I never believed for a second that this anime was anti-American. However I felt as if they were showing frustration with all the red tape. Every time we saw the Japanese Defense Force it was like the two soldiers were saying “Can we be in the plot now?”
I found it interesting in the final episode how Boco's mom convinces Brody's dad to intervene against his orders. It's like a historical cultural flip flop, like she's saying 'You're placing duty to authority over everything else, including your family's welfare? You dunce! We Japanese had that attitude during the war and where did it get us?!'
That's a really good interpretation, basically reminding America of what happens when you put war over family. In that context, America became what they fought against (imperial Japan)
I'm inclined to think the military dynamics are more of a byproduct of the show acknowledging that there's a LOT of red tape in the way of the JSDF getting involved with any kind of real conflict. The American military is therefore used to fill the role that the Japanese military usually has in less-grounded or classic kaiju entertainment. On the other hand, Brody's relationship with the rest of the kids reflects how Japan and America's relationship has evolved over the years. At first it's adversarial, but quickly progresses to less openly hostile and more manipulative (when Brody baits the kids into looking for Jiger to impress his dad) and finally to being genuinely supportive of each other and invested in their mutual wellbeing. If anything, I'd say that the show's politics align with its overall theme. At some point a "big brother" figure can't help and/or the "little brother" has to be allowed to stand up for himself. We see this theme with Joe and Boco, with Gamera and the kids, and with the JSDF finally having the chance to mobilize and fight alongside the US forces. The show's politics therefore aren't anti-American. It's about the need for Japan to shed its post-war trappings so it can stand on it's own with or without its allies looking out for them.
ANOTHER blog opined that the JSDF can't be used without US Approval (Hell, they even said they were told this by persons in the JSDF)==which makes no damned sense based on how the JSDF always springing into action in other movies. What DOES make sense is that the 'political leadership' in Parliament is so dithering and indecisive during times of emergency (like the various quakes, tsunamis and plant meltdowns )
To me it’s just to show how formidable the kaiju are to me we’ve watched the Japanese military getting smashes into powder for more than 60 years worth of kaiju media
Even in American kaiju films (Monsterverse, mostly), this is the case. 1. They couldn't get rid of the adult MUTOs. 2. They couldn't do anything against Ghidorah and his army of titans. 3. They couldn't prevent Godzilla from destroying the Apex facility at the beginning of GvK. 4. They all got swatted out of the air like flies by Kong in Skull Island.
@@natek4488Before the Monsterve though, it was pretty consistent in American ones that the humans could find a way. Even in Rapmage, it is kind of implied that the MOABs would've worked (though that would've come at a cost, which means it may have been inspired by the Monsterverse and maybe even by Japanese kaiju movies).
I felt Brody's arc to be more of a representation of American opinion of the japanese media post war, start's "bully" style, like america's consumption of stuff like music and anime in pre akira times, but suddenly adopts the hell out of it. I would not call this "pro- japan" either, as they do jab at the japanese goverment slow responses to threats. I'd say it's more of a "put a crisis in the hands of the young" kinda camp.
Does Shin Godzilla count as anti-American? That movie shuns America's decision to nuke Godzilla and equates it to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki even though the nuke is being used to prevent more deaths at Godzilla's hands and the Americans gave the people of Tokyo time to evacuate.
I think the movie shows the Americans' point of view that the nuclear strike on Godzilla is a regrettable necessity. That doesn't mean Japan has to like it. Who would?
sure but just like stated in the return of godzilla, if Godzilla showed up in the United States, there is no way America will drop a nuke on it, the movie highlights how the American government always intervene in random situations on other countries only when it suits them, they never do it out of kindness of their heart.
@@tarzantabi7845 True, the American declaration that if Godzilla was in New York the decision would be the same is met with understandable skepticism. Perhaps it would be, but if there was ANY other way, they'd find it. Japan does find another way and at Kayoco's behest, America lends them a hand in the end. Shin Godzilla has weaknesses as a film but anti-American it is not.
