A couple of empirical questions: When did hair antennae become part of anime character design? Was Pani Poni Dash! the first anime to actually use the term "ahoge"? In the context of PPD, the term was used as a nickname for Himeko Katagiri by Becky but is also used to refer specifically to the hair antennae itself. How far has this term achieved adoption in anime and in anime fandom?
Definitional points. “Ahoge” combines two characteristics accruing from the two components that make up this invented compound word. One is physical; the single lock of hair on top of Himeko’s head which gives the “ge” part of the term. Another is mental; the character is a moron or has done something so incredibly stupid that it changes the way we see her and thus "aho". Continue reading ‘Girls of the Ahoge’
Buoyed by the warm response to the first Shana-tan omake, this sequel is even more over the top. Continue reading ‘Shakugan no Shana-tan Returns’
Well, it’s been a fun ride. Not the greatest masterpiece of all time but definitely one of the most enjoyable series this season. I was initially quite sceptical as I didn’t really enjoy the interaction between the male and female leads in the first few episodes - Yuuji was yelling too much and Shana’s snarkiness wasn’t entertaining yet. But I was gradually won over and found myself rooting for them, especially in the face of Kazumi’s challenge and Wilhelmina’s disapproval. This series has also been notable for using a new and usually very funny or attractive eyecatch in each episode. It’s little details like this that, to me, also show a studio’s attention and love. Well done, J.C. Staff. A big factor in upping my enjoyment was how I was fascinated by some of the supporting characters. Continue reading ‘Shakugan no Shana 24′
This was released a while ago but as I reflect on the series as a whole, I credit as Shana-tan the last push that got me to pick up the series, providing that oomph on top of how Jason, Kabitzin and Omni were also clearly enjoying this series.
Also this was an eeeeexcellent parody. Good parodies always have a ring of truth to them, picking up on real characteristics and then blowing them out of all proportion e.g. Shana’s smallness (at 141cm, she’s the shortest humanoid member of the cast, even shorter than Hecate’s 142cm), her snarkiness, her love of meronpan and her catchphrase “Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!” I also particularly liked how dramatic scores fromt the BGM were used in silly situations and how Yuuji’s opening narration was in keeping with his words in Ep 1-2. Continue reading ‘Shana-tan’
