Salt Lake City FanX: A Solo Experience

Last month, I went to Salt Lake City FanX after not attending for the last five years. I went with a coworker on Thursday and again on Saturday by myself. Going on Saturday was my first time ever solo, and I wondered what it would be like. I ended up enjoying myself. I discovered three reasons why I liked it, but also one reason why I didn’t.

Likes: 

1. Prioritizing What I Wanted

At every FanX I’ve gone to, there are certain celebrities that I want to meet and souvenirs to purchase to commemorate my experience, and this one was no different. I planned to meet the actresses, Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls Wilder) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) from the 1970s and 80s television show, Little House on the Prairie, and to attend their panel. I also wanted to meet the host of a tv series I watched as a boy, Reading Rainbow’s Levar Burton. In addition, I anticipated purchasing a Disney lapel pin, Funko Pops (a FanX favorite), and possibly a piece of artwork for my souvenirs. Prioritizing whom I wanted to meet and what souvenirs to get helped me know how to spend my time at FanX.

2. Setting my Own Pace

Once I had secured the registration band to my wrist, I entered the main floor of the Salt Palace where FanX was being held and set a casual pace. Usually, I grow frustrated with how slow or fast and the directions the masses of people take, but this time I tried to remain calm and relaxed. As I did, I found myself smiling as I leisurely followed the flow, soaking in the atmosphere. I walked the aisles of vendors’ stalls, enjoying taking time to explore what interested me. I went early to celebrities’ booths, so I had time to meet and briefly chat with each of them. In an effort not to feel rushed, I decided when I wanted to leave the convention, and then gave myself plenty of time to look for souvenirs. 

3. Interacting with Fellow FanXers

In the past, I went to FanX with friends. We would talk about the actors and actresses we’d met, panels attended, and the merchandise and cosplayers that we had seen. When I was nervous before meeting a celebrity, they gave me needed encouragement. With them present, I wasn’t inclined to step out of my comfort zone and speak to other attendees beyond complimenting their costumes. This time however, in addition to praising some on their cosplays, I engaged in conversations with others. As I waited in line at “Celebrity Row” to meet Levar Burton, I spoke with one person about the shows in which he appeared. We also talked about other famous guests we met and our interactions with them. While exploring “Artist Alley,” I spoke with Zack Smith about the works he was selling as I perused his portfolios. Curious, I asked him about the process of getting a spot at FanX, if business was going well, and praised his clever artwork. I ended up purchasing two of his pieces; they were too irresistible to pass up. Whether waiting in line with another attendee or speaking with a seller, interacting with them reminded me that others were just as enthusiastic as I was to be at FanX.

Check out more of Zack Smith's art on Instagram and Facebook

Dislike: 

Being Unable to Share the Experience In-Person

As much as I enjoyed attending FanX solo, it was still different from the other times I’d gone. I was unable to share my experiences with friends or family in-person. Happy over meeting the stars of Little House on the Prairie and Reading Rainbow, I texted the selfies that I took and brief descriptions of my interactions with them to my family. They were delighted for me and asked what it was like meeting the celebrities. I also periodically texted a friend with whom I’ve attended FanX in past years. I told him about the cosplays I saw and my observations of the event after being absent from it for five years. Yes, I was sharing my experiences in real time with loved ones, but an iPhone can only communicate their words, not their tone, facial expressions, and body language.

I had a great time going to FanX by myself. I plan to go again next year. Now that I know what it’s like to attend solo, I will prioritize my time to meet whom I want and to shop. I will pace myself so that I can take in as much of the experience as I can. I will step out of my comfort zone by talking with other attendees. And I’ll remember that there is a drawback of not being able to share the event with others in-person.

