Editions

A True Hero

Written by M.Harajima

Many animated, or comic-based stories revolve around the protagonist - a hero blessed with super powers - doing good for all mankind, in an effort to make the world a better place. Take your pick amongst the thousands of like characters in the Marvel, DC and anime universes, and you'll see that the character set-up is all pretty much the same.

So, on the surface, it appears as if Shugo Chara follows this similar pattern of storytelling. Whereas most characters have a guardian angel or two, our protagonist, Amu, is one of the lucky few to have FOUR guardian angels! That's right a hero blessed with more powers than other. However, before you start labeling Amu as your typical hero and start pigeonholing the Shugo Chara series, there is a subtle, yet important, difference that makes Amu different from the any other hero.

Although Amu is blessed with 4 guardian characters, popularity amongst her classmates and has the privilege of being a part of the Guardians, she is actually very shy and almost a bit introverted. So immediately, we see the human character flaws, however we also see the side of humanity which makes her a hero. For example, even though she is popular and could possibly ignore those who aren't as popular as her, Amu always tries to help those in need and encourage others when they stop believing in themselves, regardless of who they are. If you’ve been following the series, you know that the Easter Company is trying to extract all the “?” eggs out of the children which would keep them unhappy and de-motivated. Extracting “?” eggs in an effort to obtain the embryo is their duty and Lulu is trying to do the same thing. Throughout the many battles and fights, Amu has remained as the shining light in this show; the angel that, with the simplest explanation, can change a person’s perspective to give them encouragement and confidence to follow their dreams and not give up.

That's what's so refreshing about this show.
Oftentimes, shows forget to display the human quality of the character, something that Shugo Chara maintains in the forefront. Perhaps this is why so many people are attracted to this particular series. The human element surrounding Amu's character makes it relatable to the viewers and inspires us to strive to become more like her. Perhaps we see Amu as a representation of the good in all of us, or the good that we too want to do everyday like her.

So, show after show, we see that it's not necessarily her powers that makes her a hero, rather the strength of her character and faith that people are inherently good and want to be happy. Where other shows measure their heroes by the amount of powers they have, prestige or influence, Shugo Chara's Amu shows us that strength of character and willingness to find the good in people, is stronger than any amount of power.

After all, that's what makes Amu a hero.

Know your Memes

Written by Rikun

Last month we took a closer look at the pheonemon of Mudkipz, which sat at the number five position of the best memes of all time. This month we take a look at the catchphrase that bumped Dragonball Z back into the spotlight.

At the number 4 position: “It’s OVER 9000!!!!!”

For many North American anime fans, one of the staples of our childhood was Dragonball Z. Love it or hate it, Dragonball was one of the pioneers of anime in America and is one of the few series that non-anime fans might have heard of. I won’t bore you with every single plot detail or the sheer number of fights, but what is important about DBZ in this case is that it was under the control of two different dubbing companies during its run in the US: the Ocean Group and later Funimation. It was the Ocean Group’s version of the series that aired for the first 70 episodes or so, and it is from this version that the infamous line will appear.

The setup is fairly simple. Vegeta and Nappa have just defeated most of the Z Warriors, which leaves only Goku left to fight. Before Goku actually throws any punches, he focuses his chi and his power level skyrockets. A confused Nappa asks Vegeta what Goku’s ever climbing power level is, and in response Vegeta yells:
“It’s over 9000!!!!!!”

Interestingly enough, the original Japanese dialogue actually says that Goku’s power level is over 8000 since the Japanese believe this number to represent an unbelievably large quantity. Regardless of the accuracy of the line, it was Brian Drummond’s over the top delivery that caught on with the audience and would later give the residents of the internet much to laugh about. This clip from DBZ became popular fodder for many a YouTube Poop, which only furthered the spread of the meme throughout the anime fandom.

