Fanfiction refers to fan-written stories about a celebrity, book, TV show, movie, cartoon, anime, comic book, or other form of entertainment. While, as just mentioned, they exist for every type of media, and books are perhaps the most popular form, there is a thriving community of fanfiction for anime, cartoons, and animated movies. These stories can greatly range in quality, in terms of plot, character development, and faithfulness to the original content.
If you are going to start reading fanfiction, you have been warned- there is no way out. You get sucked into the fandom, and never leave. Fanfiction, while not the best at points, is addictive. So, if you do plan to read it, just watch out. Speaking of which, there are some things you might want to know if you are thinking about reading fanfiction. For example, some words and language. This language are also basic fangirling terms that any fangirl needs if they are to join a fandom/become a fangirl. There are other needed words, but these are words that apply specifically to fanfiction, though. They are as follows:
Ship= (as a verb)- to like two characters together: (as a noun) a pairing of two characters as a couple
OTP= One true pair- the one ship you ship above all else
Fluff= When two characters (often a ship) do something that makes you have the feels in an adorable, lovable way. When the characters are being cute and having a cute interaction ex. a character comforts another character when they are sick.
The Feels= overcome by emotion at how cute, tragic, happy, or anything else something is
Lemon= a particularly sexual story- I'd stay away from those if I were you
Songfic= a fanfiction based on a song, that often has the lyrics and a bit of the story that accompanies those lyrics
Oneshot= Any one-chapter fanfiction. These vary greatly in length.
Drabbles= a collection of oneshots in chapter form
Just a general note- if you see some weird name that isn't the name of one of the characters, its a ship name. Break apart the name, and you will get parts of two of the other characters' names. Those are the two that make up the ship.
Ex. Hiccstrid (How to Train Your Dragon) = Hiccup + Astrid
A link to the fanfiction website:
https://www.fanfiction.net/
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Christmas Movies
There are no shortage of Christmas movies, so in honor of Christmas being only 5 days away, I will be listing the best animated Christmas movies or TV specials.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Anything by Peanuts is amazing, and this is certainly one of their best, and well-known, TV specials. There is just something charming about this movie, especially Linus's monologue, Snoopy's doghouse, and the infamous, small Christmas tree. It is defiantly heartwarming and a great film to watch with the whole family, even if Linus's monologue goes over the little ones' heads.
Frosty the Snowman
Another TV special, this one is almost exclusively for children, with its simplistic animation and overall childish qualities. But, that doesn't necessarily mean its bad. In fact, the simple, naive nature of the film is charming and endearing, and Frosty himself is a great, lovable character.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Yes, this one counts. Despite being a very atypical fusion of Christmas and Halloween, this movie is very likable and charming, although not for all. Some may find the Halloween elements too freaky, and some may find the Christmas elements too joyous, but I think it is the perfect balance of the two. The characters, stop-motion, and especially the music make this one well worth your time. Now, if only you could decide when to watch it...
A Christmas Carol
A fairly new addition to the list, this movie has semi-likable characters and acting, and the story is as to be expected. Where this movie really shines is the animation. They use motion-capture technology to create an almost life-like rendition of Ebenezer Scrooge, and terrifying versions of the three ghosts (especially Christmas future). So, while this may be sub-par overall, its animation is absolutely fantastic.
The Polar Express
This movie uses the aforementioned motion capture animation, although it isn't as good as A Christmas Carol. Yet, this movie remains my favorite holiday movie to date. There is just something magical about this movie, with its decent plot and sense of mysticism that is not present in the others. This is largely in part to the fact that we never learn the main character's name. Also, the entire fact that the movie is about convincing a kid that Santa Claus exists leads to some magical, memorable, and endearing moments that make this one a definite rewatch each year.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Its hard to find a Christmas character (excluding Santa and Rudolph) that has made as much of an impact or has been as well-liked than the Grinch. And we aren't talking about the terrifying, nightmarish Jim Carrey Grinch (that still freaks me out). We're talking about the original, simple, animated Grinch; the one from the short animation that is endearing and influential to children.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
There is not a more nostalgic nor recognized animated Christmas movie than this one. It has stiff animation and a old feel to it, but those are just memorable, lovable qualities. Rudolph has been enchanting audiences for around half a century, with its adorable characters and simple, memorable plot. I know that this will continue to be a treasure part of any kid's childhood for years to come.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Anything by Peanuts is amazing, and this is certainly one of their best, and well-known, TV specials. There is just something charming about this movie, especially Linus's monologue, Snoopy's doghouse, and the infamous, small Christmas tree. It is defiantly heartwarming and a great film to watch with the whole family, even if Linus's monologue goes over the little ones' heads.
Frosty the Snowman
Another TV special, this one is almost exclusively for children, with its simplistic animation and overall childish qualities. But, that doesn't necessarily mean its bad. In fact, the simple, naive nature of the film is charming and endearing, and Frosty himself is a great, lovable character.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Yes, this one counts. Despite being a very atypical fusion of Christmas and Halloween, this movie is very likable and charming, although not for all. Some may find the Halloween elements too freaky, and some may find the Christmas elements too joyous, but I think it is the perfect balance of the two. The characters, stop-motion, and especially the music make this one well worth your time. Now, if only you could decide when to watch it...
A Christmas Carol
A fairly new addition to the list, this movie has semi-likable characters and acting, and the story is as to be expected. Where this movie really shines is the animation. They use motion-capture technology to create an almost life-like rendition of Ebenezer Scrooge, and terrifying versions of the three ghosts (especially Christmas future). So, while this may be sub-par overall, its animation is absolutely fantastic.
The Polar Express
This movie uses the aforementioned motion capture animation, although it isn't as good as A Christmas Carol. Yet, this movie remains my favorite holiday movie to date. There is just something magical about this movie, with its decent plot and sense of mysticism that is not present in the others. This is largely in part to the fact that we never learn the main character's name. Also, the entire fact that the movie is about convincing a kid that Santa Claus exists leads to some magical, memorable, and endearing moments that make this one a definite rewatch each year.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Its hard to find a Christmas character (excluding Santa and Rudolph) that has made as much of an impact or has been as well-liked than the Grinch. And we aren't talking about the terrifying, nightmarish Jim Carrey Grinch (that still freaks me out). We're talking about the original, simple, animated Grinch; the one from the short animation that is endearing and influential to children.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
There is not a more nostalgic nor recognized animated Christmas movie than this one. It has stiff animation and a old feel to it, but those are just memorable, lovable qualities. Rudolph has been enchanting audiences for around half a century, with its adorable characters and simple, memorable plot. I know that this will continue to be a treasure part of any kid's childhood for years to come.
Disney vs Pixar
Disney and Pixar are two of the world's biggest animation studio giants, and although Disney bought Pixar in 2006, they still remain a separate entity, able to produce movies as they see fit. This will go against a lot of people's opinions, but I prefer Pixar over Disney. Before you hate on this post, let me explain.
Before Disney bought Pixar, they were struggling. Like, really struggling, especially in the early 2000s. They couldn't seem to make a critically and commercially well-received movie, while that was all that Pixar seemed to produce. While Disney came out with flops like Home on the Range and sequel after sequel, Pixar had an amazing run, with films like Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and The Incredibles. Then, after Disney bought Pixar, their movies almost instantly got better, with Meet the Robinsons and Bolt. This is especially noticeable more recently, now that they have the creators of Pixar working on projects like Tangled, Wreck-It-Ralph, Frozen, and Big Hero 6. Meanwhile, Pixar has begun a downward trend, with the exception of Inside Out. It seems that in 2010, which was the year of the last amazing Pixar movie, Toy Story 3 (again, Inside Out is an exception), and the best Disney movie we had seen in a while, Tangled, both came out, was the turning point. Coincidence? I think not.
Also, Disney will use old fairy tales, myths, and otherwise already-told stories to base their movies off of. Pixar, on the other hand, is completely original. Instead of producing a retelling of a story, they make their own stories. And, they are often better done. They avoid Disney cliches and instead focus on telling heartfelt stories. They create stories and characters that have never been seen before- and that are complex and well-developed.
Do I even need to mention the animation itself? Pixar was responsible for introducing the world to CGI animation, a technique that brought the renowned studio into the spotlight and saved other studios from collapse. They keep improving the technology, creating incredible works of art, that are life-like and still simplistic enough to be charming. For example, while I have yet to see the whole movie, the backgrounds in The Good Dinosaur (not the characters) are amazingly life-like, almost photo realistic. In the trailer, for example, the raging river looks like something that came right out of a picture of Colorado. And in Up, Paradise Falls was based on Angel Falls, a real life waterfall, and the two look strikingly similar.