Loads, Burdens, and Weights

I guess it’s no surprise that I like music. I must admit that my music appreciation has grown since being married to my wife who is much more musically inclined than myself. The song I would like to write about today is called “The Weight” by a group called, “The Band.” As I have heard the song, mostly at work, I have imagined the words being spoken by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Here is the chorus:

“Take a load off, Fanny

Take a load for free

Take a load off, Fanny

And (And, and)

You put the load right on me (You put the load right on me)”

Can’t you see the connection between these lyrics and these words from Matthew 11:28-30 in the New Testament? 

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I love the image of the Savior calling out to me and inviting me to lay my burdens on Him. There have been times when I have not been as willing to do that. I feel a measure of accountability for my mistakes and feel like I have to hold onto them and suffer for those mistakes. I have learned that while I still suffer the consequences of my actions, I can repent and turn to the Lord and lay my burdens at His feet. The application of the laying my burdens at his feet is still something that I am working on. I suppose that is the challenge of a lifetime. He has the ability to take our burdens on Himself, but am I willing to give that burden to Him?

 

  One way of laying that burden on the Savior is through repenting. I love the description of repentance that Elder Lynn G. Robbins gives in his April 2018 General Conference address titled, “Until Seventy Times Seven.” He said, “Repentance is God’s ever-accessible gift that allows and enables us to go from failure to failure without any loss of enthusiasm.” This is a hopeful means of looking at repentance. The Lord Jesus Christ is strong enough to take our burdens on Him over and over and over again. The invitation to lay our burdens on Him is not restricted by number of times a sin is committed or however often we need to lay than burden on Him. I referenced the chorus of “The Weight” earlier. I think it is significant that the chorus is repeated 5 times throughout the song. I think this could be symbolic of how we need to repeatedly place our burdens on the Savior.

Let me conclude with a couple of quotes and thoughts from Elder Holland. The first one is about how there is no burden too heavy for the Savior to bear, or at least that’s how I think of it. He said the following in April 2012, ““It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.” There is no place we can go where the Savior can’t find and help us. There is nothing too heavy for Him to bear. When he bore our sins and griefs and sorrows and temptations (see Alma 7:11-13), He bore them all. He took the full weight upon Himself. Here’s another thought from Elder Holland that summarizes the fact that we don’t have to carry our “weights” alone. This is from 2019:  “One way to “always remember him” would be to join the Great Physician in His never-ending task of lifting the load from those who are burdened and relieving the pain of those who are distraught.” This quote stood out to me among other reasons, because of the similarity in wording between it and the chorus of “The Weight.” We all have loads and burdens that we are carrying. I hope that we can look around and find ways to lift the burdens of others through serving or even just praying for them. I also hope that we remember the importance of turning to the Savior who is always willing and able to help us carry the burdens we have.

Pink Pokemon for Breast Cancer Awareness

The basis of this blog post started as my preschooler discovered a certain pink balloon Pokémon. Since her favorite color is pink, I started wondering if I could make a completely pink Pokémon team for her that was still competent. My ADHD brain jumped to “Island of the Pink Pokémon” but eventually landed on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’ve taken a particular interest in breast cancer this year, so I thought this post was only too appropriate. So here are some of my picks for the most notable pink Pokemon.

Jigglypuff 

I honestly don’t even know why Jigglypuff became so iconic. I’m guessing it’s mostly because of the running gag in the anime, in which Jigglypuff puts the characters to sleep repeatedly. But that doesn’t explain why Nintendo decided to add the puff ball to Super Smash Bros. My respect to anyone who plays Jigglypuff as their main character in Smash. But yeah, Jigglypuff’s appearances in their anime are wonderful, especially when I realized she came back into the picture during the Sun/Moon anime.

Milktank

Anyone who’s played through Gold/Silver/Crystal or Heart Gold/Soul Silver will likely remember Whitney’s infamous Miltank. That rollout attack is killer and is nearly unstoppable. I mean I suppose you can use a rock-type Pokemon to limit the damage… but it makes more sense to try to knock it out before it can knock you… But unfortunately, like its name says, it’s a tank. So next time you play through Johto again, may the odds be ever in your favor.

