Projects
The Queering of Neon Genesis Evangelion: How Fans Influenced a 25+ Year-long Franchise
Academic paper | In the process of being published
This is a fan studies essay on how and why fans were able to influence the relationship of two male characters in a high-standing mecha anime. When the anime was first produced in 1995, there was no intention for future derivative works and the ending left the status of main characters Shinji Ikari and Kaworu Nagisa's relationship ambiguous. These queer fan interpretations of Shinji and Kaworu being together romantically influenced the series as a whole, resulting in new canon derivative works of NGE over the last 25 years, confirming the romantic relationship of Shinji and Kaworu. The popularity of the couple led to franchise success and notice and Kaworu became a staple character in the franchise and are considered today as a 'semi-canon' pairing.
Translation and Analysis of Your Lie in April volume 11 and its Featured Piece, Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G Minor
Fully translated volume of manga from Japanese to English with a paired paper on the emotional impact of the song featured in the volume.
The Emotional Impact of Chopin's Ballade in Your Lie in April
Video Essay
A counterpart to the above paper, analyzing the history of the piece and its music in real time with visuals from the anime adaptation.
Reinventing an Ethical Code for Fansubbing: Its Influence on the Anime Industry
An overview of the history of fansubbing and its influence on the anime industry, as well as an argument in favor of the illegal practice as a form of participatory fan culture.
Cowboy Bebop as Anime Noir
Video Essay | Coming soon
The cinematic style and genre of film noir's presence in the 1940s and 1950s is making a resurgence in current media, dubbed 'neo-noir.' Its influence and characteristics can be seen in the acclaimed Japanese anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) in what I call 'anime noir' through its blend of Western style and unique characters.
Cultures of Music Privacy: An Ethnographic Comparison of the US and Japan
Video Essay | Coming soon
By observing the history of music piracy in Japan and the United States, and its prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic, we can understand how file sharing is a form of participatory fan culture and ethical.