Kanako Itamae and Walter Sebastian

Modern Tokyo Times

Kokoro Connect is a very gentle anime series which focuses on five main characters. The one binding feature of these individuals is that they are all members of the Cultural Research Club. Therefore, the interconnections and new forces which enter their lives have this common denominator.

The anime idea came from a book series which was written by Sadanatsu Anda. In a sense it is the simplicity of the idea which makes Kokoro Connect so fascinating. This is often the way in anime because Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (We Still Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day) also had a very simple theme. However, just like Kokoro Connect, the storyline could easily flow in many directions.

Taichi, Himeko, Iori, Yoshifumi and Yui are the five main characters which enchant this fascinating anime series. They all belong to the Cultural Research Club and it appears that nothing special is happening in their lives. Yet, this all changes when a mysterious being (Heartseed) enters their world.  

From this moment they experience a remarkable phenomenon whereby each individual can now enter into the bodies of all the other individuals. This clearly creates amazing wonder and both shocking fear alongside many emotions. Therefore, this new reality puts their friendship and wellbeing to the test.

This first occurrence happens to Aoki and Yui when they realize that they can swap their respective minds. In time all five individuals understand that they all share the same power because of the mysterious entity which enters their world.

At first this mysterious new reality bowls them over because prior to this they were just five ordinary people. Therefore, they try to overcome all negative related issues to their new situations, in order to experience new ways. However, all hidden emotions also become known because their hearts and inner thoughts are connected.

The simplicity of the plot line means that all five main individuals have different personalities. Likewise, they have different friends and family related situations. This enables many emotions to come to the surface. Also, it is a great theme to provide many series because the writer can easily change direction. Indeed, it is the simplicity of the storyline which is most appealing.

Therefore, Kokoro Connect, just like We Still Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day; can maintain the interest of the individual because of the spiritual and natural dimensions to the storyline. If individuals enjoy anime and gentle plot lines which will keep them fascinated over many series, then Kokoro Connect is well worth viewing.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anime-spotlight/2012/summer/kokoro-connect  

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

James Jono and Hiroshi Saito

Modern Tokyo Times

The Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, was adamant that Bill 156 would stem the tide of extreme sexual depictions of children in Japanese anime and manga. Other individuals countered that Bill 156 would infringe on artists and other forms of freedom by enforcing censorship throughout Tokyo. Therefore, both sides were extremely divided by the new measure which was introduced last year on July 1, 2011.

More than one year later in 2012 and it is clear that Bill 156 is either currently ineffective or that individuals with enforcement powers don’t believe that Bill 156 is being violated. Either way, the bullish comments about clamping down on extreme images of minors which can be found in some areas of Japanese anime and manga, appears not to have been materialized.

The Daily Yomiuri, one of the most powerful newspapers in Japan, commented in their article titled “No manga banned by Tokyo as too racy” comments that “One year since Tokyo’s youth protection ordinances were revised to prevent the sale of anime and manga containing extreme sexual content to minors, not one publication has been deemed unfit for consumption.”

“Ryokichi Yama, head of the editing ethics committee at the Japan Magazine Publishers Association, which has more than 90 domestic publishers among its members, said the Tokyo government has not applied the new standard to any publications because it is cautious.”

Shintaro Ishihara believes differently because according to him individuals who are in the trade related to sexual images, stories, graphics, and so on, are acting more responsible. Therefore, Shintaro Ishihara states that “Writers and publishers have started using common sense when it comes to publishing books.”

This statement appears rather mild given the comments made by Shintaro Ishihara prior to the enactment of Bill 156. More than likely, both sides have responded in a mutually beneficial way which will maintain the vibrancy of Japanese anime and manga. After all, racy anime and manga can easily be bought in Tokyo and given the mass complexities of regulating a vibrant industry then maybe the “economic impact” is also infringing on a clampdown? If so, this begs the question of enacting Bill 156 in the first place.

It must be stated that many artists, individuals who adore the sexual nature of Japanese anime and manga, organizations which support the freedom of speech and a host of other areas voiced their opposition to Bill 156. The reasons are varied but the main central theme is “civil liberties” because artistic freedom is essential in all societies which are modern. Also, it is argued that the extreme nature of parts of Japanese anime and manga are based on “fantasy,” “connecting to a-make-belief-world” and natural escapism. Therefore, the viewers clearly understand that the images they are watching are nothing more than manga, anime and harmless erotica. This implies that it isn’t depicting reality and given this fact it is complex to clampdown against unreality.

