Persona 4 The Animation Episode 7

This weeks theme REALLY delves into something I don't come across often in anime(or any other media for that matter). And that would be one's sexual orientation. Lets face it, in both reality and media, homo-sexuality has a certain social stigma attached to it. I myself don't have any problem with who someone likes as I barely have enough time to care about my own life let alone somebody else's and don't feel it is my right to criticize someone when I have my own share of faults. It's a topic that rarely comes up, and when it does always generates a bit of "talk". The only video games and shows that give this topic justice and an honorable portrayal(or even come to mind) is Indigo Prophecy, True Blood, Tokyo Godfathers, and Milk with Sean Penn. It doesn't comd up often enough, so when it does I really find it interesting. That THAT show or game is willing to touch which most everyone else won't. It adds another fold to an already dynamic narrative! So with that said I found this episode of Persona impressive for taking steps in the right direction but never really capitalizing on it...

While never DIRECTLY stated that Kanji is homo-sexual there are implications but ultimately it's up to the viewer. Personally I think that Kanji is really just confused by how he should feel with affection. His Persona grossly twists his emotions to extremes like indicating how Kanji feels towards the opposite sex. Kanji has just had bad experiences with women though hopefully he doesn't give up on them. It was nice to see the subject touched upon though if only the surface.

So BADA$S!

Amagi was pretty cool, getting to see her in action with the whole Persona summoning thing I loved it! That scene with Sato and Amagi in slime and the two boys just look'n at them with their minds full of dirtiness haha, they didn't even offer to help but instead wanted to film it for when the imagination isn't enough.

Now there were two cop outs I felt in the episode. One was when on the velvet room Morgan or something like that and The sharp nosed master offer they're help when Naru is ready and needs it. My thinking was this help would come WAAAAY later! Little did I know it would happen just 17 min's later THAT episode haha! Not that I'm complaining THAT much. I mean those snake hydra like beasts that took out Kanji Persona in it's uncontrolled form was cool but I wouldn't have minded more of a build up in music and animation and of how the beast is formed. Imagine if everyone had the "wild card" ability, they'd be pretty stacked on talent. My second complaint is the characters' interaction with Kanji. They mostly just provided us with the stereotypes of how people interact with the idea of homo-sexuality that are already out there. The awkwardness Naru and Hana showed towards seeing another guy that it is implied likes guys and them being immature about it, not wanting anything to do with seeing Kanji like that leaving it to the ladies, just proving how Kanji already felt about people being judgmental. The girls really were no different being happy he'd have no interest in them and Sato being annoyed by how Kanji's Persona acted and everyone bringing out their Personas instead to shut up alternate Kanji. Now I'll admit it was hilarious AND that Kanji was acting annoying as that was kind of over-done in regards to how over dramatic Kanji was acting. Still I wouldn't mind sacrificing the comedy and characters' reactions in favor of truly delving into the issues someone confused with their sexual orientation would experience. Still, a step in the right direction. And at the least we now have Kanji on board with the team to stop the perpetrator from throwing people in the television.

-Relic P.S. How would you like that big feller looming over your bed while you sleep?

Persona 4 the Animation Episode 6

I've laughed at ridiculousness, and then I have LAUGHED. This episode made me LAUGH. It was primarily about introducing Kanji this tough as nails degenerate kind of guy that has the whole misunderstood(his sexual orientation perhaps?) thing going for him.

Kanji is a big boy and throughout the episode had Naru and the gang running for their livers. Now I don't get how one guy beats 100 of ANYTHING, let alone a street fight/brawl. What were all the other biker gang dudes doing while Kanji kicked their buddies a$ses? Sip'n tea? It never made sense to me. While Kanji was busy I would have snuck around the back side of him and stabbed him in the spine or cut his neck open, or grab him at the least so my buddy could scrape Kanji's brain as he dug his thumbs through Kanji's eyes(28 days later comes to mind). Then again there goes the entertainment right? This is anime NOT real life, I'm sorry forgive me. Either way, for being such a tough a$s one has to wonder why he's carrying around little stuffed pink bears(which hilariously Narukami gave back to him when Kanji dropped it)? Or blushing at the thought of a guy being intrigued by him. NOW, being a dude myself I can honestly say I don't really care what anyone thinks of me(with in reason) let alone a dude. If I want to impress anyone it'd be chicks but if they don't want anything to do with me, I'm certainly not going out of my way to do them any favors. SO. I see it as meaning one of a few things. ONE, is that this guy is so anti-social and friendless by his own accord that when someone(anyone or thing) cares about him it flatters him whether it be man, woman, or insect. TWO, this guy is just SUPER shy and is embarassed when someone isn't trying to kick his a$s but try and conversate like 99% of most other people do(kinda like my first idea). THREE, is that this guy is a tad homo-erotic, and in much the same ways our male leads react to women talking to them(I don't get it, how a dude or anyone can blush just because a cute person talks to them but then again I'm practically a social retard in regards to how open I am or simply uncaring) he reacts to men talking to him. NOW I think the shows people are either going with the "were going to imply he is a homo-sexual by having people say queer and have him with strong reactions but really hes not and we tricked you the viewer, shame on you for assuming" OR go with the equally likely "You think we think we will try and fool you into thinking he's a homo-sexual but thats not the truth, when in reality we know your thinking that and he really will turn out to be a homo-sexual, shame on you for assuming you knew our gameplan". Its anyones guess at this point unless you already know and then it isn't anyones guess I suppose.

