Chanbara - The Western of the East

[@metacarpitan]

samurai champloo is still my favourite anime, the soundtrack, the story, the animation ... everything comes together so well.

[@dedlykuin8539]

came from champloo thumbnail, stayed because of nujabes

[@flyhigh5908]

Ikr

[@patmaloney5735]

RIP Seba Jun

[@scofield117]

If the Chanbara anime genre is stylistically similar to the modern Western, that's primarily because of classic live action Chanbara's influence on acclaimed western director Sergio Leone. Leone was so inspired by these films that his first film, "A Fist Full of Dollars" was basically an unlicensed remake of Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" as a western. Leone's injection of Japanese style into westerns revitalized a stagnating genre and inspired an army of imitators, forever changing western films. Anime taking inspiration from post Leone westerns is in a way Kurosawa's films coming full circle. Loved the video btw. Can't wait for more.

[@poloshirtsamurai]

True.

[@lightskintwin]

Funny enough, Kurosawa was influenced by American Westerns and fused it in his work which would later influence the West.

[@dirtiestharry6551]

western predates chanbara by 50 years just because one was influenced by chanbara doesn't mean whole western genre was influenced by it.

[@Threeducksisperfect]

Yes but if you ask someone to name a western 9 times out of 10 they'll name a Sergio Leone film, also chanbara was influenced from american western which in turn influeced the spaghetti western

[@superlive98]

LOL That would not be true if you asked an average American on the street. 9 out of 10 would be more likely name a John Wayne movie. Almost nobody in America watches spaghetti westerns, mainly because no television stations aired them aside from Leone's Dollar Trilogy until around 10 years ago, at which point US broadcast television generally stopped airing any foreign films that don't feature either Godzilla or James Bond or reside in public domain.

[@sirf4ce]

I literally watched like 8 or 9 of your videos before I subbed. It became a situation where I subconsciously thought, "Of course, I'm subbed" and took it as a given. When I started this video and heard the Sergio Leone music from final duel in 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙖𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙜𝙡𝙮 and it cut to 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙤...tears welled up in my eyes. There was something so striking about it. The cross-pollination of my father's favorite genre and mine, a potent mixture of gigantic pop culture nostalgia landmarks for me served to ring a bell in my mind that resonated so powerfully that it brought me to tears. Then...I subscribed.

[@ericcota4732]

This video was one that hit particularly close to home. I watched Samurai Champloo earlier this month and Ninja Scroll last week both for the first time and I absolutely loved both of them, so the timing of this video is coincidentally perfect! I’m also a huge fan of westerns (The Good the Bad and the Ugly in particular is my all-time favorite western) so to see a video talking about the “Westerns of the East” is really unique. Now I’ve gotta add Sword of the Stranger to the long list of anime I need to watch since discovering your channel!

[@thislldo2326]

I’ve only just found your channel but, I have to say, after watching a few of your videos I think you’re becoming one of my favourite anime youtubers. Your videos are seriously amazing, I hope you will be able to keep it up and gain the recognition you deserve.

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thank you so much for this comment, it really makes me happy to hear that. Hope you like everything to come!

[@tylerdordon99]

The Dagger of Kamui is such an underrated and underseen Shinobi/Chanbara movie, it deserves a mention in this thread.

[@Eliburgo]

Have it on laserdisc it’s one of my favorites

[@iloveyourmomalot1one]

Would love a whole video essay on Samurai Champloo. I feel like there's enough there.

[@cloudbloom]

Ninja Scroll was the first anime I ever watched as a young teenager in the 90's, it absolutely blew my mind

[@alrune8]

Your narration is the most soothing thing I've heard in a long time.

[@jody024]

This man can become the BBC's successor to Sir David Attenborough. As soon as he begins to speak you WANT to sit still and listen to his every word. Agreeing or disagreeing with what he says is irrelevant, the one thing that is fact is his voice and the need to sit and listen.

[@geno5299]

Every time i watch this vid, I always have to rewatch the first 28 seconds of this vid over and over. You made the first 28 seconds of this vid very much flawless.

[@DamianLewd]

Ninja Scroll like a mug! literally my number one fave I first saw in 1995 still blows me away

[@swetheutte]

Congratulations on 10 000 subscribers! You deserve all of them and 100 times more!

