My Childhood, Day Seven: The Thrill of "Kaizokou" Life in "One Piece"

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

I remember getting hooked on One Piece when I was around 11 or 12 years old. I was going through this crazy manga phase where I would just consume Japanese graphic novels like soda. Day after day, night after night. I read the mangas, I watched the animes. No dubs- I made sure that it was kept as organically as possible.

Although One Piece is shonen (geared towards males), I didn't care. Personally, I felt that it appealed universally, with its themes of camaraderie, hakuna matata outlook, and adventure on the high seas. There may have been some blood and violence involved, but no gore. There might also have been swearing and bare skin shed, but not excessively. For all I cared, it was PG-13. And that was completely fine in my preteen eyes.

For those who are not familiar with the story, One Piece is about a group of pirates (known as kaizokou in Japanese) who embarks on a perpetual, timeless adventure through the Grand Line (an area considered dangerous, but adventurous all the while) to obtain the much-coveted "One Piece," a treasure unbeknownst to mankind. Along the way, the pirates encounter fellow pirates, new lands and enemies, and lots and lots of action. The group is led by Monkey D. Luffy, who as a child ate a Devil's Fruit (the Gum-Gum Fruit) which causes him to develop super-elastic powers, but as a consequence is unable to swim. Ironies aside, Luffy sets out to become the greatest pirate of them all.

Monkey D. Luffy.

I first read the manga, then watched the anime. Both were wonderful. The manga was chock-full of vivid illustrations and actions. The characters may not have looked "pretty" (compared to shojo art), but the caricature aspects made the graphic novel as a whole facetiously entertaining. It didn't matter that Sanji had a curly eyebrow and Usopp looked like an overgrown monkey; each character had their quirks, which paired perfectly with the easygoing and fun nature of the story. That, as well as Luffy's happy-go-lucky demeanor, taught me not to take life too seriously. I would marathon the anime series with my sister over the weekends and during the summer, watching the episodes back to back, even eating breakfast and lunch in front of the computer screen (the episodes were burned onto a CD. Legally or illegally, I don't know). The viewing sessions got so intense, that we once watched a total of 11 episodes in one sitting! Considering that each episode was 23 minutes, that's over four hours! Imagine what could one do with all of that time.

By far, my favorite character was Zoro. Roronoa Zoro. He was the epitome of cool, with his muscular physique, three swords, and I-don't-give-a-crap attitude towards life. Even his green hair was pretty rad. Everyone wanted to be like him, wielding his three weapons like a bamf and cutting through anything in his path, including rocks and steel. I think I sort of fell in love with him.

Zoro... <3

Sadly, my affair with One Piece eventually came to a stop. As I hit my mid-teens, I gradually lost track of the series and filled my day with other sources of entertainment, including cooking shows, world news, and other, more "adult" programs. The last arc that I recall watching from the series was the one on Skypeia, where the Going Merry, Luffy's ship, gets propelled to the sky and the crew gets acquainted with the inhabitants up there. That must have been so long ago by now. And because it has been years since I last watched One Piece, I am discouraged from returning to it. Even if I dedicated myself to watching it everyday, it would take months, maybe a year, to catch up. Additionally, with my "responsibilities" of being an adult (i.e. college, work, etc.), I simply do not have time. It's very unfortunate. Yet, the experience has left me with valuable memories and lessons. One Piece has taught me fearlessness, to push yourself amid the pain and for that goal, however unattainable it may seem. It has given me the concept of camaraderie, with friends new and old- having their backs through good and bad times and making every experience with them quality. These lessons may sound cheesy and clichéd, but their optimistic energy is infectious. We should try to strive for this mentality, in order to live a fruitful life.

That sums up my week of childhood nostalgia. I hope that the blogs have inspired you to recall your favorite memories and pick up the lessons that you may have learned. Thank you for reading!

My Childhood, Day Six: '90s Nickelodeon Cartoons

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

I am a '90s kid. Yes, I am a product of Atari, Beanie Babies, Sock 'em Boppers, and Tamagotchis (although I had never played with one before). I remember when baggy pants were in style and belts were worn on almost everything. That Backstreet Boys and N'SYNC took the whole world by storm, long before One Direction did. That floppy discs were required to back up information and that shows had to be recorded on VHS. Sayings like "loser, loser double loser" and "that's so cool...NOT!" were used ubiquitously by youth everywhere. Good times.

