How Japan’s ‘BBC’ is rewriting its role in the Second World War

[Jacob]

...is politicians/far right groups connections with the yakuza.

Did you follow the story about the Japanese Miss World (Universe? One of those) who got blacklisted by the Yakuza controlled entertainment business and media (i.e. most of it)? And apparently she enlisted Mrs. Abe to help her?

[Jacob]

Wait, Tyr thinks it's inappropriate for Britons to fondly remember the empire?  All of the sudden that throws everything he's been saying into doubt.

As if you didn't doubt everything he said before.

[Neil]

Wait, Tyr thinks it's inappropriate for Britons to fondly remember the empire?  All of the sudden that throws everything he's been saying into doubt.

As if you didn't doubt everything he said before.

I'm willing to accept his pro-Japanese beliefs.  Jos can be silly and ignorant, but he's on the right side of the Japan/China issue, and that's enough.

[Agelastus]

[Yes, I quite like Strike Witches myself; there's a damn good story and setting underneath the fan-service, Unfortunately the fan-service itself does reach genuinely obnoxious levels for a western audience.]

For being so liberated...why do we hate gratuitous T&A so much in the West. 

In Japan and East Asia, anime is for all ages.  I get the feeling that many consider anime to be kids only in the west, and kids aren't supposed to see half naked girls.

One genuine problem with Strike Witches is that many of the heroines are underage (which is normal for an anime).  The youngest one is 12 if I remember correctly.  The majority of them also showed their nipples.  So it can easily be construed as child pornography.  But really, the context is important.  There are practically no male characters, and all the nudity is shown in the context of playful female friendship.

It's Francesca in particular that caused me to describe the fanservice levels as "obnoxious"; it's not just her age but the way she acts as well.

As I said, I enjoy and like Strike Witches. I also tend not to mind fan-service (my current favourite Manga is To-Love Ru, after all.) But in this case I do find some of the scenes uncomfortable to watch. And yet it's had a proper UK release, and a quick search of the internet doesn't find any obvious stories about cuts or edits (season 1 even being confirmed as "uncut".) Which implies that the BBFC is less prudish than me.

[Josquius]

As I said, I enjoy and like Strike Witches. I also tend not to mind fan-service (my current favourite Manga is To-Love Ru, after all.)

Did you follow the story about the Japanese Miss World (Universe? One of those) who got blacklisted by the Yakuza controlled entertainment business and media (i.e. most of it)? And apparently she enlisted Mrs. Abe to help her?

I didn't. Sounds interesting though.

If a politician say he believes X, then appoints other people to positions of authority that believe X, who then go on to spread propaganda favoring that view to the nation via public broadcasting, then it's fair to suspect that perhaps that politician really does hold that view close to his heart.

He has to prove his credentials somehow. He can make a bold foreign policy move or he can appoint an idiot to a plum position in NHK. Or it could be that they're both just playing the same game. Or it could be he actually does believe that stuff. Don't just assume the last one is definitely the right one.

It snowed in Cairo earlier this winter. 

Hey, he can be right once or twice a decade surely. :p

[Monoriu]

It's Francesca in particular that caused me to describe the fanservice levels as "obnoxious"; it's not just her age but the way she acts as well.

As I said, I enjoy and like Strike Witches. I also tend not to mind fan-service (my current favourite Manga is To-Love Ru, after all.) But in this case I do find some of the scenes uncomfortable to watch. And yet it's had a proper UK release, and a quick search of the internet doesn't find any obvious stories about cuts or edits (season 1 even being confirmed as "uncut".) Which implies that the BBFC is less prudish than me.

Yes, the fanservice level in Strike Witches is very high, even by anime standards.  But personally I am ok with them, even the bath scenes.  As I said, the atmosphere is playful, friendly and comedic in an all-female cast.  I also note that all the nudity takes place in the communal baths, if I remember correctly.  I am no Japanese, but my impression is that baths have a special place in Japanese culture.  I feel it is their way to tell us that the friendships among the cast have progressed to a point where they feel comfortable playing together in the baths. 

Note your point about Francesca (for those who don't know, she is the 12 year old).  It is good that they have the sense to make it so that she is the one...taking action, rather than the other way round. 

While we are on the topic, the scenes that I really have trouble watching is Nanoha the original series.  Elfen Lied is another matter because I know what to expect.  The scenes in Nanoha just come out of nowhere in an otherwise straightforward magical girl show.

[Lettow77]

Strike Witches is old and busted. The point of interest is Kantai Collection now.

[Syt]

 

[Monoriu]

Since Strike Witches is about moe girls drawn to look like fighters (and is a smash hit), it is only natural for someone to do an amine with moe girls based on warships.

And yes, I do plan on watching it   

[Tamas]

 

[Ideologue]

Mono: victim of the NHK?

[Monoriu]

Mono: victim of the NHK?

I know next to nothing about Kantai Collection besides these screenshots.  I agree that they look...odd.  I am just following the "if it is popular, it is probably going to be good" rule.  I do notice a lot of reports about this in recent months.  Not sure exactly when the anime will air. 

[Syt]

I still need to finish watching Girls & Panzer.

[grumbler]

You need an opinion before you can even begin to be right.

Well, at least you finally figured that out!

So, work on becoming able to express an opinion as your first priority.  You've never shown the ability to be right, but that's not even an issue until you can form an opinion.

Good luck with that.  Feel free to try out your proto-opinions here.

[celedhring]

Can't wait for the screenie of the girl playing the Yamato.