Contributing writer for The Artifice.
Contributor I
The importance of violence in storytelling in Tokyo GhoulTokyo Ghoul is an anime which has managed to generate a cult following among anime fans having two successful seasons leaving audiences begging for more. Tokyo Ghoul has a rather unique subject matter concerning the nature of violence though it also can viewed as somewhat of an allegory of society itself with the interspecies war between humans and ghouls demonstrating the violence caused by segregation. More of an attribute to the anime's success however, would be its stunningly unique cinematic. The anime itself has no shame depicting violence in its rawest form yet does so with meaning and not just for shock value. Each an every violent exchange builds upon the overall moral of the story and also contributes to the development of each character- a prime example of this would be the 2 episode torture sequence where the antagonist modelled after western horror icon 'Jason Vorhees', grotesquely disfigured the vulnerable half human, half ghoul protagonist Ken Kaneki. This display was one of the most demented yet disturbingly well thought out scenes which makes the horror franchise 'SAW' look like a romantic comedy. The scene masterfully depicted the psychology behind the antagonist and his worldview on how the weak are overrun based on their lack of ability. This display is a very sufficient argument as to why violence can sometimes be necessary within media as it is an excellent instrument in storytelling. How much more effective would this iconic scene have been without the gruesome visuals and bone grinding SFX?
|
Published | The impact of Netflix on our viewing habitsNetflix has become enormously popular and universally used thereby opening doors to many new series and even having series exclusive to it such as Daredevil, Mindhunter etc… Netflix has revolutionised our watching habits because of this and has made the concept of 'binging' a television series more commonplace. Discuss its impact on not only our viewing habits but in the entertainment industry as a whole.
|
Pending | 10 Years Since AMC first broke badan analytical overview of the hit series Breaking Bad to celebrate its upcoming 10 year anniversary. Overall it would encapsulate why it was so captivating for audiences. The analysis could go over aspects of the series such as Vince Gilligan's storytelling prowess and the development of all the characters within the series and how it defined the chemistry metaphor of 'transformation'. |
Spiderman- A franchise analysisSpiderman is a superhero who has had several on screen adaptations, each of which offers a unique take on the character. This article will discuss and compare these adaptations, what aspects of the hero each of them envisioned and the success they had in doing so.
|
The use of Foreshadowing in AMC's Breaking Bad.Vince Gilligans brainchild Breaking Bad is a television series which is often mentioned within the conversation of the greatest television series of all time. This is attributed to Gilligan's excellent storytelling abilities- particularly his use of foreshadowing throughout the series. An article discussing this narrative technique used within Breaking Bad including specific examples would be quite enthralling. |
Youtube- Why Demonitization is DownfallThe platform of Youtube is perhaps at its most controversial stage in its development to date. Due to it being owned by Google and advertisements being a determiner of the conventional Youtubers income, there is a huge pressure on content creators to make their videos as uncontroversial as possible in order for them to receive such monetisation . This has resulted in watered down content, demonetisation of otherwise entertaining videos and even lawsuits such as the controversial 'H3H3 productions' debacle which was a battle which lasted over a year. Overall this topic would help shed some light on how artistic capacity is limited by censorship and demonetisation.
|
The biblical allegory within Darren Aronofkys MotherMother is a film which has received rather controversial critical reception for its gratuitous brutality and extremely intricate plot line. Perhaps what is overlooked however, is the overall premise of the film being a biblical allusion and social commentary- particularly in an environmental sense. An article going into the depth of this using examples of the film and Aronofskys directing will be quite engaging.
|
Rick and Morty and the success of spontaneous comedyPerhaps one of the most talked about and bingeable Netflix shows is Justin Roiland and Dan Harmons: "Rick and Morty". Drawing influence from 'Back to the future', combining it with philosophical pessimism and a convoluted plot line featuring parallel universe- the shows success is rooted from its spontaneous humour and erratic social commentary . This formula behind this creative process has been emulated by numerous shows to great success which would make an article about this trend exploring why such success is present, quite compelling.
|
Why Western Culture is Beginning to Embrace Anime | |
This article was really unique and interesting. I’ve noticed that rapper Ski Mask the slump god (as if his name wasn’t enough of an indicator) constantly references anime/comics, cartoons and pop-culture in his lyrics which is a trend which seems to be rising lately. | Finding the Bridge Between Superhero Comics and Hip-Hop |
I still remember vividly the first time I watched Jurassic Park and fell in love with how ahead of its time it was. I bought the box set with special features which went behind the scenes into the CGI and animatronics which was really fascinating. Its a shame its so commonplace now its lost its effectiveness in that sense. | Does CGI Benefit Special Effects or Detract From Them? |
Black mirror was depressing but equally as entertaining. I love the Twilight Zone format and thought it made each episode unique and refreshing. | Black Mirror: A Look at Modern Day Paranoia |
This was a great read. Huge fan of Tokyo ghoul, Attack on titan and Psycho pass because of the way they use violence to tell a story, so in this sense it can viewed as helpful. I came here looking for a new anime to watch after finishing Deadman Wonderland and Elfen Lied definitely caught my eye. | Violence in Anime: Helpful or a Hindrance? |
I thoroughly agree with you in that the reputation of Season 1 and it being cited among the likes of heavyweights such as Breaking Bad and The Wire was perhaps a little too much pressure on the second season to deliver. I think Pizzolatto’s biggest flaw was that he tried too hard to emulate his first season as oppose to building a new legacy. Fukunaga was definitely one of the reasons behind the success of season 1 with his excellent ability to capture the Louisiana setting. In regards to a Rust spinoff, while it is a huge risk and could topple the legacy of the series itself, I think an exploration into his mysterious past could be just what the series needs to be revived. This must be a well calculated risk though which could jeopardise Pizzolatto’s reputation, especially with the negative reception of the second season. | True Detective: The Road Ahead |
I do see where your coming from with this. I think a lot of season 1’s success stems from the fact that it was such a fresh concept. The supernatural allusions and overall dark personality of the series was what kept me hooked, not to mention the dialogue between Rust and Marty. Had the roles been reversed, and season 2 came first, I do think that it would have been met with better reception as it would be allowed to exist as its own entity, free from comparison. | True Detective: The Road Ahead |
Yeah I think the supernatural elements present in the first season was a fundamental part of its magic. It made you want to keep watching to find out what exactly it all meant- especially Rust’s hallucinations. | True Detective: The Road Ahead |
Loved the intro to this because its a conversation Ive been in so many times. You’re definitely right about streaming services, live actions and nostalgia playing a big role in anime success in western pop culture- I myself began watching full metal alchemist when I discovered Netflix streamed it.