I remember the main character mentioning that the americans whould have done the same if it hapoened in the EEUU, its more implied that is just a tragic necesity.
I kept making jokes whenever the American kid came on screen. “Our monsters are just giant bugs or lizards!” Or, “WHY ARE YOUR MONSTERS SO DAMN WEIRD?!”
Just giant bugs and lizards? Monolith Monsters. The Magnetic Monster. 20 Million Miles To Earth. Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. Kronos. I could go on at length, that's just ones from the 1950s - the supposed peak of "giant animal" monster flicks in the US.
Understatement. Not sure where they expect to get the manpower for it, but Japan's rearmament plans are extensive. They're as understandably worried about the PRC and North Korea as all their neighbors. A cynic might also suggest that Russia has proven to be a paper tiger and is losing assets that will take decades to replace in Putin's idiotic invasion, and there's the Kuril Islands right there - and Sakhalin if they really felt ambitious, although what you'd do with all the Russians living there is beyond me. Maybe just suborn them - Russia's such a dumpster fire at this point I could see the parts most distant from Moscow considering breaking away if they had a guarantee their newly re-armed neighbor would help defend them against attempts to reclaim the territory. Sakhalin is a resource powerhouse for its size, and Japan would be a ready marketplace for their oil and gas.
If i had to guess....i think alteori's review of the first episode and it being titled the way it is, probably spread this anti American mindset people attached to the show.
I myself also don't think it was anti-American. Brody was an arrogant bully who made racist jokes like a lot of edgy 12-15 year olds do. The General is a harsh father, but ultimately one who does treat his duty to save as many civilian lives as possible honestly, and ultimately chooses to do the right thing. The JSDF by comparison is held back by a lot of red tape until the 11th hour.
I don't think it really matters which military would go up against the Kaiju since the only thing that can really hurt them are themselves or others of their kind. They were created by Hemueden to be WMDs, so it could stand to reason they'd be unstoppable against human soldiers. Also, the JSDF has a lot of red tape as @goji3755 mentioned, and the US military has bases on Japan, so they're not gonna wait for the Japanese government to twiddle their thumbs about the best course of action.
As an American I didn't really see the show is anti American. In fact it seems almost pro-american with the fact that they had an American general and his son which was technically part of the main crew of kids. Like sure they didn't exactly know how to handle giant freaking monsters but who does? They could have literally just made the entire cast Japanese and said that Americans don't exist
Pretty sure Brody and his dad are meant to be a tribute to the Caucasian characters in the Showa Gamera movies, Gamera Vs Viras and Gamera Vs Jiger comes to mind
Speaking of which. I just saw a video that claims that the Legendary Godzilla movies are 'pro military and pro war' while bringing up the original was 'anti military and anti war'. What is your opinion of the matter.
when a series/movie/show/novel is made by some people from any country, whether its America,Japan,China,Korea or latterly from any other country the people who live in these countries tend to place characters from their nation on top, its not America and no one else or Japan and no one else. for some odd reasons these media that do this seems to be able to tell better and more interesting stories
![GAMERA REBIRTH Aftermath | What's Next for the Turtle? [OV Unscripted]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jAoT60ugOYw/mqdefault.jpg)
![GAMERA REBIRTH Aftermath | What's Next for the Turtle? [OV Unscripted]](/img/tr.png)
Last time I checked, America came to the JSDFs aid against Gyaos at the end lol
Mosquito: *exists
OmniViewer: “So you have chosen death.”
Omni was on the hunt lol 🦟💥🖐😆
I never believed for a second that this anime was anti-American. However I felt as if they were showing frustration with all the red tape. Every time we saw the Japanese Defense Force it was like the two soldiers were saying “Can we be in the plot now?”
I found it interesting in the final episode how Boco's mom convinces Brody's dad to intervene against his orders. It's like a historical cultural flip flop, like she's saying 'You're placing duty to authority over everything else, including your family's welfare? You dunce! We Japanese had that attitude during the war and where did it get us?!'
