When i was given the copy of Nancy Farmers award winning The House of the Scorpion I had no idea what I was taking just that it was young adult literature. The cover of this edition was more an advertisement for a sequel that's coming out in September called The Lord of Opium without any description at all of the story. But still i took the book.
Inside the front cover in the foreword from the editor I discovered this was a science fiction. Something considered good science fiction that tackles a few of the big questions that comes up in the genre:
a)What does it mean to be human?
b)Should humans play God?
These are things we can find throughout science fiction. How many stories are there where humans create something and it becomes self aware or just wants to be a real human. Look at things like the manga Zetman, Frankenstein, I Robot to name a few. Just as those titles address the question so does The House of the Scorpion.
The premise of the story is that this is a distopian future where the United States and Mexico have made a deal with the a Drug Lord named Matteo Alacran know as El Patron forming a new country called Opium between them. The main character is a boy who finds out that he is El Patron's clone. Everyone treats him like he's filth even going so far to abuse him before the old man finds out. Everyone that is except for the kind lady who took care of him before he was discovered at the house and the girl he grows to love Maria. Even though he's given an education and treated well he has no idea about who he is and what his purpose is. He just understands that clones are not seen as being humans but why the need for clones if they aren't for pets or to replace a lost loved one?
What we have here is an evil world where the weak are exploited. A world controlled by El Patron. Illegals trying to get through Opium, from either the US going to mexico or vice versa are turned into mindless Zombies. Clones murdered to reap their body parts to extend ones life. The question here is who is the real monster? In this novel it is clear to see the evil in characters. Some of them may put of good faces from time to time but in the end their masks are pulled off. There are very very few characters who Matt meets who could be considered as being truly good.
There are a lot of moral and religious questions too. You can see the religious background of Catholisim but you can clearly see who the hypicrits are and who the faithful are. For instance Ceila who is the women who takes care of and loves Matt as her own child, she is a good Catholic woman. Even El Viejo, El Patrons grandson is a man who adheres to his faith. Also Maria she is someone who does acts of kindness for anyone in need. The rest of the characters just seem to go through the motions while letting evil fester within,
The first question is if its morally ok to create clones in the first place. Isn't this playing God. And do they even have souls? And why destroy their brains at birth? By saying they do not have souls and destroying their intelligence does this not help justify them being used as nothing but livestock? Is using something born from a human this way even moral?
Then you also have questions about is it ok to take away peoples freedom and turn them into nothing but Zombies doing their masters bidding. But this question comes two ways really. Firstly taking someones freedom and individuality by actually physically messing with their brains either by destroying the brain or by implanting computer chips to program them. Secondly by using fear to control people or even brainwashing. In a way both do the same thing of taking away a persons will though the first one is more permanent. In a way El Patron treats people as though they were his belongings and no one is able to escape him once in his clutches because in a way they have lost their humanity. And as is seen in the book El Patron is not the only one doing such things.
I have to say that I found this book very riveting. I wanted so much more. Even though it was a dark world I wanted to see what would become of Matt who only wanted to be human in a world that sees him as a monster born in a lab. In some ways it reminded me of the giver because this is a dark future but it was also very different. The first few chapters of the sequel were included in the back and i have to say I really want to read more. The new book starts right where the previous one ends. I want to see what Matt will do next. What will happen to this clone who has become a human? Will he truly have the power to stop the evils around him? Unfortunately the book isn't even available for preorder yet. So looks like I will have to be as patient as possible in my wait. But yes I highly recommend this series.
edit: Actually I just found it is available for preorder. =)
http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Opium-Nancy-Farmer/dp/1442482540/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362517524&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lord+of+opium+nancy+farmer
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Poison: A fantasy of friendship and hard choices(And yes this book has not been officially released)
So I managed to get an advanced copy of Poison by Bridget Zinn which will be released March 12th. It was in my pile of books to read and feeling too sick to study and not able to sleep I read the thing in one go.
