In the fantasy manga and anime series, "Oshi no Ko," the character Bojji has a significant impact on the storyline. Bojji is the prince of the kingdom of Boro, but unlike his peers, he is born without the ability to wield magic. His lack of magical powers makes him an outcast and a disappointment to his father, the king. However, despite his apparent disadvantage, Bojji proves himself to be a valuable and resourceful protagonist. The main idea of whether Bojji has his magic removed is a pivotal point in the series. **Although Bojji initially lacks magic, he undergoes a transformation later on that grants him the ability to harness a unique type of magic called "Irumyuui.
The reason I said Kage is one of the more expressive anime characters, rather than most expressive, is because he simply doesn’t hold a candle to Bojji. Now Bojji is also more emotional to begin with so there is more expression to be had. Still, I spent the entire season just marvelling at how much I empathized or even related to Bojji. Even in scenes where he is alone and there is no actual dialogue, you can clearly understand Bojji.
This would be annoying for a shorter anime, but as Waccha is an annual it seems safe to assume it will run for a full four cours landing somewhere between 42 and 50 episodes by its finale , so it has plenty of time to figure out petty things like plot and making sense later. And my knowledge of the larger Pretty Rhythm King of Prism I m not even sure which name is more correct meta-franchise which it s a part of is quite limited.
**Although Bojji initially lacks magic, he undergoes a transformation later on that grants him the ability to harness a unique type of magic called "Irumyuui."** This newfound power allows Bojji to control and manipulate gravity, turning his disability into a strength. With Irumyuui, Bojji gains the strength to protect himself and those he cares about, as well as to combat the numerous obstacles and enemies he encounters throughout the plotline.
The Frontline Report [12/6/21]
Good day, anime fans. I don’t have terribly much to say this week in the lead-in. Here’s some thoughts about an anime I’m a bit mixed on, one I really like, and one that I….just feel like I have to tell people about.
Mieruko-chan
I have always been a bit of two minds about the Mieruko-chan anime. I thought, and still think, that its positives outweigh its negatives, but it is admittedly difficult to evaluate a show that contains a somber, heartstring-tugging story about a teacher’s failed pregnancy in the same episode where the lead at one point pisses herself in fear. That’d be episode 8, and that’s Mieruko-chan in general. Something tragic and something funny (or “funny”, in this case) within the span of minutes of each other and seeming like they don’t quite go together.
One could argue this reflects the chaotic uncertainty of life in general. Normally, that is in fact exactly what I would say, and I have said similar things about other shows with this kind of tonal yo-yoing. But there are a lot of anime out there that pull this off than Mieruko-chan does, and it just doesn’t fit together properly much of the time. Increasingly, I just wonder if this is the sort of series that should’ve stayed in the manga format.
On the other hand, occasionally it does hit it out of the park. Episode 9, the most recent as of when I’m writing this, is about 50% about Miko and friends visiting a haunted house. Realizing that she can here react to whatever she sees however she likes, Miko revels in the chance to scream her lungs out. Much to the confusion of Julia, her also-able-to-see-ghosts sometimes-rival whose inability to perceive the larger spirits that torment Miko has given her a very inaccurate idea of what our lead is actually like. (Julia is probably my favorite character in general, it must be said.)
So, I don’t know, maybe the show is fine as it is. My hope is that the transition into the arc about Zen Toono, a substitute teacher at Miko’s school, will signal the start of a more interesting run as the series enters its final few episodes.
Perfectly nice, I’m sure.
Ranking of Kings
Last week dropped a bombshell; through some dark magic, King Bosse was back, in the body of his son Daida. Meanwhile, as Bojji trained in the underworld, he appeared to now be able to split boulders with his fists. We get a fair amount of explanation relating to these developments here, but as in basically any good ongoing piece of serial fiction, they raise as many questions as they answer.
We open on a flashback with a young(ish), not-yet-King Bosse negotiating with, wouldn’t you know it, the great red devil who showed up when he passed away a number of episodes ago.
His wish? To be the strongest. The demon’s reply? He can’t conjure power out of nowhere, but if Bosse had a family, he could steal it from a blood relative. Bosse, thus, finds the strongest giant woman in the world and proposes to her. (In doing so, he performs a perfectly understandable action for sinister reasons. Quite a jerk, King Bosse.)
This, as we learn (though it’s not hard to figure out), is Bojji’s biological mother. What exactly happened to her after the tiny prince was born is not revealed here, though it’s hard not to assume the worst. Bosse carves out his own realm in what seems to be just a few short years.
That is Bosse in the distance, walking away from a whole battlefield of dead orcs. In some anime, this would be a way to show how cool he is. Ousama Ranking is not such an anime.