That's a really good interpretation, basically reminding America of what happens when you put war over family. In that context, America became what they fought against (imperial Japan)
In other words she guilt trip him lol
I'm inclined to think the military dynamics are more of a byproduct of the show acknowledging that there's a LOT of red tape in the way of the JSDF getting involved with any kind of real conflict. The American military is therefore used to fill the role that the Japanese military usually has in less-grounded or classic kaiju entertainment.
On the other hand, Brody's relationship with the rest of the kids reflects how Japan and America's relationship has evolved over the years. At first it's adversarial, but quickly progresses to less openly hostile and more manipulative (when Brody baits the kids into looking for Jiger to impress his dad) and finally to being genuinely supportive of each other and invested in their mutual wellbeing.
If anything, I'd say that the show's politics align with its overall theme. At some point a "big brother" figure can't help and/or the "little brother" has to be allowed to stand up for himself. We see this theme with Joe and Boco, with Gamera and the kids, and with the JSDF finally having the chance to mobilize and fight alongside the US forces. The show's politics therefore aren't anti-American. It's about the need for Japan to shed its post-war trappings so it can stand on it's own with or without its allies looking out for them.
ANOTHER blog opined that the JSDF can't be used without US Approval (Hell, they even said they were told this by persons in the JSDF)==which makes no damned sense based on how the JSDF always springing into action in other movies. What DOES make sense is that the 'political leadership' in Parliament is so dithering and indecisive during times of emergency (like the various quakes, tsunamis and plant meltdowns )
To me it’s just to show how formidable the kaiju are to me we’ve watched the Japanese military getting smashes into powder for more than 60 years worth of kaiju media
Even in American kaiju films (Monsterverse, mostly), this is the case. 1. They couldn't get rid of the adult MUTOs. 2. They couldn't do anything against Ghidorah and his army of titans. 3. They couldn't prevent Godzilla from destroying the Apex facility at the beginning of GvK. 4. They all got swatted out of the air like flies by Kong in Skull Island.
@@natek4488Before the Monsterve though, it was pretty consistent in American ones that the humans could find a way. Even in Rapmage, it is kind of implied that the MOABs would've worked (though that would've come at a cost, which means it may have been inspired by the Monsterverse and maybe even by Japanese kaiju movies).
Okay the best part is when you go the mosquito. I died laughing! Bravo! It's not often we get to see you break focus.
I really don't believe that Gamera Rebirth is anti-American.
Japanese media in general is pretty anti America
I felt Brody's arc to be more of a representation of American opinion of the japanese media post war, start's "bully" style, like america's consumption of stuff like music and anime in pre akira times, but suddenly adopts the hell out of it.
I would not call this "pro- japan" either, as they do jab at the japanese goverment slow responses to threats.
I'd say it's more of a "put a crisis in the hands of the young" kinda camp.
Does Shin Godzilla count as anti-American?
That movie shuns America's decision to nuke Godzilla and equates it to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki even though the nuke is being used to prevent more deaths at Godzilla's hands and the Americans gave the people of Tokyo time to evacuate.
I think the movie shows the Americans' point of view that the nuclear strike on Godzilla is a regrettable necessity. That doesn't mean Japan has to like it. Who would?
sure but just like stated in the return of godzilla, if Godzilla showed up in the United States, there is no way America will drop a nuke on it, the movie highlights how the American government always intervene in random situations on other countries only when it suits them, they never do it out of kindness of their heart.
@@tarzantabi7845 True, the American declaration that if Godzilla was in New York the decision would be the same is met with understandable skepticism. Perhaps it would be, but if there was ANY other way, they'd find it. Japan does find another way and at Kayoco's behest, America lends them a hand in the end. Shin Godzilla has weaknesses as a film but anti-American it is not.
I remember the main character mentioning that the americans whould have done the same if it hapoened in the EEUU, its more implied that is just a tragic necesity.