Audino

It’s such an odd Pokemon in many ways. Based on its Pokedex entries, it’s a super-hearing Pokemon that can read emotions and honestly would make a pretty good therapist. Going into the Unova anime, I didn’t know anything about Audino so I was perplexed as to why it replaced Chansey in the Unovan Pokemon Centers. Based on the Pokedex entry, it makes sense that it’s Nurse Joy’s companion. All the same, I think it’s pretty random that Audino has a mega evolution and nothing in the Pokedex entry indicates why Audino gives such a massive payout in stardust on Pokemon Go--not that I'm complaining.

Sylveon

I suppose Sylveon is as much white as it is pink, but it still fits the bill here. Who doesn’t love a good Eeveelution right? Sylveon is the most recently released and that was three generations ago. Appropriately introduced as the fairy type became a thing, Sylveon was a great addition to X/Y. That being said, it’s a weird process to go through to evolve it from an Eevee. For the first two generations it was available, you needed fairy-type moves and “affection”. Not friendship. Affection. Even on Pokemon Go the evolution method was a little weird, compared to Espeon/Umbreon. Thankfully the last couple generations have made it more friendship-related and not so convoluted.

Mew

Though not easily obtained, unless you do the glitch in Red/Blue (No, I’m not talking about moving the truck), Mew is central to Pokemon lore in many ways. The first of the mythical Pokemon, some say it was the first Pokemon of all and that Ditto is a byproduct of trying to clone Mew. It wasn’t until adulthood that I slowed down enough playing Red/Blue/Yellow to realize the mythology of cloning Mew was in the games, just like in the movie. I still remember when I got a Mew card for my birthday as a kid… and made the mistake of trading it. Childhood naivety. 

There are plenty of other pink Pokemon to love and collect (especially if you’re my four-year-old) so let me know which is your favorite. While you’re at it, post your favorite pink Pokemon to your social media for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

LDS Geeks Podcast #27: Disney Songs (Part Two)

Spooky season has begun. Despite the fact that neither of us are into horror (though I'm enjoying Agatha All Along), Russell and I got together to discuss some notable Disney villain songs. Perfect additions to your October playlist.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 27 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Russell's recent blog posts: click here

Show Notes:

    Spencer's Recommendation:  Halloweentown (1-2)

    Russell's Recommendation: 

Friday Creature Feature - Sontarans

"And if I'm ever in the need of advice from a psychotic potato dwarf, you'll certainly be the first to know."
--Eleventh Doctor ("The Snowmen")

With over sixty years of content and upgrades in special effects, much has changed about Doctor Who. What once was cardboard backgrounds (see "Keys of Marinus" where you can clearly tell Ian and Barbara are walking in place) is now CGI and cinematic quality. Even the villains have changed drastically (see Silurians and Cybermen). Besides the Daleks (who think they're perfect already), one of the few who hasn't changed much is the Sontarans.

What are Sontarans?

These walking potatoes are a clone race built solely for battle. They're prideful and would rather die honorable in battle than to surrender. Their planet, Sontar, is dense with strong gravitational pull, resulting in their stocky troll-like build. They breathe through a probic vent in the back of their neck (if you can call that a neck). That vent is their big weakness, as a quick whack to it can temporarily incapacitate the baked potato.

A recurring gag ever since their conception in the 1970s is their inability to perceive differences in gender; notable examples are when Sarah Jane meets them in "The Time Warrior" and when multiple versions of Clara interact with Strax in the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctor eras. The Doctor brashly chalked this up to being a clone race and "Two genders is a bit further than he can count."

They're described as the finest soldiers of the galaxy, which makes sense since that's what they're bred to do. Their mortal enemy is Rutan Host, but they've been at war so long (50 000+ years) that no one even knows why they're fighting anymore. 

