I watched this without knowing anything about this particular history, yet I enjoyed it very much. It's very much hinted that it's based on real historical events so I acknowledge the possibility of not getting the full picture of what's going on. Still, this anime is a rare gem among many series, and the OST as well as artwork are simply special.
I was familiar enough with the epic and the history to know what was going to happen ahead of time, and I still came out the end an absolute emotional wreck. This anime uses every medium of the Heike Story and its period to capture everything beautiful about it presented in a visual language that anyone could understand. This is one of the greatest works of historical fiction ever made.
I just finished yesterday. For people who are not familiar with Japanese Pre-Sengoku era history and culture, this anime is confusing to watch. But I am quite familiar with some characters from the Genji clan such as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Benkei, Tomoe Gozen because of Fate/Grand Order.Even so, everytime they mentioned one character in the series, I have to search it on wikipedia while I was watching.
Nice video. Sad that the Anime has still not come to Crunchyroll (Funimation is not available in my country), so I cannot watch it legally to support the creators of this mystical experience. I love that you referenced the Japanese aesthetic of the “noble loser”, typical also of Samurais: there is a tragic beauty in people in uphill battles, and yet, they refuse to give up. Maybe is showed more in the Anime, but the Heike clan was in a uphill battle to preserve their political influence, against Impermanence, that led them to their doom. The anime presents the Heike more as a tragic characters, than the traditional vision as greedy people in popular culture, maybe coherent to the Japanese aesthetic of the noble loser. Anicca (Impermanence in pali) is a beloved concept in Buddhism, and the catharsis of this story. It’s the concept that everything and everyone goes constant, inevitable change. Both good and bad conditions have a beginning and an end. Only two kind of people in Buddhism are beyond impermanence: an unborn being and a Buddha. I consider the Heike Monogatari as a “dhamma talk” on impermanence on form of one of the most beloved Japanese epics. The anime series I consider the same thing, but as an 11 episodes seasonal. Another thing. Biwa is one of the many creative liberties taken when adapting the Heike Monogatari into an anime. Beside being a clairvoyant Biwa player, is also a self-insert character for us viewers, that see the political and human drama unfolds until the final catharsis. Notwithstanding her power, she let events unfolds, because the first step to overcome impermanence is to accept it. The fact at the end of the series Biwa loses her sight (and her power) not only is a nod to the fact Biwa players are traditionally blind, but also a bit of side tragedy included in the main one. Yet she remember everything, and she will gladly sing about them to make them immortal in song, and being a teaching and a warning about the ephemeral nature of this world and of humanity, and a wake up call to overcome it. 🙏🏻これが私の誓いです。無数の衆生の利益のために仏になることを誓います。🙏🏻
I loved the show going into it even without too much knowledge of Japanese history, but admittedly the show certainly feels like it expects you to know who all the characters going in so keeping track of everyone can be pretty tricky if you're not familiar with history.
I had to look into this. 諸行無常 (many moving nothing permanent) is a Buddhist concept, where as もののあはれ is a poetic aesthetic and a central theme in Japanese art culture, which is also informed by the Buddhist concept at its core. I wish you would have talked about the cherry blossom in connection to these concepts. It’s the most internationally recognizable symbol from Japan but most people don’t know the deeper meaning of it.
These opening lines to the Heike Monogatari and the song in Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress (隠し砦の三悪人) have always stuck with me. Not the only profound things I've found, but certainly these 2 are powerful ones that have guided my life at times. Maybe some Japanese think linking those 2 items is kind of cliche? Maybe not many people were as struck by the song in Hidden Fortress. But the 2 are inextricably linked in my head. I read the Heike years ago, but have forgotten most of it. I think there were political reasons for de-emphasizing the Minamoto glory in the decades that followed. Yoritomo had his brothers eliminated, and the Hojo regents finished the job with his sons. The Hojo were the true power brokers when Heike Monogatari was becoming an epic performance - they would not appreciate cultural glorification of the Minamoto, which could lead to the proper family attempting a resurgence and throwing off the Hojo shackles. The way it sort of glosses over Hojo Tokimasa' heinous crimes at the end of the war, is ... quite indicative of the political tension and who was wielding power. It's a stark contrast in how death is handled in the rest of the epic story. "Oh and a bunch of children were murdered and thrown in a ditch by the current Regent's father... moving on..." Focusing on the hapless Taira - who the Hojo were blood relatives with - as tragic losers was a very politically safe way to approach the war by artists wanting to keep their limbs. The Hojo were a savagely ruthless family -- worse than Kiyomori. Masako more or less watched her own kids murdered by her father and brother. I've always found the "hunting accident" of Yoritomo to be quite Game of Thrones. As well as the convenient replacement of Regent Hojo Yoshitoki with Nakakiri on just the day Sanetomo was assassinated. In one fell swoop, Yoritomo's remaining descendants were wiped off the planet. It all went a little too perfectly. Conspicuously easy.
