Keeping it in the Cult

I don’t pride myself in being a bigot, but there are certain issues where the uninitiated simply cannot tread on. Which is why I’ve always held respect for matters that have gained cult status (a common term when talking about pop culture). Not to say that I endorse elitism, but more, the quality control that these measures of exclusivity ensure.

Take for example the cult that has always worshipped and adored certain anime series; their fanatic efforts often cause them to be labeled as “otaku,” much to the flattery of their conspirators, of course. Their presence; marked only by symbols (like the one on the very bottom of my sidebar) known only by fellow otaku, serving as proof of their secret society, their deeper appreciation.

Yet it’s not the selfish trade it may appear to be to outsiders. Their work rivals that of museum curators, preserving the purity at the cost of popularity. There’s purpose to that. It’s a kind of distillation, if you will; one that sets apart the idle viewers from the hardcore fanatics. Similar in the way there is debate in the translation of the bible, misinterpretation of the morals is a grave sin. It’s a code that abides by nearly the same laws of oral tradition. Better then to leave only the adamant to continue the legacy, few as they may be, than to have gross misinterpretation of key concepts.

A runaway case of gross misinterpretation would be that of a popluar anime series that revolves around vehicles racing down mountain passes. Failing to realize the intense technicality of the show, (and perhaps wishing to gain more viewers), the network ha decided to import the series, dubbed in Taglish, voiced over by personalities least compatible to their characters. Their (the personalities) only contribution to the show will be publicity. But let’s be honest, it was a cash cow waiting to be slaughtered. What irks me is the fact that all their efforts to import the show have become contradictory to all that the program has stood for.

The mangga has always been popular among car enthusiast cults because of its avoidance of conventional anime mantras: no superhuman strength (i.e. fireballs, flying, spirits coming from within a supposed inanimate object, etc.), no impossible physics-defying feats (most of the time, at least), and no foolishly costumed characters. It was a show that prided itself in focusing on an individual’s skill and the value of learning (which consequently leads to losing). It was never one that banked on face value — the cars featured are at least 10 years old and are easily acquirable (if you lived in Japan). It was one that featured time-honored bushido values like subtlety, humility and honor — a modern motorized samurai, if you will. And finally, it was purposely anticlimactic. Perhaps its only clue that it was indeed Japanese was its reluctant hero. It was a perfection found in imperfection in the trademark Japanese style. All of which are quite the opposite of the pop-culturalized, pretentious treatment of it.

Faithfuls, such as myself will cry foul and sacrilege. Never mind that they’ve chosen the most incompetent people to play key roles. More, rather, because our shrines have been desecrated, like the heads of Cambodian idols sold as souvenirs.

You can imagine I'm kicking myself for my hypocrisy as I type this.