Existential Anime

[CDLviking]

For a philosophy class I'm supposed to write a paper on existentialsim using any kind of art, movie, or whatever that we like. I can also write one for pragmatism. I'd like to do an anime if I can. I thought about Trigun, but I think that's a bit of a stretch. Can anyone think of an anime with existentialism or pragmatism in it?

[Arnobius]

For a philosophy class I'm supposed to write a paper on existentialsim using any kind of art, movie, or whatever that we like. I can also write one for pragmatism. I'd like to do an anime if I can. I thought about Trigun, but I think that's a bit of a stretch. Can anyone think of an anime with existentialism or pragmatism in it?

From the little I know of Existentialism,

Existentialism is a unilateral philosophical movement that emphasizes the individual, the self, the indivdual's experience, and the uniqueness therein as the only reality. Existentialists believe in sheer freedom and accept the consequenses and ramifications of their actions wholly. Existentialists prefer subjectivity, and view general existence as arcane, that they are isolated entities in an indifferent and often ambiguous universe.

, I would go look at some of those anime that get downright obnoxious about opposing religion. It seems to me that every anime that creates a rift between following a religious belief and doing what one thinks is right.

Actually, the media I encountered that really expressed this is a game from Japan: Grandia II, which seems to take this as a conclusion in talking about religion.

<Reminds me of a paper I did on Taoism, where I used the writings of Douglas Adams as an involuntary master>

[desperado]

akira would slightly fall under this. and yeah grandia 2 is pretty much that way. the whole granas thing was pretty offending

[Omega Amen]

For an anime title, I think Cowboy Bebop has some existential elements. From what I can remember, you can focus on (I guess spoilers follow):

[SPOILER]Spike's feelings about his life before and after being separated from Julia (alive and dead); Vicious's view of life; Faye feeling she lives in an indifferent universe post-cyrosleep (ambiguous universe since she is amnesiac); Jet quoted Hemingway near the end, who is an existential author; the general sheer freedom atmosphere and attitude of the crew and the world in this series.[/SPOILER]

I am sure with close examination you can find some material from that title to use for your paper.

Of course, just for a backup plan if anime just does not turn out well for your assignment, The Stranger by Albert Camus (I recommend the Matthew Ward translation) is definitely an existential novel. He was with Jean-Paul Sartre, who promoted this philosophy in the early twentieth century.

[true_noir_chloe]

I might suggest Neon Genesis Evangelion. Since it's a "do not discuss" title, you might want to pm me for the answers as to why I feel this way.

Wow, there are so many existential-type anime out there. Ghost in the Shell: Innocence, Rahxephon to some extent, sCryed. I think you should start looking at the science fiction animes and you'll more than likely find some good titles to work with.

[CDLviking]

The Stranger is already being used by someone else.

Existentialism doesn't necessarily have to cause a rift with religion, but it often does. There were a few Christian existentialist writers during its heyday.

I thought about GITS Innocence, but I haven't seen it yet. RahXephon is a good idea though. I'm not really convinced Cowboy Bebop would fit the bill. It would take a really good argument to convince my professor on that.

The reason I was thinking about Trigun was because of some of the important "choices" that go on in the show. Vash's choice not to kill. Wolfwood's philosophy on making a choice quickly. Vash's "choice" with Legato at the end. Rem's idea that "your ticket to the future is always blank."

[Arnobius]

akira would slightly fall under this. and yeah grandia 2 is pretty much that way. the whole granas thing was pretty offending

Glad to see I wasn't the only one to think that way. That was Japanese anti-Christian sentiment at it's most repugnant (never asked: How do they know Zera wasn't lying about Granas?)

Ryuudo: I never had much use for God or women
<loud crash>
Ryuudo: What was that?
Me: Quite possibly God striking the offices of Game Arts with lightning

Not that all Japanese think that way, but a friend of mine pointed out that he wasn't suprised by that plot turn, because this is how Christianity gets portrayed in anime usually...

[CDLviking]

Was it something like Xenogears?

[Cap'n Nick]

Kino's Journey might work. The show is practically a sermon on subjectivity and the world it portrays is very, very cold.

[starwarsboy90]

I'd say either Cowboy Bebop or Inuyasha, both have that. But then again Oregon guy whom is somewhat like me, I use to live in Otregon too, anyways, those are my two suggestions.

[That Dude]

I'd pretty much agree with T_N_C on all that she said. You might also try Serial Experiments Lain. And I think that there is about as much existintalism in Dual Parralel Trouble Adventure as there is in Trigun...Well a little less but as far as I know is ties in a tiny bit.

[Arnobius]

Was it something like Xenogears?

(Presuming you're referring to my post on Grandia II), I haven't seen Xenogears, so I can't say. Grandia II was a game that [spoiler]set you up into thinking you were on a typical quest to find a magical item with a typical group of role playing characters. Suddenly, in a switch, we find that the Pope of this church is made out to be the villain, the god everyone believes in turns out to be long dead and the ultimate message turns out to be "do what you feel to be right" and "tradition only holds people back from becoming all they can be."[/spoiler]

[Mr. SmartyPants]

full metal alchemist man... guy sinning... paying for his sins.... that could work