I don't think I'm gonna forget for a while that Anime Twitter decided that Fujimoto doesn't really mean that much by his work, the same week that the WAR DEVIL turns the statue of Liberty into a railgun that destroys a Japanese city
if someone ever complains that anime is political its almost always because the show has a gay person or a minority there was never a serious conversation to be had
The good thing about thr gundam series is that there's no political side that they are favoring but see politics as a shades of gray. There are also many gundam shows thay caters to different kinds of people.
Dude just because 1 guy does a loads of research you think the rest of humanity is stupid! Not everyone is a bloody idiot or as condescending as Ashthra!
The amount of time I’ve seen people condemning art and media because it made them “think” is ridiculous. There are literally channels dedicated to criticizing media not for the way they tackle an issue but for attempting to address anything to begin with. What would be the point of anything if nothing was suppose to have meaning? Do we want to live as conscious beings or as cattle waiting to die? I appreciate your video!
W video, I love how much research you put into them and it's kind of criminal how underrated they are. Anyways I'm finishing arc 6 phase 2 today so I can watch your video on it
Animation is art, and art is a reflection of the mind and perspectives of the creator. Sometimes it’s raw expression, sometimes it’s philosophical, sometimes it’s experimental, and yes sometimes it’s political. But this is nothing new, it’s how it always has been. Anime especially has roots in politics, since from the start it gained traction during WW1 after Japan became involved. Like manga, it was a means to entertain while also expressing one’s opinions on the current state of the nation. History lesson aside, it’s not fair to paint anime with such a wide brush of “is” or “isn’t”, because there will always be both. Shinichiro Watanabe (of Cowboy Bebop fame) made Space Dandy at the exact same time he made Terror in Resonance. One is the absolute epitome of political and social commentary in anime while the other is pure expression and fun. Fantastic video. As an animator and aficionado of the history of cinema and art, you did an amazing job balancing your own opinion on the state of art and its influence with the truths of the past and what makes art political. I’m happy I even got to learn a bit of new info.
the thing about anime being political is that many times anime treats political topics from their own country, so it goes over people's heads, my favourite anime of all times is gintama, and is constantly taking jabs at the japanese goberment, but because most people aren't familiar with how things are then, they don't get it. Also, if people are complaining about anime going woke, wait until witch hat atelier comes out, that manga is almos a bingo card of wokeness, dealing with disabilities, SA, discrimination of classes, gay characters, possibly even the mc, neurodivergent characters, etc
I saw someone on a video about whatever that anime was completely for the most part unpolitical and one of the examples he flashes on screen was one piece 😭 the anime where the main character overthrows a corrupt government every arc and the secondary antagonists are a police force that carry out the will of rich big wigs above all else It’s not even media literacy it’s just, idiocy I guess
People see what they want to see that’s the difficulty of Authorial intent. If you spend years loving one piece analysis on it starts and ends with its good The person fills the stuff in with only the things that fit that Start and end goal
I agree with a lot of the video but it is not a “right wing grift” to say that Asian media is censored and pressured by the Western corporations and that those reasons are also bad.
That's a nice argument you've got there, unfortunately I've commented before watching the video and have assumed the absolute worst in you based on nothing but the title and thumbnail. I win again. 😎
Our political systems affect everything, the distribution of power and resources affect our lives, whether we are aware or not, and that affects the art people create.
Thank god this video seems normal judging by the comments and start. I went to subscribe to your channel while I was listening to your arc 7 summaries (great job on them btw. They're making me consider a lot I didn't during my initial read thru of the arc 2 yrs ago.) and my gut reaction to any anituber mentioning politics is to brace for them to start railing about sjws like it's 2016. Thank god you're normal.
The thing people forget is that politics are ideas. And just like any idea, it all comes down to execution. This isn't just with anime, but also with video games, movies, books, tv shows, and other media. Politics as ideas are not inherently bad. Metal Gear Solid, Shin Megami Tensei, Fallout, Bioshock, Dead Rising, Grand Theft Auto. These are all examples of how, as long as as you're a good writer, you can include political themes, even if some people dont agree with it.
political themes were never the concern. the concern was always political preaching. one side knowingly propagandizes the other, and falls back on the loosest definition of "political" to avoid criticisms, while accusing people of disliking it of being bigots.
@@davidlewis6728 I can't stand the amount of times I've seen this kind of gaslighty narrativization when there are clear and immediate examples of anti-wokers being very up-front that the mere existence of political themes/minority characters is the problem. Evidently, there is a non-insignificant number of people who don't like engaging with these things in media.
@@megamillion5852 the main tactic of the woke is to accuse anyone they disagree with of being bigots. part of the problem is a self-fulfilling prophesy, part of it is feeding the trolls, and part of it is misconstruing genuine criticisms as mere bigotry, but to generalize that bigotry as being a significant factor when almost all of those people can give examples of minorities they admire. no, it's not a significant number of them. you've just convinced yourself that anyone that is anti-woke is bigoted, and you prove it by pointing to anti-woke behavior as evidence of secret bigotry. you're just pointing to anti-wokers being anti-woke.