The Doctor and the Sontarans

On-screen the Doctor's first encounter with the Sontarans was when the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane ended up in the Middle Ages and thwarted the plans of Commander Lynx. The Doctor would later meet the Sontarans sporadically through the almost fifty years of television, encountering seven other incarnations of the Doctor, and Sarah Jane would even meet a lone Sontaran after her time in the TARDIS during The Sarah Jane Adventures.

One notable recurring Sontaran is fan-favorite Strax (TJ and I love him at least). Indebted to the Doctor and later companion of Vastra and Jenny, Strax assisted the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors on occasion. While I don't know if you could say Strax was a "good guy" he's probably the most civil Sontaran to have existed--though he did like to go to Scotland get in fights, while living in Victorian England. His temperamental and violent nature still shined through his butler facade frequently, which made for plenty of comical moments. Vastra, Jenny, the Doctor, and Clara tended to keep him in line, but how much can you really reform a Sontaran?

It's been a few regenerations since we last saw Strax, but I think it would be worth having him and his friends back again. It's only been a couple years since we last saw other Sontarans, but Strax and his grenades will always have a special place in my heart. As such, I'll leave you with another great Strax-related quote.

"I'm the clever one, you're the potato one."
--Eleventh Doctor ("The Snowmen")

Remembering Maggie Smith

    

    Jim Dale certainly is the voice that I hear when I think of Professor McGonagall, but the face of her will always be Dame Maggie Smith. I loved her portrayal of the head of Griffyndor house and appreciated how she brought to life this beloved character from the world of Harry Potter. I think it is fitting that she passed away exactly one year after Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in films 3-8. The Lord has a way of connecting things in His own kind of way, and this was one that stood out to me.

Tributes to actors and actresses can be difficult as I only know the person they portray on the screen, but Maggie, for her part, had an illustrious career, continuing to be in movies well into her 80’s. Before she was Professor McGonagall, she was, among other roles, Mother Superior in "Sister Act 1 and 2", supporting and giving help the Whoopi Goldberg’s character as she put together beautiful musical numbers with the nuns of the convent (“Nothing you can do can take me away from my God” and “Joyful, Joyful” are 2 of my favorites, not to mention, “His eye is on the sparrow” a new addition to the updated Hymnbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

She played in several on screen renditions of books and plays, "Downton Abbey", as well as World War II era timepieces. I loved the movie “Hook” as a child and only recently came to recognize Maggie Smith as Grandma Wendy. She was very intense in her attempts to help Peter understand who he really was,  Peter Pan.

Ultimately, I will always remember her for her role as the beloved Minerva McGonagall. She was great in demonstrating the ability to transfigure from witch to cat and back. She ushered her students around with the sternness and love that was described in the books. She developed her relationship with Harry in a manner that did not give him unnecessary passes and kept in line in appropriate ways. She danced with Ron in preparation for the yule ball. She comforted Professor Trelawney when she was sacked. She stood up to Snape when we still thought he was a bad guy. She was true in support of Dumbledore even after his death. Maggie Smith brought life to the character of Minerva McGonagall and will be greatly missed. 

Friday Creature Feature - Patamon

Twenty-five years of Digimon has brought us to this. Despite no indication of future Digimon movies or series, I have no desire to slow down–still perpetually watching the series; currently watching Digimon Tamers and Digimon Adventure 2020. I recently got to the point of Adventure 2020 in which TK teams up with Patamon–possibly one of the redeeming story arcs of the series. So like I’ve done many times before, I want to highlight the different iterations of Patamon. Despite being a relatively minor character among Digi-Destined partners, he’s a fan favorite between the Adventure saga, Frontier, and Adventure 2020.

Digimon Adventure

Meeting TK in the form of Tokomon, he was the late-bloomer among the Digi-Destined partners. It was through Patamon’s story arc that we learned how Digimon are reborn, after Angemon sacrificed himself to defeat Devimon. He was the last to reach the champion (Angemon) and ultimate (MagnaAngemon) levels. That being said, when Angemon and MagnaAngemon finally entered the scene, he was able to hold his own (and sometimes right out defeat) Digimon a full digivolution above him, like Myotismon, Phantomon, and Piedmon. 

