Category: Empathy
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Lessons from Kimba the White Lion: A Call for Mutual Understanding and Global Citizenship
Read more: Lessons from Kimba the White Lion: A Call for Mutual Understanding and Global CitizenshipI watched the anime version of Kimba the White Lion on French TV as a child. The manga, written by Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy and Black Jack, dates back to the early 1950s. Though Disney has never officially confirmed it, many striking similarities exist between Kimba the White Lion and their iconic…
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Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and Inequality
Read more: Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and InequalityI first discovered Uplift Spice through their song Kanojo, introduced by the now-defunct French television channel, NoLife TV. Despite not being as famous as the major hits dominating the Japanese music scene, their music left a lasting impression. I was surprised when a drummer friend of mine turned out to be a big fan of…
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Green Book and the Power of Cultural Understanding
Read more: Green Book and the Power of Cultural UnderstandingWhen I watched Green Book for the first time, I was shocked by how Viggo Mortensen transformed himself for the role. While I hadn’t seen many of his movies before, his portrayal of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings still holds a special place in my memory. The 2018 film, directed by Peter Farrelly,…
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Building Empathy: Lessons from “Another Day in Paradise”
Read more: Building Empathy: Lessons from “Another Day in Paradise”A French friend I met in Japan once sang Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins during a karaoke session. While I knew Phil Collins as the drummer of Genesis (yes, I’m not that young, though it’s still not my generation), I hadn’t heard this particular song before. The beauty of karaoke, especially when you…
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The Promised Neverland: A Tale of Awareness and the Brain’s Infinite Potential
Read more: The Promised Neverland: A Tale of Awareness and the Brain’s Infinite PotentialI was introduced to the anime adaptation of The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai through my wife, who thought I would find it intriguing. Intrigued by her recommendation, we dove into the series together. The narrative proved to be utterly captivating. Set in what initially seems to be a serene and idealistic orphanage, the story…
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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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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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L’Enfer by Stromae: A Reflection on Depression
Read more: L’Enfer by Stromae: A Reflection on DepressionI was living in Japan when Stromae’s song L’Enfer was released, creating a buzz as it debuted in a unique way—during a live interview on French national news. Stromae, whose name is the reverse of “maestro” in French slang (verlan), is a Belgian artist with roots in Rwanda and Flanders. Drawing inspiration from Jacques Brel…
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Brothers: Reflections on Family, Trauma, and Redemption
Read more: Brothers: Reflections on Family, Trauma, and RedemptionToday marks my brother’s birthday—a day that reminds me of the unique bond we share, shaped by family complexities and moments of love, resilience, and reconciliation. Five years my senior, my brother was not only a guide but a model I often followed in childhood. Our family faced its share of challenges, particularly due to…
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The Power of Connection and Support: Reflections on Final Fantasy IX
Read more: The Power of Connection and Support: Reflections on Final Fantasy IXFinal Fantasy IX, released by Square Enix in 2000, stands as the ninth opus of this beloved RPG series. This installment not only marked a nostalgic return to a “super-deformed” (SD) character design, reminiscent of earlier games, but also showcased the team’s refined experience on the PlayStation platform. The results were spectacular, delivering a captivating…