character Goku during his childhood years and his adventures fighting bad guys who are trying to steal the 7 dragonballs, which are 7 balls that when gathered are used to grant one wish. This part of the series is when Goku meets all of his friends and they get to fight against the evil in their world. Then Dragonball Z is about Goku as an adult and follows the same principle, about fighting against all the evils they face. However Dragon Ball Z is more developed than Dragon ball due to their release dates. Dragon Ball Z is actually a better place to start the series then Dragonball because it is more developed and gives the viewer a better insight into the anime rather than Dragon ball. Finally the trilogy ends with Dragonball Super which takes place a little after Dragonball Z, and becomes an even more interesting show with the introduction to new universes and gods that affect the way Goku and friends go about their lives. 

The animation of the show is well done but can have its flaws. The show is long running so the pivotal moments of each series do have amazing animation but some of the filler episodes can have lackluster animation but the major scenes animation is spectacular. The characters also go through major developments throughout the series, such as changing from villain to hero. The show itself has gone through so many cultural developments throughout the years that make it very easy to get attached and fall in love with the show. If you had to get started with an anime, might as well be the most popular anime in the US over the years. 

 

Many of us are marvel fans or even just like the thought of superheroes or a superhuman society. When I think of the superhero genre there is always one crucial anime that comes to mind, My Hero Academia. Being one of the most popular shows not only in Japan but the entire world, My Hero Academia has broken down the barriers of what superhero anime and television could be. Many U.S marvel or superhero fans do not know about this anime but I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the superhero genre or just a well put together story in general. Since this is the first new passion blog of the semester I will be providing a more brief summary of the anime, including plot and animation. Also, at the end I will provide reasons why I believe people who like the hero genre should definitely try this anime out. 

First My Hero Academia, takes place in a world where everybody has superpowers called quirks. Some quirks are better suited for superhero jobs and some not so much. However our main character Midoriya Izuku, also known as Deku, is quirkless. His dream was to become a superhero, but it was cut short due to a genetic mutation that made him unable to manifest a quirk. With his dreams crushed he gave up on his superhero dream, until he came across his hero idol who passes down a quirk to him and thus gives him powers. The show is about his journey to becoming the number 1 hero. The plot of this show is developed exceptionally well. Although the plot description I gave makes it seem like a very one dimensional cliche show however the writers do an amazing job of bringing all the characters to life and making the show have depth that is unmatched in the anime community. The story always hooks the viewer between episodes and I find myself agonizing over the wait for the next episode. The animation is also unmatched in the anime community. Animated by Studio Bones, one of the most prestigious animation studios in Japan, each scene leaves the viewer in awe at the graphics. Out of all the anime I have watched this show has some of the most consistently amazing graphics, making you never disappointed in an episode. 

Many Marvel fans fall in love with the series because of the diverse cast that the MCU has to offer with nuanced story telling that couples with beautiful cinematography. My hero academia also has all of that, the heroes in the show are all diverse with very creative super powers. The storytelling is done in a way that you never know what is next, even if the story seems cliche on paper. Also, the animation is stunning leaving viewers speechless after every episode. If you are a marvel/superhero fan or just a fan of good television My hero Academia is an Anime you must watch 

For my passion blog I intend to continue with the same topic of reviewing anime that I have watched. I still have many to review as I have watched over 30 anime so I still have material for the second semester. To change up the approach slightly I will be trying to apply each anime show I review to an american show or specific genre ton try to connect to the audience more and maybe even get them involved in anime. Also, to make the information fersh I will probably be changing the format of the review and grading scale so that the blogs do not seem monotonous. One of my biggest passions is watching anime and understanding the thematic elements behind it, so I felt that it would be interesting to me to continue this blog, but I would try to make a more conscious effort to relate to my audience better. In semester 1 I struggled to engage my audience because the reviews did not really pertain to them, but this semester I would make a much more conscious effort to engage the audience better. I could also give information on the studio that drew the anime which could make or break the quality of a season or show. I plan to pursue the same general topic but with some added variance to keep things fresh this semester.