Comments on: On Kannagi and Virginity http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity Eating it right about anime since 2006! Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:59:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: otaki http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-8843 otaki Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:23:41 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-8843 This whole controversial issue started from the latest story development of Kannagi. Apparently, one of the new character in the manga turned out to be the former lover" of Nagi. The problematic content doesn't really say more than that, but some people started to discuss how far Nagi could have gone with this guy, and hence, the theory of "Nagi is not a virgin." I myself, wasn't following the latest chapter, so can't say if this is convincing argument or not, but I have to say, this is an interesting development (no, not the story but the situation). I mean, this is one of the most popular series this season. At the same time, one of the show that's using the charm of the character to sell the show. So, if such an issue like above arises, it could be quite devestating blow to the sale. From the looks of it, "boyfriend" part looks pretty solid. I'm not sure what the editors of the manga thinking, cuz it is obvious that many fans of the series would be compelled by this type of development (unless this development was to trick the readers;;;). Especially after a great start of the anime, why let this story develop right now? Let's face it. Guys don't want their fantasy idol to have a "lover" let alone "lost virginity". Another problem seems to be the fact that this new character is apparently not so likable. (Also, it seems like the main character was started to develop feelings for Nagi) I also am having a bit of an issue with this problem. Nagi is supposed to be "God". She always was protrayed as god, and yet, suddenly, such a human like development.... You go tell all the AMG fans that Belldandy is actually not a virgin, AMG sales will drop more than 50%, I tell you. Anyways, it will be interesting to see the dvd sale after this (also the TV ratings). This whole controversial issue started from the latest story development of Kannagi. Apparently, one of the new character in the manga turned out to be the former lover” of Nagi. The problematic content doesn’t really say more than that, but some people started to discuss how far Nagi could have gone with this guy, and hence, the theory of “Nagi is not a virgin.”

I myself, wasn’t following the latest chapter, so can’t say if this is convincing argument or not, but I have to say, this is an interesting development (no, not the story but the situation). I mean, this is one of the most popular series this season. At the same time, one of the show that’s using the charm of the character to sell the show. So, if such an issue like above arises, it could be quite devestating blow to the sale. From the looks of it, “boyfriend” part looks pretty solid. I’m not sure what the editors of the manga thinking, cuz it is obvious that many fans of the series would be compelled by this type of development (unless this development was to trick the readers;;;). Especially after a great start of the anime, why let this story develop right now? Let’s face it. Guys don’t want their fantasy idol to have a “lover” let alone “lost virginity”. Another problem seems to be the fact that this new character is apparently not so likable. (Also, it seems like the main character was started to develop feelings for Nagi) I also am having a bit of an issue with this problem. Nagi is supposed to be “God”. She always was protrayed as god, and yet, suddenly, such a human like development…. You go tell all the AMG fans that Belldandy is actually not a virgin, AMG sales will drop more than 50%, I tell you. Anyways, it will be interesting to see the dvd sale after this (also the TV ratings).

]]> By: Anime Diet » Civil Liberties Continue to Crumble http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7458 Anime Diet » Civil Liberties Continue to Crumble Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:07:11 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7458 [...] and done so? Added to that is the fact that what is culturally considered “normal” varies with locale, has changed vastly over the past 100 years, and will probably continue to change in the future.  [...] [...] and done so? Added to that is the fact that what is culturally considered “normal” varies with locale, has changed vastly over the past 100 years, and will probably continue to change in the future.  [...]

]]> By: AstroNerdBoy http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7422 AstroNerdBoy Tue, 19 May 2009 04:49:34 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7422 All this aside, I want sequel <strong>Kannagi </strong>anime series.  ^_~ All this aside, I want sequel Kannagi anime series.  ^_~

]]> By: carbon http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7421 carbon Tue, 19 May 2009 01:12:50 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7421 @moritheil Thats certainly a valid point about the vehemence of the western response and I'm not looking to excuse the behavior but rather to explore what drove it, prahaps something similar to the uncanny valley effect where the cultural similarity is the reason that they overreacted to the difference. I myself found the Japanese take on Nagi's virginity a bit repellent but not enough so to raise hue and cry. Or it could be the that fandom on our side of the pond was displaying one of our cultural quirks, and were just being dicks. ;-) In any case I'm glad I get to geek out discussing it. Thanks! @moritheil Thats certainly a valid point about the vehemence of the western response and I’m not looking to excuse the behavior but rather to explore what drove it, prahaps something similar to the uncanny valley effect where the cultural similarity is the reason that they overreacted to the difference. I myself found the Japanese take on Nagi’s virginity a bit repellent but not enough so to raise hue and cry. Or it could be the that fandom on our side of the pond was displaying one of our cultural quirks, and were just being dicks. ;-)

In any case I’m glad I get to geek out discussing it. Thanks!

