i have spent for the comics my whole pocket money for five years... no little sugars, nothing else...just plain the German translated comics from carlsen, which i still have and read once a year or so...
Also one thing that is never shown in Tokyo is how quiet it is. People aim to shoot the hustle and bustle of Shibuya and Shinjuku, but if you walk maybe 100 meters out of each hub, it’s extremely quiet and decentralised. You can walk down countless streets without bumping into a car or a person. It’s part of the soul of Tokyo that is hard to show on camera and can only be experienced by people who come here.
I think "Perfect Day" by Wim Wenders did a great job at showing that side of things. I found it to be much much closer to my experience of Tokyo than most other depictions I have seen.
I think a lot of people have the same idea of most "big business hub/club" districts. Here in Korea, you can be in the thick of it in Itaewon, Hongdae, Apgujeong, or Gangnam, but each of those hubs is like a single road. Literally, Gangnam's busiest little area is one long road. You go one road further away from the main strip and it's silent. Purely residential from there and onwards.
Truly one of the most influential series in my entire life. Akira shaped my entire career, it got me into motorcycles, leading me to eventually run my own motorcycle dealership.
The quality of these productions is insane. This is artistic documentary, I am just blown away every time at how effortlessly amazing your channel's videos come off when watching. Big kudos.
She talks rather like someone who learned English a bit late, maybe age 8-12. Like she doesn't have an accent per se, but there's something a bit foreign about the way she forms certain sounds, which makes me think she learned another language first. It's certainly memorable and I've rather gotten to like it.
But it’s over enunciation that’s a double edged sword. I can only hear her for a bit and then the smart Alec stigma surfaces. Hearing her say those Japanese words make me cringe.
@@Stickybutton ANYONE who can articulate remotely scientific stuff eloquently & artfully will invariably sound like a smart alec in varying degrees. a completely down-to-earth blue-collar can never articulate anything like that after all.
I have always been the "odd duck" in my circle of friends because I am the guy that notices the architecture or construction techniques used when we visit someplace new instead of the food or the people. What did they expect, I'm a commercial construction manager by trade. Thank you for making such interesting, informative, and beautiful videos focused on a subject matter close to my heart. Your enthusiasm is contagious and your smile is beautiful. Never stop!
There was also another anime, named “Metropolis”, released in 2001, and based upon not only the original silent film, but also upon Osamu Tezuka’s eponymous manga from 1949; the architecture there shows a megalomaniacal, ultra-dense, semi-brutalist art deco futurism. The application of western aesthetic and architectural language by the Japanese in their visual storytelling, has created, in my opinion, some of the most otherworldly and simultaneously familiar, and at times foreboding, built environments. One of my favorite examples of this, also, are the cities and environments in “Reign: The Conqueror” and “Aeon Flux”.
I've never watched the whole of Metropolis, but there's a terrific AMV of it set to Conjure One's 'Center of the Sun' that really highlights the visuals of the city in that film
sensational photography and observations. I live in Tokyo (Shimokita) and you have opened my eyes even more than I thought I already have re Japan, Tokyo, Anime and architecture! Thank you.
Thank you so much for visiting these architectural sites that get discussed in the video. I know it's more work and more money, but we get to appreciate so many more things when shot that way. A sense of scale as you stand next to the building, a feeling of the weather when the wind blows your hair, revelations about the shape of objects in frame as parallax movement turns them from 2D to 3D.
@@Vin.1904 I agree, Chongqing is the city I think of when it's about ficticious futuristic Neo-Tokyo-like cities. The parks and public spaces on top of buildings with skytrains moving around between buildings, etc..
@@bobbiusshadow6985And they’ve got real-life authoritarianism insidiously underlying it all, not unlike the fictional variation in movies and anime, as well as surveillance on an unprecedented scale to keep the entire population toeing the Party line line via the horrendous social credit system. Lee should indeed go there, but is she brave enough to look at the sociopolitical and police-state aspects of architecture in the cities of mainland China? I’m skeptical. 🤨
I caught that too, when a quick 'one-liner' was literally in Japan, at the specific place she was talking about. Most content consumers don't realize that took planning, a few thousand dollars, and in her case,; good looks and an interest in a subject that is probably unhealthy, lol, but we love it!
Dami whatever topic you explain about and concepts you introduce to us, your passion and deep interest in the topics you talk about is super inspiring, to see a person really get into it, the burst of excitement energy that lights up your eyes. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I am so grateful to have found this channel, thank you to you and your team for opening up an entirely new world.
Osaka really comes close to that. First time I was like: "Oh now I get it. I'm not supposed to walked at street level, the pedestrian area is up there!" Same in Yokohama Minato Mirai.
A hell lotta Asian cities, especially those without much land to expand in, actually look & function like that, a lotta different buildings with very different functions being built extremely close to each other, or just outright crammed into a single complex, though not at the scale of big Japanese cities.
Right by my hotel was a crazy multi layered garden mall (Namba Parks). The thing that got me was the walkways around Shinbashi. Walking over streets for miles was amazing.
When you talked about cities having souls, it kinda reminded me of another anime, Karas, the setting of which actually took the concept of 'cities being living organisms' & 'cities having souls' in a very literal sense, so much so that souls of cities actually manifested in human forms & agents being appointed by said souls & given powers to protect said cities, acting like the cities' immune system. Karas, like Akira, also put a lotta heart into its illustration & animation, as well as the sound, so much so that one of the studios involved in the production was said to have actually run into bankruptcy because of it.
The architecture of a fictional setting really does add a ton of soul, but it's not talked about as much as it should be. It honestly kinda drew me to become an electrical engineer and writer.
Have you ever heard of the story 'A Subway Named Möbius' by A.J. Deutsch? It posits a Boston train system of such vast complexity that it essentially creates a singularity, and consequently a train disappears into an infinite loop
As a Japanese-American, I found this fascinating. Weirdly, this popped into my feed as I had just finished rewatching Akira, as it's my favorite anime of all time. Thanks, as always, for the super fun and interesting vids, Dami.
