| For me, the most striking thing about anime is the | | | | a never ending pounding of reality. It forces us to |
| courageous extremes that the designers take in | | | | accept the harsh and unforgiving nature of reality. |
| creating its signature style. Some, who love a reality | | | | Childhood is a soft and fluid existence. Nothing is |
| bound sense of proportion, do not appreciate it. But | | | | carved in stone; instead everything is shaped in |
| for those of us who can allow our minds to accept | | | | Play-Doh. That is the curious genius of the anime |
| the absurd, not only accept, but take pleasure in it, | | | | artist: he never grew up. |
| there is no other medium more predisposed to | | | | I fancy myself a sword aficionado. I have a fairly |
| artistic excess than anime. | | | | extensive collection, and enjoy learning as much |
| Now for example, there is one area in particular | | | | about them as possible. When I hold my Viking |
| which take extreme liberty in design. I'm referring to | | | | sword, I am transported to a Mead Hall, where the |
| the weapons used by anime characters, especially | | | | songs of my father's prowess in battle echoes in my |
| the swords. I remember first seeing the absolutely | | | | ears. When I thrust with my rapier, I am the fourth |
| enormous blade held by the main character in Final | | | | Musketeer, serving my king with honor. When I slash |
| Fantasy VII. Of course ones first response is shock, | | | | and roar with my claymore, I am fighting for my |
| then incredulity. That is where most people stop. But | | | | hearth and home against the tyranny of wicked men. |
| the true anime fan is capable of riding these strange | | | | But when I brandish one of my anime swords, I am |
| emotions further, till you finally arrive at appreciation. | | | | whatever I wish to be. There are no history lessons |
| Or to put it more simply, a giant sword is freakin' | | | | informing my judgment, no unceasing waves of |
| sweet! Anime allows us to remember our childhood | | | | reality eroding my wonder. Instead I am the boy |
| like nothing else. It is for children that Jack and the | | | | from the village set out on a grand adventure, the |
| Beanstalk were written, for it is only their flexible | | | | blind Samurai amazing my foes with my prowess. I |
| imagination which can encompass a giant. Adulthood is | | | | am flexible. I am imagination without limits. |