This sequence, and much of Ousama Ranking in general, seem to contemplate the cruelty of power. If one has to do such terrible things to become so strong, what can one possibly do with their strength that’s actually worth it? And does it not inevitably lead to the pursuit of power for its own sake? After Bojji is born, Bosse swears that he will ensure a future for the prince where he wants for nothing. It’s safe to say, given the present, that he didn’t succeed. But there is a marked disconnect between Bosse as we see him in the past and Bosse as we see him returned in Daida’s body. The influence of his vizier Miranjo 1 –a flesh-and-blood person in these flashbacks but trapped in Daida’s mirror in the present–may have something to do with it, but it’s hard to call definitively.
We also catch up with Domas and Hokuro. Their relationship here changes quite rapidly. It develops from Hokuro trying to kill Domas for his treachery and failing, to Domas rescuing a to-be-executed Hokuro from Queen Hilling’s wrath out of apparent guilt, to Domas being ordered by Bosse–who makes himself known to the swordsman–to destroy a cave to the underworld that exists beneath the castle. Ousama Ranking‘s pacing has been brisk but quite good so far, and this marks the rare occasion where it’s a bit too fast. This seems like the sort of plot that could’ve carried its own episode. Although, I will note, there’s no reason to suspect that Domas and Hokuro’s partnership won’t continue to change. Their interactions in this episode end with Domas promising to train Hokuro. Training he claims Hokuro will sorely need for the task ahead of them.
Finally, there is Daida. Yes, it would appear that the blonde prince is still alive. Although what state, exactly, he’s in, is quite ambiguous. The final moments of the episode conclude with him waking up in a totally black void. He stumbles around, wondering if he’s been imprisoned somewhere, but the total lack of any features seems to imply his prison his more metaphysical in nature. Spare a thought for the ambitious prince, he’ll need it.
As for Bojji? Well, the little big man’s training is complete in this episode as well, though this is one of the show’s episodes where Bojji assumes a minor role in his own show. (Not a bad thing, but notable.) Perhaps his newfound power can help him rescue his brother? Maybe because Bojji came by his strength honestly he won’t fall into whatever pit of ambition Bosse ended up in? It’s hard to say. All we know for certain is this; The Ranking of Kings continues, and somewhere nearby, a devil grins.
Waccha PriMagi!
A new face on this column, and one that’s quite the watching experience.
I’ve been following Waccha PriMagi since it aired. But it’s something I watch with friends on the weekends, so I haven’t really ever thought of it as something I intended to write about in this column. And my knowledge of the larger Pretty Rhythm / King of Prism (I’m not even sure which name is “more correct”) meta-franchise which it’s a part of is quite limited. But I really feel like I need to just tell somebody how utterly bonkers this show is. To record it for posterity so that a hundred years hence, someone can know that yes, this was a real thing and yes it really was like this. God help us all. Or maybe international superstar Jennifer help us all. In the show’s world they seem rather interchangeable.
She’s like if Beyonce` was blonde and had the most generic name ever.
The actual premise isn’t much to stretch the brain here. Matsuri, our protagonist, likes idols and wants to be one. One day, the magical cat girl Nyamu appears and helps her become one. There’s a competition to see who’s the best idol, pretty standard stuff for the genre aside from the magic element, and even that is not really where the weirdness comes from.
No, the weirdness comes from two things. For one, the gaudy character designs. The girls, especially in-costume, look like they’ve been shot with a glitter cannon by Lisa Frank, and there are enough pride flag colors snuck into character designs that it feels like an intentional easter egg on the part of a character designer rather than simple coincidence. Even the comparatively “dark” designs like Lemon’s gothic lolita ensemble are just so much. This is a strength, not a weakness, but it’s a level of audacity in character design that is rather rare, and it takes some getting used to.
Secondly, there is the writing.
Good god is there the writing.
I wouldn’t dare to say that Waccha PriMagi is badly written. It’s a kids’ show, and it’s not for a 27 year old college dropout who writes a blog for a living. It is however, definitely hyperactively written. Compared to it, co-seasonal Tropical Rouge Precure (which is also for young kids, mind you!) looks downright sedate. The simple quantity of things that happens in a given episode is through the roof, and episodes tumble into one another as though the entire series were a single long film. There is little of the episodic nature often associated with kids’ anime. This shit has continuity, and it has the audacity to expect you to remember it all. (Or maybe it doesn’t, given that the most recent episode, the tenth, is a recap episode less than a dozen episodes in.)
Is any of that a problem? Honestly, not really. The series’ sheer chaos works in its favor. Most anime take a fairly straight line from point A to point B. Waccha is content to doodle all over the map on its way there, which is why it took ten episodes for us to get a concise explanation of what the tournament that will presumably drive much of the rest of the plot actually is. This would be annoying for a shorter anime, but as Waccha is an annual it seems safe to assume it will run for a full four cours (landing somewhere between 42 and 50 episodes by its finale), so it has plenty of time to figure out petty things like “plot” and “making sense” later.
