East vs. West: Differences in Story Philosophy (Part 1) | Video Essay

[@suedenim]

The Japanese version is apparently not only a comedy, but a "heightened" version of a particular Japanese comedy genre, the "Salaryman comedy". These movies haven't been exported much if at all, but I understand that a common element is the clueless boss giving his underlings an impossible task. "Go out and capture King Kong" is the ultimate example of the trope.

[@cheetahluv210]

What about different ending myth

[@literaryebooks]

you are absolutely correct the Japanese version was not a comedy either 😂

[@bruhmingo]

@@literaryebooks he literally gave another reason why it is a comedy

[@literaryebooks]

@@bruhmingo No matter what his reasons are The Japanese intended for this to be more of a disaster war epic. Godzilla and King Kong are from Japan the writers wrote it from that framework and it’s a metaphor for nuclear war there’s no comedy in that😂 yes the the Japanese have corky lines in the original movie and there’s a few goofy scenes but that’s not a comedy. And you certainly cannot call it an action comedy movie either not even by western Hollywood standard😂 he himself admits how the Japanese focus so much on human casualty and how the American version does not that alone right there tells you the Japanese identity comes through in the original😂 and that part is not funny nor goofy nor would it ever be classified as a comedy not even an Asia😂

[@bruhmingo]

@@literaryebooks you have to deliberately misinterpret the film to arrive at that conclusion. Do some research on sekizawa’s style of screenwriting. The film is first and foremost a satire, and by definition they are comedic. The film does not present itself as a “war epic”. No conflict with the United States is used, it is entirely a satire on the commercialization of japanese society at the time. The destruction caused is what adds to the satire as Mr. Tako’s relentless pushing for capitalization on the event is intentional juxtaposed with it. The concept of east vs West is entirely created by the fanbase, the film never tries to create that theme.

[@GyroCannon]

Japanese version: satirical jab at contemporary culture American version: lol big monsters go bonk

[@cerridianempire1653]

everyone loves a good monster fight anyways who cares about the plot

[@Liliquan]

@@cerridianempire1653 Well there certainly isn’t any motivation to give a shit about the plots of the new movies given how they’re so goddamm ridiculous.

[@yeeyee5057]

@@gabrielantos4144 yeh, I want to see monke and lizard slapping each other, not super serious lore

[@Sayntavian]

"Yeeeah dropkick bitch!" LMAO nice!

[@boruihu2310]

It's a golden moment in this video, glad someone noticed

[@fvakarian]

That reminds me of how a common criticism that some western reviewers have when they review asian cinema and media in general is that "It's tonally all over the place", because a lot of popular asian media even when it's "supposed to be" serious and dramatic has moments of comedy and general silliness in it (A good example being Takeshi Kitano films or the Yakuza game series). I always feel that, in that decision of sprinkling "serious" storytelling with a bit of wacky happenings and jokes, asian movies and whatnot feel more lifelike. More all-encompassing. But it is as you said. There's not really a better or worse approach.

[@ghounna1585]

What actually annoys me to a certain degree is de music used in comedic scenes on Asian movies. I don't watch a lot of them, but usually there's a silly music changing the tone right after something serious.

[@MALICEM12]

The Metal Gear series also does this and to people not so used to Japanese storytelling it comes across as jarring. Because many Western players "can't take it seriously". In western storytelling, if something is to be cool or badass then it must be almost entirely so, you can't have a bunch of wacky hijinks going on throughout it.

[@PrettyDamnDandy]

This is honestly just as if not more apparent in games, Japanese games tend to have a certain silliness to them blended in with the serious bits which throws people who aren't familiar with the style of story telling off. Games like Metal Gear, Devil May Cry, and Yakuza are probably the top 3 that come to mind, each has a serious story but there's almost spontaneous bits of humor thrown in throughout.

[@ghounna1585]

@The Fantom Convoy I agree with you, but you can only say its genius when it's well done. Diversity doesn't bring quality on its own.

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

@@ghounna1585 The question is, wether is this original job or not. DBZ in the West for example had genrally horrendous, unmatching and unskilled score with silly intrusive music in dialogue scenes, while in Japanese version there is some good epic music in the battles, but almost no music in dialogue scenes, and definitely no silly music at all.

[@MadHatter42]

Japan: colorful, self-aware satire of society’s over-reliance on consumerism and spectacle. USA: Big spectacle

[@426mak]

We could also make the comaprison between Battle Royale & Hunger Games. Both films had broadly speaking the same subject matter but the Japanese one was a satire while the American one was a straight up epic.

