I want someone to talk about the fact that Rakugo Shinjuu takes place in the alternate universe where the golden age of rakugo in the 50s to 60s didn't come. Rakugo Shinjuu world is the place where Bunraku, Shinsho, Kinba, Kosan, Sanpei, Danshi, Beicho, etc didn't exist. It's the world where only Kikuhiko and Sukeroku did exist.
I am actually planning on talking about that very thought in another Rakugo video later down the road, cause I think it is very important to how Shouwa constructs narrative. This capture-yet-omission stance it has on the historicity of its own subject matter. It's really interesting stuff.
I would have skipped this show. But thanks to your video i watched this in one sitting. Absolutely a masterpiece. Series like this remind me why I started watching anime.
OKAY, so I just discovered your channel and I'm speechless with the quality of your videos. I'm really really really happy to see you took all this work to make a video about Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu - one of the best animes in the last years - and the theme of death. The death of rakugo in the narrative is also interesting when related fo Kikuhiko, that feels isolated from the world like the art form, and his drama about his sexuality in the history. anyway, great video! Now if you excuse me I'm gonna watch all I can about your channel :D
Rakugo is hands down my favourite show from this year. Like, undoubtedly. There's something particularly wonderful about how it plays with expectations and beliefs, and not just deaths in particular. There's such a beautiful mythos behind it.
This anime is for sure one of my favourites, and videos like this one just make me appreciate it more. Thanks a lot for producing it! It was really well made and interesting. Looking forward to more! :)
+Devianc3 Thank you very much man! There's a surprisingly plentiful amount of western literature on Rakugo, so definitely check out my video description if you're interested in learning more about Rakugo!
***** As always, if you have any questions or concerns, I'm more than happy to try and answer them. I'm no Rakugo expert, but I read enough that I think I'm comfortable to answer general layman questions.
What a beautiful and meaningful analysis! I feel like you were spot on on things I've realized myself, and you've also shown me somethings that I haven't realized! I hope you get bigger on TH-cam!
+Mistah Misses Thank you very much! Really hope a lot more people watch the show in its entirety, cause I know a lot of folks were turned off by the first few episodes, but once it really gets going then oomph, it really gets going. I'm glad you like the video, and as always, if you've got interesting stuff to mention, I'd love to hear it!
Pause and Select Well the drowning fish in the opening caught my attention. A fish drowning in water could be an ironic metaphor for how Sukeroku ends up being killed by the very thing that kept him going. He's know to be a carefree bum, that's his image, and that's part of what makes people interested in him. But at the same, that carelessness is what ends up getting him killed. And then at the end of it all, we see Yotaro with a tattoo of a fish on his back, which could represent him taking on the memories of Sukeroku. After all, the tattoo isn't real. Also notice how the fish is similar but not exactly like the drowning one, thus representing how Yotaro doesn't emulate Sukeroku, but uses what he learned in Bon's story to adapt it into his own rakugo, his own personna. Finally, we see a fish swimming in clear water. Not the exact same fish.
+Mistah Misses Awesome catch! That's a really awesome observation, you should definitely do a video on that, I'd love to watch it! And if it happened as you described it, it does make a lot of sense, given the events. Very good eye man.
Bruno Eduardo D'Angelo de Oliveira It depends on what I see. Sometimes I don't see anything until I do a completely blind deep dive. Sometimes based on my knowledge I can pick something. Other times I don't know, but I keep track of things I thought were somewhat interesting or odd. As I read about the topic in particular, things start connecting, and from there I draft a research question. For Rakugo, I actually had a completely different thesis prepared, but after the interview with Dr. Weingartner I completely changed my mind and redrafted a new thesis. Mostly it's just a lot of reading. A lot of times this reading doesn't lead to anything, but when I think something does, then it's time to draft a working thesis.
I didn't knew you also made a video on Rakugo Shinjuu. I'm glad you gave this show some love. After this, I felt bad for barely touching the subject of death, but I think we both came up with a similar conclusion: Any piece of media depends of both the interpreter and it's audience to stay alive. Let's wait for second season.
