Some of you might know me, but for other who don't, I'm catwho's fiance and Rah-chan's (Rachelle) friend. Rah-chan in fact recommended me to you guys to ask for some help.
I'm researching the life and work of Rumiko Takahashi for a 5000-word chapter that will be in a book on anime greats coming out of University of Mississippi press (I don't go there). It's being edited by Marc Hairston and Pamela Gossin, both from the University of Texas.
Now that I'm at my starting point, here are two vital things that I need:
1) Biographical resources. Who is this woman? I know her as the manga-ka of Ranma, Urusei Yatsura, Inuyasha, etc., but I need good, verifiable sources on the broad and intimate details of her life. Where should I look besides Google results and web articles? Published books and articles are essential. Thankfully there are interviews that came from published articles here (http://furinkan.com/takahashi/interview.html), but I need more.
2) Good gender-related Takahashi episode titles and movies. Keep in mind that this is a book on anime greats, not manga-ka. Takahashi gets a chapter because of the anime that was inspired from her work, so don't worry about her manga for this. What I do need are specific series episodes and movies from UY, MI, Ranma, and Inuyasha (or anything else) that capture Takahashi's attitudes and sentiments on gender and the relationships between males-females, males-males, and females-females well. This will be a key focus in my chapter.
Any information and advice you guys can give will be more than welcome. I'll see if I can't thank Soulriders in an acknowledgment section of the chapter.
Brent
All I can say is that Takahashi had no real control or influence (personally) over the Ranma 1/2 anime. I'm not certain about the UY anime, but those are also both comedies.
I think the series to examine specifically would be ... Maison Ikkoku (which I'm sure I spelled wrong). Which specific episodes, I'd say, the first five, and then ... well, I haven't seen further than that. But that covers the initial meeting between the main love interest and (I think) establishes the primary love-polyhedron. It also (of course) introduces the three female characters who are seen the most in the entire series, and most of the males. Admittedly, there's none of the gender-con-carnage that Takahashi explores so rampantly in Ranma 1/2, but if you're looking for established gender roles and her take on them (more realistically) in society, I think that's it.
I've seen at least a dozen episodes of MI, including the first one and some that involve Coach Mitaka, but I'm sure that others have seen other episodes I haven't that might have that, "Okay, this is what Takahashi thinks about men and women" message.
It's not necessary that all of the anime I write about take place in a more realistic societal setting, but it is vital that I note whether or not it's a fantasy or non-fantasy setting. Very astute of you to note the difference.
Quote from: "Lothar"I'm sure that others have seen other episodes I haven't that might have that, "Okay, this is what Takahashi thinks about men and women" message.
That's a little hard to sum up for any person, nor are people's thoughts on these areas neccessarily set in stone. In Ms. Takahashi's case, there is also the complication that the anime are based on her works, some of it more closely based than others.
Quote from: "Lothar"It's not necessary that all of the anime I write about take place in a more realistic societal setting, but it is vital that I note whether or not it's a fantasy or non-fantasy setting.
Almost everything Rumiko Takahashi wrote takes place in a fantasy setting.
Here are my recommendations:
Ranma 1/2 - from the OAVs, 'An Akane to Remember'
Note how the characters deal with Shinnosuke proclaiming his love for Akane and her response to him.
Rumic World - 'Fire Tripper' and 'Laughing Target'
The first is a stand alone which goes from the couple's first meeting to them ending up together.
The second is a dark picture of jealousy.
Mermaid Saga - 'Mermaid's Scar'
Note how the emotionally inexperienced Mana reacts to someone trying to kill Yuta. She doesn't understand her feelings, but she clearly has them and acts.
I'd recommend 'Village of the Fighting Fish' as well, but AFAIK it's only available in Japanese. The ending provides a contrast with 'Fire Tripper' and there are definite differences between the growing Yuta-Rin relationship and Isago's feelings towards her husband.
Urusei Yatsura - Season 1, Episode 9 Kurama's intro.
Kurama tries to view what goes on inside Ataru's mind, after which she tries to mold him into her idea of what a man should be. Lum and Shinobu both prove more accepting.
Thanks for the info, especially on Rumic World and Mermaid Saga. If I have time/space, I'll include details on Takahashi's works that aren't in the four that she's more well known for.
You're welcome.
This site - http://furinkan.com/rumic/ - has information all of Ms. Takahashi's works as well as a biographical section and interviews under her profile.
Probably won't help much, but try the Wikipedia.