Fashion was so cool back then.

Yet, one particular aspect that I remember clearly were the '90s cartoons on Nickelodeon. This was when Nickelodeon was the number one most-watched channel among children and teenagers. Nickelodeon reigned supreme. Nickelodeon was king.

From the ridiculous to the great, these cartoons filled up a large portion of my childhood days. Back before the laptop replaced the television, I sat in front of the boob tube, every afternoon and evening, and watched the latest episodes from my favorite shows.

"You dumb babies!" 

Rugrats was one of the many that I watched. It is amazing to think that these infants, these toddlers, have such wacky adventures, all from the confines of their imagination. I still remember the ingenious way that Tommy Pickles would unlatch the playpen's lock with his trusty screwdriver, thus opening up the possibilities of fun to the whole world. I would get angry at Angelica Pickles for being such a brat, trying to spoil the fun and taking advantage of both the children and adults. It's funny, because I associated the name "Angelica" with negative thoughts (although it is not the case with all of the "Angelicas" in the world). Yet, in a way, she kind of grows on you, with her eccentricities and love for her doll Cynthia (which was pretty damn ugly). 

"Football head!"

Another show that has had a significant impact on my childhood memories was Hey Arnold! Just like Rugrats, Hey Arnold! featured a large group of kids, each with their own weird characteristics and traits. Besides the fact that Arnold, the titular character, had a football-shaped head, it wasn't until I was older that I realized Arnold's plaid "skirt" was not actually a skirt at all. It is just a jacket tied around his waist. Whoops. But it was Helga who was bad-ass. Hate her or love her, she made fun of "football head" because she was in love with him. Her shrine to Arnold both irritated and amused me. Yet, unlike Rugrats, the show had a darker tone to it. It was evident in the streets, the neighborhood where Arnold grows up in. It is very urban, with high buildings and concrete streets, as well as the ominous streetlights at night. Arnold lives in a small apartment with his grandparents, as well as with his neighbors, who come from a diversity of backgrounds, including Oskar from an unnamed Eastern European country and Mr. Hyunh from Vietnam. This pays homage to the melting pot culture in many large cities, including New York and Los Angeles. Despite the dark, more mature feel to the show, Hey Arnold! addressed significant issues about growing up, fitting in, and family.

Aside from those two shows, the other programs that I watched on Nickelodeon either were not as enjoyable or I just did not watch them on a regular basis. The quality of these shows were not bad, though. I acknowledge The Wild Thornberries for trying to interest children in wildlife, and found it very clever that the creators named Eliza's chimpanzee Darwin. Rocket Power was kind of cool, in its chillaxing and sports-centered concept. But I found it implausible that nine and ten-year-olds could perform triple 360-flips on their skateboard, bike, and so forth. Ah, well. One can only dream. I also vaguely recall watching several episodes of CatDog, which was just annoying, and Doug, which I can't remember being about.

As we venture into the 2000s, 2010s, and onwards, the '90s are becoming a distant memory. Reruns are seldom aired on television anymore. I have replaced my daily dose of cartoons with live-action programs online. Growing up is bittersweet, but with the immensity of websites and fandoms dedicated to the '90s, we have plenty of opportunities to revisit our childhood from time to time, even if it is only figuratively.

My Childhood, Day Five: The Power of Choice Represented in Disney's "Mulan"

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

I think it is common knowledge that Disney=childhood. We are brought up with the classics, including "Snow White," "Aladdin," and "The Lion King," as well as with Disney Channel shows and merchandise. Most importantly, we are raised on Disneyland, the so-called "Happiest Place on Earth." I have yet to know someone who has not been to Disneyland before. But because of Disney, we are taught to believe that any dream is possible, that any obstacle is surmountable through perseverance, originality, and audacity. They are not bad aspects (not at all!), but I feel that Disney contradicts itself in some cases, particularly with its princesses.

Don't get me wrong. I adore Princess Aurora from "Sleeping Beauty." Although she was naive and a bit ditsy, her careful nature is reminiscent of our own simple childhood, devoid of responsibility and all about enjoying life. However, I felt that the story, in addition to those of Snow White's, Belle's, Ariel's, Jasmine's, and Pocahontas's were passive affairs. Basically, these princesses waited for their princes to come and save them from the rut routine of their lives. They do not choose to take charge. Definitely not one for the feminists. 

