The 1st Day of Christmas Anime: K-On!

I still haven’t finished the series of K-On!, but the Christmas episode will always hold a very special place in my heart.  Episode 7 of K-On! is the first Christmas themed episode that I saw around Christmas time.  Not only was it based around the holiday season of cheer and happiness, but it also gave me quite a lot of food for thought.

Have you ever had an anime or an episode just hit you pretty close to your own life? I tend to like anime that I can relate back to my own life, but this one came so close in a way I never expected; it really shocked me.

When Our Opinions Run Counter to the Culture (Otherwise Titled: K-On! and Hunger Games Suck)

Whenever an anime or other piece becomes enormously popular, there’s generally a reaction against it.  In the case of mediocre or poor works (is it too easy to use Twilight as an example?), the backlash can be overwhelming.  In the anime community, there’s inevitably at least one strong blogging or reviewing voice speaking out against almost every popular show.  And possibly no show had as many vocal detractors (and fans) in recent years as a certain group of musical girls.

Art by Stephie915

K-On! is Really, Really Awful…

At least that’s what many viewers think.  As for myself, I simply found the show boring, though I loved the music and animation (re-watching the Christmas episode was an absolute chore).  But I wonder if those that speak so strongly against this really, really inoffensive show are fighting more against the phenomenon of K-On! rather than the show itself.

12 Days of Christmas Anime

Art by 白∞

EDIT: 12 Days of Christmas Anime for 2012 begins here.

Christmas is finally upon us!  Snow is falling (well…not here in Texas), decorations are up, silver bells are ringin’, and shoppers are filling the stores to buy gifts for loved ones.

What a great time to watch anime.

“Hmm?” you say?  While anime and Christmas are two words that don’t seem to go together, anime fans know that the medium is full of Christmas-related episodes.  Though often portrayed in a more romantic context than it is in the west, many of these episodes can nonetheless help put us in the Christmas spirit.  So as with last year, Beneath the Tangles will count down the twelve days until Christmas by unwrapping a Christmas anime episode each day.  Join us starting tomorrow as we go through some of the best Christmas episodes in anime – some newer and some older.

And if you’d like, why don’t you watch along with us!

In the meantime, feel free to look at the some of the episodes we left behind with cookies and milk last year:

Day 1: Cardcaptor Sakura
Day 2: Read or Die
Day 3: Vandread
Day 4: Itsudatte My Santa!
Day 5: RahXephon
Day 6: Azumanga Daioh
Day 7: K-On!
Day 8: Toradora!
Day 9: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
Day 10: Ah! My Goddess: Everyone Has Wings
Day 11: Maison Ikkoku
Day 12: Love Hina
Day 13 (extra): Honey and Clover

Sermon of the Penguins, Why Madoka Isn’t All That, and a New Jesus Anime

Draggle presents an awesome analysis of episode 11 of Mawaru Penguindrum, including a discussion of fate (with some mentioning of Christianity).

Speaking of Mawaru Penguindrum, Landon comments on the ritualistic nature of the series, which he compares to Sunday sermons, with somewhat unfavorable views on both (caution: lots of foul language).

Patrick Woodward, the (uncredited?) author of The Manga Jesus and The Manga Bible, talks about the press’ reactions to Jesus in manga form, manga’s theme of conflict resolution, and the potential of his recent project to realize The Manga Jesus as an anime.

Chad thinks Madoka Magica is overrated, and among other things, doesn’t buy into those that see Christian overtones in the series (like me, me and her), instead thinking that the Buddhist interpretations are more accurate (which, to be fair, is true after all).

Christina asks for prayers for her soldier friend and muses on our everyday complaints.

2DT discusses the modern myth of Belldandy.

If you’re like me and haven’t been paying attention to Blue Exorcist (and even if you are), I think the talk about Satan’s babies and the Pope ordering bombings in episode 23 will be good for a chuckle.

Finally, a reminder that Christmas is coming up (it’s only like…80-something days away!) in the form of that Japanese tradition of Christmas cakes, and in these cases, featuring Evangelion and K-On!

The Seventh Day of Christmas Anime

K-On!
Episode 7, “Christmas!”

The Christmas Story

A flashback begins the episode, with a young Yui creating a “White Christmas” for Ui by putting pillow stuffing on a tree outside their home.  Meanwhile at school, Ritsu announces her intentions to throw a Christmas party, and it’s decided to have it at Yui’s home.  The girls, joined by Nodoka, go shopping for a gift exchange, while Ui prepares a feast.  The party starts, and the group is also joined by the always-outrageous Sawako before the gift exchange happens.  That’s followed by a talent show.  The episode ends with the club getting together for hatsumode.

Christmas Gifts
In addition to a joyful tone, K-On’s Christmas episode is filled with holiday music, Christmas tree decorating, and general merriment.

The true meaning of Christmas is…
Celebrating with friends and family, of course.  What else would you expect from K-On?  The focus of this episode is on the sisterly relationship between Yui and Ui, and the simple joys of enjoying the holiday.  The O’Henry-esque gift exchange between the sisters (without the Gift of the Magi irony) is a nice touch.  And Mio’s reactions are adorable – she remains my favorite character in K-On!

This episode is too cute…I gave up one episode into season two because I just kept falling asleep when watching, but I’m reminded of how charming this show can be and why it’s so popular.

On the seventh day of Christmas, anime gave to me:
Mio’s darling dresses,
Chiyo’s dad as Santa,
Haruka crushing,
a blonde Santa Claus,
a Christmas tree comet,
Paper Sisters birthday,
and Sakura knitting a nerdy dollie.

Tomorrow’s Forecast
One thing’s for sure – the boys of October are long gone.  Baseballs and softballs don’t mesh well with Christmas anyway.

 

My Favorite Things

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Christmas songs are inescapable during the holiday season.  But in the midst of typical musical fare, there are gems that don’t get played all too often in December.  For instance, a favorite of mine is “My Favorite Things,” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, and made famous by Julie Andrews.  I thought I’d take this beloved song and break it down, ~Anime Dance Style (<— non-sensical subtitle):

Azu-nyan playing a wicked guitar riff;
Naru carelessly giving out Christmas gifts;
Angels complete with halos and gray wings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

Konno’s falling number as she does time leaps;
Nausicaa flying over valleys and peaks;
Toradora! volume two tied with strings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the kids cry,
When the bills come,
When my wife is mad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad.

Androids and humans, no discrimination;
Solemn meetings at a wintry train station;
Takizawa becomes Japan’s first king;
These are a few of my favorite things.

Pixiv Artist: 4713223

Girl in the snow with winged backpack and “ugu”;
A club kendo-fighting with blades of bamboo;
The first Bleach OP and the rush that it brings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

Pixiv Artist: 11253328

When the kids cry,
When the bills come,
When my wife is mad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad.