There is a specific kind of fiction that I like. It’s the kind where it’s based on some wacky premise, yet the writer manages to make everything flow together realistically as it makes perfect sense. Naturally, this sort of fiction is accompanied by humour. However, the humour here is neither the kind that comes with ridiculing others with straight out unrealistic characters nor the kind that is in-your-face over-the-top ridiculous. Instead, it comes with the strength, potential inherent in humanity and heartwarming vibes and all that stuff against the backdrop of things that may seem ridiculous but perfectly follow the system of logic that the world presents. The humour, therefore, is a kind of dry humour, where something seemingly ridiculous is said in a perfectly natural, manner-of-fact way. It isn’t your traditional Western kind of dry humour with the trademark sarcasm, smart-aleckness and wit that isn’t realistic. It definitely is more straight out slapstick, and yet at the same time, it’s somehow more realistic (character developments) and delivers good feels.
Well, I’ve only found it in anime though. The first one that I found many years ago was Kill la Kill. While it had something like a wacky ridiculous premise, I found that everything flowed so well it was not forced at all and made perfect sense. While I haven’t rewatched it since I very seldom rewatch stuff (already knowing the plot), it’s remained in my mind ever since as a one-of-a-kind.
Anyway, I recently found a spiritual equivalent to it (I mean something that fits this same bill of mine)! The show is none other than Assassination Classroom. I have had a bag of the anime from some AFA (went once or twice) way back, but I had never actually watched the show before until recently. But one day, I decided to give it a chance and wow. It struck me in all the right places! That teacher in this show is actually a really good teacher! Educational content is partly ‘how-to-be-an-assassin’, but that doesn’t mean everything is just ridiculous to the extent of not making sense as found in Western shows! This show is somewhat educational and heartwarming! More like very!
At this point, I have finished watching the first season of this anime (there are two). I must say that it hasn’t disappointed. Perhaps there is something special in anime? Or maybe it’s more to do with culture or is it just a portion of creators? Anyway, there is a positivity as well as humanist vibe that can often be found in anime, I’ve observed. I am not saying that this can’t be found in Western stuff. Hmm, the truth is, the only Western shows I can remember watching on Netflix off hand are IZombie and The Good Place. Hmm, for the former, yep, it seems confirmed that I like watching stuff which may have far-off premises, yet manage to keep it realistic, or plausible nevertheless. Ignore how I used to act like a zombie when I was fully obsessed with fiction. And as for the latter, well, it has positive growth vibes? People with flaws eventually growing to overcome them and all that – why, it shows the potential of humanity! That’s never lame.
This brings me to the talk of coolness. I find that coolness is nothing without empathy. If something is lacking empathy, it can never be cool. It’s just off-putting. It’s not something to show off… Whilst something containing empathy can certainly be boring if nothing exciting and novel happens, it’s not something that one can stomp on at all. If one is poor at expressing their empathy but technically cares, it’s up to that person to grow. It’s perfectly fair. Sometimes, though, shows are just not heartwarming at all it’s sad. They fail miserably! My parents are watching Prince of Tennis on Netflix. Tennis part is exciting I admit, but human part is so disappointing and cringe and cliched and lacking of realism and feels it just hurts.
End of post! I realised it’s my 33rd post on this blog after like 10 weeks! That’s like 17 on main blog and 8 each on side blogs. It’s technically like a third to a hundred! Feels like a milestone while naturally also reminding me of HSSB days. Hah. Cool huh.