UlasanAnime.com – The changing seasons often bring about a cascade of thoughts, and recently, these reflections have touched upon various aspects of pop culture and personal commitments.
Dandelion fetish
As the days lengthen and evenings remain light, a newfound appreciation for the local flora has emerged on the commute home. This shift marks the arrival of summer in North America. It prompts a contemplation of how the humble dandelion, often perceived as a common weed, could potentially be elevated to a pop culture commodity that captures a child’s imagination. The prevailing home improvement culture in the United States seems to have firmly established dandelions as public enemy number one come springtime. It’s unlikely that romantic narratives about these wind-blown blossoms, symbolizing wanderlust, would resonate positively in this context. Instead of encouraging children to pick and blow dandelion seeds, most parents might opt for more conventional methods of weed removal, leaving the dandelion’s charm unacknowledged.
Punch Line or Terror in Resonance
A comparison arises between two anime series, “Punch Line” and “Terror in Resonance,” questioning which one proved to be the greater disappointment, or if they were equally underwhelming. In a sense, they can be considered equally bad, or perhaps good, depending on one’s perspective. From an animation standpoint, “Punch Line” offered a more enjoyable experience, while “Terror in Resonance” boasted a superior soundtrack and a certain “hipster” appeal. The reason for juxtaposing these two distinct series lies in their underlying narrative similarities. The structural approach of “Punch Line” was, at the very least, inventive. This leads to a hypothetical question: would the anime adaptation of “Steins;Gate” have suffered a similar fate if it were half its current length?
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Furthermore, while the preceding discussion contains a mild spoiler for “Punch Line,” it was a considerable challenge to identify a comparable anime series. Ultimately, it is probably best to approach “Punch Line” with minimal preconceived notions.
Dedication
The decision has been made to skip Anime Expo (AX) this year, prioritizing the 10th anniversary event for “The Idolm@ster” (IM@S) and personal mental well-being. The sequence of AX, followed by the IM@S 10th event, and then Otakon, occurring over consecutive weekends, presents an ideal arrangement for attending the 10th anniversary. However, this packed schedule comes at a significant personal cost. The effort required to coordinate event logistics this year has been immense, leading to a very busy schedule for the upcoming weekends. It feels as though the entirety of the 2015 event calendar has been oriented around this single occasion. The question remains whether this level of dedication to IM@S 10th is truly justified. In a peculiar way, the answer leans towards yes.
It is worth noting that Otakon this year is perceived as somewhat “subpar” compared to AX. Despite any personal reservations, AX continues to attract top-tier guests. There is a desire to represent Hanabe and Moyochi, to hear Takahashi Yoko perform, and to witness the UBW event. The prospect of seeing Momoiro Clover Z (and possibly KISS?) perform also adds to the allure. Are these not the most crucial offerings a convention can provide? The drawbacks of AX are often a direct consequence of these high-profile attractions. At some point, one must question the purpose of a convention, even one run exceptionally well, if it lacks significant headliners. Perhaps those who still attend such events are exceptionally dedicated, or perhaps they attend simply for the sake of attending. While Paku Romi is indeed a significant guest and Otakon will retain its special status for securing her presence, along with the usual Japanese guests who contribute to a solid event, the overall experience this year feels somewhat anticlimactic.