Another thing! Narukami's eye catch said he was reliably brave YET he ran away from Kanji TOO!..... TWICE! That is bull sh*t! I wanted to see my main man Naru stay calm cool and collected like the bada$s he is. Still him saying we should run away to Amagi in a monotone voice was very amusing. AH! Amagi. Not only was she back in this episode but her personality is notably more sarcastic. I like the subtle change. We also had some relational development between Amagi and Narukami. Now THAT is what I like to see! Narukami is EXACTLY like me when I'm alone with chicks or anybody for that matter all the way down to the crossed arms. You see Narukami gets it. Its not about how you really feel or are, its about how you want to be perceived. NOW, the difference is Narukami really is a bada$s, he probably in his head is thinking "ah, this silence is nice" and I on the other hand would be thinking "yea babe, I know, I'm the strong and silent type". HAHA! clearly I'm biased towards Narukami. I feel I am a bada$s and I think Narukami is too. Nothing cooler than people thinking your confident and strong even if you aren't ;) now once you get to know me I'm more like Hana. I'm half and half in fact I feel most people are. Theres a time to be cool, and a time to be silly. I wouldn't want to be like Naru at a party, people would be wondering who died lol. Time and place for everything. Now that I'm a mile off subject getting back to it, Amagi isn't good with men and is CUTE because of it, and I think Naru took advantage of this by snatching her digits. O.K. I don't know how the f*ck it happened but I think Amagi beamed her phone number to Naru just by holding their phones together..... Yea, I know. Technology these days, its amazing right?

To end it, while Sato and Hana are on recon of Kanji because he appeared on midnight television, Sato and Hana are talking to each other on phones like they're on walkie talkies but there 2 feet from eachother! Oh man, I love it. Those two are PERFECT for eachother, a match made in heaven. They start talking about munchies and all this other crap lol.  Then while running from Kanji you have a women hunting them down to give Sato her delivery of food(some crazy Japanese food) needs change which Amagi gives her ALL while running. I love a show that doesn't take itself TOO seriously, I thought it was hilarious. I couldn't get a picture of it as all the action going down made the resolution atrocious and frothy(nvm I just got a good source).

Next episode I'm thinking they'll help out Kanji. But theres an X-factor. Who is that guy(very androgynous) that is bothering Kanji? He a villain or is he doing what Naru and the gang are, trying to save people on midnight television, but lone wolf style? not sure. Anyway good episode. By the way when Nanako said her mom was dead. Man that kid is optimism at its finest. Being without a parent certainly isn't easy. I find her strength in character very refreshing and a breath of fresh air. Her dad is also trying his best as a single parent who works as a detective, and while Nanako must have been lonely before now she has big bro Narukami, I'm happy for her. Oh yea, how in the F*CK did Sato remember the scarf as a connection between Kanji's textile store and that women having an affair?!?!!? I had COMPLETELY forgotten I would never remember that. In fact only that it was a noose stool out to me. I think that revelation would make Jimmy Kudo blush.

-Relic P.S. Nice swimming trunks yo!

Persona 4 the Animation Episode 5

*disclaimer*-Yes screen caps use piss yellow subs- I loved it!(yes I know I LOVE alot of things haha, but this was an especially good episode for me.

