Replies to mushi, page 234
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@mushi In that scene, the way a fully clothed character is perceived is based on her own intention. The show is not fetishizing characters for the sake of objectification; it’s providing a lens that’s crucial to the tone of any given scene. This kind of insight into the thought patterns of a character as well as the development of a show’s theme and atmosphere is a far cry from how “fanservice” is defined earlier. To simply pigeon hole it as mindless perversion is missing the entire point, and is generally a thoughtless accusation levelled at a misunderstood series.
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@mushi Everything from the clothing and direction as mentioned before to even the colouring of the scene (showcasing lots of warm oranges and magenta) is important. The use of vulnerability, as mentioned before, is used as a means of throwing the main character off guard through intimacy. This is a character choice, not a viewer choice. The character is both aware of and in control of their sexuality, and the perspective of the viewer is not a reflection of the viewer’s intent but that character’s intent.
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@mushi If fanservice is a representation of the male gaze, Monogatari is a representation of the different gazes of its respective characters. The series itself is not just about sexuality, but also our perspective on it as people. Don’t believe me? We can even take that famous toothbrush scene as an example. In that scene, Karen (the female character) is wearing clothes far outside of her normal attire with the intent of deliberately messing with Araragi (the male character). While normally more gender-neutral, her clothing in that scene is an intentional show of vulnerability. This is accentuated even more in the way the camera spends lots of time panning down. The whole episode is really revolving around a joke that “brushing teeth shouldn’t be this sexy”, and is in itself sort of a satire on the nature of fanservice. But it’s one step further too; it’s also a meditation on intimacy.
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@mushi The penultimate difference is in both intent and execution. To really elaborate we first have to get a better grasp of fanservice itself. Conventionally, it’s used as a means of sexually objectifying the characters for the sake of pleasing viewers. The perspective of the actual viewer is lustful; and it generally detracts from the artistic or emotional weight of a scene as well as demonstrating that the show itself looks down on its viewers as people who need that sort of imagery to stay involved in what they’re watching. It destroys the atmosphere because it’s often used in this manner, which is disrespectful to both the viewer and the series. Now earlier I mentioned perspective, and that’s important, because here’s where the Monogatari series veers away from the idea of “fanservice”. Akiyuki Shinbo, the director of the series, understands that the framing of the scene as well as colour motifs and clothing all play a crucial role in establishing meaning.
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@mushi You know, I could actually make a decemt argument as to how the "fanservice" in Monogatari is fundamentally different from what we conventionally refer to as "fanservice", and that the perception of it just being some creepy, perverted show is awfully skewed.
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@mushi It's Shinobu from the Monogatari series.
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@mushi This is actually a pretty common occurrence for drummers. I break sticks all the time.
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@mushi We don't need to force a conversation about it. I'm sure I'll comment on stuff here when the new season starts.
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@mushi You take that back
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@mushi The pink one
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@mushi the MEXICAN doctor
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@mushi Those always make me laugh a lot
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@mushi I should try that
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@mushi oooooh
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@mushi You're a chemist, right? Make a potion.
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@mushi 7777 7777 7777 7777
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@mushi Start working out
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@mushi He's caged her heart.
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@mushi Soon you'll earn your Stance. Try posing at the lab.
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@mushi not at all
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@mushi oh my
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@mushi This is no time for conspiracy theo-Raes
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@mushi maaaaaaaaybe
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@mushi Who? Oh, you mean new user™?
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@mushi You need a new card
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@mushi It's a silly name ether way
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@mushi To be fair the name "dropping funnel" is misleading
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@mushi You have an avatar of the worst horse ever.
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@mushi Wish cannot be granted.
