Category: Awareness
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The Lion King: A Story of Growth, Responsibility, and Emotional Healing
Read more: The Lion King: A Story of Growth, Responsibility, and Emotional HealingReleased in 1994 by Disney, The Lion King is certainly one of the most famous animated movies ever created. As I write these very lines, the sequel to the live-action version of the movie, Mufasa: The Lion King, is being released in theaters. With plans to see it, it seemed like the perfect occasion to…
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Spirited Away: A Timeless Reflection on Consumerism, Environmental Impact, and Japanese Culture
Read more: Spirited Away: A Timeless Reflection on Consumerism, Environmental Impact, and Japanese CultureI’m anticipating a short trip with my wife, where we will stay at a traditional Japanese hostel in a hot springs region of Japan. This inspired me to write about Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released by Studio Ghibli in 2001, as the main story takes place in a bathhouse. The Dōgo Onsen…
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Stairway to Heaven: A Timeless Anthem with a Message for Humanity
Read more: Stairway to Heaven: A Timeless Anthem with a Message for HumanityI wanted to talk about Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin today. Released in 1971, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs ever. Period. My relationship with this track has evolved over time, and I believe this signifies a personal growth in maturity. When I was younger, my focus was often on…
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Civil War (2024): A Thought-Provoking Reflection on Society
Read more: Civil War (2024): A Thought-Provoking Reflection on SocietyI watched the movie Civil War, released in 2024, during my flight back to Japan after a short visit with my father in Paris. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as Lee, a veteran war photographer. Set in a dystopian future, Lee embarks on a perilous journey across the United States during a nationwide conflict. Accompanied…
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Case Closed: The Power of Stories in Shaping Mindsets
Read more: Case Closed: The Power of Stories in Shaping MindsetsWe recently attended an event organized by the local police department. The purpose was to showcase their activities, especially for children, with a school group seated in the front row. A police orchestra performed arrangements of well-known songs, including the iconic theme from Case Closed. This renowned manga, written by Gosho Aoyama, began in 1996…
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Alias: Unveiling Truths Through Fiction
Read more: Alias: Unveiling Truths Through FictionAlias, an American action thriller and science fiction television series, was created by J. J. Abrams and aired for five seasons from 2001 to 2006. Starring Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, the show follows a double agent working for the Central Intelligence Agency while posing as an operative for SD-6, a global criminal and espionage…
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Puzzle and Dragons: Breaking Free from the Gacha Grip
Read more: Puzzle and Dragons: Breaking Free from the Gacha GripI started playing Puzzle and Dragons in 2014, during my first year in Japan on a working holiday visa. While I’ve genuinely enjoyed the game for years, I recently decided it was time to stop. After reflecting on my habits, I realized I could better use my time—even just a few minutes daily—for more meaningful…
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Inside Out 2: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Puberty
Read more: Inside Out 2: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of PubertyWe watched the sequel to Inside Out the next day with my wife, and as expected, following the conclusion of the first movie, the story centers on Riley, now 13 years old, as she begins her journey through puberty. With this pivotal life stage come new emotions—Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui—joining the core cast of…
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Castle in the Sky: A Reflection on Environmentalism and Collective Awareness
Read more: Castle in the Sky: A Reflection on Environmentalism and Collective AwarenessI was recommended to watch Castle in the Sky from Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 1986, while I was studying Japanese at university in Paris. I had already seen Princess Mononoke and The Cat Returns from the same studio, but I had not yet watched this one. It was a delightful…
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The Dark Side of the Moon: A Timeless Masterpiece by Pink Floyd
Read more: The Dark Side of the Moon: A Timeless Masterpiece by Pink FloydI first heard of the album The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, released in 1973, through a live version of a cover by Dream Theater, which I was listening to frequently after high school. Once I experienced the “real material,” I was utterly amazed. This album has since become one of my…