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murasaki-murasame · 6 years

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Thoughts on Rakugo v4

This took way longer for me to get to than I wanted. Oh well. Thankfully I feel like I enjoyed it a fair bit more than the last volume or two.

Anyway, thoughts under the cut.

I want to try and keep the manga/anime comparisons to a minimum [fake edit: haha yeah that’s not happening], but at the very least, I think this volume felt a bit closer to the anime than the last volume or so, which was nice. The thing that stuck out to me the most, though, was how the conversation between Kikuhiko and his master happens in the first chapter of this volume, after Sukeroku had already been expelled. It’s been like a year since I watched the anime so I might just be misremembering, but I could have shown that that conversation happened before Kikuhiko even went on the family tour thing with his master, which is why I said in the last post that it felt strange that it hadn’t happened yet.

For the most part, the manga just continues to feel like a slightly less substantial version of the anime, which I think I’m simply getting less and less bitter over. I shouldn’t really be expecting it to feel exactly like the anime, or anything. I think it does the most it can with what it has to use. But I still do appreciate how the anime fleshed out the material, especially in moments like Sukeroku and Kikuhiko walking Konatsu along a path, which had a full shot devoted to it in the anime, but was more of a side-note in the manga.

On that general note, that whole sequence, of Sukeroku and Kikuhiko living together temporarily and taking care of Konatsu, is still one of my favourite parts of the story, at least from this arc. It’s just so wholesome and wonderful, even though as you’re reading/watching it, you just know that it won’t last forever.

I’m almost surprised at how similar a lot of Miyokichi’s scenes are to how they are in the anime. I mean, she definitely comes across as having more depth and sympathetic qualities in the anime, but from how I saw some people talking about it, I expected her to feel WAY worse in the manga. She’s still one of my favourite characters, to be honest. She’s the sort of character you both hate and love in equal measure. I can’t help but instinctively dislike her for being the sort of person to abandon her family, but I also can’t help but sympathize with her position of being a woman in a heavily patriarchal society that gives her no real freedom. In a more meta way, it’s depressing that, especially in the manga, she’s framed heavily as being a sort of femme fatale character who exists to cause drama and conflict, so I’m glad that the anime treated her with more respect, enough so that apparently it changed how Kumota wrote her part in the ending chapters.

The rakugo performances in particular still feel like the part that suffers most heavily from being portrayed as a series of silent black and white images. There’s just so much nuance and emotion that you can only really add with the benefit of voice-acting and artistic direction. They work as well as they could in the format they’re in, but it’s hard not to notice stuff like how in the performance of Nozarashi we get later in the volume, the part where Yakumo adopts the feminine role in the story is subtle enough, and happens fast enough, that you might not even consciously notice it unless you’re paying attention, whereas in the anime it’s impossible not to notice his complete change in demeanour and confidence.

On a [kind of] more negative note, although the final part of this volume is still one of my favourite parts of the whole story, it still includes some of the content that shows of Kikuhiko’s more obnoxious and, to be blunt, sexist side. I still really don’t like the scene where he cuts Konatsu’s hair and explains ‘the role of women in the theater’ to her. Mostly just because it feels like the narrative is framing what he says as being totally normal and reasonable in and of itself, and not simply an artifact of traditional values. It’s certainly realistic to how people thought back then [and, well, still do, in a lot of ways], but the whole ‘yeah, the woman’s role is just to look nice and be on display for the hard-working, male rakugo performers’ part still rubs me the wrong way. There’s a lot of interesting conversations to be had about how things like gender roles play into Kikuhiko’s character, but even though he’s still a sympathetic person, you still gotta admit that he’s got some awkwardly traditional values about things like this. And as we saw even just in volume one, these are values that he holds onto for basically his entire life.

I have a whole lot of complicated feelings toward Sukeroku around this part in the story. On the one hand he’s incredibly sympathetic, I support his values in how he approaches art and how he thinks society should adopt to change, but he’s still the sort of person I probably wouldn’t like being around in real life, and, similarly to the whole deal with Miyokichi, I just hate seeing a parent actively refuse work while indirectly making their young child work to provide for the family. It’s just an uncomfortable situation all around.

But on the flip side, I still love the way the story handles and portrays Kikuhiko’s own complex feelings towards him. Their whole dynamic is one of the more engaging parts of the whole story. The balancing act of love, hatred, respect, envy, condemnation, and idolization is fascinating to watch unfold.

I’m pretty sure that the next volume will cover the rest of this whole flashback story arc, and the first chapter of what would be adapted in the second season of the anime, so I’m looking forward to that. I’ve been very curious for a while now to see how the climax of this arc gets handled in the manga.

