Why Sonny Boy is So Beautiful. (Video Essay)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2023
- Sonny Boy is a 13 episode long Anime released in 2021, Directed by Shingo Natsume. (One-Punch Man, Tatami Time Machine Blues) I recommend everybody to give the short, yet special show a watch. You will not regret it.
If you enjoyed this video, leave a like and comment down below what you'd like to see me cover next! Subscribe to the channel so we can hit 5k by the end of 2023!
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Music Used / Sonny Boy OST: • Sonny Boy Full OST
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I can’t believe it’s been two years since then. The escape scene is still etched into my mind.
ah yes, when they escaped while running through Windows Media Player visualizations (i'm not mad though, I loved it). the song was great too.
yea fr I've never forgotten that scene of them escaping, idk why but it really resonated with me and I thought it was beautiful
@@Dell-ol6hbI feel you. I watched it last year and loved the whole thing but something about that scene really touched me and I can’t even explain why.
The more chaotic your life is, the more this anime makes sense. Somehow the chaos in this anime feels calming.
I can relate "!! *! *!
In the episodes, there was barely any sound with the exception of the characters talking or sound effects.
This made the scenes with music that more impactful, like the song that plays at the end of each episode, or the songs in episode 8 or in the final episode.
I think that's another type of beauty in this anime.
Absolutely. It was awesome realizing this during the first episode (like first wondering why it felt so different to other regular series) and then how aesthetically impactful its ending turns out to be thanks to this.
Sonny boy, uramichi onisan and link click were the most underrated anime in 2021,they deserve a lot more praise in my opinion 😊
I still need to check out the other two 😂
@@ReturningSunn if your a fan of dark comedy you will love uramichi onisan, but if your a fan of plot twist and insane storytelling just like sonny boy, then link click should be your first choice😁
I get what you're saying (you're talikg abt back then) but as of 2023 out of the 3 you listed, sonny boy is unheard of and it would be considered obscure. I really enjoyed it and uramichi. I'll start link click soon
Summer time rendering is another good anime you should watch if you haven't but I am not sure if it's underrated.
One of the most meaningful anime of all time. For me, it's right up there with FLCL.
Ah, I see that you have correctly identified Mizuho as best girl. You are a wise man, indeed.
Yessir 🫡
Just letting you know you’re absolutely correct
I’m glad i could find such distinguished gentlemen as yourselves in this comment section 🍷🗿
Where is this frame exactly?
Monologues has always been my biggest gripe with anime. It's refreshing to see this perspective from an anime creator; and the work speaks for itself.
"Who would I be if I wasn't here yesterday?" is the question Sonny Boy left me with.
which episode is that? I wanna recall
@@thejonker6980 it was what I felt during the final episode
yeah this is my fav i’ve ever seen, saw it weekly in that summer, then rewatched last summer, i think it’s an oddly beautiful summer anime that encapsulates moving on the same way u gotta move in from something such as a really fun summer, amazing anime
the last two episodes, the two songs that play in those last two episodes, i mean the production was just unreal
Such a good video. Just finished the anime and I was desperate to find someone talking about it. You mentioned that everyone will leave the story with something even tho they might not understand it, and I think that summarized the experience perfectly. I didn't understand shit, but even so, I found myself crying at the end. Why? No idea. I think that in itself is a true testament to how good the anime really is. Sonny Boy is truly a remarkable experience.
I’m happy you enjoyed both the show and my video! Thank you very much
I agree with you.
One of my first thoughts as I'd finished watching Sonny Boy was how soon I would re-watch it.
Regarding the no monologues, the only point there is what you would consider a monologue is the story of monkey blue which I recall lasting over 5+ minutes in total throughout the episode. But what makes this stand out more to me is that it is not the only monologue in the series, there is no visuals shown to go along with this in a show with such a whimsical story already and could have easily shown these events if they wanted to. On top of this, almost the whole monologue is accompanied with generic landscape shots and unimportant simple shots that allow your mind to wander.
