Interesting piece. I have just completed reading the Ringu trilogy by Koji Suzuki, in which of course the 'horror' aspect is somewhat faded out even in the second book. So there, the unnatural death becomes natural as an evolutionary progression, but it still follows as you mention this idea of precious life and that a grudge can mutate into something that is not evil in terms of horror, but even in terms of a life we know.
Wonderful piece, knowing this type of essay can be posted I might have something I can add, though I fear someone stealing it for their own school/college work (which is where I did mine)
Just gonna say straight up that I freakin' love seeing academic work on theOtaku.com because it just kinda makes everything seem just that more . . . I dunno, classy?
You nailed this sucker hard. Very interesting history, tons of stuff about which I bet most people have never heard, and just an all-around easy, enjoyable reading experience. Your prose is fluid, your points are clear . . . seriously, this was textbook and I'm glad it's here. Heh, I'm even excited that you had footnotes - I've been thinking about a good way to implement them for something I'm planning to write some time, so seeing a good way to do 'em here was very nice. Damn fine work, Beck'.
That said, welcome to Fan Words; now I can show you off to everyone who has heard from me about how awesome of a writer you are.
Thanks! :D We actually didn't talk about the kaidan in class, or even Ringu; it's a Japanese Film class, and for our final project, we had to pick a movie from a list and do a presentation and paper. I picked Ringu, and I knew of kaidan from elsewhere.
Your class sounds really awesome if you got to talk about that kind of thing, though!
NightBeck
Otaku Eternal | Posted 05/10/08 | Reply
@Mimmi:
Of course, dear! Now that I'm home for the summer, I'll have more time to post to that world. :D
Mimmi
Otaku Eternal | Posted 05/10/08 | Reply
Boy am I glad I've stayed away from these movies *shivers*
You did an excellent job, Becky, which I'm sure you're aware of ~_^ The information isn't condensed nor is it watered down; a perfect walk/read!
PS: Next time you do a post on the Japanese one, could you do it about terms of endearment? :3
Calaya
Team | Posted 05/09/08 | Reply
Interesting piece. I have just completed reading the Ringu trilogy by Koji Suzuki, in which of course the 'horror' aspect is somewhat faded out even in the second book. So there, the unnatural death becomes natural as an evolutionary progression, but it still follows as you mention this idea of precious life and that a grudge can mutate into something that is not evil in terms of horror, but even in terms of a life we know.
Wonderful piece, knowing this type of essay can be posted I might have something I can add, though I fear someone stealing it for their own school/college work (which is where I did mine)
Dagger IX1
Team | Posted 05/05/08 | Reply
@NightBeck:
Sounds neat. Kaidan were the main focus in my class, but we touched a little bit on Ringu etc. at the end.
SomeGuy
Canadian Liaison (Team) | Posted 05/05/08 | Reply
Just gonna say straight up that I freakin' love seeing academic work on theOtaku.com because it just kinda makes everything seem just that more . . . I dunno, classy?
You nailed this sucker hard. Very interesting history, tons of stuff about which I bet most people have never heard, and just an all-around easy, enjoyable reading experience. Your prose is fluid, your points are clear . . . seriously, this was textbook and I'm glad it's here. Heh, I'm even excited that you had footnotes - I've been thinking about a good way to implement them for something I'm planning to write some time, so seeing a good way to do 'em here was very nice. Damn fine work, Beck'.
That said, welcome to Fan Words; now I can show you off to everyone who has heard from me about how awesome of a writer you are.
NightBeck
Otaku Eternal | Posted 05/05/08 | Reply
@Dagger IX1:
Thanks! :D We actually didn't talk about the kaidan in class, or even Ringu; it's a Japanese Film class, and for our final project, we had to pick a movie from a list and do a presentation and paper. I picked Ringu, and I knew of kaidan from elsewhere.
Your class sounds really awesome if you got to talk about that kind of thing, though!
Dagger IX1
Team | Posted 05/05/08 | Reply
Great paper! ^^ This was a really nostalgic read for me... it sounds like your class covered many of the same stories that mine tackled last semester.