Also, if you want to get into racial politics, the Disney princesses has been predominately Caucasian. It was not until the introduction of Jasmine in 1992's "Aladdin" that the company started to diversify with its characters. Yet, some race critics have slammed the images of these characters. Some have blasted the portrayal of Jasmine, who was deemed too "sexualized" as a role model for young girls. Pocahontas has also been criticized for exoticizing Native Americans, with the character wearing so-called "traditional Native American" (but revealing) clothing and doing all of these spirit-calling rituals in the film.

However, with Mulan, you find something different. Although she has not been considered an official Disney princess, her actions and heroism earns her a level of respect, in my book. The film never planned to tell the actual story of Hua Mulan, the legend in the Chinese poem "The Ballad of Mulan." Like the case with "Pocahontas," Disney meant to bring light to these different cultures, giving the audiences a glimpse, but certainly not a historical lesson.

Reception for the character of Mulan has been majorly positive, praising her character as independent and heroic. Instead of waiting for the prince to save her, she saves him, along with their entire kingdom. Simply put, Mulan kicks ass.

I remember first watching the movie in theaters, but I didn't stay for the whole thing, because I was crying for my mom to take us home. I don't know whether it was the loud, bombastic score or the fighting scenes, but I felt afraid. I was a weird kid.

But as I got older, I watched it again, and in its entirety. The more times that I watched, the more that I appreciated it. My appreciation with "Mulan" evolved in several stages: I appreciated the entertainment value at age eight. I appreciated the cultural aesthetics at age eleven. Finally, I appreciated the feminism/women empowerment issue that the film hoped to portray, at age fourteen. I learned something new from each viewing. It made me question my status as a young, Asian-American female: should I choose to pursue my passion, even if it involves risks and defies tradition? Or should I honor the wishes of my family, who wish nothing but the best for me? There is a cultural clash between these two, and there are nuances to both sides of the debate. What "Mulan" presents to the female audience is choice, which had not been seen in previous works.

All seriousness aside, I enjoyed the entertainment value of the film as well. As a child, you don't watch a movie for the sake of critiquing it. You watch it because it is fun. Comic reliefs, including Mushu and Mulan's grandma, are worth a laugh, and the songs are ridiculously catchy ("Someday I'll/make a man/out of you..."). I have the soundtrack on my iPod. Sometimes I'll imagine that I'm Lea Salonga and (attempt to) belt out "Reflection" like a bamf. But never successfully.

My Childhood, Day Four: Romancing "Ratatouille"

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

I love French culture.

I love food.

I don't like rats.

But I like "Ratatouille."

Disney Pixar's 2007 film, "Ratatouille," came out when I was well into my teens. But I still consider this my childhood, because, well, I was under 18 and I still had that innocent, wide-eyed wonder for all things Pixar.

Note: This is not to say that I am completely disenchanted with the company. I still like Pixar, but I have been disappointed by some of its films in the recent years. After "Toy Story 3" in 2010, it has just been let-downs: "Cars 2" in 2011, "Brave" in 2012, and "Monsters University" this year. I blame the company for running out of ideas, thus resorting to either previous, successful works or generic, hackneyed endings (like the case with "Brave").

But I'm not here today to discuss the quality of Pixar films. I'm here to discuss my love for "Ratatouille."

I think I've seen the film around 10 times so far. But it never gets old. There's always something new to notice, whether it's the quirks of the characters or the Paris scenery. But most of the time, I just sit back and immerse myself into this incredible world of France and gastronomy. Better yet, French gastronomy.

Actual ratatouille

The film is a cute play-on a popular so-called "peasant dish," considering that the lead character is a rat (get it? "RAT-atouille?"). Yet, by taking Remy, the rat, and making him a fabulous cook, is ingenious. Because first of all, real-life rats are not that cute, nor are they anthropomorphic. They are also garbage-diggers and vermin, eating the scraps from leftovers behind the restaurant and swarming in groups in and out of pipes and sewers. Gross. I am afraid of rats.

But I'm not afraid of Remy. In fact, I adore him. As an audience member, I sympathized with him, as well as his family. They hoard food from trashcans in order to survive, which can represent a reflection of our own lower-class in today's society: hoarding "crap" food in contrast to the gluttony of upper-class fine-dining.

Fish bones or foie gras. 

You choose. 