It took me a long time to bleed the hype from my system to watch Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, but I have finally finished it. I only cried one. This video was definitely a huge help in prodding me into watching it. Well, that and season 2 is gonna start airing winter 2017. I couldn't help and seeing Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu as a tragedy. The light of the end of the tunnel, so to say, might have been a train for all I knew. I went into the show with minimum knowledge of the art. My knowledge of rakugo boiled down to it is a pre-radio forme of traditional Japanese performance and that the anime Joshiraku also exists. Ping Pong The Animation, Initial D, Bartender, Dagashi Kashi, Shirobako and Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun; all are about or explain something I didn't have the most knowledge on before watching them. I am thoroughly appreciative for not knowing about the subject that each anime was espousing, as it gave to me a sort of wonder for the craft that having previous knowledge could change. And to some how cut this ramble to a point: 4/5, pretty good. Only cried once. The season 1 ending was kinda weak. Season 2 soon. Peace.
There's something incredibly interesting that Rakugo is doing, and something that I will *absolutely* touch upon when the second season comes out. The weak ending is absolutely so because I think it's meaning to draw more questions than it answers. There's some good work still coming out on Rakugo, and you can see a lot of it in the video description. But it's a fascinating topic, and there's a really interesting storytelling method used.
This was an interesting piece I'm sad I haven't found earlier: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu was the Hidden Gem of last year's Winter season and I'm glad its second season has a better spotlight this Winter season (even passing the Hidden Gem baton to the equally interesting ACCA 13, if I can dare to add). I earnestly would like to see how you would compare and contrast what you already exposed here with what the series' second season brings to the table.
I have to say, I just subscribed to you because of your insightful comment on Mother's Basement's latest video, and while perusing some of your videos I am now convinced that you're a shamefully underrated TH-camr. Your talents are wasted on the anime community, I'm sad to say. Regarding Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, much was left unsaid in this review, like the rule of four: four renditions of Shinigami and Nozarashi, four funerals, etc. A longer format would've benefited this review greatly specially when you have the intelectual fibre to pull it off. Nitpicking aside, this was a great review and I'm looking forward to your next videos.
+4Clubs I actually did come across something that posited something similar to the rule of four, and it makes a lot of sense, considering the superstitious nature of four and 'shi' in East Asia. It would be make sense then, as analogous as something in the west would be labelled as '13'. I didn't mention it or bring it up because I wanted to keep the content focused primarily on the two deaths covered - the art form and the artist. Originally, I wanted to talk about Kamigata Rakugo, and how the tunnel vision depicted in Edokko Rakugo in the show is itself a really interesting omission in the show. And I also wanted to talk about the similarities between Danshi and Sukeroku, the role of women in Rakugo - so many topics! I didn't end up using 'shi' because I just didn't know how to really incorporate it without making it sound like a "fun fact" part of the video, which while is nice, I wanted to minimise for something as serious as Rakugo. And thank you very much for the kind words man! I hugely appreciate it! Gotta make use of my Masters for something, right?
I appreciate the kind words man! I have a Patreon which is on my channel page if you want to help out, all of the patreon money goes directly into buying books and materials for the videos.
Do you feel stupid now that it turns out Sukeroku's death was nothing near so dramatic? So what you said about it is just part of Kikuhiko's idea of the death of rakugo itself.
It's is really nice to see someone going to extra mile with research and interviews to talk about a fantastic anime like Rakugo Shinjuu.
+LazyJo Thanks a lot man, I really appreciate the kind words!
Second that!
Shouwa Rakugo is one of the best shows in any medium in recent years, it deserve to be discussed more and it's only the first half.
Panino Manino Absolutely! I can't wait for the second season!
I want someone to talk about the fact that Rakugo Shinjuu takes place in the alternate universe where the golden age of rakugo in the 50s to 60s didn't come. Rakugo Shinjuu world is the place where Bunraku, Shinsho, Kinba, Kosan, Sanpei, Danshi, Beicho, etc didn't exist.
It's the world where only Kikuhiko and Sukeroku did exist.
I am actually planning on talking about that very thought in another Rakugo video later down the road, cause I think it is very important to how Shouwa constructs narrative. This capture-yet-omission stance it has on the historicity of its own subject matter. It's really interesting stuff.
I would have skipped this show. But thanks to your video i watched this in one sitting. Absolutely a masterpiece. Series like this remind me why I started watching anime.
Yes!! It is amazing! Have you checked out the second season yet?
Definitely going to, Just waiting for a few episode to finish airing.
