2018 is waning and 2019 is coming near as I type. It is also a few days before Christmas as I type, though you will no doubt be reading these words after Christmas. I am planning on travelling with friends over Christmas, and hope you enjoyed your time over Christmas as well. Meanwhile, I have… Read More Ask Sensei: Happy 2019 Edition
Well, ’tis the season, folks. Of course I don’t mean that season: however, there are still two seasons before that one, and this coming one will probably involve my doorbell ringing. I will let Bella the cat answer it, of course. So what do you all think of this new anime season? I must admit I’m… Read More Ask Sensei: Trick Or Treat Edition
So the end of the summer approaches, along with that dreaded thing that begins with “s” and ends with “chool.” I hope that, like me, the rest of you are getting as much relaxation in as you can afford, before the familiar rhythm of the school year begins again. Today I thought I’d go back… Read More Ask Sensei: Lightning Round Edition
As we approach the middle of summer, at least here in the northern hemisphere, it’s nice to be able to take some time out and enjoy the air conditioning. And for me, that includes reading your questions and trying my best to answer them. Other than that, I’m pretty much still in summer vacation mode,… Read More Ask Sensei: Lazy Crazy Days of Summer Edition
What kind of teacher never asks his students questions? A very strange one, to say the least. (That’s enough giggling, Shiraishi-kun.) So just to change things up, today we’ll pretend we’re in Soviet Russia. Because in Soviet Russia, you do not ask Sensei. Sensei ask you! One question I’ve always wanted to ask about anime is… Read More Sensei Ask You: Soviet Russia Edition
Although it has not escaped my notice that, by and large, February has only 28 days, I am pretending for the moment that it does not, so as to seem to have made my deadline. If only the month had a few more days in it! Probably we all think that at times, in any… Read More Ask Sensei: February 31st Edition
The start of a new term seems to bring a fresh start for teachers as well as students. It’s an opportunity for all of us to be honest about what hasn’t worked so well in the past, while still retaining habits of mind and lifestyle that we have found helpful. For us teachers, it’s always… Read More Ask Sensei! School Life Edition
For academics, the end of the term is pretty much the storm before the calm before the storm. Once we’re done grading final exams and establishing grades, our lives are suddenly quiet until the beginning of the next term. (glances at Shiraishi-kun’s empty chair) We might almost say “too quiet,” until we remember that everyone needs… Read More Ask Sensei (Happy 2018 Edition)
Welcome back, class. I trust by now you’re all recovered from your respective Thanksgiving feasts. Here I have the handout that I promised to — what’s that, Takasaka-san?… (notes empty desk in the front row) Why yes, you’re quite right. Shiraishi-kun seems to be absent today. I suppose it’s just as — I mean, I hope… Read More Ask Sensei! Decemberween edition
Welcome back, class. It’s nice to see most of you so alert and prepared this morning. Most of you, that is. (unobtrusively but firmly kicks Shiraishi-kun’s foot under his front row desk, startling him awake) This last month, we had a couple of questions come to us via Facebook. Joshua asks: “[W]hat about thoughts on anime… Read More Ask Sensei! Magical Girls and the Thing About Anime