I’ve been on UA-cam as long as any of us have - I mean it when I say it that this might possibly be my new favourite UA-cam video of all time. Amazing work, Dami Lee. Watching this video felt like a sublime and visceral experience, and the love and enthusiasm you show for the subjects of architecture, cyberpunk and anime really seeps through in a way that almost feels tactile. Please keep this going!!
I'm a long-time fan of Akira. I have to say this video was incredibly interesting. Not to mention the presenter's enthusiasm and knowledge, which was just infectious!
Awesome video as always. To answer your question, Detroit feels like a city with a soul. Many buildings are being restored and brought back to life with a whole new purpose than originally intended. For example, old mechanic shops turned into restaurants, old churches turned into coffee shops, and the historic Michigan Central Train Station and a Book Depository Building became what is now known as an "innovation hub".
I was thinking the same. Haven't been there in some time, but the architectural roots, the resurgence efforts, and the refusal to give up seem like they might make an interesting story.
The quality of this video is another level. I get super inspired by everything in this channel. Content like this takes a lot of work and time. Thanks for sharing!
A few years ago I lived in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles in modern a high rise apartment on the top floor. Sometimes, when I would look out my window, a helicopter would be flying by, and I could see all of the lights of the city, Japanese neon signs, and cars and motorcycles driving down below. I remember one night I was watching Akira on blue-ray and while I was watching the opening scenes of Neo-Tokyo, I looked out my window again and realized I'M HERE! 😀
It's fascinating how the city's architecture was influenced by real-life concepts and mirrors economic and societal shifts. Love the dismantling of the detailed symbolism in the color palette as well.
Your channel has been creating some incredible videos lately. High production value, interesting topics, extremely thoughtful commentary. Love love love! Know that we acknowledge and appreciate all the hard work / passion that go into creating content like this 💜
I am in complete awe of the quality of your videos. Amira means the world for me and your content is of the highest level. I love how passionate you are about your content and narratives. THANK YOU!
An extremely well produced video. You can see the enthusiasm and passion in DamiLee's eyes all through her narration. Thank you for sharing your time and talent.
I don't know that there were really advances in this kind of hand animation beyond this. This is pretty much the pinnacle of that particular art form. We have moved on to other techniques, but the genius of masterwork shines through regardless of age.
Wow, the kind of things that an architecture focused channel can get into are really surprising. I never would have expected there'd be a lot for you to talk about regarding Akira but here we are. Nice work:)
Hahah well same here. If you had told me just five years ago that I can make a living talking about architecture and my fav anime I probably would have said you’re out of your mind 😆
@@DamiLeeArch Your and your team's work is brilliant. The combination of educational information, lighthearted presentation showing how culture, history, technology and zeitgeist come together in architecture makes it just one of my favorite channels. Thank you all for all the effort!
This video went so much deeper into the history and design and color and inspirations than i could have ever possibly expected and it was utterly fascinating. Thank you for posting this.
As always, watching your videos, hearing you telling a story about the philosophy, science, inspirations that all have their part in influencing this work of art. Your words, your soothing, yet enthusiastic voice, and the cinematography never fails to mesmerize me, always leaving me in awe…
your work is the soul of edu-tainment. so much to learn, so immersive, and still so entertaining. you're so right about the impacts of metropolis, akira, etc. love the little shout out to mies in the corner.
Such a sick video! I’ve been obsessed with Akira for years, love Bosozuko bikes and cars and have been watching this channel for a while. The quality of these videos is 🤯
Most excellent video by you and your team Dami. I’ve been to Japan twice with my family and I totally agree Tokyo does have a very unique soul. Also when we visited Hiroshima we felt the soul of that city. The feeling of sadness of the past but also the feeling and amazement what humanity can overcome. The soul Hiroshima is amazing.
Please, if you happen to come to central europe, come visit Bratislava. It practically became a skyscraper city overnight. And there's also a new mall with a huge public park on the rooftop.
This channel often captures an intersection of some of my two of favorite things: architecture and film. I'm a software engineer with a casual interest in architecture but in another life I'd love to build things like this. Great work!
Your videos are incredibly fun and educational at the same time. I’ve been watching since you started the channel and I have to say I’m blown away by the conceptual stuff you cover. This is what university should be like.
Wow, I loved this one on so many levels. First of all, AKIRA has a special place in my heart since it (just blew my mind when I saw it back in high school and) was probably the work of art that sparked off my initial interest in Japan…. where I’ve lived for the past 20+ years. (I’m originally from Vancouver too.) Also, I really love the idea of a city having a ‘soul’ and I really have felt it sometimes. Definitely in Osaka. In Tokyo, I really felt that each area of the city had its own soul, so the ‘megacity’ feels, to me, like a collection of distinct organisms inhabiting the same space. You don’t notice it so much when you’re riding the trains through Tokyo, but if you ever try WALKING through Tokyo, then you can feel it.
akira is a great example of a work of art so stratospherically ambitious, that not only had its like never been seen before, it will never be seen again. even the soundtrack is astonishing. i got to see it in the waterloo imax when lockdown restrictions began loosening. it was louder than a stadium gig, and filled a screen the size of a house. one of the best live show experiences i've ever had. i still can't believe such a piece of animation actually exists.
Big fan of your work, you are the most dynamic and well driven architecture channel i've seen and at the same time it is useful and informative. Keep going, you are truly inspirational
I've never really considered architecture before, but your videos, analysis, and history make it fascinating. Im particular with things I'm familiar with, like Akira. Great job
Minneapolis has the ' Skyway ' which is a series of public access bridges between buildings and through them that is always open and is highly used during the winter.
@@DeronMeranda the miles of skyways in St Paul Minnesota are at times dystopian, alleys are now blocked off, sometimes you can literally get trapped if you walk in, and it's a sunday and the business buildings are closed, you can walk in an endless maze trying to find an exit. At least most times there are glass walls and you can look out onto the street to figure out where you are! I think to someone who used them all the time you'd easily navigate.
EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!! You took me back to my childhood in Houston, Texas and the first time I saw Akira the movie!!! The hairs on my arms stood straight up within the first minute of your video because it is that good!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for your piece on Akira. It gave more meaning to a film I first came across back in the late 1990's. Fabulous information and I loved all the views around Toyko.
I just want to say thank you so much for making this video, it gave me a whole new appreciation for Akira. It's one of the few films that blew me away with it's visuals.
I've lived near Osaka and Kobe since the crazy days of the 90s but moved to Tokyo in 2002... Tokyo absolutely has a soul and I don't think I could ever move anywhere else. I'm in love with this city and its people. This entire documentary filled me with an acute feeling of nostalgia. It's clear you've done your homework on this, and the way you cover the topic with such respect and reverence is visible and audible in your delivery... This was backed up by wonderful camerawork and solid editing... To be able to have access to this level of quality is an absolute privilege... Fantastic work. Just one, thing, it's Bo-SOHH-zoku no BOso-zoku.
I am a black dude from the US and my grandfather introduced me to Chinese cinema. He had quite the library of martial arts films and watching movies with him has made me into the Asian culture appropriating person I am today! 😂 Like seriously...from martial arts, philosophy, to even working in a Chinese restaurant and a Korean restaurant ( I love asian culture). I grew up reading American comic books and writing and illustrating my own in highschool. But then I saw Ninja Scroll at the age of 16 and my world completely changed! Akira was the second anime I saw and everything I have worked on of my own has since been very Japanese influenced to say the least!
0:04 That sounds very familiar to me (August 1945, Hiroshima, Nagasaki) - I wonder how the two atomic bombings influenced post-apocalyptic architecture and design?
The only channel I will drop anything to watch immediately (in this case my dinner got slightly burnt. Worth it) Love the blend of cinema history combined with architecture and high high end production. I feel each video is getting exponentially more epic. Truly enjoyed this video 🙌🏻💙
I cannot believe how amazingly good this video is Dami! Like it’s everything I love literally everything brought together with meticulous care and your charismatic playfulness and discussed and neatly wrapped up in less than 20 minutes! You could have made the video 3 hours long and I would’ve watched it all. What an amazing job. Bravo 🙌 you guys..
The concept of cities having spirits made me think of Warren Ellis’s character Jack Hawksmoor, King of Cities, and how he was able to speak and have relationships with cities and see their avatars.
The kind of research and grinding done to produce videos like you do is commendable. Kudos to you and your team for giving us such fresh perspective and parallels on things we thought we already knew.
I loved this video. Your descriptions of the art and symbolism, and your explanations of the architecture, are so articulate and engaging. You present with an energy that makes it clear how much you love the subject. Bravo.
The genius Markus Gabriel, often referred to as a rock star of the Philosophical Society, said, "NYC is such a village compared to Tokyo." He went on to describe Tokyo as, "a meditation on 20th-century modernity and ultimate perfection."
What I love about your channel is that you take your knowledge and love of architecture and design and apply it to works of art and fiction. I would have never guessed how much thought the anime creator put into crafting the world as you have pointed out in this video. This really makes me want to go watch Akira now. I have been watching an increasing amount of Anime nowadays so this will certainly have to make it on my short list.
I can't believe you didn't covered Blame! before, so I think this is the best time to suggest it for an alalysis. It's a manga made by an architect and that has a city as one of the main characters. Wait, no, not "a" city. THE City.
Your videos are always so well-researched, with a production value that is through the roof, and now you come with the merchandise that is equally aesthetically pleasing... just take my money....
That entire era was strewn with masterpieces; “Dominion Tank Police” “The Venus Wars” “Patlabor” “Tokyo Demon City” “Project A-Ko” “Record of Lodoss War” “Genocyber”. We were spoiled as kids with those animations.
@@hitachicordoba It used CGI for some scenes but it was basically rotoscoped because of the jarring difference between CGI and hand-drawn animation. This is also a very good way to do a lot of interesting and intricate animation.
Dami- I think everyone would love to see a full feature length or even a 10+ hour cinematic masterpiece from you waxing poetically on the built environment!
FIRST TIME VIEWER OF YOUR CHANNEL & WOW! This was such a great video! So cool to learn about the different inspirations each person had and how it all came together to create the masterpiece we know as AKIRA! I won't be surprised if you and your team have 99% watch time on this video cause it was so well put together! Can really tell how much work went into this! cheers!
@@eli_future That's not ADHD. Kids have loved looking at Guiness Books for decades. People have curiosity. It is not "neurotypical" (a meaningless term) for people to only be interested in useful information, nor is it "neurodivergent" to only be curious about stuff that isn't useful. It's 100% natural, nothing to do with ADHD, period.
Grew up in long beach and around southern california; I've also moved around to different states, cross country even. Strange all these towns and places tied back to long beach whether it was a conversation a sign or whatnot. Definitely that city has a soul, I never thought to look at it's architecture to help define. Thank you :)
I started watching your videos like 6 months ago architecture is way more interesting than I thought I've actually discovered a passion for it thanks to your videos, I'm rookie mangaka and your vids have given me some really good inspiration for backgrounds and settings in general thanks
The great advantage of cities is that distances between points of engagement and acquisition are relatively short, which speeds up work and development and also inspires. The great disadvantage of cities is that they are not organic but brick, concrete, steel and glass and for that reason for a living creature there is no actual connection other than projection, it's artificial, and artificial in the long run, is unhealthy for a being's soul.
Fantastic historical research and presentation, as usual Dami. Your architectural and urban design context adds so much depth to Akira, and makes me appreciate it so much more. Love your passion and geeking out!
I absolutely agree that cities have soul's are are basically living things My favorite was definitely hong kong in the 80s and 90s it was so alive with its neon lights, insane density and amazing culture, so sad to see all those things die out now days over there. Ive been to tokyo and osaka though and this video perfectly describes the feeling it gives you of being in japanese mega cities, great job!
