UlasanAnime.com – Lately, I encountered a book that narrated the lives of ordinary individuals undertaking extraordinary actions. They are not unlike us, with the sole exception of their profound conviction that their purpose in life is to change the world through their mundane capabilities.
The fact that you and your fellow commuter are traveling to work does not differentiate you from anyone else making the same journey in a car or seat beside you. The distinction lies beyond the ordinary act of commuting—it resides in the potential for someone to discern your entire identity merely by observing your commute. After all, if you are reading this blog, chances are you are a fervent anime fan, perhaps perceived as eccentric by the average person within a fifty-meter radius. This is not something easily perceived. Yet, the adherence to normalcy can become an integral part of one’s identity. A normal person is simply that—normal. An ordinary person, however, is not bound by this definition.
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Admittedly, the semantic distinction between ordinary and normal might seem nonsensical, but it effectively highlights the difference between something commonly observed and the established concept of conformity.
Consider the following scenarios:
- In Suzumiya Haruhi no Uuutsu, a girl fascinated by modern tales of aliens, time travelers, and espers discovers them hidden in plain sight, adhering not only to normal behaviors but also to the established stereotypes of these fantastical beings. Chaos ensues when the male protagonist enters the narrative as a jaded observer of these very modern fairy tales.
- In ef – a tale of memories, the high school film club strives to produce a high-quality film, aiming to win a prize at a film competition. The main cameraman is recognized for his skillful shots, perhaps impressionistic or postmodern, which garner fans and set his films apart from the typical offerings. However, instead of embracing these distinctive qualities, the film club desires to create a popular hit with a film that conforms to people’s perception of the ordinary (realist?), while still capturing the unique spark the cameraman imbues in his subjects. Their goal is the grand prize, not an award for films that are special but different.
- In Honey & Clover, an art prodigy seeks refuge in higher education to flourish under the guidance of her uncle at a university. She befriends a group of ordinary young people in a similar life stage, all searching for direction, love, and self-discovery.
- In Kimikiss Pure Rouge, a sixteen-year-old boy finds romance alongside his wingman, a seventeen-year-old girl, with another boy. Intriguingly, the boy’s good male friend also finds his sister’s new friend rather appealing. The narrative includes karaoke and laughter.
- In Kamichu, an ordinary middle school girl is revealed to be a Shinto deity in human form.
It is ordinary, yet somehow extraordinary. It feels attainable, its allure just within our reach. For me, it is irresistible—at least when executed well.
There exists a fine line between what is ordinarily extraordinary and what is simply normal. I am uncertain of its precise location, but one can discern when it ceases to be ordinary by either being overtly bizarre or simply… a standard anime.
Capturing the inherent tension within the abnormal ordinary is a crucial element of compelling storytelling. Perhaps the most significant challenge for the ef anime currently is that it is too peculiar to be perceived as ordinary, even with its grounded roots.