[@literaryebooks]

this comment is more accurate that's right one is more of a war epic and the other one is political satire I appreciate your honesty about Honda's movies of Godzilla this whole idea that his Godzilla movies are comedies is laughable at this rate😂

[@Liliquan]

@@literaryebooks It wasn’t a war epic, it was political revolution. Hence was there weren’t any large scale battles between two armies. Most of the shots were either of the hunger games or a small group trying to kill the leader to destroy the system, not kill the other side.

[@literaryebooks]

@@Liliquan 😂 wrong the epic war battles are between Godzilla and King Kong not any countries in the East orWest : The battles between Kong and Godzilla are what the movie is all about😂the movie showcases the Japanese military in almost every scene King Kong is humanity’s protector against the unstoppable force of Godzilla not even the Japanese military can stop Godzilla only Kong can defeat him in BATTLE😂

[@literaryebooks]

​@@Liliquan Political revolution pleaseeeeee😂 as if Godzilla & Kong were protesters on the streets of Tokyo😂 Rewatch the movie Godzilla & Kong are to busy destroying everything in sight

[@literaryebooks]

@@Liliquan as they fight an epic BATTLE (metaphor for war)😂 the Japanese military is powerless as they flap fish around Tokyo, fly military planes in circles while Godzilla strikes them down w/his tail & nuclear blasts Tokyo, the Japanese watch the BATTLE royale between Godzilla/Kong & hide in the bushes😂

[@battleupsaber462]

Gotta say, its pretty ironic how the original Japanese King Kong vs Godzilla is poking fun at rampant commercialism, and now in 2021 you can buy burgers and funko pops based off the new Godzilla vs Kong

[@dimitrescu182]

Now that you mention it, which burgers?

[@slothbaby2104]

@@dimitrescu182 Monkey size burgers

[@dimitrescu182]

@@slothbaby2104 what store?

[@slothbaby2104]

@@dimitrescu182 I was joking I have no idea I am sorry to disappoint you

[@tortique]

Just to be clear, godzilla in the japanese 60s were just as commercialised.

[@slothbaby2104]

Holy shit adding small sound effects like when Kong throwing the rock at Godzilla and Kong in the sky making a "Huh" sound makes it ten times funnier

[@SpaceHunterM]

The line about Kong being a "real animal" while Godzilla being "a monster born of radiation" is unfortunately a false translation of the dialogue that has been perpetuated in the Anglosphere since the mid-1990s, when the bootleg video label Video Daikaiju released a quote unquote "subtitled" version that was based on guesswork around an extremely limited knowledge of Japanese, and it also used dubtitles from John Beck's American cut on occasion. An accurate translation surfaced in 2013 based on German subtitles from Anolis' DVD release in Germany. The Criterion release also yields an accurate translation, but unfortunately, the false translation is still the most widespread version online.

[@SpaceHunterM]

Another casualty of the VDK "translation" is that they DO mention using nuclear weapons against Godzilla at the advice of the U.N. in the Toho cut, but the Commanding General's aides advise against this and advocate for the Burial and Million Volt strategies instead.

[@arcmen2275]

You can't just do this and not drop the accurate quote.

[@SpaceHunterM]

@@arcmen2275 The line the newscaster says is as follows: "According to Dr. Shigesawa, King Kong is guided by animalistic instincts. He has sensed Godzilla's presence and is approaching him." In the Criterion subs, it's: "Dr. Shigezawa says King Kong instinctively senses Godzilla's presence and is moving in his direction.". The equivalent in the John Beck cut is essentially the same meaning with some exaggeration added. The raw Japanese lines are: これについて 重沢博士は― “キングコングが動物本能によって ゴジラの存在を知り―”

[@hectormanuel8360]

I love you

[@EricJacobusOfficial]

You're mostly correct about comedy in American cinema. Likely this is because studios don't make $150M comedies, so they don't have to recoup costs. People still eat them up in the cinema, but agreed, not like the hyper-promoted non comedies. But on TV and streaming, comedy is the king here.

[@johnjekyllson28]

But at the same time, the Marvel movies are as popular as they are in big part because of how much humor they can have.

[@TechnoLawyer]

@@johnjekyllson28 I was about to point this out in here. The most successful western movies in recent years (marvel) have got there by incorporating humor throughout. That's their secret - DC movies have great action, but they just cannot get the humor right for some reason, so they are not as popular and do not do as well. Western audiences love humor, when combined with the spectacle, suspense, and the rest of the things pointed out in this video.

