Merge pull request #258 from kgpmask/april-newsletter-24

April Newsletter 2024

src/newsletter_desc.json

@@ -74,5 +74,10 @@
 	"link":"2024-03-1",
 	"title" : "March 2024 Issue",
 	"desc" : "The March edition of the Newsletter is all about Action anime! Get to know about different kinds of fighting anime, an in-depth analysis of the hit anime, Demon Slayer. A look into a popular new seasonal anime, Ninja Kamui, and finally a thorough character analysis of the main cast of Attack on Titan. Have fun exploring the world of Action anime!"
+},
+{
+	"link":"2024-04-1",
+	"title":"April 2024 Issue",
+	"desc": "Konnichiwa! Are you a fan of mystery and looking for fresh recommendations? The April edition of our newsletter brings you articles on iconic mystery themes and intriguing tropes in anime. Discover the mysteries inside!"
 }
 ]

templates/newsletters/2024-04-1/01#how-to-build-tsunderes.njk

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+{# Ready for review #}
+<div class="page">
+	<div class="article-full">
+		<h2> How to build the Perfect Tsundere </h2>
+		<br/>
+		<div class="article-author">By: Moggerlal </div>
+		<br>
+		<div class="article-content">
+			<p>Since the dawn of human civilization, one question has persistently fueled debates and discussions across generations. Initially framed as "who is the most compatible mate," this inquiry has evolved alongside the rapid changes in society into a more nuanced query: "Who embodies the ideal partner?" This fascination is particularly prevalent among enthusiasts of manga and anime, ranking just behind the infamous debate of "Can ABC beat Goku, though?" 
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-1.webp" alt="Goku ready to beat yo ass" style="width: calc(min(450px, 30vw));"></center><br>
+			For the purpose of this article, we embark on unraveling this age-old enigma by categorizing anime characters into distinct archetypes and subsequently delving into the complexities faced by the trope. </p>
+
+			<p>Upon a simple Google search to find common character tropes, these are the results that we got:</p>
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-2.webp" alt="Dere types search results" style="width: calc(min(600px, 60vw));"></center><br>
+			<center><p>Search dated 19 March 2024</p></center>
+
+			<br/>
+			<p>As you can see, common character tropes in anime include derederes, sadoderes, danderes, kuuderes, tsunderes, underes, yanderes, byoukideres, and Hachi- Hachiman Hikigaya??? What on earth is bro doing on that list? Schnawg is definitely trying to sneak into the girls’ sleepover.</p>
+
+			<p>Jokes aside, these are, indeed, the most famous character tropes in recent Japanese media. </p>
+			<p>When faced with genres like danderes, kuuderes, and yanderes, the strongest trope was asked, “Who would win, you or them?”. 	It responded with “If the kuuderes joined forces with the danderes, they would cause me a little trouble.”<br>
+			“But would you lose?"</p><br/>
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-3.webp" alt="(N-)Nah, (it's not like) I'd win (or anything)" style="height: calc(min(300px, 30vw));"></center><br>
+
+			<p>
+			As you may have guessed from the previous passage (and panel), tsunderes are the greatest character tropes of all time. They’re often characterized by loudly defiant personalities with twin-tailed hairstyles. Since we have chosen tsunderes as the best character trope (you can argue with a wall), we will now try to address the common complaints regarding tsundere characters and the corrections which can be made <i>in order to build the perfect tsundere</i> (title drop alert!)
+			</p>
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-4.webp" alt="Uninterested tsundeere girl" style="height: calc(min(400px, 20vw));"></center><br>
+
+			<ol type="1">
+				<li>
+					<h2><u>Not Honest When It Matters</u></h2><br/>
