I have a bad habit. A sin, if you will, to confess. I envy people from “old” countries. As a history nerd, I read about Europe, China, Japan (of course!), and other old cultures. When I come to American history, I lose interest. Some sections are interesting, but America is just too young to have…
Author: Chris Kincaid
Researching and Writing about Japan Can be Hard!
Sometimes it’s difficult to find good research about Japanese culture. Oh, I can find information online easily, but the quality is often suspect. Wikipedia isn’t reliable, and I’ve seen chains of so-called references linking back to each other to form a loop of wikis, advertisement sites, and other questionable information. That isn’t to say you…
Who am I? Amnesia as an Anime Plot Device
It seems as if every other anime character is getting clocked on the noggin’ and getting amnesia. Amnesia has become a fairly common plot device with many advantages and disadvantages (the main one: over use!) According to the Mayo Clinic, amnesia “refer to the loss of memories, such as facts, information and experiences. Though forgetting…
Inuyasha: The Best Anime for Beginners
I’ve often thought about what the best anime is for introducing people to the medium. Many anime are great for people who hate anime. But what about those who are curious but find anime strange? What about those who find the tropes of anime and the jokes confusing? What is the best anime for them?…
Beastars Impressions (Season 1)
At first, I avoided Netflix’s Beastars. Despite my background in 3D animation, I’ve come not to like it. I prefer the look of traditional animation. Perhaps because 3D is overdone now. Back when I got into it, Toy Story was out. I also avoided Beastars because I’m not into furries! Actually, the character designs troubled…
Christianity’s Reaction to Edo Period Persecution
As persecution during the early Edo period increased, the Christian community turned away from venerating martyrdom. Instead, they went further underground, hiding behind Buddhist and Shinto practices to avoid complete extermination. Unlike persecutions during the Roman Empire, Japanese Christians had nowhere to go. They couldn’t escape the islands of Japan or the reach of the…