To conclude, I believe that Pixar is the superior animation studio due to their incredible animation, heartfelt stories, and the saving grace they brought to Disney.
pictures used:
http://www.airpano.com/files/Angel-Waterfall-Venezuela/photo/01.jpg
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/pixar/images/3/3d/And_the_clouds_clear_to_reveal....png/revision/latest?cb=20111112214336
Before Disney bought Pixar, they were struggling. Like, really struggling, especially in the early 2000s. They couldn't seem to make a critically and commercially well-received movie, while that was all that Pixar seemed to produce. While Disney came out with flops like Home on the Range and sequel after sequel, Pixar had an amazing run, with films like Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and The Incredibles. Then, after Disney bought Pixar, their movies almost instantly got better, with Meet the Robinsons and Bolt. This is especially noticeable more recently, now that they have the creators of Pixar working on projects like Tangled, Wreck-It-Ralph, Frozen, and Big Hero 6. Meanwhile, Pixar has begun a downward trend, with the exception of Inside Out. It seems that in 2010, which was the year of the last amazing Pixar movie, Toy Story 3 (again, Inside Out is an exception), and the best Disney movie we had seen in a while, Tangled, both came out, was the turning point. Coincidence? I think not.
Also, Disney will use old fairy tales, myths, and otherwise already-told stories to base their movies off of. Pixar, on the other hand, is completely original. Instead of producing a retelling of a story, they make their own stories. And, they are often better done. They avoid Disney cliches and instead focus on telling heartfelt stories. They create stories and characters that have never been seen before- and that are complex and well-developed.
Do I even need to mention the animation itself? Pixar was responsible for introducing the world to CGI animation, a technique that brought the renowned studio into the spotlight and saved other studios from collapse. They keep improving the technology, creating incredible works of art, that are life-like and still simplistic enough to be charming. For example, while I have yet to see the whole movie, the backgrounds in The Good Dinosaur (not the characters) are amazingly life-like, almost photo realistic. In the trailer, for example, the raging river looks like something that came right out of a picture of Colorado. And in Up, Paradise Falls was based on Angel Falls, a real life waterfall, and the two look strikingly similar.
 |
| Paradise Falls |
 |
| Angel Falls |
To conclude, I believe that Pixar is the superior animation studio due to their incredible animation, heartfelt stories, and the saving grace they brought to Disney.
pictures used:
http://www.airpano.com/files/Angel-Waterfall-Venezuela/photo/01.jpg
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/pixar/images/3/3d/And_the_clouds_clear_to_reveal....png/revision/latest?cb=20111112214336
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Character Archetypes
An archetype is defined as a recurring motif/theme, or a typical example of something, that is seen across many forms. It is usually applied to literature, but I am applying it to animated characters, as there are very common characters that are seen across all forms of animated media, from anime to cartoons to movies.
The Caring Mother
When a character actually has a mother (I'm looking at you Disney), they are always a kind, caring soul that will do anything for their child, who is usually the main character. They offer the wisdom and protection that the main character needs to mature and grow up. But, they (or occasionally the father) are the first to die or the already dead character. And, they are usually unnamed.
Examples:
Littlefoot's mother- The Land Before Time
Bambi's mother- Bambi
Mrs. Jumbo- Dumbo
The Cool Grandma
Whenever there is an old lady character presented in animation, they are almost always a kick-butt, energetic, adrenaline junkie. They may do martial arts, or extreme sports, but either way, they are usually cool, even though they often appear short with stereotypical, white, tall, old lady hair.
Examples:
Gru's mom- Despicable Me
Grammy Norma- The Lorax
Granny Puckett- Hoodwinked
Mama Odie- The Princess and the Frog
The Dumb Henchman
Every villain needs at least one henchmen to do their bidding, and they are often the stupidest (albeit hilarious) character in their respective universe. Sometimes, there is more then one of them, in which case, it is either two or an entire army, but either way, they are always incompetent and more often then not the cause of the villain's downfall. In some cases, this is reversed, and the henchman is much smarter and working for a very dumb villain, but it is usually the former.
Examples:
Kronk- The Emperor's New Groove
Pain and Panic- Hercules
Ed, Shenzi, and Banzi- The Lion King
Jasper and Horace- 101 Dalmatians
Mr. Smee- Peter Pan
Gir- Invader Zim
Fidget- The Great Mouse Detective
The Adorkable Misfit
This character tends to be a child or a teenager, and for whatever reason, they are a loner, not very popular, or don't have many friends. They are different from the others in some way, but that's what makes them all the more endearing. This character is rarely hated by the audience, and they often are the main character. By the end of their movie or show, though, they are usually accepted by the others, although they are still a bit abnormal. In some cases, the character is accepted by society, but they are still kind of socially awkward, but in these cases are often one of the smartest characters in the show/movie.
Examples:
Dipper- Gravity Falls
L- Death Note
Hiccup- How to Train Your Dragon
Flik- A Bug's Life
Flint Lockwood- Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Linguini- Ratatouille
Lilo- Lilo and Stitch
Vanellope von Schweetz- Wreck-it Ralph
The Wise but Eccentric Mentor
In animation, when a character needs to learn something important or needs a guide, they turn to this character. While they have valuable wisdom, they are often strange and bizarre characters that may appear a bit off. They are often old as well, but nonetheless, provide essential information to the character so they can move forward.
Examples:
Death- Soul Eater
Master Oogway- Kung Fu Panda
Rafiki- The Lion King
Prince Charming
There is always that one guy, often a prince, that is overly handsome and charming, making the girls swoon. He can either already be the prince or he can marry in, but either way, he has to be young, good-looking, and a prince. Movies that don't have royalty in them can still have prince charmings, but in these cases they are the ladies' man or are extremely hot. In more recent movies, they even appear as the villain.
Examples:
Aladdin- Aladdin
Prince Phillip- Sleeping Beauty
Flynn Rider- Tangled
Prince Charming- Shrek 2
Eric- The Little Mermaid
Hans- Frozen
The Chosen One
If there is a prophecy to be fulfilled, or if only a certain character can accomplish something, then they are the chosen one. They are usually unwilling to accept their new responsibility, or are not ready, and the rest of the characters may shun them because they believe the same way. But, by the end of the movie or show, they have matured and become a true hero, often by learning an important lesson.
Examples:
Jack Frost- Rise of the Guardians
Po- Kung Fu Panda
Emmet- The Lego Movie
Fry- Futurama
Aang- Avatar the Last Airbender
The Comic Relief
This is perhaps the most overused archetype within animation. The comic relief refers to the character, who is often either the dumb henchman, or sidekick, or in some cases, the villain, that is there for laughs and to help the hero or villain. They are often boisterous, energetic, outgoing, and light-hearted, bringing most of the joy to what would be a heavy, dark scene. They are often inhuman (but can be human), often being a magical entity or anthropomorphic animal. All examples are of the sidekick status.
Examples:
Genie- Aladdin
Olaf- Frozen
Timon and Pumbaa- The Lion King
Donkey- the Shrek franchise
Bender- Futurama
The Minions- the Despicable Me franchise
Bing-Bong- Inside Out
Mater- the Cars franchise
Sid- the Ice Age franchise
Mike Wasowki- Monsters, Inc.
Mushu- Mulan
Beast Boy- Teen Titans
videos used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsNCROLRiMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK5n-X-Jlbk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ubIhAlF46g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmzT-Km9-4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfGTL2PY3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjLhSlLWMXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8rnMc22AG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9wVoRCo_38
The Caring Mother
When a character actually has a mother (I'm looking at you Disney), they are always a kind, caring soul that will do anything for their child, who is usually the main character. They offer the wisdom and protection that the main character needs to mature and grow up. But, they (or occasionally the father) are the first to die or the already dead character. And, they are usually unnamed.
Examples:
Littlefoot's mother- The Land Before Time
Bambi's mother- Bambi
Mrs. Jumbo- Dumbo
The Cool Grandma
Whenever there is an old lady character presented in animation, they are almost always a kick-butt, energetic, adrenaline junkie. They may do martial arts, or extreme sports, but either way, they are usually cool, even though they often appear short with stereotypical, white, tall, old lady hair.
Examples:
Gru's mom- Despicable Me
Grammy Norma- The Lorax
Granny Puckett- Hoodwinked
Mama Odie- The Princess and the Frog
The Dumb Henchman
Every villain needs at least one henchmen to do their bidding, and they are often the stupidest (albeit hilarious) character in their respective universe. Sometimes, there is more then one of them, in which case, it is either two or an entire army, but either way, they are always incompetent and more often then not the cause of the villain's downfall. In some cases, this is reversed, and the henchman is much smarter and working for a very dumb villain, but it is usually the former.
Examples:
Kronk- The Emperor's New Groove
Pain and Panic- Hercules
Ed, Shenzi, and Banzi- The Lion King
Jasper and Horace- 101 Dalmatians
Mr. Smee- Peter Pan
Gir- Invader Zim
Fidget- The Great Mouse Detective
The Adorkable Misfit
This character tends to be a child or a teenager, and for whatever reason, they are a loner, not very popular, or don't have many friends. They are different from the others in some way, but that's what makes them all the more endearing. This character is rarely hated by the audience, and they often are the main character. By the end of their movie or show, though, they are usually accepted by the others, although they are still a bit abnormal. In some cases, the character is accepted by society, but they are still kind of socially awkward, but in these cases are often one of the smartest characters in the show/movie.
