COVER STORY

The anime timeline of Pakistan

It’s no secret that anime has a very enthusiastic fan base in Pakistan. Whether it’s buying and selling anime goods over the internet, craving unavailable authentic stock or discussing a particular series for hours on end, we’ve all been there! Love for anime and manga is a unique entity which bonds Pakistani and Japanese cultures closely together.

There’s a reason events like Twin Con, Comic Con, Carnival Con, Epic Con and Dekho Japan! are organised for all the opportunity-craving fans out there. A number of universities have arranged such conventions and exhibitions to quench the thirst of not only the students but the general public, too! They provide an outlet for anime and manga fans to cosplay (blend of the words ‘costume’ and ‘play’) their favourite characters and also to get their hands on the relevant merchandise.

Now that we’ve taken a look at what anime means to the Pakistani youth, let’s see what anime have been the rave in Pakistan over the years.

A blast from the past

Let’s not forget the series which served as the basis of our current obsession with anime. They still manage to tug at our heartstrings and pass a wave of nostalgia through our bodies. Although we’d all like to keep them closed up in a memory box, let’s take a look. Most of them belong to the classic Good vs. Evil genre we all know and love.

Dragon Ball

Most of us started off from Dragon Ball Z, but you’ll have to admit that the epic fight scenes and tragic losses of life and hope included in the overall series kept us on the edges of our seats! We regularly (almost naturally) tuned in to the anime and prepared our minds and hearts for some serious shirt-ripping action. The main character, Son Goku, is so memorable because of the life lessons he casually slipped into our minds. Friendship, teamwork, hard work, forgiveness and righteousness are just a few of the virtues this series was sure to inculcate. It’s no surprise that now you can watch Dragon Ball GT, Kai and Super. Come on, we all like to yell KA-ME-HA-ME-HA every once in a while!

Digimon Adventure

Short for Digital Monsters, this series was so unique that it is almost impossible to forget! If you’ve seen it, you’ll nod in agreement when I say that it is one of a kind. As children, we all wished to become a part of the Digimon “Tamers” squad. When any of the “Digidestined” parted from their respective virtual pets, it was a sad reality to endure. The creatures had distinct, sharp features and eyes very much like contemporary anime characters. After the success of the anime, a trading card game and a number of games followed.

Pokemon

Pocket Monsters. I wouldn’t be surprised if Pokemon Go came to your mind but let’s not depreciate the original series! Based on the life of Ash Ketchum and his ever-changing and expanding circle of friends, Pokemon might just be the heart and soul of our childhoods. We shared his dream of becoming a Pokemon master and absorbed every technique he used during his battles with gym leaders, challengers and the infamous Team Rocket. Even if you’re not an avid fan of the anime, chances are you still like the various games it has to offer. We enjoy occasionally dusting off decks of Duel Masters and Pokemon cards placed in one corner of our drawers. Did you know Ash Ketchum goes by the name of Satoshi in Japan?

Duel Masters

The story of Shobu Kirifuda (yes, that was his second name) was an exciting journey. He engaged in battle with other duelists which brought the monsters on their cards to life, thus making the associated trading card game very famous and appreciated. We all loved breaking each other’s “Shields” all the while grimacing when our own were broken by the opponent. This anime is undoubtedly an eternal part of our childhoods because it never failed to make us break a sweat while watching TV. Duel Masters contests are still arranged for die-hard fans and strategists at Pakistani conventions to keep the ‘tradition’ alive.

Beyblade

Ah, Beyblade. Large additions have been made to this series such as Beyblade V-Force and G-Revolution but the original one will take up a place in our hearts forever. It’s a sad reality indeed that today’s kids will be devoid of the fun of Beyblade battles. Wasn’t it hard to choose a Bit-Beast? It followed the story of four male protagonists and the various championships and tournaments they took part in; Tyson, Max, Ray and Kai. If you have any of those Beyblades still lying around, get up and ‘Let it rip!’

Naruto & Naruto Shippuden

The tale of Naruto Uzumaki is a unique concept and a storyline with many twists and turns. A success story we all grew up with. It has something for everyone. This anime has a huge fan base in Pakistan and might just be the most loved series here as well. It has characters ranging from the epitome of good to the embodiment of evil. It’s not hard to agree that each character appearing in the series has a lesson to teach and a terribly tragic background to prove it. ‘Believe it!’