This feels very intentional to me, as the overarching story feels like it is about how alien the world can seem growing up and having to move on in the transitional phases of your life, with the "rules" of the world making no sense and you figure them out as you go along. The monkey blue story stands out as if it is a invitation to imagine a silly story about monkeys as a child might. This is something many people have probably not done since childhood but was one of the most fun things to do as a kid, just playing games of the imagination with people.
With sonny boy while there is a clear story overall and each episode has its own smaller narrative as you mentioned, with the monkey baseball talking about discrimination and duty, I think whatever you take away from the story is valid since everyone has their own life experiences that shape how the view the world. The main character Nagara having the ability he does could be seen as an interpretation of this since the main character of the story is the observer and through point of each episode. Much like in life how there may be a "correct answer", the beaten path isn't the best path for every person. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it but the show having a clear story as a show, while also leaving a lot to interpretation and reflect upon your own is such a fun phenomenon, so it allows you to leave the story feeling fulfilled yet inquisitive. Similar shows such as Serial Experiments Lain I felt the core story was more lost on me and I was only left to interpret the meaning of the story so I didn't get the same feeling, although I really need to rewatch that show as well now that some time has passed.
Anyway this was kind of a ramble and I'm not sure anyone will read this, but Sonny boy was a show that I thought was good on first watch, but I found myself thinking about it for months and months after which I can't say for most anime. Re-watching it I truly appreciated how wonderful this series is and it cemented itself in one of the best shows I've ever seen. Loved your video and I hope more people give it a chance.
this was beautifully put
I couldn't have said it better, I think you nailed it. Thanks for the comment
Love to see there are still people talk about this show 2 years after, I wonder will more people appreciate it if this is done in a movie format, instead of seasonal anime, where the audience already have a set expectation of other typical shows.
i am really thankful this show came when i was also just graduated from high school and enter university, makes the story really echo with my own life, and i am deeply in love with the show
Need People to understand how Goated Sonny Boy is ... Still remember Episode 8 making me cry tears 🛐💯
Just finished the show yesterday, that was one of my favourite eps too. The whole "death by way of turning into a mass of crystals" thing felt like straight out of a Souls game! I think it was Elden Ring that had that exact same thing iirc (in which case Sonny Boy would pre-date it tbf).
What I love about Sonny Boy is that it really nails the fact that these kids are just that, they’re kids. We get to see kids put in a crazy whacky situation and how their immaturity molds their actions as well as their growth. The ending to me was a perfect showing that life is not always sunshine and rainbows, some things can’t and will not ever go your way and that’s okay. The growth aspect was extremely satisfying at the end. Sonny Boy reminds me a lot of the general (albeit less so) crushing feeling that I got reading Oyasumi Punpun, a story that seems so unrealistic all while being so grounded in reality with characters that I could relate to on various aspects. Thank you for recommending this series to others, it’s overlooked and thats a shame because regardless of who watches, I genuinely believe that you can get something out of these 12 episodes.
Sonny boy has stuck with me unlike any other piece of media, just such a great combo of art and animation
Randomly found this on crunchyroll this morning, binged the whole thing with hardly any breaks, can’t say I totally understood it but it makes you feel all the emotions and is totally captivating
10/10 anime. One of the top 5s on my list along with Texhnolyze, Made in Abyss, Samurai Champloo and Welcome to the NHK
Sonny boy is my favourite anime…
Until now it still give me the empty feeling whenever i see it again..
its been like 1 year+ since i finish watching it 26/3/2022
I will never forget this anime.
;)
This is my favourite anime. Episode 3, 4, 8, 10 and 12 did something to me I cant describe.
The ending of story made me feel so sad yet understandable. It's just feel sad that many memories they experience with people in that world will be like just a fever dream n back to normal life. Sure main character have learn something from but if it was me, it will really leave a big hole in my heart.
Sonny Boy is one of the best anime (especially original anime) of this decade without a doubt.