Examples:
Dipper- Gravity Falls
L- Death Note
Hiccup- How to Train Your Dragon
Flik- A Bug's Life
Flint Lockwood- Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Linguini- Ratatouille
Lilo- Lilo and Stitch
Vanellope von Schweetz- Wreck-it Ralph
The Wise but Eccentric Mentor
In animation, when a character needs to learn something important or needs a guide, they turn to this character. While they have valuable wisdom, they are often strange and bizarre characters that may appear a bit off. They are often old as well, but nonetheless, provide essential information to the character so they can move forward.
Examples:
Death- Soul Eater
Master Oogway- Kung Fu Panda
Rafiki- The Lion King
Prince Charming
There is always that one guy, often a prince, that is overly handsome and charming, making the girls swoon. He can either already be the prince or he can marry in, but either way, he has to be young, good-looking, and a prince. Movies that don't have royalty in them can still have prince charmings, but in these cases they are the ladies' man or are extremely hot. In more recent movies, they even appear as the villain.
Examples:
Aladdin- Aladdin
Prince Phillip- Sleeping Beauty
Flynn Rider- Tangled
Prince Charming- Shrek 2
Eric- The Little Mermaid
Hans- Frozen
The Chosen One
If there is a prophecy to be fulfilled, or if only a certain character can accomplish something, then they are the chosen one. They are usually unwilling to accept their new responsibility, or are not ready, and the rest of the characters may shun them because they believe the same way. But, by the end of the movie or show, they have matured and become a true hero, often by learning an important lesson.
Examples:
Jack Frost- Rise of the Guardians
Po- Kung Fu Panda
Emmet- The Lego Movie
Fry- Futurama
Aang- Avatar the Last Airbender
The Comic Relief
This is perhaps the most overused archetype within animation. The comic relief refers to the character, who is often either the dumb henchman, or sidekick, or in some cases, the villain, that is there for laughs and to help the hero or villain. They are often boisterous, energetic, outgoing, and light-hearted, bringing most of the joy to what would be a heavy, dark scene. They are often inhuman (but can be human), often being a magical entity or anthropomorphic animal. All examples are of the sidekick status.
Examples:
Genie- Aladdin
Olaf- Frozen
Timon and Pumbaa- The Lion King
Donkey- the Shrek franchise
Bender- Futurama
The Minions- the Despicable Me franchise
Bing-Bong- Inside Out
Mater- the Cars franchise
Sid- the Ice Age franchise
Mike Wasowki- Monsters, Inc.
Mushu- Mulan
Beast Boy- Teen Titans
videos used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsNCROLRiMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK5n-X-Jlbk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ubIhAlF46g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmzT-Km9-4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfGTL2PY3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjLhSlLWMXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8rnMc22AG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9wVoRCo_38
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Hetalia
This is a truly bizarre, random anime. But man, is it likable! The premise of the show is that all of the major world countries, like France, America, or Russia, are personified as people, with their characters living out the stereotypes of that culture (France is a bit promiscuous, America loves fast food, Germany is uptight, etc). While one could see this show as incredibly racist (which is a totally valid argument), it is done in a light-hearted, joking fashion, with the characters also having over-the-top accents and renditions of their various stereotypes.
Hetalia was originally a webcomic that was then expanded into a couple animes, with episodes of about 5 minutes in length. The most popular of these is Hetalia: Axis Powers, which takes place, as one would presume, during World War II. The major Axis powers: Italy, Germany, and Japan, as well as the major Allies powers: England, America, France, Russia, and China. While this sounds like the perfect set up for something that completes messes up in terms of history, Hetalia actually has its history facts exactly right. In fact, most people who watch it end up knowing more useful historical information than before they watched it.
This show is not for everyone. As aforementioned, it can come across as racist and offensive, and even for those who don't think of it that way, it is a very 'anime' anime- perpetuating a lot of the common anime cliches. For example, in most episodes there is a subplot done completely in chibi. Also, the episodes, since they are short and based on a webcomic, are random and seemingly unconnected/without a plot. But for those of you who have seen anime before and know what to expect, are not offended by stuff like that, and have a scattered brain, it is perfect.
For those of you that are considering watching it, there is another thing going for it- cuteness. This anime is cuteness overload, with the previously mentioned chibi subplot, adorably designed characters, plenty of fanservice, a thriving, obsessive fanbase that loves its ships, and likable, funny characters. The cast is so vast there is bound to be a character you like, whether it be pasta-loving, dofus Italy, aloof, intelligent Japan, surly, flighty England, or any of the other characters.
All in all, it is a likable, albeit a bit eccentric, show will decent characters and funny renditions of racial stereotypes that will teach you World War II history.
video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGSoY_Zt5Es
Hetalia was originally a webcomic that was then expanded into a couple animes, with episodes of about 5 minutes in length. The most popular of these is Hetalia: Axis Powers, which takes place, as one would presume, during World War II. The major Axis powers: Italy, Germany, and Japan, as well as the major Allies powers: England, America, France, Russia, and China. While this sounds like the perfect set up for something that completes messes up in terms of history, Hetalia actually has its history facts exactly right. In fact, most people who watch it end up knowing more useful historical information than before they watched it.
For those of you that are considering watching it, there is another thing going for it- cuteness. This anime is cuteness overload, with the previously mentioned chibi subplot, adorably designed characters, plenty of fanservice, a thriving, obsessive fanbase that loves its ships, and likable, funny characters. The cast is so vast there is bound to be a character you like, whether it be pasta-loving, dofus Italy, aloof, intelligent Japan, surly, flighty England, or any of the other characters.
All in all, it is a likable, albeit a bit eccentric, show will decent characters and funny renditions of racial stereotypes that will teach you World War II history.
video used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGSoY_Zt5Es
Life Lessons
Themes, Morales, and Life Lessons to Take Away from Animated Media
Live life to the fullest
"Life's not a spectator sport. If watchin' is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya."- The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
"Adventure is out there"- UpGet the most out of life and enjoy every moment of it, for you only live once and life is a gift. The world is waiting- go experience it. You want to be able to look back on life satisfied that you lived it to the fullest.
True friends are one of life's greatest gifts- treasure the time you spend together
"You've got a friend in me"- Toy Story
"Some people are worth melting for"- Frozen
" Please, you... are my best friend, bud. My best friend."- How to Train Your Dragon 2
"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."- Winnie the PoohFriendship is a very prevalent theme across animation, and some of the friends we are presented with have the best, strongest relationship. We can learn that friends are worth keeping and your true friends will stick with you through thick and thin, and never give up on you. Those friends are a true gift, so treasure the time you spend together.
Keep moving forward
"Just keep swimming"- Finding Nemo
"There's no such thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary. You can't gain anything without losing something first. Although if you can endure that pain and walk away from it, you'll find that you now have a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle. Yeah... a heart made Fullmetal."- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
"The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability"- Ratatouille
No matter what life throws at you, or what hand you've been dealt, if you keep moving forward, better times are waiting. Through determination, one can overcome anything. If you can overcome your obstacles, you will find you are stronger and can withstand anything.
Learn from your past, plan for your future, and live in the present
"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it."- The Lion King
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."- Kung Fu Panda
"I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now." –The IncrediblesBy following this recipe, one can avoid becoming stuck in the past and scarred from it, and scared for the future. If you live in the present, every moment is special and memorable.
For the parents: let your children live their own life
"Children have got to be free to live their own lives"- The Little Mermaid
"Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him."- Finding NemoIt's rare that the parents get a theme for them in an animated movie, since they are usually made for children, but when they do exist, it's usually to tell them not to be overprotective of your child. You can't shield them from the world forever- they have to go out and experience it for themselves.
Be your true self
"There's no one I'd rather be than me"- Wreck-it Ralph
"Have I gone mad? I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are"- Alice in Wonderland
"She warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within"- Beauty and the BeastDon't try to fit in and be like everybody else. Embrace what makes you different, since that is what makes you you. If everyone were the same, then the world would be a boring place. Also, it's what's on the inside that counts, not the outside.
Never stop dreaming
"A dream is a wish your heart makes"- Cinderella
"Reach for the sky"- Toy Story
"There is a world where hope and dreams can last for all time"- The Little Mermaid
"You got the makings of greatness in you, but you got to take the helm and chart your own course. Stick to it, no matter the squalls!"- Treasure Planet
"All it takes is faith and trust"- Peter Pan
"I remember daddy told me, fairytales can come true. But you gotta make 'em happen, it all depends on you"- The Princess and the FrogAlas, the motto of Walt Disney. He himself said "It's kind of fun to do the impossible". It's the entire idea behind Disney. But, we can also learn from it- if you keep dreaming and reaching for the stars, you will live a happy, fulfilling life. You can accomplish your dreams if you work towards it, no matter how crazy they may seem.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
MBTI
The MBTI test, or the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator test, is a personality test that uses a four-letter combination, with two letters possible, resulting in 16 different personalities.