The mosquito moment is gold. 😂
I’m just glad you got the mosquito
I kept making jokes whenever the American kid came on screen. “Our monsters are just giant bugs or lizards!” Or, “WHY ARE YOUR MONSTERS SO DAMN WEIRD?!”
Just giant bugs and lizards? Monolith Monsters. The Magnetic Monster. 20 Million Miles To Earth. Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. Kronos. I could go on at length, that's just ones from the 1950s - the supposed peak of "giant animal" monster flicks in the US.
@@richmcgee434 It can be deemed as a generalization if anything. Or a way of keeping it simple
I think it's less anti American and more realizing that Japan can't relay strictly on usa for defense
Understatement. Not sure where they expect to get the manpower for it, but Japan's rearmament plans are extensive. They're as understandably worried about the PRC and North Korea as all their neighbors.
A cynic might also suggest that Russia has proven to be a paper tiger and is losing assets that will take decades to replace in Putin's idiotic invasion, and there's the Kuril Islands right there - and Sakhalin if they really felt ambitious, although what you'd do with all the Russians living there is beyond me. Maybe just suborn them - Russia's such a dumpster fire at this point I could see the parts most distant from Moscow considering breaking away if they had a guarantee their newly re-armed neighbor would help defend them against attempts to reclaim the territory. Sakhalin is a resource powerhouse for its size, and Japan would be a ready marketplace for their oil and gas.
If i had to guess....i think alteori's review of the first episode and it being titled the way it is, probably spread this anti American mindset people attached to the show.
Good video Omni. BTW, are you ever going to make trailer video discussions for upcoming movies like Rebel Moon, Wish, Mickey 17, etc.?
I myself also don't think it was anti-American. Brody was an arrogant bully who made racist jokes like a lot of edgy 12-15 year olds do. The General is a harsh father, but ultimately one who does treat his duty to save as many civilian lives as possible honestly, and ultimately chooses to do the right thing. The JSDF by comparison is held back by a lot of red tape until the 11th hour.
I don't think it really matters which military would go up against the Kaiju since the only thing that can really hurt them are themselves or others of their kind. They were created by Hemueden to be WMDs, so it could stand to reason they'd be unstoppable against human soldiers. Also, the JSDF has a lot of red tape as @goji3755 mentioned, and the US military has bases on Japan, so they're not gonna wait for the Japanese government to twiddle their thumbs about the best course of action.
That mosquito 🦟 did not stand a chance
Great video Omni!
As an American I didn't really see the show is anti American. In fact it seems almost pro-american with the fact that they had an American general and his son which was technically part of the main crew of kids. Like sure they didn't exactly know how to handle giant freaking monsters but who does? They could have literally just made the entire cast Japanese and said that Americans don't exist
Pretty sure Brody and his dad are meant to be a tribute to the Caucasian characters in the Showa Gamera movies, Gamera Vs Viras and Gamera Vs Jiger comes to mind
Glad That You Know „District 9“. Will Ya Review It At Some Point?
Speaking of which. I just saw a video that claims that the Legendary Godzilla movies are 'pro military and pro war' while bringing up the original was 'anti military and anti war'.
What is your opinion of the matter.
Pro war, no, not even close. Pro Military? Meh, it's sympathetic to servicemen, critical of the brass.
I highly doubt the legendary films are pro military and pro war, if they were then then the toho films are as well
Don't they get their ass kicked by every giant monster that appears?
It’s not, Godzilla vs King Ghidorah though…….
Wasn’t Godzilla vs King Ghidorah Anti-American?
when a series/movie/show/novel is made by some people from any country, whether its America,Japan,China,Korea or latterly from any other country the people who live in these countries tend to place characters from their nation on top, its not America and no one else or Japan and no one else.
for some odd reasons these media that do this seems to be able to tell better and more interesting stories
Pretty sure Brody is meant to represent the Caucasian kid characters in the Showa Gamera movies