Name: Balalaika vs Koko Hekmatyar: Who Would Win? @ProfessorViral
Uploaded: 2026-09-24T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Balalaika vs Koko Hekmatyar: Who Would Win?

Balalaika vs Koko Hekmatyar: Who Would Win?

ProfessorViral 2026-09-24 | Balalaika vs Koko Hekmatyar: Who Would Win?

The Dystopia We’re Sold

ProfessorViral 2023-07-06 | Dystopia is something you buy, every single day.

Planned obsolescence, ignored diminishing returns, false innovation, consumerism, these seemingly mundane aspects of daily life lay the framework of a purchased dystopia. What’s advertised to us as innovative tech or better features of products we need is really a clever trick; justifying the existence of corporations who add little value to the world to maximize profits, at the cost of us and our world, using excessive energy, wasting resources, and creating undue waste. Planned obsolescence, ignored diminishing returns, false innovation are creating the consumerist dystopia we live in every single day.

In this video essay we’ll explain how Blade Runner incorporates these concepts (ignored diminishing returns & planned obsolescence & false innovation), and analyze how they present an abstraction of our own world, and discuss the implications of these concepts.

Blade Runner is a 1982 cyberpunk film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford. An adaptation of Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” it follows Rick Deckard, a retired blade runner chasing down replicants, synthetic humans bio-engineered to be slaves on off-world colonies, led by Roy Batty. Created by the Tyrell Corporation, the replicants led by Roy seek out their creator Tyrell to ask for a longer life, while Deckard attempts to stop them. The overall narrative of Blade Runner is a philosophical one, questioning what humans really are as cyberpunk works do, as well as the importance of memories, empathy, and how dystopian civilizations are formed.

Buying Ourselves a Dystopia | A movie analysis video essay explaining Blade Runner

#bladerunner #videoessay #cyberpunk #professorviral

A Quick Channel Update | New Schedule

ProfessorViral 2023-06-29 | A ProfessorViral Channel update for 2023. I really don't know what to put here, I'm so used to writing descriptions for videos I think will be seen!

seeing things you wouldnt believe

ProfessorViral 2023-06-22 | Do you think you could see something that would change your whole life? And could that thing, or rather person, been standing right next to you the whole time?

Blade Runner is the classic cyberpunk 1982 film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. Adapted from Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” the movie follows Rick Deckard, a retired blade runner brought back on to chase down four replicants led by Roy Batty, synthetic humans bio-engineered to be slaves on off-world colonies, and made illegal on Earth. As Deckard and Roy come face to face, the nature of Blade Runner’s world, the replicants, and perspective come to a head, as the classic cyberpunk movie explains itself in the ending. In this video essay, we’ll be looking at the entire movie and explaining what we can learn from the interplay of Deckard and Roy, as well as Rachel, another replicant, and Tyrell, the creator of the replicants. How far gone are the humans of this dystopian world, and could a new perspective bring them back? Let’s analyze it, explain the ending, and see.

how to see things you wouldn’t believe | A Blade Runner Movie Analysis Video Essay

Running Waters by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

There's Probably No Time by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

#bladerunner #movieanalysis #videoessay #professorviral

The Cost of Kindness

ProfessorViral 2023-06-15 | In a cruel world, when should we be kind? And if we understand how, would humankind be able to rid the world of evil?

The 2023 release of Trigun Stampede got me interested in the classic anime, so I wanted to make a video essay analyzing the series core themes which seemed to be retained in the transition. The heart of Trigun’s message of course lies in the space between Vash the Stampede and Nicholas D. Wolfwood. Vash believes everyone can be saved, while Wolfwood believes every situation requires a sacrifice. In essence, one believes man is inherently good, the other not so much. While an analysis of Trigun would certainly seem to say Vash the Stampede is correct over Wolfwood, and that kindness is the only proper response even when it causes one to suffer, I think it's worth discussing the implications of this, and if it’s something Trigun is saying that we shou;d truly follow. I think there may be something else more important, a concept brought up in both characters; atonement. If we atone for all our evil, can anyone be good? That will be the topic of today’s anime video essay, as we look for the cost of kindness.

The Cost of Kindness | A Trigun Anime Analysis Video Essay

#anime #trigun #videoessay #professorviral

The Soul of a Story

ProfessorViral 2023-06-08 | How do we deal with “products of their time,” stories we love, with their problematic elements that can teach us the wrong message, even when we just want comfort?

When we analyze a story retrospectively, we see it outside of when it was produced, and so gain a new perspective of fan favorites. Sometimes we see them the same, other times a few aspects seem off, and for some they may feel entirely wrong or mean spirited. But, they’re a part of us and our comfort, so how do we manage the conflict between a story we love, and its harmful aspects? For example, The Office was, and still is, exceptionally beloved, but a few moments feel off putting now. And MASH once broke the record for most viewers at once on American TV, but many of its episodes feature some unsavory moments. With popular sitcoms like The Office and MASH which captured our hearts, do we accept them despite these flaws, give a warning before a recommendation, or outright reject them? Well, despite being vastly different from The Office and MASH, I think a brilliant recent piece can give us the answer, one which is certainly a “product of its time” Bo Burnham’s masterful comedy special Inside.

The Soul of a Story | A Retrospective Analysis of “Products of Their Time”

0:00 Introduction
0:58 PSYCHO-PASS
3:20 The Office
12:22 M*A*S*H
24:10 Other Things
25:22 Inside

#theoffice #MASH #inside #psychopass #ProfessorViral #videoessay

The Ethics of Sacrifice

ProfessorViral 2023-06-01 | Are the systems of ethics we know and love spelling the end of humankind under our noses?

Madoka Magica is a Gen Urobuchi anime with a shoujo, magical girl surface, but a dark and twisted story underneath worthy of many a video essay or analysis. Following Madoka Kaname, Sayaka Miki, Mami Tomoe, Homura Akemi, and Kyoko Sakura, these magical girls appear to fight evil for the sake of good, but did their mysterious benefactor Kyubey, an Incubator, actually mislead them? While these girls make contrast for their powers (any wish in exchange for a lifetime of fighting witches) the terms aren’t exactly clear, one big reveal of the series. While Madoka, Sayaka, Kyoko, and Homura find despair in this truth, Kyubey walks a seemingly cold utilitarian line; this bad deal is actually helping prevent the death of the universe, and it’s in line with the result of human ethics they observe. This conflict leads to interesting ethical questions in the war of Utilitarianism and Deontology, or Bentham vs Kant, but much more so than ends vs means. It asks how do we communicate ethics, and what if we can’t? How do we judge the value of different lifeforms? Can might be right? And, woven into all of that is a discussion of our own world, and how abiding by our human-centric ethics may be the doom or our species. This anime video essay will explain and analyze these considerations and more, as we ask who is right, magical girls or Incubators?

The Ethics of Sacrifice / Domination / Something | An Anime Video Essay Explaining Madoka Magica

#madokamagica #pmmm #anime #videoessay #professorviral

why were together, but alone

ProfessorViral 2023-05-25 | Together, but alone. Is this common feeling a pessimistic creation of mankind?

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most popular anime of all time, a 90’s classic from Hideaki Anno. The anime follows Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley as pilots of the EVA Units (00, 01, & 02) fighting of the invading Angels on behalf of NERV, the agency where Shinji’s father Gendo, and caretaker Misato Katsuragi work. While Neon Genesis Evangelion begins with mecha fights against the Angels, it slowly devolves almost into psychological horror, analyzing the psyches of Shinji, Asuka, Misato, and Rei in close detail. In explaining these characters, Eva invokes The Hedgehog’s Dilemma, a philosophical parable from Arthur Schopenhauer. The Hedgehog’s Dilemma analyzes the human need for connection, stating why we all feel alone while together. However, I think the anime says more about why we feel that need to begin with, giving us one of the most insane anime analysis videos to exist. Today, we’ll be discussing Eva, and digging deep into its madness to try and explain why we need each other.