Additionally, Remy is an unexpected hero, an accidental one, even. All he cares for is cooking, but he happened to stumble upon an opportunity (thanks to the stringy busboy Linguini) that made him a star. A star as bright as the ones that burn on top of Restaurant Gusteau. Regardless of the fact that he comes from a low, undesirable rung in the social ladder, Remy is able to break tradition and furthermore break the glass ceiling. Or, in his case, break old lady's window pane.

One thing that Pixar has managed to be consistent with (unlike the consistency of its films) is the scenery in the film. You also see that in the company's other works: the green, rolling hills of Scotland in "Brave," the lush, starry galaxy in "Wall*E," and the vast, blue ocean floor in "Finding Nemo." Therefore, you truly receive a visual feast (pun intended) from the Parisian streets in "Ratatouille." It comes down to the details, from "les pétits magasins" in the neighborhoods to the quaint, cobblestone roads that Linguini bikes on to the breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River. As Remy would put it: "Pure. Poetry."

Food and France. Those two words seem to pair well perfectly. How Remy engages in culinary talk, proposing dishes and gathering the freshest herbs for the best-tasting omelette as Camille serenades us with "Le Festin" in the background. It is adorably charming and romantic at the same time. I even bought the song for my iPod.

Yet, while I harbor so many feelings for this film, other people do not seem to agree. At least, not as much. "Ratatouille" has been ranked between #4 and #9, out of the 14 films released so far, by movie-critic websites like Disney Movies Guide, Entertainment Weekly, and IGN. Not even in the Top 3. Never number one. Deeper works like "Wall*E" and nostalgic, bittersweet stories like "Up" and "Toy Story 3" continue to dominate the coveted Top 3 places interchangeably. Don't get me wrong, those films were great. But I wasn't charmed as much as I was with "Ratatouille." Heck, I didn't even shed a tear at the presumed tear-jerkers: "Up" and "Toy Story 3!" What makes "Ratatouille" stand out from those films was that it had texture: socially, culturally, and culinary.

Even years later, "Ratatouille" continues to charm me, as well as revitalize my ability to dream big. Too often I fall into ruts of cynicism and realism, choosing to anticipate the consequences instead of envisioning the possibilities. There is a difference between the two. In other words, the film reminds me that it is okay to be a dreamer and, with faith and effort, it will come true.

From the wise words of Gusteau: "Your only limit is your soul...anyone can cook."

My Childhood, Day Three: The Magic of Miyazaki Films

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

What makes Hayao Miyazaki's films so appealing? That's what ran through my head as I was writing this blog. Often times, I have difficulty describing Miyazaki's style, because he has produced so many diverse movies since his directorial debut in 1979. They seem to be filled with contradictions: they are anime, but not necessarily complete kid's affairs. The scenic backgrounds are beautifully illustrated, but the villains are made grotesque with greed, selfishness, and contempt. 

Aha.
 I think I found the answer to my question.

It is the nuances found in the films' stories: not everything is in black and white, good versus evil. Rather, it is the blending of the two, into grey hues, some lighter or darker than others in terms of issues addressed. Miyazaki takes his audiences into alternate universes that are filled with elements of the fantastical, but are also surprisingly relevant and accessible to our own world: timeless in its setting, nostalgic and progressive at the same time. The director enjoys finding the truth behind contradictions- about the environment, politics, and sexuality. Simply put, Miyazaki loves paradoxes. 

My fascination with Hayao Miyazaki's films continues to this day, but my initial interest began when I was ten, when I was first introduced to "Castle in the Sky." I fell in love with the film, even though it was dubbed in English (which surprisingly I found not bad!). For the next three years, I scoured Blockbuster for his other works, including "Kiki's Delivery Service," "Princess Mononoke," "Spirited Away," "The Cat Returns," and "Howl's Moving Castle." While I have not seen all of his movies, the ones that I did watch stirred feelings in my eleven, twelve-year-old self, albeit new and different reactions each time. I was charmed by "Spirited Away." I was appalled by "Princess Mononoke." I was actually bored by "Kiki's Delivery Service" (I'm sorry, but it's true!). Hayao Miyazaki really knew how to pull at my heart-strings while at the same time address larger, more broader issues about the world, including environmentalism, socialism, and feminism. Such issues are embedded in the films, subtly enough in that they do not preach nor detract from the stories' motifs of fantasy and childhood-like wonder. Like the characters Pazu and Sheeta from "Castle in the Sky," I was blown away by Laputa, with its towering castle-ruins floating in the air and the civilization of the intimidating, but kind-hearted robots. Miyazaki truly created escapist films, transporting me to the past, the future, or to indefinite space.

