From: takahash@ntmtv.UUCP (Alan Takahashi)
Subject: Re: Anime reference in ST: TNG, "A Fistful of Datas"
Organization: Northern Telecom Inc, Mountain View, CA
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 22:04:36 GMT

In article <rchan.2pwm@terapin.com> rchan@terapin.com (Ronald Chan) writes:
>If you look in the background in the episode where Riker and his dad have a big
>fight, you can see the words "Urusei Yatsura" flash by in the background. 
>Also, in their technical manual they mention phasers eminate from crystals
>called "fushigi no umi," a blatent reference to Nadia.  So... I either Rick
>Sterbach or Mike Okuda, the guys who are in charge of the special effects and
>models, is the big fan behind the scenese.

OK...here is my old and outdated file which I wrote up a while back.
It was crossposted to the Star Trek groups originally during the
time when the anime in-jokes first surfaced.

For those who are keeping track, the *only* difference between this
file and the previous postings of it is that I cleaned up the
references to the "Yamato"...finally...

----- Begin file -----

Since this file is old:
  1) Yes, I know this file is outdated.
  2) Many known examples are missing.  I'll add to the lists someday...
  3) This posting was originally directed at the rec.arts.startrek
      newsgroup, so there are some obvious questions like "What is anime?"
      and descriptions of anime that we already know (Nausicaa anyone?)...
  4) I WILL update this file.......someday........ :-)

Without further ado...

***BEGIN "Anime Refs in STTNG"***

The following information is organized in a "Question and Answer" type
format, based on the kind of queries I've seen coming across the net,
or that I've received via E-Mail.

==========

Q:  What is 'anime'?

A:  The term 'anime' refers to Japanese Animation in general.  It is 
    actually the Japanese term for this type of animation ('anime' is
    short for 'animation').  In the U.S., anime is also called "Japanese
    Animation" or "Japanimation".  (Note: "Japanimation" is to "Anime" as
    "Sci-Fi" is to "Science Fiction", or "Trekkie" is to "Star Trek" and 
    may get you into the same kind of flame wars, depending on the group).

==========

Q:  This is the Star Trek group.  Why do we discuss anime here, anyway?
    (In anime postings, the Subject Line usually reads something like:
     "Anime In-Jokes".)

A:  There is really no direct connection between the two.  However, 
    references to various anime programs/movies *have* shown up in the
    background areas (usually in the visual displays).  The reason for
    this is because Rick Sternbach, the Senior Illustrator on STTNG, is
    an ardent anime fan.  Whenever possible, he works these anime
    references into the sets on the show.  
    
    According to Rick, there is usually at least one anime reference
    per show...and it's a challenge for other anime fans to pick them
    out.
    
    Besides, with the various Star Trek references that have shown up
    in anime, it's only fair that STTNG return the favor...
    
==========

Q:  What's so great about anime?  Isn't it just another cartoon?

A:  In Japan, animation is taken *very* seriously as an art form, and
    as a means of entertainment.  With animation, you can create any
    setting and/or situation without regard for real-world limitations.
    Also, animation doesn't suffer from the stigma of being "only for
    kids" as is the case in the U.S.  As such, Japanese animation studios
    use animation as an infinitely versatile palette for creating stories.
    
    The result of this is that a wide range of stories have been created
    in animation, appealing to just about any taste.  If you like
    straight adventure, comedies, giant robots fighting each other (these
    seem to be the most often imported), gothic horror, science fiction,
    fantasy, or just plain abstract plots, anime has something for you.
    
    Of course, as with anything else, Sturgeon's Law applies to anime
    too. :-)
    
==========

Q:  What kind of references have shown up in STTNG?

A:  The anime references that *I* know about can be separated into
    the following groups:
      1) References from "Urusei Yatsura".
      2) References from "Dirty Pair".
      3) References from movies written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
    
==========

Q:  What is "Urusei Yatsura"?

A:  This comedy was created by the talented Rumiko Takahashi.
    The title can be translated (roughly) as "Those Obnoxious Aliens".
    A little history is necessary to understand the characters...
    