OKAY, so I just discovered your channel and I'm speechless with the quality of your videos. I'm really really really happy to see you took all this work to make a video about Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu - one of the best animes in the last years - and the theme of death. The death of rakugo in the narrative is also interesting when related fo Kikuhiko, that feels isolated from the world like the art form, and his drama about his sexuality in the history.
anyway, great video! Now if you excuse me I'm gonna watch all I can about your channel :D
Rakugo is hands down my favourite show from this year. Like, undoubtedly. There's something particularly wonderful about how it plays with expectations and beliefs, and not just deaths in particular. There's such a beautiful mythos behind it.
This anime is for sure one of my favourites, and videos like this one just make me appreciate it more. Thanks a lot for producing it! It was really well made and interesting. Looking forward to more! :)
+Lominion Thanks man! I'm really glad you like it!
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is such a gem. Just like your video
i really appreciate the subtitles man this is a great video
Thanks ontan!
Amazing video for an amazing anime.
+Tower Oawesome Thanks for the kind words!
Amazing video. I love the way you introduce Rakugo to us!
+Devianc3 Thank you very much man! There's a surprisingly plentiful amount of western literature on Rakugo, so definitely check out my video description if you're interested in learning more about Rakugo!
+Pause and Select Thanks I will :)
*****
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, I'm more than happy to try and answer them. I'm no Rakugo expert, but I read enough that I think I'm comfortable to answer general layman questions.
This is the reason I fall in love with this anime.
What a beautiful and meaningful analysis! I feel like you were spot on on things I've realized myself, and you've also shown me somethings that I haven't realized!
I hope you get bigger on TH-cam!
+Mistah Misses Thank you very much! Really hope a lot more people watch the show in its entirety, cause I know a lot of folks were turned off by the first few episodes, but once it really gets going then oomph, it really gets going. I'm glad you like the video, and as always, if you've got interesting stuff to mention, I'd love to hear it!
Pause and Select Well the drowning fish in the opening caught my attention. A fish drowning in water could be an ironic metaphor for how Sukeroku ends up being killed by the very thing that kept him going. He's know to be a carefree bum, that's his image, and that's part of what makes people interested in him. But at the same, that carelessness is what ends up getting him killed.
And then at the end of it all, we see Yotaro with a tattoo of a fish on his back, which could represent him taking on the memories of Sukeroku. After all, the tattoo isn't real. Also notice how the fish is similar but not exactly like the drowning one, thus representing how Yotaro doesn't emulate Sukeroku, but uses what he learned in Bon's story to adapt it into his own rakugo, his own personna.
Finally, we see a fish swimming in clear water. Not the exact same fish.
+Mistah Misses Awesome catch! That's a really awesome observation, you should definitely do a video on that, I'd love to watch it!
And if it happened as you described it, it does make a lot of sense, given the events. Very good eye man.
Pause and Select Nah, I think I'll leave that one to you. More people will watch it!
Mistah Misses Yo, but it's your observation! I can't take that away from you!
This is actually so good and well done... great job
Thanks man!
I would love to know more about your research tactics for these videos, really enjoy how you go the extra mile.
Bruno Eduardo D'Angelo de Oliveira This video specifically? Or in general?
In general. Like, how do you pick a theme, how do you research it and prepare your text for the videos, these kinds of things.
Bruno Eduardo D'Angelo de Oliveira It depends on what I see. Sometimes I don't see anything until I do a completely blind deep dive. Sometimes based on my knowledge I can pick something. Other times I don't know, but I keep track of things I thought were somewhat interesting or odd. As I read about the topic in particular, things start connecting, and from there I draft a research question.
For Rakugo, I actually had a completely different thesis prepared, but after the interview with Dr. Weingartner I completely changed my mind and redrafted a new thesis. Mostly it's just a lot of reading. A lot of times this reading doesn't lead to anything, but when I think something does, then it's time to draft a working thesis.
I didn't knew you also made a video on Rakugo Shinjuu. I'm glad you gave this show some love. After this, I felt bad for barely touching the subject of death, but I think we both came up with a similar conclusion: Any piece of media depends of both the interpreter and it's audience to stay alive. Let's wait for second season.
There is the you you know and the you I know.
I love this. Can't believe it took so long to find this!
Thanks Daph!
I largely had no idea what you were talking about, but you certainly made me want to watch that show.
whoa I loved it!!! I am amazed at the research behind this. Keep up the good work :)
+RewindReplayRepeat Thank you very much for the time! I really appreciate it man!