My most favorite films are particularly from Studio Ghibli, which was established by Miyazaki. This includes "Castle in the Sky" and "Spirited Away," the latter which had won "Best Animated Feature" in 2003. Perhaps it was because I had watched them in sequence, back-to-back, when I was around twelve, but the two displayed similarities to each other. For one thing, the protagonists are children, and were around my age when I first watched the movies. Both films had elements of fantasy, with the floating castle in the sky in the former feature and the "Alice in Wonderland"-esque setting in the latter. They also shared a common theme of friendship, the strong bond that two characters establish as they deal with and solve conflicts throughout the story. I adore these films.

Yet, I have not seen all of Miyazaki's films, including the every-salient "My Neighbor Totoro." I am also interested in "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind;" the cinematography looks absolutely gorgeous. It is never too late to do so, though. Revisiting childhood pleasures does not stagnate growth; rather, they cultivate it, refreshing us on how we used to be- simple, fearless, and dreamers- and inspiring us to strive for that very same simplicity, amid the intimidating, complicated world.

"The creation of a single world comes from a huge number of fragments and chaos"

-Hayao Miyazaki

My Childhood, Day Two: Lessons That I Learned From Disney Channel

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

Ah, Disney Channel...

The programs on this ubiquitous channel have received a lot of smack since its establishment in 1983: as a hub for bad acting, hackneyed plots, child exploitation, and for tabloid messes that the actors and actress experience once they "graduate" from the Disney world (including, but not limited to, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and Miley Cyrus).

I admit, I think the channel has gone to crap in recent years (more on that later). But, there was a time when Disney Channel was actually decent, if not good. Its shows instilled life lessons, without being too corny and the characters were well-written role models for preteens and adolescents, all being balanced out with just the right amount of slapstick and dialogue humor. There was nuance to it.

Although the channel has existed long before I was born, I am going to describe the shows that I grew up watching. The good ones. Specifically, it is the period between 2004 and 2008, when I was less cynical at everything. Let's bounce.

Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004)

From what I can remember, this was the first show that introduced me to Disney Channel. Although I started watching it when the series was just ending, the channel continued broadcasting reruns for the next few years. The format of the show was distinctive in that it combined live-action with animation, the latter which represented the thoughts and conscious of the titular character. My god, Hilary Duff was so young when she debuted. While her acting was less to be desired, her character was both an archetype and a role model for tween girls. She's shy (but dreams of being popular at school), a self-proclaimed "straight-B student," and all-around a typical teenager just struggling to find her niche. Tweens resonate with her character, because they see a bit of themselves in her: learning, making mistakes, but growing up just the same. Additionally, I adored "The Lizzie McGuire Movie:" it was cheesy as hell (c'mon, she becomes a pop singer while on vacation in Rome?), but it was so entertaining. The soundtrack isn't half-bad, either.

Phil of the Future (2004-2006)

"He's the twenty-second century man!" Man, was that opening tune groovy. It was a good show, despite it being short-lived. Like "Lizzie McGuire," there was no laugh-track, which meant that I didn't have to be forced to laugh at the jokes- it just came naturally. Simply put, "Phil of the Future" was transcending. And I'm not saying it in a dramatic, metaphorically way. In fact, I mean it literally, about time. The show also taught good values to children, about dealing with family issues, fitting in at school, and establishing friendships, regardless of whether you live in the present, or, in Phil's case, the future. Even the futuristic gadgets say something about our world: even with the immense amount of technology pervading society today, there isn't a device that can teach you how to grow up, how to love people despite their background or level of intelligence. That comes with experience. And *spoiler alert! although Phil and the Diffys do return to their time at the end of the series, the amount of information that they discovered about the 21st century is indispensable. Plus, Ricky Ullman was quite a looker... ;)

That's So Raven (2003-2007)

