The curse of graphic novels is a phenomenon that has been observed in recent years, where individuals become completely engrossed and addicted to reading graphic novels. While graphic novels have been gaining popularity as a form of storytelling, the curse refers to the negative impact it can have on individuals' lives. One of the main reasons why graphic novels can be captivating is their visual aspect. Unlike traditional novels, graphic novels combine words with illustrations, creating a more immersive and vivid experience. However, this can also be a double-edged sword. The captivating art and storytelling can make it difficult for individuals to put the book down, leading to excessive reading and neglect of other responsibilities.
The Witch From Mercury is the long-running series’ first story to have a woman as the main lead character, and this trailer isn’t shy about letting you know.
The Witch From Mercury is the long-running series first story to have a woman as the main lead character, and this trailer isn t shy about letting you know. Matching the desires of the series creator to share Gundam with even more people by expanding its audience, YOASOBI a musical duo known for producing songs inspired by novels wrote the show s opening song, The Blessing.
The captivating art and storytelling can make it difficult for individuals to put the book down, leading to excessive reading and neglect of other responsibilities. Furthermore, the curse of graphic novels can contribute to a sense of escapism. Many individuals turn to graphic novels as a form of entertainment or to cope with stress and boredom.
YOASOBI & Ichiro Ohkouchi Talk Evolution of ‘The Witch From Mercury’ Heroine & Connection to ‘The Blessing’ Theme Song
Matching the desires of the series' creator to share Gundam with even more people by expanding its audience, YOASOBI wrote the show's opening song.
Billboard Japan
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Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, the first Gundam animated TV series in roughly seven years, has just drawn to a close. For the first time in the franchise’s history, the protagonist was a woman, and the show generated a lot of buzz for the new directions it was taking Gundam, such as including elements of school life and inter-corporate war.
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The show’s writer, Ichiro Ohkouchi (also responsible for Planetes, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, SK8 the Infinity, and more) was asked to “create a Gundam series that could be enjoyed by newcomers to the franchise, including young viewers.” This, he explains, is why he added new elements to the anime. “I’m not all that young myself, so I thought if I merely tried to match the story’s sensibilities to those of young people, I’d end up missing the mark. Instead of simply lowering the target age, I expanded it — up, down, left, right — with the hope of making a series that would also be appealing to younger viewers. Traditionally, Gundam is mainly about tragedy, battles, and wars, but this new series also involved school life, society, and romance.”
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01/08/2023However, he couldn’t turn his back on the traditions of the franchise, which began in 1979. “I wanted to create something that was true to Gundam. I added new elements to the excellent foundation established by previous Gundam shows. However, that also made it hard to control the amount of information involved. Maintaining balance was a struggle.” Ohkouchi did this out of respect for Gundam fans and for the traditions of the franchise. “The reason Gundam is so famous is that countless people have created an uninterrupted chain of works that feature the things that make the franchise great. I couldn’t just ignore that and make something totally different.” “One thing I can say is that one of the central elements is a certain hard-edged tone. When the first Mobile Suit Gundam came out, most of the new series’ viewers hadn’t even been born yet. Viewers knew many people who had lived through war themselves, and so war was still something that still felt real and familiar. When I thought about what fighting meant to today’s generations, I thought ‘companies.’ People experience factional struggles, they get called to oppressive meetings and harassed by superiors. I thought I could use those kinds of battlefields to create something that wasn’t all that divorced from modern audiences.”
Matching the desires of the series’ creator to share Gundam with even more people by expanding its audience, YOASOBI (a musical duo known for producing songs inspired by novels) wrote the show’s opening song, “The Blessing.” YOASOBI consists of two artists, Ayase and ikura. It was formed in 2019, and its debut song, “Yoru ni Kakeru,” took first place in Billboard JAPAN‘s 2020 “Hot 100” year-end song chart.
YOASOBI’s Ayase recalls, “Honestly, there was a lot of pressure. However, I wanted to create a great song that would live up to those high expectations. At first, I had these ideas for concepts that I thought would be interesting, but ultimately I decided to make a powerful, straightforward song that reflected my image of Gundam.”
ikura added, “It’s the opening theme, so you hear it every episode. That’s why we talked about making a song that you could interpret in different ways as the story progressed. We hoped to make a song that would remain fresh, with new things to discover each time you listened to it, instead of just keeping the impression it made when you first heard it.”
Each of YOASOBI’s songs is based on a novel. “The Blessing” is based on Cradle Planet, a novel by Ohkouchi. “When I first heard their song,” says Ohkouchi, “I was amazed. The novel isn’t a happy one, so the song they wrote could have ended out like a witch’s curse, but their imagination led them to come up a response in the form of ‘The Blessing.'”
Cradle Planet is written from the point of view of the Gundam Aerial, the mobile suit piloted by the show’s protagonist, Suletta Mercury. Ohkouchi explains why: “Suletta starts out unaware of what’s really going on, so I thought that a song based on a novel about her would end up being really vague. Writing about the adults around her would result in a song that doesn’t really match the series. The show is about Gundam, so I thought ‘Why not make a Gundam the protagonist?’ I proposed writing about how Suletta would look from the perspective of the Gundam, and they took up my idea.”