I mean the term "political" has become somewhat of a large umbrella term. To the point it doesnt mean anything without further clarification. Everything is political in the same way everything is chemicals, but everyone probably wants to know the specific ones that are relevant to them, otherwise its not a useful statement.
Ok, I think after this video alongside others I saw after I got reced your channel, all I can say is yh, this right here is that good shit I've been needing with an AniTube creator. Not that there aren't decent minded ppl and all around kind folks in the anime community, but yk, seeing someone break down anime culture with a left leaning perspective, yh definitely smth I don't catch in the feed very often. Got my fair share of gaming leftists on my feed, but good to see I'm being reced a pretty competent and well-meaning channel within anime commentary.
A bit off topic, but I think politics is the most useless thing of all time, any person with the smallest bit of common sense knows that ultimately all that really matters is social progress and technology advancement, the debates around politics are nothing short of just a circus because there really isn't any other conclusion to reach beyond just what's been discovered a long time ago: Everyone should just live as they see fit respecting other people. All things centered around politics is nothing but just us humans antagonizing each other for the sake of it, rather than to get somewhere, and it's just ironic that such an useless thing is the most present of all in our world.
good vid! it's been getting tiring seeing people parrot the "keep politics out of my media!" talk -- there's been room for that ongoing dialogue to be wisened up and for people to realize or admit what they _really_ mean when they say that. especially with all these right-wing grifters (unfortunately) encouraging a lot of that rhetoric to continue. some people are being made into useful idiots, as you say.
i think its really good you mention that politics are not inherently bad. so many people just want to cover their ears and sing when it comes to politics, even if its people who i respect and dont hold negative beliefs like anti-woke shit. its possible to put positive spins on it, which can include satire for laughs, powerful stories that help us understand, and in general just supporting each other solid video, your channel is criminally underrated
(I'm just commenting nonsense cuz everyone already said the things I wanted to say lmao) Damn, I can't believe Asa went woke and has gone broke. Sweet Baby inc claims another, the power of DEI is inescapable, I hope you enjoy all that Blackrock money oh and something something PRONOUNS I think thats all the typical talking points covered, my argument is now undefeatable just like my hero and master debater Jordan Peterson :^)
This is an amazing video, super informative and I especially commend the attempt to turn against the general discourse around anime analysis by making your content revolve so much around politics and different ways anime portrays leftist ideas (or fails at them lol MHA). I feel like there's a strong lack of discourse around these kind of topics in the anime community so channels like these that can promote these kind of analyses are much appreciated!!! As for my personal pick for favorite political anime, I love Magi so much, it's all about the characters choosing what's the best way to rule the world in a mix of politics, economy and existentialism all with an amazing middle-east aesthetic.
so crazy that i clicked my notifications expecting it to be that one channel i'm subbed to which uploads really good videos but also streams like 3403 times per day and fills my notifications with the streams but instead it's the g.o.a.t.
When people say they don't want politics in their entertainment, what they mean is that they don't want one-sided political views forced on them by a bunch that only got involved in thier hobbies to spread a message.
i'm sure a handful express the "no politics in my entertainment pls" sentiment from that perspective, sure. but it's become painfully apparent in recent years how a lot of ppl who say that really just have an issue with anything deemed "too left-leaning" for their tastes, which ends up manifesting as undue skepticism or outrage at damn near any brown/black characters, or female characters that "aren't attractive enough" and/or "too strong / independent", or queer characters, etc. The inclusion of any of those things doesn't intrinsically signal it was "injected in" by some bad actor who's only there to "spread a message". But the assumption and assertion of such gets made regardless.
@@nicelight7794I'd I have a problem all the same if it was Midwestern and deep south Christians making everything about God and whatever else, but at the moment its college educated progressives that refuse to give respite from thier preaching(mostly its the prioritization of said preaching over telling a compelling narrative).
Jesus the absolute wastefulness of this side of fan culture always sickens me. People genuinely just don’t want to consume challenging media anymore, even those who claim they would. It’s so fucking exhausting man.
To say that a story doesnt have politics is actually insane and goes against the very core of a story of a theme a children's story will try to teach a basic moral lesson about not stealing or some shit if that is true then why would a author writting for a more adult audience not try it instill a more complex lesson about something happening the in the real world just because everyone can agree that stealing is wrong and what ever political message put in isnt universally agreed on to a a author that believes in both they might as well be the same.
3:07 Asa did you know Sukuna canonically lactates?Gege said it in an interview I’m not even joking I think this is crucial information I’m definitely not looking for an excuse to bolster the algorithm 🫢
Just like in the Isekai analysis video, I really like your methodical approach to these topics. Can't help but feel vindicated in hearing your very accurate criticisms of people complaining about "wokeism". I would love to see more videos in this style! (I couldn't help but think of code geass during the section discussing the US influences, you can throw it on the pile. )
I watched Demon Slayer and I was shocked that EVERY character is a PoC. There isn't a single normal, regular guy in the whole show, just PoCs everywhere. I really can't stand that the woke mafia did this. Some serious DEI going on at Demon Slayer Corps
I think main problem with this discourse is that bias towards other culture (especially in sexual way), and the orienting only on western view of anything despite Japan hasn't well developed left right thing
Japan very much has a political left and right, the dominant conservative LDP might not want to acknowledge that, but Japan has had labour movements, student protests, and leftist parties (like Japanese Socialist party was the main opposition party in the country till the 1955 system collapsed, while the communist JCP is still a significant player). Even on the right there are clear conservative, and far right nationalist outfits. Just because political divisions manifest in a different way, doesn't mean they don't exist.
