Firstly, congratulations! Animation Obsessive is the best animation content I've ever found!
My name is Fábio, I'm brazilian, and I have an animation studio (molabe.tv). We are going to start a publication on the praxis of animation. I'm still putting together the first season of content, and I'd like to know if I can translate into Portuguese and publish the text ''Miyazaki and the Toei union''.
Thanks so much, Fábio! You're welcome to translate and republish it -- we just ask that you credit us with the original text and link back to our newsletter. Best of luck with your publication!
It's a beautiful overcast Monday morning here in New York City. I was still in bed, leisurely reading this issue with my coffee, marveling at how invariably history repeats itself, running through a myriad of emotions around the undervaluation of artists' work. It astounds me that labor which clearly takes not only an immense amount of time, orchestration, training, and love, work that is obviously valued by the public and consistently generates $$$, can be so decoupled from the hands that make. It makes me angry and I hope these talks result in a step forward. In 2021! I was going to say "unbelievable," but sadly I can't. Anyway I was wrapping up to write this comment when I saw the lovely shoutout—it made my day, early as it is. And it's nice to end on an up note. And as usual, learned a ton. Thank you.
Thank you for this great comment! Absolutely agreed. And we're so glad to hear that the shout-out made your day -- very much looking forward to your next issue!
It's always interesting to see how an artist displays his politics. I mean, it's always a *little* cringe to me but it makes me wonder if many animation artists are either politically naive or are left-wing policies something that comes naturally to them.
You'll find animators across the political spectrum, all around the world. Many Japanese animators from Miyazaki and Takahata's generation were on the left. By contrast, Mamoru Oshii, who's a bit younger than Miyazaki, has put nationalistic themes in some of his work. And he's come out in support of repealing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution -- a position Miyazaki strongly, strongly disagrees with. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the character designer of Evangelion and Summer Wars, has expressed extreme right-wing views in recent years.
It's pretty rare to see someone in animation who's totally disengaged from politics. Most of the ones who claim to be apolitical actually do have politics, and it tends to show in their work. We don't seek out controversy or confrontation, but there's a clear ideological slant to this newsletter as well. That's why we write articles like the one above -- we identify very strongly with Miyazaki's support for labor, environmentalism and the rights of the oppressed and marginalized.
Apr 2, 2022·edited Apr 2, 2022Liked by Animation Obsessive Staff
Just one small point to add - Oshii's form of nationalism is a distinct left wing nationalism in response to the US-Japan security treaty. Its something that you can find under the right conditions (see the Basques - ETA - or Taiwanese Independence movements for other examples).
I only ask because I managed to avoid the "blue wave" so to speak. I was just trying to figure out why so many in the animation industry (in the U.S.) are borderline autopilot when it comes to their political beliefs, hence the "animation hipster" term. I believe in good labor and good business, I believe the environment is good and worth protecting, but I'm also not a radical leftist who dreams of Daddy Karl Marx and Uncles Stalin and Mao to come posses Biden's spirit and "save" our country. Yes, I'm technically a "minority" but I don't believe a victim of "systemic racism". What matters is nuance and mutual respect, agree to disagree and all that.
Thanks for your reply, however. I just hate politicking
You just posted a whole lotta with a lot of projection and nonsensical rant. Marx Stalin possessing Biden's spirit? You think Biden is a communist? If so then you don't have a clue what you're talking about. You must not have read the article. Miyazaki didn't become a leftist union man from reading twitter posts or some political naivety. His working conditions, the workplace culture and the exploitation of his labor lead up to that. Minorities like you that like to how announce how they're not a "victim of systemic racism" are just as annoying as SJWs.
...OK, I was joking with that possessing Biden bit, but if I were to buy into the bullshit that I am a victim, would you take me seriously. I wasn't projecting, I was explaining my political intrigue. You may think I'm an idiot, but did you miss the part where I agreed with good labor and treating workers with respect?