Forget "Mean Girls." "That's So Raven" had some of the best quotable lines and catchphrases during its 65-episode-plus run. "Ya nasty," "How y'all doin'?," and, of course, the famous "Oh, snap!" Raven Symone was KILLING it on this show, with her outrageous, but endearing antics. She had sass, both in outfits and attitude, unlike other lead characters from other shows, who suffered from general blandness. And if you want to get into the politics of this show, you can also make the argument that "That's So Raven" was one of the first Disney Channel shows which had a primarily African-American cast. It is also interesting to note that the Baxters (as Raven's family was called in the show) were of middle-class and growing up in San Francisco. It is reminiscent of "The Cosby Show," which depicted a middle to upper-class African-American family and interestingly was where Raven Symone got her acting break. Besides being just another coming-of-age teen sitcom, "That's So Raven" also brought in supernatural elements, particularly the titular character's ability to see the future. The fact that Raven was able to predict the future, as well as her efforts (and failure) to stop it from happening demonstrates the futility of striving for idealism. Indeed, being psychic is a gift and a curse. Although I think that the quality of the show declined a bit towards the end of its run, "That's So Raven" continues to charm me with its dynamic cast of characters (gotta love Chelsea, Cory, and Eddie) and its silly, slapstick humor.

As I grew older and these mentioned series ended, I became attuned to the juvenile aspects of the new shows. Yes, I know that Disney Channel is geared towards a young audience, but what I mean about "juvenile" is that the shows grew dependent on already-used formulas and trite humor. They still taught moral lessons, but with less focus. Instead, the shows focused more on appealing to preteen girls, and a specific demographic as well: the girly, fashionable, wannabe popstars kind. You didn't see the female leads express interest in science, math, or even school in general (the school just became a backdrop for all of the drama to happen). Even those who were "tomboy" were stripped down to supporting roles. Males were also underrepresented on these shows: the ratio of leads for girls and boys was commonly 2:1 (with the exception being "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody"). 

The shows that ran between 2005 and 2007- "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," "Hannah Montana," and "Wizards of Waverly Place- were decent, at least from the beginning. They still engaged in slapstick humor and life lessons. But somewhere along the way, something soured. Maybe the producers got too comfortable with the show, and as a result suffered from formulaic productions. The characters became more annoying, bratty, and the jokes were too forced and unfunny. I pretty much stopped watching the channel altogether after "Sonny with a Chance" aired; by then, I couldn't handle the "fakeness."

Recently, I decided to revisit the channel. From what I know, the current popular shows now on air include "Shake It Up!," "Austin and Ally," and "Jessie." I watched an episode of "Shake It Up!" and, well, that was twenty-three minutes of my life that I can't get back now. Maybe it's the fact that the child actors and actresses are younger than me, but I was appalled at 1) the horrible acting, 2) the character's outfits (not sleazy or anything, but I don't think typical twelve-year-olds wear elevated heels on a daily basis), and 3) the story concepts. Because all that the shows are now are about chasing your dreams through being a singer/dancer/fashionista/actress/etc. The message is kind of limiting, by teaching young female viewers that those are the only options you have in order to be successful in life. This is not to say that Disney Channel should encourage girls to become astrophysicists or lawyers (not a bad idea, though), but at least "shake it up" in terms of originality.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about the channel. But it was a big part of my childhood, and I do miss the shows that it used to have. The memories will live on, the good and the bad.

My Childhood, Day One: Pokémon and the Merits from "Catch(ing) 'Em All"

Happy September!

*I have decided to dedicate this week (one blog entry a day) to a revisiting of my favorite and most memorable aspects from childhood. Whether they were manifested in cartoons, films, or television shows, their memories have continued to stay with me, even long after I got older and abandoned them for other "mature" forms of entertainment. This is not to say that they have shaped or changed my life in dramatic ways, but they have served as feel-good reminders for the simple, good ol' days. It's not bad to reminisce, not at all, and I think that it is important to do so. Nostalgia, I believe, is like meditation: simplifying complicated matters in adulthood into a single breath of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

"I Choose You!"

For those who do not know what Pokémon is (c'mon, who doesn't know?!), it is a multimedia franchise that was established in 1996 by the Japanese video game company Nintendo. It is one of most successful and lucrative brands in the world, spawning a multitude of video games, anime, graphic novels, and collectible toys, to name a few.

