The Blue Fox Alley

Perhaps this post’s greatest flaw lies in the fact that I will not be utilising any real observations (in the anime industry) to support my claim; rather, I will simply indulge in gross generalisation. But hear me out if you love me.

What Is The Topic?

Generally, there exist two kinds of anime fans: the “old school” fan and the “freshly baked” fan. The freshly baked fans, tend to mind their own business, eagerly consuming contemporary works; but the old school fans see a need to assert their belief that the golden age of anime has long passed, it, fading into the shades of a distant past. The freshly baked ones’ focusing on new anime shows is seen as an iniquity by their old school counterparts; that is to say, “newer fans are noobs because they watch contemporary sh*t and fail to appreciate great stuff like ******, ****** *****, and G**G**G**,” say the old school fans.

The main pillar of the old school faction’s claim is through the mentioning of the excessive use of popular archetypes, familiar plots, and motifs, leading to the asphyxiation of creativity in the anime industry. No, they shall not stand for this, the old school enforcers. They shall make sure that their ignorant colleagues shall see the light, and repent! So, it is believed by the ancients that the anime industry no longer has the vitality to produce shows of praiseworthy merit, and all nice things came from the past.

Why Magical Ferret Begs To Differ

But Magical Ferret begs to differ. The past can never outshine the future! Simply, all pioneering works are an issue of trial and error, or experimentation. Without the guidance of any precedence, that is how older works were created. They either succeed, or disappoint. But it is a different matter when it comes to the consideration of anime works in the future. When anime studios make animes in the future, they have a weapon that their predecessors do not have: the privilege of referring to the past.

Brilliance, in all forms in life, can rarely be imagined as the result of sudden and isolated occurrences. Greatness is the result of reflecting upon accumulated failures in the past, and the reflection and improvisation of pioneering concepts. A simple example can be found in the deeds of a good fellow called Willy Shakingspear, a writing man of the Renaissance period. No doubt, he is well known for writing great works like “Harry Potter”, and “Gonzo’s Romeo X Juliet” (they all came from the UK, so he must have wrote it). But few are aware of the fact that Willy was one who improvised. And when we talk about improvisation, it means something had to precede before improvisation can take place! Before Willy, there was another man who toiled in the uncharted waters of uncertainty. He violated playwright decorum, gave logic the boot, and became a pioneer whose works would eventually inspire Willy in the future. That man, who dared to pierce the heavens with his pen (for the penis mightier than the sword), is Chris Marlol. End of the story. So what is the message that Magical Ferret is trying to deliver? Simply, greatness can be achieved through reflecting on the past! Without Chris Marlol, there would not have been a Willy Shakingspear. Without Chris Marlol, Willy would not have been great. Without Chris and Willy, John Milley could not have produced the awesome sauce “Parrot’s Dice Lost“. Without Strike Witches, there would not be Strike Witches 2. And so on.

But Ah Ha! Here Comes A New Challenger (Who Wants To Kick My Furry Bottocks)!

But now, we are faced with another inquiry: if the future is full of promise, why are newer works so sh*tty as compared to the past?

Well, my friend. That is because your mind is playing tricks on you! It is easy to look at a collective of great works that define a certain period and praise of that period’s splendour, but it is never easy to confidently say that the future will always surpass the past while one is stuck in the slow moving present. For the dust of an age can hardly be visible to many until it has finally settled down.

Let us go back to the example pertaining to Willy Shakingspear. People agree that his time, which happens to be the Renaissance, was a time of great probing and enlightenment! Great works were forged! But how many are aware of the cesspool of mediocre or absolutely worthless works from which those defining masterpieces rose? If greatness can be based on the alphabets, then perhaps most people can only reach up to the letter D, and the outstanding ones, probably Q. Finally those supernova of excellence are the marks of those who went on to claim R or S. But then, how many are able to  reach that extent? (Protip: Go study statistics)

Those who reside in the ongoing present can hardly sense any form of potential or promise as his/her sense is stifled by the presence of the many disappointments, still lingering strongly in their senses. This renders the appreciation of the new successes weaker (only to be enhanced through nostalgia in the future lol). But on the other hand, old school fans can reminisce over a past, strongly imbued by their lingering fond impressions of good old works, while the disappointments of the past are cast aside through forgetfulness. My old uncle Scruffy Ferret whines about how the past is great, but he forgets that we had to constantly flee from Peter The Great Ferret back then.

So…

Magical Ferret can firmly believe that the future will never disappoint! Never!

Also, flat chested prepubescent girls look nicer with modern visual renderings. Old graphics? Ewwww.

P.S. Mayor Jaypee wrote something about the good old days too. But I do not know what he is trying to say.