One of my favourite stories when talking about anime comes from around 10 years ago. I was all suited up and ready to set off for a business meeting (just a catch up, nothing important) when a parcel arrived. The contents of this parcel forced me to postpone the meeting and spend 3 hours sat on the couch in my suit. You see, the last disc for Fruits Basket had just arrived, and I just HAD to see how it ended!
For those that don't know (and shame on you if you don't!) Fruits Basket is a modern fairytale about an ordinary girl who has suffered the loss of her mother, and how she finds a place in a cursed family. Her determination to live through acts of kindness in a bitter and resentful environment changes the lives of those around her, and eventually she not only finds love within the Sohma family, but also breaks the spell. It's one of my favourite stories and one I shall be showing my children as soon as they are old enough.
The ending even made me cry, but then I am a big softie.
In contrast, First of the North Star is a hyper-violent, head-exploding tale of violence and vengeance from the early days of Manga Entertainment's anime invasion, and I wasn't a fan. It revelled in blood and guts, and while I appreciate that Ken fought for justice, it was no model for modern-day living. It had very few positive messages to impart. But I was starting to feel it's appeal...
The UKA debacle, in which I had to ignore extreme provocation, the threat of "doxxing" and various assertions told about my person made me feel like going all Ken. After all, many of the people pursuing the issue were acting, I felt, from pure self-interest. Whether it be companies protecting their business partners, other sites looking to tear down a rival or even ex-staffers annoyed because I'd derailed their plans for self-promotion, all of it felt very personal, spiteful and vindictive. After 21 years of promoting Japanese culture without so much as a cross word in the fandom, I was being cast out for asking legitimate questions by people I had given a free platform to for 2 decades. I have to admit that stung a bit.
And that's when, once the fleeting appeal of Ken had passed, the sweet face of Tohru came to mind.
While all the online hatred raged away, I turned the other cheek and read my manga. I felt good vibes. And that's when I started to see personal messages coming through of support and concern. I had unfriended everyone from the community to protect them from association with me, but they were reconnecting, even if they didn't agree with my argument. To be recognised by your friends is a feeling I can't quite describe. But it made me feel warm and loved.
It was my lack of response that worried them. Most know me as a bit of a feisty bastard. I have, after all, just won a 3 year court-case where I acted as a whistle-blower on the theft of £250,000. I have received what police call "credible" death threats sent to me at 2am and my friends have been attacked in the street as a result. I am not in the habit of running from bullies and liars, and yet here I was doing literally nothing while my name was slandered all over the internet.
But fighting meant dragging things out and putting these same friends in the firing line. Just as Tohru is bullied in Fruits Basket but won't put up a fight for fear of drawing in others, it's her relationship with the Sohma family that brings two rivals together to fight for her. This is how I've felt every time someone has posted something publicly in my defense and damn the consequences. They are fearless and full of heart.
Ultimately, the controversy online has a minimal effect on my life. I am not an active member of the community in the sense of attending conventions any more. Being shunned by people I don't know and don't care for doesn't hurt me, and I'm sure that fact drives them nuts. It's as simple as turning the screen off and having a coffee. This incident won't prevent me visiting Japan, or spending time with my friends in the industry who enjoy my company over karaoke. It will not change anything that really matters.
And so I made a statement to say goodbye on the UKA forum. I shall miss the old girl, I poured a lot of myself into her, and people I cared for deeply who are sadly no longer with us did too. But I know Doug, who helped me code the site and stood by me in lots of corporate battles, would be willing me on if he were here, and probably is anyway from wherever he is now.
Doug died at the age of 27 in a hit and run on the way out for a sandwich. Deal with grief like that and then tell me an ignorant tweet matters.
It's funny where your hobbies lead you, and what role models you pick up. Emi Takada's universal tale of patience, perseverance and kindness managed to fight off the more primal urges of Buronson's Fist of the North Star. Incredible when you think about it.
Tohru Honda, the winner and undefeated champion. Long may she reign.
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