So here we have the story of Kyra, a 16 year old master of potions who is now a wanted criminal. In order to save her kingdom she decided that she needed to kill her best friend who was going to be the next ruler. She failed her attempt and now was on the run. So she goes to the king of the criminals to get aid in finishing her mission. Who gives her a pig to track her target. In her journey she meets a mysterious handsome young man who she just can't seem to shake. This is a world of magic, with witches, trolls, and other strange creatures.
At first I have to say the idea of a teenager out to kill her best friend was was not something I was too thrilled about but I said ok there has to be a reason. Someone doesn't just up and say I think I'll kill my best friend today unless of course they are a psychopath, and clearly Kyra isn't the sort. Basically the reasoning behind Kyra's actions is slowly revealed as the tale unfolds. Since I want others to enjoy the book I shan't give away this since it's central to the plot. But Kyra is the type to give up everything in order to do what she believes is right.
I have to say the story is not very deep but it is a delightful and fun read. The best part in my opinion is how her relationship with the little pig and the handsome young man named Fred developed Even though she tries to distance herself from both you can see she wants to have a connection. It's an interesting world to that I would like to see more of. So I say head over to amazon or Barnes and Nobles and reserve yourself a copy.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Somewhere In Time: A Tragic Tale of Love and Time Travel
I have to admit I really really love stories of time travel and alternate worlds(Must be all that Doctor Who from the time I was 3 years old). I had seen the movie Somewhere in Time--which tared Christopher Reed and Jane Seymore--many times in the past(Rachmoninov's variation on a theme of Paganini I recall playing in there the romantic melody part). So when I found the novel in my recommendations list on Amazon I said lets give it a try. Apparently on wikipedia it says the novel was originally called Bid Time Return. The author of the novel wrote the script for the movie as well.
First I was surprised the author was Richard Matheson who wrote 16 episode of the Twilight Zone and The Enemy Within for Star Trek. As I looked at the other lists of work in his repitoire I was surprised at how many familiar titles were there for instance I am Legend, Stir of Echos, The Incredible Shrinking Man to name a few. The book even had quotes from Dean Koontz an Stephen King praising his works and siting him as inspiration. I'm going to have to read some more of his novels.
Now the book itself is very different from the movie though similar. Firstly the story is of a man with terminal brain cancer who takes off leaving everything behind to go on a trip to anywhere. He finds himself at this old hotel where he finds himself fall in love with an actress in an old photo. He starts researching her and convinces himself that he is her destined love and wills himself to travel back to 1897 where he does indeed meet her and starts a relationship only to be tragically drug back to his own time where he dies of brain cancer. Where the movie deviates is that Richard is a successful play-write who just broke up with his girlfriend and has writers block. In the original novel hes just a dying man who has left behind his job as a screenwriter for a major network and he has never had a relationship. Ending up at the hotel was the result of a penny flip in the book all chance. Second in the movie the first part shows him meeting with an elderly woman when his play is being produced who gives him a watch saying come back to me, in the novel they do meet at a party but she only stares at him from a distance. Also the time period traveled back to is different. In the movie he only travels back to 1912 while in the book it's 1897. Also I believe that the effects of time travel on the main characther were much harsher in the book. In my opinion the book was much better then I remember the movie to be(it's been a long time since I've seen it since I was still at HSU when I last watched it). I don't want to delve to much into the differences because it would ruin the story for anyone who actually wanted to read the novel.
The novel itself is very interesting It's written as if the Richard Collier is recounting the occurances that happened from the time he made up his mind to leave LA and to travel. Interesting enough the style of writing changes through out. Well first off you get a letter from his brother saying that this is the only book his brother wrote before he died and how he has trimmed places because the publisher insisted and from time to time you see him make notes in the story. Now with Richards part at first the writing is not that interesting. I was like I hope the whole book isn't like this. But I have come to realize that the style may reflect his unease with life around him when he knows he is dying. His life is ending and what once was normal is now a cacaphoy of dissonant sounds causing him anxiety. Once he reaches the hotel things start to change. It's as if the very hotel and it's environment calms him at first and then we see obsession take hold of him. Until finally he travels time and his writing changes even further.
