If you've seen me around, you'll know that I haven't been shy about my adoration of Kyoto Animation. They aren't just my favorite animation studio, or even my favorite artists who I admire and look up to, this is a group of people who have changed me as a person by expressing themselves through their art. It's through their work that I got into anime, it's through their work that I've gotten through rough spots in my life and grown as a person, their work has instilled lessons that I've taken to heart and applied to various areas of my life, and they are who gave me my passion for anime and animation in general. They aren't a group of nameless creators to me, I've gone out of my way to learn about them, their staff, and what makes them unique, I've taken things from their art, gushed nonstop about how much I love them to others, they mean the world to me. So it's no surprise that the recent arson has left me in a state I find hard to describe, and still nearly two weeks later each new piece of news is like a punch to the gut. I never expected to feel this much grief over people I've never even met. But that just speaks to how much these people were able to connect to me through their art. And here, I want to celebrate the legacy of the people at Kyoto Animation by sharing ten of those moments that connected with me on this level by scouring the internet and sharing some videos with others in the community. It's only a few moments from only 10 different shows, a tiny proportion of moments from KyoAni that have had an effect on me throughout my time as an anime fan so far, but I have a lot of pent up feelings and I really feel the need to let this out through this love letter of sorts. This isn't in any order, and I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum when writing about each clip, though obviously the clips themselves may have some spoilers and I can't necessarily avoid them completely, so please read this with caution. These moments may be funny, emotional, or just leave me with a sense of wonder and awe, but mostly, they're just some moments that make me think "this is what makes Kyoto Animation special" whenever I watch them.
Remembering Kanata from Lucky Star
Lucky Star is generally remembered for being an awesome time capsule into an era of fandom new school anime fans like myself never got to experience, but between the mundane daily adventures at school, relatable Otaku shenanigans, and loads upon loads of references to popular anime of the time, there's strong focus on each of the characters families. This incredibly poignant scene in particular snuck up on me and made me realize just how human the Izumi family really feels. Throughout the series, we get to see portions of their grief, how Konata's dad is self-deprecating, overprotective, and occasionally even a bit creepy towards his daughter as a way of feeling closer to his deceased wife, and Konata is often a caring girl who is close to her family for this very reason. But generally Lucky Star focuses on the comedy of these two characters, with the nuance of their characterization hidden in the background to appreciate. But here, it all comes gushing out in this beautifully poignant display of love and grief that almost comes out of nowhere, guiding us through this story of love, loss, and family in the span of just five minutes. Character beats that were initially played purely for comedy turn into something so much more, and it culminates in this intimate bit of mourning and family bonding. Lucky Star has a lot of great family dynamics, and this scene is one such example from one of KyoAni's classics.
Mysterious descent from the balcony from Love, Chuunibyou, and Other Delusions
There are few feelings quite like the sense of seeing something magical and despite knowing it can't be real, just almost believing that it might be. Chuunibyou is all about capturing the joys of these moments, with a wonderful message about how we don't have to give up the things we love as we grow older. Yuuta is embarrassed by his old chuunibyou ways and almost throws out his past, but this mysterious and magical scene reminds him of that sense of wonder. The way the rope swings down with Rikka's feet dangling, and the gentleness with which her feet land on his hands, the dialogue and the seriousness and sincerity with which Rikka gives her lines, her strange outfit and the perfect timing of the wind and sakura petals, and the ethereal music; I was absorbed in this moment's incredible atmosphere, made to believe in Rikka's delusion if for only a moment, and from the look on Yuuta's face it's obvious that he felt the same way. Chuunibyou's ability to consistently instill this sense of childlike wonder and apply it to a romantic comedy that's equal parts silly and heartfelt is what makes it special, and from this scene in the very first episode I knew that I'd be drawn into it's magic too.
Hiking up Mt. Daikichi from Sound! Euphonium
I'm sure everyone was expecting this one. No talk about KyoAni's best moments is complete without mention of this stunner. Partially notable for sending KumiRei shippers (myself included) into a frenzy, what's far more valuable about this scene is just how much it leaves me in awe every time I watch it. The hike is an incredible build-up of perfect dialogue and awkward tension, filled with so much relatable conversation and quips that feel so real for these two teenagers who decided to spend the night of a festival hiking up a mountain to be special. But once they reach the top, much like Kumiko herself, I'm just in awe looking up at Reina's resolve during this transcendent character moment. Reina is going to be special, and she shares in this moment with Kumiko as they resolve to become special together, not going with the crowd and accepting the pain that it takes to really stand out. In that white dress, surrounded by the light of the festival, Reina glows like a star, and much like for Kumiko it takes my breath away. For the generally cold and aloof Reina to share in this intimate moment with Kumiko in this way just gives me chills. It's after moments like this that I forget I'm watching an anime, and as the credits snap me back into reality I always leave this episode feeling inspired.