The ordinance passed by Shintaro Ishihara was aimed at sexual scenes related which depict rape, child marriage, sexual abuse of minors, incest, and other areas of concern. Supporters of Bill 156 believe that safety measures are needed in order to protect children and society from sexual predators. However, do individual who watch sexual anime and manga scenes go on and abuse children? This once more relates to Japanese anime and mange being based on fantasy characters and not real life images of children. The gap is enormous and clearly children are abused sexually all over the world but to point the finger at Japanese anime and manga would be extreme.

Also, the ordinance only applies to Tokyo and this in itself highlights that if Bill 156 was regulated tightly then local business in this area would just relocated to Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba. It takes roughly 11 minutes by express train or semi-express train to reach Saitama prefecture from Ikebukuro in Tokyo. Likewise, you can reach Kanagawa very quickly from Shinjuku by using the Odakyu Line and so forth. Therefore, even if Bill 156 was effectual it would not be solving anything – if anything, it would be spreading the problem to other areas.

In a past article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “Also, what if you buy animation which depicts rape, incest, and the abuse of minors, from an online company based in another part of Japan?  Will this also become illegal?  If so, then what measures can prevent packages from containing the newly banned material and if individuals download their new purchase online then are they breaking the law? “

International organizations point the finger at Japan but more than likely Japanese crime rates and abuse against children will compare favorably with any nation in the world. Also, in Saudi Arabia it is legal under Islamic Sharia law for old men of 60 years old and even older, to marry young girls of 8 years of age and 10 years of age. This also happens in other nations which abide by Islamic sharia law. Therefore, which is worse?

In Japan it is clear that young children are protected by Japanese law from being forced into marriages which they don’t understand. This is in stark contrast to nations like Saudi Arabia and Yemen where state sanctioned Islam allows children to get married to old men. Therefore, are nations claiming that child marriage in Saudi Arabia is leading to an epidemic of child abuse in this country?

Japanese anime and manga is based on fantasy, escapism, and other aspects, and clearly you have a very creative angle to the characters involved, even if people don’t agree to the context. If you had a firm link between child abuse and rape in the real world then artists would come under great pressure in Japan. Yet, unlike the reality of Saudi Arabia and child marriage, it is clear that Japanese anime and manga is based on “unreality.”

Therefore, the best solution is for a compromise between both parties and not to force this situation underground because this would be more dangerous. Also, if Tokyo began to take legal action against artists involved in making anime and manga, then this could open up “a can of worms” related to other subjects.

http://www.costume-designer.info/page/4

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120702004395.htm

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Grave of the Fireflies is a very moving animation film which focuses on the innocence of children and the brutality of war.  It is a film which blends into reality and it is easy to forget that it is an animation film because the two main characters are full of humanity and you feel their huge highs and tragic lows at all times.

In many ways I believe that Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka) is in a class of its own because from start to finish you can see the reality of war.  More important, it is not overtly sentimental from any nationalistic point of view and it does not portray victor or vanquished in any harsh light.

Instead it based on the strong bond between brother and sister and how they both try to endure the reality of war but not losing their childhood glee from rare moments of joy and fresh hope.

The film was written and directed by Isao Takahata and it was produced by Shinchosha, while production work was done by Studio Ghibli. The animation film is based on the novel by Akiyuki Nosaka which shares the same name. Nosaka fuses the novel with the reality of what happened to him and his family during this tragic period but changes the theme and direction of the two main characters.

The Grave of the Fireflies was intended as a heartfelt and sincere apology to the author’s sister who tragically died from sickness. This fact is clear because the passion of the characters and how the events unfolded could only have been written and expressed by someone who experienced such wrenching times.

Full credit must be given to Isao Takahata because even grown adults will do well not to cry or to feel the tragic loss near the end when the plot unfolds.

Also, Isao Takahata shows the simple beauty of nature and the animation reminds us of a time when the simple things in life offered so much and this is often lost in today’s world of commercialization.

More intriguing, is that this animation film does not have to turn to any ideology or to provide evidence of who is right or wrong.  Instead, it is about two young children who are fighting against terrible adversity and how moments of rare treasure lights up their world.

The film also highlights the innocence of civilians and when people focus on anti-German sentiments or anti-Japanese sentiments during this period of history; it is worth remembering the millions of innocent Japanese and German people, and all other nationalities in a multitude of conflicts, which have been brushed aside by historians or the media.

Yes, we know that innocents are always killed in war but this film focuses on the inhumanity of war and of human nature.  For the adversity that these two children face is not just the threat of allied bombings and the destruction that unfolds; but the film also shows the inhumanity of other family members who cared little about these two children. It also highlights the neglect of the Japanese people by their own government who could not understand the reality of what had befallen the people of Japan.

