Why BGC2040

Why BGC2040: A Review

Several months ago, I was extremely bored. I was out of job, girl dumped me for another, I had absolutely nothing to do. So I went to a video shop hoping to get myself a cheap flick to while the time away. Instead my attention was drawn to a VCD of a TV anime. It looked interesting enough so I flipped it over and read the preview at the back. Hmm. A Bladerunner inspired mecha-series featuring ass-kicking babes. Nothing new. Nothing special. But I thought, at less than $3 per volume I won't feel bad if it didn't turn out good. So I got one and as soon as I completed the first episode, I was raving for more. Before I knew it, I was hooked so much I even had to scour dozens of video shops to look for the next volume in the series. A few weeks and 4 cities later, I completed the 13 volume series (26 episodes) and even got two CDs of its soundtracks.

Ok, so maybe it was just pure curiousity which spawned that addiction. Or maybe I am an obsessive-complusive person who needed to put everything in order and every anime series completed. But whenever I think of it, there's just something more to it.

First of all, it's anime. For a person who grew up with a daily dose of anime, that is something hard to ignore. It is like waving red meat to a starving dog. Watching the series is like watching CBS Survivor, eagerly waiting to find out who the sole survivor will be, except that anime is more real than Survivor. Anime depicts life more than Survivor or Johnny Bravo. Anime characters live, develop and die, which is more than I could say for James Bond. Anime art may not be the most realistic but where in the world can you find big-eyed gilrs who look a lot cuter than the real thing? The anime world is a complicated world where anything is possible, but it is a world that many would want to claim as their own. Once drawn into its world, perhaps only a Nazi would find it impossible to get mesmerized. Somebody should write a book entitled 'Everything I know I learned from Anime'.

Second, I love the way BGC2040 took a quick poke at human beliefs and get away with it. Evolution and survival, in particular. Classical Darwinians believe that species evolve over thousands of years. Modern evolutionists, on the other hand, would likely believe that evolution happens in a much shorter period, even a lifetime, permitting the species to adopt to the rapidly changing environment. Man, of course, is by far the most evolved of the species but is he the end-all? New-agers believe that they can be like gods; the X-men sports the idea that mutants rule; X-filers know that extra-terrestials are the most advanced. Now, if there is such a thing as a more advanced race, shouldn't the weaker one pave way for the stronger one? The nature rulebook says yes. Survival of the fittest. Then why is man so stubborn when it comes to his turn to be wiped off the face of the earth? Isn't it strange that the human race, which is second only to nature when it comes to pushing other species into extinction, would fight off their would-be conquerors under the guise of 'human spirit' ? And wouldn't it be stranger if these human-replacements were actually human creation? Whether they be Jango Fett clones, or machines from Terminator, I wouldn't be surprised.

Third, the hero concept. The western world pictured heroes as Rambos and Lara Crofts. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Of course, the west is learning but give them time. (Didn't they actually believe once that people of color are but slaves? Oh my heck!) Heroes are not people with spider powers, heroes are ordinary people who chose to walk the road one step more than the others. When everybody has given up or simply haven't tried, the hero pushes himself beyond his limits to achieve what couldn't be done. That's what a Thomas Edison is. In BGC2040, we don't have these superhero freaks who believe it is their duty to save the world by destroying some parts of it. What we have is a boutique store owner who needed to correct a family mistake. What we have is a biker girl who wanted to get even with the world. What we have is a bored operator who needed to put her talents to good use. What we have is a confused lady who seeks fulfillment and acceptance. It isn't your usual savior of the world Justice League, but if they get the job done, they are my heroes. Or rather, heroines.

Forget what others say about BGC2040 not being original. Who needs original? What we need is real. Even George Lucas admitted that the first Star Wars installment was inspired by damsel-in-distress themes of old western movies, except that he changed damsel to princess and gun slinging to laser blasting. I must concede that Episode IV is a totally shallow movie, but the frenzy that followed it proved something -- there is animal appeal in taking farm-boy Luke to become an unlikely Deathstar destroying hero. He was pretty much everybody's idol, someone they could relate to and aspire for. That is until he became a Jedi. By that time no one can understand his mumblings about the Force and stuff. It was then Han Solo took over. The point is, people needs someone or something real to look up to. Someone they want to become, even only in their dreams. Everybody, at one time or another, is a hero wannabe.

Lastly, what can I say, they've got ass-kicking babes!

Konya wa hurricane!