Sunday, December 20, 2015

Fanfiction.

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/

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.

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.

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

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

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"- Up
 Get 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 Pooh
Friendship 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 Incredibles 
By 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 Nemo
It'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 Beast
Don'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 Frog 
Alas, 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. 



ENTPEdward 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



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

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.