The light of Nozomi's flute from Liz and the Blue Bird
While I'm on the subject of Sound Euphonium, I have to talk about Liz and the Blue Bird. While very different from it's parent series, Liz is a truly unique work, using it's arthouse style to create an unbelievably immersive, tactile world that elevates it's quiet, intimate story to something truly affecting. KyoAni is arguably best known for their visual storytelling, and almost no scene among their body of work showcases this talent better than this completely wordless moment from Liz and the Blue Bird. With less than two minutes and the only piece of dialogue being more of a sound effect, this moment conveys almost everything we need to know about the complex relationship between two characters purely through visuals and sound, creating this all-at-once delicate, happy, and heartbreaking moment that I can feel deep in my soul simply based on the nuance of Mizore's and Nozomi's facial expressions. The music and visual style changes only make the scene more heartfelt. KyoAni has proven that with few words, you can convey so many feelings and explore parts of the human condition, and this brief scene speaks volumes. I saw this scene even before I saw the film itself, yet this wordless story has never left my mind.
Trouble with Dogs from Nichijou
To shift gears from the stuff that leaves me in tears or wonder, lets get something happier, that takes my breath away in a very different way. Honestly there are way too many Nichijou gags that are among the funniest moments in, well anything really, but my favorite is this one. It's a long and evolving gag filled with smaller gags among the big moments highlighted by incredible animation, but which somehow culminates into a heartwarming message about humans and animals living in harmony (and also a gag). Rather than take my breath away, I think it's more accurate to say that I can't breathe while watching it, as like the show at large, it's uproariously funny, visually capturing how much more than you'd expect it hurts to get bitten by a dog. But I can't help but love the small stuff too, like how the small white dog just flops around from side to side like a fish, it just looks so stupid and it makes me laugh even before any punchlines come. The way things move and pose in this scene is what makes it, alongside perfect comedic timing. I've watched it over and over again and it's always just as funny as it was the last time, but still fits in that heartwarming message that makes Nichijou such an oddly grounded show among all the craziness.
I'm curious from Hyouka
Again, I'm sure this was probably expected, but with really good reason. KyoAni are the masters of putting us in the headspace of the characters, so scenes where they are swept off their feet tend to sweep me off my own feet as well. And much like with Chuunibyou and Hibike earlier, this scene from Hyouka leaves me awestruck every time I watch it, much like it does for Oreki. The cinematography on display is already excellent, with Chitanda literally blocking Oreki from exiting the room while trapping him in the corner of the frame, but once the visual style shifts and Chitanda gives her signature "Watashi, kininarimasu" it becomes something truly special. I hate having to repeat the words "awestruck" and "swept up" but I think they're the most appropriate words for this scene and for my feelings towards much of KyoAni's work. Oreki gets swept away by Chitanda's beauty and innocent curiosity, becoming trapped in her alluring, inquisitive eyes and washed away in the scent of her hair, visually represented by, well, this incredible scene that forces Oreki to act in ways he's never done before and reveal cracks in his facade. By the time Oreki sighs and we snap back to reality, I had to do a double take and process the moment. This is the power of visual storytelling, it's in this moment that I was able to feel like I truly understand Oreki as a character and feel exactly as he felt. It's no wonder he starts considering making changes to his mindset after experiencing something like this, such a memorable and powerful moment would inspire me too.
Mochizou's confession from Tamako Love Story
I chose to put two videos in this one because I wanted to give more of the scene. I wish there was a video that had the entire scene, and subtitled, but unfortunately I can't find such a video, so this will have to suffice for the purposes of this spontaneously written post. The second video (the YouTube one) doesn't have English subs unfortunately, but the scene is so perfectly constructed that you honestly don't even need them to be able to have a perfect idea of what's going on at all times. This moment so perfectly captures not only the anxiety of confessing, but also towards an uncertain future, as Tamako's world is turned upside down by Mochizou's reveal. With context, the flashbacks in the first video reveal a lot about the unique relationship Tamako has to mochi, her mother, and to Mochizou himself, and his body language and the shakiness of the camera as compared to when in Tamako's PoV really says a lot about the mood (alongside the incredible lighting and color design). We can see every step of Mochizou finding his resolve, and when he actually confesses, Tamako's reaction is simply brilliant, a perfect use of animation as a medium to convey the powerful shifting emotions that the moment creates. The way the jump cuts start slowly but grow more quickly, all of Tamako's shuffled movements, and of course the absolutely insane moment of the backgrounds dissolving into a sea of messy colors as Tamako drowns out everything in the background while immersed in her confusing and anxious thoughts, it comes together to create a meticulously constructed and emotionally powerful moment that makes my jaw drop. It nails that confusion of adolescent anxiety and awkward first love in a way I've simply rarely seen replicated to this level. It sets up the conflict of the film while expanding on the themes of the TV series, and it all comes together because of how much of an effect this single moment has.
