The Leaderless Landscape

There is nothing that more masterfully mirrors the decline of KyoAni than the image above. The franchise that tremendously torpedoed KyoAni into the stratosphere of anime fandom love has, perhaps fittingly, disappeared into a completely different world, perhaps leaving a sense of melancholy in the ranks of KyoAni animators. Nagato Yuki now makes me think of Saki Miyanaga with glasses and purple hair-dye, while Haruhi makes me think of Kancolle's Kongou in a student uniform.

After a long absence, the world of Haruhi finally finds its way back into the world of anime, but it's no longer in the world of KyoAni. To be fair, KyoAni still retains a place of prominence in the anime world. However, it's no longer like a mighty colossus looming lusciously large, as it bestrides the anime landscape, leaving all others in its shadows.

In fact, the anime landscape is now effectively leaderless. Which is something I find vaguely interesting given how long KyoAni was dominant for, and how SHAFT once seemed on the verge of claiming KyoAni's crown.

In this blog entry, I will explore the current landscape of the anime world, as I ask the question "can anybody rise to the heights once enjoyed by KyoAni?" Don't worry, I intend to get back to my Love Live! series reviews soon. First, though, I take a trip down memory lane, before steadfastly swerving swiftly, like Miyamori Aoi driving a car, to more current affairs.

Does Anime Lack Wit?

I recently watched the first episode of the new Iron Man anime.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt that it did justice to the character of Tony Stark/Iron Man. I also felt that its characterization and plot did a superb job of mixing a very western Americanized superhero character into a very eastern Anime-esque setting. Iron Man isn't quite a stranger in a strange land here, but the contrasts between his personality and the Japanese culture that he's coming in contact with where nicely played upon, in my opinion.

However, not all felt the way I did here, and one particular comment to that effect stood out to me.

The Evolution of Anime

In recent months over on Anime Suki's General Anime forum, there have been a few threads basically questioning and debating over the recent direction of anime and its industry. Most of these threads have been started by critics of that direction; those critics tending to be people who were anime fans during the 80s or 90s or possibly even before those decades.

In those debates, I've often played the role of advocate for the critics position, since that's the more unpopular position, and I think that it's sometimes good to give voice to unconventional, unpopular positions in order to put conventional wisdom to the test. This can lead discussions into greater depths, as people dig deeper and deeper to support their own positions. In doing so, within the context of a debate over anime, people can learn more about anime itself, from both their own research, as well as from the knowledge put forward by the other side of the issue.


From these debates, and from paying closer attention to recent season line-ups for anime, I am noticing a profound shift of sorts, I think.

And the shift isn't necessarily what people think it is, although it is related to that.


The Anime Suki poster Bri provided data indicating that there has been a decline in anime of the fantasy and sci-fi genres (as well as in two other genres that escape me right now). By "decline", I mean a lower percentage of the total number of animes put out each year.


But, I don't think that the issue is so much a decline in any one particular genre.

I believe, good reader, that the issue is that the genres themselves have changed. But while the genres have changed, it has lead to a particular type of anime to thoroughly dominate the industry (i.e. account for, in all likelihood, over 50% of all animes produced since the conclussion of Code Geass R2). This domination of one particular type of anime is vaguely perceived by fan and critic alike, but is often mistaken for "moe", or "ecchi", or "fanservice", or "lolicon", or any number of anime elements or conventions.

What I'm refering to is ultimately bigger than any of that, and you'll see what it is that I'm referring to shortly.


First, though, let's look at the new genres...


Genre 1 - Avant Garde Sophisticaed School



Flagship Animation Company: SHAFT

Key anime examples: Bakemonogatari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Durarara!!

Likely Spring 2010 examples: Arakawa under the Bridge


In recent years, this genre has taken off, and has truly blossomed. It is distinct from other school-based animes in that it has a certain level of maturity and literature quality to it. It is very dialogue heavy, and relies on genuinely witty repartee. Animes of this type have a crisp comedic edge to them, but also tend to take themselves somewhat seriously by casting a somewhat darker mood than what many school-based anime have.

