This August it’s all about saying thankyou and commemorate to my favourite animation studio and what one of their series has done and given to me. Prepare for things to get sappy!!
You don’t know the awesome group of OWLS bloggers?
Owls bloggers started up two years and I’ve been a member since. We are a group of bloggers, youtubers and podcasters who do monthly blog tours discussing selected topic for that month. We are a group that loves to spread and promote acceptance within important worldly topics, disability, race, sexuality, human equality. Initially we used anime and pop culture only to discuss our monthly topics but now Owls has branched out beyond this into music, sports, books. The options are endless now for us and our growing group.
Before you continuing on reading check out the previous post from Dale who expresses how the series Lucky Star helped him accept his otaku side.
Prompt:
Kyoto Animation. We all have that one anime we enjoyed from Kyoto Animation. Whether it is pain or joy, Kyoto Animation has brought to life stories that can touch our emotions. For the month of August, we will be honouring Kyoto Animation and all it has done for art, storytelling, and popular culture by discussing some of our favorite Kyoto Animation series. We will discuss what we love about these series and what they taught us.The fire that happened at the studio is indeed a tragedy. We pray for the lives that were lost in this tragedy and the families that are suffering at this time. Fires may be dangerous, but there are flames that burn within us that spark passion, hope, and belief in ourselves.
I’ve always thought Kyoto Animation is our Disney, giving us magical series that exceed every time in the realm of life and emotions. Reading a tweet on 18th July fire tragedy befalling this beloved studio still I don’t think anyone can find the words to express the shock – even now. Precious lives were lost that day and it’s important to remember, to say thankyou and to commemorate what was given to us fans and acknowledge the beauty of work left.
Kyoto Animation has been my favourite animation studio for past decade for a special reason or I’ll say two. A Silent Voice, Lucky Star, are just a fraction of memorabilia that will go on to be apart of this studio’s legacy. It’s funny to say that among this studios series over the years, my favourite falls under people’s scopes. Though I’m all about those unknown, hidden gems when it comes to anime, it makes sense now. I’ve spoken before about this series on the blog but under the circumstances, there was no way I could not.
Seeming Ordinary But Became Special
Must be seven or eight years ago my Kyo Ani obsession began. Munto Tv starting out Two OVA’s first came out in 2003 then second in 2005. Then in 2009 a mini TV series came out in nine episodes, this is the easiest way to watch it. The TV series had additional add ons to the plot and new animation. What even got me to watch this short series was a random AMV (anime music video) by RedWingedAngel02, watching the clips of this video heavenly setting got me immediately curious. The story of Munto is fairly simple focusing before the world heavens existed, humanity was flourishing. Unknown entities descended from the sky possessing powers ‘Akuto’ turning emotions into physical power. The heavens were born after these beings became power hungry and destroyed all the humans homes. Humans were the source of Akuto, heavenly beings dipped into other dimensions gaining more Akuto.
The power struggle caused chaos in the heavens leading to the connection between earth and heavens cut off. The present times the heavens lack of akuto has started a war among the other nations, facing immense pressure. King Munto seeks out a girl of prophecy Yumemi Hidaka who can restore the flow of Akuto.
Munto Tv was the starting point for Kyoto Animation into the realm of emotions and life with the central beacon main character Yumemi. At a younge age Yumemi was able to see floating islands in the sky but nobody believed her. Keeping her gift a secret, left Yumemi in the negative, letting her self doubt reach zero. King Munto showing up began well up something inside of Yumemi, she didn’t realise existed. The more Yumemi denies Munto, the more eventually the pull was too strong to ignore. First moment Yumemi bridges the gap between both world reaching for Munto’s hand was only her first step towards realising the power inside of herself.
It wasn’t enough by just touching Munto’s hand to connect both worlds and restore the flow of Akuto. Yumemi main challenge, challenges herself to take up arms and find the courage that’s lying dormant. Her friends Suzume and Ichigo when in danger is the moment Yumemi takes that leap and stand to protect what is precious. If not for the connection she builds with Munto, Yumemi would have never realised the resilient warrior that was deep within. Yumemi found a place of acceptance to move forward towards the future, to not be scared and accepts herself. In turn Yumemi gives Munto new found in his belief in his role as King, at beginning like Yumemi self doubt was at zero. Both the pair help discover and revive belief for one another.