This is a tale of love that transcends time. I have to say compared to say something like The Time Travelers Wife--which has to be the nastiest piece of filth I've ever read--is much better. It's like the Richard and Elise are destined for each other and even though they can't be together for more then those few days they are devoted till the end of their days. Time Traveler Wife made me feel dirty and empty after reading. And I learned a good lesson, just because I heard it was good doesn't mean it is and if its that nasty don't keep reading to see what was good. It was a horrible book. Sure there is a sex sense in Somewhere in Time, however, its not of a graphic nature as in The Time Travelers wife(Which had way to many sex scenes). Also the characters in Somewhere in Time are likable whereas in the other they were very unlikable. One thing though that the two novels had a shared point on is that you can't change fate no matter how much you want to it's impossible. Even though the main characters in both novels wanted to avert a sad fate they were unable to do so.
So I will say I really enjoyed Somewhere In Time. It was a beautiful tragic love story of two souls separated by time. And as a side note The Time Traveler's Wife is nothing but an erotic novel filled with deplorable characters it's pure filth. I don't recommend that book at all.
First I was surprised the author was Richard Matheson who wrote 16 episode of the Twilight Zone and The Enemy Within for Star Trek. As I looked at the other lists of work in his repitoire I was surprised at how many familiar titles were there for instance I am Legend, Stir of Echos, The Incredible Shrinking Man to name a few. The book even had quotes from Dean Koontz an Stephen King praising his works and siting him as inspiration. I'm going to have to read some more of his novels.
Now the book itself is very different from the movie though similar. Firstly the story is of a man with terminal brain cancer who takes off leaving everything behind to go on a trip to anywhere. He finds himself at this old hotel where he finds himself fall in love with an actress in an old photo. He starts researching her and convinces himself that he is her destined love and wills himself to travel back to 1897 where he does indeed meet her and starts a relationship only to be tragically drug back to his own time where he dies of brain cancer. Where the movie deviates is that Richard is a successful play-write who just broke up with his girlfriend and has writers block. In the original novel hes just a dying man who has left behind his job as a screenwriter for a major network and he has never had a relationship. Ending up at the hotel was the result of a penny flip in the book all chance. Second in the movie the first part shows him meeting with an elderly woman when his play is being produced who gives him a watch saying come back to me, in the novel they do meet at a party but she only stares at him from a distance. Also the time period traveled back to is different. In the movie he only travels back to 1912 while in the book it's 1897. Also I believe that the effects of time travel on the main characther were much harsher in the book. In my opinion the book was much better then I remember the movie to be(it's been a long time since I've seen it since I was still at HSU when I last watched it). I don't want to delve to much into the differences because it would ruin the story for anyone who actually wanted to read the novel.
The novel itself is very interesting It's written as if the Richard Collier is recounting the occurances that happened from the time he made up his mind to leave LA and to travel. Interesting enough the style of writing changes through out. Well first off you get a letter from his brother saying that this is the only book his brother wrote before he died and how he has trimmed places because the publisher insisted and from time to time you see him make notes in the story. Now with Richards part at first the writing is not that interesting. I was like I hope the whole book isn't like this. But I have come to realize that the style may reflect his unease with life around him when he knows he is dying. His life is ending and what once was normal is now a cacaphoy of dissonant sounds causing him anxiety. Once he reaches the hotel things start to change. It's as if the very hotel and it's environment calms him at first and then we see obsession take hold of him. Until finally he travels time and his writing changes even further.