The film is based on the pre-teen Seita and Setsuko, his younger sister, and how he strives to protect her once they become orphaned.  From the start you see Seita in Sannomiya Station and he is dying of starvation and in a terrible condition.  Then a janitor just prods Seita and throws out a candy tin containing what he holds dear because inside the tin was ashes and bones.

After this the spirit of Setsuko and Seita are released and a cloud of fireflies can be seen.  From this starts the story and Seita’s spirit then narrates the tragic events which unfolded during this brutal period and you have a flashback to the Kobe fire-bombings and the ending of World War Two.

Straight away the symbol of America’s power can be seen and this applies to B-29s and while the children escape, their mother who is already sick is injured severely during the bombing raid and shortly afterwards she dies from terrible burns.

Now their world is turned upside down but Seita focuses his energy on protecting Setsuko.  Their options are now severely limited because they have been abandoned and they are in the midst of a brutal war.  Therefore, Seita hopes to find solace with their aunt but in time she turns out to be a cold hearted lady and instead of feeding and caring for the children, she forces Seita to sell many things and in time the only thing left is a small tin of fruit drops.

The tin of fruit drops often props up in the film and the coldness of their aunt turns into major resentment and clearly she believes that Seita and Setsuko are a burden.  Therefore, they leave and move into an abandoned bomb shelter and for light they find fireflies and fill their dark world with the beautiful light of nature.

However, the beautiful life of nature dies quickly and Setsuko is mortified when she finds out that all the fireflies have died.  Their brief moment of joy ends all too quickly and Setsuko painfully asks Seita why the fireflies had to die and why her mother had to die.

Now their life is full of despair and anguish but Seita remains strong despite the light of Setsuko fading all too quickly.  Seita is now forced to steal crops and loot abandoned homes during fresh bombing attacks but once he is caught then the desperation he faces grips him and in one last throw of the dice he takes Setsuko to see a doctor.

However, just like the American bombers which did not care about life and death or just like the Japanese military which did not care about the innocents they killed; then the same inhumanity and hopelessness is found in the doctor because he offers no solution or compassion.  The doctor just ushers in a blunt statement that Setsuko is suffering from malnutrition and he provides no comfort or remedy.

Seita then hears about Japan’s unconditional surrender but for Setsuko the darkness of death is getting closer.  When Seita returns to the shelter he finds Setsuko hallucinating because she thinks that she is sucking on fruit drops and despite Seita’s deep care and love it is all too late because Setsuko dies of starvation.

After this Seita cremates Setsuko, the sister he cherishes and cares deeply about, and he puts her ashes into the fruit tin which he carries and this, along with a photo of his father, and the memories of his mother; is all that remains of a life which is soon to fade because his candle is now very weak.

Then turning back to the train station where the story began you can see the emaciated body of Seita.

At the end you see the two orphaned children but the spirits of Seita and Setsuko are no longer skin and bones and filled with pain. Instead they are reunited and dressed in nice clothes and they are looking down on the city of Kobe.

This animation film is viewed by many to be an anti-war film but like any film you will have different interpretations.  I myself believe it is about the tormented soul of a writer who witnessed so much pain and anguish and that the Grave of the Fireflies is about the struggle that he faced.

When turning to the bigger picture it is clear that you had countless numbers of Seita’s and Setsuko’s who witnessed the brutality of this period.  Therefore, the war theme is obvious but the animation film focuses heavily on the darkside and coldness of human nature and not just the war.

It is not for me to say what the real meaning is or is not; instead if you have never seen this animation film then I recommend that you put this on your list.

Yes, this animation film is not new; however, it is a classic and timeless and not only this, it reaches the heart unlike other films. The brief highs are fantastically high but the lows are full of heartache and the film reminds us of the brutality of World War Two and the continuing struggle which rages in many modern day nations.

More than this, it highlights two innocents who are caught up in a tragic adult world and how inhumanity is not only at the drop of a bomb, but also within families and communities.

Grave of the Fireflies will always stay with many people because of the passion that it unleashes and because it focuses on the reality of life in dark times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwubNTA56HY&feature=related　

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2zq7V89vhc　 (very sad scene)

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com　

http://moderntokyotimes.com　

Michel Le Bon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Victoria Centeno (http://www.victoriacosplay.com/) is a stunning cosplayer from the United States and in these images she shows the grace of herself and connects easily with the fans of Hatsune Miku. In the world of reality and unreality, then for many individuals Hatsune Miku is the perfect girlfriend, friend, character, and for cosplay lovers, then an amazing character to imitate. Therefore, Modern Tokyo Times was honored when the exquisite Victoria Centeno agreed to model in the image of Hatsune Miku.