    Once upon a time, some aliens wanted to invade the Earth.  However,
    Earth has a chance.  If an Earthling (randomly picked by their computers)
    wins a game of "tag" against one of the aliens, then the invasion will
    be called off.  The lucky Earthling picked was an ordinary, if lecherous
    Japanese high school student named Ataru Moroboshi.
    
    Ataru wasn't overly enthusiastic about this game...until he found out
    who he would be chasing.  The object of the chase was the beautiful and
    sexy daughter of the alien leader.  Her name is Lum.  The object of the
    game was for Ataru to put his hands on Lum's horns (oh, didn't I mention
    that she had horns? :-) ).  He has 10 days to win.
    
    The game begins.  Ataru thinks that this will be easy.  9 days later,
    Ataru is on the brink of total exhaustion (oh, I didn't mention that
    Lum could fly either...).  Ataru's girlfriend, Shinobu, tells Ataru
    that she will marry him if he succeeds...
    
    On the last day, Ataru employs a little bit of basic human ingenuity
    (he cheats!) and wins the game (and saves the world).  Upon winning,
    he shouts "Now I will be married!", and *Lum* is touched!  Now, poor
    Ataru can't get rid of Lum...and so, Urusei Yatsura begins...
    
    =>Example References in STTNG:
      Ataru - Still looking for a good time with other girls...despite his
               "marriage" to Lum.  Deep in his heart, though, he really
               *does* love Lum.  Seen in various places, most noticably
               in the ship's gymnasium. (The Icarus Factor).
      
      Lum   - This alien princess is absolutely, positively faithful to
               her "Darling" (Ataru).  She is not, however, above giving
               her Darling a reminder of who he is supposed to be faithful
               to...usually in the form of a high voltage zap (ok, so I
               didn't mention *that* ability either... :-)).  Ataru refers
               to her zapping as 'electric lynching'...   Seen in various
               places (usually next to "Ataru"), again, most noticably in
               the ship's gymnasium. (The Icarus Factor).
      
      Tomobiki - The name of the town where all this craziness happens.
               Also, the name of the high school that the cast attends.
               Seen as one of the possible scenarios available on the
               Holodeck.  (Episode unknown).
      
      Urusei Yatsura - The title of this series.  Seen in the ship's
               gymnasium.  (The Icarus Factor).
               
==========

Q:  What is the "Dirty Pair"?

A:  This is a comedy which is noted for its spoofs on secret agent stories.
    It is also noted for the various times that "Star Trek" references
    have shown up within its frames (like the time a spaceport display
    showed paging requests for Capt. Kirk, Mr. Spock, etc...)
    
    Some time in the future, Mankind has advanced and society has taken 
    great leaps forward.  However, there are still situations where trouble
    arises.  To deal with this, an agency known as the World Welfare Work
    Association (WWWA or 3WA) was created.  They send out teams known as
    "Trouble Consultants".
    
    One such team consists of two young girls.  Their job can probably best
    be described as the kinds of things that James Bond would be doing.  
    They are *very* good at what they do, and have an enviable success
    record.  Their code name is the "Lovely Angels".  Their names are Kei
    and Yuri.
    
    They have only one problem.  This problem has earned them the nickname
    "Dirty Pair", because although they always catch their target, the
    planet/space station/city/whatever usually ends up in worse condition
    than before the assignment (read: DESTROYED - BANG - POOF - UTTER
    DESTRUCTION :-) ).  
    
    One note, though.  You'd think that with a record like that, they 
    would be 'retired' quickly.  But the other thing that attends their
    destruction is the fact that IT'S *NEVER* THEIR FAULT!!!!  :-) :-)
    
    =>Example References in STTNG:
        Kei  - The more fiery of the Pair.  She is the one who is more 
                likely to solve a situation with a bazooka.  Seen in 
                many places like Riva's conference table (Loud as a
                Whisper), or the ship's gymnasium (The Icarus Factor).
        
        Yuri - The dark haired half of the Pair.  She is more girlish,
                and tends to use makeup alot.  Seen, usually where
                "Kei" is seen...like the table (Loud as a Whisper)
                or the gym (The Icarus Factor).
                