They aim to be hip and trendy; they are your College Professor's anime, you could say. They are the animes that you would probably find the easiest to write lengthy College papers on.

This modern anime genre also tends to be accompanied by a very avant garde artstyle and animation flare. SHAFT has mastered this artyle and animation approach unlike any other animation studio. It could even be said that SHAFT has helped to give life to this modern anime genre.


Genre 2 - SuperSpecialSweet Moe School!


Flagship Animation Company: Kyoto Animation

Flagship Source Material Provider: Key

Key anime examples: Clannad, Kanon, Air, K-On!

Likely Spring 2010 examples: Kiss x Sis, Yutori-Chan, K-On! Season 2


When people talk about moe, in reference to entire anime series' (and not just to indvidual characters), it's the animes in this modern anime genre that they are thinking of.

Animes within this genre are there to pull on your heart-strings; they're there to make you feel all warm and cuddly inside, at least about the characters involved. They're there to make you go "oooooo" and "aaaaa" over the eloquent cuteness of it all. When it comes to pure emotional investment, this modern anime genre can touch the hearts of its biggest fans like no other.

Now... none of this means that these animes are necessarily dumb, or anti-intellectual. I want to be clear about that. Clannad: After Story, for example, has a very profound and touching story to it. Its principal characters are very thoughtful people, and its familial themes are not ones to be taken lightly.

But, on the flip-side, animes of this modern genre can also be as carefree and light-hearted as K-On!

What ties K-On! and Clannad: After Story together is that they both have that same moe visual style, and they both seek to arouse strong positive emotions from the viewer through watching cute and playful non-jaded characters try to achieve their hopes and dreams.

This anime genre fuses innocence with a gentle intelligence; represented best, perhaps, by the Clannad: After Story character of Kotomi.


Genre 3 - Lustful Lesbian Love School!


Key anime examples: Kampfer, Ikki Tousen

Likely Spring 2010 examples: B Gotta H Kei, Ikki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor

This anime genre is basically the modern version of the ecchi genre. You can even think of this title as just "ecchi" if you wish. However, it's a bit more precise than ecchi in that it is always based within a school setting.



Genre 4 - Action School


Flagship Source Material Provider: Ryukishi07

Key anime examples: Higurashi no naku koro ni, Okami Kakushi, Mai HiME

Likely Spring 2010 examples: Angel Beats, Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maou

Animes in this genre fuse loads of action with a predominant school or academic setting. The action can come both in a gorey type, but also in the more conventional combat style of the anime Mai HiME. The works of Ryukishi07 has really taken this modern anime genre by storm in recent years.



Genre 5 - School Sports!



Key anime examples: Prince of Tennis, Cross Game, Ookiku Furikabatte, Major

Likely Spring 2010 examples: Ookiku Furikabatte Season 2, Major Season 6

This genre is pretty self-explanatory. In fairness to Cross Game, it's about much more than just sports... but baseball certainly is a key component of the anime.

Along with these 5 modern anime genres, there is a sixth... Historical Pieces. This is a genre that seems to be rising in popularity as well.


However, for the purposes of this blog entry, I'm mostly concerned with these five.

Why, you ask?

Because they all have something in common.

If you can't figure out what it is, well... you probably should go back to school then. ;) :D


0utf0xZer0, a good friend of mine from Anime Suki, once took note of how little the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya appeared to impact on anime, at least as far as influencing future anime titles was concerned.

Au contraire, mon ami. ;)

What that anime did is become the catalyst of a vast number of new modern anime genres, all rooted to varying degrees in Haruhi's anime.

I'm sure she would be quite proud of this accomplishment...


You see, the way a new big hit within an entertainment genre influences the future of that genre is not always with carbon copies of that big hit itself. Rather, what often happens is that people are inspired by one or another particular part of that new big hit.

Haruhi's melancholic soliloquies and Koizumi's philosophical treatises inspire Avant Garde Sophisticated School

The moe character designs and art style inspire SuperSpecialSweet Moe School

Haruhi's molestation of Mikuru inspires Lustful Lesbian Love School

Yuki Nagato vs. Ryoko Asakura inspires Action School

And the Boredom of Haruhi Suzumiya inspires Sports School


The five fingers of the hand of Haruhi are a creative force leading to these five new anime genres. ;)

And, as a big fan of Haruhi's anime, I do like a lot of the animes within them.


