on random correlations between literature and manga

Although I’m technically done with “exams,” that unfortunately doesn’t relieve me from stress yet, considering I still have 2 papers (and they’re long), both for my Asian studies courses.

I know I have a tendency to overanalyze materials a bit too much, to the extent where I end up freaking myself out, but nonetheless, this whole “overanalyzing” is something that’s somewhat necessary for artsies like myself.
And myself being such a geek, here are things I came up with for my papers (and yes, my profs have approved this):
- For my “adaptations of Japanese classics” course, I’ll be writing on adaptations of Japanese historiography seen in manga/anime/TV shows – specifically, the portrayal of the Ikedaya Incident in works of manga/anime (read: PMK and Gintama, and perhaps the live-action Shinsengumi!)
- For my Tale of Genji course, I’ll be writing on adaptive works of the T of G (read: anime version and film version of T of G)

What’s sad is the fact that I’m now considering emailing my T of G prof, asking whether if it would be possible/acceptable to focus my paper on the animated version of the T of G (which was part of my original plan) and on Zettai Karen Children.
……yes, you read it right, I did say ZKC.
Now, I’m sure some people are staring at the screen blankly going “WTF is this girl talking about? How the hell is the Tale of Genji, an epic Japanese classic from premodern times, have any correlation with ZKC?”
Heck, my friend’s first response when I told her what I’m planning on doing was, “So you’re writing a paper on loli-cons?”
Well yes and no… there’s a bit more correlation between the two, other than both stories portraying guys going nuts over girls younger than them (this comment is in no way to be taken offensively, nor should one simply interpret this as a true description/depiction of the plot, without actually reading the works)

The correlation’s actually rather simple. The main characters’ names are taken from characters in the T of G, and the character relationships in ZKC parallels some of the relationships between characters (whom the names in ZKC have been taken from) in the T of G.
Easy example: Koichi Minamoto mirroring Hikaru Genji, Taizo Kiritsubo (Minamoto’s boss) mirroring Emperor Kiritsubo (Genji’s dad).

I know I’m hitting the point where I’m just overanalyzing, but hey, if I’m supposed to do a 10-page paper, I need to overanalyze to keep myself (and my word count) going =p