Only anime that’s been able to compete for my 1st spot
Agreed. Sonny Boy comes very close to a 9/10, and my ratings is very strict. (I've never rated a show 9/10.)
You cooked this video essay/more of a informative teaser to watch it so graciously 🙏💯, Me personally in the period of life I was at when I watched it (we were talking about allegories in class) I see the show as an amazing allegory of society/human emotion. You hit this up amazingly by touching on Nagara Depression and his growth ...
every time there's the underwater fish scene and the escape scene in the background I do the leo meme pointing at the TV. If you know you know
I 100% agree watching a second time, and unfortunately (for the sleep schedule of the people I show it too), I find it much more impactful watching it in one sitting. There are a lot of nuances you miss on the first watch while you’re so focused on trying to fit the plot together, that you pick up on the second time around. Luckily everyone I’ve shown this show too have loved it, and it prompts a lot of fun, introspective discussion. One of my favourite shows.
this is the best video i've seen about this anime that forever changed my standards and viewpoint of media. there's a lot of nuance about this show that is difficult to capture in words, as throughout the plot it is shown through action and expression (and as they say, actions speak louder than words, lol). but you did a great job highlighting the appeal of each character and episode, explaining how the narrative is not necessarily the focal point of the show but is always loosely followed by the end of each episode. definitely one of my favorite pieces of media, 100% my favorite anime, and im glad to see it done justice in video essay form.
The weird thing with this show is that I didn't think it would stick with me for so long. I finished the anime around the time this video released and there has not been a day where I haven't at least spent some time thinking a little bit about it. I remember being kinda upset when I finished it, because I didn't understand anything. I'd consider myself somewhat smart and love analyzing philosophical concepts in anime and manga, but this time I struggled to do that. All the biblical references, all the quantum physical concepts kind of just serve no greater purpose and are simply a distraction. While making use of character archetypes, every main character portrays problems that we run into during our adolescence. It does also do a great meta analysis of meaning and happiness and Nagara being the depressed guy that he is, is perfect for that.
I feel like this show understands and portrays the absurdity of life really well. All the main characters want to go back and make this their greatest goal and alongside things just happen that are hard to understand or accept. I remember in ep. 6 where the narrative really had me on the edge and I thought that they might get back only to be disappointed. The end then feels just really abrupt in comparison. I could go on and on about what makes this anime so refreshing. Every time you think you know what must happen next, because of common storytelling tropes, it doesn't really do that. I think that's why I didn't really think of it as anything special in the beginning, but I definitely want to rewatch it at some point.
Thanks for this video essay, I really enjoyed it.😊
I'll truly never forget the anime's lasts two lines:
"人生はまだこれからだ
先はもう少しだけ長い"
"Our lifes are just starting
What is on the future will take a little more"
At least that is the translation I give.
I watched the english dub. It was "Our lives are just getting started. The road ahead is full of twists and turns"
Finished it today, and it was amazing, artistically and philosophically.
I’m seeing this late but this was a great video!
I absolutely loved Sonny boy and I hope more people watch it! And what u said abt rewatching it is so true
I rewatched it after a while and it made me love it even more. I also caught more of the dialogue and understood it more after rewatching it too
I just watched sonny boy again after 2 years, it was nice to pick up new things from that. Great video, I like that you talked about the depth of the anime while not going in depth about what it meant to you, I think it helps people come to their own conclusions.
Thanks, ive always wanted to watch it my man
I also think that not understanding everything in the story is a beautiful part of this anime, because as the anime is a metaphor for adolescent anxiety for me and a Coming of Age medium disguised as Sci-fi, I think life is that way. You won't understand everything in life and it's still beautiful, there isn't an inherent meaning to the universe and creating the meaning of our lives ourselves is what makes life precious, because it is the only thing that is truly ours.