But... and you knew a but was coming, I'm sure ;) ... the result is that more and more anime are, I think, school-based.

Even animes that aren't school-based are increasingly borrowing from the school-based anime character types popularized in the Haruhi anime.

Case in point being the Sacred Boobsmi... er, the Sacred Blacksmith. ;)


This is why you don't see many of the traditional genres played straight any more in anime. The atmosphere of the school has spread out, and is touching many an anime now. Of course, a huge number of modern animes are school-based as it is.


Now, I want to be clear here on two points...

1. School-based animes can be great. As I've commented before, it's incredible how anime can make something as mundane (and usually hated) as school seem comedic, dynamic, thought-provoking, exciting, fun, and just an overall blast of adrenaline. A totally cool real rush, if you will.

However, there's only so many ways you can play out a Student Council. There's only so many ways you can play out school-based activities. School-based animes bring a nice structure with them, but because of that, they also bring limitations too. There's only so many different sorts of characters that you can have as students in a school. They generally can't be defined or fleshed out through a full-time profession or career, for example.


2. School-based animes aren't just animes that happen to have schools in them. For an anime to be school-based it needs to have a solid majority of its acitivity center around the school, and/or a group based on people who go to the same school together.


One of the limitations of a school-based anime is that it doesn't naturally lend itself to something that I've come to miss... and which I think anime has come to miss.

And that is... epic stories. Epic in the traditional pre-internet sense of the term. Epic as in stories where the fate of an entire world, for example, hangs in the balance. Basically, an epic story has a major plotline, and major reprocussions within its own fictional universe.


And... as hard as I find it to believe given what the 2nd half of its 2nd season was like... I'm really missing Code Geass now.

Code Geass and Gurren Lagann.

Because they had epic stories.


Looking at the Spring 2010 anime selection, I don't see a Code Geass or a Gurren Lagann there. The closest to it, as far as being epic is concerned, is probably Angel Beats. But that, of course, borrows much more from the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya than it does from anything else.


This, I think, may be at the crux of many of the criticisms made of modern anime.

Just a simple lack of epic stories; stories that go beyond the limitations of the school.


Nothing wrong with school-based animes, and these modern anime genres... but they should not completely supplant the older genres of fantasy and sci-fi.

Overall, modern anime is still doing pretty good in most regards, I'll admit.


But we could badly use another Rebellion against Britannia, or another fight against the Anti-Spirals, just about now.


As always, any and all comments are welcomed. My apologies to anybody I may have inadvertently offended with this blog entry.

You Will Have Them Both!

The poll results are in! And just like so many recent Canadian federal elections, it's a nail-biter of a conclusion with out anybody, or any option, gaining a majority. However, instead of making passionate calls for a majority much like Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently did, I'm instead going to take a page from Tatewaki Kuno's book: You will have them both! ;)

With "Bakemonogatari", and "Top 10 Anime Characters", each capturing 39% of the vote, and an identical vote total, I'm going to start doing blog entries on both soon. You will get your 'tsundere'...


And you will also get your pigtailed girl!



I don't think that it's giving away too much at this point to reveal that Haruhi Suzumiya is in my Top 10 anime characters of all time. ;)


So just like the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, my faithful readers... you will have them both! :D

Ah, but what's that you say my faithful readers?

There's actually three girls in Kuno's ultimate wet dream picture above?

Indeed there are!

And that's because I'm also going to watch 3rd place finisher Umineko, and at the very least, do a blog on its entire season once it is completed. :)

Thanks to everybody who took the time to vote. Before the end of the week, we will begin counting down my Top 10 anime characters of all time! And, also before the end of the week, I will be doing a blog on Bakemonogatari.

Right now, I'm leaning towards reviewing each of Bakemonogatari's arcs - perhaps doing one such review for every three character countdowns on the top 10 list.

So, please stay posted for more on both of these upcoming blog themes!

What Should I Do Next?

Here's a shout out to any and all people who follow this blog!