Honestly I don't want to talk about politics doing it anyway. To me from what I get from politics it a system in place with government making law and governing people in way of life. Japanese have politics in anime for comedy, seriousness, or parodies, however other country or people politics would hate it.
Everything that has humans relating with themselves is politics. When people think something is not political is because this person is so deep in capitalism ideology that can't notice the politics in things, it appears to be "how the world is"
Funny you put Rev there because those kinds agreed there are political messages in Japanese works. The difference's that they didn't put the Orange Man there and called him the "villain." Some UA-camrs are more biased than others though.
Not everyone on the opposition is grifting just because they point out certain aspects. Alot of corporations that profit off of capitalism and consumerism the most are run by very liberal focused people. I agree with many of your points, but the grift goes both ways. Not all conservative views are good and niether are all liberal views. Lets take an example from hollywood. In an effort to represent more minorities, they often give their characters no flaws because they're afraid of showing them in a negative light which makes other characters which are deemed okay to critisize tand out more. Or disney which pull the race card whenever one of their projects flop when thats only a small portion of what people critizise. Conservative grifters who call things woke are only a small part of the internet compared to the corperations they talk about who often have actual political power. Anyways love your videos as always Asa, glad I caught it soon after it uploaded.
@@thomasffrench3639 As you pointed out the corporations are also grifting in a way. Someone will naturally lean toward a side if called enough 'ists' and 'phobes'. There was that controversy with Jeremy Jahn where he was attacked for reviewing a right wing movie. He wasn't polititical and was just being fair but its interpreted through a certain lens by some people. So by that metric just reviewing something the opposing side made is grifting.
@@thomasffrench3639 I don't believe that all 'woke' decisions made or just for profit. I feel like that just invalidates any media with progreesive elements to it.
0:38 Literally 60% of the anime fandom in a nutshell. Only sees the cool fight and waifus, don’t think any deeper, and will be upset when people try to talk about the deeper meaning/message in anime/manga.
Some more examples I wanted to mention: One Piece also has Trans characters and also had non gender conforming or gender fluid characters all the way back 2009 and Hunter x Hunter also had great trans representation in the chairman election arc.
Those characters are typically jokes, having those types of characters don't even automatically mean political, I don't even think gender fluid (besides being nonsensical) was even a term back then when those series were created.
@@eagle162 In Robin’s voice: one of them is a villain turned ally that saved the main characters twice on 2 separate arcs, another is one of the most powerful members in the revolutionary army, there’s also newer ones where they are one of the most powerful samurai that jumped fowards in time and another that is the son of one of the main antagonists in the series that goes to the good guides side. As well as one of them being the sister of one of the main characters and a main plot point is how her family mistreats her as well as her awesome magical powers. You haven’t watched the video if you don’t understand what people mean when they say all art is political. Genderfluid already existed by the times the series were created and before the characters appeared but even if the word didn’t exists before (which it did) the concept or idea of gender fluidity or being non gender conforming dates back through all of history since it isn’t like trans, gay, people just came into existence yesterday. We always been here. While I hope you realize that you are wrong in reality I am only commenting so other people know how wrong you are and realize you haven’t even watched the video and just commented about stuff you didn’t know about. I honestly pity you. I could tell you to re examine your position, to go touch grass, to watch the video before commenting, maybe in your sad existence all you want is attention and you are wasting my time to get the attention you need because you don’t have friends to rely on so you have to do things like talk to you. My worries and my empathy are probably falling on deaf ears but I hope down the line when someone else tells you about queer history you are more willing to listen and do research on your own before saying stuff that’s just wrong.
@@titania396your point I said is typically jokes,Emporio Ivankov isn't still a bit of a joke to you? Particularly withdraw as a garish interpretation of a drag queen,Kikunojo, I'll give you that But it's pretty much treated as just another character like others in previous story arcs. No because unlike gay or trans people, gender fluid is just a made-up term to feel special, that makes no sense you're not going through any changes just because you decide to wear a skirt under pants now, especially when you look up the history of the word gender.
@@titania396your point? I said typically are jokes? Which Ivankov isn't still a bit of a joke character to you? Especially with how Ivankov is drawn,Kikunojo,I'll give you but is treated like other Central characters in previous story arcs.
@@titania396considering you use gender fluid and your overly long comment you're kind of projecting here. No because unlike trans or gay people,GF fluid is not real created the feel special / different, you're not going through serious changes just because you decide to wear a skirt or pants now or decided to use the 185 million new terms.