In the world of cosplay Victoria Centeno is called “Cosplay Girl” in the United States and clearly this stunning cosplayer and model is highly respected and in demand. Over several years her reputation keeps on rising because of her sultry looks and amazing versatility. This means that Victoria Centeno, just like Hatsune Miku, can bridge cultures and different thought patterns because of her gracefulness.

Victoria Centeno comments on her website that “I work as a full time preschool teacher and part time model. My cosplay has been featured on multiple sites including Entertainment Weekly, MTV’s Blog and Rolling Stone. I have also appeared in Latina Magazine and was named the Queen of Cosplay by the Modern Tokyo Times and Axiom Magazine. I am Miss April in the Angry Girls 2012 calendar. My image has been featured in everything from television commercials to comic books. I’m an official Slave Leia model for Gentle Giant Studios and have worked as a booth babe for other companies and products such as the Terminal Alice comic. I’ve participated in the Women of Wonder Day charity event for the past two years. I’ve been cosplaying since 2006.”

Therefore, with cosplay and modeling running through her veins the “desire” of Modern Tokyo Times was for Victoria Centeno and Hatsune Miku to meet in the world of cosplay. After all, (http://www.victoriacosplay.com/) anyone who views this website will note how this beautiful cosplayer can play stunning cosplay roles of adoreable characters. This meant that the image of Hatsune Miku which is so appealing in Japan and internationally, had to be played by a lady who could bring her unique and sultry looks to this character, and without a shadow of a doubt Victoria Centeno filled the bill one hundred per cent.

Hatsune Miku

In Japan even people outside of the world of anime and the world of Vocaloid understand the image of Hatsune Miku. This means that for the world of cosplay Hatsune Miku is also a dream ticket because of her gracefulness, stunning figure, adorable features, and so forth. Not only this, Hatsune Miku is extremely cute and her persona changes for all individuals who love this character.

Therefore, just like the professional cosplayer should enter the world of the character that they portray; then the cosplayer and Hatsune Miku meet perfectly in the middle in the world of reality and unreality. The persona of Hatsune Miku changes for each individual and alternatively the cosplayer changes their individual persona to blend naturally with the character they are highlighting.

Clearly, the images taken by the esteemed photographer, Carl Maiorino, shows that Victoria Centeno changed her persona. Therefore, after putting on the beautiful costume the sultry looks of this elegant cosplayer entered the world of Hatsune Miku.

The digital avatar from Japan is now big business throughout the world and the popularity will surely continue because of the versatility of Hatsune Miku. Also, the lovely eyes and pony tails appeal sexually to other individuals and given that you can’t argue with Hatsune Miku, then for many this character is the “perfect girlfriend” in the world of reality and unreality.

Therefore, the fan base of Hatsune Miku keeps on growing and runs into the millions. Not only this, major companies like Toyota want to join the bandwagon because of the marketability of the “adorable Hatsune Miku.” Indeed, Victoria Centeno looks “like a refreshing ray of sunshine” in a world which often is surrounded by stress or mundaneness. However, when you see the elegance and beauty of Victoria Centeno in such stunning cosplay images of Hatsune Miku, then you can understand why some people prefer the “perfect vocaloid.”

The Anime Nation website commented that “No other character in the history of anime has ever become quite so widely and lovingly embraced by not only otaku but by mainstream Japanese society and the larger world. Hatsune Miku may be the most fascinating character ever to appear in the anime world because so many different attributes concentrate within her persona. By design and circumstance, Hatsune Miku encapsulates and represents a greater spectrum of concepts interesting to otaku than any other character to have ever emerged from the anime/manga universe.”

“Otaku have been fascinated with the concept of a digital idol since the 1985 OVA Megazone 23. Hatsune Miku is literally a real Eve Tokimatsuri, a completely fictional digital idol singer whose popularity has spilled over into actual mainstream society. Hatsune Miku is, in effect, an anime concept actually developing and existing in real life.”

In a past article featuring the adorable Victoria Centeno she commented that “I enjoy breathing life into characters that I love and respect. Cosplay is a form of self and artistic expression. I love the process and being creative.”

This says everything about this charming and sophisticated lady who balances such a busy work schedule with complete professionalism. Victoria Centeno bridges different characters and cultures with ease because of her professionalism, stunning features, vibrancy, and love of cosplay. Indeed, these characteristics for the lovers of Hatsune Miku match very well.