        Dirty Pair - The name of the series and the (hated) nickname
                of the Pair.  Seen in places like the Iconian gizmo
                held by Capt. Varley (Contagion).
        
        Lovely Angel - The 'official' code name of the Pair.  Also
                the name of their ship.  Kei and Yuri *really* prefer
                this method of being addressed.  Seen on the display
                that Kolrami was using to illustrate the War
                Games (Peak Performance).  Kei and Yuri were there
                too!
                
==========

Q:  Who is Hayao Miyazaki, and what has he done in anime?

A:  Miyazaki is an anime writer/director/artist who has created such
    masterpieces as "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind".  He has also
    been involved in some television shows such as the comedy "Lupin III",
    and the series "Famous Detective Holmes" as well as movies such 
    as "Laputa: The Castle in the Sky" and "Tonari No Totoro".
    
    In Star Trek: The Next Generation, the only anime references from
    his work appear to be from "Nausicaa" and "Totoro".
    
==========

Q:  What is "Nausicaa"?

A:  Widely acclaimed as a classic, "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind" is
    a story about an Earth which has not fared well at the hands of Man.
    Certainly, this is the movie that started my interest in anime...
    
    In the far future, Earth is in terrible shape, due to the accumulated
    pollution of Man.  If that wasn't enough, there was also a war which
    employed biological machines known as "God Soldiers" which basically
    wiped most of the human race out.  This war was known as the Seven
    Days of Fire.  This is the world into which the Princess Nausicaa
    was born...
    
    Nausicaa lives in an area known as the Valley of Wind.  It is a valley
    granted scant protection from the poisonous forest by a sea breeze 
    which prevent the spores and poison gases from that forest from coming
    in.  She is the only surviving child of the ruler of the Valley, and 
    will take over leadership when her father dies.
    
    Despite the harsh environment, Nausicaa is a gentle girl, with some
    empathy with Nature.  She uses this ability well, especially when
    she has to deal with the insects (the new rulers of the Planet Earth).
    (Don't take this to mean that insects talk...but how would *you*
     deal with a 5-story Ohmu, which resembles a giant cockroach, and
     is as unstoppable as a jet-powered armored tank... :-) ).  Don't 
    know her age, exactly, but I think she's in her mid-to-late teens.
    
    NOTE TO ANIME FANS: It is *not* my intention to go over the story.
      If I did that, this posting would rapidly get out of control. :-)
      My only intent is to introduce Nausicaa to non-anime fans.
      
    ->Example References in STTNG:
        Nausicaa - the Princess from the Valley of Wind.  Seen in such
                    places as one of Data's parts (Measure of a Man),
                    and as Captain Picard's ruffians (story as told to
                    Wesley Crusher in "Samaritan Snare").

    NOTE: Nausicaa originally appears as a Phoenican (sp?) Princess in
           Homer's Odyssey.  She is the one who finds Odysseus on the
           beach, and nurses him back to health.  This Princess, however,
           bears little resemblence to our Princess from the Valley of
           the Wind...

==========

Q:  What is "Totoro"?

A:  "Tonari No Totoro" translates to "My Neighbor Totoro".  Totoro is a
    mythical creature who is found by two children.  I believe that Totoro
    is suppose to be a cat, but *I* still think he looks like a giant
    otter :-).
    
    The children, Satsuki and May, have come with their father to live
    in the countryside.  Their mother, currently in a hospital will join
    them later.  The movie explores themes of loneliness, and sibling
    love/rivalry as Satsuki and May adjust to their new surroundings.
    Surroundings made even more...ahem...unusual by the presence of
    Totoro.
    
    First May, then Satsuki meet Totoro, and their adventures begin.
    From flying across the valley, to watching their plants *grow*,
    the two girls have some great times with Totoro.
    Totoro, in a sense, provides company for the two lonely girls while
    their mother is away...and even helps later when May runs away.
    
    =>Example References in STTNG:
        Totoro - the spirit that the children befriend.  He is essentially
                  a nature sprite with control over the elements (e.g. 
                  wind), and can 'assist' in growing plants.  Seen in
                  such places as Capt. Varley's Iconian gizmo 
                  (Contagion).
        
