Category: Planet
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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — What Lessons Can We Learn From This Iconic Game?
Read more: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — What Lessons Can We Learn From This Iconic Game?Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released by Konami in 1997 on the first PlayStation console and Sega Saturn, is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed video games of all time. Despite its now-iconic status, the game initially sold poorly upon release, only gaining recognition over time. It pioneered the Metroidvania genre—named after the…
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Is Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind a Blueprint for Harmony Between Humanity and Nature?
Read more: Is Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind a Blueprint for Harmony Between Humanity and Nature?Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a 1984 Japanese animated post-apocalyptic fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on his 1982–1994 manga series of the same name. Although the film was created before the founding of Studio Ghibli, it is often considered part of the studio’s body of work and is…
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Michael Jackson: The King of Pop – What Can We Learn from His Legacy?
Read more: Michael Jackson: The King of Pop – What Can We Learn from His Legacy?Michael Jackson, famously dubbed the “King of Pop,” remains one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. As an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist, his influence spans generations. Discussions about his life, legacy, and even the controversies surrounding him are abundant, but here, I aim to highlight two crucial aspects that…
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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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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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Rediscovering Nature and Harmony: Lessons from Princess Mononoke
Read more: Rediscovering Nature and Harmony: Lessons from Princess MononokeI just realized that this marks my 100th post on Instagram, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to share something close to my heart. During my first year of high school in France, I watched Princess Mononoke (1997) in the movie theater. It was the first Studio Ghibli film I encountered, as…
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How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My Vision
Read more: How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My VisionMy short trip to Paris to visit my dad also gave me the chance to reconnect with my best friend from middle school. We met at a prestigious middle school in Paris, located near the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by stereotypically wealthy French students. He comes from Algerian ancestry, and I am of Chinese descent, which…
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Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for Unity
Read more: Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for UnityReleased in 2009, Resident Evil 5 stands as a significant entry in the iconic horror series that first captivated audiences in 1993. Known for its gripping storylines and terrifying gameplay, the series has become a classic in the zombie-horror genre. This installment, however, sparked heated debates due to its setting and cultural implications. Set in…
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Ranma ½: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Society’s Evolving Norms
Read more: Ranma ½: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Society’s Evolving NormsI recently discovered that Netflix has released a new version of the anime Ranma ½, created by Rumiko Takahashi. It brought back memories of watching the original series on French TV through the iconic program “Club Dorothée.” France was ahead of its time in importing and broadcasting Japanese animation, giving us the privilege of experiencing…
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Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and Society
Read more: Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and SocietyI was introduced to the song “Oshakashama” by Radwimps by yet another drummer friend. As a bass player, I have often sympathized quickly with drummers—the rhythm section of a band needing to play in sync to create the foundation on which the other instruments and vocals can work freely. The better the foundation, the better…