If you’re out of touch with what goes into the insider world of the million websites attempting to rank into Google’s finest picked top articles on page 1 of the search index, this Mugen Monday’s editorial is here to let you know exactly that.
With the internet, change is imminent. Although often time one does hope that good changes ride out a little longer than the bad ones.
Having climbed the hierarchy of ranking in Google is by no means an easy feat, but imagine a policy update that changes things upside down.
I know, I know. This is supposed to be an all-anime content, but trust me, what I am about to rant on about does have its due relevance. So far the Spiel Anime website has been riding the good bus of high article view counts. But it seems the latest ‘helpful policy update’ of Google has been unkind to a lot of many websites, including us.
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What is it on the get-go?
Just a random picture from the internet, I swear.
Basically, Google has decided that in the rising age of AI, sorting information through inorganic means is quite easy to write about.
As if a game developer finally decided to up the difficulty for its players, Google has identified a new algorithm for identifying what is helpful and what isn’t.
It’s quite complicated, and technical, but the basic gist of it is that content that is more personal to the writer, which is endowed not with information copied from other sites on the internet but gained through true wisdom, will be prioritized over the non-wisdom ones. The age of information has finally taken shape to become the age of wisdom.
Where from here?
But guess what? Spiel Anime the website has always been about writing organic Anime articles derived from the finest creative juices of our writers who have more often than not actually seen the Anime they are writing about and experienced the bliss. But, technically speaking it isn’t always possible.
Working in the industry, one often has to associate themselves with Anime they may not have seen. Unlike the newsletter, which is always more personalized/subjective and ‘organic’ than most of its article counterparts.
Is it possible for every website article to be a personalized newsletter? That’s a thing worth considering.
- From the Editor’s Desk
Rhytham Das, Editor-in-Chief, Spiel Anime
Jujutsu Naming
Yuji Itadori’s last name is from a Japanese medicinal plant called Itadori. The plant is known for its healing properties and is often used to treat digestive problems and inflammation.
Yuji’s given name, Yuji, is also significant. It means Courage. This name perfectly captures the protagonist’s core values as he is courageous and never fails to take risks.
Akutami also mentioned that he chose the name Yuji because it is the name of a classmate of his.
Spy x Overworked Husband
Loid Forger, the protagonist of the manga and the anime series Spy x Family only gets two hours of sleep per night, lower than what the Prime Minister of India gets as well.
This is because he is constantly juggling between working as a spy and then as a psychiatrist to deceive his family. Loid’s work as a spy is often dangerous and demanding. Despite his lack of sleep, he often finishes his tasks without fail.
What makes a Shonen Anime Shonen?
Like a fresh breeze cutting through the dense forest, shonen anime has a unique and invigorating quality. Regardless of its categorization as a genre primarily intended for young boys (which is obvious, considering that shonen literally translates to young boys from Japanese), it possesses an indisputable charm that draws audiences of all ages into its world.
Indeed, the appeal of shonen anime is far beyond its targetted viewers, and the genre's never-ending popularity can be credited to its diverse themes and influences.
This gives rise to a question: What makes a Shonen anime Shonen?
Newest trailer snap from Dragonball Daima
Shonen anime, at its core, is a celebration of youth and the rampant spirit that accompanies it. These series frequently feature adolescent protagonists who set off on different adventures, face dire challenges, and grow not only in strength but also in character.
While these coming-of-age elements are prominently displayed, shonen anime possesses an ability to relate to a broad audience, transcending the confines of its intended demographic.
But where do I read Shonen Manga? Here.
It is a testament to the universal themes and timeless life lessons that underlie the action-packed adventures.
Getting off with some examples
Hunter x Hunter is a prime example of the dual nature of shonen anime.
On the surface, it's a thrilling adventure filled with young protagonists like Killua and Gon, intense battles, and personal growth.
However, beneath the surface, the series delves into complex and darker themes. Characters like Hisoka, whose disturbing fascination with powerful hunters (including a literal 12-year-old) often goes beyond the comprehension of younger viewers, while becoming a manipulative figure for adults.
Similarly, Killua, despite his young age, carries the scars of a controlled and traumatizing childhood, showcasing the depth of his character development often ignored by adolescent viewers.
Image from Naruto’s Birthday Celebration, through the official Naruto Site
Naruto, another prominent shonen anime, illustrates this phenomenon exceptionally well. While it initially appears as a coming-of-age story of a young ninja's journey to become the Hokage, adults can appreciate the nuanced exploration of loneliness, pain, and the pursuit of recognition.
Naruto's struggle to find acceptance, Gaara's traumatic past, and Sasuke's descent into darkness resonate more profoundly with mature viewers.
Attack on Titan shares a similar duality, drawing a significant audience of adolescents with its intense battles against colossal titans. For a child, it is probably humans fighting huge titanic villains, but for adults, the theme progresses to be infinitely more complex than what initially begins as a mere skirmish between giant humanoids and normal humans.
This shonen anime also addresses the themes of morality, free will, and the cost of war, which are more likely to be understood by an adult audience. The series confronts viewers with harsh realities, forcing them to question the price of freedom and the darkness within humanity.
Image rights belong to Studio Mappa
Shonen anime, therefore, has become a multifaceted genre. It caters to the entertainment needs of its primary audience, young boys, with thrilling battles and straightforward life lessons.
Simultaneously, it offers a more thought-provoking experience for adult viewers, who can appreciate the journey of character development, moral dilemmas, and the hidden layers that underlie the action-packed façade.
The ingredients that make or break a shonen anime have been covetly put into this article. Were you able to identify them? If you were, reply to this email and let us know what they are.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S NOTE: It seems Shonen Anime is no longer a category reserved only for the genre of ‘attesting to boys’ but has become more of a hallmark of mainstream Anime. Such a transcendence from gender-based categorization to a literal appeasing of the masses is certainly something observed only when the culture grows beyond the confines of its own country (i.e. Japan) and into the broader global scope.
CONCLUDING
Image rights belong to Studio Wit
Oh before we conclude, it reminds me that Naruto had his birthday last week. Hence why I decided to design this Mugen Monday for him. But I kinda forgot to incorporate him in the From The Editor’s Desk in the beginning, pertaining to my worry of Google’s policy updates. But like our childhood hero says, we’ll never give up and be the Hokage one day!
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