Sakurarozen - Rozen

Aqua’s experience in A Fragmentary Passage and subsequent Norting changed the entire way I look at Light and Darkness in the Kingdom Hearts series.

Up until now, the light/darkness dichotomy was only ever something I interpreted as being a plot-specific force within the narrative. Sure, we had characters verbally telling us that darkness is related to negative emotions, light is related to friendship and positivity, etc. but beyond characters getting powered up for battle after verbally making those connections (“My friends are my power,” basically anything that comes out of Ansem SOD’s mouth), we don’t really get a chance to see what that means.

A Fragmentary Passage connected the emotions to the forces in a much more obvious way, for me at least. I’ll never forget playing the mirror level that has Aqua’s inner monologue going the whole time and realizing that, holy shit, this game is about depression! And then we see the E3 trailer from this year. For her to get Norted, we know she had to succumb to The Darkness, and because we have her experience in AFP as a background, we know how she got to that point and exactly what she was feeling when it happened. (Yes, AFP ended on a more hopeful note, but … I still think this is probably what happened).

I’m playing through all the main games again, and suddenly, the rest of the series has a LOT more context. The Xehanort/Eraqus arguments get a lot more nuance. Honestly, I think Xehanort has a little bit of a point? Light and Darkness (ie: positive emotions and negative emotions) existing in a balance seems WAY healthier than just trying to have ALL POSITIVE EMOTIONS ALL THE TIME. This could apply to “The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.” The more you try to push down or hide your negative emotions in an attempt to remain positive 24/7, the more that negativity festers beneath the surface and can explode out of you. Maybe this is what happened with Terra. Dealing with the Darkness is something that has plagued him since he was a kid, but because light-obsessed Eraqus basically raised him, he had to repress negativity until it sorta just exploded in BBS. (As someone with mental health problems who grew up in a family that didn’t talk about problems or emotions and just pretended everything was fine all the time… my most recent BBS playthrough hit me kind of hard.) Along these same lines “hearts of pure light” don’t seem totally healthy either? Maybe it’s different for Princesses of Heart, because they’re Naturally Occurring, but it makes total sense why my boy Ven was so fragile after Vanitas got ripped out of him. In any case I am REALLY SCARED for Sora. I know he was close to getting Norted in DDD, but if he just tries to stay positive all the time because so many people are counting on him my boy is going to BREAK.

Now, when I see the darkness cloud animation emanating off a character, I have context for what that means and what that feels like. When Terra uses his dark command styles, I used to think “well yeah, he’s mad” but know I get that he’s pissed. When a Nort uses dark attacks, I get that he’s channeling his greed, his feelings of superiority. When Sora goes into Anti-form, I get that this is his moment of release, where he physically can’t be his happy-go-lucky self. The black cloaks, which protect people when travelling in corridors of darkness, have the power to shield people from negative emotions. Does turning into a heartless feel like being overwhelmed with hopelessness and dread?

This also makes Riku’s arc way more interesting to me! His “road to dawn” becomes a road to recovery!! Instead of pushing down his negativity, he lives with it! He uses it to his advantage without letting it overtake him!!! He doesn’t pretend to be sunshine and rainbows, and his friends still love him!!!!

I don’t really have a conclusion to this. I’m just really glad that they did what they did with A Fragmentary Passage.

3K notes View Post

sakurarozen

6 years ago

Aesthetically Pleasing Anime Movies

The mentions below are a combination of beautiful visuals animation movies that had captured an immediate attention due to its fresh and appealing color choices and drawing-styles; yet, still intrigued the audience with a unique plot. Before you check out the list, keep in mind that I did not forget any of Studio Ghibli productions. I think every project in Ghibli is so special that I feel I need to make a separate post, don’t you agree? Plus, I want to give a shout-out to other animes. Some are extremely underrated and need much more love and appreciation! ❤️ this and enjoy~

Hirune Hime: Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari / Ancien and the Magic Tablet (2017)

Digimon Adventure tri. 4: Soushitsu / Digimon Adventure tri. Loss (2017)

Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? / Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom? (2017)

Zutto Mae kara Suki deshita.: Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai / I’ve Always Liked You (2016)

Koe no Katachi / A Silent Voice (2016)

Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni / In This Corner of the World (2016)

Kimi no Na wa / Your Name (2016)

Hana to Alice: Satsujin Jiken / The Case of Hana & Alice (2015)

Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda / Anthem of the Heart (2015)

Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai (2015)

Giovanni no Shima / Giovanni’s Island (2014)

Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha / Inari, Konkon, ABCs of Love (2014)

Tamako Love Story (2014)

Kotonoha no Niwa / The Garden of Words (2013)

Buki yo Saraba / A Farewell to Arms (2013)

Hal (2013)

Kaguya-hime no Monogatari / The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)

Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki / Wolf Children (2012)

Nerawareta Gakuen / Psychic School Wars (2012)

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai / Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)

Hotarubi no Mori e / Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light (2011)

Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo / Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011)

Momo e no Tegami / A Letter to Momo (2011)

“Bungaku Shoujo” Movie / Book Girl, Literature Girl (2010)

Summer Wars (2009)

Byousoku 5 Centimeter / 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007)

Paprika (2006)

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo / The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

Tekkon Kinkreet (2006)

Bonus: A 15 one-minute shorts created by various people from Japan’s animation industry. Be prepared to indulge in 3 seasons of masterworks.

Ani*Kuri15 (2007)

59K notes View Post

sakurarozen

4 years ago

Adictiv.:NieR - Player[s] Compilation Album for NieR 10th Anniv.

AdictivNieR is a fan-made compilation album featuring remixes and arrangements of NieR Series Music from Unisphere Doujin Music Circle. The album created in commemoration of NieR 10th Anniversary. The music originally composed by Keiichi Okabe & MONACA Team, remixed and arranged by various doujin music and rhythm games composers.