Now, sadly, Haruhi 2009 likely comes to an end this coming Thursday/Friday.

After that, I probably should start blogging on a new topic. To address what that topic should be, I've put up a short five-option poll on the right side of this blog. Please take the poll! :D

One idea I had was sharing my list of Top 10 Anime Characters of All-Time with my blog readers: Putting up a blog for each one as I count down through my Top 10, probably over the span of two to three weeks, and explaining why each one comes in where he or she does on that list.

However, that would lead to me delving into a lot of anime characters that haven't been seen in awhile, so it may bore the cutting edge denizens of Anime Suki who check out this blog. On the other hand, you may get to learn a little bit about anime history with at least a couple of my selections... so that may be interesting to you as well. ;)

Still, I've provided some other alternatives.

First, is that I could do blogs that try to evaluate and break down Bakemonogatari. This is one anime that I'm currently following and enjoy quite a bit.

The other three options, my awesome readers, are three ongoing animes that I've seen some of, and truly enjoyed some of, but have lost interest in: Bleach, Valkryia Chronicles, and Umineko.

So... if one of them wins, you'll be bringing a fan back into the fold for one of these animes! So if you're an Umineko fan, and you want to force me to watch Umineko, here's your chance! ^_^;

So, long story short, please tell me what you'd like me to blog about next, after Haruhi rides off into the Endless sunset after a Summer of discontent... ;)

My Take on Kyon X Haruhi.

So... as a big fan of the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime, and as a big fan of the character of Haruhi Suzumiya, what do I think of the popular, and likely canon, pairing of Kyon and Haruhi?

Well, if you've actually read all of my posts on the matter over on Anime Suki's Haruhi subforum, you know that I've kind of wobbled on this; moved back and forth on it a lot. I'm certainly not a KyonHaruhi shipper, but nor am I passionately tied to either of the possible in-universe alternative pairings (by "in-universe" I mean characters strictly from this anime, novel, and franchise).

From what I can gather, Anime Suki's Haruhi subforum is overwhelmingly pro-KyonHaruhi. So much so that I was once mildly flamed on that subforum for the mere suggestion that the novels could conceivably end with the establishment of an alternative pairing. So if Anime Suki is any indication (and it probably is, I think), then this is the preferred pairing of the anime's fandom by far.

So, why then, do I feel... uneasy about it? Why do I not quite get the appeal to this pairing in particular? Why am I pretty 'meh' over it?

Well... let's see if I can explain.

I do like Kyon and Haruhi a lot as close platonic friends, and as a comedic duo. On that level, they resonate nicely with me. There's a sharp contrast between the two that helps both grow as individuals, and which also makes them anime's version of the comedian (Haruhi) and the straight man (Kyon). However, while the comedian and the straight man are nice to see as crime fighting duos in law enforcement movies (Lethal Weapon, Men In Black, etc...), I don't quite picture two such personalities as making a good life-long romantic pairing.

One image that I simply can't shake from my mind, when it comes to this pairing, is the image of a thoroughly emasculated, whipped, and submissive adult Kyon getting bossed around day and night by an unmatched adult Haruhi Suzumiya. That's simply not my image of a good long-term relationship.

Sighs Part 4, which I've chosen not to review in a minutia review since Ascaloth did a better job of it than I think that I can do, does in fairness provide one possible point of light to shine through that horrifically one-sided relationship darkness. That being, of course, the famous scene where Kyon stood up to Haruhi and actually managed to get her to stop mistreating Mikuru, if only for a brief respite.

And, if we get to see more of Kyon effectively reigning Haruhi in (as opposed to his numerous ineffectual attempts to reign her in) then perhaps I'll see this pairing in a more positive light. As is, however, that image of a monstrously mismatched marriage is persistent within my mind.


Now, I don't actually fault Kyon for being the way that he is when it comes to Haruhi. Due to Haruhi's powers and Kyon's awareness of them, and due to Haruhi having a more assertive and domineering personality than him, and due to Haruhi's frequent mood swings and emotional instability, I can't really blame Kyon for not taking Itsuki up on his suggestion to hug Haruhi from behind and say "I love you" to her. It's not hard to see why Kyon would be more than a bit hesitant to romantically confess to Haruhi even if he does hold deep romantic feelings for her. One false move could be disastrous, and Kyon knows this.