You don't need to precise witch of mercury when you speack about gundam same sex love since zeta in 1985 already have some stuff ( basicaly all gundam have some stuff about it since almost the start )another think is that suleta is not the first gundam femal pilot unlike some people want to say and gundam is a realy left leaning show since the first time ( by the way i notice you show quite a lot of reincarnated as aristocrat with appraisal skilli love this show too i am up to date with the wn ) ps i am not realy a militant of any same sex stuff i don't realy care about same sex romance since i a m a 100% pur male hetero and have not interest in yuri or yaoi romance when it hapen in a show but i think different people can bring different idea ( as long they are not crasy extremiste) and i am fine with that and i love strong and smart and charismatique girl too not servile one like rem of re zero or silphy from mushoku or rei from evangelion when i seen character like that i realy hate they
Anime has always been political. The only difference now is that before, it was just japanese/eastern politics, anime is catering to western politics now. Anime been doing gender stuff 30+ years before the west started dabbling into it for an example.
Anime is when people over the world consume something from a country that is not in their lives. And japan is mostly a very cohesive and apolitical society that doesn't like to bother on politics all the time. Unlike in europe usa russia Brazil etc. In short anime is often a way for non japanese to join this apolitical atmosphere. To escape from bias .
I always considered anime to be pretty left-wing because women are treated equal in it, there always were nonhetero characters, anime cured my homophobia literally so it's really weird to me to see people being mad that anime became letf when it always have been but I don't interact with fandoms so idk.
in my opinion your very biased to one side its very apparent and for a libreal and leftist (im not from America i dont know the difference)you take the radical cases and run with it yes the word woke is over used at this point i dont think anyone knows the meaning the the basic for it should be shoehorning diversity in games and shows and stuff where it feels forced your no better than the people you talk about you dont have any nuance and just see the radicals i dont see anyone complain about things like arcane and such cause it feels alot more natural and isnt shoved in your face and has good writing you automatically suggest that most the people talking about the woke stuff are saying gay people and black people in games or shows bad while there is plenty it isnt as much as people who just dont want the shoehorning in there stuff i dont mind politics and such in my stuff i watch for example one piece is in my top 10 and we all know how that show is yet i barely here anime fans complain about the messaging and such i wonder why? maybe because most people dont care i came into the video with an open mind cause i try to get different point of views and such but since your mha video about racism ive been skeptical cause of how you said some things in that video idk if you will see this or really even care its just a little annoying to see stuff like this where they aren't much different from the people they talk about
I don't think I'm gonna forget for a while that Anime Twitter decided that Fujimoto doesn't really mean that much by his work, the same week that the WAR DEVIL turns the statue of Liberty into a railgun that destroys a Japanese city
My immediate answer before the video starts is some anime have always had political undertones and some are just right in your face.
Ikr.
Code Geass
One Piece
Hetalia especially
Politics have been shaping the way we write stories for fuckin ages. Art imitates life and allat.
if someone ever complains that anime is political its almost always because the show has a gay person or a minority there was never a serious conversation to be had
JJBA:
“Is anime becoming political?”
The original Mobile Suit Gundam staring from a distance
The good thing about thr gundam series is that there's no political side that they are favoring but see politics as a shades of gray. There are also many gundam shows thay caters to different kinds of people.
@@francisquebachmann7375 Sure, but it is clearly a left leaning piece of work.
"Is Anime Becoming Political?"
In the distance:
KISS KISS FALL IN LOVE
(If it was not clear, anime was always political)
HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY!
It’s crazy how doing research on topics like this is beyond the bare minimum effort nowadays
Dude just because 1 guy does a loads of research you think the rest of humanity is stupid! Not everyone is a bloody idiot or as condescending as Ashthra!
@@tayojones9460 ????
The amount of time I’ve seen people condemning art and media because it made them “think” is ridiculous.
There are literally channels dedicated to criticizing media not for the way they tackle an issue but for attempting to address anything to begin with.
What would be the point of anything if nothing was suppose to have meaning?
Do we want to live as conscious beings or as cattle waiting to die?
I appreciate your video!
W video, I love how much research you put into them and it's kind of criminal how underrated they are. Anyways I'm finishing arc 6 phase 2 today so I can watch your video on it
Nah dude, politics is when black guy, and since no black guy in Japan, therefore no politics
Oh, I get it! To get rid of politics in the media, we just have to get rid of black guys.
Barrert: *fades into thin air*
Animation is art, and art is a reflection of the mind and perspectives of the creator.
Sometimes it’s raw expression, sometimes it’s philosophical, sometimes it’s experimental, and yes sometimes it’s political. But this is nothing new, it’s how it always has been. Anime especially has roots in politics, since from the start it gained traction during WW1 after Japan became involved. Like manga, it was a means to entertain while also expressing one’s opinions on the current state of the nation. History lesson aside, it’s not fair to paint anime with such a wide brush of “is” or “isn’t”, because there will always be both.
Shinichiro Watanabe (of Cowboy Bebop fame) made Space Dandy at the exact same time he made Terror in Resonance. One is the absolute epitome of political and social commentary in anime while the other is pure expression and fun.
Fantastic video. As an animator and aficionado of the history of cinema and art, you did an amazing job balancing your own opinion on the state of art and its influence with the truths of the past and what makes art political. I’m happy I even got to learn a bit of new info.
