Some architects and military personnel might very well have known that a war meant doom for Japan from the very…
War is about logistics and it is quite clear to people much in advance as to what actual chances of success are. In a complex political situation, not everyone in Japan wanted war. This is a country in which the very commander who led government forces against the samurais rebelled against the government just some years later. However, it was quite difficult for people to voice their opposition to the the military commanders in the Axis powers. The Wehrmacht had several generals including Field Marshal von Rundstedt who opposed a long war and said so quite openly even to the Fuehrer's face. In fact, Hitler himself never wanted war against the British or the Americans till he essentially realised that war against them was inevitable. This movie implies that the Japanese military had senior officers who did not consider war to be the right course for Japan. As officers, they would do their duty but they opposed the military plans themselves. Their actions were not tantamount to treason because none of their actions were aimed at military defeat. They were only more afraid that the people would not accept defeat and go for total destruction. Only the emperor at the end managed to convince the Japanese to surrender and even there were troops who never surrendered for years. The symbolism of the sinking of the Yamato was powerful. It was a powerful weapon that was utterly useless for the war and predictably so but it was also the necessary sacrifice at the altar of the warmongers in the Japanese military. The leadership wanted such a useless weapon and that is what they were provided. If the leadership were smarter, they would not have laid the grounds for an extended war in the first place. You are right that the war was not doomed had it been limited in scope but the military leadership had repeatedly shown by 1933 that they were not men to stop at reasonable aims. I am not sure that the historical revisionism would help the Japanese government or military here because the movie portrays them as quite imbecilic for the most part.
Seriously now.... Is there any Japanese who liked this movie? I'm asking because the assumption for the reasons…
Some architects and military personnel might very well have known that a war meant doom for Japan from the very start. Admiral Yamamoto said so himself. While what the film presents falls more in the category of conspiracy theory, it is not altogether implausible given Yamamoto's role.
God, I don't even remember writing this review but after reading it again, the horror came back to me. It was inspirational for sure, just not in a good way.
ok this was surprising. First you think it's a love story, then there is a twist you would never expect and then…
I had the same feelings as you and your comment helped me decide to watch it. I am gl,ad I did it because this is one terrific movie. Not just a watch for when one has nothing to do but a movie that deserves a viewing in its own right. The heroine is mesmerising in every way and I so got to love her to-be-husband.
Yes, that would have avoided bias due to question framing. It would be exactly the critique a reviewer would have…
Thank you asking. It was interesting and I really liked your presented your findings and disclosed all the data. People are having high expectations because of how strongly you set the framework for the article.
I agree with your points the most Soju.Although I agree with Cassiopeiastars about the 6th question. It led on…
Yes, that would have avoided bias due to question framing. It would be exactly the critique a reviewer would have put forth if this were an academic article.
That's a great list. The comments are great fun and that's the main reason I watch an airing drama every now and then. Apart from the other fact that one can think of writing a Currently Watching article. I also so agree with your peeve about theories being better than the writer in some cases. I felt that way when Memories of The Alhambra was airing, and Tell Me What You Saw.
If this was about Japanese Dramas: Keep fit enough to sprint through your entire city at all times... you never…
You are right, that did happen in a JDrama I watched. Maybe I ought to have included that screenshot. I will be watching a few Jdramas this year. So I will make note of that!
Every person have a different thought, this is one of the most interesting thing about life. I don't like the…
Being forced to have fun is not fun, and you are right about dramas that show characters who are not interested but still need to go with coworkers after work, because this is actually a very real culture. A work space that is ultra competitive and everyone distrusts each other but one is forced to have fun through compulsory team bonding exercises and dinners, now that would be awful. However, I have seen some dramas (Tunnel for eg.) in which some people who did not like it never joined their colleagues. For a lot of people who spend a lot of time at work, it becomes hard to make friends outside work and it helps to be able to have friends at work for having fun (Misaeng). The part I like in Kdramas is that very often coworkers are genuine friends. This is not common in real life but I wish it were.