I'm incredibly grateful to people who made decisions that resulted in Shingo Natsume being allowed to create his own original work with so much artistic freedom. I wonder if it was someone who actually understood what this man did in Boogiepop (2019) which is in my opinion a masterpiece on par with Sonny Boy (last time I checked people were still sleeping on it)
It’s something. Sonny boy is something that is unique and exceptional. The music are one of the best I ever heard in a show
Just finished the show end this video, you don't need to try to understand it, but felt it then you got something in the end, art work it beautiful in it way, and the music is perfect, nice work of a video btw
bro, my english its to bad, but I still watched your video and enjoyed it, legendary anime and wish you success in your promotion, I'm glad I started learning English
Ever since I watched Sonny Boy back when it was first airing I always thought it was a very interesting show with hundreds of different possible interpretations of the story and its themes, however it wasn't popular enough to have thousands of people discussing it so I haven't been able to see al the interpretations I'd like: as a result every few months I check to see if anything new has been made on sonny boy to see other interpretations, and I have to say yours is probably the first video I've watched where the stagnant nature of Sonny Boy's world wasn't inherently a bad thing as it's a sign you should slow down which I thought was a very interesting interpretation of this stagnancy. Very interesting and excellent video overall
Yeah, the way Nagara behaves in the first part really speaks depression especially the parts where doesn't care about things at all and denies himself to express and feel emotions.
the only thing thats bugging me rn is, that the video and the description state, it's an 13 episode Anime, which it isn't. It's 12 epsiodes long.
Other then that tho, great video! I just finished watching it today and I can't stop thinking about it. I think i'm gonna feel this way for a rather long time haha
This show is my favorite single season of anime
I watched this anime and it instantly hit the top of my list
The best way to interpret this anime is by considering the video "Levels of Thinking" by HoMath.
I forgot their names, but their characters left a great impression.
The MC is a level 9 observer but is unaware. The spunky short-haired girl is a level 9 observer, as well, except she is aware of her mental aptitude.
This anime takes reality away and isolates the psyche and physical body. How will humans interact in this environment?
By the end of the anime, they realize that their individual minds can manifest anything... but their imagination is only limited to their experience on earth leading up to the point in which the anime begins. They are all high schoolers; imagine living 16 years and then being transported to "imagination land" with a handful of classmates. Which is why: in the incident when everybody relies on the MC to "imagine them home," he creates abstract environments as a representation of him not knowing how tf to get home.
This anime explores the raw interaction of various psyches and egos. One character had a "God complex." One character used his good looks to garner followers. Many characters were at a loss of ehat to do at all. One character LOVED to explore this unique world. One character secluded himself and streamed video games by himself (yes, this happened, remember?)
We have to consider history in all of this. They are dressed in modern clothes. Having experienced a modern life. They know what cars are. It is different than if some medieval knight was isekai'd into the world with the "rules" that Sonny Boy portrays.
The question then becomes; with your current knoweldge, if you could start over from scratch, would you:
Create a new world?
Recreate your past world?
Explore the "unknown"?
Or wish to return to reality?
the ending was the most bittersweet ending
Sonny boy truly a master piece had to own it on blue-ray
Sonny Boy is so amazinggg
Watched Sonny boy. Good stuff frfrfr
Thanks for making the video cause I remember hearing about it years ago and I was dying to remember what it was called
I just finished watching the series, I totally agree with your take on it. I personally tried following it on the initial airing but I can't seem to understand the concept. Around that time I haven't watched that much anime and thus, can't really seem to get to it. I decided to pick it up again and I am glad I did and I truly appreciate it now. Many argued that lts way too mature for watchers but I think it's more of the watchers doesn't have that much exposure to many themes. Coz based on my personal experience you don't really watch series if the series doesn't catch your attention. But what catch your attention is the ability to follow the story. And I think this show will be one of those shows that may not be appreciated at first but would surely be after time.
This anime made me feel so depressed for no reason 😢
thank you
You're welcome!
this show was so unique i had to search for some vids after watching it
best anime
I just watched it and I didn't understand almost anything but for some weird reason I felt incredibly sad at the end
He didn't even mention the music, which has their own meanings tied into the anime aswell.