I'm hoping this video gets noticed! Always like your videos, especially ones like these
the thing about anime being political is that many times anime treats political topics from their own country, so it goes over people's heads, my favourite anime of all times is gintama, and is constantly taking jabs at the japanese goberment, but because most people aren't familiar with how things are then, they don't get it. Also, if people are complaining about anime going woke, wait until witch hat atelier comes out, that manga is almos a bingo card of wokeness, dealing with disabilities, SA, discrimination of classes, gay characters, possibly even the mc, neurodivergent characters, etc
during the heian era, sukuna indeed had a lot of bullshit technique
I saw someone on a video about whatever that anime was completely for the most part unpolitical and one of the examples he flashes on screen was one piece 😭
the anime where the main character overthrows a corrupt government every arc and the secondary antagonists are a police force that carry out the will of rich big wigs above all else
It’s not even media literacy it’s just, idiocy I guess
People see what they want to see that’s the difficulty of Authorial intent.
If you spend years loving one piece analysis on it starts and ends with its good
The person fills the stuff in with only the things that fit that Start and end goal
I agree with a lot of the video but it is not a “right wing grift” to say that Asian media is censored and pressured by the Western corporations and that those reasons are also bad.
Bro researched the history of japan just to say "Yes"
Yes it always had politics and always will have politics and so will basically any other form of media
That's a nice argument you've got there, unfortunately I've commented before watching the video and have assumed the absolute worst in you based on nothing but the title and thumbnail. I win again. 😎
DAMM IT HE GOT ME
Our political systems affect everything, the distribution of power and resources affect our lives, whether we are aware or not, and that affects the art people create.
Thank god this video seems normal judging by the comments and start. I went to subscribe to your channel while I was listening to your arc 7 summaries (great job on them btw. They're making me consider a lot I didn't during my initial read thru of the arc 2 yrs ago.) and my gut reaction to any anituber mentioning politics is to brace for them to start railing about sjws like it's 2016. Thank god you're normal.
amine has been political for a long time.
the examples i can give is AOT,gundam,code geass, and most mecha anime genres
The thing people forget is that politics are ideas. And just like any idea, it all comes down to execution. This isn't just with anime, but also with video games, movies, books, tv shows, and other media. Politics as ideas are not inherently bad.
Metal Gear Solid, Shin Megami Tensei, Fallout, Bioshock, Dead Rising, Grand Theft Auto. These are all examples of how, as long as as you're a good writer, you can include political themes, even if some people dont agree with it.
political themes were never the concern. the concern was always political preaching. one side knowingly propagandizes the other, and falls back on the loosest definition of "political" to avoid criticisms, while accusing people of disliking it of being bigots.
@@davidlewis6728 I can't stand the amount of times I've seen this kind of gaslighty narrativization when there are clear and immediate examples of anti-wokers being very up-front that the mere existence of political themes/minority characters is the problem. Evidently, there is a non-insignificant number of people who don't like engaging with these things in media.
@@megamillion5852 the main tactic of the woke is to accuse anyone they disagree with of being bigots. part of the problem is a self-fulfilling prophesy, part of it is feeding the trolls, and part of it is misconstruing genuine criticisms as mere bigotry, but to generalize that bigotry as being a significant factor when almost all of those people can give examples of minorities they admire. no, it's not a significant number of them. you've just convinced yourself that anyone that is anti-woke is bigoted, and you prove it by pointing to anti-woke behavior as evidence of secret bigotry. you're just pointing to anti-wokers being anti-woke.
@@megamillion5852 test
@@megamillion5852 test 2
It's funny that the thumbnail is Cyberpunk because the franchise as a whole is very political
Pretty sad how anime fandoms are taking anime and using it for political purposes. I mostly think 4chan is guilty for this
twitter as well or any social media plattform including youtube
Its mostly from western fans. The only politics anime i seen is Gate which kinda glorifies JSF.
I mean the term "political" has become somewhat of a large umbrella term. To the point it doesnt mean anything without further clarification.
Everything is political in the same way everything is chemicals, but everyone probably wants to know the specific ones that are relevant to them, otherwise its not a useful statement.
A good majority of the highest rated anime on MAL are very politically charged
Ok, I think after this video alongside others I saw after I got reced your channel, all I can say is yh, this right here is that good shit I've been needing with an AniTube creator. Not that there aren't decent minded ppl and all around kind folks in the anime community, but yk, seeing someone break down anime culture with a left leaning perspective, yh definitely smth I don't catch in the feed very often. Got my fair share of gaming leftists on my feed, but good to see I'm being reced a pretty competent and well-meaning channel within anime commentary.
y'know john politics was actually kinda cool for inventing politics and saying feminism was alright, pushed boundaries fr (great video asa)
A bit off topic, but I think politics is the most useless thing of all time, any person with the smallest bit of common sense knows that ultimately all that really matters is social progress and technology advancement, the debates around politics are nothing short of just a circus because there really isn't any other conclusion to reach beyond just what's been discovered a long time ago: Everyone should just live as they see fit respecting other people. All things centered around politics is nothing but just us humans antagonizing each other for the sake of it, rather than to get somewhere, and it's just ironic that such an useless thing is the most present of all in our world.