So why did this meme catch on so quickly? Once again, this could be a classic case of “so bad it’s good” syndrome. The original intent of the line was to showcase Vegeta’s shock and rage over how such a lowly Earth dweller could possibly attain such a high level of power. But what we got instead was a shrill and elongated yell that became more funny than threatening. When the series was redubbed by Funimation, Chris Sabat chose a more subtle approach to the scene, which worked in context but did not have the unintentional hilarity of Brian Drummond’s performance (much to the dismay of many internet fans). The effects of this line continue to be felt to this day in anime conventions everywhere as both Brian Drummond and Chris Sabat are constantly asked to repeat the line to the delight of the fans. For this dedication to the fans, I salute the both of you! And be thankful that you’re not asked who looks sexy in a miniskirt.

Next month, we’ll take a look at the number 3 best meme out there by going way back to one of the older memes, involving playing with your vegetables. Hope to see you then!

R&R Music

Written by K.A.Wakamatsu

Welcome back to another edition of the CR R&R column, focusing on some of the hottest J-bands and their connection to the anime world! Last month we delved into the rock stylings of FLOW, and the songs they did for hit shows like Naruto, Eureka Seven and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. This month we are jumping into one of my personal favorite bands: Home Made Kazoku!

Home Made Kazoku (HMK) originated when founder DJ U-Ichi was inspired to start deejaying after seeing performing hip hop dance crews, the urban-American film classic “Juice” and watching DJs tear it up on the ones and twos at local clubs. Needing MCs to complement his music, Micro, who was raised in Kentucky, and Kuro, who was born in Chicago, would join onboard rounding out what will become HMK. Although members would change and music styles would evolve over time, these three would continue on their goal to drop a chart-topping #1 hit.

From 1996-2001, they would start the development process of creating their own unique brand and sound, creating tracks that incorporate hip-hop, funk, disco and R&B, mirroring their own eclectic and unique backgrounds.

In between 2001-04, Home Made Kazoku hit the independent circuit, performing at night clubs and essentially any venue that would take them in the Nagoya area. HMK would release three independent albums during that time, before being spotted and signed by record-powerhouse Ki/oon Records. In July of 2005, their first single, Summer Time Magic, was released under Ki/oon and broke into the Oricon’s top 25, sitting at the #15 sport for an amazing 10 weeks. Their first album Rock the World, which contained Summer Time Magic, would also spawn a slew of chart-topping hits including On the Run, Aikotoba, Home Sweet Home and Thank You!!.

The most prominent hit from the Rock the World album, Thank You!!, weaved its way into the popular anime Bleach, further catapulting the groups fame. With their hit single on one of the most popular anime currently out there, their success surely wasn’t going to stop there, as at least one song from every album would be used in anime because of its popularity. In 2006, the first single off their second album, Shōnen Heart, was quickly picked up and used as an opening theme to the anime Eureka Seven; in 2007 their third album would feature Nagareboshi Shooting Star which would also be used for the ending theme to highly popular, Naruto Shippūden; and in 2008, single No Rain No Rainbow, would be used for the second Naruto Shippūden movie theme.

With their latest album, HOME currently in stores and potentially another album coming out within the next year or so, who knows where else we will see Home Made Kazoku and how much higher they can get. Keep your eyes and ears open for more great things to come.

What’s the CR R&R? Its title was the result of a brainstorming session involving various Japanese words that could possibly serve as part of the title. Our team here thought about words that might relate to music brought the Japanese words for rhyme (韻 or in, pronounced: ee-n) and reason (理由 or riyuu, pronounced: ree-oo) to mind. Lyrics usually rhyme, and there are a variety of reasons why a songwriter chooses particular lyrics. However, using the first letters of the Japanese words to arrive at I&R doesn't sound very catchy, so we stuck with the English words, thus the R&R column. Hope you enjoyed it!

Copyright Information

Shugo Chara ©PEACH-PIT,KODANSHA/Shugo-Chara! Project,TV TOKYO, Dragonball Z and all like characters © Toei Entertainment, All Rights Reserved., Home Made Kazoku and all like images © Ki/oon Records, All Rights Reserved., Eyeshield 21 ©Kome Studio, Village Studio/Shueisha, TV Tokyo Nas, Reborn © Akira Amano/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, REBORN! Production Committee, Mom's Life © Saibara Rieko/MTN