Japanese Graphic Novel: Goodbye, Ari

 Goodbye Ari by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation Amanda Haley, VIZ Media, San Francisco, 2022.

This book confused me at first until I was told back to front and right to left.  This is a subject of death and dying and grieving.  The main character's mother asks him to record her death as she is dying of cancer.  He makes a movie, but blows everything up at the end.  He couldn't face the death so made it a joke.  It was not well received.  He then tries again when his friend asks him to record her death.  He carries through this time.  He goes through life feeling something was wrong however; always tweaking his film.  He marries, has kids, but they all die in a car accident.  He then returns to where he and his friend hung out, and she is there.  She explains she is a vampire and just needs to regenerate from time to time.

The theme of dealing with loss is good, however the author was fixated on body functions which made this book flippant.  

In Theaters: *****Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

I don't think I have enjoyed a movie as much as Alita in a very long time.  The character Alita, with her computer enhanced eyes fascinates me.   As does the idea of having a human brain and core on a cyborg body. In this movie, many of the characters have their own brains while being implanted on a different body with fighting characteristics and strengths.  Alita (Rosa Salazar) is discovered in a trash heap, at least her head and heart.  She is put onto a body by Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz).  Ido suspects Alita's origins are thought of an ancient technology no longer available.  Her heart is very powerful, and she is trained in the fighting techniques of the Martian warriors.  Slowly, especially during conflict, Alita remembers her past and her mission.  She and those who fought with her failed to conquer Sky City and now 300 years later another quest begins.


Famous lines, I am not impressed.”  “I do not stand by in the face of evil.”  Can a cyborg person fall in love with a human, and be loved by that human in return.  Can someone change their attitude such that they help those who are in need, rather than go after her goal which she now finds unfulfilling?  And can an old man redeem himself by being a hunter warrior and catch bad people.  The bit about Alita being over 300 years old and a Martian Warrior just enhances the plot. 

Movie Review: **^Howls Moving Castle,

Howls Moving Castle is Japanese Animie.  The story is somewhat strange, but it does portray a love story.  I have always wondered about Japanese animation and the way they add significant highlights to the eyes.  This animation has that characteristic.  The story is of a woman who is cursed with being old, and how she overcomes this curse.  This movie I don't think will appeal to many people except those who like anything animated.  Overlapping this love story, is one of struggle and conflict; but nothing that would be worrisome to letting young viewers watch.