041 - DNA² ~ File 4

041 - DNA² ~ File 4

Author: We Appreciate Manga™ March 14, 2020 Duration: 1:12:20

Warning: we speak about distressing scenes. Podcast originally recorded on 19/02/2020 lots of talk on "love rivals", contact: WeAppreciateManga@Gmail.com

DNA²

By Masakazu Katsura

 

Topics:

  • Patching up last episode discrepancies:

DCM (DNA Control Medicine), in a previous episode we called it DMC by mistake.

 

  • Is it morally right to use sexual assault scenes as a plot device/entertainment?

In reality Kotomi would have been beaten up if not raped if she could not be saved by Junta. And the idea that she needs a man to save her gives no respite.

 

Technically interesting Moments:

  • Having the Iwasaki siblings track Junta through Karin's monitor. This is important since Junta can teleport. Naturally they can't spy on Junta all the time and he is easy to lose.
  • The contrivance:

Ami is able to ditch Karin's tracking bug (a love totem ring) but Junta can't wash out the bug from his hair.

 

Real Talk:

 

Ami vs Kotomi (when friends become love rivals)

Who would be better for Junta?

 

Ami:

Pros – loves Junta for who he is and not what he is becoming. Handles rejection very well, in other words, she isn't selfish when it comes to Junta's feelings.

 

Con – Could hold Junta back. + lacks confidence and can't initiate. (older lovers, the long haul)

 

Kotomi:

Pros – wants to improve herself + wants to help Junta improve himself too. Helping each other with their goals.

 

Cons – Using Junta as a crutch/remedy to her personal problems, needs affirmation from Junta and lacks confidence. + Loves Mega-playboy, not Junta. + losing Ami as a friend/needs Ami's support. + needy and low maintenance. (Young virginal lovers)

 

Product placement:

 

"Contucky Friend Chicken" is used as a placeholder for a certain famous fried chicken establishment.

                                

 

Plot Summary

 

Karin explains the previous events to Ami and is asked to prevent Junta from becoming the mega-playboy. Ami takes the news very well but is shy when it comes to expressing her feelings to Junta. Ami's friend, Kotomi Takanashi feels the same way and it quickly becomes clear that both Ami and Kotomi have feelings for Junta. Karin does her best to pre-empt this and puts a tracking bug on Junta yet Junta steals Karin's monitor since he's wise to Karin's act. Karin takes Junta to Ami.

 

Kotomi gets flatulent when nervous, similar to Junta being sick when he is attracted to girls, and so she decides to get a makeover to help with her confidence. Both Junta and Ami are astonished by Kotomi's transformation, and when Kotomi asks Junta out he starts to oblige.

 

Junta and Kotomi begin to date in hopes of fixing their physiological maladies, Kotomi practices to not fart when nervous and Junta tries not to get sick around Kotomi. Because of this Kotomi's confidence grows strong and she is chosen to compete in the Olympics. A jealous contender to Kotomi, Mako Iwasaki, plans to ruin her. She spies on Junta and is able to retrieve Karin's monitor from the trash, all because Junta falsely believes he washed the bug out of his hair. Then she gets the assistance of her psychic brother. With his help she is able to humiliate Kotomi during her demonstration.

 

Upset and devasted, Kotomi decides to give up competing in Germany and stay with Junta as boyfriend and girlfriend. Karin, who by this point has multiple tracking devices and monitors, is able to see that the Mega-playboy in Junta is becoming a threat.

 

Helplines:

 

For UK listeners:

 

The national rape crisis number is

0808 802 9999

 

The National Helpline is provided by Rape Crisis South London. It offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details. Callers can have a one-off call lasting up to 40 minutes.

Open between 12:00 -14:30 and 
19:00 - 21:30 every day of the year.

Website: rapecrisis.org.uk

You can find your nearest rape crisis centre by contacting them and using their website.

 

 

For US Listeners:

 

The national helpline for rape and sexual abuse is

800 656 4673

You can also access 24/7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.

 

 

For Australia:

 

You can call the national helpline for rape and sexual abuse on

1800 737 732

Their helpline is open 24/7.

 

If you are in urgent need of assistance call emergency services or if you wish to report a crime then call your local police number.

 

 

Instagram – weappreciatemanga.co.uk

Twitter - @RealJamesFitton

Website – Weappreciatemanga.com

Email – Weappreciatemanga@gmail.com


There's a particular kind of magic that happens when a friend hands you a book they love, especially when that book is a manga. We Appreciate Manga captures that exact feeling, beginning each conversation with a personal recommendation before letting the discussion wander into deeper territory. Hosted by the team at We Appreciate Manga™, this series is less a formal review and more like eavesdropping on a thoughtful, sometimes rambling, chat between enthusiasts. You’ll hear them explore how specific stories resonate, why certain artistic choices matter, and the very real comfort these illustrated narratives can provide during difficult periods. It’s a celebration of the medium that goes beyond plot summaries to appreciate manga as a unique and powerful form of visual storytelling. Think of it as your audio companion to a vibrant, anime-adjacent book club where the panels come to life through conversation. New episodes of this podcast have been available since August 2022, offering a consistent space to connect with the art and heart of these stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 136

We Appreciate Manga
Podcast Episodes
076 - Ghost in the Shell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:17
Our cyborg season ends with possibly the most influential cyberpunk manga. One that would inspire the creators of the Matrix movies with its mix of action and Cartesian philosophy. Known by its native title, Koukaku Kido…
075 - Junji Ito's Tomie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:38
What type of podcasters would we be if we didn't cover horror manga before All Hallow's Morning? So, for this spooky time of Halloween, James and Will talk about the classic horror villain that is Tomie! Skip synopsis @…
074 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:29
James tells Steven about the two non-cannon endings of Battle Angel Alita, draws comparisons between the James Cameron / Robert Rodriguez movie adaptation and the anime, as well as bring up how much the mangaka suffered…
073 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:53
Only near the conclusion of the original manga run do Steven and James find out that they have been reading different translations. Which spurs talk about the differences between the two. Including the original video ani…
072 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:29
We talk about more characters and moments in the cyberpunk epic, Gunnm, including a very supernatural dude who uses psychometry. Plenty of coil guns and stone tape theory talk in this one. skip summary @5:00 and remember…
071 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
Volume 6 a.k.a. the TUNED arc follows Alita as she joins a ragtag group of mercenaries. And James and Steve can't help but compare it to films like Aliens, War movies and Westerns, not bad for a cyberpunk story, no? Skip…
070 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:53
James and Steve discuss which other actors would have played a good Desty Nova, story-wise Zapan returns to settle the score. So basically, we get Karma as a theme! Skip plot summary @5:51 Email: WeAppreciateManga@Gmail.…
069 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:08
The conclusion to the Motorball arc where we see lots of CONTENT WARNING violence and the first example of gratuitous nudity in the cyberpunk manga; interestingly it's not from Alita! Skip synopsis @ 4:31 Email: WeApprec…
068 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:40
Alita demonstrates more of her badassity in the beginning of the 'Motorball' arc, which featured prominently in the James Cameron/Robert Rodriquez movie. Skip synopsis @ 4:04 Email: WeAppreciateManga@Gmail.com 068: Battl…
067 - Battle Angel Alita vol. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:04
A deep dive critique into the cyborg fantasy that is Battle Angel Alita a.k.a. Gunnm! Alita fights a werewolf that wears shades, as you do, but is her love strong enough to save Yugo? Sorry for the technical issues guys,…