asian-invasion

I had begun this blog with the intent of exposing you, the English-speaking world, to Japanese entertainment and culture. I still will, although I have recently decided that it can’t be the main focus…because I can’t focus. I have an entry which is only started and, in spite of my intentions and desire to finish and publish it, will likely never be completed. The possibility exists for its completion, but not right now.

See, I have what is called Aspergers Syndrome. In a nutshell, it is a “high-functioning” form of autism. That means I can live independently and fend for myself but not without a lot of difficulty in certain areas of my life. The one which suffers the most is social. I have trouble establishing and maintaining close relationships with people, and not just because I’m not good with idle chatter, banter, or “small talk.” This will be brought into better light later.

What I intend to display by this sudden change of focus on this blog (notice the previous entries) is one small aspect of Aspergers which often affects my ability to complete tasks in progress. I have a touch of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). In my case, I am easily distracted and drawn away from whatever I may be doing at the time.

It has happened many times on the job and, fortunately, no one has noticed so far because I usually catch myself and go back to the original task. Many college class projects have suffered from my leaving them half-done and noticing the incomplete status only the day before deadline. During speeches and lectures when I’m supposed to be taking notes, my mind wanders or races to other places if things are too quiet. If the class were engaged in debate or I am involved in hands-on activity, I’d have no problem with classroom studies. Alas, only a scant minority of them are dynamic to that extent.

I’ll spare you further examples of my inability to maintain focus for now, although you’ll see future instances of it and how it interferes with my life in general. Today, the latest victim is this blog. I can keep the entries coming, but for someone like me to focus on a topic which doesn’t affect my daily routines would be counterproductive at best. This is just one reason why I wish to shift focus from Japanese culture to AS.

I feel there are people out there in my position who can learn from my experiences and trials with Aspergers, as its effects tend to be suited to the individuals who have it. This is what some people call an “invisible illness,” but that’s minimizing its scope and affect. It is neurological rather than psychological. It is something every parent needs to test their children for before they enter school for first grade (Aspergers wasn’t made official until the early 1990s - I am now 40 and wasn’t diagnosed until 2004) for the best chance of conditioning and “reprogramming.”

The incomplete blog entry I mentioned earlier means a great deal to me because of my penchant for character analysis. You’ll know it when it finally is published. You’ll see by it my powers of observation in spite of the lack of ability to stay on topic for an extended length of time. Depending on how the moderators of this blog network decide to handle this sudden shift, you’ll understand that Aspergers Syndrome, let alone autism itself, is a serious problem.

Stick around. Observe. Discuss. Learn. Most importantly, understand.

By the way, I left many links to informative sites and articles for your consideration…

There are some genres of modern music with which the Japanese have completely set themselves apart from the rest of the world. The only reason more English-speaking audiences haven’t embraced the musical superiority from the East has to be the inability to ignore the language barrier. The Japanese, however, continue to send their best acts to the States on short promotional tours to curb this behavior.

One such example is the Underneath; more visually grabbing than your average band and more musically proficient than most. Their borderline metal style leaves just enough margin for the mainstream to catch on to the melodic guitar crunch and the downright harmonic vocals. One might even be inspired to mimic the Japanese lyrics so they can sing along. The best thing about the vocalist is that he sounds like a MAN rather than a whiny, bellowing, angsty teen or a growling, snarling he-beast of the “death metal” sort.

With five members, the Underneath possesses versatility which reaches beyond the traditional heavy rock sound. They have taken their musicianship to the next plane of sound as they also utilize digital tools to enhance and expand their techniques. On stage, they have a presence which has earned them the distinction of being the “visual band of a new era.” If you caught them on the Taste of Chaos tour last year (under the J-Rock Revolution banner with fellow countrymen D’espairs Ray among others), you don’t need this endorsement to make your mind up.

For more about the Underneath and their new release, Moonflower, you can visit their official web site as well as sample some of their offerings on their Myspace page. They will also be returning to the States for a performance Sunday, August 10 at the First Mariner Arena in Blatimore, MD for Otakon.

