Got My Fizz Back

I'm alive again. So today I want to talk about my new interest in Japanese anime and manga. My little firebird is going to be annoyed at me because it is so NOT cool for your parents to dig what you're into. However, having screened several anime now, I am not bothered. Parents in anime/manga tend to be either supersweet or superweird. Since I fall into the latter category, I'm fairly certain she is going to treat my 'supervising/interested' behaviour as japanese-standard normal. Ha.

So what do I think of anime/manga? There's this ongoing series I've been watching. The lead character fights in a bathrobe. His weapon of choice is as large as he is. When things get heavy, he changes into a black dressing gown, with a blood-red lining. At this point you might wonder if he's a fag. Instead most of the girls, whether they are human or spirits, fancy him like crazy. To top it off, literally, he has bright orange hair. Yes, in Japan, you can. Welcome to the world of Burichi aka Bleach. One of the most popular anime of all time.

Here's a picture:



He wears a mask when things get REALLY exciting. Here's a link for
people who want to know more: htttp://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Ichigo_Kurosaki

So what do I think of exposure to influences like these? Well, in the first place, she has been watching / reading these things for two years now. It's a bit futile to stop her now. Also, I think it is a good alternative to the ruthless Disneyfication of children's media choices from the US. I also think some of the manga/anime is a bit more intelligent than a few cartoons I won't mention. Yes, there's quite a bit of porn-y bits. This is a different culture, remember, and their sense of normal may not sit well with some people. Discussing that will be for another day though. For now => Jaa ne*!

*laters = japanese :)