Click here for what those 16 different types are and explanations of the letters. Click on the headings for more in-depth looks at each of the personalities. You can take the test here: http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test.
Some characters are extraordinarily easy to type, and represent what those types are in real life. Others are really hard to type, and may be extremes of their type. In this post, I will provide examples of characters that exemplify the various types.
INTJ: Gill- Finding Nemo
This rare type is known for being independent, determined, and having a logical, quick, and imaginative mind, but are also known to hate highly structured environments, be overly analytical, and perhaps a bit arrogant or aloof. Gill, the leader of the Tank Gang, shows all of these qualities. His determination and analytical mind are shown in his endless attempts to flee the tank, and he is shown to be distant and reserved, as he is very mysterious and likes to be alone. Finally, the scene where he confesses his mistakes after the escape plan (his arrogance and failure to think of others before doing) to Nemo truly shows that he is an INTJ, because INTJs will do the exact same thing- fail to take others into account and pay for doing so. He shows all the faults and gifts of the INTJ perfectly.
ISFP: Manolo Sanchez- The Book of Life
These are your true artists- sensitive, imaginative, passionate, and well, artistic. Manolo Sanchez embodies all of these things- he is a gifted musician, charming, loving, and has a big heart; willing to go long lengths to do what he loves, express himself, and show his love for others. The ISFP also has faults, in their dislike of tradition, independence, and vulnerability of criticism. Manolo also shows these in his fight against bullfighting and defeat when his father criticizes him. He so perfectly shows the sweet and sensitive side, as well as the tradition-breaking, vulnerable side of the ISFP.
ESFP: Amethyst- Steven Universe
This personality is fun-loving, bold, outgoing, and loving. Under all that they hide poor planning and extreme sensitivity. Amethyst shows all of those traits. She is usually shown to be the most immature of the Crystal Gems, tending to do things her way and joke around instead of acting serious, but when she is victimized or shot-down, her self-esteem goes out the window and she breaks down. She is extremely vulnerable to her less-then-desirable past, and often feels like she isn't good enough for Garnet or Pearl; these parts of her show her sensitivity and turbulence, which as aforementioned, are key traits of the ESFP.
ISTP: Jim Hawkins- Treasure Planet
The ISTP is a known risk-taker, with their spontaneity, intelligence, dislike of rules and tendency to be easily bored. They are also surprising friendly, creative, relaxed, but are also reserved, private, slightly insensitive, and hard to get to know. Jim Hawkins, from Treasure Planet, clearly shows all of these traits- he built a hover board at a young age, and is shown in other ways to be intelligent, but dropped out of school. He has had many run-ins with the police, and is troubled about his father's abandonment. But, throughout all this, and on his journey to find Treasure Planet, he is able to stay calm and collected for the most part, and although he does bond with John Silver, it takes him a while to do so, due to his independence and aloofness. All in all, he shows the faults and strengths of the ISTP.
INTP: L- Death Note
This is a match made in heaven: a type known to be analytical, abstract thinkers, as well as slightly distant, along with a character that is a socially awkward super genius detective. There is not a trait that the INTP has that L does not. Insomniac and withdrawn from society? Check. Logical, original, and imaginative ideas? Check. Genius-level problem solving and a tendency to second-guess themselves? Double check. L is literally the perfect example of the stereotypical INTP.
ENFJ: Mufasa- The Lion King
As natural born leaders, ENFJ's are tolerant, optimistic, kind-hearted, selfless, and responsible. They are seen as wise and often looked up to, and their faults come from an overload of one of the previous qualities. Mufasa is the model leader; kind-hearted and sensitive to others, yet forceful with the rules, wise, and responsible. But, the faults, or strengths, depending on how you look at it, of his ENFJ personality are seen in The Lion King, when he selflessly sacrifices himself for Simba, resulting in his death. Long live the king.
INFP: Belle- Beauty and the Beast
The INFP is the ultimate dreamer; with an active imagination, altruistic personality, and the impression that their head is always in the clouds. Belle is the same way; I mean, her song includes the phrase "with a dreamy far-off look". She and the INFP also share the introverted nature- preferring a book to social interactions, as well as an open mind (the quality that allowed her to bond with the Beast), and a love of harmony (she refuses to let them fight the beast). Belle also shows the negative qualities; she is hard to get to know, impractical, and kind of flighty.
ENTP: Edward Elric- Fullmetal Alchemist
Both Ed and the ENTP are very knowledgeable and intelligent, with logical and quick minds. Ed, to have been able to use alchemy at such a young age would have had to be extraordinarily smart, and he was able to piece together seemingly disconnected pieces of evidence into a supportable idea that turned out to be correct. The ENTP also is argumentative, stubborn, and explosive- all qualities that Ed clearly shows. He will argue to no end to prove a point, and is persistent, fiery, and stubborn when it comes to working with the military. He most certainly has a temper as well- call him short, and you'll see what I mean. Finally, the ENTP and Ed both show their slight insensitivity with their focus on pure logic, not emotion.
ISTJ: Jet Black- Cowboy Bebop
Jet is this personality, except with a developed emotional side, so he doesn't have nearly as many of the negatives as the typical ISTJ would have. Besides for that, he matches perfectly- with a responsible attitude, and a dislike for those who break the established rules, or a hate when that happens, like when Spike is being Spike. But, he is still protective and often actually blames himself- something that is key to the ISTJ. He is calm, collected, honest, and goes by experience; all key qualities of an ISTJ. So while he may not be as insensitive as some ISTJs, Jet is most certainly one. (I couldn't find a dubbed video for this scene, so its subbed).
ESTP: Rainbow Dash- My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
The ESTP is your adventurous, stubborn, free spirit. Rainbow Dash is certainly one of those; she is the most brave, risk-taking, daring, and defiant of the mane six. She and the ESTP also share self-confidence, an in-the-moment personality, loyalty, and are both very energetic. She is also impatient and impulsive, like the ESTP, as well as extremely competitive and confident. She and the ESTP are the ultimate thrill-seekers.
ENTJ: Bill Cipher- Gravity Falls
The ultimate baddy of Gravity Falls, Bill Cipher is an insane, hilarious, outgoing dream demon that is an excellent leader, very arrogant and confident, and manipulative. When the ENTJ is seen as a villain, they are just what Bill is; a mastermind with an army of minions and a self-assured, sarcastic personality. Some people type Bill as a INTJ, the stereotypical villain, but I find him more outgoing and charismatic; he wants to be the ruler of our dimension- by any ways necessary. The -NT- give him an analytical and manipulative edge, and the -J allows him to plan his evil doings in secretive and long-term. He finds people to be dispensable and he is in it for self gain. By and large, Bill is the exact ENTJ villain.
INFJ: Elsa- Frozen
A rare type, the INFJ is a deeply complex persona; being very sensitive and warm, vulnerable to conflict, intuitive, reserved, and in a state of organized chaos. Elsa is the same way; we see her vulnerable side, as well as the broken bits of her repressed personality throughout most of the movie, but as she opens up, she turns into a compassionate and sensitive leader. As an INFJ, she is at war with herself over what she can and cannot do, and what is the best course of action. She cares deeply about her sister, and wants to help her, but trusts her intuition too much and believes she can't. The INFJ also has a creative and insightful side, something that shines when Elsa opens up and resolves her inner conflict. Both the INFJ and Elsa are rare and complex; creating interesting, unique, and special individuals.
ESTJ: Woody- Toy Story
The ESTJ is an organized, loyal, status-orientated individual that is very strong-willed and dedicated. Woody, from Toy Story, shows these qualities. When we first meet him, he is the leader of the toys (a natural position for the ESTJ), and is happy organizing and managing their lives and setting rules for them to live by, in a way that is beneficial to them and himself. Later on, when Andy gets Buzz, Woody becomes overly jealous and strives to become Andy's favorite- by any means necessary- and takes that goal to heart, seeing it through to the end. This is all caused by his undying devotion and loyalty to Andy, and at times this can cause him to be a bit neurotic. These traits are all very common to the ESTJs, and what distinguishes Woody as one.
ISFJ: Cinderella- Cinderella
A protective and kind, but reserved soul, Cinderella and the ISFJ are both reliable, hard-working, and are practical dreamers. You put an ISFJ in a bad situation, like Cinderella, and you will get similar results- resisting that situation quietly and patiently, and taking advantage when an opportunity presents itself. But in a normal situation, they are protective and feel it is their duty to maintain care of others. This can lead them to become a bit passive in a bad situation and leave their suffering to themselves, like Cinderella. All in all, Cinderella and the ISFJ are kind souls that put the needs of others before themselves and are content in the background, away from the limelight.
