| Before I discovered anime, I was a child of the Warner | | | | spoil your experience by further discussing the plot. I |
| Bros, Hanna-Barbera, A.A.P.(Associated Artists | | | | only encourage you to view the film for yourself noting |
| Productions) and Disney generation. I was raised on | | | | the roles and interactions of the male and female |
| Bugs, Jonny Q, Popeye and Mickey. My understanding | | | | characters. |
| of basic physics came from Professor W. E. Coyote. | | | | Timeless Story Themes: The timeless nature of the |
| My early understanding of people came from B. Bunny. | | | | anime story theme is not merely the classic superficial |
| Yogi encouraged us to visit Yellowstone National Park | | | | good versus evil conflicts, but rather the deeper |
| and taught us not to feed the bears. Jonny Q made it | | | | conflicts that arise in differences of opinion or point of |
| cool to have a dad who was an international scientist. | | | | view. Anime scripts have a tendency to reveal visually |
| The Disney studio gave us the unforgettable mix of | | | | more information on a character's background which |
| Hollywood spectacle, choreography and musical and | | | | then gives the audience a more meaningful |
| also taught us the value of marketing, plus giving us a | | | | understanding of that character's personal struggles. In |
| theme park or two. Anime has brought a whole new | | | | many instances the audience will feel a reflection of |
| generation a different set of style, script, color palette, | | | | that conflict within their own soul. |
| sound effects and cultural perspective. | | | | Social Commentary: Traditionally much of Japan's |
| Strong Female Characters: If you haven't noticed, the | | | | writing has had a slant regarding the negative |
| characters I have mentioned above were male. In | | | | outcomes of technology outpacing cultural or social |
| anime, female characters are prevalent, strong and | | | | development or wisdom. The fact that Japanese |
| held in esteem or respect. The anime film, Princess | | | | anime has such a following in much of North America |
| Mononoke is a classic example of a story with strong | | | | and the world at large suggests an importance in |
| female characters. Two of the three main characters | | | | those concerns being expressed. In the film "Princess |
| are female; San a.k.a. Princess Mononoke (female), | | | | Mononoke", the conflict between the old traditions of |
| Lady Eboshi (female) and Ashitaka (male). The films' | | | | agriculture and the holistic or animistic beliefs pitted |
| tag line of; "the fate of the world rests on the courage | | | | against the progress of Iron Age technology has |
| of one warrior", gives thought as to who of the three | | | | meaning in many areas of today's global issues. Anime |
| that one warrior is. Within this group each individual is a | | | | stories traditionally expose and question the lines of |
| warrior with great qualities and strengths within their | | | | progress, commerce, loyalty, honor and culture all within |
| own scope within the storyline. If you have not had the | | | | the graphic nature of animation. |
| pleasure of watching the movie, it is not my intention to | | | | |