This is a tale of love that transcends time. I have to say compared to say something like The Time Travelers Wife--which has to be the nastiest piece of filth I've ever read--is much better. It's like the Richard and Elise are destined for each other and even though they can't be together for more then those few days they are devoted till the end of their days. Time Traveler Wife made me feel dirty and empty after reading. And I learned a good lesson, just because I heard it was good doesn't mean it is and if its that nasty don't keep reading to see what was good. It was a horrible book. Sure there is a sex sense in Somewhere in Time, however, its not of a graphic nature as in The Time Travelers wife(Which had way to many sex scenes). Also the characters in Somewhere in Time are likable whereas in the other they were very unlikable. One thing though that the two novels had a shared point on is that you can't change fate no matter how much you want to it's impossible. Even though the main characters in both novels wanted to avert a sad fate they were unable to do so.
So I will say I really enjoyed Somewhere In Time. It was a beautiful tragic love story of two souls separated by time. And as a side note The Time Traveler's Wife is nothing but an erotic novel filled with deplorable characters it's pure filth. I don't recommend that book at all.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ni no Kuni: A childs love for his mother
So I'm have about 20 hours of play under my belt now though I have not yet finished the game I think I have a good feel now for what this game is. This game is charming and lovely. The main character Oliver and Esther both have a childlike innocence about them that is refreshing. You have a young boy who is going forward after his mothers death with hope that he can save her by helping her soul-mate from another world. Clinging to this hope he is able to leave his tears behind and he is able to summon the strength that makes him able to become the savior of worlds.
The story is very interesting and fun. To see Oliver grow and become stronger as he helps people who in turn help him to go on his path to hopefully save his mom. I find myself cheering him on. Though i have to say the Fairy Grove segment made me go WHAT THE HOCKEY STICKS! Somethings are best left seen for yourself heh. There seems to be something more going on then what meets the eye which makes it even more interesting Swaine and Dippy both seem to be not telling something to our cute little hero at the point of the story I'm at. I'm looking forward to outing their secrets.
The battle systems is interesting. Basically a character and their familiars share HP and MP. You can switch between then depending on what you need to be done and if one familiars stamina is close to being used up. After getting used to its really fun. You can also switch between which character you control and you can issue commands(usually I suck at command giving in battle but this wasn't too bad.)
There is also a lot of customization with the familiars You can tame monsters to be familiars but you can also feed your familiars treats which up their familiarization with you as well as increased their stats. Depending on the treat can fill them up a certain amount as well as help up certain amounts. You can also choose which commands you want available from their lists as well as metamorphosis them into something else when given the right gem. It's really nice how many choices you are given on how to develop them.
Also as you go along you actually pick up stories that go into your wizards book. Which is really fun. You can read up on all kinds of things. Spells, alchemy, about the various creatures you come along and so on.
Over all I think this game so far has shown me a wonderful world of good and evil where an innocent child's love for his mother is able to give him the will to move forward and save another world from destruction with his pure heart. This is no different from Studio Ghibli films where we see children do amazing feats, for instance in Spirited Away where Chihiro saves her parents. This game is as my friend Jess said "A game that makes me believe magic is real."
If what I've seen is any indication of the rest of the game this game is truly a wonderful game.
edit: Last night I took a look after writing this I was a bit more then 25 hours in. Now I'm at close to 29. It's definetly an awesome game.
The story is very interesting and fun. To see Oliver grow and become stronger as he helps people who in turn help him to go on his path to hopefully save his mom. I find myself cheering him on. Though i have to say the Fairy Grove segment made me go WHAT THE HOCKEY STICKS! Somethings are best left seen for yourself heh. There seems to be something more going on then what meets the eye which makes it even more interesting Swaine and Dippy both seem to be not telling something to our cute little hero at the point of the story I'm at. I'm looking forward to outing their secrets.
The battle systems is interesting. Basically a character and their familiars share HP and MP. You can switch between then depending on what you need to be done and if one familiars stamina is close to being used up. After getting used to its really fun. You can also switch between which character you control and you can issue commands(usually I suck at command giving in battle but this wasn't too bad.)