As a student of interior design and some architecture, i very much enjoy your editorial/analysis regarding the designs and its historical background and the subtle nuance/affects thats comes with these designs and concepts.
Absolutely loved the video! I loved it just as much as wandering endlessly through Tokyo. The most surreal part is the huge city under your feet. I got lost in the miles and miles of underground shopping malls, food alleys that connect all the different underground station. It truly is a city within a city.
1:40 "national culture" is a bit of a dead-end to describe any thing in social science. Saying Japan is a "polite culture" is creating a fixed archetype, and then being surprised that reality doesn't match it. Japan had a very violent culture in the 16th century and was known for it.
Actually, cultures with a heavy emphasis on politeness almost universally come from a bloody past so that makes perfect sense Also obviously cultures are woven together out of the existence of millions of people living individual lives over countless generations but it's completely asinine to pretend that different populations of people (especially in historically isolated regions) don't have their own set expectations for appropriate behavior in shared society
"Japan industrialised after WW2" Nope, it industrialised during the Meiji restoration, that's precisely how Japan became such a powerful empire, and almost all of Japan's major corporations started before WW2 actually. You might want to read some Japanese history Miss Lee. So what about Neo Tokyo? Actually the proper origin of this is the fact that during WW2 Tokyo was firebombed and destroyed, therefore after WW2 the entire city had to be rebuilt, it attracted Japanese men from all over Japan to take part in this rebuilding, and thus jobs were plentiful and the population of Tokyo accelerated rapidly, because it was rebuilt it also became extremely modern looking compared to other cities that weren't destroyed for example. With this initial rebuilding that started almost straight away, there was an economic boom, there were a lot of jobs, and thus people bred more, and you had a large generation being born. However by the time these children themselves got toward adulthood in the late 60's and early 70's, the economic boom was gone and instead there was downturn, and thus there was more unemployment and things started to look a bit dystopian for the future (at least relative to how it had been just prior), and this is where the idea around Akira's dystopian futuristic city was born, he moved to Tokyo exactly during this period in the early 70's, basically Akira is stylised version of what he saw in his own life.
Go watch Akira if you haven't! It is a timeless masterpiece that you should not miss!
So true. In my top 5 anime movies of all time.
I'd also recommend reading the graphic novels. They explain that movie a little better.
Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Spirited Away and Ponyo. What more would you need?
Ghost in the shell
Heavy Metal
I drove 3 hours in the late 80s to see Akira in a theater. Just epic on so many levels.
What!!! You were dedicated. I will watch it today.
I would kill to be able to see that in the theatres now!
@@shanesutton336 the 35 ml of AKira is the most beautiful pice of art I have ever seen
i have spent for the comics my whole pocket money for five years... no little sugars, nothing else...just plain the German translated comics from carlsen, which i still have and read once a year or so...
Round age of 8 I received AKIRA MOTORCYCLE. Now I regret losing it 😅
Also one thing that is never shown in Tokyo is how quiet it is. People aim to shoot the hustle and bustle of Shibuya and Shinjuku, but if you walk maybe 100 meters out of each hub, it’s extremely quiet and decentralised. You can walk down countless streets without bumping into a car or a person. It’s part of the soul of Tokyo that is hard to show on camera and can only be experienced by people who come here.
To be fair that's not exclusive to Tokyo, every Japanese city is that way.
I think "Perfect Day" by Wim Wenders did a great job at showing that side of things. I found it to be much much closer to my experience of Tokyo than most other depictions I have seen.
THIS.
I think a lot of people have the same idea of most "big business hub/club" districts. Here in Korea, you can be in the thick of it in Itaewon, Hongdae, Apgujeong, or Gangnam, but each of those hubs is like a single road. Literally, Gangnam's busiest little area is one long road. You go one road further away from the main strip and it's silent. Purely residential from there and onwards.
shinjuku is still insanely silent.
Truly one of the most influential series in my entire life. Akira shaped my entire career, it got me into motorcycles, leading me to eventually run my own motorcycle dealership.
thats the coolest thing ive seen on the internet haha
Communicating knowledge of architecture is education. Communicating *passion* for archtecture, is art. This channel is art.
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Modern Architekturen is ugg lee, boring. Sterile and leads to Depression.
The quality of these productions is insane. This is artistic documentary, I am just blown away every time at how effortlessly amazing your channel's videos come off when watching. Big kudos.
Raise your hand if you love Dami Lee’s voice and enunciation. Just so unique and compelling. Like Stan Lee with his distinctive voice.
She talks rather like someone who learned English a bit late, maybe age 8-12. Like she doesn't have an accent per se, but there's something a bit foreign about the way she forms certain sounds, which makes me think she learned another language first.
It's certainly memorable and I've rather gotten to like it.
But it’s over enunciation that’s a double edged sword. I can only hear her for a bit and then the smart Alec stigma surfaces. Hearing her say those Japanese words make me cringe.
@@Stickybutton - Nah, I love it. It's a distinct style and personality trait.
@@Stickybutton ANYONE who can articulate remotely scientific stuff eloquently & artfully will invariably sound like a smart alec in varying degrees. a completely down-to-earth blue-collar can never articulate anything like that after all.
Unfortunately I find the over the top vocal frying annoying and it distracts from the otherwise great content.
I have always been the "odd duck" in my circle of friends because I am the guy that notices the architecture or construction techniques used when we visit someplace new instead of the food or the people. What did they expect, I'm a commercial construction manager by trade. Thank you for making such interesting, informative, and beautiful videos focused on a subject matter close to my heart. Your enthusiasm is contagious and your smile is beautiful. Never stop!
There was also another anime, named “Metropolis”, released in 2001, and based upon not only the original silent film, but also upon Osamu Tezuka’s eponymous manga from 1949; the architecture there shows a megalomaniacal, ultra-dense, semi-brutalist art deco futurism.