[@solank7620]

@@TechnoLawyer I think DC characters are naturally more larger than life archetypes, whereas Marvel characters are more down to Earth. DC characters are older while Marvel characters were created in a more self aware era and where they wanted the characters to have human foibles and issues and angst. So I think that's why Marvel movies naturally lend themselves more to humor than DC. Superman is a larger than life demi-god like character, the big blue boy scout, and doesn't lend himself to humor as much as say Thor. Although the Christopher Reeves movies did do a good job on humor with Superman's exaggerated intentional bumbling as Kent, IMO. And Batman is of course a very serious business character, the Dark Knight. Some of the DC movies do have a lot of humor, but it's probably not as natural as with Marvel.

[@DestroyedArkana]

@@johnjekyllson28 Yeah but the comedy is more to break the tension a bit, it's not the main point of the film. I feel like in Hollywood specifically they box "comedy" into it's own kind of movie and think that everything has to be about making jokes and they can't tell a story or have other elements too.

[@l1mbo69]

@@DestroyedArkana it wasnt the main point in the Japanese film talked about in this video either

[@animation1234111]

The wrestling comparison can't be more apt: the slow pacing, the predictable fight but fun story getting there, the willingness to be silly, etc.

[@MrTheil]

Old school campy kaiju movies are basically wrestling matches in animalistic or sci fi costumes

[@johnfaustin2978]

Yeah drop kick bitch!

[@tortique]

The fact that the movie was too focused on the people was one of the biggest western criticisms of Godzilla 2014, so I think you're very correct about what the west wants to see in this type of movie.

[@PrettyDamnDandy]

Well the problem is also that the Legendary Godzilla movies don't have a purpose for the humam characters outside of exposition dumping and fluffing the screen time. Like mentioned here the humans actually have a subplot in the og GvK which plays into the salaryman comedy genre which in itself is a satirization of Japanese business culture. Even in Shin Godzilla the most recent Toho film the human subplot serves to satirize the incompetence of the Japanese government in response to disasters. If the human subplots in the Legendary films actually had something to say I'm sure people wouldn't criticize them as much.

[@tortique]

@@PrettyDamnDandy I would understand a person that dislikes the themes of godzilla 2014, with the troop loving and being much less categorical and more wishy-washy about nuclear, but claiming that it didn't have any social commentary at all is pretty crazy. Also, i wouldn't really say that social commentary is a must for godzilla movies, especially thinking about how crazy things get in the showa era, where godzilla is a movie series for tiny children. I'd actually say that godzilla 2014 is very similar in structure to one of the more serious japanese godzilla movies. Which would be one of the factors in why Japan in general loved it and the west didn't really

[@Jasminfips]

This channel is so underrated. Especially with all the hard work thoughts that was put in making these essays.

[@liberpolo5540]

TELL me 'bout it!

[@odelia1870]

I'm positive the channel will grow so much this year!

[@fahmiibrahim3477]

probably better than filmento

[@liberpolo5540]

@@fahmiibrahim3477 100x better than Filmento! Filmento is too "by-the-book" yk? Doesn't really say anything we don't know or that isn't the general public's opinion...

[@KRGE41]

Discovered him last year. I'm also wondering why people haven't discovered this yet.

[@jimdemertzim1]

To quote Kong "Guys, im gonna give it my best shot... BUT THAT'S A NUCLEAR DINOSAUR OKAY?"

[@joeldipops]

When you say that "Western culture prefers spectacle over comedy" I think it needs to be said that it's more "North American culture". Humour and satire is massive for us in Australia and New Zealand. Australians love a pisstake, and I'm not sure I've seen a piece of Kiwi entertainment in my life that took itself 100% seriously. I get the impression that the UK is a bit like this as well, but can't really speak for them.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Hey! No reason, just good-old-fashioned Drive to share Fun/Knowledge, driving me to say: If you like Criticism-Essays, try Madvocate, Jay Exci, and Hbomberguy, especially those about Shows. But enough of me 'speaking in General', so let me say something more video-specific now: 'Heroes dont Struggle' is of course a very broken Mindset of Today. The idea that the world's so hard that all Hope is lost. Hope aint lost, we just need to embrace grounded, good Coverage of Problems: Some More News, Real-Life-Lore, Illuminaughtiii, Holy Koolaid and those that constructively criticize Politics and Religion.