Without spirit we cannot have belief is the moral of Munto TV. Souls are spirits made up of our emotions and character as people – the connection in-between body and mind. A quote Yumemi makes “My Heart Is Safely With Me” states her acceptance and belief within herself after her personal struggle. Waging war full of angry hearts caused the imbalance. The power of Akuto could have never flowed again without their being a harmony to bridge the gap and that was Yumemi. Takes a lot to dig deep and find that inner belief but to first harness that, you have to acknowledge your whole self, your spirit. The curveballs of life are what will awaken belief and make only grow stronger.
Kyoto Animation and this series captured the form of belief in a encapsulating perspective I’d never seen told the way it was. It meant something real, and raw that embodied my own thoughts on the subject. From that point I made it my life mission to watch every Kyoto Animation series before I died. . . nope still not done that yet. You know when you’ve got a long ass watch list, haha.
Obsession + Friendship Formed
After watching this series for the first time it was like Beyblade all over again. I became obsessed with Munto Tv watching every AMV possible on youtube, scrolling through fanart. I felt crazy at one point WHY?!? a nine episode series has overtaken me like this, when it’s not an standout. Luckily I was not alone in my obsession, RedWingedAngel02 aka Arielle we have been long time friends because of Munto Tv. Commenting on that first video of hers lead to obsessive fangirling and to our current friendship after seven or eight years round about. Out of the two of us Arielle is more obsessed just see her fanart, she is a wicked graphic artist, check it out.
I remember the moment we fangirled over this series first time, she hadn’t met anyone who loved this under looked series much as me. Arielle inspired me to start making AMV’s, of course I used Munto and nothing else really . . . oops. It’s what drove me to love editing and making videos, putting clips with lyrics and capturing the emotion. That’s what I love when watching AMV.
But. . .
Our obsession didn’t stop their.
I created a facebook page dedicated to Munto Tv because looking around there was fanbase for this series. Later on I asked Arielle to run the page with me and that was in 2012. Arielle keeps it going, I’ve gotten forgetful at posting on their, so thankyou my bestie for not letting our page die. We discovered other fans of this series and it’s been wonderful running the page, any update everyone gets all excited, hysterical.
Arielle was naughty one year because we send each other packages every year for birthday and christmas. She sent me the limited edition of Munto Tv Japanese set that has the most sentimental value in my entire collection. You’re still naughty for doing that missy even after all this time and it’s a beautiful set.
Ari, if you are reading this I probably have embarrassed you to hell but you’ll be happy your favourite series in the entire universe is getting more recognition. Anytime I’ve ever messaged you about something Munto related you squeal with excitement like the first time we fangirled together over this amazing series – we think the world of. You’re friendship I know will be everlasting, though I think it’s crazy being friends with me haha but I found out your crazy just like me, so IT WORKS!! I still cannot wait for the day we will finally meet and it will be a munto explosion.
My obsession is real as you can see for a nine episode series……… but this was such a fun shoot at the time.
Shortest Impact
I’m still asking myself even now why does this series still have a hard grip over me? Munto Tv was Kyoto Animation’s first independent series anchoring their growth, steering the warmth of storytelling and characterisation to what it has blossomed into. Their approach towards their stories, scraping every emotion possible alongside picturesque animation that just leaves your mind blow, every time. You won’t find a story that captures that emotional essence like Kyo Ani does. I would like to take a moment to say this post is in respect and commemorate of Yoshiji Kigami, key animator and director. Who was killed among the 35 victims, he directed Munto Tv, Akira, among other works, animator for Free! A Silent Voice.
Thankyou Yoshiji for giving me a series I’ve been obsessed with years and for many to come. Thankyou for introducing me to a studio that takes storytelling in a emotional perspective like I’ve never seen. Kyoto Animation has given me a friendship and a eternal anime favourite, Your first work Munto Tv I’ll continue to love and advocate for.
I’ll leave here my last AMV I ever made it was a request from a subscriber, I think saids in a nutshell of what represents this post. Enjoy!
Don’t forget to check out our blog tour schedule here and after this post is Auri so hop on over and see what Kyo Ani series she will be talking about. I’m not telling because I’m mean ahaha.
If you would like to support Kyo Ani you can still by buying digital files such as wallpapers from their online store
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LitaKino
litakinoanimecorner.wordpress.com 
I never heard of this anime until now. From the way you described it, it feels like you love this anime as much as you love Sailor Moon.I like that analogy on how you compared Kyoto Animation to Disney. Spot on, I think I could see that. If Disneyland was caught on fire, I think fans from all over would feel this pain otakus feel. Kyoto Animation has a special magic that makes us connect to characters and helps us escape from our reality.
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