Author: Vincent
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Dandadan: A Shift in Tone and a Reflection on Society
Read more: Dandadan: A Shift in Tone and a Reflection on SocietyThe anime Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu was recently released in October, and after hearing about the buzz surrounding Episode 7, my wife and I decided to give it a try. Neither of us knew anything about the series beforehand, and to be honest, the first four episodes were difficult to sit through. While she decided…
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The Hidden Costs of Addiction: My Journey with Final Fantasy XIV
Read more: The Hidden Costs of Addiction: My Journey with Final Fantasy XIVThe Hidden Costs of Addiction: My Journey with Final Fantasy XIV It’s not easy to write about Final Fantasy XIV—a game I’ve undoubtedly spent the most time on. When I decided to take a break, I captured a screenshot to reflect on my gaming hours. Written in Japanese, it recorded 218 days, 9 hours, and…
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The Power of Neuroplasticity: A Path to Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth
Read more: The Power of Neuroplasticity: A Path to Lifelong Learning and Personal GrowthI don’t really remember how I started watching his podcasts on YouTube, but Andrew Huberman’s podcasts are always a pleasure to watch or listen to. For those who are not familiar with him, he is a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University. He begins his podcasts by telling his mission is to provide at no…
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Rediscovering The Shawshank Redemption: Reflections on Society and Basic Needs
Read more: Rediscovering The Shawshank Redemption: Reflections on Society and Basic NeedsI first watched The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont, on French TV during my youth. Recently, I rewatched it, this time in its original language, English, to see how my memories of the film held up. Memory is fascinating—our brain doesn’t work like a video camera. Instead, it reshapes memories over time, influenced by…
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Dream Theater’s “Take the Time”: Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced World
Read more: Dream Theater’s “Take the Time”: Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced World“Find all you need in your mind if you take the time.” These lyrics from Dream Theater’s song Take the Time resonate deeply in today’s ever-accelerating world. Known for their extraordinary musical virtuosity, the progressive rock band released their iconic album Images and Words in 1992. This was my first real exposure to their music,…
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Hokuto no Ken: Lessons in Resilience and Cultural Impact
Read more: Hokuto no Ken: Lessons in Resilience and Cultural ImpactHokuto no Ken, created by Tetsuo Hara and Buronson, is one of the most iconic and influential manga of all time. Set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Mad Max, the story follows Kenshiro, the successor of a deadly martial art, as he navigates a lawless society devastated by nuclear war. With resources like water…
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GTO: A Wake-Up Call for Change in Education and Society
Read more: GTO: A Wake-Up Call for Change in Education and SocietyGreat Teacher Onizuka (GTO) is a manga that follows Eikichi Onizuka, an ex-gang member who becomes a teacher in a prestigious school, only to find himself in charge of a notoriously difficult class. His unorthodox personality and teaching methods challenge the conventional approach, gradually winning over the students who initially resist him. Onizuka’s mission is…
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Battle Royale: A Deep Critique of Society and the Future of Generations
Read more: Battle Royale: A Deep Critique of Society and the Future of GenerationsI watched Battle Royale on the recommendation of friends during my university years when I was studying Japanese. The movie sparked controversy but was also widely praised, notably by Quentin Tarantino, who listed it as one of his favorite films of the past two decades. Set in a dystopian future after a recession, a totalitarian…
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Space Brothers: A Journey Beyond Rivalry
Read more: Space Brothers: A Journey Beyond RivalryI was recommended the manga Space Brothers by Chūya Koyama, and its premise intrigued me enough to give it a try. As the title implies, the story revolves around two brothers who dreamt of going to space as children. The younger brother, Hibito, successfully becomes an astronaut for JAXA, while the older brother, Mutta, faces…
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Letting Go: Reflections on Lithium by Evanescence
Read more: Letting Go: Reflections on Lithium by EvanescenceLithium, the fourth track of Evanescence’s second album, released in 2006, is a hauntingly beautiful piece that showcases the band’s signature style. I first heard it thanks to a friend while studying Japanese at university in Paris, France. By then, I was already familiar with their debut album Fallen, particularly the evocative My Immortal. Evanescence…