“Oh No, There Goes Tokyo ” dives into the many different movie scenarios that see the destruction of Tokyo from various different causes, such as natural disasters, monsters, viruses just to name a few. The Author uniquely views the dismantling of Tokyo through various means as beneficial towards Tokyo and her citizens. The author uses Godzilla and the animated movie Akira as examples to illustrate his perspective of Tokyo and her inhabitants being more united during and after disaster (Godzilla) and the redevelopment into something newer and better (Akira).
I couldn’t help but draw a comparison to Hong Kong, which also constantly sees destruction. As someone who returned to Hong Kong after one and a half decades away, I couldn’t help but notice all the shiny new buildings. However, I also felt that with the destruction of the old, giving birth to the new, Hong Kong lost some of its character, history and heritage. Perhaps my idea of Hong Kong is skewed by the old tales my father told me of home when growing up in the UK, but I just can’t seem to shake away the feeling that Hong Kong has lost its image as a gateway to the east and as a balanced combination between eastern and western culture. As the old gets destroyed to make way for the newer and “better” we constantly lose the character that makes Hong Kong unique. Which for me, begs the question. Is destruction the most beneficial way to pave the future?
-Hau Tsuen Adrian Yung, 3036002066 (249 words)