The application of western aesthetic and architectural language by the Japanese in their visual storytelling, has created, in my opinion, some of the most otherworldly and simultaneously familiar, and at times foreboding, built environments. One of my favorite examples of this, also, are the cities and environments in “Reign: The Conqueror” and “Aeon Flux”.
Doomed megalopolis was much much better bro
Yeah the architecture is absolutely the highlight of that movie. The buildings are enormous on a scale I haven't really seen anywhere else
I've never watched the whole of Metropolis, but there's a terrific AMV of it set to Conjure One's 'Center of the Sun' that really highlights the visuals of the city in that film
Ohh. Dang. That movie is so amazing. I want to rewatch it now.
Holy shit, I saw that movie as a kid in the early 2000s on TV, with such a generic title like that, no wonder I couldn't find it!
sensational photography and observations. I live in Tokyo (Shimokita) and you have opened my eyes even more than I thought I already have re Japan, Tokyo, Anime and architecture!
Thank you.
Thank you so much for visiting these architectural sites that get discussed in the video. I know it's more work and more money, but we get to appreciate so many more things when shot that way. A sense of scale as you stand next to the building, a feeling of the weather when the wind blows your hair, revelations about the shape of objects in frame as parallax movement turns them from 2D to 3D.
That’s awesome to hear it makes a difference 😁 Hopefully we can do more of these!!!
@@DamiLeeArch try chongqing china for 2020s neo-tokyo style city
@@Vin.1904 I agree, Chongqing is the city I think of when it's about ficticious futuristic Neo-Tokyo-like cities. The parks and public spaces on top of buildings with skytrains moving around between buildings, etc..
@@bobbiusshadow6985And they’ve got real-life authoritarianism insidiously underlying it all, not unlike the fictional variation in movies and anime, as well as surveillance on an unprecedented scale to keep the entire population toeing the Party line line via the horrendous social credit system. Lee should indeed go there, but is she brave enough to look at the sociopolitical and police-state aspects of architecture in the cities of mainland China? I’m skeptical. 🤨
I caught that too, when a quick 'one-liner' was literally in Japan, at the specific place she was talking about. Most content consumers don't realize that took planning, a few thousand dollars, and in her case,; good looks and an interest in a subject that is probably unhealthy, lol, but we love it!
Dami whatever topic you explain about and concepts you introduce to us, your passion and deep interest in the topics you talk about is super inspiring, to see a person really get into it, the burst of excitement energy that lights up your eyes. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I am so grateful to have found this channel, thank you to you and your team for opening up an entirely new world.
"Akira" means "Bright, intelligent, clear" in Japanese. And that's what your content is, as always. This channel is Akira, DamiLee is Akira🧡
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🤣🤣🤣nice one
Now I got to watch it. I found it on UA-cam.
True, I watched just to make sure it helps her metrics even when I’m too busy to give it the full attention it deserves.
Dami Lee is also foiiiiiiine.
If a live action adaptation of Akira is ever made, this video should be mandatory viewing. Amazing.
*Starts streaming Akira for the 347th time*
When I was in Osaka, under my hotel in the same building were a mall, arcade, and the train station! No city flows like Japan. Great video!
I want to go to Japan, so bad.
Osaka really comes close to that. First time I was like: "Oh now I get it. I'm not supposed to walked at street level, the pedestrian area is up there!" Same in Yokohama Minato Mirai.
Osaka is another metropolis/megapolis that influenced the legendary Ghost in the Shell anime.
A hell lotta Asian cities, especially those without much land to expand in, actually look & function like that, a lotta different buildings with very different functions being built extremely close to each other, or just outright crammed into a single complex, though not at the scale of big Japanese cities.
Right by my hotel was a crazy multi layered garden mall (Namba Parks). The thing that got me was the walkways around Shinbashi. Walking over streets for miles was amazing.
When you talked about cities having souls, it kinda reminded me of another anime, Karas, the setting of which actually took the concept of 'cities being living organisms' & 'cities having souls' in a very literal sense, so much so that souls of cities actually manifested in human forms & agents being appointed by said souls & given powers to protect said cities, acting like the cities' immune system. Karas, like Akira, also put a lotta heart into its illustration & animation, as well as the sound, so much so that one of the studios involved in the production was said to have actually run into bankruptcy because of it.
The architecture of a fictional setting really does add a ton of soul, but it's not talked about as much as it should be. It honestly kinda drew me to become an electrical engineer and writer.
Have you ever heard of the story 'A Subway Named Möbius' by A.J. Deutsch? It posits a Boston train system of such vast complexity that it essentially creates a singularity, and consequently a train disappears into an infinite loop
@@elinorwahl8619 Infinity Train?
Wow, this channel talks about everything I love-architecture, Akira, futurism, anxiety! I'm totally in.
As a Japanese-American, I found this fascinating. Weirdly, this popped into my feed as I had just finished rewatching Akira, as it's my favorite anime of all time. Thanks, as always, for the super fun and interesting vids, Dami.
This is one of the best produced videos I've ever seen on UA-cam.
I’ve been on UA-cam as long as any of us have - I mean it when I say it that this might possibly be my new favourite UA-cam video of all time. Amazing work, Dami Lee. Watching this video felt like a sublime and visceral experience, and the love and enthusiasm you show for the subjects of architecture, cyberpunk and anime really seeps through in a way that almost feels tactile. Please keep this going!!
I'm a long-time fan of Akira. I have to say this video was incredibly interesting. Not to mention the presenter's enthusiasm and knowledge, which was just infectious!
Awesome video as always. To answer your question, Detroit feels like a city with a soul. Many buildings are being restored and brought back to life with a whole new purpose than originally intended. For example, old mechanic shops turned into restaurants, old churches turned into coffee shops, and the historic Michigan Central Train Station and a Book Depository Building became what is now known as an "innovation hub".
I was thinking the same. Haven't been there in some time, but the architectural roots, the resurgence efforts, and the refusal to give up seem like they might make an interesting story.
