When starting this Japanese horror project I did a bit of research into what films were considered the very best of the genre. Several top ten lists later I noticed one name besides Ringu, Ju-On, and Audition kept cropping up: Cure. So naturally I wanted to watch it, but for whatever reason it took me…
Category: Culture
Hatsune Miku – Vocaloid
Hatsune Miku is computer software made in Japan that can produce singing by just typing in lyrics and a melody. Technically the backbone of the Hatsune Miku is Yamaha’s vocaloid software. Vocaloid even has released albums. The singer is known as Hatsune Miku and is an anime girl around the age of 16. Yeah, that…
Home Made Kazoku
Home Made Kazoku ( in English it’s “Home Made Family”) is a feel-good hip hop group from Japan. Now normally I can’t stand hip-hop, but this group has uplifting beats and lyrics that makes me smile. The group isn’t anywhere close to the American (c)rap that just talks about ehem “bitches, bling, and guns.” Home…
Okami
Okami is currently my favorite video game. I don’t mean to sound fickle, I’m not. Okami has been at the top of my list for almost two years, for a few reasons. #1. I am a graphic oriented person. I like pretty pictures and Okami happens to have stunning graphics. The world is artistically rendered…
Anime’s Visual Language
Anime and manga have a unique visual language that conveys character emotions and thoughts. Many of us “regular” anime watchers are so familiar with these symbols that we don’t give them a second thought. These symbols (like the vein popping out, as shown to the left) can make anime confusing for people new to anime….
Valentine’s Day in Japan
On Valentine’s Day in Japan, girls give chocolate to the boys they like. Girls also buy inexpensive chocolates for their friends (girls and boys). If they have a crush on a boy they might make their own chocolates and wrap them in pretty paper. Gift giving is important in Japan thats why it is important…