good vid! it's been getting tiring seeing people parrot the "keep politics out of my media!" talk -- there's been room for that ongoing dialogue to be wisened up and for people to realize or admit what they _really_ mean when they say that. especially with all these right-wing grifters (unfortunately) encouraging a lot of that rhetoric to continue. some people are being made into useful idiots, as you say.
i think its really good you mention that politics are not inherently bad. so many people just want to cover their ears and sing when it comes to politics, even if its people who i respect and dont hold negative beliefs like anti-woke shit. its possible to put positive spins on it, which can include satire for laughs, powerful stories that help us understand, and in general just supporting each other
solid video, your channel is criminally underrated
(I'm just commenting nonsense cuz everyone already said the things I wanted to say lmao)
Damn, I can't believe Asa went woke and has gone broke. Sweet Baby inc claims another, the power of DEI is inescapable, I hope you enjoy all that Blackrock money oh and something something PRONOUNS
I think thats all the typical talking points covered, my argument is now undefeatable just like my hero and master debater Jordan Peterson :^)
9:38 Sorry maybe this is inappropriate but that’s Chaos Island right.
This is an amazing video, super informative and I especially commend the attempt to turn against the general discourse around anime analysis by making your content revolve so much around politics and different ways anime portrays leftist ideas (or fails at them lol MHA). I feel like there's a strong lack of discourse around these kind of topics in the anime community so channels like these that can promote these kind of analyses are much appreciated!!!
As for my personal pick for favorite political anime, I love Magi so much, it's all about the characters choosing what's the best way to rule the world in a mix of politics, economy and existentialism all with an amazing middle-east aesthetic.
Glad we can get 1 week of normal comments
Was gonna turn my brain off after work, but that can wait until after the video is done
great video, i hope you do more these kinda videos even tho i love your rezero stuff
Anyone know who the characters are in the thumbnail? What animes?
Harley Quinn
Anna Yanami(Makeine)
Nokotan(Shikanoko nokotan)
Emilia (Re:Zero)
Aqua (Oshi no Ko)
so crazy that i clicked my notifications expecting it to be that one channel i'm subbed to which uploads really good videos but also streams like 3403 times per day and fills my notifications with the streams but instead it's the g.o.a.t.
Very well researched video as always. incredibly enjoyable and interesting watch 👍
Code Geass is my favorite apolitical anime (all art is influenced by the political climate surrounding its creation, therefore, is political).
This might be my new favourite video you've made.
When people say they don't want politics in their entertainment, what they mean is that they don't want one-sided political views forced on them by a bunch that only got involved in thier hobbies to spread a message.
i'm sure a handful express the "no politics in my entertainment pls" sentiment from that perspective, sure. but it's become painfully apparent in recent years how a lot of ppl who say that really just have an issue with anything deemed "too left-leaning" for their tastes, which ends up manifesting as undue skepticism or outrage at damn near any brown/black characters, or female characters that "aren't attractive enough" and/or "too strong / independent", or queer characters, etc. The inclusion of any of those things doesn't intrinsically signal it was "injected in" by some bad actor who's only there to "spread a message". But the assumption and assertion of such gets made regardless.
@@nicelight7794no,if anything that's a very small minority, even more left-leaning people are tired of this, including black or brown and women.
@@eagle162 that "very small minority" is loud as hell, then.
@@nicelight7794I'd I have a problem all the same if it was Midwestern and deep south Christians making everything about God and whatever else, but at the moment its college educated progressives that refuse to give respite from thier preaching(mostly its the prioritization of said preaching over telling a compelling narrative).
@@nicelight7794the progressive types are far more so. Are more luminous and annoying.
“Is anime becoming political?”
Ugh, Gundam?! ;v
Jesus the absolute wastefulness of this side of fan culture always sickens me. People genuinely just don’t want to consume challenging media anymore, even those who claim they would. It’s so fucking exhausting man.
To say that a story doesnt have politics is actually insane and goes against the very core of a story of a theme a children's story will try to teach a basic moral lesson about not stealing or some shit if that is true then why would a author writting for a more adult audience not try it instill a more complex lesson about something happening the in the real world just because everyone can agree that stealing is wrong and what ever political message put in isnt universally agreed on to a a author that believes in both they might as well be the same.
As long as it's not progressivism or ultra conservatism it'd be fine, that and not everything is going to be political anyway.
3:07 Asa did you know Sukuna canonically lactates?Gege said it in an interview I’m not even joking
I think this is crucial information I’m definitely not looking for an excuse to bolster the algorithm 🫢
The best anime imo always has something to do with the human condition and/or politics, like just about every Mamoru Oshii film as an example
Can’t believe such things are classified as “WOKE”
What a thing to put into your silly cartoon shows. 😱
Just like in the Isekai analysis video, I really like your methodical approach to these topics. Can't help but feel vindicated in hearing your very accurate criticisms of people complaining about "wokeism". I would love to see more videos in this style! (I couldn't help but think of code geass during the section discussing the US influences, you can throw it on the pile. )
Also mostly people who say that anime has no politics say that there is no prropaganda of direct ideas like in Disney and EA games
I watched Demon Slayer and I was shocked that EVERY character is a PoC. There isn't a single normal, regular guy in the whole show, just PoCs everywhere. I really can't stand that the woke mafia did this. Some serious DEI going on at Demon Slayer Corps
Satire right?