The name The Witch from Mercury conjures to mind images of “curses” and “spells.” Ayase talked about the creation process that led them to “The Blessing.” “At first, I was just kind of thinking, ‘What’s the opposite of a curse?’ I’m not sure if it would be a blessing, but reading through the novel and other materials, there were these different situations involving people encouraging and supporting each other, which, I felt, threw the curses into sharper relief. I always struggle with naming songs when we finish them, but this time the process went surprisingly smoothly. ‘Curse’ is such a strong word, but at the same time it’s commonplace, something you can feel in all kinds of places. ‘The Blessing’ is, of course, about the world of The Witch from Mercury, but I also think it connects, in a way, to actual society.”
In the past, vocalist ikura has decided on delicate singing nuances before going into recording, but this time was different. “I didn’t think too hard about it, but instead read the novel, listened to the music, and then decided to throw in all the power I felt from them. The lyrics are powerful even compared to other YOASOBI songs, and I’m singing about really sweeping themes, so I thought that instead of trying to load the lyrics with my own delicately detailed emotions, it would be better to sing the words as they are written, expressing the feelings I had when reading the story.” “Suletta is doing her best to survive in the environment she is thrust into, but that’s a curse placed on her by her mother. She doesn’t realize this, but her partner, the Aerial, knows all about it. At the end of the novel, when Suletta chooses to confront her situation head-on instead of fleeing, the Aerial tells her ‘I’m here with you.’ I hope that the Aerial’s kindness and Suletta’s power come through in the song.”
When Ohkouchi heard the song, he says, “I was moved at how accurately the image of the original novel was retained, and how it was opened up to make the song.” At the same time, he also points out how the lyrics can be interpreted differently after watching each episode. The song itself changes as the story progresses.
“That’s what we focused on the most,” explains Ayase. “The season consists of 12 episodes. I wanted viewers to listen to the opening every time, without skipping it. I wanted to make it a song that developed along with the heroine, so that it felt different as the story went along, and its emotional impact flowed with the story.”
“I’m amazed that they were able to write it that way,” says Ohkouchi. “Originally, it’s a song about Suletta, but, for example, after you watch episode 7, it becomes a song about Miorine. Then, at some point, it becomes a song of encouragement for the audience. It’s wonderful how its range of interpretations blossoms like that. When you try something new, at some point you’ll be tempted to give up. If ‘The Blessing’ springs to mind at a time like this, it’ll inspire you to keep pushing forward.”
—This interview by Takuto Ueda first appeared on Billboard Japan.
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When Ohkouchi heard the song, he says, “I was moved at how accurately the image of the original novel was retained, and how it was opened up to make the song.” At the same time, he also points out how the lyrics can be interpreted differently after watching each episode. The song itself changes as the story progresses.
While this may seem harmless, excessive escapism can lead to a disconnection from reality and neglect of important aspects of life such as work, relationships, and personal growth. Another aspect of the curse of graphic novels is the addictive nature of the medium. Just like any other form of entertainment, graphic novels can trigger the release of dopamine in the brain, creating a pleasurable experience. This reinforcement can lead to a compulsion to keep reading, even when it becomes detrimental to one's well-being. It is important to note that not everyone who reads graphic novels will fall victim to the curse. Many individuals are able to enjoy graphic novels in moderation and maintain a healthy balance in their lives. However, for those who find themselves getting too immersed and neglecting important aspects of life, it may be necessary to take a step back and reassess the role of graphic novels in their lives. In conclusion, the curse of graphic novels is a phenomenon where individuals become excessively engrossed and addicted to reading graphic novels. This can be attributed to the captivating visual aspect, the sense of escapism it provides, and the addictive nature of the medium. While not everyone is affected by this curse, it is important to be mindful of the potential negative impact and strive for a healthy balance in one's reading habits..
Reviews for "From Ink to Film: The Curse of Graphic Novel Adaptations"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I really didn't enjoy "Curse" graphic novel. The artwork was lackluster and unappealing, with dull colors and generic character designs. Additionally, the story felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I found the whole experience to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 2 stars - "Curse" graphic novel didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was predictable and cliché, lacking originality and depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. I also found some of the action sequences to be poorly illustrated, making it difficult to discern what was happening. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this graphic novel.
3. Emily - 1.5 stars - I was really excited to read "Curse" graphic novel, but I was left incredibly disappointed. The artwork was mediocre at best, with inconsistent character proportions and poorly executed backgrounds. The writing was also subpar, with flat and unmemorable dialogue. The story itself felt rushed and poorly developed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. I wouldn't recommend this graphic novel to others who are looking for a captivating and well-executed read.
4. Tyler - 2 stars - "Curse" graphic novel was a letdown for me. I found the pacing to be extremely slow, with very little happening for long stretches of time. The lack of action and excitement made it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, I wasn't a fan of the art style, which felt bland and uninspired. Overall, I was hoping for a more thrilling and visually appealing experience, but "Curse" fell short of my expectations.