ESFJ: Maka Albarn- Soul Eater
The stereotypical motherly character, the ESFJ is a protective, nurturing, kind soul that cares deeply for others, is very loyal, and has a strong sense of duty, but at the same time can be too needy and vulnerable to criticism. Maka, a student at the DWMA, is very sociable and friendly, and cares deeply for her friends. She is at the top of her class; fulfilling her duty to turn Soul into a death scythe. She was also able to comfort and connect to Crona when he was in need, a key feature of the ESFJ. Unfortunately, these qualities also make her a bit overbearing at times, turbulent, and when she is criticized she takes it hard. She can also be sacrificial and will put the needs of others before her. Through showing these positive and negative traits, Maka is an ESFJ.
ENFP: Star Butterfly- Star vs. The Forces of Evil
Pick a comic relief character, any character, and chances are they are probably an ENFP. As an ENFP myself, I know what to look for exactly. You need a character that is outgoing, passionate, optimistic, ambitious, enthusiastic, imaginative, confident, and curious, but also a bit flighty, unfocused, talkative, hyperactive, and independent, often with awful practical skills that hates when people micromanage. We tend to be eccentric but well-liked, with a tendency to start ambitious projects and never finish them. In terms of a character that embodies the ENFP, I find that Star Butterfly from Star vs. The Forces of Evil is a good fit. She is friendly, popular, quirky, but always has her head in the clouds, often failing to take the smaller details into account when looking at the big picture or plan ahead, instead working on impulse and spontaneity. These are all qualities that I and other ENFPs possess, and for these reasons, I find that Star Butterfly is an ENFP.
videos/pictures used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIcNI1HO8zA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzvkrIF95nE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTYzjyksE0o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qQ3r2lRwqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDhCrtLP1pE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1bWSYG3zgo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx1MmY1Bb50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikowZCwmx-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH-Ll1wl9L8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGg3u03JPfk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdLq-DEuLeU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9_UyT6mZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXu6lQqhieA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9Zc11RfBw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D589uWWJJzM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG6887dO8sA
Click here for what those 16 different types are and explanations of the letters. Click on the headings for more in-depth looks at each of the personalities. You can take the test here: http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test.
Some characters are extraordinarily easy to type, and represent what those types are in real life. Others are really hard to type, and may be extremes of their type. In this post, I will provide examples of characters that exemplify the various types.
INTJ: Gill- Finding Nemo
ISFP: Manolo Sanchez- The Book of Life
ESFP: Amethyst- Steven Universe
ISTP: Jim Hawkins- Treasure Planet
INTP: L- Death Note
ENFJ: Mufasa- The Lion King
INFP: Belle- Beauty and the Beast
ENTP: Edward Elric- Fullmetal Alchemist
ISTJ: Jet Black- Cowboy Bebop
ESTP: Rainbow Dash- My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
ENTJ: Bill Cipher- Gravity Falls
INFJ: Elsa- Frozen
ESTJ: Woody- Toy Story
ISFJ: Cinderella- Cinderella
ESFJ: Maka Albarn- Soul Eater
ENFP: Star Butterfly- Star vs. The Forces of Evil
videos/pictures used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIcNI1HO8zA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzvkrIF95nE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTYzjyksE0o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qQ3r2lRwqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDhCrtLP1pE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1bWSYG3zgo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx1MmY1Bb50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikowZCwmx-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH-Ll1wl9L8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGg3u03JPfk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdLq-DEuLeU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9_UyT6mZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXu6lQqhieA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9Zc11RfBw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D589uWWJJzM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG6887dO8sA
Cowboy Bebop
Every anime fan has heard of Cowboy Bebop. This critically-acclaimed series is well known for its unique style consisting of elements from film noir, science fiction, and westerns; essentially creating its own genre- something that the show knows and is praised for. It is also known for its storytelling, interesting characters, decent animation, and fantastic, varied soundtrack.
But does the show live up to its hype? In my opinion, it exceeds it. While there are noticeable faults, like the slightly muddy and confusing story and the under-developed villainous Vicious, there are many more things that are good about it than bad.
Like previously mentioned, the show's characters, with the exception of Vicious, are generally well-developed and likable. The main four characters: Spike Speigel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and radical Edward, are all very different, with clashing personalities, complicated back stories, and their own individual insecurities and faults, as well as their own strengths. I guarantee you will love at least one of them, if not all of them. There are also multiple minor characters that only appear in one or two episodes that are equally complex and compelling, especially Gren from the "Jupiter Jazz" sessions (the episodes are called sessions, like in music).
The show also has amazing animation. Although it aired in the late 90's, earlier than many of the 'greats' in anime, it has equally good, if not better, animation. It still holds up today, and is still hailed as having some of the best animation for an anime. Fun fact- the character Spike was purposely animated to appear cooler and more attractive when he fights.
Similar to the genre, the emotions within the show are very diverse, with episodes that break your heart and make you cry, like both "Jupiter Jazz" episodes and "The Real Folk Blues Part 2" alongside laugh-out-loud funny episodes like "Cowboy Funk" and especially "Mushroom Samba" (my personal favorite episode- what's funnier than a dog getting high on mushrooms?). There are also very action-heavy episodes such as "Heavy Metal Queen" and "Pierrot Le Fou", and noir-type episodes like "Black Dog Serenade". Lastly there are parodies of other movies, notably "Toys in the Attic". There's an episode for everyone.
My personal favorite part of the anime is the soundtrack, so good that some people cite the soundtrack as a main reason, even only reason, they watch Cowboy Bebop. The soundtracks are so popular they have been sold as vinyls, sets, and CDs. The music is a variety of instrumental and vocal pieces, with not a single dud on any of its many soundtracks. It consists mostly of jazz music- but from every form of jazz under the rainbow. There are immersing and relaxing smooth jazz pieces, like "Space Lion", slow and sassy blues pieces, sometimes featuring a single instrumental, but other times full band, like "Cosmos", "Spokey Dokey", "Digging My Potato", "Farewell Blues", "Cat Blues", and others. The soundtrack also has blaring, in-your-face swing, with tracks like "Bad Dog No Biscuits", "Rush", "Too Good Too Bad", "Gateway", "Mushroom Hunting", and the show's opening, "Tank!" (video above). Some have western influences, like "Felt Tip Pen", "American Money", and "Go Go Cactus Man". Some tracks are so unique they are almost indescribable, like "Pot City", "Cats on Mars", "The Egg and I", "The Real Man", and "Piano Black". The vocal pieces are also very well done, with the ending theme "The Real Folk Blues" (video below), and the songs "Rain", "Words That We Couldn't Say", "Call Me Call Me", "You Make Me Cool", "Green Bird", "Don't Bother None", and "Blue".
So, the shortened version is Cowboy Bebop is a very diverse show, in terms of characters, emotion, and episodes, and is particularly notable for its animation and soundtrack. It absolutely deserves the undying praise it has, and makes a great starting anime, as well as an all-around good show that can be enjoyed by anyone.
videos used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3fN3OPk3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxUbgEHP2Qg
But does the show live up to its hype? In my opinion, it exceeds it. While there are noticeable faults, like the slightly muddy and confusing story and the under-developed villainous Vicious, there are many more things that are good about it than bad.
Like previously mentioned, the show's characters, with the exception of Vicious, are generally well-developed and likable. The main four characters: Spike Speigel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and radical Edward, are all very different, with clashing personalities, complicated back stories, and their own individual insecurities and faults, as well as their own strengths. I guarantee you will love at least one of them, if not all of them. There are also multiple minor characters that only appear in one or two episodes that are equally complex and compelling, especially Gren from the "Jupiter Jazz" sessions (the episodes are called sessions, like in music).
The show also has amazing animation. Although it aired in the late 90's, earlier than many of the 'greats' in anime, it has equally good, if not better, animation. It still holds up today, and is still hailed as having some of the best animation for an anime. Fun fact- the character Spike was purposely animated to appear cooler and more attractive when he fights.
Similar to the genre, the emotions within the show are very diverse, with episodes that break your heart and make you cry, like both "Jupiter Jazz" episodes and "The Real Folk Blues Part 2" alongside laugh-out-loud funny episodes like "Cowboy Funk" and especially "Mushroom Samba" (my personal favorite episode- what's funnier than a dog getting high on mushrooms?). There are also very action-heavy episodes such as "Heavy Metal Queen" and "Pierrot Le Fou", and noir-type episodes like "Black Dog Serenade". Lastly there are parodies of other movies, notably "Toys in the Attic". There's an episode for everyone.
