Destroy All Podcasts DX Episode 13 - Cultural Literacy (MOE RULES!)

Greetings Jeremy, Josh, and Andrew

this is Rodimus78,

I apologize for not leaving any feedbacks lately in the past few months. It's nothing personal I assure you. I still listen to your podcasts whenever I have the chance. It's just that I've been busy with other things, and I wasn't sure what I kind feedback that I want to leave you with. I didn't want to write anything stupid or something generic or some bogus rhetoric that are wastes of time. I’ve noticed Andrew getting ticked off from these weak-minded Robotech fans preaching their euphoric love for Robotech; a show that did more harm than good.

But now I do have something to say. I am very saddened if not surprised that no one has given you feedback on this special episode. I think this is the most interesting, but thought-provoking topic that is worth saying, so I'll leave one for you.

I want to say that this is one of my personal favorite episodes ever. I had never heard any anime podcasts who had brought up a subject like this before. I must say, it's about time that somebody else did. I want to commend to you and Josh personally for expressing concerns of what's happening in Japanese pop culture as well as American pop culture.

You're right, this is an unusual episode. I think what I've found most odd about this podcast technically has to do with the sound. I've noticed that volume is too high in your broadcast. It makes it sound like you and Josh are talking at a live comic-con audience, sitting next to the table w/ huge, tall boomboxes right behind you. We're you really talking at a live audience?

To tell you the truth, I got so much that I want to say about this topic. I’m not sure where to begin with this statement, but I’m tired of hesitating so I’ll just bite the bullet on this one.

I do share your concerns with this bizarre cultural phenomenon on the moe/lolicon movement that’s been accumulating the national Otaku lifestyle in Japan if not the whole country. I honestly have no idea that this sort of thing has gone fanatically mainstream in Japan. I thought it was just a typical but rare appeal that applies only in a standard subculture. I understand that Hayao Miyazaki heavily criticized this movement. I strongly agree with him when he said that this fetishization constantly distorts the ideal role model of a strong, youthful female heroine. I don’t often see Anime with underage girls as superheroes. I just shiver to see someone like Sailor Moon to be the subject of BSDM fantasy which seems not to bother anybody. Seeing a hentai version of Sailor Moon is just ‘jumping the shark’.

I also want to say that it took guts for a podcast like this one to express this kind of issue on the internet. You’ve got more spunk than those fanboy maggots. I betcha you even eat maggots for appetizers. I deeply commend you people for it. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you would do some more like this in the near future. I’m just disappointed that this episode didn’t last a little longer as it should’ve been. You’ve mentioned a little bit about Transformers in the 2nd act of the podcast. I was a little disappointed that you didn’t mention the very fact that the TF franchise has ‘jumped the shark’ with a KISS. It’s true that it jumped so many times by these pretentious fads that toy corps often do so to cash in on some rival product hype; I mean Hasbro has done that in the years, but I’m not going to leave Takara/Tomy off the hook as well. I am a loyal fan of their Binatech line of toys especially the Masterpiece series. Everything turned fine until the company tampered with a hit product. I was very, very aggravated if not stunned that Takara/Tomy has jumped the shark when they brought out these Binaltech KISS Players back in 2006 I think. The new line had our favorite TFs partnered with these erotic underaged girls with their panties flashing. I’ve seen this on TFormers.com and I was like……WTF is this crap? I this some kind of a sick joke?

I had never seen them doing something like that before. To me it was just inappropriate and out of character. It was as awkward as that live-action TF flick. I couldn’t fathom the reason for this nonsense as much as I could until I’ve heard this podcast. That sort of thing just dilutes its meaning. Just to be logical, it would’ve been most sufficient if Takara/Tomy simply upgrade their Binaltech toys by going back to its roots. Why not just call it Binaltech Diaclone featuring the Autobots/Cybertrons with Diaclone-like drivers? That would’ve been a Transfan’s dream come true. Not to mention having TFs with G.I. Joe characters as the pilots. I thought the emphasis of a mecha anime is to promote the binomial fusion of the warrior and the machine; it’s not supposed to embrace flesh over metal. It’s no wonder that Binaltech got cancelled for that stunt. It’s a miracle it got reissued.

The reason that I have brought up this issue is simply because I have notice the Binaltech KISS Player picture that you’ve posted on this episode from you website. I was hoping that you would add this issue with you discussion. That’s why I’ve brought it up.

One more thing, I also want thank you for introducing Polysics to newbies like me. I’ve listened to their music and watched their videos and I think their music is great. I’ve seen the ‘I My Me Mine’ video in both versions, and I think the 1st version is better than the 2nd version because I’ve found it artistic and freshly colorful. I didn’t like the 2nd version anyway on the fact that it deploys flash over substance. Don’t get me wrong, I think Strong Machine2 is a talented and innovative dancer, but I felt that placing her as the focus of attention makes it treat Polysics like broccoli, and we all know kids hate broccoli. That’s why they overflow the broccoli with cheese. Again that’s another example of jumping the shark with a kiss. Anyway, I’m not comfortable with it because it’s obviously made to attract the lolicon/moe hype in which I find ill at ease. Besides that, you’ve played one of their music at the end of this episode. I think that song is groovy and hypnotic; it makes me think of go-go girls dancing on the top of my table. I’ve been looking for the name of that song, but I had bad luck finding the name of that beat. Could you tell me the name of the song? I like to dance with the go-go babes again.

Sincerely,

Rodimus78

PS: on the 2nd act of the episode, you’ve reminiscence the circumstances of the Jetfire toy being redesigned as Skyfire to appear in the TFs show back in the day. From what I understand, Jetfire did appear in the commercial in an animated segment fighting Shockwave. If Hasbro got so concerned over a legal issue by not having Jetfire to appear in the TV show, then why did they have robot to appear in the animated commercial, and didn’t get sued by Bandai or Harmony Gold for it?

Oh and Josh, I really like your recenty review of the MOSPEADA toy designed by CM Corp. You're right, they do suck. I believe I'll go purchase a Yamato Garland toy instead.

http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Kiss_Players_(franchise)
http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Shaoshao_Li

Why does TF KISS Players and the Bay Movie get to be made and not a cool Sci-Fi war story with substance...

Ach Ja MOE and lolicon is getting out of hand... aside from the other problems Japan has...

Oh yeah http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Atari_Hitotonari

* According to the series writer, Atari was originally going to be an elementary school student. However, Takara objected, pointing out that an elementary school student would not be legally eligible for a driver's license.

* Yes, you read that correctly.

"From behind, From the back?!" Jeremiah - Code Geass
? Quite deficiency ? *Avatar from Xeno-striker (DeviantArt)

- StormBringer_Jetfire

Hello Jermey,

I know that this topic happens to be old hat from now but I came back to this episode for the 24th time due to my curiosity. That and the very fact this is one of my favorite episodes.

You've said that you've met Polysics @ one of their concerts & talked to them for a fair amount of time.

May I ask what did you talk to them about? Did you ask them about Strong Machine 11's instant popularity? Did it bother them that the record producers/sponsors wanted to focus on her over their band? Did you talk to Strong Machine 11?

I mean did you ask them about their opinions to this moe/lolicon movement that's been occupying in Japanese society of where they are so to speak?

I'm curious to wonder.

One more thing, is it alright if I ask you what's the name of the song that you've played at the end of this episode? I'm sort of having a hard time looking for it. I know it's not 'I-mine-mini-mine'...is it? Any information you can provide would be most helpful.

-R78