Kishotenketsu: Asian Story Structure & Anime (Garden of Words)

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Garden of Words is an excellent example of the Kishotenketsu story structure. If you haven’t seen that movie, I also look at Kiki’s Delivery Service here. Did you ever notice that things play out differently in some anime movies? They just don’t follow the familiar pattern of action that we’re used to in Western fare. For fans expecting something like a typical action movie, it’s a disappointment. The reason? It’s … Continue reading →

Kishotenketsu: Asian Story Structure & Anime (Kiki)

Paul Kemner.com Posted on by

Did you ever notice that things play out differently in some anime movies? They just don’t follow the familiar pattern of action that we’re used to in Western fare. For fans expecting something like a typical action movie, it’s a disappointment. The reason? It’s a different story structure than we usually see. Anime fans usually don’t talk about story structure, it’s more of a writer thing. And many writers are … Continue reading →

Precure Transformations #4 Cure Moonlight:

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My last installment looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.

This time it’s Yuri/Cure Moonlight. She was defeated three years ago, her fairy died protecting her, and she’s been living with guilt and depression ever since. But there’s one final chance to redeem herself and help save the world.

See how her experiences are illustrated by the storyboarder and animator’s art:

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Precure Transformations #3 Cure Sunshine:

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My third installment looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.

Itsuke/Cure Sunshine is the 3rd Heartcatch Cure. She dresses and acts like a boy to help her family dojo, but she loves cute, girly things in secret. Gender conflicts highlight her anxiety. The storyboarder & animator bring this to the fore.

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Precure Transformations #2 Cure Marine:

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My second installment looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.

Now it’s Erika- the loud, enthusiastic blue Cure with no social skills and a passion for fashion. She can go from design to final outfit in nothing flat.

See how her personality and experiences are illustrated by the storyboarder and animator’s art:

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Precure Transformations #1: Cure Blossom

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The first installment in my series, looking at the Heartcatch Precure transformations.

Tsubomi is the first Cure in Heartcatch. As a 1st Cure, and a Pink one at that, you’d expect she’d be outgoing and enthusiastic- an ideal team leader. Instead she’s pathologically shy, somewhat clumsy, and fixated on flowers and the language of flowers (Hanakotoba).

See how her experiences are illustrated by the storyboarder and animator’s art:

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Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 08

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 08 – Sacrifices So, Mr. Fleur…” the high priestess began. AP had no idea how to fill the awkward silence, as she looked at him across the ornate desk with an expression of trepidation, with perhaps a touch of defiance. He was five hours late, but they were the ones who had given him an address eleven hundred years out of date. He accepted the … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 07

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 07 – The Opener of the Way Abiff threw the worn bundle of reeds over the side, grabbed a fresh handful, and resumed scrubbing the deck. It kept him busy, but unfortunately left his mind free to dwell on his problems. Traveling upstream should have been a wonderful adventure. He’d never been on a boat, never even been out of the city. But his entire … Continue reading →