I wasn’t expecting to enjoy B Gata H Kei, but it’s actually quite good. It manages to be a sex comedy that doesn’t fall into the usual anime sex comedy pitfalls. The show’s consistently funny, even sweet. I think most of us can relate to wanting to seem more mature than we really were (or are). But that stuff aside, I’m especially drawn to one element in particular.
Wow…
Is that surf rock I hear in the opening? How interesting!
To explain why that matters, we have to hop into a time machine and take another detour through Japanese history. But we’re not going terribly far back—just to the period starting around Showa 35, all the way to about Showa 50. In other words, we’re looking at the time between 1960 and 1975, the teenage heyday of today’s middle-aged Japanese.
The US occupation of Japan had ended only ten years before this time, and although there was some international tension, Japanese young people were happily consuming western pop culture at unprecedented rates. Japan was struck by Beatlemania at the same time as everybody else, and they liked Elvis Presley just as much as we did. They also developed a particular fondness for American surf rock in the mid-1960s.
Inevitably, there were imitators. The Beatles gave birth to Japanese “Group Sound” bands like the Tigers and the Tempters, and Elvis resulted in a lively rockabilly culture that is still going strong in Japan to this day (look at the gang leader Hebitani from A Certain Scientific Railgun, for example). And surf rock, oddly enough, became a popular style used by young female pop singers—in other words, what we might consider the first wave of modern idols.
See the video above. This was the stuff kids listened to in those days. Looking back on it now, I think it’s pretty neat, but the older generation at the time probably considered it a barely-musical load of tripe. Still, those kids grew up to take the reins of Japan, including the nascent industries of otaku culture, anime and tokusatsu. So is it any surprise that ‘70s shows like Kikaida were heavy on the surf rock themes as well?
Obviously, when surf rock is used in shows as background music or in opening themes (see, for example, Seto no Hanayome), it’s supposed to evoke thoughts of summer sun and beach ball fun, much like it does for westerners. I’ve mentioned before that anime soundtracks can be rather mercenary when it comes to mixing and matching styles. But there’s also a surprisingly heavy nostalgia associated with the surf rock sound in Japan, and a deeper history than you might expect at first.
Seriously, this kid...
Postscript: Not everyone’s watching this show, so it occurs to me that I ought to post a video of the opening itself. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure.
April 17, 2010 at 1:55 am
Sex on the Beach! Fresh and bright!
Surf Rock is almost like a transition from Spring to Summer, or a mixture of the two, imo, and I think that works really well for this OP. Blossoming Spring and first loves, then the lead in to those magical heated Summers…. it all makes sense to bundle a theme of both notions into one package.
I kinda see that mixture in this series anyhow
April 17, 2010 at 4:37 am
I wanted to avoid too much analysis of what the OP actually means, since I felt like that might be a personal stretch. So thanks for doing it for me.
I pretty much agree. It was definitely about sex in those teenage years, but one can’t help looking back and thinking of it all as being so innocent.
April 17, 2010 at 5:52 am
THERE IS NOTHING INNOCENT ABOUT SLUTS.
April 17, 2010 at 6:35 am
But to be one, you’d actually have to do something, no?
I’m reminded of a scene in a movie I saw a few years ago, where a girl says that she loves sex and can’t think of anything else, but when prompted to explain what she means, she says, “holding hands, eating ice cream.”
True, Yamada has some very strange, skewed ideas of what’s cool. But she still gets excited over holding hands and hugging. It isn’t hard at all to find that endearing.
Anyway, it’s a pretty awful word, “slut.” I can’t say I like it being tossed around so freely when people talk about this show. But that’s a matter of taste. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
April 19, 2010 at 1:10 am
It seems the Elephant that Must be Addressed here is Yamada ^^;
I’m surprised when I think about it too, but for some reason she didn’t end up disagreeing with me. I think you’re right when it comes to her being endearing; in the end, she’s not very far from many that are bound to be BH’s viewers – perverted as all hell, but without the courage to make moves where they really count. I can sympathize with that myself.
