Shimoneta - Do the Panties Hide More than we Realise?

Written by Shiggins

Is the title of this article clever or stupid? Let me know in the comments below!

Just like Kill la Kill in 2013, not a lot of people would openly admit that they watched Shimoneta, or to give it it's full name "Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist". The reason for this is a very simple one actually; It's so perverted! Episodes devoted to vibrators and constant shots of "ecchi" nudity, as well as the enormous amount of vulgar words that even the Japanese anime censors (with fun splat sounds, of course). And yet, after taking a moment to think about it, I realise it's actually one of the smartest series I've seen this year.

......No, I'm serious. This is a smart series! Please don't leave yet!

Meaning no disrespect to any anime out there, but a lot of them do have fairly straightforward tactics to appease a mainstream audience. They'll start off with a slightly bland hero, surround him with typically interesting characters that includes the big "life-changing character" that begins the events of the plot, (see Rukia or Index for examples), and then the power of friendship and teamwork will save the day against the big bad villain. It's a fun tactic that usually provides a few good laughs, good characters and plenty of emotion or action.

Somebody please explain this joke! I only count three... technically.

So does Shimoneta do the exact same thing? Almost but the reason I mentioned the previous formula is because I can't think of a lot of series that tackle the issues that Shimoneta does. And almost all of it is linked to one hilarious, gorgeous, batshit insane bitch known as Anna Nishikinomiya.

It's as if the phrase "there are no brakes on the rape train" was created solely for her.

When the series begins, she's the sweet Student Council President and the "antagonist", although that's definitely not her fault. She has been raised in a world where constant surveillance and punishment prevent people from learning about the "evils of sex" and even curse words and masturbation are alien to her and most people. The main characters are the rebels against this world, and therefore they become Anna's enemies.

And here is the head of the rebels, clearly not giving a fuck.

Considering the series is setting up this premise that it's good to be perverted, unlike almost every other series that only has perverted characters to be beaten up, I expected Anna's development to take the slow route of making her learn new facts and she realises the error of her ways and blah blah happy ending blah. All of that changes however when she gets accidently kissed by the main protagonist, Tanukichi Okuma. Instead of realising it's a good thing to be perverted, SHE GOES INSANE!

The face of everyone during the last scene of episode 4.

Anna, instead of realising it's good to give into desires and study them, snaps and actually attempts to rape the main character! The tone of the series takes a very dark turn during this scene and yes, it still has a comedic edge because of the reactions by a supporting character in the cupboard (long story), but I wasn't laughing! And I don't think many others were either! Anna's cracking from sanity makes complete sense too, since she was never raised in an environment that could educate her and help he understand her feelings. And more importantly, it's one of the few series I've seen in a long time that is properly saying; "Rape is bad by any gender!"

Really? People actually think that Okuma should WANT to be raped by this insanity?

The amount of times Anna tries to molest or perform rape on the series is actually near-horrid. Of course, the anime downplays it somewhat by keeping a few sections of comedy during these scenes, but the undertone of how wrong she is and how much we should be afraid for him is real. Okuma doesn't want this and he is nearly being raped without his consent. The series is aware of it and never shies away from it or implies that it's okay because she's a woman and he should be "grateful" or some other bollocks. And honestly, in this day and age where the internet is finding "something offensive" in every subject, I think it's very brave of Shimoneta to try to shut up those idiots who cheer on underage boys when a teacher gets raped, or use terms like "rape-baiting". It shows a level of maturity that many people lack, despite having it be over-the-top and slightly-comical.

However, the double standard here is not the only thing that got my attention, although it does relate to that rape scene I so intrigued you with earlier. The "terrorist rebel" Blue Snow spends the entirety of this series swearing and using innuendos (which frankly, I find almost as hysterical as puns), while barely wearing anything in her "Blue Snow" outfit. However, a few seconds after she interrupts the rape scene and thankfully prevents it, she sees her first penis and... this is how the cocky, confident gal who never shuts up about sex reacts...

I'd like to take this moment to remind you how mature this series is.

The girl who has no understanding of sex, due to being raised like an olden-time Amish, is the one who goes wild and obsesses over her "love nectar", while the girl who claims to know everything about sex and never be bothered is the one who freaks out at just seeing a dick. In a way, it's almost like modern society. The ones who boast the most, especially on the internet, tend to be the ones who talk big but can't handle big. And those who aren't educated properly don't know what to do and just lash out in the most extreme way they can.

The denial of sexuality in this series from many character is reminiscent of certain parts of the internet itself, as it's becoming increasingly popular to deny you are sexual and that you are in fact disgusted by sexual things. (And no, I'm not saying asexuals don't exist. I'm just saying that a lot of pricks on the internet claim to be asexual then will be one of the many sexualities the internet has in a few months time.)

I was like this after episode 4. And after I put myself into a state of denial of course.

Overall, I think this series does tackle some issues you rarely see in this day and age, which is ironic considering we might need it now more than ever. Too many people think it's okay for rape/molesting under certain circumstances, especially if the female is the culprit, and no, it's never okay. It's degrading to myself to even have to type these words but since some clowns have difficulty understanding, I'll just say it right now:

RAPE IS ALWAYS BAD! 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch this supremely mature anime talk about how a girl's hairdo looks like a penis. Good day!

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Shiggins:[Admin]
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Born under the stars of the Dark Gods, Shiggins owns the power of the Great Eye and is utterly magnificent in his omniscience. If you dare to discover more about someone as great as him, then go ahead. And to all my friends and family members, YOU are wrong and I should be disappointed! Not the other way round!,. You can find out about him or ask him stuff on ask.fm/shigginsishere or go to his tumblr page http://otakugajeel.tumblr.com/