My personal favorite part of the anime is the soundtrack, so good that some people cite the soundtrack as a main reason, even only reason, they watch Cowboy Bebop. The soundtracks are so popular they have been sold as vinyls, sets, and CDs. The music is a variety of instrumental and vocal pieces, with not a single dud on any of its many soundtracks. It consists mostly of jazz music- but from every form of jazz under the rainbow. There are immersing and relaxing smooth jazz pieces, like "Space Lion", slow and sassy blues pieces, sometimes featuring a single instrumental, but other times full band, like "Cosmos", "Spokey Dokey", "Digging My Potato", "Farewell Blues", "Cat Blues", and others. The soundtrack also has blaring, in-your-face swing, with tracks like "Bad Dog No Biscuits", "Rush", "Too Good Too Bad", "Gateway", "Mushroom Hunting", and the show's opening, "Tank!" (video above). Some have western influences, like "Felt Tip Pen", "American Money", and "Go Go Cactus Man". Some tracks are so unique they are almost indescribable, like "Pot City", "Cats on Mars", "The Egg and I", "The Real Man", and "Piano Black". The vocal pieces are also very well done, with the ending theme "The Real Folk Blues" (video below), and the songs "Rain", "Words That We Couldn't Say", "Call Me Call Me", "You Make Me Cool", "Green Bird", "Don't Bother None", and "Blue".
So, the shortened version is Cowboy Bebop is a very diverse show, in terms of characters, emotion, and episodes, and is particularly notable for its animation and soundtrack. It absolutely deserves the undying praise it has, and makes a great starting anime, as well as an all-around good show that can be enjoyed by anyone.
videos used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3fN3OPk3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxUbgEHP2Qg
Adult Swim
One usually thinks of animation as something just for children, but there is an entire set of shows and sometimes movies that are specifically designed for adults, often in the form of animated sitcoms. Most of these air on adult swim, but can air elsewhere. These can be altered for adults in many ways; most notably in their content. They will include sexual content, not just innuendos, excessive violence/gore, and black comedy; all of which are inappropriate for children but that adults tend to like.
The most famous of these shows are South Park, Futurama, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Robot Chicken, Rick and Morty, and The Simpsons. While these are of varying degrees of inappropriateness, there is no denying that they have become very popular and influential. They have helped to broaden the animation industry and have had a huge effect on popular culture as well, with shows like The Simpsons being one of the longest-running shows and instantly recognizable.
In my opinion, these shows are often stupid- not taking themselves seriously or having jokes, that while I may consider them stupid, are found funny in society. They also often have sub-par animation, with the focus being on the content and not the way it is presented. There can be shows like these that are funny and well-written (most of the shows listed are decent), like Rick and Morty, but even then the good elements take a backseat to the adult content.
Another bad thing is that sometimes kids will watch them way too early. They air on Cartoon Network and are pretty easy to access, so many kids will watch them and have their minds corrupted of content that their parents would find undesirable. Elementary school kids should not be watching Family Guy.
In terms of broadening the audience, while adult swim cartoons are appealing to adults, they are not of as good quality as some currently airing shows or movies designed for younger audiences, such as Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time. If adults were to watch some of those shows and keep an open mind, they might find that the characters, animation, writing, and plots are well-done and far more superior, but since they are quote on quote "just for kids" they often take a backseat to adult swim.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
YouTuber Recommendations
There are certainly a lot of channels on YouTube, and while they are diverse and random, there is a community of animation-obssesed vloggers (video bloggers) that provide things like theories, reviews, recommendations, facts, and more.
SuperCarlinBrothers
This channel is great for people who like Pixar movies. They have theories and facts related to the Pixar movies, and are always extremely enthusiastic about Pixar in general. Their videos and theories will make you think and want to watch the movies in a way you have never watched before. The one bad thing is that the only animation-related thing they really do is about Pixar, but they do that one thing really well. Also, they have other interesting videos, such as their Google auto-fill videos, which are always hilarious, and they have the best socks ever.
Click here for a link to the channel
TREY the Explainer
This channel has a lot of theories about dinosaurs and other science-related videos, but there are also a couple really good videos about cartoons, particularly Over the Garden Wall and Gravity Falls. Those videos he has about them are very-well done and interesting, and include things that you might have missed while watching them as well as compelling theories about a mysterious thing within the show. So for those of you that like science and theories, this channel is for you.
Click here for a link to the channel
LewToons
This channel has everything you would ever want about cartoons, including a host that absolutely loves cartoons as well. A lot of the show is countdowns, all focusing on cartoons, but the channel also has videos about theories and facts as well. The best thing about the channel is that you can tell the host is passionate about what they are talking about, so it makes it more fun to listen to him and geek-out with him as well.
Click here for a link to the channel
TheMysteriousMrEnter
This channel has a lot of stuff on My Little Pony but is more well-known- and well-liked, for the two series he has called "Animated Atrocities" and "Admirable Animation", in which he reviews various episodes, and sometimes movies, that he considers to either be amazing or really bad. He points out those cartoons, and either shuns them or praises them appropiately. The thing that makes this channel good is that the episodes/movies that he has in either catergory almost always fit their respective catergory. This channel is great for those who like to take animated movies/cartoons episodes critically.
Click here for a link to the channel
ChannelFrederator
This channel is very large and has a wide variety of videos that are all pretty good. Their videos about animation include 107 facts videos, cartoon conspiracies, and various other videos. This channel is good because of the interesting ideas they bring up and little facts to watch for that they feature in the 107 facts videos. All in all, this channel is great for people who love to learn random and totally useless facts.
Click here for a link to the channel.
Vailskibum94
This channel is the go-to for the Gravity Falls fandom when they want their various questions answered about the cryptic and puzzling show. The fandom for Gravity Falls loves decoding the show and theorizing about it, so what better than a channel entirely devoted to it? For all Gravity Falls fans out there that like to over-analyze and geek out, this is the perfect channel for you.
Click here for a link to the channel
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Character Analysis: Wilt
This post will contain spoilers for the episode "Good Wilt Hunting" of Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends.
Wilt is a central character on Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, a cartoon show that aired on Cartoon Network in the early 21st century. He is tall, red, and missing his left arm, yet still extremely apologetic, caring, and helpful. He is easily my favorite character in this show.
This character was obviously designed to make him a sympathetic character, and it is very well done in that regard. His back story is purposely sad and depressing- making us feel bad for him when he loses that basketball game. We see him reach the very lowest; running away from his creator Jordan Michaels (obviously Michael Jordan) after being injured- the same injuries that will later cost him the use of his left eye and most of his left am. It is due to this depressing back story that he is secretive and aversive when it comes to talking about his creator- he believes he let him down, and that make him such a good subject for hurt/comfort fanfiction.
Yet this bad back story doesn't interfere with his personality, and he faces each day with a smile on his face and a kind, open heart. It is this infectious, lovable personality, coupled with his trauma and the fact that he is adorkable that make Wilt my favorite character. I mean, he was going to get revenge but just got sidetracked doing good deeds for others, showing that he is super selfless and helpful, even when it does no good to him.
Even more amazing is his sacrifice for Jordan, he creator. When Jordan was about to be crushed by Foul Larry, a gargantuan, basketball themed imaginary friend, he jumped into action and pushed Jordan out of the way, resulting in his arm being crushed and his eye destroyed- causing the aforementioned physical ailments.
Compared to the rest of the characters, Wilt is the most complex and likable. Bloo can be too much of a jerk, Eduardo is not the most complex character, Coco is impossible to understand, Cheese is just plain annoying, and Mac is a bit too generic of a character. Meanwhile, Wilt is sane, helpful, and athletic (he was created to teach, and is ridiculously good at, basketball). Plus, he is one of the only cartoon (not anime or movie) characters I can think of who is missing a limb- which just makes him more compelling. All in all, he is a kind soul.
Also, I ship him with Frankie so hard! (They are so cute together!)
videos:
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/fhif/images/d/d7/Wilt.png/revision/latest?cb=20140616022015
Wilt is a central character on Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, a cartoon show that aired on Cartoon Network in the early 21st century. He is tall, red, and missing his left arm, yet still extremely apologetic, caring, and helpful. He is easily my favorite character in this show.
This character was obviously designed to make him a sympathetic character, and it is very well done in that regard. His back story is purposely sad and depressing- making us feel bad for him when he loses that basketball game. We see him reach the very lowest; running away from his creator Jordan Michaels (obviously Michael Jordan) after being injured- the same injuries that will later cost him the use of his left eye and most of his left am. It is due to this depressing back story that he is secretive and aversive when it comes to talking about his creator- he believes he let him down, and that make him such a good subject for hurt/comfort fanfiction.Yet this bad back story doesn't interfere with his personality, and he faces each day with a smile on his face and a kind, open heart. It is this infectious, lovable personality, coupled with his trauma and the fact that he is adorkable that make Wilt my favorite character. I mean, he was going to get revenge but just got sidetracked doing good deeds for others, showing that he is super selfless and helpful, even when it does no good to him.
Even more amazing is his sacrifice for Jordan, he creator. When Jordan was about to be crushed by Foul Larry, a gargantuan, basketball themed imaginary friend, he jumped into action and pushed Jordan out of the way, resulting in his arm being crushed and his eye destroyed- causing the aforementioned physical ailments.
Compared to the rest of the characters, Wilt is the most complex and likable. Bloo can be too much of a jerk, Eduardo is not the most complex character, Coco is impossible to understand, Cheese is just plain annoying, and Mac is a bit too generic of a character. Meanwhile, Wilt is sane, helpful, and athletic (he was created to teach, and is ridiculously good at, basketball). Plus, he is one of the only cartoon (not anime or movie) characters I can think of who is missing a limb- which just makes him more compelling. All in all, he is a kind soul.