The human need for connection | An Anime Video Essay Explaining Neon Genesis Evangelion

#neongenesisevangelion #anime #videoessay #professorviral

don’t live each day like your last

ProfessorViral 2023-05-18 | Live each day as if it was your last; an excuse, like any other, *not* to live true.

There are many common statements saying something like “live like you’re dying,” with the intent of getting people to live life more, to be more adventurous and do those things we’ll regret missing later in life. While the intent is good, I think there’s more under the surface here. Is it really good to live like you’re dying? Or is it just an excuse not to make decisions, the same as boring everyday life?

To explore this, we’ll be using the anime movie I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, which tells the tale of a dying girl who lives an ordinary life, but puts a new emphasis on those everyday aspects we hate so much. With a different view, can we find value in each and every day? Let's discuss by analyzing this great anime movie in today’s video essay.

Don’t live each day like your last | I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai) Anime Video Essay

#KiminoSuizouwoTabetai #iwanttoeatyourpancreas #anime #videoessay #professorviral

Evangelions Insane Psychology Explained

ProfessorViral 2023-05-11 | Neon Genesis Evangelion and Sigmund Freud. Two controvertail topics at once, what could go wrong?

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most popular anime of all time, toping many watch lists since it's 1990's release. Following Shinji Ikari, as well as Asuka Langley and Rei Ayanami, as the trio pilot the Eva Units (00, 01, & 02) against the invadin angels for NERV. But, we quickly learn not all is as it seems, with the anime develoving into a psychological exploration of the characters, and its creator Hideaki Anno all at once. With this kind of pscyhological exporation, there has to be an inspiration from somewhere, and for Neon Genesis Evangelion and Anno, that inspiration was Sigmund Freud, the most famous pscyhoanalyst. His theories on the structure of the mind, psychosexual development, life and death drives (Eros & Thanatos), and much more can be found in the anime, especially with Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langely. In this video essay, we'll be explaing and discussing Eva, as well as analyzing it's Freudian influence.

Sigmund Freud & NGE Explained | Video Essay Anime Analysis

0:00 0 | Introduction
2:17 1 | The Groundwork
9:33 2 | Structure of the Mind
13:33 3 | Psychosexual Development
19:38 4 | Oedipus Complex
25:27 5 | Eros & Thanatos
32:47 6 | Defense Mechanisms
36:05 7 | Freud Off

#anime #neongenesisevangelion #evangelion #freud

why we must survive

ProfessorViral 2023-05-04 | A dark cave, a lonely hum, and the end of the world. What can it teach us?

The Father in the Caves, also known as the survivalists logs or Randall Clark’s story, is a series of terminal entries from the Fallout: New Vegas DLC Honest Hearts, telling the story of a Great War survivor in Zion National Park from 2077 onwards. The survivalist, Randal Clark, witnesses the bombs falling to end the Great War, packs up his rifle, and heads into the wilderness to see the end of the world. Struggling to find purpose in a dead world, he goes through many stages, including a conflict with survivors from Vault 22, eventually ending up as the god of a new people, the Sorrows, who worship him as The Father in the Caves. I want to analyze and discuss this amazing story in today’s video essay, giving us some insight into the point of suffering, survivor's guilt, and how gods are created. It will also include the locations and order of all his logs, as well as the location of the survivalist’s rifle, a unique weapon of the Honest Hearts DLC.

The father in the caves (The Full Survivalist Story) | A Fallout: New Vegas analysis video essay

#fallout #falloutnewvegas #gameanalysis #professorviral

A Great Anime You Don’t Know | Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

ProfessorViral 2023-04-27 | Are you looking for a new anime to watch? Nothing in the 2023 releases doing it for you? Well, what about a "hidden gem" recommendation, an unknown great anime to watch? This week, it's Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, a 2007 anime from Production I.G., adapted from the novel by Nahoko Uehashi. With a strong and powerful female lead, amazing attention to detail, and stunning fight scenes rounded with a well developed world, it may be just the anime recommendation for you!

A Great Anime You Don’t Know is a series dedicated to answering the question "what anime should I watch?", finding highly rated, but unpopular works to recommend for you to check out! Somewhere between impressions and reactions, focused on sending something good to watch your way!

#anime #animerecommendations #animereaction #moribito #professorviral

the fear of love

ProfessorViral 2023-04-20 | Love. One of the things in this world most worthy of fear. Capable of building worlds up and destroying them in the same exact breath. Why some live, and why others decide to stop. Love can be everything, and can make us nothing.

Many stories discuss this topic, and this video essay is going to analyze how it’s presented across a few anime. Violet Evergarden and its titular Violet lays the framework by expressing how love can be so different for everyone; the incomprehensibility of love based on perspective. Steins;Gate shows Okabe Rintaro, or Hououin Kyouma, and his own fear of love because of how it lacks any comprehensive logic, the mask he wears to make love make sense, like with Kurisu Makise or Mayuri Shiina. A Silent Voice integrates the concept with self worth through Shoya and Shoko’s stories, a pair who both give too much, and take too little, based on factors they can’t control, complicated love even more. And, of course, Trigun, the story of Vash the Stampede, one living among humans with nothing but love for them, and who can only be constantly hurt by that strong feeling in every single way, like with Meryl. With these anime (Violet Evergarden, Steins;Gate, A Silent Voice, and Trigun) and a personal story, this video essay will analyze and discuss the themes of these series and what we can learn from them.

the fear of being loved | an anime analysis video essay

#anime #animeanalysis #professorviral #steinsgate #asilentvoice #violetevergarden #trigun

The Harsh Truths of Care

ProfessorViral 2023-04-13 | “It’s because I care about you.” Is this common statement love, or manipulation?

Arcane’s aired season is a great animated show (based on the League of Legends video game, and published on Netflix) which lives and dies by its strong characters and their relationships, all deep enough for a video essay analysis. These characters form sets of 2 over the season which discuss a deep and meaningful message about how we love others, how delicate the benefits of that care can be, and how it’s not always good to do what’s “best” for them; Vander to Vi, Vi to Powder, and Silco to Jinx. Vander teaches Vi the responsibility needed to love others, but in one mistake driven by his care for her, undoes every lesson, leading to how she makes mistakes with her sister Powder. She fights for a better future for Powder, but this raises a harsh truth; doing what’s best for someone, or trying harder than they asked for, won’t always have good results. And this influences her change into Jinx, who develops an odd relationship with Silco formed around a natural manipulation. Despite how unhealthy it looks, Silco and Jinx may represent how the most basic positive aspects of love and care can go horribly wrong. In today's video essay let’s break from anime a bit and analyze this topic that Netflix’s Arcane (the League of Legends TV show) develops with its fantastic characters, and discuss the effects it can have on us while we wait for season two.

Care Can Kill | An Arcane Video Essay

0:00 Introduction
2:15 Vander & Violet
15:08 Violet & Powder
24:01 Silco & Jinx

#arcane #analysis #discussion #professorviral #animation

Becoming What we Hate

ProfessorViral 2023-04-06 | One day, years after declaring your ideals and sticking staunch to them, you look back and realize how far off the path you are, how much you've changed, and how little you realized it. How do we become what we hate? And what is the fear of changing?