The quality of this video is another level. I get super inspired by everything in this channel. Content like this takes a lot of work and time. Thanks for sharing!
A few years ago I lived in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles in modern a high rise apartment on the top floor. Sometimes, when I would look out my window, a helicopter would be flying by, and I could see all of the lights of the city, Japanese neon signs, and cars and motorcycles driving down below. I remember one night I was watching Akira on blue-ray and while I was watching the opening scenes of Neo-Tokyo, I looked out my window again and realized I'M HERE! 😀
If you get the chance, go visit any of the big Asian cities. It's much bigger, with no centralization (well, very little).
@@darkstarprojekt Yeah, I did. I've been to Tokyo, Yokohama, and Hong Kong. I had a great time! 😃
Love Little Tokyo, The Far Bar has the best Old Fashion cocktail I’ve ever had.
It's fascinating how the city's architecture was influenced by real-life concepts and mirrors economic and societal shifts. Love the dismantling of the detailed symbolism in the color palette as well.
Your channel has been creating some incredible videos lately. High production value, interesting topics, extremely thoughtful commentary. Love love love! Know that we acknowledge and appreciate all the hard work / passion that go into creating content like this 💜
I am in complete awe of the quality of your videos. Amira means the world for me and your content is of the highest level. I love how passionate you are about your content and narratives. THANK YOU!
0:45 for a second I thought you were just chillin' waist deep in the bay
Right😂
Lol
An extremely well produced video.
You can see the enthusiasm and passion in DamiLee's eyes all through her narration.
Thank you for sharing your time and talent.
Even 35 years later, this animation still holds up
The don't wanna approve the budget for it.
Akira
Jin roh the wolf brigade
My neighbor totoro
Perfect blue
Ghost in the shell
Macross do you remember love
*chef's kiss.jpg*
I don't know that there were really advances in this kind of hand animation beyond this. This is pretty much the pinnacle of that particular art form. We have moved on to other techniques, but the genius of masterwork shines through regardless of age.
High budget 2d animation is basically visually immortalized, the ways it's stylized means it will always look good as it's own thing
I see the production quality getting even better. One of my favorite channels.
Wow, the kind of things that an architecture focused channel can get into are really surprising. I never would have expected there'd be a lot for you to talk about regarding Akira but here we are. Nice work:)
Hahah well same here. If you had told me just five years ago that I can make a living talking about architecture and my fav anime I probably would have said you’re out of your mind 😆
@@DamiLeeArch Your and your team's work is brilliant. The combination of educational information, lighthearted presentation showing how culture, history, technology and zeitgeist come together in architecture makes it just one of my favorite channels. Thank you all for all the effort!
This video went so much deeper into the history and design and color and inspirations than i could have ever possibly expected and it was utterly fascinating. Thank you for posting this.
The quality of content on this channel is superb and everytime you post it makes my month
As always, watching your videos, hearing you telling a story about the philosophy, science, inspirations that all have their part in influencing this work of art. Your words, your soothing, yet enthusiastic voice, and the cinematography never fails to mesmerize me, always leaving me in awe…
your work is the soul of edu-tainment. so much to learn, so immersive, and still so entertaining. you're so right about the impacts of metropolis, akira, etc. love the little shout out to mies in the corner.
Such a sick video! I’ve been obsessed with Akira for years, love Bosozuko bikes and cars and have been watching this channel for a while. The quality of these videos is 🤯
Most excellent video by you and your team Dami. I’ve been to Japan twice with my family and I totally agree Tokyo does have a very unique soul. Also when we visited Hiroshima we felt the soul of that city. The feeling of sadness of the past but also the feeling and amazement what humanity can overcome. The soul Hiroshima is amazing.
I know, it is crazy that so many things have happened on this tiny country, in comparison to larger countries.
Same goes for many German cities which were completely turned to dust as well
@@SimplyNyanderartTherefore, there is no point in you boasting about your country's land area.
Please, if you happen to come to central europe, come visit Bratislava. It practically became a skyscraper city overnight. And there's also a new mall with a huge public park on the rooftop.
I do believe the City of New Orleans has a living, breathing soul. And it fills my heart every time I go visit. ❤⚜️
This channel often captures an intersection of some of my two of favorite things: architecture and film. I'm a software engineer with a casual interest in architecture but in another life I'd love to build things like this. Great work!
Your videos are incredibly fun and educational at the same time. I’ve been watching since you started the channel and I have to say I’m blown away by the conceptual stuff you cover. This is what university should be like.
Wow, I loved this one on so many levels. First of all, AKIRA has a special place in my heart since it (just blew my mind when I saw it back in high school and) was probably the work of art that sparked off my initial interest in Japan…. where I’ve lived for the past 20+ years. (I’m originally from Vancouver too.) Also, I really love the idea of a city having a ‘soul’ and I really have felt it sometimes. Definitely in Osaka. In Tokyo, I really felt that each area of the city had its own soul, so the ‘megacity’ feels, to me, like a collection of distinct organisms inhabiting the same space. You don’t notice it so much when you’re riding the trains through Tokyo, but if you ever try WALKING through Tokyo, then you can feel it.
akira is a great example of a work of art so stratospherically ambitious, that not only had its like never been seen before, it will never be seen again. even the soundtrack is astonishing. i got to see it in the waterloo imax when lockdown restrictions began loosening. it was louder than a stadium gig, and filled a screen the size of a house. one of the best live show experiences i've ever had. i still can't believe such a piece of animation actually exists.
It's really special to see Akira on the big screen. Glad you got to experience it!
@@justinhowe3878 dude, i'm jealous of myself 3 years ago!
Big fan of your work, you are the most dynamic and well driven architecture channel i've seen and at the same time it is useful and informative. Keep going, you are truly inspirational
I've never really considered architecture before, but your videos, analysis, and history make it fascinating. Im particular with things I'm familiar with, like Akira. Great job
Minneapolis has the ' Skyway ' which is a series of public access bridges between buildings and through them that is always open and is highly used during the winter.