Also, I ship him with Frankie so hard! (They are so cute together!)
videos:
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/fhif/images/d/d7/Wilt.png/revision/latest?cb=20140616022015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Tear-jerking Moments
This will contain spoilers for the movies/shows being discussed, since most of these will be character deaths.
Anime
Anime, or Japanese animation, comes in many genres and styles, and while some of these feature kick-butt action or adorable romance, nearly all have at least one depressing scene. These usually involve a character death or sad premise.Cartoons
It's hard to find sad moments in western animated shows, since they are very hesitant to kill a character. But, there are multiple other smaller scenes that are tug at your heartstrings. One of the shows that does this the most is Steven Universe. Within this show, there are many sad moments due to the characters and their confessions to each other. It does a really good job portraying their characters as humane and vulnerable, and that applies to just about every character. The character where this is especially true is Pearl. Pearl, who was basically Rose's bodyguard, is very insecure about her death and Steven's creation- although it is clear she loves Steven. This leads to complicated emotions and touching scenes between her and Steven.
The nature of the relationship between Steven and Rose is equally bittersweet. Rose, a benevolent and loving Crystal Gem, gave her life to create Steven. As a result, they have never met, and Steven only knows of her through other's descriptions and memories. That is, until he finds a video tape that Rose made recording how she fell in love with Greg (Steven's father) and the two had a child. It is a touching scene- it is Steven basically "meeting" his mom. The scene is personal, and it helps illustrate the innocence of Steven and the message of the show; love.
Animated Movies
There are so many sad animated movies, we'd be here all day if I listed them all. Instead, I will sort this into Disney/Pixar and movies not made by Disney/Pixar.
Movies not made by Disney or Pixar
The saddest movies in this category would have to be Grave of the Fireflies, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Iron Giant, and The Land Before Time. Grave of the Fireflies was a movie about WWII that was just depressing the entire time. The Iron Giant and The Land Before Time have shocking and sad deaths that have really defined their respective movies, but besides for those deaths (The Giant's sacrifice and the death of Littlefoot's mother) the rest of the movies are fairly light-hearted. This is bias speaking, but of those movies, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is the saddest.
This might just be my complete obsession with the franchise, but I bawled like a baby when I saw How to Train Your Dragon 2. There is one scene (sort of two) that clearly stands out as being the saddest, and that would be the death of Stoick the Vast- Chief of Berk, wife of Valka, and father of Hiccup. What makes this death so unbearably sad is the circumstances under which Stoick died. We had spent the entirety of the first movie and t.v. show watching Stoick change his heart about dragons, and go from actively killing them to trusting and befriending them. To then watch this trust unravel as he is killed by none other than Toothless is really shocking. Toothless, who was being brainwashed by the alpha, actually at first attempts to kill Hiccup, his best friend. Stoick then saves Hiccup's life by taking a bullet for him and sacrificing himself to save him. What's worse, it was when we had just seen the long-lost family reunite. The movie itself really helps make this scene even worse by showing Toothless as unknowing of the sorrow he had caused, and Hiccup push him away. We then get the Viking ship burial, set to an absolutely gorgeous piece of music, "Stoick's Ship", as Hiccup fires the arrow and burns the ship. It is heartfelt and shows that this death is permanent.
Disney/Pixar Movies
These two companies just may be the kings of tear-your-heart-out-unbearably-sad movie moments.Disney
- The Lion King- Mufasa's Death. This scene is so recognizable and known for its profound impact on moviegoers, and is still considered to be one of, if not the saddest death in all of Disney. What really makes it sad is Simba's desperate plea for help and not even the chance to say goodbye.
- Dumbo- "Baby Mine". While it's true his mom doesn't die, this scene is heartbreaking due to the fact that they are being separated- especially when you consider she was protecting Dumbo and Dumbo is so young.
- Big Hero 6- Too many scenes to count! This newer movie has at least three separate moments that will get the waterworks started- Tadashi's death, the videos Tadashi made when prototyping Baymax, and Baymax's Iron Giant-esque sacrifice at the end of the movie. The reason these scenes are so sad is because Tadashi and Hiro are parent less, so when Tadashi dies, Hiro essentially has no immediate family left. This extends into his research, which is why Hiro is so upset when Baymax dies- Baymax was a little part of Tadashi he still had. This same reason is why the video scene is so emotional- much like the video of Steven's mother, it shows the relationship in a different fashion.
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame is another really sad movie that is sad due to the premise of the movie. This is especially true during "God Help the Outcasts"- a scene that is sad due to its beautiful message about helping those less fortunate than you.
Pixar
- Inside Out- THE ENTIRE MOVIE. This whole movie was just an emotional roller coaster that I counted crying four different times for. The biggest ones come at the end of the movie; when Joy is viewing the memory orbs, Bing Bong's death, and when Riley returns after running away. These scenes are so sad because they show the boundaries of the human personalities and what it is like when your entire world comes crashing down. It also reminds us how fragile we and are childhoods are; teaching us that they will inevitably end.
- Up- Ah, the infamous opening scene. This scene is known for being just utterly heartbreaking and tear-jerking. The reason why would be is that we rarely ever see old age in animation, so when it is explored like it is in "Married Life", especially when you consider Carl and Ellie never got to live out their childhood dream, you get a memorable, sad scene, Not to be overlooked, the rest of the movie has merit in terms of making you cry as well; in the scenes "Stuff We Did" and "The Ellie Badge"- really any scene in the movie that involves Ellie. In my opinion, "Stuff We Did" is the saddest, since we get to see more of their life through Ellie's lens, which adds a layer of emotion to the already emotional core.
- Monsters, Inc.- This movie, while nobody dies, is still famous for its ending, in which Sulley must say goodbye to Boo, and we see the relationship end. It is particularly bad when Boo opens back up the door only to find her closet, and learns that goodbyes will be forever.
- Toy Story 3 is mostly famous for its sad ending, when Andy gives his toys to Bonnie, but I believe that an earlier scene is sadder- the trash incinerator scene. There is no dialogue needed- the music and the toys' expressions say it all: that they know their time has come, and there is no way out. So, in an action that always makes me cry, they join hands and accept their fate together.
Toy Story 2- "When She Loved Me"
Finding Nemo- "Nemo Egg"
WALL-E- "Fixing WALL-E"
Brave- "We've Both Changed"
videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwXg6eYf66w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7vnVAghBs8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS9bQNS6Q8k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7OgeB00ubo&list=PL8Y14NIvJGJM4LPIsoyoHTEC9DnU_aIQw&index=12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcIdajJJZQU&index=17&list=PL8Y14NIvJGJM4LPIsoyoHTEC9DnU_aIQw
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Cartoon Physics
Anybody who has seen a cartoon knows that they tend to break the laws of physics quite a bit. They tend to follow the same pattern of what impossibilities they use, as such, a system has been devised according to these tendencies, which has been dubbed 'cartoon physics'.
The overlying difference between normal physics and cartoon physics is that cartoon physics are subjective and preferential- they change depending on the circumstances or the person creating the cartoon, meanwhile, normal physics are objective and referential- they can't be changed from thing to thing.
Cartoon physics are applied as an artistic license, and are most commonly used for comedic effect. There are some aspects that are extremely common and absolutely hilarious, and that is what I will be discussing.
One of the most frequently-seen properties of cartoon physics is that a character can only be affected by gravity after they notice they should be subject to it. In other words, a character can only fall after they see that the ground isn't under their feet. This is seen a lot in chase scenes, especially with the "bad guy", and is always played for slapstick purposes. The champion of this law, as well as a few others, are Wille E. Coyote and Roadrunner, whose creator even has a set of these "laws" that the animation has to follow. This famous duo is well-known for their antics involving Coyote's consistent failed attempts to catch Roadrunner. These misdoings almost always involve Coyote running off a cliff after Roadrunner, being suspended in air, then falling after he realizes it. This cliche also applies in the sense that a character is able to move midair and grab a much higher ledge. This application was seen in Disney's Peter Pan, when Hook realizes he is midair then moves upward while midair to hook onto the ledge.
Another common law of cartoons is that a street will be totally void of traffic until they step out onto it. This is similar to something that affects, or won't work, for only one character; every other character can use it or is unaffected. This will often be in the form of a running gag. These include the fat man from Lilo and Stich who just can't seem to eat his mint-chip ice cream and George from Monsters, Inc., the orange, fuzzy one-horned monster who always comes into contact with human artifacts.
There are also common tendencies in anime that are different from western animation. The most common, and one of the main defining features of the art form, include over-the-top facial expressions and a different, cuter form of character design all together, known as chibi, whenever it is trying to be funny. The characters will become grossly simplified and adorable, and their faces will include certain mood-specific qualities, such as a single tear of sweat for nervousness, sharp teeth for anger/insanity, and a nosebleed for guys who find a girl attractive or occasionally when they are shocked. (If you want an example of this, just watch Soul Eater, that anime goes particularly over-the-top and at some point or another captures all of the expressions anime is known for).