Arcane, the hit animation based on Riot Games' League of Legends, took the internet by storm with its depictions of popular characters like Vi, Jinx, Jayce, as well as new additions like Vander and Silco to round out the story. Arcane weaves all of these stories into one, creating an all around generational conflict between those who made the world like Heimerdinger and Vander, and the one who want to make a new one like Silco, Vi, and Jayce. Specifically, I want this video essay to analyze the story of Jayce Talos today, as discussion of his character can provide a look at one of my greatest fears; changing into someone I hate. Jayce, the creator of Hextech with Viktor, goes from an idealistic young scientist, to a weak, ineffective politician, like everything he disliked about his mentor Heimerdinger. With such a large difference, we have to ask how did it happen? That's the goal of this video essay's analysis of Jayce; how did he change, how do those factors connect, who caused them, and how can we avoid personal downfall? Let's discuss how we become what we hate, and the fear of changing.

#arcane #analysis #discussion #professorviral #animation

0:00 Introduction
1:44 Mel Medarda
6:18 Jayce Talos
11:31 Pressure
18:30 Power
22:55 Pleasure
32:44 Realization

Unknown Great Anime | Planetes

ProfessorViral 2023-03-30 | Are you looking for a new anime to watch? Nothing in the 2023 releases doing it for you? Well, what about a "hidden gem" recommendation, an unknown great anime to watch? This week, it's Planetes, a 2003 release from Sunrise, who animated Cowboy Bebop, Gintama, and Code Geass, including all their seasons and movies. The sci-fi anime follows a young girl with a new job collecting junk in space, a tall about the mundane, everyday aspects of life in a new, amazing backdrop; to us at least. From these initial reactions and impressions, Planetes seems like a great anime, following a Cowboy Bebop formula for success. Give this one a watch!

Unknown Great Anime is a series dedicated to uncovering the hidden gems of the Japanese animation world, finding highly rated, but unpopular works to recommend for you to watch! Sometimes impressions sometimes reactions, but always focused on sending something good your way.

#anime #animerecommendations #animereaction #planetes #professorviral

The Insane Psychology of Serial Experiments Lain Explained

ProfessorViral 2023-03-23 | From Evangelion to Akira, Lain to Ghost in the Shell; what do all your favorite 90’s anime have in common? Two “psychologists:” Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Yes, actually. It’s worth some analysis and discussion due to these insane concepts, so here’s a whole video essay on it.

Chances are, if you’ve watched any of the “prolific” anime from the 1990’s era (classic anime), you noticed some similar, almost insane at times, themes and topics. Connection between beings, psychological explorations of the characters, memory and its true boundaries, the next stage of human evolution, and even more trippy topics. Most notably, you may hear a quite clear direction mention; the collective unconscious. Information stored in the primordial nature of human beings, genetic information paving the way of our future, the breakdown of barriers between not just us and our history, but each other, and even our own selves. This is a theory posited by Jarl Jung, a Sigmund Freud contemporary, and the ideas these two bounced off of each other in the early 20th century left a profound impact on the landscape of the late 20th century anime industry. From Neon Genesis Evangelion to Serial Experiments Lain, Akira to Ghost in the Shell, these anime and movies have much more in common than just the time they were made. By analyzing and discussing the thoughts of these two controversial figures, we’ll be able to gain insight not just on these anime we all know and love, but ourselves, and the nature of human beings on the whole.

This is the first video essay of a potential series on the collective unconscious (Jung) in Japanese animation, focusing on its use in Serial Experiments Lain. Next up is Neon Genesis Evangelion and its Freudian influence, and after that Ghost and the Shell and Akira with their takes, all with in-depth analysis and discussion.

Part 1 music: With a Stamp by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

#anime #serialexperimentslain #lain #freud #jung #collectiveunconscious #professorviral

0:00 Introduction & Jung
9:07 Part 1: Sharing is Caring
19:28 Part 2: Remember to Forget
26:32 Part 3: Overwhelmed
36:37 Part 4: Stay Forever Jung & Outro

Akira is Wrong. Here’s Why

ProfessorViral 2023-03-16 | One of the greatest anime movies of all time… is wrong? Or is Akira simply overrated trash?

Akira is an all time classic movie, a must watch for any anime fan, and one worthy of dedicated discussion and analysis of its themes in video essays like this one. Its two-hour run time follows the best friend characters Kaneda and Tetsuo, as the latter develops psychic powers, and the former has to stop him, a far cry from their bike gang origins; where we get the famous Akira slide from. Amidst all this there’s also widespread societal chaos, from bad politicians, to anti-government terrorists, to Akira cultists, and even more. Neo-Tokyo is a society on the verge of collapse only 30 years after its original destruction, and Tetsuo becomes the catalyst for Takashi, Masaru, and Kiyoko, three more children with psychic powers, to revive Akira and stop Tetsuo from turning the city to trash. Against them the whole time is the character Colonel Shikishima, the military commander of Neo-Tokyo, who’s hamstrung from responding properly to this danger by the corrupt politicians and the revolutionary chaos. He’s clearly the hero, providing many memorable lines against the others who allow destruction. But, is positioning Colonel Shikishima as the hero where this great anime movie goes wrong? I think Akira’s final message is one which is good in faith, but bad in practice. So, let’s analyze this classic and its characters, discuss its themes, and provide a rebuke to it in this video essay. Is Akira actually overrated or bad?

Part 1 music: Martian Cowboy by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Part 2 music: Atlantis by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

#anime #akira #tetsuo #kaneda #animediscussion #animeanalysis #professorviral

success is a myth

ProfessorViral 2023-03-09 | Our whole lives, we’re told “work hard and you’ll succeed.” But this is just a myth. Success is deadly.

The idea of having a villain arc is thrown around a lot these days, so let’s look at the issue of success through successful villains; Lelouch from Code Geass, Makishima from Psycho-Pass, and Light from Death Note. Charismatic, pretty, smart, and even more, these anime villains will top almost anyone’s list. But, why do we actually love them? Is it because they represent how we feel in a world which robs us of value? I think this is what these anime villains represent, as the stars of Code Geass, Psycho-Pass, and Death Note all don’t actually find “success,” but rather chase personal goals. Lelouch wants kindness, Makishima connection, and Light justice. They’re all relatively privileged, but fight for these things anyway? Why? Because success is a myth. What we’re told to chase can never satisfy us, and we’re left empty and void in a corrupt world. These anime villains represent us better than real world success, which seen through the likes of billionaires such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, or Jeff Bezos, is actually cartoony. They all got a head start, whatever they like to preach about their success. Let’s examine them and show how much of a myth it really is. This is why we hate billionaires, why we love villains, and why success is a lie.

#anime #codegeass #psychopass #deathnote #professorviral

0:00 0 | Introduction
4:22 0.1 | Code Geass
5:56 0.2 | Psycho-Pass
7:46 0.3 | Death Note
9:15 0.4 | Other Anime
10:20 1 | Ones to Love
17:08 2 | Ones to Hate
28:26 3 | Ones to Be
30:12 3.1 | Death Note
31:54 3.2 | Psycho-Pass
34:30 3.3 | Code Geass
37:01 3.4 | The Rest
39:10 4 | Be the Villain

30 Years of Anime in 13 Minutes

ProfessorViral 2023-03-02 | Anime is one of the most bright and vibrant art forms out there, often being quite wild and wacky. While animation allows it to tell some of the most insane and imagination filled stories that simply can’t be done in live action, those crazy aspects are what define the medium. Like any other media, it can tell some of the most impactful and meaningful stories, often with jaw dropping memorable quotes and moments. Today, by going over one moment from one series each year from 1993 to 2022 for 30 years of anime in just over 10 minutes. There are classics like Sailor Moon, Serial Experiments Lain, Spirited Away, and Inuyasha, as well as long running fan favorite series like One Piece and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Naturally there’s some popular more recent anime like Steins;Gate, Fate/Zero, and SPYxFAMILY, but leaving room for less known greats like Ergo Proxy or Perfect Blue, and not forgetting a few wildcards like Golden Boy, Panty & Stocking, and Beastars. And that’s not even all the anime!

