Comments | elspeth_vimes: "Even if the world ends, I will never let you go."

elspeth_vimes

"Even if the world ends, I will never let you go."

Feb 20, 2010 12:39

So it occurs to me that I still haven't made posts on quite a few things. For example, a number of Urasawa-related things. I should fix that. Especially since I have...6 Urasawa-related entries I want to write. ...Yeah, I'm obsessed.

First up? Pluto. Pluto in general (I also have thoughts regarding certain specifics, which will go elsewhere ( Read more... )

urasawa naoki, manga, pluto

Comments 15

bookelfe February 20 2010, 18:11:30 UTC

I have the first volume out from the library now! And will be reading it as soon as I finish Riven Shield. And the new Twentieth Century Boys. (Ahhhh too much awesomeness to read all at once!)

elspeth_vimes February 20 2010, 18:19:50 UTC

MY COPY OF VOLUME 7 STILL ISN'T IN YET, I NEED IT SO BADLY. ...Volume 7 is epic.

And yay Michelle West!

In other words, these are two perfectly understandable reasons for a delay in reading Pluto. Which is a rare thing.

bookelfe February 20 2010, 18:24:07 UTC

Why don't I have six pairs of eyes so I can read everything at once. ;_;

elspeth_vimes February 20 2010, 18:29:34 UTC

...Well, I think you would need six brains, too. Which could get unwieldy.

Thread 10

touchmy12inch February 20 2010, 18:18:30 UTC

I'm just here to endorse everything you said.

And I saw 20th Century Boys, the film, at the library today, thought of you.

elspeth_vimes February 20 2010, 18:22:53 UTC

Your testimonial is greatly appreciated. ♥

Also I am flattered. ;_;

crownings February 20 2010, 18:59:56 UTC

It's so amazing. ;A; I love that series so much, ffffffffff.

elspeth_vimes February 20 2010, 20:05:16 UTC

I AM SO GLAD THAT OTHER PEOPLE LOVE IT AS WELL. And app from it. <3

nothing_deleuze February 20 2010, 20:31:24 UTC

Regarding the 39th Central Asian War. I took it as no more "anvilicious" than any of Tezuka's (or Miyazaki's) strong anti-war sentiment. Yes, there's a clear parallel with the Iraq War. But Urasawa never seemed to me to be picking at the Iraq War with any especial fervor. There's a noted lack of a Bush caricature, for instance. The only elements Urasawa very clearly disapproves of are things like civilian casualties. I'm not sure what's problematic with an author very clearly disapproving of this side of war.

I simply think he wanted to include Tezuka's pacifism in a way that would resonate with current events. In particular since the story it's based on is all about how humans make robots fight conflicts for them. The war theme is central. Why should he be subtle about the relevance of the topic at hand? I think many of the futuristic dissimilarities (robots fighting robots) would let the reader get away far too easily without confronting the issue as a current one.

elspeth_vimes February 20 2010, 20:53:27 UTC

Personally, I don't have any problem with the 39th Central Asian War having such a similar basis as the Iraq War. And it's certainly true that Urasawa is no more heavy-handed than other brilliant creators. In fact, he's less heavy-handed than quite a few.

But while I can definitely see the point of how having details from current events in order to establish more of a connection with the trials the world is going through, I can also see how the political similarities can be viewed as unnecessary, and possibly somewhat limiting (by tying the work to the current era). The stories about the war are incredibly powerful already (everything with North no. 2, for example), I think they could easily stand without the parallels.

And, er, do I know you from somewhere? I'm sorry if I've forgotten!

nothing_deleuze February 20 2010, 21:10:33 UTC

Oh, my apologies. You probably don't know me. This post just popped up in a search, and I am always hungry to discuss Urasawa.

I think it's interesting that you bring up North No. 2's story, which was probably the most anvilicious part of Pluto from my perspective. That said, you're right that it could have stood without parallels. I think the very fact that the parallels aren't integral to it is exactly why I didn't find it to be particularly noxious.

elspeth_vimes February 20 2010, 21:21:58 UTC

I completely understand!

And I actually see that, too. I think North No. 2's story is hurt a bit by the small space it's contained in, with more time to draw the characterization and everything out, it could have been stronger. But then it would have dragged the story as a whole, down, so. (I think the most anvilicious part for me was the story Heracles tells about the robot who kept washing his hands.)