Escapism, Reality, and the Kagerou Project

…and even if the nut up there in that vid is a freaking crappy being, it’s got a point about the kids that it’s messing with.

Hey there, nutshellcrackers. It’s me, The Overlord Bear.

KagePro song covers aside, it’s been a long while since my previous post about the Kagerou Project, I think. It’s a series that I’ll definitely remember a lot, still. It’s not perfect, but I think that I’ve learned a lot of good things from it.

Now, if you don’t want to be spoiled about it, then here’s me saying that there will be spoilers. Continue reading “Escapism, Reality, and the Kagerou Project”

Mekakucity Actors Episode 6 Reflection: Your Self-Deprecation Won’t Help You, Takane Enomoto

Greetings. The Overlord Bear has returned with a reflection on another episode of…

Insert epic title shout here.
Insert epic title shout here.

MEKAKUCITY ACTORS!

"A story of doubting eyes" --Jin's song introduction for Headphone Actor
“A story of doubting eyes” –Jin’s song introduction for Headphone Actor

Now, say hello to the sixth episode of Mekakucity Actors: Headphone Actor!

Before I start with the reflection, here are some links related to the episode’s namesake, here are some links: a link to the original NND upload of the Headphone Actor MV, and a link to vgperson’s translation of the song’s lyrics.

Now that the links have been shown…it’s time to introduce a character.

Say hello to Takane Enomoto, people.
Say hello to Takane Enomoto, people.

Maybe I should call this some sort of reintroduction, ’cause this girl is here is actually Ene…before she became Ene…Well, that’ll be explained further later on, but anyway…

Note: Takane is one of the two students in the Special Needs Class.
Note: Takane is one of the two students in the Special Needs Class.

So, here, we have Takane Enomoto, one of the two students in the Special Needs Class (As for why she is in said class, you can find information about it–which wasn’t mentioned in the anime but was mentioned in the second light novel–here.).

So, this is the whole Special Needs Class.
So, this is the whole Special Needs Class.

Thanks to their homeroom teacher, Kenjirou Tateyama, telling the principal that his class had prepared a Special Project for their school’s cultural festival, the Special Needs Class is supposed to be making something for said festival.

I feel like you're underestimating yourself, your classmate, and your homeroom teacher, Takane. Seriously, I don't think you freaking nuts are useless, you know.
I feel like you’re underestimating yourself, your classmate, and your homeroom teacher, Takane. Seriously, I don’t think you freaking nuts are useless, you know.

As you can see in the above photo, the Special Needs Class was not supposed to do anything for the cultural festival…I guess Takane thinks they shouldn’t be doing anything for the cultural festival because they’re the Special Needs Class, but seriously, I don’t think they’re useless.

YOU’RE UNDERESTIMATING YOUR CLASS, TAKANE ENOMOTO!

…huff.

Looks like it’s time to go into high-energy mode. Brain, play some rock music.

TAKANE ENOMOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
TAKANE ENOMOTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I WON'T LET YOUR GLARE HOLD ME BACK, TAKANE ENOMOTO! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I WON’T LET YOUR GLARE HOLD ME BACK, TAKANE ENOMOTO! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
YOU CAN STILL DO SOMETHING AMAZING WITHIN TWO WEEKS! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
YOU CAN STILL DO SOMETHING AMAZING WITHIN TWO WEEKS! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Hm, looks like it's time to reveal a weapon against the pessimism that's holding Takane captive...
Hm, looks like it’s time to reveal a weapon against the pessimism that’s holding Takane captive…
GO FORTH WITH OPTIMISM, TATEYAMA-SENSEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FORTH WITH OPTIMISM, TATEYAMA-SENSEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I BELIEVE IN YOU, TATEYAMA-SENSEI! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I BELIEVE IN YOU, TATEYAMA-SENSEI! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I STILL WON'T GIVE UP! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I STILL WON’T GIVE UP! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
SENSEI, SEND IN SOME SUPPORT!
SENSEI, SEND IN SOME SUPPORT!
YES, SENSEI! OPTIMISM FOR THE WIN!
YES, SENSEI! OPTIMISM FOR THE WIN!
HEY, EVEN OLD PEOPLE CAN BE GREAT, SENSEI!
HEY, EVEN OLD PEOPLE CAN BE GREAT, SENSEI!
THERE ARE GREAT THINGS THAT CAN BE MADE OUT OF LOW-BUDGET PROJECTS, TAKANE! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
THERE ARE GREAT THINGS THAT CAN BE MADE OUT OF LOW-BUDGET PROJECTS, TAKANE! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AND SENSEI, YOU THREE COULD HAVE MADE SOMETHING BETTER IF YOU STILL HAD THAT BUDGET THAT YOU SPENT! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AND SENSEI, YOU THREE COULD HAVE MADE SOMETHING BETTER IF YOU STILL HAD THAT BUDGET THAT YOU SPENT! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
SENSEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
SENSEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
YOUR PRIORITIES ARE MESSED UP, SENSEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!
YOUR PRIORITIES ARE MESSED UP, SENSEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!
Hm, looks like I'll have to switch my weapon for now...
Hm, looks like I’ll have to switch my weapon for now…
Time to introduce another weapon, then...
Time to introduce another weapon, then…
Onward with your optimism...HARUKA KOKONOSE!
Onward with your optimism…HARUKA KOKONOSE!
WORK THAT OPTIMISM, HARUKA!
WORK THAT OPTIMISM, HARUKA!
SHOTS HAVE BEEN FIRED!
SHOTS HAVE BEEN FIRED!