Somewhere in the middle

Listed below are the anime which served and are still serving as fuel to our passion. These are the anime which did not have a hard time becoming a part of our daily lives and forming emotional connections with us. We’ve cried over the deaths of many characters appearing in these series. They are the crux of our adolescence!

Bleach

Compared with the Naruto series more than once, Bleach is a massively popular anime in Pakistan. It’s undoubtedly an anime we’ve all enjoyed. With an impressive cast and a spectacular range of powers, it is packed with jaw-dropping action. It was exciting to see the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki transition from one type of ability to another. There’s a reason we long for the remaining manga to get an anime adaption.

Death Note

This masterpiece of anime ranks high on any anime fan’s list of favourites. With a completely unique set, the gripping storyline is a battle of wits between the anti-hero Light Yagami and the exceptional detective Lawliet. Light’s transition from a heroic figure and saviour to a shattered mentality was a bitter pill to swallow. The Light vs. Lawliet dispute is still one of our all-time favourite topics of discussion!

Fullmetal Alchemist & Brotherhood

Recognised not only because of its endearing list of characters but because of its complex plot as well, Fullmetal Alchemist and its second part, Brotherhood, surely left a mark. Each episode ensured equal doses of joy and despair... well, mostly despair. The Elric Brothers’ triumphant success over their fates was not an easy route. All in all, it was an unforgettable anime which played an essential role in making us the anime addicts we are today!

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

A dramatic and intense anime following the transformation of Lelouch vi Britannia from an exiled Britannian prince to a popular yet withdrawn student known as Lelouch Lamperouge to a masked vigilante called Zero. The various roles the protagonist had to play and the strategies he had to use in order to attain his goals deemed Code Geass most appealing to the Pakistani audience.

The modern-day anime mania

Now that we’ve experienced an appreciable amount of nostalgia and have also realized the worth of contemporary anime titles, let’s survey the anime series which are all the rage today! It might even be a partial case of mass hysteria; there’s no way to find out.

Tokyo Ghoul

This series has taken the Pakistani anime scene by storm! Belonging to the dark fantasy genre, Tokyo Ghoul is as thrilling as it gets. It follows the story of Ken Kaneki, a college student turned half-ghoul, and his efforts and struggles to put up with his life as a human flesh eating hybrid. Some of his daily struggles include fitting into the ghoul society, as well as keeping his identity hidden from his human companions. Because of Tokyo Ghoul’s worldwide popularity, it now has a second season called Root A. You can get your hands on customized Tokyo Ghoul goods within Pakistan!

One Punch Man

It’s no surprise that just like the rest, Pakistani anime fans are also infatuated with this series. The title of the anime is befitting of the protagonist which can defeat even the strongest of villains with a single punch but that doesn’t ensure a very hero-like life for him. He gets bored with all the power and is in a constant search for stronger and stronger opponents. He isn’t widely recognized nor is he given due respect since he is accused of not only being a counterfeit hero but also of having an unorthodox plain physical appearance. Saitama along with his disciple Genos do not fail to provide delightful amounts of comedy and action.

Attack on Titan

A post-apocalyptic anime which is famous for its unique plot and its action, tragedy and suspense-filled scenes. It stands alone when it comes to the bad guys, the peculiar 10-50 feet tall Titans. The fascinating yet relatable protagonists make sure to keep the audience interested. Many Pakistani fans are looking forward to a second season scheduled to air next year. It’s no surprise that there’s an Attack on Titan themed park in Japan!

Noragami

A name familiar to any anime fan, Noragami is packed with action and reasonable doses of comedy. It belongs to the supernatural genre and stays true to its central idea. It is known for its unique background music and captivating characters. It serves as an introduction to various Japanese beliefs, traditions, customs, superstitions and religion in general. The main character Yato is a pitiable minor god who lacks even a shrine to his name, and has no devotees. As an attempt to become better known, he grants the wishes of humans for a meagre amount. He incidentally builds ties with a human girl during the process and the story begins unfolding. Because of the critical acclaim this series received, it now has another season which goes by the name of Aragoto.

Conclusion

Anime and manga have only just sown their seeds in the hearts of Pakistanis and have a very bright future ahead. Universities and organizations are looking forward to providing exciting outlets to the youth in order to bring out their hidden enthusiasm. It is a fun way to become familiar with Japanese culture and tradition and maybe even to have an urge to learn the language! It ensures interaction between like-minded individuals and brings people closer together as communities. All in all, a great topic for discussion!