#anime #ProfessorViral #animelist

The Power of Trust

ProfessorViral 2023-02-23 | The Promised Neverland is an anime that discusses the idea of trust through its main characters, Emma, Norman, Ray, and Isabella. Here’s a whole video essay analyzing The Promised Neverland anime, these characters, and the theme of trust in the anime.

#anime #thepromisedneverland #animeanalysis #professorviral

Anime & History | Fabiola | Black Lagoon

ProfessorViral 2023-02-16 | An anime video essay analyzing Fabiola from Black Lagoon, and her ties to the history of Venezuela and Capoeira.

Black Lagoon, the 2006 anime from Hiroe’s manga by the same name, is no doubt an outlandish action seinen anime. Rock and Revy’s journeys against foes like Roberta and Balalaika lead to absolutely insane anime moments, and the later addition of Robert’s Blood Trail cemented this nature by bringing back the terminator maid. But, Black Lagoon’s Blood Trail addition also gave us a new maid to the Lovelace family: Fabiola. Coming from the barrios of Caracas, Venezuela, she forms an interesting contrast against Roanapur, comparing it and Venezuela often to Rock and Revy. Coming from somewhere she sees as similar, how did she end up so different from those in Roanapur? Well, the answer, as is often the case with Black Lagoon, comes down to history. Venezuela has as rich a history as anywhere else, from political coups, to petrostate status, to a martial art and dance form developed in neighboring Brazil called Capoeira. Fabiola’s influence comes from these places and their history, down to practicing Capoeira directly herself. There’s more than enough here for a whole video essay, so let’s get into an analysis of Fabiola, and some historical discussion!

Music in Part 4 of this video:
I Feel You by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

#anime #blacklagoon #professorviral #videoessay #animediscussion

0:00 Introduction
1:32 Part 1: Capoeira
7:00 Part 2: Venezuela
15:13 Part 3: The 2nd Maid
26:00 Part 4: Avoidance & Acceptance

The Ghost in the Shell

ProfessorViral 2023-02-09 | Ghost in the Shell is one of the most prolific anime movies of all time, influencing anything from future cyberpunk anime, to the Matrix. At its core is a question of the soul, a topic worthy of many video essays. Between Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg questioning her sense of self, to Puppet Master, a program which has gained one, the anime film analyzes not just what it means to be human, or the sentience of AI, but the source of the soul. If machines can think and feel like humans, then are we valuable? Or, have we always been at their level, simply biological machines and programs of DNA? Where in this is our self, is it inherent to us, or shaped by surroundings, nature vs nurture? Ghost in the shell discusses these topics exceptionally well for such a short run time, giving us two philosophical great characters in Major Kusanagi and Puppet Master. In this video essay, we’ll analyze these themes from Ghost in the Shell, along with a profile of the Major, to see what we can learn about our own senses of self.

#anime #ghostintheshell #professorviral #videoessay #animediscussion

Overanalyzing Famous Cyberpunk Anime

ProfessorViral 2023-02-02 | Cyberpunk, an offshoot of science fiction, or sci-fi, is often defined by a few core aspects; cyberization, dystopian settings, adapted technology, and a general "style over substance vibe" to its world. But, at the core of almost every cyberpunk series is one question: what does it mean to be human? The science fiction (sci-fi) elements usually serve to explore this question of "what is a human?" for example by having a machine, program, or AI gain sentience. By questioning if technology can think and feel, we gain perspective on what really defines a human being, more than enough for an analysis video essay.

Anime is no stranger to cyberpunk, from classic works like Ghost in the Shell, mid era shows like Ergo Proxy or Urobuchi's PSYCHO-PASS, and contemporary series like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an offshoot of the 2077 game. Through an analysis of all of these anime, this video essay will discuss the core theme of cyberpunk, what it means to be human, with all of their takes. Ghost in the Shell focuses on physicality with Major Kusanagi and Puppet Master, Ergo Proxy on suffering with Re-L, Vincent, and Pino, PSYCHO-PASS on free will with Makishima and Sibyl, and Edgerunners on if it even matters at all with David Martinez's story. Though this discussion and analysis of these anime, hopefully this video essay will provide some thought on the question what is a human?

0:00 Introduction
5:38 Ghost in the Shell
16:51 Psycho-Pass
27:08 Ergo Proxy
38:25 CP: Edgerunners
51:25 Final Thoughts

#anime #cyberpunkedgerunners #ghostintheshell #psychopass #ergoproxy

Heroes are a Lie

ProfessorViral 2023-01-26 | Metal Gear Solid (MGS) is one of the most loved video games of all time, written and directed by Hideo Kojima, and tells the story of Solid Snake; the legendary mercenary son of Big Boss. He’s revered as a hero from his work fighting Big Boss to take down Metal Gear, leading to him being chosen to stop his brother Liquid at Shadow Moses Island. He’s greeted as a hero, but endures awful treatment from a lack of support to outright torture, lied to by all sides as he attempts to save the world. This leads to a discussion and analysis that needs to be had; what really is a hero? Is it the person, or the circumstance? Is hero nothing more than a convenient word to protect this world’s dark secrets? By presenting how harsh Solid Snake’s journey is, the Metal Gear series makes a great point on this idea, intertwining his story with others like the rookie Meryl who uncovers the truth of what being a soldier is, Octacon who explores the morality of science, and Liquid Snake who shows just how close heroes and villains are. Overall, MGS is one of the greatest games of all time, and worthy of a dedicated video essay covering the myth of heroics and the cost of secrets and war.

#metalgearsolid #videoessay #videogames #kojima #professorviral

should humanity die?

ProfessorViral 2023-01-19 | Should the human race end?

The extinction of the human race is one of the most grim narratives. From disease to otherworldly invaders, humans have imagined what it would look like to be wiped out. But one of these possibilities stands as the most chilling; self extermination. A species which destroys itself, launching their own weapons upon their own kind until none are left, something worthy of dedicated discussion and analysis. Devilman Crybaby explores this possibility in a world where demons exist, sometimes merging with humans to make devilmen, humans with the hellish power of these creatures. Akira is one of these, turned by Ryo’s manipulation into the host for Amon. They seek to reveal this hidden truth of demons existence, but things turn much darker for Akira with Ryo’s true intentions; the destruction of humanity. In this anime video essay we’ll discuss how this isn’t a concept unique to Devilman Crybaby, but explain how the series, rather than asking if humanity is inherently evil, assumes that point and moves forward, showing us the worst of our species. It is not if man is good, it is man is bad; now what? Would things be better without humans? Should humanity die? This is what we’ll analyze in today's anime video essay on Devilman Crybaby, the tale of Akira, Ryo, Miki and more.

#anime #devilmancrybaby #animeanalysis #professorviral

Top 5 Anime Sacrifices

ProfessorViral 2023-01-12 | The death of a beloved character is one of the fastest ways to draw emotion from a viewer, especially in great anime series. We build bonds with them, feel their wishes and desires like our own, only to watch it all be ripped away. But, it can be even more tragic. In the service of ideals, the protection of others, a last ditch effort of hope, or more, sometimes a character chooses to end their own life. Today, we’re gonna be looking at those situations, and exploring some of the most impactful sacrifices in anime. From Gen Urobuchi series like Madoka Magica and Fate/Zero, to modern masterpeices like Vinland Saga, and mid-era greats like Gurren Lagann and Steins;Gate, there's no shortage of great anime moments to cover, and these are just a few. This is a top list of the best sacrifices in anime!