Interesting article although it could have use some Jdramas, Cdramas, and Thai Dramas in the mix as well but that's…
Although I watch movies from everywhere, I watch more of Kdramas or Tdramas, with the occasional HK or JDrama. So, can't really include the other countries. My movie articles have a mix :)
LOL. Keep a spare room and apply lip balm had me rolling! XD
Ha Ha lemme know whenever you remember ;) I do remember that Oh My Ghostess had the employee moving into the boss' apartment and something like that happened in Secret Garden and Strong Girl Bong Soon too but I don't know one where the boss moved in.
I love this article! I was having a discussion with a coworker yesterday about why I am so hooked on Asian dramas.…
So glad you liked the article and commented:) My feelings are just like yours with regard to Western television. The series have too many characters who drop in and out continuously and do similar things, and character development and relationships suffer. The joys of common everyday life are totally jettisoned in favour of showing only the sensational. Too much major happens all the time unrealistically and it seems dazzlingly complex except that below the surface, the plots abound in holes. Oddly enough, I have even found the Korean crime and medical shows to be more realistic with regards to actual time required for procedures, and efficiency of processes. I also don't like that Western shows actually take much longer to tell the core story, because they often take 8 seasons. The amazing thing is that Asian dramas have so much slowness, cringe, and frustration, and they are still utterly enjoyable on the whole!
This is exactly what attracted me to Asian dramas. Especially points 1, 2, 4 and 5. I love how they pay attention…
Yes, the attention these dramas give towards very simple human needs and emotions in everyday situations is so refreshing and attractive. Great point about the inspiring work ethic and drive in real life too. We can see the results of that in the economic miracles in East Asia. The dramas are unexpectedly realistic in this sense.
This movie implies that the Japanese military had senior officers who did not consider war to be the right course for Japan. As officers, they would do their duty but they opposed the military plans themselves. Their actions were not tantamount to treason because none of their actions were aimed at military defeat. They were only more afraid that the people would not accept defeat and go for total destruction. Only the emperor at the end managed to convince the Japanese to surrender and even there were troops who never surrendered for years. The symbolism of the sinking of the Yamato was powerful. It was a powerful weapon that was utterly useless for the war and predictably so but it was also the necessary sacrifice at the altar of the warmongers in the Japanese military. The leadership wanted such a useless weapon and that is what they were provided. If the leadership were smarter, they would not have laid the grounds for an extended war in the first place.
You are right that the war was not doomed had it been limited in scope but the military leadership had repeatedly shown by 1933 that they were not men to stop at reasonable aims.
I am not sure that the historical revisionism would help the Japanese government or military here because the movie portrays them as quite imbecilic for the most part.
I also so agree with your peeve about theories being better than the writer in some cases. I felt that way when Memories of The Alhambra was airing, and Tell Me What You Saw.
However, I have seen some dramas (Tunnel for eg.) in which some people who did not like it never joined their colleagues. For a lot of people who spend a lot of time at work, it becomes hard to make friends outside work and it helps to be able to have friends at work for having fun (Misaeng). The part I like in Kdramas is that very often coworkers are genuine friends. This is not common in real life but I wish it were.
My feelings are just like yours with regard to Western television. The series have too many characters who drop in and out continuously and do similar things, and character development and relationships suffer. The joys of common everyday life are totally jettisoned in favour of showing only the sensational. Too much major happens all the time unrealistically and it seems dazzlingly complex except that below the surface, the plots abound in holes. Oddly enough, I have even found the Korean crime and medical shows to be more realistic with regards to actual time required for procedures, and efficiency of processes. I also don't like that Western shows actually take much longer to tell the core story, because they often take 8 seasons.
The amazing thing is that Asian dramas have so much slowness, cringe, and frustration, and they are still utterly enjoyable on the whole!
Great point about the inspiring work ethic and drive in real life too. We can see the results of that in the economic miracles in East Asia. The dramas are unexpectedly realistic in this sense.