JULY 18, 2020: BLOG #7
Disclaimer: The information you are about to read is based off of my own opinions. Not sponsored by anyone, this is all my own personal opinion. Just for fun to read and to maybe open up your mind to something new. Enjoy and thanks for taking the time to read my post!
POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS OF THE SHOW AND MINOR MINOR STRONG LANGUAGE!
A belated and well deserved thank you to Kyoto Animation. I was shocked and horrified, as much as most of the anime community and the world, when we first heard about the arson attack at Kyoto Animation back on July 18, 2019.
And recently, in early June, I have gone on YouTube to hear about new developments on the case when I came across the sea of YouTubers (from when the attack was first reported on the news) creating a thank you video to commemorate the lives, work, and influence of the simple, humble, but powerful animation company. Thought I’d throw my two cents in and also pay my respects.
My First Experience of Kyoto Animation: You Know That One Swimming Anime
One of my all-time favorite animes by far, though I’m not big on anime, is Free! All the seasons and movies and OVAs and everything else. I LOVE ALL OF IT. I, as several others, first heard about it through the popular YouTube parody by Octopimp, called 50% Off. If you haven’t watched the parody, check it out (not sponsored)! It’s entertaining.
After watching 50% Off, I was curious to explore how accurately the parody paralleled the plot of the official anime show. And to understand the jokes in the parody. Because I admittedly didn’t get most of the references at the beginning.
Free! Iwatobi Swim Club Opened Up My Eyes
When the first scene opened up and I heard the initial lines of the show, I was instantly hooked. It quickly became my personal drug. I remember watching the first episodes late one afternoon at my apartment while I was in college. I binge-watched that show like I’ve been deprived of TV shows for my entire life. I remember having to get on the bus to go to class or work or something important, and my eyeballs were extra-strength-super-glued onto the screen on my short (albeit I found rather productive) bus ride because I could not for the life of me stop watching the show. I desperately needed to find out how the plot moved along.
For someone who usually watches dark fantasy, sci-fi…other dark things, experiencing a colorful, aesthetically pleasing, slice of life anime about friendships and sports was like someone splashing a bucket of cold water on your face to wake you up. It unexpectedly caught my attention. And, most importantly, kept it.
The opening scene was smooth. And I’m not talking about how well the technology made the animation flow effortlessly. I mean, it opened up with Haruka, the protagonist, describing water and diving into the pool (aka basically his home). As his body made contact with the water, I get transported to memories of the water’s touch on my own skin during a warm shower or a swim at the beach in summer. How relaxing, cleansing and nice the simple act felt. As I viewed the scene that unfolded before me, it represented all that water symbolized: emotions, depth, renewal, and adaptability. How he glided with the water, how the water conformed to his body, how they created one fluid movement together. It was so serene. Like every worry was forgotten when the buoyancy of the water cradled you and the expansiveness of the pool opened the sea of possibilities to you. Ha ha, I must have converted to Haruka’s water loving ways while I watched this!
When you experience something so beautiful, you just sit there in awe. Silent. Speechless. Because you don’t want even the slightest thought or noise to distract you from its utter beauty. But I also wanted to write poems to celebrate its allure because this shit needs to be shown to the world! As someone who normally craves dark and despondent topics, being exposed to a world contrasting one I’ve been accustomed to seeing stops you in your tracks. Can you tell I have emo tendencies, yet?
As I binge-watched seasons one and two, plus some OVAs (as they were the only ones available at the time), not only were my eyeballs attracted to the breathtaking smoothness and brilliance of the artwork, the words moved me. Moved fucking mountains in me. I was at a period of my life where I was finishing up my last year of college (back in 2017). I had to decide then, after much investment – both monetary and time-wise, what my next steps in life were going to be. Who was I as a person? What did I want to be? What legacy did I want to leave in the world? What’s my purpose here? You get the idea.
I mean Free! Iwatobi Swim Club was attractive, but Free! Eternal Summer (season two) had me crying like a newborn baby. Things get even more tender and relatable in season two as the main cast, and particularly Haruka, contemplated their dreams and next steps in life (grab your tissue boxes, trust me). As I journeyed with these lovable, dorky characters through the episodes, as I got to know each of them, I didn’t feel so alone. I felt understood. When others around me seemed to have their life and plans figured out, I felt comforted by Haruka and his friends with the thought that life will work out and pieces of your journey will fall into place when the time comes. What’s most important is that you recognize the people who have played a role in your life. The ones who nurture and support you. The ones who light a fire in you (*wink-sweet baby Rin Matsuoka-wink*). The ones who serve as teachers and mentors. The misunderstood enemy or rival who shares more in common with you than you thought (they’re humans too). The annoying little brother or sister friend who actually is kind of a genius and keeps you laughing, reminding you to embrace your inner childlike spirit. To have fun. And don’t forget, the ones who you inspire.
How Free! Freed Me from My Doubts
I couldn’t have come across the Free! series at a better time. During a time when I felt lost, alone, confused, and frustrated, watching Free! revitalized me. It was a pleasure experiencing all these heartwarming themes and introspective questions interwoven among comedic scenes, dramatically enticing rock openings that hype you up, and “fan service”.
Even until now, I keep up with Haruka and the gang (all three seasons + movies + OVAs as of 2020) to remind myself to keep pushing forward. To feel free. To feel alive. To follow your dreams. It’s a feel good anime whenever times get tough. And at this time of writing with stress from the COVID-19 pandemic and USA protests, it’s a goddamn shit time in my world.
The Impact of Kyoto Animation on our Hearts
Of course, these are just characters and as beautiful and inspiring as they are, characters had to have been created by creators equally so. With that, I’d like to thank and honor the creators and staff of Kyoto Animation for developing something as precious as Free! so that people like me could enjoy it. Could cry, laugh, get angry, and feel anything but numb and alone when following the lives of these characters. And I know I echo everyone else’s sentiments when I say, Kyoto Animation has helped and influenced so many during times that were not so great in life. Though Free! was the show to do it for me, all the other works by Kyoto Animation have been equally impactful to people globally. They each have touched the hearts of others in some way. And it pains me to see such a generous and talented group of individuals suffer an attack, when they only served to heal so many people.
To all those who have been a victim and passed away as a result of the arson attack, I hope they and their loved ones acknowledge how much of an impact they’ve made. They left their legacy. Immortalized themselves in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere through the artistry they created. To all the staff who have been harmed, I hope they find strength to continue inspiring others and overcome this traumatic experience.
Throughout the show, Haruka’s friends comment on the allure and beauty of his freestyle swimming, which inspires all the characters of the show in their own swimming journeys. Haruka Nanase embodies Kyoto Animation: allure, beauty, and ultimately inspiring the generations of viewers and creatives to follow.
I am just one fan, but understand that the work, dedication, and talents of this company are always being acknowledged by someone out there.
Thank you Kyoto Animation. You are the piece of heaven in a hellhole called earth.
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