Taboo.. Tasteful.. Distasteful...

So about the title. It apparent that with technology improvement, many medias slowly but surely are trying to capitalize on taboo subject. Many failed miserably or just got censored and never see the light of day, but some rise above other to give audience fresh idea and intriguing concept. Here's an example how to make taboo or mature theme palatable and other example of how not to.

TASTEFUL: Persona series. (Games and manga)

Persona series is a niche series, many don't know them which is a good thing because it has so many taboo themes. This could be a problem in USA because censorship issue that could lead to no English version, but luckily it didn't happen. Persona deals in mature themes such as suicide act, mythological tales, biblical references, gay issue, sexual issue, gender bender, psychological killer and many more. What differentiate Persona that it's stylish approach, you know that they are sensitive subject but the way Persona portrayed it really hit home and relate-able making them easier to digest.

This is the promotional poster, yes those are guns pointed to their heads.

Persona has stylish presentation from the menu, anime cutscenes, character models, soundtracks and story all told in fresh original and interesting way. In Persona 3, you summon your Persona with Evoker, it's gun thingy that shoots into your head to materialize the Persona. Of course when the characters first found out about it they hesitated, tremble and cried, for more strong willed they immediately embrace it for power. It's a great take on suicide issue, for a game to has such risky mechanic is a daring move especially in USA games are considered root of violence.

The best on series is Persona 4. The story is a nameless protagonist arrived in Japanese countryside when kidnapping and murder spree happen. The victims disappear for two weeks and then appear dead hanged in electric pole. He (player) and friends find out about a myth that if you turn off TV at rainy mid-night it will show you Midnight Channel, last thought of a person. It exists and the victims who appear on TV will die in two weeks and the only way to save them is to dive to TV. It clever plot to move the story along and Midnight channel also serve as dungeon.

Persona 4 opening (It's good, people): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeUYTPdpAP0&feature=related

Midnight Channel is different depend on the victim's thoughts, emotions and dark personal issue, it shows the dark version of the person. One time the victim is gangster but Midnight Channel set is public bath and his dark side is gay. When the victim is pop idol, the set is striptease club and her dark side is.. you know. When the victim is supposedly detective boy, the set is wacky lab and his? dark side is a she. When you closer to the boss, you can hear their thoughts, their denials and eventually they will break. If you slow, they die.. It's very convincing and can motivated player, rather than most games "Go here, fetch this" type mission.

More convincing than most 3D high pixeled chars.. Myb that's why Sony use them for PSP ad.. Sigh..

With such dark gritty themes, you wonder why it's not Dark Knight level of darkness.. Surprisingly they use very light comical anime tone that works brilliantly, it's not forced but feels natural. Some moments are genuinely relate-able, like "Here, taste my cooking!".. Chew2.. "Gahh, Poison!!!"" cliche anime pun, but it's still manage fresh and funny due the cast. The dub and soundtracks are amazing, apart for some battle campy battle cry. All this in glorious PS2.. Most x360 RPGs are not this good. Kudos to Persona. Rate 9/10.

Battle OST: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddA7h9ahaKY&feature=related

DISTASTEFUL: Air Gear (Anime and Manga)

Wait now, I don't say that Air Gear is all that bad. If you read it, then by all mean, continue to read it. What I'm saying is it uses many taboo themes so blatantly to attract more viewers that it became err offensive. Air Gear is a manga abbout Ikki, a boy who assemble AT team to become "king". That's it really, the rest is obscure. I watched the anime and lost interest fast. The manga didn't make sense, it was just "oohh cool art" skip bullcrap dialogue "ohh another art" and so on.. I know what I'm talking about here, I just need to read one chapter to prove my point here.

One on top kneeling, a lolita bondage mistress? without underpant but with dick..
Below lying, a guy who has multiple personalities, one of them is (was?) girly..
Air Gear in all its glory

To be fair, Air Gear has great art, maybe even better than Bleach. It has detailed gorgeous images with complicated poses. The attention to background is superb and device, like guns are drawn beautifully. Some are overcomplicated and unnecessary, like some outfits but it has distinguished style. I wish I can draw like that, but then if the author has such talent why waste it on juvenile tricks like naked women and such. It's a manga, not a doujinshi. For whatever difference, if any.

Air Gear really conflicted with itself. One time Ikki said he's a racer not brawler, but a few chapters ahead he throws magic at people. The art for combat is nice but it's so obscure, it looks good just accept it. The other themes are really childish, half-naked women, full naked women, maid, every fetish or moe is here. At one point there's a tuner clan consist of all naked women, why must naked women who tune some roller blade? why must they sing church hymn while bowing to half naked men like a slave, I'm not religious here, but I find that offensive. There are so many more that went wrong here, I'm surprised it made top ten best.

I think one screenshot is enough, if you want more proof go to 1000manga, the mature version of Onemanga, click any chapter, you'll see. Now that I mention it, you probably will. Rate 5/10.