#mikihisa azuma
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Last weekend I watched Bataashi Kingyo (Swimming Upstream), a Japanese movie from the 90s, adapted from manga of same name.
It's one of those movies I wish I watched 15 years ago, you know, when I was 15.
It's about a teenage boy Kaoru who is all into motorcycles, then one day, as he passes by his school's swimming pool, a girl accidentally pours a bucket of water on him. In frustration, he starts shouting at the girl, but when he realises that's Sonoko, the leading girl of the swim team, his tone changes and all frustration melts away. It's the moment he falls in love with the girl, decides to quit riding his bike with the boys, and joins the swimming team. He doesn't even know how to swim, but he's confident to win Sonoko's heart by becoming an Olympic medalist.
Of course, the movie isn't about his journey towards becoming a professional swimmer, it covers a fairly short period of time during which Kaoru constantly pursues Sonoko. There are some more spoilers ahead - all the way to the blue The End.
His swimming and training skills are only those of a beginner and willpower alone is not enough for an overnight transformation. His sport journey can be compared to that of winning over Sonoko. While chasing the object of his desire, he's tactless, impatient, stubborn, self-centred and doesn't understand a word no. His sense of self is extremely distorted. He's the main character in his own story, just like any other boy, but he's also convinced he's the main character in everyone else's story too. Especially Sonoko's, which couldn't be further from the reality. Meanwhile, the only person who sees him as the main character is the mechanic girl, his friend who is in love with him, Puu.
In this silly little triangle, he doesn't care much about this bike girl, just like Sonoko doesn't care much about him either. And isn't that just a typical teenage love story? Puu is really awesome tho.
While Sonoko is annoyed and repulsed by Kaoru's pushy behaviour, she eats her frustration away in hopes to gain weight and become less pretty to Kaoru. It is the last act of desperation, since everything else she tried didn't work. Not even fake dating with Nagai, the number 1 swimmer of their high school.
Of course, due to overeating and a change of lifestyle, she ends up depressed. And despite all of it, Kaoru still sees her the way she is, and is still just as in love as he was the first time he saw her. Once he finally understands his actions are hurting Sonoko, he gives up. In the meantime, Sonoko got so used to his presence that she starts missing him. She loses the weight and decides to pursue him. Eventually, they both end up having a fight and a conversation followed by Kaoru's love confession. The End.
This one was a lovely break from both life and kdrama for me. It is such a cliché but it depicts how boys behave during their teenage years and, to be honest, it also depicts the majority of grown men as well, those who never grow up to stop the kind of stubborn and annoying act of an immature teenager. It also shows the neverending harmful coping mechanisms girls and boys run to in acts of desperation. The main characters are teenagers but I can't stop thinking how not much changes in the adult age. Overeating, social distancing, procrastination, self-hatred. Such typical behaviour for a woman when she's hurting. And stubbornness, spite, persistence and exploitation, as traits of generally extremely immature and hurting men.
It's a good movie with everything in mind, especially for these sultry summer days, when all you need is some icy drink, deep shade and something to play in the background. And, you know, you can always not overthink it to this extent and make it a bit more enjoyable.
Have any of you watched Swimming Upstream already? I haven't found many posts about this movie at all, which could be just Tumblr search engine doing a lousy job, again. Sure, it isn't as popular nowadays nor is it trending, but I find it kind of nice to get familiar with this kind of "old school media." Acting isn't superb, and neither is the plot, but filming is so calming and beautiful I can't help but recommend this one (◕ᴗ◕✿)
#bataashi kingyo#バタアシ金魚#swimming upstream#jmovie#manga adaptation#saki takaoka#michitaka tsutsui#mikihisa azuma#kumiko tsuchiya#imsailorpluto#jmovie recommendations
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Japanese Fans Rank the "Top 10 Manga They'd Like to See Animated"
In December of 2018, an online survey on Japanese website goo ranking asked fans for the top manga that they'd like to see adapted into anime, and some 3240 fans weighed in. The survey ran from December 01 - 15, 2018, and the questionnaires, data-collection, and interpretation of the results were handled by the goo ranking editorial staff.