[@emilio_mlx]

Scots definitely loved Chris Lilley and Summer Heights High from what I could tell

[@vampiricdust7068]

Probably a mainly American thing. I think people underestimate the impact of going through many wars without feeling any impact at home for them beyond materials and lives. It's constant propaganda and profits. Satire is deeply under appreciated in America as it's seen as insincere or dishonest. Satire tends to favored by the fringe groups who don't benefit from the system's military industrial complex. Explosions mean bombs, which means money for bomb makers, and that means money for the rest of us. Solve all our problems and profit without ever knowing what really being bombed is about. We get natural disasters, but when has America faced air raid and missile incoming sirens? When have we faced a meaningful threat to interior of the mainland? The Cold War and that caused us to embrace the propaganda and profits even more.

[@teresatan8431]

Just realized something ... Aside from the detail interpretation of scenes and plots, I just realized that video essays in this channel really follows the basic structure of a written essay. He opened the video with general statement and the core problem, then continued with structured arguments and finished with a conclusion. Dang, so cool

[@shioribaka7249]

Personally I don't think the "thriller and spectacle vs humour and comfort" will be the right words. I think it is more about plot driven vs character driven. The west focus on classic 3 act structure with set-up, confrontation and resolution, which creates spectacle and thriller (and in a sense it is comfort for western audience, due to structural similarity). On the other side, the East focus on characters and settings, like journey to the West or as you said, Naruto. It's more about how character will react with the settings and what that reflects on the society.

[@games_on_phone89]

but plot and character go hand in hand imo

[@maxithewoowoo]

I do think that the west tends to lean towards drama and the east tend lean towards comfort/comedy. Mainstream TV in the west is like CSI Miami or Hell's Kitchen. Even comedies like The Bachelorette have tons of drama (maybe a little too much lol). Whereas from what I know in Japan, variety shows make up a lot of mainstream TV, and those have like zero drama. Not to mention the popularity of "slice of life" anime, which also tends to be drama-free.

[@Default78334]

@@games_on_phone89 Watch My Neighbor Totoro some time. It's one of the most beloved animated films of all time in Japan, but it really doesn't have much in the way of a plot. To the extent it has a narrative at all, it's much more an exploration of setting and character.

[@karinaycb4293]

i agree. thats the same thing that i keep noticing between west vs east culture

[@Blunovain]

“The reason I showed the monster battle through the prism of a ratings war was to depict the reality of the times. When you think of King Kong just plain fighting Godzilla, it is stupid. But how you stage it, the times in which it takes place, that’s the thought process of the filmmaker." - Ishiro Honda (Director of King Kong vs Godzilla [1962])

[@dantefromdevilmaycry9857]

Aight I'm just gonna say this "We need Kong, the World needs him"

[@sturg0353]

Hi Dante

[@leonartha03]

USA : we need to make the Big monster fight as epic as possible Japan : haha, Godzilla and King Kong goes brrrrr...

[@MALICEM12]

4:28 it's interesting to note that Original and in many of the older films, as you said, Godzilla was a Consequence of Man's meddling in technology. Born from radiation. And in this film Kong is the representation of nature and the underdog. But many later Godzilla movies would go on to show Godzilla as a guardian of nature, and transfer his role from villain to hero. Originally he was a cautionary tale of nuclear weapons but eventually became the defender of humanity against other monsters, especially ones from space. It's interesting to see how a single character represents so many different things and is used in so many different roles over the decades.

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

Depends which period of Godzilla movies are you talking about. He's a defender in Showa series and the new US movies, but for example in the Heisei series which, however poorly made at times, chose a much more serious tone, Godzilla isn't either a hero or a villain. He's actually a victim of human stupidity who ends up saving humanity only because it's a side-effect of his self-defence. (Except for the Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla 2 movie, where it's humans who are villains, and Godzilla only fights to reclaim an egg that humans stolen, and in self-defence). However bad these movies were made in some aspects (terrible acting by human actors, naive storylines, illogical moments), they brought a lot of wise depth to Godzilla's character. Plus the Godzilla's scenes were made really well. They even had animatronic face that was used extensively. It's interesting how Heisei Godzilla is a great actor when it comes to moves and face mimics, while remaining to be a believable animal in behaviour, while human actors had their faces fixed solid through these movies. Like they had photos of their faces sticked to heads, instead of actual faces- that's something I could never understand and irritated me while watching otherwise great Godzilla movies. Personally I'd like to see a movie in which Godzilla gets pissed after seeing Taiji dolphin dive hunt, and destroys Japan.