There is also a lot of customization with the familiars You can tame monsters to be familiars but you can also feed your familiars treats which up their familiarization with you as well as increased their stats. Depending on the treat can fill them up a certain amount as well as help up certain amounts. You can also choose which commands you want available from their lists as well as metamorphosis them into something else when given the right gem. It's really nice how many choices you are given on how to develop them.
Also as you go along you actually pick up stories that go into your wizards book. Which is really fun. You can read up on all kinds of things. Spells, alchemy, about the various creatures you come along and so on.
Over all I think this game so far has shown me a wonderful world of good and evil where an innocent child's love for his mother is able to give him the will to move forward and save another world from destruction with his pure heart. This is no different from Studio Ghibli films where we see children do amazing feats, for instance in Spirited Away where Chihiro saves her parents. This game is as my friend Jess said "A game that makes me believe magic is real."
If what I've seen is any indication of the rest of the game this game is truly a wonderful game.
edit: Last night I took a look after writing this I was a bit more then 25 hours in. Now I'm at close to 29. It's definetly an awesome game.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Video Games Gone Wrong: Sword Arts Online and .Hack\sign
As a fan of Science Fiction one reoccurring theme is technology going wrong, either from it becoming sentient or from a madman throwing a wrench into the works. This last year I really enjoyed watching a series called Sword Arts Online when I saw the premise I was like this reminds me a bit of the themes in .Hack\Sign even if the stories are entirely different. Mainly the fact that technology can go wrong. Both are about Virtual Reality games where things don't go the way people expected and their are victims.
It's been a long time since i watched .Hack but as i recall some kind of intelligence was born within the game causing the various anomalies to occur such as Tsukasa being trapped within the game. The people who were harmed was on a much smaller level in this virtual reality game then in Swords Arts Online. However, both series deal with complex issues such as escapism, and interpersonal relationships. Tsukasa plays the game in order to escape from the bad things in life and is a loner who is suffering. But in playing the game Tsukasa ends up unable to log out and thus the story unfolds.
In Swords Arts Online you have the games creator trap everyone within the game making it so that if you died in the game you really died. It's a game of survival. There seem to be themes running through the series about reality vs. virtual worlds and how people might show themselves differently online in a game verses what they really are. Someone might be more willing to commit atrocities in a game while in real like be a good law abiding citizen. In away you could say it addresses issues of people who are not comfortable interacting in real life and who find that it's easier to express themselves in a fantasy world. The main character Kirito even says that the world in the game seemed more real to him. We even find out later that the reason he became so immersed in gaming was to escape the fact that his parents are not his real parents. Like Tsukasa, Kirito is also a loner. He doesn't party up with others much and works hard. But the reason why Kirito is a loner is different from Tsukasa. Tsukasa has been hurt in the past but Kirito seems to not want to be a burden to others or to see anyone die. Kirito is the type who is heroic and cool as opposed to Tsukasa who is more leave me alone I don't care. Tsukasa is weak but Kirito is strong even if they are both lonely kids trapped in bad situations.
Stories like these reinforce the idea that you can't trust technology. You should always be wary of things. Also it also points out the fact that many find comfort in escaping into fantasy worlds who are lonely, socially awkward, or have bad stuff going on in there lives. Video games can be liberating but going to far can lead to trouble. MMO's can also give you the chance to be someone else they don't have to reflect your outer self. So yes I love video games. But one thing is for certain there's no way I'd play a game like SOA where you are left at the mercy of whoever. Once again Sci-fi asks that great what if question.
It's been a long time since i watched .Hack but as i recall some kind of intelligence was born within the game causing the various anomalies to occur such as Tsukasa being trapped within the game. The people who were harmed was on a much smaller level in this virtual reality game then in Swords Arts Online. However, both series deal with complex issues such as escapism, and interpersonal relationships. Tsukasa plays the game in order to escape from the bad things in life and is a loner who is suffering. But in playing the game Tsukasa ends up unable to log out and thus the story unfolds.
In Swords Arts Online you have the games creator trap everyone within the game making it so that if you died in the game you really died. It's a game of survival. There seem to be themes running through the series about reality vs. virtual worlds and how people might show themselves differently online in a game verses what they really are. Someone might be more willing to commit atrocities in a game while in real like be a good law abiding citizen. In away you could say it addresses issues of people who are not comfortable interacting in real life and who find that it's easier to express themselves in a fantasy world. The main character Kirito even says that the world in the game seemed more real to him. We even find out later that the reason he became so immersed in gaming was to escape the fact that his parents are not his real parents. Like Tsukasa, Kirito is also a loner. He doesn't party up with others much and works hard. But the reason why Kirito is a loner is different from Tsukasa. Tsukasa has been hurt in the past but Kirito seems to not want to be a burden to others or to see anyone die. Kirito is the type who is heroic and cool as opposed to Tsukasa who is more leave me alone I don't care. Tsukasa is weak but Kirito is strong even if they are both lonely kids trapped in bad situations.
Stories like these reinforce the idea that you can't trust technology. You should always be wary of things. Also it also points out the fact that many find comfort in escaping into fantasy worlds who are lonely, socially awkward, or have bad stuff going on in there lives. Video games can be liberating but going to far can lead to trouble. MMO's can also give you the chance to be someone else they don't have to reflect your outer self. So yes I love video games. But one thing is for certain there's no way I'd play a game like SOA where you are left at the mercy of whoever. Once again Sci-fi asks that great what if question.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Traveling between Worlds: Ni No Kuni a first Impression
So even though I've been doing homework like Mad there is only so long in a day when you can keep studying Networking-since for some reason I have a billion times work in that class then the SQL and JAVA course(ok maybe thats an exageration but close--I have started playing Ni No Kuni, the stunningly beautiful new game by Level 5 and Studio Ghibli. I'm not very far in yet but heres what i think so far.
The world is very very beautiful. The colors are bright and vibrant and the world looks like something straight out of a studio Ghibli film. I swear Totoro is going to pop out from somewhere with the catbus. The music is by Joe Hisaishi, who has composed for quite a few studio Ghibli films, and the music is very beautiful.
I have to admit the battle system in the demo worried me. I got my butt kicked royally and was very u certain about if I'd be able to play this. However, so far its not so bad, but before going deeper in the I am defiantly leveling up a bit more. Hopefully the Bully method works in this game or it's going into the pile of put off till later to beat because i'm frustrated pile. But so far it's not as bad.
The story so far is interesting. Oliver lives with his mom, and one night he sneaks out with his friend to try out the car his friend built. He happens to see a mysterious girl who tries to warn him not to go. See Oliver is special, he's the boy with the power to save the world and this evil force wants him dead and causes an accident. Olivers mom though saves him by sacrificing herself and Oliver locks himself away in his room. When he cries on the stuffed doll his mom had given him it comes to live telling him he is Mr Drippy and he's been cursed and that Oliver is the pure hearted one who can save his world. He convinces Oliver to come by saying if he comes along they might be able to restore his moms life.
I have read a mostly negative review on the game. Saying the charchters lacked depth and complaining about random encounters, having to pay a penalty to resume from a game over, and few save points in dungeons, Except for the first one I don't see these as a problem. If you play a jrpg you are bound to come across random encounters. Heck I have to say I'd be more apt to complain about lack of leveling up proprieties like I did about FInal Fantasy XIII which didn't give you freedom to roam most of the game and had a lack of things to kill. Also I didn't have trouble avoiding battles since you can see them. Sure some are hidden in the trees and can sneak up on you. But if you keep your distance its easy to avoid them. The penalty thing also I don't see as a big deal. Heck if you've played an MMO you know if you get killed you loose XP. Sure it might make you more extra careful plus there is always the reset button. Also I have never seen a RPG where they had tons save points in dungeons. Usually you have one at the begining, maybe one in the middle and one right before the boss if your lucky. So I have no complaints so far. We'll have to see if the charachters do indeed lack depht though. If they do i will be disappointed. But so far I'm pleased.