0:00 Introduction
0:44 Madoka Magica
4:28 Steins;Gate
8:04 Fate/Zero
11:27 Vinland Saga
14:55 Gurren Lagann
18:30 Outro

#anime #animelist #professorviral #animetops

Ode to the Nobodies

ProfessorViral 2023-01-05 | Today, we take an Ode to the Nobodies. The ones we never see, but who we'll always need.

Great stories are built on deep characters, but those characters must live in a world, and worlds are not one person. From Cowboy Bebop to PSYCHO-PASS to Vinland Saga, impactful works are built on the bodies of nobodies; background characters. Whether stepping stones for a powerful warrior, the cost of an authoritarian system, or just plain space to be filled, the most minor of roles are integral in getting across mood, tone, and theme. For example, in the recent Netflix anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the story is firmly about David Martinez, and his relationship with Lucy, Rebecca, and the rest of the crew. But David's story is one contrary to the ordinary life in Night City, so we have to have an example of such a life. The background characters give us this in simplicity; dull, meaningless, nothingness. We see in only a couple minutes why he wants to escape such a life. This is the world building of simple characters, and today, with even more great anime like Black Lagoon, Ergo Proxy, and From the New World, we'll explore it in full. This is an Ode to the Nobodies.

#anime #videoessay #animeanalysis #professorviral

In Defense of Isabella | The Promised Neverland

ProfessorViral 2022-12-29 | The Promised Neverland (Yakusoku no Neverland) is a popular 2019 anime, adapting the manga of the same name. While it's 2nd season disappointed many, the original is an all time favorite for many. With a delicate thriller plot, the most expressive faces in anime, and genius characters like Emma, Norman, and Ray, it's no wonder the anime became a massive success, and has been able to spawn discussion, analysis, and video essays just like this one. The Promised Neverland spins the tale of that main trio of Emma, Norman, and Ray, fighting for truth. They come to see that their perfect orphanage is more than it seems; they're raised not to be adopted, but to be eaten by demons. Obviously needing to escape, these three main characters come to feud with their "mother" Isabella; the caretaker of "plant three." Her warmth and care is revealed to be cold calculation in search of the "best product." But, is it really such a black and white issue? Isabella was once just like them, even tried to escape herself. Seeing it as impossible, was she actually morally right to do what she did, and provide a perfect, if short, life for these children? While Emma, Norman, and Ray make a strong case for otherwise, I think it's time to reanalyze the anime, discuss its main points, and make a defense of Isabella. In today's anime video essay, we'll do just that.

#anime #videoessay #thepromisedneverland #animeanalysis #professorviral

why guilt is good

ProfessorViral 2022-12-22 | Shame, and guilt. Two things every one of us will try desperately to avoid in our lives. The gut wrenching feelings that narrow your vision, tighten your chest, and sink your entire being into the recesses of rumination. Overtaken by one thought, I screwed up. But there’s only one healthy response. Now what? How do I fix it? This anime video essay will profile that topic, analyzing and discussing a great series to understand it.

A Silent Voice (sometimes The Shape of Voice, or Koe no Katachi) is one of the best anime movies according to many, since its 2016 release. The anime movie watches the story of two great characters, Shoya and Shoko, the former being the bully of the latter, a deaf girl who transferred in, and then out of his school, due to the bullying. With Shoko left, the void of bullying is filled by Shoko, when his teacher and friends blame the whole situation on him alone. This leaves Shoya with one of the strongest emotions; shame. Ashamed of what he did to his deaf classmate, he internalized this feeling to form a backwards logic; he isn’t worthwhile to anyone, and never can be again. He has become shame itself. While we see the extreme negative side of shame in A Silent Voice, it's actually a positive force within the social side of humanity. Shame and guilt evolved with us for survival’s sake, so why were they so detrimental here? That’s what this anime video essay will explore, an in-depth discussion, analysis, and profile of the psychology of these characters, as well as the wider story itself. What are guilt and shame, how can they be used wrong, and why are they actually good to feel?

#anime #asilentvoice #animeanalysis #professorviral

when its okay to be the villain | Psycho-Pass

ProfessorViral 2022-12-15 | Man vs society is one of the most common conflicts for a story; but what about for our lives, our world? Is being the villain better? Today, let’s see when good goes too far…

Psycho-Pass is one the greatest anime of all time, a clear top 10, if not top 5. From its deep rivalry between Shinya Kogami and Shogo Makishima, to the societal discourse developed with Akane Tsunemori and the Sibyl System, Urobuchi’s 2012 anime is near perfect thematically, a clear topic of analysis, spawning many video essays like this. But in the sea of great characters like Akane, Kogami, and Makishima, the minor antagonists can get lost, despite their subtle impact. Shogo Makishima tests society before he goes against it, and they, Masatake, Rikako, and Senguji, form the test. Not just if free will exists under the Sibyl System, but when it’s okay to act with that free will against society. As they disappoint our amazing anime villain, Psycho-Pass begins to develop a test we can follow; when is it moral to act against society? How much of ourselves do we give up for the greater good before we must become the villain? And, is it social systems which make us die a hero or live long enough to become the villain? As always, Psycho-Pass’ conclusion is a satisfying one, perfect for some discussion in today’s video essay. Let’s see when the villain is good…

0:00 Introduction
1:23 Series Recap
2:58 Case 1
8:07 Masatake
11:25 Rikako
16:04 Senguji
19:46 "Common Men"
30:30 The Rant

#anime #psychopass #animeanalysis #professorviral

I am (not) Justice | Death Note

ProfessorViral 2022-12-08 | Justice is a phrase repeated almost daily to justify anything and everything. But do the people who use that word even know what it means?

Death Note, the 2nd most watched anime in the west, and a great series with a lasting cultural impact (seen in the prevalence of video essays, discussion, and analysis like this even 16 years later!) is downright… silly. The anime has serious topics like justice, crime, and punishment, but all of this is really just framing for Light and L to fight. Light being the perfect student, secretly a maniacal villain named Kira, and L the world’s greatest detective. They square off, with each famously claiming “I am justice.” Through a wild series of twists, turns, and potato chips, Death Note becomes more and more ridiculous and entertaining. But what happens to that theme of justice in the meantime? Though discussions of this anime tend to center around who was right and who was wrong, the ends or the means, and so on, I think we need to step back and look at the series’ assumptions. Is Death Note actually saying anything about crime at all? Or is it showing us the kind of privileged men who should have no say in the judgment of crime? I think by analyzing the anime in full, presenting it for discussion, and going in depth on Light and L’s true intentions, we can find a good answer. That’s what we’ll be doing in this anime video essay!

#anime #deathnote #animeanalysis #professorviral

the choice of pain | A Silent Voice

ProfessorViral 2022-12-01 | Every life will feel pain and suffering, and no one invalidates the other. But what if we chose to keep suffering when we don’t have to? Is there validity to purposeful suffering, or is it wrong considering those who have no option? Is living a happy life the best retribution? That’s the topic to be analyzed, discussed, and profiled in today’s anime video essay.

A Silent Voice (The Shape of Voice) is a one of the best movies to watch, which deserves its near 9/10 rating, telling one of the most succinct and impactful stories in the medium. Koe no Katachi primarily watches two characters, Shoya and Shoko, a former bully and the deaf girl he harmed. Having pushed Shoko so far she changed schools, the blame is laid all on Shoya, as he then becomes the outcast and feels the same bullying which his deaf classmate once did. This mirrors our great main characters, as this guy and girl feel the same awful emotions. But, should they have? Shoko’s condition was an inescapable reason for why she suffered, her pain had no input from her. Shoya, while forced into it by harmful conditions, did have some small choice in his pain. He decided that he must suffer to make up for his past transgressions. It’s true that actions should have consequences, but how far should they go? Is there a point where making oneself suffer is more selfish than living happily despite their past mistakes? I think A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) makes some great points on this idea, and I’m happy to discuss and analyze those elements of the story, and profile its characters here today in this anime video essay.