[@reviathan3524]

"Audience love it when their expectations are subverted" *Cough*LastJedi*cough*

[@MedalionDS9]

I think the phrase subverted expectations has been used incorrectly for awhile... wanting twists/surprises is not the same as subverting expectations which in my view since Rian Johnson;'s use... is an example of intentionally doing something to not only surprise but to frustrate fans and not replace it with anything worthy... it;'s just a troll job in story form

[@kennantjessavi7648]

@@MedalionDS9 yeah agreed

[@liberpolo5540]

Whelp, this audience person kinda liked the Last Jedi, but I do agree it came out of legit nowhere, and considering it was sandwhiched between two COMPLETELY different movies ... yeah, not good ...

[@chucheeness7817]

@@MedalionDS9 "troll job in story form" that's a fitting and concise way of putting it. I'll try to remember that phrase lol

[@MedalionDS9]

@@chucheeness7817 haha yes... Rian Johnson's picture holding up the infamous "Your Snoke Theory Sucks"... was all I needed to know the whole movie was that picture personified

[@ketsuekikumori9145]

At least King Kong kept up to date on his Sayain Handbook.

[@whathell6t]

@Ketsueki Kumori Nah, the reverse. More like Saiyans keeping up to date with the King Kong Handbook.

[@yuyaricachimuel555]

I think the new spent more time playing Skyrim before the rematch.

[@derrilazkia1002]

Saiyans power themselves up by becoming big monke, like King Kong. They also get stronger when they're in the verge of death and come back alive, just like King Kong.

[@manabie1228]

Ahhhh, that's why Rajang has a Thunder element and become Super Saiyan, it's just a monkey that gets struck by lightning. And that's why Deviljho gets to slam thunder monkey then get punched in the throat. Very nice.

[@AccentedCinema]

I think you just blew my mind.

[@manabie1228]

@@AccentedCinema Yeah, when you place the scene of Underdog King Kong and Dragon Ball side by side, my brain just clicks. Btw, as always, very good video essay man. Keep up the good work.

[@StarOutlaw9]

There would be no Monster Hunter without Kong. Skull Island is pretty much an MH map.

[@dirandrous7682]

@@StarOutlaw9 I think Jackson's King Kong inspired MH from third gen onwards.

[@noireel5977]

West: to achieve epic movie we need to make it more serious East: haha comedy goes brrrr

[@alamalam5594]

Well both have incredible film like Godfather,Internal Affair (Hongkong),Saving Private Ryan,Mr Vampire(Hongkong) and many 80 or 90s film west and Hongkong.Now when i look China and West film nowday...Oh Well

[@tyronechillifoot5573]

Depends marvel films blind epic with quip filled comedic dialog and hence why they've been so successful it blends humor with action

[@Aldoz]

Japan: If I don’t laugh, it is a bad movie USA: If there isn’t a car chase scene, it’s not a real movie

[@spandandasgupta5773]

@@Aldoz It's pretty ironic seeing as how everyone looks serious in a japanese theatre and american theatres are loud with cheers and laughter

[@craigthebrute8932]

@@tyronechillifoot5573 the quality of the humor in those movies is kind of debatable since they cut good emotional moment with a cringy joke. The only marvel movie who knows how to balance the humor and emotional momments is Guardians of the Galaxy and the second one.

[@odelia1870]

Eversince I was a child I had a deep appreciation for good cinema. You can't even imagine how every single video that you post makes me happy!!! They are all so well thought through, organized and executed! And it is just amazing how you make people feel more interested in "foreign" aka non-american cinema! Love your work :-)

[@JulesBrunoJjBaggy]

Lizard and monkey. Classic everytime idc what movie

[@johanyousef1951]

3:15 is the best soundclip from this video

[@Exoskel2]

Godzilla: literally atomic bomb and unstoppable forces King kong: big monke Whoever wins, humanity loses

[@dd-579fletcherwillyd.9]

You forgot "sick atomic dropkicks" to Godzilla. Smh disrespectful to the superbloke in question

[@Aldoz]

Well technically they’re supposed to save humanity from themselves

[@pawaratharva6371]

Does anyone know any movie dedicated to life after monster apocalypse ? I am interested in it.

[@adr4122]

we must help king kong cmon reject humanities return to monke

[@arskakarva7474]

What? Absolutely not. Man destroys, (big) monke creates.

[@patrickscottwalsh]

hands down, one of my favorite youtube channels

[@faishalnurbagus7501]

"BIG MONSTER GO BOOM!" EXACTLY!

[@liberpolo5540]

WELL, said, m'friend!

