Tikkabik

We're big fans of Japanese animation, or anime, and over the years we've tried to amass a collection of video entertainment that both we and the kids enjoy. In fact, we largely collect anime to the exclusion of other entertainment -- I've curtailed my purchases of A-list action films and the like to allow for more of it to come into the house. It's partly because, at the risk of sounding like a cultural snob, I just think the Japanese stuff is better. I like the aesthetic more. I like the story-telling better. It's also because I have very fond memories of growing up with fare like Battle of the Planets, Star Blazers and Speed Racer, and I'm anxious to pass along that legacy to my kids.

We can get the kids to sit through Hayao Miyazaki's works (My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service wall scrolls decorate our living room); but those are usually epic tales. James will often fall asleep part way through. I don't think the lad has made it through to the end of Princess Mononoke or Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind yet.

But Bob is more into mecha (giant robots), Emme is more into mahou shoujo ("magic girl"); and while James is pretty much game for anything -- he's an easy going kid -- he has his favorites too. So finding something all three of them want to watch together can be tough. They'll argue and bicker the point for hours before they agree on a single movie or show they want to watch together.

So I was surprised when I came upstairs the other day and found all three kids sitting quietly in the living room, staring at the TV. Not blinking at all. In fact, I don't think Emme shifted more than three inches during the entire movie.

Bonnie had put on Yellow Submarine.