Cultural Affairs Agency - Entertainment Poll Results

[Airth]

The Cultural Affairs Agency recently published the results of their poll to determine the most popular entertainment titles of the last 50 years. I realised I must be getting old when I didn't recognise any of the current top rated cultural products. For example, under the 'entertainment' heading, starting from the fifties up to the present day, they list Godzilla, Game of Life, Othello, Super Mario Brothers, Final Fantasy VII (so far so good) - then Yawaraka Sensha - eh? Never heard of it. A quick Google search led me to a strange flash animation series on the Livedoor website: http://anime.livedoor.com/yawaraka/

I had the same problem with the anime list - The White Snake Enchantress, Astro Boy, Mobile Suit Gundam, Nausicaa, Neon Genesis Evangelion (so far so good) - then Mushishi - eh? What's that? I think in this case I really am just out of touch. Here's a link if you're interested: http://avexmovie.jp/lineup/mushishi/index.html

I was getting right out of my depth when it came to manga - The Phoenix, Doraemon, Black Jack, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Slamdunk, and the current favourite Fullmetal Alchemist - http://gangan.square-enix.co.jp/hagaren/

Incidentally, and surprisingly for me, the one title that gained the most votes was the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion - http://www.gainax.co.jp/anime/eva/ - Everyone I've spoken to appreciates it, but I can't actually find anyone who particularly likes it. Personally, I've never seen it so I can't comment.

Finally, the art category was topped by Taro Okamoto's "Tower of the Sun" -
http://park12.wakwak.com/~eggplant/200206091l.jpg.
Has anyone ever had a chance to see it?

[tiroth2]

Personally, I can't see what the big deal is with Evangelion. It seems like a typical, somewhat juvenile, series.

My guess is Mushisi was rated highly simply because it was very popular and very recent, so lots of people voted for it.

I think both these picks illustrate that most popular doesn't necessarily translate into highest quality.

[Bueller_007]

I've seen the Tower of the Sun.

It's in Northern Osaka.

As I recall, it was created for the World Expo that they had here in 1970 or something. I forget the symbolism.

As for the rest of your list, I'm in the same boat as you. Never heard of Yawaraka Sensha, The White Snake Enchantress, Mushishi, The Phoenix, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure or Slamdunk.

[Airth]

I think both these picks illustrate that most popular doesn't necessarily translate into highest quality.

Right. Most of the people I've asked would seem to agree with you. Everyone describes Evangelion as difficult, which I'm beginning to think may actually mean tedious.

As for the rest of your list, I'm in the same boat as you. Never heard of Yawaraka Sensha, The White Snake Enchantress, Mushishi, The Phoenix, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure or Slamdunk.

I've often felt there is some kind of obligation to get into manga and anime if you are interested in Japan. I've also thought that it could be a good way to develop my colloquial Japanese. But to be honest, it just doesn't do anything for me. Absolutely nothing at all.

[Jason]

I think both these picks illustrate that most popular doesn't necessarily translate into highest quality.

See also: the entire American mainstream music industry.

I've seen a little bit of Evangellion. It wasn't bad but netiher was I inspired to shout "ZOMG! THE GREATEST!"

[Bueller_007]

Me neither. I do enjoy that short kids' cartoon on BS2 called "Nanami-chan" or something. But there's virtually no talking and it's only 3-4 minutes long. Anything more than that and I lose interest.