Modern Tokyo Times would like to thank Victoria Centeno for being such a graceful and beautiful model. Also, Modern Tokyo Times would like to thank Carl Maiorino who took such amazing images. It is hoped that one day Victoria Centeno will grace Tokyo and witness the power of cosplay in Japan.

http://www.victoriacosplay.com/ – Victoria Centeno

http://www.carlmphotography.com/ Carl Maiorino

http://www.animenation.net/blog/2011/02/14/ask-john-why-is-hatsune-miku-so-popular/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Images belong to Modern Tokyo Times but can be used on request providing you highlight the name of the model and photographer. Also, quote Modern Tokyo Times.

Michel Lebon and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Animation in Japan is admired throughout the world and Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (We Still Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day) is beautifully written because the main characters are very complex and a real mixed bag. The storyline leads to high emotions and you can relate with the highs and lows throughout the series.

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai was aired in the middle of April last year and many anime pundits have spoken more than favorably. Tatsuyuki Nagai, the director, is clearly creative and the series shows you the development of each character and is based on a tragic event which took place during their childhood.

The closeness and passions of the six children in their early years can be felt because of their strong bonds. However, the tragic death of one of the children called Meiko “Menma” Honma changes everything.  After this event relationships break down and they drift apart.

Jinta Yadomi takes this event extremely hard and he starts to shut the world out in order to cope with private issues. Therefore, Jinta Yadomi develops hikikomori symptoms and his reclusiveness creates tensions with people who try to get close to him.

His future looks grim and the past haunts him until one day a new event occurs which alters everything. This applies to an individual called Menma who suddenly appears and after this things begin to change because Menma resembles Meiko.

Jinta is the main male character because before the tragedy struck he was full of life and the leader of the Super Peace Busters.  However, the death of Meiko and his mother changes everything and his world becomes based on staying at home, sleeping, withdrawing himself from society and playing video games.

It is also apparent that Jinta had deep feelings for Meiko despite suppressing his feelings when they were children.

Menma becomes a turning point because when she appears in his life he starts to come out of his shell.  However, rather than seeing Menma to be a ghost he believes that Menma is a reality of his stress. Therefore, Jinta starts to re-connect with people whom he once held so dearly in his life.

The main female in the series is clearly Meiko Honma and she is of mixed blood but despite knowing clearly about her death her thinking is different.  For instead of feeling bleak and full of morose she is very outgoing when she re-connects with Jinta.

Meiko cherishes her memories and holds them dearly unlike Jinta who collapsed internally and withdrew from society.  This paradox also makes the series tick because it is full of emotion and focuses on real life issues and how they alter people differently.

Despite aging naturally it is clear that Meiko uses language which is caught up with the time of her death.  Meiko still retains the same dress that she had on the fatal day which took her life.

Only Jinta can see Meiko but in the series her nickname is used and Menma (Meiko) does at times feel sad, despite trying to hide this from Jinta.  This applies to the fact that her friends and family can‘t visually see Meiko.

However, Meiko can interact in the world because she can play video games, cook, eat, and so forth.  Also, people can feel something even if they don’t understand what it is and later in the series this theme is developed. Therefore, others begin to understand when Meiko writes in her dairy and makes a noise after deliberately dropping it on the floor in order to get their attention.

Naruko is also a very interesting character because she hides her true feelings and concerns for Jinta.  Also, her feelings for Meiko are complex because on the one hand she admired her but on the other hand she was jealous.

In truth, every character is different and fascinating because they have all reacted to  their childhood in different ways.

If you really like animation which is based on real emotions then Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai will appeal greatly to you.

Also, if you are on the border line where only famous animation like Spirited Away is part of your knowledge; then Ano Hi Mita no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai is a must because it is very rewarding to watch and full of passion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ALwCPK_AI&feature=related (Good introduction)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC2vJwcMoDQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es5RxLYHlKw (Song by Mads Langer )

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

By Ledia Runnels

Mysterious Japan

Abe no Seimei, a famous onmyōji

The magic and mystery of onmyōdō and the onmyōji, who practice the ancient art, are an esoteric combination of Wu Xing, Yin and Yang, Taoism, Buddhism and Shintoism. It came to Japan in the fifth and sixth centuries.

In the popular culture of film, manga, anime novels and video games, there are a host of these magicians and soothsayers, tweaked with extraordinary, supernatural power.

The anime, Ghost  Hunt presents the character, Lin Koujo, an onmyōji, who can exorcise or summons spirits and control shikigami–spirits similar to a witch’s familiar.

In the live-action film and manga, Onmyōji,the fictitious account of the famous, real-life magician, Abe no Seimei, is based on the novel series of the same name.

In the manga, Tokyo Babylon and X, Subaru Sumeragi, an onmyōji and his sidekick, the assassin, Seishirō Sakurazuka, eradicate curses and vengeful spirits, evil shadow creatures in modern-day Japan.