+					<p>The most common complaint people have when it comes to tsundere characters is that they are not honest enough when it matters most, and they keep sending mixed signals (or sometimes off-putting signals) when they vehemently deny their feelings. Sometimes, it gets painful to witness misunderstandings stem out of improper communication, and this happens way too often with tsunderes. One way to get past this problem is to create a tsundere character that knows when to cut the act and be open and honest with his/her feelings. Another solution to this problem is to make the character’s denial so obvious that the other side easily gets the message. This could be done by having the character always say the opposite of what he/she meant, and/or by adding an easily noticeable prefix+suffix combination to every dishonest statement (e.g., “It’s not like… or anything.”) Inda Karane is one such tsundere character.</p>
+					<br/><center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-5.webp" alt="It's not like… or anything girl" style="height: calc(min(300px, 20vw));"></center><br>
+				</li>
+				<li>
+					<h2><u>Too Violent:</u></h2>
+					<br/><center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-6.webp" alt="Tsundere girl hits her partner" style="height: calc(min(300px, 20vw));"></center><br>
+					<p>Another frequent allegation against tsunderes is that they beat up their partners badly, and then go around as if nothing ever happened. Not a single acknowledgment of being too harsh, nothing. Sure, most authors do this with hilarious intent, but these moments are about as funny as Friends without a laughing track. </p>
+					<br/>
+					<p>There are four ways one could fix this issue: create a situation where the tsundere beating up her love interest is justified (e.g., Ayuzawa Misaki), make sure the tsundere character doesn’t beat anyone up (impossible), make sure that even if the tsundere character DOES beat someone up, it is playful and doesn’t harm the other person (or send him flying 300 miles above sea level); or make a tsundere character that will beat someone up, albeit very hard, but actually feel guilt and apologize if it turns out the victim is undeserving of such a battering (Inda Karane).</p>
+					<br/><center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-7.webp" alt="Tsundere girl apologises (we won bois)" style="height: calc(min(300px, 20vw));"></center><br>
+				</li>
+				<li>
+					<h2><u>Loud and Obnoxious:</u></h2>
+					<br/><center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-8.webp" alt="Why must you (tsudere girls) yell each time?!" style="height: calc(min(300px, 15vw));"></center><br>
+					<p>The tendency for tsunderes to exhibit exaggerated, loud behavior as a means of concealing their affections presents another point of contention. One solution could be to have them lower their volume, though I doubt they’d be tsunderes if they ceased their tantrums. (I do not have a single example of a tsundere that isn’t loud.) However, they’re not the only character trope that is loud, and if you don’t like your characters loud, perhaps ‘Komi Can’t Communicate’ or ‘Aharen-san wa Hakarenai’ would be more up your alley.</p>
+				</li>
+			</ol>
+			<br/>
+			<p>As a reward for making it to the end of this article, here are a few famous tsunderes in the world of animanga: <b>Aisaka Taiga</b> (Toradora), <b>Ayuzawa Misaki</b> (Maid-Sama), <b>Kaguya Shinomiya</b> and <b>Miyuki Shirogane</b> (Kaguya Sama-Love is War), <b>Asuka Langley Soryu</b> (Neon Genesis Evangelion), <b>Chitoge Kirisaki</b> (Nisekoi), <b>Nino Nakano</b> (The Quintessential Quintuplets), and, hold on, let me search Google for a sec-</p>
+
+			<br/><center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/1-9.webp" alt="Tsundere characters search" style="width: calc(min(700px, 60vw));"></center><br>
+			<center><p>Search dated 19th March 2024</p></center><br>
+
+			<p>Apparently, Jotaro Kujo, Levi Ackerman, and Saitama are tsunderes as well. Yeah, it adds up.</p>
+
+			<p>Author’s Top Picks: <b>Inda Karane</b> (The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You), <b>Ayuzawa Misaki</b>, <b>Shirayuki Kokoa</b> (After A Heartbreak, My Bitter Childhood Friend Is Now Sweet Like Sugar), <b>Stella Vermillion</b> (Chivalry of a Failed Knight)</p>
+
+			<div class="article-end"></div>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+</div>