There's something similar in Chicago, the pedway. Mostly public access and stretching across half the loop underground
Lots of cities have or had these. Look up "Skyway" in Wikipedia. Cincinnati used to have a great one, though it was torn down a few years ago.
@@DeronMeranda the miles of skyways in St Paul Minnesota are at times dystopian, alleys are now blocked off, sometimes you can literally get trapped if you walk in, and it's a sunday and the business buildings are closed, you can walk in an endless maze trying to find an exit. At least most times there are glass walls and you can look out onto the street to figure out where you are! I think to someone who used them all the time you'd easily navigate.
EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!! You took me back to my childhood in Houston, Texas and the first time I saw Akira the movie!!! The hairs on my arms stood straight up within the first minute of your video because it is that good!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Hong Kong, New York, and Tokyo. Those are the cities that spoke to you will your feet touch them. Your videos are poetic. You are the jewel of UA-cam
Thank you for your piece on Akira. It gave more meaning to a film I first came across back in the late 1990's. Fabulous information and I loved all the views around Toyko.
You're the best architect creator on this platform, you helped a lot with my inspirations and University application. Thanks a lot! ❤
Thanks!
Thank you! 🙏
@@DamiLeeArch love your videos!!! 🤙
The amount of research and care that goes into your videos is honestly inspiring and shows a lot of taste. I love this content ❤
I just want to say thank you so much for making this video, it gave me a whole new appreciation for Akira. It's one of the few films that blew me away with it's visuals.
The number of places she travels to just to show a 2 second clip is impressive. This channel is going next level.
I lived for seven years in Tokyo and miss its vibrancy every day. There's no other city like it on Earth.
I've lived near Osaka and Kobe since the crazy days of the 90s but moved to Tokyo in 2002... Tokyo absolutely has a soul and I don't think I could ever move anywhere else. I'm in love with this city and its people.
This entire documentary filled me with an acute feeling of nostalgia. It's clear you've done your homework on this, and the way you cover the topic with such respect and reverence is visible and audible in your delivery... This was backed up by wonderful camerawork and solid editing... To be able to have access to this level of quality is an absolute privilege... Fantastic work.
Just one, thing, it's Bo-SOHH-zoku no BOso-zoku.
I am a black dude from the US and my grandfather introduced me to Chinese cinema. He had quite the library of martial arts films and watching movies with him has made me into the Asian culture appropriating person I am today! 😂
Like seriously...from martial arts, philosophy, to even working in a Chinese restaurant and a Korean restaurant ( I love asian culture).
I grew up reading American comic books and writing and illustrating my own in highschool. But then I saw Ninja Scroll at the age of 16 and my world completely changed! Akira was the second anime I saw and everything I have worked on of my own has since been very Japanese influenced to say the least!
Thanks!
0:04 That sounds very familiar to me (August 1945, Hiroshima, Nagasaki) - I wonder how the two atomic bombings influenced post-apocalyptic architecture and design?
Its always Hiroshima and Nagasaki but never unit 731 comfort woman and Nanking and the rest of the pacific under Japanese rule
Wow, this is one of the best-produced videos I've come across on UA-cam! Also super interesting and informative. Thank you!
The only channel I will drop anything to watch immediately
(in this case my dinner got slightly burnt. Worth it)
Love the blend of cinema history combined with architecture and high high end production. I feel each video is getting exponentially more epic. Truly enjoyed this video 🙌🏻💙
I cannot believe how amazingly good this video is Dami! Like it’s everything I love literally everything brought together with meticulous care and your charismatic playfulness and discussed and neatly wrapped up in less than 20 minutes! You could have made the video 3 hours long and I would’ve watched it all. What an amazing job. Bravo 🙌 you guys..
The concept of cities having spirits made me think of Warren Ellis’s character Jack Hawksmoor, King of Cities, and how he was able to speak and have relationships with cities and see their avatars.
Interesting character!
The kind of research and grinding done to produce videos like you do is commendable. Kudos to you and your team for giving us such fresh perspective and parallels on things we thought we already knew.
Could someone please help me find the music playing in the background at 10:36 ? Thanks in advance!
I loved this video. Your descriptions of the art and symbolism, and your explanations of the architecture, are so articulate and engaging. You present with an energy that makes it clear how much you love the subject. Bravo.
The genius Markus Gabriel, often referred to as a rock star of the Philosophical Society, said, "NYC is such a village compared to Tokyo." He went on to describe Tokyo as, "a meditation on 20th-century modernity and ultimate perfection."
Thanks!
This video is going to set the mood for my evening viewing 💜
The level of detail and craftsmanship that went into this video essay is awe inspiring.
Wow, this could easily have been a three-hour documentary and I still would have been glued to the screen. Wonderful!
What I love about your channel is that you take your knowledge and love of architecture and design and apply it to works of art and fiction. I would have never guessed how much thought the anime creator put into crafting the world as you have pointed out in this video. This really makes me want to go watch Akira now. I have been watching an increasing amount of Anime nowadays so this will certainly have to make it on my short list.
I can't believe you didn't covered Blame! before, so I think this is the best time to suggest it for an alalysis. It's a manga made by an architect and that has a city as one of the main characters.
Wait, no, not "a" city. THE City.
It’s coming 😉
@@DamiLeeArch Hype!
Wow! But please with BLAME! Manga, it's 100x better than the Anime (which still is amazing!)
@@DamiLeeArch I'd also love to see inclusion of the decaying post-apocalyptic interior/exterior architecture in Girl's Last Tour and Nier Automata
Alright another anime to check out. Is it called, "Blame!"?
Your videos are always so well-researched, with a production value that is through the roof, and now you come with the merchandise that is equally aesthetically pleasing... just take my money....
Best Retro Anime Movie
Why you say retro?
@@NoxmilesDe meticulously hand drawn cel animation vs modern meh CGI
That entire era was strewn with masterpieces; “Dominion Tank Police” “The Venus Wars” “Patlabor” “Tokyo Demon City” “Project A-Ko” “Record of Lodoss War” “Genocyber”. We were spoiled as kids with those animations.
@@hitachicordoba It used CGI for some scenes but it was basically rotoscoped because of the jarring difference between CGI and hand-drawn animation. This is also a very good way to do a lot of interesting and intricate animation.
I would call it vintage rather than retro.
Dami- I think everyone would love to see a full feature length or even a 10+ hour cinematic masterpiece from you waxing poetically on the built environment!
Damn, I was about to go to bed then this video drops. How am I supposed to sleep?!
Sleep is for the dead!
lol, just watch it. You can make up the sleep. 😁
You aren’t :::
FIRST TIME VIEWER OF YOUR CHANNEL & WOW! This was such a great video! So cool to learn about the different inspirations each person had and how it all came together to create the masterpiece we know as AKIRA! I won't be surprised if you and your team have 99% watch time on this video cause it was so well put together! Can really tell how much work went into this! cheers!
In my travels, Montreal and Berlin are the only two cities that have duelling souls in their architectures.
Fantastic Video!! Love the knowledge, research, ideals, and concepts behind all this.
Also, the production quality is amazing!!
I love that account so much. My adhd brain love learning about things it doesn't need to know on a daily basis 😍😍
That's called curiosity, not ADHD. It's among the most natural of human behaviors.
THAT PART
@@ncwolfe im saying that i have adhd and the way my brain is wired, it likes useless information
@@eli_future That's not ADHD. Kids have loved looking at Guiness Books for decades. People have curiosity. It is not "neurotypical" (a meaningless term) for people to only be interested in useful information, nor is it "neurodivergent" to only be curious about stuff that isn't useful. It's 100% natural, nothing to do with ADHD, period.
Grew up in long beach and around southern california; I've also moved around to different states, cross country even. Strange all these towns and places tied back to long beach whether it was a conversation a sign or whatnot. Definitely that city has a soul, I never thought to look at it's architecture to help define. Thank you :)
14:41 bro tried to recreate something💀
I started watching your videos like 6 months ago architecture is way more interesting than I thought I've actually discovered a passion for it thanks to your videos, I'm rookie mangaka and your vids have given me some really good inspiration for backgrounds and settings in general thanks
The great advantage of cities is that distances between points of engagement and acquisition are relatively short, which speeds up work and development and also inspires. The great disadvantage of cities is that they are not organic but brick, concrete, steel and glass and for that reason for a living creature there is no actual connection other than projection, it's artificial, and artificial in the long run, is unhealthy for a being's soul.
Fantastic historical research and presentation, as usual Dami. Your architectural and urban design context adds so much depth to Akira, and makes me appreciate it so much more. Love your passion and geeking out!
I absolutely agree that cities have soul's are are basically living things
My favorite was definitely hong kong in the 80s and 90s it was so alive with its neon lights, insane density and amazing culture, so sad to see all those things die out now days over there.
Ive been to tokyo and osaka though and this video perfectly describes the feeling it gives you of being in japanese mega cities, great job!
This is another place I want to visit, Hong Kong!
Hong Kong isn’t very nice anymore, lots of barricades the people there seem afraid to talk politics or anything .
@@heinuchung8680 That sucks
Akira is definitely one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE anime films. And this video absolutely killed!!!! I feel like I actually learned something new today ❤
The Jacket🔥
As a student of interior design and some architecture, i very much enjoy your editorial/analysis regarding the designs and its historical background and the subtle nuance/affects thats comes with these designs and concepts.
Just like a human is a creature made up of cells, a city is a creature made up of humans
WOW!!! The research, the production , the editing, the graphics, all amazing. Thank you for this video.
I'm here to support DamiLee because of her beautiful fac... Ughhh 😥... I mean her content. and of course intelligence. 🙄
Dami Lee's videos are flawless. Excellent from the beginning to the end.
Toronto's soul is ripping people off.
Absolutely loved the video! I loved it just as much as wandering endlessly through Tokyo. The most surreal part is the huge city under your feet. I got lost in the miles and miles of underground shopping malls, food alleys that connect all the different underground station. It truly is a city within a city.
1:40 "national culture" is a bit of a dead-end to describe any thing in social science. Saying Japan is a "polite culture" is creating a fixed archetype, and then being surprised that reality doesn't match it. Japan had a very violent culture in the 16th century and was known for it.
Actually, cultures with a heavy emphasis on politeness almost universally come from a bloody past so that makes perfect sense
Also obviously cultures are woven together out of the existence of millions of people living individual lives over countless generations but it's completely asinine to pretend that different populations of people (especially in historically isolated regions) don't have their own set expectations for appropriate behavior in shared society
I have absolutely felt cities having a soul. Savannah GA has such a rich collage of old and new that learned to overlap one another. Really loved this
"Japan industrialised after WW2"
Nope, it industrialised during the Meiji restoration, that's precisely how Japan became such a powerful empire, and almost all of Japan's major corporations started before WW2 actually. You might want to read some Japanese history Miss Lee.
So what about Neo Tokyo?
Actually the proper origin of this is the fact that during WW2 Tokyo was firebombed and destroyed, therefore after WW2 the entire city had to be rebuilt, it attracted Japanese men from all over Japan to take part in this rebuilding, and thus jobs were plentiful and the population of Tokyo accelerated rapidly, because it was rebuilt it also became extremely modern looking compared to other cities that weren't destroyed for example.
With this initial rebuilding that started almost straight away, there was an economic boom, there were a lot of jobs, and thus people bred more, and you had a large generation being born. However by the time these children themselves got toward adulthood in the late 60's and early 70's, the economic boom was gone and instead there was downturn, and thus there was more unemployment and things started to look a bit dystopian for the future (at least relative to how it had been just prior), and this is where the idea around Akira's dystopian futuristic city was born, he moved to Tokyo exactly during this period in the early 70's, basically Akira is stylised version of what he saw in his own life.