Is Japan more or less a-political than the US?
In Russia, we can see the consequence of a populace that is completely withdrawn from politics.
I think main problem with this discourse is that bias towards other culture (especially in sexual way), and the orienting only on western view of anything despite Japan hasn't well developed left right thing
Japan very much has a political left and right, the dominant conservative LDP might not want to acknowledge that, but Japan has had labour movements, student protests, and leftist parties (like Japanese Socialist party was the main opposition party in the country till the 1955 system collapsed, while the communist JCP is still a significant player). Even on the right there are clear conservative, and far right nationalist outfits. Just because political divisions manifest in a different way, doesn't mean they don't exist.
I mean if that is the case, then they are just right-wing.
Honestly I don't want to talk about politics doing it anyway. To me from what I get from politics it a system in place with government making law and governing people in way of life. Japanese have politics in anime for comedy, seriousness, or parodies, however other country or people politics would hate it.
always has been
HALF HOUR ASA WOOOO
Everything that has humans relating with themselves is politics. When people think something is not political is because this person is so deep in capitalism ideology that can't notice the politics in things, it appears to be "how the world is"
Answer: Yes. But they express it in terms of their societal norms. They don't have western reactions towards red caps or colored hair.
This was wonderful
Art as a mean of human expression is very political by nature
I'll truly never understand politics and I will never will to for the life of me
Another Asaratha video to help excavate the brainrot.
You cooked once more Asa
I feel like you misunderstood what people mean by their concerns about anime getting political.
Could you care to explain what people actually mean then?
In that case then it truly isn't political at all
It means that gay and black people are too prominent.
Very well researched vid :)
0:40 Hasan jumpscare
Excellent video as always
Funny you put Rev there because those kinds agreed there are political messages in Japanese works. The difference's that they didn't put the Orange Man there and called him the "villain." Some UA-camrs are more biased than others though.
"Don't call Hitler or Stalin villains, it's too political."
Not everyone on the opposition is grifting just because they point out certain aspects. Alot of corporations that profit off of capitalism and consumerism the most are run by very liberal focused people. I agree with many of your points, but the grift goes both ways. Not all conservative views are good and niether are all liberal views. Lets take an example from hollywood. In an effort to represent more minorities, they often give their characters no flaws because they're afraid of showing them in a negative light which makes other characters which are deemed okay to critisize tand out more. Or disney which pull the race card whenever one of their projects flop when thats only a small portion of what people critizise. Conservative grifters who call things woke are only a small part of the internet compared to the corperations they talk about who often have actual political power. Anyways love your videos as always Asa, glad I caught it soon after it uploaded.
lib is not true left tho, also still way smaller in comparison anyways
But most are. Also corporations aren't woke, it is just is profitable.
@@thomasffrench3639 As you pointed out the corporations are also grifting in a way. Someone will naturally lean toward a side if called enough 'ists' and 'phobes'. There was that controversy with Jeremy Jahn where he was attacked for reviewing a right wing movie. He wasn't polititical and was just being fair but its interpreted through a certain lens by some people. So by that metric just reviewing something the opposing side made is grifting.
@@thomasffrench3639 I don't believe that all 'woke' decisions made or just for profit. I feel like that just invalidates any media with progreesive elements to it.
0:38
Literally 60% of the anime fandom in a nutshell.
Only sees the cool fight and waifus, don’t think any deeper, and will be upset when people try to talk about the deeper meaning/message in anime/manga.
Wokeness??? In my anime??? N-Nande?! KUSO!!!!!
wokeness in a sense of pandering is not aviable in anime but instead anime is pandering everything into isekai
30 minutes of kinography incoming
k-on fans seem to think so
Banger video
Some more examples I wanted to mention: One Piece also has Trans characters and also had non gender conforming or gender fluid characters all the way back 2009 and Hunter x Hunter also had great trans representation in the chairman election arc.
Those characters are typically jokes, having those types of characters don't even automatically mean political, I don't even think gender fluid (besides being nonsensical) was even a term back then when those series were created.
@@eagle162 In Robin’s voice: one of them is a villain turned ally that saved the main characters twice on 2 separate arcs, another is one of the most powerful members in the revolutionary army, there’s also newer ones where they are one of the most powerful samurai that jumped fowards in time and another that is the son of one of the main antagonists in the series that goes to the good guides side. As well as one of them being the sister of one of the main characters and a main plot point is how her family mistreats her as well as her awesome magical powers. You haven’t watched the video if you don’t understand what people mean when they say all art is political. Genderfluid already existed by the times the series were created and before the characters appeared but even if the word didn’t exists before (which it did) the concept or idea of gender fluidity or being non gender conforming dates back through all of history since it isn’t like trans, gay, people just came into existence yesterday. We always been here.
While I hope you realize that you are wrong in reality I am only commenting so other people know how wrong you are and realize you haven’t even watched the video and just commented about stuff you didn’t know about.