According to the results, the "Top 10 Manga They'd Like to See Animated" are as follows:
10.) Moriarty the Patriot, written by Ryousuke Takeuchi, illustrated by Hikaru Miyoshi, and based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. (68 votes)
09.) Petals of Reincarnation, by Mikihisa Konishi. (69 votes)
08.) Delicious in Dungeon, by Ryoko Kui. (74 votes)
07.) Komi Can't Communicate, by Tomohito Oda. (84 votes)
06.) Yotsuba&!, by Kiyohiko Azuma. (112 votes)
05.) Sesuji o Pin! to - Shikakou Kyougi Dance-bu e Youkoso, by Takuma Yokota. (122 votes)
04.) Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam, written by Yoshiyuki Tomino and illustrated by Yuichi Hasegawa. (160 votes)
03.) Uramichi Onisan, by Gaku Kuze. (177 votes)
02.) Bachi Bachi, by Takahiro Sato. (242 votes)
01.) Detective Conan Zero's Tea Time, by Takahiro Arai, based on characters created by Gosho Aoyaman. (397 votes)
I'm happy to see Delicious in Dungeon and Yotsuba&! rank so highly, and there were a variety of interesting titles from all different genres filling out the top ten spots. What do you think? What are your manga-to-anime Top 10?
Sources:
Hachima Kikō
goo ranking via Niconico News
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Paul Chapman is the host of The Greatest Movie EVER! Podcast and GME! Anime Fun Time.
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Japanese Fans Rank the "Top 10 Manga They'd Like to See Animated"
In December of 2018, an online survey on Japanese website goo ranking asked fans for the top manga that they’d like to see adapted into anime, and some 3240 fans weighed in. The survey ran from December 01 - 15, 2018, and the questionnaires, data-collection, and interpretation of the results were handled by the goo ranking editorial staff. According to the results, the “Top 10 Manga They’d Like to See Animated” are as follows: 10.) Moriarty the Patriot, written by Ryousuke Takeuchi, illustrated by Hikaru Miyoshi, and based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. (68 votes) 09.) Petals of Reincarnation, by Mikihisa Konishi. (69 votes) 08.) Delicious in Dungeon, by Ryoko Kui. (74 votes) 07.) Komi Can’t Communicate, by Tomohito Oda. (84 votes) 06.) Yotsuba&!, by Kiyohiko Azuma. (112 votes) 05.) Sesuji o Pin! to - Shikakou Kyougi Dance-bu e Youkoso, by Takuma Yokota. (122 votes) 04.) Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam, written by Yoshiyuki Tomino and illustrated by Yuichi Hasegawa. (160 votes) 03.) Uramichi Onisan, by Gaku Kuze. (177 votes) 02.) Bachi Bachi, by Takahiro Sato. (242 votes) 01.) Detective Conan Zero’s Tea Time, by Takahiro Arai, based on characters created by Gosho Aoyama. (397 votes) I’m happy to see Delicious in Dungeon and Yotsuba&! rank so highly, and there were a variety of interesting titles from all different genres filling out the top ten spots. What do you think? What are your manga-to-anime Top 10? Sources: Hachima Kikō goo ranking via Niconico News — Paul Chapman is the host of The Greatest Movie EVER! Podcast and GME! Anime Fun Time.
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Motoyuki Ōta's Takanashi-san Manga Gets Live-Action Drama
Nobue Iketani stars in adaptation of 'heartwarming old lady' comedy manga
Manga creator Motoyuki Ōtaannouncedon Monday that theTakanashi-san"heartwarming old lady" manga is getting a live-action drama adaptation. The comedy mangacenterson Etsuko Takanashi, an earnest old woman who is proud of her cooking and cleaning skills. Etsuko likes to sing, and also likes to meddle in others' situations. The manga follows Etsuko in her everyday life as she makes curry, helps out a middle school girl who is in love, assists a manga creator, and comes in contact with an alien life form.
Nobue Iketani (Dragon Zakura, 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope, Shiawase no Pan) will play the titular character. Other cast members include Yoshikazu Ebisu as Etsuko's husband, as well as Ayumu Katō (from the comic duo Zabunguru),Mikihisa Azuma, comedian Hiroki Konno, andYouichi Nukumizu.
The drama will consist of 20 five-minute episodes, and will premiere this March onNHK's digital channel 1seg 2, then it will air onNHK-E on Mondays starting on April 1.
Ōta's original manga is running inShogakukan'sIKKImagazine, andShogakukanwill publish the third volume on March 29.
Source: Comic Natalie
from here
#Takanashi-san#Nobue Iketani#Yoshikazu Ebisu#Ayumu Katō#Mikihisa Azuma#Hiroki Konno#Youichi Nukumizu#jdrama
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