The world is very very beautiful. The colors are bright and vibrant and the world looks like something straight out of a studio Ghibli film. I swear Totoro is going to pop out from somewhere with the catbus. The music is by Joe Hisaishi, who has composed for quite a few studio Ghibli films, and the music is very beautiful.
I have to admit the battle system in the demo worried me. I got my butt kicked royally and was very u certain about if I'd be able to play this. However, so far its not so bad, but before going deeper in the I am defiantly leveling up a bit more. Hopefully the Bully method works in this game or it's going into the pile of put off till later to beat because i'm frustrated pile. But so far it's not as bad.
The story so far is interesting. Oliver lives with his mom, and one night he sneaks out with his friend to try out the car his friend built. He happens to see a mysterious girl who tries to warn him not to go. See Oliver is special, he's the boy with the power to save the world and this evil force wants him dead and causes an accident. Olivers mom though saves him by sacrificing herself and Oliver locks himself away in his room. When he cries on the stuffed doll his mom had given him it comes to live telling him he is Mr Drippy and he's been cursed and that Oliver is the pure hearted one who can save his world. He convinces Oliver to come by saying if he comes along they might be able to restore his moms life.
I have read a mostly negative review on the game. Saying the charchters lacked depth and complaining about random encounters, having to pay a penalty to resume from a game over, and few save points in dungeons, Except for the first one I don't see these as a problem. If you play a jrpg you are bound to come across random encounters. Heck I have to say I'd be more apt to complain about lack of leveling up proprieties like I did about FInal Fantasy XIII which didn't give you freedom to roam most of the game and had a lack of things to kill. Also I didn't have trouble avoiding battles since you can see them. Sure some are hidden in the trees and can sneak up on you. But if you keep your distance its easy to avoid them. The penalty thing also I don't see as a big deal. Heck if you've played an MMO you know if you get killed you loose XP. Sure it might make you more extra careful plus there is always the reset button. Also I have never seen a RPG where they had tons save points in dungeons. Usually you have one at the begining, maybe one in the middle and one right before the boss if your lucky. So I have no complaints so far. We'll have to see if the charachters do indeed lack depht though. If they do i will be disappointed. But so far I'm pleased.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Kids on the Slope: Love, Jazz, and Society
Kids on the Slope an anime based on the manga Sakamichi no Apollo by Yuki Kodama--which by the way I have not read yet-- is a great seriies about two young men and a young women and how they are united by jass in a troubled time. And yes without a doubt the 1960's were a troubled time filled with political movements and protesting in the United States and other parts of the world. And you can see this reflected in the series along with other themes.
The story takes place in a small town in 1966 where two lonely young men who never had any other male friends their age meet and even though they have so many differences they become good friends through the love of music. Sentaro being half japanese, his father being a America GI from World War II, was ostrazed and even mistreated by family members and thus became a deliquent. His only friend being Ritsuko his neighbor. Unfortunately this wasn't a isolated case. I once had a coworker tell me how she had a similar experince as a child before her mother came to the States with her father. Unlike Sentaro whose father was unknown, my coworkers father married her mother. However, while in Japan people were not friendly. It's sad that children had to suffer for things that happened before they were born.
The other young man Kaoru also came from a troubled background. His parents divorsed when he was young and his father is constntly leaving him to work on a ship so he's moved around alot since young. Thus he found it difficult to make friends and deal with people. At first he thinks that Sentaro has a great life with a loving familly not realizing that in truth he's an orphen who is happy with his adopted mother and siblings but whose absent adopted father didn't accept him. In meeting they both help each other to grow and find acceptance.