In the manga series, Shaman King and the novel, Chō Senji Ryakketsu, Yoh Asakura is an onmyōji and a medium who can communicate between the world of the living and the world of the dead, who spends much of his time hanging out in graveyards. His goal is to hone his skills onmyōdō and win the title of Shaman King.

In the video game and anime, Harukanaru Toki no Naka de, Abe no Yasuaki is a dedicated disciple of Abe no Seimei, the famous onmyōji.

The manga and anime series, Negima!: Magister Negi Magi, involves a secret cult of onmyōji.

In the award-winning anime series, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, childhood friends Arumi and Sasshi find themselves pulled into another dimension where they learn onmyōdō from the famous wizard, Abe no Seimei.

The novel, Teito Monogatari by Hiroshi Aramata, has an evil onmyōji named, Yasunori Kato, who is brought back from the realm of angry and resentful souls of dead mystics. His power surpasses even that of Abe no Seimei.

The anime and manga, Onmyō Taisenki delves into I Ching and Taoism for its magical resources.

The manga series, Ask Dr. Rin! features a powerful onmyōji named, Takashi Tokiwa who is infatuated with Meilin Kanzaki, a young girl, endowed with Feng shui powers, who can read people’s fortunes and advise them concerning the best way to ensure good luck.

The Playstation fighting game, Evil Zone features an onmyoji named Keiya Tenpouin, “The Man in the Shadow” whose main goal is to kill and claim the power of Ihadulca, who can exist in multiple dimensions at the same time.

The novel, Shōnen Onmyōji is set in the Heian era of historical Japan and portrays the life of  Abe no Masahiro, the youngest grandson of the famous onmyoji, Abe no Seimei, whose greatest desire is to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. .

In the manga and anime series, Steel Angel Kurumi, (an artificial humanoid with superhuman physical abilities) the main protagonist, Nakahito Kagura belongs to a family of onmyoji mystics.

The PlayStation game Final Fantasy Tactics includes a “Job” entitled, Onmyoji, which is translated in the English as “Oracle.” The practicing onmyoji has ”Yin-Yang Magic” that can inflict blindness, paralysis or sleep on their opponents.

In the card game, Magic: The Gathering, one of the cards is entitled: Goryo’s Vengeance. The card type is arcane which includes spells represented spells by spirits or kami (Japanese word for spirits and natural forces, used in the Shinto faith).

In the anime, “Tsukuyomi’s Moon Phase,” Hazuki and his mother have the ability to summon a shikigami spirit.

In the horror, survival game, Kuon, the main characters are onmyoji. Most of the magic seals and puzzles are based on onmyõdõ.

References:

Onmyōdō

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmy%C5%8Dd%C5%8D

Wu Xing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing

Yin and yang

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang

Taoism in Japan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism_in_Japan

Shinto

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintoism

Buddhism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Abe no Seimei http://en.whikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_no_Seimei

Thirty-six Ghost by Yoshitoshi http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/rekius/36ghosts.htm

Magic: The Gathering:  Goyo’s Vengence http://mtg.wikia.com/wiki/Goryo’s_Vengeance

http://lediarunnels27221219.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/onmyodo-ancient-magic-in-japan-film-manga-anime-novels-and-games/

About LediaR

A writer since high school, Ledia Runnels has published several travel related and fact-sheet articles online. Her screenplay “Sakura, Jewel of the Rising Sun” won the “Grand Award for Best Screenplay at Worldfest Houston in 1998. She posts a weekly blog entitled: “Mysterious Japan”. The author lived in the Tokyo, Japan area for three years. She now resides in East Central Texas near her two adult children.

Please visit Mysterious Japan at http://lediarunnels27221219.wordpress.com/ and read fascinating articles by Ledia Runnels

By Ledia Runnels

Mysterious Japan

Abe no Seimei, a famous onmyōji

The magic and mystery of onmyōdō and the onmyōji, who practice the ancient art, are an esoteric combination of Wu Xing, Yin and Yang, Taoism, Buddhism and Shintoism. It came to Japan in the fifth and sixth centuries.

In the popular culture of film, manga, anime novels and video games, there are a host of these magicians and soothsayers, tweaked with extraordinary, supernatural power.

The anime, Ghost  Hunt presents the character, Lin Koujo, an onmyōji, who can exorcise or summons spirits and control shikigami–spirits similar to a witch’s familiar.

In the live-action film and manga, Onmyōji,the fictitious account of the famous, real-life magician, Abe no Seimei, is based on the novel series of the same name.