[@CNX625]

"People will do anything to get happy ratings." Ah, so not much of history has changed. TikTokers, Instagramers, KZbinrs: looks nervously*

[@cerridianempire1653]

humans are humans

[@pingumy]

Good video essay as always. But imho, most US style epic movies somehow trying to mimic the very clear good vs evil narrative. And Japanese tend to focus on individual struggles, and what is right and wrong is kinda situational and blurred. Very WW2 esque which is difficult to discuss.

[@maxithewoowoo]

actually I feel the exact opposite. American superhero movies love to create anti-heroes and moral grey areas. Examples: The Boys, Invincible, Joker, Deadpool, etc. Whereas in Japanese shounen, the distinction tends to be much more clear. I think it's because american media likes to humanize the villain to balance the playing field and add more drama (as Accented Cinema talks about), whereas japanese media focuses more on the underdog story so they set up the villain to be as strong and evil as possible.

[@maxithewoowoo]

@person I was comparing shounen anime to western comic heros, which I think are comparable (?)

[@maxithewoowoo]

@person well death note and evangelion are rather old animes (2007 and 1996), I was pulling from recent years. I'm not saying that Japan always has a clear division of right/wrong, just that they do so more often. If we increase the scope all the way to the 1990s, I'm sure there are some animes that are as morally ambiguous as western TV likes to be. But are there any recent animes that compare?

[@SpaceHunterM]

Oh dang, I wish I could've given you the 4K restoration of the Toho cut for this video :(

[@Azulzinhokkk]

I'd be very interested in having it, where does one can come across for it?

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Never thought a movie about a giant monke and a nuclear lizard is quite philosophical

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

I've studied philosophy and can't see any philosophy in it.

[@carlosbriceno4240]

In my town it's almos 5 in the morning; but im a simple man, i see a notification of one of your videos, I click.

[@MBloodT]

The "Corns!" dialogue in the American version is iconic

[@lonelywolf9294]

Oh I don't wanna hear about his corns!

[@MarkPag]

If the West vs East theme interest you, there is movie titled 'Dragon Blade' with Jackie Chan. The story tells about a clash of ancient cultures, between Chinese and Roman Empire.

[@thexplode7]

i cannot stress enough how underrated you r. Your essays are phenomenal, so detailed yet so passionate. i hope your channel grows and be successful. I never really interested in movies until i met you.

[@Sirisun]

In the burning heart, just about to burst There's a quest for answers, an unquenchable thirst In the darkest night, rising like a spire In the burning heart, the unmistakable fire, in the burning heart

[@Muchamuchacha]

I came for accented cinema, I stayed for the "yeah! Drop kick b*tch!!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@BloodPreist]

This was absolutely your most polished and excellent video yet, i absolutely loved it! Excellent work!

[@patrickscottwalsh]

I think its an important distinction to add - american's tend to not want to spend money at a theater unless its an action block-buster and "demands" the theater experiences. comedies are view mostly in homes and not in theaters. I don't know its it considered lesser, but is for a different setting and experience.

[@AccentedCinema]

There is definitely a difference there that I noticed. But since this film was released before the blockbuster concept, I didn't bring it up.

[@arskakarva7474]

"Ya'll going to jail for smuggling big monke."

[@sir.raphimrevelator8644]

Son Goku and Kong appeara on screen Me:They are the same image

[@kgblagden]

>The fate of the world is on the line as two of earths greatest titans duke it out "Come on, Donkey Kong! I bet like 20 bucks on you!"

[@user-we3eg9vs8z]

Another well thought out video essay. GJ my man!

[@peterfrank3365]

I now know why I didn't enjoy 'Godzilla: King of Monsters'; it wasn't as self-aware silly as it could've been nor was it as gritty as its predecessor. But now I'll also try to keep a more open mind on the shiny and new 'Godzilla vs Kong'. So far, it's been looking like it's to repeat 'King of Monsters' but hopefully it settles on a more definite tone as you said. Thanks for the video!

[@jason-composer]

Thanks for the insightful video, I also love seeing differences in east vs western storytelling. One thing (not solely related to cinema) is the maybe propensity for eastern stories to be about journeys more than some central tension. Like Journey to the West, or long-running anime (Naruto), many mini-arcs but the overall "objective" of a character isn't the primary interest. Whereas western stories tend to be around one dramatic moment or scene that has acts and is resolved, also potentially with mini arcs but you feel the central plot thread guiding the entire way. Not to say these don't mix; this time, anime/manga Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an interesting merger of both structures' tendencies in one of the best executed stories I've ever witnessed. I'm kind of disappointed I can't easily wrap my head around writing stories about journeys of characters that are still compelling and interesting while on the journey; but I'm probably generalizing a lot anyway. Thanks again, love the videos!