        Tonari No Totoro - the title of the movie.  Seen in the ship's
                  gymnasium (The Icarus Factor).
                  
==========

Q:  What is the "Space Cruiser Yamato"?

A:  This was a series about an old WWII-era ship that was converted to
    a space battleship to help in fighting off alien invaders.  Unlike
    "Urusei Yatsura", this invasion was deadly serious.
    
    The original series basically described the journey of the Yamato
    as it battled to get from Earth to a planet promising aid.  In order
    to get there, the Yamato had to battle through major obstacles in
    the form of various portions of the alien fleet.
    
    The series was imported to the U.S. as "Star Blazers", and the name
    of the ship was changed to the "Argo".
    
    =>Example References in STTNG:
	 **NONE**

	 There is a Galaxy Class Starship called "Yamato" which appeared
	 in the episodes "Where Silence has Lease" and "Contagion".  The
	 name of the Starship did not come from the anime series, but 
	 was named after the WWII battleship "Yamato" of the Japanese
	 Navy.

	 The anime "Yamato" was named after the same ship...
                   
==========

Q:  What is "Ranma 1/2"?

A:  Another comedy from the fertile mind of Rumiko Takahashi, Ranma 1/2
    is a series about a young man who is afflicted with an interesting
    curse...
    
    In China, Ranma and his grandfather were having some kind of martial
    arts contest on bamboo poles fixed over some pools.  During the course
    of the contest, both fall into the pools.  Locally, these pools were
    known as the "Pools of Sorrow"...and for good reason...
    
    It seems that when you fall into one of the pools, you turn into 
    whatever last died in the pool.  Ranma's grandfather turned into
    a giant panda, and Ranma, himself, turned into a *her*.  Not just
    any her, but a very feminine and pretty her.  You can turn back
    into yourself by splashing yourself with hot water...but the curse
    will reactivate if you are splashed with cold water...
    
    The series follows the exploits of Ranma-kun (him) and Ranma-chan (her)
    as he/she tries to go through life in a typical Japanese town...
    (Of course, it's a little harder when you alternate between a man
     and a panda... :-) )
    
    =>Example References in STTNG:
          uhhhh, well, there aren't any that I know of.  It's just that
          this topic appeared (and exploded into flames) at some point
          in rec.arts.startrek...something about Wesley falling into a
          pool, and who would play Wesley-chan...
          
==========

Q:  What does "Picard no Baka" mean?

A:  Roughly, it means "Picard, you fool" or "Picard, you idiot".  This
    phrase actually got famous in anime-dom with Lum and Ataru.  You
    know, Ataru (tries to) go out with some girl, and Lum zaps him.  She
    would often say "Darling no BAKA!!!!!" at those points...

    Of course, if anyone *did* say that to Picard, what would he do?  
    After all, it's not in French... :-)
    
    NOTE: This topic came up, because this phrase appeared in someone's
           .signature (not mine)...

==========

Q:  Speaking of Lum (again), doesn't it seem like some story elements 
    were taken from Urusei Yatsura?  Things that came to mind were:
      * The electric ability of the aliens from "Symbiosis" compared
         to Lum's tendency to zap everything in sight (especially Ataru!).
      * The general characteristics of Klingon women shown so far...
         strong, violent, and generally not healthy for human males.
         Kind of like Shinobu when she's angry (has the strength of
         the She-Hulk, and tends to throw things around...like desks
         and telephone poles.. :-)).
         
A:  *That* kind of connection is unlikely as the Art Department has
    absolutely no say in what goes into the stories.  There are certain
    items that do affect things like dialog that the Art Department has
    had input to...like the list of "alien" names that writers can use.
    That's why Captain Picard's ruffians were called "Nausicaans"
    (from "Samaritan Snare").  In general, anime references have to be
    snuck in via the sets, or video displays.
    
    (Anyone want to ask Rick Sternbach about this? :-))

==========

Hope this posting helps alleviate some of the confusion!

***END OF "Anime Refs in STTNG"***

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