Examining Old School Anime: Mindfulness of Death

Time for me to take another foray into the Leijiverse!  Lupin III gave me no ideas for this week’s article, but I remembered the first episode of Galaxy Express 999 held some very important themes on mortality.  Some themes in Space Pirate Captain Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 cause me to wonder whether Leiji Matsumoto might indeed be a… Read More Examining Old School Anime: Mindfulness of Death

Something More: Gundam Orphan Christians, Suffering in FFX, and Congratulations to Marina!

None of us want to suffer. In the west especially, there’s seldom any good seen in suffering, only hallow “silver linings” that we use to encourage those going through struggles. In east Asia, suffering is more tolerated and even embraced, though of course, it’s still not preferred. We see this in the media produced there,… Read More Something More: Gundam Orphan Christians, Suffering in FFX, and Congratulations to Marina!

Sen to Chihiro, Control to Freedom: The Significance of Names, Here and Forevermore

So your name’s Chihiro? What a pretty name…and it belongs to me now. – Yubaba (Spirited Away) In the west, we’ve largely destroyed the art of naming children. Parents scramble to discover a name that’s unique (but maybe not too unique), memorable, beautiful, and timeless, but in searching for an aesthetically pleasing name, most will… Read More Sen to Chihiro, Control to Freedom: The Significance of Names, Here and Forevermore