| |
Presentation PA #74Has Gundam Become A Part Of Japanese Culture? As you can see, for the second issue in a row, we are focusing on Mobile Suit Gundam. This time, it is the G-Gundam TV series. Gundam has been going on strong for over 20 years after its creation, in 1978. This makes me think that Gundam has indeed become a part of the Japanese culture, because one of the definition of "culture" is "The artistic and social pursuits, expression and tastes valued by a society, as in the arts, manners, dress, etc." In the 1980's, young boys (and even girls), who went crazy about Gundam and were making Gundam models, supported this series and helped it to become the success it is now. Now these kids are in their 30's and 40's (most of them, I am sure, have children) and they still watch the show, along with their children. The Gundam shows and model kits have become items to appeal to both generations and the saga still has new parts being produced every few years (Gundam Seed has started on TV a few months ago)! I also heard this news about Bandai sales for the Gundam franchise mounting to over 300 million Dollars (over ¥33 billion!!). Can you believe that there are over 400 different Gundam model kits in Bandai's catalog?!? I cannot think of any other show with that much merchandising. In Japan, Gundam models are simply called "Gun-Pla" (short for "Gundam Plastic Models") and you readers in North America would never believe the social phenomenon created by these model kits when they were first released. Some people were even hurt in the chaos when the kits were first put on sale, more than 20 years ago! The stores have been laughing all the way to the bank ever since. Of all those 400 models, only one has been discontinued so far, the rest of them being still re-issued (even the oldest ones) every few years to satisfy the needs of both middle-aged and younger fans! In 2001, I gasped when I heard the news about this giant model, called Hyper Hybrid Model MS-06S Zaku II ( ¥198,000 -- a little over $2,000 US!!), measuring 150 cm high and weighing 30 kg, being released! Well, this is certainly not a toy anymore -- It is a symbol of culture created by enthusiastic people, much like a statue! This Gundam fever has been spreading outside Japan in recent years, even here in North America. Since March 2000, Gundam Wing has been shown repeatedly through North American cable TV, like the Cartoon Network (and YTV, here in Canada) and Mobile Suit Gundam, the very first TV series, has been on the air since July 2001! Gundam model kits are now sold in 14 countries, including many in Asia, as well as Canada, Australia, Italy, France, etc. Gundam has taken a long time to get there, as its first broadcast, in 1979, was a failure because of its dismal ratings. But the movies released in 1981 gave it great popularity and the fans supported it with their buying of the model kits. Like Star Wars and Star Trek for the USA, Gundam, as new series and model kits are released, will certainly continue to endure as a cultural Japanese icon. In this issue, we are also introducing you to anime shows from the past, such as Tetsujin #28 (Gigantor in the USA) and Cyborg 009 (based on a 1960's manga), etc. Why are robots so popular in Japan? For that, we probably have to thank Osamu Tezuka for his Tetsuwan Atom (Astroboy) and Mitsuteru Yokoyama for his Tetsujin #28, both of them presenting robots as humanity's friends. Now we have robot pet dogs (Aibo) on the market! Aren't those robots and model kits cool or what?! Miyako Matsuda * * *I have always said that anime was a form of culture in itself or, at least, a culture in the making (aka protoculture)! Anime fans have in common a particular language, a set of values, etc. So maybe, as it continues to grow, it will be someday recognized as such! 2002 was not an easy year. It is now gone and, with it, many anime series ended. It is impossible to know what 2003 has in stock for us (A better or worse economy? A war? An alien clones invasion?), but what is certain is that, with the new year, many, many new anime shows are starting. You just have to look at this issue New Releases section to be convinced: .Hack//SIGN, Ai Yori Aoshi, Argento Soma, Banner Of The Stars, Descendants Of Darkness, Devil Lady, DNA Squared, Lupin III TV series, Mahoromatic, Master Keaton, Neo Ranga, Noir, Reign, Wild Arms! That's incredible! Anime-wise, I think it will be a good year. In any case, the entire staff of Protoculture joins me in wishing you all an Happy and Prosperous New Year! Since Bandai has postponed to early 2003 the release of Kikaider, we have decided to do the same and give you a 13- page feature article on Mobile Fighter G Gundam instead (including an overview, a timeline, character profiles, mecha files, a list of available toys & models and a [almost] complete episode guide)! This issue also includes another great harvest of TEN "Anime Stories" (Babel II, Cyborg 009, Crush Gear Turbo, Full Metal Panic, Gigantor, Guystars, Kaidohmaru, Rave, Rurouni Kenshin OVAs, and the X TV series) to introduce you to new anime shows, many "Anime World" articles (interview with Jessica Calvello, Anecdotes from Akitaro Daichi (director of Jubei-chan, Now & Then-Here & There, and Fruits Basket!), Modern Japanese Music Database FAQ 18, Conventions & Festivals: Animazement, Anime North, Anime Iowa, Project A-kon, Anime Expo, Montreal World Film Festival, Big Apple Anime Fest / Anime eXpo NY), tons of reviews (26 manga, 2 model kits, 3 live-action movies, and 40 anime titles!), and the latest news. Enjoy it! (And don't forget to send us some feedback at comments@protoculture.qc.ca) Next Issue: To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Protoculture Addicts magazine, we will offer you the first part of a feature article on Osamu Tezuka and his work, a Spotlight on .Hack//Sign, as well as a great harvest of "Anime Stories": Ai Yori Aoshi, Captain Tsubasa, Chobits, Galaxy Angel, Gatekeeper 21, Hikaru no Go, Mahoromatic, Najica, etc. DonŐt miss it! Check the Upcoming Issues section for details! Claude J. Pelletier |