On a loosely related note, I’m always trying to pick out the bass support from music. It’s sad how the instrument I’m forcing myself to play doesn’t get as much limelight as I’d like it to, but even sadder that I’m really doing it because I don’t want all that much limelight.
More like, what is it with tokusatsu and motorbikes? That’s a cultural quirk I’d like to be educated of.
April 19, 2010 at 10:04 am
Very good point re: Yamada and otaku. If we want to put it cynically, it’s a mechanism for audience identification on a completely different axis from, say, Ogiue Chika.
I think tokusatsu’s obsession with motorbikes is as simple as “the toys that will get boys to excitedly go ‘vroom-vroom’ as their parents shell out lots of money on their behalf.”
Lastly, if you want more distinct bass, I suggest going toward K-ON!!. The second season’s music has been leaning more heavily on a keyboard and bass sound.
April 17, 2010 at 2:27 am
ya got me. And here I thought based on the first 2 pictures you were drawn to yamada’s ability to blow and suck.
Funny you should mention Seto no Hanayome since I thought it was Momoi Halko singing for a moment there. Interesting stuff about the first idols. I wonder how long it was till they started becoming popular in other genres.
April 17, 2010 at 4:34 am
Sorry for fooling you, but I really couldn’t resist.
The song does sound like Momoi Halko, but for the rest of the show Tamura Yukari sounds just like Nanoha, which makes the watching experience… quite interesting, to say the least.
April 17, 2010 at 3:05 am
The OP is probably the only thing that I actually hate about this show. Every time I see it I want to punch something cute….like a bunny.
The first 2 seconds are good, but 0:05-0:07 just make me feel hate.
That being said, surfer music is good. A good Japanese surfer band that pops into my head are the 5, 6, 7, 8′s. I think they re-do American songs, and this creates an awesome mix of Japanese and Engrish….I love them/have all their albums. Here’s a video for your viewing pleasure:
Yup, they were in Kill Bill, which is and awesome movie and was where I first discovered them. The Kikaida theme reminded me of them.
April 17, 2010 at 4:32 am
Ah, I remember this band. I really liked “Woo Hoo.”
It’s a shame you don’t like the OP. I find Yamada’s little bouncing “dame dame” quite charming. But it’s definitely a taste thing. Thanks for reading.
April 17, 2010 at 3:57 am
Kiiroi Vacances, anyone?
I love B Gata H Kei. But that deserves it’s own post~ anyway, fun stuff here!
April 17, 2010 at 4:28 am
Ah– I knew I forgot something! Thank you!
Originally I wanted to write about the OP of Working!! in relation to third-wave ska. But I’ve already written about Working!!, and anyway I’m not watching it anymore, so it felt a bit disingenuous.
Glad you enjoyed this, though. Cheers.
April 17, 2010 at 8:37 am
I’m liking the show too, even though the preview synopsis was not initially encouraging. Yamada is innocently dirty, and I agree the comedy has exceeded expectations so far.
The reference to surf rock reminds me of Crazed Fruit, one of my favorite Japanese films. It was produced close to that 1960-1970 range (1956) and depicts Japanese teenage rebelliousness that I assume came with the Western culture being absorbed at the time (for example, Rebel Without a Cause). It’s fun to see a thin thread between this show and that era.
April 17, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Rebel Without a Cause was 1955, apparently, so I think you’re quite right. Nice catch.
I’ve never heard of Crazed Fruit… But looking around and seeing this stuff about the “Sun Tribe,” I’m quite fascinated. You’ve opened up a new subject for me to read about. Cheers!
April 17, 2010 at 11:57 am
I’ve heard some really negative things about this show, namely the fact that the lead is an unlikable, obnoxious brat. TBH the op theme isn’t anything special either – it has the usual schoolgirl boob jiggling and accompanying Jpop music, which is pretty generic and not really my thing. BUT…
…There’s a definite twangy ‘surf rock’-style riff at the beginning that made my inner guitar geek sit up and take notice, before the rest of it put my brain back to sleep again. I recall reading about how the Ventures still have a strong cult following in Japan and, although I’m not familiar with their stuff either, there’s a definite Hawaii Five -0 vibe to that intro figure.