#anime #asilentvoice #animeanalysis #professorviral

Should we Respect Tradition? | Gurren Lagann

ProfessorViral 2022-11-24 | Culture and tradition are beautiful things, but there’s no guarantee that they’re positive. So today, with Gurren Lagann and Kamina in mind, let’s discuss it in this anime video essay.

Gurren Lagann is an anime built on irrational and reversed logic, with classic statements like “believe in the me who believes in you,” from Kamina to Simon. As this pair of great characters fights their way to the surface against Lord Genome and the Beastmen, they fall upon Adai village, a small town which controls its population at 50; any more and a lottery is held to see who is sent to the surface. This is an act they claim to be salvation from a higher power, but our heroes Kamina and Simon know it to be a death sentence. Despite having the same knowledge, they respond in different ways. Simon and Yoko hold the common belief; things are this way for a reason, their tradition and customs must be respected. Outsiders shouldn’t judge them. Kamina takes a different route, giving the episode its title when he says “I don’t understand it at all.” He challenges Rossiu and the elder, believing that accepting so little rather than trying for more is criminal. He becomes rude and crass with the kind people of the village, and refuses to back down as Yoko and Simon do. Considering his actions eventually better their lives, is Kamina right? Do we have a duty to go against harmful traditions, even if it’s rude? This anime video essay will explore the themes of culture and tradition in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann’s episode five.

0:00 Intro
1:52 Recap
5:05 Blind Respect

#anime #animeanalysis #gurrenlagann #professorviral

how to fight god

ProfessorViral 2022-11-17 | The problem of evil asks a simple question with huge implications; if God is good, then why does evil exist? As we all struggle through the suffering which is sentience, we have to wonder, if we can not solve the problem of evil, then what do we do with God?

To say fighting god is an anime trope would be a fairly safe statement. From pure good heroes fighting all power deities to dark protagonists against pseudo gods, the medium seems obsessed with the idea. And, for good reason. Humans do not like uncertainty. When faced with a question with no logical solution, we turn to the supernatural to quell our worries. In a moment of intense suffering which we can’t understand, it seems natural to ask “why god?” What do we do if our prayer is answered, and the response is malice? What if God wants us to suffer? Seeing the problem of evil proved correct, how do we move forward? That’s what this video essay will explore.

Today, I want to take a look at that question, in particular the looks at such a thing offered by some of the best anime to watch out there. Vinland Saga takes the most realistic look with Canute, giving us a deity who is simply too harsh on its creations. Ergo Proxy provides a multilayered look, with Vincent, supported by Re-L, showing how creation itself can fight the creator. Serial Experiments Lain dictates through the titular Lain that maybe we need not fight god, but rather help them discover who they are through kindness. What if our deity is unaware that they are such? Death Note, mostly through Light Yagami’s megalomania, provides a simulated high power taking on a real one, and the disastrous consequences. Fate/Zero, an Urobuchi classic, flips the problem of evil, asking if maybe that starting point is wrong. Maybe our creator made us simply for entertainment? Gurren Lagann, naturally after presenting us with Kamina, has Simon say, who even cares? Maybe we just can’t understand a higher power, and if such the only option is through. And, returning to Urobuchi with Madoka Magica, we once again have to reassess our question. What if God is not a being, but rather everything? Homura offers a take on how we could find, and fight, such a being. Through these great anime, I think we can develop a great discussion and video essay around how to push back against a possibly malicious deity.

Intro 0:00
Vinland Saga 5:18
Ergo Proxy 11:20
Serial Experiments Lain 20:40
Death Note 24:50
Fate/Zero 29:51
Gurren Lagann 34:23
Madoka Magica 40:14
Outro 47:36

#anime #animeanalysis #professorviral #madokamagica #deathnote #gurrenlagan #vinlandsaga

Rebecca Explained | Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

ProfessorViral 2022-11-10 | Rebecca from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners took the internet by storm in just a few days. But, do you know why that really is?

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners released onto Netflix just a couple months ago this 2022 season, and it’s safe to say the anime took the internet by storm, from beautiful art to intense discussion and analysis. While David and Lucy started the show off, and so got a lot of immediate love, the real favorite character of the anime came to be Rebecca, the short anime girl apparently everyone was waiting for. From her wild side guns blazing, to the softer moments of unrequited love she has, her story intertwines with David and Lucy’s, as well as the wider Cyberpunk world’s, to draw a video essay’s worth of depth from a fairly minor character. While some of the other punks, like Maine and David, embody denial, believing themselves to be special in a cruel world, filling the empty space with cybernetic enhancements, Rebecca comes to embody the opposite: acceptance. She lives in an awful world and knows it, but she makes happiness from the small moments corporations like Arasaka haven’t yet stolen. Does Rebecca teach us a lot from how she lives and her ending? A lot actually. Enough to dedicate a whole anime analysis video essay to. So, let’s explain her character in depth!

#anime #cyberpunkedgerunners #animeanalysis #professorviral

lets talk about sex | FLCL

ProfessorViral 2022-11-03 | A new girl in town on a vespa with a bass guitar. Under the helmet she’s stunning, and she’s gunning right for you. What are you gonna do?

FLCL, the classic 2000 anime from Gainax, the team who went on to found their own alternative, Studio Trigger, is an animated series coated in innuendo, implication, and straight up raunchy humor, yet one still garnering video essays like this one 22 years later. From Haruko and guitars, to Naota and bats, the anime is no stranger to sex. So, let’s talk about it. After all, Haruko is probably a childhood crush, the kind who tears through your mind with a chainsaw. FLCL may just be making some crude jokes on the surface, but underneath we see something more mature. An anime that isn’t afraid to explore some of the truths not just of growing up, but what our bodies feel growing up, and how that changes our minds. Naota’s story is a classic coming of age one, as he’s used by Mamimi and manipulated by Haruko, but it skips ahead to offer some interesting truths. So, in today’s anime video essay, let’s analyze FLCL’s alternative humor, and see what we discuss about sex…

#anime #FLCL #animeanalysis #professorviral

our love is abused | Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

ProfessorViral 2022-10-27 | Robbed of all value by corporations and the underbelly of Night City which arose from the issues they caused, the citizens turn to the only solace left to them; the human soul, the comfort of others. But, is even this a lie used for manipulation?

“Live fast, die young, and have a good-looking corpse.” That’s the theme of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the new anime from Studio Trigger, that we discussed in our last video essay. Primarily following David and Lucy, but with other great characters like Maine and Rebecca, the series tells a tale of evil corporations, the manipulation they use, and how it all leads to a world with no options but to live fast and die young, or hate every waking day. Luckily, there’s one thing these evil entities can’t rob; the human soul. Even if they’ve removed value from our roles in the world, people are still valuable. We can still make each other better… but can even this be used against us? Is this itself, simply abuse from the top? Let’s analyze that. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners creates this deep message through Lucy and David, as well as his relationships with his mother, Gloria, and Maine. We see that sometimes, because of a messed up world, making people special, can do a lot of harm… That’s the topic of discussion in this anime video essay.

The 2022 original anime from Netflix Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, released last month on September 13th 2022 to align with the game 2077’s update, is a great watch. It likely tops the list of Trigger’s other anime, beating even the fan-favorite Kill la Kill. With only 10 episodes, the new Trigger show makes for an easy, but emotional binge watch.