Another great Heike Monogatari reference movie is Sukiyaki Western Django. That one, however, definitely requires knowing the story first. Otherwise the Sheriff makes little sense. Shizuka's song makes little sense. Nor why Kiyomori changes his name after finding Henry V and War of the Roses... I roll every time I see it, but most Westerners won't get it.
It just goes to show what greed and lust for power brings. Kiyomori's lust for power brought the Taira's downfall. Yoritomo's lust for power (though in this show he's portrayed as a pawn of Hojo Masako) brought about the Genji's fall to the Hojo. The Hojo fell to the Ashikaga, who brought about the Sengoku. To think that so many centuries of bloodshed goes all the way back to Kiyomori in the end.
1:39 Is there a name for that style of japanese? Or the language used around the period it was written? Sounds similar to what you hear in 時代劇 but wondered if has its own category, so to speak?
Wouldn't it be fair to say it was the Fujiwara family who manipulated events to insure their own power base at any cost causing the fall of one of Japan's great families?
OOH I thought that was a shamisen because ... I don't know things I think that was the same instrument as the three pervy weirdos had in Zigeunerweisen (1980)
I just finished the anime now😭😭😭💔💔 this is really sad story, why is all Japanese history are very sad like that? I feel like Japanese ppl really suffer so much all over thier lives, I hope that's only in the past and your future become more delightful than your past..
Yes you’re so right, it’s this person: “I love japan uwu xD” yet also “ew no it’s super relevant to their culture and history but it’s not pretty and sparkly enough for me” No hate to people who only like certain anime but if you preach that you love japan 24/7 but won’t give this the time of day that aint it lol
Japanese with Yuta bit.ly/3rev2I8
Pretty nice
If someone made an app to help you review your lessons, would you like to talk with them?
I watched this without knowing anything about this particular history, yet I enjoyed it very much. It's very much hinted that it's based on real historical events so I acknowledge the possibility of not getting the full picture of what's going on. Still, this anime is a rare gem among many series, and the OST as well as artwork are simply special.
I was familiar enough with the epic and the history to know what was going to happen ahead of time, and I still came out the end an absolute emotional wreck. This anime uses every medium of the Heike Story and its period to capture everything beautiful about it presented in a visual language that anyone could understand. This is one of the greatest works of historical fiction ever made.
As someone who loves Japanese history, this is my favorite anime in 2021
I devoted my entire life to studying folklore and history from Japan. So seeing stuff like this being made makes me extatic beyond words.
I just finished yesterday. For people who are not familiar with Japanese Pre-Sengoku era history and culture, this anime is confusing to watch.
But I am quite familiar with
some characters from the Genji clan such as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Benkei, Tomoe Gozen because of Fate/Grand Order.Even so, everytime they mentioned one character in the series, I have to search it on wikipedia while I was watching.
most of the time i had to too but after a while i stopped and started watching it without any disturbance
Nice video. Sad that the Anime has still not come to Crunchyroll (Funimation is not available in my country), so I cannot watch it legally to support the creators of this mystical experience.
I love that you referenced the Japanese aesthetic of the “noble loser”, typical also of Samurais: there is a tragic beauty in people in uphill battles, and yet, they refuse to give up. Maybe is showed more in the Anime, but the Heike clan was in a uphill battle to preserve their political influence, against Impermanence, that led them to their doom. The anime presents the Heike more as a tragic characters, than the traditional vision as greedy people in popular culture, maybe coherent to the Japanese aesthetic of the noble loser.
Anicca (Impermanence in pali) is a beloved concept in Buddhism, and the catharsis of this story. It’s the concept that everything and everyone goes constant, inevitable change. Both good and bad conditions have a beginning and an end. Only two kind of people in Buddhism are beyond impermanence: an unborn being and a Buddha. I consider the Heike Monogatari as a “dhamma talk” on impermanence on form of one of the most beloved Japanese epics. The anime series I consider the same thing, but as an 11 episodes seasonal.
Another thing. Biwa is one of the many creative liberties taken when adapting the Heike Monogatari into an anime. Beside being a clairvoyant Biwa player, is also a self-insert character for us viewers, that see the political and human drama unfolds until the final catharsis. Notwithstanding her power, she let events unfolds, because the first step to overcome impermanence is to accept it.
The fact at the end of the series Biwa loses her sight (and her power) not only is a nod to the fact Biwa players are traditionally blind, but also a bit of side tragedy included in the main one. Yet she remember everything, and she will gladly sing about them to make them immortal in song, and being a teaching and a warning about the ephemeral nature of this world and of humanity, and a wake up call to overcome it.
🙏🏻これが私の誓いです。無数の衆生の利益のために仏になることを誓います。🙏🏻
I loved the show going into it even without too much knowledge of Japanese history, but admittedly the show certainly feels like it expects you to know who all the characters going in so keeping track of everyone can be pretty tricky if you're not familiar with history.