[@Mechtroid10]

Ah man. I love these so much. Now I have to catch up on new shows. There goes my weekend lol

[@rioplats]

Congrats on your rebrand! I was wondering when you'd be covering Sword of the Stranger, which is one of my all time favourites, but wasn't expecting a trifecta of genre-related classics. You've actually introduced me to the concept and nomenclature of Chanbara and its use in anime, which I more or less referred to as "historical anime" previously; I suppose you learn something new every day :D

[@stevengreen9536]

Samurai Champloo is one of my favorites too.It was the shiznight!!!! Everything from the fight scenes to the hip hop music was excellent.I doubt we will see anything like it anytime soon. :D

[@danae5578]

I love the samurai thug-life idea. It's an unlikely pairing that could be a badass live action movie if someone did it. I wish we Americans could make a decent Anime-esk movie.

[@justinprather4760]

If chanbara is the genre equivalent of a western does that make Shinichiro Watanabe the Tarantino of the genre?

[@ravinraven6913]

it even left you wanting more! Instead of the all too common practice now days when people leave their fan base in shambles and asking for no more, like star wars, just let it die already so we can come up with the next best thing.

[@tHeWasTeDYouTh]

I talked to this Japanese guy once and from our conversation I got that violence is as distasteful as rape. To show people(male and female) being mutilated in Anime is ok but rape is not doesn't make sense to a lot of people that make anime. Violent act is a violent act to them. I have scene some anime with rape directed at men (berserk, banana fish) and the usual suspects who cry left and right when women are raped in anime are nowhere to be seen. Something I realized when I was reading some article in anime news network talking about rape

[@Nkanyiso_K]

*That was great, it gave me the push I needed to watch Sword of the Stranger & it's always nice to hear about Champloo*

[@ivanpodrez3403]

Simply brilliant. All of the mentioned anime are my long time favourites and are never leaving my collection.

[@xyoxus]

I didn't know _Chanbara_ was a thing, but it is exactly what I mostly watch in anime, now I finally know what to search for when I'm in need of my next anime samurai action battle fix. Thanks alot!

[@amangrewal9526]

Succinct and spot on- samurai champloo’s visuals and audio are a masterpiece of the late nujabes and minmi. Cannot recommend enough.

[@maattthhhh]

honorable mention: Rurouni Kenshin

[@vicdaman]

Very surprised Rurouni Kenshin didn't come up.

[@mycotinafulica8896]

Ah, yes, the Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan is one of my favorite

[@i_love_crpg]

maattthhhh chanbara has to be a bit more realistic than that but ig it counts

[@EagleCeres]

both the Basilisk: Kouga Ninpou Chou (2015) and Basilisk: Ouka Ninpou Chou (2018) series are closer to Chanbara style that BG is refering to

[@_MintArcade]

Kenshin is manga first, as the samples here are mostly titles that are aNime first. Further more I personally feel that kenshin has became my least favorite as my taste in anime develop… maybe my memory of the series has faded…

[@adamgabriele2953]

All three are some of my favorites! Great video but as a suggestion it might have been more educational to tie specific aspects or even scenes of the films you reviewed back to the westerns. No mention of Afrosamurai, though, huh? Does that not fit the genre for some reason? Any chance of an episode on Red Line? I just subscribed so maybe you've done one. I'm curious if there's anything out there like it.

[@ivanpodrez3403]

A fine video i thorougly enjoyed. Thank you. All of the anime mentioned are my favorites. Ninja Scroll perticularly I have probably seen ten times since early ninetees and still love it as much as I have before. The music you picked for this video was also great.

[@vertigq5126]

This was really informative. I’ve heard of chanbara before, but this was a great exploration and list of viewing suggestions and I learned a lot. Keep up the good stuff man, thanks for uploading! God bless you!

[@Saxmasterj]

Love your videos. Never disappoints, and the respect you give to the medium is always apparent

[@06lawrencemiguelligason10]

Ive been searching for your channel without knowing it. Thank you for these video essays, top quality and i wish you greatness

[@sblower9410]

I was thinking: "you should just rename your channel Beyond Ghibli at this poin- oh wait you did!"

[@BlindGardener]

what was it before?