Firstly, congratulations! Animation Obsessive is the best animation content I've ever found!
My name is Fábio, I'm brazilian, and I have an animation studio (molabe.tv). We are going to start a publication on the praxis of animation. I'm still putting together the first season of content, and I'd like to know if I can translate into Portuguese and publish the text ''Miyazaki and the Toei union''.
Thank you!
Thanks so much, Fábio! You're welcome to translate and republish it -- we just ask that you credit us with the original text and link back to our newsletter. Best of luck with your publication!
Thank you very much!
Of course, we will credit you! May you have a great year of good publications.
It's a beautiful overcast Monday morning here in New York City. I was still in bed, leisurely reading this issue with my coffee, marveling at how invariably history repeats itself, running through a myriad of emotions around the undervaluation of artists' work. It astounds me that labor which clearly takes not only an immense amount of time, orchestration, training, and love, work that is obviously valued by the public and consistently generates $$$, can be so decoupled from the hands that make. It makes me angry and I hope these talks result in a step forward. In 2021! I was going to say "unbelievable," but sadly I can't. Anyway I was wrapping up to write this comment when I saw the lovely shoutout—it made my day, early as it is. And it's nice to end on an up note. And as usual, learned a ton. Thank you.
Thank you for this great comment! Absolutely agreed. And we're so glad to hear that the shout-out made your day -- very much looking forward to your next issue!
It's always interesting to see how an artist displays his politics. I mean, it's always a *little* cringe to me but it makes me wonder if many animation artists are either politically naive or are left-wing policies something that comes naturally to them.
You'll find animators across the political spectrum, all around the world. Many Japanese animators from Miyazaki and Takahata's generation were on the left. By contrast, Mamoru Oshii, who's a bit younger than Miyazaki, has put nationalistic themes in some of his work. And he's come out in support of repealing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution -- a position Miyazaki strongly, strongly disagrees with. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, the character designer of Evangelion and Summer Wars, has expressed extreme right-wing views in recent years.
It's pretty rare to see someone in animation who's totally disengaged from politics. Most of the ones who claim to be apolitical actually do have politics, and it tends to show in their work. We don't seek out controversy or confrontation, but there's a clear ideological slant to this newsletter as well. That's why we write articles like the one above -- we identify very strongly with Miyazaki's support for labor, environmentalism and the rights of the oppressed and marginalized.
Just one small point to add - Oshii's form of nationalism is a distinct left wing nationalism in response to the US-Japan security treaty. Its something that you can find under the right conditions (see the Basques - ETA - or Taiwanese Independence movements for other examples).
I only ask because I managed to avoid the "blue wave" so to speak. I was just trying to figure out why so many in the animation industry (in the U.S.) are borderline autopilot when it comes to their political beliefs, hence the "animation hipster" term. I believe in good labor and good business, I believe the environment is good and worth protecting, but I'm also not a radical leftist who dreams of Daddy Karl Marx and Uncles Stalin and Mao to come posses Biden's spirit and "save" our country. Yes, I'm technically a "minority" but I don't believe a victim of "systemic racism". What matters is nuance and mutual respect, agree to disagree and all that.
Thanks for your reply, however. I just hate politicking
You just posted a whole lotta with a lot of projection and nonsensical rant. Marx Stalin possessing Biden's spirit? You think Biden is a communist? If so then you don't have a clue what you're talking about. You must not have read the article. Miyazaki didn't become a leftist union man from reading twitter posts or some political naivety. His working conditions, the workplace culture and the exploitation of his labor lead up to that. Minorities like you that like to how announce how they're not a "victim of systemic racism" are just as annoying as SJWs.
...OK, I was joking with that possessing Biden bit, but if I were to buy into the bullshit that I am a victim, would you take me seriously. I wasn't projecting, I was explaining my political intrigue. You may think I'm an idiot, but did you miss the part where I agreed with good labor and treating workers with respect?
Okay cool. You're still an idiot.