WEEK 3 - Discussion

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (5 sentences min.)

1. What do you like more - reading 21st Century Literature (Manga) or watching its video counterpart (anime) like Naruto, Sailormoon, and others? Why?

    Despite the fact that I am an avid reader of several comic books, it was only now that I started to read manga because I was used to watching the anime. Although I know that most popular anime were adapted from manga and that most people think that the original version (manga) is better, for me, I liked watching anime better. In most of the anime I've been watching, there are scenes that require better transitions to what will happen in the situation. From the manga I've read so far, it was a bit difficult to understand fight scenes because they have to cut of several scenes to fit in the comic panels. Besides that, anime provides a better visual aesthetic as there are colors present, unlike in manga where it remains black and white. Another advantage that anime has is that with the power of the chosen voice actors, they are able to paint the whole picture, where you can actually feel the characters' emotions easily, unlike in manga where it is a bit harder to imagine how and what the characters sound like.

2. In the example 3D ANIMATION of Sailormoon, the old version of the anime (2D) was shown on 3:19 onwards. What can you say about the difference in the 2D and 3D versions in terms of quality? Did the 3D version appeal to you more? Why?

    In terms of quality, the 3D version provided a fresher look on the anime. It showed how the anime industry has evolved ever since the western culture has influenced their style, since 3D animation is far more popular in the west. The 3D version also showed depth towards the character designs with the added colors, something that the 2D animation cannot really offer. However, the 2D version was able to give a sense of nostalgia and comfort, since we are all used to this traditional style of animation way back anime was introduced. Despite the modern feel of 3D, I liked the 2D version far better, since I am so used to watching 2D-styled anime and that personally, I find the modern take of Sailormoon weird, because it gives a different vibe and that I am used to watching 3D versions on Western animations.

3. If you were given the opportunity to write 21st Century literature, what type/genre will it be and why?

    If I were to write a 21st century literary piece, I think I would like to create an illustrated novel that tackles on fiction. Although I wanted to have my own graphic novel or manga, I think that an illustrated novel would suit me better as I do not really know how to draw and I want my story to be written instead of being acted out by comic scenes, to give the readers a chance to use their imagination (although they still have the illustrations as reference). Then, I think I would like to publish a science-fiction/crime/adventure novel that is kind of relatable to real-world situations we are facing right now. I think that creating a fictional novel that is adapted from real-world events would be interesting as it would allow readers to enhance their imagination while they become more aware of what is happening in the world at the same time. An example of this is creating an illustrated novel inspired by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo's Trese and Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games, where the main character would fight off Filipino mythical creatures set in a sci-fi dystopia, while also bringing all districts together to fight against social injustices caused by the villain.