Kyon's Choice from The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
The climax of a nearly 3 hour film really needs to deliver for it to be worth sitting through, but Disappearance goes above and beyond simply "delivering" with this grand, cathartic statement of everything the franchise stands for. A huge moment of growth for Kyon, but more importantly a celebration of the power of fun and the importance of expressing our feelings, such valuable things that I don't think people think about as often as they could, myself included. But what really puts this one a notch above is the visuals, which push an already incredible scene into one of the most epic, cathartic character moments you'll find in fiction, with imagery that sticks with you long after the movie ends. When I think about Haruhi, I think about Kyon stepping on himself, and all the toys pushing him out of the window, and the glorious soundtrack that just gives me chills. If I'm being honest, I'm not the biggest Haruhi fan, but this film and this scene single handedly sold me on the franchise and a character I had spent two seasons hating while making a 3 hour movie feel like 45 minutes. That's special.
Yui's epic run back to school from K-On!
I've made no attempts on this site to hide the fact that K-On is my favorite anime. It's a show that really means a lot to me, one that I watched at the most perfect time for it to hit me, one that inspired my interest in learning about KyoAni and the anime industry through wanting to understand Naoko Yamada's craft, and a show that generally just hit me on a level I've never experienced from a piece of media before. So when I say it was hard picking from the numerous scenes of K-On that made me realize KyoAni was special, I really mean it. In the end, I chose this moment from the Season 1 finale, because I think it really captures the ultimate core of the show and brings Yui's character arc to a poignant climax. Because I remember a girl back in episode one who was lost, confused, and had no drive. She made a run to school and accidentally arrived early, decided she'd take an easy path to doing something with herself and yet still took weeks to actually choose a club, and who had no confidence or motivation at all except when cake was involved. And here, after everything she's been through, is a very different girl. No longer the one who bounces up and down to contain uncontrollable energy, now she does so to channel it into reaching a goal she has motivation for. No longer does she get distracted by everything around her, she's found her place and runs to claim it. As her friends perform, they initially have determined yet sad looks on their faces, but when Yui triumphantly arrives, their looks of joy are contagious. But what always gets me most is when Yui tells her past self not to worry, and suddenly all of the anxiety and fear and that had defined her back then washes away as she realizes that she's overcome her own expectations and found something she truly loves and can dedicate herself too. This scene isn't K-On's most emotional or the one that widens my eyes in awe the most, but it feels really human and poignant. This was when I realized how much I love these girls, and how proud I was of them at how much they've grown, especially Yui. And it's that ability to create these human moments that make me love KyoAni so much, so I think this scene is a good representation of what makes them so special to me.
Running to hug Nagisa from Clannad After Story
To end this list, I've chosen the moment that I think best encapsulates my feelings towards this tragedy. If you haven't finished After Story yet, be warned that this section is the one with the most major spoilers. Anyway, as I've said, KyoAni is truly important to me. Their works have taught me so much, made me feel so many things, and even changed my life. They've brought me joy, sadness, wonder, and so many amazing things, some of which I've pointed out here. And throughout these recent events it's dawned on me that I wouldn't be feeling like this if I hadn't watched KyoAni's work. If Hibike Euphonium didn't get me into anime, if K-On didn't get to have the effect on me that it did, if Hyouka and Haruhi and Chuunibyou and Liz and Tamako didn't get to move and wow and inspire me, I wouldn't have to write this at all. I wouldn't have seen any other shows I thought about placing scenes from on this list, from A Silent Voice to Maid Dragon to Amagi Brilliant Park to Tsurune. And especially if Clannad, a show that's had large, tangible effects on my personality, worldview, and relationships, hadn't been able to do so, I wouldn't be experiencing any of this grief that has had far more of an effect on me than I ever could have anticipated. But then I think back to this scene in the finale of Clannad After Story. Tomoya has gone through so much. He's lived a childhood in a broken family with an apathetic and occasionally abusive father, and as an adult he's lost both his beloved wife and his daughter to an unexplainable cruelty of nature. And even after all of that, after everything he's been through, he still says that it was worth it, and that a life of loving and losing those precious bonds is far more valuable than one where those bonds were never formed, and while the series has a happy ending, it's also one where Tomoya puts himself at risk to experience the same tragedies again. Every time I see this scene, including when pulling it up to link for this post, it makes me cry, not just because I love these characters and deeply empathize with their journey, but because this message is so important and so powerful. And it's never been more relevant, because I can't imagine a world where Clannad never changed me as a person. And the same is true for K-On, or Hyouka, or Maid Dragon, or anything I've seen that has KyoAni's name attached to it. My life wouldn't be the same, I'm confident in that fact, and for whatever this temporary grief is worth, their work has inspired so much of who I am, and I have confidence that KyoAni will only come back stronger than ever.
So basically, thank you Kyoto Animation. Thank you to all of your wonderful staff not only for these incredible works and more, but also for the ways you strive to make improvements for industry working conditions, for pushing the medium forward, and for connecting with me as you have. If you haven't seen some of these, consider it a recommendations list, though in reality I'd be confident recommending practically anything with KyoAni's name on it, as there's nothing I've seen that hasn't given me at least one of these moments that make me realize how special they are.
Submitted August 01, 2019 at 05:48AM by Gamerunglued https://ift.tt/2GG8gBz
No comments:
Post a Comment