Hey you mentioned interviews and im gonna read the ones you linked in the description, but ive been meaning to see any i can get my hands on and dont know how to find any? i really liked sonny boy, im going to rewatch it whenever i have the chance because its really an interesting artwork i want to pick apart more and learning some intentions behind it would be amazing
(tldr i dont know where to find interviews and am asking how you found the ones you linked)
I just looked up “interview with sonny boy director” and read everything I could find.
Interesting translation of the themes of the anime. I was surprised to see you mention Kaido especially since I believed the anime was just adding lines that sounded so hollow as the pacing was stretched out more and more.
I appreciate the inclusion of the director’s own words as well. Its so helpful in deciphering the meaning and creation of the show.
The backgrounds reminded me of Edgar Payne a bit
I just finished this show and I think I could compare them to Oyasumi punpun I like this kind of show but instead of telling real life story they add dimension fantasy to it
I like the way story is telling like real life situation when you won't see everything that happened but it happened
For example [ ⚠️Spoiler Warning ⚠️]
In the end when the girl disappeared in one episode and mc invite everyone to the event (sorry I don't know how to call it in English) and no one came accept the india guy
and knowing later everyone is gone by not showing the actual animation of how it happened but by character saying it is like how real life works they are no epic explosions or dramatic song for everyone dead
And how when mc is back to reality and he is nothing special and just and ordinary high schooler is something I personally experienced and this show telling it so well by not just long sentence about it but literally show it to you by making you see mc life after that
Personally I gave it 6.5/10 even tho I like the story telling and everything I said this show is still confusing and hard to connect (I don't like fantasy type anime)and it should have a bit of Idk something , something is just missing and I can't say what it is it's just something idk but overall it's ok 👍
Richard.
Joshua.
I come here because namjoon suggest this anime
"the beauty of sonny boy" a lot of these edits are 1:1
i watched sonny boy when it was airing and I didn't like it that much but maybe i'll give it another try.
Isn't it only 12 episodes not 13? For a moment I was scared that I missed one but Wikipedia also says 12...
It is 12, I didn’t even realize I said 13 until I saw this comment 😭 That’s my mistake.
"there is no monologue in the entire series"
episode 10:
the point of this episode is to show you that internal monologues aren't reflecting the entirety of a person, there's still our unconscious mind that can't be explained
Thirteen episodes???! I thought there were only 12..
Me too
Have you ever read/watched dragon ball? If you have would love to see a vid about it. Also did you end up watching stone ocean
Yep I’ve seen Dragon Ball, might make a video some day if I have enough to talk about.
I have watched Stone Ocean! I haven’t yet made a review for it, but I did finish it and I’m currently reading through SBR
RICH
🐸
Wait 13 episodes??
I’m confused what is happening?
this show fucked me up
no
Meh
I really hate this anime ,confusing with no substance pretending to be deep
LOL mind too shrunk to grasp any meaning or allegory from this beautiful show. What are you 10?
It is deep. You can not comprehend a show with hidden meanings and depth. You only want to consume animes or movies with those glamorous and fierce dialogues made by narrator, to spell it out for your childish brain. Psychological-thrillers are not for you and people like you. Leave SONNY BOY and go back to your Action Animes. 😂
Extremely pretentious. swing and a miss.
Hey, I’m from Spain and I really enjoy your vids. Keep it up my guy🫡🫡
Ps: U a real one for dissing Wano, I cannot stress enough the amount of dicking I've seen for that arc. I really liked that trilogy of videos.
Lmaoooo thank you! 🇪🇸
about to start watching it this week
dont get me wrong, the escape scene is good (mainly because of Toe) but tbh the rest of it kind of stunk of modern art self sniffing farts. there was promise for it to have a meaning to it albeit a random story but it didn't have that. it felt like the writer just lost what he was trying to tell.