[@keepitlit1518]

Spoiler: Just saw Ninja Scroll. And she didn't get raped, she got saved from a rape. I think this scene was spot on to show the savage character of the protagonist but also show the same traits in the leader of the village. Not only that but it also reflect on the society and your own self! The way they portray her as being sexy is to show you comparison between your instincts and modern norms and morality. Just saying that rape was common in wars and still is in some countries. The way the main character saves the girl shows that main character have the same moral view as your, the person watching (hopefully), but his nonchalant approach shows the world he grew up in. /// I'm certain of that the small scene says more then just awful distasteful strategy to entertain viewers. It would have been long cut if that was the case. It perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

[@warrenography]

This inspires me as I deliberate over my next film or short film. Also, Samurai Champloo is now on my watchlist, thanks!

[@tripblazr1737]

Dude!! well done with these videos!!! killing it! - nate

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thanks Nate!! Let me know if you need any VO work for TripBlazr, looks like it's doing amazingly!

[@peterrose5260]

Amazing Video! Your writing is on point and even poetic. I really like your style

[@moviemaniac1838]

This was a great video =). Nothing feels off limits in Ninja Scroll which is part of what made it feel so exciting & dangerous, especially when I first saw back in like the 90's. It's like five of the Lonewolf and Cub movies smashed into one, only with better production (IMO). If the rape scene bothers someone, that's good, it's a rape scene after all but I don't know why the video takes points away from it for not being delicate about the rape when Ninja Scroll isn't delicate about ANY of it's violence and gore (of which it's packed to the gills with).

[@praiseit6848]

Champloo and Bebop are simply the best Anime i've seen so far !!!

[@danethenice]

Same, but I'd say Berserk is on the same level.

[@avieabalone]

Once again an amazing video. Thank you so much for all the work and time you put into these! You're helping me expand my love for anime :) also if anyone knows what's the score playing at the end of the introduction?

[@ToriKo_]

What a great video! Made me remember how good Sword of the Stranger was - Have a great time in Japan Joe!

[@BeyondGhibli]

Thank you, I'm really looking forward to it! Sword of the stranger really is fantastic.

[@lsporter88]

Brilliant edits and production quality. Descriptive and witty commentary with a dry delivery that is surprisingly appropriate. Superb presentation.

[@btrzcouto]

I was like "where is Joe? has been ages that I received the last notification of a new video", I came here and I'm three videos late! at least my day will be better with 3 times more Beyond Ghibli.

[@BeyondGhibli]

Aaah I'm so glad you found your way back !! I think if you hit the Bell icon on the Beyond Ghibli page it makes it so that you get big, honking notifications everytime I upload. That way you'll never miss another! :P

[@btrzcouto]

Beyond Ghibli hit the notification bell was the first thing I did. I thought you went to Japan and abandoned us all. :P you plan on making a video about your trip? I'm curious about your adventures

[@BeyondGhibli]

I probably won't be making a video about the trip - at least not for the official channel. I'm not nearly as good a cameraman as I am an editor, so my footage is incredibly amateur. If you want to know about my trip however post in the community section of my Patreon (I saw you joined this morning! Thank you) and ask any questions you have - I do a Q&A every month. and I'd love to tell you about my trip.

[@brainrottedindividual]

i remember that in germany when i was a kid in the early 90s, martial arts and samurai films would actually be called eastern in the tv programs, since they were seen as analogues to our western films in terms of topic and cinematography.

[@michaellim9942]

Isn't Ninja Scrolls based on the historical myth of the rivalry between the Koga & Iga ninja clans? Same story as Basilisk.

[@elflaconeri]

Wow. Interestingly, it somehow never occurred to me to consider anime as chanbara, and I'm struggling to explain exactly why. I've seen all three of these, as well as a few of the live-action classics, so you've given me a fresh perspective to rewatch with. I think the rebranding is a good idea and will likely help get you more exposure. Good to see you go from strength to strength. Have fun in Japan and return inspired!

[@motorbreath22]

Not everything needs to be handled with subtlety and grace some moments need to show outrage and disgust, some things make us want to stare away. Great job gonna check out Samurai Champloo

[@CCootauco]

Thank you, my fellow mature anime connoisseur for crafting this finely edited video. I especially enjoyed the white knighting of a fine anime woman such as Kagura from the esteemed, critical hit ninja scroll. Or as for those of us with much more refined manners, Jubei Ninpucho.