*Disclaimer: if you think that this is a blog on the politics of Pokémon, you're dead wrong. I am aware that there are other sites dedicated to exploiting the capitalism, the poach-like domestication of the "monsters," and the controversies from the anime series of this ubiquitous franchise, but I am not going into that. Why? For one thing, that shit's already been written. And also, I am writing from the introspection of my child self, so no cynicism (at least for this post). If you want to read about the franchise's critiques, either check out the Wikipedia page or click here:

 http://www.screwattack.com/news/pokemon-world-political-structure

I first began my affair with Pokémon when I was around eight, watching the epic adventures of Ash Ketchum and his bamf sidekick Pikachu take the Kanto region by storm in the English-dubbed anime. I would look forward to coming home from school everyday, to see what this dynamic duo was up to next: were they going to battle another gym leader? Would they foil another scheme from Team Rocket? I watched all of the episodes from the first season, and the second, and the third as well. I even watched the first few movies (Mewtwo Strikes Back, The Power of One, Spell of the Unown, up until Jirachi Wish Maker). I still remember all of the first 150 original Pokémon, that is, from the first season, as well as the ones from the Johto and Hoenn region.

"Gotta Catch 'Em All!"

I started playing the video games when I was ten, when the Ruby and Sapphire versions came out. I was hooked! Day after day, I would train my Pokémon to the next level, venture to the next gym battle, and earn moniesss! The adventure never ended in this world, well, except when my Gameboy Advance ran out of battery (I know, so old, right?)

Friends have asked me, "Who's your favorite Pokémon?" To be honest, I don't have one. The number of new Pokémon continues to grow and grow with each passing year, each new season. I swear, there's probably over a thousand of them by now, and I don't even know half of them anymore (I stopped keeping track after Hoenn). They are all awesome, with their own quirks and bad-assery. 

However, I have always had a penchant for Grass-type Pokémon. Take, for instance, the original starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur. I don't know about you, but in the English-dubbed anime, he (she?) had this sort of...moody, serious attitude that I could relate to (I felt like that our personalities were similar), unlike the hapless Charmander or cocky Squirtle. Plus, he (she?), to some critics, was not "as cute" as the other starter Pokémon, with his/her stoutness, downward-turned red eyes, and fat bulb on his/her back that resemble a festering plant-sore. Plus, his/her evolutions (Ivysaur, Venusaur) weren't as attractive. But that's debatable. Personally, I see Bulbasaur as someone who's misunderstood; in the anime, he/she had been abandoned like a lost puppy, and it took time before he/she could regain trust from Trainers, particularly Ash. Bulbasaur kind of grows on you, the longer you watch him/her progress in the series.

Another Grass-type Pokémon I have a bias towards is Treecko, and his evolutions (I'm going to call Treecko a male, 'cause it's easier and I've always associated him as a male). Like Bulbasaur, he has these freakishly-large, downward-turned eyes that penetrate your soul with brazen coolness. Treecko is so...cool. With that leaf in his mouth, his "I-don't-give-a-damn" attitude about the world...yeah. He's just awesome. Plus, as a Sceptile, his "Leaf Blade" move just KILLS.

Treecko

Sceptile

Grovyle

Other notable, non-Grass-type Pokémon that I have inclinations for:

Slowking; although I think his previous evolution, Slowpoke, as well as the alternative Slowbro, are just idiotic, this dude is smart! I don't know what toxins are injected into his brain from that Shellder, but he knows how to communicate with humans AND Pokémon! If I didn't know any better, he's a linguist for both parties.

Absol, 'cause he/she consists of both cute and cool, traits that I didn't know could exist simultaneously. Absol is that exception. The blade-thing on his/her head is stunning as well.

Mewtwo. Such a sexy beast. Enough said.

It has been several years since I've played or watched Pokémon. My commitment to the franchise tapered off when I hit high school, then college. Sometimes, whenever it airs on Cartoon Network, I watch it. But the magic seems to have worn off; it no longer excites me. Through my now-adult eyes, the adventures seem trite and repetitive, the plot is predictable, and the new characters do not appear as appealing. Maybe it's true that the quality has diminished over time, but still: it's a shame that I cannot feel what I used to feel about it anymore.

This has left me wondering: do I still have my Pokémon collectibles? It has been so long; I used to have three boxes worth of miniature collectibles; my sister and I used to play with them when we were younger, pretending that we were in the Pokémon World squaring off against each other. I'm guessing that they are in the garage. Perhaps I'll venture into the dusty abyss and restore them to their former glory. Someday.

P.S. Herman Cain, a Republican candidate for the 2012 presidential election, quoted Pokémon from one of his speeches. Specifically, it comes from the song "The Power of One" from the movie "Pokémon 2000." Here is the video where he says it:

http://youtu.be/5WgY2XjV6GI