In the manga, Tokyo Babylon and X, Subaru Sumeragi, an onmyōji and his sidekick, the assassin, Seishirō Sakurazuka, eradicate curses and vengeful spirits, evil shadow creatures in modern-day Japan.

In the manga series, Shaman King and the novel, Chō Senji Ryakketsu, Yoh Asakura is an onmyōji and a medium who can communicate between the world of the living and the world of the dead, who spends much of his time hanging out in graveyards. His goal is to hone his skills onmyōdō and win the title of Shaman King.

In the video game and anime, Harukanaru Toki no Naka de, Abe no Yasuaki is a dedicated disciple of Abe no Seimei, the famous onmyōji.

The manga and anime series, Negima!: Magister Negi Magi, involves a secret cult of onmyōji.

In the award-winning anime series, Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi, childhood friends Arumi and Sasshi find themselves pulled into another dimension where they learn onmyōdō from the famous wizard, Abe no Seimei.

The novel, Teito Monogatari by Hiroshi Aramata, has an evil onmyōji named, Yasunori Kato, who is brought back from the realm of angry and resentful souls of dead mystics. His power surpasses even that of Abe no Seimei.

The anime and manga, Onmyō Taisenki delves into I Ching and Taoism for its magical resources.

The manga series, Ask Dr. Rin! features a powerful onmyōji named, Takashi Tokiwa who is infatuated with Meilin Kanzaki, a young girl, endowed with Feng shui powers, who can read people’s fortunes and advise them concerning the best way to ensure good luck.

The Playstation fighting game, Evil Zone features an onmyoji named Keiya Tenpouin, “The Man in the Shadow” whose main goal is to kill and claim the power of Ihadulca, who can exist in multiple dimensions at the same time.

The novel, Shōnen Onmyōji is set in the Heian era of historical Japan and portrays the life of  Abe no Masahiro, the youngest grandson of the famous onmyoji, Abe no Seimei, whose greatest desire is to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. .

In the manga and anime series, Steel Angel Kurumi, (an artificial humanoid with superhuman physical abilities) the main protagonist, Nakahito Kagura belongs to a family of onmyoji mystics.

The PlayStation game Final Fantasy Tactics includes a “Job” entitled, Onmyoji, which is translated in the English as “Oracle.” The practicing onmyoji has ”Yin-Yang Magic” that can inflict blindness, paralysis or sleep on their opponents.

In the card game, Magic: The Gathering, one of the cards is entitled: Goryo’s Vengeance. The card type is arcane which includes spells represented spells by spirits or kami (Japanese word for spirits and natural forces, used in the Shinto faith).

In the anime, “Tsukuyomi’s Moon Phase,” Hazuki and his mother have the ability to summon a shikigami spirit.

In the horror, survival game, Kuon, the main characters are onmyoji. Most of the magic seals and puzzles are based on onmyõdõ.

References:

Onmyōdō

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmy%C5%8Dd%C5%8D

Wu Xing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing

Yin and yang

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang

Taoism in Japan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism_in_Japan

Shinto

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintoism

Buddhism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Abe no Seimei http://en.whikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_no_Seimei

Thirty-six Ghost by Yoshitoshi http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/rekius/36ghosts.htm

Magic: The Gathering:  Goyo’s Vengence http://mtg.wikia.com/wiki/Goryo’s_Vengeance

http://lediarunnels27221219.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/onmyodo-ancient-magic-in-japan-film-manga-anime-novels-and-games/

About LediaR

A writer since high school, Ledia Runnels has published several travel related and fact-sheet articles online. Her screenplay “Sakura, Jewel of the Rising Sun” won the “Grand Award for Best Screenplay at Worldfest Houston in 1998. She posts a weekly blog entitled: “Mysterious Japan”. The author lived in the Tokyo, Japan area for three years. She now resides in East Central Texas near her two adult children.

Please visit Mysterious Japan at http://lediarunnels27221219.wordpress.com/ and read fascinating articles by Ledia Runnels

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

In Japan it is sometimes difficult to understand the concept of life and death in a nation where more than 30,000 people kill themselves a year.  Yes, despite the brutality of the March 11 earthquake which unleashed the tsunami and which swept away so many people; the sad reality is that more people will kill themselves this year in Japan than the devastating tsunami. 

Alongside this brutal reality is hikikomori which is a real social problem because many people want to hide away from the outside world.  Hikikomori and suicide may be small when we think about the population of Japan and both problems can be overly dramatized but something is going wrong?

After all, 300,000 plus people killing themselves every ten years is serious and the same applies to people who desire to withdraw from society.  Therefore, if you understand aspects of Japanese culture and this also applies to sexless couples, otaku, huge social pressure because of long working hours then Hatsune Miku does make sense.