... But, still, that is the problem. Kyon is holding back, and for perfectly legitimate reasons, but... he's still holding back. The only exception, really, being the one time he kissed Haruhi... and even that can be explained away within Kyon's mind as a necessary action to get Haruhi to not destroy the Earth ("Snow White"... nice subtle hint there, Mikuru, lol). And for Haruhi, it happened in a dream, meaning that it doesn't signify to her that Kyon has romantic feelings for her.

Kyon's understandable restraint towards Haruhi has two effects for me - nice subtle moments, but also awkwardness. It means that there's not really any sparks flying between these two. There's just no chemistry there, for me. This is compounded by the fact that the two have such widely diverse personalities; Kyon frequently strikes me as almost having a wet blanket effect on Haruhi. That's fine to a degree, but what makes Haruhi such an awesome character to me is, in very large part, her bold and relentless personality.

And while I can like nice subtle moments (such as the frequently referenced pony tail scenes), a good romance has to be more than just subtlety in my opinion. You need some real bells and whistles to compliment the subtle moments.

The episodes most frequently sited as providing good KyonHaruhi scenes are Live Alive, Someday in the Rain, and the one with the kiss in it.

Live Alive has some splendid friendship moments between Kyon and Haruhi, but there's nothing there that strongly stands out as romance to me. It's just more of the same subtlety that can be taken as cute friendship as easily as it can be taken as serious romance. Put it this way: If these were two girls acting and talking to each other this way, would it strike you as yuri, or just as good friendship? I believe that K-On has the answer to that. ;)


As for Someday in the Rain, I recently read it raised over on Anime Suki that Haruhi giving an umbrella to Kyon for the two to walk under has a very strong romantic 'Oomph!' to it within the Japanese culture. Kaisos and Ithekro even seemed to suggest that this one small gesture on Haruhi's part (and Kyon's acceptance of it) means that KyonHaruhi is a done deal. Well... I have a couple issues with that...

1) If so, why aren't Haruhi and Kyon talking to one another as girlfriend and boyfriend in later novels? Someday in the Rain doesn't seem to have altered the standing of their relationship at all from where it stood before

2) I'm sorry but... this is an awfully lame way to establish a romance, in my view. For Heaven's sake, if KyonHaruhi is the way that the franchise goes it better involve a spoken romantic confession at the absolute least.

It's a charming moment to be sure, but real romance goes farther than this.


All of the above being said... it's not easy to go against the flow, and it's not easy to feel like you're taking away from a passionate shipper's enjoyment of a particular pairing. So, to any KyonHaruhi shipper reading this, don't let my words detract from your appreciation of this pairing. I'm mainly trying to explain why I'm personally still not sold on it... mainly as a seque into what I like in a romance.

So, what is it that I like in a romance? ;)


These are the seven key elements...

1) A good developing stage. It should involve more than love at first sight, but it shouldn't take forever either. Some bashfulness and hesitancy is cute, even for strong-willed characters like Haruhi. But after a year or two of being friendly with one another, it really is time to get on with making it an established romance. The developing stage is a good point for subtle scenes.

2) Two characters with similar personalities but complimentary skill sets. If the personalities are too different, it clashes nastily for me. If the skill sets are identical, it makes the characters seem redundant to each other to me. Thankfully, Haruhi and Kyon do have complimentary skill sets. Their personalities, however...

3) A particular hook. Say the guy is really good at being upbeat and cheerful, and the girl needs added self-confidance in her life. Or say the girl is great at school and the guy needs help with his studies.

4) A good romantic confession scene. See Hitagi in Bakemonogatari for a modern example of a good romantic confession.

5) Some real sparks flying. Dancing with one another. Sharing laughs with each other. Kissing each other. Energetically celebrating shared successes. Each showing real congratulations and happiness for the other's successes. Being cheeky. Acting like an item. You don't need to actually show sex, but you usually need to show a lot of the above.