While some might say it was filler not having TOO much to do with finding the person responsible for putting people inside the television/otherworld place. BUT I thought it was a nice break up from the previously formulaic pattern they were using(not that I minded it). The character bonding and development was invaluable to the story and I really appreciated it, smiling and chuckling a few times. It also sort of showed what th group will probably be doing meeting new people that are at risk and either preventing it OR saving their a$s. Now one thing that was a SUPER MILD complaint from me was that Amagi didn't get much in the way of screen time. I want more Amagi da*mit! Lol, still Naru thoroughly entertained me as I watch him develop into a less souless person and some one with personality. Naru reminds me alot of myself when surrounded by people I either don't know or I feel I can be the bada$s at that moment. Very few know I'm as silly as I am :P

This episode was ALL about Naru and a VERY snobby looking girl(Ai) who in reality is just a bit frivolous and full of spite and vengeance for all the wrong that was done to her, everyone has a reason for why they do what they do or how they act(unless they just want to see the world burn like the joker does, and even HE had a reason). Well Naru I must say is a big guy at least it looks that way BUT this could just be character design, which is somewhat lanky. Either way he looks like 5 foot 10 or so but then again in Chihayafuru those two dudes especially Arata look tall but they're only like 5"8, I'm about 6 and a 1/2 feet tall so that means if I was in the show I'd tower over them. But I like Naru so I'll say he's like a 6 foot bada$s.

HAHA!Everyone misinterpreting the other!

Anyway Sato wants him to help with basketball due to being tough and having a good athletic build. And thus the nightmare start for my main man Narukami haha. That nightmare in the form of a stuck up school beauty that the boys see as aneasy and loose booty call. She lost all that weight and changed her personality to be one everyone would be jealous of and admire and find someone to love her, instead finding a bunch of jerks that talk trash behind her back. Even though she was mean to Naru, he was the chivalrous knight and ran after her to look after her. I must say he makes Keith stone(known for being smooth) look like sand paper. So in treating Ai just like human should, with care and respect she wants to be courted by him. Now before this courting Naru joins the basket ball club at Ichi's beseeching. So now on the team he meets Ai and one morning she invites him on an outing for "club supplies" really just Ai's own personal shopping which Naru figured recognizing Ai as the sycophant she is. Some trust is gained yada yada, then back at the gym the boys are being boys just trashing and gossiping Ai's goodname(is it good even lol?). But Ichi tells them to stop, Ai heard all of this and thinking shes depressed or angry Naru chases after her where we learn shes actually getting the hots for Ichi who stuck up for her. This leads to Naru trying to see if Ichi likes Ai on Ai's request, long story short Ai learns that Ichi likes Sato, then some claims of suicide and comforting later Naru is now "dating" Ai until she feels better and Naru as a result is in hell because Ichi also wants to be set up with Sato and Sato is worried about Naru and Ai interprets that as a jealous crush, Ai will be jealous of Sato because Ichi likes Sato, Hana thinks Sato likes Naru and is jealous of Ai, BUT none of that is true and then Naru doesn't understand why Hana is saying things like ladies men and game of love. At one moment all the characters involved are on screen and you KNOW everyone is misinterpreting the other and we have a big cluster f*ck of misconceptions and assumption that leads to an even BIGGER fiasco, I LOVED IT! At the center is our poor bast*rd Narukami. I have been that guy SO MANY TIMES all I could do was smile.

Oh man with that mess above leading to a cat fight(which no one stops, in fact Hana stopped in the middle of the practice just to say "ah, youth!", thinking they're competing for Naru's affection) and a resolution I was happy all the way until the end. Naru is so cool. He just gets led around accepts fate and when put at the precipice of what he'll allow fights off Ai's advances. Ai isn't so bad. She just needs to love her self for who she is instead of trying to become who she thinks others want her to be. Narukami looked out for everyone until the end. Sato definitely has an affinity for Naru(I wonder if they'll hook up?) and is oblivious to Ichi's feelings. Ichi is being a little b*tch and is making ridiculous obstacles in order to confess his love for Sato. Hana is the sage of love and in trying to do good makes a giant debacle oh I do enjoy the ironic cause of harm by trying to protect. As for Amagi....

Shes going to be back! She was on the roof after the shows ED was over. With everyone back together were all going to be right in the thick of it, trying to solve the cases and figure out who is the culprit. Some of my favorite comedy moments were Naru's ringtone for Ai, it was the cliche violin one that implies bad omens and trouble, lol! He even stayed strong for all the men out there and hung up on his lady only to call her back in fear of being chewed out later. Oh the power of women. Then when Ai is saying her heart was racing and Naru thinks it might be because of him she admits to liking Ichi and immediately the music cuts haha. And Naru is becoming more and more human, he even smiled in this episode after making a paper crane. Nice to see the enigmatic Narukami's hobbies and innocence every once in awhile.

-Relic P.S. At the end of a day or a blog entry I do what Narukami does. Look at the good I've done, remember how agonizing it was, sigh, and get ready for the next gauntlet.