AIR is not a love story.

“V!”

I don’t know why people want to make it one. (Especially people with the ability to, what’s the word, pitch it as a full length movie. Way to miss the point, Mister “Own Interpretation.”)

Seriously, though, far too many people I’ve talked to are way too upset about Yukito and Misuzu not being able to “get together” at the end of the series. Although there is a definite attraction between Yukito and Misuzu – how deep its portrayed in AIR TV is up to your own interpretation, but let’s just say there are ero scenes for the game – it’s not the point. The main story is not about Misuzu and Yukito, it’s about something else altogether.

The curse central to the plot prevents Misuzu from having anyone close to her, be it friends or, more importantly, family, and I would argue that AIR is more about family than anything else. During the Summer arc, a thousand years ago, Kanna wished not to fall in love, but to be loved – as part of a family. And when Misuzu’s strength begins to fail for the final time, this time without even Yukito’s support, AIR’s story moves to the power of families and the love of a mother. Given a chance to try again, Haruko pushes aside her fears and manages to become a part of Misuzu, and in turn, Misuzu’s heart opens up to Haruko well beyond the distant relationship they had before.

Of course, this means that Haruko’s original fear of being emotionally torn open by Misuzu’s passing ends up happening all too soon, but at the same time it is a happy ending; Misuzu has surpassed the ancient curse in the happiest moment of her life, and although her passing is tragic, she does so with joy on her lips. Haruko also knows that she was spectacle to something amazing, despite the agony of losing her daughter so quickly after realizing her importance, and decides to begin working at the nearby daycare. これから色んな家族に囲まれて生きたい、そう思ってるや。

If you think about it, there is nothing about Misuzu actually breaking the curse for future generations, and it can be assumed that Kanna’s tragedy will repeat once again. Yet, at least this time, there is nothing to feel sorry about. In one dazzling moment, even that powerful, ancient curse could not interfere with the bonds of family between Haruko and Misuzu. Who knows how many of these girls, cursed to bear a burden that cannot be borne, failed where she found love and was loved back?

AIR is not a love story. At least, not in the traditional sense.

But it is a story about love.

While I’m on the topic, lolANN.

Anime popularity rankings

I’ve been called otaku more than once (and only most of them jokingly). But personally, I think that, more than the implications of the word, being stuck together with a large group of people willing to ignore what defines the evolution of the medium for the large ratio of crap on this so called best anime list sucks. Half that list shouldn’t be there IMHO, and that’s just at a single glance-over.

On another note, the list reminds me there are a lot “classics” that I never got around to watching, so perhaps I shouldn’t say too much.

(I stole the link from jpmeyer.)

僕等がいた 5

“Bakappuru ssu ne?”

Along with the 5th episode of this anime comes my new favorite word, “bakappuru,” a FUSION of stupid and couple. I cannot emphasize this enough; WHAT a great word. I feverently hope for a chance to use it very soon.

lol, ANN

And this is why ANN is lame. “I think it sounds fine.” The title got changed from “Utawarerumono” to freaking “Shadow Warrior Chronicles.” That’s fine in WHICH universe again?

I’m not sure which is worse, the fact that it was changed to something so obscene, or the fact that people actually think it’s a good title for one of the only decent eroge-to-anime translations ever made, period.

That whole lolicon thing was really dumb too.