6) And, finally, after sparks have flown for awhile, you can have them settle into 'casual love' (or you can have 'casual love' flow into 'real sparks flying'). For 'casual love', I again reference Bakemonogatari with Hitagi and Araragi (man, that is such a good canon pairing - a lot can be learned from it). Check out how casually Hitagi calls Araragi her lover, and shows concern over his future. Folks, this is how real people talk to one another once they're firmly in a committed, long-term romantic relationship.

7) An equal partnership, and strong mutual respect.

If a romance has five or more of the seven, I'm game. Six or more, and I love it. Four or less... and I'm not sold yet. Which is why I'm not sold on KyonHaruhi yet. Maybe one day.


So, am I a shipper for any alternative pairings?


Definitely not in Haruhi's case.

Itsuki? Too fabulous. ;) In all seriousness, too much of a yes man.

Taniguchi? Taniguchi loathes Haruhi, and it shows. ^_^;

Kunikida? They're about the same height, which is neat, but aside from that, no way.

The CCP? Maybe if I was really heavily into S&M... ;) ^_^; Heh!

Either of the girls? ...I've played around with the idea of Haruhi/Mikuru, but I can only see it working long-term if Mikuru grows a spine.


So, yeah, in-universe, Kyon is definitely Haruhi's best option, I have to admit that. But as for Kyon...


I kind of like the idea of Kyon and Mikuru (big).


I get a chuckle out of the idea of Mikuru (big) going back in time to help the teenage boy that eventually becomes her husband. It kind of would explain why Mikuru (big) told Kyon that he could steal a kiss from her sleeping younger self too. ;) However, until Mikuru (normal) grows a spine, I'm not really that interested in her with anybody.


Kyon and Yuki had some really nice cute moments in Novel 4. Yuki is an exception to my "sparks must fly!" rule, because her personality is so reserved in general. So, I'd be willing to forgive an understated romance of subtlety between her and Kyon.


"Laws of Tsuruya" really made me like Kyon and Tsuruya. But that's such an unlikely possibility that I don't know if it's even worth considering. I'm totally game with any fanfics that go with this pairing, though.


Right now... I kind of like KyonYuki best. No one pairing is totally sold on me yet though.

I should clarify that "sold on me" doesn't mean "I accept it". I accept that KyonHaruhi is the most likely course for the novels to take. But I'm not sold on it in the sense that I just don't find it compelling on a romantic level yet. Sorry, but I don't.

Here's one final reason why. My conception of Haruhi's ideal boyfriend is...


1) Somebody with a personality to match her own. Somebody charismatic and dynamic. Somebody who's usually upbeat and in high spirits, like Haruhi herself is. Basically, somebody who Haruhi can revel in exciting activities and past times with. Clearly having fun together. That's the key.

2) Somebody, though, that's a bit more focused than Haruhi, and can help her refine her energy, so to speak. This is the hook that I'd like to see in Haruhi's boyfriend - not somebody that simply holds her back and keeps her in line; but rather somebody that shares her enthusiasm and zest for life and shows her how to channel it in logical and productive ways.

3) In turn, it would be nice if Haruhi could do something to help her boyfriend out in his maturation process.

4) Somebody who shares Haruhi's interests, at least to a degree.

5) Somebody that Haruhi truly likes and respects and would consider an equal partner in a romantic relationship with her.

6) Somebody that conveys Number 5 to me. I see them in a scene together, and I can tell that they're on an equal footing with each other.


In Haruhi's universe, there's nobody even remotely like this sadly.


Through out anime as a whole?

There's a few. Anybody who's read my The El Hazard of Haruhi Suzumiya fanfic knows one person in particular that I'm thinking of (don't attempt to read that fanfic unless you have a lot of spare time on your hands, lol ;) ). For a more modern example... Battler from Umineko comes to mind.

Can Kyon eventually fit the above six, or at least most of them? Well, he has 3 and 4 in spades, and a little bit of 2. That's all for now, though.

KyonHaruhi is close to good for me, but it's not quite there yet. Maybe one day it will be.

Any comments would be appreciated... even flames from KyonHaruhi shippers, lol. :D