A few years later, Patamon and TK joined the new Digi-Destined team to fight the Digimon Emperor, Arukenimon, and Mummymon. While digivolution to champion was prohibited, he was able to become Pegsusmon to join the fight. Later, when MagnaAngemon would have been wonderful to fight BlackWarGreymon and others, Angemon was able to DNA digivolve with Ankylomon to create Shakkoumon. He may not have been MagnaAngemon, but Shakkoumon was still able to hold his own against BlackWarGreymon. The lack of utilizing his natural champion and ultimate forms is one of my grievances about Adventure 02. However, the second season did give Angemon his mega form in The Digimon Movie… even if Seraphimon only lasted a few seconds.

When Digimon Adventure Tri came across, Patamon was still very clingy to TK, which didn’t get any better when he was the first of the Digimon partners to get infected by Meicoomon. The scene in which TK holds him as he writhes from the infection broke my heart. I want to do another post at some point to delve into the trauma that TK and Patamon go through in direct contrast with his crest of hope; suffice it to say that when the Digi-Destined get reunited with their partners post-reboot, TK putting that faith and positivity back into Patamon was amazing, enabling him to reach Seraphimon once again.

Despite being a more minor character in the original series, TK was one of the characters front-and-center in Last Evolution Kizuna, joining in all the major fights alongside Tai, Matt, and Izzy. It was sad to see him and Patamon lost in Menoa’s Never World, but with his scars of losing Patamon, who can blame him. In a similar way, it makes sense that he was scared when he was faced with the possibility of losing Patamon in the fight against Ukkomon in The Beginning. Both times, despite his fears, Patamon came to the fight as Angemon (and later as Shakkoumon in The Beginning). Last we see of them, Patamon is still alive and kicking with TK. I can only hope they find a way to keep their bond from breaking as TK grows up, unlike Tai and Agumon.

When he’s at in-training or rookie levels, Patamon ends up acting very childish, in good ways and bad ways. Throughout the Adventure saga, he’s clingy to TK. In the first season, he mirrored TK’s immaturity, but as TK matured he kind of turned into his child or pet at times. But when in one of his angel forms, Patamon matured instantly, becoming brave and fierce–though I’d never accuse Patamon of being cowardly either, as demonstrated when he would get protective of TK (see “Forget About It!”). 

Digimon Frontier

When Seraphimon entered the scene as one of the Celestial Digimon, he was powerful and epic… and comatose. That persisted until the five children visited his castle in the Forest Terminal. He was only awake for a few moments before he had to sacrifice himself to save the kids–his data taken by Mercurymon and his egg saved by Zoe and Bokomon. As an egg, he gave a portion of his power to Koji and Takuya to enable them to fusion-spirit evolve. It wasn't until Takuya recovered his data as Aldamon that the egg hatched into Patamon. He spent the rest of the season assisting the kids as they fought Cherubimon, the Royal Knights, and Lucemon.

The personality of this Patamon was similar to TK’s partner, pretty immature at times, like when referring to Bokomon as his “papa-mom”. Granted, this Patamon had barely been reborn from a digi-egg, so he had an excuse. That being said, he showed wisdom and insight at times, leftover from when was Seraphimon. You couldn’t ever really tell what Patamon was going to do in this season.

Digimon Adventure 2020

This version of Patamon was introduced as the captive Celestial Digimon, Angemon, held by his dark counterpart Devimon (the two having split from Seraphimon after the war). Like the Frontier version, after he got saved he reverted to an egg and lost much of his memory regarding his past in the Digimon war and his life as the angel Digimon. It took him a long time to regain the ability to digivolve into Angemon, but was able to turn into Pegasusmon in the meantime. As the children journey, he learns to digivolve into MagnaAngemon, Seraphimon, and (once) into Goldramon.