[@moguldamongrel3054]

Oh ninja scroll was an absolute gem!!!!

[@ssjwes]

Akira and Ninja Scroll are my first animes in the early 90's. I said the same thing, THIS is cartoons for adults! I was only 12 at the time but knew anime was my new interest.

[@zerojee1]

Samurai Champloo seems like a full circle reboot to what Kurasawa brought us, but with a Western twist. I also disagree with the bit about Ninja Scroll's direction being off on those scenes. It depicted the reality of that supposed time period in a way that was matter of fact and unapologetic.

[@mookiestewart3776]

Nice job including “aurian dance “ in the music score. Rip nujabes

[@patmaloney5735]

Im really grateful that you do what you do. And! That you get to do what you do for a living. Many of us live in art but we cannot all make our living there. Please enjoy it for the both, or better for the many of us.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

Just watched Sword of the Stranger. It is truly a beautiful film and one of the best 'westerns' I've ever seen.

[@mayeezy254]

There is a youtube video essay that argues Westerns were inspired by Samurai stories, I can't find the link atm but its nice to see the argument coming full circle

[@franciscochavarria1836]

Always a treat to watch these videos, keep it up

[@pedroclaro7822]

Wow That segmented 'timebar' is pretty cool! first time I saw it though

[@landscapedetective4064]

In my opinion, you are, without doubt, one of the best, if not the best, channel on YT to deal with the analysis of various anime genres. The style ,delivery, timing and voice over is perfectly pitched. Thank you for all your hard work and thank you also for introducing me to Cowboy Bebop. Every word you spoke about it is true.

[@Derekrife1]

One to mention is Samurai X, the prequel movie to Ruroni Kenshin that has far more in common stylistically with these films than the shonen anime.

[@maohuerta]

Thank you. Awesome work!

[@ggdeku]

I just recently discovered your channel. Good stuff! Keep up the great work!

[@nonkey3163]

Great content, I always look forward to these keep it up

[@rengiil777]

5:42 Song? I recognize it as a remix of a samurai champloo song I think. Edit: Nevermind, for those wondering there's a list of music used at the end.

[@boigercat]

The soundtrack was so good for this video 😍

[@sardoggy]

in the words of JZ, "And another one, and another one." Great job again.

[@DTBluesreviews]

Samurai Champloo is one of my favorite shows of all time everything about it is amazing

[@swetheutte]

Another great video! I totally agree with all of the points! I have always seen these anime as a natural evolution of Kurosawa, it's an interesting angle to compare them to western movies, and I think it's a point with a lot of merit. Thank you for the discussion topic! "Anime more than any other medium understands the importance of simplicity" I might just have to quote you on this in an upcoming essay, that is such a great quote! I was almost hoping of a mention of Seirei no Moribito by Kenji Kamiyama (of Ghost in the shell standalone complex fame), my personal favourite anime series ever. But I suppose it has very few fight scenes and is ulitmately another genre entirely (so I probably shoudn't have). Have you seen that series and if so what do you think of it? All my anime friends think it's a good but not great anime while it remains my all-time favourite. Anyway, amazing video as always! I

[@BeyondGhibli]

The Utte returns!! Always glad to see you in the comments section, brother :) I've never even heard of that series, but it's just shot straight to the top of my watch list - I can't wait to check it out, thank you for the recommendation! Thanks so much for kind comment, and I'm glad you dug that line :D I had a whole paragraph about why I think action movies should be simple and their drama written in broad strokes, and went off on a tangent about the original Pacific Rim and why I love it so much, but then decided I'd gone on far too long and cut it down to that one line. So I'm really glad to hear you liked it :)

[@swetheutte]

Oh wow! I would have loved to hear that paragraph! Maybe concider making it a full video? There is so much time devoted to comparing anime with other mediums and debating topics like "anime could do this just as good as American live action" or similar by Anime-fans with minority complex. There's too little time devoted to what Anime does well in its own right or what anime can do that other mediums can't. I would be very interested in a video about that one line! Have a great time in Japan! I don't know where your'e going but try to visist a small town Onsen while your'e there. Also the Uneo park by the history museum is a cool location for Pokemon hunting! I hope you get there while the sakura are still in bloom! :)

[@BeyondGhibli]

My friends are saying the cherry blossoms are already fading ;_; I'm gutted I'll miss Hanami. I'll be visiting an Onsen town in Hokkaido when I'm up there... And Hakone... And Kyushu... I love Onsen :P

[@swetheutte]

Onsen are the best! Maybe they will still be around in Hokkaido? In Sweden they are just starting to bloom if that's anything to go by.