I’m still not 100% convinced that I’ll enjoy the show, but your cultural trivia is interesting as always, so thanks for that. ^_^
April 17, 2010 at 11:23 pm
She is a brat, no doubt about it. Unlikeable, though… I find Yamada incredibly immature, but with a good heart. That said, I fully admit to having double standards; I would not give a guy with the same goals nearly the same slack.
Do check out my reply to wah below– I believe the drum beat also has something to do with it. But all I do personally is a bit of fiddling on the ukulele and the tin whistle. You guitar fellows make me so jealous.
Thanks for reading.
April 17, 2010 at 3:53 pm
This show was a great surprise!
I watched it just to rate it to the readers of my blog and DAM’N, it was really funny!
One of my favorites of the season and with a good OP music.
April 17, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Ah-ha, someone else who appreciates the OP. Thank you.
And welcome! Please feel free to stop by anytime.
April 17, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I’ve heard a few good reviews of B Gata, but I just can’t find myself enjoying a sex comedy (I’m already watching too much now anyway). However, I once again enjoyed your little history lesson in this post =)
(PS: I still listen to The Beatles and Elvis)
April 17, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Tell you what: You watch the first episode of B Gata H Kei, and I’ll finally bite the bullet and watch the first episode of Rainbow… I think everyone’s got a lot on their plate this season, though, since it’s so great. I don’t see either of us jumping to watch the newest season of Ikkitousen.
(I remember you do. As a matter of fact, looking into this rockabilly stuff gives me a fresh appreciation for the King.)
April 17, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Again, I think you’re reaching an awful lot, kind of like with the Shibuya-kei article.
I mean, until you pointed it out, I would not have noticed that the first 2 seconds of the opening have a surf-rock riff, but other than that the opening is pretty generic, uninspiring anime song. I think you’d be better off citing the first PPD opening, since it’s more of a homage to that kind of a music.
Also B-Gata H-Kei is okay. I may drop it because it should probably be funnier.
April 17, 2010 at 11:06 pm
That’s where I hope to find something interesting though: In an apparently generic, uninspiring anime song. The opening to PaniPoni Dash is great (Digitalboy also mentioned it above), but I suspect everyone hears the vintage homage in that one.
Wikipedia will not back me up on this one, but I believe the drum beat is as equally essential to surf rock as the guitar riff. You hear it in B Gata H Kei, PPD, Seto no Hanayome, and in odd places like this GO!GO!7188 song.
I’ve had surf rock on the mind lately.
That said, I will freely admit reaching a bit for the stars with this topic. Thanks for reading, wah. You always keep me on my toes.
April 17, 2010 at 9:54 pm
[...] Gata H Kei finally spurred to finish my post on the show below. I highly recommend checking out his post, which deals with the music in the opening [...]
April 19, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I had to listen really carefully to hear the surf rock, but again, music is not my forté.
Still, the summer feelings that surf rock tries to evoke are definitely there. Other elements of the OP make that clear.
As for the show itself, I should really watch an episode or two to see where all the hateful name-calling (slut) came from.
April 20, 2010 at 9:46 am
Casual misogyny is a bit rampant in some parts of fan culture. It’s something I want to address, somewhat, but I try not to be a soapboxer if I can help it.
Anyway, you definitely should catch an episode or two. If nothing else, I find it pretty entertaining.
April 21, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Now you’ve interested me into watching this particular show. I wasn’t interested in this show at all, but after reading your post… well, I would be lying if I said I don’t want to watch it anymore!
Off to grab an episode for the night! Thanks for the “recommendation”!
April 21, 2010 at 9:30 pm
That’s perfect! Exactly what I would hope for. Though now I hope you’re not disappointed.
Cheers.
April 24, 2010 at 7:31 am
[...] the ridiculous 100 sex friends part that got me somewhat turned off. However, with great thanks to 2DT for recommending this particular show — he mentioned about the rare genre of the OP and I was [...]