#anime #cyberpunkedgerunners #animeanalysis #professorviral

The Perfect (Blue) Anime Movie

ProfessorViral 2022-10-20 | Perfect Blue is one of the most memorable anime movies, maybe even films in general, of all time. It’s a delight to review and analyze. Whether you were left needing a Perfect Blue explained video essay, or felt it was a great thing to watch right away, we can all agree it was unique, maybe even stressful. And, that’s the point. Perfect Blue puts us in the shoes of its main character Mima, mirroring her emotions to her own. By creating confusion for us, it makes her confusion easier to understand. And from this, we get a greater grasp on its message and themes. As this anime video essay review will explore, Perfect Blue is one of the smartest movies ever put together, for this reason and more.

Satoshi Kon’s 1997 film follows Mima Kirigoe, a pop idol in the group CHAM turned actor, and her devolution into chaos of multiple personalities. Lied to, stalked, and manipulated, Mima’s sense of self is entirely fractured, leading her to question her life’s decisions, who she is, and if she’s even real to begin with, as another her tortures her every moment. One of the most striking surrealist works, it's a movie I would recommend for anyone to watch, whether casually or for discussion and analysis.

#anime #perfectblue #animeanalysis #professorviral

how to love everyday | Durarara!!

ProfessorViral 2022-10-13 | Durarara!! is a great anime to watch, not quite new for 2022, but always relevant for analysis and discussion with its commentary on everyday life. Perfect for a video essay! Durarara!! follows the story of three students meeting and changing each others lives; Mikado, Kida, and Anri, with other characters like Celty, Izaya Orihara, and Shizuo Heiwajima in the crazy city of Ikebukuro. Mikado wishes to escape the everyday, Kida seeks to protect it, and Anri doesn't see herself as worth one. But they all share one thing; they have an every day. The entire city does. We all do. Analyzing the anime, we can look at what they all learn about every day life, how they love a world which doesnt love them back, and discuss how it then relates to our real world. Is the mundane our enemy, or do we simply give it too much power? These are the great theme Durarara!! covers, and they'll make for a great anime discussion in today's video essay.

#anime #durarara #animeanalysis #professorviral #everyday

it’s not a lie if you believe it | Perfect Blue

ProfessorViral 2022-10-06 | Perfect Blue is a 1997 anime film by director Satoshi Kon, known for other movies like Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, and Paprika. The anime film follows Mima Kirigoe, an idol in the pop-group CHAM! who leaves the trio of idols to pursue an acting career. This leads to a wild chain of events, as the line between fiction and reality is sawed in half. Leading from obsession, to stalking, to brutal murder, Mima is tortured by the perception of others; who they want her to be, and her own perception; who she thought she should be. Eventually, she’s unable to tell what’s real and what isn’t, even in regards to herself.

Perfect Blue creates one of the most satisfying twists in all of anime film through this psychological horror exploration of Mima. And in this Satoshi Kon’s work presents some interesting food for thought for this video essay. How much truth is there in reality? How much influence do we have over that? And, do we even have to be concerned with truth, or can we live in lies? It draws us to the oh so famous line, “it’s not a lie if you believe it.” While many anime may tackle these questions, none do so quite as succinctly as Perfect Blue, coming it just under an hour and a half, but presenting a full and amazing story to watch. One perfect for a video essay!

0:00 Part 1
11:42 Part 2
21:20 Part 3

#perfectblue #anime #animeanalysis #professorviral #videoessay

the collision of life

ProfessorViral 2022-09-29 | Life is a downright insane thing. Filled with both wonderful and awful moments, one of the few things we all share is the fact that we live. So, what happens when two lives collide, and how easy can it be to change everything?

The desire for change is one of the most human feelings. In other video essays, we looked at ideas like the manic pixie dream girl, it's reality, and how wishing for change like that could only hurt us. But, is that something which actually exists around us at all times, only we simply fail to notice it? Humans are social creatures, surrounded all the time by others. We can look at our closest friends and see how simply we met, and how much it changed our lives. Are those moments happening every day, and we ignore them? This is something we see in many stories as well, with anime as no exception. Durarara is a prime example, as the entire premise is everyday life, and how both mundane, and amazing it can be, as Mikado, Anri, Kida, Celty, and more collide. Erased is an anime that looks at how we miss these important moments, and what it would be like to fix them as Satoru gets another try with Kayo. Anohana presents us with the end of lives together, and how easily we can fall apart from the relationships that defined us. And Violet Evergarden shows that maybe such things ending isn't always bad. This anime video essay will look at all of these, and show how quickly life can change life.

#animeanalysis #anime #professorviral #durarara #erased #anohana #violetevergarden

0:00 Introduction
2:20 Durarara!!
7:37 ERASED
11:58 Anohana
16:28 Violet Evergarden
21:12 Collision of Life

live fast, die young | Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

ProfessorViral 2022-09-22 | Futuristic tech, evil corporations, dark, smoke filled rooms; is there more to these classic dark sci-fi moments that just set dressing?

With Cyberpunk 2077’s new update, we got a great anime to pair with it from Studio Trigger, the minds behind Kill la Kill. Set in Night City from the video game, the anime follows David Martinez, a student from Araska Academy seeking excitement in his forcibly dull world. Robbed of humanity by the corporations that lord over Night City, David is reduced to whatever cheap thrills he can find, confined to the same fate as the rest of the city; a miserable doom. That is until Lucy, an edgerunner, changes his life forever. What starts as a simple scheme turns into a romance, as David joins her gang, along with Maine, Dorio, Kiwi, Rebbecca, Pilar, and Falco. What ensues from there is the meat for this video essay. They live wild and crazy adventures, exactly what you’d expect from Studio Trigger. But, even then, have they truly escaped the fate of Night City? Or, have they simply been allowed to run wild for a moment, to give people just enough hope they’re special to keep going; to make more money for the top? It comes down to a depressing choice; to live long and miserable, or, as the classic line says, to “Live fast, die young, and have a good-looking corpse.”

The Netflix original anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, released September 13th 2022, is a great anime to watch. It likely tops the list of all Trigger anime, beating even the now classic Kill la Kill, and doing so with only 10 episodes, making for an easy, but emotional binge watch.

#anime #cyberpunkedgerunners #animeanalysis #professorviral

Why YOU Should Watch Durarara!!

ProfessorViral 2022-09-15 | Durarara!! is a 2010 anime from Aniplex, and probably one of the best anime to recommend. That's because Durarara!! (DRRR) has something for everyone; wild and crazy action, overt comedy, psychological horror and philosophical speeches, and slice of life all in between. The anime can't truly be described by one genre. It follows a main trio; Mikado, Kida, and Anri, three high school students whos' lives get turned upside down in the crazy Tokyo district Ikebukuro. From Celty the headless rider, to Izaya the information broker, or from one gang like the yellow scarves to another like the dollars, the anime wastes no time introducing, and utilizing, many wild aspects. With a stellar ost, well written characters who embody core themes, and an unparallel exploration of daily life, all wrapped up in a 24 episode package, Durarara!! makes for a great series to watch, casually or for something more.

#durarara #animerecommendation #anime #professorviral

learning to feel human | Violet Evergarden

ProfessorViral 2022-09-08 | Violet Evergarden is a story covering many bases: from what love truly is, to how any life can change another, and for today, what it even means to be human to begin with. As a former child combatant, Violet was treated like a tool, something to be ordered around and traded, as how she's given to Major Gilbert Bougainvillea. He's the first person to actually care for her, but she's unable to understand his emotion and the words "I love you," as she's never known them before. Without ever exercising her free will, without ever finding love, she seems to be nothing. That is, until she becomes an Auto Memories Doll, a writer of letters for those who can't on their own. Through this she hears many forms of the words "I love you," and comes to see there is no one definition, but rather an idea that we must learn for ourselves. Violet finds that to love is not to be human, but that love so often embodies the same qualities which make us human. An overall great anime to watch, it introduced me to what I was feeling in a new way. Caught between author and viewer, I wonder if I too, could find humanity through great stories. This is my quest like Violet Evergardens: to learn how to be human.

