The Social Media Buzz Surrounding “Laputa: Castle in the Sky”
Introduction to a Beloved Classic
The airing of “Laputa: Castle in the Sky” consistently ignites excitement across Japanese social media platforms. This iconic film, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli, has a rich history of generating significant online engagement. Notably, it set a record for the highest number of tweets per second during its 2013 broadcast and achieved impressive numbers again in 2016. Fans often flock to social media to share their enthusiasm, particularly when the characters Pazu and Sheeta utter the magical word “Balse” at a pivotal moment in the film.
A Shift in Trends During Recent Airings
However, this year’s 19th television airing on August 30 revealed an unexpected trend. Despite previous years’ fervor surrounding this scene, “Balse” failed to make it onto Japan’s Top Trending list on X (formerly Twitter). This was surprising given that just hours before the broadcast, hashtags related to “Laputa” were trending at #1 and #14 respectively.
According to reports from Suponichi, this latest airing marked another milestone since its initial release on television back in 1988. The anticipation among fans was palpable as they prepared for what has become an annual tradition.
The Anticipation Builds but Fizzles Out
As viewers eagerly awaited the moment when Pazu and Sheeta would say “Balse,” there seemed to be less buzz than expected on X compared to previous airings. At precisely 11:23 p.m., fans began posting about this iconic line; however, unlike past events where such posts dominated trends, “Balse” did not even appear within Japan’s Top Trending topics.
Various theories have been proposed regarding why interest waned this time around—yet none have been substantiated with concrete evidence.
Official Accounts Join In On The Fun
Interestingly enough, while typically it’s individual users who contribute most significantly during these broadcasts with their posts about “Balse,” official accounts also joined in during this year’s event. The Kinyō Roadshow’s official account shared content related to the film alongside another post from Heidi – A Girl of the Alps, which humorously replaced Pazu and Sheeta with Heidi and Peter from its own narrative.
This playful interaction highlights how beloved these characters are across different generations of anime fans while also showcasing how cross-promotional efforts can engage audiences further.
Conclusion: A Tradition That Endures Despite Challenges
Despite not trending as prominently as before during its latest airing, posting “Balse” remains a cherished tradition among viewers of “Laputa: Castle in the Sky.” It is hoped that whatever factors contributed to its absence from trending lists will be addressed ahead of future broadcasts so that fans can continue celebrating their love for this classic film together online.
Intern at SMK University