A common tendency that is seen in western and eastern animation, as well as in live-action, is the fact that the "bad guys" will have the absolute worse aim. This has been affectionately named "The Stormtrooper Effect", due to the Stormtroopers in the Star Wars franchise being completely incompetent and unable to accurately hit anything, meanwhile the "good guys", even if they have never fired a gun before, will be able to hit everything perfectly.
The main reason these tendencies occur is that they are found to be funny and have sort of become a key feature of either western or eastern animation. It is part of the fun of watching a cartoon- since those things can't happen in real life.
videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB8pCopxGXo
pictures:
http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/roadrunner-590x330.jpg
The overlying difference between normal physics and cartoon physics is that cartoon physics are subjective and preferential- they change depending on the circumstances or the person creating the cartoon, meanwhile, normal physics are objective and referential- they can't be changed from thing to thing.
Cartoon physics are applied as an artistic license, and are most commonly used for comedic effect. There are some aspects that are extremely common and absolutely hilarious, and that is what I will be discussing.
One of the most frequently-seen properties of cartoon physics is that a character can only be affected by gravity after they notice they should be subject to it. In other words, a character can only fall after they see that the ground isn't under their feet. This is seen a lot in chase scenes, especially with the "bad guy", and is always played for slapstick purposes. The champion of this law, as well as a few others, are Wille E. Coyote and Roadrunner, whose creator even has a set of these "laws" that the animation has to follow. This famous duo is well-known for their antics involving Coyote's consistent failed attempts to catch Roadrunner. These misdoings almost always involve Coyote running off a cliff after Roadrunner, being suspended in air, then falling after he realizes it. This cliche also applies in the sense that a character is able to move midair and grab a much higher ledge. This application was seen in Disney's Peter Pan, when Hook realizes he is midair then moves upward while midair to hook onto the ledge.
There are also common tendencies in anime that are different from western animation. The most common, and one of the main defining features of the art form, include over-the-top facial expressions and a different, cuter form of character design all together, known as chibi, whenever it is trying to be funny. The characters will become grossly simplified and adorable, and their faces will include certain mood-specific qualities, such as a single tear of sweat for nervousness, sharp teeth for anger/insanity, and a nosebleed for guys who find a girl attractive or occasionally when they are shocked. (If you want an example of this, just watch Soul Eater, that anime goes particularly over-the-top and at some point or another captures all of the expressions anime is known for).
A common tendency that is seen in western and eastern animation, as well as in live-action, is the fact that the "bad guys" will have the absolute worse aim. This has been affectionately named "The Stormtrooper Effect", due to the Stormtroopers in the Star Wars franchise being completely incompetent and unable to accurately hit anything, meanwhile the "good guys", even if they have never fired a gun before, will be able to hit everything perfectly.
The main reason these tendencies occur is that they are found to be funny and have sort of become a key feature of either western or eastern animation. It is part of the fun of watching a cartoon- since those things can't happen in real life.
videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB8pCopxGXo
pictures:
http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/roadrunner-590x330.jpg
Disney Princesses and Feminism
Every little girl loves princesses, and none are more famous than those from Disney. What little girl hasn't heard of Cinderella? While society may dismiss Disney princess movies as childish and not-serious, I believe that there are some underlying themes regarding feminism that should be addressed.
There are currently eleven members of the official Disney princess lineup, including Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida. For this post, I will also be including Anna and Elsa of Disney's Frozen.
In the very beginning, during the times of "classic" Disney, the Disney princesses included Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora. This is where I have the most issue regarding femininity. In their respective movies, especially Snow White and Aurora, these princesses are portrayed as motherly and fragile; almost waiting for the prince to save them. Instead of taking initiative, Snow White and Aurora are unconscious and completely depend on the men to save them. This shows young girls that they need a man to save them- that they are unable to save themselves. Cinderella improves this by actually having her take the action and be developed as a character; but she is still shown as the 'ideal' woman- a housewife.
Moving on to the Disney Renaissance, we have Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan. This is where we see Disney try to fix what was clearly wrong with the previous films; they actually flesh out these characters and turn them into the heroines of their respective movies- becoming more empowering as the films advance in time (they are listed in order of the release of their movies), eventually leading to Mulan, who may be one of the most empowered young women of all pop culture.
Mulan was special in that she was the first Disney princess to challenge the gender roles and break that stereotype. She dresses as a man, fights for the men she cares about (her father, but later Shang), and perseveres to accomplish anything, even if the odds are stacked against her. She continues the 'saving the man' idea that Pocahontas started (props for Pocahontas) and all-in-all shows society what a women can do.
The most recent Disney princesses, using Pocahontas and Mulan as examples, are excellent role models; a huge step up from their classic predecessors. Rapunzel from Tangled is brimming with personality and energy- in a way that makes her a lot like young girls. She is also creative and outgoing, both excellent traits to possess, and she won't let Mother Gothel control her- taking action against her and standing up for Flynn and herself. She even gets the benefit of saving the man.
Tiana, the protagonist of "The Princess and the Frog", is possibly the best role model of all of the Disney princesses. She, unlike the other princesses, believes that the only way to accomplish your dreams is through hard work and perseverance. Her dreams of opening a flourishing restaurant are only realized after she works hard for them. She even criticizes Naveen for not working, and inspires him to do so. She shows that through hard work, even the poorest of the poor can achieve their dreams.
Merida is about the most stubborn character I have ever seen in a movie. She won't let people tell her what to do, or how to act, or who to marry. One might say her life motto is 'I'm an independent women who don't need no man'. In fact, she is one of the only Disney princesses who aren't married. Instead, she lives life as she sees fit and marches to the beat of her own drum. She is a great influence on young girls, teaching them to be strong and independent.
Lastly, Anna and Elsa of Frozen are also good characters. Anna is very similar to Rapunzel, but gets props for punching Hans in the face when he was a jerk. Elsa, on the other hand, is very unique and realistic in her portrayal of insecurity. Everyone has their fears, their insecurities, their battles- but it is those that overcome them that are truly strong. Elsa shows this in Frozen. Also, she has no plot involving a romantic relationship with a man, and she even prevents Anna from marrying too early. While Frozen may not directly be testing cultural limits like Pocahontas, Mulan, or Brave did, it did portray women in a position of strength and independence, and that is what little girls need to see.
The reason why the movies are like this most likely stems from the time at which they were released. Women in history were almost always inferior to men, and as the years go on, that has changed, even in the smaller year differences, like the hundred-year time frame these Disney movies are situated in. As society changed, the movies changed, so as women became more independent and empowered, Disney princesses did the same.
videos used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHR9wOv3hJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWXWwA3XoQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIFWjLYNWA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk
Mulan was special in that she was the first Disney princess to challenge the gender roles and break that stereotype. She dresses as a man, fights for the men she cares about (her father, but later Shang), and perseveres to accomplish anything, even if the odds are stacked against her. She continues the 'saving the man' idea that Pocahontas started (props for Pocahontas) and all-in-all shows society what a women can do.
Tiana, the protagonist of "The Princess and the Frog", is possibly the best role model of all of the Disney princesses. She, unlike the other princesses, believes that the only way to accomplish your dreams is through hard work and perseverance. Her dreams of opening a flourishing restaurant are only realized after she works hard for them. She even criticizes Naveen for not working, and inspires him to do so. She shows that through hard work, even the poorest of the poor can achieve their dreams.
Merida is about the most stubborn character I have ever seen in a movie. She won't let people tell her what to do, or how to act, or who to marry. One might say her life motto is 'I'm an independent women who don't need no man'. In fact, she is one of the only Disney princesses who aren't married. Instead, she lives life as she sees fit and marches to the beat of her own drum. She is a great influence on young girls, teaching them to be strong and independent.
Lastly, Anna and Elsa of Frozen are also good characters. Anna is very similar to Rapunzel, but gets props for punching Hans in the face when he was a jerk. Elsa, on the other hand, is very unique and realistic in her portrayal of insecurity. Everyone has their fears, their insecurities, their battles- but it is those that overcome them that are truly strong. Elsa shows this in Frozen. Also, she has no plot involving a romantic relationship with a man, and she even prevents Anna from marrying too early. While Frozen may not directly be testing cultural limits like Pocahontas, Mulan, or Brave did, it did portray women in a position of strength and independence, and that is what little girls need to see.
The reason why the movies are like this most likely stems from the time at which they were released. Women in history were almost always inferior to men, and as the years go on, that has changed, even in the smaller year differences, like the hundred-year time frame these Disney movies are situated in. As society changed, the movies changed, so as women became more independent and empowered, Disney princesses did the same.
videos used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHR9wOv3hJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWXWwA3XoQo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIFWjLYNWA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk
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