Why is the anime industry in the US not as large as it could be? In an age of overpaid actors who only ask for more money to work a once popular TV show which is now in the winter of its existence, the networks could learn a thing or few about the financial advantages of hosting a anime series in its place. All the episodes are usually complete upon the title’s release in Japan and the voice actors have already dubbed into English at least half of them before the DVDs hit domestic shelves. And the voice actors, for the most part, are in it because they somehow connect with the character they’re voicing. It’s about loving what they do and being in touch with the fans, which is easier since the actors’ faces aren’t seen during the show and there’s never any notable scandal for the tabloids.

Even if the voice actors were to all ask for more money for their part in what would be a major TV network show, they wouldn’t be asking for anything near $1 million each per episode. And writers’ strike?..wouldn’t happen. The show is in the can, complete and ready for public consumption. If there were a strike, there would simply be no new titles coming from Japan or no English-dubbed anime titles should the voice actors walk out. But a significant amount of time would pass (in terms of years) before any of that were to happen since it takes that long for American audiences in general to warm up to a new show.

And if the studios are really smart (FUNImation, VIZ Media, Bandai, and ADV being the nation’s largest), they will keep their talent searches “in-house” when it comes time to cast the next series. The people we consider “celebrities” would only diminish the value of a good anime series simply because of that person’s inaccessibility to the fans. It is through the voice actors that they become attached to a character or anime title and the fans know that, by attending the right convention, they have the chance to meet and possibly connect with the person behind the voice. And again, it’s for the fans and the love of a character that these voice actors make themselves open and available for a very personal experience.

Not so much with the famous names. See, big budget films like the kind we get from Pixar use big budget actors for just their voices, yet they are paid the same as if they were actually on camera. Still, they are more known for their live-action roles than their animated ones. Mike Myers, for example, will always be better known for Austin Powers than Shrek.

The voice actors also don’t have the pressures of being hounded by the press and photographers for sound bytes or interviews about the latest project or scandal. They have also read the manga (Japanese “graphic novels”) and/or watched the entire anime series before auditioning for any part since, by that time, they have already connected with at least one. When do our “A-list” celebrities have time for that?

The debate of “voice actors v. celebrities” could go on forever, and that would merely scratch the surface of why anime isn’t a bigger industry in the US. It isn’t small, to be sure. In fact, Saturday nights on Cartoon Network should stand as the example of the current level of demand for anime in the “mainstream” market. Competing for the cable audience is IFC (Independent Film Channel) which currently has four running series on as many nights of the week. The Sci-Fi Channel (Monday nights at 11:pm EST) also have anime among their regularly-scheduled fare. There are “premium” cable channels on the digital spectrum which have been launched that are dedicated solely to all things anime.

Perhaps one good series placed on a “big four” prime time TV schedule by someone who dares expose American viewers to something new is all it would take to launch anime as a invaluable staple of the domestic entertainment industry. The time is right. After all, Ouran High School Host Club is set for DVD release at the end of October and Fox is coming pretty close to exhausting the Simpsons.

It could happen…

Welcome.

You are about to embark on a journey of sorts. If you’ve never heard of anime or have wondered what people are referring to when speaking of “J-rock” or “J-pop,” here is where you will find the answers you seek. You’ll find out about Pocky, Pucca, and Polysics. You’ll get the scoop on which major Eastern film would be the latest consumed and Americanized by Hollywood (remember the Ring?). You’ll even be pointed toward items born of Asian intuition and imagination, most of which are surprisingly affordable.

Along the way, I will be bringing news and images from the anime / Asian culture conventions I attend. Before you know it, “cosplay” will replace your idea of “dressing up” and “otaku” may become the new “fan geek.”

We’re going to have fun and perhaps you may learn some new things. Please fasten your seat belts and relax. Enjoy the ride.

Departing the mundane for all things Asian in 3…2…1…