China recently passed a new law concerning Hong Kong that erodes the freedoms and autonomy Hong Kong had enjoyed. As part of the agreement with the British, China was supposed to respect Hong Kong’s democratic process and relative autonomy. The arrangement was similar to the system the Native American tribes have with the United States….
Considering Cultural Rootlessness
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…
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…