[@zoidsfan12]

Chanbara is some of my favorite stuff. I never really watched westerns but I can feel the tension in sword fights from chanbara movies/shows. Some of the most insightful films are the live action chanbara films and films such as hidden fortress. Side note if you have watched a lot of old movies, has anyone noticed a massive decline in movies that actually have something to say (ie not just action romps, don't get me wrong I'm a red-blooded man and like a good fight but I need to have a reason to care about the characters that are fighting)

[@ashamehta5202]

This is a subgenre I've never really been able to get into, but I do want to watch samurai champloo at some point. Looking forward to a vid on it!

[@rogersmithbigo]

Great vid. You missed basilisk.

[@aquaworld6468]

Please keep on making the Anime videos. Live long and healthy. Thank you for making my day great.

[@BOYVIRGO666]

Samurai Champloo i still say is just one of the most beautifully animated animes ever made. Even if its story isnt perfect.

[@buggyyuji851]

Same

[@loonatis]

I hope you do a part two of this and have some of the other heavy hitters like Kenshin and Death Frenzy. Visually they're both stunning but Death Frenzy knocks it out of the park with it's unique style of graphic violence.

[@christopherharris384]

Amazing video brother! Loved it!

[@TheHekateris]

I haven't seen much of this subgenre, but for real, Samurai Champloo is my favorite.

[@yada1626]

I'm glad Samurai Champloo was included ^^ A great & interesting series to join in once in awhile, I started off with that series during it's airing time & my god, the soundtrack was one of the reasons why I still remember it lol. Besides that, will you ever do a research on the movie ; " When Marnie was there ", it's produced by Ghibli Studio but not directed by the The Man himself & it was adapted from an English novel ( Quote me if I got this wrong lol ). Great movie & does make a great build up. Would love your opinions on it @Beyond Ghibli

[@DarkVeghetta]

I'm not sure how it couldn't have been. You can't properly discuss chanbara without it - though far too many titles have been discarded due to the video's length.

[@L_Enfant_Terrible]

this was amazing Joe. Thank you!

[@vinnyvanhoe5614]

I just rewatched champloo... and damn its aged well.

[@iliveinsideyourhouse1367]

Why you not talking about "shigurui" it the most REAL samurai anime out there.

[@sol2835]

Dude I love your stuff

[@713AMC]

I need to watch Ninja Scroll again soon!!

[@andrewnock2675]

i detail i find fascinating looking at "the Mandalorian", George Lucas was originally inspired by the works of Kurosawa, just as Sergio Leone was. its extremely present that the Mandalorian is a western distillation, but slightly less immediately apparent of the Japanese samurai film. so as a result the mandalorian is a synthesis of two strains of popular culture that have reconjoined in spirit.

[@MugsyBrews]

Got goosebumps when counting stars started playing..

[@112steinway]

I think that one of the reasons why Chanbara and Westerns are so often compared with each other is the similarities in the history of each genre's country of origin. In order to be a skilled warrior, the warrior must first have some sort of experience in combat, which also helps define and shape them as a character. In Westerns that experience usually comes from the American Civil War, in the Chanbara that experience seems to come from the Sengoku Jidai period if the clothing and weapons are to be believed.

[@griffin9616]

the video i never knew i needed but god fucking damn did i need it

[@adamtrapanotto5949]

Can’t forget Samurai X and Shigurui: Death Frenzy. 👌🏼🔥

[@konstantinadnxth755]

nujabes and your voice is just great!

[@techfluid]

Have you done any vids on Mecha Anime? THANKS for the content!

[@danae5578]

Omg I haven't seen Jubei for ages. Plus with Samurai Champloo?! So fantastic.