Of course many females also commit suicide and get hikikomori but males outnumber females and around 70% of all suicides are done by men.  It is even suggested that the number of suicides is higher because definitions vary but the government acknowledges that over 30,000 people kill themselves every year.

One interesting fact is that while people with hikikomori withdraw themselves from society they still interact but through the internet.  Indeed, for many people with hikikomori it is clear that they enjoy anime, comics, video games and the internet.

Often in Tokyo you will see young men and ladies with small teddies attached and sometimes people who are much older.  Therefore, immaturity, the power of anime, high technology, hikikomori, high percentage of sexless couples, the stresses of conformity, strong social pressures, otaku, cosplay, maid cafes, Hello Kitty, hentai anime, and other areas of society, is clearly catering for Hatsune Miku to become the perfect girlfriend.

This does not imply that anime is negative because it certainly isn’t and I really like Japanese anime and this applies to Ghost In The Shell and many other high quality anime which is made in Japan.

However, for a minority of people the world of reality and unreality is difficult to define and this is why Hatsune Miku is so popular.  Therefore, when you think about all the inner-social problems in Japan and how society and younger men appear to becoming more feminine then a perfect girlfriend which isn’t human is appealing and understandable.

It must be stated that in Japan it is factual that young ladies are desired and the pop culture caters for teenage girls dressing sexily and so forth. Therefore, aspects of anime and manga do have sexual overtures and hentai manga is big business in Japan.

Hatsune Miku unlike any other figure in the history of anime crosses the world of reality and unreality.  Also, Hatsune Miku is extremely cute and her persona changes for the individual who adores her. 

Therefore, the digital avatar is creating a sensation and the popularity of Hatsune Miku is growing.  The lovely eyes and pony tails appeal and unlike a real girlfriend you have no arguments or wasted time and given the social pressures in Japan then this in itself is a winner.

The fan base of Hatsune Miku runs into the millions and major companies like Toyota want to join the bandwagon because of the marketability of “adorable Miku.”

Given my reality I might join the club!

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Reality or unreality? Child or Adult?

Shintaro Ishihara, the Governor of Tokyo, remains adamant that Bill 156 is a step in the right direction in stemming the tide of extreme sexual depictions of minors in Tokyo.  Therefore, the anti-Anime and anti-Manga Bill will come into complete effect on July 1^st but elements began prior to this date.

Many artists, individuals, organizations and people in Tokyo are against the new measures  because  they claim that it is a threat to civil liberties and that it will hinder a vibrant sector.  However, others support Shintaro Ishihara on the grounds of protecting minors and because of other important factors.

The ordinance which was passed by the local government in Tokyo claims that regulations are needed in order to safeguard minors.  This applies to animation scenes which depict rape, incest, child marriage and the sexual abuse of minors.

However, if the ordinance only includes Tokyo then it seems rather strange because Saitama Prefecture is only 11 minutes away by train from Ikebukuro and within around 18 to 19 minutes you are in Kanagawa from Shinjuku.  Similarly, Chiba is not so far away from Ueno therefore if the entire region is not included it appears rather limited and open to be manipulated.

Also, what if you buy animation which depicts rape, incest, and the abuse of minors, from an online company based in another part of Japan?  Will this also become illegal?  If so, then what measures can prevent packages from containing the newly banned material and if individuals download their new purchase online then are they breaking the law? .

Before people point the finger at Japan it should be stated that child marriage of minors aged from 8 or 9 years of age to very old men in Saudi Arabia is allowed (also applies to other nations). Therefore, will outside pressure be put on nations which implement Islamic Sharia law in countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen which allow child marriage based on this legal system? 

Which is worse?  Child marriage of children to very old men in nations like Saudi Arabia or animation which is not based on reality? 

Shintaro Ishihara can’t please everyone because it is a very emotional topic in certain circles. However it is clear that explicit animation and manga generates a lot of capital and the creativity it unleashes also crosses over into other areas.

Already restrictions have been put on six titles and the new ordinance is preparing other titles which will face the same problems.  Aki Sora, Oku-sama wa Shōgakusei, Lovers & Sharing, Koibito 8-gō, Hana-Hiyori, and Midori no Kisetsu, are the first to feel the act of this bill.

The final consequences remain unknown but with the closeness of other prefectures it is clear that nothing is what it seems.

It is also clear that this problem will be brought up again in the new future and much depends on the determination of people against the bill because the policing of this new bill will not be easy given the reality of mass communications and the sheer size of Tokyo

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Source of main photo from http://www.costume-designer.info/page/4