On Meta, Your Twinkie Girlfriend, and Journey to the East
Three posts in one:
ONE: Bakemonogatari episode 9 has a notorious reference, where Nadeko’s topless body draws a gaijin 4koma. Yes, it’s a flat-out reference. However, this reference evokes the correct representation (consider in contrast to sense) in addition to its added levity in a genuinely serious moment; it links three conflicting tensions–2violent1child, lolipowers, and the lulz–like linked cogs.
I mention this to draw contrast with Seitokai no Ichizon’s style of references. There’s nothing particular about Seitokai no Ichizon’s lack of the fourth wall, beyond it being a necessity. The nature of Seizon (LOL) is a conversation. Instead of talking about a chocolate coronet, they’re talking about the popularity of Haruhi Suzumiya in name and people would watch that show just because of its name; or the differences in the various forms of mass media.
In fact, isn’t that what the first episode is about? Game versus novels versus anime versus drama CD and so on? It’s like a chat log in its delivery, but the content is coherent and the references merely draw points that would otherwise take many sentences to illustrate. And thus, the question about “a radio drama is enough” needs an answer. It’s a prerequisite, at any rate.
Of course, is that funny? Maybe not, but there’s a point beyond that. It’s just a study on all this pop cultural crap, with an otaku focus. Being funny is not the main purpose to the exercise.
TWO: Nogizaka Haruka is your Twinkie girlfriend–fluff, sweet, indulging. She is different than the more universal blank slate types (eg., Soraoto) and closer to those “ideal” ones (eg., Onee-san). The difference however comes in the focus of the relationship. It’s perhaps closer to this than either of the previous examples. I guess what I wanted to say is the difference in the appeal, and not so much in the substance. It’s like you enjoy all the interactions in the game first, then the virtual waifu second. You could enjoy Love Plus because you like Takane, and you could enjoy Sora no Otoshimono because you like Ikaros, but usually it’s because you play the game or watch the anime first, then you come to like them. So basically, I like Nogizaka Haruka (the anime) because I like how it focuses on the romance (which is the same reason why these people like it).
As a side note, the second season offers little in assurance in that regard, although it does offer some right off the bat. That is beyond my expectation already (to offer it as little praise as I can).
THREE: It’s probably a small secret, but I’m sure they don’t mind spilling the beans now that they’re about done with the trip. Three old timers decided to pay Mizuho-sensei a visit. For the uninitiated, Onegai Teacher and Onegai Twins take place in a scenic town in middle-of-nowhere, Lake Kizaki in Nagano. Like all notable otaku destinations, this one has a little shrine dedicated to the fans. We are Mizuho indeed.
This is noteworthy because I think during that time (2002-2003?) the three of them were really enjoying themselves. Regardless of what happened in their real life circumstances (and I don’t really know), this…thing that they have been doing together was something everyone cherished in some way. It’s a salute to sharing a cherished memory of youth. I so wish I could have gone~
The old timers pilgrimage is just touching. “It’s a salute to sharing a cherished memory of youth.”
Yeah, I love Nogizaka Haruka for the romance too plus I just love Haruka. The show itself reminds me of Ai Yori Aoshi.
Whoa, I didn’t know the setting for Onegai Teacher was real. Bah, i should have went when I was in the area. I did get to see the real life setting for Air and Higurashi though. That was pretty cool.
Looks like somebody decides to compress his three random thoughts into one post!
1. On meta
The manner in which you described Seinozon (is that the correct abbreviation?) reminded me of a crazy Winter 2008 podcast made by the aniblogging community (I only roughly recall lelangir was in it before the host declared his absence midway): was it funny? One must look into the context of the shows being talked about/made fun of. On its own, it’s not.
I’ve admit that I have not watched Seinozon yet, so I will try and watch it when I’m free.
2. On Nogimitsu (LOL)
I admired the first season (and because everyone’s a Noto fan), and I concur with what you said, in a sense that while there wasn’t anything memorable to talk about it (the first season’s contents, that is), the journey I hasten to guess, is what mattered. For me, I’d be reading other bloggers’ posts on this, because I have been busy on reality.
3. On the Holy Ancient Trinity of Anisages
Glad to see the three of them enjoying their moments together. I want to shed a tear now. (It’s also because of what DrmChsr0 has said, that made me feel nostalgic and sad at the same time.)
I actually intended to link DrmChsr0’s post right there as “thing” but failed to do so. Well, at least you (guys) get the idea.
As to context, you nailed it. My second paragraph basically says just that–there’s a tongue-in-cheekness about the references that unless you’re “otaku” enough to understand why they said a Radio Show would do, you are probably missing the framework in which the jokes operate in their optimal conditions.
Those three, they totally shoved Onegai Teacher to my face back then. My hero bloggers all of them. I want to do pilgrimages like these too.