After some moments of hesitation from Takane and despair from Tateyama-sensei…

I CAN FEEL MORE OPTIMISM!
I CAN FEEL MORE OPTIMISM!
YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
THIS!
THIS!
IS!
IS!
AWESOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMME!
AWESOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMME!
Oh, and by the way, this isn't some sort of Gun Gale Online.
Oh, and by the way, this isn’t some sort of Gun Gale Online.

lightning dancer found 1 lightning dancer found 2 lightning dancer found 3 lightning dancer found 4 lightning dancer found 5 lightning dancer found 6 lightning dancer found 7 lightning dancer found 8 lightning dancer found 9 lightning dancer found 10 lightning dancer found 11 lightning dancer found 12 lightning dancer found 13 lightning dancer found 14 lightning dancer found 15Honestly, for me, being a winner of some gaming tournament matters less than doing my best and having fun with playing the game. Also, MMOs aren’t that appealing to me. It looked really cool for me back then, but meh, it ended up becoming something hassling. Playing a game with small groups feels better.

By the way, Takane, so you can shoot zombies down really well, huh? Humanity will need good aiming skills in case of a zombie apocalypse. Also, combined with a proper moral sense, you can defend yourself from attackers without killing them! Why not try to be a morally upright Super High School Level Gunner, Takane Enomoto?

Okay, Haruka, help me out with showing her the offer to study in Hope's Peak Academy here.
Okay, Haruka, help me out with showing her the offer to study in Hope’s Peak Academy here.
Okay, Takane, Haruka and I have something we need to tell you.
Okay, Takane, Haruka and I have something we need to tell you.
Also, we're offering you a chance to study in Hope's Peak Academy.
Also, we’re offering you a chance to study in Hope’s Peak Academy.
Oh wait, looks like she won't be convinced by the invitation letter from Hope's Peak Academy...
Oh wait, looks like she won’t be convinced by the invitation letter from Hope’s Peak Academy…
...because I actually have no invitation letter from Hope's Peak Academy.
…because I actually have no invitation letter from Hope’s Peak Academy.

Okay, forget that joke Hope’s Peak Academy invitation, Takane. Let’s move on to a more serious topic, which is your self-deprecation issues.

But first…

Time for strange game time with this strange girl!
Time for strange game time with this strange girl!
Also, here's a crowd of gamers who are looking for you, Lightning Dancer Ene!
Also, here’s a crowd of gamers who are looking for you, Lightning Dancer Ene!

Ah, and I’ll be leaving the support to Haruka. My support can’t actually reach your zone, you see.

ene is found 1 ene is found 2 ene is found 3 ene is found 4 ene is found 5 ene is found 6 ene is found 7 ene is found 8 ene is found 9 ene is found 10 ene is found 11 ene is found 12 ene is found 13 ene is found 14 ene is found 15 ene is found 16 ene is found 17 ene is found 18 ene is found 19 ene is found 20 ene is found 21 ene is found 22 ene is found 23 ene is found 24 ene is found 25 ene is found 26 ene is found 27 ene is found 28 ene is found 29 ene is found 30 ene is found 31 ene is found 32 ene is found 33

Ah, gaming can be a good way to form friendships. Freaking awesome! See, Takane, there’s at least one person who’d support you even if your interests are like that! Throw away your annoying self-deprecation, Takane! Also, thank you very much for your support, too, Haruka!