It took me a long time to bleed the hype from my system to watch Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, but I have finally finished it. I only cried one. This video was definitely a huge help in prodding me into watching it. Well, that and season 2 is gonna start airing winter 2017.
I couldn't help and seeing Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu as a tragedy. The light of the end of the tunnel, so to say, might have been a train for all I knew. I went into the show with minimum knowledge of the art. My knowledge of rakugo boiled down to it is a pre-radio forme of traditional Japanese performance and that the anime Joshiraku also exists. Ping Pong The Animation, Initial D, Bartender, Dagashi Kashi, Shirobako and Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun; all are about or explain something I didn't have the most knowledge on before watching them. I am thoroughly appreciative for not knowing about the subject that each anime was espousing, as it gave to me a sort of wonder for the craft that having previous knowledge could change.
And to some how cut this ramble to a point: 4/5, pretty good. Only cried once. The season 1 ending was kinda weak. Season 2 soon. Peace.
There's something incredibly interesting that Rakugo is doing, and something that I will *absolutely* touch upon when the second season comes out. The weak ending is absolutely so because I think it's meaning to draw more questions than it answers. There's some good work still coming out on Rakugo, and you can see a lot of it in the video description. But it's a fascinating topic, and there's a really interesting storytelling method used.
Nicely done yet again, gj. :)
+Ouriel Ottaviani cheers, thank you very much man!
This was lovely, thank you.
Thank you very much for watching it!
I needed to watch Rakugo Shinju analysis video knowing the japanede cultural context man this was the right place
This was an interesting piece I'm sad I haven't found earlier: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu was the Hidden Gem of last year's Winter season and I'm glad its second season has a better spotlight this Winter season (even passing the Hidden Gem baton to the equally interesting ACCA 13, if I can dare to add).
I earnestly would like to see how you would compare and contrast what you already exposed here with what the series' second season brings to the table.
It might happen.
It should :) would be pretty interesting. Especially considering S2 directly contradicts several of your points.
Amazing video of an amazing anime. I simply love your content! Are you going to make a video about the second season of the show?
I have to say, I just subscribed to you because of your insightful comment on Mother's Basement's latest video, and while perusing some of your videos I am now convinced that you're a shamefully underrated TH-camr. Your talents are wasted on the anime community, I'm sad to say.
Regarding Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, much was left unsaid in this review, like the rule of four: four renditions of Shinigami and Nozarashi, four funerals, etc. A longer format would've benefited this review greatly specially when you have the intelectual fibre to pull it off. Nitpicking aside, this was a great review and I'm looking forward to your next videos.
+4Clubs I actually did come across something that posited something similar to the rule of four, and it makes a lot of sense, considering the superstitious nature of four and 'shi' in East Asia. It would be make sense then, as analogous as something in the west would be labelled as '13'. I didn't mention it or bring it up because I wanted to keep the content focused primarily on the two deaths covered - the art form and the artist.
Originally, I wanted to talk about Kamigata Rakugo, and how the tunnel vision depicted in Edokko Rakugo in the show is itself a really interesting omission in the show. And I also wanted to talk about the similarities between Danshi and Sukeroku, the role of women in Rakugo - so many topics! I didn't end up using 'shi' because I just didn't know how to really incorporate it without making it sound like a "fun fact" part of the video, which while is nice, I wanted to minimise for something as serious as Rakugo.
And thank you very much for the kind words man! I hugely appreciate it! Gotta make use of my Masters for something, right?
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I actually did a presentation for Japanese class on Rakugo bc of this anime 😂👌🏻
Ahahaha, nice!
amazing video
Thanks!
what a great video
wish i had watched it more early
Thanks Gabriel!
THIS...
IS.....
DEEEP. Worth It. Very Worth IT.
wow, great video, rly
Thanks Mad!
im subs u, your channel is very interesting ^^
May I ask, are you planning on creating a video on S2?
where can i give you money?
I appreciate the kind words man! I have a Patreon which is on my channel page if you want to help out, all of the patreon money goes directly into buying books and materials for the videos.
Do you feel stupid now that it turns out Sukeroku's death was nothing near so dramatic? So what you said about it is just part of Kikuhiko's idea of the death of rakugo itself.
That only invalidates a small portion of what he talked about, and a not very important detail at that.