]]> By: moritheil http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7420 moritheil Tue, 19 May 2009 00:11:40 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7420 <strong>@carbon, @gaguri</strong> - Certainly there is something to be said for the notion of devotion which demands devotion in return, even of a fictional character.  That definitely plays a part here. What I found interesting was that plenty of people who nominally should have no problem understanding the otaku fixation resorted to mockery, hostility, and criticism of the demand for a particular character trait.  Of course, culturally, in the West the expectation of virginity is associated with orthodoxy and conservativism, and the Western otakus who responded may have only scorn for such things.  <strong>@Passingass</strong> - Indeed, international businessmen are generally going to have more worldly takes on things than cloistered shut-ins.  I'm not one for over-reliance on stereotypes but it seems a reasonable assertion, especially when backed up by your experience. @carbon, @gaguri – Certainly there is something to be said for the notion of devotion which demands devotion in return, even of a fictional character.  That definitely plays a part here. What I found interesting was that plenty of people who nominally should have no problem understanding the otaku fixation resorted to mockery, hostility, and criticism of the demand for a particular character trait.  Of course, culturally, in the West the expectation of virginity is associated with orthodoxy and conservativism, and the Western otakus who responded may have only scorn for such things. 

@Passingass – Indeed, international businessmen are generally going to have more worldly takes on things than cloistered shut-ins.  I’m not one for over-reliance on stereotypes but it seems a reasonable assertion, especially when backed up by your experience.

]]> By: gaguri http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7419 gaguri Mon, 18 May 2009 23:35:32 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7419 Like carbon mentioned before, I think it's less about conservative views on marriage and more about people falling so obsessively in love with a fictional character (to an extreme point). As you say, people in Asia are more conservative than west when it comes to virginity and marriage (although in Korea for example that is rapidly changing as younger the generation gets) and most people are tolerant enough to understand these values, but most normal people aren't tolerant enough to understand people who obsess (romantically) over 2D characters. Perhaps that is more relevant question. Is it wrong to romantically fall in love with a 2D character? Is it hurting anyone other than the person himself? Like carbon mentioned before, I think it’s less about conservative views on marriage and more about people falling so obsessively in love with a fictional character (to an extreme point). As you say, people in Asia are more conservative than west when it comes to virginity and marriage (although in Korea for example that is rapidly changing as younger the generation gets) and most people are tolerant enough to understand these values, but most normal people aren’t tolerant enough to understand people who obsess (romantically) over 2D characters. Perhaps that is more relevant question. Is it wrong to romantically fall in love with a 2D character? Is it hurting anyone other than the person himself?

]]> By: Passingass http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7417 Passingass Mon, 18 May 2009 22:33:13 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7417 If only the author also had simultaneous international sales of her (translated) manga, she could have just ignored that extreme fringe of fandom, and focused on the majority. All of my japanese acquaintances and business partners have a more open attitude towards such things...but the fact that they are expats and our common dislike of certain segments of otakuism may have colored my perceptions. The internet merely gave extremists a voice all out of proportion to their size,  the silent majority will still decide the outcome IRL. Unless, your clientele IS the fringe, then you are royally f*cked. If only the author also had simultaneous international sales of her (translated) manga, she could have just ignored that extreme fringe of fandom, and focused on the majority.

All of my japanese acquaintances and business partners have a more open attitude towards such things…but the fact that they are expats and our common dislike of certain segments of otakuism may have colored my perceptions.

The internet merely gave extremists a voice all out of proportion to their size,  the silent majority will still decide the outcome IRL.

Unless, your clientele IS the fringe, then you are royally f*cked.

]]> By: carbon http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7416 carbon Mon, 18 May 2009 22:06:49 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7416 I think the issue may a bit deeper than just the cultural differences between eastern and western fandom but also the level of emotional involvement, of course I can only speak for myself but while a anime girl can be the target of my sexual interest one has never been the target of my romantic interest. I suspect that this is a fairly common perspective the west while the converse viewpoint occurs with more frequency in Japanese fandom which causes those cultural values to take more prominence. Just a hypothesis, but what do you think? I think the issue may a bit deeper than just the cultural differences between eastern and western fandom but also the level of emotional involvement, of course I can only speak for myself but while a anime girl can be the target of my sexual interest one has never been the target of my romantic interest. I suspect that this is a fairly common perspective the west while the converse viewpoint occurs with more frequency in Japanese fandom which causes those cultural values to take more prominence. Just a hypothesis, but what do you think?

]]> By: moritheil http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7414 moritheil Mon, 18 May 2009 21:18:59 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7414 <strong>@digitalboy</strong> - You suspect correctly, sir.  Thanks! @digitalboy – You suspect correctly, sir.  Thanks!

]]> By: digitalboy http://animediet.net/commentary/on-kannagi-and-virginity/comment-page-1#comment-7413 digitalboy Mon, 18 May 2009 21:09:10 +0000 http://animediet.net/?p=6929#comment-7413 I have a post about this that I think you'd find interesting http://fuzakenna.com/2009/04/24/projected-responses-to-backstory-sex-in-k-on/ I have a post about this that I think you’d find interesting

http://fuzakenna.com/2009/04/24/projected-responses-to-backstory-sex-in-k-on/

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