Looks like Takane needs some more getting used to when it comes to being called by her online username. Also, I hope you have fun times with Haruka when you play video games together!
Looks like Takane needs some more getting used to when it comes to being called by her online username. Well, she can get better! Also, I hope you have fun times with Haruka when you play video games together!

Oh, and one more thing you shouldn’t forget:

Don't be cocky, Takane. Don't be like this guy here.
Don’t be cocky, Takane. Don’t have an attitude like this guy’s bad attitude.

takane understands 1

Good that you understand, Takane.
Good that you understand, Takane.
Good point, Takane.
Good point, Takane.

And now, here are some rewards for your awesomeness in this episode, Takane!

An award for your awesome festival booth!
An award for your class’s awesome festival booth!
Some gaming time with Haruka!
Some gaming time with Haruka!
More time with Haruka!
More time with Haruka!
And new and growing friendships! Freaking nuts!
And new and growing friendships! Freaking nuts!
Now that your self-confidence and social life has improved, Takane, there's one thing that I want to tell you.
Now that your self-confidence and social life has improved, Takane, there’s one thing that I want to tell you.
I hope that your danger sensors are in good working condition right now, Takane Enomoto.
I hope that your danger sensors and mental defenses are working properly right now, Takane Enomoto. You’ll need them very very much, you know.

With that, I end my reflection on the sixth episode of Mekakucity Actors.

Up next: Konoha no Sekai Jijou!
Up next: Konoha no Sekai Jijou!

If you have any thoughts that you would like to share, such as reflections of your own regarding the episode or comments on my writing style here, then feel free to talk about them in the comments section below!

Mekakucity Actors Episode 5 Reflection: Apathy Won’t Help Your Life, Shintaro Kisaragi

It’s time for a reflection on another episode of Mekakucity Actors, the anime of the Kagerou Project!

Remember: "Kagerou Project" is the name of the whole series! Mekakucity Actors is the title of the anime (and it's also the name of the album that Jin-sensei released before Mekakucity Days), Kagerou Daze is the title of the light novel and the manga (and also the title of Jin-sensei's breakout hit!). Also, I highly recommend listening to the songs (and the upcoming drama CD that's gonna come with a certain set of the daze/days single), watching the music videos, reading the light novels (and that little novel that's also gonna be coming along with a certain set of the daze/days single!), the manga, and the supplementary information booklets if you wanna understand the whole series!
Remember: “Kagerou Project” is the name of the whole series! Mekakucity Actors is the title of the anime (and it’s also the name of the album that Jin-sensei released before Mekakucity Days), Kagerou Daze is the title of the light novel and the manga (and it’s also the title of Jin-sensei’s breakout hit!).

Continue reading “Mekakucity Actors Episode 5 Reflection: Apathy Won’t Help Your Life, Shintaro Kisaragi”

Mekakucity Actors Episode 1 Reflection: You Will Never Be Able To Hide From Social Interaction, Shintaro Kisaragi

Hello, people. Today, you will be seeing my reflection on the first episode of the only anime in my watchlist right now, and that anime is…

Say hello to the Mekakushi Dan, people.
From left to right: Seto, Hibiya, Kido, Ene, Shintaro, Konoha, Momo, Mary, and Kano.

Mekakucity Actors.

Written by Jin (also known as Shizen no Teki-P) and with characters originally designed by Shidu and Wannyanpuu, Mekakucity Actors is the anime of the Kagerou Project. Studio SHAFT is the one handling the animation production of Mekakucity Actors, with Akiyuki Shinbo as the general director, Yuuki Yase as the director, and Gen’ichirou Abe handling the character designs in the anime. If you wanna know more about the Kagerou Project, here’s a recommendation post from a fellow KagePro fan.

Now then, on to the freaking reflection.

Continue reading “Mekakucity Actors Episode 1 Reflection: You Will Never Be Able To Hide From Social Interaction, Shintaro Kisaragi”