I honestly pity you. I could tell you to re examine your position, to go touch grass, to watch the video before commenting, maybe in your sad existence all you want is attention and you are wasting my time to get the attention you need because you don’t have friends to rely on so you have to do things like talk to you.
My worries and my empathy are probably falling on deaf ears but I hope down the line when someone else tells you about queer history you are more willing to listen and do research on your own before saying stuff that’s just wrong.
@@titania396your point I said is typically jokes,Emporio Ivankov isn't still a bit of a joke to you? Particularly withdraw as a garish interpretation of a drag queen,Kikunojo, I'll give you that But it's pretty much treated as just another character like others in previous story arcs.
No because unlike gay or trans people, gender fluid is just a made-up term to feel special, that makes no sense you're not going through any changes just because you decide to wear a skirt under pants now, especially when you look up the history of the word gender.
@@titania396your point? I said typically are jokes?
Which Ivankov isn't still a bit of a joke character to you? Especially with how Ivankov is drawn,Kikunojo,I'll give you but is treated like other Central characters in previous story arcs.
@@titania396considering you use gender fluid and your overly long comment you're kind of projecting here.
No because unlike trans or gay people,GF fluid is not real created the feel special / different, you're not going through serious changes just because you decide to wear a skirt or pants now or decided to use the 185 million new terms.
Did anyone ever told you that you sound just like moistcritical
Anime was always pretty political!
Amazing video as always!
You must.... watch... SKIP AND LOAFER!!!!
It's got a great Transgender character and it's wholesome af :3
So short answer yes anime is always political
Can't believe my Japanese cartoons are becoming woke 😔
Great video mr dog with burrito or something in its mouth. I was worried anime was getting a little too woke ! You are an inspiration, keep it up !
"PRONOUNS!!!!!!!! 😡🤬🥵"
30 minute video 🙏 my afternoon is saved
just... why man
god I had to skip through the gigguk clip at the beginning to keep the light from leaving my eyes
great video tho
my bad
@@AsarathaHSYT 's all good!
I just remember how it was *that* specific moment that made me stop watching Trash Taste podcast lol
erm keep this stinky stuff out of my japanese cartoons
Not my cp becoming woke!!!!!!!!
@@dracsense_5610 true
Haven’t finished reading rezero only on arc 6 but I kinda wish it was a bit more political, he can do quite a bit with the whole royal selection thing
You don't need to precise witch of mercury when you speack about gundam same sex love since zeta in 1985 already have some stuff ( basicaly all gundam have some stuff about it since almost the start )another think is that suleta is not the first gundam femal pilot unlike some people want to say and gundam is a realy left leaning show since the first time ( by the way i notice you show quite a lot of reincarnated as aristocrat with appraisal skilli love this show too i am up to date with the wn )
ps i am not realy a militant of any same sex stuff i don't realy care about same sex romance since i a m a 100% pur male hetero and have not interest in yuri or yaoi romance when it hapen in a show but i think different people can bring different idea ( as long they are not crasy extremiste) and i am fine with that
and i love strong and smart and charismatique girl too not servile one like rem of re zero or silphy from mushoku or rei from evangelion when i seen character like that i realy hate they
Gollum never loses,lol
Based
Seriously tho. Fuck Rev says desu
Anime has always been political. The only difference now is that before, it was just japanese/eastern politics, anime is catering to western politics now.
Anime been doing gender stuff 30+ years before the west started dabbling into it for an example.
Anime is when people over the world consume something from a country that is not in their lives. And japan is mostly a very cohesive and apolitical society that doesn't like to bother on politics all the time. Unlike in europe usa russia Brazil etc.
In short anime is often a way for non japanese to join this apolitical atmosphere. To escape from bias .
Yooo
86
I always considered anime to be pretty left-wing because women are treated equal in it, there always were nonhetero characters, anime cured my homophobia literally so it's really weird to me to see people being mad that anime became letf when it always have been but I don't interact with fandoms so idk.
Algo
tfw animes creation was an ACTUAL political move...
this was great
Cyberpunk just kind of pushes a typical "rich people bad" narrative.
in my opinion your very biased to one side its very apparent and for a libreal and leftist (im not from America i dont know the difference)you take the radical cases and run with it yes the word woke is over used at this point i dont think anyone knows the meaning the the basic for it should be shoehorning diversity in games and shows and stuff where it feels forced your no better than the people you talk about you dont have any nuance and just see the radicals i dont see anyone complain about things like arcane and such cause it feels alot more natural and isnt shoved in your face and has good writing you automatically suggest that most the people talking about the woke stuff are saying gay people and black people in games or shows bad while there is plenty it isnt as much as people who just dont want the shoehorning in there stuff i dont mind politics and such in my stuff i watch for example one piece is in my top 10 and we all know how that show is yet i barely here anime fans complain about the messaging and such i wonder why? maybe because most people dont care i came into the video with an open mind cause i try to get different point of views and such but since your mha video about racism ive been skeptical cause of how you said some things in that video idk if you will see this or really even care its just a little annoying to see stuff like this where they aren't much different from the people they talk about
pressing the enter key or period key would change your life
@@AsarathaHSYT if you say so if that's all you have to say good on you have a nice day man
Yes.