[@Redem10]

Accented Cinema and Godzilla always a good pairing.

[@jayfolk]

Good video. Im cautiously looking forward to the modern film because its directed by adam wingard, who didnt get criticism for his DeathNote film since Netflix doesnt release numbers, and, Wingard could use DeathNote to show he knows how to handle Japanese properties - when he doesnt, and just makes horror movies with needlessly violent imagery.

[@Runningtail]

I remember watching King Kong vs Godzilla and Godzilla vs Megalon on repeat when I was only 4. I cannot wait for this remake

[@brozolotamang6269]

So the Toho version was a roast on Japanese television rating competition.

[@oniriscope]

Been waiting for this... Let’s go!

[@MrBbl8]

Eating an ice cream while watching your videos is one of my biggest pleasures of the week.

[@yoloninja4798]

jesus, that background music - i've just had an outsidebox flashback

[@reviathan3524]

Hi there, fellow watcher lol

[@alexandredesouza3692]

Really interesting to compare the two cultures and the different ways the tell a story. It's just as nice to know about other people as it is to learn more about your own.

[@StarOutlaw9]

I wouldn't say the American version was pretending Kong wasn't an underdog. I think an advantage that a lot of underdogs have is their brains when they're physically outmatched. I know the UN scenes drag, but the whole brain size thing I find kind of neat, even if a bit dumb. It just does something for the kaiju nerd in me, though I do agree that the American version does make Godzilla another animal. But I like animals anyway. While I think the American version is worse overall, I do think trying to make King Kong vs. Godzilla more epic in tone is more appropriate than making it a comedy when you consider the legacies of these two iconic monsters. I'm kind of disappointed with the modern American Godzilla not being a product of human science, because then the fight could have served as a kind of allegory of nature vs science, a prehistoric creature of nature fighting against an abomination of human science. Both of these monsters and their original movies are about ways that humanity has harmed nature, and I wish that theme was a focus in these films.

[@peterfrank3365]

I actually think the 2014 'Godzilla' reboot did well in having it to represent nature. But now in 2021 we have it going against Kong, it does seem like a missed oppurtunity to not go with the "nature vs science" allegory.

[@StarOutlaw9]

@@peterfrank3365 ironically enough Toho Kong with his thunder powers and worshippers seems more like a classic god than Godzilla. I want a story where Kong is called upon to cleanse the Earth of the radioactive mutant birthed from man's hubris. But I guess that's what Mothra was for.

[@samzheng5803]

this is really interesting. great video as always!

[@FOLIPE]

I wonder how much of this difference is due to Hollywood's place as the world's center of high-production value cinema, leading to greater specialization into more culture-specific genres such as romance, musicals, period pieces and comedy by local movie industries thorough the world.

[@84paratize]

We all needed this. Thank you

[@imseeno]

So interesting to hear this comparison.

[@KikyAbduh]

Cant believe I just heard you say "yeaah drop kick bitch" 🤣

[@samylakes]

Can't go wrong when big monsters go boom!

[@jmdoe5822]

Great vid - keep 'em coming

[@blownupfishnchips9071]

Says 57 minutes, clicked so fast, no regrets.

[@ananthared]

Thanks for making this video. Ishiro honda is my favourite director and i love king kong vs godzilla 1962 japanese version. Yet to watch american version for analyzing differences

[@mikehunt4986]

Holy shit! Somebody who prefers the American version! I thought I was the only one! This was so refreshing to hear! Thank you!

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Hey! No reason, just good-old-fashioned Drive to share Fun/Knowledge, driving me to say: If you like Criticism-Essays, try Madvocate, Jay Exci, and Hbomberguy, especially those about Shows. But enough of me 'speaking in General', so let me say something more video-specific now: 'Heroes dont Struggle' is of course a very broken Mindset of Today. The idea that the world's so hard that all Hope is lost. Hope aint lost, we just need to embrace grounded, good Coverage of Problems: Some More News, Real-Life-Lore, Illuminaughtiii, Holy Koolaid and those that constructively criticize Politics and Religion.

[@BigJoeMusashi]

Baby wake up accented cinema posted

[@merryoldgrinkh9020]

I’m thrilled every time I see you upload something new

[@00HoODBoy]

Nice, something I've been thinking on and off about for years.