Between his involvement in the ancient war and being split into Angemon and Devimon, this version of Patamon has one complex backstory. I just wish he didn’t come into play so late, but other than the angel feathers that TK finds, Patamon doesn’t properly appear in any form until a third of the way into the story. I love that his backstory is more complex though, which you don’t tend to see with Digimon partners in any series; usually the complexity comes from the humans. As I continue to watch Digimon Adventure 2020, I’ll have to keep an eye on this storyline more closely.

Think Manga Invented Isekai? Think Again!

 

In the past decade, the isekai genre has risen to prominence in anime and manga, capturing the imaginations of millions with stories that transport ordinary individuals into fantastical worlds. From Sword Art Online to Re:Zero, these narratives are often characterized by their blend of adventure, otherworldly settings, and personal growth as protagonists navigate their new environments. The first Isekai in manga was Warrior From Another World written in 1979. However, long before anime embraced the idea of otherworldly travel, Western literature laid the foundation for what we now recognize as the core elements of isekai. Classic works such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Wizard of Oz are quintessential examples of this concept, predating the modern genre by decades, if not centuries.

Isekai is a Japanese term that literally means different world. In the context of storytelling, it refers to a genre where the protagonist is transported from their ordinary life into a fantastical realm. In most cases, this world is vastly different from our own, often involving magical creatures, advanced technology, or new societal rules that challenge the protagonist's perception of reality. 

But, when we think about the core aspects of isekai—transportation to another world, the contrast between the real and the fantastical, and the protagonist’s journey through personal or moral development—we realize that this idea isn’t unique to Japan. Western literature has long explored this very concept, often in stories that are now considered classics.

Alice in Wonderland: The Pioneer of World-Hopping

Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) is one of the earliest and most enduring examples of isekai in Western literature. Alice, an ordinary girl, tumbles down a rabbit hole and into the bizarre world of Wonderland. From the talking animals to the illogical laws of nature, Alice must navigate this curious world while trying to understand the strange creatures she encounters.

Wonderland is, in many ways, the quintessential other world of an isekai story. It is bizarre, disorienting, and operates under rules that are completely alien to Alice. Yet, like many isekai protagonists, Alice grows through her experiences in this new realm. While she begins her journey bewildered by Wonderland’s oddities, she gradually learns to assert herself, starting off not knowing which direction to go to ultimately standing up to the Queen of Hearts before waking up in the real world. Her journey of self-discovery through the lens of a fantastical world makes Alice in Wonderland a clear precursor to the modern isekai genre.

Peter Pan: The Fantasy World of Neverland

J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan (1904) takes the concept of travel to another world in a different direction. Wendy, John, and Michael Darling are whisked away from their home in London by Peter Pan and flown to Neverland—a magical island inhabited by fairies, pirates, mermaids, and Lost Boys. Like an isekai, the real world and Neverland are starkly contrasted. In Neverland, time behaves differently, magical creatures exist, and the children are free from the restrictions of the adult world.

Neverland embodies the wish-fulfillment aspect that is so often central to isekai stories. In Neverland, children can fly, fight pirates, and live out heroic adventures. Yet, Barrie’s tale also explores the dangers of escapism, a theme that many modern isekai series touch upon. Wendy and her brothers eventually choose to return to the real world, having learned that while Neverland offers excitement and freedom, it is not where they truly belong. This idea of experiencing growth through an adventure in another world is a defining characteristic of isekai storytelling.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Doorway to Another World

C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series (1950-1956), particularly The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, is perhaps the most overt example of an isekai in classic Western literature. Four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—stumble through the wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia, where they are destined to play key roles in the battle between good and evil. 

Narnia exemplifies many of the tropes seen in contemporary isekai: an ordinary group of people transported to a new world, where they discover latent powers or roles of great importance. The Pevensie children arrive as outsiders, but they soon find that they are integral to the world they’ve entered. They grow into leaders, learn valuable moral lessons, and by the end of their journey, they are different people from when they first entered the wardrobe.

