Tales of Tentacles
By: Charz
Tags: Allegory, Ama, Chibusa, Chifusa, Chifusa Manyu, Chikubi, Collective power of the people, democracy, Edmond de Goncourt, Hideki Yamada, Hiraku Kaneko, Jack Hillier, Kaede, Katsushika Hokusai, Manyū Hiken-chō, Mune, Munocracy, Octopus, Oppai, Power distribution, Shokushu Goukan, Shunga, Tako to ama, Tentacle, Tokugawa, Ukiyo-e, Utopia
Category: Funny, Manyū Hiken-chō
Via MoeFever, Pastiche of Hokusai’sTako to Ama.
Via MAL, Barneyslayer’s review of Manyuu Hikenchou :
The best show of the summer 2011 season
Behind the seemingly juvenile premise of Chibusas and Samurais, there lies an intricate and allegorical plot that reevaluates modern social structure and criticizes conventional power distribution.
The backdrop of this story might seem confusing upon first inspection, but after deeper thought and contemplation, we realize that the setting closely mirrors that of the irrational world of today.
This cornerstone of artistic achievement starts out with an explanation of the setting and the circumstances surrounding the characters. Through this introduction, we learn that the tale begins in an alternate reality where Mune size is a determining factor of wealth and popularity. The Manyuu Clan utilizes a secret scroll for producing large Oppais and is able to rise through the ranks of the shogunate and monopolize power in the nation.
By using Chichi as a symbol of prominence, Manyuu Hikenchou is able to satirize society’s overarching preoccupation with physical attractiveness. The anime presents an extreme angle of this idea where Kyonyūs, an icon of beauty, hold superiority over other traits such as intelligence and character.
In addition, Munes also represent power, as seen through the dominance of the well-endowed Manyuu Clan. Here, director Hiraku Kaneko delivers some of the more thought provoking themes of the series regarding government and its relationship with the common man. In Manyuu Hikenchou, Munes are indicative of power, and yet, every woman has a pair of Paiotsu. Indeed, the anime is suggesting that the government has a limited amount of control over its subjects and that the real strength lies in the collective power of the people.
The innate greed of humanity, however, prevents such a utopian democracy in this show. The devious Manyuu Clan conducts “Chikubi hunts” in an effort to purge Bakunyū females from the surrounding area, metaphorically stripping the power and livelihoods of the citizens in an effort to ruthlessly aggrandize strength. By doing so, the Manyuu Clan is able to maintain an iron grasp on society, as seen through how they violently punish dissenters and runaways.
Leave a Reply
Blog at WordPress.com. Theme: Duotone by Automattic.