On another note, I still really like how the manga volumes have informative bonus chapters at the back that talk about different parts of the rakugo industry. It’s a nice little extra that you didn’t really get in the anime. This volume’s bonus was pretty interesting, since they never really point out or place much emphasis on the tengui hand towels in the story in general, so it was pretty nice to learn about what they’re used for, and how they’re made.

Also, as one final note, I still get tripped up at times by the general differences in translation philosophy between the manga and the anime. Neither are really better or worse, they’re just different enough that it’s kinda weird at times. As I’ve said, they don’t translate most of the industry terms, but they translate the names of the performances, which continues to throw me off immensely, but there’s also certain lines of dialogue and narration that are just translated slightly differently than they were in the anime, which is fine, but still. I can’t really remember if it’s actually any different, but I appreciated how near the end of the volume, when he’s talking about all of his complicated feelings for Sukeroku, Kikuhiko explicitly says ‘but sometimes I loved you’. Though on the flip side, I wasn’t a huge fan of how they translated one of Miyokichi’s lines to Sukeroku in regards to Kikuhiko as ‘doesn’t he like women?’, instead of ‘does he even like women?’. It’s a subtle difference, but I just preferred the latter translation of that line. It’s not really a major complaint or anything, though. I can’t expect the translation to be exactly the same.

Anyway, all in all I feel like I’m enjoying my time with this manga more as it goes on, even if it might not sound like it. I’m just getting more used to it, and figuring out how to take it as it’s own thing with it’s own merits. Either way, I’m still going to collect the rest of the series as it comes out in English, and I’ll probably keep writing about it. I think that when we get into the second half of the series, I’ll probably have more to talk about, since I think the anime skims over the second half a bit more than the first half, so there might be more ‘original content’ in it.

#murasaki rambles #showa genroku rakugo shinju

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courage-a-word-of-justice · 7 years

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Yuri on Ice 12 (FINAL) | Erased 1 | SGRS 14 | Nanbaka 12 – 14

I’m still fleshing out my set for this season as well as filling out stuff from one year ago...yeah, yeah. You’re telling me I’ve got dedication, having to deal with stuff twice, right?

I’ve decided I won’t merge the old (Le Take) notes with the new ones, as there are some show takes (such as Sekkou Boys) that will get lost in the process. Besides, Le Take is pretty shameful by itself.

Why do I do simulcast commentaries? I figure someday, someone’ll benefit from all the info I give. Or maybe it’s just Boueibu fans who want another opinion on stuff. *shrugs*

Final ep, eh? I wonder if I’ll miss this show…

Apparently Stephane Lambiel is a famous sports commentator in RL.

Waitasec – JJ trained under Ciaociao? Now there’s something to see.

Still can’t tell that brunette is his mum.

Who’s the woman next to Ciaociao? (Her name, I mean.)

That’s…cute, Phichit. Real cute.

Pinchos? Rinchos? Rinchus? I dunno what that eyecatch says…

Everyone’s basically crying right now! *applauds*

It’s fairly predictable when someone becomes so fixated on somebody else’s actions that they’re going to get distracted (in this show, at least). Thus, it’s pretty easy to see Chris’s demise.

“Kya---” is a squee, not an OMG. Get it right, folks.

Symphony no. 9 – a name I’ve become quite familiar with through Classicaloid. The second’s not famous like the first, which is why Otabek choosing it represents him as a supporting person really well.

That…was surprising! I read a PP on Tumblr about how men normally don’t have a couples skate, but women do, but this…not only was it the Stay Close to Me from the beginning, it was a couple one too.

“See you next level” – People already spoilt that for me ages ago, but yeah. Hopefully I can see you next level.

(Erased ep 1)

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi was one of the bigger hyped shows IIRC and by virtue of its being a mystery, of course I wanted in. Also, Sachiko Fujinuma is Conan…

Okay people, let’s get this straight. Boku Dake ga Inai Machi means “The Town in Which Only I am Missing”. It’s dumb to change it, although I can see why the change happened.

CGI taxi. Probably the worst type of vehicle to blow your budget on.

That voice. It’s Conan…but a little deeper.

I found this site handy for unpiecing certain parts of this show, as well as Gugure! and a few other shows. It really helped for the title phrases especially.

This show really delves into the psychology and sociology…that’s one of the better parts of this.

CGI cars. Honestly people, don’t waste your budgets on CGI cars…

Obviously a Wikipedia parody.

According to the site linked a few dot points ago, you’re not allowed to ride on a bike the way Airi is in this scene.