[@ezshottah3732]

I think moribito guardian of the spirit falls in this category as well. Has great story telling with earned action scenes

[@wolfshoen]

This was dope. subscribed.

[@deadby15]

Ninja anime's style and atmosphere were created long before Anime. Anyone commenting on them should mention at least Tachikawa Bunko, Yamada Futaro, and Shirato Sanpei.

[@theelordpyro]

I love champloo so much still to this day.

Actually it's East risen in the West in terms of cinema and anime art historically. Legacy of Akira Kurosawa is everywhere. The greatest director ever lived on Earth, in my view. Even Tarkovskiy, Kubrick, Sergio Leone and Mizoguchi and other few greatest of the greatest are a little bit behind his outstanding genius. It's even in those West Western movies like "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"and overall Dollars Trilogy. The Sergio Leone and Dollars Trilogy was more than inspired by Akira Kurosawa, even while those films are close to masterpieces itself, but it's like "Paprika" with "Inception", if you know what I mean. And, btw, not to mention "Vagabond" (one of the greatest manga in history overall, not just in the genre) manga and "Rurouni Kenshin" manga and anime, eh. If you haven't read and watched them, I can't recommend it highly enough. Since they are some of the most seinen and serious, neutral works in anime art ever (while "RK" is counted as "shonen"). "Samurai Champloo" deserves a standout episode, another brilliant outstanding work by Shinichiro Watanabe, not greater than "Cowboy Bebop" of course, by standing on it's own as a great and original work of art with serious metaphysical topics risen, it's far more than just an action and chanbara work, it's a very philosophical and deep work as well, but it's not on the surface, it is hiding in the symbolism, in the many layers, many underwater stones. I can help you even with it by providing tons of information and symbolism explanations, if you will have wish to make it. P.S. So politcorrect about rape, I see. Ok. I can understand that, since it's a public video. But interesting what you really think about it.

[@Wolven6]

aw... that last line gave me chills "The West is rising in the East..."

[@MushroomFleet]

great job on this video

[@oto8794]

Me encanta el enfoque le das al video

[@ruff1draft]

Mr Joe O'Connell well done on this narrative film and off the Ghost in the Shell narrated film I enjoyed it and the fact your from the UK. Are you from out off London. You and the youtube channel Accented Media are just two off many great channels doing this style off KZbin channel keep them coming.

[@user-ii1iy8fz1d]

Champloo is the business. ❤ I will check the others thanks ❤

[@am3mptoskatharos105]

I wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of Ninja Scroll being "problematic" because of rape, concubine sex or strong gender roles, is part of the characterization of the setting being depicted. This kind of thinking is the one that is problematic when measuring realities being addressed through art. It's regressive, not progressive. Otherwise great video. Thanks.

[@DarkVeghetta]

Wholeheartedly agree. I had the same issue, but the video as a whole was well-made, hence why I didn't end up disliking it when the curtain closed. Though, these videos are a tad on the short side for the subject matters being discussed. I'm sure one could make an hour-long video on chanbara and still not cover all there is to talk about, especially if comparing it directly to western titles.

[@zanychelly]

Thanks for all the indications

[@duinsophie]

Awesome video!! Also I can't seem to watch your first Beyond Ghibli video... :(. Have you taken it down?

[@BeyondGhibli]

No its not taken down, but it is banned in certain countries like Japan because of certain copyright laws. Where are you located?

[@duinsophie]

Beyond Ghibli oh I see! Normally Australia, but I'm currently in Japan! Haha. No wonder.. I was trying to introduce a Japanese friend to your videos. Can still watch the other ones though :)

[@duinsophie]

Beyond Ghibli Shame it's banned in Japan though

[@BeyondGhibli]

I was just there myself and when looking through my channel I freaked out a bit thinking it had been taken down, then my Japanese friend reminded me it had never been available over there. Phew. Hope you enjoy your trip and thank you for introducing people to my channel!!

[@vaibhavjain3234]

Samurai Champloo is one of most funny and full of action anime I've seen

[@plr2473]

Sword of the Stranger is great. I actually first saw it here on youtube when they had a good quality English subtitled version uploaded. Sadly, it was eventually taken down