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How Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure helped ease my post-election fears

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How Jojo's Bizarre Adventure helped ease my post-election fears

As someone who has lived through the tumultuous political landscape of the United States for many years, I can’t help but feel a sense of trepidation as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House. The divisiveness he brings and the potential consequences of his policies are genuinely concerning. However, in these trying times, I find solace in the escapism provided by the world of anime, specifically “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.

A week ago, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the presidential race against Kamala Harris, marking his return as the U.S. President in January. Known for being one of the most polarizing figures in American politics – and possibly worldwide politics – over the past few decades, I was among those rooting for him to lose the election.

Despite harboring optimism for the success of his presidency, the initial days post-election have left me with a sense of apprehension. My fears revolve around several aspects of Trump’s administration:

I fervently pray that my concerns are unfounded, yet I cannot shake off a sense of apprehension. Typically, I keep up with the news by reading certain newspapers, visiting specific websites, listening to preferred podcasts, and watching chosen YouTube personalities. However, following the election, I chose to steer clear of these sources as contemplating the potential future was overwhelmingly stressful. Instead, I opted for alternative activities.

In the anime titled “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure”, I’m currently following the storyline in its third season. The protagonist, Josuke, and his companions are on a quest to locate a murderer named Yoshikage Kira, who has assumed the identity of another man and lives in that man’s house with his family. In the last episode I saw, Kira encountered a cat residing in the basement. This cat, much like other characters in the show, possesses a Stand – a spiritual entity granting it extraordinary abilities. The cat exhibited hostility towards Kira’s “wife” Shinobu, causing Kira to kill it and bury it in the backyard. To my surprise, the following day the cat had regenerated as a plant with feline eyes and leafy structures resembling cat ears. This new form has developed an ability to discharge air bubbles at people. As a result, Kira is now engaged in a fight against this air-puffing cat plant while Josuke and his friends – including one who can transform individuals into books for instructional purposes – continue their search for him.

This content seems to have no connection whatsoever with Trump, politics, or the future of the United States. That’s precisely the idea behind WinterIsComing – it’s a platform dedicated to science fiction and fantasy, genres that typically take us away from our everyday reality. Just as we don’t ponder over political elections when considering the laws governing plant-cat hybrids, we instead focus on the unique aspects of such fantastical creatures, like Kira keeping her cat in a darkened attic to keep it perpetually sleeping. (By the way, Kira ended up putting the cat in a pot and keeping it in the attic where the low light conditions kept it napping constantly.)

Sci-fi and fantasy stories serve multiple purposes, one of them being a means to make direct comments on contemporary issues. For instance, “Severance”, airing its second season on Apple TV+ in January, sparked conversations about the evolving work environment as people returned to offices during the easing pandemic restrictions in 2022. Similarly, HBO’s upcoming series “Dune: Prophecy” is set in a world where thinking machines are banned, aligning with the ongoing debate surrounding generative AI. Moreover, “Game of Thrones”, a show focusing on power dynamics, has long been associated with real-world politics.

Additionally, there’s a series similar to “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure“, so peculiar that it makes it challenging for me to contemplate reality when I’m engrossed in it. But during trying periods, this distraction can prove quite beneficial.

Despite trying not to rely on it too heavily, I plan to re-engage with politics and contribute what I can towards living in a secure and thriving nation. This endeavor will likely involve dealing with stress and anxiety for the foreseeable future. As such, when I need a respite, I find solace in shows like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Game of Thrones, and The Lord of the Rings, as well as other narratives and storytellers that provide an escape from reality, even if only temporarily.

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2024-11-11 00:41

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