Another social issue thats brought up is with Brother Jun. He plays trumpet when he's in town when he jams with Kaoru and Sen at Mukae records. While at college he gets involved with political movements and finds himself in trouble. His friend is seriouly injured in an altercation with the police and Jun ends up dropping out of school and being disowed by his familly. I believe that this is the same student political movement that one of the charachters in The Twelve Kingdoms first novel mentions to Yoko, when talking of how he was involved in a protest and he crawled under some desks and found himself in another world. However, Junichi doesn't escape to another world he just finds himself looseing everything. Everything but love.
The series is also a love story. Ritsuko initially is in love with Sen. Kaoru falls for Ritsuko. Sen falls in love with Yuriko. Yuriko falls in love with Junichi. Unrequited love, changing hearts, and true love can each be seen in the series. But the most important type of love in the series is that of friendship. And the glue binding them is Jazz.
Jazz is more American then Apple pie. Originating from african drumming and ragtime we get the wonderful and various forms of jazz. The music in this series is great. I like the fact it shows music beinging people who usually wouldn't get to know each other together. Music is something that can touch the hearts of those who hear it and unite us regardless of who we are. For instance the scene where Kaoru and Sen play at the school festival when there is an equipment issue for the band and everyone is like wow thats amazing. Music is a powerful force.
This series is great to watch. Its not exciting in an action way but it is exciting in a musical way. It reminds me of back in high school when I used to be in concert band, marching band, and Jazz band. Its fun. Not only do you have a great creative team of Yoko Kanno and Shinichiro Watanabe. They did an excellent job as expected.
The story takes place in a small town in 1966 where two lonely young men who never had any other male friends their age meet and even though they have so many differences they become good friends through the love of music. Sentaro being half japanese, his father being a America GI from World War II, was ostrazed and even mistreated by family members and thus became a deliquent. His only friend being Ritsuko his neighbor. Unfortunately this wasn't a isolated case. I once had a coworker tell me how she had a similar experince as a child before her mother came to the States with her father. Unlike Sentaro whose father was unknown, my coworkers father married her mother. However, while in Japan people were not friendly. It's sad that children had to suffer for things that happened before they were born.
The other young man Kaoru also came from a troubled background. His parents divorsed when he was young and his father is constntly leaving him to work on a ship so he's moved around alot since young. Thus he found it difficult to make friends and deal with people. At first he thinks that Sentaro has a great life with a loving familly not realizing that in truth he's an orphen who is happy with his adopted mother and siblings but whose absent adopted father didn't accept him. In meeting they both help each other to grow and find acceptance.
Another social issue thats brought up is with Brother Jun. He plays trumpet when he's in town when he jams with Kaoru and Sen at Mukae records. While at college he gets involved with political movements and finds himself in trouble. His friend is seriouly injured in an altercation with the police and Jun ends up dropping out of school and being disowed by his familly. I believe that this is the same student political movement that one of the charachters in The Twelve Kingdoms first novel mentions to Yoko, when talking of how he was involved in a protest and he crawled under some desks and found himself in another world. However, Junichi doesn't escape to another world he just finds himself looseing everything. Everything but love.
The series is also a love story. Ritsuko initially is in love with Sen. Kaoru falls for Ritsuko. Sen falls in love with Yuriko. Yuriko falls in love with Junichi. Unrequited love, changing hearts, and true love can each be seen in the series. But the most important type of love in the series is that of friendship. And the glue binding them is Jazz.
Jazz is more American then Apple pie. Originating from african drumming and ragtime we get the wonderful and various forms of jazz. The music in this series is great. I like the fact it shows music beinging people who usually wouldn't get to know each other together. Music is something that can touch the hearts of those who hear it and unite us regardless of who we are. For instance the scene where Kaoru and Sen play at the school festival when there is an equipment issue for the band and everyone is like wow thats amazing. Music is a powerful force.
This series is great to watch. Its not exciting in an action way but it is exciting in a musical way. It reminds me of back in high school when I used to be in concert band, marching band, and Jazz band. Its fun. Not only do you have a great creative team of Yoko Kanno and Shinichiro Watanabe. They did an excellent job as expected.
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