What it does excel at, chaotic as it is, is character interaction. The characters in this are great. The sole exception I’d maybe make being our actual lead, Matsuri, who I find a bit of a cipher outside of her idol fangirling. (Even then, she’s pleasant and charming, just not to the level of the other characters.) Nyamu is a total brat, something like a land-bound cousin of TroPre’s Laura La Mer. There’s a cool senpai in the form of Hina, whose day-glo raver look could maybe dull some of the surprise from learning that the song from her first concert kinda slaps.
Seriously, why does this sound like something that would dominate the radio in 2007?
Then there’s Miruki, a baldly two-faced little conniver who would be absolutely detestable if she wasn’t so damn funny. It’s here worth noting that these characters all have their own animal companion friends. And hers is a decidedly stoned-looking bear. And finally there’s Lemon Kokoa, my personal favorite character. I should also take a minute to mention the incredibly good official subtitles this thing has, with full credit to translators Natalie Jones and Nathan Lopez. They’re a bit loose, which some purists may dislike, but they add a lot of color to the show by incorporating modern stan terms, including “stan” itself, “bias,” etc. I mostly bring this up because Lemon is an idol otaku, and also just generally a reclusive, anxious wreck of a gamer girl shut-in. When she and her friends (read: her MMO guild) show up, the translators also take the opportunity to tangle in some modern internet slang. Which leads to the decidedly surreal experience of seeing, say, a phrase like “big mood” in an anime.
Lemon is just below the frame, having passed out from the immense stress of being perceived.
She also has easily the best outfit in the series, the aforementioned gothic lolita dress patterned after the stained glass in a cathedral. A friend described her debut song as sounding “like Touhou music,” and I couldn’t agree more. It also rules.
Yes, the logo behind her says “Radiant Abyss.” It says that because Lemon is cooler than all of us.
I don’t expect I’ll cover Waccha PriMagi often on this column, and it may well never appear here again. As I said, it’s more of a fun weekend watch with friends for me. But! I should stress that if you can find some folks to watch it with, it is immensely fun. (I imagine watching it solo unless you’re a sugar rush’d-out ten-year-old might be a bit much. But you’re welcome to experiment and see if I’m wrong.) Waccha absolutely drips with style and personality. Sometimes when you’ve got so much of that, common sense takes a back seat. Personally, I think it suits the show just fine.
1: I am admittedly not fully sure if this is intended to be her actual name or is some sort of title. In Japanese the character is apparently only referred to as “Mahou no Kagami”, which I believe simply means “Magic Mirror”, so I’m not entirely certain what’s going on there.
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The removal of Bojji's magic, or lack thereof, is a defining characteristic that shapes his identity and contributes to his growth as a character. **It symbolizes the challenges he faces due to his disability and highlights the importance of determination, perseverance, and inner strength.** Bojji's journey becomes a tale of self-discovery and self-acceptance, as he learns to embrace his differences and find his own path to success. Instead of focusing on his lack of magical powers, Bojji relies on his intelligence, empathy, and determination to overcome obstacles and prove himself worthy of his position as prince. Overall, the topic of whether Bojji has his magic removed plays a significant role in "Oshi no Ko." **While Bojji does not possess conventional magical abilities at the start of the story, he later gains a unique form of magic that sets him apart and allows him to flourish as a character.** The narrative explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and personal growth as Bojji navigates the challenges associated with his lack of magical powers. Through his journey, Bojji teaches us that strength comes in many forms and that true power lies within oneself..
Reviews for "Bojji's Magic Removal: A Subversion of Expectations in the Fantasy Genre"
1. John - 2/5 - While I appreciate the unique concept of "Does Bojji Have His Magic Removed," I found the execution lacking. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without much direction. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked development. Overall, I was disappointed and struggled to connect with the narrative.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I really wanted to like "Does Bojji Have His Magic Removed," but I found it to be incredibly confusing and disjointed. The plot jumped around without clear transitions, making it difficult to follow. The artwork, while visually stunning, didn't make up for the lack of a coherent storyline. I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied by the end of the manga.
3. Michael - 2/5 - The premise of "Does Bojji Have His Magic Removed" seemed promising, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The main character, Bojji, was annoyingly weak and indecisive, making it hard for me to root for him. The supporting characters were also underdeveloped and lacked depth. In addition, the action sequences were poorly choreographed and lacked excitement. Overall, I found the manga to be forgettable and unsatisfying.
4. Emily - 2/5 - "Does Bojji Have His Magic Removed" had an interesting concept, but the execution left much to be desired. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a clear direction. The artwork was beautiful, but it couldn't make up for the lack of character development and weak storytelling. I found myself becoming bored and disengaged as I read through the pages. Unfortunately, this manga did not live up to my expectations.