I bet Sachiko ships them despite the age gap…oops, I forgot she says that. She does ship them, just not manically as shippers usually do.

Why is there a frog? “Speak no evil” or something?

That face…no wonder people think it’s obvious who killed Sachiko.

The cutting off of part of the screen is a good effect, visually speaking. It allows for contrast between present and past.

(SGRS ep 14)

CR was being a butt, so I had to use a YT mirror for this. Certainly, it was ripped, but it was a much nicer experience than dealing with Shockwave Flash and error pages over and over.

The 4th wall break…actually works really well.

President of the Rakugo Association? Nice, Kiku. Real smooth.

Lemme get this straight, people. It’s Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen. Not Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Descending Stories – the second part is a localised, shorter name.

As soon as I heard the voice of Shinichi (Detective Conan), my jaw dropped. I haven’t heard that voice in ages, and for an Osakan character too! (You can tell he’s Osakan due to the –han.)

Wa-wait…Mangetsu? O-oh, sorry. I’m not good at identifying voices of seiyuu after all. It was Koji Yusa, not Kappei Yamaguchi.

What anyone would give for a parent like Yakumo 8th…yeah. People would give a lot for that sort of freedom…

Oh. Okay. Kyoto people use similar honorifics to Osakans.

I’d recognise that as a Louis Vuitton bag anywhere. Lots of Asians have fake ones like it…haha. *sweatdrops* Google says it’s a woman’s handbag.

As a writer myself, I can see the parallels to the typical artist. I’m far from fully fledged, though…the only books I can call “published” are the ones I’ve made with my own hands or posted online.

Yotaro still remembers the promises after 10 years? I can’t even remember what I’ve said a few minutes ago sometimes, let alone remember something like that…even though I pride myself on my memory.

(Nanbaka ep 12)

Uh, what language is “Wartezimmer”? Update: Oh, German.

The exact word for “monster” used here is “bakemono”. I can tell from the lip flaps, even without sound.

This Elf looks like Tanya from Youjo Senki…*shudders* Not only does he look like an elf, but isn’t “elf” 11 in German? Update: You’re wondering why I’m talking about Elf despite having no indication as to how I knew his name? Spoilers, o’course.

Having watched ConRevo prior to this,let’s just say justice is not a word one should sling around lightly.

Haven’t laughed like this for Nanbaka in a while…I miss the days where Nanbaka really was a comedy anime.

They even went Hetalia mochi on us…? With bouncing head effects, to boot.

His name is “Mitsuru” (3 cranes), which is why Hajime’s calling him a crane.

“Don’t get caught” takes on a new meaning here.

Aw, sweetpe-oh? Ah! Elf?!!!!

If I were watching that weekly, that would be a bad cliffhanger…but I’m not, so it doesn’t matter.

(ep 13)

Why the brain? Shouldn’t Elf go for Musashi first, since that guy’s lethal? Jyugo’s hardly a liability compared to Musashi.

This Elf guy blew the metaphorical doors right open…and I just imagined the story flowing out of them like blood.

Handsome guys aren’t useless! They make a show more entertaining!

(ep 14)

Mitsuru!!! You’ve done it again, and by that I mean you’ve ruined the mood!

I was worried about the OP at first for a little, but then Rin! Rin! Hi! Hi! came back and I rejoiced. It does sound a little different, though.

Hajime’s…already…bald…*sweatdrops*

Mitsuru! Geddout of here!

Finally, Mitsuru does something good.

Poor R(bleep)mba.

Unfortunately, we haven’t learnt the name of that movie until now. So…thanks, Mitsuru.

Smol, unmasked Tsukumo is such a cutie. Dangit, I wanna take him home…wait, he’s on my computer, in my home. (It’s not enough, though. Gimme a plushie of it!)

Makibishi = caltrops. Japanese ones, to be specific.

According to Google-sensei, 10000 yen = about $100. Pretty expensive, Mitsuru.

JOMP, LOL.

COMP now? Also, Kuu was the one who said “meow”, but Rock’s dialogue was right before it. Subbers must’ve somehow confused the two.

183 cm? Pretty tall, Kenshiro. Pretty tall.

Herbivore men. You know what they are, right?...Right, Kenshiro?

You can at least laugh at how hard the narrator (not sure it’s Mitsuru any more) is trying…I guess this is the “so bad it’s good” category?

#simulcast commentary #nanbaka #showa genroku rakugo shinjuu #yuri!!! on ice #erased #Boku Dake ga Inai Machi #Chesarka watches Nanbaka #Chesarka watches Yuri!!! on Ice #Chesarka watches SGRS #Chesarka watches Erased

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