#anime #violetevergarden #animeanalysis #professorviral

Spy x Family & The Cold War | History in Anime

ProfessorViral 2022-09-06 | Spy Family was one of the great new anime of 2022, following the espionage action of the Forger Family, Loid, Yor, and Anya, as their web of lies led to comedic and heartwarming moments of found family goodness. As Loid performs operation Strix for WISE, we get some not so subtle hints as to part of the anime's inspiration; the Cold War. Set between Westalis and Ostania, the anime parodies East and West Germany through its spy espionage adventures. But, how much of Spy x Family is actually based on real history? From hollow nickels, to ciphers, a lot of what we see in the 2022 series is more real than you may think. Today, let's dive into that history, the real Cold War occurrences, from East and West Germany to the Soviet Bloc, which inspired this series. There's hollow nickels, ciphers, dead drops, Romeo operations, and a lot more real spy action, so let's get into it!

0:00 Introduction
3:21 Hollow Nickel & Ciphers
7:03 Dead Drops & Spatis
13:25 Appearances & Awards
20:06 Briefcase, Bugs, & Morse Code
24:22 Romeo Operations
27:43 Outro

#anime #spyxfamily #coldwar #professorviral

This Anime Predicted the Future? | Serial Experiments Lain

ProfessorViral 2022-09-01 | From social media to internet addiction to internet privacy, Serial Experiments Lain seems to have predicted our digital age as it was just beginning... or, did it really?

Sometimes, certain media properties make eerie predictions about our future that come true. Anime has it's share of those; but is there any more prophetic than the 90's classic Serial Experiments Lain? Emerging from the era of the PS1, the anime follows a young girl who enters the world of technology, emerging forever changed; with a debate as to whether her ending is good or bad. But, what remains are the facts, for better or worse, technology, and their version of the internet (The Wired) changed this young mind in immense ways. Naturally, this draws parallels to our modern world. From Facebook actively harming mental health with Instagram, to internet personas, to kids growing up too fast, we can look at aspects of the anime and claim it's prophetic nature; that it predicted the future. But I'd like to argue Lain simply knew the past; the nature of humans and how we work. Technology is merely a tool, like any other. By seeing how we used them in the past, we can know how we'll use them in the future. I think this is what's great about watching Serial Experiments Lain; getting to witness human nature laid bare.

#serialexperimentslain #anime #animeanalysis #professorviral

the pain of free will

ProfessorViral 2022-08-25 | Every day we live and choose; but do we actually want to?

Free will is at the heart of humane philosophical discussion. From whether we even have free will, to what is right or wrong to use it for, there's always debate, but no true answer. I think there's something important to be known here though; whether we do or don't, should we act as though we do? That way, whatever truth we find ourselves with, we should be the overlord of it.

We can see this harsh lesson from many anime. In Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki struggles with his refusal to pick either humans or ghouls. Jonah from Jormungand passes his free will off to Koko Hekmatyar. Kida from Durarara!! allows his past to prevent his future, along with depending on Izaya for decision. Jet from Cowboy Bebop drifts to avoid any decision, like his companion Spike. They all miss the opportunity cost. They allow the word around them, their societies and more, told hold power over the individual over anything else.

But, we witness anime where things can turn out okay, if one is careful. Gurren Lagann and Simon present us with how following, in this case Kamina, ended up making Simon better. Trigun and Vash the Stampede as always provides us with some hope, this time in never choosing one over another, good or evil. Death Parade presents us with pain as a necessity, but where choosing it makes the end better. And our course, Psycho-Pass is all about free will, from Akane to Makishima.

Today we'll look at these anime, and explore the pain of free will, the suffering of choice, but higher the cost of indecision. We’ll see we have no choice but to choose.

#anime #animeanalysis #professorviral #tokyoghoul #cowboybebop #psychopass

0:00 Part 0: Introduction
2:37 Part 1: Always Saying No
19:21 Part 2: Learning to Say Yes
32:24 Part 3: A Moment, or a Lifetime?

Never Knows Best | Mamimi | FLCL

ProfessorViral 2022-08-18 | FLCL is a hotly contested anime, an all time great for some, and downright trash for others. But, whether it's looked at as pointless and pretentiousness or classic greatness, I think the anime has a lot to say. Most of that is coming of age, or growing up, and I think Mamimi is an important character for that aspect of the anime. The ex-girlfriend of Naoto's brother Tasuku, Mamimi clings onto Naoto as a reminder of the past. But, in that way, she also rejects the idea of growing up as a whole, believing things like Canti, the god from her Firestarter video game is real. As we watch her hold Naoto back, we see how much damage it does to both him, and herself. With that, I think we can learn a lot about growing up, or coming of age, from Mamimi and FLCL as a whole...

#anime #animeanalysis #flcl #professorviral

The Wish to be Complete | Madoka Magica

ProfessorViral 2022-08-11 | We all have regret and nostalgia, we all make wishes and find despair, but can we become our true selves despite this all?

Madoka Magica is a 2011 classic anime from Gen Urobuchi, who also produced such animated greats like Psycho-Pass and Fate/Zero. The seemingly shoujo magical girl anime follows Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki as they struggle with what to wish for given the chance to have one desire come true. Following Mami, feuding with Kyoko, and unraveling the mystery of Homura, Madoka and Sayaka are forced to confront their own feelings, as the twisted nature of their dark world comes true, fit to form for Gen Urobuchi. Today, we’ll be looking at this great series to watch in a new philosophical context, and asking if wishes are the human desire to be complete; that is to be our most true and final self. With a psychological examination of the characters, what can we draw from their wishes, regrets, downfalls and more? Should we try to be our true selves, or do we have to live with who the world makes us? Could “magic” really fix it all? While it may be a stretch for anime, I think the series, and its great characters like Sayaka, Homura, Mami, and Kyoko, can give us a good platform for analysis.

#anime #madokamagica #pmmm #animeanalysis #professorviral #urobuchi

existing only to exist

ProfessorViral 2022-08-04 | The daily toil; we exist and move forwards, never escaping the same fate we all share. Is there something which makes life worthwhile? Or do we succumb to the absurd?

Many have asked about the meaning of life, a reason for being, purpose, or other similar concepts. Some ideas, like existentialism, embrace the random nature of the universe and say there is no meaning of life on a greater scale, but we instead make one ourselves; existence precedes essence. However, absurdism takes this a step further, rejecting found purposes all together, instead claiming a revolt against the absurd is the only option. We must not turn away from the daily toil, from our inescapable fate, or the meaninglessness which surrounds us. We must fight it.

Today, we'll be exploring this feeling through example within some of the best anime to watch. Whether it's Asuka and Shinji's depression in Neon Genesis Evangelion (NGE or Eva), Revy's static Roanapur life in Black Lagoon, Spike and Faye drifting though space in Cowboy Bebop, the existentialism of Naoto in FLCL, and particularly of Nagara in Sonny Boy, or even challenging God in Vinland Saga like Canute, each one provides some insight into our question; is life worth living? What becomes of those who have no purpose, those who accomplish their reason for being, and those who have the meaning of life stollen away? Is purpose even something to strive for, or do we simply rebel against the Absurd? Taking from the Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus, we reach one possible conclusion; the only answer is constant revolt. We must become an absurd hero, like Sisyphus. Which of our characters are so? Shinji from Evangelion? Spike from Cowboy Bebop? Canute from Vinland Saga? Let's find out...

#anime #animeanalysis #camus #professorviral #neongenesisevangelion