Since a new series of Full Metal Panic got announced, I thought it is timely to look at this topic as Sousuke is a popular character and has been subjected to a lot of opinion about whether he is realistic or not. The writer could look at the light novels and anime for how to back up their argument, as well as literature and criteria for PTSD. I would be willing to collaborate with someone on this title (I am busy) I am studying Psychology and have read all of the light novels and seen the anime.
If anyone would like to collaborate with me on this please PM me. Thanks for support so far! – Jordan9 years ago
It would see to me like an obvious no. While I'm certainly no authority, from what I understand PTSD involves nightmares, flashbacks of the traumatic event, and anxiety. Also depression, insomnia, fear, anger, jumpiness, difficulty trusting others... but Sosuke is calm, methodically rational, and trusts his allies with his life (though I haven't read the light novels, so I may be wrong). The only symptom he exhibits regularly is Hyper-vigilance, which is really just a normal part of his character.
Most of the time when he pulls his gun too eagerly, it's not because he's paranoid, but because he doesn't understand normal social protocol, and misinterprets people and situations. You can see this when he changes environments. At a high school he's out of place, and his nature would appear to be overly aggressive or paranoid. But on the battle field, his natural environment, his actions are right on point.
From what I understand, a PTSD victim would not make a good soldier because they may cave to stress, and cannot accurately assess risks. But Sosuke is the perfect soldier. His quirkiness at a high school isn't a symptom of PTSD, but a symptom of just not knowing any better. – LangsEnd9 years ago
Yes Langsend, I think you may be correct, although Hypervigilence also comes under high anxiety, jumpiness and difficulty trusting others. Being overly rational could be a defense mechanism (intellectualizing), and since the story doesn't happen from Sousuke's point of view, he may very well have nightmares and flashbacks but we do not see them happen. PTSD affects everyone differently and to my knowledge a lot of soldiers have PTSD but don't seek treatment because they risk loosing their job (I don't think this risk is as bad now but it may depend).
Anyway, I think to some extent it becomes a grey area which is why it would be interesting to explore it. Thanks for your feedback! – Jordan9 years ago
With the enormous success of Love Live!! both in Japan and in the rest of the world, it would be interesting to give a definition of what idols are, what they do, what is the history of this Japanese phenomenon. Then, what is the representation of idols in anime (Love Live, The idolm@ster, Shonen Hollywood)?
I could write this BUT I don't know if I'd give the best material. My previous blog had me coming across all the horror stories that came form J-idol culture. Such as the guy who spent over 100,000 in idol CDs for the voting cards to vote for his favorite idol. – ajester9 years ago
While I definitely see a lot of relevance in this topic, one of the reasons I feel like actual idol culture isn't touched on as much is because it is often thoroughly disturbing. From the few news reports and articles I've seen on it, the people that fuel this industry aren't exactly a reasonable bunch (much like anime fans) but the difference is that the objects of their affection this time are actual people. Any article addressing this head-on would probably come off as a condemnation of anything that supported idol culture, not that that's a bad thing. – ChristopherKay9 years ago
I think it can be done so long as the horror stories are balanced out with stories of normal fans. I want to write this topic. I am just waiting for my 3 day waiting period to be over. Calling it now so no one steals it. Thanks! – Jordan9 years ago
In 2004, Japanese company Type-Moon released a visual novel titled Fate/Stay Night, with its first anime production following two years later in 2006. In 2015, the franchise just came off a pretty successful anime run In Unlimited Blade Works and is preparing to release a film based on the Heaven's Feel route. Why has a franchise been this successful in its sales and merchandising? What makes this franchise endure the test of time and stand out from the rest of many visual novels?
Austin has already written a topic about this. I'd go find his article and make sure the content deviates. Otherwise, great idea. – Jordan9 years ago
Analyze the different types of characters (and caricatures) in anime that has different portrayals of characters of a different race, for better or for worse.