Like many modern isekai stories, Narnia plays on the tension between the fantastical world and the real one. The Pevensies eventually return to their own world, but they are forever changed by their experiences in Narnia, just as protagonists in modern isekai are transformed by their adventures.

The Wizard of Oz: The Classic American Isekai

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) is another cornerstone of Western isekai literature. Dorothy Gale, swept away by a tornado from her home in Kansas, finds herself in the colorful, magical land of Oz. Much like Alice in Wonderland, Dorothy must navigate this new world and its eccentric inhabitants—including a scarecrow in need of a brain, a tin man seeking a heart, and a lion in search of courage—on her way to return home.

Oz is as strange and wondrous as Wonderland, but Baum’s story has a more defined hero’s journey. Dorothy undergoes growth and self-realization through her travels in Oz, learning that the power to achieve her goals lies within her all along. The theme of personal discovery through an adventure in a new world is a hallmark of both The Wizard of Oz and the isekai genre.

 Gulliver's Travels: Another Classic Example

 

Jonathan Swift's Gulliver’s Travels (1726) is another early example of isekai before isekai was a genre. The protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, is repeatedly transported to various strange lands, including Lilliput, where the inhabitants are tiny, and Brobdingnag, where the inhabitants are giants. Each land has its own unique rules and customs, often reflecting satirical commentary on the political and social conditions of Swift's time.

While Gulliver's Travels is more of a satirical work than an adventure tale, it nonetheless shares key isekai elements. Gulliver’s experiences in these fantastical realms force him to reflect on human nature, societal norms, and his own place in the world, much like modern isekai protagonists are changed by their journeys through other worlds.

The Legacy of Classic Isekai

The isekai genre, as we know it today, may be synonymous with anime and manga, but its roots run deep in Western literature. Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, and Gulliver’s Travels all explore the fundamental theme of journeying to another world and growing through that experience. These stories set the stage for the modern isekai genre by blending escapism, adventure, and personal transformation in ways that continue to resonate with readers today.

In many ways, these classic works prove that the allure of otherworldly adventures transcends cultures and time periods. While isekai has evolved into a distinctly modern genre, its core themes remain as timeless as they were in the days of Alice, Dorothy, and the Pevensie children.

LDS Geeks Podcast #26: Second Doctor Review

And finally TJ have made it to the end of our discussions on the Second Doctor... just as I finished the Third Doctor. Enjoy our ramblings and ravings about this cosmic hobo, as he's been called.

--Spencer

5 Unsolved Mysteries from LOST You Might've Forgotten

This week is the 20th anniversary of the crash of Oceanic Flight 815 and the series premiere of LOST. Since the show was known for mysteries and theories, I wanted to delve into some mysteries that were never fully addressed. I thought about picking mysteries regarding the Island and its history (what was with the Hurley bird anyway?), but since the show was primarily about people, their histories, and their relationships, I wanted to focus on mysteries regarding some beloved characters. And for the fun of it I’ve included theories/head-canons to explain each mystery.

Walt’s Powers

Right from the first Michael/Walt-centric episode (“Special”) and maybe even before, we knew there was something mysterious about Walt. He seemed to have some premonitions and the mini-sode “Room 23” reiterates the effect he had on wildlife, but they never fully delved into it. Even after the series finale, they did the epilogue mini-sode “The New Man in Charge” in which Walt was retrieved by Hurley and Ben, but there was no clear indication what his purpose was, except to help his father.

My head-canon/theory: After the end of the series I wrote a "season seven" story that involved Walt returning to the Island to save his father (and the other whispers) and allow them to move on to the afterlife. I also explained how he appeared to Locke looking older.

Libby’s History

I started watching the series during the third season, after Libby was shot. So by the time I joined the bandwagon, there was already a demand for Libby’s backstory to be told. Psychologist? Psych patient? Boat benefactor? She had a lot going on and we were far from having the dots connected for us. We never even learned why she was on the plane. By the fourth season, the writers promised more of her backstory and that she was going to return. However, with the writer strike that interrupted that season, storylines and episodes were cut short and rearranged. So we saw Libby in Michael’s hallucinations… and then nothing until the flash-sideways of the final season. I still need answers!

