VS.                Don't worry.  This is not a page of blasphemy.  Neither is this a judgment on which series is better. I am a big fan of Sailor Moon and love FY as well.  As I perused through webpages, finding information, graphics, sound files, etc. of these two beautiful animation, I realized something -- no one has yet suggested a connection between these two animes.   I started thinking.  Why are these two anime/manga so immensely popular, not only in Japan, but in the US, and the rest of the world for that matter?  What makes the characters so lovable? (Oh God, I feel like I'm writing for a class assignment)   The first major similarity between the two is the personality of the two female heroines in their normal everyday form: Tsukino Usagi (SM) and Yuuki Miaka (FY).  Both girls have enormous appetites which often lead them to events, for better or worse.  Food plays a major role in both series.  When Miaka follows Yui to the national library, she is distracted by the vending machine and thereafter, the Suzaku.  No matter how dangerous the situation, whenever there is food, Miaka always eats first.  Usagi is directed by the same energy.  In Sailor Moon R, Chibi Usa poisons the tea Grandpa brings to Rei and the Sailors.  Usagi eats all the muffins first and is spared of the poisoning.   Their behaviors are irresponsible, yet they are protected by this irresponbleness, or perhaps just the simpleness of the mind.  Of course, this is comparable to Forest Gump in that his simpleness often saves him from disasters.   Just like Gump, these two young teenagers are warm-hearted, optimistic, and idealistic.  Because of their simpleness, they are able to keep their optimism whereas their friends are chained to worries and reality.   From looking at Sailor Moon and Fushigi Yuugi, we might conclude that the psychological and philosophical stand of the authors is humanitarian.  The word "chaos" sufficiently describes the worlds of the animes.  The forces of destruction lurk around every corner.  Yet, our heroines' approach to protecting her world is idealistic but effective.  In SM, the droidos are always planted in humans and in each episode, the Sailor Scouts defeat the monsters and heal the humans with power derived from love and friendship.  Such is a traditional Asian view of evil in the world.  In addition, The 7 Rainbow Warriers of the first series of SM are locked in actual human beings.  Humans are innately good therefore all of them were able to be returned to their normal selves.  The 4 Black Moon sisters, Saffiru, and Diamondo of SMR and Nepherite in SM all went through similar transformations of realizing love and truth, and then returning to their human consciousness, though some ealier than others.   Similarly, in FY, Miaka's strong attachment to her idealism moved and changed many people in her life.  Her admant pursuit in saving Yui and Tamahome is supported by innocent love and humanitarian approach to life.  After Tasuki sends Miaka and the rest searching for the one who can revive the dead, he comments, "She is either stupid or really simple."  When Mitsukake's fiancee, in her monster form, strangles Miaka, Miaka does not fight but tells her that she understands that she is forced by the possession of the monster who took advantage of her eternal sorrow of not being able to see her love one last time before death.  Then, of course, everything goes well, and the village is saved.  In the world of chaos, humans are essentially good.  They turn to evil only beause of evil possession.  It's therefore imperative for the humans, under these views, to always hold on to their golden stars of love and innocence.   These views are undoubtedly cultural and I can pin point that to Confucianism.  Japanese society is largely influenced by Shintonism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.  It early on felt that Buddhism confilicted with its Shinto tradition which accepted the actions taken by people who are propelled by exteme emotions.  Over time, all three philosophies or religions merged.  However, here, in both animes, Confucianism and Shintoism seem to dominate all three.  Extreme emotion is respected, while the belief in human goodness is derived from the teaching of Confucius and Mencius.   As I was saying, like Forest Gump, the Usagi and Miaka almost seem abnormal in that they do not conform to the norm of society.  They do not do what other people do.  Traditionally, Japanese people are taught to save face, participate in society as one in the whole.  Such assimilation gave rise to the  modern Japan where no one wants to be different than others.  The girls in SM and FY are the exemplary figures of inconformity.  They joyce in themselves and love who they are even though they are constantly berated for their inordinary behaviors.  Perhaps this is the artists and wirters' attempt at demonstrating the need of diversity in society.   Then there is the hero business.  Tuxedo Mask and Tamahome(plus the other seishi) are always there just in time to save the girls.  Interesting twists always occur on them.  Both men are taken hostage(Tuxedo M is captured by Queen Beryl and Tamahome voluntarily goes to Nakago).  They are both brainwashed but neither one's love is erased.  Tuxedo Mask is revived by the touch of the star locket while Tamahome cries involuntarily when Miaka said "good-bye, forever."  Both of them exist to complement the heroines in their fantastic journeys.  They exist to show the strength of love.  This is a characteristic feature of shujo genre anime/manga.   Often times, writers are like the reflecting mirrors of society and have immense power of affecting the public viewers.  Here, though we are talking about pop culture of Japan, the reflection is nonetheless valid.  Of that I mean their artistry and writing suggest and poke fun at some social issues.  For example, in both FY and SM, the implication of homosexuality perpetuates.  In FY, Nuriko enters the story as a beautiful woman.  Hotohori has no problem dressing up as a woman.  Nakago kisses Tamahome as an insult, etc.  All throughout, the viewer laughs at the jokes that play on this theme.  Yet, Nuriko is portrayed as a sensitive and lovable person who maintains enough respect from everyone.  In SM, Haruka and Michiru obviously have something going on between them; Fisheye is certainly gay.  The love affair between the good guys is beautiful while the such relationship between bad guys are often delineated as disgusting.  What is the writer's stand on this issue?  How do the Japanese take it well?  Do they accept it or criticize it?   Finally, what makes the Japanese society so much more open to violence, sexuality, and nudity on TV than the American?  The North American series of SM is cut and changed and highly subjected to censorship.  Comparatively, FY in my opinion is much more violent and bloody, therefore, will probably never make it on the US public television(sniff).  The Japanese proudly acclaim their low crime rate yet their anime shows fit for children are violent.  Why is Japan willing to show such things to children?  At what cost are they doing it?  Does it at all affect the society in a negative way?   All in all, perhaps we can learn from Japanese anime as we can from many things Japanese.   Ok, I feel relieved. This is certainly a bad pastime. Hope..., well, I know this was boring and didactic, but it's a good brain excecise.  Instead of just watching anime for fun, you can learn something sometimes. Will you email me, pretty please?  I'd love to hear your comments. Ami needs some time to relax now...   You do too?  Well, then: Go Home! This page hosted by Geocities.com. Get your own Free Home Page