templates/newsletters/2024-04-1/02#the-20th-century-man.njk

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+{# Ready for review #}
+<div class="page">
+	<div class="article-full">
+		<h2> The 20th Century Man </h2>
+		<h3>Exploring the complexities of Naoki Urasawa’s three most popular works.</h3>
+		<br/>
+		<div class="article-author">By: Binaya Kumar Naik</div>
+		<br>
+		<div class="article-content">
+
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/2-1.webp" alt="Naoki Urasawa's three  works" style="width: calc(min(820px, 75vw));"></center><br>
+			<p><br>Naoki Urasawa is a renowned Japanese manga artist known for his popular and critically acclaimed works. While each of his manga series explores unique themes and storylines, there are some notable similarities across his top three works, which are often considered to be Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto.</p>
+
+			<p>Let’s begin with summaries of the above mangas.</p>
+
+			<p>When brilliant neurosurgeon Dr. Kenzo Tenma saves a young boy's life over an influential patient, it sets off a chain of horrifying events. Years later, that boy, Johan Liebert, has become a monstrous serial killer. Tenma feels responsible and becomes consumed with stopping Johan, embarking on a pursuit across Germany. As Tenma unravels Johan's twisted past and motivations, he encounters a web of characters impacted by the monster he created. </p>
+
+			<p>Set in an alternative Astro Boy universe, Pluto follows robot detective Gesicht as he investigates the brutal destruction of advanced robots, including those created by Dr. Tenma. His investigation uncovers a conspiracy linked to the legendary, near-indestructible "Monster" robot. Gesicht crosses paths with Astro Boy (Atom) and the enigmatic Pluto, central to the robot killings. Exploring AI ethics and robot identity, Pluto delves into themes of technological consequences and the line between humans and machines.</p>
+
+			<p>In the late 1960s, a group of young boys create an imaginary "Book of Prophecies" about their vision for the future. Decades later, their childhood fiction inexplicably becomes a reality when a mysterious cult arises, hellbent on ushering in doomsday as depicted in the book. An unassuming convenience store owner, Kenji, recognizes the cult's link to his childhood imaginings and is drawn into a desperate struggle to decipher the prophecies and stop the cult's apocalyptic plans. </p>
+
+			<p>Three of these mangas follow a distinct character. A genius Neurosurgeon, a prolific detective, and an imaginative failed rockstar working as a shopkeeper. Even though these characters might seem to share nothing in common their journey in these tales says otherwise. Their paths throughout the manga force them to confront their inner selves and their beliefs about morality, redemption, and the depths of human nature.</p>
+
+			<p>Urasawa, in all his works, tries to explore various themes about morality and beliefs, here are some of these ;</p>
+
+			<h3> Moral Dilemmas and Nature of Good/Evil:</h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. In Monster, Dr. Tenma's decision to save a young boy over an influential patient sets off a tragic chain of events, blurring the line between good and evil intentions.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. In Pluto, the robots grapple with existential questions about their purpose and whether they can be considered truly "good" or capable of evil acts.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. In 20th Century Boys, the childhood "Book of Prophecies" takes on a sinister meaning as a cult tries to bring about an apocalypse, testing the morality of the main characters.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<h3>Consequences of Actions/Personal Responsibility: </h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. Tenma's choice in Monster directly leads to the creation of the monstrous Johan, making Tenma feel responsible for stopping him.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. In Pluto, Gesicht's investigation reveals how the robots' advanced capabilities can have devastating consequences when misused.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. In 20th Century Boys, Kenji's innocent childhood game morphs into a real threat, forcing him to take responsibility for its effects.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<h3>Identity/Duality of Human Nature:</h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. Johan in Monster embodies the duality of outward innocence masking an evil interior self.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. The robots in Pluto struggle with their robotic identities versus seeming to exhibit human qualities like emotions and free will.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. Kenji in 20th Century Boys grapples with reconciling his mundane life with the extraordinary circumstances stemming from his childhood dreams.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<h3>Psychological Depth/Character Development:</h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. Tenma undergoes immense psychological turmoil and growth in his quest to stop Johan in Monster.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. In Pluto, robots like Gesicht and Atom exhibit complex emotions and inner lives rarely seen in their kind.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. The 20th Century Boys group evolves from carefree kids to adults driven by the impact of their childhood visions.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<h3>Sociopolitical Commentary/Conspiracies:</h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. Monster touches on commentary about cults, political unrest, and conspiracies in Germany. </p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. Pluto explores themes of technological ethics and society's relationship with AI through the robot community. </p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. 20th Century Boys centers on a doomsday cult conspiracy with roots in the characters' childhood imaginings.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<h3>Impact of Childhood Experiences:</h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. Johan's traumatic childhood in Monster shapes his psychopathic mindset.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. Key robots in Pluto, like Atom, were created based on childlike qualities envisioned by their maker.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. The entire premise of 20th Century Boys stems from childhood dreams manifesting in adulthood with grave results.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<h3>Redemption/Atonement:</h3>
+			<ul>
+				<li><p>&emsp;1. Tenma's pursuit of Johan is driven by a need for personal redemption for his part in creating a monster.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;2. Gesicht's cases in Pluto allow him to unravel ethical issues tied to robotic technology and find purpose.</p></li>
+
+				<li><p>&emsp;3. Kenji aims to decipher and stop the cult conspiracy as a form of atonement for his childhood fantasies in 20th Century Boys.<br>
+				Through these diverse examples, Urasawa masterfully weaves profound philosophical themes and complex human experiences into immersive narratives across his acclaimed works.</p></li>
+			</ul><br/>
+
+			<p>Urasawa is known for incorporating compelling short stories within the overarching narratives of his manga series. These self contained tales often serve as interludes or side stories that enrich the main plot, provide additional context, and explore the series' themes from different perspectives.</p>
+
+			<p>Here are examples of some of the few memorable stories from the three mangas.</p>
+
+			<h3>Another Monster Arc in Monster</h3>
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/2-2.webp" alt="The soldier and the girl from Monster" style="width: calc(min(480px, 20vw));margin: 0.5em;"></center><br>
+
+			<p>It explores the life of a former soldier struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and the trauma inflicted upon him during the war. This arc serves to highlight the psychological complexities of human nature and the lasting impact of violence and tragedy.</p>
+
+			<p>The soldier lives the little girl, Daphne as a constant reminder of all the terrible things he had done during the war. They had never had a heartfelt connection. It all changes when Dr. Tenma comes to train under him and he changes Daphne. Seeing her smile for the first time inspires him to how he could make her life a lot better. Instead of living with her and constantly being reminded of his trauma, he could just start a happy fatherly relationship with her. Saving both of their lives from the terrors of War.</p>
+
+			<h3>Story of North#2 from Pluto</h3>
+			<center><img src="/assets/releases/2024-04-1/2-3.webp" alt="Paul sees his song filling up the sky.(Manga panel)" style="width: calc(min(480px, 20vw));margin: 0.5em;"></center><br>
+
+			<p>Despite Paul's initial disdain for North's artificial nature, North remains devoted, striving to prove his worth. Paul's traumatic past, marked by abandonment and illness, fuels his determination to excel as a musician. When setbacks arise, North reveals Paul's mother's sacrifices, fostering a newfound understanding between them. North's musical talent touches Paul's heart, leading to reconciliation. </p>
+
+			<p>However, their tranquility is shattered by the arrival of Pluto, culminating in a tragic confrontation where North sacrifices himself to protect Paul. Their story explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of music.</p>
+			<div class="article-end"></div>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+</div>