My head-canon/theory: She’s the half-sister of Penny Widmore (sharing a mother and raised separately of course). After the death of her husband David, she gives her husband’s boat to Desmond (per Penny’s request) to help him in Widmore’s race. Later, the loss of her husband led her to a breakdown that was bad enough to put her in the hospital. And by the time Flight 815’s departure approached, Penny knew that Desmond was on the Island and sent Libby on the plane to find him. A bit convoluted of a story, but they didn’t give us much to go on. 

Desmond’s Abilities

Speaking of Desmond, there were a number of occasions when he seemed to miraculously survive fatal electromagnetic events. How did he survive those? It was said he had a resistance to electromagnetic energy, but where did he get that resistance? Also, the fail-safe left him with his premonitions/flashes–Why? How? And for that matter, how did Eloise know as much as she did in “Flashes Before Your Eyes”? Seriously, I just want to know!

My head-canon/theory: Though he wasn’t seen amidst Jacob’s scribblings of candidates at the lighthouse or at the cave, I figure Jacob touched Desmond at some point before coming to the Island (like the flashbacks in “The Incident”). So much like Richard Alpert, he was kept alive to fulfill his purpose when he shouldn’t have survived. 

Hurley’s Powers

At some point after leaving the Island, Hurley started seeing dead friends in his path. Unlike Miles, who could only hear their last thoughts (though there are some continuity errors/discrepancies regarding his powers), Hurley was able to physically interact with Charlie, Eko, Ana Lucia, Michael, etc. Why did these friends start appearing to him? Unless his imaginary friend Dave was really a deceased friend (seems unlikely) the ability didn’t manifest until after leaving the Island. It couldn’t have been the touch from Jacob, right before Ajira Flight 316, since he’d been visited by deceased friends for a couple years before.

My theory/head-canon: The best I’ve got is that the experience with the sky lighting up in “Live Together, Die Alone”, moving across the Island’s external boundary, or maybe his proximity to the Orchid Station triggered something when he left the Island. All those seem unlikely since others had more intimate experiences with those than Hurley, but that’s the best I have.

Claire’s Missing Time

After so many close calls with her baby, why would Claire (or any decent mother) leave her child in the middle of the jungle to follow an apparition of her absentee father? And when Locke found her in the cabin, she seemed so relaxed. What was going on? Also, why didn’t Claire jump through time with the other survivors? What did the Others do to her in her time of solitude? According to Dogen, Claire was infected like Sayid, but that only brings up more questions. When did she get infected? What did that exactly entail? And I can’t leave off this mystery without asking this unrelated Clair question: Why did Desmond say he had a vision of Claire getting on a helicopter if she was never on the helicopter?

My theory/head-canon: My belief is that when Claire’s house exploded, she died (like Sayid did after returning to the present day). After that, “the sickness” brought her back to life, bonding her to the Man in Black (again, like Sayid). So when the Man in Black (taking the form of her father) took her away from her baby, it was like her free will was taken away–not completely, as demonstrated by both Claire and Sayid, but enough. And regarding the helicopter vision, that’s part of a more intricate “season seven” I wrote involving Claire and the rest returning to the Island.

I’m sure I could think of several more mysteries regarding our LOST cast (How did Faraday lose his memories? How did Boone, Rose, and Bernard “wake up” in the flash-sideways?) but these seem sufficient for now. While I hope LOST never gets rebooted or restarted, I think fans would always welcome more snippets from the Island and the lives of the characters we love. What’s the harm in a few more mini-sodes? Show us more snippets of backstories, Island time, and after the finale. Nothing crazy or complex. Just more. But just to quote Hector in the epilogue, “We deserve answers!”

At least about Libby.

Please?