[@theonebeing981]

I honestly believe that japanese comedy would be more appreciated in the west if properly introduced and explained, I find a lot of japanese comedians funny, but at the moment of my inception into the setting, it was extremely confusing: "Salary man? Straight man? What does it mean? It's funny, but I can't quite grasp it." More than ever it would be amazing to see both schools of comedy work together and see what comes out of it, good or bad, at least we'll have a reference from wich to work from.

[@lawrencelow949]

Such brilliant analyses of topics, tropes, and cultural differences! 👍👍👍

[@ricardchavez8494]

I just realized frieza vs goku is just Godzilla and King Kong respectively; Goku and Santana literally turn into big apes and is a reference to Son Wukong, the most famous ape in the east; and frieza’s last form is all lizard like

[@Kishan_Baijnath]

This was stunning. Thank you for your brilliant work. Looking forward to seeing Part 2 when you're ready with it. :)

[@dragonkaanxa]

youre my no.1 fav utuber

[@alphabettical1]

I find it absolutely hilarious that in the serious American scene about Godzilla the guy hold up a children's picture book. Admittedly it's because I'm not into Godzilla or King Kong but this was so neat to learn about, I didn't know about it. I do wonder what may have happened if it was kept the same, and how the American audience of the time would have truly reacted (and if positive, how that may have impacted movie culture) especially when thinking about how the lack of localisations in recent anime makes the fans here more attached as they think they are special for valuing it.

[@Jaebird88]

I can't recall much of the original King Kong film, but the '74 remake very much plays up the capitalism what with an oil magnate bringing Kong to New York to be a mascot.

[@AccentedCinema]

OG King Kong features a greedy filmmaker in much the same vein. But this message is definitely a lot more prominent in the '74 remake, almost a bit too much.

[@shouayang1628]

Looking forward to part 2!

[@netraeng8676]

"Corns!" "I don't wanna hear about your corns!" - Accented Cinema; in 2021.

[@OblateSpheroid]

Great video!

[@misterlofan9948]

Really love that you say "East vs West" as if all the west side of the globe only meant the United States and all the east side of the globe only meant Japan.

[@godwindracing6056]

Another one to compare: The Fast and Furious franchise vs Initial D

[@w8ngr]

Kong was originally suppose to be only 50 tall hence why he climbed up the Empire State Building compared to just reaching up it or standing down on it where as Godzilla has ALWAYS been able to tower above most sky scrappers

[@Gabriel-l]

6:59 Easily the best segment of the video

[@bravomike4734]

Damn, he went chimpchangas with the sponsorship segment.

[@OMAHA16]

Excellent Essay. I concur with a lot.

[@titusyang777]

I love your videos they always make me wanna cry

[@ZenobyGoat]

someone I knew once said that American media is about how something looks, while Japanese media is about how something feels, and I think that's pretty accurate

[@tyronechillifoot5573]

Not really no

[@namaenamae1]

That's a huge oversimplification. Tell me when you watch borderline hentai modern isekai type shit whether it has any "feeling" or not, and if american art films are without it. You gotta take it case by case.

[@shielinglai1599]

I guess a lot of weebs tend to oversimplify a lot of situations in favour of their favourite Japanese media. And the person above me had said, you're just being overtly biased towards the Japanese media you preferred, because the top American art films is as good, if not better than Japanese art films, coming from someone who actually understands Japanese and consumes Japanese cinema and literature.

[@amosxu3494]

It's crazy, Godzilla vs. King Kong grossed $100 million in 6 days in China！

[@luffydragneel5635]

Good viddddd

[@KillerTacos54]

How far we've come dude

[@kyl0ooart]

So youre saying the us version is like the snyder cut of godzilla vs king kong

[@justtobehere409]

With that selling of the dropkick, it looks like this was the Hogan vs Michaels of its day.

[@sarnimations9255]

Your Videos are so good and high quality dude. Keep it up

[@rmhartman]

America didn't value comedy in movies back then, but I think we are coming around more now. Putting more comedy into the serious stories.

[@jagonz70580]

The fact that you compared King Kong to Son Goku really gets me because Goku is from a space monkey species. lmao

[@liberpolo5540]

YAYAYAYA, I WAS HOPING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YEEE-

[@evelinecarolinelienhuaming1184]

I Love Eastern Movies because I'm from Asia!!! 😍😍😍

[@juanpaula152]

I personally really dislike giant monsters battling but I'm still here for good quality content