Criminally slept on show.
beautifully put on the ephemeral/ fragile nature. Consider my interest piqued. That said, when will they make the anime with subtitles…?
It's already subtitled on anime streaming services.
I like seeing these type of things being animated.
The opening Is truly wonderful
This was a super helpful video thanks!
Yuta you have such a beautiful beard
Thanks for the education, Im not at a high enough level to watch the anime yet but Ill keep this in mind!
I always thought ephemeral beauty was called 物の哀れ. I learned something new today!
I had to look into this. 諸行無常 (many moving nothing permanent) is a Buddhist concept, where as もののあはれ is a poetic aesthetic and a central theme in Japanese art culture, which is also informed by the Buddhist concept at its core.
I wish you would have talked about the cherry blossom in connection to these concepts. It’s the most internationally recognizable symbol from Japan but most people don’t know the deeper meaning of it.
Cool
These opening lines to the Heike Monogatari and the song in Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress (隠し砦の三悪人) have always stuck with me.
Not the only profound things I've found, but certainly these 2 are powerful ones that have guided my life at times.
Maybe some Japanese think linking those 2 items is kind of cliche? Maybe not many people were as struck by the song in Hidden Fortress. But the 2 are inextricably linked in my head.
I read the Heike years ago, but have forgotten most of it. I think there were political reasons for de-emphasizing the Minamoto glory in the decades that followed.
Yoritomo had his brothers eliminated, and the Hojo regents finished the job with his sons. The Hojo were the true power brokers when Heike Monogatari was becoming an epic performance - they would not appreciate cultural glorification of the Minamoto, which could lead to the proper family attempting a resurgence and throwing off the Hojo shackles.
The way it sort of glosses over Hojo Tokimasa' heinous crimes at the end of the war, is ... quite indicative of the political tension and who was wielding power. It's a stark contrast in how death is handled in the rest of the epic story. "Oh and a bunch of children were murdered and thrown in a ditch by the current Regent's father... moving on..."
Focusing on the hapless Taira - who the Hojo were blood relatives with - as tragic losers was a very politically safe way to approach the war by artists wanting to keep their limbs. The Hojo were a savagely ruthless family -- worse than Kiyomori. Masako more or less watched her own kids murdered by her father and brother.
I've always found the "hunting accident" of Yoritomo to be quite Game of Thrones.
As well as the convenient replacement of Regent Hojo Yoshitoki with Nakakiri on just the day Sanetomo was assassinated. In one fell swoop, Yoritomo's remaining descendants were wiped off the planet.
It all went a little too perfectly. Conspicuously easy.
Another great Heike Monogatari reference movie is Sukiyaki Western Django.
That one, however, definitely requires knowing the story first.
Otherwise the Sheriff makes little sense. Shizuka's song makes little sense. Nor why Kiyomori changes his name after finding Henry V and War of the Roses... I roll every time I see it, but most Westerners won't get it.
Glad to see somebody is talkin about this hiden gem.
I watched the first 2 episodes while it was airing. But I got a little busy so I didn't follow up. I plan to watch this show.
It is also through the Genpei war, that Japan saw the rise of the warrior class, the Samurai.
It just goes to show what greed and lust for power brings. Kiyomori's lust for power brought the Taira's downfall. Yoritomo's lust for power (though in this show he's portrayed as a pawn of Hojo Masako) brought about the Genji's fall to the Hojo. The Hojo fell to the Ashikaga, who brought about the Sengoku.
To think that so many centuries of bloodshed goes all the way back to Kiyomori in the end.
侍映画とアニメが大好き
1:39
Is there a name for that style of japanese? Or the language used around the period it was written?
Sounds similar to what you hear in 時代劇 but wondered if has its own category, so to speak?
Wouldn't it be fair to say it was the Fujiwara family who manipulated events to insure their own power base at any cost causing the fall of one of Japan's great families?
Finally, I drop this until the eps 6/7 because I didn't understand the context and all characters look the same!! 😭
OOH I thought that was a shamisen because ... I don't know things
I think that was the same instrument as the three pervy weirdos had in Zigeunerweisen (1980)
I just finished the anime now😭😭😭💔💔 this is really sad story, why is all Japanese history are very sad like that? I feel like Japanese ppl really suffer so much all over thier lives, I hope that's only in the past and your future become more delightful than your past..
He literally mentions the sadness of the story and why it is this way. It was one of the main points of the video...
W. B. Yates once said that his most beautiful poems were the saddest ones.
In Tragedies often you find human dignity not found anywhere else.
this tyler guy seems cool.
The last episode really make me cry, especially when everyone commiting suicide and tokiko cry for her child
You know you're a weeaboo if you hate this kinds of anime
Yes you’re so right, it’s this person:
“I love japan uwu xD” yet also “ew no it’s super relevant to their culture and history but it’s not pretty and sparkly enough for me”
No hate to people who only like certain anime but if you preach that you love japan 24/7 but won’t give this the time of day that aint it lol