The first anime that comes to mind is Hetalia, although someone has already pitched that anime as a topic. I'm also thinking about Shokugeki no Soma and Soul Eater, as they're both animes that deal with international students. Perhaps it would be interesting to investigate why creators decide to put other races in their stories, and why it's important to the plot line. – YsabelGo9 years ago
Anime generally tends to portray different races in an equal fashion with the exceptions of altering skin tones. Many anime have international students who seem very much the same in design as the Japanese characters. – Nick9 years ago
Ah, THIS is a very interesting topic. Although I'm not sure if this fits into the category you are specifying, I enjoyed Hiromu Arakawa's use and portrayal of different religions and governmental societies in Fullmetal Alchemist. She had a bit of everything: Christianity/Catholicism, Islam, Communism, etc. Adding a section about Arakawa's depiction of prominent social establishments outside of Japan could be worth it. Great topic! – Dominic Sceski9 years ago
A few series that come to mind that could definitely work with this topic are: Infinite Stratos, World Break, Shougeki no Soma, Girl Und Panzer, and Nobunagun to name a few. – Kevin Mohammed9 years ago
A look into anime shows that are not very well scripted but because of high intensity and well crafted music, it is able to make what is boring at times exciting to the eyes and ears.
To this day although he admits the plot is lacking, my boyfriend still clings to Dragon Ball Z as one of the best animes ever made "because of the soundtrack." I don't agree it was that great but clearly music affects people deeply in how they respond to a show, whether they know it or not! – Slaidey9 years ago
I feel this way about Elfen Lied; its opening is beautiful but the show itself is horrendously gratuitous with its violence and shock value. – smarrie9 years ago
How I feel about Terror in Resonance...there are a lot of plot holes, yet the music is so amazing and emotional, it still comes out as one of my favorite series. – psychedelicreme9 years ago
In the recently concluded anime Charlotte, we are taken through many, often highly emotional, twists and turns with the plot, and while there is no denying that the storyline was both entertaining and emotionally wrenching, the ending of the show was unbelievably fast. I think there is a lot to explore about Yuu's journey, in which he travelled the world, earned a badass nickname, lost almost all sense of self, and essentially became a god and was ultimately condensed into one episode. What makes this even stranger is the very slow pacing of the first half of the series. I would suggest exploring what a more detailed look at the events of the last few episodes would be like if this series had been two-cour instead of one, or if the first few episode of the series had been slightly more condensed to allow for more time at the end of the series.
I'm currently doing this in a larger article that I've been working on for a while! I don't address what would have happened if it were spread over two cours though. Anyone looking for some of the former part of the topic can take a look for some of my own insight. Charlotte was such a huge ball of lost potential. but I enjoyed it nonetheless. – Austin9 years ago
Because of their popularity and episode count, One Piece, Naruto and Bleach are known in the anime community as 'The Big 3'. With Bleach and Naruto Shippuuden coming to an end and Fairy Tail's episode count continuing to rise, will Fairy Tail take the place of one these anime or will this group of shōnen anime become known as the Big 4?
It's a question I have often wondered. It seems like a lovechild between Dragonball Z, (predecessor to the Big Three) and Naruto. It's also worthy to state that the Naruto manga has ended. I have wondered often if there will not be a new Big Three after the three Anime end (though One Piece may be around for quite some time.) Whoever takes this up, I recommend looking at additional Anime that may join this count such as Boku no Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, etc... – SpectreWriter10 years ago
If you look up 'big four' anime, Fairy Tail is the fourth, and the other three are One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. – nsiegel9 years ago
I was thinking... Maybe someone could examine the common features that make these series popular, and see how they are different. – Jordan9 years ago
It's become a new phenomenon of a subgenre recently to place slice of life characters in a post-apocalyptic world and see what happens. My first case with this was when I watched Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, and since then the trend has continued, including Puella Magi Madoka Magica, WIXOSS, Yuki Yuna wa Yusha de aru, and the recent overnight sensation, Gakkou Gurashi. This would be a great place to discuss this emerging subgenre, analyze its origin, and debate what the growing popularity means about us and our culture.
This sounds like it could be an interesting look into the "cute" aspect of anime. – Lily10 years ago
I heard moe might be dying out. It would definitely be interesting to examine. – Jordan9 years ago
